Tilt-Shift (It's Just An Illusion)

The above photographs were processed in Photoshop CS5 as Tilt-Shit images. Tilt-Shift imagery is really an optical illusion. A Tilt-Shift image tricks’ the viewer’s eyes (and mind) in believing that they are looking at a photograph of a miniature diorama.

The following steps will assist you in creating your own Tilt-Shift images:

1. Choose the right photograph (typically an image shoot from above works best).
2. In Photoshop select the Edit in Quick Mask Mode (Q)
3. Then select the Gradient Tool (G)
4. Then within the Gradient Tool Bar select the Reflected Gradient icon
5. In the Gradient Editor use the pull-down menu and select Foreground to Background
6. Make sure in the Set Foreground Color that Black is the foreground and White is the background
7. Now select your focus area by placing your curser on your image and click and hold your left mouse button and dragging it across your focus area then release your mouse button. Your focus area should appear in a transparent red glow.
8. Now select the Edit in Standard Mode (Q) icon again.  You should see an outline of marching ants.
9. Select Filter > Blur > Lens Blur.  This will open your image in a new window.
10. In the Lens Blur windows adjust the Iris Radius (typically I find that 20-30 is a good number, but you’ll have to use your own judgment at this point).
11. When you’re happy with your Iris Radius setting select OK.
12. To remove the marching ants press CNRL-D.
13. At this point if you have not done it yet, you may want to consider increasing the Saturation, Contrast and/or Structure of your image to increase the modeling effect of your photograph.

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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/3.5-5.6G lens, Subject Distance: Infinity, Exposure: 1/60s at f/6.3, ISO: 200, Focal Length: 24mm, Filter: Circular Polarizer, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5, Date: 07/31/2010 at 11:20 am

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Beauty Glow

One of the ways you can use the sun in your photographs is to place your subject directly in front of the sun as in the above photograph. In the above photograph, it was late afternoon and the sun was low over the horizon. The sun can create a desirable halo or glow effect as an outline to your subject. I did not use a flash to front light the model in the above image. I wasn’t having any problems with uneven shadowing because of the trees overhead. You may want to consider using some type of lighting at times to fill-in shadows if desired. Photography is an art form and the conditions and subject should always be speaking to the creative goals of the photographer.

Visit Brazos Bend State Park's web-site for more details.

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/3.5-5.6 G lens, Subject Distance: 5.96 meters, Exposure: 1/60s at f/8.0, ISO: 200, Focal Length: 120mm, Filter: Ultra Violet, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5/Nik Software, Color Efex Pro 2, Date: 02/25/2012 at 6:17 pm, Location: Brazos Bend State Park, 21901 Farm to Market 762, Needville, TX 77461, USA

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Bronze Horse

The above photograph was taken at Hilton’s Waikoloa Village Resort on Hawaii’s Big Island in 2010. Simply put, the Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort is beautiful. The resort is composed of 62 acres of recreational activities, shopping, restraints, ocean front views, extensive plant life and art. Yes, I said art. There are over 1800 works of art on display throughout the resort at an original cost of over seven-million dollars. The Hilton Waikoloa Village Resort could be considered one of the most beautiful art museums in the world. Photography is my chosen creative artistic outlet. But, I appreciate most forms of art. I enjoy photographing sculpture art if it has a suitable background. Photographing sculptured artwork is like photographing a still-life but in an action pose. I find that the bronze horse sculpture above gives a real sense of movement. My attempts to discover the name of the artist of the bronze horse unfortunately has gone unanswered. So, I am unable to give created to the artist at this time. If anyone out there knows of the above sculpture and the artist please e-mail me their name so that I can update this blog entry.

For more information see the: Hilton's Waikoloa Village Resort

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, Subject Distance: Infinity, Exposure: 1/80s at f/5.0, ISO: 200, Focal Length: 55mm, Filter: Circular Polarizer, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Post Processing: ACDSee Photo Editor 2008, Date: 07/31/2010 at 8:46 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

Curious Little Meerkat

The above photograph was taken at the Houston Zoo in 2011. I personally love this photograph! I was only 2 meters (about 6 feet) away from this curious little Meerkat when I took this image. Meerkats are typically very skittish but, it appears that they can also be very curious animals at the same time. This Meerkat was not focused on me but, instead it was focused on my rather large 300mm lens. When photographing wild animals in a zoo or in the wild it always pays to make small, slow deliberate movements.

To learn more about Meerkats visit the Wikipedia and Houston Zoo web-sites.

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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, Subject Distance: 2.0 meters, Exposure: 1/125s at f/5.6, ISO: 200, Focal Length: 300mm, Filter: Ultra Violet, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5, Date: 11/01/2011 at 1:58 pm

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Tears of a Bride

I took the above photograph as part of a Photography Workshop call WOW-8 (White Outdoor Wedding) photo shoot sponsored by Photo Binder and One Talent Source. The Workshop was scheduled to start at 3:00 pm and my wife and I arrived at the Brazos Bend State Park in Needville, Texas for 2:30 pm. Unfortunately when we drove up to the State Park it was raining. Fortunately it only rained for about an hour. When we started the photo shoot everything was wet and it was dark with overcast skies. Even though the conditions were not ideal there is always an opportunity for photography if you look for them. The models, hair styles and makeup artist were great. They did not complain about the weather are the wet conditions.  As soon as it stop raining the models went right to work providing awesome photographic opportunities for the photographers. With the help of the model, I took advantage of the wet mirror in an effort to portray an image of a brides’ unfulfilled moment.

I had never worked with professional models before until this workshop. From this experience I high recommend that if you get an opportunity to work with professional models jump on it. A professional model will make your work interesting and rewarding.

For more information see: Brazos Bend State Park and The Photo Binder

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: 1/160s at f/8.0, ISO: 640, Focal Length: 62mm, Filter: Ultra Violet, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5 and Nik Color Efex Pro 4, Date: 02/25/2012 at 4:37 pm

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Laissez les bons temps rouler
(Let the Good Times Roll)


The above photograph is a small piece of a fantastic window display from a boutique called Razzle Dazzle. Razzle Dazzle is located at 524 Royal Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. In my opinion Razzle Dazzle is a shopping destination when in New Orleans. Razzle Dazzle has very unique gifts and holiday items and ideas.

The photograph above and this blog are in celebration of Mardi Gras 2012. I photographed this image through a glass display window. To eliminate reflections and ghosting in the image I used a Circular Polarizer Filter. Even though a Polarizer Filter helps a great deal you also need to find the best angle to shoot your image. I also had to pump-up the ISO to 640 because the window was in fairly dim light. Now go out and shoot a window display.

For more information see: Razzle Dazzle and Wikipedia - Mardi Gras

 

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: 0.67 meters, Exposure: 1/25s at f/6.3, ISO: 640, Focal Length: 78mm, Filter: Circular Polarizer, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5, Date: 01/17/2012 at 9:01 am

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

 

Frozen Grace

I took the above photographs at the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans in 2009. The top photograph is what you might classify as a standard photograph. Although I think it’s pretty good and certainly not standard. I used ACDSsee Photo Manager 12 for the post processing of the image. The bottom photograph is the same photograph but I processed it in ACDSee Photo Manager 12 as a HDR (High Dynamic Range) image using three consecutive images with an Exposure Value (EV) of +/- 1.0. HDR processing can produce a more surreal looking photograph but, most of the time I prefer an image that is realistic looking. What I like about HDR photography and its post processing is the ability to produce a more 3-Dimensional image. Even though I captured the above HDR photograph using a hand held technique (tucking my elbows in to my sides), I strongly recommend using a tripod for stability. I also recommend using a remote shutter release trigger. When shooting HDR images it is very important to take your time. Look through your camera’s view finder and envision the final results. Think about where your light source is coming from and how this will affect your final image. But, as always, have fun with your photography.

For more information about HDR Photography and the Audubon Nature Institute see the links below:

To learn more about HDR Photography see the Pixiq and HDR Cream 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 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G lens, Subject Distance: 6.31 meters, Exposure: 1/60s at f/5.0, ISO: 200, Focal Length: 180mm, Filter: Ultra Violet, Lighting: Natural Daylight, HDR: Yes, Bottom Image, Post Processing: ACDSee Photo Manger 12, Date: 08/05/2009 at 11:22 am

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Nik Software - Silver Efex Pro 2

At the 2012 ImageUSA Image Expo in New Orleans I purchased Nik Software's Complete Collection (Professional Photographic Tools). Within the Complete collection of software plug-ins for Adobe's Photoshop and Lightroom there is Nik Software's Silver Efex Pro 2. Silver Efex Pro 2 is a Black and White imaging processing software tool. It has over three dozen presets which can make for a great starting point when creating a Black and White image. This software also features the use of Control Points. With a Control Point or Points you can selectively spot process desired areas of your image. The Control Point feature is a very nice tool to have in your tool box. Silver Efex Pro 2 also has a set of adjustable Color Filters, Film Types and Finishing Adjustments tools. Silver Efex Pro 2's extensive features and adjustments allow the photographer the ability to create the exact Black and White image they had envisioned. Nik Software also provides Live Training and On Demand Videos of their products for members over the Internet. You should take the time to learn your software tools, and experiment with them, break the rules. Who knows, you may even invent a new rule.

