My new blog SPOT and Website

Texture #3, Bad Boy, and HDR

Let's start with HDR. By popular demand the images above are ones used in the HDR image below. Seven images 1/3 stop separating each image. My first and probably my last wildlife HDR image. This little guy held really still for me for about one and a half seconds (thank you nikon). It was almost noon. Harsh daylight. I lost the shadows if exposed for the highlights and blew out the highlights if I exposed for the shadows. HDR here we go!
The Bad Boy theme? When first approaching this den he was very timid. And so where the multitude of others in the same area. But when the big lens came out and the even bigger poster boy for weight watchers appeared they all dove in their dens. Except this Bad Boy. He was calling me out. The neighbor bully. One tough dude! He must have just jumped off his Harley. Click on the image and check out his beard how it is blown to the sides. Circa ZZ top Bad Boys! I held my ground when he took this Ninja stance. As I shouted hold still he winked (really he did) and held still. Not too many wildlife subjects hold as still as he did. Of course I thanked him.

Texture - his fur is unbelievable. I really think the HDR process brought out the individual hairs definition. I doubt he would let me pet him. I can't tell if his fur is soft or maybe a little stiff. What do you think? Maybe a little conditioner or just right?

Texture #2

This is fun. Yesterday's blog answer is..............Shedded Snake Skin! O.F. was the winner. Remember this is the guy with more smarts than Einstein, and Kelly talking about concrete combined. Too easy.

No hints Today. What is the subject in the photo above? Family, employees and anyone with an apple computer are all eligible. Good for another certificate. One hint! I shot this during the day.......:-)

Texture #1

When the new assignment was announced (texture) it took only seconds to know what I wanted to post. I actually shot this the day before yesterday. The intrigue of the shapes, lines and textures drew me (and my camera) in. I will send a gift certificate (at least of value to cover mailing back east also) to the first person who can tell me what the subject is. One hint - I pushed the saturation about 30%.

"TIFF"

Tiff........ The smarty pants at work. She can fix any computer problem.....period! If we all had APPLE computers there would be no need for Tiff! (sorry Tiff). I asked her long ago if I could photograph her and her colorful tattoos (her being gorgeous had nothing to do it :-).. ) You should have seen her on Halloween! Yikes! Double Yikes! Anyway she was very easy to shoot tonight. The shots were made with a Nikon SB900 in a light box, an su 200 flash hand held and in one shot a 36" white reflector. Camera was the Nikon D-3, one lens a 24-70 f/2.8 the other was a 105 f/2.8 lens. Look at the two pictures. You can see the compression difference that the 105 made. Thanks Dan for your help. If not for him one of the shots may have had low exposure on Tiff's feet! Tiff I hope you like it!

My first born....

Take a look at my oldest Daughters blog about our trip to Yellowstone. We had a blast. Like all my kids she is wonderful.

My Little Friends............

Nikon D-3, 105 f/2.8 VR lens, R1C1 light System Both lights +.7 EV, Kenko 36mm extension tube, -2.67 EV, ISO-2000, f/29

For several years now I have owned an R1C1 Wireless-Close-up-Speedlight-System. Here and there I have played with it. I have never taken the time to really get down and dirty. You know - Read the Manual! And put this Nikon cool system to work. This weekend was Bear Lake weekend. I think I have slept in my own bed 5 days in the last 25, maybe 30. Who's counting? Attached to my Nikon 105 f/2.8, VR lens the R1C1 creates great opportunities for close up (macro) photography. So why not test the system even further? I invested in Kenko Extension Tubes. Yikes talk about getting close! In some respects I wish I had a 200 macro lens. The 105 with extension tube(s) puts you inches from the subject. Never tried drugging a bug before. Most insects don't like a huge piece of glass with two or four white flashes attached. I found a couple of suiters! Did a little bribing. Like the grass hopper above. It's amazing if they let you get that close how much character you get to see. He was turning his head. Moving antennas around. Those thousands of little eyes checking me out. I wonder who they see when near or far sightedness (sorry that's the best I can spell it sounding it out) affects their vision?

Bright sunlight and two flash heads. The mix was to turn down ambient light about two stops and push up the flashes by almost 1 stop. This way I got the deep shadows and greater contrast with the "hopper" to the plant. To even get any light in the background and front shadow areas I had to push the ISO to 2000. At f/29 it was getting pretty hard to fill. Overall it turned out good.

