Posts from the ‘Tips’ Category
I hadn’t been down to Denver lately so I decided to glance at the weather and schedule a solo photo-walk up. It turned out to a nice evening and quite an adventure. Right before I made this image, I grabbed a quick photo of a newly engaged couple out taking some engagement photos. I passed the photo of their photo shoot along to them, and I think they were quite happy. Remember a previous tip (rule) of mine? If you promise someone a photo, make sure you get it to them. Don’t give us photographers a bad rap!
Tip: It is subtle, but I wanted to keep the focus on the structure and blur the right side of the image. I did so by using a Nikkor 45mm PC-E lens and adjusting it so that the tilt was left to right, then I tilted the lens slightly away from the subject.
I’m pretty sure I committed an international crime by not sampling any wine while driving through the vineyards of France on our way to Bordeaux. I guess I am more of a Leffe Brune type of guy. Boy, that is a good Belgium beer!
Google suggest that our drive from La Mongie to Bordeaux was around 3hours. We decided to stay off the interstate and take the back roads, which added about 4 hours and an untold number of stories to the drive. Well worth the extra time. One of the the vineyards we passed had an old monastery on its property. As you drive through the French countryside, you get used to seeing quaint villages surrounding a cathedral rich in character. If you stopped at everyone one, it would would take you a week to drive 300km. But this one, I couldn’t pass up. I will post the abandoned monastery sometime in the future. For now, I really liked the gate that led me to it.
Capture Notes:
Nikon D700
Nikkor 45mm PC-E
Gitzo Traveler
Lexar UDMA film
Aperture f/4.2
Focal Length 45 mm
ISO Speed 200
Processing Notes:
Capture – 7 images @ 1EV
Photomatix – HDR Tonemapping
Photoshop – Global Curves Adjustment
Nik Color Efex Pro – Glamour Glow (2x)
Nik Color Efext Pro – Tonal Contrast (selective)
Sized for web
LightAsMagic.com
Tip: If you schedule a day to explore the countryside into your trip, use it. Don’t rush to your destination. You will get there, but take time to fill your life with what is uniquely everyday.
When I installed my sprinkler system, I wish I knew about this…it would have saved me a ton of time and a very sore back.
I approached this image from several different angles, but once I raised my tripod up, and pointed my lens down on the top of the claw, I knew that is what I wanted. However, because I was shooting a very wide lens, the legs of my tripod were in the frame. It required some finagling and patience, but I was finally able to achieve the result I wanted.
Capture Notes:
Nikon D300
Tokina ATX Pro 11-16
Gitzo Traveler
Processing Notes:
Capture – 7 Images @ 1ev
Photomatix – HDR/Tonemapping
Photoshop – Curves (set grey point)
Photoshop – Basic midtones luminosity mask curves adjustment (luminosity blending)
Photoshop – Vibrancy boost
Sized for wed
Nik Sharpener – Display 35% selective to claw
Tip: A wide really wide angle (16ish mm on FX, 10ish mm on DX) lens isa great tool to achieve images like this, where you can get very close to a compositional element, and still have the rest of the subject in the frame. It also a fun tool to add an interesting perspective to portraits. For this image I used the very nice Tokina ATX Pro 11-16
If this isn’t the definition of living strong, I’m not sure what is. Another image from the New York City Criterium in 2002. It was rare site to see a Tour de France champion racing what was essentially a domestic industrial park crit, but Lance was there, mixing it up with the best of them. I wouldn’t say he was out of his element either. His element is aerobic competition in whatever form he can find it. I’m looking forward to a possible run at an Ironman from him. 2 days left until the tour!
Tip: Before you attempt a high speed panning shot of one of your heros, get to the race early and practice your rhythm and technique before it is game time.
Following Lance Armstrong’s tweet today, announcing that this will be his final Tour de France, I decided to pay tribute to him by dedicating the entire week leading up to the tour to the man, the myth, the legend. This image is from the New York Criterium in 2002. The race itself took place on Wall Street. I will never forget seeing the streets of NY shut down, only to see a cycling legend take the stage. It was a spectacle that those who were in attendance will never forget. Our country was still recovering, and Lance did what he could to answer the call. Over the next week I will share more stories, images, and Tour predictions. Until then, Lance, good luck in the Tour. We are all pulling for you!
Capture Notes:
Nikon D1X
Nikkor 80-200 AFD
Nikon SB-80 DX
Processing Notes:
Capture – 1 Image
Adobe Camera Raw
Sized for web
LightAsMagic.com
Tip: A technique I commonly used to isolate my subject when shooting sports events was to set my flash to +1EV, and my camera to -1EV. That way your background would be a bit darker than the subject in the foreground. It worked to give your image a little extra pop.
