tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-258912982010-03-09T20:43:42.525-08:00Craig Wolf PhotographyLandscape & Nature Photography TipsCraig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-40248464022806461252010-02-25T10:35:00.000-08:002010-02-25T19:21:05.402-08:00Overshoes Online - A Perfect Fit for Outdoor Photographers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Overshoes-NEOS-Navigator-5-733030.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Overshoes-NEOS-Navigator-5-732364.jpg" alt="Overshoes-NEOS-Navigator-5" border="0" /></a>When Overshoes Online asked me to review a pair of their overshoes, little did they know that I had just come back from a trip where my feet got wet every day. I picked the NEOS Navigator 5 Overshoe. As the name implies they slip over your shoes. The NEOS Navigator 5 Overshoe is 15 inches high and extends to 20 inches. They are 100% waterproof and extremely well made.<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Yosemite-El-Capitan-Winter-708894.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Yosemite-El-Capitan-Winter-708678.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I tried them out during the fall but I wanted to trek through some snow before I gave a full review. I can now say Wow! The NEOS Navigators are warm and comfortable. As a photographer I'm often standing around, waiting for that magic light. The overshoes are like wearing slippers.<br /><br />Now for the good stuff. I crossed the Merced River several times and treked through the snow. The shoes have good traction and are 100% waterproof as they claim. The NEOS Navigators also dried out quickly. I take along an old brush to clean them off before I toss them back into the car.<br /><br />The NEOS Navigators slip over your shoes and fasten with Velcro. I take a few steps in them and then cinch the straps. They have a heal that's snowshoe compatible too. They're rated to -20 F. I highly recomend the NEOS Navigator 5's for anyone that spends a lot of time outdoors. For the Outdoor Photographer they're a must!</div><div><br />Check out their website at <a href="http://www.overshoesonline.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">OvershoesOnline.com</span></span></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.overshoesonline.com/"></a>More Yosemite Photos at </span></span><a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album46.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Yosemite Fall</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> - </span></span><a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album48.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Yosemite Late Fall </span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- </span></span><a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album49.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Yosemite Winter 2</span></span></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Plus a </span></span><a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/gallery/album01/album01.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Yosemite Winter Photo Gallery</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> from my last trip using Lightroom. (and the shoes)<br /></span></span></span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:medium;" ><br /></span></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-4024846402280646125?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-81077227297776946222009-08-25T13:24:00.000-07:002009-08-26T16:27:43.471-07:00Photographing Mt Whitney & the Alabama Hills<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/3L6W9965-3-716807.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/3L6W9965-3-716679.jpg" alt="Mt. Whitney & the Alabama Hills" border="0" /></a><div>Just outside of the small town of Lone Pine lies one of the best places to learn Landscape Photography. Heading west at the only stoplight in town is Whitney Portal Road which leads you to a web of dirt roads. The most popular is Movie Road. From here you can see the rust colored rock of the Alabama Hills with the gray granite Eastern Sierra in the background. I went several times on my own, but then I attended one of Don Gale's workshops there. Don taught me what photography is all about. How to follow the light.<br /><br />Don schedules his workshops here during the winter months. The mountains face directly east. In the winter the sun is farther south and gives the scene a bit of side lighting. So here's Don's shooting strategy.<br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/3L6W9956-703379.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/3L6W9956-703372.jpg" alt="Alabama Hills Sunrise" border="0" /></a></div><div>1) Arrive before Sunrise and shoot into the pre-dawn light using the silhouettes of the Alabama Hills as one element and the sky as another. Some days you'll see stars and some days you'll have clouds. You can shoot right from Whitney Portal Road. You'll want to arrive about 45 minutes before Sunrise. Spend about 15 minutes here.</div><div><br /><a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/3L6W9129-709040.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Mt. Whitney" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/3L6W9129-708921.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; height: 267px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" border="0" /></a>2) Then go north along Movie Road until you have some nice rock formations in the foreground and a clear site of Mt Whitney. The first rays of light will hit the top of tallest peak, which is Mt. Whitney. With a long lens isolate just the peak. Everyday is different but often you'll see the peak turn red. This is known as Alpenglow. A polarizer will help to darken the sky. If it's overcast you might try shooting in black and white.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/3L6W0056-702852.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Mt. Whitney & the Alabama Hills" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/3L6W0056-702207.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; height: 267px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" border="0" /></a>3) Just as the light begins to spill over into valley you can begin to shoot wide. You may need a split neutral density filter for a few minutes. Then as the sun hits the valley look for rock fromations to fill the foreground with Mt Whitney in the background.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/3L6W0024-big-sharp-741662.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Mobius Arch - Lone pine, CA" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/3L6W0024-big-sharp-741529.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; height: 267px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" border="0" /></a><div>4) In recent years I've added Mobius Arch. There's a large dirt parking area along Movie Road and a well marked path to guide you. Clouds really help out here as the light can get contrasty if you wait too long. Just a few feet away is Lathe Arch.</div><br /><a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/3L6W9190-723764.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Lathe Arch" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/3L6W9190-723665.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 167px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/3L6W9451-745854.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/3L6W9451-745697.jpg" alt="Lathe Arch (Front)- Lone Pine,CA" border="0" /></a>As you can see here, my backpack is leaning up against Lathe Arch. This was taken from the front of the arch. It appears much larger using an ultra wide lens from the backside. I'm using a 17mm on a full frame camera. Watch your step as their is nothing below your feet. You have to brace yourself between two rocks. Again, if you want the Arch and the Mountains to have light on them, timing becomes critical. I sometimes shoot before sunrise so everything is evenly lit, but my favorite shots are just as the first light hits Mobius Arch.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/3L6W9299-747331.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/3L6W9299-747179.jpg" alt="Lubken Canyon - Lone Pine" border="0" /></a>5) In the Afternoon the sun goes down behind mountains. At sunset they'll be in silhouette. You might try Lubken Canyon Road just across from the RV park. In late afternoon you'll find Cottonwoods in shade with the granite mountains providing a blue backdrop. A little earlier and you'll find them backlit. If you're there late fall you''ll find the cottonwoods have turn to a beautiful shade of yellow. Perfect for the blue backdrop.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/3L6W9657-cc-776464.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="Reflection in Owens River" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/3L6W9657-cc-776442.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; height: 267px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" border="0" /></a>6) Then as the sun sets I like to look for reflections in the Owens River. There's a dirt road just on the other side of the RV park that goes to the pumping station. You can follow it along side of the Owens River. Walk along the banks as the sun begins to set and you'll find red mountain peaks or sunlit clouds reflectiing in the water. The rocks and reeds can add a zen like quality.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/3L6W9737-3-nik-pro-con-742638.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/3L6W9737-3-nik-pro-con-742508.jpg" alt="Mt. Whitney - Lone Pine,Ca" border="0" /></a><div>Again, Don's strategy is to always let the light dictate where you're going to shoot. You need to anticipate what the light is going to provide. I use this technique on every trip.Where will the Sun come up? Is there a break in the terrain that will let the last bit of light peek through? Can I move to the shadow side to make the scene more three dimensional. Each place provdes different answers but it's always the same question, "Where's the light?". And of course, "What's for lunch?".</div><div><br /></div><div>For more photos see my <a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album41.htm">Lone Pine Stock Photo Gallery</a>.</div><div>To sign up for a workshop see <a href="http://www.photographybydon.com/photography-workshops.html">Don Gale's Photography Workshops</a>.</div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-8107722729777694622?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-13567316880085502032008-07-15T12:03:00.000-07:002008-07-15T14:59:16.291-07:00Nik Silver Efex Pro Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/034ccbw-727388.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/034ccbw-727252.jpg" alt="Death Valley" border="0" /></a><br />Can anyone tell me how they developed this plug-in? Did they hold a seance and contact Ansel Adams and Edward Weston? I don't know. I do know that <a href="http://www.niksoftware.com/silverefexpro/usa/entry.php">Nik Silver Efex Pro</a> is as good as gold. Even somebody like me can achieve fantastic results in just seconds. You may begin to smell the chemicals after looking at your own results.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T6918-v3-bw-754781.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T6918-v3-bw-754644.jpg" alt="Florence, Oregon" border="0" /></a><br />Nik Silver Efex Pro has an easy to use interface with presets on the left and the main controls on the right. You can choose from many popular film stocks, apply color filters, adjust the amount of grain and burn the edges with precision. Then you can save it as your own preset if you like. You can also use it as a smart filter in PhotoShop. This allows you to go back to the photos current setting and tweak it a bit, rather than starting all over from scratch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/CRW_4152-12x18-nik-bw-736864.