Landscape, Nature and Travel Photography

One of the greatest challenges facing photographers is dealing with the limitations of film or digital cameras in regard to Dynamic Range.  Over the years photographers have been and continue to be very creative in managing the limited range of light in which film or digital sensors can capture. In an effort to best reproduce what our eyes/brain see, photographers have developed techniques that balance the exposure of scenes with light ranges too great for film or digital sensors to handle.  Two techniques most often used to do this include the use of Graduated Neutral Density filters and now HDR image processing.

The differences between these two techniques are critical to distinguish in that one, GND filters, are for all intents and purposes a pre-processing technique, while HDR is a post-processing technique. GND filters enable photographers to manually adjust how much light from bright portions of a scene reaches ones film/sensor when the photo is taken. HDR on the other hand is the blending of multiple exposures on a computer to create a single image with a dynamic range that depending on the settings can look similar to what the human eye/brain might see. While both of these techiques can work well they do generate different looks.

Graduated Neutral Density filters in essence are plastic or glass filters with a graduated neutral gray color coating. The transition between the graduated gray to the clear portion of the filter can either be “hard” or “soft”. Hard GND filters have a more defined and abrupt transition while Soft GND filters have a broader and more gradual transition. As to which type you should use depends on the scene you photograph. Some scenes will have a well defined horizon line such as an ocean sunset photo in which a hard GND filter will work well, while a lake sunrise photo with a treeline may require the more gradual transition provided with a soft GND filter. Using the right GND filter type will make the filters use transparent to the viewer of your photograph.

Hard and Soft Graduated Neutral Density Filters

Photo courtesy of Ron Niebrugge

An example of a scene captured with and without a Soft 3-Stop Graduated Neutral Density filter. Note the detail in the sky that is recovered with the use of the filter.

With the use of a Graduated Neutral Density filter

Without the use of a Graduated Neutral Density filter

Other write ups on this subject:

Graduated Neutral Density Filters - Niebrugge Images

Graduated Neutral Density Filters - Wikipedia

Technorati Tags: photo, photography, terminology, Graduated Neutral Density, filter

One thing is constant no matter where I travel. What is common place for a local is often special to someone traveling through. Somehow when we are exposed to something, no matter how beautiful, day in and day out it often becomes less special. Yet when you show this “common” item to someone visiting the perception is completely different.

While in Utah I had this experience several times. Sunflowers on the side of the road… nothing special to the locals, yet an incredibly beautiful photographic subject to me. I suppose the moral of this thought is its sometimes helpful to put on the hat of a tourist where you live and rediscover what is in your own backyard.

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Technorati Tags: sun flower, Utah, desert, photography, stock photo

It’s official I’m back. Back from 5 days of a very hectic but relaxing travel schedule to photograph the beautiful natural landscapes of Utah and Wyoming. Not counting my flight from San Francisco to Salt Lake City I logged nearly 1100 miles in my trusty rental car. In a very strange coincidence I seem to have captured a tad over a photo per mile. As we all know it’s not the quantity of photos it is the quality of the photos that matter. Over the coming weeks you can expect to see photos and read vignettes from my trip.

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With an aggressive schedule and so much ground to cover
even while driving my camera wasn’t getting much rest.

On this trip I had the pleasure of meeting several great people across the region. I am looking forward to sharing in the coming week a conversation I had with a very talented and for now unnamed photographer in my next episode of EXIF and Beyond. I’ll also introduce you to a local environmentalist with a great cause that needs your support.

Before ending this entry I should also note that just before and during my trip quite a bit has happened that is noteworthy. 

N. Rockies Wolves Get Federal Protection Restored - National Geographic 
I have to admit I was very happy to have heard this news while in Wyoming.

My Arctic National Wildlife Refuge photos were referenced in a ThinkProgress.org blog post titled Boehner falsely claims there’s no ‘wildlife’ in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (with video of Congressman Boehner’s idiotic claim)

PhotoNetCast #8 has been released with discussions around Photography Contests with special guest professional photographer David Ziser

An Interview With Jim M. Goldstein on Bild och foto

The 15th episode of EXIF and Beyond has been released.

