I just love the Boston skyline at night. It has such personality, such charisma. Even with the Longfellow bridge under construction with the bright lights that look like starbursts through the lens of the camera, Such charm. It's also very interesting how different the John Hancock (center) looks at night. Shining from the inside, it is no longer reflective. The water on the Charles had almost melted and provided a great reflection. Such a treat. Nikon D610, 8 seconds at f/8, ISO71, 29mm (24-70 f/2.8) - 7694
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Without the key to the scene, the distinctive Prudential in the background, you could hardly discern where this picture was taken. You can barely make out the Mugar Omni Theater to the right. What you see are the grasses growing in a wonderful lush park with walkways, waterways, bridges, benches, and a haven for skateboarders and strollers alike. Truth be told, forty years ago, this area was covered in warehouses, oil soaked dirt roads, filth, rubbish and the home for Cambridge industry, trucking and freight distribution simply named B&M Rail Yard #7. It was, in fact, where I began... working in these warehouses, just steps away from North Station. How pleasant it is to see what people who care are able to accomplish over time. Bravo! Who says you can't go back? What a treat. Nikon D610, 1/500 second at f/11, ISO200, 116mm, 28-300mm - 7258
I guess I have become obsessed with the light of the sun as it drifts off to sleep or begins to wake up. I look for it almost every day and get a little depressed when I can't find it. Even if the wind chill is in the single digits and the wind is howling, that last sparkle of light is some kind of a reward. Nikon D610, 1/4000 second at f9.5, ISO 200, 50mm - 6696
Our last day in La Jolla was very special. We had a red-eye so we had one last opportunity to spend time with the Pacific. We spent hours strolling along the shore. It was thrilling for me to again see the coming of sunset and that magic glow of golden light that can only be seen when the sun is very low near the horizon. We catch occasional glimpses of the golden sheen on the east coast from time to time. At the Pacific, it happens all the time. It doesn't go unnoticed. Photographers, both amatuer and professional come out by the droves to witness the magic of the light. Nikon D610, 1/250 second, ISO 200, 28mm (28-300mm) - 6395
And so it begins.... I have decided I will post one picture every week in 2016. Far less effort than 2015, but not really. Still taking the same number of pictures, but only selecting the very best for my post. We were in La Jolla, California yesterday and enjoyed a stellar sunset on the beach. Something locals must take for granted, but we do not. My camera battery died just after this picture was taken, so I missed the green flash of the setting sun, but somehow I wasn't disappointed. So fortunate to have witnessed this grand spectacle. Nikon D610, 1/4000 second at f/5.6, ISO 100, 92mm (28-300mm) - 5338
This is it. One year. 365 posts. More than 40,000 pictures taken. My year long self imposed assignment has come to a conclusion. I thank everyone who have liked, commented, or shown their appreciation in one way or another. It has been an incredible learning experience and great fun. But it is over. I will continue to post from time to time, maybe weekly, but certainly at a slower pace with more emphasis on composition, content and quality. It is fitting that the last photograph is from 34,000 feet and taken by the iPad Pro proving that it isn't so much the equipment but the content, composition and quality of the shot. Something I work on all the time. I wish everyone a very Happy New Year and hope you are as excited as I am about the prospects 2016 has to offer. Please drop me a note, I would love to hear your over-all impressions of my project. Email me at rmj@trif.com or message me on Facebook or comment on my blog at www.robertmckayjones.net. Thanks again!! Happy New Year! iPad Pro, 1/3021 second at f/2.4, ISO 25, 3mm - 61
It was a challenge this morning trying to take pictures. Seems sneakers are not the best for traction on ice. I had my 105mm lens on the camera thinking I would get some nice macro images. Yes and no. I did catch a flock of geese overhead - flying north. North? Yes. They must be so confused or it may have been they were scoping out the body of water I was near and decided to move on. In any case, they are amazing in the air. Nikon D610, 1/180 second at f/27, ISO 400, 105mm - 4803
