One of my favorite shots from the lovely Gorman Falls in Bend, TX. The rocks and moss form what looks like a old mans silhouette. I didn’t not notice this until after I processed the photo. As soon as it cools down here and fall arrives into Texas, I plan to head back up there. It is a haul from Austin (3 hours)…but it is one amazing location!
Talke Photography Settings:
If you are ever in San Francisco, take a drive down to the beautiful Stanford University (about 30 minutes south). Here you can find the lovely Stanford Memorial Church. I had never visited the campus and this day I visited with my buddy Horace Kwan (Horace Kwan Photography). We arrived real early one AM and walked around and took a few shots. When the church opened (this was out target), we went in and grabbed a bunch of photos. The architecture is amazing. I can imagine a great spot for a wedding! If you are ever going to shoot a church, stop by as soon as it opens. I usually luck out and have no issues with using a tripod. I think photographers need to compile a book with a list of locations that allow tripods. Now that would be a book I would buy in a second!!
Info from the web: Stanford Memorial Church (also known as MemChu) is located at the center of the Stanford University campus in Stanford, California, United States. It was built during the American Renaissance by Jane Stanford as a memorial to her husband Leland. Designed by architect Charles A. Coolidge, a protegé of Henry Hobson Richardson, the church has been called “the University’s architectural crown jewel”.
Designs for the church were submitted to Jane Stanford and the university trustees in 1898, and it was dedicated in 1903. The building is Romanesque in form and Byzantine in its details, inspired by churches in the region of Venice and, especially, Ravenna. Its stained glass windows and extensive mosaics are based on religious paintings the Stanfords admired in Europe. The church has four pipe organs, which allow musicians to produce many styles of organ music. Stanford Memorial Church has withstood two major earthquakes, in 1906 and 1989, and was extensively renovated after each.
Talke Photography Settings:
From the fun and party filled Las Vegas…here is an HDR of the Venetian Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip! Las Vegas is a paradise for adults that like to get away and have fun…but it should also be noted as a key spot for HDR photography! I must admit, there is probably an HDR every step you take in Vegas! Colors, Lights, Hotels…its all there to photograph. The big issue is people. We just came back from a 3 day visit and it was the peak of summer holidays! My only option is early morning photo time! This shot was my target. I had been to the Venetian and knew it was perfect for HDR. I set my alarm this Saturday for 4:30 AM. I awoke and looked outside…wow! The streets were packed and filled with people…time to go back to bed! I gave myself another hour of sleep and was up now at 5:30 AM. The sun was coming up and I figured all the party people will be passed out or asleep at this time! I looked outside and it was getting quiet. I jumped in a cab and hit the Venetian. I asked the cabbie was is the quietest time in Vegas….he said 8 AM. …although I thought 6 AM was not bad!
This location at the Venetian is located right next to the registration. Here you can find this amazing hallway and meeting area you can see ahead with a beautiful fountain. All just waiting for HDR photographers!! LOL I had to people dodge many times, but it wasn’t too bad. Some exposures were long and any people involved…just disappeared! I shot the hotel for about 90 minutes and made my walk back down the strip. I post a few more shots from here soon. I’d say any shot here was a great one. If you have been here and photographed it…you know well! Viva Las Venetian!!
Talke Photography Settings:
NIKON D300, Nikon 18-200 VR, HDR in Photomatix
Here is an HDR photo taken at Trafalgar Square early one morning a few weeks back. It was quiet at the square and I wanted to somehow fit Big Ben into the picture. It such a nice view from Trafalgar to look down the street and see such an icon. I took this with my standard tripod, cable release and 5 exposures. The lens did a great job creating a bit of bokeh (background blur) with the buildings.
I saw a few more HDR books at my local Barnes & Noble today. This great style of photography is growing indeed!! One was $40.00 (HDR Photography Photo Workshop – Pete Carr). Way too much inside and looked kinda average. To me when I get a book on photography, I want and easy technical read and some great photos! The photos I see from such a book should inspire….no luck here! In my HDR Tutorial I mention my favorite book that got me started with HDR. Enjoy!
For those of you using HDRSoft’s Photomatix ….you can now log onto their website and download the new updated version of Photomatix 3.2. Some new changes are 1. New Smoothing Algorithm 2. New Highlight and Shadow Smoothness behavior 3. New Preview size options 4. Multi Processor Utilization 5. Improved alignment Also looks visually updated. Go get your update today if you are into HDR processing! Dont forget the 15% discount for anyone buying Photomatix…use code “Places2Explore”. Happy HDR’ing!
NIKON D300, Nikon 18-200 VR, HDR in Photomatix
When I was in London a few weeks ago, one of my target photos was one of the iconic telephone booths we have all seen on TV, etc… for years. While traveling around town during the week….I kept my eye out for a booth that would be perfect for a photo. As I looked – it was becoming easy to see…it would not be simple to take at the normal times of day. With so many people walking around – timing would be difficult. I saw this one near Trafalgar Square and paid attention to the sunsrise and the people traffic. The sun rose early – around 5 :30 AM and people didn’t get going until 6:30 AM downtown.
So I woke up one morning at 6 AM…grabbed my gear and set up to take this shot. It was me and the street cleaners out on Trafalgar Square this early. I tried few shots with buildings in the background…but they were just ok. Then I just focused on the booth and this is the shot. Perfectly simple! 5 exposures with a cable release and tripod. The sun was rising and it gave the booth a nice glow. Adding the one broken window gave the booth a nice “used” feel. The colors around the booth were monochromatic and makes the booth stand out.
Some quick history – the first telephone booths were placed in England in 1920. In 1924 they had a competition to design a new booth. Giles Gilbert Scott was awarded as the competition winner chosen by the Fine Arts Commision. His design was in the classical style, but topped with a dome reminscent of Soane’s mausoleum in St. Pancras’ old churchyard. The Post office decided to cast this winning design in iron and paint it red. Scott had suggested to paint it silver with a greeny-blue interior. But red was chosen and it was put into service in 1926.
So thanks to the telephone booth for standing out! After taking this shot I wondered if anyone uses these booths any longer? Since the day of the cell phone has arrived….the booths are now just for sightseeing. Gotta run and make a call! Enjoy!
NIKON D300, Nikon 12-24, HDR in Photomatix
This photo is from Brussels, Belgium at the Grand Place. It was around 8 PM…dinner time for the Europeans and I was walking around taking lots of HDR’s. I have processed a few from this day and I like the colors and the people sitting on the curb in this shot. I am lucky though! If the people were a little closer – zombieville! A friend of mine Phil sent me a link a few weeks back of a photographer that used HDR for wedding portraits. I thought that was an amazing idea. I looked at the site. Luckily the bride and groom are a good distance away from the camera, so they are not affected too much by the HDR effect. Its an idea to try in the future. A family portrait in HDR? Maybe? I’d have to try a few shots and see what is an acceptable the working distance betweeen the lens and person. I think it will take practice! Or a little photoshop help?
I’d like to branch out my skills in HDR one day soon. I am planning to rent the Nikon 10.5 Fisheye Lens on a trip soon. I’ll post some shots hopefully by August 1st. I’m also trying to think of different subjects…we have an old car show here in Texas in September – now that will be fun! If the lens works out well…it would be fun to have then! Enjoy!
NIKON D300, Nikon 12-24, HDR in Photomatix
When I was in London a few weeks back, I had a day where I had to catch a domestic train that left from St. Pancras. As I took the escalator up and witnessed this beautiful station – I knew I wanted to capture it in HDR! I had another chance as I had to take the Eurostar train from St. Pancras to Brussels, Belgium (3 hour ride). My train left at 7 AM. So I figured to get there early and grab a photo. As you can tell by the clock…it was about 6 AM. Amazingly there were people walking about! I set up my tripod and cable release and snapped 5 exposures. I did one more set and the security guard magically appeared and told me that tripods are not allowed at the station. I agreed and had to close it up. I tried a few more shots hand held. After post processing…it goes to show how much sharper your HDR shots can be with a tripod! In lower light situations, hand held can get blurry. Mine were not even postable. But luckily…this tripod version above was my first shot! Nice and sharp!
My suggestion in places where tripods are questionable due to security(trains stations/churches/airports/stadiums/etc..)…line up your shot with your camera first & check out your surroundings for security – know what angle/composition photo you want to take the most…make sure to take that shot first! Then if you are stopped at least you took your favorite picture! When I was in London at the Westminster Abbey Church…I was snagged right away as I was opening my tripod. So I didnt even get off a shot! My fault as I wanted to quick take a pic and get out – so I did not check my surroundings. The guard was probably only a few feet away. Another option is to have your camera all set on the tripod as you walk in – quick set it up after looking around and snap away! I used this method in Notre Dame. Got one set of shots off! I just wish it was easier for us photographers. Oh well…it makes it challenging!
As for St. Pancras it is a domestic and international train station. So if you are heading to Paris, Brussels or anywhere else in Europe via train….this is the station you will use. Here is some info from the web: It was built in 1868. One of the most recognizable features of St Pancras station today, the red brick Grade 1 listed Gothic front facade was created as part of a competition in 1865 and became the Midland Great Hotel designed by Sir Gilbert Scott and built between 1868 to 1876. In 1935 the Midland Grand Hotel was closed and the building became railway offices, and known as the St Pancras Chambers. The station performed an important role during both world wars, acting as a meeting place for troops, a departure point for soldiers off to war, and to help transport children out of London to the safety of the countryside. During WWII the station was hit during the Blitz on London. Despite the devastation, London Midland and Scottish Railway engineers soon had the platforms working again. St Pancras Station and St Pancras Chambers are popular locations for film and television productions, appearing in Harry Potter, Batman Begins and the Spice Girls’ first music video.
Beautiful train stations are great locations for HDR’s…maybe there is one near you?…hope you enjoy!
NIKON D300, Nikon 12-24, HDR in Photomatix
Here is Part 2 to the Neues Rathaus in Munich, Germany. This is a full shot of the town hall…using the 12-24 I could easily get it all in. Wide angle lenses sure are wonderful! I post processed this one last nite. It has become a fast favorite and is my screensaver right now. The blue hour is a special time for HDR. After seeing this shot…definately tops for HDR time of the day! I am happy to see all the hits to the HDR tutorial I posted. Hope it has helped or peaked your interest in HDR’s! Please feel free to ask me any questions if you ever need any help! Hopefuly I can be of assistance. Enjoy!
NIKON D300, Nikon 18-200 VR, HDR in Photomatix
During my stay in London, I had a Friday afternoon free and always wanted to visit Stonehenge. I had my chance and booked a afternoon direct tour with Premium Tours. The bus departed Trafalgar Square at 1:15 PM. There are also a few other pick ups along the way. We hit the road to Salisbury around 1:45 PM. We arrived 2 hours later at Stonehenge. While driving up you get a view of the hill where the stones are located. From the distance you can see people walking around the site. It gets you excited. The parking lot is across the street and you cross over under a walking tunnel. Magically through the tunnel Stonehenge appears!
The driver joked on the way there…there are “the bunch of rocks”. Kinda funny as it is true…they are just a bunch of rocks. You travel far just to see them. To me it was a “been there done that” kind of visit. I knew it would not be anything special…so I wanted to see them anyway. As long as you understand the scope of your visit it is ok. When we arrived we had 1 hour and 10 minutes to see the rocks. I figured it was enough…but time was tight for me. You can only get so close to the rocks as they are surrounded by a small fence that only allows you to walk in designated areas. Its was fine to me. The closest you get is about 15-20 yards away from one section.
I walked around a had my tripod set up and got just about every angle of the rocks. Halfway around…I lowered my tripod almost to the ground and liked that view for the persepctive. That is this shot shown above. I had to lay on the grass to get these shots. I was also taking IR shots along the way also…not so great as you can see the cloud cover was heavy. I may post one a day in the future. But they need lots of post processing help – I will look at later. I mainly took HDR shots. I figured with the clouds and the texture of the rocks…that would be perfect for an HDR. The shots came out pretty cool. I liked this one as the clouds look like they are opening up above the site.
I just realized I should have posted this shot on June 21st…Summer Solstice…so I’m just a few days late! Time went fast and I had to head back to the bus. I did enjoy the visit…although it was Friday and the drive back took about 3 hours to London! Whew! I was glad I visited. Now is Easter Island next? LOL I’ll post another close up shot in a few weeks and post some historical details on Stonehenge. On the drive out…I didnt get to see any crop cirlces….although in the paper the day before a new one was found. The truth is out there!
Places 2 Explore 