Ronald Zincone Photography

#1

2/21/99 Venus & Jupiter Conjunction

50mm  f2.8  5 sec   6:11 pm  Richmond, RI

Kodachrome 200

�1999 Ron Zincone

This image was taken during a spectacular twilight and just 2 days before the official conjunction when the two planets were at their closest to each other (see next photo at right).  Venus is below and Jupiter above.   Published in AAAA newsletter "The American Astronomer", March 1999, The Astronomical League's Newsletter "Reflector", May 1999 and on the AAAA website.   Also published in "The Astrograph", Oct/Nov 99.

#2

November 8, 2004   The Great Aurora of 2004

4:30am  Richmond, RI   Olympus OM-1 on Bogen

28mm Zuiko @ f2.8    10-20sec   fuji Provia 400F

Second historical stunning aurora borealis within 13 months!  Caused by powerful solar flares hitting the earth's magnetosphere.  This northern lights storm was seen in many parts of the US and the world!  First time I have ever seen purple in an aurora.  The first storm was on the previous night, November 7th.  It reoccurred again on the 8th @ 4:30 am. and lasted only about 10-15 minutes.

#3

November 8, 2004   The Great Aurora of 2004

4:30am  Richmond, RI   Olympus OM-1 on Bogen

28mm Zuiko @ f2.8    10-20sec   fuji Provia 400F

Second historical stunning aurora borealis within 13 months!  Caused by powerful solar flares hitting the earth's magnetosphere.  This northern lights storm was seen in many parts of the US and the world!  First time I have ever seen purple in an aurora.  The first storm was on the previous night, November 7th.  It reoccurred again on the 8th @ 4:30am and lasted only about 10-15 minutes.  Published on the Cover of PSA Journal Magazine, July 2005!

(On display at Eclipse Restaurant)

#4

March 2003   Bahama Thunderheads    Freeport, Bahama

Elitechrome 100  35mm camera   �2003 Ron Zincone

This shot was taken near a national park and beach in Freeport, Bahamas.  They look like towering mountains.

March 2003   Sun halo    Freeport, Bahamas    Elitechrome 100

24mm lens @ 1/1000 sec.  35mm camera hand-held

This was my first attempt at a sun halo.  The image here shows it a little dark, but the original slide exhibits a beautiful full circle sun halo.  I had to use my fastest shutter speed and a wide-angle lens to capture the entire halo. 

August 31, 2003    Sunset at Rock Harbor, Orleans, MA     7:19pm

Exposures bracketed     Pentax A3000  Fuji Velvia 50   �2003 Ron Zincone

One of my best sunset images taken at Cape Cod's Rock Harbor.  This frame captured a very different and unique sunset.  Again the cirrus stratus cloud formations and the sun below the horizon line light up the sky producing a colorful palette.  Towards the bottom is the landscape with the harbor reflecting the warm orange/yellow sunlight bouncing off the sky!  This photo was published on the Nature Photographer Magazine website, April 2005, along with 2 other images and article on Astrophotography.

10/30/03      The Great Aurora of 2003!      8pm

35mm Chinon SLR camera-on-tripod      Richmond, RI 

24mm @ f2.8        10-20 sec     Elitechrome 400

�2003 Ron Zincone

I was so fortunate to have witnessed and photographed this stunning red aurora over my hometown.  This northern lights show began at 7pm with beautiful auroral curtains and dissapated for several minutes and thereafter returned in the northeast sky for about 45 minutes.   This historic and rare event was seen widespread over the United States and parts of Europe and Asia.  This aurora was caused by a Jupiter-sized sunspot group #486 which ejected a solar flare rated at X17.5 and another one at X11 creating extreme geomagnetic storms.  This was my first time witnessing such a phenomonal aurora and capturing it on film.  The film, of course, does it justice, but this auroral storm was so intense that even the human eye at night was able to distinctly see the red colors.  This is my second trophy photo and the second most stunning astronomical event I have every observed.  Published in the Fall 2004 issue of Nature Photographer Magazine!

(On display at Eclipse Restaurant)

Birches            Jackson, NH  

November 14, 2004, Olympus OM-1

on Bogen, 200mm Zuiko telephoto

@ f32, 1/15sec., Provia 100F, panned.

Copyright 2004

This picture I really love!  This was my first attempt at panning to create an abstract image.  This was one of my photo shoots while completing my BetterPhoto course "Creating Visual Impact" with professional photographer Brenda Tharp.  These beautiful white Birches so prevalent in northern New England, were along the side of Route 16 in Jackson, New Hampshire.  Using the 200mm telephoto to crop the composition, I tripped the shutter with my cable release while panning the camera on the tripod.  Brenda really loved it and it made "Photo of the Week".  I hope to do more of these abstracts using nature subjects.  

BlueAngels      June 18, 2005    Naval Airshow    Quonset Point, RI

Olympus OM-1 handheld      400spd film     Copyright 2005

Here is my first airshow and fast-action photography shoot.  The most popular and spectacular Airforce "Blue Angels" flying in formation.

November 7, 2004   The Great Aurora of 2004

early evening  Richmond, RI   Olympus OM-1 on Bogen

28mm Zuiko @ f2.8    10-20sec   fuji Provia 400F

The Big Event on the evening of the 7th!

(On display at Eclipse Restaurant)

4/17/99  Crescent Moon with Earthshine and Venus above

50mm  10 sec  f2.8    8:15 pm  Elitechrome 100  Richmond, RI

� 1999 Ron Zincone

Twilights and early morning photos can make for some of the nicest compositions because of the ever changing lighting conditions and especially if the sky is hilighted with thin cirrus clouds or other cloud formations.

ass., early sunset, Olympus OM-1, 21mm. Copyright

Dighton Pines, September 2004, early sunset, Olympus OM-1

on Bogen tripod, 21mm SWA Zuiko lens, Copyright 2004.