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/CRW_4152-12x18-nik-bw-736852.jpg" border="0" alt="John Ford Point, Monument Valey" /></a><br />You'll find that the default presets are well thought out. As with many of the parameters you just roll over the setting and it temporally updates your photo. Click on it and the settings will lock in. High Structure works great on landscapes. It cranks up the detail and contrast. There's also pull and push settings that mimic film processing. I counted 26 presets in all. On the photo above of Monument Valley I used presets "Full Spectrum Inverse" on the bottom half and "High Structure" on the top half. The very top was a little too dark so I added a control point and brought up the brightness about ten percent. Control points function like a mask, but they're easier to make and adjust. You can click on and off each parameter to see it's effect.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T8358BW-794838.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T8358BW-794825.jpg" alt="Cala Lily Fine Art Photo" border="0" /></a>It's fun coming up with your own look. For the Cally Lily I liked their "Antique Plate II" and removed the grain and bumped up the brightness a bit. For the Sand Dunes below I cranked up the Structure slider. For me Nik Silver Efex Pro is a must have plug-in.<br /><br />Nik has many online video tutorials and they offer a 15 day free trial. You can't ask for more.<br /><br />Check out my <a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album36.htm">Fine Art Black and White Gallery</a> using Nik Silver Efex Pro.<br /><br />You can download a 15 day Trial and see the online video tutorials for <a href="http://www.niksoftware.com/silverefexpro/usa/entry.php">Nik Silver Efex Pro</a> here.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T4983-771388.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T4983-771272.jpg" alt="Sand Dunes, Death Vally, CA" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-1356731688008550203?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-18535847426954910922008-07-10T09:59:00.001-07:002009-11-02T12:48:42.337-08:00Yosemite Stock Photo Gallery<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T6500-747443.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="Yosemite - Tunnel View" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T6500-747318.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I've added a Yosemite Stock Photo Gallery. It's a collection from the past. I was inspired after losing a one terabyte drive with all my photos on it. I had about eighty percent backed up, but that's not one hundred percent now is it. After getting a couple of outrageous estimates I found <a href="http://www.ecodatarecovery.com/">Eco Data Recovery</a>. John Marshall gave me a quote that was half of what the others offered. They did a great job and I'm very grateful.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T6546-765911.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="Yosemite Falls" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T6546-765789.jpg" border="0" /></a>After getting the drive back I started to organize the photos and reprocess some of the files in Lightroom. Some of the photos were scans of 35mm Slides, others were from my 6 mp Rebel and most were from my 1Ds Mark III. I found that Lightroom improved them all. For a few I used a free Lightroom preset from Heather Green. It's called "Warm and Lighten." Photos taken in higher elevations tend to have more blue and can look harsh. Heather's preset was just the ticket.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/CRW_3064-2-742702.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="Yosemite - Half Dome" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/CRW_3064-2-742589.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I found that I had ignored many of the files and was pleasantly surprised by some. I can see plenty of room for improvement too. I can't wait to go again and try out some new ideas. For more info check out my previous post <a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/2008/02/photographing-yosemite-in-winter.html">"Photographing Yosemite in Winter"</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T6345-734906.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="Yosemite - Half Dome" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T6345-734898.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />For more on Yosemite Photos see my <a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album35.htm">Yosemite Stock Photo Gallery</a> , <a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album29.htm">Yosemite Winter Photo Gallery.</a> and <a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album46.htm">Yosemite Stock Photos - Fall Gallery</a><div><br /></div><div>Take a look at Heather Green's <a href="http://heathergreen.wordpress.com/2009/04/23/free-lightroom-presetscenter-stage-is-back/">Lightroom Presets</a><br /><br />Great books to check out and take along are Andrew Hudson's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0965308707?ie=UTF8&tag=craiwolfphot-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0965308707">PhotoSecrets Yosemite</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=craiwolfphot-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0965308707" width="1" border="0" />or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0965308715?ie=UTF8&tag=craiwolfphot-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0965308715">PhotoSecrets San Francisco & Northern California: The Best Sights and How to Photograph Them.</a> The Yosemite Section is included in the San Francisco book.<img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=craiwolfphot-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0965308715" width="1" border="0" /><br /><br />Michael Frye's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1930238002?ie=UTF8&tag=craiwolfphot-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1930238002">The Photographer's Guide to Yosemite</a><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=craiwolfphot-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1930238002" width="1" border="0" /> is terrific as well.<br /><br />Photos: The top photo is Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View, 2nd photo is Yosemite Falls, 3rd is Half Dome from the valley floor, 4th is Half Dome from Glacier Point, and the last photo is the shortest fall in the park Fern Springs (near Pohono Bridge).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T5989-765528.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="Yosemite - Fern Springs" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T5989-765428.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-1853584742695491092?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-25994029640810975902008-05-04T11:00:00.000-07:002008-05-04T13:55:39.265-07:00Photographing California's Wildflowers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T9617-755976.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T9617-755823.jpg" alt="Antelope Valley Poppies" border="0" /></a>One in a million, or a million and one, the choice is yours. Whether you single out one bloom or shoot 'em in mass you can't go wrong with photographing wildflowers. California has some of the best wildflowers in the country. The trick is being at the right place at the right time. Some years they'll start to bloom in late February and continue on into August.<br /><br />They bloom from the deserts, to the coast, to the valleys and up to the highest mountains. You can visit Anza Borrego, Death Valley, the Carrizo Plane, Yosemite Valley, the Sierra Foothills, the Eastern Sierra High Country, and many more. Carol Leigh's website <a href="http://www.calphoto.com/">Calphoto.com</a> provides up to date posts on the best locations and when they're in full bloom. So far this year I've gone to Figueroa Mountain, Lake Elsinore, Antelope Valley, Gorman and even a hillside about 20 feet from my driveway.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T8429-776235.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T8429-776223.jpg" alt="Poppy Raindrops" border="0" /></a>I like to shoot in early morning light and we got a little rain a couple of mornings which added variety. Poppies don't open when it's cold or windy, They like nice sunny days. Most of the time they open between 9 and 11. Poppies photograph well in full sun. Their thin petals are translucent and take on a glow. For most wildflowers cloudy or overcast works best. If contrast is a problem I'll try to shoot the poppy close up and have the background out of focus. This blurs the highlights with the shadows and cuts down the contrast. Back-light is another alternative to cut down harsh contrast. You can also use a diffuser. (I forgot mine on the first trip where I really needed it.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T8149-749274.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T8149-749268.jpg" alt="Poppy" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T7887-743713.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T7887-743561.jpg" alt="Poppies and Bluebells" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T7529-701421.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T7529-701412.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>All 3 images, the 2 above and the one to the left, were made using a 100mm macro lens. (On a full frame sensor - a 60mm on a aps size sensor.) I used my "sneaker zoom". I changed my position by moving my feet. For the 2 above I only moved about 3 feet. The poppy to the left was on a hillside so it was easier to get underneath. Of note, when you point up away from the horizon the sky is a deeper blue. It's always the darkest blue to the north.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T0062-744245.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T0062-744238.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>One technique I wanted to try was a wide angle close up by using a 12mm extension tube on a wide angle lens. First I tried it on a 20mm (On a full frame sensor) but the petals had to almost touch the front of the lens in order to focus. Then I tried a 24mm lens. It was better but still hard to manage. I went home and did a series of tests and found that my Tamron 17-35mm lens focuses very close. Adding the 12mm extension tube allowed me to focus just a few inches from the lens at all focal lengths. I preferred it set to 35mm. There is very little depth of field so at 5.6 it might be an eight of an inch. I happen to like this look and plan to use it more it the future. It looks somewhere between a photograph and a painting. It is much more manageable at 35mm. You don't have to have the flower touching the lens shade and you can control the size of the foreground and amount of background by using small adjustments with the zoom and rocking back and forth. It gave me what I was looking for. The photo has more depth than with a longer lens. It's much easier to use in practice than described here in words.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T8720-792396.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T8720-792384.jpg" alt="Figueroa Mountain" border="0" /></a><br />Along the way I stumbled upon a few shots without wildflowers that I couldn't pass up. It's always fun to get out and explore. Whatever photographic technique you're trying to improve upon or if your just out for a good hike, wildflowers add an extra sparkle. Just Google "YOUR STATE Wildflowers" and add "Hotsheet" or "Hotline". Check out my <a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album31.htm">California Wildflowers Gallery</a> for more examples.