Crane Impressions
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Here is an image I made over Thanksgiving weekend, or Sandhill Cranes in flight. Enjoy!
I made some images with the 1DS M3 this morning and will post some soon...
Bill
Sierra Sunrise
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
This morning’s sunrise brilliantly lit these clouds outside my home. With my new camera, I am vigilantly looking for photo ops! I know it is just a tool, but anything that tunes me into the natural world is a good thing!
Note: The RAW file is 22mb for this image, and the Photoshop file with a couple of layers is 218mb. Some of the RAW files I’ve captured are 35mb. The file looks exceptionally smooth and sharp!
Bill
Holiday gifts...
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Here is a list of gifts you may wish to consider for giving this holiday season:
Cheers!
A gift...
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
On Saturday, I went with my family to a Pancake Breakfast with Santa, a wonderful small town tradition here. Afterwards, my six year old son picked up this leaf in the parking lot and said, “Here Dad, maybe you want to photograph this!” And so I did.
Bill
Canon’s 1DS M3
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Christmas came early yesterday when my new camera arrived late in the day. By the time I was ready to try some photographs, it was getting dark so I made some images of this nautilus shell in my studio. I hand held both the shell and the camera. I am very pleased with the results!
Of course, a blurred image is no way to test the full capabilities of a 21 MP camera, but I simply had to initiate this new tool. I will be finding a good “sharp” subject, hopefully a trip to Yosemite Valley (1.5 hrs from here), early next week in order to better test this camera’s quality.
Stay tuned for more feedback. For an interesting view of the 1DS M3, see The Luminous Landscape site.
Bill
Refuge Impressions
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
During my sunset session at the wildlife refuge, I added some new images to my Impressions of Light series.
BTW, I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new Canon 1DS Mark 3 21 mp camera. I will keep you all posted. Does anyone want to buy a used 1DS Mark2? I will sending it in for cleaning this week, and then putting it on ebay soon.
Regards,
Bill
Snow geese
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Over the Thanksgiving weekend, we visited the Merced National Wildlife Refuge. The sights and sounds of the sandhill cranes, snow geese and other birds were awesome!
With the good moon phases for Friday sunset and Saturday sunrise I had many good opportunities. Bird photography is not exactly my specialty, but it was fun to see what I could pull off. I made about 800 images, which included many experiments and follies!
There are a few good ones, and so this is the first in a series I will post as I work on the files.
Bill
Pink Rose #2
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Here is another image made last week.
Bill
Pink roses
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Here is a new Impressions image I made last week. I hand held the camera. The light is from the two windows of my dining room. Enjoy!
Bill
Impressions article in OP
Friday, November 23, 2007
After many delays over the last year, my essay on my Impressions work has appeared in Outdoor Photographer’s December issue.
For more information on the filter mentioned in the article, please see Singh Ray’s FOCUS ON SINGH-RAY FILTERS blog.
Your feedback is welcome,
Bill
It’s got the glow...
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
I was eating my lunch in the warm sun today, when I noticed some interesting light on my waterfall. A patch of sunlight was striking the sienna color wall behind the water and glowing through the falls. These two frames are not really sharp but not as impressionistic as the Impressions of Light series. I don’t have a favorite yet...
Enjoy!
Bill
In Memory of a Quail
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
There are dozens of quail that live around my home. The other day, one poor bird smacked right into my office window. This morning I photographed the bird, a sort of memorial for this beautiful creature. The side lighting from the early morning sun helped bring out the textures of the feathers.
Bill
Aspen
Monday, November 12, 2007
I have no new work to share since my last post, so here is a 4x5 format film image taken in 1994. I used an modified film holder to crop to this 2:1 ratio at the time of exposure.
I made this image while on assignment for Smithsonian Magazine in New Mexico. Happily, they sent me at the peak of fall color!
Bill
Six Frame Pano
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Last Sunday morning, on my way to pick up milk at the store, I made this pano series handheld. I just wanted to experiment further on compositing images. I am not thrilled with this image in any way except that I am starting to see many creative ways to apply the technique.
For a larger version, see my web site: Six Frame Pano
Bill
The World's Top Photographers: Landscape: And the Stories Behind Their Greatest Images
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
This book came out a few years ago, and it is offers an educational and inspirational look into the images and careers of 38 top landscape photographers. I was very pleased to be included in this elite group! Now available in paperback: The World's Top Photographers: Landscape
For those of you interested in marketing your images, you might want to check out this page on my web site: Photography Business Books
I hope these resources are useful to you!
Bill
outside my office window
Monday, November 5, 2007
A few weeks ago, I photographed this cottonwood.
Enjoy!
Bill
Buckeyes... another version!
Monday, November 5, 2007
Here is the main composition I worked on during this session. I prefer this image over the image posted on Friday, Nov 2. But since we have been talking about stitching compositions, and I just beginning to learn about it and finding situations to apply the technique, that was the first image I worked on in PS. I am very pleased with both images.
I have been working in this tightly framed style with trees for about 25 years now as you can see from several images in my Yosemite Portfolio, especially one of my all time favorite images, Black Oak Leaves, El Capitan Meadow, Yosemite National Park, California which was made in 1983!
Bill
Buckeye Impressions
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Here are two new images from Thursday. I am still going through the selection process so I’m including two versions.
Bill
Buckeye tree
Friday, November 2, 2007
I made this image yesterday. It is composed of three frames, and the master file is 337.3mb with adjustments layers! I hand held the camera since I was making Impressions mostly, and, oh yes, and just grabbed the camera and lens with no other gear or tripod as I ran off to my acupuncturist! I’d been driving by these buckeyes trees and admiring for years before finally stopping on my way home... Will post some Impressions buckeye images next...
Enjoy!
Large format
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
A posting in my last blog on Oct 23 mentioned my use of a large format camera. From 1982, I primarily used a 4x5 field camera, and most of my published work was made with that format. I don’t wish for those efforts to be forgotten or overlooked in this blog, and since I can’t make new digital captures to post every day, I will occasionally post a 4x5 image. I am slowly finding time to scan the large amount of prime 4x5s yet to be digitized. BTW, if anyone wants to help run my scanner in this effort, let me know!
Another venue where you can see more 4x5 work can be found on the Stock Photography section of my web site.
Enjoy!
Playing Ansel
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
I just finished my On Landscape column for Outdoor Photographer’s Jan/Feb issue, and this is the image discussed. The essay mentions my association with Ansel, and resulting inspiration from him and other photographers in his “sphere.” This image was created from a color capture and the use of Photoshop CS3’s Channel Mixer adjustment layer, a Curve layer, and a Selective Color layer.
Enjoy!
Shadows and Light + a great resource
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Here is a photograph I made on Thursday. Enjoy!
Yesterday, while trying to come up with a good theme for my next OP column, I listened to podcasts where George Jardine from Adobe’s Lightroom team, interviews well know pros. Three of the photographers happen to be old friends - Jerry Uelsmann, Maggie Taylor, and Chris Rainier. I used iTunes to listen and see the images... There are also great interviews with Eric Meola and Steve McCurry.
Let me know if you find these podcasts useful and/or inspirational...
down the street
Friday, October 19, 2007
I’ve been driving past this tree in my neighborhood and finally stopped to photograph it. I didn’t get out of my car but photographed through my windshield! I really miss having a good autumn field trip this fall, so I am making do with local color.
Enjoy! Bill
my first composite!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
In an earlier posting on Friday, September 21, 2007, the subject of compositing images using a Tilt Shift lens was brought up in response to Marc Muench’s article in OP.
Well, here is my first attempt, taken yesterday. It is three images combined automatically using Photomerge in PS3. With adjustment layers, it is a 300mb file. This is the same size as the raw scans of my 4x5 film!
Thanks for Diane for getting me thinking about doing this! Enjoy!
Dancing oaks...
Sunday, October 14, 2007
I like returning to locations where I found inspiration previously. I made the bottom image in the spring of 2006 at a friend’s home. Last week, I was briefly visiting my friends, and brought my camera along to see what I might come up with. I still like the previous effort better, but I am pleased with this new one. I think that this is a good example of pushing oneself creatively, especially with subjects with great potential. If you made a great Half Dome image, you would stop photographing Half Dome. So I haven’t “rested on my laurels” but rather “dug in deeper” to see what else could be “seen” with these dancing trees!
Enjoy, and let me know your thoughts!
Bill
making light of the situation...
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
I have loved high key imagery for a long time. I also love to go back through my work to see what fresh ideas might be applied to them. This image shows a combination of these two factors. I made this image in August and last night I started tweaking it in Lightroom, liked where it was going and so took the image to PS to polish off the effort.
Another photograph from the same session has already been posted, so click on this link to compare the results:
Enjoy, and let me know your thoughts!