These beautiful tall pines clustered together made for a nice composition of using textured light, lines, and perspective really showing the high canopy.  I had to lower my tripod to its lowest position off the ground and with the camera pointing straight up and myself laying horizontal underneath.  I only wish that one gap had the missing pine but I guess that is a Photoshop project which I wouldn't do anyway.  

2004 Ron Zincone.

#13

5/15/03   Total Lunar Eclipse    �2003 Ron Zincone

2032mm Prime Focus @ f10   Elitechrome 400

Here is success with my first total lunar eclipse!   The eclipse began around 10:03pm with the partial phases with totality beginning around 11:14pm and lasting until 12:03am on the 16th.  I had two 35mm cameras set up with Elitechrome 400 film.  One camera was on tripod with a 50mm lens and the second was through my Celestron Schmidt-Cassegain telescope at 2032mm focal length at f10 (prime focus).  I bracketed the shots with both cameras to be sure to give myself the advantage since every eclipse is different as far as the lighting and the brightest or darkness of the moon during totality.  This is partly because of earth's atmosphere.   This image is one of two best images taken out of 3 rolls of film.  I used my Nikon F with my telescope.  As you can see, the colors are splendid!  This was the first eclipse seen from North America since January of 2001.  Published in PSA Journal Magazine, July 2005!

On display at Eclipse Restaurant)

April 8, 2004     Historical Kingston Congregational Church with Venus

50mm (1.4) @ f2.8 for 5 seconds    Fuji Velvia 50    �2004 Ron Zincone                 Kingston, RI

This beautiful image captures an historical church on Route 138 just off the URI Campus.  This church is on the national register of historical sites and has been around since 1625.  Taken during an early twilight with our "Evening Star" (planet Venus) blazing at magnitude -4.5 just to the right of the upper steeple.  Published in the June 2004 issues of the South County Independent and the Chariho Times newspapers.  Feature stories on the artist and his work featuring the "Kingston Congregational Church with Venus" on the front page of the Arts/Living section.  Also on permanent display at the Kingston Congregational Church Gallery Room.

June 8, 2004    Cold Spring Beach, Wickford, RI    6:40am

OM-1  Prime-focus w/10" Newt/Dob Telescope filtered image

Fuji Provia 400F   Exposures bracketed        Baader Solar Filter

One of the most enjoyable and historical, rare astronomical events of the 21st Century!  The Great Venus Transit of 2004 as seen from the New England states and along the eastern seaboard of the US.  The transit was already in progress when the sun rose above the horizon.  Here, the Sun was higher in the sky and brighter.  This was a filtered image using my Baader Solar filter.   Notice the black silouhetted oval near the edge of the sun's disk.  That's Venus.  This was just before the planet exited the Sun's disk.  This event occurs only twice per century.  The next one is due in 2012, after that, you will never see such an event again.  Millions of people, astronomers, etc..observed and photographed this event throughout the world mainly in Asia, Europe, and the eastern US.  This was the most observed and recorded Venus transit in astronomical history!  I was truly happy to have witnessed and photographed such an event.  This was one of two of my best images captured of this transit.  Published in the Spring 2005 issue of Exposure Gallery Magazine!

(On display at Eclipse Restaurant)

5/17/99  Venus and Steeple Conjunction     Richmond, RI

50mm  20 sec  f2.8   8:40 pm   Elitechrome 100

� 1999 Ron Zincone

The light in the steeple tower came on just in time to create a nice effect with Venus.  Accepted for publication in "The Rainbow's End" (an anthology by the International Library of Photography) and advanced to semi-finals of the International Open Amateur Photo Contest, March 2000.  This image was accepted for possible publication in Astronomy Magazine.  

Winning Image of the October 2003 Monthly Photo Contest at Kingstown Camera in Wakefield, RI.  Theme:  "Night Time"

Published in the Winter 2004 issue of Exposure Gallery Magazine!

Published in PSA Journal Magazine, July 2005!

(On display at Eclipse Restaurant)

Thundercloud      Richmond, RI      June 5, 2005

Olympus OM-1 handheld       Copyright 2005

Here I captured a spectacular thunderhead cloud being lit-up by the setting sun.  Notice how the higher cloud tops catch the sun's light.  This was a passing thunderstorm that occurred during sunset..

7/6/03    Newport Bridge Sunset taken from Battery Park  

Exposures bracketed    8:30 pm   Elitechrome 200   Pentax A3000

� 2003 Ron Zincone

A spectacular twilight sunset overlooking the Newport Bridge.  This scene was captured from Battery Park.  Here the cirrus clouds create a canvas of colors reflecting off the water while silouhetting the bridge and the boats.   Published in PSA Journal Magazine, July 2005!

