Posts from the ‘Travel’ Category
These boats have been in dry dock for the last 5 years we have visited Cozumel. I’m not sure when they are scheduled to return to sea? They made for a wonderful image when the sun setting behind them. I was really hoping to get a sun star shining through the windows, but I was just a bit too slow to the draw. Good thing we visit Cozumel yearly, I will have another shot at it…..unless of course they decide to re-comission these vessels.
Capture Notes:
Nikon D300
Nikkor 16-85 VR II
Gitzo Traveler
Aperture: f/8.0
Focal Length: 58 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Processing Notes:
Capture (8 Images)
NX2 Raw Conversion
Photomatix (HDR/Tonemapping)
NIK Define 2.0 (Noise reduction)
Photoshop (Curves adjustment global contrast)
NIK Color EFX Pro (Tonal Contrast)
Photoshop (Curves adjustment – selectively reduced the green in the foliage)
NIK Define 2.0 (Noise reduction)
Photoshop (Vibrance/Saturation selective to the boats)
Photoshop (Resize for web)
NIK Sharpener (Display adaptive 35%)
LightAsMagic.com
We had front row seats on the roof of our hotel in Cozumel for this one! Most of the time I leave sunsets in color, in all their glory. However, because of the smaller clouds dancing in the foreground I decided the contrasts would make a nice black and white composition.
Capture Notes:
Nikon D300
Nikkor 70-300 VR AFS
Singh-Ray 3stop Reverse GND
Gitzo Traveler
Exposure: 0.033 sec (1/30)
Aperture: f/11.0
Focal Length: 300 mm
Processing Notes:
Capture (1 image)
NIK Silver EFX Pro (B+W Conversion)
NIK Viveza 2 (enhance the glow of the sun on the sea)
Photoshop (resized for web)
LightAsMagic.com
Tip: It might seem counter intuitive to shoot sunsets with a long focal length, but it is a great way to get up and close and personal with a setting sun. I always carry a 70-300 with me while traveling.
An astronaut with a day off from space walks, research, and mission tasks might want to take a break from the daily regiment of Tang to enjoy a nice pinot or cab with their protein paste. A quick trip to the wine cellar module on the International Space Station could provide such luxuries to our orbiting scientists. Although currently not available, or scheduled for production, a wine cellar would be a nice addition to the space based bed and breakfast. However, if there were such a thing, I believe this might be the wine cellar they would visit.
As a bit of an impressionist I commonly take creative liberties to realize my vision. Feel free to watch the video below to see how I use Photomatix 3.2 and a couple of NIK filters to build a wine cellar suitable for international space travel.
Capture Notes:
Nikon D300
Nikkor 16-85 VRII
Gitzo Traveler
Markin Q3T ball head
Aperture: f/16.0
Focal Length: 16 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Processing Notes:
Capture (7 images)
NX2 (Raw Conversion)
Photomatix (HDR/Tonemapping)
NIK Define 2.0 (Noise reduction)
Photoshop (Curves adjustment – global contrast/color correction)
Nik Color EFX Pro (Glamour glow – desaturate)
NIK Color EFX Pro (Tonal Contrast)
Photoshop (size for web)
NIK Sharpener (Display adaptive 35% selectively applied to the wine bottles)
LightAsMagic.com
…or, if you have time, you can just watch the video (length: about 10mins).
To find out more about NIK Software and their suite of filters visit their website at:
To find out more about Photomatix 3.2 visit HDRSoft’s website at:
You can use the coupon code LIGHTASMAGIC to receive a 15% discount on Photomatix
When I am diving, I don’t feel like I am realizing the images of the deep. At best I feel I am doing taxonomic record keeping. I have a long road to go to do justice to the beauty of oceans. However, occasionally I get one right (or at least almost right).
Nikon Coolpix 5100
ikelite Housing
iKelite DS125 Stobe
Exposure: 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture: f/7.3
Focal Length: 26.3 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Auto, Fired
Processing Notes :
Capture
Photoshop (Crop to 5×5)
Photshop (Curves adjustment)
NIK ColorEFX Pro (Tonal Contrast selective to anemone)
Photoshop (Vibrance adjustment)
NIK Sharepen (Selective to shrimp)
Photoshop (size for web)
LightAsMagic.com
As you might know by now, my mother-in-law loves images of doors. She asked me to photograph one last weekend when we were visiting the Stanley Hotel. This might be one of the more famous (infamous) doors I have ever had the opportunity to photograph. It is the door to room 217. The great thing about being an independent, impressionistic photographer, I have the freedom to make the door as creepy as Kubrick did.
