Costanza Photography - St. Louis, MO

Reflections of Sunset - Creve Coeur Lake

2012-01-30T18:35:00.000-06:00

Dash and I took a quick walk at Creve Coeur Lake late this afternoon. I like that the days are getting longer.., but I still struggle to catch the last rays of daylight. Shooting across Creve Coeur Lake.., this was shot with a Nikon D7000 and a Nikkor 105mm VR Micro f2.8 at ISO1250 and f4.., handheld.., so the VR definitely helped cause I was also at 1/40th of a second.
Processing: I first import and balance in Lightroom 4 (Beta).., then I exported to PSCS5 for finishing touches. I used onOne's Perfect Photo Suite and all that is really doing is jacking up my contrast, adding some local contrast.., a soft glow and a frame. Nothing I couldn't do in PS, just much quicker to do in Perfect Photo Suite once I created a preset. A preset is a combination of stylizations/filters/effects/adjustments or whatever you like to call it, like a recipe, that can be applied in one-click, like a macro in programmers language.
There are a couple more that may be salvageable.., not looking for NatGeo stuff here.., just having some fun, keeping it real. ;o)

Frozen Waterfall - CC Park - St. Louis, MO

2012-01-14T12:25:00.001-06:00

I've got a feeling.., tonight is gonna be a good night. Guy came by for a second showing with his parents today.., hoping they make an offer! We're ready to move on. Dash and I had to hide out at the park for an hour or so..., I freaked when he climbed up on this frozen waterfall at Creve Coeur Park. I thought for sure he was going to slide over the edge and plummet the 8 feet to the frozen pond beneath. Luckily his claws are a biot long and kept his feet under him.
So we have a shot of Dash on the lower platform of the falls and an overview shot which has been given a HDR type treatment but using just a single exposure. The third shot is of the crick heading out from the falls to Creve Coeur Lake itself.
Tomorrow we're heading back to the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge and to the Alton Bridge up North to try and find some Bald Eagles. More on that later..,

Old Chain of Rocks Bridge

2012-01-08T18:36:00.001-06:00

On the Missouri side of the River

About half-way across you come to this bend


Out on the bridge.., nice scene

View all of the days images in a SLIDESHOW

Forest 44 Conservation Area

2011-12-31T15:42:00.000-06:00

Entering the woods.., looking for the trail..,

Dash having a run...,

Dash waiting to cross the bridge..,

Sharon and Dash taking a breather..,

Sharon on a mild Mid-West Winter's day..,

Forging ahead..,

The Trees

The Creek...,

Green, Water, Beer Bottle

Just the green and water..,

.., and the beer bottle.

Grasses on our way back..,

Horse homes on the trail...,

A Winter's Landscape..., before the snow sets in.

Flower Power #2

2011-11-26T11:41:00.000-06:00

Nothing too exciting here.., but I hadn't posted in awhile and I didn't want to forget how to do it. I'm serious. Anyway..., the flowers are dying.., it's starting to rain in The Lou.., so I grabbed a quick snapshot using a Nikon D7000 and Nikkor 60mm Micro f2.8 lens. This image was processed in Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop and NIK Color Efex 4. ;o)

Hiking the Lewis and Clark Trail

2011-10-23T20:55:00.002-05:00

Sharon, Dash and I headed out to Weldon Springs this morning and met our friends, Don and Kathy. We hiked the Lewis and Clark Trail, which is just a couple miles South on 94 from Hwy 64/40. The 'Clark' section of the trail is 5.3 miles and if you go counterclockwise you some upon the cliffs lookout after the first mile. There are two more lookouts along the river that you can stop at before the trail takes you back into the woods and back towards the trail-head. It is from the Clark trail that you can pick-up and add an extra few miles with the Lewis trail, which enters and exits the Clark deep in the woods. Here are a few snapshots from out on the trail. The trail is quite shaded, but the river was very bright and flat.., so what I'm getting it as I don't really have any nice 'river' shots this time through and didn't feel like taking the time to try and resurrect anything.., I'll be back.