Now the Black Beauty! Not hard to find. She greets me every-time I arrive and leave Bear Lake. This little (or in spider "BIG") beauty calls my meter box home. Arriving I open and turn on the water. When leaving the water goes off. She is always there. A wonderful greater if I may say so. Though a little spooked when I first take the lid off she eventually calms and wants to get close. A little camera shy though. I chased her all over the lid until she finally realized she was to be famous. A blog superstar. At least that is what I told her. Really like I have mentioned before I ALWAYS talk to my subjects even if their heads are down and coming at a high rate of speed directly at me.

On her belly is a bright red hour glass. I thought a little personal photographing her belly so I did not pursue that. Click on the picture and look close. She must be european. Hairy I must say. What was really interesting was the rings on her two front legs. Why do they need 8 legs? If you look at her back you can see the reflection of the two strobes. Kinda like a catch light isn't it? Almost all the metadata was the same as the grasshopper. Except the EV was -1.67. And the flashes EV was set at zero. I did however lower the ISO to 400. You can see it in the detail. It was a really fun afternoon. I found what I think was a 4' blue racer snake. She did not want anything to do with me or my camera. I gave her a word or two!

Prescott Beauty

An incredibly large lunch today. Tonight it was time to find a soup dinner and some new places to photograph. Downtown Prescott was my destination. Walking for blocks late tonight I found this incredible mural. The wall mural was in a very small alley next to a multi storied parking terrace. It is so large that it I had to stitch 10 shots together in Photoshop. Never seen anything like this before it is beautiful! Click on the images and look close. Each person in the mural is a representation of someone who had an impact on art in Prescott. Incredible!

This statue was very moving to me. While I was standing next to it an individual approached me. She was a long time resident of Prescott. I learned a lot about the history of the city block where this statue stood. She wept as the history and purpose of the statue was shared with me. I was moved. As we stood there arm in arm, strangers tonight, we realized that our conversation and condition was not going unnoticed. The statue stands on the grounds of the Yavapai county courthouse. Many people use the numerous tables, benches and grass as a place to congregate. We had a small audience. I thanked her and embraced her. We parted not even knowing each others names. She gave me a new appreciation for people that love America. Especially those that served our country. Like the one depicted as this statue. So very many giving the ultimate sacrifice.

Earth, wind and .........

How about for the assignment that I show the effects of wind, rain, snow, ice and fire? I'm back in Prescott/Chino Valley Arizona. The dells amaze me every-time I am here. I could literally spend days shooting the shapes colors and textures.

The above shot at 3200 ISO. The black lines in the rock are natural. Incredible shapes.

North facing has the "blue moss". The fractures are evidence of incredible weathering like in the photo above. Yet still have a way to allow plant growth.

Couldn't resist the black and white pushing the texture of these rocks. The high contrast plant adds interest.

Pool Colors...

In Yellowstone we made the rounds at Old Faithful. Colors, colors and more colors. Of the days photo's this was my favorite. The textures and colors create an artsy feel. No special exposure comp. Just straight shooting.

Hunters Not Allowed

Holy Cow (in this case Bull) Batman. I really, really, really wish I had taken a photograph this MONSTER in the wild not on an ELK farm this week. I have a hard time admitting that I shot this at an ELK farm in Rupert, Idaho. Even thought about figuring out a way to cut out the Bull and put him in a wildlife photograph setting. No Guts No Glory? He's still the next to the biggest I have ever seen. Wild or not!

Photo art (again)

My feeble attempt at being an artist (again).

Not to insult true artists, we do have a couple of things in common. We have a vision of a scene. The photographers is right in front of them. Another is that we produce something from our "scene". When my daughter and I stopped at the river that's in the photo above. I knew that the outcome was not going to be strictly a photo replication of the scene. The patterns colors and shapes made me wish I could draw or paint. Never happen. I can't even draw a straight line for work. Thank goodness for Topaz labs and their simple filters. I almost felt as if I was forcing a print out of a "normal" shot. But in the end it turned out as I envisioned it. May have been more dimensional if from my imagination. Oh well another chance to explore and stretch my study and vision.

