Greg Molyneux Photography

Tag: landscape

  • Some days the sun goes out in style

    A vibrant HDR sunset taken bayside from Sunset Point in Ship Bottom, New Jersey.
    Some days the sun goes out in style — 14mm | f/8 | ISO 100 | 7 Bracketed Exposures

    … and leaves us in awe.

    I’m certainly glad I made it over to Sunset Point in Ship Bottom, New Jersey for what turned out to be some top shelf sunsetting action. There were plenty other revelers to take in the visual mastery, too. Related: I was most pleased to see those in attendance hang out with their cellphone cameras for the pastel explosion that came about 10 minutes after sunset. They were rewarded for their patience. All too often I see other photographers get in there car and leave moments before the color takes it up a notch.

    Tonight was a perfect example. What started out as 50/50 with a chance of being clouded out turned into one of the better sunsets I’ve seen. I’ve lucked out twice this week. I am not complaining.

  • This is how you sunset

    HDR sunset taken along the south marsh on Cedar Run Dock Road. The intense pastels and cloud structure are the landscape hallmarks here.
    This is how you sunset — 14mm | f/8 | ISO 100 | 7 Bracketed Exposures

    Thank you, Mother Nature. I am one shimmying fool.

    It’s been a long time, man (and women and boys and girls). Sunsets have been alluding me for the better part of Summer. That certainly changed with a flourish today. As I was down on Dock Road shooting I honestly didn’t know what direction to fix my tripod. With three hundred and sixty degrees of awesomesauce happening it was damn hard to choose.

    In the end I went a few I my favorite things: I was able to get the octagon house in the shot and the Moon. Excellent. Seriously though, this one is all on happenstance. The sky produced with unreal cloud patterns and color this day. All I had to do was show up.

  • Sit for a moment?

    A cross processed wide angle HDR landscape photograph of a park bench, beach sand, and Barnegat Bay just at sunset. Dramatic clouds dominate the sky and a cool blue tone brings a real calming influence to the image.
    Sit for a moment? — 14mm | f/8 | ISO 100 | 7 Bracketed Exposures

    After an afternoon palling around with Jon and cousin Dan—a jaunt that included a surprise bridal shower drop-off, some tasty burgers, cigars and some bayside Weiβe bier Quelle style—we made our way to Sunset Park in Surf City, New Jersey, for sunset. The place was happening (always nice to see); young and old, Long Beach Island revelers were out in force to pay homage as we spin from the sun.

    Looking back it wasn’t the most spectacular of sunsets, however there was such a subtle late summer calm to the whole scene. Using the park bench in the foreground speaks the perfect narrative for a shore community and a landscape that has brought such great memories to so many. As we prepare to say goodbye to another summer we can’t forget to stop, breathe, take it all in and sit for a moment.

  • Just last night

    A long exposure wide angle landscape photograph taken at night just in front of the lake at Stafford Forge Wildlife Management Area. Low clouds race across a sky that's back-dropped with stars.
    Just last night — 14mm | f/2.8 | ISO 400 | EXP 30 sec

    It wasn’t until my buddy Jon and I were heading back over Manahawkin Bay en route to the mainland by way of the causeway bridge that we took note of the sky; brightly lit low hanging clouds were racing across it, seemingly illuminated by the light pollution below. Once back at my house we quickly decided to make a run for Stafford Forge Wildlife Management Area for photographs. I hadn’t been night shooting in a while and was more excited by the idea than usual.

    Once there the clouds had filled in a bit more than we would have liked. And the bugs? Well, they were doing annoying bug things. But after about a half hour some clearing came to bear and brought some stars into the exposure. This shot was my last of the night and it just so happens to be my favorite.

  • These colors are not your own

    A cross processed wide angle landscape photograph taken during golden hour at Stafford Forge Wildlife Management Area. The purple hues and single solitary pine at the end of a meadow grass ensconced dirt road create a whimsical, almost melancholy mood in the scene.
    These colors are not your own — 14mm | f/8 | ISO 100 | EXP 1/25

    See that tree over there? The sparse one to the left rising up and all alone? Good. I couldn’t stop seeing it either. Everywhere I walked yesterday that quiet, unassuming tree kept reaching out for my attention—intimating its desire to be seen but never at the expense of being the center of attention. It carried a quiet confidence, overcoming its superficial loneliness; with each passing moment I became more and more convinced this tree was perfectly happy with its existence, with its place—hiding in plain sight. I as much as anyone can appreciate that.

