Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Palo Duro Canyon is called the "Grand Canyon of Texas".  The state park is located outside of Amarillo, 

Canon EOS Rebel T1i   f/7.1 @ 1/400 sec  Aperture priority. 10.0 mm (Tamron SP AF-10-24 lens)  ISO 100   Three bracketed exposures (+2.0, 0.0, -2.0 EV) processed with HDR Photo Pro

Ashland Ore Dock

Old iron ore loading dock in Ashland, Wisconsin.  When I was there in June 2011, the dock was scheduled for demolition.  6/7/11

Canon EOS Rebel T1i   f/5.6 at 1/250 sec  Aperture priority  18.0 mm ISO 100  Three bracketed exposures (+2.0, 0.0,  -2.0 EV) processed with Photomatix Essentials 3.2.  Further processing and converted grayscale using Photoshop Elements 9 and Topaz Labs B&W Effects.

Bosque del Apache Refuge Landscape

Was looking at my 2012 photos to select some for artistic treatment.  This photo (in its original color version) was a nice landscape, but nothing special.  Decided to see what would happen with some monochrome stylizing.  Above is what I ended up with.

Canon EOS Rebel T1i   f/5.0 at 1/200 sec, shutter priority   85.0 mm  ISO 100  Processed from the camera raw by ACR 6.4 and Photoshop Elements 9.  Converted and tinted by Topaz Labs B&W Effects filter.

Mountain Bike Race Photos

For several years, I have been shooting the local mountain bike races.  For more information about mountain bike racing in Western Iowa/Eastern Nebraska, check out Psycowpath.com.  Their races officiated and sanctioned by USA Cycling.

Proof copies of my race photos are posted on my race and events web site:  http://win-photo.photoreflect.com.

This is the first time I have tried creating an artistic "portrait" of a mountain bike racer.

Canon EOS Rebel T1i  f/5.6 at 1/100 sec   55mm (Canon 18-55mm IS lens)  ISO 800 Apature Priority.  Processed from RAW with ACR 6.4 (Photoshop Elements 9) and Topaz Labs plug-ins

2013 Bicycle Trails Calendar - PreOrder

The 2013 addition of Bicycle Trails calendar will be going to the printer within a day or two.  Reserve your copy by contacting me at photos (at) TomWinfield (dot) com. 

Calendars are $15 plus $3 shipping (Iowa residents add $1.05 sales tax).  Omaha/Council Bluffs can save shipping by picking up your copy locally.  Contact me about where/how.

Everimaging.com

Yesterday's posting gave a review and problems/concerns with Everimaging.com HDR Photo Pro.  Since then, the remnants of the forum have been removed from the company web site.  ABOUT has changed which the elimination of of mailing address and support e-mail addresses.

the ABOUT page ends with: 

"These products are backed by our world class technical support and expertise. Please check our site regularly for the latest information."

My question - WHAT world class technical support when you can't even e-mail to support.  No form to request support.  No snail mail address.  No forum.

For me, it looks like the Everimaging.com just wants to sell you their outdated software with no support.

HDR Photo Pro

Since December 2010, I have been using HDR Photo Pro by Everimaging for most of my HDR processing.  There are a couple of features of the software that I really like.

1)  In "Open Folder" you get thumbnails of all RAW and JPG images along the left side of the screen.
2)  It is very easy to create realistic photos, enhancing the photo but not giving the typical "over the top" HDR look.
3)  No separate RAW converter.  I shoot RAW and JPG at the same time with my Canon Rebel T1i.  All of the thumbnails display in the folder
4)  I can save in a variety formats and resolutions.

The problem has been that the support of the software has been lacking.

In the Spring of 2011, I purchased a Canon S95 "Point & Shoot" camera that handles bracketed exposures and records in RAW & JPG at the same time.   The HDR Photo Pro RAW converter in the software did not convert images from the S95.  I was able to get an "updated" version of the software that processes photos from the S95. So far, so good.

Later in the year, I started having problems with the software.  The "updated" software for the S95 is giving a version number of 1.1.0.  Eventually, I got errors loading the software with both Windows 7 on my laptop and Vista on my desktop (both 64 bit operating systems).  I had to remove the software, including the registry keys, and re-install the software.

At this time, I can use the software, but still get errors.  I can "continue" to process the photos.  Everimaging says they cannot duplicate my problem, even though I had sent error logs and screen dumps.

Now, it seems that Everimaging is giving up, or in the throws of collapsing.  Their software prices have been discounted.  The "Community" (forum) link on the web site does not work.  Any try to access the forum takes you to the "contact us" page.  (From the browser history on my computer, I was able to find the forum - there have been others asking if the company was still in business.)

As with most HDR photographers, I have a second piece of software i use for HDR processing.  My back-up is Photomatix Essentials (previously Photomatix Light).  I like it for the "over-the-top" processing and artistic treatment.

I do not like to have to use software that is out of date and buggy.  Looking for another primary HDR processing software to replace HDR Photo Pro - after all, the next camera I purchase will make the software obsolete.

Those of you looking at HDR processing software, I recommend you pass on HDR Photo Pro and HDR Darkroom by Everimaging.com.

Bower Lens Adapter

When I upgraded to digital in 2004, I was upgrading from the Canon FD/AE bodies and lenses.  Not happy that my old lenses would not fit on the new EOS Rebel.  After all, I have a couple of very good lenses.  Mostly, I wanted to use my Vivitar Series 1 70-210 zoom w/ macro.

Visited at the Rockbrook Camera tent sale, and asked about the adapters.  They do not carry then.  Knew that there is no auto focus and me not have light metering. I decided it was worth the under $40 to check one out.

Ordered the Bower adapter from B&H Photo.  The adapter arrived yesterday.  Looking forward to testing it.  For what I can see, I will have light metering.