Deep Sea Fishing off Plum Island

I love to bring my camera on family outings! It keeps me participating even if what we are doing is not my favorite thing in the world.

What can I say about deep sea fishing? My husband and my son love it! It can be peaceful, frustrating, boring, and exciting! A photographer is always welcome to come along. That's the good thing about photography - even if the activity is not really your "thing", if you bring your camera you are never bored!

We had all the "right stuff" for a potential catch-it-yourself dinner: the boat, the bait, the fishermen, the patience... But somehow we ended up with lobster for dinner!

When you are shooting on the ocean don't forget to bring your lens hood to combat solar flare, a circular polarizer and I suggest fast shutter speeds because everything is always moving. Also, remember that the ocean spray has salt in it, which can be potentially hazardous for cameras. You could use a rain sleeve and you'll find yourself wiping off the filter you use to protect the lens quite often.

If you want to see more shots of Plum Island, Mass. go to my Flickr website:

www.flickr.com/photos/kathleenmilsteinphotography/

Canobie Lake Park at Night

My kids have grown up with Canobie Lake Amusement Park. It is a small, beautifully landscaped and fun, family atmosphere park that feels a lot like Disney World. It began as a pleasure park at the end of the trolley line in Salem, New Hampshire in the very early 1900s. The original roller coaster is still there as well as an exciting new one with a loop de loop! Now this is not on the scale of a Busch Gardens but over the years it has grown to include some really scary rides! And the food is as bad as any amusement park you have ever been to!

Last month when Pearl (http://www.photographybypearl.com/ ) suggested we try it as a night shoot I immediately loved the idea. We headed up there with our tripods and cameras in tow for an evening of fun!

This was the first time I had ever done anything like this. I have not even tried fireworks. I recommend it, though, because there is nothing that will teach you faster about capturing movement with long shutter speeds. The lights are amazing and give some wonderfully abstract effects! If you use an aperture of about f22 the bright white lights will automatically give you a star effect. Try zooming in or out at the same time as the shutter is open for light trails.

So I think I'll head over to the midway at the Topsfield Fair this October and do it again. Happy shooting!