Regards, Bill
Infantry Soldier
Thursday, October 4, 2007
I know that this post is not photo-related, so please forgive the indulgence. Some of you may have been recently watching The War on PBS. My dad was in the Battle of the Bulge, on the front lines, and wrote a masterpiece account of what it was like. Ken Burns and his assistant read the book and wanted to include him since he lives in Sacramento. But he did not fit the criteria of having left Sacramento for the war and then return there. Dad is the writer in the family having been a career journalist. He spent ten years researching and writing the book. This is one of the very few books that gives a first person account of the battle from the infantry soldier’s viewpoint. Check it out!
interview
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Here is a link to an interview I did a couple of years ago. It is interesting for me to look back at what I was thinking then vs. what I am doing now. Of particular interest, I predicted that I would continue to use film. I have not. When I start working with the new 21MP Canon 1DS Mark lll, I expect it to be less likely!
Let me know your thoughts,
Bill
Japanese maple
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Here is a photograph I took today, with backlight coming through my office window and black velvet cloth behind...
Enjoy!
1D Mark lll
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
I am just learning to use this camera, but so far I am very impressed. I’ll have to dig deeper to get a sense of the image quality, but the large LCD is very bright and much easier to see than my Mark ll. And I have yet to see any sensor dust - the camera vibrates the sensor to clean it every time you turn the camera on and off!
Ok, I am ready to receive the 1DS Mark lll as soon as it is released!
Bill
another patio image.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
On our trip to the Mumm opening in Napa Valley, we stayed with my in-laws nearby. This image was made on their back patio. Beauty is everywhere!
Today, I made some images with the Canon 1D Mark lll, which I have on loan from Canon for my UP Michigan session next Monday and Tuesday. What an awesome camera, wit its 3” LCD and self cleaning sensor. No turning back now! I will post one of them soon...
Driveway photography
Friday, September 21, 2007
A few weeks ago, I was about to throw away some cardboard. The “cover sheet” for this thick board had come off and exposed this structure. I left it lying out on my driveway until yesterday evening, I fianlly made some exposures. I love patterns and I had fun!
Enjoy, and let me know what you think...
Regards, Bill
Big Sur
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Well, I haven’t made any new images lately, so here is an image from my Big Sur trip this summer. I also tried some blurs without success, and as with the Gates of the Valley image posted recently, I couldn’t resist capturing this classic scene. Comments anyone? BTW, this image was optimized completely in Lightroom only.
Has anyone out there looked into doing ebooks? I read an article in this month’s OP by Linde Waidhofer about her books that piqued my interest. There is a free sample available for viewing on her web site. I’d really like to know what you all think about this form of portfolio, and if you would have interest in seeing me offer ebook portfolios?
Regards, Bill
Photoshop resource!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
I hope you enjoy this image, which I made earlier this summer.
Classic view...
Monday, September 10, 2007
I am taking a quick break from writing my OP column for December... ah, deadlines!
No new work to show, but here is an image I made this summer in Yosemite Valley. This is one place where I always stop to soak in the classic view. Not tired of it yet after 30 years here! Even though I’ve worked hard to avoid the photographic cliches around here, I do not fear them! And, not ALL the images I create these days are blurred!
One note: All of the film images I’ve made here with film in the past, in these lighting conditions, have been a great struggle against the wide range of contrast. What a pleasure it was to work with the file from my 1DS MkII!
Enjoy, Bill
Resources for marketing.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
I am always trying to learn more, and want share with you these resources. Mary Virginia is an old friend, and has done so much to help artists market their work. Check out the links here:
I have just recently learned about Dan Heller and his Photography Business Blog:
Let me know if these resources are helpful.
I haven’t made any new work this week as I have been very busy finishing the critiques for my Portfolio class, and making prints for The Ansel Adams Gallery / Mumm Winery exhibit. Here are two images made earlier this summer at Mono Lake.
a rose is a rose...
Friday, August 31, 2007
An exhibit of photographs featuring new work by artists represented by The Ansel Adams Gallery opens at the Mumm Winery in Napa Valley. Twelve prints from my Impressions series will be exhibited. These prints were made on my Canon imagePROGRAF ipf8000 printer and fine art watercolor paper. I will be attending the reception on September 22.
FROM THE PRESS RELEASE: The walls of the Mumm Napa photography gallery will be adorned with a new exhibit of distinctive photographs this fall. The New Directions exhibit, which includes works that have never been seen before, opens September 22nd at the Mumm Napa Fine Art Photography Gallery. A collection of unique photographic styles and techniques, the exhibit includes selected works from contemporary photographers such as Christopher Burkett, Charles Cramer, Michael Frye, Carol Henry, Kerik Kouklis, Richard Lohmann, Tom Mallonee, and William Neill. The exhibit runs through March 17, 2008. To introduce the exhibit, Mumm Napa will host an opening night sparkling wine reception on Saturday, September 22nd at 6:30 p.m. at the winery in Rutherford, Napa Valley.
