Blind as a bat in my old[er] age? Fortunately, no.
My eye doctor tells me my eyes are just fine, they’re just a little dryer than normal. The occasional blurriness, excessive tearing, and nighttime glueyness (is that even a word?) can be resolved easily with eye drops and warm compresses. Whew! One less thing to worry about.
Being as it’s my usual off day from my 4-day work week, after my doctor’s appointment, I decided to drive up to North Tonawanda to see what I could photograph at the Erie Canal. For a short time, I worked in the building pictured above, doing market research interviewing – and one of my kids had a studio apartment over that business. Small world!
After parking, I pulled my new, somewhat costly camera out and went for a walk.
I don’t know about other photographers, but no matter how carefully I try to sight my pictures, no matter how steady I hold that camera, no matter how beautiful the scenery, I’m never satisfied with any of the shots. And most of the time, I don’t know if ANYTHING turned out until I get home and download everything to the computer.
Today was no exception. I’ve decided that it wasn’t my old camera that was the problem, it was the skill of the photographer – who apparently has little to none. In any event, after some digital tweaking, I am able to offer some decent touristy views.
This bridge shot turned out well, but it’s just a normal bridge over the canal. I much prefer the photo at the head of this post. Go back up and look at it again. Scary, isn’t it? Might make you think twice about driving across that lift bridge!
The lift bridge is less intimidating when viewed in better light and from a longer distance:
Coming back, I got a photo from the other side:
This particular canal is not overly busy, which probably is why some boaters like it.
I sure hope the guy in the speed boat is one of my readers ’cause I didn’t ask his permission to take the picture – and he went by too fast for me to even wave!
The paddle boats, water bikes, and kayaks are a fairly new feature at Gateway Harbor. You can see a few in the above photos, but I didn’t want to take close-ups of people’s faces since that would mean having to track them down and get their permission to publish. And I wasn’t feeling sociable.
Fortunately, there are lots of benches. Once past the boats, I headed toward one, but then spotted a family of Canadian geese. Gotta tell you, those banks are a bit hazardous, so I couldn’t get as close as I would have liked. But they were a patient bunch:
Well, except for the one shy baby (or young female? I couldn’t tell):
At that point, I was becoming nauseous from the sunshine hitting my dilated eyes (must those eye doctors put those drops in at every visit?), so I walked slowly back to the car and headed home.
Maybe someday before winter, I’ll return to the canal. Maybe I’ll take Teddy Roosevelt along. Heck, maybe I’ll even learn to use that darn camera!
As usual – TGIF, Everyone!
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I love to hear from my readers. You may comment on this post, comment on my Facebook or Twitter pages, or email me at cordeliasmom2012@yahoo.com
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Images by Cordelia’s Mom
Cordelia's Mom, Still 
Your new (somewhat costly) camera is doing a great job. And so are you. Next, you need some software to do things like level the picture. It only matters when it’s water. An uneven waterline looks weird because water doesn’t do that. I cheat on anything green, but on water, I have to get is straight. But the pictures are great — and we ALL have to do a little post-processing. Everyone. My pictures are always crooked (usually dropping down on the left).
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I’ve never noticed any of your photos drooping. They always look perfect to me. Thanks for the advice. I have software but haven’t figured out how to level the photo.
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PS – If I ever get really good and make money, I will buy a Haselblad. They’re only about $15,000 with tax. 🙂
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Excellent photos from a poor old gal with dry eyes 😀💜😉😉😉😉
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Maybe they would have been better shots if my eyes weren’t so dilated from the drops the doctor put in. That’s my excuse, and I’m sticking with it.
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I think you really are being hard on yourself, you done great gal 💜🌹
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You’re so sweet, Willow. Thank you.
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😉💜
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I like the pictures, especially the lift bridge.
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That bridge is awesome. There are several of them in the area.
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The first bridge picture is a little frightening. Reminded me of that Star Wars battle tank on stilts… sorry, I’m not geeky enough to know it’s real name. And I think your photos were very nice. Love the geese!
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I had forgotten about that Star Wars machine, but I think you’re right. Maybe that’s why the photo gave me chills when I downloaded it.
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I think your photos are fine. Keep shooting and you will get better.
