October 7, 2010

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f164, journal

Tilt and Shift.

Today I got a new toy. Uhum, I mean tool. It’s a Canon TS-e 24mm Tilt Shift lens. A lot of crazy letters and numbers that add up to awesome. This lens tilts, shifts and twists in more directions than I know what to do with. But not for long.

I’m no expert on it yet, but this is going to give some new powers to my skills. That messed up looking thing in the photo is not a Photoshop job. It’s my lens. In brief in gives me a ton of control over perspective and depth of field by allowing the optic to be moved relative to sensor plane using the knobs and dials. Yes it’s manual focus all the way too.

This is not a review of the lens (though reviews says it’s razor sharp and amazing). It’s just me being excited about the possibilities. You can bet I’ll be talking more about what I learn from tilting and shifting in future posts and on Pro Photo Show. Until then… Gav

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October 6, 2010

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f164, Fine Art, journal, Nature, travel

Spires of Fainting Light – Zion

I’ve been in the area in the Zion National Park the past few days. It’s an amazing place, but the weather has been lousy. Clouds, rain and stormy winds reign. Not that one could never make good photos in those conditions, but the light overall has been less than magical.

We went for a drive this evening. For a a few brief moments near sunset, a subtle but beautiful light struck these peaks near the main park. I stopped and spent awhile atop the roof of the SUV with my tripod, taking compositions from a few different directions. The monotone of this scene shouted for a good silver process to really focus on the subtle but beautiful light of these peaks.

For Photographers. How it was made…

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October 6, 2010

1

f164, Fine Art, journal, Nature, travel

Skirting Storm – Mid Utah

It was late afternoon as we drove through mid Utah, storms were brewing over these rolling mountains to the east. I exited 15 South into a tiny town of who’s name I’m unsure, pulled over in the outskirts and I made this frame on my tripod from the roof of our Ford. I felt a bit like Ansel standing up there, though I did go for a color. I rather like the mood of the clouds with the bold curvy lines of the hills. The scene seems to speak of coming storms, but is broken by the twinkle of blue from behind.

For Photographers. How it was made…

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October 4, 2010

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f164, Fine Art, journal, Nature, technique, travel

Nature & Industry, Wyoming – The Color Chrome process

This is the Dave Johnston Power Plant – A coal plant in Wyoming. I feel it had it’s own beauty, spires of cement intermingling with the flow of nature. This company allows people to walk in and use the land around the plant for hunting, hiking etc, leaving the beauty that surrounds this plant unmarred. It’s a great example of industry mixed with nature. I come from hydro eclectic county where our massive power output is used around the nation and I find the engineering behind such essentials industry to have a beauty all it’s own.

 

For Photographers. How it was made / Color Chrome process…

 

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October 4, 2010

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f164, journal, National Park, travel

Here I stand On Top of the World (reference photo).

You can find this spot at coordinates: 37.267000, -113.176000 (view on map)

I am in awe. Tonight’s campsite is high on the Smith Mesa area overlooking Zion National Park. I believe this is the most amazing view I’ve seen in my life. You have to be here to feel the scope of it. We’re camped just a few yards from this bluff right now. No one else around, a silent expanse of dessert fading far below under watching stars.

This is just a iPhone reference photo I took as we set up camp, not a final. It was followed by a stunning sunset and I’ve made various compositions as the light changed. Is there any way to present this and fully show it’s beauty? I think probably not. With a place this amazing it’s hard to show it’s full beauty. Hoping I can nail this one… Gav

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