Playing with HDR

HDR [High Dynamic Range] technology has been with us for a number of years and I've been avoiding it like the plaque. Why did I wait so long to begin using it?

For many years I considered myself a purist when it came to my art. You know, capture what is in the frame, make minor adjustments to enhance the image and call it good.

HDR changed that game and the creative process is pushed outside the traditional boundaries.

I already use the Complete Collection by Nik Software for my photographic workflow. Each product is very easy to use and works seamlessly with Aperture, which I prefer over other image processing apps. It was an easy decision to download and demo HDR EFEX PRO by Nik Software.


This past weekend I met with my good friend and fellow photographer Michael Elenko. We joined a classic Thunderbird and Corvette tour on Vashon Island. Lots of cars, sun, and loads of fun! More about that in a separate post later on.

There were a few stops along the tour, one of which was at Engels Gas Station, Repair and Towing. This place is family owned since 1951. For the past seven years the current owner, Paul Engels has put on car shows when the sun shines in August.

There were many rust buckets around the gas station in amongst the blackberries and bees. There were also many good-looking classics on display. The classic car form [style] is unbeatable as excellent examples of their day.

This is where I really have fun with my camera and the subsequent workflow processing.

These are some of the HDR images

Realistic Subtle Process [single image]

Realistic Strong Process [5 images combined]

Bleach Bypass 74% Process [single image]

Bleach Bypass 83% Process [single image]

Subdued Contrasts 34% Process [5 images combined]

Vibrant Textures 30% Process [single image]

Vibrant Textures 30% Process [single image]

 

 

 

 

As you can see the Nik Software HDR can process 1 or multiple images and produce very creative results. There are many presets to choose from and each preset can be further adjusted either on the entire image or on specific points of the image.

Nik Software also provides real-time, web-based training and they have an extensive archive of training videos.

It's time to get out and play some more!

Till next time.

Corvettes Everywhere!

On Sunday Aug 14 my wife Ashara, two of our close friends Lisa and Jeff, and I attended the All Corvette Car Show at the Triple XXX Rootbeer Drive-in located in Issaquah, WA.

The weather was perfect for the event: sunny and warm even though there was rain predicted for the day. This is Western Washington after all and anything is possible!

Needless to say, this Corvette fan was in 'Vette heaven with all models (C1 - C6) represented in full glory. One of my more recent friends, Jake Stern brought his custom C4, aptly named The Snake Charmer. Jake's car has won many awards over the years and it is easy to see why. In fact, Jake and I just completed writing a story about his car and we submitted that with accompanying photos to a couple of Corvette magazines. We would love to see his story published!

The Snake Charmer

I was so busy talking with car owners and getting many photos of these beauties that my wife and friends continued on without me, which proved to work out very well for all of us. We eventually hooked up for lunch and more walking about.

The older cars really capture my attention due to the styling of the '50s and 60s. These cars do not have the drive-ability that current cars have, but man, they sure do scream style! Here are some that I really love.

1956 Turquoise w/ white cove

1960 Metallic Black w/ silver cove

C2 Interior

1966 Red with side pipes

There were close to 100 Vettes on display, and many more that were not on display parked across the road. Lots of people drove up on Harley's, in other muscle cars, even on bicycles!

The Triple XXX Rootbeer Drive-in is a favorite destination of car enthusiasts. There is something happening every weekend, and stepping inside the restaurant is like stepping back in time!

See you there next time!

Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

A good friend and fellow photographer, Michael Elenko and I met at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge this morning to walk around, visit with each other and shoot [ok, photograph] birds in the Refuge.

We caught up with a group of volunteers and visitors who count birds each Wednesday morning. They are experts and point out birds that I never would have seen otherwise. We saw a tufted owl, yellow warblers, other birds whose names I do not recall, lots of geese, ducks, terns, blue herons and bald eagles throughout the day. Oh yeah, and two painted box turtles sunning on a large rock later in the day.

Michael brought his Canon 7D with a Canon 100-400mm lens f/4.5-5.6 IS L . I had my Canon 5D with two lenses: Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 L and Canon 70-200 f/4 L. His camera was fast on multiple shot using auto-focus mode! His lens at full extension really did the job on picking out the birds in the brush and when they were flying low along the water.

Here are a few examples from each of our lenses. Michael was very gracious when I asked to borrow his big lens.

Canon 24-70 f/2.8 L [set at 70mm]

 Canon 100-400 lens f/4.5-5.6 IS L [set at 400mm]

Canon 70-200 f/4 L [set at 200mm]

The clouds hung around most of the morning and around 1:00 they dissipated offering a warm and very bright yellow ball of light. Oh yeah, that's the sun. Haven't seen that for a while this summer!

The bridge system is excellent because it allows visitors to walk over the tide flats and out towards the sounds. Anderson Island, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and points north were quite visible.

There are two old barns which I found to be very photogenic. This was taken with the Canon 24-70 lens set at 24mm with a polarizing filter attached.

  Love the wide angle aspect!