Outcropping alongside the Missouri River and above The Katy Trail.

The water and sky are washed out.., no tripod, no time today.

Single file, Dash taking Lead.


Someone stuck a rock in this stump

The Gangs all here.

Double Exposure

2011-10-20T20:20:00.000-05:00

Here is a little test of double-exposure to create maximum depth of field. I had run up to the park to let my dog, Dash, run for a bit and remembered Ben Willmore talking about this technique in seminar I recently attended, From Focus to Finish, at the America Center in downtown St. Louis, MO.

Basically, I just took two photographs of the same subject and focused one near and one far and then combined the layers in Photoshop or Perfect Layers, an onOne product. These were handheld, so they didn't match up very well and I had to do some extra editing and may have been a bit sloppy.., but it served its purpose..., I will have to grab a tripod and try this again, because it is really quite interesting and fun.

Focus area #1 - Tree and Focus area #2 car in distance

Cave Vineyard

2011-10-10T21:53:00.000-05:00

After hiking our way through three of Missouri's beautiful State Parks.., we headed on over to Cave Vineyard for some Vino in a Cave. It's worth the trip. Sharon and I had a Chardonel which was really quite tasty on a Saturday afternoon after hiking through Hawn State Park.., the Northern Loop of the Whispering Pines Trail. We grabbed a fresh loaf of bread and some summer sausage and cheddar and that really hit the spot. A band was playing about 50 yards deep into the cavern and the whole thing went back about 100 yards before being fenced off. The opening is big enough for a 4 lane highway.., but we had to stay at the front of the cave, because no dogs were allowed 'in' the cave.

Sharon and the Gourd Man

A late lunch of wine, bread and cheese

Looking into the Cave at Cave Vineyards


Sharon sitting outside the Cave

Lone Elk Park

2011-10-02T19:01:00.000-05:00

Here are some pictures from Sharon and my hike this morning at Lone Elk Park.., just outside of St. Louis, MO. Upon entering the trail, we were immediately met by a couple of very large Elk that proceeded to block our trail and seemed especially keen on getting at Sharon's 'Cliff' bar. I'm guessing their sense of smell is very active because one of them came right up on Sharon's shoulder while neither of was looking!! We both yelled and ran.., I'm so embarrassed.., but it caught us off-guard. - LOL

Babler State Park

2011-09-25T18:15:00.001-05:00

Sharon and I took a quick hike through Babler State Park today. Only two miles.., but it was rugged with lots of hills. There is a small cave off the path a bit and we took a quick detour to check it out. Sharon sits in front of an opening that looks eerily similar to the rabbit cave in Monty Python. - lol ;o)

Rabbit Cave in Monty Python and the Holy Grail - lol

Dash in a Fisheye

2011-09-21T20:24:00.001-05:00

My dog Dash gets volunteered for a lot of things.., most often he's my test model when I'm playing with cameras and lenses in the backyard. Lately I've been fooling around with the Nikon DX 10.5mm f2.8 on a D200 body. I can't wait to give this lens a true test.., I'm thinking somewhere grungy.., like an old abandoned warehouse.., like Brian Matiash's stuff. Brian runs the curriculum over at onOne software and is an awesome photographer. He has some really cool HDR grunge that he's done using fisheye lenses. Google, 'Brian Matiash', or just click the link.., and you're sure to find him. Check it out.

Anyway.., here's Dash in a fisheye.

Dash in a Fisheye - 9/21/11

Fort Lauderdale Beach - Sugar Mama's

2011-09-10T10:30:00.000-05:00

While at Fort Lauderdale Beach, FL in August 2011.., I couldn't help but snap a picture of this classic..., Sugar Mama's Ice Cream truck.., hilarious!