<br /><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-2599402964081097590?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-85649464256279830762008-04-22T18:46:00.000-07:002008-04-23T10:31:31.013-07:00Earth Day and Photography<a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T9592-799507.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="Poppies & Trash - Antelope Valley" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T9592-799394.jpg" border="0" /></a>I came upon this shot a couple of weeks ago in Antelope Valley. I always try to pick up trash whether it's in the wilderness or just the parking lot. Here it was too much for me to handle. There were piles of asphalt, a few mattresses, and lots of couches. I do my part and then some, but still it's never enough. That's why I give to the <a href="http://www.nature.org/">Nature Conservancy</a> and the <a href="http://www.sierraclub.org/">Sierra Club</a>. From time to time I also give to local efforts such as the <a href="http://www.yosemite.org/helpus.html">Yosemite Association</a> and the <a href="http://www.monolake.org/">Mono Lake Committee</a>. As photographers we should show the negatives as well as the positives. Too often I try to get the perfect sunset and avoid the parts that mankind has spoiled. I hope you'll join me in helping restore nature to all it's glory. You and your photography can make a difference.<br /><br />For more Antelope Valley Poppies see my <a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album31.htm">California Wildflowers Photo Gallery</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-8564946425627983076?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-64288368463269672008-02-15T12:21:00.000-08:002008-02-16T10:49:24.280-08:00Photographing Yosemite in Winter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T6262-3-final-b-792902.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T6262-3-final-b-792877.jpg" alt="Peaks from Tunnel View" border="0" /></a><br />So often I hear "Why bother with Yosemite, it's been done." Well that never occurred to me as I walked along side the Merced River and looked across it's snow covered banks onto El Capitan. The black oaks were covered with a dusting of snow and the red cliffs popped out from the stark white snow. I was all alone in the dark and the sun was just starting to rise. It's the rush, that's why I come here. The camera is just along for the ride.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T6539-2-final-2-721242.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T6539-2-final-2-721225.jpg" alt="Black Oaks - El Capitan" border="0" /></a><br />Winter provides a magic spell over the valley. There are snow covered peaks, wildlife and small frosted treasures. It feels like you have the whole place to yourself. The North Road was closed, but I found plenty of places to go. I went to Swinging Bridge, El Capitan, The Chapel, Cooks Meadow, Sentinel Bridge, Ahwahnee Meadow, Tunnel View, and the trail behind the Ahwahnee. I never saw anyone at Sunrise and just a few people during the day. There were lots of cars in the parking lot, but it seems that everybody went skiing up at Badger Pass.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T6652-772533.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T6652-772492.jpg" alt="Yosemite Falls from Swinging Bridge" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T6277-784735.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T6277-784693.jpg" alt="The Chapel, Yosemite, CA" border="0" /></a>The secret to shooting Yosemite in winter, is to wait for a storm and then go. I didn't have resevations until 2 days prior. I stayed at Yosemite Lodge and it couldn't have been better. The staff there is first rate. They made me feel welcome. The soup's great at the cafeteria and don't forget to buy chains for your shoes. I'm talking about <a href="http://yaktrax.com/productswalker.aspx">Yaktrax Walkers</a>. You'll slip and slide all over the place without them. Make sure you bring chains for your car too. You're required to carry them in winter. I always bring my Photo Secrets book on Yosemite and <span style="font-size:100%;"><span class="sans">The Photographer's Guide to Yosemite</span> by Michael Frye.<br /><br />For more photos see my <a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album29.htm">Yosemite Winter Photo Gallery</a>.<br /></span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-6428836846326967?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-27886890339842822632007-11-23T15:33:00.000-08:002007-11-25T20:51:49.183-08:00Hummingbird Flies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/IMG_2043-769960.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/IMG_2043-769955.jpg" alt="Hummingbird" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/cover-793185.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/cover-793175.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Christoper Grey was kind enough to include one of my photos in his most recent book "Canon DSLR: The Ultimate Photographer's Guide". His book covers all the basics in the first few chapters and then he goes over each and every button on your Canon DSLR. Chris covers Canon's software too.<br /><br />I tend to use it in place of the Canon Manual. They're are several interviews with well known photographers and tons of examples. You can check the book out on Amazon.<br /><br />The Hummingbird shot is one of my first digital shots. I was using a Digital Rebel with a 100-300 Canon Lens. I was still shooting JPG's and I did a bit of a crop to make a better composition. Still it holds its own.<br /><br />Tech Info: Canon Digital Rebel - 6mp, Canon 100-300 Lens, f5.6,2000th of a second, ISO 400 slight crop.<br /><br />For more info on<a href="http://www.christophergrey.com/"> Christopher Grey see his website</a>. He has a great DVD on Lighting and many more books. His book on book on Portrait Lighting (Mater Lighting Guide for Portrait Photographers) is one of the very best photography books out there.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-2788689033984282263?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-50419957229484033682007-11-23T09:33:00.000-08:002007-11-23T15:20:45.913-08:00Perennial Favorites<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T5260-723915.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T5260-723910.jpg" alt="Sunflower" border="0" /></a>Flowers are perfect for photographic studies. The 7 basic elements of design are line, shape, color, form, space, light, and texture. All of which be found in a single blossom. I love the early morning light as it's soft and allows the colors tend to stand out. That being said many flowers such as sunflowers and poppies can be photographed in direct sunlight. Since flowers are small you can shoot from the side, the top, the bottom, and in groups or patterns. It's hard to shoot a mountain this way. You may have to drive 50 miles to make a slight difference and you may have to wait days for the right light. <p> </p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T5083_Lum-736198.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T5083_Lum-736193.jpg" alt="Dahlia" border="0" /></a><br />When I'm in the field I use my 100 macro or a 70-200 for most of my close ups. At home I tend to use the 100mm macro. (60mm in a 1.6 format.) The reason is I can usually get closer to my subject at home and fill the frame with the flower. In the field I'm more concerned with the background. I like to shoot wide open at 2.8 but not always. That's the great advantage to doing a study. Anything goes. It's the best way to really learn.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T8889-714740.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T8889-714733.jpg" alt="Sunflower" border="0" /></a><br />I'm not a full time professional photographer, but I can squeeze an hour in each morning for a couple of weeks. I like to set a goal of 50 shots. I'm sure stock photographers would laugh at that since they would shoot 50 in an hour or two. The real goal is to learn a little something each day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T8264-797693.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T8264-797687.jpg" alt="Abstract Flowers" border="0" /></a><br />Tony Sweet is the master of Fine Art Photography. His books open up a whole new world. His books have many examples of moving the camera during a long exposure. This was very hard using film, but with digital it becomes much easier. That said, I've yet to get one as good as Tony's. Tony has 3 books and a DVD. I highly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">recommend</span> all 3. The DVD is a little rough in it's production, but the info is terrific. I hear another DVD is on it's way.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T5608-715557.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T5608-715548.jpg" alt="Roses" border="0" /></a><br />Sometimes I feel like a nut - sometimes I don't. Once in while I just shoot stock photos. They won't change the art world but they do fine tune my photographic skills. These are simple clean images. Try one of these studies and you'll have as much fun as I do. It's a great way to keep up your skills when you can't get away.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T7735-720789.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T7735-720767.jpg" alt="Iris" border="0" /></a><br />So here's a run down.<br />The top sunflower is in direct sun, shooting up over my roof - hence the deep blue sky. (100mm Macro - f8,250<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span>) --- The Dahlia is in very soft light. There's a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">diagonal</span> pull from the lower left to the upper right. (100mm Marco f16,1sec) --- The 2nd Sunflower shows a us different side. It's just as beautiful. The soft light accents the detail. (100mm Macro f16,0.5s) --- The Abstract Flowers were shot with a twist. (100mm Macro f22, 0.6s) --- The Rose Bouquet was shot in very soft light. Early morning fog. (100mm Macro f16, 2sec) ---The last photo was taken at Carmel Mission. I moved from Iris to Iris until I had the Poppies as a background. (100mm Macro F2.8,320<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span><br /><br />For more flowers see my galleries <a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album28.htm">Flowers 2</a> & <a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album11.htm">Spring Garden</a><br />For more on <a href="http://www.tonysweet.com/">Tony Sweet see his site</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-5041995722948403368?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-37165823463610536652007-11-10T10:23:00.000-08:002007-11-10T10:46:20.425-08:00Photographing Dead Horse Point<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T3047-730828.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T3047-730818.jpg" alt="Dead Horse Point Sunrise" border="0" /></a><br /> Just 45 min outside of Moab is Dead Horse Point State Park. The parking lot is small but the view is on a grand scale. Early Morning is the best time to capture this classic view of the gooseneck in the river and Canyonlands just beyond it. Sunset is also good for a variety of shots but not for this classic view. The best vantage point is to walk past the observation deck and continue along the path for about a 100 feet or so. You'll find plenty of foreground elements to add here. I used f22 to keep everything in focus. Your mileage may vary. There are no rails here so watch your step. If you trip they may have to change the name to Dead Man Point. Those signs are so darn expensive.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T2942-787714.