The Heat is On….

Just last week I wrote about the return of nice weather, and the prospects for a return to summer rituals–barbecues, ball games, airshows, concerts, and trips to the beach. And then, like a flipped switch, the sun kicked in and we zoomed up into the 90’s. Summer is definitely here, for a while, and with it comes the big ball of sun, and the heat and sweat of the of next few months.

The heat accompanies our return to something akin to “normal.” Though normal as a term is more relative and malleable than ever. Does it really mean the normal we used to have? Or just less time being masked? We’ll see how all this goes.

Big sun means a big lens, for sure. This airplane silhouette was shot from the Brooklyn Promenade, but that plane is on a flight path over Newark Airport, which of course is in a different state. A 1000mm lens is the easiest way to get to Newark in rush hour, as it turns out.

Long glass equals big, solid tripod. I shot this forty plus years ago, on Kodachrome, with a NY Daily News thousand mil, on a heavy duty Gitzo tripod. Fast forward, all my cameras and lenses are still bolted to Gitzo supports. Their solidity and adaptability has been a partner for my whole career. And they just keep getting better.

Gone fishing! Big sun, casting off a dock. Have always loved graphics and sun silhouettes. This below, is, most likely, something around 1200mm.

The below is backed off to 300mm.

And the beach! This crowded beach in Lima, Peru a few years back now….tough to say if this will ever be replicated.

The above shot was fun for me to experiment with in Capture One Pro. Still learning the ever-growing capacity of that program, but the dehaze tool snapped this to life. Shot with a 300mm from a paraglider. I was seriously happy to get back on the ground. Easy touchdown on the sand.

More tk…..

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Comments

Frederic Hore says

June 7, 2021 at 11:15 am

Terrific shots as always Joe, if I may be informal. Those sun closeups at 1000 mm are fabulous!

That said, from my experience, there are better tripods on the market now, compared to Gitzo. The number one problem with Gitzo, is the leg lock system, using the twist lock collar.. You have to make sure its fully tight to prevent slippage from a weighty setup. And it’s just slow! I tried one and hated it!

A fellow tog and good friend had a Gitzo aluminum tripod, and due to salt water contamination, the collar corroded internally and he had to buy a new leg, which was almost the price of a new tripod. He could not buy replacement parts!!!

I personally like the Italian made Manfrotto tripods – I own three of them, my fave being the 055 aluminum series. They use fast-to-use snap leg locks, and come with a tool to adjust the spring tension if the legs start to slip. They can be easily taken apart to be serviced and cleaned. I’ve used mine in all conditions, from -40C temps in Northern Canada, to +40C in the sandy desert heat of the Gobi desert, and never had a problem. Hope you will try one sometime, and offer your thought on them. You may be surprised.

Thank you for your recurring newsletter – I always appreciate reading your behind the scenes posts and tips.

Cheers from Montréal.
Ian Stewart says

June 7, 2021 at 5:14 pm

Great post, great memories and, of course, great photos
Joe McNally says

June 8, 2021 at 8:27 am

Hey Frederic….thanks for stopping by the blog! Good choice on tripods. If I ever opted for another system, it would be Manfrotto. Gitzo for me, at this point, is like an old friend. All the Best! Joe
Monica says

June 8, 2021 at 11:02 am

1000mm yolk backdrop looks fabulous! We can never get tired of the sun! Hot weather here in the UK, we are waiting eagerly for you to come back for another workshop hangout maybe:-)
Mark Carruthers says

June 9, 2021 at 11:22 am

Hi Joe… Really enjoyed this blog… aka “Here Cones the Sun” or maybe NY heat! Must admit, I’ve never shot with a 1,000mm lens (I seem to recall using a 600mm once). Hope you’re doing well! Cheers… Mark
Mark | JerseyStyle Photography says

June 13, 2021 at 10:14 pm

I need to click through and view these blogs post on my laptop. The phone reading does NOT do these images justice. Just beautiful.
Joe McNally says

June 14, 2021 at 6:57 pm

Thanks KMan!!!