Bounce

52 Frames - Week 19 - Slow Shutter

Working off last week's Fast Shutter challenge, I wanted to create a similar scene using slow shutter. Tripod-mount kept the camera steady and a 6-stop ND filter allowed for the long exposure.  Wind gusts created the bounce.

All Photographed 5/5/26

Leica M EV1 @ F16 | 40mm | 4 sec | ISO 64

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

BTS

DJI Mavic Mini camera

Suspended

52 Frames - Week 18 - Fast Shutter

Flying the drone and experimenting with the new camera's fast electronic shutter was a no-brainer decision for this week's challenge.  Scroll down for the main photo and two behind-the-scenes shots.

All Photographed 4/28/26

Leica M EV1 @ F1.4 | 40mm | 1/4000 sec | ISO 64

Voigtlander 40mm F1.4 Nokton Classic

BTS 1

DJI Mavic Mini camera

BTS 2

DJI Mavic Mini camera

The Story Of Paw

Shriner Pass, CO

From the archive.

A handicap accessible viewpoint in the middle of the forest and a folk tale to enhance it.  It was a rough drive up there, but worth it for the view and the story.

Shot with Apple iPhone 15 Pro and DJI Mavic Mini drone.

Photographed 10/9/25

Paw

Julia's Deck

Prelude To the Crash

Bakers Tank Trail

White River National Forest

Breckenridge, CO

Photographed at 201 feet above ground level (10,180 feet above sea level).  The descent went perfect until about 10 feet above ground level when a tree branch got in the way.  Fortunately, the drone survived the tumble.

DJI Mavic Mini @ F2.8 | 1/320 | 4.49mm (24mm equiv) | ISO 100

Photographed 10/9/25

Long Time; No Fly

I had not flown my drone for quite awhile.  Decided to bring it along on a Colorado trip to get reacquainted.  Lots of areas where flying is not permitted, but fortunately, many areas where it is, including non-wilderness areas in the National Forests.   Thus far, location hasn't been an issue; rather wind gust velocity has.

These photographs from the drone were captured over two days within windows of permissible conditions.

 

Pilots

84' above ground level

Autumn Changes

150' above ground level

Flight Path

27' above ground level

Bank Left!

52 Assignments BW - #06 - Feel The Tension

The drone...water landing or land landing?

DJI Mavic Mini @ f2.8 1/5 4.5mm (24mm equiv) ISO 800

Photographed 4/18/23

4-Square

52Frames - Week 16 - Blue Hour

From my drone 19 minutes after sunset.

DJI Mavic Mini @ f2.8 1/4  4.5mm (24mm equiv) ISO 800

Photographed 4/18/23

Trail Ride

52Frames - Week 24 - Shoot From Above

EC: Use A Drone

Des Plaines River Trail

Vernon Hills, IL

All this week, I intended to make a photo using my drone.  An early week Covid scare (turned out as false positive) and high winds pushed me to the last day of submission to being able to fly.  Not wanting to take a chance of losing the drone (and the SD card with my submission), I did a very conservative flight at a trail bridge I ride over often.

I guess one could consider this a streak-saver 😜.

DJI Mavic Mini @ f2.8 1/160 4.49mm (24mm equiv) ISO 100

Photographed 6/19/22

The Moon and The Circle

Lincolnshire, IL

Moon Over Treetops

DJI Mavic Mini @ f2.8 1/1000 4.49mm (24mm equiv) ISO 100

Circle

DJI Mavic Mini @ f2.8 1/500 4.49mm (24mm equiv) ISO 100

Nice day to fly the drone.  

All Photographed 10/27/21

Easy Street

CLondon52w38: Your Neighborhood

From the C.London website: “Whether it be a crowded city street, or a quaint neighborhood diner’s sign, there’s something unique about where you live. Find that element of interest and highlight it with either context or isolation.”

I got the OK from Chelsea to switch timing for w37 & w38 prompts.

Not having flown my drone for quite awhile, I thought it would be a good opportunity for this prompt to photograph my neighborhood context from above. Easy access to shops, restaurants and the forest preserve makes for some pretty convenient living.

DJI Mavic Mini @ f2.8 1/500 4.49mm (24mm equiv) ISO 100

Photographed 9/12/21

A Frown Runs Through

Wright Woods

Mettawa, IL

My summer photo was made from a different angle; hence a different title.  A contrast in seasons.  https://jeffm211-p52.blogspot.com/2020/10/a-smile-runs-through.html

DJI Mavic Mini @ f2.8 1/240 4.5mm (24mm equiv) ISO100

Photographed 1/9/21

Winter Trail

Mettawa, IL

Forest Preserve trail on a beautiful winter afternoon.

DJI Mavic Mini @ f2.8 1/320 4.5mm (24mm equiv) ISO100

Photographed 1/9/21

Many Heads

Wright Woods

Mettawa, IL

Another drone shot over the forest preserve.

Why is this image entitled "Many Heads" you might be asking?  It was after downloading the file that I noticed the head-shaped end of the pond and the many heads of cauliflower formed by the tree tops.

Taken 10/18/20

A Smile Runs Through

Wright Woods

Mettawa, IL

Another drone shot over a different area of the forest preserve.  This one straight down at 394' above ground.  I wanted to go higher, but the legal limit is 400'.

Taken 10/18/20

Wright Woods

Mettawa, IL

Peak color for our area was predicted late last week. I waited all week for the winds to die down in order to fly the drone, which can sustain maximum gusts of 18mph. With gusts all week in the range of 25-40mph, I thought for sure I'd miss getting fall color drone shots.

On Sunday afternoon, the winds died down, so 90 minutes before sunset, I headed for Wright Woods. It was overcast, however there was some clearing in the west which allowed the setting sun to cast light across the tree tops that wasn't visible from the ground.

I had low expectations going in, but am super-pleased with the results. I will post several plates over the next few days. Enjoy.

Taken 10/18/20

300' Up

It was a calm day and with virtually no pedestrian traffic, I took the opportunity to do a drone flyover of downtown Long Grove.

Old McHenry Road runs diagonally lower middle to upper right and Robert Coffin Road runs diagonally lower right to upper left.

Taken 4/23/20

Invader

52 Frames - Week 16 - Fast Shutter Speed

I knew from the beginning of the week that catching the drone in flight would be my subject for this challenge.  What I didn't know was how windy conditions would make it difficult for the drone to remain fully stable.

This shot is one of about 60 taken.  I wanted to capture some context with tree tops, all four propeller motors and as few artifacts from the bouncing around as possible.

Taken 4/16/20

150' Up

Flew the drone up to the legal limit in this location. Maximum legal limit in the US is 400' so will need to get further away from controlled airspace to try that.

Taken 4/12/20

Camera -90 Degrees

52 Frames - Week 15 - A Different Angle

In retirement, I've been experimenting flying a drone and shooting photos & video when the weather and flying conditions permit.  It's pretty awesome!

Hovering directly above at about 12' with the camera pointed straight down, this selfie is a first from this angle.

Taken 4/6/20