Autumnal RustlingPosted by drfl on July 10th, 2009

As promised, my impromtu “Missing the Mountains” series continues with today’s post of some Aspens in Colorado near Pike’s peak.  During my trip last September, the aspens were beginning to burst forth with color and some of the groves were completely changed.   When I stopped and capture this grove, a breeze was gentle rustling the leaves.  In post-processing I added a bit of Orton to simulate this feel on a still photograph.

Technical Details:
Canon 5d, 70-200 f/4l @ 200mm, f/9, 1/200 sec.
Aspen Grove near Pike’s Peak, Colorado

This photograph can be viewed on my website at: http://www.journeyoflight.com/journey06/photo.asp?pictureid=AutumnalRustling&xmlfile=/journey06/xml/color/colorado.xml&x=9.

Pleasing DriftsPosted by drfl on July 8th, 2009

As I continued to review some past photographs in my unofficial “Missing the Mountains” series, I came across this image I had taken last fall at the Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado.  It was a tricky exposure which required me to double-process the image.  Essentially, I first opened the image in Photoshop exposing for the foreground and then I opened it again exposing for the sky.  I copied the second image over the first creating a new layer and then blended the two together.  A basic tutorial on the technique can be found here: http://www.photoshopessentials.com/photo-effects/photo-blend/.

Technical Details:
Canon 5d, 17-40 f/4l @ 17mm, f/16, .5 sec.
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

Make the CutPosted by admin on December 30th, 2008

It’s that time of year again. The time when one day we can have a pretty snowfall with some nice ice patterns, or the next wet, slushy muddy stuff. Right now it’s the later and so I turn to the library of previous images to see what I should process or process differently. Some photographers finish processing an image and that’s the end. To me, some images have a life and they need to be readdressed and readdressed (and sometimes readdressed) before I am happy with the results. Sometimes, this is due envisaging an existing composition differently while reading about a new Photoshop technique. Sometimes, this is due to a tool change, such as Photoshop CS4 (not yet installed). Sometimes, it’s due to a mood change. Perhaps, I am feeling creative, or maybe I’m stressed and want to calm myself, or maybe I’m just a little tired and feeling a little outside of reality. Whatever the reason, I find myself coming back to some images. Today’s image from the rock cut at Rocky Mountain National Park is one such photograph. I have probably processed this image 3 or 4 times (actually a pretty low number compared to others). I think I may finally have it. Then again, tomorrow I may change my mind.

Technical Details:
Canon 5d, 70-200 f/4l @ 100mm, f/13, 1/30 sec.
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

PCPhoto Contest – FinalistPosted by admin on December 23rd, 2008

Today is the last chance to vote in the PCPhoto “Your Best Shot” 2nd annual contest. The above photo of Lake Helene at Rocky Mountain National Park is a finalist in the mix for the People’s Choice. This is a shameless request for a vote for me.

Please visit: http://www2.pcphotomag.com/bestshotcontest/gallery-fin-lg.php?gal=Top%20Pics&id=1820#j

Wading it OutPosted by admin on October 29th, 2008

While waiting for sunrise on Sprague Lake at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, this bull elk wandered out into the lake to cool off.

Technical Details:
Canon 20d, 300 f/4l + 1.4tc, f/5.6, 1/2 sec.
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

On Top of the WorldPosted by admin on October 21st, 2008

This image was taken around sunset on the tundra in Rocky Mountain National Park. The clouds this evening slowly moved across the tops of the mountains as the light filtered through.

Technical Details:
Canon 5d, 17-40 f/4l @ 17mm, f/16, 1/8 sec., 3-stop hard ND Grad
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado