Ann DeCristofaro's Photo Blog – events, weddings, all things photography

Sometimes I just need to relax and do something for myself. It’s not surprising that I would pick up a camera and just get lost in capturing images that interest me. Sue and I went to the aquarium today in Boston. I am very lucky to have a friend that’s as nuts as I am about just sticking around and “working the shot”. Most of my friends would have been bored silly within 5 minutes, but not Sue!

Here are some of mine. I tried to push the limit on my camera – all manual all the time. These were all taken at ASA 1600 hand-held. The lens was wide open at f2.8 and 1/80 second using the 100 mm macro. Click on any picture to see the image in full detail. No noise reduction was applied to these shots – pretty amazing for ISO 1600 !!!

This October has been (and will continue to be) a very busy month. This past weekend, however, was a relief to be able to photograph the scenery for a change. New England is at its very best this time of year. I remember once needing to travel really far to see the kind of scenery that Stow takes for granted because it is our backyard!

Here are some shots that I took from around town this past weekend. All are within about a mile from my home.

Mid-July is a favorite time of mine.  I love taking my camera on my dog walks and just photographing the bugs in the flowers.  Dragonflies are particularly abundant and seem to pose for me.  My dog, Dr Pepper, is disgusted that I would waste my time with a camera when I could be joining her running and jumping in ponds.  Dr. Pepper refuses to pose for me and in fact, when I point a camera in her direction, will pointedly turn her head away!

These pictures were taken in back of Pompositicutt.  I used my 70-200 lens mostly at the 200 setting.  I also used a monopod to steady myself.  The focus was so critical that I could not rely on using the AF features of the camera. It was much easier to just “hold my breath” and focus manually.