My wife does not like this one......

No big quarrels. Just a slight disagreement. My wife is my best and worst critic. For 30 some years she shrugs off most my work. She is a purest. A famous violinist. An artist. I married UP! She see things like...well like....like I don't see. I play the stereo and the Ipod. In tune I might mention. Her criticism of this photo was the blurry waterfall. I tried to explain that I used a slower shutter speed to get that very effect. Didn't win her over. I kinda like it. In post it was run through topaz with a filter called simplify. If you look close it has a slight water color feel to it. It won't be hanging anywhere in my house near the Thomas Kinkaid's. Maybe I will post it at work.........

Shoshpne #2 Close Up

Part of photography is location, location, location. Finding that sweet spot that captures the essence of the scene. Walking hours on end waiting for the perfect light. Camera and tripod over shoulder with twenty pounds or so in a a back pack or vest. Searching, seeking that one and only spot to shoot. Or if you are at a national, city, or state park that has cliffs and water falls, you shoot behind the fence. Where ever the fence is. At Shoshone falls it's obvious that the law abiding photographers stay on the trail and behind the fence. So I shot where everyone else shoots. How many have a 14-24, f/2/8 lens? And shoot the scene in using HDR? Probably hundreds or thousands. So if you have seen Shoeshone falls there is no new views. Hopefully just new ways to see the same view.

Shoshone Falls

A lot of window time again today. Back in Twinn Falls late. I have never seen Shoshone Falls before. For years my travels in Idaho have included Twinn Falls City. Encouraged by Thomas on many occasion to see the falls, I rushed there just as the sun was setting. Checked exposures. Yikes nine stops! Lowered the EV two stops and shot nine frames .7 stop apart. A gentleman I was talking with mentioned that about fifteen minutes earlier the sun was shining down the canyon onto the falls. Sounds good but may have added even a wider dynamic range. Post I sharpened slightly, dodged all the water very slightly and framed. Hope to come back again and see the falls in the spring. Thomas says the volume of water going over is incredible.

Old But Standing

On the Road Again.

Looking for light to pixel absorption while driving to Idaho today. Bonus. This house (or school house) fell right into my lap. Above the window carved in the wood is a name and the Date of Apr 1909. The structure is at Rock City National Monument (though on private property). I was amazed at the construction of the structure. Multiple layers of stacked granite. It must have taken a long time to quarry, cut and shape the stones. Don't you wonder who built it? What did the valley look like 100 years ago? If only the walls could talk!

Laurie Excell Blogs

Laurie Excell is a DLWS faculty member. A great photographer and extremely well networked in the professional world. Her last two blogs are photo's of Dalia's. Take a peek their pretty cool!

Oregon Coast

June 2007

Definitely the greatest photo op I have ever had. Taught by the masters, Moose Peterson, Joe McNally, and others. DLWS was a great adventure and was a turning point in the way I see through my camera and work in the digital darkroom. Moose and Joe are famous they don't know me from Adam. But I am a daily follower of their blogs. I get nothing for endorsing them. If you want a photographic vision changing experience. Sign up for DLWS. The photo above was taken at DLWS June of 2007. This day was the usual up before dawn at the site shooting before sunrise. The group had gone the opposite direction. I wanted a shot unique to my taste like the lighthouse posted on my web site. Every-time I view the hundreds of shots from Oregon it takes me back. Plus I wanted to run a few frames through Silver Efex Pro. I hope you enjoy it. I sure did when I was there.

Workroom HDR't

I'm really digging this HDR thing!

We should call the HDR type photo's above HDR't (HDR art). Surreal but effective. I made several versions of this photo. Started with the "it's how I saw it". To what you see above. On the internet I seem to find more HDR't than anything else. Whatever! It's pretty dang fun!

Grizz Butt

Sometimes they have had enough of us......and show what they think about us!

Deer Week #2

Another missed opportunity...

I am on my soap box again with this one!  Just as my daughter and I set up to shoot two beautiful bucks, out of a car runs a very young man on a dead run towards the deer.  He is on a mission for mom and dad.  Get as close as you can with the point and shoot and take a picture. Hurry because it will run.  DUH!!!!!!!   When will these people realize that close means Bye, Bye to the wild life.  Or hello to the antlers in your gut.  Either one is NOT ACCEPTABLE!!!!!!

