Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Moonlit creek

I've taken photos of this creek in the late afternoon and the early morning. So why not, I figured, at night under the light of the full moon? Jelkes Creek meanders not too far from the barn depicted in yesterday's photo. It's part of the small community of Sleepy Hollow, Illinois that has worked hard to keep its rural feel while surrounded by suburbia on all four sides.

I was inspired by Bob over at NoTraces to give night photography a try after seeing some of his amazing photos. It's a learning process, but one that I enjoy immensely. I enjoyed being out at night and staring up at the stars as a youngster, pondering the mysteries of the universe. That hasn't changed. It's just a little tougher to find good spots to do so in suburban Chicago.

Taken with 35mm lens. 90 seconds at f8, 400 ISO. A flashlight was used to illuminate several spots on the creek bank. Some burning in of the upper half of the photo in PhotoShop, some vignetting and blur added. Click on picture to enlarge. Photograph © 2006 James Jordan.

6 comments:

FRIDAY'S CHILD said...

Wow! This is so beautiful. Just saying hi from Dr. John.

Dave said...

Beautiful and with a huge depth in the colours

Marion said...

Lovely photo...and I really like the one of Jelkes Creek in the morning, too!

James said...

friday, I enjoyed having everyone visit from Dr, John.

davem, I still amazed at the colors that film picks up at night that our eyes cannot. the colors are there, we just can't see them.

marion, the creek is a favorite spot of mine. I'm hoping there will be some nice photo opportunities there this winter.

Cedar Waxwing said...

That's lovely! I always drive down Sleepy Hollow road once or twice when I'm "back home". It's a special place. I usually go during he day, but nighttime is best.

Anonymous said...

Hi -- Thanks for the wonderful photo and memory! I lived in IL in the late 60's, used to rent old Grumann canoes at the Elgin boathouse and try to paddle/drag/carry them up places like Jelkes Creek. Now living in Las Vegas and missing, at times, the Midwest creeks and rivers. Thanks again, David Schultz, Spanish prof, CSN, Las Vegas