Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Canyon View


A view of the Grand Canyon from the South Rim    6/24/09

Canon EOS Digital Rebel  f/6.3  1/100 sec  Normal Program   55.0mm  ISO 100 Processed from RAW and tonemapped by HDR Darkroom Pro  Final procession with Photoshop Elements 9

Newspaper Rock


There are several "Newspaper Rock" sites.  This one is along the road to the Needles section of Canyonlands National Park, Utah.  10/16/12

Canon EOS Rebel T1i  f/8.0 at 1/20 sec  Aperture Priority  18.0mm  ISO 100  Three bracketed exposures (+2.0, 0.0, -2.0 EV) processed from camera RAW with HDR Darkroom Pro.  Further processing with PhotoShop Elements 9

Looking Glass Falls


It found this waterfall on a detour or the Blue Ridge Parkway.  I was frustrated with the detour when I headed from Asheville for a day of "tourist" activities.  The drive treated me to a view of this beautiful waterfall.  6/29/10

Canon EOS Rebel T1i  f/8.0 at 1/80 sec  Aperture Priority  39.0mm  ISO 800  Three bracketed exposures (+1.33, 0.0, -1.33 EV) processed from camera RAW with HDR Darkroom Pro.  Further processing with PhotoShop Elements 11

Multi-Colored Hydrangea


Bushes with several colors of hydrangea.   7/1/10

Canon EOS Rebel T1i  with Canon EF 75-300 lens   f/5.6 at 1/800 sec  Manual Exposure  95.0mm  ISO 800  Processed with Adobe Camera RAW and PhotoShop Elements 11

Monday, May 27, 2013

Cantilevered Barn


Cantilevered barn at Cade's Cove, Great Smoky Mountain National Park   7/2/10

Canon EOS Rebel T1i  f/13.0 at 1/80 sec  Aperture Priority  24.0mm  ISO 800  Three bracketed exposures (+2.0, 0.0, -2.0 EV) processed from camera RAW with HDR Darkroom Pro.  Further processing with PhotoShop Elements 11

Hydrangea


Hydrangea bloom  7/1/10

Canon EOS Rebel T1i  with Canon EF 75-300 lens   f/5.6 at 1/800 sec  Manual Exposure  290.0mm  ISO 800  Processed with Adobe Camera RAW and PhotoShop Elements 11

The Sinks


The Sinks is one of several waterfalls along Little River Road in Great Smoky Mountain National Park.   7/2/10

Canon EOS Digital T1i  f/22.0 at 1/40 sec  Aperture Priority  47.0mm  ISO 800  Three bracketed exposures (+2.0, 0.0, -2.0 EV) processed from camera RAW with HDR Darkroom Pro.  Further processing with PhotoShop Elements 11

Cherry Grove Fishing Pier


Cherry Grove, N. Myrtle Beach, NC.   6/23/10

Canon EOS Digital T1i  and Canon EF 75-300 lens   f/8.0 at 1/1600 sec  Aperture Priority  220.0mm  ISO 800  Three bracketed exposures (+1.0, 0.0, -1.0 EV) processed from camera RAW with HDR Darkroom Pro.  Further processing with PhotoShop Elements 11, converted to grayscale and toned with Topaz Lads B&W Effects

Trellis Window


Photo taken at an undisclosed location.  Guess taking flower photos at that place are forbidden  .  6/28/10

Canon EOS Digital T1i  f/8.0 at 1/30 sec  Aperture Priority  27.0mm  ISO 800  Three bracketed exposures (+2.0, 0.0, -2.0 EV) processed from camera RAW with HDR Darkroom Pro.  Further processing with PhotoShop Elements 11

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Rollers on the "Skinny" Trail


Fun rollers on the "Skinny" Trail at FATS (Forks Area Trail System), South Carolina   6/21/10

Canon PowerShot A1100 IS   f/3.2 at 1/60 sec  9.4mm  ISO 400  Tonemapped with HDR Darkroom Pro and final processing with Photoshop Elements 11

