Thursday, December 27, 2012


Streetcar
 
When I was at the Imaging USA 2012 (PPA) conference and expo in New Orleans I captured the above image. New Orleans is a great city for photography. New Orleans blends the charm of the Deep South and an amalgam of the history of Europe.
 
To learn how I processed the above photograph see my post from May the 18th, 2012: Little RED Streetcar
 
See my Facebook page for additional Photography and Photographic Art discussions.
 
To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography
 
Metadata: Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G lens, Exposer: 1/25s at f/6.3, IOS: 200, Focal Length: 120mm, Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority, Exposure Bias: 0.00 EV, Metering Mode: Pattern, Filter: Ultra Violet, Subject Distance: Infinity, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Date: 01/16/2012 at 8:23 am, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5 and Nik Software Silver Efex Pro 2
 
Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Friday, December 14, 2012


 

Keeping It Real with HDR

While most HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography is beautiful, fascinating and sometimes even surreal looking, it does not in most cases represent the reality that the human eye sees. I decided to create the above HDR photographs to illustrate the clarity, depth of details and color saturations that can be brought-out in a more realistic looking image when using this type of photography. I did very little post processing of the above images except of course for the combining of (5) frames to produce each HDR image. The clarity, depth of details and color saturations in these HDR photographs are due to the multi-frame Exposure Biases (-2.00 to 2.00) of each HDR image.  There is a large range of possibilities for creativity when using High Dynamic Range imaging.
 
For more information see Wikipedia: High Dynamic Range Imaging
 
See my Facebook page for additional Photography and Photographic Art discussions.
 
To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography
 
Metadata: Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G lens, Exposure: Multiple Exposures at f/11.0, IOS: 200, Focal Length: (Top: 48mm – Middle Image: 29mm – Bottom Image: 70mm), Exposure Mode: Manual, Exposure Bias: -2.00 to 2.00 EV in (5) Frames, Metering Mode: Spot, Filter: Ultra Violet, Subject Distance: Infinity, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Date: 12/01/2012 at 10:18 am to 10:29 am, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS6 and Nik Software HDR Efex Pro 2
 
Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Friday, December 7, 2012


Shades of Gray
(Neutral Density Filter with a Bounce)
 
I had a lot going on in the above photograph. Using a friends B+W 3.0 Neutral Density 110 filter and bouncing the image off of the reflection of the ground-level slanted windows of the Pennzoil building in Houston, I created this image. This was the first time I used a Neutral Density filter. With the ND filter and a 30 second exposer I was able to create a somewhat surreal image. Besides the ND filter I used a tri-pod and I set the 10 second shutter release delay on my camera to reduce camera shake. I also set my aperture to f/11 for image clarity and my ISO to 200. Before attaching the ND filter to my lens I auto-focused my image and then switched the lens to manual.  The ND 110 filter is too dark to focus through the lens after it is attached. My Nikon D3 camera also allows me to close the viewfinder to protect the image process from any light leaking in during the long exposer. I really like the effect that the Neutral Density filter produced in this image. I will defiantly be doing this again.
 
For exposures longer than 30 seconds; set your camera to bulb. You will also need a remote cable release and a stopwatch to time the exposure.
 
See the B+W Neutral Density (ND) web-site for additional information.
 
See my Facebook page for additional Photography and Photographic Art discussions.
 
To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography
 
Metadata: Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G lens, Exposer: 30s at f/11.0, IOS: 200, Focal Length: 50mm, Exposure Mode: Manual, Exposure Bias: 0.00 EV, Metering Mode: Spot, Filter: B+W 3.0 Neutral Density 110, Subject Distance: Infinity, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Date: 12/01/2012 at 9:53 am, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS6 and Nik Software Silver Efex Pro 2
 
Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Saturday, December 1, 2012


Silverback Gorilla

I photographed this big guy at the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans, Louisiana. Unfortunately for me and this Silverback Gorilla I will most likely never have the opportunity to photograph Gorillas in the wild. Zoo’s and Nature Institute’s like the one in New Orleans provide photographers the opportunities to photograph animal species that in most cases would be unavailable to the average photographer. I will always jump at every opportunity to photography animals in the wild. But, I take soloist in the fact that these institutions provide an invaluable service to preserving wildlife species that are disappearing, mostly from poaching and wildlife encroachment.
 
