The HDR Tutorial, Still Going Strong

I think it’s been over three years since I first posted the HDR Tutorial here on this site!  By the way, if you are new to the site, then what you are mostly seeing here is HDR Photography.

I go in and update the tutorial every three months or so, as I discover new techniques and further refine the process. We have SO many comments on there (especially on page 3 of the tutorial!) — I am not able to answer them all. But I am happy that so many people are learning this fun new sport. As usual, if you have any feedback, please let me know. The reason it is so good now is based on that very feedback, so keep it coming!

Daily Photo – The Lonely but Beautiful Path

I have a lot of alone time. When I am out shooting, I am totally in my own world. In fact, I’m even double-in-my-own-world because I have my iPod on and I drift away into pure right-brain mode. It’s quite nice, in a way, because I do achieve a zen-like peace where time does not matter.

I’ve worked with a few photographers that will copy and paste a sky from one photo and put it into another photo. I don’t do that stuff – that is waaaay too much editing for me. All the clouds and colors you see are true and wonderfully there. I even sat with a guy once who would take a perfect moon out of one photo and paste it into another! I simply can’t bring myself to do anything like that… it’s just too over-the-top!

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this new photo from Florida… I’ve got some more beautiful ones coming up in the next week, so stay tuned!

Filed under the categories: Florida, Nikon D3X, Palm Beach, Topaz Adjust, Travel

It was a lonely beach! So sad. I think I had a lot of things to talk about this day too! I can’t remember. Sometimes Twitter and Facebook just don’t cut it!

In other news, I’ll be at a charity function in Dallas next Saturday. They are auctioning off some of my art at my old school, Good Shepherd, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Now, anyone can buy raffle tickets ($15), even if you do have to go through a somewhat annoying registration process. I also understand they have a new library where one of my prints will be hung. I’ll try to nab a photo of it while there!

Filed under the categories: Florida, Palm Beach, Travel

I think the title says it all!

I’ve never been much of a swimmer. I mean, I can swim just fine and I’m as bouyant as anyone my age should be, but I don’t really like it as a form of exercise. THere is always so much that goes into the perparation bit of the exercise. Also, since I can’t liseten to my iPod while I swim, that’s kind of a deal-killer. I’ve heard they have some new water-proof MP3 players, but that just sounds like too much trouble all around.

Anyway, this was a 5-exposure HDR that went from -2 to +2. I’m convinced it’s the only way to shoot into the sun and get all the light levels of the details around the pool.

Filed under the categories: Florida, Nikon D2XS, Palm Beach, Travel

I have the pool reserved for us all. Be sure to mark down what you’ll be bringing along (and if you are on Flickr mark your chair with a note!

I think pretty much all kinds of food and drink are welcome. I’ll bring a BBQ pit and an ambulance in case there are any problems. And I hope someone brings a boom box. Are they still called that? I don’t know. Maybe that means it will be a lame party because I don’t even know if they are called boom boxes any more, but I’m sure I’m not the only one that will bring a bit of 80′s music.

Filed under the categories: Florida, Nikon D2XS, Palm Beach, Travel

These light sculptures are incredible to capture. I normally don’t like taking photos of “art”, and I rarely carry my camera around museums any more… I just feel strange taking a photo of something that is already a piece of art. I was explaining this to my mom a few weeks ago, and then she mentioned these shots from Palm Beach, which was a good example of where I go against my own rules. I think the asterisk here is that some pieces of art can be (and should be) captured to help the viewer evoke the same response that I did while I was there. I suppose you can say anything is art… lights, sculpture, architecture, and the like… And I shoot all of those things. Okay this is going too deep down a thread now, so I’ll just close it off by saying I don’t like taking photos of paintings on walls, but this kinda stuff seems fun and cool to me.

This first photo is a new one of this crazy-bizarre wall light. I don’t know what your Rorschach reaction to it might be… The other two photos are from the same restaurant there in The Breakers in Palm Beach. I didn’t eat in this restaurant… the first night I tried this other Italian restaurant that is part of the hotel called Mangia that had these bright yellow heirloom tomatoes with their caprese salad… they were the best tomatoes I had ever eaten… I had to go back the next night again since I couldn’t stand not tasting them again!

Edit: I found out these incredible sculptures are from an Israeli artist named Ayala Serfaty.

Filed under the categories: Florida, Nikon D2XS, Palm Beach, Travel

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve spent mornings and evenings on the beach by myself. I think it’s quite alright, and I don’t entirely mind it at the time.

For me, it is even more strange, I think. Because I always have my camera with me, I suppose I’m not really alone because you are there too, along with the tens of thousands of others. We’re there at slightly different times, but still there together with the moment frozen. I’m not sure I can be good company to everyone at the same time, but there are always certain people with whom bare toes on the beach would be more than welcome.

Filed under the categories: Florida, Palm Beach, Travel

I’ve got a great selection of music ready to go… I rented out the ballroom here at The Breakers for the grand event. Be sure to bring a few of your favorite MP3s on a thumbdrive and we’ll get em into the rotation!

Filed under the categories: Florida, Palm Beach, Travel

I’ll take the seat on the left… no… okay, the one on the right. It’s alright… sit in whichever one you like. Where should we put our drinks? Ahhh the grass will be fine… okay, now, what to discuss? So many places to start!

Filed under the categories: Florida, Palm Beach, Travel

It was a blustery day on the coast as I jumped out of the car between squalls to aim the camera in the most dangerous and interesting direction. This camera is fairly good at keeping out water, although I’ve never tested it in a torrent… nor do I want to… even though I do have the sweet Nikon D3x on my mind…

Filed under the categories: Florida, Palm Beach, Travel

Shot across the bay between swells of the storm… The storm came across the sound very quickly right at sunset, so the fast-moving clouds made a new painting every few minutes… This one is my favorite from the batch I took.

Filed under the categories: Florida, Palm Beach, Travel

Here are some nice textures, scattered around this unique restaurant in Palm Beach.

Filed under the categories: Florida, Palm Beach, Travel

An early morning thunderstorm comes across the Atlantic towards Palm Beach in Florida…

Filed under the categories: Florida, Palm Beach, Travel

It’s just slightly nicer than the Motel 6 way down the road, and they even let you play soccer there in the grass.

I was lucky that it was very stormy there and the rain let up right at dusk.

Filed under the categories: Florida, Palm Beach, Travel

This is one of the most famous hotels in Palm Beach.

Filed under the categories: Florida, Palm Beach, Travel

I was about to take down the top but I was afraid of another swell rolling in!

Filed under the categories: Florida, Palm Beach, Travel

Complete with deadly alien shadows…

Filed under the categories: Florida, Palm Beach, Travel