After a day of wrestling with a tool that a blacksmith might use to forge a Terminator, I’d be dammed if I wasn’t going to make some images when I returned it. If you ever need to remove tree stakes from your yard, rent the tool, it will save you 2 months of failed re-enactments of ’sword in the stone’. Leave that up to King Arthur.
Capture Notes:
Nikon D300
Tokina 11-16 ATX Pro
Gitzo Traveler
Processing Notes:
Capture – 7 images @ 1ev
Photomatix 3.2 – HDR/Tonemapping
Nik Define 2.0- Noise reduction
Nik Color Efex Pro – ProContrast
Nik Color Efex Pro – Glamour glow (slight desat)
Nik Color Efex Pro – Tonal Contrast (re-gain some contrast and definition)
Sized for web
Nik Sharpener – Display 40%
LightAsMagic.com
Here is a quick behind the scenes look at the kit in action.
Another addition to my on going Spaceship Suburbia project. I thought I would try and capture a “Cloud City Scape” by shooting a busy scene full of the non-traditional. This was a sunrise shoot on the outskirts of Denver. When I pulled the camera to my eye, I was sucked into the depth and variety of the shapes and shadows. I thought it would make a good addition to the project.
Answering The Call! A big Thank You is in order to all those that took the time to help me with my dilemma. I am truly thankful for the amount of time those that answered my Canon/Nikon SOS put into their responses. I am also humbled by the quality of photographers that visit LightAsMagic.com. I made my way to all your websites and photostreams, and I am inspired by your work. It is obvious by your responses that Canon is indeed a great company. But there is also something said about familiarity. There is a lot to digest, and I will take some time tomorrow to revisit all the comments and post a reply to everyone. Thanks again! Heck, even my wife and mother-in-law chimed in. If you go back and read the comments I am sure you will find the wonderful humorous perspective my wife added to the discussion. Let it be know my mother-in-law voted in favor of Nikon. Her vote counts double. I will keep you posted on my final decision and the reasoning behind it.
Capture Notes:
Nikon D300
Nikkor 80-200 AFD
Gitzo Traveler
Processing Notes:
Capture 1 Image
Adobe camera raw
Photoshop Contrast/Sat boost
Sized for web
LightAsMagic.com
Tip: When I am trying to create a silhouette in an image, I will switch my camera’s meter to spot meter mode and meter an area that is pretty bright, but not the source of the light. In this scene this happened to be the area of the sky close to the horizon. After I have meter that area I will the lock the exposure, or make a note of it and reset it when I recompose. At that point, I will be shoot a couple of frames and review the images. You can rides you exposure compensation to quickly choke or expand the shadow areas.
To recognize Bike to Work Day, here is a story unrelated to the image.
I was hammering home today on my bike. I mean I was really suffering coming up a local hill here in town. I felt lean, my legs felt great, and I was chasing a Tour title in my head. Suddenly, my dream was interrupted by the sound of a bicycle behind me. I thought to myself, ‘no way…no one could catch me at this speed’. Sure enough, this guy was gaining. To quote the Princess Bride, “Inconceivable”. I began to make excuses. He probably isn’t carrying a pack home from work, or maybe it is a local pro? Just as he catches me, I look over my shoulder, positive I was going to see George Hincapie, decked out in a National Champion jersey. Nope, no Hincapie! I see a guy in jeans and flip-flops. He even has enough breath to tell me I am riding really fast. What the heck was this? I know I’m no pro, but common, I can’t be that slow. Thankfully, upon closer inspection, he was riding an electric bike. My tour dreams are still intact! Anyways, I hope everyone here has the opportunity to participate in their local bike to work days. Once you do it, you will be hooked.
Craft & Vision: If you have ever wanted to start experimenting with the video capabilities of your DSLR (I know I have!) Trevor Meier just published a great new eBook titled Vision in Motion about the issues of motion storytelling. It is full of useful tips regarding composition, capture, and gear.
Craft & Vision Coupon Codes (expire June 27th):
- MOTION4 to receive the eBook for a mere $4.00.
- MOTION20 to receive 20(percent) off of the purchase of 5 or more eBooks.
Capture Notes:
Nikon D300
Nikkor 17-35 AFS
Gitzo Traveler
Exposure:0.001 sec (1/1000)
Aperture:f/4.0
Focal Length:17 mm
ISO Speed:200
Processing Notes:
Capture – 1 image
Photomatix – HDR/Tonemapping
NIK Silver Efex Pro – BnW conversion (Red filter for day to night trick)
Sized for web
LightAsMagic.com
Tip: What my man Rick calls the ‘Ole day to night trick’ is applying a red filter (either in post, or at the time of capture) to your image which will basically render a blue sky black. I use this technique when I have a big, uninteresting, blue sky. If you have a white or lightish foreground element, it seems to work pretty well.
p.s. This image of a booming metropolis was from the little town of Cisco, UT.
