The Pyramid

The Pyramid

GUAT07D-354

July 8, 2007

A quick post this morning, post-Christmas, to wish you all the very best.  Here's hoping you are secure with friends and family, and that you are off to new adventures, like seeing the main pyramid of Yaxha in Guatemala.  Enjoy!

Technical notes:

Camera: Sony DSC-55

Lens: n/a

Focal length: 6.3mm

Exposure: 1/800 f/7.1 ISO 200

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

The Antigua Arch

The Antigua Arch

GUAT07D-72

June 27, 2007

Today's image remains in the theme of central America, with a slice of the great arch at Antigua.  This colonial piece of architecture has stood for centuries, marking the beginning of the central plaza area, with its shops, restaurants, and government buildings.  It is a beautiful piece of construction, fitting with the rest of the town's ambiance.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: NIkon D80

Lens:Nikon 18-135 f/3.5-5.6

Focal length: 18mm

Exposure: 1/2000 f/8 ISO 400

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

The Ballcourt

The Ballcourt

HOND07D-78

July 14, 2007

One of my guilty pleasures when watching TV is shows that revolve around conspiracy theories.  Most people have a healthy distrust of things, and a conspiracy theory appeals to everyone.  But the ones I really enjoy hearing are not about politics, who shot JFK, or crashed into 9/11, but the weird theories about ancient aliens that visited civilizations past and helped them develop.  The theoriests have all sorts of wild theories about how the humans could never have developed such sophistocated building technology, astronomic predictions, or cultures at such an early point.  It is usually hokem, but still interesting to listen to.  Last night they were talking about the Mayans and centered on Copan, Honduras, which fits perfectly into the theme of this week.
  This is a ball court from the main part of the city, where competitions were held to honor the gods, and determine superiority of skill.  It seemed a mix of soccer (where no hands were allowed), and basketball (having to get the latex ball through a hoop on one side).  Intricate and difficult, it was a typical Mayan pastime.  And even after the jungle has partially reclaimed it, it still possesses some majesty.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Sony DSC-55

Lens: n/a

Focal length: 16.3 mm

Exposure: 1/125 f/11 ISO 400

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

The Mayan Jungle

The Mayan Jungle

HOND07D-93

July 14, 2007

The lush jungles of Honduras, as seen from the top of the astronomy tower in the ruins of Copan.  The jungle exists as a carpet across the landscape, an unending forest that is hard to appreciate, its vastness and greenery that are shades we don't see much in the United States.  While this is a straightforward picture, what strikes me is the manicured lawn that lays in front of the ruins.  Intended to keep the area nice for tourists, the straight lines of the mower are in sharp contrast with the wild, untamed jungle that exists in all directions beyond the ruins.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Sony DSC-55

Lens: n/a

Focal length: 6.3mm

Exposure: 1/125 f/7.1 ISO 200

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

Antigua Washing with Volcano Watching

Antigua Washing with Volcano Watching

GUAT07D-10

June 25, 2007

Wandering through the colonial city of Antigua, Guatemala, in the morning is a tranquil time.  This pool is used by locals for washing, and has been for the last two centuries or more.  And in the background, the ever-present threat of volcanoes.  Antigua is surrounded by three such monsters, which forced the moving of the capital from Antigua to Guatemala City after a major eruption.  Two of the three are still active, and Pacaya can be climbed until your boots start smoking.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens:Nikon 18-135 f/3.5-5.6

Focal length: 20mm

Exposure: 1/400 f/10 ISO 200

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

Lost Skulls of the Jungle

Lost Skulls of the Jungle

HOND07D-47

July 14, 2007

Many of the ruins from the Mayan civilization have slowly disappeared into the jungle, being overtaken by time and the ravages of nature.  And, for better or worse, many are still unexplored and un-repaired, as the jungle left them for the last several centuries.  This image is a perfect example of this, with a former head from a pyramid cast down to the jungle floor to stare at passers-by who try to enter the former cities.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Sony DSC-55

Lens: n/a

Focal length: 16.3mm

Exposure: 1/50 f/5 ISO 400

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

The Semuc Champey Valley

The Semuc Champey Valley

GUAT07D-169

June 25, 2007

This valley is famous, tucked in the central portion of Guatemala.  Cutting through the limestone of the mountains, these aqua pools  sparkle and beckon to dip your feet (or body) in and relax.  And after hiking through El Mirador (the lookout surrounding the valley, the vantage point of this image), that is a welcome thought.  The pools are clear and refreshing, with small fishes that tickle as you wade in.  Downstream there are areas where you can jump off waterfalls into pools (watch out for your glasses).  I like this image, as it cuts a nice contrast between the deep green of the jungle, and the small slice of warm hues that encapsulate the aqua pools.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens:Nikon 18-135 f/3.5-5.6

Focal length:n/a

Exposure:n/a

Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4

What's in My Bag?