Rock City Falls


Rock City is a tourist trap in Chattanooga, TN.  As you drive towards Chattanooga, you can't help but be curious just what Rock City is.  Signs are painted on the sides and roofs of barns along the road.  So, I stopped in to see for myself.  Rock City and Ruby Falls are on Lookout Mountain.  6/17/10

Canon EOS Digital T1i   f/4.5 at 1/50 sec  Normal Program  18.0mm  ISO 100   Processed from camera RAW and tone mapped with HDR Darkroom Pro.  Further processing with PhotoShop Elements 11

Bald River Falls


Access to Bald River Falls is near Tellico Plains, TN off the Cherohala Skyway. Take River Road 6 miles to the falls.  6/19/10

Canon EOS Digital T1i  f/8.0 at 1/320 sec  Aperture Priority  18.0mm  ISO 800  Three bracketed exposures (+2.0, 0.0, -2.0 EV) processed from camera RAW with HDR Darkroom Pro.  Further processing with PhotoShop Elements 11

Saturday, May 25, 2013

John Dunn House Shops


John Dunn House Shops just off the plaza in Taos, New Mexico   5/21/12

Canon EOS Digital T1i with Tamron 10-24mm winde angle lens   f/4.0 at 1/640 sec  Aperture Priority  10.0mm  ISO 400  Three bracketed exposures (+2.0, 0.0, -2.0 EV) processed from camera RAW with HDR PhotoPro.  Further processing with PhotoShop Elements 11 and Topaz Labs filters.

Alberta Falls


Rocky Mountain National Park, Bear Lake Road.  The trail to this popular waterfall is well traveled.  6/26/06

Canon EOS Digital Rebel  f/5.0  1/50 sec  Normal Program   38.0mm  ISO 100 Processed from RAW and tonemapped by HDR Darkroom Pro  Final procession with Photoshop Elements 11

Trail to the Loch


Rocky Mountain National Park, Bear Lake Road.  This trail starts at Bear Lake Trailhead.  It is well traveled to Alberta Falls.  From the falls, it climbs up to Loch Vale.  6/26/06

Canon EOS Digital Rebel  f/6.3  1/101 sec  Normal Program   22.0mm  ISO 100  Processed from RAW with Adobe Camera Raw 7.4 and Photoshop Elements 11.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Desert Jelopy


This artifact of years gone by is in Petrified Forest National Park where the park road crosses I-40.  There is also a marker indicated that US 66, America's Main Street, came through here.

Canon EOS Rebel T1i   f/9 at 1/125 sec Aperture Priority  41.0 mm  ISO 100  Three bracketed exposures (+2.0, 0.0, -2.0 EV) processed from RAW and coverted to B&W with Photomatix Essential 3.

Petrified Colors


Pushing the envelop with HDR processing and patterns in petrified wood results in this surreal image.
Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona.  10/29/12

Canon EOS Rebel T1i   f/7.1 at 1/400 sec Aperture Priority  25.0 mm  ISO 100  Three bracketed exposures (+2.0, 0.0, -2.0 EV) processed from RAW with Photomatix Essential 3.  Final processing with Photoshop elements 9.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Biking in Sedona

Sedona is awesome for mountain biking.  I stopped by to check out the trails on my way to Army reunion in Scottsdale.  I stayed in the Oak Creek section of Sedona at the Wildflower Inn.  It turned out to be the best place for me.  Across the side street was Bike & Bean bike shop.  In the opposite corner from the motel is the Bell Rock Pathway trailhead.  I was able to ride to my ride!


Red Rock Biking - Bell Rock Pathway    6/12/09

 Canon PowerShot A590 IS   f/4.0 at 1/200 sec   5.8mm  ISO 80   Processed and tonemapped by HDR Darkroom Pro


Bell Rock & Bell Rock Pathway   6/22/09

Canon PowerShot A590 IS   f/4.0 at 1/400 sec   7.9mm  ISO 80   Processed and tonemapped by HDR Darkroom Pro


Biking in Sedona - Bell Rock Pathway  6/22/09

Canon PowerShot A590 IS   f/4.0 at 1/400 sec   6.6mm  ISO 80   Processed and tonemapped by HDR Darkroom Pro


Courthouse Loop  6/28/09

 Canon PowerShot A590 IS   f/4.0 at 1/500 sec   5.8mm  ISO 80   Processed and tonemapped by HDR Darkroom Pro

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Petrified Forest National Park


 Logs of petrified wood scatter the hillside in the park.  6/29/09

Canon EOS Digital T1i   f/8 at 1/125 sec   Norman Program mode  39.0mm   ISO 100   Processed from camera RAW by Adobe Camera Raw and PhotoShop Elements 9.


