Water World A few pics I took

[FastEddy]

In the last 30 days I have been lucky enough to visit 2 spectacular water attractions in the US.

Here are a few shots of The Hoover Dam and Niagara Falls.

Hoover Dam

Generator for the power to power Hover dam and the dam complex

Room 1 of 2 containing the power turbines to create electricity

Niagara Falls

 

[Rolex]

I've been to the falls a few times, always wanted to see Hoover dam. As usual, your photos are professional quality.

 

[robmob]

Nice pictures. It has been 22 years since I have been to Hoover Dam. I remember the stifling heat outside, but it being nice and cool inside on the tour. I didn't want to leave. Never been to Niagara.

 

[FastEddy]

It was hot! 112 the day we went and yes, it was a cool 66 degrees in the turbine room. Its hard to feel the hugeness of the facility from the photos. each of the turbines are 50 feet or so across.

 

[kazi]

I missed the color show in Niagara Falls when I was there, nice shot.

 

[hb1111]

damn eddy did you win the lottery?...very nice pic. how do you do it? and what kind of camera?

 

[NITRO 21]

Really nice pics, I tried using my Sony W-1 this weekend at a race I went to and half my pics came out crappy now I am wishing I would have gotten something a thats a little bit better at distant shots, anyways what camera are you using?

 

[hb1111]

i think I'm going to return my w-1 this weekend

 

[FastEddy]

Don't try to keep up with me on toys unless you have nothing better to spend your money on.

I'm using a Canon Digital Rebel along with a Canon brand 28-300 lens. The total for the two will set you back close to 2k. Most of the brand name cameras over 4 mp have great quality guts. What sets a snapshot apart from a quality photo is the lens.

If you are looking for a great camera for a great price you will be hard pressed to find a better unit than the Sony 707-717. They are both discontinued and can be found for around 500-800 new or slightly used. If money isn't an issue Canon and Nikon both make excellent SLR digital cameras. If you choose to go this way don't try to buy an off brand lens to save a few bucks.

One warning about the upper end equipment. Its big and heavy. You will pay the price of lugging around equipment to get a great shot. I still use my 4 year old Kodak 2.1 mp camera for family outings and fishing trips. It fits in my pocket and if it gets drooped or wet (Again) its no big deal. Two different cameras for two different purposes.

Don't think I just whip the camera out and take good photos. I will get 1 good one for every 100 I take. Another great tool is photoshop. It allows the tweaking of colors as well as cropping.

There are several photographers here on this forum that are much better than I am. I have learned a lot from them and will never in my wildest dreams be as good as they are. Did you know one of our members has shot professionally for NASCAR? The shots I have seen are just out of this world.

 

[Rolex]

My trusty Minolta finally quit on me about a year ago after almost 20 years. I had a 75-205 telephoto lens that got me close for great shots. It was a very heavy piece of equipment to carry around, what with the lenses and tripods, but I was so familiar with it and knew it took excellent photos.
I'm now in the digital world with 2 HP cameras, a 2.3 and a 3.2 Mp, but have yet to invest big time the way I did with 35mm.

 

[FastEddy]

Photography brings me as much joy as RCs do. If you add up the investment in your RC collection you will see there isn't much difference in cost. I conceder myself lucky to be able to have several hobbies at the same time.

Rolex,
you hit it on the head about being comfortable with the equipment that you have. Once you use something long enough its all second nature. I remember when I first got into RCs it was frustrating trying to control the damn thing and make it go where I wanted it to instead of where it wanted to go. Now its all second nature. Its the same with a camera. I'm still trying to get used to this one and get disappointed when the perfect shot isn't so perfect.

I do have to say that having good equipment makes it easier. The shots I posted are OK but nowhere near what I would call great or even good. The only reason I posted them was by request of a few users that asked to see them.

 

[Candyman]

Ed, the pics of the falls came out great. I admit I was skeptical while I was watching you because it was so dark. But they look great. Even the greyscale shot looks good. No blur or smudges with the slow shutter. Excellent work!

 

[hb1111]

thats some good info for thought,this camera is new to me and its driving me crazy,but i guess i need to learn it and get used to it then i think ill be ok. i had a canon 35 mm camera it was said to be a good one,i bought from a guy that was a Photographer for a surf mag. that turned crack head,i used to take pic with it and loved the results,i would spend tons of money on film and delopment,i had a great time,but I've sold it i think i'll buy a better camera in the future when they become lower in price for a larger m.p thanks Eddy!!

 

[FastEddy]

Learn to use what you have.
Take lots of pictures. Read your book and try different settings. You will be amazed on what the differences are with and without using the flash. Try using the macro setting on non macro shots. Find a subject and take pics using all possible settings and write them down as you are taking the shots. Reference your settings when looking at the photos. When you find a setting you like go practice taking photos. Sooner than later you will know what settings to use in a given situation. The camera you have is good, you just need to learn how to tune it.

Its not uncommon for me to take 100-200 photos in an afternoon just messing around. I can't tell you how many photos I have of my feet, desk, mouse, or anything thats just sitting there. Practice is the only way to get better, and I need a lot.

 

[scottm]

Nice pics Ed. How are the NY guys? I hope you didn't take any more pics of Chris's meat whistle...

Rolex, are you the nascar photog? I have a 25 year old Minolta SRT 201 that still works. Its advantage over an electronic 35mm film camera is that it has no $20 main battery to die, killing the camera too. I'm going to pop for a good digital soon, around $400-500 range.

 

[vbgagnon]

those are some nice pics edd. I'd like to see some of those nascar pics too.

 

[mcvickj]

Awesome pictures Ed. :thumbup: NCNitro is the member who has shot for NASCAR. I don't believe I have seen any of his photos. Has he posted any on the boards?

 

[scottm]

Here is a pic from Eddy's trip of some tree sloths mating in a Buffalo parking lot...

 

[Rolex]

Here is a pic from Eddy's trip of some tree sloths mating in a Buffalo parking lot...

Tree Sloths spend their entire lives in the trees. I'm pretty sure that those critters mating in the parking lot would be Ground Sloths.
Animal Planet documentaries have shown that the scent of burning nitro fuel sends these otherwise docile creatures into a mating frenzy.

 

[El Pirata]

In the last 30 days I have been lucky enough to visit 2 spectacular water attractions in the US.

Here are a few shots of The Hoover Dam and Niagara Falls.

Hoover Dam

Was it a holy moly?