This morning, my "Wisconsin State Capitol" picture won Imaging Resource's "Photo of the Day". CLICK HERE to view Imaging Resource's Photo of the Day page.

This photograph was captured in June in Madison, Wisconsin. I was visiting the area while coaching my 14U travel baseball team in a tournament. I got away one afternoon to capture some photographs in downtown Madison. This is the second time one of my photographs has won this contest since I migrated to mirrorless with the Nikon Z7ii camera.

This marks the 78th time that one of my photographs was recognized by Imaging Resource as its "Photo of the Day". A photographer is limited to one winning entry per month, so this series of winning images stretches back more than seven years. Click here to view all of the winning entries.

Wisconsin State CapitolImaging Resource's Photo of the Day for August 18, 2021

Last month, I traveled to Des Moines. One of the locations that I visited was the Des Moines Art Center. The Art Center features interesting architecture. The buildings consists of three wings--each with its own architectural style and designed by different architects.

A few years ago, I discovered this building and captured some exterior images of one of the wings:

Des Moines Art CenterDes Moines Art Center at 4700 Grand Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa on July 16, 2016 Stairway to NowhereDes Moines Art Center at 4700 Grand Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa on July 16, 2016 This time, I entered the building in hopes of capturing some interior pictures. But, at least initially, that wasn't to be. I was told that I couldn't enter with any professional gear, including a tripod. I asked if I could take some photos with my camera--handheld. At that point, I stripped my gear down to its smallest size...my Nikon Z7ii (without grip) with one lens attached (the Nikon 14-24 S). No tripod. Security personnel said it was OK.

I was mostly interested in taking pictures of this contemporary staircase in the Richard Meier wing of the Art Center. I set my camera for a three frame exposure bracket (using high speed frame rate) and fired three snaps while trying to keep the lens as steady as possible. It helped that my Nikon Z7ii offers image stabilization. So, even though my lens didn't have vibration reduction--the camera did steady things. I was able to capture an acceptable photograph. Yes, that's a "Taco Pizza Slice" chandelier hanging from the ceiling!

Des Moines Art CenterStaircase in the Richard Meier wing of the Des Moines Art Center at 4700 Grand Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa on July 29, 2021. Justin Favela is the artist who created the "Taco Pizza Slice Chandelier" hanging from the ceiling. I also captured this photograph of a corridor in the same wing of the Art Center. While composing this image, I placed a knee on the floor to gain a lower perspective. As soon as my knee touched the ground, I heard one of the employees approach me from behind. She shouted "now that's a professional photo shoot!" She told me to stop taking pictures as it was clear that I was a professional. I explained that I was cleared by security after I left my "professional" tools (mainly the tripod) in my car. I also said that just because I lowered myself to change the perspective doesn't mean that I'm a professional. I had no plans to sell these photos. She relented and I continued shooting.

Des Moines Art CenterCorridor in the Des Moines Art Center at 4700 Grand Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa on July 29, 2021 Before leaving, I captured this photograph of a staircase inside the wing designed by architect I.M. Pei. The brutalist style of this wing contrasts with the contemporary wing designed by Richard Meier.

Brutalist staircaseArchitect I.M. Pei designed this brutalist staircase in the Des Moines Art Center at 4700 Grand Avenue in Des Moines, Iowa on July 29, 2021 In the end, I found many interesting subjects to photograph during my short stay in Des Moines. CLICK HERE to view those images.

A couple of weeks ago I took a short photography trip to Des Moines, Iowa. As part of that trip, I revisited the Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge. I photographed that bridge back in 2016 and was hoping to capture more images of this interesting contemporary structure. Here's my photo of the bridge from five years ago:

Iowa Women of Achievement BridgeIowa Women of Achievement Bridge over the Des Moines River at Principal River Walk in Des Moines, Iowa on July 15, 2016 I arrived at the bridge about 20 minutes before sunset and set up my composition. I waited until 30 or 40 minutes after sunset, but the bridge lights never went on. My photo shoot was spoiled.

I left the site and checked into my hotel--the Hampton Inn. As I entered the room, I was shocked to see my own photograph hanging on the wall!

I submit my pictures to a number of photo stock agencies, so I assume that the Hilton purchased my photograph from one of those agencies.

What an incredible coincidence!

This morning, my "Red Barn" picture won Imaging Resource's "Photo of the Day". CLICK HERE to view Imaging Resource's Photo of the Day page.

This photograph was captured last month in Baraboo, Wisconsin. The barn dates back to 1908. It was one of the buildings within the headquarters of the Ringling Brothers Circus. The harsh light in this situation was a blessing. It created the shadows that make the lines of the barn stand out more.

This marks the 77th time that one of my photographs was recognized by Imaging Resource as its "Photo of the Day". A photographer is limited to one winning entry per month, so this series of winning images stretches back more than seven years. Click here to view all of the winning entries.