On the north side of I-40, the park is alive with vibrant colors of the Painted Desert.  10/29/12

Canon EOS Rebel T1i  Tamron 10-24 wide angle lens   f/9.0 at 1/320 sec Aperture Priority  24.0 mm  ISO 100  Three bracketed exposures (+2.0, 0.0, -2.0 EV) processed from RAW with HDR Photo Pro.  Final processing with Photoshop elements 9.

Valley of the Gods

The Valley of the Gods is located near Mexican Hat, in SE Utah.  A short drive from its better known cousin Monument Valley.  The valley is accessed with a 17 mile gravel road between Utah 261 and US 163.  While you are on the area, stop by Goosenecks State Park just out of Mexican Hat at the junction of Utah routes 261 and 361.  Top it all up, when I was in the area in 2009, both Goosenecks and Valley of the Gods are free!  6/20/2009



Canon EOS Digital T1i   f/6.3 at 1/100 sec   35.0mm   ISO 100   Processed from camera RAW by Adobe Camera Raw and PhotoShop Elements 9.


 Canon EOS Digital T1i   f/8 at 1/100 sec   47.0mm   ISO 100   Processed from camera RAW by Adobe Camera Raw and PhotoShop Elements 9.  Converted to grayscale with Topaz Labs B&W Effects.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Goosenecks


Goosenecks State Park near Mexican Hat, Utah   6/20/09

Canon EOS Digital T1i   f/5.6 at 1/100 sec   18.0mm   ISO 100   Processed from camera RAW and tonemapped by Photomatix Essentials 3.  Further refinements by PhotoShop Elements 9

Grand Canyon


South Rim, Grand Canyon, Yavapai Point   6/24/09

Canon EOS Digital T1i   f/9 at 1/32 sec   21.0mm   ISO 100   Processed from camera RAW and tonemapped by Photomatix Essentials 3.  Further refinements by PhotoShop Elements 9

Spruce House


Spruce House at Mesa Verde National Park  6/19/09

Canon EOS Digital T1i   f/4.0 at 1/40 sec   27.0mm  ISO 100   Processed from camera RAW and tonemapped by Photomatix Essential 3 and additional processing with Photoshop Elements 9

Rocky Mountain High

View from Trail Ridge Road    June 27, 2006

 Canon EOS Digital Rebel.  f/6.3 at 1/100 sec.  39.0mm  ISO 100  From the camera RAW processing with Adobe Camera Raw 6.4 & Photoshop Elements 9. Converted grayscale with Tobaz Labs B&W Effects filter

Rocky Mountain Columbine


Rocky Mountain Columbine is the state flower of Colorado     June 23, 2006

Canon EOS Digital Rebel.  f/7.1 at 1/80 sec.  43.0mm  ISO 100  From the camera RAW processing with Adobe Camera Raw 6.4 & Photoshop Elements 9.

Kayaking on the Cache la Poundre River

No. its not photos of me kayaking.  Driving from Steamboat Springs to Estes Park (taking a long route) I saw these kayaks on the river.  Beautiful drive on Colorado 14.




 Cache la Poundre   June 24, 2006

Canon EOS Digital Rebel   f/7.1 at 1/100 sec   55.0 mm   ISO 100  Processed from camera RAW and tonemapped with Photomatix Essentials 3.  Further processing with Photoshop Elements 9


White River Kayak   June 24, 2006

Canon EOS Digital Rebel   f/8.0 at 1/125 sec   55.0 mm   ISO 100  Processed from camera RAW and tonemapped with Photomatix Essentials 3.  Further processing with Photoshop Elements 9

Friday, May 17, 2013

Tahquamenon Falls and Mackinaw Island

My 2008 Army Reunion was held in Mackinaw City, Michigan.  Tuesday, some of use drove up to Tahquamenon Falls State Park.  Wednesday was the tour of Mackinaw Island. 



