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Capturing the ‘Cape’: A beautiful piece of Iceland you probably haven’t seen

10 Aug

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In 2013 I was accepted for a one month artist in residence at the Baer Art Center in northern Iceland. After a wonderful month the other four artists and myself were taken on a boat trip up the coast, right past where we were staying, to the see “Cape” just north of Hofsos, a large land mass of mostly stone with a huge cliff at one end. I don’t know that I’ve been the same since.

Although I’d been told to bring what gear I had I was totally unprepared for what we saw that day. The geological phenomena of these rock columns of basalt being thrust up in ancient times from a violent volcano was just unbelievable, both beautiful and horrific at the same time.

I am writing this for DPReview while back in Iceland, as I was asked back by Baer to teach a photo workshop. Last week we repeated the boat trip up the coast of the fjord and I found myself again in front of the remarkable cliff face of the “Cape”. It was magic once again.

The job was, vey simply, not to screw up. Working to hold the camera steady on a rocking boat, to keep shutter settings fast enough, to make sure I was focused best for my subject and aperture setting and to “get everything”, as there was no going back that day.

To get to the Cape you’ll need to hire an excursion boat in the harbor in Hofsos, in northern Iceland.

Not to be missed.

Neal Rantoul is a career artist and educator. After 10 years teaching at Harvard and 30 years as head of the Photo Program at Northeastern University in Boston, he retired from teaching in 2012. You can find out more about him and see more of his work by visiting his website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Canadian Travelogue: Nova Scotia – Cape Breton Highlands National Park

21 Jul

The autumn foliage of Cape Breton Highlands National Park offers a more exciting colour palette than anywhere else in Canada, and quite possibly in North America.

The best time to visit is immediately after Thanksgiving weekend in October. The holiday weekend itself can be nightmarish, with hordes of people and endless lines of tour buses. Restaurants are filled to capacity and accommodations are hard to find unless you have made reservations well in advance. On the Monday immediately following the holiday weekend, you will pretty much have the entire Highlands region and the National Park to yourself.

Beulach Ban Falls in the 2nd week of October.

Beulach Ban Falls in the 2nd week of October.

The park is enclosed by the northern section of the famed 300Km long Cabot Trail, a loop of highway that starts and ends at Baddeck. I prefer to enter the Park at the western terminus, near the Acadian village of Cheticamp, and tour the park in a by driving in a clockwise direction along the Cabot Trail.

For those who enjoy American history, the original residents of Cheticamp are repatriated families who had previously been extradited to the United States during the Great Expulsion (Le Grand Dérangement) of 1755.  The word Cajun, which is a common term used to identify the French residents of Louisiana, for example, is actually an anglicized mispronunciation of the French word Acadien. This is a topic for another day, but Cheticamp is a fabulous place to base a few days and listen to the residents speak a very unique and distinct dialect of French and English languages.

One cannot leave the Cape Breton without the classic Cabot Trail photo, and the opportunity comes early in the trip. Park your car at the Cap Rouge pull-off and look southwest back toward the village of Cheticamp – you will instantly recognize the view and potential for a great post card picture. This is an afternoon shot, unless you are looking for a photographic challenge. A sunset photo from this location can be breathtaking, but it can also be difficult to pull-off. The sun will be slight to the right-centre of the frame so you will most likely have to contend with lens flare, and make your images thinking of a final HDR treatment.

Two particular locations in the park that call me back each year are Mary Ann Falls and Beulach Ban Falls. Beulach Ban Falls is at the eastern base of North Mountain, near the most northerly point on the Cabot Trail. It is reached by way of a gravel laneway that passes a warden’s cabin, on the opposite side of the road from the Big Intervale Campground. About 2 kilometres on this gravel laneway will get you to a small picnic park, and to the base of the falls. You should hear the falls from the parking lot. As with any waterfall, the option to include the entire waterfall, or selective portions, is an entirely personal choice – let the muses direct your creativity.

Mary Ann Falls in 2nd week of October. Yes, I placed the leaves; however, I later heard a photographer swear up and down that those leaves in his picture were exactly as he found them!

Mary Ann Falls in 2nd week of October. Yes, I placed the leaves; however, I later heard a photographer swear up and down that those leaves in his picture were exactly as he found them!

On the Park’s eastern limits, and about a 5 kilometre drive west from the town of Ingonish, you will come to a gravel road leading inland to the Marrach Group Campground. Continue along this road, following the signs to Mary Ann Falls, for about 7 kilometres until you come to a gated wooden bridge – Mary Ann Falls is immediately to your right, or downstream.

Successful images can be made at several vantage points, but the weather will often decide your ideal location along this relatively small but photogenic waterfall. Like most watercourses, the ideal time to make photographs at either Mary Ann Falls or Beulach Ban Falls is during a light drizzle or with overcast skies, thus lowering the overall contrast. Shutter speeds below 1/15th of a second should produce the often sought after “bridal veil” effect, suggesting water movement.