To learn more see the Audubon Nature Institute’s web-site.
 
See my Facebook page for additional Photography and Photographic Art discussions.
 
To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography
 
Metadata: Nikon D3 with a Nikon AF-S VR NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G lens, Exposer: 1/160s at f/8.0, IOS: 800, Focal Length: 300mm, Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority, Exposure Bias: 0.00 EV, Metering Mode: Pattern, Filter: Ultra Violet, Subject Distance: 9.44 Meters, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Date: 09/02/2012 at 11:26 am, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS6 and Nik Software – Color Efex Pro 4
 
Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Thursday, November 22, 2012

 
Shades of Gray
 
I created the above photograph as part of the “Photography Skills Building of Houston – Meetup Group”. The title of the groups challenge was “Shooting Portraits and Dealing with Harsh Light”. This Meetup group is dedicated to helping photographers develop their skills and knowledge of photography.  To go beyond point, shoot and pray. The organizers of the group Michael and Scott put in the time and effort required to conduct a successful Meetup session. This Meetup group’s objective is to educate and share the skills that will take any photographer to the next level. As a photographer and especially as an Art Photographer I know the only way to move to the next level is to challenge myself, to take on new experiences and photographic projects. This Meetup group does just that. If you live in the Houston, Texas area you should consider attending one of the Photography Skills Building of Houston – Meetup sessions.
 
 
To learn more go to the Only Katy - Mary Jo Peckham Park web-site.

See my Facebook page for additional Photography and Photographic Art discussions.
 
To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography
 
Metadata: Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens, Exposer: 1/200s at f/5.0, IOS: 200, Focal Length: 70mm, Exposure Mode: Manual, Exposure Bias: 0.00 EV, Metering Mode: Spot, Filter: Ultra Violet, Subject Distance: Infinity, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Date: 11/17/2012 at 11:39 am, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS6 & Nik Software - Silver Efex Pro 2
 
Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Monday, November 19, 2012


A Last Look at Spring 2012
 
The weather is cooling, the grass growth is slowing and the leaves are falling. Fall is here and winter is near. So, I thought I would take a last look at spring before years end. There could be nothing more spring then youth, sunshine and wildflowers.
 
See my Facebook page for additional Photography and Photographic Art discussions.
 
To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography
 
Metadata: Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G lens, Exposer: 1/500s at f/10.0, IOS: 1000, Focal Length: 170mm, Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority, Exposure Bias: 0.00 EV, Metering Mode: Pattern, Filter: Ultra Violet, Subject Distance: 5.01 meters, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Date: 03/31/2012 at 9:30 am, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5 and Nik Software Color Efex Pro 4
 
Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Wednesday, November 14, 2012


Nature's Beauty

The above Daylily (Hemerocallis) was photographed in Youngsville, Louisiana at the home of my sister-in-laws (Denise). Denise has been successfully cultivating and hybridizing Daylily for many years. Daylilies are a perennial plant. The name Hemerocallis is derived from the Greek words “day” and “beautiful”. A Daylily bloom will typically last for only one day. However, a new Daylily bloom will continue to open on cut stems for several days. Depending on the species of Daylily they can grow in USDA plant zones 1 through 11.
 
See the following Wikipedia link to learn more about the Daylily.
 
See my Facebook page for additional Photography and Photographic Art discussions.
 