I made this rose photograph a few days ago, in my living room using indirect window light. Enjoy!
PHOTO NOTE: Exposed at 1.3 sec at f/3.5, 100 ISO using a Canon 50mm Macro lens and 2 Canon EF25 Extension Tubes. Camera: Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II. See Canon’s Explorers of Light and Printer Master web site
beauty in the everyday...
Friday, August 31, 2007
About a year ago, I was washing dishes and dropped a lid to a cooking pan. The safety glass broke into amazing patterns, so I saved a piece so I could photograph it someday. Well, someday was yesterday, and here is one version I like.
When I am not getting out into the field to photograph, I often look for things around home, found objects like previously posted images of the sunflower, the pebbles, the succulents in my garden. This keeps my eyes tuned in to the beauty that surrounds me, and all of us, every day.
One great master of transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary is Edward Weston, and his son Bret. Check out their work sometime!
PHOTO NOTE: Exposed at 15 sec at f/16, 100 ISO using a Canon 50mm Macro lens. Tripod mounted Camera: Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II. See Canon’s Explorers of Light and Printer Master web site
another patio session...
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Here is another sunflower image taken Friday morning, on my back patio. Enjoy!
PHOTO NOTE: Exposed at 1/4 sec at f/32, 100 ISO using a Canon 50mm Macro lens. Camera: Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II. See Canon’s Explorers of Light and Printer Master web site
Photo conference in Chicago
Thursday, August 23, 2007
I want to let you folks know that BetterPhoto is conducting a two-day photography conference in Chicago for on September 29th and 30th: http://www.betterphoto.com/conference.asp.
As you may know, I teach two courses for them. I'll be there, as will many other BP instructors! There will be great presentations on topics such as composition, workflow, light, exposure,
printing, making money, Photoshop, etc. There will be demonstrations, discussions, information and inspiration, and live critiques!! There will also be opportunities for putting your new techniques to work before and after our daily presentations.
Here's the Summit schedule:
This will be such a great event. Expect to be inspired by all the great images you'll see, to boost your skills in photography or Photoshop, and generally rediscover your passion for photography!
Sign up or learn more at:
BTW, the image above was made this morning!
PHOTO NOTE: Exposed at 1/3 sec at f/14, 100 ISO using a Canon 28-135mm IS lens. Camera: Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II. See Canon’s Explorers of Light and Printer Master web site
Hens and Chicks
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
I made this image on my patio last Sunday. Enjoy!
Yesterday, Canon announced two new cameras! I hope to get my hands on the 1DS Mark lll soon and post some images. Let’s see how much pull I have! See the links below:
For pros:
For serious amateurs and semi pros:
PHOTO NOTE: Exposed at 1.3 sec at f/22, 100 ISO using a Canon 90mm Tilt-Shift lens. Camera: Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II. Tripod mounted. See Canon’s Explorers of Light and Printer Master web site
Pebbles
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Yesterday morning, I photographed these pebbles. I bought them several years ago from my local rock/landscaping yard when I was building my waterfall. When I bought them, they looked dull and dark gray. When I started washing them off, their colors and patterns came to life. They are sitting in my wheel barrow where I kept them wet as I photographed them with my tripod sitting on top of the wheel barrow.
After first viewing this image, and then reading that it was set-up and not in a natural location, how does this info effect your feelings about the photograph?
BTW: Even pros make mistakes! I left the ISO 400 by mistake when I usually leave it at 100!
PHOTO NOTE: Exposed at 1/4 sec at f/18, 400 ISO using a Canon 50mm macro lens. Camera: Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II. See Canon’s Explorers of Light and Printer Master web site
another Glacier Point image, and a highly
recommended DVD
Monday, August 13, 2007
The other night I watched an amazing DVD entitled Andy Goldsworthy's Rivers & Tides. If you are not familiar with his art, I highly recommend that you check out his books and this DVD. He is dedicated to connecting with Nature, especially around his home in Scotland, and this DVD shows him at work, and talking about his art.
I scribbled down some notes as I watched. His commentary made me realize, in a more concrete way, what I am trying to do with my Impressions of Light series:
Remove the context, distill down to the essence, to convey the energy of a subject or scene in a fresh way, much as snow simplifies the landscape.
For me, these images defect the mind’s tendency to dwell on the concrete issues of place and name when viewing a subject. The spirit of a place or an object can be more strongly conveyed.
As for this image, I am “on the fence” about it. What are your thoughts?
