Blog #12 - Black & White Stories
As the old grandfather clock struck midnight, the young woman sat alone in the dimly lit room, pondering over the events of the day.
She had always believed that things were either right or wrong, good or bad, black or white. But as she looked back on the events that had unfolded, she realized that there was so much grey to every story.
She had been raised to believe that people were either good or evil, and that there was no in-between. But as she listened to the whispers of the wind outside her window, she saw things in a different light.
The man who had been portrayed as a villain in her eyes was not all bad, and the woman who had been hailed as a hero was not all good.
She poured herself a cup of tea and stared into the flickering flames of the fire, lost in thought.
She remembered the words of her grandmother, who had told her that life was not always clear-cut, and that there were shades of grey in every situation.
And as she thought about it, she realized that her grandmother had been right. Nothing was so black and white.
People were complex creatures, capable of both great kindness and unfathomable cruelty. And it was up to her to navigate the murky waters of human nature with grace and understanding.
She took a deep breath and made a decision. She would no longer see the world in black and white, but in all the shades of grey in between.
And as she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, she knew that she was on the path to true wisdom and enlightenment.
Blog #11 - Earth Day and April/May Night Sky!
April 22nd - Earth Day
Earth Day is an annual celebration that honors the achievements of the environmental movement and raises awareness of the need to protect Earth’s natural resources for future generations.
Night Sky
Hold onto your butts, the next two months are filled with naked eye Night Sky opportunities!!
April 2024:
April 21-23 (EARTH DAY) - Lyrid Meteor Shower peaks!
From a dark sky location, you can expect to see an average of about 18 meteors per hour during the shower's peak, though up to 100 meteors per hour are sometimes seen.
April 23 - PINK Full Moon
Look east at moonrise to see April’s full moon rising as a deep orange orb.
Full moons occur when Earth is located between the sun and moon, making the moon appear fully illuminated from Earth.
May 2024:
May 5–7 - Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower
Producing up to 50 meteors per hour at its peak, the Eta Aquarids are shooting stars produced by dust particles from Halley’s Comet.
May 8 - New Moon:
New moons occur when the sun and moon are aligned and make the moon invisible from Earth, creating the darkest sky of the month.
May 9 - One of the best times to view Mercury
You should be able to see it low in the sky right before sunrise.
May 23 - Full Moon (aka the Flower Moon)
May is the blooming month for many flowers in the Northern Hemisphere.
Blog #10 - Planning an Adventure
Photography Trip Planning: Click Here
In the summer of 2020, I took an 18-day, 12-state, 6,800-mile road trip, and it was the best experience of my young photography life. However, it would not have happened without a significant amount of planning, patience, and research.
When planning trips, there are often two perspectives: the speedy, surface-level tour or the slow, deep exploration. I have always been a proponent of the latter and that the best road trips are about taking the time to truly immerse yourself in the environment and create meaningful connections with the places you visit.
General guidance for your upcoming trip:
Best Investment:
Garmin InReach, insurance, and a basic plan to ensure I am able to get help or check in with loved ones.
Even if you are traveling with others, I highly recommend having some form of satellite communication device since cell service is not guaranteed.
Water Filter is crucial to your adventure.
I use the Platypus QuickDraw 1L filter system because of the wide-mouth opening for easy filling, and it can attach to various bottles for safety and convenience.
Choosing a theme for your next adventure:
What do you want to see or do?
For Me I use All Trails or FATMAP.
Both are FREE and all you need to do is create an account to discover, save, and navigate trails for free.
When are planning to see your What?
Research the season to ensure you have the correct gear; a properly equipped vehicle; time to navigate potential weather hazards; and that you are mentally and physically prepared for the journey.
Who are you traveling with?
How are you going to get there?
How many miles is it between locations?
Where can you stop for gas/snacks/rest?
What is around my desired location that I/we would want to see?
Can I/we do that in a day? Or do I/we want to do that in a day?
Are there points of interest between those locations?
Am I/we staying in a hotel, camping at a state or national park, or using a brilliant app called HipCamp?
By using tools such as the Internet, apps, and doing some scouting, you can ensure that you are in the right place at the right time to capture memories. With a little bit of preparation and determination, you can create a set of moments that will leave a lasting impression.
Wishing you a safe and happy adventure!
Ma’yet
Blog #9 - Astrophotography we Go
Ever since I was young, I have been captivated by the vastness of outer space. The twinkling stars, mysterious planets, and endless galaxies have always filled me with awe and wonder. As I grew older, my fascination with space only grew stronger.
I have always dreamed of traveling to outer space, of experiencing weightlessness and gazing down at the Earth from above. I often tell people that when I die, I want my remains to be shot out into space, just like Spock in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.
But my love for space is not the only thing that drives me. I have always felt a deep connection to water, to the rhythmic crashing of waves against the shore, to the ancient rocks standing tall in the sea. I am drawn to the beauty and power of the ocean, to the way it constantly changes and evolves.