Along with the deer in the photo above was a big beautiful five point buck.  He was headed for a clearing with all kinds of yellow and purple flowers.  The shot of a life time for two eager and patient photographers.  BUT NO.  I gestured to the little two legged monster to stay back.  No respect for me or the wishes of those around me.  

I look at it this way.  Everyone has the right to witness these beautiful creatures of the wild.  Equally.  That means that if the animal is NOT affected by our presence we are the right distance from said animal.  To photograph the wild at a distance of comfort for the animal is expensive.  

$10,000.00 for a 600mm lens

$1,000.oo for telecoverters

$6,000.00 for camera.

$1,600.oo for tripod and head 

That's just the beginning.  So why are people so inconsiderate first, of the animal then second, of those that wish to photograph the animal in it's natural state and natural state of mind?   It's no wonder I prefer to hike back to find wild animals.  It puts me alone with the wild.  Hopefully at a great distance from the point and shoot public.  

My daughter is blogging on our trip also.  A very nice perspective for me to see.  Find it here.

Oxbow Panarama

I will be back this fall to Oxbow Bend in the Tetons.  Imagine this shot with the aspens in the fall...Yikes!   This shot was 3 wide angles stitched together in CS4 through Photomerge.  Not to difficult. What a beautiful place to be at 7:00 a.m. in the morning last week.  

Sun Flare assignment......

Alea!   How about this one?   Assignment is creative sunburst right?  Nobody said anything about a requirement to have people in the picture.....

12-24 lens @f/22.  Hand held over the rail at ground level.  The small aperture kicks back the starburst sun.  For years I carried a sunburst filter.  One day at a photo seminar a friend let me down slow and let me in on the small aperture thing.  Always learning.  

Maverik Truck....work?

Golly I was asked to photograph one of our trucks.  I had to think about this...for about a second.  Everything was going well until the jet flew through the photo.  I am sure someone out there can fix the con-trail.  It was a fun night.  Fun people and great light!  

Post I used a 9 frame HDR at 1/3 stop increments.  Made no adjustments in the tone map.  

Caterpillar Art

N43,20.4591

W110,43.4617

Nikon D-3 105 f/2.8, 1/100 sec @f11, ISO 1250, 

When Lindsay and I saw this caterpillar I new it was going to be put to the Topaz Software in post.  In the shade of the tree the little guy was more of a silhouette.  The juxtaposition with the leave added some interest.  Topaz came through with what I envisioned.  My grandson was freaked by the insect.  Looking close at it kinda explains it...spikes and all.

Deer Week

N 44,33.1167

W 110,24.1832

August is definitely not the month for wildlife photography.   In Yellowstone there are still many opportunities to view and photograph them... even in August.  Buffalo were in abundance, cow elk could be found in regular vistas but the stand out this trip was deer.  Usually much less obvious these guys were everywhere.    Because of their shy nature little time is allowed to set up and shoot when coming across a deer.    The photo above was the exception.  Near Lake Lodge this gentleman and two others were posing for a small crowd.  (I am still not convinced that these aren't rangers in deer outfits).  A little too docile for me.  They are not backwoods, jump and run at any sound deer.  Probably could have pet one of them...like some tourists attempted to do.  The shot was taken wide open with my six hundred lens.  Nothing fancy done post shooting.  Have some fun and go into Google and see where I shot the pic.  This high tech stuff is cool.    

KOA Blog

Here I sit at a picnic table in a KOA campground 12 miles south of Jackson Hole.

It's been a crazy couple of weeks. Last week I woke up with a monster in my eye. Not really a monster...a blob. Well maybe a big floater. What the heck this is my camera eye. Everywhere I look it's like looking through a bottle of my Dad's no-fat, powdered, diluted milk. A royal pain in the butt. The Doc says it's a floater but not really its a "mass" that could be a floater but still attached to my retina. No pain. Just a lot of blinking hoping it will go away. My other eye is the reason why I wear glasses. Probably would have helped that eye if the BLOB was in it.

Made the trek to Yellowstone and Jackson. I am tempted to tell all the bad things that happened like the water pump went out on the suburban, the batteries died in the trailer, my grandsons were having diarrhea contests, my wife came down with a terrible cold, the boys were coughing constantly, and today the body aches, sore throat and coughing started with me I won't tell all the bad things.