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T2942-787705.jpg" alt="Dead Horse Point Sunset" border="0" /></a><br />The park has a small campground with 21 sites and covered picnic tables at each site. Showers are not available, but you can fill up your canteen. The park got its' moniker from some horses that died of thirst on the point. They could see the water, but it's a 2000 foot drop to get there. Please fill your tanks before visiting. You'll also want to take along <span class="sans">Photographing the Southwest: Volume 1--Southern Utah </span><span class="sans">by </span>Laurent Martres. I have all 3 volumes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T2968-779715.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T2968-779709.jpg" alt="Dead Horse Point Sunrise - Tree" border="0" /></a>The staff here is excellent. I asked about other photo locations and they were well versed on the entire state. The pictures here speak for themselves. This is a park not to be missed.<br /><br />Note: the 1st pix is at just after sunrise and the next 2 are at sunset<br />For more info see <a href="http://www.utah.com/stateparks/dead_horse.htm">Dead Horse Point State Park</a><br />and Issue 35 Canyonlands from <a href="http://www.photographamerica.com">Photograph America</a><br />For more photos see my <a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album26.htm">Latest Additions Gallery</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-3716582346361053665?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-49408774603091379712007-10-25T12:43:00.000-07:002007-10-25T23:51:42.081-07:00Photographing Bryce<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T4166-742963.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="Bryce Point - Craig Wolf" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T4166-742948.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T4308-700973.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T4308-700967.jpg" border="0" /></a>It's not often that I get to sleep in a teepee, but that's just what happened on my trip to Bryce. I never like to plan things out I find it too restrictive. I like to follow the weather and the weatherman said that a storm was brewing in Bryce National Park. So packed up and headed from Moab down to Bryce. Now a teepee isn't great during a storm, but I didn't have a lot of choices since all the rooms both at the park and in town were full. Tourists were everywhere. I'd say about 50 percent of the people visiting were French and about 20 percent were either German or Italian. There were quite a few Japanese too, but not many Americans. The Europeans absolutely love Bryce! As for the teepee it was fun. It didn't rain while I was there, but I did get the clouds I was hoping for. Yippee kay ay!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T4257-716531.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="Bryce Point,Utah - Craig Wolf" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T4257-716506.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I went to Bryce once before and I really liked Bryce Point. Sunrise is the best time to photograph Bryce. I was the first one to get there. Many others showed up later. I imagine there were many more at Sunrise and Sunset Points. If you want to zoom in on some of the Hoodoos Sunrise and Sunset Point are the best, but if you want the whole enchilada I prefer Bryce Point. As for Bryce Point I like to photograph it just before the sun creeps over the horizon. It gets very contrasty after the sun comes up. It can be done if you have enough clouds softening the light.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/CRW_4865-712197.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="Bryce Hoodoos - Craig Wolf" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/CRW_4865-712192.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />As for Sunrise and Sunset Point I like backlight. You might think that the face of the Hoodoos would be too dark, but they're so close together that you get light bouncing in from the other Hoodoos. You just have to pick out the ones that have that glow. It's truly amazing in person. The light show continues for some time after sunup. The shot here is from a previous trip because I just ran out of time on this trip and my back can only take so many days of sleeping on the cold hard ground. I hope you can make it to Bryce it's wonderful visit with or without a camera. There's some great trails to explore and if you like to gamble it's not too far from Vegas. If you really like to gamble try the teepee.<br /><br />For more photos see my <a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album26.htm">Latest Additions Gallery</a><br /><a href="http://www.brycecanyoncampgrounds.com/">Ruby's Inn RV Park with Teepees</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-4940877460309137971?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-24091988054410190602007-10-22T14:17:00.000-07:002007-10-24T10:00:31.423-07:00Pixel Wrangler<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Panorama-3s-781278.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Panorama-3s-781271.jpg" alt="Balance Rock - Craig Wolf" border="0" /></a><br />O.K. Here's a quick post of how light can change the mood of a photograph. While at Arches National Park the wind picked up and it changed from a nice sunny day into thunder showers. Then after standing in the wind and rain for hours I left.<br /><br />As I turned out of the parking lot the light began to peek through the clouds and I drove right back and jumped out. I had been standing with a fellow photographer Robert Curtis who kept telling me that the clouds would break. Of course he had also left. As the sun poured onto the rocks, and the dark storm clouds remained in the background, Robert pulled up. He hadn't gone very far either.<br /><br />The Sunset put on quite a show and I kept shooting right into twilight. I had plenty of time to make a couple of panoramas. It's amazing to see the dramatic change from photo to photo. It's the same subject only the light is changing. Ah the life of a Pixel Wrangler on the open range.<br /><br />For more photos see my <a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album26.htm">gallery</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/BAL_Rock_C_WOLF_WY5T3127-791306.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/BAL_Rock_C_WOLF_WY5T3127-791301.jpg" alt="Balance Rock - Craig Wolf" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/B-Rock_Craig_Wolf_WY5T3140-728764.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/B-Rock_Craig_Wolf_WY5T3140-728759.jpg" alt="Balance Rock - Craig Wolf" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Bal_Rock_Craig_Wolf_WY5T328-755833.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Bal_Rock_Craig_Wolf_WY5T328-755828.jpg" alt="Balance Rock - Craig Wolf" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Bal_Rock_C_Wolf_WY5T3315-2-708610.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Bal_Rock_C_Wolf_WY5T3315-2-708604.jpg" alt="Balance Rock - Craig Wolf" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/B_Rock_C_Wolf_WY5T3353-778874.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/B_Rock_C_Wolf_WY5T3353-778869.jpg" alt="Balance Rock - Craig Wolf" border="0" /></a><br />A special thanks goes out to Robert Curtis for encouraging me to stay.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-2409198805441019060?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-74012594903802952962007-10-18T10:11:00.000-07:002007-10-18T13:10:23.839-07:00Photographing Mesa Arch<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Mesa_Arch_Craig_Wolf-710741.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Mesa_Arch_Craig_Wolf-710735.jpg" alt="Mesa Arch,UT - Craig Wolf" border="0" /></a><br />After an hour drive from Moab and a short hike I arrived at the famed Mesa Arch. It was 45 minutes before Sunrise and I wasn't alone. At least 8 other photographers were already in place. In what was likely the very best spot was a Italian photographer with a 4x5 and to his left were 2 other pro photographers. By the time the sun came up the total had doubled (mostly Germans), but everyone was polite and I was able to get a good spot. Thanks to one and all.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T3643-733127.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T3643-733119.jpg" alt="Mesa Arch, UT Med Wide - Craig Wolf" border="0" /></a><br />I had seen many photos from this very spot. When sailors finally cross the equator they get a tattoo of Neptune. I believe with this shot you earn your right of passage, but instead of Neptune it'll be Ansel Adams. (Lovely thought huh.) Anyway, I thought that the sweet light would be right at Sunrise and last but for a few minutes. The light was good at that time, providing a red glow underneath, but the rest of the Arch was very dark, so I zoomed in a little to capture the under glow and valley below. I stopped down f22 and focused on the far lip of the arch which gave me enough depth of field to reach from the front face of the arch to valley below. I just let the sun peek through in order to get a sun star. (Make sure you use a small f-stop. I used f22.) I shot a few more and then I waited for the sun to really come up. About 15 minutes later the Arch had enough ambient light to show detail and the glow was just as bright. I angled my shot to show more of the Arch and a little sky.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Mesa-Arch-Pano-Web-797230.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Mesa-Arch-Pano-Web-797226.jpg" alt="Mesa Arch Panorama - Craig Wolf" border="0" /></a><br />About 40 minutes after Sunrise the glow was just starting to fade. Most of the photographers had left but a few die hards were still up front. (Including me.) I wanted to get the entire arch in so I did a quick pano group. I set my camera up in the portrait position (Vertical - an L-Bracket really helps here). I made sure that my focus, aperture and shutter were all on manual. I wasn't using a polarizer, but if I had I would have taken it off to ensure a even sky. Then I loosened the base of my ballhead and took about 8 shots with plenty of overlap. (That's not what hangs over my belt, but about a 50 percent overlap of each frame.) I just rotate the camera using the base. The tripod was fairly level, but not prefect. <p> Back at the ranch I stitched the frames together with <a href="http://www.arcsoft.com/products/panoramamaker/">ArcSoft's Panorama Maker 4</a>. I thought the perspective would be off since I was so close, but it was fine. Not bad for one morning's work. As for the tattoo well...</p>Tech Info: Canon 1Ds Mark II, Tamron 28-75mm Lens, Gitzo Tripod, No Filters.<br />For more on Panoramas see my previous article <a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/03/stitch-in-time.html">A Stitch In Time</a><br />More more photos see my gallery - <a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album26.htm">Latest Additions</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-7401259490380295296?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-76792313618384864682007-09-27T11:58:00.000-07:002007-10-19T18:05:57.164-07:00Rubbing Elbows at Maroon Bells<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T2166-706886.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T2166-706875.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />On the last Monday of September I drove straight from Los Angeles to Maroon Bells, CO. It took 15 hours and I was beat. I slept in the back of my SUV. I didn't want to miss sunrise. When I awoke it was dark and their was frost on the ground. It was an hour before sunrise as I walked down to the lake. Wow! At least 60 photographers were elbow to elbow. I grabbed a spot and watched as the conga line grow. Someone later counted 107 photographers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T2243-708904.