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Thank you for the encouragement. I’d certainly like to improve.
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As I recall, I have the same exact model of camera as you. When I want to see how a shot looks, I press the little button that allow me to review my pictures, and then I look through the viewfinder. The LCD screen, with all its glare, is automatically overridden when looking through the viewfinder.
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It is the same camera, Tippy, and I do use the little LCD screen instead of the view finder. Even so, when I download the photos I often see something a little different – usually better, thank heavens. That’s why I say that I’m never sure what I’ve actually shot until after I play with the raw photos.
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Yeah, same here actually. And usually they are better than I suspect, as with you. I guess we need a large computer screen to get the best idea of the quality of our shots. By the way, I think you take beautiful photos.
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Thank you.
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We never got to see or use a lifting bridge when we had the boat. Loved the locks though, even if some were a little daunting and deep. See you’ve got geese too. Some good shots though.
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I wasn’t expecting the geese. I rounded a corner of the path and they were just past the trees in a somewhat secluded area. It almost looked like they were posing for me!
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We’ve got a few like that now!
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Your photos look great, CM. There are so many factors, every picture could be better, sure. But every picture stands alone in its exact moment. Try to look at the experience that way?
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LOL, I’m still stick on “every picture could be better.” That’s just the way my insecure mind works. But looking back at the day, I did get some awesome photos – I’m getting “favorites” and “repics” on YouPic, and those photographers are better than me, so I guess I’m not doing too badly.
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I love the lift bridge photos!
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They’re my favorites, too. Thanks, Kalista.
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Like anything else, we get better with practice. You are being WAY too hard on yourself, because these are all good shots. I feel like I had a lil tour of the waterway and it’s quite a nice feeling. The bridges are great, that second shot of the lift bridge is a really nice composition, too — cameras can’t change the composition 🙂 Ya did good!
There are a couple of places in Indy that look a lot like the place you worked/upstairs apartment dwelling, and now I’m wondering if there aren’t a few of them in every city.
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I’m sure every city has scenic spots that most of us miss, simply because we see them every day and don’t realize that other people might not have. I’m reluctant to even take photos of Niagara Falls, because I’ve always gone there and everyone in the world has already seen photos of it. I’d have to find a shot that was a little bit different than what everyone else shoots.
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The best photo I have of the falls is from a footpath — The “Maid of the Mist” boat afloat, all the people in yellow slickers. It’s cheery 🙂
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Cool. If you ever have occasion to return, let me know. I’m only half an hour or so from the Falls.
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Will do!
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As Joey said, you are way too hard on yourself, Amy. I think you and your new camera are doing marvelously well. And you took pictures of an area I have not been to in a long time. I think my favorite picture is of the bridge with the clouds in it. I love the composition of it. Thank you for sharing a part of the world I am familiar with but remiss on experiencing due to what my life is like right now. ☺️
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Thanks, Amy. I actually went back in and fixed the speed boat picture so it’s now level (thank you, Marilyn Armstrong!), but I didn’t republish it in the post. I did, however, publish it on YouPic and Flickr. I’m learning, slowly but surely.
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That’s the only way to learn, CM. And I hate to divulge this but I will anyways. I’ve been thinking about photographing something in our backyard at night, only I have forgotten HOW to do so. That means I must pull out my photography book to remember how to do this. *sighs* What’s that line …. If you don’t use it you loose it? Yes, true!!! LOL
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I’m sure you’ll have the best night photos ever, Amy. Can’t wait to see them.
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Now did I “say” I was gonna pull out that book? LOL *giggling* Believe me when night rolls around I’d rather be reading a good novel rather then studying, remembering, changing the hook up on my camera, and dragging out and setting up my very heavy tripod. Reminder to self: Buy a monopod. 🙄
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Great pictures! Even if your eyes are gluey…
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Thanks. My eyes are better now. Unfortunately, my photography isn’t. But I’ll get there yet.
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Interesting comment from Marilyn A. I always knew people ‘doctor’ their pictures, but I’m usually in a rush, and never take the trouble. I’ll be more careful now…
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None of my pictures would look even halfway decent if I didn’t tweak them with the software. Even the occasional good picture benefits from a little enhancement.
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