All in all it was a great day to hang at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge with Michael. Will be returning this summer with my wife Ashara, and again this autumn for a different palette of color and birds!

It's late and I'm off to sleep.

Marieh is Set Free!

Marieh tastes the sweetness of freedom since surgery! 

Marieh is the black horse

For those who don't know Marieh required two rounds of surgery in April due to a complication during the birth of her foal. We made a very tough and heart-wrenching decision to sacrifice the foal in order to save Marieh.

During the past 3.5 months Marieh stayed in a stall 24x7 while she was healing. Today Dr. Tricia Arnold from Tacoma Equine Hospital came out for Marieh's recheck and gave her approval to release Marieh to the herd. YEE-HAAA!

Marieh, Ashara, the herd and I want to sincerely thank the wonderful staff at Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital, specifically Dr. Wendy Mallot and Dr. Joanne Fehr when Marieh was in their care during the surgeries and subsequent recovery in April.

Also our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Meg deGravelles of Tacoma Equine Hospital

for taking care of our Marieh during the pregnancy, her quick response when Marieh was in labor, and of course post-surgery care when Marieh was at home.

A Happy Marieh

We are blessed to have our herd back to health.

CORVETTES EVERYWHERE!

Several months ago Ashara and I joined the Tacoma Corvette Club since we own a 2009 Corvette Coupe. 

This is Cydian, short for obsidian since she is black and beautiful. Yes, we name our cars...don't ask. 

Ashara's Volvo is Edward. Guess who he is named after? Hint: think vampires.

For the past 13 years the Tacoma Corvette Club holds their annual "Shadow" event at the Enzian Inn, Leavenworth, WA. This event is fondly named "The Shadow" 'cuz the Enzian is very close to the mountains and when the sun dips below the mountains, well you get the idea. 

This past weekend was the fourteenth annual event, and it was the first time we attended with the club. We visited with and got to know some of the club members better during the weekend since this is a close-knit bunch of Corvette enthusiasts. We really enjoyed the time around so many good people. There were attendees from other clubs including the British Columbia Corvette Club and a couple who drove their 'Vette from St. George, UT. They won the Long Distance award!



I think there were close to 85 Corvettes in the parking lot. Every model generation [C1 - C6] was represented at the event. The cars on display ranged from 1959 - 2011. 

The 1959 Coupe

I volunteered to be the official event photographer and man, I was working it Friday afternoon and all day Saturday! Ashara helped me keep track of all the cars that were in the various classes being judged. We put two slideshows together for the Saturday night dinner and awards presentation. Well over 200 photos were displayed and we heard lots of positive feedback!

A 2004 Custom Corvette

As you can see this car won 5 awards, including: Best Paint, Best Engine, Best Interior, People's Choice and Best of Show. Clearly the favorite this year!



To see more award winning cars, please visit my new and improved website.

Thanks for the read!

Where Have I Been?

OK, so my last post was 5 months ago. Not exactly staying current with this, eh?

All the news to bring you up to speed:

I am currently on sabbatical from work, which is nice. I am getting caught up on many home-based projects over the summer.

My wife Ashara and I visited family in Boulder, CO and Cheyenne, WY in June. This is our granddaughter Jayden enjoying a day at Frontier Park in WY.

We also visited a Wildlife Sanctuary in Keensberg, CO where their mission is to prevent and alleviate cruelty to animals which have been abandoned or subjected to deprivation or neglect. They provide care and boarding for such animals. These are beautiful animals whose lives are so much better since being cared for at the sanctuary.

It's a destination that is well worth the drive NE of Denver.

Still much to do around the homestead, so till next time, enjoy the summer!

Rosie

This is Rosie - she is approximately 14 years by our calendar, which is 98 years by her calendar!

She has led a wonderful life with us on our farm. She's had 20 acres to run on, to play, sniff, dig, chase, sleep and everything else she's come to love doing.

Rosie's transitioning to her ethereal life today. Back to the Source.

You see, she's had cancer since December, and with herbal treatment she's stayed with us longer than we expected. The past couple of weeks have been harder; we know she is hurting.

That said, she has stayed 'cuz she loves her life so much and she has soaked up all the love we give back. The other day we recounted her life and she seemed to appreciate hearing how much joy she has given us, and how much love we have given her.

Now, she is tired and we honor her desire to move on. We have been expecting this day, and still my heart aches. 

Our dear friend Joy Turner is an animal communicator. She has been checking in with Rosie regularly to help us know when she is ready to transition. Ashara and I connect with our family and we feel them deeply. Sometimes our emotions skew what we hear. So, Joy helps us get clear communication.

I'd like to thank Dr. Jenifer Preston for facilitating Rosie's transition. She is our choice for homeopathic veterinary care, a friend to our furry family and supports us through these challenges.

So today we celebrate Rosie's long life and we say, "Rosie, thank you for loving us and being in our lives. Go run in the fields as you transition out of this life and into the next. See you when you are ready to return, you are welcome back."

We Love YOU!