Sugar Mama's on Fort Lauderdale Bech, FL

This next picture is from Grills Seafood at Port Canaveral just north of Cocoa Beach, FL. I love the name of the band on the sign.., 'Don't Quit your Day Job' ! - lol

Grills - Port Canaveral (Cocoa Beach, FL)

The Magic Kingdom

2011-09-07T18:43:00.000-05:00

Took the Grand-Daughter to Disney's Magical Kingdom.., what a great time. I was amazed, impressed and a kid all over again. It truly is a special place. Here's a shot of the wicked witch during the 'play' outside the Magic Castle..,

Wicked Witch - Disney's Magical Kingdom

Racoons off the Beach

2011-09-03T11:33:00.000-05:00

At Cocoa Beach, we went to a little Public Beach down the strip a ways.., there was a raised walking path through some wooded area that was really cool. Not far into my walk I came across a family of raccoons. It was so cool! They were about 10 yards back into the woods, behind the railing of the raised walking path. The mama calmly kept her eye on me as she slowly led her pups down the branch and out of sight. I was able to get some really great shots on this tree before they left and later got some other great shots at a small pool where they bathed and drank.

Back from Florida

2011-09-02T17:53:00.000-05:00

Back from Florida.., Orlando, Disney, Cocoa Beach, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and more. It was a great time.., saw family and friends, fun and sun.., what more can you ask for, right? I brought 19gb of SD cards and used them and more. I had to download 1 8gb card to the laptop to shoot some shots on the final day. Will take a while to sort through it all.., but gives me plenty to do and keeps me out of trouble. ;o)

Here's a shot of my wife and step-daughter on Cocoa Beach.

Lowepro Backpack Review

2011-08-26T09:35:00.001-05:00

Originally submitted at SellNSend

This bag has been discontinued. The replacement is the Slingshot 302. Check it out here The Lowepro SlingShot 300 AW has the same quality as the 100 and 200 but larger when you need to take more gear with you! The SlingShot 300 is an All Weather Digital Camera Backpack. The Lowepro SlingShot 300 AW...

Great functionality and value

By Pjcosta from st.Louis/Orlando on 8/26/2011

Pros: Easily Accessible Equipment, Adjustable Harness, Strong Construction, Roomy, Comfortable

Best Uses: Transporting Gear, Protecting Gear, Storing Gear

Describe Yourself: Semi-pro Photographer

Was this a gift?: No

Had it a week.., took it to Orlando for a week. Used the 'raincoat' which was quick and easy.., brought tons of gear.., pack was easily adjustable and accessible. I'm becoming a 'quick-draw' pro when it comes to swinging the hatch into position and whipping out the 70-200 f2.8 rig with precision and timing ;-) No complaints so far.., just wish I had a smaller one too for around town once I arrived.

(legalese)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

They're Back...,

2011-08-22T15:07:00.000-05:00

My D200 Camera and Nikkor 70-200mm f2.8 lens made it back today from being repaired at Nikon..., the day before we leave for Florida. Great timing.., thanks Nikon! ;o)

I charged up my batteries and snapped off a quick test with my dog Dash in the backyard. Everything looks a-OK. :o)

Dash - Test of Camera and Lens after Repairs

One thing that I did have to do was grab a new battery-grip. I sent mine in with the camera and lens for repair, but Nikon wanted close to $100 to repair it and I figured I could find a cheaper alternative. What I didn't count on was that I no longer had the battery compartment lid for the D200.., so without the grip, I had no way of keeping a battery in the camera..., duct-tape? ;o)

I called Creve Coeur Camera and they didn't carry the battery lids..., but they did have a used grip on the shelf. $90 for a Nikon battery grip..., I should have just had Nikon repair my original grip.., but wait, they also had a off-brand used battery grip that was identical to the Nikon grip..., $40. Are you kidding me! Sweet! Now I am back in business. :o)

iPhone Photography

2011-08-13T17:02:00.001-05:00

Bah-Humbug.., my Camera is in the shop and all I have is my iPhone. There's probably some point and shoots laying around.., but I would be surprised if the batteries are charged. I guess I'm hoping that my camera will be fixed and returned before I miss it.., but that's never the case. I miss it already.

