Tree Up Hill - 1
This is from my weekend walk in Washington Park. Three exposures using HDR technique and Photomatix Pro software to bring out the high dynamic range.
Almost everyone I show this to, when it’s grouped in with others taken the same day, will pick this as their favorite. It continues to baffle me. Yes, that’s probably why my wife Karen and son Chris have better compositional eyes than I do. Something made me take this grouping. My hidden artistic eye. I hope to cultivate and grow that talent. Taking more pictures will help, I trust.
What caught my eye was the bright spot of yellow amidst the darker tones of brown and red. I was looking for contrast and found it. The HDR process brings out the even exposure of each section of luminosity. The darks are exposed as well as the brights.
It was windy as heck, and some of the leaves are not as sharp as a result. That’s the way it was in life when I grabbed the three frames. I think it gives the photo more interest.
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In May of 2007, our son Chris is marrying his Jennie in these gardens. Karen and I went searching for the large stone circle which overlooks the lake which will be the scene of the ceremony.
It was late in the afternoon, after we had visited Karen’s mom and dad. The light was wonderful, lighting up the leaves with a golden yellow sunlight. I parked the car at an entrance further from the regular entrance, because I thought it was closer to where the stone circle was located. Turns out I was directionally challenged this day.
The result is I took some nice photos, but we completely circled the park and missed the great stone circle. Oh well, by the time we figured out where it was located, the light had faded. It was fun regardless. Having this little bit of nature preserved for all to use is a precious gift.
Carillon - 3
I went for a walk this afternoon in Washington Park. The Fall colors were out and past peak from my view. I had my tripod and wide-angle lens for my Panasonic FZ-30 and went treking to see what I could capture.
I set up in many locations for three exposure shots to get High Dynamic Range photos. It’s amazing what combining these three shots at different exposures can do.
I espcecially enjoyed the long tree limb and the Carillon shots. This is the Thomas Rees Memorial Carillon. It has 67 bells, all played via a manual rank.
The colors revealed through the HDR process using Photomatix Pro are stunningly beautiful.
Nature decked out.
Morning Light Breakthrough
This light greeted me when I walked into my office this morning. The clouds were complete earlier, blocking the direct sun from my day.
When I saw the sunlight shining through, I knew I had do capture it. I quickly set up my camera and balanced it on a catalog and a CD cover to try to get the right angle. I took 12 photos at various + and - EV exposure. The light quickly hid behind the clouds after I was done. It only lasted about 10 minutes and I was talking to staff while working the shots. I forgot to turn off my overhead lights and had to crop their reflection out.
The result, after some HDR processing with Photomatix Pro is this one set of three put together into one picture. It was hard to choose.
My wife said that she liked the photo, but wished that the buildings were not there. I said, that’s what makes it for me. The dancing of light on all it finds, the beauty and the ugly alike. All are affected by the sun and it’s rays.
The Look
Perfect place, perfect time, and there it is.
I was taking photos of a dance troupe which someone I know is in that was giving a performance at our local Farmer’s Market on Saturday. It was chilly - 49 degrees F. I was bundled up. I had some new equipment to try out, and I was wanting to get good captures for the troupe.
One of the dances was this oriental lady. Her dance was fun, and serious too. She had two large red fans and a golden veil which was about 15 feet long, draped on her hair and arms. Quite exquisite.
I was processing the photos and saw an earlier couple which showed an oriental gentleman watching. Then this one came up. Her demure look and his look of open curiosity with an inscrutable look.
I am totally happy I got this. It tells a story!
Sunset 4
As I was heading home tonight, I saw the developing sunset. I happened to be at a great viewpoint at the right time. I pulled into a school parking lot, which has trees and a clear shot - no poles.
I took about a dozen shots and this is the one I pick for my picture of the day post here. The colors, the birds racing across the frame, the fire above the trees, it all adds up to an interesting photo to me.
I’m finding that the more I force myself to find a photo a day, the more I see things that are interesting.
That’s been one of my frustrations. Not seeing the interesting point of view. I hope it’s a skill that I’m building, and will continue to build as I change each day.
