Heidelberg, Germany (Infrared)

Here is one more shot from the beautiful Heidelberg, Germany!  I only took a handful of IR shots  this day, but this one I liked alot!  A nice different view of the old bridge/city.  You can see the castle up on the left.  This was taken at dusk….around 9:45 PM.  So if you are thinking of trying Infrared…you can take shots anytime of the day!!

I noted on my Facebook page yesterday, I roughly plan to give my first speech/presentation/tutorial on Infrared Photography for the Austin SMUG Group on October 20th.  If you are in Austin this day hope you can join us!  I’ll post firm details as it gets closer!

Talke Photography Settings:

• Camera:  Nikon D70S (Converted to Infrared)
• Infrared Conversion:  D70S modified by LifePixel
• Lens: Nikon 12-24 f/4.0
• Setting: Aperture  Mode
• Focal Length: 20.0mm
• ISO: 200
• Exposure:  5 seconds
• Aperture:  f/22
• Gear:  Tripod
• Post Process: Adobe CS4, Viveza, Silver Efex Pro

La Jolla, California (Infrared)

NIKON D70S (Modified by LifePixel), Nikon 18-200 VR

Its the holiday season..so why not allow the snow falling on the blog to cover the infrared white palm trees?   La Jolla is a great little town in Southern California.   Here is some info from the web:  La Jolla occupies seven miles of curving coastline jutting out into the Pacific Ocean. Although officially a part of San Diego, it retains its own small-town atmosphere, its own civic pride, and its own La Jolla postmark. La Jolla seaside resort community has 42,808 residents. La Jolla borders Pacific Beach to the south and extends north to Torrey Pines State Reserve and Del Mar, California. La Jolla, like most of Southern California, is an area of great natural beauty with a mixture of geology – sandy beaches and rocky shorelines good for a variety of outdoor activities. The area has a number of public beaches and parks. The most compelling geographical highlights of La Jolla is its ocean front, where residents and visitors can enjoy the alternating rugged and sandy coast line and view wild seal congregations. Enjoy!

For those that are new to my blog…welcome!  LifePixel converted my old Nikon D70S to Infrared.  LifePixel has a new and improved website and a new filter Super Color in Infrared!   Looks cool!  Check it out if you have time!  I might have to buy a used camera and convert it again one day!  Enjoy!

NEWS: LifePixel Infrared Holiday 20% Sale!!!

Happy Holidays from LifePixel!  They have a brand new updated website  LifePixel !!  And from now until Christmas Day 2009 they are offering a 20% discount!!!!   If you are thinking or have been thinking of converting a camera to Infrared…20% savings is nice!!    Coupon Code:  xmas09   (Cannot be combined with any other offer or discount
Cannot be applied to past purchase).  Enjoy!

San Francisco, CA – Broadway Pier (Infrared)

NIKON D70S (Modified IR by LifePixel), Nikon 18-70, Color Efex Pro 3.0

Now back to the photos!  I am trying all kinds of stuff with IR photography.  Just like standard photos, IR offers an infinite amount of post processing options. ..but only a select few look ok.  With this shot I worked up my standard settings for IR and liked the picture alot.  The normal IR version is also on my website under the IR section – click here to see it Talke Photography.   But sometimes I like to try different filters.  I can do that thanks to Color Efex Pro 3.0!  The whole bunch of NIK Software products are my favs!   I use them all!   I found this filter gave the shot a very different feel.   The Transamerica building with the odd sky in the background is my fav part!   Then the shimmer of light on the bay – post processing can be lots of fun!    I am heading to London, Brussels, Munich and Paris soon – so it will be my first IR shots in Europe!  Cant wait!   If you are thinking about IR photography as an option – go for it!  Its wonderful!!!!   The LifePixel site link is noted above!   Have fun!

San Francisco, CA – Coit Tower (Infrared)

NIKON D70S (Modified IR by LifePixel), Nikon 18-70

Here is a picture from a few weeks ago in San Francisco of the Coit Tower.  Coit Tower was built atop Telegraph hill in 1933 by Lillie Coit.  Lillie had an affection to fire fighters and some believe the tower to resemble a fire hose nozzle.  The tower stands 210 feet high.  Up on Telegraqph Hills there are wonderful views of the city below.  You can see the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge as you walk around the tower.  If you have a nice telephoto lens there is a great shot of the crooked Lombard street in the distance. There is not much parking up top and only one way up and down. …so try not to travel up the hill in peak traffic times.

I took lots of shots up on the hill.  Standard, HDR and a few IR shots.   I thought this angle with the trees and clouds would allow for a nice IR picture!  Hope you enjoy!

San Francisco, CA – Palace of the Arts – Infrared

NIKON D70S (Modified IR by LifePixel), Nikon 18-70

I have only been home a few days and still have over 800 more pictures from San Fran to go through.  I am finding some solid ones early.   On my trips I typically only have a late afternoon or evening after business to get my shots, so I try to make my target list before hand and stick to a plan (if possible).  This was one of the spots I had in mind.  I wanted to visit the Palace of the Arts during the day and night, but sometimes its difficult to get to everything.  I was eager for some daytime shots.  I had seen this shot before and new with trees, sky and water – it would be a perfect candidate for IR!    After I post processed this shot in Photoshop by using the channel mixers, I decided to give it an additional process in Color Efex Pro 3.0.  I am drawn to the one filter called “Monday Morning”.  It gives photos a cool look to them.  Hope you like it. 