It wasn't until recently that I decided to combine my two passions - space and the sea - into one creative endeavor. I have decided to focus my photography on capturing the beauty of ocean rocks and mountains against the backdrop of a star-filled sky. I will still photograph landscapes, of course, but my heart belongs to astrophotography with elements of the ocean.
This project will be a labor of love, a journey of exploration and discovery. I am so excited to share my passion with the world, to inspire others to look up at the stars and down at the rocks with a sense of wonder and amazement. I can't wait to see where this path leads me, and I hope you will join me on this cosmic adventure.
Blog #8 - 1 Down 49 to Go
I have always been captivated by the beauty of the world around us - from the vibrant colors of a sunset to the intricate details of a flower petal. There is something magical about capturing these moments through the lens of a camera, freezing them in time for eternity.
My passion for photography stems from my deep-rooted desire to share the incredible wonders of Earth with others. I believe that by sharing the beauty that I have been fortunate enough to witness, I can inspire others to appreciate the world around them and maybe even encourage them to explore these stunning places for themselves.
Through my photographs, I strive to convey the sense of awe and wonder that I feel when I am surrounded by the magnificence of nature. From towering mountains to cascading waterfalls, each image tells a story of the Earth's incredible diversity and raw beauty.
I hope that by sharing my passion and my life with you through photography, you will be inspired to travel more and see the places that you have always dreamed of visiting. Whether it's a remote beach in the Caribbean or a bustling city in Europe, there is so much beauty in the world just waiting to be discovered.
So, come along on this journey with me. Let's explore the world together through the lens of my camera, and maybe, just maybe, we will both find a deeper appreciation for the stunning beauty that surrounds us every day.
Blog #7 - Ode to Ocean Storms
Ocean storms are a force of nature that can be terrifying and awe-inspiring. As a photographer, I have always been drawn to capturing the dramatic beauty of these powerful storms. The dark, brooding clouds, the crashing waves, and the fierce winds all come together to create a scene that is chaotically peaceful.
The dark, stormy skies act as the perfect backdrop for my photos, creating a moody and dramatic atmosphere that is unmatched in any other type of weather. The way the light filters through the clouds, casting eerie shadows and creating a sense of urgency, is truly captivating.
I particularly love taking photos in the rain during these storms. The raindrops create a beautiful texture on the surface of the ocean, adding another layer of depth and complexity to my images. The way the water glistens and sparkles in the dim light is simply magical, and I find myself constantly trying to capture fleeting moments.
But photographing during an ocean storm comes with unique challenges. The wind can be relentless causing rain and sand to pelt your skin and equipment making it difficult to capture images and protect equipment. At times, the rain is unforgiving, soaking me to the bone, and making it hard to see through the viewfinder. But despite these challenges, I always find myself exhilarated and energized by the experience.
There is something about being out in the midst of a raging storm that makes me feel alive in a way that nothing else can. The raw power of the ocean, the deafening roar of the waves, and the intense beauty of the light all combine to create a sense of urgency and excitement that is impossible to replicate in any other setting.
So, rain or shine, I will always be out there with my camera, capturing the beauty and chaos of ocean storms. They bring out the best in my photography, pushing me to new creative heights and inspiring me to create images that are truly unforgettable. And for that, I am forever grateful.
Good Luck! Stay Safe! Have Fun! ~ Ma’yet
Blog #6 - Giveaway and Updates
Blog #5 - Patience and Sacrifice
28 - 70 mm
12 - 24 mm
70 - 200 mm
Blog #4 - Take a Hike, but first check the Apps
You are outside enjoying a sunny day and then you hear thunder and as you gaze upwards you see a dark cloud looming on the horizon.
You remember looking at your basic weather app and saying to yourself, “it’s not supposed to rain today.” We have all been there as we scramble to put everything away and perhaps race to our vehicle before the rain arrives. As a photographer and a human, checking weather is paramount to having fun, success, dressing appropriately, protecting gear, and mentally preparing for the day. However, the apps I am sharing aren't just for photographers, some of them can be used to help everyone have a fantastic outdoor experience.
General Weather App I love - Ventusky
This versatile app also has a web page you can use as well. This is my number one app for hourly predictions of wind, waves, rain, clouds, thunderstorms, temperature, and pretty much anything you can think of and more. Best part is that there is a free version or an annual subscription model available. Ventusky is a meteorological company that focuses on weather prediction and meteorological data visualization. “We decided to take advantage of our knowledge and experience and create a top-quality application that clearly displays meteorological data from around the world and allows you to monitor weather development for any place on earth.”
Star Lovers - I use Sky Guide
This is a free outer space exploration guide that can be used to find and track all astronomical events and distant objects in the universe. The search function is fascinating and the app will also give you an arrow that you can follow to find the location of what you are looking for.