November 7, 2004   The Great Aurora of 2004

Early evening      Richmond, RI   Olympus OM-1 on Bogen

28mm Zuiko @ f2.8    10-20sec   fuji Provia 400F

#20

June 8, 2004    Cold Spring Beach, Wickford, RI    5:20am

OM-1  Prime-focus w/10" Newt/Dob Telescope unfiltered image

Fuji Provia 400F   Exposures bracketed

One of the most enjoyable and historical, rare astronomical events of the 21st Century!  The Great Venus Transit of 2004 as seen from the New England states and along the eastern seaboard of the US.  The transit was already in progress when the sun rose within the thick lower atmosphere of the earth.  Here, just above the horizon, the haze and clouds make for a pretty, artistic image with a colorful composition.  Notice the black silouhetted oval near the edge of the sun's disk.  That's Venus.  This event occurs only twice per century.  The next one is due in 2012, after that, you will never see such an event again.  Millions of people, astronomers, etc..observed and photographed this event throughout the world mainly in Asia, Europe, and the eastern US.  This was the most observed and recorded Venus transit in astronomical history!  I was truly happy to have witnessed and photographed such an event.  This was one of two of my best images captured of this transit.

(On display at Eclipse Restaurant)

5/27/99  Space Shuttle Discovery STS-96 Launch  

Launch from Cape Carneval - taken from Daytona Beach, FL

50mm  1/50-1/60 sec.  f11  6:49 am   Kodachrome 64

�1999 Ron Zincone

This is one of a sequence of 19 slides capturing the entire shuttle launch.  I am on the beach at Daytona looking southward toward the Space Coast.  Received award certificate for finalist category of the Spring 2000 Photographer's Forum Contest and published in Photographer's Forum 2000 Annual as well as on AAAA website.

June 7, 2005      10:00pm    Polar Star Trails  Olympus OM-1

Bogen tripod      50mm Zuiko lens @ f4         30minutes

Richmond, RI         Fuji Velvia 100    �2005 Ron Zincone

Here is a real keeper.  A 30minute duration exposure of the circumpolar star trails.  Notice the bright center star (polaris or the north star) in the center with no trailing.  Since this is due north it shows no rotation but all the other stars rotate around it.  This is the proof that the earth rotates on its axis.  Again see how the foreground tree and background are quite bright but not really too overexposed.  The longer the exposure the longer the trails will be.   The film also picks up the star colors quite well.  This is one of the very basic shots an amateur astrophotographer will take.  

July 1999   Star Trails     Richmond, RI

50mm  f2.8  10 min.  Elitechrome 400

�1999 Ron Zincone

No, this is not rain streaks but the trailing of stars captured on film due to the rotation of the earth.  The sky (the planets and stars) moves from east to west due to the earth's rotation.  Notice the different colors of the stars which film is sensitive to but difficult with the naked eye.   Star trails is one of the easiest astroimages to capture.  Circumpolar star trails, which you will see coming up, is much more difficult.

March 27, 2003    7:33pm   Orion Constellation    

Elitechrome 200    50mm lens @ f2.8   25sec

Richmond, RI    �2003 Ron Zincone

Here is a spectacular shot of the setting Orion constellation I composed by highlighting the 2 trees in red framing the famous constellation.  Notice how the Orion nebule (in red and in the sword) stands out and blends in with the trees' color. 

#25

July 7, 1999   Horizontal Star Trails      Richmond, RI

50mm  f2.8  10min.   Elitechrome 400   �1999 Ron Zincone

These star trails are horizontal because of the latitude and longitude position above the horizon.  Again, notice the star colors.

Total Lunar Eclipse Time Lapse       November 8, 2003

28mm f2.8 Zuiko  Olympus OM-1  on Tripod    6:32pm-10:20pm

15 exposures of partial phase @ 1/125 sec @ f8

7 exposures of totality @ 3 sec. @ f4  (total of 22 exposures at 10 min.intervals)

I cannot say enough about this photo!  Really sweet!  This is the second time the Northeast was blessed with 2 spectacular total lunar eclipses this year.  Totally clear skies prevailed for this one and this eclipse was much brighter and more beautiful than the one in May.  This is my first time attempting a lunar eclipse time lapse.  A very difficult but prized shot.  Since I captured the May eclipse using prime-focus photography with my telescope, I decided this time to do something different and put all my eggs in one basket.  I wanted to try something challenging and different with great rewards!  I have just switched over to an Olympus OM-1 astrophotography setup including some beautiful and highly praised Zuiko lenses.  This was my first shot not only trying out my OM-1 camera but also my 28mm wide-angle Zuiko.  The reason I selected the 28mm was essentially its wide-angle coverage which I would need for such a long-duration eclipse.  What made this image so complicated is that I needed to expose the partial phases of the moon for 15 exposures at 1/125 of a second at my lens setting of f8 and then capture 7 exposures of totality at f4 and increasing the exposure time to 3 seconds.  Obviously, one would need to open the aperature and increase the exposure time to let in more light during the total eclipse when the moon is darkest.  This was all done using the "lens cap" method.  I literally had to go to the tripod every 10 minutes (so that the moon image is spaced apart evenly) and gently take off the lens cap with my hand simulating a shutter speed of 1/125.  Then, gently replacing the lens cap to stop the exposing.  Of course, the shutter is locked open throughout the eclipse with a cable release and selecting the B setting on the camera.  The tough part is making sure that each time I exposed I didn't vibrate the camera or hit the tripod either with my feet or my hands.  I also had to worry about not replacing the lens cap correctly and that it might have fallen off and forever running the image.  Of course, this is all being done in the dark to complicate matters even more.  Probably the two most challenging efforts in making this photo work was simulating a 1/125 sec. shutter speed with my hand and remembering to expose every 10 minutes.  Published in the Spring 2005 issue of Exposure Gallery Magazine!

(On display at Eclipse Restaurant)

October 27, 2004    Total Lunar Eclipse Moon Trail

taken on the historic night that the Boston Red Sox won the World Series and broke the Bambino Curse.  First World Series in 86 years!  