What's in My Bag?

BHUT10D-1

November 9, 2011

I've always enjoyed seeing other people's constructions of what is in their purse/shoulder bag/carryall.  It is a window into who they are, in a way.  While I do not habitually carry a purse or murse, any daily recreations of these images are impossible.  So, in preparation for my trip to Bhutan & Thailand last year, I figured I'd try my own while packing.  Leading a workshop in Bhutan for a week and a mini-vacation in the Thai jungles afterwards required a good amount of smart packing so I could stay light on the planes, trains, and automobiles.  Here are the essential gear that was packed (not including clothes or work-related equipment). 

Most of it is camera-related, which should come as no surprise, since photography is a guiding passion in my life, and I wanted to take this opportunity to really land some solid images (some of which have already been posted on, here and here).  The rest covers a smattering of useful products that I carry with me when traveling: a knife, water bottle (plus purification tabs when traveling internationally, just in case), passport, and carabiners.  These guys are useful far beyond their normal climbing capacity, lashing bags together, holding tripods to your side, or just general gear tasks.  Wouldn't leave home without one.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Olympus SP560UZ

Lens: n/a

Focal length:n/a

Exposure:n/a

Post-processing: Desaturation, toning, curves adjustment in PS4

An Angry Whip Snake

An Angry Whip Snake

THAI10D-141

November 24, 2010

Taking a break from winter for a moment, this beautiful species of snake, the Oriental Whip Snake (Ahaetulla prasina), comes in a variety of colors (we saw grayish and green ones while hiking through the forest), and the striking black and white boxy markings develop when the snake is being provoked (as by having photographers push lenses in its face).  It has a slim profile, grows to about 2 m long, and is mildly venomous, though not aggressive.  We came across this guy while hiking through Khao Yai National Park, in Thailand.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikon 80-200 f/2.8

Focal length:  200 mm

Exposure: 1/400 @ f/4, ISO 400

Post-processing: Cropped down with slight contrast and tone adjustment, sharpening in PS4 & LR1.4

Winter's Shadows

Winter's Shadows

NCAR10D-30

January 31, 2010

An apology for missing yesterday's postings, and we continue on with the theme of winter this week.  This stark panorama was taken in Raleigh, along my favorite Lake Johnson, after an unusual snowfall my first winter here.  I like the low angle of the winter sun and how it plays against the white snow, making deeper bluish streaks from the naked trees.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikon 18-135 f/3.5-4.5

Focal length:  20 mm

Exposure: 1/40 @ f/16, ISO 100

Post-processing: Stitched in PS4, with contrast and tone adjustment, sharpening in PS4 & LR1.4

Photographer of Note: slinkachu

slinkachu
"Little People - a tiny street art project"
http://little-people.blogspot.com/

slinkachu is an artist based in London, UK, who specializes in creating street art installations of a diminutive nature.  His photographs of his scenes are always triptychs, showing the art itself, and then its magnitude in relation to the scene around.  It is a fantastic art form, and the photographs demonstrate the differences between the scenes and the 'real' world.  The juxtaposition is creative and his use of found materials (shoelaces, bottle caps, insects, etc.) and a seemingly endless supply of small figures and props makes me think back to a TV show of the 1990s, Chip n Dale Rescue Rangers, who had a female mouse engineer, Gadget, who similarly inventions out of found materials.  The show also had small protagonists in a large world, which helps the comparison a little bit. 

  However, slinkachu's creations are not all for kids, as some deal with current topics like mosque zoning approval and smoking.  Quite a few also seem to be about loneliness, which makes sense for small figures in a full-scale world.  The diversity of scenes that slinkachu creates, coupled with his great photography emphasizing the scene and its relation to the street around, makes each installation unique and fantastical.  Enjoy.