Lance Armstrong showed some impressive form this weekend by placing 2nd in the Tour of Switzerland. Because the Tour is less than a month away, and I have thousands of bike racing photos in my archive, I decided I would start posting them to celebrate the world’s greatest bike race.
This image is from the 2003 US Pro Championships in Philadelphia, PA. I wanted to get a large group shot. As a bike racer, I knew the peloton would break up in just a few laps, so I identified a location that would work early in the race. I set up on a median in the middle of the course, and shot with a long lens to exaggerate the close proximity of the riders. I got lucky when Victor Rapinski decided to stand up to stretch his legs.
Capture Notes:
Nikon D1x
Nikkor 300 AFS F4
Bogen Monopod
Exposure:0.001 sec (1/1000)
Aperture:f/4.0
Focal Length:300 mm
Exposure Bias:0 EV
Processing Notes:
Photoshop – Curves adjustment
Photoshop – Slight vibrancy boost
Sized for web
LightAsMagic.com
Tip: Cycling photography is a very unique and demanding enterprise. Ensure that you are familiar with the course. If you can, make sure to drive or walk it and plan your shot locations. The race will be fast and furious and you won’t have time to improvise.
This is a local Super Fun(d) site close to Denver. Boy, do I ever want inside. However, I am guessing the fence protects me from my willingness to ignore the asbestos in the name of photography. I think I will just continue to photograph the building from the safety of my truck bed.
Capture Notes:
Nikon D300
Nikkor 16-85 VR II
Nikon CPLII
Gitzo Traveler
2004 Toyota Tacoma
Aperture: f/8.0
Focal Length: 25 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Processing Notes:
Capture – 9 images @ 1EV
Photomatix – HDR/Tonemapping
NIK Color Efex Pro – ProContrast
Nik Color Efex Pro -Glamour Glow (desat a bit)
Nik Color Efex Pro – Tonal Contrast selective to building
Size for web
Nik Sharpener – Display 40% output
LightAsMagic.com
From the safety of my truck.
Tip: I have mentioned it before, but always make sure to shut your engine off when shooting from the bed of your truck. Your high dollar tripod is worthless on a a vibrating surface!
My good friend Fred once asked me while we were out on a photo adventure, “Justin, have you ever thought about the impact of the Transcontinental Railroad on U.S. history?” I’m pretty sure I did in high school history class, but I haven’t given it much thought since. It was a bit of a departure from our usual discussions concerning lens selection and metering modes. However, Fred offered some interesting insight into the railroad as we drove on to our next subject of interest where the conversation quickly went back to image making. Why this story of railroading you ask? The town of Cisco, UT, whose gas station pictured here, is proof of this impact. This town’s rise and fall was dictated by rail. All that is left now are a couple of abandoned buildings, free range animals, and the occasional photographer who happens to pass by.
Note: As promised, this in an image I have been working on as part of my work with David Nightingale from Chromasia.com. David and I have been doing some back-n-forth on images as he shares his eyes and insights. So far, in round 1 alone, I have learned several valuable lessons. I am looking forward to round 2. Remember, if you are interested in getting a lifetime membership to Chromasia.com, and access to all of David’s tutorials, use the coupon code C7164B8543 to receive a 15% discount.
Capture Notes:
Nikon D300
Nikkor 17-35 AFS
Gitzo Traveler
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 19 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Processing Notes:
Capture (9 images @ 1EV)
Photomatix – RAW conversion and HDR/Tonemapping
Photoshop – Smart Sharpen Layer
Photoshop – Curves adjustment global contrast and color correction
Photoshop – Curves adjustment to sky based on Luminosity mask
Photoshop – Curves adjustment to lounge chair selective by brush
Photoshop – Curves adjustment to left and bottom left side of image from Luminosity Mask
Sized for web
LightAsMagic.com
Tip: It is always better to invest in yourself rather than your gear. Never stop learning.
This image is from the ‘Out My Front Door’ project. You can read more about it on the about me page. The basic idea of the project is to make images of sites I have found within a bike ride of my house. The goal of the project is simple, make images instead of thinking about making images. This is one of those sites. It is the last remains of a ranch that was donated to the city as open space. Story has it that the man who owned the ranch would spend over 4 days to mend the entire line of fence. Now it is home to many miles of trails for both cyclists, hikers, and runners. Philanthropy at its finest.
In an attempt to capture the essence of this wonderful space, I had a great time processing this image. I surely pushed it a bit more towards an impressionistic interpretation of the scene. However, to me the mountain itself is a beacon of green rolling grass, painted on a canvas of sky, that can be see from miles away.
