Jan 14, 2010 | Landscape Photography, Photography
There is a small slice of heaven just north of San Fransisco, Muir Woods. This grove of coastal redwoods has long been a favorite of our families and today, we were fortunate to be be able to share it with our DLWS family. Nestled in the hills behind Mill Valley, the early morning fog lifts and the sun rises creating a magical world. You follow the creek up the walk as you explore the massive trees along the route. I’ve never reached the end of the trail, i spend so much time not really too far from the parking lot.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP7149bw.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
Photographing redwoods is something I’ve very comfortable with now. The main thing I look for are small amphitheaters in the forests, miniature groves within the grove. I’m looking for a means of showing the trees in the forest, a visual depth. And at the same time, communicate the majesty of the trees. I also use the PC-E lenses now, I really like not having leaning trees. I really, really like this particular photo that I created today. It started off with plumbing the body to use the PC-E lens. Next was to take a 5 image HDR set that was finished using Photomatix Pro and Silver Efex Pro. The 45PC-E is so wicked sharp, this final image is gorgeous! Simple a grand morning!
Photo captured by D3x, 45PC-E on Lexar UDMA digital film
Jan 13, 2010 | Photography
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP0525.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
Has San Francisco welcomed us or what. Actually, SF Fire Department, Huse #34. My good bud Tim Pain arranged for us to photograph the heroes at the house who’s unique duties cover surf and cliff rescues. It was the greatest fun, the fire fighters tripping over themselves to first welcome us to the house and then to step in as models. This is probably one of the few places you’ll have a fire fighter in a wet suit for a model. Trish was great, standing there perfectly while at least 3000 shutter clicks were made. This is nowhere near the final shot Joe was setting up, but does give you a hint of the magic going on.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP0484.swf, 465, 600 [/swf]
On behalf of the entire DLWS staff and gang, I want to thank Captain Mike for opening up the house to use, bringing in the ladder truck, setting up ropes and swimmers and studly fireman with axes and so much more. It was undoubtedly one of the best shoots we’ve ever done!
Photos by D3s, 24-70AFS on Lexar UDMA digital film
Jan 13, 2010 | Photography
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP6984.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
What a great day! I mean, I loved it all! We started off in grand DLWS tradition, nice and early and headed across the bridges. We ended up at Treasure Island to photograph San Francisco city lights. The storm went through, cleaned the air and lights and then laid down some serious atmosphere for us. Just gorgeous! The photography was the easy part I think. Both photos are straight from the camera. This one, the white balance was set to Cloudy. I wanted that warmth above the Bay Bridge in the clouds. It goes nicely with the light colors of the bridge itself.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP7072.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
This is a sillier photo I think. Have you seen that American Express commercial where they find all these smiles in very clever everyday places? Well, I’ve been looking for those myself ever since to see just how easy it is to discovery them. This is a real stretch, but the thought of it makes me smile. This was shot with the WB set to Tungsten which cooled off the color and the pending sunrise just starting to come through the clouds.
I did shoot what I feel is a killer pano of the entire city which I’ve not finished yet. It was a very simple scene but it yielded a whole bunch of cool images. It was just a great start to a great day!
Photos captured by D3s, 70-200VR2 on Lexar UDMA digital film
Jan 12, 2010 | Photography
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP0375.swf, 465, 600 [/swf]
Just as the sun didn’t want to play at the beginning of the day, neither did it want to play at the end of the day. Well, there are a number of ways to skin the light cat and artificial works darn well at times. The Golden Gate when there is weather just glows when the sun goes down. That “glow” is what I was photographing so I framed and finished it with that in mind. The point of capture was no more than the D3s with its ISO set to 1600 (out on slippery rocks teaching, not the time or place for a tripod) and 50f1.4AFS at 1.4. It was a real simple click to make.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP0450.swf, 465, 600 [/swf]
The finishing is just as easy. The top image I used Nik’s Tonal Contrast because of the break in the overcast. I wanted to boost that. The bottom photograph taken 10min later had no overcast hole but had a glow bouncing of it. It was finished with Nik’s Glamor Glow. Great shooting with new friends make it a great day!
Jan 12, 2010 | Photography
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP6868.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
It was one of those mornings when the promise rose in the east and sank in the east before it could even get started. That happens with sunrises and sunsets but that doesn’t mean there aren’t images to be made. For me personally when there is no reds or blues to focus in on, I go to black and whites. This was a great morning for it, especially with the clouds coming in from the west. First, I had to remember I was shooting with the 24 PC-E. What does that mean? I had put the lens on just minutes before knowing I wanted to photograph the towers of the Golden Gate corrected. But I no sooner started to shoot and I had forgotten that thought. We have a great group of folks with us and I was just too busy enjoying meeting new friends. Then I remembered the PC-E and I made the click. Finishing was real simple. White Point / Black Point and a trip to Silver Efex. Dang good morning!
Photo captured by D3x, 24 PC-E on Lexar UDMA digital film
Jan 11, 2010 | Photography
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP0131.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
Had great company at breakfast, Angie, a service dog.
Photo captured by D3s, 50f1.4AFS on Lexar UDMA digital film