  • As close as I’ll get to painting

    An evening HDR photograph of a winding waterway adjacent to Dock Road in West Creek, NJ. The blue tone picture features a small beach opening between long marsh grasses with a looming bank across the calm water.
    As close as I’ll get to painting — 14mm | f/8 | ISO 100 | 7 Bracketed Exposures

    Some buddies were over last night and as we were scheming on a sunset locale, we (thanks, Jeff!) settled upon the other Dock Road in West Creek, New Jersey. Whether you go by Tips Dock Road, Dock Road II or West Creek Dock Road—we’ve got two of them in southern Ocean County and both are excellent for photographers, nature lovers and shore birds alike; not to mention all the good folks who live out there.

    As we were poking around waiting for the clouds to part (never happened) we happened on a new shooting spot (thanks again, Jeff!). A small section of beach—no wider than 10 feet—placed neatly and discretely between the ever lengthening marsh grass. Anyone got a name for that stuff? With the moody blue tones and low deck of undulating clouds I had a feeling I could salvage the sunset that wasn’t. But what I got was much more painterly than I either hoped or planned for. The lazy shutter of my multiple brackets brought enough movement in the grasses to bring an element of brush stroke into the frame. As someone who struggled mightily with painting in high school (I was a pencil and paper guy), I always held the masters of brush in the highest regard. It’s a skill I just don’t have the touch to match.

  • Summer sunset on the salt marsh

    A subtle lens flare sends a rich golden glow across the lush green salt marsh in this stunning HDR sunset photograph.
    Summer sunset on the salt marsh — 14mm | f/8 | ISO 100 | 7 Bracketed Exposures

    Finally, folks. Finally

    I’ve been in some kind of sunset slump. Whether by poor scheduling or just busted weather conditions, it’s been months since I’ve caught me a quality sundown. Somehow tonight my spider sense was tingling.

    During my commute home I was noticing some promising cloud development and decided to bail on my evening run. Somewhat hesitant in my decision, I got home, packed my things and made for my old standby: Dock Road. As pine forest gave way to sweet salt marsh the horizons opened up before me; I knew my slump was over. Drama was written the sky over and there I was to take it all in. Camera in hand. Finally.

    Interestingly, the photograph I wound up posting was not one of the shots I originally had in mind for a final product. I assumed I was going to go with one of the bracketed exposure sets that came about 7 minutes after sun went down, as is the my norm. Instead I went with a shot featuring the sun still with us. It just goes to show that you can’t always go with your assumptions (and the back of your viewfinder). You’ve get to get home, upload and take it all in. Let your photographs speak for themselves.

  • Marsh gone green

    A wide angle HDR photograph taken during golden hour overlooking a tidal pool and glowing green salt marsh.
    Marsh gone green — 14mm | f/8 | ISO 100 | 7 Bracketed Exposures

    Photographing the salt marsh is not without trade-offs. In winter deep color sunsets rendered almost daily reign supreme; while in summer, the rich awakening of lush green marsh grass tells our eyes all they need to know that summer is here. Each are splendid in their own way.

    Tonight was my first night shooting wide angle in what feels like ages, and I haven’t been to Dock Road in I can’t remember how long. Let’s put it this way, last I laid eyes on the marsh it was only showing the slightest hint of nascent green spread thinly over the muted expense. Seeing the rolling green tonight was invigorating. And while I wound up clouded out of a promising sunset, I still captured an enticing glimpse of the marsh imbued with life once again.

  • Bob Ross, still with us

    A long exposure HDR landscape photograph taken at the Ballanger Creek Habitat Enhancement Site. Darkened clouds overhead make their way about the sky reflected on water as still as glass.
    Bob Ross, still with us — 14mm | f/22 | ISO 100 | EXP 41 sec

    I grew up on Bob Ross. Streams. Mountains. Happy little trees. And while I never could paint, I’m fortunate to have found the medium of photography to capture our world in my own way.

    Under impressive cumulus clouds and an afternoon of time to kill, Jonathan Carr and I ventured out to Ballanger Creek Tick Habitat Enhancement Site. Seriously, Jon brushed off four of them. He was also wearing flip-flops on a nature trail. So, you know.

    Upon recommendation of my buddy and kick-ass photographer, Vincent Damiano, I acquired and applied gaffer tape to my viewfinder and the small gaps of space about my ND filter mount. It worked. Previously I have struggled with excessive grainy noise around the perimeter of my ND filter shots. I suspected minions of light leaks were at play. My hunch was well-founded as I am pleased to report the gaffer tape did its thing.