Smoking Guns
Drawing a parallel
Ok, so, learning how 5 Stand works was not all I was doing Saturday morning. I was honing my own shooting skills. Every time one of those guys cracked the barrel to eject the spent shells, smoke curled out of the barrel. I thought it was just the coolest thing ever, so the challenge was on to see if I could capture some of that curling smoke.
First challenge: It was bright daylight, and I could not see the smoke in my view finder. I would have to shoot “blind”.
Second challenge: This happens so quickly that I would have to time the shutter release at exactly the right second in order to capture the smoke. Just like shooting a flying clay, I would have to “lead” the shot.
And just like a sporting clay will not stop for the shooter, none of these shooters “posed” for me, either. I just wanted to clarify that. I doubt they even realized what I was doing.
Even though I didn’t have the fortitude to take the sporting clay challenge, I was so busy with my own little private challenge that it didn’t matter to me at all. Once I got home and uploaded the pics to my computer, I was excited to see that some of them did actually capture the smoke.
To that I say “DEAD ON”! Or whatever it is they say when they hit the target. It’s not “bulls eye”, either.
Those are great shots! One of these days I’m going to venture beyond my Olympus point and shoot camera and try one of the big kid versions of a camera.
Those point and shoots work pretty darn good. With this Big Girl camera, there is way too much to learn. What I’m learning is that I don’t know a hell of a lot.
Keep reading and having fun, you’ll be taking shots of those beautiful Louisiana birds in flight in no time!
That’s a creative mind working overtime…trying to capture the smoke. You did good girl! I can “smell” the smoke coming out of those guns and shells.
Yea, I realized after about 15 minutes of this challenge that the smell could get addictive. I think smelling the gunsmoke is all part of the attraction, is it not? Sort of like firecrackers, but better!
Great shots!! I bet I’d never be able to get them. And, I have a 35mm Canon I bought several years ago (not digital) with extra zoom lenses. I used it when working for a newspaper. Never knew when I would need my camera. Now, I use a Canon SD1200 IS point and shoot. Nice camera but, slow on action shots!
Keep shooting what you do best, great photos!!
Oh yes you would, because you would sit there and do just what I did. These are just the six best out of about 100 photos! Thanks for the encouragement. And one day I’m going to read the manual and understand all the technical stuff. One day, but not today.
As a child of 9 thru about 20 I used to shoot my Nylon 66 till it was too hot to hold. The smell of spent shells on a frosty morning and a excited dog are great things.
I did enjoy that gunsmoke smell. Brought back memories of old TV show by same name. Wonder if Miss Kitty like the smell of Matt Dillon’s gunsmoke, lol!
The next to last one is my favorite. You can see the smoke rolling out of that barrel.
Now, if i can just write a “real” article about it and use that photo, it might be a prize winner in next year’s EIC. Any ideas? Does RenRed know a publication that would like a simple piece about 5 stand?
OMgosh! Do you have a copy of Magazine Markets for Writers: 2010?
It lists thousands of magazines, by interest, part of the country, subject matter, etc. It tells you what the submission requirements are, what percentage unsolicited manuscripts they accept, etc. etc.
I got a copy this year because I was all jazzed to do some submissions, but it’s been all I can do to keep the blog going. SO – if you don’t have a copy I’d be happy to send you mine to use. An evening or two going through their sporting / guns / travel / recreation sections probably would give you some good ideas!
Offer accepted!!!
I like the second one down; it’s me!!!
So, do you see your name tag!!! Do you recognize your hand? Your gun? Or you shirt? LOL! But do you like the photo, REALLY? Did you have any idea I was doing that? You guys were not very cooperative!!!