Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Macro Differences

200mm Macro Lens
Not all macro tools are created equal. The proof is in the examples in this post.

I have two primary tools for macro photography. The photo on the left was shot with a 200mm macro. It is a decent close up photo, but it isn't truly a macro.

A true macro will lend itself to abstraction of the subject. The 200mm lens won't focus close enough to a subject to abstract the subject.
50mm with Extension Tubes
This is where a tool like extension tubes or macro filters come in handy.

Using extension tubes and a 50mm f/1.8 lens I can get closer. I can abstract. A $15 set of macro tubes can do more to abstract than a $450 macro lens.

Give it a test yourself and see just how close you can get for $15.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Free Texture Friday - Blurred Sky


This week's free texture is a soft pink and deep blue cloud abstract.
You can download the full-res version below.

This photograph was captured in my backyard.




Download the full res image.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Free Wallpaper Wednesday - Purple Macro

Download 16x9
This week's free Wallpaper is a stunning macro of a flower. There are two versions offered, one is a standard 4x3 for monitors (800x600, 1024x768 and 1280x1024) and the other is for 16x9 widescreen monitors (1600x900).
Download Standard 4x3

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

The Importance of Post Production


Before Post Production
In the digital world of photography post production can be just as important as getting the shot in the first place.

When shooting JPEG, the camera's image processor will provide you an output that may look good, but alas it may not be exactly what you were hoping to achieve.

In the case of shooting Raw, which is strongly recommended, you will end up with a fairly flat image, like the one on the right. This photograph isn't a bad photograph, but it wasn't what I was hoping to get.

It isn't the fault of the camera, this is because of the way Raw files are built by the camera. Unlike their JPEG output alternatives, RAW files don't have any saturation, contrast or sharpening applied. They are Flat.

After Post Production
Using a little post processing, this image can really become what was envisioned.

Using a little contrast boosting, darkening, sharpening and dodge 'n burn, the real image can come out.

This doesn't take an expensive piece of software like Photoshop or Lightroom. You can do this with Gimp or even Microsoft's free photo editor.

Give it a try and see what you can come up with.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Free Texture Friday - Mellow Yellow


This week's free texture is a lemon yellow gradient.

You can download the full-res version below.

This photograph was captured in my backyard.




Download the full res image.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Free Wallpaper Wednesday - Classic Microphone

Download Standard 4x3
This week's free Wallpaper is a beautiful microphone. There are two versions offered, one is a standard 4x3 for monitors (800x600, 1024x768 and 1280x1024) and the other is for 16x9 widescreen monitors (1600x900).
Download 16x9

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Full Moon at 1000mm

Bad Moon Rising
The moon has enthralled mankind since we were first able to look up at the night sky.

A few weeks ago a friend of mine loaned me his 500mm mirrored lens with 2x tele-converter. At 1000mm, plus the crop factor of the DX sensor, it is easy to literally fill the frame with the moon.

The downside to the technology used is that it is a fixed f/8 lens which means a slower shutter and high ISO to compensate. And at 1000mm the camera shake generated simply by the shutter actuation was shocking and frustrating, even on the most stable tripod Manfrotto makes. To prevent the shutter actuation from making the image blurry, getting my shutter to 1/1200 of a second, I had to ramp the ISO up to 3200 which means noise was awful.

I am still intrigued with getting one of these for myself. They are affordable at about $190 for the kit. I just wish they can make them at about f/4. But until they do, I will make do with what I have available and my friends who love to share their technology with someone eager to try new things.

To find out more feel free to visit, Amazon.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Free Texture Friday -



This week's free texture is a red abstract floral image.

You can download the full-res version below.

This photograph was captured at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Oregon.




Download the full res image.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Free Wallpaper Wednesday - Setting Fire to Rain

Download Standard 4x3
This week's free Wallpaper is a striking flaming umbrella. There are two versions offered, one is a standard 4x3 for monitors (800x600, 1024x768 and 1280x1024) and the other is for 16x9 widescreen monitors (1600x900).
Download 16x9

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Playing with Fire - Setting Fire to Rain

Flaming Umbrella

Glowing Orb - Part One
 What an amazing evening. My friend and fellow photographer, Elizabeth Smith and my wife headed into the dark stormy night with one thing on our minds; setting fire to the world and capturing it on film.

We headed to an a rock quarry that Liz works at by day. Using a few household items and some ingenuity we captured some amazing moments. The above flaming umbrella image was one of many stunning images we captured.