Among the Cold Canyons

Among the Cold Canyons

BRCA06D-16

December 26, 2006

Just a few months after gaining my first (and to date, only) digital SLR, the family decided to ride out to Zion and Bryce Canyon for Christmas holidays.  While everyone thinks of these places as summer destinations, the lack of crowds and cooler temperatures made me really revisit the idea that these places can only be warm weather hiking spots.  This image is taken along Queen Anne's Canyon, with my dad hiking into the deep hoodoos.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikon 18-135 f/3.5-4.5

Focal length:  18 mm

Exposure: 1/125 @ f/8, ISO 100

Post-processing: Cropped down with contrast and tone adjustment, sharpening in PS4 & LR1.4

Frozen Pond

Frozen Pond

NCAR10D-44_HDR

January 31, 2010

Continuing on the theme of winter this week, as I get more excited about the trip to Colorado which will hopefully yield some snow and some winter pictures, this image comes from my former backyard.  My first winter, Raleigh got an appreciable amount of snow, which precipitated two things: 1) everyone freaked out over the 2-4" of snow that was blanketing the ground, even though it wasn't that much snow to begin with, and 2) some lovely shots from around Lake Johnson.  I spent a delightful day wandering around, finding little places to visualize the rare winter wonderland of Raleigh.  This image was a small pond, with water trickling down but still having a frozen sheet over the top, as well as a smattering of late-fall leaves that stuck around.  Constructed from 3 images in Photomatix, I feel it shows off some of the benefits of the HDR world... I got decent shadow detail in the left side and right hill, while keeping the color in the tree leaves and detail in the snow.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6

Focal length:  11 mm

Exposure: n/a @ f/25, ISO 100

Post-processing: HDR image created from 3 images using Photomatix, final image cropped down with contrast and tone adjustment, sharpening in PS4 & LR1.4

Flowing Ice

Flowing Ice

CORN07D-18

February 17, 2007

While traveling to various grad schools in the frigid winter of 2007, I got the chance to visit Cornell, which was a striking if strangely built school.  There are two gorges that span the campus, and the second one had this waterfall, completely frozen over.  I thought of the blueness of the ice, which you don't often see in just snowstorms or such, how the ice was draped over the rocks.  It was my first encounter with a frozen waterfall.  And now I know that they are climbed frequently, using crazy ice picks and axes to bite into the frozen water.  Pretty cool sport, I think.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikon 28-105 f/3.5-4.5

Focal length:  90 mm

Exposure: 1/640 @ f/8, ISO 400

Post-processing: Cropped down with contrast and tone adjustment, sharpening in PS4 & LR1.4

Crystals of Cold

Crystals of Cold

BERK07D-15

January 14, 2007

My first winter with a digital camera, I was stationed up in the hills of Tilden Park on the eastern side of Berkeley.  While the bay area isn't known for winter wonderland status, a very cold morning allowed me to track some small macro shots of ice crystals formed on the vegetation.  They weren't the perfect crystals you come to think of for winter ice, but they were beautiful, tracing the major veins of the leaf.  I love the out of focus areas of the image, despite my general hatred of those silly tilt-shift photographs, cuase here it concentrates you to a slim section of the leaf.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikon 105 f/2.8

Focal length:  105 mm

Exposure: 1/13 @ f/8, ISO 200

Post-processing: Cropped down with contrast and tone adjustment, sharpening in PS4 & LR1.4

Whiteness of the Rockies

Whiteness of the Rockies

RMNP10D-21

January 3, 2010

Welcome to winter!  The coldest season of the year is upon us, from the Sierra to the Atlantic, and snow is coming.  Now, North Carolina doesn't get as much snow (though some of the shots later this week will show we do get some) as the Rocky Mountains, and these mountains glisten with the powdery white stuff.  Shot on the trail, the snow blanketing one of the many 14,000' peaks of the range, it beckons of adventure and cold fun.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikon 50 f/1.4

Focal length:  50 mm

Exposure: 1/125 @ f/16, ISO 100

Post-processing: Cropped down with contrast and tone adjustment, sharpening in PS4 & LR1.4

Through the Golden Haze

Through the Golden Haze

NCAR10D-512

November 7, 2010

Our last homage to autumn this morning, as the cold has made its presence known and there is no going back, at least for a couple months.  The leaves are all gone, the grass is all brown, and Christmas music is pumping through Starbucks.  Yup, winter is coming!  This shot was taken last year as I hiked through Umstead State Park near Raleigh, right before Thanksgiving break.  The leaves were in full color by this point, and it was a pleasant park to wander though.  My only nit pick was the constant sounds of the airport (Umstead butts up against the RDU airport, so there are plenty of comings and goings during the day), but overall a good place to get away from the city for a spell.  Enjoy!

