Damselflies - nature photography

Damselflies
Photograph by Tom Atwood

Never take pictures at noon on a sunny day. Except sometimes. This photo of lovely blue damselflies was taken outside at the Missouri Botanical Garden around noon on a sunny day. For some reason, the photo looks like it was taken in a studio with elaborate lighting. But there was only one light. A big one.

Shutter: 1/250; Aperture: f/8. ISO: 100; Focal Length: 145 mm

Arch, again

Arch
Photograph by Tom Atwood

I believe it is very difficult to take an original, or even interesting, photo of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. Not impossible, just difficult. I have tried different angles, different locations, different times of day. This attempt came early in the morning, just after sunrise, when the Mississippi was high along the banks in East St. Louis, Illinois.

Light Pollution

44 Halogen Floodlights
Photograph by Tom Atwood

I remember when the Gateway Arch wasn't lit up at night. It stood proudly as a shadow against the St. Louis skyline. Now, 44 halogen floodlights illuminate not only the Arch, but the clouds, passing airplanes, and the rest of night sky, which is increasingly obscured by scattered light.

Shutter: 13 secs; Aperture: f/13; ISO: 100; Focal Length: 18 mm

The View from East St. Louis

Old Courthouse
Photograph by Tom Atwood

Accidents happen. Like this photograph for example. I was in East St. Louis to shoot long exposures of the St. Louis skyline. Suddenly, during this shot, fireworks erupted behind the Old Courthouse. A brief, small display. It was November 20th, not the 4th of July. I never did find out what the celebration was about!

Shutter: 15 secs; Aperture: f/20; ISO: 100; Focal Length: 55 mm