Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Night Vision


Driving up the driveway to our house in the wine country, I got out of the car to take these pictures. The sky was breathtaking!

As I got closer to the top, the old oak tree came into view.

The sky was so surreal. By the time I walked up the driveway, the pink clouds were gone! These photos were taken at 6:00 pm, and the moon was already in the sky creating wonderful photo opportunities. I was in photo heaven!

Since I was in a photographing mood when we got to the house, I walked around taking photos looking through the windows like a Peeping Tom!

I'm having so much fun with photography these days, even though I have no idea what the heck I'm doing! I was just experimenting with light and exposure here and surprised that these pictures actually turned out.

Peeking in to the kitchen.

What a beautiful full moon!

This was taken at 9:00 pm. The moon in the sky, looking southeast.

Here is an example of how bright the sky was. This was also taken at 9:00 pm! I rested the camera on a chair and pressed the button. I counted 13 seconds before the shutter closed!
Mr. A and I couldn't believe how this turned out. It looks like daylight, but you can see the stars in the sky!

It's amazing that so much color came through.

This was taken around midnight, looking east toward the vineyard. The moon was very high in the sky, casting shadows on the ground.

Looking down the grape arbor. Notice the shadows to the right, cast by the moon.

Another photo taken at midnight looking west toward the living room. Can you see the Big Dipper?

The pool at midnight, looking south.

One of our oak trees, looking north, taken around midnight. The lights of Cloverdale are below.

The same tree with a flash!

Eventually, it got too cold so we went back inside to download our pictures and see what turned out and what didn't. About a third of them turned out. Here is the living room all cozy and warm.

All of these pictures were taken with my Canon Rebel XTi, with a Tamron 18-270 mm lens. The ISO was at 1600, letting in as much light as possible. We didn't have a tripod, so instead I rested the camera on a ladder rung or a ledge. The shutter stayed open for 10 to 15 seconds for the outside shots.

I told Mr. A that I almost don't want to know everything there is to know about my camera and photography. It's so much fun experimenting and learning. Thanks for indulging me on this little experiment with light and exposure. I guess I had a bad case of "night vision!"

I'm linking up to Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday. Be sure to visit her blog and see all the other participants and their outdoor photography.

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34 comments:

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Amazing photos. So bright that late at night. We have had some very bright nights, too and that is when I don't sleep good. I love how cozy your living room looks at night. I want your hanging lantern.

Allison Shops said...

Gorgeous photos. Amazing how much light there is at midnight. We live out in "the country" as well and enjoy the starry nights along with the full moons.

DD1 lives in Marin. I really need to drive your way next trip.

When you have time, come tour my home, an Alabama stone English cottage, that was featured last week on AtticMag:

http://www.atticmag.com/2010/02/alabama-stone-cottage-house-tour/

regards,
Allison

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

These are awesome photos. The Italian cypress trees and the rock wall really set the mood.

Kathysue said...

OMG You think you don't know what you are doing but I beg to differ, these are amazing shots. Love the moon. I remember the pink sky. Here it was on Fri and I had to go outside to look at it. Breathtaking, so glad you were in the mood and we got to share in the experience. I also loved being a peeping tom with you,Kathysue

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Wow! Love the photos! I have always liked Italian Cypress trees and your photo is beautiful. Makes me want to get a new camera! I have a setting for night photos, but it is sad.
Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing.

Johnny Nutcase said...

beautiful photos, and your home is gorgeous as well! you've got some excellent trees on your property!

Light and Voices said...

You certainly have an "eye" for photography. Those photographs are amazing!!!!!
Joyce M

Debbiedoos said...

You truly have a slice of heave there! Ok so my post is not quite up to this standard, but it's outdoors regardless:)

From the Old InkWell said...

Loved seeing your photos! I saw the full moon the other night and wished I could have taken some myself. You did a great job on yours! Especially love the one with the sky behind the curly tree! Awesome!

Unknown said...

Loved this post... I am also experimenting with my Cannon Rebel and my daughter in law says I should take a class... but who has time? Its just so much fun to figure it out as I go! Great post!
~Really Rainey~

Jeanne said...

There is a song that has the lyrics Moon Shadow, Moon Shadow. Totally great photos and tour. You have a beautiful "estate" - What a driveway and pool!