Tech Note: I was experimenting a bit using the Promote Control which allows the camera to bracket any number of frames (up to 99) at 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV. Far more than most cameras are normally capable of. You can read a great review of it over on my ‘Bracketer In Cirme’, Brian’s Matiash’s site.
According to Brian, good Promote Control form.
Capture Notes:
Nikon D300
Nikkor 16-85 VR II
Nikon CPL II
PromoteControl
Gitzo Traveler
Aperture:f/8.0
Focal Length:16 mm
ISO Speed:400 (oops)
Processing Notes:
Capture (21 images @ .3 EV)
NX2 – Raw Conversion
Photomatix 3.2 – HDR/Tonemapping
NIK Define 2.0 – Noise reduction auto profile
Photoshop – selective curve adjustments applied to grass
Photoshop – selective sat adjustment applied to grass (trying to tame it abit)
Photoshop – Global curves adjustment
Nik Color Efex Pro – Glamour glow
Sized For Web
LightAsMagic.com
A while back I wrote a piece about what I call ‘Creative Scheduling’, if you missed the post, you can read it here. The basic idea is that like anything in life we have limited time to do everything we want to, and creativity is no different. We need to make room for it in our schedules. This image is from one of those appointments I had with creativity. A couple weekends back I mentioned that my good friend Fred and I planned an entire day around the adventure of making images. We started at 5:30am, and were back home by 8:00pm. We left the house with nothing more than snacks, a map, and a lot of glass. Although it was an incredible day, and I will probably never forget it, by no means do you need to set aside a full day. Just ensure you are making time for your creative self, you never know what you might discover! Here I was hoping to discover a Gatorade. They weren’t open, so I decided to grab a refreshing serving of fisheye lens flare and chromatic aberration.
Capture Notes:
Nikon D300
Nikkor 10.5 DF Fisheye
Gitzo Traveler
Aperture: f/8.0
Focal Length: 10.5 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Processing Notes:
Capture (11 images @ 1ev anchor, 4 above, and 6 below)
Photomatix – HDR/Tonemapping
Noiseware – noise reduction
Photoshop – Global curves adjustment
Nik Color Efex Pro – Tonal Contrast (just a touch to the bricks)
Small crop on the left (I think I could have avoided it had I paid more attention to the composition)
Sized For Web
LightAsMagic.com
Golf Tip: After today’s season opening round of golf, I learned you drive, mulligan, drive again, rescue-wood, short iron, and pitch for show. You putt for dough!
A bit of departure a from the norm here at LightAsMagic.com, however I thought someone out there might benefit from it. Over the weekend, I noticed our bleeding hearts were in bloom and I wanted to make a ‘thank you’ print for the friend who gave them to us. I grabbed my 105mm Micro VR and snapped a quick image, then another, and another, and another. As I have mentioned in a previous post, I began to ‘work the composition’. Just short of the kitchen sink, I threw everything at it. Why not, film is cheap these days! I selected these 3 images as an example of my approaches.
The first image was the metered exposure, the one the camera told me was the right one. It is the one I will probably print and give to my friend. I think she will like it. After the light began to shift, and a slight shadow was cast on the bleeding hearts, I noticed that the most pronounced heart was highlighted by a single ray of sun. I quickly changed my camera’s light meter to ’spot meter mode’ and dropped the exposure compensation by a full stop. My intent was to exaggerate the light’s idea. It worked, and I made an image my wife really likes. Finally, my vision became less focused on details and more on colors and shapes. I grabbed the focus ring, manually focused in front of the flowers, and achieved the final image. You can probably guess, it is my favorite, which is usually the case. I rarely like the first image I make.
The Metered 'Thank You' Print Exposure.
The Spot Metered (-.7 EV) Exposure. My wife's favorite.
Colors and Shapes Exposure. My favorite.
At the beginning of the day, my buddy Fred was excited to pull over and explore the local fertilizer plants with me. 15 hours later, “Hey, there’s a fertilizer plant, let’s go photograph it.” became an inside joke.
Capture Notes:
Nikon D300
Nikkor 50mm 1.4 AFS (a new lens in my kit…and boy do I like it!)
Exposure: 0.002 sec (1/500)
Aperture: f/16.0
Focal Length: 50 mm
Exposure Bias: -2/3 EV
ISO Speed: 200
Processing Notes:
Capture (1 image)
Adobe Camera Raw – Raw processing
Photoshop – Curves adjustment (easy to set the white and black points)
Sized for web
Nik Sharpener – Display 40% Adaptive
LightAsMagic.com
Tip: I call it ‘Working The Composition’. When you find something that catches your eye, don’t walk away from the first composition you make. Approach it from different angles, focal lengths, and perspectives. Eventually your subconscious will team up with your conscious self and reward you with an image to be proud of.