Ice covered leaves on the first winter storm of winter 2015-2016. I hope I have as much character in my face after I have lived a lifetime as does this leaf. Still hanging on as if nothing has changed, it clings to life even after death. Beautifully rugged. Nikon D610, 1/125 second at f/6.7, ISO 100, 105mm - 4733
Good morning time is what my Grandson at the age of 3 called the early morning, always filling it with goodness. When I look at this sunrise, it reminds me of the 1967 Little Rascals song, It's a Beautiful Morning. As the song goes, "I think I'll go outside a while and jus' smile"; "It's your chance to wake up and plan another brand new day". Sounds like a good idea. It's curious how images and smells can instantly transport you through time. Nikon D610, 1/750 second at f/4.8, ISO 100, 17mm (17-35mm) - 4706
I am guessing that people around town are getting used to seeing this awesome little buglet scurrying around or parked alongside the road, rain or shine, night or day, I am dubbing this copper turbo compact the photomobile. I have all my gear (inventoried and insured) resting in the not-so-big, but big-enough trunk and the little 10.5 gallon tank will happily take me about 340 miles. Yes, I am still loving it, Nikon D610, 1/30 second at f/22, ISO 1600, 28mm (28-300mm) - 4575
I must say, we followed the fad this year adding laser lights to our front and back yard. In the black of night, in any weather, these laser dots that glow on the trees, bushes, umbrella's, feeders or anything else in their path are really very cool and so much easier than stringing lights. After the holidays, we will see what they look like in a room, Nikon D610, 20 seconds at f/4.8, ISO 100, 17mm (17-35mm) - 4701
What an unusual Christmas. Family gathering scheduled for tomorrow so we could all be together. Left to our own devices on this 60 degree Holiday of all Holiday's, my wife and I traveled paths we had never before taken. So many sounds. Water in motion makes the most glorious woosh, soft when navigating the river rocks, hard when falling a few feet. We have seen the falls many times, but never thought it was possible to trek beyond. We are thankful to have seen both sides now. Water is such a simple gift, we often ignore it or take it for granted. Merry Christmas! Nikon D610, 1/100 second at f/22, ISO 800, 85mm (28-300mm) - 4671
Before the temperatures rose to the mid-60's, yesterday's rain was still lingering. It occurred to me that nature has its own way of decorating for the holidays, with or without snow. Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas Eve. Nikon D610, 1/45 second at f/6, ISO 100, 350mm (140-600mm) - 4619
Finding light is all about timing. Many photographers will scope out a location and wait for the light. I like to do that from time to time, but more often than not, I just don't have the time. I tend to be more of an opportunist always looking for the light in my travels. I frequently get rewarded as I was here. It was early morning, but long after sunrise and this scene caught my attention instantly. Nikon D610, 1/4000 second at f/6.3, ISO 1600, 550mm (150-600mm) - 4535
I have often seen wild turkeys and have even seen small groups, but I have never seen a flock. There are a little over forty turkeys here and there were another thirty or so on the other side of the road. Blue they were, but they were all unique. The feather pattern, the head coloring, the snood hanging from the throat, all different and almost all were watching me two hundred yards away. Nikon D610, 1/60 second at f/6, ISO 1600, 400mm (150-600mm) - 4491
This lovely couple (which I have never seen before) may have found a perfect home for breeding, if this weren't Massachusetts. However, with temperatures extremely mild, Mr. and Mrs. Hooded Mergansers are finding the waters quite nice and have decided to stay a while. Their presence would indicate that we have some fish in these waters. I will stop back from time to time to see if they make a home or are merely transients. I suspect the latter. Nikon D610, 1/20 second at f/6.3, ISO 100, 600mm (150-600mm) - 4453
