Dec 17, 2010 | Landscape Photography
“When do you include the sun in your photo?” “Do you do something special to get that starburts, like a filter or something?” “How do you deal with metering when the same is in the frame?” These are some common questions of late about this basic element we see everyday, the sun. Here’s some of my thoughts on the matter.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/Benton Crossing Road 1220.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]
I can only speak for myself, but I include the sun when I feel it is in the right location in the photograph where I want to pull the viewers eye in the frame. At the same time the other elements in the frame have to connect with the sun so the eye can venture through the frame, coming back to the sun and then venture back through the frame. So with that basic formula, being able to include the sun doesn’t happen every outing.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/Alabama Hills 0753.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]
I really like this photo from the Alabama Hills except for all the little floating UFOs. They are caused because I forgot the one rule when shooting the sun. Have a clean front element! Those little UFOs are caused by dust on the front element diffracting the sun, scattering the light. I do have a final image where I spent way too much time cleaning them up in PS, but simply cleaning the front element in the beginning would have save me a whole bunch of time.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/Alabama Hills 0888.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]
When it comes to exposure, you have a couple of options these days. The top and bottom frame are HDR images. I went with this option because I wanted information in the shadow portions of the photograph. The middle image is a single click using a 3 stop Split Grad (a dirty split grad). When looking at the LCD for the top and bottom frames, the blinkie was pretty small especially compared to the middle image where nearly the whole top right corner was a flashing neon light. The starburst is real simple, just close the lens down to its smallest aperture. The more aperture blades, the better the pattern. These were taken with the 24PC-E, 70-200VR2 and 16Fish. My suggestion to you is, if a thought comes across your mind to include the sun in the frame, just do it.
Dec 16, 2010 | Landscape Photography
It was a well spent 20min in the flats. Our home which is up in those clouds dead center was getting a few snow flakes as we took these shots of the last light of day. There is no doubt we are very fortunate to live in paradise!
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DLCMCMF0700.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DLCMCMF0732.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DLCMCMF0748.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DLCMCMF0757.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]
Yeap, the last two shots are my favorites. Amazing what you can do with your photography in just 20min in the right spot, right gear and passion!
Photos captured by D3x, 24-120VR2 on Lexar UDMA digital film
Dec 16, 2010 | Landscape Photography
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DLCMCMF0612.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DLCMCMF0620.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DLCMCMF0642.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DLCMCMF0659.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DLCMCMF0684.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]
Just 10min later things had changed. I was committed to where I was standing because it would take to long to reposition. What would the next 10min bring?
Photos captured by D3x, 24-120VR2 on Lexar UDMA digital film
Dec 16, 2010 | Landscape Photography
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DLCMCMF0563.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DLCMCMF0578.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DLCMCMF0588.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DLCMCMF0604.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]
Jake & I had cabin fever so with the small front moving through, we headed to the flats to make some quick clicks. We shot for just 20min, this is what I captured when I first walked to the edge of the ponds. Camera set to Vivid, AWB 0, underexposed -1, 2 stop Split Grad, what you see is straight out of the camera.
Photo captured by D3x, 24-120VR2 on Lexar UDMA digital filim
Dec 15, 2010 | Landscape Photography
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DLCMCGL3009.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]
New storm coming in, always, always makes for gorgeous scenes and an opportunity to stop and smell the roses. Of courses, I tend to smell the roses with a camera in my hands. For nearly two decades I’ve been going out on our 2nd story deck to take in the sunset and for nearly two decades, I never know if I should shoot it horizontal or vertical. You’d think after all this time I’d have it figured out.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DLCMCGL3005.swf, 402, 600 [/swf]
See the problem is that grand old tree. Struck by lightning a long time ago, its top has seen many a great bird perch on it and witnessed a century of sunsets. I think about all of that along with the color draping the clouds and I still go horizontal, vertical, horizontal, vertical. I’ve even shot it with every lens I own but no obvious solution. I guess some things just aren’t supposed to be obvious.
Photos captured by D3x, 24-120VR2 on Lexar UDMA digital film
Dec 6, 2010 | Landscape Photography
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DLCJPSS0002.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]
I waited until it was the season before talking more about our upcoming adventure to Japan. That’s because on our 2005 visit, Sharon & I were incredibly fortunate to experience snow in Japan. It’s no secret I love the white stuff and to play in it in Japan was a special treat. This is Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DLCJPSG0029.swf, 402, 600 [/swf]
We’re even more fortunate that we will be heading back to Japan in 2011. Not only do we want to explore more of the country, but I really wanta go back now that I’m a better photographer. I’ve never been happy with my images from the first trip. This is the village of Shirakawago Gassho, a World Heritage site and an amazing place with really sweet residence (great food too!).
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DLCJPSG0039.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]
These images were all taken with D2x with very limited Photoshop finishing skills. One thing I’ll be sharing a lot with our folks in 2011 is knowing how to use Photoshop finishing skills for the moment you go click, Japan is a land of subtle tones that when brought out bring the drama to life this land. For example by shooting in AWB A6 and then a touch of Tonal Contrast to bring out the warmth of the wood. And winter in a Bamboo Forest, that is simple amazing!
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DLCJPTA0058.swf, 402, 600 [/swf]
I type this as I watch the snow fall outside the window of our home in the Sierra. I reminds me of sitting in that tea shop by a fire in a small pot belly stove in the Village watching the snow fall in another land. Not sure if there is any more space in our upcoming adventure but we look forward to sharing our adventure with all the folks venturing to Japan with us.