Olympus OM-1 on Bogen tripod, Zuiko 28mm WA lens @ f16, Timed exposure for 3 1/2 hours, from 9:14pm to 1:00am.  Velvia 50.

Copyright 2004 Ron Zincone

The key here to capture such a "trophy" is to use very slow film and to close down the aperature all the way so that the exposure does not get blown out for such a long timed event.  Wide angle lenses are crucial here in order to capture the entire eclipse sequence as the moon trails across the sky.  The bright ends are the "partial" phases of the eclipse while the reddish central streak represents the "totality" phase.  This was the 3rd stunning total eclipse of the moon seen here within 18 months.  Published in PSA Journal Magazine, July 2005!

(On display at Eclipse Restaurant)

June 17, 2003    Salty Brine State Beach, Galilee, RI

8-8:30pm    Sunset    45mm   Elitechrome 200

Exposure times bracketed   �2003 Ron Zincone

Pentax A3000

With my astrophotography, I find that having an interest the weather helps me in determining when it will be a good time for shooting.  In the above example, I knew that cirrus clouds are forerunners of rain systems coming in from the west and often present a nice composition for the photographer as you can see.  Sunsets and sunrises ofter dramatic twilights and dynamic light-changing conditions.  About 10 minutes after this shot was taken, the sun had just dipped below the horizon and the sky turned red!  Published in PSA Journal Magazine, July 2005!

10/14/99  Time Lapse of Crescent Moon    Richmond, RI

50mm  f2.8  6:38 pm   Kodachrome 64

�1999 Ron Zincone

This is an example of multiple exposure or time lapse photography.  Here I just set up my camera on tripod, composed my shot, covered the lens with my lens cap and tripped and locked the shutter.  I then removed the lens cap for about 1/2 to 1 sec. in duration and then quickly replaced the cap loosely to cover the lens while leaving the shutter open.  I had to be extra careful not to vibrate the tripod or camera when replacing the lens cap.  I followed this same procedure for 14 exposures spaced apart every 10 minutes to get the moon in equal distances as it set.   Notice again the range of blues in twilight.

(On display at Eclipse Restaurant)

July 2, 2004   Sunset @ Beach Pond, Exeter, RI

OM-1  85mm @ f5.6   1/500   Fuji Velvia 50  Copyright 2004

Ronald Zincone

Beach Pond in Exeter is a remote but beautiful location for sunset imagery as you can see.  The clouds really added to the composition giving some scale and the reflectance of sunlight in this verticle composition.

November 7, 2004   The Great Aurora of 2004

Early evening  Richmond, RI   Olympus OM-1 on Bogen

28mm Zuiko @ f2.8    10-20sec   fuji Provia 400F

Historical Gravesite #42

Richmond, RI,  Olympus OM-1, Copyright 2004.

This is another one of my images done for my photo course with Brenda Tharp.  This one also made "Photo of the Week".  I used this composition to emphasize "Dominance".  I love the historical, mysterious, and aged look of this gravesite.  It really makes you wonder and ask who, what, when, how and why?  I used some selective focus in this image but show enough of the other grave markers to help support the main subject.  There are many of these historical gravesites scattered throughout my town.

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May 2004   Sunrise over the Carribbean

Copyright 2004 Ronald Zincone

Here I caught a nice sunrise from our cruise ship early one morning.  I used a 6-point star filter for the sun effect.  The twilight colors along the horizon and the patterns in the clouds add to the composition.  The clouds really add to the composition.

March 31, 2003     Orion Star Trails     Richmond, RI

7:45pm    50mm lens @ f2.8   Elitechrome 200    20min

�2003 Ron Zincone

Here I wanted to capture Orion's star trails while it was setting in the west.  I framed my shot and opened and locked the shutter for 20 minutes.  Notice the amount of light I picked up.  Notice also how the Orion nebule stands out as a red trail.  Interesting how the tree to the left looks like it was imaged in daytime but this was a night shot.  This was due to local light pollution.

12/22/01   1st Qtr. moon w/terminator     Elitechrome 200

1 sec eyepiece projection   16mm UO Konig II 65 deg.

�2001 Ron Zincone

Here is a striking image of the lunar terminator at high magnification.  You can make out make prominent craters and again the contrast of the sunlight angles and shadow areas.   You can even make out the central peaks in some of them.

May 2004  Sunrise over the Carribbean

Copyright 2004 Ronald Zincone

Notice the pillar of light shooting up from the sun.  The cloud patterns here are spectacular and really add to the composition as well as the reflectance off the water.

May 2004   Sunrise over the Carribbean

Copyright 2004 Ronald Zincone

Another nice sunrise composition with the clouds adding scale, patterns and a palette of "light" changes.  Notice the difference between the light below the sun and above the clouds.

Sunrise at Cold Spring Beach, Wickford, RI

Exposures bracketed       6:10am    Agfa 50 RSXII

80-205mm lens  �2003 Ron Zincone   Pentax A3000

A beautiful sunrise during a warm and humid morning at Cold Spring Beach in Wickford.  Received an honorable mention for this photograph in the October 2005 "Your Best Shot" category of Today's Photographer Magazine, IFPO.

Published in PSA Journal Magazine, July 2005!

Solitude     Jackson, New Hampshire    October 16, 2004

Olympus OM-1 on Bogen     200mm Zuiko telephoto @ f16    1/125

Copyright 2004

Another one of my submitted photos for my course with Brenda Tharp!  This one also was placed in "Photo of the Week".  Driving along some back roads off of Route 16 in Jackson, my "eye"was drawn immediately to this lonely home smothered in beautiful fall foliage trees.  This image reminds me so much of an impressionistic painting.  It really makes you want to be there.