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6

Focal length:  10 mm

Exposure: n/a @ f/8, ISO 200

Post-processing: Cropped down with contrast and tone adjustment, sharpening in PS4 & LR1.4

The Last Leaf Falls

The Last Leaf Falls

NCAR10D-504

November 7, 2010

While November has been kind, and unseasonably warm, winter is coming around the corner very quickly, and the leaves are shedding from the branches quickly (those that are left... most of the storms have stripped the trees bare already).  And the cold chill is not far behind.  So, to finish this week we end with some images of fall, before winter comes through in the last month of the year.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikon 80-200 f/2.8

Focal length:  105 mm

Exposure: 1/4000 @ f/2.8, ISO 200

Post-processing: Cropped down with contrast and tone adjustment, sharpening in PS4 & LR1.4

The Dark Forest Paths

The Dark Forest Paths

NCAR11D-254

October 23, 2011

Wandering through the forests of the Birkhead Wilderness, part of Uwharrie National Forest in North Carolina.  These deciduous trees were crouched overhead, menacing in a way, as they tried to block the way through the forest.  Even the sun, slipping behind a cloud, lent a dark, ominous feeling to the trek.  I felt that this image, with the heavy shadows in the foreground, and slightly dingy, dun colors, accurately represented this trepidation.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikon 18-135 f/3.5-5.6

Focal length:  26 mm

Exposure: 1/20 @ f/8, ISO 400

Post-processing: Cropped down with contrast and tone adjustment, sharpening in PS4 & LR1.4

The End of the Day

The End of the Day

THOR09D-83

July 11, 2009

The closing of a long day over the badlands of North Dakota.  After hiking, sightseeing, and train chasing, this day concluded with puffy white clouds over the dun hillsides, the sun lengthening the shadows.  I was pleasantly surprised at how the badlands looked, and the Dakotas in general impressed me.  While a lot of it is rolling hills and farmland, as I expected, these badlands, with their Bryce Canyon-esque tiers and canyons, were a joy to explore.  I hope to get back there some day, and who knows what else I will uncover.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6

Focal length:  20 mm

Exposure: 1/100 @ f/16, ISO 100

Post-processing: Cropped down with slight contrast and tone adjustment, sharpening in PS4 & LR1.4

Wide Open Rivers

Wide Open Rivers

THOR09D-21

July 10, 2009

Floating down the river this morning, after a long weekend of Thanksgiving eats and treats.  This image comes from North Dakota, another from the badlands area just outside of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.  Canoeing down the headwaters of the Missouri river, which flows north through the park before making an abrupt u-turn to head south along the grasslands of the prairie.  But for this stretch, it is cool, winding, very brown, and makes it a perfect way to relax against a summer sky.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikon 18-135 f/3.5-5.6

Focal length:  18 mm

Exposure: 1/160 @ f/16, ISO 100

Post-processing: Desaturated, cropped down with slight contrast and tone adjustment, sharpening in PS4 & LR1.4

The Wary Prey

The Wary Prey

THOR09D-35

July 10, 2009

Shooting wildlife isn't really my forte, as I've not been able to afford the lenses that go along with capturing wildlife in its natural habitat.  Having a DSLR has helped, as it gives me a natural 1.6x extension on my 200mm lens, but still that is the bare range of an acceptable lens.  But this guy held steady for me for a while, but giving me the weary eye at the same time.  Luckily I got a shot off before he scampered away.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikon 80-200 f/2.8

Focal length:  200 mm

Exposure: 1/400 @ f/4, ISO 400

Post-processing: Cropped down with slight contrast and tone adjustment, sharpening in PS4 & LR1.4

The Wind on the Prairie

The Wind on the Prairie

THOR09D-94

July 11, 2009

There is always so much static in nature photography, there is a lot of crisp, stationary shots that do not move, where the detail is recorded in perfection of a single snap (or multiple snaps squashed to an HDR).  But nature itself is a dynamic process, things are always moving and changing, even in the most serene scene.  I like the motion that is conveyed among these prairie grasses, the feeling of movement and chaos that a windy day in the badlands has.  Enjoy. 

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6

Focal length:  20 mm

Exposure: 2.5 sec @ f/16, ISO 100

Post-processing: Cropped with slight contrast and tone adjustment, sharpening in PS4 & LR1.4

Roosevelt's Badlands

Roosevelt's Badlands

THOR09D-62_pano

July 11, 2009

The badlands are really a generic term, merely reserved for the scraps of land in the Dakotas that didn't fit the ideals of settlers heading west.  They did not have the gentle undulations of the prairie, they were not the beautiful forests of the east (or those soon to be encountered in the Rockies).  Instead they were blasted rock, worn canyons of burnt hues that were as gashes in the land.  While these areas look like mountains while hiking through them, they are actually just barely above the level of the surrounding grasslands.  From a far you cannot tell you're approaching them, they jump upon you quickly.  But they are distinct, like nothing I've seen yet.  The badlands of North Dakota, found in Roosevelt National Park, look old.  You see their rounded forms, partially covered in short grass and vegetation, and they just appear to be weathered, beaten down from years of conflict with the rivers and rain and snow.  But they are magnificent, and they helped inspire and craft one of our greatest conservationists.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6

