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!