Fall      October 16, 2004    North Conway, NH

Olympus OM-1 handheld w/50mm Zuiko @ f5.6        1/1000sec

Copyright 2004

I have seen so many beautiful compositions such as this taken by many professional photographers that it inspired me to try to capture it.  This scene was taken on the front lawn of a small church along the famous Route 16 of North Conway.  I used a vertical composition to emphasize the leaves and to help in cropping surrounding distractions.  I love the mix of colors and the "endless" feel to the covering of leaves on the ground.

3/31/00   Big Dipper (Ursa Major) Region        Richmond, RI

50mm  f2.8    6 min. exp.   11:28pm     �2000 Ron Zincone

Elitechrome 200

Here I used the barn-door tracker to capture the deep sky region around the Big Dipper.  I took this shot later at night when there are lower levels of light pollution, plane traffic and automobiles passing by.

11-18-00    Leonid Fireball Trail       2:54am     Richmond, RI

50mm  f2.8    Fujichrome Provia 1600       �2000 Ron Zincone

This and the following sequence of images show a spectacular remnant trail from a naked eye observation of a Leonid fireball that occurred in the northwest sky around 2:50am.  Unfortunately, my camera was pointed in the opposite direction, but fortunately, I repositioned my camera facing the northwest sky in case another fireball appeared.  Little did I know that my film was sensitive enough to pick up the remaining fireball trail left behind even though I could not see it with the naked eye.  A good example of film sensitivity.  In the following sequence, you can see how the atmosphere slowly dissipated and drifted the trail.  These occurrences of fireballs are rare and remnant trails even rarer especially capturing on film.  This shot and the upcoming Leonid meteor shot were published on the AAAA (American Association of Amateur Astronomers) webpage, AAAA publication and also accepted for possible publication in Astronomy Magazine.

June 8, 2005    Richmond, RI    Olympus OM-1

on Bogen tripod, Afga RSXII 50,  Copyright 2005

A photogenic crescent moon taken during early twilight in the western sky.  Notice the rosy-pink sky above the horizon and the cirrus clouds reflecting the setting sun's light.

Crescent Moon     June 10, 2005    Richmond, RI   Olympus OM-1

on bogen tripod, zoomed in with 85-100 telephoto range, Fuji Astia 100F,

Copyright 2005.

Here is another beautiful capture of the crescent moon in late twilight/evening.  Notice the darker sky which shows the contrast between the crescent and the surrounding sky.  

Fall Shadows     Jackson, New Hampshire       October 16, 2004

Olympus OM-1 on Bogen,    35mm Zuiko WA @ f16,    1/250sec

Copyright 2004

I love the shadows here cast by the light as well as the golden yellow canopy of foliage giving an "endless" quality.

11/18/00   Leonid Meteor in Northern Sky   4am      Richmond, RI

50mm  f2.8  Provia 1600   �2000 Ron Zincone

This was the best meteor I caught on film.  Meteors have to be very bright and/or slow in there descent through the atmosphere if your film is going to pick it up.  To give yourself the best advantage in capturing a meteor such as the above, use very fast film in the 800 to 1600 range.  The higher the number the more faster the film meaning it is more sensitive to light.  The downside is that the exposure will look more grainy if made into a print or enlarged but all my meteors captured were with 1600 speed film.   Eventually, I will crop this image to frame just the meteor and add it to this photo page.  Published on AAAA website and quarterly publication.  Accepted for possible publication in Astronomy Magazine.  Published in the Spring 2005 issue of Exposure Gallery Magazine!

July 16, 2004  Newport lighthouse and bridge at Sunset

200mm @ f11   1/125   Fuji Velvia 50   Copyright 2004 Ronald Zincone

An early twilight as the sun was setting over the Tall Ships event at Newport.  Here I captured a nice silouhetted lighthouse and boat with the sunlit Newport Bridge in the background.  A good example of foreground and background objects that are being lit by two different angles of light.  

1-25-01     Mercury and Venus in Twilight

50mm  f2.8  10 sec.  Elitechrome 200   Richmond, RI

�2001 Ron Zincone

Here is one of my recent shots that captured brilliant Venus (top upper left) at magnitude -4.6 and the planet Mercury (just noticeable above the horizon in the orange in the lower right).  This shot was taken along Route 2 near Schartner Farms where there is an open view to the west which is vital to capture Mercury.   Both of these planets were exhibiting different magnitudes in brightness as well as phases.  What I like most is how I captured the beautiful twilight colors.  This image has been accepted for possible publication in Astronomy Magazine.

July 2000  Herring Cove Beach at Provincetown, Cape Cod

24mm lens   �2000 Ron Zincone

What a beautiful scene this was.  We caught the sunset just in time.  This was taken with my wide angle lens.  This beach is known for a great spot to capture the sunsets.

March 4, 2004     1st Qtr Moon in Daylight    Richmond, RI

1/125sec  500mm ST lens @ f10   �2004 Ron Zincone

A nice daylight image shot with a super telephoto lens on tripod set at 500mm.  The blue skies help decrease the contrast while providing a better balance of light for the light meter.

Crescent Moon     June 10, 2005    Richmond, RI    Olympus OM-1

on bogen tripod    Fuji Astia 100F    Copyright 2005.

Here I zoomed in using a zuiko telephoto lens in the 85mm range to capture a nice crescent moon in early twilight.  Notice the cusp.

