Posts from the ‘Nikon 80-200 D 2.8’ Category
I am a sunset guy, and I love them all. However, there are 3 sunsets in my life that I will always remember. One while driving through Idaho on my way back from Oregon, another with my wife while we were walking through the marina in Xtapa, and this one. I had a camera with me for two of them. Not bad! What fascinates me about sunsets is the fact that I don’t remember visual details, I just remember experiencing something greater than myself. I know the one that I witnessed in Idaho was so powerful I had to pull over and sit down on the side of the highway to watch it. I didn’t even wait for an exit ramp. I couldn’t tell you what color it was, or how long it lasted. I just know it moved me. The only reason I remember the one in Xtapa was pink was because I had my camera. This one, from my Uncle’s farm in southern Nebraska, has many fond memories associated with it.
Nikon D1x
Nikkor 80-200 2.8 D
Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/400)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 200 mm
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
ISO Speed: 800
Processing Notes:
Capture
Adobe Camera Raw
Photoshop (Curves Adjustment)
Photoshop (Vibrance/Saturation slight boost)
LightAsMagic.com
By no means do I consider myself a wildlife photographer, I don’t have the patience for it. If you want to see great wildlife photography visit Moose Peterson’s site. His name says it all. I discovered this little fox, along with his brothers and sisters, on my way to the post office. I had my camera with me and thought I would try my hand at ‘Dancing with Wolves’. After a deliberately slow approach, I settled into a seated position and waited. I would yawn, blink, look away, etc; Everything you might learn from watching episodes of the Dog Whisperer. The one thing I didn’t do was immediately start shooting. After about 20 minutes, a reluctant mom let her kits out of the den. She didn’t let them walk up and sniff me, but they were allowed to make eye contact and observe me from a distance. I stayed there as long as a 1 gig CF card would let me (in 2002 that was a boat load of memory). Actually, I stayed a bit longer than that. It was an experience I will always remember.
Nikon D1x
Nikkor 80-200 2.8 AFD
Processing Notes
Capture
Photoshop (Curves Adjustment)
NIK (Sharpen selective to the eyes)
LightAsMagic.com
Tip: In a situation like this you might be tempted to open your lens up as wide as it will go to try and soften the background and emphasize your subject. However, at 2.8 in this case I was barely able to get the eyes in focus if I was focusing on the bridge of their noses. I think f/3.2 – 4 might have been a better choice.
One from the archive! My college teammate and I visited the Tour in 2004. We considered going in 2003, but we were confident in Lance’s abilities to win a record breaking 6th TDF. This image was made on stage 19, the decisive individual time trial in Besancon. We had walked 2 miles in the rain for a position on a round-a-bout that would provide us a clear line of sight. The anticipation grew as we watched rider after rider racing by. As the names on the start list were dwindling, we knew that Lance would be charging by shortly. It was Jan Ulrich we saw first, followed shortly thereafter by the man in Yellow. What a dream come true. We were front row for one of the greatest records in cycling history! Lance is racing again this year. Keep your fingers crossed!
Nikon D1x
Nikkor 80-200 AFD
Note: I have been getting some questions about what kind of gear I carry. If you hadn’t noticed, you can visit the site and click on the camera bag to find out.
Telluride CO is to a landscape photographer, like a an exotic bird show is to a cat. Not only are the Grandscapes accessible, the food is great. This photo of the Bridal Veil House is a reminder for me to go back. Last time I was there I was mountain biking, hiking, and dining. I didn’t bring the photographer’s focus with me.
Nikon D1X
Nikkor 80-200 AFD 2.8
Processing:
Capture
Photoshop (Levels Adjustment)
Nik ColorEFX (Tonal Contrast)
Nik Sharpen (Display adaptive 30%)
Tip-A telephoto lens isn’t only good for bringing the subject closer to you, it is a great tool for bringing subjects closer together. Shooting images with a telephoto lens will provide the effect of compressing the elements of the image. It the above image, you can see this compression effect adds drama to the scene as the cliff appears to be imposing on the house.
The holidays are a great time to catch up with friends, family, and digital asset management. Recently I have been going through some archival images I made years ago with my trusty D1X as I toured Europe following the Tour De France. After chasing Lance Armstrong around in 2004 we decided to spend the last weekend of our ‘European Vacation’ in Sitges Spain.
Looking at these images, I would really like to go back.
Nikon D1X
Nikon 80-200D
Aperture -> Nik (Tonal Contrast) –> Nik (Sharpen for Display) –> LightAsMagic.com
Tip: The Tonal Contrast filter available in the Nik Color EFX 3.0 suite is a great filter to use to bring out the textures of older buildings.
Both my wife and I are cat lovers so it is hard not to make images of local pets when we are traveling. This little guy had a cat door that opened up to an incredible view of the ocean where he dined under a palapa.
Nikon D300
Nikkor 17-35 2.8
Nikon CPII
Tip: Even if your view is obstructed, make the image by working the obstruction into your composition. Often it will add interest!