My daughter and I went out two early mornings to shoot. It was wonderful to share time with her doing what we enjoy in common. She has a great desire to improve her skills. The best part for me was to just be alone with her in the great outdoors. Not the best time of year for wildlife photography. We enjoyed the vistas and scenic views. Good thing for auto focus with my bum eye. Not a lot of shooting on my part just helping my daughter.

Today we went to oxbow bend in Teton National Park. The countless times that I have been to this spot I have never enjoyed the smooth, glassy water as "reflected" in the photo above. In the circle of photographers that I often hang with we would say today.."the lighting God was with us". In truth, he was. Making our experience together that much better.

Now for the grandsons. Oh my heck. They surely have my good looking gene, my ADD gene, my non-stop try something new gene and my wife's argue gene (I'll get it for this note). How can a grandfather's love be measured? Not sure! Mornings have been greeted by these two little guys giving me a big hug while shouting PAPPA!!!!! My little Cameron is afraid of everything and nothing. A climber, a wrecker, a wild monster. But a little bug I tried to show him turned him into a sprinter in the opposite direction. We walked the hot pots and Geysers near Hayden Valley. He was so scared he shook and about pulled my neck hairs out. My arms wrapped around him and held him tight as I mentioned "Pappa will protect you". He squeezed me even harder and replied back "protect me Pappa from the bolcayno". Never felt so much responsibility in my life. We made it.

I bought Andrew a couple of cameras (that disneyland Pappa thing). What a blast to see him enjoy what his mother and Pappa have so much passion for. He is my morning light and joy. When he smiles his eyes wrinkle up and the grin goes ear to ear. What a blessing in my life.

Last night we saw Bar "J" perform. Fun, Fun, Fun.

Tomorrow we head home. The traffic jams in Yellowstone and the the Tetons, the rushes to the potties to peeps and poops, the long days of driving will not mask or take away the wonderful week I have had. My only wish is that my son and other daughter were here too.

I'll post some of the fun shots we took this next week.

Never take your eyesight for granted.

Going back home...

Where is home?  The place(s) we love the most?  Or that sacred place where families converge?  The incredible wildlife spectacle in Yellowstone is home.  Home to an abundance of wild characters.  A photographers playground.  Starting saturday I will be their guest for several days.  The photo above of he pronghorn takes me to Lamar Valley.  My patience was tested this day.  Pronghorn are one of two fastest land mammals on earth.  And their keen senses are superior to most.  Not easy to approach.  This guy was grazing with his gals for several hours just over the hill from where he is in the photo.  The presence of a human is not wanted at anytime by this breed.  I laid low for what seemed like eternity.  Expecting the family to approach me on this ridge.  At one point my need for a world class pronghorn shot was less necessary than  hours of picking ticks from my torso from laying in sage and grass.  So I started to stand just as Mr. Big Shot came over the hill.  Only six or seven frames of this guy.  One in focus.  I think he was debating if my presence was enough for him to run from his true loves.   He wasn't gone long.  In fact he just circled around to the other the side of the group.  Quite a guy.   Putting his gals between himself and the big bad photographer.  

Iguassu #3 Black and White

I could blog Iguassu Falls for weeks.  I won't.

Each time the photo appears on my screen my senses are taken back to brazil.   It's been fun to work the Silver Efex Pro software.  It's an incredibly powerful software program.  The output options are almost endless.  If you see the need and want the option for incredible Black and Whites try the software.

I have no relationship with NIK.  I am just a great fan of their products!

 

Iguassu Black and White #2

One of the greatest spectacles I have ever seen.  Pictures will never represent what you can experience when standing at Devils Throat of Iguassu Falls.  I was speechless.  The sky that day added so much to the view and this photograph.  I am fortunate to have been there and experienced this place.  

Igausssu

Talking to friends today about Travel.  My daughter left for Austria today (her sixth trip there). Next year she is taking daddy (the photographer).  My promise is that We can have a meal together and say goodnight.  She plays the violin in an orchestra there.  Her trips are very memorable.  Playing in castles and cathedrals that some of the greatest composers have lived and played.  Music has been a big part of her life...it was her major in college.  Not mine.  My adult life has been spent in concerts.  Huge crowds listening to kids playing twinkle twinkle little star to full on Orchestras like the Utah Symphony.  Some nights I go to bed with the "Four Seasons"  buzzing around in my head.  It's no wonder rock music blasts in my car when I drive along.  Getting musical balance in my head.  