There are many other locations in Cape Breton Highlands National Park that deserve your attention: there is a fantastic panoramic image looking up MacKenzie River from a pull-off near the top of MacKenzie Mountain, the Coastal Trail offers some really unique Jack Pine stands (an uncommon tree in Cape Breton) as well as several vantage points for great views along the Gulf of St. Lawrence shoreline, and a really easy hike among the hardwoods of the Lone Shieling Trail.

As with most national parks, there is much to offer and explore. You simply have to allow yourself the time and flexibility to maximize your efforts in this park due to its maritime environment – if you don’t like the weather, wait an hour.

The Highlands of Cape Breton, in autumn, is a world-class destination. Plan to spend at least four days to appreciate its splendour.

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

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Canadian Travelogue: Nova Scotia – Cape Breton Highlands National Park


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Canadian Travelogue – Newfoundland – Cape St. Mary’s

22 May

Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve is about a one hour drive south on Highway 100 from the Marine Atlantic ferry terminus of Argentia. The drive to the reserve itself is fascinating and provides many opportunities for images of the rugged maritime coastline, particularly around Ship Cove and Gooseberry Cove. Should your departure point be the international airport at St. John’s, the drive will take about three hours as you travel inland via Salmonier Line, and south across the Avalon Peninsula to St. Bride’s.  Should you want the most scenic drive from St. John’s, take the 350Km coastal drive along what is known locally as the “Irish Loop.”  Be forewarned, however, you will want to stop continuously and can easily spend a couple of days playing tourist before you arrive at the Placentia Bay community of St. Brides.

Once at the reserve your best vantage point will be mere metres from the large precipitous pinnacle known as Bird Rock, which is a 30-minute walk from the Visitation Centre. You will be welcomed to Bird Rock by a chorus originating from the third largest nesting colony of Northern gannets in North America. In addition there is a large rookery of common murre (known locally as turres), black-legged kittiwake, thick-billed murre, razorbill, black guillemont, double-crested and great cormorant as well as Northern fulmar all nesting at the site.  By far the most spectacular of these Pelagic species that nest here each summer is the golden headed avian dive bombing gannet.

You will also want to be vigilant as there is a strong possibility you will see the resident red fox scampering along the headlines in search of a poultry lunch.

Cape St. Mary's is one of the best locations in eastern Canada to make portraits of the sleek Northern Gannet.

Cape St. Mary’s is one of the best locations in eastern Canada to make portraits of the sleek Northern Gannet.

Images can be made here even during the harsh light of high-noon. For unique pictures mount your camera on a tripod and extend the legs as far as possible. You can safely lie on the cliff edge and then extend the tripod mounted camera out over the edge of the cliff face, and point the camera straight down yielding what will look like an aerial shot. You should be able to program your camera to take a series of images with a time lapse between frames and thereby increase the probability of getting a good frame.  When you think you have finished the sequence —I would recommend starting with a five image sequence— simply retrieve the camera back to terra firma and see if you have captured a “keeper.”  The nice thing about this location is that if you aren’t happy with your results the first time, try again – the birds and rocks aren’t going anywhere soon.

This is also a great location to practise panning technique. If you just sit and watch the birds for awhile, notice how the gannet when fishing dive bomb from great heights and plunge into the water at speed upwards of 100 km/h (60 mph).  The distance and the speed will probably make panning shots of a diving bird near impossible; however, if you observe the birds as they take off and land on Bird Rock you should notice several things: they will almost hover as they come in to land and they will usually always land facing into the wind (as do all birds).  It won’t take long until you learn the habits of the gannets, and why I think they are the most beautiful of all sea birds.

With 20,000 nesting pairs of gannets, Cape St. Mary's is the second largest rookery in Canada. Quebec's Bonaventure Island is the largest with around 50,000 pair.

With 20,000 nesting pairs of gannets, Cape St. Mary’s is the second largest rookery in Canada.  Quebec’s Bonaventure Island is the largest with around 50,000 pair.

Most of your image making will be done facing a southerly direction with an unobstructed field of view to both the east and west.  Pre-dawn is my preferred time, which means leaving the Interpretation Centre about an hour before sunrise. Simply do a web search or check the St. John’s newspaper, the Evening Telegram, for sunrise times. You should also be aware that this area annually receives around 200 days of fog per year, so you will want to dress warmly with a rain shell.

Extreme caution must be exercised as this is a natural area with no retaining or safety fences to keep an errant foot from going over a cliff edge. An inattentive moment could result in a fall that would surely be fatal, as the drop to the ocean is about 100 metres.

Ensure you have lots of fresh batteries and more than enough media. I know from experience you are going to shoot like crazy at this most incredible seabird sanctuary.

