Photoshop Lightroom 3 Beta

Adobe has recently  released its latest version of Lightroom, which has been anticipated with high hope by many users. As of so far I believe they have once again delivered some outstanding imaging software. I have not had a chance to use the product, but I am also yet to see a negative review. Lightroom is a program in which you can sort, organize, develop, and publish your photos, or send them to photoshop for finishing. One of the added features to this version streamlines the importing process making it easier to avoid importing duplicates. The software also gives you access to all collections and recent folders, so you don't have to switch to the Library module to access photos.

Though the features listed above are quite convenient, one of the more dramatic updates is how it processes RAW files. Adobe has rewritten the demosaicing, sharpening, noise reduction, and vignetting algorithms, and the program now allows you to add film-like grain to your pictures. Some of these terms are meaningless to a guy like me, but to sum it up these features allow for much finer image quality. 

With new editing software getting more and more sophisticated the need to take properly lit and exposed photos is decreasing. With this said, professional photographers in the future might have a hard time creating scenes superior to those using advanced editing software.   

Surf Photography

I have always been amazed by surf photographers, they have got have one of the most difficult jobs in the industry. Many people appreciate the skillful risk taking surfers display in photographs, but overlook the guy taking the shot. Those guys are out there lugging cameras in the same elements, and get no recognition.  I would conclude that photographing surfers is a cool sport in itself.

So for this reason I chose to read a beginners surf photography tutorial by Ryan Cardone.  The part of the tutorial that caught my interest was the equipment section. The equipment is expensive in itself, plus you must factor in the price underwater housing. The cost of getting started in surf photography is hefty, so for a hobbyist it's hard to justify the investment. So to solve this problem the author suggests using underwater disposable camera or an Olympus underwater point and shoot. This statement totally inspired me because I have an Olympus stylus underwater camera, which I haven't found much use for underwater in the past.

Next time I'm on the coast I'm going to leave the board on the beach, and try to stay out of the surfers way as I snap shots of them.       

Double angle shots

I was reading Chris O'Connell's photography blog and found some interesting stuff. O'connell is an action sports photographer who is well known is the skiing community. He has numerous shots in pretty much any ski publication around. Its almost hard to find a picture he didn't shoot.

Any way he discussed shooting skiers from two different angles in one shot by setting up a second camera on a remote. He included some examples of some of the work he created this way. Both angles were great magazine worthy shots, with two totally different compositions. In today's economy this sounds like a great idea. As O'Connell put it, "So of course, double the shots, double the cash in the pocket right?"

Design Assignment

This picture was taken while on a spring back country ski trip in the Tahoe area. The significance of this picture is the fact that it was taken in a pretty desolate location, free from most human interference. As I looked to the sky there was a jet flying overhead, which illustrates the fact that our pure undisturbed natural areas are growing smaller and smaller.

There are many design elements that make this somewhat average scene a bit more interesting.  The repeated diagonal lines along the ridge lines and jet stream is an interesting element that adds to the quality of the composition. 

Another nice feature the large darker jagged rock formation in the lower right 1/3 quadrant of the scene. This is where I find my eye focusing first, then It follows the ridge line up to the jet stream. Which is in my opinion the center of interest. It brings a unique subject to an otherwise common scene. It breaks up the vast blue sky, drawing more attention to it. 

This shot is the original, unedited version. I couldn't upload the edited version because I think it was to large. In my edited version I added a warming filter, which brought out some of the orange in the rocks. I also used a cooling filter on the sky, making it a bit more bold. With orange areas in the rocks complimenting a vivid blue sky there is a nice push and pull of colors going on.

Overall I wouldn't say this shot is a masterpiece by any means, nor do expect any one else to think so either, but as I stated above it has some significance to me so I like it.   

Photo spot

When doing some research for a photo journey through Norway, I came across a scene that looks absolutely breath taking. The place: Lysefjord, in Ryfylke, near Haugesund. The two main attractions being Preikestolen and Kjerag.

The Preikestolen is a giant mass of rock that plateaus 604 meters over the Lysefjord. The giant rock is said to be approximately 600 square meters. That one impressive rock.

The Kjerag is an even larger than the Preikestolen. It towers over all the peaks along the Lysefjord, at 1,084 meters above the fjord. Once you have completed the hike to the top, the Kjeragbolten is a popular subject to be photographed. It is a round rock solidly wedged in a mountain crevice.

These are two sights I would love to one day visit and photograph. Upon finishing my shoot, I would be sure to base jump off them and possibly get some unique shots along the way.