November 8, 2004   The Great Aurora of 2004

4:30am  Richmond, RI   Olympus OM-1 on Bogen

28mm Zuiko @ f2.8    10-20sec   fuji Provia 400F

Second historical stunning aurora borealis within 13 months!  Caused by powerful solar flares hitting the earth's magnetosphere.  This northern lights storm was seen in many parts of the US and the world!  First time I have ever seen purple in an aurora.  The first storm was on the previous night, November 7th.  It reoccurred again on the 8th @ 4:30am and lasted only about 10-15 minutes.

November 7, 2004   The Great Aurora of 2004

Early evening  Richmond, RI   Olympus OM-1 on Bogen

28mm Zuiko @ f2.8    10-20sec   fuji Provia 400F

Richmond Sunset    #2         50mm lens (vertical)    �2000 Ron Zincone

The same scene only a little later in twilight and a vertical composition.  The sky looks like it is on fire!

3/14/01   Freeport, Bahamas at Pier 1 Restaurant

50mm  1/60  6:10 pm  Elitechrome 100 Extra Color

�2001 Ron Zincone

Here is one of several shots I took on my recent trip from Freeport in the Bahamas.  On this night we were at the popular Pier 1 restaurant know for their nightly shark feedings and I managed to capture this sunset over the ocean.   There were some interesting clouds which created a peek-a-boo with the sun.   You can see some of the twilight colors reflecting off the water where there were 4 ships anchored (retaining tankers). 

November 7, 2004   The Great Aurora of 2004

Early evening  Richmond, RI   Olympus OM-1 on Bogen

28mm Zuiko @ f2.8    10-20sec   fuji Provia 400F

4/9/00   Jupiter, Saturn and Mars Conjunction     Richmond, RI

50mm  f2.8  10sec.  8:10pm  Elitechrome 200  �2000 Ron Zincone

This was a nice conjunction of 3 solar system planets forming a triangle just to the left of the big tree on the right.  This shot really showed the beautiful twilight scene with a nice cloud formation.  This is my first photo that has been published by Astronomy Magazine in the January 2001 issue.

(On display at Eclipse Restaurant)

Sunspot Groupings 775 and 776   June 12, 2005    Richmond, RI 

Prime-focus photography with a 10inch 1500mm FL, f6, Newtonian/Dob reflector with a Olympus OM-1 camera, Baader Solar Filter, exposures bracketed.    Copyright 2005.

Here you can see the enormous size of sunspots on the sun.  These groupings are at least 9 times the size of the earth!  These sunspots erupted with M-class solar flares.  When doing this kind of photography, it is absolutely imperative that you use a proper solar filter on the front of your telescope to filter out the sun's dangerous rays and forms of light.  This image was one of several images captured using the camera body held-held into the eyepiece opening of the scope.

#59

6/3/02      Venus & Jupiter Conjunction       Richmond, RI

9:13 pm      50mm      f2.8       3 sec      EC 200

�2002 Ron Zincone

Here is a nice photo of the recent Venus and Jupiter conjunction taken during late twilight.  Notice how Venus stands out over Jupiter due to its higher magnitude.  This event occurred just at the end of the great 5-planetary lineup.  These 2 planets are the brightest in magnitude and always make for an eye-catching event when they come together.

Meadowburg Farm     October 16, 2004     Richmond, RI

Olympus OM-1 on Bogen tripod, 16mm Full-frame fisheye lens

Provia 100F    Copyright 2004

This photo won 3rd place in the "3rd Annual Beautiful Richmond" photo contest sponsored by the Richmond Land Preservation Trust.  The timing was great on this photo.  As I pulled up along the side of this country road in my home town where I knew of this farm, the cows were just waiting for me closer to the road.  I knew I had to compose fast with my fisheye before the cows moved.  The light was just right for this composition as the sun just peeked out from under the clouds and some nice low-angle golden light lit the scene.  I also loved the canopy of colorful foliage and how I captured the "stare" of the center cow.  I really love the creative perspective this lens can give me.  

May 2004   Sunrise over the Isle of Roatan

Copyright 2004 Ronald Zincone

Another example of a beautiful sunrise capturing cloud formations and backlighting the island landscape causing silouhetting.  Notice how the clouds partially covering the sun plays with the light creating different tones and angles.  This is a high contrast image between the landscape and the sky.  I could have opened up the fstop to get more detail in the shadows but would have risked blowing out the sky and overexposing the water.

July 16, 2004  Twilight Sunset @ Tall Ships Event in 

Newport, RI   OM-1  21mm SWA @ f2   1/60

Copyright 2004 Ronald Zincone

This particular evening the sunset really created some nice colors interacting with the high, thin cirrus clouds.  The blues and reds were unbelievable and I had to use a wide-open setting on my SWA lens at 1/60 to just about get enough light onto the film plane.  Notice the slight curvature due to the wide-angle and the backlit sunset silouhetting the boats.  This was a hand-held shot and 1/60 sec is the limit for any kind of detail at this speed.

July 16, 2004   The H.M.S. Eagle, America's Tall Ship at Newport, RI

OM-1  21mm SWA @ f16  1/60sec  Copyright 2004 Ronald Zincone

The Tall Ships in Newport this year was a great event.  Here my SWA 21mm lens was perfect to capture this somewhat silouhetted angle of America's tall ship.

First Quarter Moon       June 13, 2005     Richmond, RI

Prime focus photography    10inch 1500mm FL Newtonian/Dob

@ f6     1/15sec     Velvia 100    Copyright 2005

#65

Sunrise at Cold Spring Beach, Wickford, RI

Exposures bracketed       6:10am    Agfa 50 RSXII

wide-angle lens  �2003 Ron Zincone   Pentax A3000

A beautiful sunrise during a warm and humid morning at Cold Spring Beach in Wickford.  