PHOTO NOTE: Exposed at 1/8 sec at f/14, 400 ISO using a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L series lens and a Singh Vari-ND filter. Camera: Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II. See Canon’s Explorers of Light and Printer Master web site
Half Dome
Saturday, August 11, 2007
On the same day that I photographed the Mariposa Grove image in my last posting, I also went to Glacier Point for sunset. Here is a new take on Half Dome. The icon presents a constant challenge for photographers to photograph it in new ways. I look forward to hearing your comments.
PHOTO NOTE: Exposed at 2 sec at f/25, 100 ISO using a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L series lens and a Singh Vari-ND filter. Camera: Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II. See Canon’s Explorers of Light and Printer Master web site.
Big Trees...
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Here is a new image from the Mariposa Grove, near here in Yosemite NP. Let me know what you think!
PHOTO NOTE: Exposed at 1.3 sec at f/13, 100 ISO using a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L series lens and a Singh Vari-ND filter. Camera: Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II. See Canon’s Explorers of Light and Printer Master web site.
a trip over Tioga Pass
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Last Sunday, we took a trip to Tuolumne Meadows, over Tioga Pass to Mono Lake for sunset. Yesterday evening we visited the Mariposa Grove, which is about 30 minutes from here, and then to Glacier Point for sunset. That’s the great thing about having family visiting... we just have to give The Yosemite Tour!
I have been sorting through about 1000 new images! Both sunsets were excellent. The image here was made next to Tenaya Lake in high, mid-afternoon light... and yet it works for me with this high-key effect. I have found that my impressionistic work can be successful in lighting conditions that I would otherwise ignore. I will try to get some more images posted over the next week or so, as I refine my editing and work on the selects in PS.
PHOTO NOTE: Exposed at 1/2 sec at f/18, 100 ISO using a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L series lens and a Singh Vari-ND filter. Camera: Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II. See Canon’s Explorers of Light and Printer Master web site.
Forest Ripples
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Here is another reflection image. This one was not made with camera movement. The Tilt Shift lens I used was essential in giving me enough depth of focus and the right shutter speed for the ripple movement.
Let me know your thoughts on this image!
RESOURCE NOTE: For great digital photography tips, see my friend Tim Grey’s Digital Darkroom Questions E-mail Service.
PHOTO NOTE: Exposed at 1/13 sec at f/18, 400 ISO using a Canon 90mm f/2.8 Tilt Shift series lens. Camera: 1Ds Mark II.
another Manzanita Lake image...
Friday, July 27, 2007
Here is another image from my session on Wednesday evening. Enjoy, and let me know your thoughts!
Also, I want to share with you a link to my friend Marc Muench’s blog where he answers questions posted about landscape and digital photography. Marc Muench’s Dgrin Site
PHOTO NOTE: Exposed at 1/2 sec at f/22, 100 ISO using a Canon 90mm f/2.8 Tilt Shift series lens. Camera: 1Ds Mark II.
new work!
Thursday, July 26, 2007
On Monday, I had to make a quick trip to the San Francisco Bay Area. I didn’t take my camera since I was picking up family at the airport, and thought I might not have enough space for my bag. We headed home at sunset, and watched the MOST amazing rainbow, great clouds and a full 180 degrees, for at least 30 minutes while I drove! It was thrilling enough at the time that I did not dwell on not having my camera, but later, as I replayed visions of the scene in my mind, a bit of frustration surfaced!
So yesterday, when I left the house to take the family for a swim at a local lake, I packed the camera as I normally would... just in case I got inspired. After getting some relief from the heat with a swim, I got my camera out and made 249 images of water reflections!
As with the sunset cloud images, I made both sharp and impressionistic photographs. I will post my favorite sharp one soon. Here is one of my favorites.
PHOTO NOTE: Exposed at 1/2 sec at f/29, 400 ISO using a Canon 90mm f/2.8 Tilt Shift series lens. Camera: 1Ds Mark II.
amazing clouds and colors #2
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Here is an impressionistic interpretation of the sunset on Saturday. I like this image but not as much as the one shown in the previous post nor as much as several other sharp versions.
I have been very focused on adding new work to my Impressions of Light series, so I am little disappointed that I didn’t create some clear winners for that series given the great conditions.
Let me know your thoughts about these two sunset images!
PHOTO NOTE: Exposed at 1/3 sec at f/32, 100 ISO using a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L series lens. Camera: 1Ds Mark II.
Welcome to my blog. I will be sharing with
you my thoughts on landscape and nature
photography in general, as well as sharing information related to my own photography. I hope to also include links to the work by other photographers I find inspiring, products and resources that I find useful or that have potential, and occasionally I will comment on environmental issues. Your comments are welcome.
