Stone Washed
Mosquito Dusk - Houston Texas - Image #8872
Although you can’t see them in the image, take my word for it, they we all over me. But the shot was worth the bites, maybe. Inspired to get out and start shooting for myself again, I decided to get back into the swing today when I noticed the conditions seemed favorable. This is not an HDR image, it is a single shot, RAW file. You can see the effects of the ND Grad on the branches of the tree to the left. A few levels adjustment layers completed the post and brought out the colors as I saw them.
Tech Data: Canon 7D; 10-22 3.5-4.5; Singh-Ray .9 Hard ND Grad.
Exposure: 2.0 Sec @ f-11
Rocky Coast - Central Coast Near San Simeon Calfornia
Window to Whitney - Alabama Hills California - Image #7795
Of the many times I’ve photographed this iconic location I’ve never taken a shot that I felt was “The One”. I hope to return here in the coming year or so to capture the magical sunrise that has elluded me thus far. Looking through the arch you see Lone Pine Peak on the left and center right you see Mt. Whitney.
Dew on Poppy - California State Poppy Reserve Lancaster CA
Little Bit Country - Houston Texas
Taken on a farm on the outskirts of Houston actually, but I’ve no idea the name of the place.
Joshua Tree Sunrise - Antelope Valley California
The Antelope Valley produces some of the most amazing sunrises and sunsets I’ve ever seen, but oddly enough only receives about 5 -7 inches of rain a year.
Tech Data: Mamiya 645 AF, 35 2.8, 2 Stop Singh-Ray ND Grad, Fuji Velvia
Pastel Sky - Alpine Buttes State Park Antelope Valley CA
Art Wolfe once said that you have to return to a place many times to capture one great shot. Such was the case with this spot, but fortunately I lived in the area and could just look out my window to see if the conditions were right. This was probably a fifth or sixth attempt at this location. What caught my eye was the 400 LB. boulder stacked on top of the other three smaller ones, a mini Stonehenge of which I’ve no idea how it got there, but a great foreground element non-the-less. Originally I was setup facing the east into the sunrise, but you want to always be sure to look over your shoulder because you never know what might be happening behind you. This scene was facing north-north west.
Tech Data: Mamiya 645AF, 35 2.8, Singh-Ray 2 Stop ND Grad, Seconic L-508 Spot Meter, Fuji Velvia. Spot metered mid ground and sky to determine exposure.
Orange Crush - California State Poppy Reserve
Far from the usual perspective, this shot was taken on lying on my stomach shooting under the flowers. An excellent tool for this type of image is an angle finder, although in some recent camera models you can tilt the LCD screen on the back to accomplish the same thing. But in bright daylight you may want to bring a black towel to throw over your head and camera.
Devils Golf Course - Death Valley National Park
This was the first time I had visited Devils Golf Course in Death Valley. The salt formations are extremely rough and sharp, you don’t want to lose your footing in this stretch of desert. If you sit there and listen you can hear the metalic popping sound from the formations cracking. I will return here one day.
Tech Data: Canon 5D, 17-35 2.8L Singh Ray 2 Stop ND Grad.
