First Run at the Tulip Festival....

Got there before sunrise.

It was a very nice morning....not too cold...great color....much better than last year....might have one more weekend....

Before sunrise....the moon was stong over the fields...


Then the trucks rolled in.....and the baloons started going
up......didnt know they would be there this morning.


Got in position for one that was almost as colorful as the fields...


And...well..while I have shot this tractor before.....I couldnt resist with this springtime iconic person at the wheel. :~)



Definitly worth the time spent.

Roman

Hi Roman,

Absolutely stunning photographs. I look forward to seeing your tulip fest photos every year, and these definitely did not disappoint.

The first shot with the moon in it - what time of morning was it?

James

Thanks James..it was 6:42AM.

Fantastic shots Roman!!! Gorgeous colors. Love the robin at the wheel of the tractor LOL what a catch. I am going to have to try and hit the tulip fields this week if the sun comes out at all...I don't often see 6:42 am though I am usually painting til the wee hours I'll try for later evening What lens did you use for these? I am thinking of getting a wider angle my widest is 28 - 75 tamron which has seemed a little long for landscapes.

Used the 17-55 and the 80-400. The ultra wide stayed in the bag yesterday....

Thanks....and I was there at 6:00 (But I am none of those weirdos who wake up at 4:00AM almost every day...6:00 is sleeping in for me).....and stomping the fields planning my shoot out...before the light started happening.

Roman

Great shots as always Roman. I spent several years in Santa Fe,NM and in nearby Albuquerque they have a balloon festival every year. I love your balloon pictures especially set off as they are with the tulips.

Joe

Thanks Joe, It was a suprise to me and a welcome one at that.

Roman

Thanks Roman, you really make these extra special. I am anxious to go to the tulip farms here but we have had nothing but gray skies and rain and that is all in the forecast too. Do you use a tripod for these? I usually shoot fast moving animals so am wanting to do some landscapes to learn the tricks for the best shots.

wow!! i remember last year's images - the balloons add a lot of color & pazzazz to an already beautiful & colorful scene. what a lucky break, eh? & i agree with the tractor with the robin at the wheel. nice catch.

jp

Dee Dee....yes I always have a tripod with me on shoots....its a part of me now...LOL. For me Tripods are manditory for landscape work.

JP - Thanks...

Roman

Roman...I love that first and last photo. In the first shot the moon really adds to it. In the last shot...you always have to love old tractors and the robin really added to it.

I kind of figured you used a tripod, I am going to have to take mine out and get comfortable with it I see!

Thanks Roman you do inspire!

My tripod is part of me on all shots. Even fast moving animals. I find that I am only happy with my tripod bird shots at 100 ASA. Tripod,shutter release,a second of letting the system stop wiggling after focus in my mind are all part of the process.

Hi Roman!

I am truly impress with your choice of objects and the intensity of the colors in your photographs. However, I do have a question for you and the members of the forum. I have been a fan of photography since I was a boy scout! But only recently was I able to buy a Nikon D50 with a 18-55mm and 55-200mm lens. My question regards the use of tripod. You seem very confident about the use of tripods when photographing. Does that mean that you do not think much of the, for example, Nikon DX VR lenses or the Canon image stabilizers? The VRs are pricey and I do not want to make a mistake! I will immensely appreciate your opinion and that of others. Greetings from the land of the cheese heads! I am one by the way!

Thanks! Yes...if you want to shoot landscape.....landscapes are best shot in softer light...which means less light. If I purchased one of the VR lenses (which I have) I consider it because of its qualitys as a lens....and the VR is bonus.

VR does help when your shooting gatherings...or when a tripod just isnt feasable....so buy your VR lenses with confidence.....and if you ever have a question about what lens fits your shooting style...just ask.

I am sure myself or one of the other awesome members of the community here will be able to help you out.

Roman

Roman:

Thank you for your prompt reply! I will then look into the Nikon VR lens. I want to shoot landscapes and animals and I thought that given that I want to shoot both landscapes and animals I needed a lens that goes from 18-200mm and makes corrections for my unsteady hands. I have a manfrotto tripod but it is somewhat heavy and that is the other reason why I was thinking about the VR lens. Thank you very much for your advice!

oh how beautiful-- and everytime I see pictures like this I get ever so homesick for the beautiful San Juans-- the tractor is fantastic. I have to learn how to make such sharp photos so this is very inspiring for me.