I am still amazed at these IR shots.  I have had the camera for now over a month and really love it!   Its just like HDR’s – you have to wait til after the post process to really see what you have.  Then you can modify it a bit to look how you like.  I like to thank all of you that are visiting – about 1000 per week!  Wonderful!  I hope you are enjoying this blog.   It is real fun for me.  I have some fun trips coming up this year – London, Munich, upstate New York, Austria, Prague, Switzerland, Denver…etc..   I’ll keep posting everyday or so.  Some days it may be slow if I am traveling.  If you have any suggestions or requests, please feel free to ask me anytime!  Have fun!

San Francisco, CA – Golden Gate Bridge – Infrared

 

NIKON D70S (Modfied IR – LifePixel), Nikon 18-70

Here is my first Infrared Black & White shot.  This is the Golden Gate Bridge in San Fran.  I will have lots of pictures from here in the next week or so as I get through them.  I have standard shots, HDR’s and a few IR pics.  I was lucky enough to have a mostly clear day and I found a great spot to take these pics!  I’ll post more details on San Francisco in my next few photo posts.  I do prefer the IR shots to have color, but a B&W looks decent as well!!  I was happy to see these IR pics of the bridge came out solid.   I used a couple new items on my trip as well – a Think Tank Modular camera pack and a new strap for my D300.  Both items were great!   I write up details in the next few SF posts.

Austin, Texas – IR (Infrared)

NIKON D70S  (Modified Infrared – LifePixel), Nikon 18-70, Photoshop

We went out to the Wildflower Center today.  Kinda sad.  As we have been in near drought situation the last few months….the amount of flowers is way down.  Even at the WildFlower center.   We had lots of rain last year.  So comparing the flowers at the same time – I’d say there are about 1/20 the amount!   Slim pickings!  I got a few shots.  But I am glad now to always carry 2 cameras around my neck!  Its tough…especially today – it was 96 degrees here in Texas!  Wow!   I brought Gatorade – my little one drank it all.    So I carried my usual Nikon D300 with the 105 macro today and my modified D70S IR.  It is nice to have options! 

We walked around the center and went down a path to the fields.  I saw this big tree sitting out in the open with some cactii hanging around it.  The reason I wanted to take this shot in IR – the nice puffy clouds in the background.  I was curious to see how the IR with such clouds looked.  After post processing this in CS3…I htought it looked pretty cool.  I played with the hues to get the goldish color in the sky, then added a diffuse glow to give the white a little kick.   Thats what is great about IR shots – you can have fun! 

I am really enjoying this camera!   And to think – this old D70S was just sitting in a camera bag collecting dust!   Thanks to Life Pixel – the change indeed has given it life!   I am sure there are great IR photography artists out there.  If any of you see a website that may be of interest – post it in the comments.    Hope you are enjoying the IR pictures!

Latest News!

 As I noted a few weeks back I am honored to have 7 of my photos now included in the Photomatix “Users Gallery” section on the HDRSoft website (mfg’er of Photomatix).  Click here to visit my online gallery.  If you are intested in HDR, Photomatix is the leader in post processing your exposures to produce great HDR’s!  On the right side of my blog you can find a link to HDRSoft and dont forget to use the coupon code (Places2Explore) for an additonal 15% off! 

 I am also now proud to annouce an affiliation with B&H Photo!  If you are looking for camera gear, B&H is the best shop online!   They offer great prices and wonderful service!  I recently went to the super store in New York City and spent hours there!   Visit them online as well for all your needs!  I will now begin to link all of my gear directly to the B&H store so you can easily access details and pricing on any items you may want to check out!  Click on the logo to the left to get to the home page of B&H.   As for future reference…if you see any gear in bold orange – that is a link and it will take you to the online store – direct product page!  Example:   Nikon D300 (takes you right to the Nikon D300 product page).  Have fun shopping! 

 I am also now affiliated with Life Pixel as well!  So now you can feel free to click on any bold orange link when I post an infrared photo or information.  Example:  Life Pixel Modfied IR    This will take you directly to the Life Pixel website.   There you can find information and details on IR Photos!  Of course you can always email me for any extra scoops!  I am here to help.  You can click the logo to the left to take you to their site or you can also click the link on the right of my blog in the “Links” section.   I love IR Photography!  Good luck and have fun if you decide to join the club!

 

 Places 2 Explore is also nominated for the PhotoBlogAwards 2009!  Click the logo on the left to vote if you would like to!  Thanks!

 

How is this for a day of news!  Whew!  Fun exciting stuff!  I’ll be adding a new photo tomorrow…until then – enjoy!

IR (Infrared) Las Vegas – Paris Hotel

NIKON D70S, (Modified IR by Life Pixel) Nikon 18-70, Photoshop

Finally got to go through all my IR shots from the trip.  I took about 50 photos.  The Palm Springs shot in my other post was the best.  This style of photogrpahy is very new to me…so I have tons to learn.  After I post processed this picture…I thought it came out pretty cool.  The key is the composition.  The angle and the palm trees help out.  Beforehand I was curious to see if buildings in IR looked ok?  After seeing this…I say yes…..but buildings need help.  Any trees or clouds will be advantageous.  I do wish I has some clouds in this picture….would make it even better. 

As it is springtime….my next attempt on IR will be flowers.   I’ll post one soon!

If you are going to convert a camera to IR….go to Life Pixel They are the leaders!  I am working on a coupon code with them…let you know soon.  Tell them Peter Talke sent you!  Dont forget…any IR questions you may have…feel free to ask anytime!