To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography
 
Metadata: Nikon D3 with a Nikon AF-S VR NIKKOR 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G lens, Exposer: 1/30s at f/5.6, IOS: 280, Focal Length: 120mm, Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority, Exposure Bias: 0.00 EV, Metering Mode: Pattern, Filter: Ultra Violet, Subject Distance: 0.79 Meters, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Date: 08/07/2009 at 9:03 pm, Post Processing: ACDSee Photo Editor 2008
 
Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Tuesday, November 6, 2012


Shades of Gray

The above photograph was taken at the corner of Chartres Street and St. Peter Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. When I composed this image through the viewfinder I used the top of the building and the tapering distance of St. Peter Street to create a downward slope from top left to right bottom. I knew that the slopping angle and the various building heights would add interest for the viewer. I also did this because there were cars parked on the left-side of St. Peter Street. I found that the automobiles were distracting and would have negatively impacted my desired photograph. For me, my photographic art technic starts before I press the shutter release on my camera.
 
See my Facebook page for additional Photography and Photographic Art discussions.
 
To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography
 
Technical Data: Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G lens, Exposer: 1/50s at f/6.3, IOS: 100, Focal Length: 90mm, Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority, Exposure Bias: 0.00 EV, Metering Mode: Pattern, Filter: Ultra Violet, Subject Distance: Infinity, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Date: 01/16/2012 at 8:50 am, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5 & Nik Software - Silver Efex Pro 2
 
Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Friday, November 2, 2012


Copyright © - A Brief History
 
The Copyright Act of 1790 was the first federal copyright act in the United States. This Act granted authors the sole right and liberty to print, reprint and publish copies of their work for a term of 14 years. The copyright holders also had a right to renew their copyrights for an additional 14 year term if the copyright holder was still living.
 
The Copyright Act of 1909 introduced the copyright symbol © in the United States. To have a valid statutory copyright it had to be attached to original published works with a notice of copyright affixed. If a work was published without a copyright notice, legally no copyright protection was provided and the work became part of the public domain.
 
The Copyright Act of 1976 did not go into effect until January 1, 1978. With the implementation of this Act in the United States, copyright authorship is recognized as soon as it is produced. This Act includes tangible form of expression that can be perceived, reproduced and/or communicated. The Copyright Act of 1976 defines works of authorship and the following; literary, music, sound recordings, dramatic works, pantomimes and choreographic, pictorial, graphic and sculptural, motion pictures and audiovisual. In 1990 Architectural works was added to the ACT.
 
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) was passed by Congress in 1998 and became law in 2000. The Act addressed the demands of the Digital Age and aligned U.S. law with the World Intellectual Property Organization and world treaties.
 
To create a Copyright symbol on a PC: Hold down the Alt key while keying the numbers 0169
 
To create a Copyright symbol on a MAC: Enter Option + G
 
Copyright Example: Copyright © 2012 Business Name/Owners Name, All Rights Reserved
 
To learn more about the Copyright Acts see the following:
 
 
See my Facebook page for additional Photography and Photographic Art discussions.
 
To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Tuesday, October 23, 2012


Fall Colors
(small tree BIG COLOR)
 
I took the above photograph at Robbers Cave State Park which is located in Wilburton, Oklahoma. It was early October and the only trees that were changing colors at that time were the Black Gum trees. But, I must say that the Black Gum trees fall colors were on fire. Also, if you look at the center bottom of the above image you will notice a 4.5-ft cave opening, which was a bonus for my photographic composition. All photographs, professional and armature should take advantage of the outdoor fall colors whenever the opportunities present themselves.
 
Robbers Cave State Park is located in the San Bois Mountains of southeast Oklahoma. Visitors can enjoy camping, boating, swimming, rock-climbing, hiking, horseback riding and fishing. There are also RV and tent campsites and cabin rentals. Robbers Cave State Park has just about everything an outdoors enthusiast could want.
 
To learn more go to the Robbers Cave State Park web-site.
 
See my Facebook page for additional Photography and Photographic Art discussions.
 