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T2243-708891.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I used a split neutral density filter for the first sunrise shot. It took on a nice red glow and the water remained calm for a perfect reflection. I used f22 and my focus point was about a third of the way into the picture to give me the greatest depth of field.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T2360-798848.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T2360-798831.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />It was freezing cold so I took a hike to warm up. I stopped to take up near the creek and ran into Derek von Briesen. I met Derek while shooting Red Rock Crossing in Sedona. Derek gives workshops and I hope to join him on one soon. He's very gifted and has a talent for teaching too. You can check out some of his fine works at his <a href="http://www.dvbphotography.com/">gallery</a>. It was great seeing him again.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T2230-745730.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T2230-745717.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />It took an hour before the sun came up over the surrounding ridge and let the light poor onto the aspens. I think it was close to 10 or 11 when the pine trees on the left lit up. No filtration was needed as the light in the scene was now balanced. I tried a polarizer but the sky is already a dark blue.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Panorama-1-small-731164.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Panorama-1-small-731152.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I headed back down the road and spotted some aspens that I wanted to shot but it was too late. I returned the next day a little earlier and the light was just over the top of the cliff. The backlight really made the trees pop out. The stand of trees was perfect as a panoramic. I stitched them together with ArcSoft's Panorama Maker 4. For the how to's see my previous article <a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/03/stitch-in-time.html">here</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T2558-2-2-final-746503.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T2558-2-2-final-746480.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I got off to late start in the afternoon as I headed for Kebler Pass. It's about 2 hours to the crest from where I'm staying in Carbondale. Kebler Pass is a 26 mile long dirt road. When I passed over the top towards the Crested Butte side there was plenty of color but not much light. I spotted the perfect scene. It was a 30 second exposure @ f22, ISO 100. The wind blurred the leaves and gave it a painterly look. I returned the next day about an hour before sunset, but the light was never the same. I have many sharp pictures but none equal to this one.<br /><br />I tried to post this while I was on the road but my server (iPower) locked up and I didn't want to spend an hour on the phone with them.<br /><br />For more photos see <a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album26.htm">Latest Additions</a> on my gallery. These are straight off my laptop and need to be tweaked a little. I'll have additional photos, articles and color corrected images later this week.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-7679231361838486468?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-22548125202789863202007-09-21T10:57:00.000-07:002008-06-14T11:59:24.974-07:00Links<h3>Photographers</h3><li><a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/">Craig Wolf Photography</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.photographybydon.com/">Don Gale's Photo Workshops</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.photographybydon.com/blog">Don Gale's Photo Blog</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.efstop.com/">Efren Herrera</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.tonysweet.com/">Tony Sweet</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.christophergrey.com/">Christopher Grey</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://remy.deds.nl/indexeng.html">Remy Remmerswaal</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.wildnatureimages.com/">Niebrugge Images</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.my-photo-blog.com/">Niebrugge Photo Blog</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://blog.clydebeamer.com/">Clyde Beamer</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.dvbphotography.com/">Derek von Briesen</a></li><br /><br /><h3>Outdoor Photography Workshops</h3><li><a href="http://www.photographybydon.com/">Don Gale's Photo Workshops</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.dvbphotography.com/">Derek Von Briesen</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.tonysweet.com/">Tony Sweet</a></li><br /><br /><h3>Photo Guides</h3><li><a href="http://www.photographamerica.com/">Photograph America</a></li><br /><li><a href="http://www.photosecrets.com/">Photo Secrets</a></li><br /><ul></ul><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td><left><a href="http://www.photographysites.com/cgi-bin/photosites/in.cgi?id=1186849021"><br /><img alt="PhotographySites" src="http://www.photographysites.com/phsi-sml.gif" align="top" border="0" hspace="0" /><br /></a></left></td></tr><tr><td><center><span style="font-family:Arial Narrow;"><span style="font-size:0;"><br /><a href="http://www.photographysites.com/">Landscape Photographers</a> </span></span></center></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><a href="http://www.photolinks.com/"><img alt="Photography Directory by PhotoLinks" src="http://www.photolinks.net/photolinks_button.png" border="0" height="15" width="80" /></a><br /><br /><p>The sidebar became too small. This is a work in progress.<br /></p><ul></ul><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-2254812520278986320?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-15919642919393969562007-09-21T10:20:00.000-07:002009-09-16T11:14:56.349-07:00Photo Tips Article Index<h3>Scenic Locations<br /></h3><p><a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/2009/08/photographing-mt-whitney-alabama-hills.html">Photographing Mt.Whitney & the Alabama Hills</a><br /><a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/2008/07/yosemite-stock-photo-gallery.html">Yosemite Stock Photo Gallery</a><br /><a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/2008/05/photographing-californias-wildflowers.html">Photographing California's Wildflowers</a><br /><a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/2008/04/earth-day-and-photography.html">Earthday and Photography</a><br /><a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/2008/02/photographing-yosemite-in-winter.html">Photographing Yosemite in Winter</a><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/11/photographing-dead-horse-point.html">Photographing Dead Horse Point</a><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/10/photographing-bryce.html">Photographing Bryce</a><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/10/pixel-wrangler.html">Pixel Wrangler (Balanced Rock, Arches, UT)</a><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/10/photographing-mesa-arch.html">Photographing Mesa Arch</a><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/09/rubbing-elbows-at-maroon-bells.html">Rubbing Elbows at Maroon Bells</a><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/02/photographing-mt-rainier-national-park.html">Photographing Mt. Rainier National Park</a><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/09/photographing-california-redwoods.html">Photographing The California Redwoods</a><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/09/photographing-columbia-river-gorge.html">Photographing The Columbia River Gorge</a><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2006/04/photographing-malibu.html">Photographing Malibu</a><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/03/hunting-island-sc.html">Photographing Hunting Island, SC</a><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/09/last-days-of-summer.html">The Last Days of Summer (Leo Carrillio State Beach, CA)</a><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/03/photographing-big-sur.html">Photographing Big Sur</a><br /><br /></p><h3>Photoshop Tips</h3><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/09/recipe-for-fine-art.html">A Recipe for Fine Art</a><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/09/heres-quick-tip-on-convert-color-images.html">Black and White Conversions</a><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/03/stitch-in-time.html">A Stitch in Time</a><br /><h3>Flash Tips<br /></h3><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/07/shooting-ducks.html">Shooting Ducks</a><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/05/flowers-for-mom.html">Flowers for Mom</a><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/08/what-using-flash-for-nature-photography.html">What! Using Flash For Nature Photography!</a><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/05/what-wild-ride.html">What a Wild Ride</a><br /><br /><h3>Reviews</h3><a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/2008/07/nik-silver-efex-pro-review.html">Nik Silver Effects Pro</a><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/11/hummingbird-flies.html">Hummingbird Flies</a><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/04/200-500mm-tamron-lens-review.html">Tamron 200-500mm Lens Review</a><br /><br /><h3>More Tips<br /></h3><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/11/perennial-favorites.html">Perenaial Favorites (Photographing Flowers)</a><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/08/back-to-scene-of-crime.html">Back to the Scene of the Crime</a><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/07/rock-n-roll-is-here-to-stay.html">Rock 'n' Roll is Here to Stay</a><br /><br />Updates will follow as needed.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-1591964291939396956?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-26343443165459116162007-09-18T10:49:00.000-07:002007-10-19T18:07:25.157-07:00Photographing the California Redwoods<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T0796-2-720310.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="California Redwoods" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T0796-2-720294.jpg" border="0" /></a>As I headed back from Mt. Rainier to Los Angeles I took a chance and went to the California Redwoods. I was there as a child and I had a vague recollection of it. The best time to visit is late May through early June. Since it was August I knew I wouldn't be seeing any blooms, but there would be plenty of fog and a beautiful coastline.<br /><br />I stayed in Klamath which is about dead center of the 40 plus miles of the various redwood parks. The State and National Parks have combined and now act as one big park. The 101 Freeway runs right though the park, but there's the old highway and many dirt roads off the beaten path.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T0628-crop-715800.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="False Klamath Cove" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T0628-crop-715788.jpg" border="0" /></a>On the first night I went to False Klamath Cove. The fog rolled in and I only had about 10 minutes of color. I got a few good shots but I would not see another sunset. The fog came in every afternoon starting around 4.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/IMG_3774-2-788549.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="California Redwoods - Coast Highway Fog" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/IMG_3774-2-788541.jpg" border="0" /></a>The fog was so thick it made it tough to shoot along the coast. At times I wasn't able to see past the pullout. But fog and redwoods are a perfect mix. An early morning hike into the foggy woods is a surreal experience. The fog gets so thick it seems like you're walking though a painting. I went along the Coast Drive. It's a dirt highway off the 101 beginning at the south corner of Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park. It hugs the cliffs along the coastline. You can see some of my photos <a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/08/what-using-flash-for-nature-photography.html">here</a> on a previous post. All fog no coast.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T0687-2-768032.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="Paul Bunyan - Trees of Mystery" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T0687-2-768013.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/IMG_3874-736409.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="Sky Trail - Trees of Mystery" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/IMG_3874-736401.jpg" border="0" /></a>I headed back to Klamath around 11 and stopped in at the "Trees of Mystery". It's a tourist trap to be sure. Years ago as you traveled up the coast you couldn't miss all the cardboard bumper stickers tied to each and every car. They were yellow with "Trees of Mystery" in bold red type. The park has made improvements but it's trademark 49 foot tall Paul Bunyan statue with a 35 foot Babe the Blue Ox along his side remains out front. Loud music is playing and Paul Bunyan shouts over the P.A. to the all little kids. They look up at in amazement at Big Paul as if he was really talking. My favorite part (as if that wasn't enough) was the Sky Trail a tram ride up the mountain. On a clear day you can see the ocean from here. It was still foggy so I couldn't see the ocean but there are plenty of other views right from the platform. You can hike the trail that winds around the top too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/IMG_3907-722807.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="Trees of Mystery" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/IMG_3907-722798.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T1111-773601.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="Elk" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T1111-773589.jpg" border="0" /></a>Last but not least there are several herds of Elk in the park. They're usually right off the 101 on Davidson Road. There are many pull outs to shoot from. I found that for days 3 bucks stayed in front of someones farmhouse. You better not get close. They're wild and (at when I visited Canada) they have been known to run down joggers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T0790-782180.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="California Redwoods" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T0790-782141.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />With it's rocky coastline, towering trees and plentiful wildlife you'll have a wide variety to shot. It's also one of the easiest parks to photograph as long as you play along with the weather. A rule of thumb is to shoot the redwoods in the mornings and check out the coast at sunset. Of course a foggy coast can look great if the fog isn't too thick. I hope to return one spring when the rhododendrons are in full bloom. They would add a little extra sparkle.<br /><br />For more photos see my <a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album27.htm">Redwood National Park Gallery</a>.<br />For an excellent photo guide on California's Redwoods see <a href="http://www.photographamerica.com/">Photograph America </a><br /><a href="http://www.photographybydon.com/workshops.html">Don Gale Workshops </a>is planning a trip to the California's Redwoods in late spring 2008<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-2634344316545911616?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-42409323346007706932007-09-16T12:25:00.000-07:002007-10-24T09:44:18.666-07:00A Recipe for Fine Art<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/COVER-768463.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/COVER-768450.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />There are those photos that just stick in your mind forever. I had the pleasure of making 2 instructional videos for photographer Don Gale. I was the Director and the Video Editor. On the 2nd video we traveled up California's Central Coast and Don took some truly great photos. Looking back it's an amazing feat since I made him jump through so many hoops while taping and it rained most of the way up.<br /><br />One of our stops was La Purisima Mission. Inside one the rooms Don found the perfect light and took some still life shots. One was of a gourd in a bowl. It always stuck with me, so this year I decided to stop off there on my way to Big Sur. The light wasn't the same but I took the shot anyway. I came up with my own shots and walked away pleased. Still, I wished I had that shot. Not as a trophy shot. I wanted to solve the puzzle of seeing ultra soft light and then working with it in an artistic manner.<br /><br />Fast forward to last week when I got a copy of <span class="sans">"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Art-Photoshop-Digital-Photographers/dp/0672327139/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-3443863-4124429?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1189976917&sr=8-1">The Art of Photoshop for Digital Photographers</a>" by </span>Daniel Giordan. In it were photos that reminded me of some of Don's shots. I took one of my photos and gave it a crack. In a few minutes I came up with a pretty good photo and very good lesson in Photoshop.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/IMG_0480-745125.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/IMG_0480-745116.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Here's the basic recipe: Crop one mediocre photo. (At least in my case.) Add a curves adjustment layer to darken it. Add another photo that has lots of texture and set the blend mode to overlay. Paint the layer masks with a soft brush to bring out the qualities of each layer. Add type to taste.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Curves-799953.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Curves-799950.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>The trick is to use a steep curve to really darken the first photo and then paint back in the parts you want to stand out using the layer mask. (i.e. The gourd and bowl.) Then add the texture (i.e. part of the door photo enlarged to fit - I just wanted the paint chips). Use the overlay blend mode so just enough of the texture shows through. The blend modes are on the top left of the layers palette. On this layer paint out the parts that you don't want. (Again using a layer mask with a soft brush at 35% opacity.) Add type if you want. Here I used Cits and Trajan. I picked colors from the photo to fill the type. I also used the warm mist plug in from 55mm to soften the photo a bit and give it a glow. Most photo editing programs offer similar features.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/DOOR-778284.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/DOOR-778272.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Well the mock book cover is not as good as Don's original shot, but somewhere sometime I'm going to see that light and I'll be ready. Until then I'm happy to pick up a few more Photoshop skills. I'll be shooting more textures to be sure. This technique of combining textures would make a great backdrop for book pages. I can't wait to try more examples from the book. I like the fact that you can download the book samples and follow along.<br /><br />Don used very soft light and here I've created an image with much more contrast, but either way, the end result has a fine art quality. I like my new book I believe it will expand my vision. I think more trips with Don are in store too.<br /><br />On Amazon you'll find: Don Gale's DVD - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Photographing-Francisco-Californias-Central-Coast/dp/0970211112/ref=sr_1_1/105-3443863-4124429?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1189988279&sr=8-1">Photographing San Francisco and California's Central Coast</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Art-Photoshop-Digital-Photographers/dp/0672327139/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/105-3443863-4124429?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1189976917&sr=8-1"><span class="sans">The Art of Photoshop for Digital Photographers</span></a>.<br /><br />Travel with Don Gale on one of his <a href="http://www.photographybydon.com/workshops.html">workshops</a>.<br />For more La Purisima Photos see <a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album16.htm">my gallery</a> or visit <a href="http://www.photographybydon.com/NewGallery/">Don Gale's Gallery</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-4240932334600770693?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-47759893945522692422007-09-13T12:01:00.001-07:002007-10-26T00:06:13.991-07:00Photographing the Columbia River Gorge<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T0008-709044.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="Columbia River Gorge" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T0008-709028.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The last 2 summers I stopped off in Portland on my way to photograph Mt. Rainier. I'm always trying to cram in more than I should and the Columbia River Gorge is truly worth a trip all on it's own. I was only able to stay overnight each time. I like to stay in Troutdale which is just outside Portland and very close to the Gorge. The main freeway along the Gorge is the 84 but it's better to get off at Corbet Hill Road (Exit 22) and follow the signs towards Crown Point. (You''ll be turning onto Crown Point Road.) The road changes names and eventually becomes Historic Columbia River Highway. All of the main waterfalls are along this old highway. It's 2 lanes and very narrow in spots. You'll drive under canopies of trees and cross over some old moss covered bridges.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Crown_Point-751864.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="Crown Point" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Crown_Point-751848.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/sign-708128.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="Portland Womens Forum" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/sign-708119.jpg" border="0" /></a>I like to make my first stop Chanticleer Point which is cared for by the Portland Women's Forum. It's a small parking lot that has a view of Crown Point. It's a great location at Sunset. Sunrise isn't bad here, but so far the early morning fog has pushed me to Crown Point itself.<br /><br />It's a short drive to Crown Point and it too offers many spectacular views of the Columbia River Gorge. There's more of a crowd here at Sunset, but almost no one at Sunrise. With a long lens you can pick out the sweet spots. (See Last Shot.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T0116-rt-2-748620.