Fabulously French said...

The photos are gorgeous, your house looks fabulousin the moonlight.

Leeann x

eileeninmd said...

You have a lovely home and I love the first few shot with the gorgeous pink sky.

Anonymous said...

Awesome shots D...love the ones going up the driveway with the pink sky...Diana

Pat@BPM said...

Beautiful photos!
I agree...experimenting with the camera is so much fun. At least for me. I'm always delighted when I happen upon something new. I don't think learning ever ends.:-)

LYNDA QUINTERO-DAVIDS said...

Those photos were INCREDIBLE! I especially cannot get over the shot at midhight with the moon high in the sky... LOVE the shadow from the pergola...

:D Lynda
nyclq-focalpoint.blogspot.com

Ms. Bake-it said...

Absolutely fabulous! I love the night sky with all the stars. I too am new at photography and any pictures I post are straight from the camera. I don't really know what I am doing with my camera, but I sure have fun!

~ Tracy

Sistertex said...

Wow, a spectacular post....such beautiful photos. The pink clouds remind me of cotton candy. And the moon over the vineyard (think that is what it was), really a neat shot. All of them are quite good, whatever you are doing, keep doing it. :)

Acanthus and Acorn said...

Uh...I think we should be thanking you!!! What a treat...I am heading back to the beginning for another look!

Americana Lady said...

I was mesmerized by these photos! Not only is your place gorgeous but your pictures are fabulous! Thank you for sharing...Joan

Carey said...

WOW, that is all I can say. The pictures are amazing. I have tried to take night photos at the beach,but they were just too dark. I would love to see how the ocean and sky would look e at night with your lens. I think I will start hinting to hubby about a birthday gift. Your property is beautiful. I would love to look out on those beautiful mountains. It looks like you are really learning about photography. Great post.
Hugs,
Carey

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Hi Delores
I just popped over from Coty's blog.. and wow so glad I did...Those first 3 images have me over the moon..as do all the others.. I'm a bit of a moon freak so loving all of this.. thanks for sharing.. Julie

Treasia Stepp said...

Gorgeous gorgeous photos. I love a full moon in all it's glory. Your trees are amazing to see. Loved each and every single picture.

Sonia said...

Your pictures are breathtakingly beautiful! I love the moon photo! You have such a wonderful eye for capturing great shots! Lovely!

Miss Bloomers/Sonia

suzyq said...

I think you should give up your day job and take up photography!! Just stunning.
Suzy

colorchic said...

Beautiful photos, we were just talking about heading down your direction! We love that area!

Bill said...

Absolutely incredible images! The pink cloud photos were my favorites, but I loved them all. Your home is spectacular!

Following now ... I'll be back often! ;)

Bill

Mary said...

Wonderful photos Delores - you are really getting a lot from that camera. Like you, I'm still just going at it blindly hoping I get good shots, sometimes we surprise ourselves!! These pics remind me of the ones I took at my brother's home in the South of France - the cypress trees, stoney lanes, vineyards, still surface on the pool etc. - except I got up really early one morning and took the sunrise pink sky - it was gorgeous too.

Thanks for sharing your beautiful country home - always love seeing it in any light.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh My Goodness! Delores, these photos are wonderful! It sure looks like you know what you're doing! You have the perfect outdoor architecture and outbuildings and pool to do this, and I'm so glad you shared all of this beauty. laurie

linen and lavender said...

What fun! I can just imagine you two running around like little kids capturing this and that. What a great way to spend time together and what an amazing night to capture! ~LeAnn

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Wow, the pic with the stars and everything looking like it's daylight is amazing! 13 seconds is a long time to wait for a shutter to close. Love the shadows and the tree pics...beautiful!

Bonnie said...

I realize this is a post you did sometime back but please tell me what settings you used for these pictures especially the moon shot. I have the Canon Rebel T1i and every time I try a moon shot it does not turn out. I am looking through the lens at a big beautiful full moon and I get a tiny dot on a black surface. What lens and settings do you use?

Thanks so much.

Bonnie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Katy Noelle said...

You had so much fun! These are just BEAUTIFUL! Are you remembering your first flush of love and joy? I have to keep on going back to it.

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