Not sure where the word comes from, Scotland or Scandinavia maybe, but I can't think of another that is more appropriate. Cozy means snug, comfortable, warm, not offering a challenge, relaxed. It certainly fits today. There is a chill in the air and snow showers in the forecast. Not a nor'easter, but considering our dry-spell, it might be refreshing to see a few flakes in the air. Just relaxing in front of the fire on this Sunday before Christmas. Nikon D610, 1/45 second at f/5.0, ISO 6400, 150mm (150-600mm) - 4446
Tower Hill Botanical Gardens does a wonderful job at decorating for the holidays and it certainly grabs the attention of the locals. Inside and out, trees and shrubs are lit in all the colors of the rainbow. Lasers project against the backdrop of the forest. The attention to detail is notable. But I am afraid mere mortals are no match against the power of God. God's canvas, the sky after sunset, reaches deep within you and leaves you speechless and grateful. Nikon D610, 1 second at f/4.8, ISO 100, 65 mm (28-300mm) - 4280
I wonder what birds are saying when they are all talking at the same time. It seems obvious to me that they could not be conversing with each other. I am guessing that they are announcing to friends and relatives passing nearby that they have stopped here in this tree, just for a moment to rest a while before they depart en-masse. I suspect there were 50 or more birds hidden in the branches of this tree. As I approached, they all fell silent unsure of my intentions. Fear me not I said in my mind. The silence was short-lived. Nikon D610,1/60 second at f/6.3, ISO 100, 600mm (150-600mm) - 4237
Just some evidence (in my mind) that there is a photograph to be taken everywhere you look. Some nice bokeh thanks to the drops of rain, sure. But who expected that Fiat would place the 500 logo inside the headlight assembly. I appreciate attention to detail whenever and wherever I see it. Bravo Fiat! Just one more thing I like about this car. Nikon D610, 1/15 second at f/6.3, ISO 100, 600mm (150-600mm) - 4234
We are told that we will witness the first full moon on Christmas day since 1977. I am looking to get an exception photograph possibly with Santa in the foreground. I have met Santa although I have never seen him in the sky. I must prepare. Pictures such as these are so rare. Wish me luck! Nikon D610, 1/250 Second at f/6.7, ISO 100, 600mm (Tamron 150-600mm) - 4222
I was taking photographs of the awesome sky this afternoon and discovered creatures in this photograph that did not exist less than a second prior. They look like sticks with oscillating wings like a jelly fish only the were flying. If someone knows what these might have been, I surely would like to know. Bizarre. Click on the picture for a larger image posted on Flickr. Nikon D610, 1/8 second at f/11, ISO 200, 17mm (17-35mm) - 3959
On a dark and rainy night, the color of light can be nourishing for the eyes, and maybe more. Just a wee bit of camera movement can result in a mardi gras explosion of beads. These abstracts are pleasing to only few but I just happen to be one of them. Nikon D610, 8 seconds at f/3.5, ISO 200, 32 mm (28-300mm) - 3956
A stones throw away from our back door in the middle of the woods is this ancient mariner. I know of three generations that have climbed this great white shark, I suspect there are more. Clear cutting would have made this an open field less than a century ago and this monolith would have attracted attention on the hillside. When I walk in the woods, I often think back to simpler times. It is good to go there, even in our mind. Nikon D610, 1/125 second at f/3.5, ISO 200, 28mm (28-300mm) - 3860
Well the tree is up (little thanks to me). But that doesn't mean I don't appreciate it. And this is probably my favorite ornament of all. Remember the Magic, something Walt Disney seemed to do so well. The picture today was inspired by news of the fully restored office suite of Walt Disney in California's Disneyland dedicated by two of his granddaughters. Now only open to employees and cast members only, it will be added to the 2016 back lot tour. Fuji X100T, .6 seconds at f/2.0, ISO 200, 23mm - 2270
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I am Robert McKay Jones, a photographer from Sterling, Massachusetts and North Fort Myers, FL. I take photographs almost every day. I post my favorites here. |