Shades of Gray
(Mississippi River)

 

I created this image with the idea of featuring the important elements of the Mississippi River, the Crescent City Connection (Greater New Orleans Bridge) and the mid-morning sky. I first processed this image as a color image and I felt nothing. But, when I processed it in Nik Software’s Silver Efex Pro 2 as a black and white image it elevated my interest to an acceptable level. When an image is not working for you in post-processing you should consider using another approach.

 

You can learn more about the Crescent City Connection at Wikipedia.

 

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To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography

 

Metadata: Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S 24-120mm f/2.8G lens, Exposer: 1/800s at f/6.3, IOS: 400, Focal Length: 55mm, Exposure Mode: Aperture Priority, Exposure Bias: 0.00 EV, Metering Mode: Matrix, Filter: Ultra Violet, Subject Distance: Infinity, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Date: 01/17/2012 at 9:51 am, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5 & Nik Software - Silver Efex Pro 2

 

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

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

 

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.

 

Meetup Group: Photography Skills Building of Houston

 

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



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

Shades of Gray

Botanical photography is mostly recognized for the stunning colors and textures that flowers and plant-life in-general produces. But, I find that sometimes even flowers can look exceptional in a monochrome format. The above photograph was processed using Adobe’s Photoshop CS6 and Nik Software’s Color Efex Pro 4. The original RAW image from my camera only required modest adjustments in Photoshop CS6. I used two Presets in Color Efex Pro 4 to further enhance this image. The first preset I selected is called Big Sky. This preset is a somewhat high contrast preset, I then chose the B+W preset. The B+W preset is exactly what you would expect it to be, an excellent black and white preset which complimented the Big Sky preset nicely. Nik Software’s Presets allows you to try preconfigured setting and then you can make further adjusting from the selected preset. You can also combine presets for even more creative imagery. Nik Software brings value to Adobe’s Photoshop and Lightroom products.

To learn more about Nik Software’s Presets go to: Nik Software

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To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography

Metadata: Nikon D3 with a Nikon AF-S VR Micro NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens, Exposure: 1/250s at f/7.1, ISO: 400, Focal Length: 105mm, Exposure Mode: Manual, Metering Mode: Spot, Filter: Ultra Violet, Subject Distance: Unknown, Lighting: Off Camera Speedlight (Nikon SB-800), Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS6 & Nik Software – Color Efex Pro 4, Date: 8/16/2012 at 4:42 pm

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Shades of Gray
(Classic Beauty)

I am very pleased with the way that the above photograph turned-out. I feel that this image is somewhat reminiscent of the Hollywood Starlet photographs of the 30’s and 40’s. I processed this photograph using Nik Software’s, Silver Efex Pro 2.0. For me and I believe for many other views, the lack of color brings out the drama and emotional aspects of this particular image. I find that sometimes as an art form, color can be a distraction and not an enhancement. Somewhat ironically, humans are very much creatures of color but we are also emotional beings. Being human, we are guided by our feeling and we are looking for a connection to the art form and the meaning behind the artist intent, whether we realize it or not.
 

Everything been said, I must give a great deal of the beautiful composition to the model. I only had to work with the model for about a minute to get the shoot.
 

To see examples of Hollywood Starlet Photographs please visit the IMDb web-site.

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To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography

Technical Data: Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G lens, Subject Distance: 4.47 meters, Exposure: 1/640s at f/10, ISO: 1000, Focal Length: 300mm, Filter: Ultra Violet, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5 and Nik Software’s Silver Efex Pro 2, Date: 03/31/2012 at 8:58 am

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Shades of Gray



I am enjoying monochrome photography more than ever. I love shooting in color but, sometimes a mundane color photograph can become an incredible Black and White image. It seems that the lack of color in an image can sometimes help to convey emotion to the viewer. With today’s post processing editing tools you can shoot in color and then process the same color image into an incredible monochrome photograph.

The above photograph was taken in Jackson Square, New Orleans.  I am currently using Nik Software’s, Silver Efex Pro 2 in conjunction with Adobe Photoshop CS5 to post process my Black and White images. Silver Efex Pro is a plug-in to Photoshop and Lightroom. In Silver Efex Pro you have many presets to choose from. The presets give you a starting point in the post processing of your monochrome images. If you are considering processing monochrome images and you are using Adobe’s Photoshop and/or Lightroom I would recommend that you consider taking a look at Nik Software’s, Silver Efex Pro 2.

For more information see Nik Software - Silver Efex Pro 2 and the Jackson Square web-sites.

 

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, Subject Distance: Infinity, Exposure: 1/400s at f/6.3, ISO: 200, Focal Length: 24mm, Filter: Ultra Violet, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5 & Nik Software – Silver Efex Pro 2, Date: 01/17/2012 at 9:30 am

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved