POTD - Wide Open Service Announcement

Wide Open Service Announcement, a photo by Jeff.Hamm.Photography on Flickr.

This is more specifically targeted at those of us shooting with a micro four thirds system, though the concept holds true through all of photography really. The Olympus Micro Four Thirds system has a manual focus magnify assist to help you manual focus. Combine that, with the unrelenting sharpness of their primes, a good 3 stop neutral density filter, and you can really make some interesting things with it. This is the Bell Tree at Missouri Botanical Garden, a detail shot of the center. This has been my white whale so far with bokeh panos. I try one or two every time I'm there, but the bells sway in the wind. One day I'll get it so I'm not too worried.

Anyway, to everyone, switch those prime lenses into manual focus, you will be surprised how good your eye is. You see a composition and your eyes will focus to how you want to see it. Translate that to your camera with manual focus. It will take some work, but the results are beautiful. Please let me know what you all think as any suggestions are welcomed and appreciated. Enjoy!

POTD - Among The Green

Among The Green, a photo by Jeff.Hamm.Photography on Flickr.

This is another angle and bokeh pano using our flute playing sculpture friend from MOBOT. I posted a different shot of him several days ago. This is the first shot like this that I've successfully gotten both foreground and background blur in a bokeh pano. These things are super fun to shoot and can't wait to try a couple while down in WDW.

3 MORE DAYS!!!!

Please let me know what you all think as any suggestions or comments are welcomed and appreciated. Enjoy!

POTD - Chihuly In Bokehrama

Chihuly In Bokehrama, a photo by Jeff.Hamm.Photography on Flickr.

First of all, I can't really go much further without giving personal thanks to my friend Jeff Krause, SpreadTheMagic here on Flickr, for introducing me to The Brenizer Method. More commonly known as Bokeh panos, these have become a focus and a new challenge for me these past couple of weeks.

Secondly, this has to be one of my favorite shots from this spot because of that technique. If you've followed me for any length of time, you know I love shooting at Missouri Botanical Gardens in my area and love shooting the few Chihuly pieces that remain inside. Not until I went in the other day with my Olympus E-PL5 and 45mm f/1.8 attach did I really realize the true potential I had. The beautiful morning light and the fall flowers certainly didn't hurt things at all. Please let me know what you all think as any suggestions are welcomed and appreciated. Enjoy!

POTD - Straight In Fall

Straight In Fall, a photo by Jeff.Hamm.Photography on Flickr.

This past Friday morning, on my way to MOBOT to try some bokeh panos with my Olympus, I was running a little bit early for the gardens opening. I decided on the way to stop by Forest Park and try to find something to shoot there for a bit. I ended up by the Jewel Box, the parks department really has this area landscaped nicely for the fall. I was graced with good skies and great color for this shot. Every time I take my Olympus out for shooting, it really amazing the quality it can produce when I want it to. Please let me know what you all think as any suggestions are welcomed and appreciated. Enjoy!

POTD - Isolate And Repeat

Isolate And Repeat, a photo by Jeff.Hamm.Photography on Flickr.

A familiar sight to many of you, but an attraction I haven't been on in quite some time. This was also down for refurbishment while we were there due to a fire that "broke out" by accident, rendering Under New Management useless... Big loss there. I am incredibly excited to see a show closer to what I remember the original being. Of course, just like then, I'll have plenty of photos to share. This time we'll have some from inside too! :) Please let me know what you all think as any suggestions are welcomed and appreciated. Enjoy!

9 Days until our PhotoMagic 2013 trip!

POTD - Across The Park

Across The Park, a photo by Jeff.Hamm.Photography on Flickr.

One of my favorite parts about the open fields at Laumeier Sculpture Park is that you can see one massive sculpture at the same time as another. Sure does make for more options and considerations while composing a shot. I will of course be back here many more times to perfect compositions, but for this one I wanted to highlight both the beautiful clouds in the frame as well as one sculptures relation to another. Please let me know what you all think as any suggestions are welcomed and appreciated. Enjoy!

POTD - Playing By The Pond

Playing By The Pond, a photo by Jeff.Hamm.Photography on Flickr.

While roaming around with a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 I borrowed from work, I decided to shoot this small sculpture. I could never get a good comp with how tight of a space it is here. With the 50mm and some bokeh panorama magic, I was able to get something quite useful. I will be heading out to the Botanical Garden this Friday to practice this technique with my Olympus E-PL5 and 45mm f/1.8 as I found it works quite well. Please let me know what you all think as any suggestions are welcomed and appreciated. Enjoy!

POTD - Fire House Detail

Fire House Detail, a photo by Jeff.Hamm.Photography on Flickr.

Nothing really special about this particular shot accept that it's helping me get even more excited about our upcoming trip. This was taken with my good old 50mm f/1.8D, which was a really great money and still is one of the best bangs for the buck. Can't wait to be standing on Main Street again, now with all the Halloween decorations, and shoot with all this new knowledge I've acquired over the last couple of years since I was there last. Please let me know what you all think as any suggestions are welcomed and appreciated. Enjoy!

POTD - Bokeh Bench For A Sculpture

Bokeh Bench For A Sculpture, a photo by Jeff.Hamm.Photography on Flickr.

This is another successful bokeh panorama from Laumeier Sculpture Park here in St. Louis. Off the main area of the park, there is a small path that wanders through the woods and stumbles upon more sculpture and art around many corners. This particular one, out in a field by itself, stood maybe 50 feet high, was really something that caught my eye from a distance. I tucked myself back into the trees to make my panoramic include that little bit of the trees. Please let me know what you all think as any suggestions are welcomed and appreciated. Enjoy!

POTD - St. Louis Union Station Lights Up

St. Louis Union Station Lights Up, a photo by Jeff.Hamm.Photography on Flickr.

This is a shot of the entrance to our St. Louis Union Station. More of a Mall with no stores in it at this point. But the architecture and the setting downtown still make this a destination for restaurants and a great hotel. Hopefully that helps turn around the rest of it, but with recent efforts to make our downtown a more welcoming place that seems more probable. Please let me know what you all think as any suggestions are welcomed and appreciated. Enjoy!

POTD - Crystal Arts From Below

Crystal Arts From Below, a photo by Jeff.Hamm.Photography on Flickr.

Another shot I pulled from the 2011 archive and did a little B&W work to in order to bring it back to life. I had to post something of Disney relevance since we're now within 16 days of our trip! I also just found out we will be getting Magic Bands and MyMagic+ for our trip which is exciting as well. Not having to dig for a card after bag check will be nice with all my camera gear. Plus it will be awfully nice to not have to walk across a park for a fastpass. That means time for more photos! Please let me know what you all think as any suggestions are welcomed and appreciated. Enjoy!