Michael Balter

[Michael Balter @balter_michael]

I purchased a bottle of scotch and challenged myself to take a photo of the bottle. I wanted the bottle to look like it was in a magazine ad. Worked on the lighting, placed the bottle on a mirror to get the reflection. When done, I just “had to” open the bottle and have a drink.

[Michael Balter @balter_michael]

Playing drums is about having good time,feel,and controlling the “tempo”. In photography it is about controlling the “light”.I have good time when playing drums and I am learning about controlling the light in my photography. Controlled the light with 3 flashes on the snare drum.

[Michael Balter @balter_michael]

In the 50s, slightly cloudy, a perfect day to see the fall colors at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Walking through the gardens you just want to stop and appreciate all of the beauty. Happy I brought my camera.
#chicagobotanic #canonphotography

[Michael Balter @balter_michael]

The Orchid Show at the Chicago Botanic Garden is truly a vision of color and beauty. A little twist on the words of Ringling Bros./Barnum and Bailey…. the Botanic Garden is the “Greatest Earth on Show”.

#ChicagoBotanicGarden

[Michael Balter @balter_michael]

With the war in 🇺🇦 Ukraine 🇺🇦 on the brink of starting WWIII stop, smell the roses, and pray for a better tomorrow.

[Michael Balter @balter_michael]

Tonight, was the perfect night to see Lightscape at the Chicago Botanic Garden. A must-see event that will not disappoint.
#chicagobotanicgarden #lightscape

[Michael Balter @balter_michael]

On one of the last days of fall colors, Judy and I went for walk at the old Fort Sheridan. As we walked along the sandy shore of Lake Michigan and on the trails, the colors and the views did not disappoint us. I am happy that I brought a camera to capture the beauty.

[Michael Balter @balter_michael]

I think I am possibly taking the hobby of photography a bit too seriously. I try to challenge myself. I see a product and try to photographic as if it were in a magazine ad. Need to keep my creative juices flowing.

[Michael Balter @balter_michael]

In honor of Disney World’s 50th Anniversary (10/1/1971), I am posting a photo from when I played at Disney - the summer of 1973.
#disneyworld #disneyworld50th

[Michael Balter @balter_michael]

While enjoying my morning coffee and seeing the birds flying from tree to tree, I had to get my camera and take some photos. This blue jay was perching on a branch of a birch tree.

[Michael Balter @balter_michael]

Saw the outdoor Butterfly Exhibit at the Chicago Botanic Garden. So happy I took a macro lens.

[Michael Balter @balter_michael]

Day 2 of taking photos of bees, this time at 1.6 crop vs full frame to get in a little closer. There was a bonus, a butterfly was sitting on a leaf of the bush near the front door.

[Michael Balter @balter_michael]

Went to get today’s mail and saw many bees swarming around the hydrangeas seeking pollen and nectar. I had to grab my camera and am happy I have a long reaching telephoto zoom lens. Zooming in created some amazing photos.

[Michael Balter @balter_michael]

It is amazing how many sound effects and whistles one can accumulate in 50 years!

[Michael Balter @balter_michael]

Last night the sky was clear, and the moon was so bright that I had to take a photo. I am amazed at the amount of detail with the zoom lens set at 500mm.

[Michael Balter @balter_michael]

Working on some photography skills. It is amazing how much flowers ‘pop’ in a photo just by putting a piece of black or white foam core behind the flowers.

[Michael Balter @balter_michael]

A photo with a few of my treasured instruments that were gifted to me by my teacher, Roy Knapp, in 1970 - they were old even then. Roy used them when he was a staff musician (1928-1950) at WLS Radio where he played them on such shows as The National Barn Dance.

[Michael Balter @balter_michael]

It was a picture-perfect afternoon to see the tulips at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The colors are so vibrant that the photos do not give them justice.
#chicagobotanicgarden

[Michael Balter @balter_michael]

I do not like the way Woody Woodpecker is drooling over my woodblocks and temple blocks 😉

[Michael Balter @balter_michael]

Although I have never been to ‘Bermuda’, I guard these ‘triangles’ so they do not mysteriously disappear.