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" alt="Multnomah Falls" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T0116-rt-2-748605.jpg" border="0" /></a>Moving down the road you'll find many waterfalls, but the granddaddy of them all is Multnomah Falls. If you're coming from town take the main exit (for Multnomah Falls) off the 84 freeway you'll end up in the lower parking lot. If you take the Old Highway from Crown Point you'll be in the upper parking lot right next to the falls. There's a large Restaurant and Gift Shop and if you arrive late in the day you'll find bus loads of people. I recommend going very early, right after Sunrise, while the falls are in shade. After you get your main shots of the falls continue up the hill. Here you can get a few shots of the upper falls as well and you can cross over the bridge.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Columbia_River_Gorge-738628.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; cursor: pointer; text-align: center;" alt="Columbia River Gorge" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Columbia_River_Gorge-738622.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />It's been sunny both of the times I was there, but if it's overcast I think I'd hike in to one of the other falls there. On sunny days with the extreme contrast of bright daylight and deep shade it's best to just enjoy the hike. You'll have the place all to yourself. I've never see anyone else on the trails. I hear Panther Falls, which is on the Washington side, is one of the best locations. There's a host of other falls listed in Robert Hitchman's <a href="http://www.photographamerica.com/">Photograph America's Photo Guide</a>. These are great guides and a true bargain. Please don't follow my poor example. Take your time and gorge yourself. (Did I say that?)<br /><br />For More Photos see my <a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album12.htm">Oregon Gallery</a>.<br />For info on Mt. Rainier see my previous post <a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2007/02/photographing-mt-rainier-national-park.html">Photographing Mt. Rainier</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-4775989394552269242?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-39014385540105405002007-09-12T11:03:00.000-07:002007-10-24T09:45:36.341-07:00Black and White Conversions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/CRW_4152-web-bw-761507.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/CRW_4152-web-bw-761501.jpg" alt="Monument Valley" border="0" /></a><br />Here's a quick tip on convert color images to black and white. It's straight from the Adobe Website and it's free. No high dollar plug ins.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/CRW_4152-web-737813.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/CRW_4152-web-737806.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/step-1-701538.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/step-1-701535.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>First open your color image and create an adjustment layer. It's the little circle at the bottom of the layer's palette. Select "Hue/Saturation" and pull the saturation slider to zero. (Click on these examples to read.)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/step-1b-782113.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/step-1b-782107.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Hit enter and select color as the blend mode. (The blend mode is near the top of the layers palette just under the word "Layers".)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/hue-702543.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/hue-702535.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Now select the bottom layer and put another adjustment between your photo and the first adjustment layer. Now adjust the hue slider, which acts as a filter, to taste. You can add another curves or levels adjustment layer on the very top if needed. Flatten and save. You can make this into an action and double click on the adjustment layers to change them. You can also add a photo filter to add a tint. This of course is just one of the many ways PhotoShop offers, but it's the one I use most often.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T2075-bw-738426.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T2075-bw-738418.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />If you do a lot of black and white work you should think about upgrading to CS3 which has a killer adjustment for converting color to black and white. You also have the same amount of play in Lightroom, but for those of you who don't have the cash (or like in the bank where it belongs) this old trick works in PhotoShop and most photo editing programs.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-3901438554010540500?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-3250645654571892622007-09-04T11:18:00.000-07:002007-10-19T18:10:35.367-07:00The Last Days of Summer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T1419-2-792027.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="Leo Carrillo State Beach, Malibu, CA - Sunset" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T1419-2-792019.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A summer storm swept over So Cal in these last days of summer. It was a hold over from Hurricane Dean. Not much in the way of rain, but lots of clouds and humidity that only a summer storm can bring. I thought the clouds were thin enough for the sun to poke through so I headed to Malibu. I went to Leo Carrillo State Beach knowing that I would be able to see the setting sun there this time of year. El Matador Beach has cliffs that might block my view. In the winter the sun sets farther south and you can pretty much go to anyone of these coves, but in the summer you have to pick your spots.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T1408-789017.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 190px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 286px" alt="Leo Carrillo State Beach, Malibu, CA" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T1408-789009.jpg" border="0" /></a>A warm wind was blowing and the beach wasn't the way I remembered it. All the rocks that were prominent in my earlier photographs were covered with sand. I talked to surfer Kevin Ryan and he said that this is a typical pattern for this beach. The smaller summer waves push the sand up onto the beach and the bigger winter waves crash in to the rocks and pull the sand in back into the ocean. Looking for some foreground I was forced to perch myself on a small ledge on the side of a cliff.<br /><p></p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T1809-745634.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T1809-745628.jpg" border="0" /></a>One of the tricks to getting a good seascape is to catch the glint on the water. When the water moves out it leaves a thin layer of water on the sand and a beautiful reflection results. I like to frame up the picture and use a cable release. Then I don't have to look through the viewfinder anymore. I just look out at the ocean and when I see a good reflection I fire away. Often I use f/22 in order to get a longer exposure and gives a blur the water. When the suns in the frame I may chose f/8. At f/8 the sun is more of a soft edged glow and at f/22 it becomes a sharp edged circle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T1745-761725.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="Leo Carrillo State Beach, Malibu, CA" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T1745-761718.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I'm not sure how good the pictures are but the experience was unbeatable. The waves should come in from the west, but once in while they would get enough power to go up the hill and come straight back at me filling the small cove (North to South). The waves would even climb the ledge I was standing on and trickle down. After the sun went down I walked along the beach. I turned back and took a shot of the moonrise. I used a 30 second exposure in order to get that cotton candy look on top of the waves. With the warm wind, beautiful light and majestic ocean, I truly enjoyed the last days of summer. The photos are just a bonus.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T1859-cc-708584.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="Leo Carrillo State Beach, Malibu, CA - Moonrise" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T1859-cc-708580.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />For more on Malibu see <a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/2006/04/photographing-malibu.html">Photographing Malibu</a><br />Some of the tips I got are from Tony Sweet's books<br />You can visit his <a href="http://www.tonysweet.com/">site</a> or buy his books on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/">Amazon</a><br />For Photo Workshops see <a href="http://www.photographybydon.com/">Don Gale's site</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-325064565457189262?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-24380561931135773692007-08-13T11:42:00.000-07:002007-10-24T12:30:55.076-07:00Back to the Scene of the Crime<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T0323web-796186.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="Ruby Beach, WA - Olympic National Park" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T0323web-796178.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />One year ago I was wandering along Ruby Beach in Washington's Olympic National Park. I was looking at small tide pools when along came a rouge wave. As I turned to get away I tripped over a rock and fell into less than a foot of water. My $7500 1Ds Mark II also went for a little dip. At first I was laughing. Then I could smell the electronics burning. Bummer. End of vacation. End of my 1Ds? (I'm sure to get letters from Nikonians telling me that not only can their D whatever tread water but it can do the backstroke. C'mon let's keep it real.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T0462-2-comp-sharp-web-793314.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="Ruby Beach, WA - Olympic National Park" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T0462-2-comp-sharp-web-793304.jpg" border="0" /></a>Hey I thought maybe, just maybe, Canon could repair it. After all the water didn't go into the chamber with the sensor and mirror. The tripod had kept some the camera above the water line. I drove straight home. It's 1400 miles and took over 22 hours. Then I took the camera to Canon Repair. The day after I got the bad news. It could not be repaired. Bad Sensor, Broken Shutter, the list went on and on. I tried to turn it on everyday for a week, but I finally gave up.<br /><br />Three months later I decided I would sell the camera for parts on EBay. I bought a 5D and and life would move on. (At least as far as photography goes. It's rather hopeless in rest of my life.) I put the battery in, and much to my surprise the camera came on, and the shutter fired. Wow! I checked it out and everything was working except the buttons on the vertical grip. I took it apart and tried to clean it. I could see a little corrosion on the battery terminals but nothing else. The vertical grip controls still didn't work, but it was obvious that Canon Repair had never taken the camera apart. Bad Canon, bad!<br /><br />Fast forward to a year after the mishap. What else could I do except go back to the scene of the crime. The famed Ruby Beach of Olympic National Park. Take that. (Well I really don't have much of a line here. I was never good with words that's why I took up photography.) I just had to go back and finish what I started. Two beautiful sunsets later I felt great. Things had come full circle, or so I thought.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T0632-781598.