Archive for July, 2011

I have a dilemma. Someone recently asked why I liked HDR processed images so much. I admit that I have applied HDR to a range of images. Most HDR programs require multiple images so that usually rules out taking images of anything that moves. But I use one program, NIK HDR Efex Pro that applies an HDR effect to just a single image. That opens up the range of application to a new set of image situations. I think I like the HDR effect because it can take an ordinary image and make it magical. It can take something that we see everyday and make it memorable. I also believe that the HDR effect helps bring out emotion and character in images. An example is the recently posted image of the Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis that drew the comparison to Rocky Balboa.

The person persisted and said, “Well, I like your regular pictures too!” Well, I do too. Some images just don’t do well with HDR. But I guess what I am trying to do is take the ho-hum and make it WOW!. Take this post for example. The first image is right out of the camera with no adjustments. It is the picture of the bottom of the root ball of a tree. I had gone across a road to take a photo of some flowers. Instead, I was attracted by the patterns and structure of the roots. In the second image, I ran a single image HDR and then applied TOPAZ (software) Adjust program. I used the deault preset in HDR Efex Pro and a TOPAZ preset called Spicify. It does just what the name implies.  To me, the HDR and applied software preset really adds the wow factor to make a big difference and take an image beyond just photographing a discarded stump on the side of the road.

Let me know what you think.

Regards,

Jim

Roadside Roots

Roadside Roots HDR Spicify

The boat we were on when I got the eagle images in the previous post, is called Choctaw Lady. The captain is Capt. Mike Hardy, owner/operator  of Choctaw Charters. The web site is www.choctawcharters.com. Capt Mike expertly steered us around the inlet making sure each of us had an enjoyable ride. In addition to the eagles we saw harbor seals, waterfalls, and a pair of Surf Scoters (pacific water birds) in the marina. Capt. Mike obligingly steered the boat so I could get the Surf Scoter images, a first for me. Capt. Mike is full of local knowledge even though he is from Texas. The day for him had started out with a fishing charter in the morning and then our group in the afternoon. You can tell he loves what he does. In spite of spending so much time on the water, he gave us some extra time, making sure each couple had their photos taken in front of a waterfall. Thanks for your hospitality Capt. Mike!I hope we can do it again one day. Images follow:

Harbor Seal on the Rocks

Surf Scoter

…. in Alaska. On a recent visit to Alaska, one of our stops was Skagway. For those not familiar with where places are in Alaska, Skagway is is in southeaster Alaska. It is located on the inside passage. We took a boat for a tour of the inlet where Skagway is located. Best I remember, there were eight of us on the boat. People had told us there were not many eagles in that immediate area because they do not have rivers where the salmon make their run. As we were cruising along the shoreline, someone spotted a bald eagle in a nest (photo 1). It sat there unconcerned about us as we ooohed and ahhhhhed our way past. A little further down two eagles greeted us. One of them treated us to flying down toward the boat and gave us some up close looks. Unfortunately for me the flight shots I took were all too blurry for me to do anything with. We had a pretty good rock of the boat due to the winds and waves from other ships. However, a short time later, we saw another eagle sitting in a tree on the other side of the inlet (photos 2 and 3).  In addition to the eagles, we saw some harbor seals (those photos will come later so check back).

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The visit to Skagway was definitely an adventure we will remember!

Jim

Bald Eagle in Nest

Bald Eagle Perche

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go pay respects to the Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis. NASA had arranged to leave Atlantis outside of one of the orbiter processing facilities so that us workers could go out to say farewell. I didn’t decide until late whether or not to go see Atlantis. It was as if I didn’t go see it, somehow that wouldn’t be the end of the program. Not only the end of the Space Shuttle program but also an end to what I have spent half of my life doing. You see, it wasn’t just a job but a calling. I began working on the Space Shuttle program in California prior to the first launch. Our family moved to the Space Coast in time to see Sally Ride launch on STS-6. I was standing on top of the Launch Control Center with the astronaut families when the Challenger explosion and breakup occurred. We have lived through triumph and tragedy. I have had the opportunity to work with some great and not-so-great people. The people that have endured through out the Space Shuttle program have a common trait – they don’t quit. I think that trait is what also leaves such a disappointment. We just cannot understand why anyone would just give up and walk away.

