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.