So I lucked out...

Canon 5d Mk ii, 15mm Fisheye, 35 minute exposure.

I lucked out in finding north.  North being the direction at the center of the circle.  I was also lucky in getting limited interference from the massive headlights just below the bottom of the frame.

I was freezing at the top of Mount Haleakala at 0450 in Maui, HI setting up this shot.  It was only 40-50 degrees, but the wind chill took the temperature down to the 30s.  Also, you can see where I bumped the tripod towards the end of the exposure.  It is the point where the trail turns up at the end.

Next time, I will bring more layers to keep warm and take multiple pictures instead of one long exposure.  Thinking back now, I wish I listened to a friend when she told me to take many smaller images instead of one long exposure.

My favorite part is next; planning for the next excursion.  Who's up for a little adventure...?

So I've been experimenting...

HDR, Canon 5d mk II, 17mm, merged in Photoshop CS5

Pano, Canon 5d mk II 17mm, combined in Photoshop CS5

With family in town, I've had a little extra time to test out some photography tricks (while someone else watches Eli).  I've been wanting to capture the vastness of the trees in Hawaii for a while. This attempt is done via hand holding the camera and panning to get the shot.  I trimmed a lot of excess away to get only what matters here.  Holidays are the best!

Here's to concentrating

Shot after dark.  Horrible lighting made me max everything out I could to just to get this one shot.  It reminds me that I shouldn't concentrate on the settings, but rather concentrate on the image.

Life is good.

So I finished uploading my pics...

All of these pictures were taken during my photowalk this last weekend.  I was out there with several other photographers all "shootin' and movin'" in support of Scott Kelby's Worldwide Photowalk.

These pictures were all taken with the Canon 5D Mark II.  I was using the 50mm 1.2L and the 100mm 2.8L.

My focus during the photowalk, as mentioned during my previous post, was to see something a little different.  I saw the flowers, but what drew me in was the texture of the plants.  

Capturing the trees here is always a unique challenge I welcome.  This time I used the 15mm fisheye to bring in as much as I could.

So I went on a photo walk...

I think this may be the first picture I've uploaded that isn't a single picture on its own.  Of course it's a combination of several smaller pictures.  My main reason for doing this was to create something different from my normal candid shots.  I learned several new things from this walk as well.  But I'll save that for another post...

So I went to a garden...

These few images are HDR attempts that I tried.  

5D Mark II HDR.

5D Mark II HDR.  My stand was a picnic table.

This video is my first uploaded video.  I am attempting to show what I was seeing while I was at the garden.

So I went to "Star Trailing"...

I met with a group from Meetup.com on Sandy Beach.  We were there to take pictures of the stars during the absence of the moon.  As the weather is what it is, we were subject to it.  In this case, that meant we were unable to see the stars as the clouds were developing at the very position we were forming up at.  This is were we initiated our backup plan.  

The first picture shows a kite flying high with a light on it.  It was a long 62 second exposure that brought out the extended capture.  You can see the in the light trail between the red blinking light and the always on white light.  Just a small, neat detail.  

Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm set to 26mm, f/11 for 62 sec at ISO 200.

 Although the kite with lights was cool, I needed another focus for my attention.  Pictured next is the light painting I created with the help of a video light and a small little car as a model.  There is a lot going on here, but I learned so much in those quick 45 seconds.  I learned that you have to be pretty precise when calling your shots when it comes to light painting.  

Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm set to 40mm, f/11 for 45 sec at ISO 200.

Both of these images were taken straight from the camera.  I only reduced the size of the image for the sake of uploading them to the internet.  I did not change or alter any of the colors.  Now to get some more models and really give this light painting technique a dedicated effort...

So I got a new camera...

It's a Canon G12.  Two generations newer than my previous point and shoot.  This picture was taken near my house.  Two shots, merged with Photoshop CS5.  Yes, it's the old version, I can't afford the new version, new camera remember?

-Cheers

So I dove the Mahi...

Canon G10 & underwater housing still working good at 80 feet!

This eel was hanging out in a an old port hole on the side of the Mahi. 

Almost too big for my little camera, but not quite.

So I dove the Mahi, with a few friends on Sunday.  It was a great experience.  I really wish I could get out more and do more dives like this.  Calm seas (for the most part) and excellent sea life.  We even saw a few Sting Rays.  (Their picture didn't turn out well, and I wasn't about to chase them down for another picture.)