Tahquamenon Falls, upper falls  Paradise, MI  June 10, 2008

Canon EOS Digital Rebel.  f/5.0 at 1/60 sec.  18mm  ISO 100  From the camera RAW and Tonemapped with Photomatix Essentials 3.  Further processing with Photoshop Elements 9.


Three Horse Hitch on Mackinaw Island, MI   June 11, 2009

Canon EOS Digital Rebel.  f/7.1 at 1/80 sec.  18mm  ISO 100  From the camera RAW processing with Adobe Camera Raw 6.4 & Photoshop Elements 9.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Magazine Cover


I provided this cover photo and two other photos inside the magazine.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Cuyuna Lakes State Trail

Cuyuna Lakes State Trail is a paved trail which currently runs approximately 7 miles from Crosby to Riverton, Minnesota. The trail crosses the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area. I was first introduced to the trail at the first annual Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Festival. Photos here give you an idea of the trail in June and October. Check out the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail and the singletrails in Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area during the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Fesitval, June 7-8, 2013.



Canon PowerShot S95  f/4.0 at 1/200 sec,  Aperture Priority  6.0 mm  ISO 100  Three bracketed exposures (+2.0, 0.0, -2.0 EV) processed from RAW by HDR PhotoPro.  Further processing by PhotoShop Elements 9.  June 10, 2011


Canon PowerShot S95  f/4.0 at 1/320 sec,  Aperture Priority  6.0 mm  ISO 100  Three bracketed exposures (+2.0, 0.0, -2.0 EV) processed from RAW by HDR PhotoPro.  Further processing by PhotoShop Elements 9.  October 6, 2011

Thursday, May 2, 2013

GoPro Hero 2

Since I started cycling, I have been looking for a video camera to record some of the trails I ride.  I tried mounting a regular video camera - its to heavy and the mount would move.  Tried using my Canon Point&Shoot camera.  I was met with limited success.

Most successful have been the "lipstick" cameras.  I have had 2 - a "Tony Hawk" camera and one from Oregon Scientific.  Had the best luck with the Tony Hawk camera.  The video file size was good for posting on my web site.  My problems was getting the camera aimed, the battery life, and memory card limitations.

I started to concentrating on my still shots.  My Canon PowerShot S95 will record both JPG and RAW.  It also does bracketed exposures (I am a believer in HDR Photography).

Over the last could years, more and more of my singletrack cycling friends have purchased GoPro Hero POV (Point of view) cameras.  This Spring, a friend of mine was looking to sell a GoPro Hero2 that he had as a demo camera.  We agreed on purchase of the camera and included mounts.

I have added the back screen and a handlebar mount.  Topped off my purchase with a hard case by UKPro for the camera.  GoPro cameras and mounts are available as several "big box" and local stores.  I purchase my UKPro case from Breeze Cycle in Omaha.  The photo above is on my GoPro in the UKPro hard case.

A couple days later, we got some decent riding weather.  After a false start (did not bring all of the required bracket parts), I attached the camera to the bike and headed out for Lake Manawa.  A couple times, I had to stop and tighten the various connections of the mount.

Downloaded the video from the camera when I got back to the house.  Doing something wrong because I recorded 8 segments of under 2GB each.  Also there were regular "jumps" in the video. Oh, the photo here, shows the GoPro mounted on my hybrid, post ride.

With some research, I found out that i needed to convert the file in GoPro CineForm Studio.  This created a stable AVI video, though still had to piece together the sections.  Tried to do that in my Pinnacle Studio 11.  The software did not seem to like the process.  Went to Best Buy where I saw Studio is up to version 16 and (the version they had on the shelf) was much more expensive than Adobe Premier Elements.  Bought that bundled with Photoshop Elements version 11.

The lower photo is of the camera mounted on my hybrid bike.  Ended up with a flash video and AVI movie.