To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography
 
Technical Data: Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens, Exposer: 1/125s at f/8.0, IOS: 640, Focal Length: 48mm, Exposure Mode: Manual, Exposure Bias: 0.00 EV, Metering Mode: Spot, Filter: Ultra Violet, Subject Distance: Unknown, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Date: 10/13/2012 at 4:03 pm, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS6 and Nik Software Color Efex Pro 4

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Monday, October 15, 2012


Nature's Beauty
 
I photographed the above Purple Coneheads in Youngsville, Louisiana. In post processing I decided to increase the contrast of this image in-order to give it just a little-bit of a surreal look. When photographing Botanicals (plant-life) you need to take the time to walk around the plant to find the best angles. There may be many. Photograph them all. You also need to look beyond your subject to find the best backgrounds to enhance your image. In the above photograph I used the tall grasses as a backdrop. If you take a little time to study your subject and the surroundings you may find that half of the work has already been done before you even start post processing.
 
See my Facebook page for additional Photography and Photographic Art discussions.
 
To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography
 
Technical Data: Nikon D3 with a Nikon AF-S VR Micro NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G lens, Exposer: 1/125s at f/9.0, IOS: 400, Focal Length: 105mm, Exposure Mode: Manual, Exposure Bias: 0.00 EV, Metering Mode: Spot, Filter: Ultra Violet, Subject Distance: Unknown, Lighting: Off Camera Speedlight (Nikon SB-800), Date: 08/16/2012 at 5:24 pm, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS6 & Nik Software – Color Efex Pro 4

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Sunday, October 7, 2012


 
Don't Bug Me

Sometimes as photographers we get luck. When I originally took this photograph I did not notice the dragonfly by the alligator’s eye. The photograph that I intended to capture would have been interesting. But, with the dragonfly in the image it became much more interesting. I closely cropped the original image to focus the subject matter to the alligator’s eye and the dragonfly. Photographs should create an emotion or in this case something to talk about.   
 
See my Facebook page for additional Photography and Photographic Art discussions.
 
To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography
 
Metadata: Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G lens, Exposer: 1/125s at f/7.1, IOS: 200, Focal Length: 170mm, Exposure Mode: Auto, Exposure Bias: 0.00 EV, Metering Mode: Matrix, Filter: Ultra Violet, Subject Distance: 3.98 meters, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Date: 07/02/2012 at 10:49 am, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5 and Nik Software Color Efex Pro 4

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Monday, October 1, 2012

 
 
The Einstein E640 Flash Unit
 
I recently purchased (2) Paul C. Buff, Einstein E640 flash units. I did extensive research before making my purchase and it came down to the Profoto D1 Air series or the Einstein E640. The Profoto and Einstein flash units are somewhat comparable. My evaluation showed that Profoto D1 Air had a slightly better performance matrix than the Einstein E640 but, not at 2.4 times the cost of the Einstein E640. Another factor was that I do not have a studio of my own at this time. So, portability is very important to me. I have to be able to go to diverse locations. Electric-power is not available in many of the locations that I shoot. Because of this, a reliable portable power source is a requirement. Paul C. Buff offers the Vagabond Mini Lithium portable power system. The Vagabond is small and lightweight at only 3.5 pounds. Profoto offers the BatPac Portable Power Source which is a very serious power system that supports up to (4) 1000W flash units. The Profoto BatPac weighs 25 lbs. and cost $ 1,745.00 whereas the Vagabond Mini cost $ 239.95. Paul C. Buff states on their web-site that the Vagabond Mini will support (4) flash units. But, unlike the Profoto BatPac you would defiantly limit your shoot time with this setup. Instead, I chose to uses a Vagabond Mini for each flash unit, which I am able to easily mount to each light stand. I also purchased spare Vagabond Mini batteries for each power unit at a cost of $ 89.95 each.  The Einstein E640 and Vagabond Mini’s are the correct lighting system for my needs and situations. You should do extensive research based on your requirements, goals and budget when purchasing a lighting system.
 