Don't get me wrong I like most classical pieces. 

 Anyway my deal with my daughter will be I spend the two weeks photographing all over Europe and watch one concert of her choice.   Sounds good!  

The conversations today took me back to Iguassu Falls in Brazil.  I remembered shots that  I wanted to convert to black and white.    The above is the first.  Standing on a platform at the base of the falls.  More time spent wiping drops from the lens than actually shooting.  The roar of the water was almost deafening.  But wow it was incredible!!!!   Thank you Silver Efex Pro!

I've got to get out more.....

I just realized while I'm messing with this photograph that next week I get to go photograph wildlife! No more HDR. No more paint conversions. No walking back alleys with police officers protecting me and my equipment. No wild framing of shots like the one above due to boredom at the airport.

Just the great outdoors. Quiet. Birds, elk, moose, bears, and many others waiting for me. I miss them. They are my friends. They live where the high temps may hit the low 80's. It's not hell (Phoenix) here. It's heaven. No rental car buses here. Wendy's..nope! Big Mac's ...never! Food is secondary to the experience.

This time I will have two little boys with me. One of them five and the other two and a half. Their first experience with Grandpa with wildlife and geysers. It should be an incredible week. Grandpa will teach them how to cook smores and foil dinners. More importantly we may make rock trails, throw rocks into Yellowstone river, and hold hands near the hot pots. Maybe I'll work in a few photograph's

Paint and Mailboxes

I thought I had seen everything until I found this pink "bug". In a state that has a high percentage of tree huggers this was shocking. What a dichotomy the car has with it's surroundings. Not just the shaped metal object but the color pink....

Not much further up the road was this line up of mailboxes. All I can say is WOW!

Prescott Lake ROCKS....

Forfeited the best light for photograph for Olive Garden salad and Zupa Tiscana. There is some tough choices in life.

After dinner Don and I rushed to Prescott Lake just as the sun was going down. Not much good light left. Don found this shot. A slight glow from the west sky help give shape to the rocks.

Three exposure HDR, and a slight lowering of saturation.

One of the shots is a Topaz paint conversion. Can you tell which is which.

Old Flagstaff, AZ

For years I have looked forward to a trip now and then to Flagstaff, Arizona. Home of NAU, the highest mountain in Arizona, summer home of the Cardinals (summer practice) world famous observatory's, and two Maverik Stores. There is some history here for me. The top of the mountain has seen my feet and miles of mountain bike trails have been traversed on my mountain bike. When time was on my side I would walk in downtown Flagstaff. It's like going back in time. Everybody moves slower. People enjoy the night air on the walks with a drink or just great conversation. The dress is shorts, tie dye shirts, long hair for men in pony tails, peace signs and graphity everywhere. Not just any gang graphity. This is art............ Last night I enjoyed the city again

N 42,25.995

W 108,49.7413

2361 meters (elevation) 

I know it's very busy.  But I like the photograph.  

In my opinion NIK has hit it out of the park with Silver Efex Pro.    

If I was to guess how much of my shooting in the last 30 years was black and white (before digital), I would have to say 35% to 40%.  My darkroom was set up for only black and white.  All the classes I took were mostly shooting with black and white.  I love Black and White photography.  Though wildlife is my first passion my roots are in the black and white print.   

NIK's program gives back some of the toning, etc that film had.  It's great.  

Back from Lander, Wyoming today this sky, tree and rock were screaming to be photographed. I answered the call.    

Simple and true

Back to reality..

After my last blog I just had to post a photo with no post enhancements or changes. This week is going to be one that most of the time will be in front of the windshield. After an incredible short vacation at Bear Lake, tonight I drove to Lander, Wyoming. Next...Flagstaff, Prescott, Golden Valley. Two ways to look at this! One a lot of boring driving to locations for work. Or the one I choose - hundreds of miles of opportunity to photograph between work projects!!!!!!

The above photo was taken near Vernal last week. The only post work was to slightly sharpen.