Thanks again John for dragging me along with your crew, there were a blast to hang out with even if they didn't like my iced tea...

-Cheers!

So I went hiking...

I went on a hike with the wife to an old pill box.  This was an outpost from the '50s used to keep an eye out for bad guys coming in from over the horizon.  As you can see here, it has _not_ been preserved with the original paint scheme.  Perhaps a bit edgy for some, I like it.

-Cheers

Camera Stuff:  Canon 5D Mark II, 17-40mm L set to 17mm f/5.6 at ISO 100 for 1/45 sec.

So I went to a car show...

I tried to avoid getting the typical shots that show up everywhere.  I wanted to get more shots of the details, and those little moments that took time.  The detailing of the trim, the clean rims, the polished blue paint and the funny name I couldn't pronounce.  (De Tomaso, an Italian car company that made some very sexy cars!)

Camera stuff: Canon 5D Mark II w/ 100mm 2.8L Macro.

On another note, I played with the 5D Mark III for a minute.  I have since decided that I need a new camera.  It's the 5D Mark III.

With just a camera phone...

I was at the beach for a BBQ this weekend.  This was the view.  I took the picture with my Android phone.  After becoming familiar with the Instagram App, I started messing with the modifications available within  my own phone (as I can't get Instagram on Android Market yet).    It was a windy afternoon.  It kept knocking out the fire in my grill.  But the view was worth it.

-Cheers!

It's been raining. A lot.

Canon 5d Mark II w/ 50mm at f/1.2, 1/180 sec, ISO 160 while driving down the side of the highway...

It's been raining a lot here on the island.  As seen here with one of the many waterfalls not usually visible from the H3.  On the right you can see the stairs.  Fun fact from this shot is that it was taken while driving down the highway.  Through the side window.  Of a car.  

For those moments...

Canon 5d Mark II w/ 50mm at f/ 2.8 at ISO 100 for 1/1500 sec.  

Everyone knows this device is a threat to all those who dare tread on its slippery surface.  But that's not the world we live in.  We live in a world where we face our fears and live our dreams.  And in those moments, we rule.

For those that are really curious, this moment occurred at precisely 1:43:04 on 23 February 2012.

Levitation

Canon 5D Mark II, w/ 50mm set to 1/2000sec at f/2.0, ISO 400.

I took this picture of Erin during a meetup.com photoshoot in downtown Honolulu.  We were going for a levitation shot, where the model appears to be floating in mid air.  This is a simple setup really, just have the model jump and freeze the action with a really quick shutter speed.

Thanks again to Erin, who totally makes this shot look easy.  In fact it was rather cumbersome to keep jumping in order for the photogs to get their timing right!

It's Tough Looking Awesome

Dear son, 

It's tough looking awesome, but you pull it off well.  Nice shoes.  

With love, 

your father

Got an Itch?

Hi.  My name is Lenny and I'm a back scratcher.  I've got magical hands.  Pay no attention to my nails, you won't even notice them.  

This is a reminder to myself to stay focused on scratching that itch.  No, I'm not equipped like Lenny here, but I've got a [photo] bug that has caused this itch.  I've been ignoring it for so long.  Computer problems, other things, and family matters have all pulled my attention away.  But without those events, I wouldn't realize how much I enjoy photography.  So, here's to life and staying focused on my itch.

Concerned

Canon 5d Mark II with 100mm set to 1/90 at 4.0.  

I seen concern in his eyes.  Perhaps an unknown future, perhaps his significant other is growing distant, perhaps it is fear of acceptance at a new barber.  Concern none the less for something not seen in this picture.  This picture was taken on the same day with the previous post.  I've been behind in my posting skills.  I've been re-inspired by some friends getting into photography and my local photography group encouraging me.  Expect more pictures to come in the days to follow, as I work with my friends and inspiration to deliver more.  Shot out to Adam, and his new Photography Business.  Send me a link, I want to see the good stuff you do!

How to Tag a Photo

Camera: Canon 5D Mark II. Son: Elijah.

I didn't set this picture up, but I recognized it as soon as I saw it.  And as soon as I saw it, I knew that this picture would be posted with the guidance of how to properly geotag a photo.  It was only luck that Eli turned around and I was able to get his better side.  Cheers!