Canon 5D Mark II Digital Diaries: Final Post From Out West - Feel the Photograph

Hey Gang

Thank you all for following along this week on my blog. Great photographic opportunities out here. Made this image with my 5D Mark II and 17-40mm lens.

When photographing, it's sometimes a good idea to think about what other photographers and artists would do in the same situation. Before I came out here, I was reading about Georgia O'Keeffe.

From Wikipedia:

She [Gerogia O'Keeffe] received widespread recognition for her technical contributions, as well as for challenging the boundaries of modern American artistic style. She is chiefly known for paintings of flowers, rocks, shells, animal bones, and landscapes in which she synthesized abstraction and representation.

So I was thinking about Georgia O'Keeffe while I was in the Slot Canyons.

This week I talked about the technical side of photography on the blog. I'd like to finish up with this thought: feel the photograph.

For more on feeling the photograph, see my article on that topic.

Explore the Light,

Rick

P.S. Want great color in all your photographs? Check out the ColorChecker Passport.

Canon 5D Mark II Digital Diaries: Monument Valley Post #2

Hi All

We got up early to catch the beautiful light here in Monument Valley. Left shot is natural light. Right shot is a painting-with-light shot: I painted the tree with the headlights from our guide's Jeep. Took several tries to get it right.

I shot HDR, but it ruined the dramatic effect. Indeed, there is a time and place for HDR - and this wasn't one of them!

By the way, it's freezing here: 30 degrees F this AM. Almost 50 now. Ahhhhhh.

Mo' on HDR at my Photoshop World Orlando talk.

Explore the Light,

Rick

P.S. Hey, wherever you travel, make a book of your travels . . . as a fun memory for you and your family - and maybe perhaps to sell. Check out Nations Photo Labs for great books - and more.

Canon 5D Mark II Monument Valley Post #1

Hi All!

Mr. HDR here! :-)

Just a quick note from Monument Valley. There is a time and place for HDR. Here are two shots from today. Straight shots. No HDR.

My point of this post: There is no substitute for great light and a GREAT subject.

I took both of these pictures with my favorite landscape lens: Canon 17-40mm.

Explore the light,

Rick

P.S. Yup! More HDR images to come in my next book, HDR Secrets. Might be ready for Photoshop World in Orlando! Be there or be square!

Canon 5D Mark II Slot Canyons Digital Diaries Post #2: HDR is NOT Photography?

Here is an HDR image from today's shoot at Upper Antelope Canyon. It's a combo of six images - at, over and under the "best" exposure.

I was photographing straight up. The contrast range was beyond that of any film.

I could have opened up the shadows somewhat, but I was thinking about the expression: Light Illuminates, Shadows Define.

Then I thought about all the folks who hate (I know that is a strong word) HDR. Well, here is another expression: To each his own.

Me, I actually think that HDR photography is photography - because it helps use create an image that looks like the scene we see with our eyes.

Explore the light - and lighten up!

Rick

P.S. Learn more about HDR photography at the Plug-in Experience. Get a discount on some cool plug-ins while you are there.

Canon 5D Mark II Slot Canyons Digital Diaries Post #1

Hi All

Just got back from shooting at Lower Antelope Canyon. Here is a favorite shot. HDR. Just a quick processing job. Will tweak when I get back home in a week.

Shot at Upper Antelope Canyon this AM. Great fun, too.

You gotta get here to shoot. Book a photo tour and come at this time of year. Fewer tourists ruining your shots.

Horseshoe Bend is 10 minutes away. Monument Valley is about two hours away. Plan a great five-day trip. Don't forget your tripod.

Explore the Light,

Rick