Kayak Adventures

My wife and son have been active kayak enthusiasts for the past ten years and have tried to get me interested for as long. Well this year they finally succeeded, and all I can say is, What took me so long?

Fishing On Hidden Lake, Enderby, BC

1/15 sec. (hand-held) f5.3 230mm ISO 1250

Mallard Duck and My Son on White Lake, Salmon Arm, BC

1/400 sec f14 55mm ISO 800

Levi Performing An Eskimo Roll

1/1250 sec f8 55mm ISO 800

The Ducks Like Levi!

1/1250 sec f8 55mm ISO 800

Color Valuing (Temperature) Photographs In Post Production

Today I would like to offer three versions of the same photograph in order to illustrate a simple yet visually appealing option in post-production, color valuing.

In truth, all three images are the same photograph. The different look and feel of each image is a result of the visual / emotional impact of the color values perceived. A simple adjustment of the temperature value slider and, Voila', an entirely different photo!

The original picture is shown first. It has not been edited in any way, it has only been converted from NEF (Nikon's RAW Format) to a reduced dimension JPG.


Personal Water Craft On Shuswap Lake - Original

1/6400 sec f.8 400mm ISO400 Color Temperature 4696

PWC - Warmed Up ...emphasizes the Golden Light...

1/6400 sec f.8 400mm ISO400 Color Temperature 8000

PWC - Cooled Down ...truest to the minds rendition at "Cheese" time...

1/6400 sec f.8 400mm ISO400 Color Temperature 3800


Please use the comments to state which you prefer and why. Any other comments and/or feedback is also welcome.

Experiment and Evaluate

Today I decided to exercise a different approach in my post, rather than displaying images I wish to share with others, I have chosen to get a wee bit technical.

As some of you already know, for me the process is as important as the final result. Utilizing quality tools is one of the pleasures that drives me through those processes. This is one reason why I continue to shoot film even though I also shoot digital. It is also why I scour ebay in search of equipment gems with which to over-stuff my gadget bag.

A short time ago I acquired a pristine Nikkor AF-D 60mm micro lens and what does one do with a new - er um, toy? Well you immediately go play with it don't you? I know I do, thus I attached the new-to-me lens onto my D70, screwed on a circular polarizing filter, and headed to the beach.

This was near the end of September and being in Canada only driftwood hunters occupy the beaches, and only anglers sail upon the waters, so I wasn't left with much subject, not to worry though, shooting digital the photographer in me could afford to experiment. What lay before me was a wonderful opportunity to improve my skills with the polarizer, so during that dreaded time of day - mid afternoon - I set out to build filter muscle. It was a good exercise.

I encourage all photographers who want self-improvement to upon occasion set out with minimal gear and a very defined objective, you will absolutely become a better photographer as a result.


All images:
Nikon D70 - Nikkor AF-D 60mm - Cokin Circular Polarizer
ISO400 (equivalent) - Aperture Priority

Note:
Only 1 minute passed from the first to last image. All lighting effects a result of filter adjustment.

click on images for larger view

1/400 sec. @ f5.0 2:40:00 pm



1/500 sec. @ f5.6 2:40:03 pm



1/250 sec. @ f8.0 2:41:02 pm

These photos were not taken as compositions but as studies in the filter effect.
My favorite effect is the last photo; I am particular to the tonal changes in the water, the sky color, cloud texture and the contrast in the forest. I also believe the color to be the most accurate.

Which is your favorite, and why?

Shuswap Lake Float Plane Fly In 2009, Part II

I must admit that I am really enjoying the Grindrod Airforce Spring Fly In, 2009. Today's blog is a tough selection from Tuesday, June 2. I showed up when the afternoon light was right on Sunday but by then the flyers had finished for the day (Don't these people know that morning light from a western shoreline and high noon sunshine makes for poor photography?). A surprise visitor kept me away from Monday's fly, howwever I did manage to hang out all day yesterday and over three hundred photos have survived the first round of the delete key!

After I post this entry I am on my way back to Sandy Point Campground for another afternoon of picture making in the Okanagan - Shuswap sun ( I think I'll put sunblock on this time!).



"Hello tower, request permission to take off"


Piper Cub lifting off.











Canadair water bomber taking off.


Canadair in flight.


Is this where it all began?


I like how this Cessna 195 'Floats'.


Is it live or is it ...." Beautifully realistic DeHavallind Beaver.


Today's blog may be over but the flying continues...

Life On The Ranch

If you have read my previous posts you are aware that I unplugged and moved onto a semi Wilderness Guest Ranch and then gradually plugged back in. Here in the hinterlands I started making photographs with a Canon point & shoot and thus my life as a photographer was rekindled.

This is the house I lived in for three years. It was built in about 1908 and in 1950 was moved 100 meters to its current location. I chose the over-the-shoulder shot because I like the emphasis on its situation with the lake and mountain view. I also like the band of light highlighting the house and illuminating the lake while the cloud shadow obscures the mountain, preventing the hills from overpowering the viewers attention away from the dwelling.



O.K., this one is a film scan, but I thought you might like an extended view.



Though we were a guest ranch I didn't bother taking pictures of many of our clients, but who could resist our wildlife friends?

Our cat and one of the beggarly foxes that made daily visits...


I am looking straight up at this noisome little fellow. To hear him go on you would think he owned the place!


I tried everything I could think of (short of violence) to get this pest to leave one of the guest cabins. Nothing was working so I decided to take his mug shot. Who would have thunk it, I soon as the strobe went off he disappeared, well, in a flash!



This photo was taken in our bedroom, where we would enjoy our morning coffee in bed with the windows open so the Stellar's Jays could fly on in for the morning peanut rations. Notice the kerosene lamp, I told you we were unplugged!



Once the birds are fed it is time to feed the weasel.



Pine Marten were also frequent guests throughout the winter months.



The lake always seemed to manage to freeze up around November's full moon, seen here as sunset alpenglow bathes Hudson Bay Mountain in the days waning light.


And so after so many opportunities I just had to get a DSLR, unfortunately I couldn't afford one until after we had left this paradise, but that will have to be covered in another post.