M31 Andromeda Galaxy & Milky Way Region        10/10/01

50mm    f2    60 sec   11:25 pm     Nikon F    EliteChrome 200

Piggyback on Celestron G8 SCT     �2001 Ron Zincone

Here is an 60 sec exposure of a section of the Milky Way.   If you notice to the upper left corner a point of light that sort of looks enlongated or fuzzy.  That is the Andromeda Galaxy M31 our sister galaxy that is 2.3 million light years away!  This means that it takes 2.3 million years for its light to reach the earth!!  Wow.

This image has been accepted by Astronomy Magazine for possible future publication.

Mount Washington, North Conway, New Hampshire   November 13, 2004

Olympus OM-1 on Bogen,    200mm Zuiko telephoto,   Elitechrome 200

Copyright 2004

One of my better images of Mount Washington taken during sunrise over Mount Washington Valley.  Notice the small house on the hill to the left and the "scale" it emphasizes between it and the mountain in the background.

Orange and Yellow     October 17, 2004    Richmond, RI

Olympus OM-1 on Bogen, Provia 100F, 100mm Zuiko telephoto

@ f8,   1/125sec, Copyright 2004

This photo won 2nd place in the "3rd Annual Beautiful Richmond" Photo Contest sponsored by the Richmond Preservation Land Trust in 2004.  I really like the colors here of the turning foliage and the light and shadow effects.  Interesting lines and patterns, too.

Bright Leonid    11-18-01    50mm    f2/f2.8   1-5 min   Richmond, RI

�2001 Ron Zincone

Here was one of the best meteors captured!  This one was closer to the horizon so the stars are trailed horizontal.  Many Leonids were seen sweeping across the horizons.  This image was accepted by Astronomy Magazine for possible future publication.

Bolide Leonid?   11-18-01   50mm   f2/2.8    1-3 min   Richmond, RI

�2001 Ron Zincone

This Leonid was the second brightest one that I captured.  A possible Bolide/fireball.  Notice the greenish/white/gold color and the intensity of the lower end of the trail.  Notice that the exposure on this was short because little star trailing is observed.  This image was accepted by Astronomy Magazine for possible future publication.

(On display at Eclipse Restaurant)

Bahamian Sunset      Olympus OM-1  Hand-held   March 2005

Freeport, Bahamas    Copyright 2005

Leonid Fireball in Orion   11-18-01   4:11 am   50mm  f2

1-3 min exp.  Nikon F  Elitechrome 400 pushed to 1600

Richmond, RI      �2001 Ron Zincone

Here is the most spectacular Leonid captured during the great and historic Leonid Storm of 2001!  It is a fireball of -8 to -10 magnitude very similar to the one in image #70.  This one appeared just to the upper part of Orion.  This image truly captures the grandeur of the event.  It was captured using a Nikon F 35mm camera on tripod with a 50mm Nikkor 1.4 lens set at f2.  Film was Elitechrome 400 pushed to 1600.  This image was published in the November 2002 issue of Astronomy Magazine in conjunction with their cover story and just recently published in SkyNews Magazine (Canada) in the May/June 2003 issue as part of their astrophoto contest.  Out of 500 entries, this photo was one of twelve best selected by the editors to be published!

Just published in the September 2003 issue of Sky & Telescope Magazine in their 'Amateur Astronomers' Column.

Published in PSA Journal, July 2005 issue.

Over 200 images of this has been sold throughout the US and abroad.  You can own this historical astronomical photo by visiting my Deluxe Pro Website at www.ronaldzinconephotography.com

(On display at Eclipse Restaurant)

June 9, 2005   Richmond, RI   Olympus OM-1 on Bogen tripod,

Provia 100F, Copyright 2005.

Here is another photogenic capture of the crescent moon with the planet Venus in the lower corner just next to the tree.  The Planet Venus otherwise known as our morning and evening star is just about ready to set.

Crescent Moon    June 9, 2005      Richmond, RI    

Olympus OM-1 on bogen tripod    Provia 100F   Copyright 2005

Crescent Moon Time Lapse    June 10, 2005    Olympus OM-1 on

bogen tripod, 50mm Zuiko lens @ f2.8, (8) exposures @ 1/2-1sec

every 10 minutes, Copyright 2005.

Here is an example of another time lapse or multiple exposure of the moon.  Crescent moons in particular make these kinds of images very spectacular.  You can see here that the first 4 moons at the top to bottom are slightly overexposed with the final 4 correctly exposed.  Because I used the lens-cap on/off method, exposure had to be exact.  The final moon in the lower right is not fully the shape of the crescent due to cloud obstruction.  Remember that with these shots, the light (twilight in this case) in the scene is exposed for with the very first moon image.

Leonid Vapor Trail from Fireball    11-18-01   50mm

f2/2.8  1-3 min   Richmond, RI   �2001 Ron Zincone

Here is a spectacular Leonid trail left over by one of 5 fireballs I observed.  The next images will show the sequence of this vapor trail as it is distorted by the atmosphere.  This one occurred just east of Orion.

