Winter Visual Clean-Up

Jackson Square, New Orleans La

This is the second winter that Susan and I decided that by February we had a sufficient dose of cold and ice and escaped for a March road trip to the south.  This year we loaded our rented van and headed toward New Orleans.  On the way we visited family in Harrisburg Pennsylvania and, then struggled through persistent winter in the mountains of West Virginia, until we finally felt the beginnings of spring warmth in the horse country around Lexington Kentucky.  Our route took us for short stays in Nashville and Memphis before we landed In New Orleans. 

Nashville Music at the Listening Room

The trip was about finding warmth, but it was most notable for delicious food and great music.  Yes, even country music.  Of course, I took pictures along the way, but so far, of the 1400 images, I was too busy to edit more than about 30.  More to come, I’ll be adding them to a New Orleans Trip Gallery.  It was great to get away, but I returned with a fresh eye for the special character of our winter landscape. This week I would like to get back into regular posting with an offering of a few of the winter pictures that I was able to grab before we retreated to the south.  

This winter was another disappointment, spells of cold and a few paltry snow storms, but not much to excite the miserable weather fetish of the devoted outdoor photographer.

The Cold
I found manifestations of the bitter cold spells with the smoke coming from the Keene State College smoke stacks and, one of my favorites of the season, the deadly icicles hanging menacingly inside the railroad arch in Keene New Hampshire.

Out From Under

Given the paltry amounts of snow, my pictures often featured what was bravely poking its way through the cover.  At various times, grass, rocks, fences, tress and wood piles and had their moments. 

Christmas Cheer

 Christmas always provides opportunities for warm images in a cold season.  This year’s Keene Central Square tree was not massive, but it had a nice shape.  I never caught the square in the perfect “Winter Wonderland” moment, but I like the contrasting light of the storm clouds behind the late afternoon glow.  

This year I had to go to Princeton New Jersey to catch dramatic holiday lighting.

Finally, to accurately reflect he season, I must include the bare ground around the Chesterfield Town Hall on an early February morning.  The cold clear air allowed a beautiful view of January’s aptly named Blood Moon in eclipse.  


And just as a reminder, I include a nostalgic shot of a frigid winter sunset from a Walpole hillside, February 2008.  Winter the way it ought to be - I hate this global warming s#*t!

And don’t forget to sign up for my Spring Waterfall Workshop. 

I’m expecting a lot of April showers to bring May flowing water as well as the flowers.

Spring Waterfall Workshop 

Weekend of May 17-19
Get in touch soon!

Jeff Newcomer
wwwpartridgebrookreflections.com”
603-363-8338
jeffn49@myfairpoint.net

Digital Photography in the Glorious New England Spring

Fryes Measure Mill Falls, Wilton NH

On the Mississippi, New Orleans

We have escaped the cold and snow on our southern road trip.  I love the New England winter, but by March I have found that I am ready for a little warmth and a jump-start on spring.  After two weeks we have settled into a nearly week-long stay in warm New Orleans. Neither Susan or I have been to the big easy before, so we have enjoyed a great time touring, eating and hearing some wonderful music.  On the way we stopped in Lexington Kentucky, Nashville Tennessee and Memphis.  At present we plan to head home along the Gulf Coast and then reluctantly head north up the Blue Ridge.

Singer-Song Writers at Nashville's Listening Room

We are having a great time, but I’m looking forward to getting back home for my spring photography programs.  In addition to sharing a few images from our trip so far, I wanted to let everyone know about my plans for the spring.  When we get home, these programs will be coming on quickly, and given the limited size of the classes, I want to get people signed up as soon as possible.

You can contact Keene Community Education for my Intro to Digital Photography Course and directly with me, at jeffn49@myfairpoint.net, to get signed up for the exciting Spring Waterfall Workshop.

Introduction to Digital Photography: 

Description

Digital photography has greatly expanded our ability to capture images that reflect the beauty of the natural world. Yet to capture the best images, one must still appreciate how to achieve the optimal exposure in various situations through the interaction of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.  Techniques for nailing sharp focus with both automatic and manual controls are also needed along with an understanding of the capabilities and controls of your camera.   These aspects of photography will be covered as well as the essentials of strong composition, which will be addressed through discussion and constructive feedback of your own images. In addition to the four classes, two field trips to local areas of beauty and interest will be scheduled based on class consensus.  Please bring your camera and manual. Limit: 15

• Date: Tuesdays April 9 to May 7, Tue., (no class 4/23)
• Time: 6-8 pm (8 hrs.)
• Location: Room 326 at Keene High School
• Instructor: Jeff Newcomer
  jeffn49@myfairpoint.net

$122.00

Contact Keene Community Education at

https://www.keenecommunityed.org/

·         (603)357-0088

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Spring Waterfall Workshop 

Weekend of May 17-19

Garwin Falls, Wilton

Spring is some weeks away, but it is time to begin thinking about the spring runoff and the seasonal rains which hopefully will be invigorating our many regional waterfalls.  I am an enthusiastic fan of waterfall photography and there is no better time to capture the excitement than in the early spring.  

This year I will be following my usual, time tested, schedule.  We will gather Friday evening, May 17th, around my dining room table, for a chance to meet everyone, and review our plans. It will be my opportunity to assess the varying levels of photographic experience among the participants and consider how everyone can be accommodated.  I will discuss key elements of the photography of flowing water, including the importance of a sturdy tripod, a cable release and, of course, a polarizing filter.  We will also have a chance to plan Saturday’s schedule.

Over all day Saturday, and Sunday morning, we will explore some of our region’s most dramatic waterfalls, from the marvelous group of falls in Wilton New Hampshire, to some lesser known falls in Chesterfield and Gilsum.  Saturday evening, we will gather again around my dining room table for pizza and discussion of the day’s experiences. We will also have a chance for review and gently critique many of the images from the day’s shooting and plan Sunday morning’s explorations.

2017 Workshop

Sunday morning, we will gather again for more falling waters.  I will let you all escape, by noon, exhausted but with a camera full of wonderful waterfall images.

It should be an exciting weekend and I’m looking forward to sharing many of my favorite spots and techniques.

To allow for individual attention, the workshop is limited to only

 8 participants.  The entire program including snacks and an informal dinner will be $195.  

Get in touch as soon as possible, by email or phone, to get on the workshop list.  I look forward to seeing you. And in the meantime, stay warm.

Oak Alley Plantation Up-River from New Orleans

Jeff Newcomer

www.partridgebrookreflections.com

jeffn49@myfairpoint.net

603-381-8393