Red BarnImaging Resource's Photo of the Day for July 7, 2021

This morning, my "Lifeguard Tower" picture won Imaging Resource's "Photo of the Day". CLICK HERE to view Imaging Resource's Photo of the Day page.

This photograph was captured earlier this year at Lake Michigan in Michigan City, Indiana. I partially desaturated the image while editing it in Photoshop.

This marks the 76th time that one of my photographs was recognized by Imaging Resource as its "Photo of the Day". A photographer is limited to one winning entry per month, so this series of winning images stretches back more than seven years. Click here to view all of the winning entries.

Lifeguard TowerImaging Resource's Photo of the Day for June 6, 2021

This morning, my "Fajada Butte" picture won Imaging Resource's "Photo of the Day". CLICK HERE to view Imaging Resource's Photo of the Day page.

This photograph was captured in 2014 during one of my most memorable road trips. CLICK HERE to read my blog entry about the challenging road conditions that I faced to capture this image!

This marks the 75th time that one of my photographs was recognized by Imaging Resource as its "Photo of the Day". A photographer is limited to one winning entry per month, so this series of winning images stretches back more than six years. Click here to view all of the winning entries over the past few years.

Fajada ButteImaging Resource's Photo of the Day for May 14, 2021

I currently shoot with a D850 and have a D800 as my backup camera. I own a lot of Nikon F mount glass...including the Holy Trinity, 105 Macro, 200 Micro, 200 f2, 300 2.8, 500 f4 and Sigma 15 fisheye

So, my migration plan is as follows:

• Just placed an order for the Z7ii.
• Once the Z7ii arrives, I plan to replace the 14-24 and 24-70 lenses with the S 2.8 versions. The S version of the 24-70 looks to be a significant improvement over my 24-70 (first version) and the 14-24 also looks to be improved (although that's tough to do against my 14-24). The filter options for the 14-24 S look to be a lot more convenient.
• I plan to keep my 70-200 F mount (latest version) and use it with the FTZ adapter.
• I plan to keep all of my other F mount lenses and use the FTZ adapter for now.
• I plan to keep my D850 for a while and use it for action photography with my long lenses. I suspect the D850 will outperform the Z7ii for action photography--sports and birds in flight.
• Within the next year, I expect the Z7ii to transition to my backup camera. It's possible that the Z9 (or whatever the model) will be my primary camera, but I'll wait to see the pricing and specs on that first. In any event, once the Z7ii moves to being a backup, I'll sell my D850 and two of my Holy Trinity lenses.
• I plan to keep the long telephoto primes for quite some time and use with the FTZ adapter. I will likely sell one or two of them (probably the 200 f2 and the 300 2.8) in time.

It's an expensive transition, but not as costly as it could be as I'm retaining all but two of my lenses. I have made the decision to stick with Nikon--mostly because I'm so heavily invested in the system, particularly the lenses.

I decided that mirrorless is going to be the future for me and that it's best to start making the transition now. I don't expect the Z7ii to outperform my D850 in terms of image image quality, but I do expect the S lenses to be superior to my F mount lenses...and will also appreciate the size and weight savings. As I'm making this transition, I think I'll be better positioned to take advantage of future advances with mirrorless technology...such as the ones we are already seeing with the most recent Sony flagship body.

So, that's the plan. I made the first step by placing an order for the Z7ii today!

My travel plans for last year were canceled due to the pandemic. However, things are looking a little brighter for travel for this summer. By then, I will have had both doses of my Pfizer vaccine. And, it appears that most of the locations I plan to visit are reopening.

So, here's the preliminary itinerary for this summer's road trip. This trip covers 8 states, 20 days and 3,500 miles:

Day 1: Des Moines, IA - revisit Iowa Capitol

Day 2: Omaha NE - Zoo

Day 3: North Platte - NE - revisit Nebraska Capitol, Buffalo Bill Ranch

Day 4: Scottsbluff, NE - Oregon Trail, Fort Laramie

Day 5: Cheyenne, WY - revisit Wyoming Capitol

Day 6: Cheyenne, WY - Botanic Gardens

Day 7: Laramie, WY 

Day 8: Rawlins, WY - Wyoming Frontier Prison

Day 9: Jackson, WY - Grand Teton National Park

Day 10: West Yellowstone, MT - Yellowstone National Park

Day 11: West Yellowstone, MT - Yellowstone National Park

Day 12: Gardiner, MT - Mammoth Springs

Day 13: Bozeman, MT - Livingston, Montana Grizzly Encounter

Day 14: Helena, MT - revisit Montana Capitol, Gates of the Mountains boat tour

Day 15: Billings, MT - Zoo Montana

Day 16: Custer, SD - Mt Rushmore, Little Bighorn

Day 17: Wall, SD - Murdo, Badlands National Park

Day 18: Pierre, SD - revisit South Dakota Capitol

Day 19: LaCrosse, WI - Porter Sculpture Park

Day 20: Orland Park, IL