Recent content by bobmielke

With some of the recent tragedies in the Middle East I wish we could just pack up our bags and get the hell out of there. Bring our troops home NOW! We're not wanted over there, why remain until 2014? As a Vietnam era vet I'm sick of overstaying our welcome. We can deploy entire divisions in 90...

Richard is the father of my best friend, Warren. Within weeks of this portrait he retired as an automotive mechanic for Ford. I think you can see the joy in his expression.

There are so very many personal uses for photographic talents. The creative part of me practices just a few of the commercial possibilities available to photographers everywhere.

Since I get to post just one photo per day this is today's shot. It's the granddaughter of one of my McDonald's coffe clutch, Dianne. The little girl's name is Faith and she is 10 years old. She's cute as a button and not camera shy. Her grandma was sitting right next to her out of frame.

This little guy looked so shy and lonely. He didn't move at all for minutes.

I was surprised on my zoo visit today that the Lorikeet Landing habitat was open to the public. They've decided to keep the exotic parrots around for another season. My little buddies were happy to see me, posing as they are prone to do.

I was so glad to be able to get out and do some shooting today. Temperatures are soaring to 60 degrees. The new 24-70mm F/2.8 performed flawlessly. Boy, does it focus fast! I had no problem with the hefty weight or the lack of VR. My skills were developed years before there was such a thing. I...

Well, here's my first serious shot with my new 24-70mm lens. Wilbur is always available so he became the volunteer. ISO 400, F/2.8, 1/250" I like it!

I'm genuinely excited! My new Nikon 24-70mm F/2.8 AFS FX lens just arrived. The first thing I did was put its 77mm UV filter on for protection. At $1700 the $50 filter protects my investment. This glass is huge! With the lens hood attached it's wide, long and heavy. On my present D7000 it feels...

I used to shoot a lot of portraits. I love distinctive faces and my "Snack Lady" certainly qualifies. I was using a D90 at the time and had just purchased a Nikon 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6 VRII DX lens. I had heard that this VR lens greatly extended the user's capability at shoot at lower shutter...

I must be getting lazy. I didn't feel like looking up the Exif data to post this shot in the critique section so I'm just showing it here. It's one of many taken of the big cats at the Portland, OR Zoo.

I have traveled about 70,000 miles, mostly by motorcycle, in the 5 years I've lived in Oregon. The day I got here April 26, 2007, I didn't know a single highway or street, having driven 3,000 miles from South Carolina. I actually had to carry around a map to find my way home. There are so many...

Here's another in my series of big cats of the Portland Zoo. It's one of two on exhibit. These cats are difficult to photograph because they actually appear shy, turning their backs to viewers. Their small environment has them in seemingly constant movement with PlexiGlas barriers. Technique is...

Even though I'm 62 and officially an old fart I continue to learn each and every day. I fill my time with things I really enjoy doing. I live a rich life by combining my three hobbies; photography, motorcycling & computers. I have a background in fine art from my college days that aids in my...

In retirement I've enjoyed having the time and freedom to experiment with the craft of photography. There's so many different uses for photographs, or pieces of photographs, that might ordinarily wind up in the trash bin. Greeting cards, calendars, posters and custom T-shirts are all on my list...