I often use this app to find and line up the Milky Way Core in order to do long exposures and create images. Additionally, I have tracked numerous comets and even the International Space Station.
Photography’ish - PhotoPills
This app is mostly used for photography planning and it helps by providing times for sunrise -set, moonrise - set, Milky Way core, star trails, meteor showers, eclipses, and much more. “Have you ever walked through a place and thought: "It's too bad the Moon isn't RIGHT there... would have made a great photo!"? What about the Sun? and the Milky Way? Well, now you can just let your imagination fly and calculate when this specific magic moment happens in just a few seconds!”
Ocean Lovers - Tide Alert (NOAA) (Link to article on Different Apps)
For me, Tide Alert is the #1 app that I use to plan my beach photography. When shooting or even walking on the beach, you MUST pay attention to the tide. We all need to know when the tide is coming in, how high it will be, or if the tide is going out and how low it will be. Most importantly, we must pay attention to the times of high and low tides.
Enter Tide Alert, a FREE app that comes with a paid Subscription plan if you wish. It presents you with a tide forecast data from hundreds of tide stations with a delightful user interface for iPhone, iPad & Apple Watch that is both beautiful and intuitive to use. One of the best feature is it allows you to setup alerts for high tide and low tide events every day. Best of all, the [[app]] works great offline even when you are not connected to the internet.
These are not all the apps I use and if you have questions about something specific, please do not hesitate to reach out. I do understand that many of you may not need or be interested in these apps, but I ask you to give them a try and have some fun exploring. Have a wonderful day and best of luck with your adventures!
~ Ma’yet
Blog #3 - Post Processing Matters
When I first started photography, I felt that there was no hope of recovering images that were poorly lit, had to much noise, not sharp enough, or had a dull tone. This misconception led me to delete numerous photos that I probably could have saved with today’s software.
For this image, I uploaded the raw image into photoshop and used abut 20+ different brushes throughout the image to go from the left photo to the right photo. Since this process is new to me, it takes me 30-60 minutes per image to produce something I am willing to share.
Sometimes, like this morning, you hit cancel while not thinking and then you have to start all over! Not going to lie, that part sucked pretty bad.
The best part about the before and after of these images is that all this information is there, we just have to figure out how to pull it out from the dull and dark to the deep and moody.
I do admit that not all images can be saved. I have a few from this shoot that were just too noisy as I was experimenting with settings. I tried to pull out what I knew to be there and it just would not happen.
That’s okay, it happens to everyone and all we can do is move forward and keep shooting.
If you follow me on Instagram, next week Saturday’s video is going to be of me doing a full process on an image. Granted, the video will be sped up a lot, but you will get to see a full edit from start to finish.
Once again thank you for your eyes and I hope you have a fantastic day.
Good Luck! Stay Safe! Have Fun! ~ Ma’yet
Blog #2 - I created a New Editing Style!
Have you ever followed a recipe and thought; “I can do more with this if I change this or that ingredient?”
Well, when it comes to editing photographs, there are a lot of similarities. I look at images or other photographers, watch the videos, and compile a set of editing techniques that becomes laborious, time consuming, and creates images that feel conflicted.
Recently, my love for black and white photography has been ignited, most likely by all the rainy weather, and I have never been able to edit those photos well.
Therefore, loving a challenge, I began watching videos and researching different techniques or styles, and combined two that spoke to me the most.
It has helped me to create a brand new editing technique that is nestled between black and white and color. Jokingly, I want to call it “Blue Steel,” but I also do not want to get sued, so I am working on a name.
Personally, this editing technique has amplified my love for photography and ignited my inquisitive nature.
Many of this images have not made there way my portfolio, but they will be there next week.
See you all next week. Stay Safe! Have Fun! Good Luck! ~Ma’yet
Blog #1 - My Story
Ma'yet is my name, and I have been teaching science for the past six years. During the pandemic, when all of our lives were put on hold, this passion for photography was born. I started by making timelapse sunrise videos to share with students as I kept wishing for a camera to capture other moments,
Before I knew it, I was writing my first blog on my website, I had a camera with a lens, and I was a registered business .
Leaping to November of 2023, I took a risk and a new position along the southern Oregon coast that is adjacent to education. Despite being removed from the mountains by my new location, I now see the ocean's beauty. I should concede that I miss SNOW!
Yes, I miss snow. Allow me to elaborate, I was born and raised in Chicago and have become accustomed to seasons, cold, and snow. However, after taking a road trip to Oregon in 2020, I knew that this was a place I had to see and live.
Which brings us to where we are today in 2024. I have fully committed myself to Ma'yet Photography and while I will fail as many times as necessary, I will not give up.
I am unsure what format these blog posts will take in the future, but I do know they will continue.
Thank you for reading. Good Luck! Have Fun! Stay Safe! ~ Ma'yet