Oak Saplings in Fog, Sierra Nevada Foothills, California

3.2 sec at f/22, focal length: 29mm, ISO 100 - December 2, 2008, 5:24pm PDT
Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 17-35mm f/4L, tripod mounted


We had a beautiful sunny day. Crystal clear blue skies, brisk breeze. Wonderful spring like weather, but just a bit chillier. Then the fog started to roll in...and MADE my day. I love fog. Absolutely love it! It's right up there with falling snow. The immense quiet that takes over is humbling. Instant meditation. You're senses become heightened and everything is in focus. In a forest like this, the trees become bigger and more intimate at the same time.

I think that the best way to photograph a situation like this is to forget about any preconceived ideas of how you'd want to photograph it. Let yourself become immersed in the fog and open yourself to everything around you. Experience it first without your camera. After a bit, you'll know when it's time to start making images. Feel the composition through your viewfinder instead of seeing it.

I think that when we set out to photograph, it becomes a mission. We become bent on taking pictures and are taken up with the technical aspect of it all. We forget to make a connection with our subject. And without that connection we fail to represent our subject in a meaningful and personal way.
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I'm Back!

1/13 sec at f/16, focal length: 70mm, ISO 100 - November 30, 2008, 5:00pm PDT
Photographed with Canon EOS 20D, EF 70-200mm f/4L, tripod mounted


I hope that you all have had a wonderful thanksgiving. My family and I loaded up in a rented RV, along with my parents and brother, and headed out to Arizona for thanksgiving with some family. We had a great time visiting with family that we hadn't seen in some time (it was my grandma's first time meeting my wife and two children so that was worth the whole trip in itself). We had never traveled in an RV before so that interesting, and definitely better than driving 10 hours in a car with two youngsters. Photographically the trip wasn't so producing but there are a couple of keepers. I'm especially happy with the image posted here.

In any case, it's nice to be back.
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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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