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park, WA" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T0632-781582.jpg" border="0" /></a>Now as for the rest of the trip. I had always wanted to see Sol Duc Falls and driving inland from Ruby Beach it's about an hour. I got up at 4:30 packed and left by 5:15. Then there's the hike in. It's a little less than a mile in, but I had to hurry. There were no overcast skies for me and the sun would be up over the trees in no time. I got there just in time to get a few snaps. I couldn't get the entire bridge in since direct sunlight had begun to hit it. Now for the hike back. I was tired, very tired. About half way back I tripped on a tree root and did face plant. Ouch! I quickly got up and checked out the camera. What ya know - the vertical grip controls now work. Everything works! Now I know as your reading this you think that I must be some klutz, but I've only slipped one other time and that was in deep snow and I managed somehow to keep the camera from hitting the ground. I'm sure my reputation is forever ruined, but my 1Ds Mark II is just fine, and that's what counts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T1337-713770.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="Rodeo Beach, CA" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/WY5T1337-713762.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The pictures above are all from my 1Ds Mark II. Below is a slide show from my trip. 95% is the 1Ds MK II - 5% is the 5D. In 12 days from L.A (10 days of Shooting) : I went to: Olympic National Park, Mt Rainier, Columbia River Gorge, Crater Lake, Redwood National Park, and Rodeo Beach CA. You can also see more in my <a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album25.htm">Washington State 2</a> Gallery, <a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album27.htm">Redwood National Park </a>Gallery, <a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album21.htm">Misc Central Coast </a>Gallery (Just the Rodeo Beach Photos) and a few of the top photos in my <a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album12.htm">Oregon</a> Gallery.<br /><div><iframe title="Craig Wolf" style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #000000" src="http://www.craigwolf.com/news/ss/pac_400/iframe.html" frameborder="0" width="410" scrolling="no" height="590"></iframe></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-2438056193113577369?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-51982527699068165412007-08-12T13:42:00.000-07:002007-10-24T12:29:04.133-07:00What! Using Flash For Nature Photography!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/IMG_3766-CLEAN-780278.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/IMG_3766-CLEAN-780271.jpg" alt="Dewdrops on Spiderweb" border="0" /></a><br />I'm slowly coming to grips with using a flash for Nature Shots. I generally prefer natural light, but there are situations that call for additional light. Here's one example on a foggy morning along the coast in the Redwoods. There wasn't much light and the wind wouldn't stop blowing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/IMG_3718-711450.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/IMG_3718-711441.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Now, I just wanted a small piece of this web to really show off the dewdrops, but I couldn't resist trying to get the entire web at 2.8. (ISO 400.) The background is too bright in comparison to the web and too close to the web for the background to blur out. Even at ISO 400 and f2.8 it's still too windy to keep the web tack sharp.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/IMG_3737-799132.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/IMG_3737-799119.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Pumping it up to ISO 800 helps the freeze the motion and moving in a little closer helps separate the background. (The more you magnify the less depth of field you'll have.) It's still not tack sharp.<br /><br />Now my flash comes to the rescue! With a Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 you can get the flash off the camera. Once it's off you can try it in different positions until you get the correct balance between the foreground and the background. At 2.8, only part of the web is in focus. Since I wanted all of the dewdrops on the web to be sharp I set the camera to f16. Not a problem since I'm using a flash and it will freeze the motion. You just have to set your camera up so it's not letting in the ambient light. Nice shot, I like it, but I'll try ISO 100. Nope, the background went black. (Just like I thought not enough power.) I'll stick with ISO 800 at f16.<br /><br />So I was able to freeze the web and still pick up a little of the background at ISO 800 with one flash. With 2 flashes I would have been able to light them both up properly at ISO 100. Of course I left the 2nd flash at home. (What good was it doing there? Guarding the house?) I did run into some poison oak and picked up some rubbing alcohol to clean off my tripod. (And me!) Anyway, I like the shot, the dewdrops look like a pearls on a necklace.<br /><br />Tech info: Canon 5d, Canon 580EX Flash, Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2, Canon 100mm Macro Lens, Gitzo Tripod, Kirk Ball Head and L-Bracket (No spiders were harmed in the making of this photograph.)<br /><br />For more on flash photography go to <a href="http://www.strobist.com/">strobist.com</a> - a "Must See Website"<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-5198252769906816541?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-48234070985630892692007-07-16T09:34:00.000-07:002007-10-24T09:59:26.388-07:00Rock 'n' Roll is Here to Stay<a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Band-2007-760222.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Band-2007-760216.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The 2007 Fortune Battle of the Corporate Bands had their Western Regionals July 7th on the Sunset Strip at the Key Club. Six bands competed and 2 finalists were chosen. 4 Inch Studs from MBH Architects and High Definition from NBC Universal are the 2 bands that will play at the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland October 5th and 6th for the final competion. I work at NBC and seeing a Vice President pounding the drums is wild. This is an annual fund raising event and all the bands were great but I have to say the best 2 bands did win. Many thanks to Steve Dobo for doing a great job putting this together and making it rock. The sound, lighting and crowd were all terrific.</div><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/IMG_2985-729328.JPG"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/IMG_2985-729289.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Now for my tech notes. I used a Canon 5d set to 3200 ISO and f-stops ranged from 2.8 to 4 and shutter speeds around a 50th (some as low as a 30th). I shot in short bursts. This cuts down the shake from any camera movement. I’m sure a stabilized lens would help some, but since the guys are moving some blur would still occur. I used A Tamron 28-75 2.8 and a Canon 70-200 f4. I cleaned them up a bit with <a href="http://www.imagenomic.com/">Imagenomic Noiseware </a>on the landscape setting. You'd never see the grain on these small pics for the web but it helps if you want to sharpen them up for larger prints. Run the Noiseware first then sharpen in PhotoShop with High Pass. (Copy to a new layer then - Filter - Other - High Pass - 8 - Layer blend mode to Softlight and back it of a little.) I haven't sharpened these yet. You can find 2 of the shots at the <a href="http://www.rockhall.com/fortunebattle">Rock And Roll Hall of Fame's website </a>and I've posted a<a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album23.htm"> gallery on my website</a> of High Definition. See ya in Cleveland!</div><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/IMG_3202-crop-771374.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/IMG_3202-crop-771360.jpg" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-4823407098563089269?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25891298.post-21697791267077238092007-07-13T11:56:00.000-07:002007-10-24T09:54:13.010-07:00Shooting Ducks…<a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Dean-McFlicker--Director,-Producer,-Editor-The-NBC-Agency,-Conviction-&-Grease-719787.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Dean-McFlicker--Director,-Producer,-Editor-The-NBC-Agency,-Conviction-&-Grease-719784.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />…or should I say shooting Peacocks? This was a fun little project. Awards are handed out by Promax each year for the very best in television promotion and NBC had many nominees. At the last minute they asked for a photo of each nominee so they couuld project each winner at the show. Well since I work in the promotion department and I work cheap (read nothing) I got the job. Some people were out of town others were camera shy and some were up for multiple awards, so what started out as 30 photos was whittled down to just 9. (Whew, close one!)<br /><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Aaron-Florence,-audio-mixer-and-Fran-Solomita-Writer-Producer,-The-NBC-Agency,-Heroes-Think-About-It-772193.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Aaron-Florence,-audio-mixer-and-Fran-Solomita-Writer-Producer,-The-NBC-Agency,-Heroes-Think-About-It-772188.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I scouted NBC for peacock backgrounds and just to play it safe I did a trial shoot with my friend Calvin. The indoor shots were done with one flash and a shoot through umbrella. Outside I used fill flash and in both cases I used a white reflector to bounce some light in. I’m an avid reader of the <a href="http://www.strobist.com/">“Strobist”</a> and picked up the small stand that David suggests. I differ in that I really like the Stroboframe Flash Mount Adapter and I already had a Canon Speedlite Transmitter to trigger the flash. I also prefer a shoot through umbrella so I can place it closer to my subject. I lowered a projection screen and used it for a background for a couple of shots. "Bill the Promo Guy" wanted to remain anonymous so I just fired a light on the background leaving him silhouetted. The "Radio" type was comped in using PhotoShop. It really had "Must See TV" there. I painted out the old and used arc in warp text. I used motion blur around a couple just to kick it up a little. The old Peacock in the the monitor is comped in as well.<br /><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Lewis-deDios,-Writer-Producer,-The-NBC-Agency,-Scrubs-Jurk-709168.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Lewis-deDios,-Writer-Producer,-The-NBC-Agency,-Scrubs-Jurk-709162.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />This is out of my comfort zone of usual Landscape Photography. I keep trying to widen my horizons. I feel that controlling artificial lights helps me to see the many nuances of natural light. Many thanks to all involved. I had lotso fun and continue to learn. You can see all the pix <a href="http://www.craigwolf.com/Album22.htm">here at craigwolf.com.</a><br /><br />Tech Notes: Canon 5d, Canon 580EX Flash, Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2, Bogen/Manfrotto 3373 - 5 Section Light Stand with Retractable Legs,Bogen/Manfrotto Swivel Umbrella Adapter, Stroboframe Flash Mount Adapter, Westcott Umbrella - Collapsible, Optical White Satin - 43" (This all fits in a small gym bag and is very light and portable.)<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Bill-Lowery-The-NBC-Agency-Writer-Producer,--Bill-the-Promo-Guy-Contest,-EarlOffice,-Thursday-Comedies-766570.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://craigwolf.com/news/uploaded_images/Bill-Lowery-The-NBC-Agency-Writer-Producer,--Bill-the-Promo-Guy-Contest,-EarlOffice,-Thursday-Comedies-766567.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/25891298-2169779126707723809?l=www.craigwolf.com%2Fnews' alt='' /></div>Craig Wolf Photographynoreply@blogger.com