Pretzel's Snack-A-Day (365 for 2014)

Pretzel · Sep 12, 2014

ALMOST to the Naples sunset pics.

1st though, a couple of white egrets that were hanging around (fisherman catching bait fish in the surf helped), so I took the opportunity to catch a couple of shots.

Found this great old dock/pier where just the pilings were left just as sunset started hinting at what colors would be on display, so I camped out for about an hour.

I'm guessing the bait fish were hanging out around the pilings, as the birds were too. LOTS of birds...

The sunset was ALMOST here, so I dropped a couple of stops and snapped a quick shot of a couple of swimmers... this is just a teaser, as it doesn't come close to the sunset fun I had at that old pier!

More GLORIOUS sunset color shots coming soon!

sonicbuffalo_RIP · Sep 12, 2014

Nice images leading up to the infamous Naples Sunset pictures!

Blacktop · Sep 12, 2014

I see he's employing the cliff hanger strategy. Well played Mr Pretzel. Well played indeed.

Pretzel · Sep 12, 2014

Blacktop said:
I see he's employing the cliff hanger strategy. Well played Mr Pretzel. Well played indeed.

Who.... ME!?

*wide-eyed blinky innocent face goes here*

RocketCowboy · Sep 12, 2014

Pretzel said:
Whatever! I'm still such a n00b when it comes to this photo thing... I just apply a lot of passion. Keep your camera in your hands, as they weren't meant for hooks, and thanks for the kind words!!

Pretz ... you are far from being a n00b. These are awesome shots, with much more depth and feeling than what I'm capturing. I'm the n00b here, so you're at least a few steps up from that.

Pretzel · Sep 12, 2014

Ok, here's a few tastes of the sunset so I'm not considered a tease, although I'm saving some of the better ones...

I took as many pics as I could, from every angle I could.

Zoomed in...

Zoomed in further...

Zoomed out...

Waded out and squatting...

EVERY angle!

MORE to come!

mikew_RIP · Sep 12, 2014

You really should find an outlet to sell some of your pictures,some great images

Vixen · Sep 13, 2014

Fabulous sunset pics!!

BackdoorArts · Sep 13, 2014

Sunset photos are gorgeous. There's a part of my brain that was screaming, "Screw the birds, where's the ND shots with those pylons and that sunset with the water all awash around them?!"

Next time?!

Pretzel · Sep 14, 2014

BackdoorHippie said:
Sunset photos are gorgeous. There's a part of my brain that was screaming, "Screw the birds, where's the ND shots with those pylons and that sunset with the water all awash around them?!"

Next time?!

Thanks! TBH, though, I don't own a ND filter... not a one. I did the slow exposure shots of the Dania Beach pier just after sundown, and the sunset photos just by dialing down exposure a bit.

Pretzel · Sep 14, 2014

Here's some more sunset shots though...

A teaser of my "full orb" shots.

An area, the rougher spot between the tides I'm thinking, where the ocean had eaten away at the pilings.

Converted a couple to a nice B&W just because I could.

...and was trying a little "sunset in focus" with the foreground out of focus. Not sure I like it, but now I know.

4 of my fave sunset shots/edits tomorrow, then I'll go back to boring stuff again.

BackdoorArts · Sep 14, 2014

Pretzel said:
Thanks! TBH, though, I don't own a ND filter... not a one. I did the slow exposure shots of the Dania Beach pier just after sundown, and the sunset photos just by dialing down exposure a bit.

Probably the most enjoyable accessory that you can get for under $100. ND400 (~9 stop) or ND1000 (10 stop) and clouds/water. Get a 77mm and step down rings for other sizes and you're set.

Pretzel · Sep 14, 2014

Ok, how about a few faves?

This last pic ended up being my overall favorite of the Naples sunset shots.

RocketCowboy · Sep 14, 2014

I'm guessing there was some supplemental lighting on these sunsets to get the details from the birds and pilings in the foreground?

Great images!

Pretzel · Sep 14, 2014

RocketCowboy said:
I'm guessing there was some supplemental lighting on these sunsets to get the details from the birds and pilings in the foreground?

Great images!

Just a little shadow and HDR work in PP.

Marilynne · Sep 16, 2014

Pretzel said:
Beach within 30 minutes, LOL. Dad lives in Davie, FL (a little south of Ft. Lauderdale) but anywhere along the coast, Atlantic or Gulf would be awesome. I'm currently a call center supervisor for one of the larger regional banks, so know quite a bit about banking and/or customer service, and the wife is one of the heads of HR at another smaller bank.

Something about Florida just clicks with my soul... no other way to put it. DREAMING about making a move, but it's hard to start over.

Any luck on your job hunt? You should subscribe to some of the local papers, Sun Sentinel, Miami Herald, etc... or even a head hunter. I did a search on "call center supervisor fl", here's the link - https://search.yahoo.com/search?p=call+center+supervisor+fl&ei=UTF-8&fr=moz35

Have you tried American Express? They're in Plantation. I worked for them 1978-1979, so no contacts any more.

Good luck! Great FL shots!!