Greg Molyneux Photography

Tag: selected works

  • Symbol of Strength

    Heavy mesoband snow and wind batter Barnegat Lighthouse as winter storm Juno skirts the New Jersey coast in this low key black and white photograph of a resolute and unmoving Old Barney at night.
    Symbol of Strength — 14mm | f/2.8 | ISO 5000 | EXP 1/30

    To better set the stage take a watch—and listen—to the snow bands and high winds that slammed into Barnegat Lighthouse Monday night. Please excuse my shaky hands.

    Taken a the top of the 10 o’clock hour, I tucked in low and close along the concrete seawall that runs all the way out into the inlet. With the wind at my back and cover to my right flank, I was able to affix camera to tripod and rifle off a few shots before the combination of intense snowfall and wind compromised the clarity of my lens. Wanting to capture snow flakes and the lighthouse beams in the shot I had to dial my aperture wide open and crank the ISO to 5000. This afforded me a 1⁄30 exposure—fast enough to freeze the scene.

    Distracted by storm and snowfall I arrived home and ignored the contents of my memory card. It’s only today, Wednesday, that I’ve gotten to really see this shot for all its worth. Black and white processing was the obvious choice from the get go, with the white of the lighthouse lending strong contrast against the backdrop of a roaring night sky. The Lighthouse itself bears the brunt, revealing an icy spine running vertically down the whole of the structure just to the right of center—its unwavering position a testament to the steady, yet unrelenting direction of the fierce wind howling out of the north-northeast.

    When you’re out there exposed to the elements as nothing more than a vulnerable sack of human, you really appreciate both the intensity of weather and the fortitude of man. Here stands a singular column, standing sentry, strong as ever.

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  • Go East, my friend

    In this HDR Pinelands photograph, early morning rays pierce through the tree line illuminating an eastward path through the pines
    Go East, my friend — 40mm | f/8 | ISO 400 | 3 Bracketed Exposures

    Here’s the last of the three shots from Sunday’s photo mission. After our time messing around in the cold, steam rising bog we decided to do a little four-wheelin’. The Pinelands are littered with trails, some maintained better than others, and it’s a great way to spend time with friends. Over the years they’ve mostly been midnight excursions, but now that we’ve turned photographer there’s more reason to get out there in daylight.

    As our two truck convoy was humming along deeper and deeper into the pines, the low sun angle was creating wondrous light play atop the tree line. At this one particular bend we stopped our vehicular exploration to get out and shoot on foot. Off the main trail was this little eastward spur illuminated by a lovely little sunbeam. Upon composing my shot I held my breathe and fired off three bracketed exposures handheld. Normally I’d say go for the tripod, but every now and then, particularly with my 40mm, I like to challenge myself and test my stillness.

    While I’m hesitant to say for sure, I think I prefer this shot to the first offering, even though the light in that one was pure magic. Yesterday’s post, however, represents a distant third. But that’s not for me to decide. That is up to you.

    Casual aside: As a long time Legend of Zelda fanatic I can’t help but think of the open-ended exploration of the Lost Woods. Ah, memories.

    In the meantime, watch out for those Moblins.

  • A crowning achievement

    Infused with pink and purple pastels, this colorful macro echinacea (purple coneflower) photograph features an early blossom with young petals that have the look of a crown for some kind of floral coronation.
    A crowning achievement — 100mm | f/4 | ISO 100 | EXP 1/160

    This photograph with its smooth bokeh and colorful pastels brings a smile to my face. Standing sentry this solemn yet proud purple coneflower is ready to live out its reign having just donned its tender floral crown. It is here I only wish all rulers would radiate such modesty and grace under the seductive weight of power and responsibility. It ain’t easy being king—even if you’re just a flower.

  • Low tide allowance

    A seven frame black and white composite exposure of a wooden bulkhead and mounded jetty rock define the portrait orientation scene with Barnegat Bay expanding off to the right.
    Low tide allowance — 14mm | f/8 | ISO 100 | 7 Bracketed Exposures

    Today’s photo excursion began in Harvey Cedars, moved to Surf City, and ended in Ship Bottom. Harvey Cedars and Surf City were total busts as it seems Long Beach Island is now near void of exposed jetty rock. This is for the best environmentally as the beaches have been built up and reinforced by a substantial rolling berm. Storm protection and preservation comes first.

    With the oceanside long exposure jetty shot out of the question we turned to the sure thing of the bay. Returning to Sunset Point I meandered about looking for a workable solution. The sky was overcast, the water calm, and obvious shots were not exactly jumping out and boasting, here! Looking over the bulkhead I noticed an exposed tract of land with about 2 feet of exposed sand fighting off the bay water. I hopped down camera in hand and had my buddy pass down my tripod. I set up my gear, made my exposures, and climbed back out of the encroaching bay.

