Raindrops and Fern - HDR

1/4, 1/15, & 1 sec at f/16, focal length: 75mm, ISO 400 - November 1, 2008, 4:22pm PDT
Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 70-200mm f/4L, tripod mounted


The above image is an HDR from three RAW files that were assembled and tonemapped in Photomatix. Below are some tips for in the field to help ensure a successful "merge". Ideally, your camera will allow you to control the settings mentioned below. If not, there may be some work arounds but it may be a bit trickier in post-production.

1. Set your camera on a tripod
2. Photograph RAW (more information = better/cleaner merges)
3. Use a cable release (if you don't touch the camera between exposures, then there is less opportunity for the camera to move between exposures)
4. Use Aperture priority (for consistent depth of field with each exposure)
5. Turn on Auto Bracketing (if you can bracket more than three shots, try 1stop increments. If only allowed three bracketed exposures, like my camera, try 2stop increments.)
6. Turn off mirror lock-up and turn on your motordrive. (This will help with keeping your images registered and make for a cleaner/faster merge in post-production)
7. If you use auto focus, then focus for your first image. Then turn auto focus off and shoot your bracketed series of images. (Turning off auto focus will prevent the camera from re-focusing between exposures, preventing a series of images that have different focus points)
8. Take "empty" frames before and after each series of brackets. (Place your hand in front of your lens and take a picture before and after each set. When you're reviewing your images and getting ready to assemble your new masterpiece, this will help identify which images are from the same series.)

Hope these tips help and feel free to leave links to your HDR images in the comments below (or any images really).

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Aspen along the June Lake Loop

1/4 sec at f/22, focal length: 113mm, ISO 100 - October 18, 2008, 2:11pm PDT
Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 70-200mm f/4L, hand held

Two more Aspen images from the same session as the previous post. Click through to see the other image, then let me know what you think.

Also, if you're new to this blog, there is an archive of my previous posts in the right column as well as links to other great photographers and interesting blogs.




1/5 sec at f/22, focal length: 135mm, ISO 100 - October 18, 2008, 2:10pm PDT
Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 70-200mm f/4L, hand held

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Variations on a Theme

1/5 sec at f/22, focal length: 118mm, ISO 100 - October 18, 2008, 2:09pm PDT
Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 70-200mm f/4L, tripod mounted


These images were from the same trip to the East side of the Sierras as the Mono Lake Sunrise image. This grove is along the June Lake Loop, which seemed to have the best color that we could find. Both images were made within one minute of each other and yet, have two completely feels. I'm still undecided as to which one I like more. What do you think? Let me know in the comments.




1/6 sec at f/22, focal length: 104mm, ISO 100 - October 18, 2008, 2:08pm PDT
Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 70-200mm f/4L, tripod mounted
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Bridalveil and Mist, Yosemite Valley

1/100 sec at f/11, focal length: 94mm, ISO 100 - November 2, 2008, 4:18pm PDT
Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 70-200mm f/4L, tripod mounted


We've had our first major storm system come through for the last few days. It was much needed rain, and fortunately has provided some wonderful photographic opportunities. On Sunday, the storm started to break. So while the kids were taking their afternoon nap, I snuck out of the house and zipped on up to the park to see what was happening. I was only there for a couple of hours, but it was a much needed couple of hours. I've had a lot of fun being out with others lately while photographing, but from time to time (I prefer more of the time) it's better to be out there on your own.

I stopped at tunnel view when I first entered the park, photographed some and then headed down into the valley. After a bit in the valley, I headed back to tunnel view, as I was leaving the park, for another session. This image was made during the first session.

During the second session at tunnel view, I had the pleasure of meeting Fred Mertz. Our visit was brief, but nice to say the least. Be sure to visit his website and view his portfolios. His black and white portfolio, under the fine art section, is especially nice and filled with wonderful work.
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Sunrise, Mt. Dana and South Tufas, Mono Lake

13 sec at f/22, focal length: 70mm, ISO 400 - October 18, 2008, 7:21am PDT
Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 70-200mm f/4L, tripod mounted


A couple of weeks ago my dad and I made a trip over to the east side of the Sierra Nevada. This was actually my first time photographing at Mono Lake. I knew that the South Tufas was a popular spot and there would be plenty of other photographers but was absolutely amazed by just how many there were. There had to have been at least 100 other photographers out there. I'll be posting more from this trip of the fall colors in the coming days.
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Ferns at Nelder Grove

2.5 sec at f/22, focal length: 73mm, ISO 400 - October 13, 2008, 8:58am PDT
Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 70-200mm f/4L, tripod mounted


Here are two more images from my recent Nelder Grove hike close to home. I've been meaning to post these for a while. This first one of the fern and fallen sequoia is one of my personal favorites in my library right now but I am still quite pleased with the detail image of the fronds.




2 sec at f/16, focal length: 200mm, ISO 100 - October 13, 2008, 8:50am PDT
Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 70-200mm f/4L, tripod mounted


I've been going to black and white much more recently than I have in the past. This is mainly due in part to a book that Bill, my boss, recently received; "Voyage of the Eye" by Brett Weston. His work is simply amazing. Every photographer (as well as any one that appreciates any medium of art) should be very aware of his work. Here is a link to his website.
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Dogwood, Early Fall, Nelder Grove, Sierra National Forest

2.5 sec at f/22, focal length: 200mm, ISO 200 - October 13, 2008, 8:34am PDT
Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 70-200mm f/4L, tripod mounted


I find myself being drawn more and more to the quiet moments, the quiet compositions. You'll often hear of photographers that would rather pose a question than to answer it. I find that if I strive for this as well, then I become more engaged with the subject and can connect with what's there in front of me in a very real way. I begin to feel the pulse of nature harmonizing with my own and it no longer becomes about making the photograph. But at the same time, the photograph seems to become easier to make. It's almost as if nature is saying "OK, now that you can see, I will show you".

Even at this point I continue to ask questions, and continue to leave those questions unanswered in the final image so that the viewer may participate. This doesn't mean that I have to completely abstract the situation to the point that the only question left to be asked is "What is this?", but it does mean not being completely narrative or "scenic".

Now, I have abstracted a subject pretty much to that point, as can be seen on this blog. But even with those images, I still try to leave other questions to be asked without being stumped by the "what is this?" conundrum.

I encourage everyone that hasn't taken this approach to try it out. It's a very refreshing way to interact with your subject and I think you may just like the results.




3.2 sec at f/22, focal length: 91mm, ISO 200 - October 13, 2008, 9:01am PDT
Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 70-200mm f/4L, tripod mounted


Sam Abell, famed National Geographic photographer, discusses his gravitation towards the quiet moment in a recent interview with PDN's Conor Risch. You can read it here. I had the pleasure of spending three days with Mr. Abell while attending Brooks Institute of Photography, studying photojournalism. The man is poetry; in his photography, his writing and his speech. He is a very gifted artist and if you aren't already, then you should become very familiar with his work. "The Photographic Life" is a great place to start. He also has a new book coming out (thus the interview with PDN) titled "The Life of a Photograph" which will be joining my collection once it is released.
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