Einstein E640 Flash Unit: $ 499.95 SRP
Vagabond Mini Lithium Power System: $ 239.95 SRP
 
60-Day Absolute Satisfaction Guarantee*
2-Year Factory Warranty*
 
For additional information see Paul C. Buff’s web-site: Einstein E640 flash unit and the Vagabond Mini power system.
 
See my Facebook page for additional Photography and Photographic Art discussions.
 
To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography
 
* Information based on Paul C. Buff’s web-site as of this publishing.

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Thursday, September 13, 2012

 
 


Blast to the Past

I love the composition of this image but, the original photograph (top) did not deliver. The sky was blown-out and the rest of it was too washed-out. I could do nothing to improve it. Yea, it happens sometimes. So when I have an image like the one at the top, I apply the old saying from Dale Carnegie: “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” And that’s exactly what I did in the following two images. The image was already distressed so why not distress it even more but, in a good way. I used presets in Nik Software’s Silver Efex Pro 2 and Color Efex Pro 4 to create aged images.

Image No. 2: After doing minor post processing in Photoshop CS6, I used Silver Efex Pro 2 to create an aged black and white image with burnt edges. Within Silver Efex Pro 2 I selected the “Full Spectrum Inverse” preset. This particular preset created the right tone and mood for an aged B&W image. To finish-off the image I added a distress white border and burnt edges.
 
Image No. 3: Once again, after doing minor post processing in Photoshop CS6, I used Color Efex Pro 4 to create a postcard like image. Within Color Efex Pro 4 I selected the “Kitschy Postcard” preset. It should not be a surprise that this preset is perfect for creating a postcard style image. I only had to make minor adjustments to finish the image.
 
The great thing about Nik Software’s presets is that once you select a preset, you can then further make adjustments. Plus, you can also combine multiple presets to create something different.
 
To learn more about Nik Software's Presets and Recipes go to: Nik Software
 
See my Facebook page for additional Photography and Photographic Art discussions.
 
To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography
 
Technical Data: Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S 70-120mm f/3.5-5.6G lens, Exposer: 1/500s at f/5.6, IOS: 200, Focal Length: 95mm, Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority, Exposure Bias: 1.00 EV, Metering Mode: Matrix Metering, Filter: Ultra Violet, Subject Distance: Infinity, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Date: 08/4/2009 at 10:15 am, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS6 (images 2 & 3) & Nik Software - Silver Efex Pro 2 (image 2) - Color Efex Pro 4 (image 3)

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Friday, September 7, 2012

 
ISO: It's Important
 
Sometimes the use of dappled sunlight is just the effect a photograph needs. Dappled sunlight can make an image feel more relaxed to the viewer. It can also give an appearance of spontaneity. Because I did not use any artificial fill-light I had to use a higher ISO*. I chose to set my ISO to 1000 to compensate for the lower light levels. Basically ISO represents a value of sensitivity to light that a camera’s digital image sensor processes into an image. The lower the ISO number the less sensitive to light and the higher the number the more sensitive to light. Please note that a higher ISO level can increase the noise (grain) in your image. Sometimes noise can be a very desirable effect. In photography, you must have a comprehensive understanding of three important and interlaced functions.  These functions are shutter speed, aperture and ISO. Today I briefly touched on ISO. If you understand and control these function, then you can control the outcome of your image. Among the most important things I can leave you with is READ YOUR MANUALS. Understand every function, button, knob and icon on your equipment and most importantly how they affect each other and your results. Photography is an art and a science. These are the steps that will begin to separate you from just taking pictures to creating photographs.
 
See my Facebook page for additional Photography and Photographic Art discussions.
 
To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography
 
Technical Data: Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G lens, Exposer: 1/250s at f/10.0, IOS: 1000, Focal Length: 300mm, Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority, Exposure Bias: 0.00 EV, Metering Mode: Pattern, Filter: Ultra Violet, Subject Distance: Unknown, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Date: 03/31/2012 at 9:10 am, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5
 
*ISO: International Organization for Standardization

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved