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.

 

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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

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.

 

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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

 

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.   

 

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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

 

 

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.

 

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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