Capture Notes:
Nikon D300
Nikkor 17-35 2.8 AFS
Gitzo Traveler
Markins Q3T
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 17 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Processing Notes:
Capture (5 Images)
Photomatix (Raw Conversion, HDR, Tonemapping)
Nik Color EFX Pro (Bleach Bypass – selective touch of desaturation excluded the door)
Nik Color EFX Pro (Tonal Contrast – selective boost saturation included only the door)
Nik Define 2.0 (Automatic entire image)
Photoshop (Curves adjustment global)
Nik Color EFX Pro (Vignette big-n-soft)
Sized for web
Nik Sharpen (Display 30% adaptive selective to the door)
LightAsMagic.com
Any Tori Amos fans out there? Why is this question relevant to a photography and travel site? Because, whether you are in the darkroom or on an airplane, it is nice to have your music with you. That being said, if you haven’t noticed the new Darkroom page I have added, I listed out some tunes that are in heavy rotation while I am processing images. Feel free to check out the playlist.
Nikon D300
Tokina 11-16 ATX Pro
Gitzo Traveler
Singh- Ray 3Stop RGND
Exposure: 2
Aperture: f/22.0
Focal Length: 16 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Processing Notes
Capture (1image)
Nikon NX2 (Raw conversion)
Photomatix (HDR/Tonemapping)
NIK Silver Efx Pro (BnW conversion)
Photoshop (Size for web)
LightAsMagic.com
No better way to spend Valentine’s day than staying in a haunted hotel. After taking a 90min ghost tour, one that happens to have a stop near your room, you are expected to enjoy your dinner and get a good nights sleep. Well, that didn’t quite happen. I am still deciding if I really heard the sound of turn of the century nannies moving their steam trunks across the floors in the rooms above us. No kidding. I’m not 100% sure, but I am about 90% sure that is what I experienced.
You can read more about the Stanley Effect by clicking here.
Nikon D300
Tokina 11-16 ATX Pro
Gitzo Traveler
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 11.5 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Metered Shutter Speed: 2.0s
Processing Notes:
Capture (4 Images)
Photomatix (HDR/Tonemapping)
Photoshop (Curves adjustment – color cast, global contrast)
NIK Color EFX Pro (Tonal Contrast selectively applied to hotel and foreground)
Photoshop (Vibrance/Saturation boost)
Photoshop (Resize)
NIK Sharpener (Display 40% adaptive)
LightAsMagic.com
Tip: When working at night, especially cold nights, I have found that using mountain bike gloves does a good job of keeping my hands warm while still retaining their dexterity.
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
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.
A cold day of training reminded me of a tree I had been meaning to make an image of and I thought the storm behind it might do well for the backdrop. Nature’s studio cooperated. Sure, a bit dramatic, but after 5 hours of riding in the cold I felt dramatic!
Nikon D300
Nikkor 35mm 1.8
Gitzo Traveler
Processing Note:
Capture (7 images)
Photomatix (HDR Tonemapping)
Nik ColorEFX Pro (Bleach Bypass)
Nik Define 2.0 (Manual selectively applied to sky)
Photoshop (Crop Re-size)
Nik ColorEFX Pro (Vignette)
Nik Sharpener (Display adaptive selectively applied to tree and foreground)
LightAsMagic.com
Tip: I’m not sure if this necessarily falls under the category of a tip, but I had a friend of mine ask if I would write a bit more about my process. I wasn’t sure where to start, so I figured I would start with a concept I have decided to call ‘Creative Scheduling’. We are all busy doing everything but making art. That is one of life’s common denominators. My personal way of dealing with this is to schedule the creative process. It sounds crazy, but hopefully I can try to shed some light on it. I break my photography time into 4 broad categories.
- Photo Walks: These are times that I have set aside to grab my gear and throw myself into an environment. Just like meeting friends for dinner, or going to the doctor, the appointment is on the calendar.