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

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Canadian Travelogue – Newfoundland – Cape St. Mary’s


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Canadian Travelogue – Newfoundland – Cape Spear

06 May

 

Cape Spear is the most easterly point of land in North America, so you may have the distinction of photographing sunrise here before anyone else on the continent.

 the Cape Spear shoreline is one of the most easily accessible and perectly orientated for early morning shoots. Yet, it still warrants extreme safety.

The Cape Spear shoreline is one of the most easily accessible and perectly orientated for early morning shoots. Yet, it still warrants extreme safety.

Tourists usually take the 15 minute drive along Highway 11 from downtown St. John’s to the Cape Spear National Historic Site to see Newfoundland’s oldest lighthouse, constructed in 1835, and of course to view the sunrise. But even at such early hours, photographers wishing to make images of a natural seascape with the presence of “humanoids” will face challenges.

Non-photographers have every bit as much right to be here as photographers, so the easiest solution is to side-step the challenge. As you top the hill and for the first time see the two lighthouses, you’ll notice a small parking lot to your immediate left that overlooks a small cove. Although you could go the extra distance of about 200 metres to the literal easternmost point if land on the continent, you might do better to stay here and make wonderful pictures of crashing surf without unwanted people interrupting the picture-making process.

I have found that an ebb tide, nearest its lowest point, along with relatively high winds, is ideal conditions for capturing the eastward looking seascape.  As the waves crash against the reefs we need only use an 80-200mm zoom lens to compose striking images. June may offer an added bonus of icebergs, if the weather and winds are right. Typically along the eastern Canadian coast, September and October usually brings stronger winds, and indeed hurricanes, which means even bigger waves.

Study your viewfinder image carefully, as there is a small outbuilding with a power line at the extreme north tip of land that has the uncanny ability to find its way into your picture. With careful in-camera cropping this landscape image eyesore can be eliminated.

There are two lighthouses at Cape Spear, this is the new working light. The historic light is just a stones throw away.

There are two lighthouses at Cape Spear, this is the new working light. The historic light is just a stones throw away.

 

I know you’ll enjoy one of my favourite locations in eastern Canada to photography the seascape. Before you leave, though, walk out to the lighthouses. After all, you’ll want to say that you were to the easternmost point of land in North America.

On your drive back to St. John’s, you deserve to take a slight detour.  As you return via the Blackhead road drive about 7 kilometres until you see another road to your left; the sign should say Maddox Cove – Petty Harbour.  You will want to drive to Petty Harbour, which is approximately 11 kilometres from the Cape Spear National Historic Site.

Petty Harbour is the quintessential Newfoundland fishing village.  The smells and sounds are reminiscent of days past, and few locations along the eastern coast of this province offer such easy and exquisite photo opportunities. Be prepared for fog and wet weather, but in my opinion this just adds to the mystique of the place.

The quintessential hishing village of Petty Harbour. Just park your car and have fun walking around the small harbour.
The quintessential hishing village of Petty Harbour. Just park your car and have fun walking around the small harbour.

Parking your car will be challenging – there were no cars and urban planning was not a consideration when the first settlers planted roots here in 1598. The village is small so it is possible to park in a designated spot, or the church parking area and walk back to the wharf area. As with most areas in eastern Canada, you should be safe if you don’t block a driveway to either home, pasture or outbuildings.

Whereas Cape Spear is going to provide great seascapes, Petty Harbour is going to provide incredible fishing village scenes.   The producers of the 1977 film Orca also thought so when they brought Bo Derek, Richard Harris, Charlotte Rampling and supporting cast here to shoot this feature film.

Once finished shooting and enjoying Petty Harbour, you have the option of backtracking to St. John’s or continue west on the only road leaving town (Long Run Road) until you come to the Bay Bulls Road, where you will make a right hand turn and then continue to St. John’s.

-DW

Postscript: All images were shot on Fuji Velvia film with Nikon cameras, colour enhancing, colour polarizing and split-graduated filters. There has been no digital enhancing of saturation or contrast. 

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

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Canadian Travelogue – Newfoundland – Cape Spear


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iN3xt Vid 2 – 60 Attack Turmoil Zerk | Hybrid | Claws | Fire Cape | 100m+ Downed

23 Oct

Excuse my excessive use of the word “idiot” lol. In other news…changed username from iN3xt to Next. This account is f2p for now, and I’m getting turmoil on N3xt God so expect more video’s from him Yeyeyeye I know that “I made it” song is overused, but its for a friend, who is obsessed with it, and he bought me mems on this account so I figured I owed it to him lol Stats in Vid: 93+11 Combat 60 Atk 90 Str 45 Def 88 HP 85 Range 98 Mage 95 Pray 88 Summoning Songs Used: -I Made It (THIS IS FOR YOU D3X) -Phoenix: 1901 -Franz Ferdinand: Darts Of Pleasure If you’re a Zerker/Tank make sure to check out Higher Force! The #1 Mid-Level clan in ALL of R00nsc4p3 #higher-force on IRC www.hf-rs.com on interwebz
Video Rating: 4 / 5

 
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