Greg Molyneux Photography

Tag: snow

  • Trail Rides and Snowy Pines

    Nestled in the heart of the New Jersey Pinelands. fresh snow blankets the fire trails and pine trees of Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area in this black and white wide angle photograph.
    Trail Rides and Snowy Pines — 14mm | f/8 | ISO 100 | EXP 1/30

    If literal titles are your thing, this post is for you.

    In a shocking turn of events I woke up early this morning. 5:00 a.m. to be precise. Outside of snowfall and fishing, it’s a tall order to release me from the grip of my warm bed during morning hours. Unless we’re talking about work—which I seldom necessitates my waking up too early. Alas a morning person I am not.

    Sleep be damned, with the excitement of fresh powder during a snow starved year there was no way I was going to miss this opportunity. Even if the wind chills resembled something you’d more likely feel defending your hidden rebel base on Hoth—and that’s without an odiferous Tauntaun to warm your bones. But I digress.

    As I am decidedly lacking in snow photographs I have to exploit all opportunities to shoot it that I am given. The small body of snowfall work is the culprit of a three-part beast: 1) snow can be hard to come by in coastal Ocean County; which relates to reason 2) that I just don’t have enough experience making photographs of snow; and 3) my vehicle is simply too unsafe to drive in snow.

    Fortunately today at least two of the mitigating factors were addressed: a widespread swath of 4″–6″ blanketed Ocean County into the early hours this morning, and I had Jon Carr drive in his Jeep Cherokee. And so it was, Wawa coffees in hand, embarking on a predawn journey into the Pinelands. Much of the next two hours consisted of minimal photography but maximum enjoyment. While great scenes with dramatic light were hardly reaching out to grab us, we just cruised the trails (re: made a bunch of wrong turns) like we’ve done so many times with our crew over these past 17 years. I’m a huge fan of the New Jersey Pinelands regardless of the season, but there’s just something special when they’re draped in snow.

  • 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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  • Today some snow happened

    Light snow falls on an empty roadway marked only by a lone set of tire tracks. Flanking the road are guardrails and pine trees to either side of this black and white photograph.
    Today some snow happened — 14mm | f/8 | ISO 800 | EXP 1/30

    Up until about 4 hours it was hardly the season for snow lovers. Not for those of us living in New Jersey, anyway. But with today’s Clipper and the threat of this weekend’s Nor’easter, times they are a changing. Being a photographer and a snow lover, stopping to take pictures on my way to dinner seemed the only sensible thing to do.

    I went toward my usual Dock Road jaunt but turned off onto Mayetta Landing Road just before things open up onto the marsh. There lie one single pair of tire tracks perfectly marking the road ahead. I quickly parked in the shoulder, threw on the hazards, and jogged off into position. With ISO set to auto and snow messing up my lens, I fired off a single handheld exposure and produced what would become the picture above.

    Here’s to more (and better!) snow photos coming in the days and weeks ahead.

  • A path in the pines

    Manahawkin photographer Greg Molyneux's black and white photograph of a snowy trail turning off to the left in the Pinelands. This photograph features a grainy treatment and stark black and white contrast juxtaposing the light and dark. All light focuses on the path.
    A path in the pines — 40mm | f/4 | ISO 100 | EXP 1/640

    Yesterday morning I woke up to a late season South Jersey Special. Which is to say we received about 6 inches of snow in Manahawkin while the good folks to the north (about 40 miles) saw next to nothing. You win some, you lose some in New Jersey. Wanting to make the most of the fresh fallen snow my buddy and I made for the Pinelands. After about 3 abrupt U-turns we pulled down a small little trail.

    I started the shoot with my 40mm pancake lens—it seems like months since I’ve taken it for a spin. Not far from the truck I quickly framed up a shot, focusing on the trail that doglegs to the left back behind the pines. It advances the story and leads us wondering what’s around the bend. I didn’t know it at the time but this would wind up as my shot of the day. Different from my usual style, this grainy black and white calls for your attention at simply cuts out the rest.

  • 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.

  • Snow noir

    A black and white abstract photograph of a street light with falling snow. Shot with plentiful bokeh in a film noir style. Taken by Manahawkin, NJ, photographer Greg Molyneux.
    Snow noir — 14mm | f/8 | ISO 5000 | EXP 1/40

    Nighttime snow will forever mean one thing: incessant checking of the streetlights for evidence—and intensity—of falling snow. Snow lovers know what I’m talking about.

    This winter has been somewhat vexing. There’s been plenty of snow but not enough opportunity for my camera and me to exploit it. With tonight’s passing clipper, I was not to be stopped. Even if it meant a quick jaunt to the streetlight one house down. But hey?

    With one quick exposure into moderately falling snow and a streetlight I’ve gazed up at so many times before, my camera made real what my mind imagined. I knew immediately this was destined for a very deep sepia treatment and one cool outcome. I hope you enjoy.

  • Who watches The Watcher?

    A portrait orientation HDR photograph of the Barnegat Lighthouse at sunset in snow.
    Who watches the watcher? — 14mm | f/8 | ISO 100 | EXP 1/13

    We had a brief outbreak of light snow today and I wanted to get out to photograph it. With my friends up and their truck accessible, we took a cruise down to Barnegat Light figuring the snow pack and potential salt water ice flows would have something to offer as far as interesting pictures go.

    It worked out just so that as the snow was pulling off over the ocean to the east, the sky cast a solemn beige-purple hue to the south west. It was this sky that I wanted to feature with my shot of the lighthouse.

    Of note, this is one of my first times photographing Old Barney. I’ve got to get back soon and add this to my list of regular locations.

  • And Suddenly you Find Yourself

    And Suddenly you Find Yourself

    A photograph of late day sunlight pierces a snow covered wooded trail meandering through the thicket.
    And Suddenly you Find Yourself — 14mm | f/8 | ISO 100 | EXP 1/160

    I love snow—there’s just no other way to say it. Now that photography has emerged as my latest passion I’ll look to bring together snow and shooting as often as nature allows.

    Two weeks ago, while exploring the trail at the Ballanger Creek Habitat Enhancement Site with friends, the unsullied trail was coming alive with the fading of the afternoon sun. As I came around one final bend, I stopped short, crouched down, and knew I found my shot.

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