- Photography of Opportunity: This is just a matter of being prepared. Put together a kit that your are comfortable taking with you wherever you go. It could be a small PointnShoot or an SLR with a select set of lenses. Just make sure it is portable enough that you like to have it around. That way, when the images show themselves, you are ready for them. Here is what I take.
- Travel: It is basically a blend of the above. When I am traveling I will conduct some forward recon on the net and schedule a couple of ‘Photo Walks’ during my vacation. The prior planning makes me very efficient when on location which still allows me plenty of time to hang out and relax with my family and friends. On vacation, I always have a Photography of Opportunity kit at the ready.
- Pre-Visioned: These are images that I have stumbled upon when I (or the image) wasn’t ready. These are things I see when I am out and about running, riding, or just too busy to stop. I will make note of these images and save them for later. In my mind’s eye I will try to imagine the ideal conditions for my vision. Then, when it fits into my schedule and the conditions are right, I will go make it happen.
Why use this post to describe my ‘Creative Scheduling’ process? Because it is an example of Pre-Visioning an image for later. I found this lone tree on a road I commonly ride and I knew that a southern storm would make the perfect backdrop for it. The storm arrived the same day I had to run an errand to the quarry. I grabbed my gear and stopped to make the image. Two minutes later I was back on the road, image in hand, and off to get some flagstone.
Driving up the coast from Half Moon Bay to photograph the Golden Gate Bridge I had visions of fog rolling over the bridge, leaving only its towers exposed. The fog was thick and I knew once we got to the summit of the Marin Headlands we would punch through. Below us would be an isolated pillar towering above a sea of rolling silky white. We never got out of the fog, so I had to duck into an abandoned bunker built during WWII to find a composition of interest.
When life gives you fog, make images underground!
Nikon D300
Nikkor 17-35 AFS
Gitzo Traveler
Processing Notes:
Capture (5 Images)
Photmatix (HDR/Tone-mapping)
Photoshop (Crop to 20×16)
Nik SilverFX (Boost Contrast/Structure, Apply Vignette, Burn top and bottom edge)
Nik Viveza (CP brighten the tunnel a bit)
Photoshop (Resize)
Nik Sharpen (Display 30% adaptive applied to trees)
LightAsMagic.com
One from the archive. I made this image of a surfer hiking up from Black’s Beach in 2002 with my trusty D1X. Digital photography was in its infancy then, and the D1X was a big investment at the time. It has however proved to be an invaluable learning tool. The instant feedback digital photography provides you is critical to accelerating your learning curve. Nowadays, you can get some fantastic gear at a very reasonable price. I got my D1X back then from a great camera store in Indiana. I have never visited it, but every time I call to place an order I ask for Ed! If you are looking to establish a long term relationship with a camera store, let me recommend Roberts Imaging. When you call, ask for Ed and tell him Justin from Colorado sent you!
I was scared to setup my tripod at this overlook along Hwy 1. Actually, I was scared to get out of the car. The wind was howlin! My flapping clothes left me bruised. Whatever was over that hill was coming our way fast.
Processing Notes:
Capture
Nik SilverFX Pro (B&W Conversion)
Nik Sharpen (Display 30% adaptive w/ structure boost)
LightAsMagic.com
Nikon D300
Nikkor 60mm Micro
Tip: If you ever find yourself stuck in a dense fog bank along Hwy 1, thinking to yourself that this is hopeless. Don’t give up! Drive around the next bend. You might find a beautiful beach bathed in sunlight.
Now that the bites have healed I decided to post the image from the scene of the crime. While I was on vacation making this image I was attacked by a multi-species strategic insect task force. I am glad that I was able to get a couple of shutter clicks in before I had to flee (pun intended) the scene.
Nikon D300
Tokina 11-16 ATX Pro
Gitzo Traveler
Singh-Ray 3stop RGND
Tip: I was using a 3 stop Reverse Graduated Neutral Density (RGND) to hold back the sun. Later I found that I probably needed to stack another 2 stop filter on top of it. Thankfully I was shooting in RAW so I could recover the blown out sun in post production. Make sure you meter the background and foreground independently so you can better determine your filter needs.
