Daily Archives: December 13, 2008
11/22/2008
Eilene Donan Castle, Scotland
11/21/2008
Kritchner Caverens State Park, AZ
11/20/2008
Mule Deer: Bosque del Apache NWR
11/19/2008
Three Cranes in Flight: Bosque del Apache NWR
11/18/2008
Sunrise: Bosque del Apache NWR
11/17/2008
Kritchner Caverns SP, Sierra Vista AZ
We spent a week in Sierra Vista Arizona a year ago August, at the height of the second rainy season, which is just about the best time to visit for desert blooms and birds. Kritchner Caverns are live caves, only discovered 20 years ago, and only recently opened to the public. The surrounding desert has many hiking trails, and it is definitely a rewarding visit for the photographer.
For this shot, I was attempting to catch the detail of the blooming fish-hook barrel cactus against the majestic backdrop of the desert mountain skyline. Again the articulated LCD makes the low angle comfortable.
I actually worked this cactus and the view for about 10 minutes and took a number of images from different angles.
32 mm equiv. F5.6 @ 1/640 @ ISO 100. Programed Auto. Auto WB.
Post processed in Lightroom. My standard Recovery for cloud detail, added Clarity and Vibrance, Sharpen Landscape preset. I reduced the luminance of the blue slightly.
This was a good exercise on working the angles.
11/16/2008
Cadillac Mountain on a perfect sky day
I saw this day happening as we came back into Bar Harbor from a morning Puffin and Whale cruise, waited out the light, and then drove to the top of Cadillac just in time to catch an amazing series of shots. It is more and more rare to have days this clear on the coast of Maine.
I liked the way the fense lead out toward the horizon and added another texture to the rock, lichen, and sky. It is all but impossible to eliminate all people from a Cadillac summit shot as it is one of the most popular spots in one of the most popular National Parks. I don’t even try anymore. People are part of the Acadia experience now, unavoidably. I just try to catch them in interesting spots in the composition.
Sony DSC H50. 32mm equiv. F5.6 @ 1/800 @ ISO 100 (Auto). Auto Program. Auto WB.
Post processed in Lightroom. Recovery for the cloud detail. Added Clarity, Vibrance, and Landscape Sharpen preset.
11/14/2008
Crimson Patch: NABA Gardens, Mission TX
A morning at the NABA Gardens, right on the Rio Grande river in tropical Texas, is always rewarding. Butterflies everywhere you look. Spectacular butterflies. The challenge is finding one perched for long enough to photograph it. A fairly long lens, zoom, with macro, is recommended.
This was taken at the wide end of the macro zoom on the Sony DSC H50, at an equivalent of 31mm (in 35mm terms), from inches away. F4 @ 1/100 second. ISO 100 (Auto). Programed Auto with no exposure compensation. Auto White Balance.
Minimal post processing in Lightroom. Clarity and Vibrance. Landscape Sharpen preset.
Shots like this are possible because of the big, relatively bright, articulated LCD. Really though, if you spend any time at the NABA Garden, you can’t miss. You will come away with memorable shots if you are half trying.