The Needles, August 20, 2016

The Needles in Custer State Park, August 2016. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

From a pullout on the Needles Highway, you can see the Needles (needle-shaped objects) and the tower on Black Elk Peak (tower-shaped object). I like the tree line arcing up and down across the rock face and the contrast between the big spires on the left and the little tower on the right.

Grass on the Niobrara River Shore, August 16, 2016

Grass along the banks of the Niobrara River at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument in August 2016. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

When I’m out walking around looking for a little fun, I’ll often play with grass. Sometimes I get a fun little composition out of it. The mid-afternoon sun lights up the curved blades as they march off the plane of focus. The stream of the Niobrara River provides some grounding for the scene.

Light Trails in Chadron, August 10, 2016

Long exposure of a moving light source in Chadron, Nebraska, August 2016. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

With the camera on a tripod, you have someone carrying a flashlight walk a zigzag pattern from far to near. If all goes well, the exposure will be long enough to capture a good range of movement and enough ambient light to showcase the environment. The person walking doesn’t really show up, since they’re moving too quickly to produce an identifiable image. I like the symmetrical arrangement of the trees, which are counterbalanced by the diagonals of the light. The asymmetrical arrangement of the light lines keeps the composition from being too centered and too balanced.

Moonset at Whitney Lake, August 5, 2016

Crescent moon aligned with Venus and a star over Whitney Lake, August 2016. (Photo by Daniel Binkard)

I was planning some astrophotography at Whitney Lake, and arrived at the last bit of sunset and moonset. The moon was cooperative, posing above the dock and in line with a couple other celestial bodies. The dock is lit by the streetlight that is also cooperatively at the shore. It’s so nice when the elements work with you. Indeed, my camera was cooperative, taking the photo just as my finger pushed the shutter release button. And later, my software made the various tonal edits just as my fingers happened to brush against the mouse and keyboard. That camera sure does take good pictures.