In this episode “Mastering Digital Panoramic Photography” is discussed. Topics covered include an introduction to the technique, best practices, pitfalls, alternative methods, computer & software tips, and creative vision. This information packed episode will put you on track to master this challenging photographic technique in roughly (30) thirty minutes.

Referenced Articles and Resources:
Mastering Digital Panoramic Photography by Jim M. Goldstein via JMG-Galleries

Breaking the Gigapixel Barrier - Max Lyons

Recommended Panoramic Photography Resources

Download the latest episodes:
EXIF and Beyond: Mastering Digital Panoramic Photography

For the non-iTune listeners a streaming version of this podcast can be accessed here.

Featured Panoramic Photos in this Episode of EXIF and Beyond:

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“4 Corners - Welcome to Colorado”
made From (16) Sixteen Vertical Images (1×16)

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“Last Light On Delicate Arch, Arches National Park”
Made From (6) Six Vertical Images

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“The Beauty of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge”
Made From (10) Ten Vertical Images

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“Bryce Canyon Sunset, Bryce Canyon National Park”
Made from (5) Five Vertical Images

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“100 Caribou”
Made from (21) Twenty One Vertical Images

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“Caribou Pass View To The South Panoramic ” - Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Made From (35) Thirty Five Vertical Images

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“Caribou Pass and Kongakut River Panoramic” - Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Made From (50) Fifty Vertical Images

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“Cable View Panoramic, Golden Gate Bridge - San Francisco”
Made From (3) Three Horizontal Images via Tilt Shift Lens
Between the cables is Alcatraz and in the distance is San Francisco more…

“Golden Gate Bridge Panoramic Sunset”
Made From (3) Three Vertical Images via Tilt Shift Lens more…

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“Yosemite Trees”
made From (11) Eleven Vertical Images (1×11)

Technorati Tags: EXIF and Beyond, podcast, digital, panoramic, photography, technique, tutorial, how to, dSLR, Four Corners, Golden Gate Bridge, Bryce Canyon, San Francisco, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Arctic Refuge, National Park, Caribou, Arches, Delicate Arch,

To expand on my recent podcast episode Landscape Photography: The Wave here are a couple more highlighted photos:

Technorati Tags: EXIF and Beyond, podcast, landscape photography, digital photography, The Wave, Wave, Arizona, Utah, Paria Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness, photography

The eighth episode of EXIF and Beyond, a video podcast, has been released. Photographing the Wave in the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness of Arizona and Utah is discussed. Learn more about this amazing area and tips to capture great landscape photos.

Download the latest episode:
Landscape Photography: The Wave

For the non-iTune listeners a streaming version of this podcast can be accessed here.

Technorati Tags: EXIF and Beyond, podcast, landscape photography, digital photography, The Wave, Wave, Arizona, Utah, Paria Canyon, Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness, photography

Another perspective on the Wave in the Vermilion Cliffs area along the Arizona/Utah border. The formations in the sandstone never cease to amaze. The formations and awe they inspire seem to be eternal.

Technorati Tags: the Wave, Wave, Vermilion Cliffs, Paria Wilderness, Arizona, Utah, sandstone, formation

This evening I was very fortunate in that I caught “The Greatest Good” on PBS. It reminded me of my roots and the progression of my interest into photography. With out any doubt my interest in photography is rooted in my fondness for nature and wilderness. Growing up as a small child in Alaska, the wilderness was an endless curiosity on our numerous camping trips and later throughout the rest of my life exploring the backcountry of California extended that fascination and appreciation. The foundation of my interests would not be possible with out the creation of public land policy, U.S. National Forests, the National Park Service and modern Wilderness Conservation.

“The Greatest Good” very effectively, if not poetically, covers the history and evolution of U.S. land management and conservation.

Photo: Dixie National Forest, Utah

Up until this point John Muir and Teddy Roosevelt were the icons I recognized in regard to the creation and conservation of our land, but Read more… »