While at the Expo in New Orleans I took the above photograph of a statue of President Andrew Jackson in Jackson Square. First I processed the color image in Adobe's Photoshop Bridge and then I saved it. Secondly I used one of Silver Efex Pro 2's presets and then i used several Control Points to increase the white and contrast effects of the clouds. And, then I saved this image with a different file name. I always preserve the original NEF (Nikon Electronic Format) image file for future processing. Nikon Electronic Format is Nikon's RAW file format that features image information and metadata received from the camera's sensors.

To learn more about Silver Efex Pro 2 visit: Nik Software's website

To learn more about President Andrew Jackson and Jackson Square, New Orleans, see the links below:

 

Also, see Widipedia to learn more of Andrew Jackson and Jackson Square (New Orleans, Louisiana).

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To view my Photographic Art visit: Windows of Photography

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Ring-tailed Lemur

I captured this image of a Ring-tailed Lemur at the Houston Zoo in 2011. The Ring-tailed Lemur is originally from the island of Madagascar. Ring-tailed Lemurs are quite intelligent and very social, living in large groups. Lemur groups are also leaded by a matriarch. All Lemurs have a strong sense of smell and they use scent glands to mark their territory. Lemurs are also very vocal. They will use calls among each other to signal alarms and to maintain group cohesion. As a species the Lemur is considered Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

To learn more about the Ring-tailed Lemur visit Wikipedia. Also, visit the web-site of the IUCN to learn more about the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

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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, Subject Distance: 5.62 meters, Exposure: 1/10s at f/5.6, ISO: 200, Focal Length: 155mm, Filter: Ultra Violet, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5, Date: 10/11/2011 at 10:26 am

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Fox Squirrel

While on an outing to the Houston Zoo with my wife I captured the above image of a Fox Squirrel. Fox Squirrels are the largest specie of tree squirrels native to North America. The Fox Squirrel can easily be mistaken for the American Red Squirrel or the Eastern Gray Squirrel. There were Fox Squirrels all around the Houston Zoo but, they were very hard to photograph because they would run and hide every time I pointed my camera at them. I guess they looked at my 70-300mm telephoto lens and thought better safe the sorry. As we turned a corner I saw the above squirrel preoccupied with eating. I had to slowly and smoothly swing my camera into place for the shot. I was only able to get this one image of this squirrel before it was gone. But I got lucky and it made for a great photograph. When photographing wildlife even in a zoo it pays to be ready at all times.

See the following Wikipedia link to learn more about the Fox Squirrel.

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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, Subject Distance: 5.01 meters, Exposure: 1/10s at f/5.6, ISO: 200, Focal Length: 220mm, Filter: Ultra Violet, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5, Date: 10/11/2011 at 10:20 am

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Royal Poinciana

During a trip to Waikoloa Village on Hawaii's Big Inland I took the above photograph of this Royal Painciana. The Royal Poinciana were not as full of flowering blooms as I wished but, sometimes you have to work with what you get. One of the best parts of this image beside the red of the blooms and the different shadings of the green leaves was the blue of the sky. I obtained this nice blue sky by using a Circular Polarizer filter. As I have stated in past blogs a Circular Polarizer filter can make the sky in your images a more natural and truer blue by reducing the harsh light from the sun. A Circular Polarizer is also great for reducing the glare and hotspots from reflective materials such as water and class. To use a Circular Polarizer filter is very easy. Just turn the Circular Polarizer filter until the image in your view finder is at its darkest. I have a Circular Polarizer filter for each of my lens.

Delonix Regia (Royal Poinciana): A native of Madagascar, but grows freely in many other places such as Hawaii, where it is also known as the Flamboyant Tree, Mohur Tree and Red Flame. It blooms in about July or August usually and can reach 40-80 feet, spredding out to the side as well as high.

See the following Wikipedia link to learn more about the Royal Poinciana.
 

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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: 5.96 meters, Exposure: 1/80s at f/5.0, ISO: 200, Focal Length: 58mm, Filter: Circular Polarizer, Lighting: Natural Daylight, Post Processing: ACDSee Photo Editor 2008, Date: 07/28/2010 at 10:32 am

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

What's up Pussycat?

I captured the above photograph of this Lioness at the Audubon Nature Institute in 2009 during a trip to New Orleans. The Lioness looks as if she could have been photographed in the wild. When photographing wildlife at a zoo I'm looking for exhibits that frame the animals in as natural a setting as possible. Wildlife and photographers have one thing in common. They don't like bars and wired enclosures. The best zoos have large enclosures with high stone walls (usually man-made), native plan life and moats to protect you from the wildlife on exhibit. Animals that are in large natural enclosures experience less stress and live a more satisfied life which translates into better photographs.

In my humble opinion the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans is one of the best zoos in the United States. The exhibits are very photographer friendly. Most of the wildlife exhibits are natural and realistic. The Audubon Nature Institute is also known for its diverse plant life.

