Santa Fe, NM – Infrared (High Key)

As a photographer…we take lots o pics! I enjoy creating art with my photos….I am sure most of you do as well. I had this shot which I processed before, but we all know that if you process a shot one day and do it the next…it can be completely different. That is the fun of post processing!

I always love high key fashion shots…to me they look cool. I have yet to pull one off…one day! So second best would be to try a high key landscape shot! Thought this one might work? Here is my first high key Infrared photo! Kinda cool? Added a frame to keep the different processing flow going!

HDR-U:
Now I want to try something I have yet to do…I will take an HDR I processed years ago…2009-2010 range and re-process it now with all the new software/technology…then compare the 2!! I’m just thinking of this idea as I type! So lets call it HDR-U (High Dynamic Range – Update)?

Look for it later this week! Maybe we can get other photogs to try an HDR-U themselves? Go for it and let me know how it goes!!

Riverside, CA – Infrared

From Riverside, CA…near the Mission Inn you can find this Chinese Pagoda. Thought it might look cool in IR. I added a little “Oil Paint” effect to the shot and masked the pagoda for a different look Enjoy!

Miami, Florida – Spanish Monastery (HDR-Infrared)

One cool location in Miami is this Spanish Monastery just outside of Main Beach. Perfect for HDR and Infrared. Today this shot is both combined! A 3 bracket HDR-IR. Hope to get back there again one day!

Castile, NY – Letchworth Falls (Infrared)

From upstate New York here is a infrared photo of the famous Letchworth Falls. A wonderful waterfall that you must see if you live in the northeast! Some info from the web: Often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth State Park spans more than 14,000 acres, containing spectacular vistas, more than 30 waterfalls, a major dam, campsites, historic buildings, museums and plenty of things to do. Over 50 miles of hiking trails spread throughout the park offer visitors a new experience every time they visit.

Orlando, Florida – Cypress Gardens (Infrared)

From the quiet Cypress Gardens located in Orlando a shot from one of the botanical gardens. I have not been in FLA for a bit and have heard that Legoland has taken over the property of Cypress Gardens and has kept some of the gardens in place? When I went a few years back there was only a few people visiting the park and it was nice to have had a chance to see it!

Here is some history from the web: Cypress Gardens was one of Central Florida’s original tourist attractions, opening in 1936. This makes it a contemporary of Gatorland, another popular attraction that predates the arrival of the Disney Empire, having opened in 1949.

The original attraction at Cypress Gardens was the namesake botanical gardens, including a sprawling banyan tree. Over time, other attractions were added, like strolling Southern Belles in period costumes and a water ski show on adjacent Lake Eloise. Water skiing often overshadowed the gardens as a point of interest, and many world records in the sport were broken at Cypress Gardens over the years.

Cypress Gardens became a popular spot for filming movies and television specials in the 1950s and 1960s, with Esther Williams starting in several of them. Johnny Carson also appeared in a special at the park, and it was visiting by such celebrities as Elvis Presley.

The arrival of the Disney theme parks hurt Cypress Gardens, which is located about an hour away from Downtown Orlando, in a more far-flung spot called Winter Haven. It changed hands several times, starting in the 1980s, and attempted to reinvent itself as more of a traditional theme park, with roller coasters and other rides, eventually adding a small water park as well.

Competition increase as other Orlando theme parks like SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Studios Florida, and Islands of Adventure kept people from leaving the immediate Orlando area. The struggling theme park, now rechristened as Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, suffered a further blow when three hurricanes struck the region in 2004.

There were sporadic park closures over the year, culminating in a final closure in September, 2009.

Innsbruck, Austria – Infrared

From the picturesque city of Innsbruck, Austria. I woke up early this day and took a few pictures from my hotel room before leaving for the day. Innsbruck is a lovely city surrounded by beautiful mountains. Flying in is like a dream and walking around the city is amazing. Best time of the year is spring when there still remains snow on the mountain tops while it is lovely down below.

Talke Photography Settings:

Camera: Nikon D70S (Converted to Infrared)
Infrared Conversion: D70S modified by LifePixel
Lens: Nikon 18-200 f/3.6-5.6
Setting: Aperture Mode
Focal Length: 70.0 mm
ISO: 200
Exposure: 1/180 second
Aperture: f/11
Gear: Tripod
Post Process: Adobe CS5, onOne Software Photo Tools 2.6, Nik Silver Efex pro

San Francisco, CA – Palace of the Arts (Infrared)

San Francisco…one of the best cities in the US. So many photographic locations! One of the traditional, yet cool spots is the Palace of the Arts. Standard, HDR, Infrared…all good! Tough to go wrong at this spot!

As I am typing this it is near dinner time….as I am hungry..I always wondered why did Rice-A-Roni become the SF treat??

Here is some info from the web: In 1895, Italian-born immigrant Domenico (a.k.a. Charlie) DeDomenico moved to California, where he set up a fresh produce store. A successful businessman, he married Maria Ferrigno from Salerno, Italy. Back home, her family had owned a pasta factory, so in 1912 she persuaded him to set up a similar business in the Mission District of San Francisco. The enterprise became known as Gragnano Products, Inc. It delivered pasta to Italian stores and restaurants in the area.

Domenico’s sons, Paskey, Vince (1915–2007), Tom, and Anthony, worked with him. In 1934, Paskey changed the name to Golden Grain Macaroni Company. Inspired by the pilaf recipe she learned from Mrs. Pailadzo Captanian, Tom’s wife Lois created a dish made up of rice and macaroni, which she served at a family dinner, creating an instant favorite. In 1958, Vince invented Rice-A-Roni by adding a dry chicken soup mix to rice and macaroni. It was introduced in 1958 in the Northwestern United States and went nationwide four years later. Because of its origins, it was called “The San Francisco Treat!” which is a registered trademark.

Orlando, FL – Lake Eola (Infrared)

From the lovely Lake Eola right near downtown Orlando, this was taken at sunset. Orlando is known for its amusement parks and I must admit I lived about 30 minutes north of Orlando for a few years…trying to find shots other than Disney,etc…is kinda tough! At least now you know to visit this wonderful view next time you are out!

I processed this one in B&W with the new onOne Perfect Effects 3….this new software rocks. Uh oh…looks like my usage of NIK’s Software had faded a bit. Will give my full review next week!

Talke Photography Settings:

Camera: Nikon D70S (Converted to Infrared)
Infrared Conversion: D70S modified by LifePixel
Lens: Nikon 18-200 f/3.5-5.6
Setting: Aperture Mode
Focal Length: 31.0mm
ISO: 200
Exposure: 0.5 sec
Aperture: f/13
Gear: Tripod
Post Process: Adobe CS5, onOne Software Perfect Effects 3, Nik Color Efex pro

Austin, Texas – Tracking to Austin (HDR)

In keeping my run of Texas shots going…I have posted some pics recently from downtown (Tips Iron & Steel) on P2E and also some portraits (Marilyn Monroe door shot) on the Talke Photography blog. I love this location. If you live in Austin…its on 5th and Baylor right in front of the Amtrak Station. If you stand on the tracks, this is the view of Austin you get. Very cool. Just watch out for the Amtrak train and also the Union Pacific Line! I have lots more HDR’s from here…look for em soon!

Talke Photography Settings:

Lens: Nikon 12-14 f/4.0
Setting: Aperture Mode
Focal Length: 22.0 mm
ISO: 200
Exposure: HDR 7 Exposures (+3 to -3)
Aperture: f/11
Gear: Tripod
Post Process: Adobe CS5, HDR Efex Pro, Silver Efex Pro, OnOne Software Photo Tools 2.6

Austin, Texas – Frost Tower

We were downtown eating dinner this past Friday nite and while walking I had my handy and light Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 lens attached to my camera and for some reason my eyes are always drawn to this great building while downtown. The shape, color, lights = all good! I was about 3 blocks away and looking up…hand held…I grabbed this shot…zoomed in! We have been in Austin for 4 years now and I am really enjoying the many super cool photo locations it has to offer. I find new places all the time or the more I see an old spot, I try to photograph it differently. Enjoy!

Talke Photography Settings:
Lens: Nikon 70-200 f/2.8
Setting: Aperture Mode
Focal Length: 140.0 mm
ISO: 1600
Exposure: 1/125 second
Aperture: f/3.2
Gear: Tripod
Post Process: Adobe CS5, Silver Efex Pro, OnOne Software Photo Tools 2.6