Mroczek

An ongoing record of my photographs and writing, collected to preserve both fleeting moments and long-term projects. For my photo archive, go here.

Tagged “documentary”

    Frozen

  1. a frozen lake
    Frozen forms on the surface of the lake.

    I've been looking forward to this time of year because it's when we start to see some of the wintering waterfowl on the lake. My plan this winter is to wake up early on the weekends and build myself a small temporary blind at the edge of the water. At the moment, the weather has other plans. After several days where temperatures haven’t climbed above 32 degrees, the lake has been frozen solid for almost a week. The ice has effectively removed the birds as a subject, at least for now. I’m swapping the super-telephoto I typically use for wildlife for a wider 50mm lens to make some abstract images of ice formations on the lake. The shift feels appropriate, a reminder that documentary photography is as much about paying attention as it is about subject matter.

    2. Red-Bellied Woodpecker

  2. red-bellied woodpecker in a tree
    Red-bellied woodpecker in a maple tree in our backyard.

    The light is special today, as it appears shine from every direction. At times it’s almost blinding. Couple that with the freezing gusts of wind, and it’s amazing I can keep my eyes open for any length of time at all.

    As I walk back into the house, a flash of something else catches my attention. A perfect winter scene if there ever was such a thing. The camera attached to my wrist is set up for video. It will have to do. I’m sure he’s spotted me by now, just as I spotted him. But he’s not flying away. Now I have a decision to ponder. Do I make the best of the situation with the camera I have on hand? Or do I run back inside and switch to my telephoto that I know is just inside the door? I give in and make the switch, and in hindsight, it's the right call.

    These are the moments I enjoy the most as a photographer. The times when light and subject align and I have to access all of my learned technique in a matter of seconds.

    3. Working on Composition

  3. This series of photos is inspired by a recent video I watched on composition. Taking advantage of a quick walk during my lunch break I walked down the the dam that separates our lakes to see what I could capture. My goal was to work on my compositional technique. To be more aware of where elements are placed in my frame.

    4. Exploring Abstract Textures in Nature Photography

  4. When I was younger man, my first car was the most important thing in my life. I used to spend my evenings and weekends meticulously washing and detailing my first love. Like clockwork, every spring beginning in late April I would obsess over the amount of pollen that would be on my car. You see, this car was (is, I still have it) black, and would turn a disgusting shade of green. Pollen was my enemy.

    Lately, I don't usually give much thought to those tiny green spores—until this series of photos changed that. As the trees surrounding our lakes release their annual pollen, the water’s surface becomes a canvas, collecting the fine dust. Hospitality Creek, the stream that feeds our lakes, ushers this pollen gently towards the shore, forming what most dismiss as mere pond scum. I’ve witnessed this phenomenon before, but it never really captured my attention. However, that morning, as I took the photos, I saw something new: intriguing textures and abstract shapes within the mass of pollen. It was as if nature had painted a scene just for me

    Over the past few years, I've been increasingly fascinated by the idea of painting—a pursuit I've often promised myself I'll explore someday. I'm just waiting for the right moment to dive in. This longing has unmistakably influenced my photography, and I can see that in these photos. I find myself captivated by textures and abstract forms rather than traditional scenes.

    While capturing these images, I was irresistibly drawn to the textures, seeing beyond mere lake dirt to the artistry beneath. I'm really proud of this set of images and am eager to create more. The experience was exhilarating; the ever-changing winds and currents constantly reshaped the scenery, presenting new compositions every time I looked through my camera lens.

    We often conceive of landscape photography as capturing vast, grand vistas—scenes that the public generally recognizes as beautiful. This notion sometimes restricts our creative expressions, confining them to widely acknowledged beauty spots for photography, painting, and other forms of art. I continually remind myself that nature also unfolds on a diminutive scale, sometimes just a few microns thick. Beauty isn't reserved for the expansive; it thrives in the minutiae too.

    5. Rediscovering the Joy in the Familiar

  5. During a recent lunch break, I decided to venture into the backyard with my trusty and slightly dusty X-PRO2 and the compact XF27mm f2.8 lens. Sometimes, I overlook the sheer fun of using this little pancake lens—it truly is the perfect solution for those indecisive moments between my 23mm and 35mm lenses. With spring in full bloom, the great outdoors has never been more inviting. The vibrant resurgence of the flowers and trees around our yard is a welcome sight.

    6. Connecting with Nature through Birdwatching Reflections and Images

  6. Male Northern Cardinal

    Here are three images captured a few days ago of some common backyard birds found in our area. We have a feeder placed just outside the window in Ellie’s room and I noticed a flurry of activity in the bushes while getting Eleanor out of her crib.

    These images were captured with my Fujifilm X-H2s and the Fujinon XF55-200mm lens. The X-H2s has an advanced artificial intelligence based autofocus system a bird detect setting that is smart enough to focus on a Birds Eye. It’s a big step up in performance from the X-PRO2 I used for the last six years. Since purchasing this camera in the summer there has been a sharp increase in my interest in birding photography.

    The benefits of birdwatching.

    Birdwatching in your backyard is a simple yet rewarding activity that can offer numerous benefits. Although backyard birds may seem mundane, they exist in a great variety of species, each with their own unique visual characteristics and behaviors. For example, New Jersey alone has over four hundred species of birds, with close to 150 of them residing in the Pine Barrens.

    By developing an interest in the natural environment around us, we can gain a greater appreciation for where we live. Keeping a record of the birds we observe in our backyard allows us to better understand the changing seasons and our changing environment. Tracking migration patterns helps us to better understand our place in a changing environment. As researchers at Cornell University note, humans are part of, not separate from, nature, and we are connected to species and their habitats even in places as close to us as our own backyard.

