Category: Sunset

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The other end of the fountain – HDR necessary?

I read somewhere on the web that the Nikon D800E dynamic range was so great, that shooting HDR (blending multiple images together to increase tonal range) was unnecessary.  This image was one image but edited in HDR Efex 2 so that I could use their tonal range processor.  I believe I have to agree that the need for HDR to get such a large tonal range is probably not needed?

P.S.  I posted the original picture (click thumbnail).  Also, I posted a previous picture of the front of this fountain here.

ISO 100 1/125 sec f4 14mm (Nikon D800E, Nikon 14-24mm f2.8, Aperture 3.3, PS 6, HDR Efex 2)

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Faith & Storm – Olympus OM-D settings

I’ve posted a video displaying my micro 4/3 lenses and my routine setup for my Olympus OM-D.  You can view it here.

Recently, a lot of storms have crossed our area.  One evening I drove out to an old cemetery (I’ve posted a prior picture here) and shot some long exposures with my Nikon D800E.  This is a 6 second shot.  I really like the clouds.

ISO 100 f2.8 6’s 14mm (Nikon D800E, Nikon 14-24mm f2.8, single image, HDR Efex 2, Photoshop CS6, Aperture)

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Demolished Church (soon to be)

 My brother-in-law drove me around the back roads of Southern Illinois looking for old churches and homes.  We came across this church that was originally built-in the late 1800’s.  Unfortunately, it will soon be demolished because it is no longer in use (this is a common occurrence in this part of the U.S.).

P.S. This is my first attempt of a HDR with the Nikon D800E (9 exposures).

ISO 100 f8 14mm (Nikon D800E, Nikon 14-24mm f2.8, HDR Efex 2, Color Efex 4, Photoshop CS6, Apple Aperture)

 

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3 Monuments part 2 (yes, it was taken with a DSLR)

Almost 2 years ago I said good-bye to all my Canon DSLR gear with the assumption I would never buy another one.  Earlier this year Nikon introduced the D800 and D800E.  What caught my eye was the 36 megapixel full frame sensor.  My first thought was “wow”, a full frame camera with the picture size of a medium format camera.  I immediately placed a pre-order but shortly after cancelled it.  I’ve been debating a lot if I really wanted to go back in this direction but after reading all the reviews, I came to the decision that my love for landscape photography warranted another attempt.

Last week, I finally came across one (Best Buy online)and purchased along with Nikon’s popular 14-24mm f2.8 wide angle lens.  I have not had much opportunity to shoot with it yet but so far I’m surprisingly impressed.  I don’t like the size but for landscape I can tolerate it.   Over the next months, I’ll continue to post pics and my opinion.

Here is another shot of the cemetery taken at a farther distance.  It was taken hand-held with my Nikon D800E and 14-24mm lens.  I was very impressed after realizing the ISO was 6400.  I think for that high of ISO, the quality is acceptable (I did use Define 2.0 for Noise Reduction).

P.S.  My Leica M9 will not be going anywhere and will still always be kept very closely to my side.

ISO 6400 1/8’s f2.8 20mm (Nikon D800E, Nikon 14-24mm f2.8, Photoshop CS6, Color Efex 4, Aperture 3.3)

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Welcomed Storm

I’ve mentioned in other post I don’t frequently shoot HDR’s anymore.  One of the main reasons is because I don’t shoot as many landscapes.  Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to shoot more and have been delighted with the results with my Olympus OM-D and the Panasonic 7-14mm lens.  You can bracket up to 7 shots (at .7 EV each).  I find 7 exposures works very well.  Also, I’ve started to transition from using Photomatix to Nik Software HDR Efex 2.  So far, I think Nik’s software is more user-friendly, has better adjusts, and allows for a more realistic images (that’s the kind of HDR I like).

As most know, we have gotten little rain this summer.  A few weeks ago we did have a storm come through and I was able to get out and take a few images.  Here is one that I captured.

ISO 200 f4 7mm – shot with Olympus OM-D & Panasonic 7-14mm lens

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Our Savior

Happy Easter!!! 

Re-post September 2011

If you have not noticed, I don’t stick with one photography genre very well. My last 10 posts have been a combination of portraits, HDR’s, sunrises, sunsets, black & white, wildlife, etc.  I’ve always been someone who likes to explore, try new things, and have many interests that have no relation. Probably my only constant enjoyment is my wife (I’ve been with since junior high).  For example, I am a foot and ankle surgeon by day, an avid photographer by night, I enjoy playing basketball 2-3 times a week, I weight lift, enjoy politics (but don’t talk about it openly), and have a very strong interest in anything technology related (I’ve always been the go to guy with computer repair or technology related questions). I’ve yet to find anyone with similar interests (it’s usually one or the other).

Having all these interests have made me well rounded.  I feel as if I can find some association with all people I talk to, and credit my broad interests in allowing me to do so.

In keeping with my theme or I guess “no theme” todays post is taken at the cemetery that I wrote about a few days ago. What really caught my attention was this large Jesus crucifixion on the east side of the cemetery. It set on a large slab of concrete about 4 feet off the ground and all that could be seen behind it was the sky. I felt it would be a great place to take an HDR or time lapse shot but after attempting this many times I really didn’t like the angle (I wish I was at eye level with Jesus). I decided to put up my 28mm summicron and take a few shots with my 50mm summilux wide open. After taking this shot I realized I was wasting time with my 28mm summicron. The 50mm summilux with it’s beautiful bokeh was definitely the way to go!

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Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Last July 4th the family and I vacationed in the Outer Banks. We were always told it had nice beaches and was very family friendly. I have to agree with that assessment. We stayed further down near Avon, NC which is away from the tourist stuff. It was a much more rural area with local shops and restaurants. Typically when we vacation we are on the go trying to see as much as possible but this time our intention was to relax and bathe in the sun. There are definitely picture opportunities and probably one of the more famous areas to take pictures is at Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. I was hoping the clouds and sun would cooperate. Fortunately, the sun came out for only a few minutes and I was able to get this shot.

Repost June 2011

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the fallen

Most of the time when I post pictures they are not pre-planned.  I sit and go through the thousands of pictures I’v taken and I try to find something that is interesting, tells a story, or has some sentimental value.  Often times it’s hard to find the “one” picture I want to post.

The picture I’m posting today, was taken last fall at Arlington National Cemetery.  It was a beautiful late fall afternoon and a friend and I came across this large tree with many fallen yellow leaves.  The contrast between the green grass, yellow leaves, and headstones was remarkable.  It’s hard to call a cemetery beautiful, especially one like our National Cemetery but I’m sure most would agree that it is a great place to pay respect to our fallen.

ISO 160 1/360 f/2.0 28mm summicron

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Pier at Dusk

I’ve posted many pictures from our trip to the Outer Banks last year.  We had a wonderful time and I was fortunate to capture many great pics.

One evening we went to the Avon Pier at sunset.  I setup underneath the pier to try to capture the waves that were coming in and the many post that held up the pier.  The picture is a 5 exposure HDR utilizing my old Canon 5d Mark II.  I really like the texture in the piers posts.

Here are other post from the Outer Banks:  The Orange Sunrise, The Empty Pier, Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

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