Circle of Fire
 So the trick to accomplishing this is:
Find a safe place where you won't set anything on fire accidentally.

You will need fine grain, type 0, steel wool.

You will need a medium sized wire whisk  like those that you would beat eggs with, preferably one with a loop on the end.

You will need to two carabiners and a length of chain that is about two feet long.

You will need one wind proof lighter.

You will need to long pants and long sleeves and closed toe shoes.

Glowing Orb - Part Two
Put one carabiner on each and of the chain.

Attach the whisk to one of the carabiners.

Unroll the steel wool to allow it to breathe as it burns

Stuff the steel wool into the whisk.

Light the steel wool all over.

Begin spinning the steel wool.

Actuate the shutter.

Walking Fire
 One key is to activate the shutter after you have the spinning started and to deactivate the shutter before the end of the spin.

Remember to keep safety first.

When this stuff burns, it becomes molten.

Never swing it towards any person or object that can burn.

Keep away from dry grasses.

Keep water nearby in case an accident does happen.

Have fun, be safe, and go out and make some art.

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Closure

I have been pondering this post for some time, but now I think that the time has come. The reason I have been pondering this is that it is deeply personal to me.

David Wesley Wright II, pictured left and below, was originally arrested in August 2012 for using a child for display of sex. That is the official charge. What he really did is pay a 16 year old girl to text him nude photos and videos of herself.

At the time he was arrested, he was a teacher, at the high school I graduated from, which is the same high school my daughter started attending this year. The victim was not a student of the school, but was rather the child of family friends.

What makes this so personal for me is that at the end of my  fourth grade year David, a sixth grader, began an on again off again campaign of bullying against me. I got a break for two years when David moved on to junior high.

The for the entire year of my 7th grade, David, now a 9th grader in junior high, relentlessly, violently and mercilessly bullied me every day. From waiting outside of my classes, when he could, to hunting me down during lunch. I lived in fear of this person and his friends.

He moved on to high school after that year and I my eighth grade year was spent with a dozen other bullies who likely learned I was an easy target from him, but none as dangerous or fierce as David was. But the bullying continued none-the-less. This was the year that junior high school, grades 7-9,  converted to middle school grades 6-8.

My second day in high school as a 9th grader, David made it a point to find me and let me know he wasn't done. Although the bullying tapered a little and was less violent, David hounded me until his graduation two years later.

This person was obviously a lifelong bully, how else does a 45 year old man get a 16 year old girl to text over 200 to 300 nude photos and videos of herself unless there was some form of ongoing coercion.

I am happy to report that his reign of terror is over. He was convicted and sentenced on April 5th. I feel for his family, a wife and kids, he has all but abandoned now. But oddly enough, this brings a sense of closure for me. Knowing that this man will be behind bars for the next six years and will have to register as a sex offender for life, as well as be on supervised release for ten years, I feel justice has been served for me as well.

I just wanted to share.

To learn more about David:

http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/former-teacher-sent-to-prison-for-sex-photos-of-teen/article_dfd70ad6-9e7b-11e2-b95f-0019bb2963f4.html


Friday, April 5, 2013

Free Texture Friday - Black and White Tree Line


This week's free texture is a bright earth neon toned abstract pattern.

You can download the full-res version below.

This photograph was captured in downtown Salem, Oregon.




Download the full res image.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Free Wallpaper Wednesday - Field Patterns

Download Standard 4x3
This week's free Wallpaper is a stark black and white of a winter farmer's field. There are two versions offered, one is a standard 4x3 for monitors (800x600, 1024x768 and 1280x1024) and the other is for 16x9 widescreen monitors (1600x900).
Download Widescreen 1600x900

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Winter's Last Embrace

Snow Covered Forest
A few weeks ago my wife and I took a short trip to the mountains above Scotts Mills, Oregon.

We were expecting to come across some muddy trails and partly sunny skies. Instead we were greeted with Winter's last temper tantrum.

The stark nature of the foggy forest and the snow covered forest floor begged for a black and white conversion. As I have said many times before, winter demands to be captured in black and white.

We are living in a time when finding virtually untouched beauty is harder and harder. These days you have travel further and further to find these natural and stunning environments.

Making the trip to the mountains did not deliver us what we expected, but it gave is much more than we could have hoped for. It just proves that Mother Nature can be kind and giving, if we just give her a chance.