    Northern Mockingbird

    Developing an interest in the local natural environment can lead to a greater appreciation for where we live, even in places like New Jersey, the most densely populated state in the country, which is filled with unique natural wonders. Furthermore, observing nature through birdwatching is a calming and mentally engaging activity that is a great alternative to doom-scrolling through social media. Increased screen time and manufactured experiences can have an adverse effect on our mental health, so it is important to engage in activities that allow us to connect with the natural world around us.

    An interesting fact about the Northern Cardinal and closing thoughts.

    Female Northern Cardinal

    While referencing my birding field guide, I stumbled upon the fact that cardinals are typically not found in the western portion of the United States. I find it interesting that a bird, so common to us on the east coast, is a rare sight to a large part of the population that resides on the west side of the Rocky Mountains.

    Overall, birdwatching is a wonderful hobby that offers physical and mental benefits while helping us to better appreciate and understand the environment we live in. I hope you’ve enjoyed these quick thoughts and images. Till next time…

    ‍

    7. Great Blue Heron at Sunrise

  7. Heron in Timber Lakes Community Association

    The Majestic Great Blue Heron in its Natural Habitat

    This image "Great Blue Heron at Sunrise" captures a beautiful moment in nature. It depicts a great blue heron (Ardea herodias) standing motionless, yet intently fishing for its next meal in a shallow section of Timber Lake in Williamstown, New Jersey. The heron is dark and silhouetted by the sun. Its almost mirror image like reflection can be seen in the calm surface of the lake. In the background, the early morning fog is slowly burning from the surface of the lake as it is heated up by the rising sun, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere. This image showcases the beauty and grace of this magnificent bird, and the natural habitat that surrounds it.

    The Pursuit of the Perfect Heron Photo

    Over the past few years, I've developed an interest (obsession, honestly) for birdwatching and bird photography. I began birdwatching in my backyard and at the nearby lakes and parks that surround our home. I quickly became interested in capturing unique images of these beautiful creatures. One that I have been chasing since purchasing a telephoto lens is the great blue heron. Despite their slow movements and often motionless behavior, herons can be notoriously difficult to photograph, as they are easily scared and tend to flyaway if you get remotely close to them.

    To capture this image of a heron at sunrise, I used my Fujifilm X-PRO2 camera and the Fujinon XF 55-200mm telephoto lens mentioned earlier. The long reach of the telephoto lens allowed me to compress the scene and capture the heron in detail, while blurring the background with a shallow depth of field. As you can see from the foliage in the edges of the frame, I had to crouch low to the ground to avoid startling my subject.

    I often equate photography to fishing, in that it requires practice and patience to be successful. By developing my skills and having the right gear, I was able to capture a truly unique moment.

    Heron in Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge

    Great Blue Herons in the Pine Barrens

    Great blue herons are a common sight for bird watchers in the Pine Barrens and can typically be found in and around the numerous shallow lakes and ponds that dot the landscape in South Jersey. Great Blue Herons can often be observed standing motionless or wading slowly through marshy grasses and shallow water while fishing for their next meal. They tend to be solitary birds while hunting but will roost and migrate in small groups. While some Great Blue Herons remain in the Pine Barrens year-round, many of them are summer residents and migrate away from the Pine Barrens to breed. These majestic birds are known for their slow, deliberate movements, making them a great subject to photograph if you can avoid startling them! Wetland destruction throughout the state has led to a decrease in heron populations from their once historic numbers. Since the 1950s, their loss of habitat has occurred at an alarming rate in New Jersey. Preserving wetland habitats is critical to the breeding herons in our great state.

    Final Thoughts

    I hope you enjoy this short yet deep dive into my growing bird photography obsession. I also hope that you visit again as I indulge inwriting a blog after a few year hiatus. There’s no plan or schedule for now. Maybe that will change. If you like what you’ve read today please consider subscribing or sending me a message. See you next time.

    8. The Dog Days Of Summer

  8. The life of a dog in the dog days of summer

    9. Lush Grainy and Full of Rain y

  9. A quick set of photos taken from our backyard last night. Clouds from a small cell that passed just to the north of us were rolling across the sky. I grabbed the Fujifilm XF 55-200mm telephoto and spot metered for the brightest section of the clouds. The Velvia film simulation gives the images a good punch of contrast and saturates the sky in deep blue.

    Subscribe

    Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates.

    We respect your privacy.

    10. Kale After A Storm

  10. As a child I was terrified of storms. I would hide under the covers or run into our basement where. I would try to get as far away as possible from the flashes of lightning and cracks of thunder. As I have grown older, I've learned to appreciate storms. We have our own home now, with plenty of windows and a wide view of the sky. I enjoy watching the occasional storm roll east across the lake. As a photographer I've become accustomed to grabbing my camera after a storm and wandering around our backyard. A fresh rainstorm adds a new layer of texture to the leaves of all the plants. Yesterday we had a surprise thunderstorm, there was even hail! Looking to brush off some of the rust that has set in due to this quarantine, I captured a few quick frames of water droplets on a Kale plant in our garden.

    11. Small Town Independence Day

  11. I love this image for it's framing. I was unsure about it as I was taking it. After importing it to Lightroom and making a few adjustments it quickly became somethimg. maybe it's the understated banners? Despite the modern cars in the driveway and the solar panels on the roof the scene remimds of something you would have seen at the turn of the century. The last one that is.

See all topics.

This site was last published on 2026-01-12T11:06:40.184Z