Focal length:  35 mm

Exposure: 1/80 @ f/16, ISO 100

Post-processing: Assembled from 6 images into a panoramic in PS4, cropped down with slight contrast and tone adjustment, sharpening in PS4 & LR1.4

Valley of Daisies

Valley of Daisies

THOR09D-53

July 11, 2009

It is amazing how important foreground is to your images.  You hear about it from the professionals, the photographers that you admire, and all of their images have interest from front to back, little shapes, lines, textures that lead you through the image to the final destination.  And working on an image, it does make a huge difference.  This image, from North Dakota's Theodore Roosevelt National Park, is honestly not my greatest example of foreground inclusion.  The flowers were there, and that was my intent, but upon reflection they were too far dispersed, and I could have placed them better within the frame.  But they do help hook your interest, and only after looking at the image do you consider the tall butte in the background, where some of the daisies seem to be pointing at.  And in that case, it is a success.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6

Focal length:  18 mm

Exposure: 1/80 @ f/16, ISO 100

Post-processing: Slight contrast and tone adjustment, sharpening in PS4 & LR1.4

Alaska's Northern Coast

Alaska's Northern Coast

ALAK08D-607

September 7, 2008

The tundra in the far north of Alaska is unlike any other landscape that I've encountered.  Flat, deep, it feels like a mattress is underfoot, with a lush carpet of small, short plants.  It is treeless, and the water that saturates the ground pushes forth into small lakes and ponds all over the place.  It feels barren from up above, as seen on the flight from Kotzebue to Point Hope, but it is not.  The dun cliffs drop sharply into the frigid sea, leaving you breathless at the expansiveness of the lands to the north.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6

Focal length:  25 mm

Exposure: n/a @ f/5.6, ISO 200

Post-processing: Slight contrast and tone adjustment, sharpening in PS4 & LR1.4

Sun Shaft Through the Storm

Sun Shaft Through the Storm

BHUT10D-273

November 19, 2010

Whirring through the countryside of Bhutan, the storm clouds that had followed us through Dochula Pass were finally breaking, revealing the lush, verdant countryside.  Finally, high on the hillsides above the Phobjikha Valley, the sun broke through the storm clouds, sending a bright ray streaking across the valley.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Nikon 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6

Focal length:  105 mm

Exposure: n/a @ f/5.6, ISO 200

Post-processing: Slight contrast and tone adjustment, sharpening in PS4 & LR1.4

Swirling Vortexes

Swirling Vortexes

ECUA08D-280

January 24, 2008

Still in Ecuador today, we are visiting part of the river system that makes the cloud forests so lush.  This river was torrential, with rain falling even as I hiked past, with lichens, ferns, and mosses dripping from the trees above.  It was such a vibrant scene, the energy and the sound of the river flooding my eyes and my ears as I watched.  It is an incredible place.  Enjoy.

Technical notes:

Camera: Nikon D80

Lens: Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6

Focal length:  10 mm

Exposure: 1/2.5 @ f/22 ISO 100

Post-processing: Tone, sharpness adjusted in PS 4 and LR 1.4.

Photographer of Note: Natsumi Hayashi

Natsumi Hayashi
"Yowayowa Camera Woman"
http://yowayowacamera.com/

I've been thinking of ways of exploring and expanding my photography.  One way is, of course, to travel and shoot more, which is how I'll be trying to post some more on the 'wandering' aspects to my travel and shooting.  The other is about looking and admiring other photographers, drawing inspiration and energy from their endeavors in the photographic arts.  And so, to kick that off, I present the first photographer of note, Natsumi Hayashi.

Natsumi is a photographer in Japan that levitates.  She sets up her camera in various scenes to make it appear as if she were floating above the scene.  Her scenes are well-chosen, always unique, and so it's as much a slice of her daily life (on the train, in a restaurant, walking down the street) as it is about her ability to levitate.  One of the fantastic parts is that the images appear very natural.  While she has to jump to make the photograph, she rarely if ever looks like she just jumped.  It appears as if she is quite literally hovering above the scene, a couple inches or a foot above the pedestrian ground.

Her images are a streak of whimsy in photography, delightful scenes from life and the thought of escape as well as the beautiful execution of each photograph.  I've been following her for just under a year or so, and each creation has been a delight.  Float on!