St. Louis NEVER seems to have lush billowy clouds. Boring plain blue skies for most of the Summer until the last week or so. WOW!! And wouldn't it figure.., I have no camera. No REAL camera. The clouds are simply amazing.., great stock for backgrounds at the very least. This is where the iPhone really comes to the rescue. I don't necessarily need these shots to be the sharpest clouds.., if used in the proper context.., though some of these clouds in really hi-res and crisp(er) would have been nice.., don't get me wrong ;o).., but the iPhone is on me all the time and gets me something to work with. I have to be thankful for that. Below is an iPhone photo from Creve Coeur Park today. I took Dash for a quick stick toss and dip in the pond. He got a bath later too. :o)


Creve Coeur Park - iPhone Photo

Ohh, and to rub salt in the wound of my Nikon being in the shop..., an enormous Falcon or Hawk landed in our bird bath and splashed and played while hopping in and out of the water onto our garden fence. This went on for 5 minutes. I was speechless. I just watched. It was beautiful and the bird was just so.., so..., I don't know what. Just really cool. The most beautiful things in nature we have to capture with our eyes and be thankful for the moments. Being able to capture one in a camera every once in a while is like... icing on the cake.., yet never quite like really being there. But I soooo wish I would have had my camera.., I'd of put that sentiment aside and fired like hell!! - lol ;o)

Steven Jackson - St. Louis Rams Training Camp 8/6/11

2011-08-06T20:46:00.002-05:00

A quick glimpse in on SJ39 as he rounds the corner after completing a play during practice - 8/6/11

Steven Jackson - St. Louis Rams - 8/6/11

Coach Spags - Saint Louis Rams Training Camp

2011-08-06T20:18:00.000-05:00

Snapped a quick pic of Coach Spags doling out some coaching pearls no doubt.., Rams Training Camp in St. Charles, MO - 8/6/11

Coach Spagnuolo of the St. Louis Rams - 8/6/11

Danger - Electric Wires - Keep Off

2011-08-05T17:52:00.000-05:00

Dash is winded.., Dash is beat

2011-07-31T17:43:00.003-05:00

Dash was a good boy today. Again we had to make ourselves scarce so that the Realtor could show the house from 1-3pm. Dash was a sport as I took him from park to park and shot all sorts of goofy self-portraits from the tripod with a wireless trigger. He earned his keep as I drew many odd looks and I am sure I have embarrassed him. ;o)
It was a scorcher out there again today and we earned our drink. Here Dash is cooling off in the shade before heading back to the car.

Dash on a hot Summer afternoon in St. Louis, MO

Here is one of those goofy self portraits I was talking about ;o)

Wings of Hope - Cardboard Boat Race - Forest Park 2011 - Saint Louis, MO

2011-07-30T23:04:00.002-05:00

Here's a slideshow of images from the Wings of Hope - Cardboard Boat Float Race 2011 held at Forest Park in St. Louis, MO. There were just over one hundred boats registered and some pretty imaginative ones at that. There were a few spills.., no injuries, hot then rain, then cooler and damp.., always humid. A good time had by all.., take a peak and see what we were up to. Casey, Emily, Lenny and I put the #8 Locomotive together for the race.., Casey and Emily captained the ship. We were the last ship of the day to cross the finish line.., it was rainy by then, the nose of our train kept the boat from forging ahead too well.., take a look! ;o)

iPhone users can try this link

Over Saturated Grainy Flower

2011-07-29T17:12:00.001-05:00

Playing around with the Nikkor 60mm Micro f2.8 and grabbed this real quick just to check the technical aspects of the lens, which are fine, but I decided to take it 'over-the-top' and go for an artsy over-saturated grainy look. It was a tattered flower to begin with and I like to think I gave it a little more life.., maybe not, I could of just killed it too. ;o)

Tattered Flower