    Considering the general overcast I had an inkling this would lend itself to a high contrast, low key result. I’m satisfied with the end product.

  • Capturing a moment

    An HDR photograph of a rare event: a full spectrum sunset over a snow covered, frozen marsh south of Cedar Run Dock Road.
    Capturing a moment — 14mm | f/8 | ISO 50 | 7 Bracketed Exposures

    Yep—

    This is what I’ve been waiting for. The perfect storm of a snow covered marsh, expressive clouds and an explosion of color. The occasional visits of the Polar Vortex this year have served to paint the most dramatic skies; and tonight just may have been the best of all. I shan’t distract you from the photograph with any more words and I hope you enjoy.

  • Your day breaks

    Your day breaks

    An HDR sunrise photograph overlooking the dunes, dune fence, ocean and sand of 13th Street in Ship Bottom, NJ.
    Your day breaks — 14mm | f/8 | ISO 100 | 7 Bracketed Exposures

    I’m not exactly a morning person so it’s not everyday I buck-up, pop the cot and go shoot a sunrise. But with a fellow photo buddy in town it’s a little easier to find the motivation.

    Conditions were pretty excellent this morning, comfortable temperatures with a cool early day glow left me thinking I’m real excited to be here. I spent my initial shooting going for the obligatory up against the shoreline shot. This was decidedly meh. The jetty rock I thought would be there had not so amusingly vanished, and there was nothing passable for an interesting foreground. When my buddy Jon walked over and showed me some shots he was making on his viewfinder, I saw he was making good use of the dune fence as foreground and I decided then I was going to follow his lead.

    Enter the shot before you.

    The swooping cloud formation, for me, creates a most interesting effect. It has the look of a crescent moon that’s dominating the daybreak sky, pressing its weight and looming ominously. Counterbalanced by the movement and lines of the foreground dune fence it makes for a well balanced scene. Getting up early was worth it.

    Related: I spent three great summers (2003–2005) manning the tools of ignorance for Ship Bottom, NJ Public Works. Three great summers of stretching dune fence. Every season we’d be replacing broken fence and even running whole sections of the stuff for blocks. Nothing like spending your days with your buddies, a couple pairs of post hole diggers, and some dune fence. It was simple labor but it always paid off going home each day having made real tangible results toward keeping our beaches clean and beautiful. Plus we got to see the sunrise each day. I miss that job.

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  • The path before me

    The path before me

    A sunset HDR photograph taken along Cedar Run Dock Road in Manahawkin, NJ, by local photographer Greg Molyneux
    The path before me — 14mm | f/8 | ISO 100 | 7 Bracketed Exposures

    The Winter of the Great Sunset™ continues. Snow and cold be damned, the sky has been putting on a show this season. Seriously, though? Who am I kidding? I love the snow. Anyway…

    I returned to my tried and true Dock Road location to take advantage of the sun’s angle in the southwestern sky. While I’ve made shots from this location scores of times before, I wanted to find a slightly different take composing the scene—and by slightly different take I mean more visually pleasing; an arrangement that naturally fosters eye movement throughout the image.

    To achieve this end I kicked the legs out wide—getting nice and low—and pulled my tripod back a few feet. This brought the small rock and sand that now marks the foreground into the frame, creating a nice starting point to guide your attention throughout the photograph.

    I’m pleased I found this shooting position. I’ll certainly be revisiting in the future.

    I hope you enjoy.

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  • Winter has its ways

    Winter has its ways

    A wide angle HDR photograph of frozen bays and a magnificent sunset at Antoinetta's Restaurant on Cedar Run Dock Road.
    Winter has its ways — 14mm | f/8 | ISO 100 | 3 Bracketed Exposures

    I’ve been privy to a spate of spectacular sunsets of late. While winter typically brings the goods, over the past seven weeks I’ve had this, this, and this happen; each better than the next. You could say the first rule to making good pictures is being there, and nothing has proven more true.

    Get out there and freeze your butt off. It’s worth it.

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  • and the heavens created the earth

    Jaw-dropping HDR wide angle photograph of a sunset over the south-side of Cedar Run Dock Road.
    and the heavens created the earth — 14mm | f/8 | ISO 100 | 7 Bracketed Exposures

    The stars aligned today. It’s hard to say waking up with a sore throat, beat down from the weekend can be a good thing, but on this day it is so. You see, my misfortunate allowed me to work from home and thereby be local and camera ready for sunset.

    It paid off.

    This was the best sunset I’ve yet to photograph. In fact, it’s one of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen unfold. All day long I was poking my head out the window, looking toward the sky assessing the cloud situation. By 3:30 PM it was clear a solid sunset at minimum was in play. While my buddy and I were getting setup and noting the ideal cloud features and creative sun angles, the excitement of the infringing pinks marching down from the north was palpable. We knew this was going to be special. I mean the night before a ripping northeast snowfall, how couldn’t it be?