May 10, 2005, Richmond, RI     2-day Crescent Moon with Earthshine

1500mmFL 10"Newtonian/Dob @ f6 Prime Focus Photography

w/Olympus OM-1 35mm SLR     Fuji Sensia 400   Copyright 2005

May 10, 2005  Richmond, RI          2-day old Crescent Moon

1500mmFL 10" Newtonian/Dob @ f6  Prime Focus Photography

w/Olympus OM-1 35mm SLR     Fuji Sensia 400

Copyright 2005

May 27, 2005     Lightning Storm     Richmond, RI

Olympus OM-1 on Bogen tripod, 50mm (1.4) Zuiko

Fuji Astia 100     Bracketed exposure times   Copyright 2005

May 27, 2005     Lightning Storm     Richmond, RI

Olympus OM-1 on Bogen tripod, 50mm (1.4) Zuiko

Fuji Astia 100     Bracketed exposure times   Copyright 2005

May 27, 2005     Lightning Storm     Richmond, RI

Olympus OM-1 on Bogen tripod, 50mm (1.4) Zuiko

Fuji Astia 100     Bracketed exposure times   Copyright 2005

Vapor trail image #7

May 27, 2005     Lightning Storm     Richmond, RI

Olympus OM-1 on Bogen tripod, 50mm (1.4) Zuiko

Fuji Astia 100     Bracketed exposure times   Copyright 2005

Milky Way Piggyback on G8 w/50mm lens showing

North American Nebulae, Deneb, Cygnus region

50mm  Nikon F   f2   60sec   10/10/01    10:23 pm

Richmond, RI     �2001 Ron Zincone  EliteChrome 200

pushed to 800

Here is my first serious attempt at piggyback astrophotography using my new Celestron G8 SCT combined with a 35mm camera w/50mm Nikkor lens riding piggyback and using motor drives to track.  The Nikkor f1.8 lens set at f2 is an amazing fast lens.  You can see close to pinpoint star images except along the borders.  Notice the red regions which are nebulae.  Center left is the North American nebulae.  I have 24 of these exposures.  This image was accepted by Astronomy Magazine for possible future publication.

First Quarter Moon       June 13, 2005         Richmond, RI

Prime focus photography    10inch 1500mm FL Newtonian/Dob

@ f6,  1/60sec   Velvia 100    Copyright 2005

Half Moon Trail          June 13, 2005        Richmond, RI

Olympus OM-1 on bogen tripod,  50mm Zuiko lens @ f16

2 1/2 hour exposure, 9:18pm-11:45pm     Velvia 100

Copyright 2005

Here is my first attempt at a bright moon time lapse trail with nice success.  Here the first quarter moon was setting from upper left to bottom right in the western twilight sky.  Notice how the surrounding sky developed a magneta glow as the light from the trail exposed the film.  To the right and left of the moon trail you may notice some faint star trailing.  This trailing is more noticeable on the original slides.  Using slow speed film and closing down the aperture fully on the lens allowed this type of image to be captured without washing out the subject and surrounding landscape.

June 15, 2005    8:50pm    Newport Bridge at Night    Jamestown, RI

Olympus OM-1 on bogen tripod                50mm Zuiko @ f1.4

1 sec exposure on Elitechrome 200        Copyright 2005

June 15, 2005    8:50pm    Newport Bridge at Night    Jamestown, RI

Olympus OM-1 on bogen tripod                85mm Zuiko @ f2

1 sec exposure on Elitechrome 200        Copyright 2005

Mercury and Venus 0.1 deg. apart!     June 27, 2005     Dedham, MA

Velvia 100    Olympus OM-1 on bogen tripod      Copyright 2005

Here I captured a spectacular conjunction of Mercury and Venus only 0.1 degrees apart.  These two planets, closest to our Sun, were so close that with the naked eye they seemed one.  You can just about make out Venus and Mercury at the very top above the cloud layer.  I was also very fortunate to have captured this event during a stunning sunset.  I had traveled from my home in Richmond, RI north-northeast towards Boston in order to get ahead of the advancing clouds.  I finally took the Dedham exit and turned into the Dedham Plaza and was lucky to find an opening with a somewhat clear view to the west. 

Lightning Storm    July 4, 2005    Orlando, Florida

Pentax A3000 on SLIK tripod      Copyright 2005

A lightning storm that I captured in Epcot while waiting for the famous "Illuminations" show to begin.  Capturing lightning is similar to capturing fireworks and meteors.  All involve long exposures using a tripod and cable release. 

July 22, 2005, South County Hot Air Balloon Festival 2005

URI, Kingston, RI     Olympus OM-1 handheld    Copyright 2005

July 22, 2005     South County Hot Air Balloon Festival 2005

URI, Kingston, RI      Olympus OM-1 handheld    Copyright 2005

Hot Air Balloon Glow Event

September 4, 2005    Eastern Rosella (Platycercus eximius)

Australasia     "Birds of the Lost Kingdom" Exhibit   

Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada     Olympus OM-1 on bogen tripod

Elitechrome 400     Copyright 2005     200mm Zuiko telephoto lens

Sepia Crescent     September 2005       Richmond, RI

Olympus OM-1 on bogen    50mm Zuiko lens w/sepia filter

Copyright 2005

Here is an image of a crescent moon in the western twilight taken with a standard 50mm Zuiko lens with a Sepia filter attached.  It gives it an antique look to it.  I like to experiment to create different effects when I am in the field shooting.

Sunrise at Cold Spring Beach     Wickford, RI      July 29, 2005

Olympus OM-1 on bogen tripod    200mm Zuiko telephoto @ f32

1/8sec      Velvia 50      Copyright 2005

Taken during that "magic hour" of golden warm light as the sun begins to rise.  Notice the backlit anchored boats creating beautiful silouhettes, the reflections of masts in the water, the patterns, lines and textures of the ripples, masts and diagonal line in the foreground.  Notice, too, how the sunlight is reflecting or catching the top of the mast in the center boat.  Also notice the warm golden light reflecting from the sky onto the water below.  This is the time to photograph nature!!!