Snow study

Snow study, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

The patterns of snow on branches, twigs, and thorns makes for an interesting study of nature. We've had snow on the ground since December 26, 2012 - a huge improvement over the lack of snow last winter. We're also having a cold snap with temps down to 12°F - nothing compared to our Canadian neighbors, or what my friends in Wyoming experience each year, but unusual for Ohio in recent years. I heard on the news this morning that Ohio had the warmest year on record for 2012, and it is expected to get warmer each year in the future. Global climate change means not only increased spring and summer temps, but more extreme weather in winter as well.

In case you're wondering how one stays warm while doing winter photography:

3 layers: thermal technical layer, hiking pants, rain paints for lower half plus wool socks and snow boots; upper half = technical layer, fleece layer and down jacket. Very toasty and warm. Here's a picture from Steve showing me doing one of my winter studies.

ICM: Winter trees

ICM: Winter trees, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

January 1st - a walk in Walnut Woods Metro Park - the newest park in the Columbus system. The Pine Trees area has been open for awhile, but this was our first visit. The park is the site of an old tree nursery7, and the dense plantings with their strong vertical lines against the snow backdrop make for a good subject for intentional camera movement compositions. The flat lighting was also a plus for this technique.

Waterman Farm

Waterman Farm, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

Yes, we have more snow - we're up to 10 inches on the ground this morning after several days of snowing. Love it, I must say - especially being able to walk in the snow at Waterman Farm.

ICM: Tagliapietra

ICM: Tagliapietra, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

We went to the Columbus Art Museum yesterday afternoon. Sundays are free at the museum, and it was very crowded. The major exhibit was focused on legos - very strange, I know, but it drew a huge audience. I was more interested in the floor mosaic from Israel, and I'm always happy to see the installation of glass by Lino Tagliapietra. The dramatic lighting made for a nice study of intentional camera movement. I took this photo with my Sony RX-100, which gives me full control on manual settings.

ICM: Waterman Farm

ICM: Waterman Farm, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

Walking in the snow at night at Waterman Farm. I couldn't resist this intentional camera movement setting.

Mendenhall Laboratory

Mendenhall Laboratory, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

Another nighttime long-exposure photo at OSU after the first big snowfall of the season. Mendehall Lab is right next door to Orton Hall.

Mirror Lake

Here's another image from December 26, 2012 - the campus was so serene with its blanket of freshly fallen snow. The lights strung around Mirror Lake made for a lovely image. I'm glad I had my snow boots on - I set my tripod up in the outflow stream.

Orton Hall at night, in the snow

Orton Hall at night, in the snow, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

My favorite building on campus is lovely at night, but even lovelier when it has snowed. Long exposure of 10 seconds was a bit tricky with the wind that was blowing, but the patience paid off.

Steve and I were out on our photo walk about 2 hours. I had on three layers and snow boots. Aside from my face, I was nice and toasty the entire time. All that technical clothing we used in the Himalayas in 2009 has been good for doing winter photography as well.

Mom, I want to play with snow!

Mom, I want to play with snow!, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

We're having our first big snow of the season today. I've shoveled the driveway three times since this morning. Emma doesn't mind, she loves! to play in the snow. Click on the picture to see the other pics in this series......

Mirror Lake

Mirror Lake, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

The festive lights at Mirror Lake at Ohio State University always make me smile. This was an 8 second exposure. Happy Holidays to all.....

Into the engineering zone….

Into the engineering zone…., a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

Steve and I did a 1.5 hr predawn photowalk over on the OSU campus yesterday. The snow on the ground was the lure, and it was a fantastic time to do photography, indeed. This was one of my last photos, just after sunrise. There's a building over on the engineering side of campus that is all glass and metal with interesting angles. After working the views a bit, I decided to play with some intentional camera movement ideas - particularly a zoom shot with the interesting lights. That blue dot in the center is one of the emergency phones scattered all over campus.

First snow of the season

First snow of the season, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

We received our first snow of the season yesterday with about 2 inches accumulation and winds of up to 50 mph. It made for a blustery day, but at night, the lights were magical. This is from our driveway.

Luna and Topper

Luna and Topper, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

I love how my youngest dachshunds sleep in the same position in the same chair.

Wrong season....

Ohio State University, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

I took this photo December 8, 2012 - Ohio State University Mirror Lake. Pumpkins in Mirror Lake? I wonder how long they had been there, trying to escape through the outflow channel. I wonder when they were thrown into the pond, too - Maybe the Michigan plunge?

Columbus Zoo Carousel

Columbus Zoo Carousel, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

Another image from our excursion to the Columbus Zoo a couple of nights ago. The carousel is always a big draw, and it's fun to photograph at night.