For more information visit 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 NIKKOR AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G lens, Subject Distance: 17.8 meters, Exposure: 1/30s at f/5.6, ISO: 400, Focal Length: 300mm, Filter: Circular Polarizer, Lighting: Natural Day Light, Post Processing: ACDSee Photo Editor 2008, Date: 08/05/2009 at 11:16 am

Copyright © 2012 Windows of Photography, All Rights Reserved

Happy New Year!!! (2012)



If 2011 has been a little rough for you as it has been for many this year, remember that New Year's Eve represents an ending, while at the same time it also represents a new beginning. As the clock strikes twelve you can set new goals, fix wrongs or just make your life a little more meaningful by helping someone else who needs it. And, even if you have had a great 2011, may you have an even better New Year in 2012.

I edited the above photograph using Adobe Photoshop CS5 Bridge. I moderately increased the Color Temperature, Contrast and the Blacks of the image. Then I moderately decreased the Clarity and Color Saturation to give the image a slightly dreamy look. When using a digital photo editor remember to have fun. Try different configurations to learn what works and how to use them. Also, remember to always save your edited image with a different file name so you can preserve the original photograph for future editing. I can promise you one thing; you will be pleased and amazed at what you can produce in a digital photo editor.

New Year's Eve is observed on December 31, the final day of any given year in the Gregorian calendar. New Year's Eve is ofter celebrated at social gatherings, during which participants dance, eat, consume alcoholic beverages and watch or light fireworks to mark the incoming year. (Information source: Wikipedia)

For more information about New Year's Eve see the Wikipedia link below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year's_Eve

Visit my web-site: “Windows of Photography” to see more of my photographic art.

Technical Data: Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S VR Macro 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens, Subject Distance: 2.0 meters, Exposure: 1/60s at f/5.6, Focal Length: 105mm, Filter: Ultra Violet, Lighting: Nikon SpeedLight SB-800 (slave unit) with an Amber Diffuser Flash Cover and a Nikon Wireless SpeedLight commander SU-800 (master unit), Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5 Bridge, Date: 12/30/2011 at 11:12 am

Merry Christmas Frosty (2011)

Merry Christmas Frosty! I had a desire to add to my 2011 Christmas images. I used my Nikon D3 and Nikon NIKKOR AF-S VR Macro 105mm f/2.8 lens. If you dial this lens in correctly it will produce outstanding images with a great depth of field. That being said, the original image seemed a tad-bit flat to me. So I used Adobe's Photoshop CS5 Bridge to quickly sharpen the edges and to strengthen the color saturation.

"Frosty the Snowman" is a popular song written by Walter "Jack" Rollins and Steve Nelson, and first recorded by Gene Autry and the Cass Country Boys in 1950. (Information Source: Wikipedia) My favorite version was sung by Burl Ives.

For more information on the origins of Frosty the Snowman see the link below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frosty_the_Snowman

Visit my web-site: “Windows of Photography” to see more of my photographic art.

Technical Data: Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S VR Macro 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens, Subject Disteance: 1.0 meters, Exposure: 0.4s at f5.6, Focal Length: 105mm, Filter: Ultra Violet, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop CS5 Bridge, Date: 12/21/2011 at 12:14 pm

Assassin Bug

The above photograph of an Assassin Bug was taken Thanksgiving day in Lake Charles, Louisiana using a Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S VR Macro 105mm f/2.8 lens. The above Assassin Bug may not look like a predator but it is. Fully-grown Assassin Bugs can range from 4 to 40 millimeters. The above Assassin Bug looked to have been about 25 millimeters (1.0 inches). Assassin Bugs have a long rostrum (feeding tube) which they use to inject lethal saliva to liquefy the insides of their prey for feeding. Assassin Bugs colors can range from brown, black, red and orange.

For more information about the Assassin Bug see the link below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassin_Bug

I had recently purchased a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S VR Macro 105mm f/2.8 lens.  Simply put, I love this lens! But, evan though this is a great lens it is not a forgiving lens. The focal point can be very small and tight (macro) and you must use a tri-pod (maybe a mono-pod could work). I have also read that this NIKKOR lens is a very good portrait lens.

For more information about Nikon's Macro 105mm lens see the link below:

http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Camera-Lenses/2160/AF-S-VR-Micro-NIKKOR-105mm-f%252F2.8G-IF-ED.html

Visit my web-site: “Windows of Photography” to see more of my photographic art.

Technical Data: Nikon D3 with a Nikon NIKKOR AF-S VR Macro 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens, Subject Distance: 0.4 meters. Exposure: 1/500s at f/5.6, Focal Length: 105mm, Filter: Ultra Violat, Post Processing: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3, Date: 11/24/2011 at 12:44 pm