The images below are the same basic image. The first one was cropped from what was captured in-camera. I applied a polarization filter to it. I also used Photoshop to remove 3 people from under the orbiter. I also removed a couple of street signs, a light pole, and a traffic cone. The second image is the base image processed as a single image HDR with the Default preset. The third image was processed as a single image HDR using the Granny’s Attic preset. I think the last image dramatizes the heavy clouds hanging over the U.S. manned space flight effort. Also, the effect enhances the dents and dings in the orbiter giving it that Rocky Balboa look after a long, heavy weight fight.

Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis

Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis

Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis

Here’s to better days and more new adventures…….

Jim

Our first stop on the Alaska inside passage cruise was Juneau, Alaska. Juneau is the home of Mendenhall Glacier. Once the ship safely docked, we had a short walk to a modern, comfortable bus for a drive out to the glacier. The bus ride ended in front of a U.S. National Park Service visitor center. We had a brief walk up an incline before we saw a stunning view of the glacier. The weather was cool with an intermittent rain. The visit to the glacier area lasted about an hour and a half before we caught the bus for a ride back to town. We has some shopping to do before hopping back on the ship for yet another trip to the buffet!

Enjoy the slideshow!

Another day of new adventure!

Jim

This post consists of three different images. No HDR this time! All three images were taken from a cruise ship leaving Seattle heading for a cruise of Alaska’s inside passage. Ahhhh…… the cool (cold) weather. The first image is a panoramic crop of the Seattle skyline. It includes the iconic Space Needle and as much of the rest of downtown as I could include. In these cases, a pano crop is the only way to go. The second image was taken out in the channel as we were headed out. That is Mt. Ranier in the background. I applied a polarization software filter to this image. The final image was sunset on July 1st. We were in the channel headed north out of Seattle. The land to the right in the image is British Columbia. For this image I applied a polarization filter at 50% and warmed the temperature of the color to get more of the yellow-gold-red into the image. Contact me if you want the tech specs or details.

Seattle, Washington Skyline

Mt. Ranier

Pacific Coast Sunset

Another day of new adventure…….

Jim

Another image from our Washington State trip…… This image is of an old school house. As you can see, it is a one room shool that served the local area caaleed Kumer. It is down the road a few minutes drive from the old barn shown in the previous post. Both are in the general area of Enumclaw, Washington. It is a rural area that has cow, horse, and lama farms. Various crops, berries, and cool weather flowers are also grown. The area is in the shadows of Mt. Ranier.

The image is a 5 image HDR processed with Photomatix. We had pulled over on the side of the highway so I could get the shot. The school is on private property and is maintained by the property owners. Contact me if you have any questions on the technical specs or processing techniques.

One Room School

On our trip to Washington State, I visited Canter Berry Farms in Auburn, Wa. From the road, it looks like a typical berry farm located in the fertile agrigultural valley. However, there is more than meets the eye. What does meet the eye is the old barn located in the midst of blue berry plants. Canter Berry Farms sells assorted blue berry items including jam, syrup, chutney, and vinegar. The person there was very gracious in allowing me to photograph the bar. I looked at it from different angles and ended up with this 5 exposure HDR image processed in Photomatix Pro:

1879 Barn

A friend of mine in Washinton State has a 1967 GTO. When I was visiting him recently, we went for a ride. Of course we were looking for a scenic place to take a picture. We tried several different places but this turned out to be the best.

That is Mt. Ranier in the background on the right hand side. We ended up pulling into a driveway of a horse ranch to get theview. A woman was out washing a horse and after a breief and friendly conversation, she gave us the okay to park there while i took the image. I took a five image seried for the HDR processing, but I got the best results from just a single image. What you see is the single image processed in NIK HDR Efex Pro.

Contact me if you want me information about HDR.

Thanks for the ride in your GTO Hugh!

Jim

On a recent trip to to the Pacific Northwest, we were shown a wooded area right behind where we were staying. The image is the result of a five shot HDR (high dynamic range) processed image. As you can see, the camera was pointed into the brightest part of the sky in the late afternoon. More images from our trip will be posted soon.

I tried to re=size the image to fit the space but for some reason the editor is not cooperating. As a result, you get the full size.

Regards,

Jim