Day 132/366

"Try and make it Unique"

Today, Adobe officially released the Creative Cloud, so I got to download all the new apps. So this is the first image processed through the full release version of PS CS6.

I was looking through some images from DC and trying to find something I could have fun with and came across images from my DC Photowalk lead by the Photowalk Pro himself,  I was the stragler of the group, I kept stopping to take bracketed shots. And I guess I saw things that the others didn't because no one ever stopped with me to shoot. :)
So I finally made it to the base of the Washington Monument, Now the problem before me is how do I shoot this thing in a somewhat unique, I mean this thing is shot like crazy. It is in several of my other shots and I use it there simply as a device to help the viewer instantly know where they are when looking at the image. But how do you try and create a unique image when shooting the Monument by itself.

I had one thing going for me, It was exceptionally windy, which helped to make the flags stand at attention. So I walked around and looked for a unique angle, I had an idea of shooting a bracketed sequence and embracing the fact that each shot will have a different flag in it. I wasn't sure how it would turn out, but thought it might make for an interesting image. I also figured that this thing is so recognizable that I only needed to include a portion of the monument, for it to read as the Washington Monument.
I exported the image out of Lightroom and into HDR EFEX PRO and began to mess with it looking for something interesting. The one thing I did see was that the Flags were definitely interesting, and that became what I focused on. As I began playing the image began to look a little painterly, which really made the flags start to look cool. So I headed down that direction. I got the color and feel of the image how I wanted it, I then used a little trick where I reprocess the HDR into black and white and pump up the structure and contrast, then I layer that image on top of the color version in Luminosity Mode. And it really helps bring out the texture, and in this case helps with the Painted feel. I love the feel of the Monument.

Make sure and click on the image and look at the larger version.

Day 131/366

Today I was getting through more of the Pre Conference images. One of the "Generals" I shot most was great, and willing to walk wherever I needed him to go, so you will see him a few more times over the next week.

The day was spent at the Sully Plantation, in addition to the tents that were set up by our Civil War Re-Enactors, there was also buildings on site. The first thing we did when we arrived was walk around and get an idea for what would be good at the end of the day when the light got good. My friend  and I saw this building and thought it would be good. This was the day I had the 85 1.2 on my camera, so I was looking for ways to take advantage of it. So we had seen the porch of this building had some cool columns, So later in the day I had approached one of the Generals to head over with me.

The sun was just at the angle where the porch was in shadow, so he had to step to the edge and lean into the light. I tried to set it up as if he was looking out at the troops and contemplating his next move.

This is one of those times when you are on a group photo trip where it's hard to get a completely original shot. I had brought him over and was working with him to get the shot and as I was finishing I turned around and was surprised to see 10 to 15 photographers behind me waiting to get the shot. But thats also what makes group shoots great, if you are new or low on inspiration, just hang out and shoot what other people are shooting. At least you will have images from the day. The first time I went on the Photo Safari in Vegas, I was really trying to work on shooting more models. So I was one of the people that kind of hung around and shot what other people were shooting.

Thanks everyone for stopping by.

Day 130/366

At Photoshop World in DC I had the pleasure of going on the PreCon with Moose Peterson and Joe McNally. I had posted an image or two before. It was a Civil War Re-enactment troop. They had a couple of younger kids running around. I tried to just observe and capture them playing.
I had this Desaturated version and a Black and White version. Still going back and forth on which one I prefer. But I am leaning towards this one, so I figured I would post it.

If you go to PSW, I highly recommend taking in one of the PreCon workshops.

Thanks for stopping by

Day 129/366

This is +Matt Kloskowski stealing my shot. I had shown him the image from yesterday, and he thought it was something he wanted to also photograph. I kid about him stealing it, He and I were in the same boat with not enjoying the JETTY ruining the epic shot. And I am all for sharing, so he was kind enough to pose for a long exposure, although he kept misunderstanding when I was shooting and kept moving before the shot was over. We ended up shooting 3 or 4, and this was the first one and I really thing him moving made the shot more interesting.
The other cool and frustrating part of this image is if you follow the horizon to the left you will see a little group of islands. Those were the islands we were SUPPOSE to be shooting. but if you continue left that is a giant cliff that prevented us from walking around to Second Beach.
So to me this is a shot of Matt looking off longingly at the amazing Sea Stacks over there at Second Beach. And is standing on the very thing that kind of ruins First Beach for photographers.

Day 128/366

So we head to LaPush Washington. This was the final destination of the trip that took us by the waterfall from a couple of days ago.  and I headed to the infamous Second Beach. We made our way and arrived at the Second Beach Parking lot. And unfortunately that's as close to second beach as we got. You see, from the Second Beach parking area, you can see down to First Beach and the directions for how to get to Second Beach were a little scarce. And not knowing any better, we assumed the massive Sea Stacks and beach before us, was Second Beach. So we headed down and had a little over an hour to scout our epic sunset location. But as we kept comparing the shots that Matt had on his phone to the sea stacks in front of us, we slowly realized that we were at the wrong beach. But we were too far away to get over to the actual Second Beach.
Not all was lost, we still had this awesome scenery in front of us. And while some clouds had started to move in, I was creating some really interesting skies. The only drawback to First Beach vs Second Beach was that there was a Jetty that ran from the beach out to in front of the island. So it prevented us from being able to shoot the islands surrounded by water. But I had driven 6 hours to get there, so I knew I was gonna try my best to get something. I made my way to the Jetty and figured I would try and use the Jetty as my focus. So using the idea of having things in the Foreground that was written about by  I set to shooting a bunch of different angles and trying different things in my foreground. One of the things I love about this image is the waves came in and wrapped around the rocks and then receded, so it gave really cool texture and dimension to the water.
This is one of the shots that made the trip worth it. And I will now have to go back and shoot Second Beach.

Day 126/366

Alright, So I was on a trip with  out to the LaPush area of western Washington. It was a 4 hour drive each way, so we had lots of time to chat. So we get into a discussion about the reverse critique on the grid, and I mentioned that there are very few waterfall shots that inspire me. So of course he spots this what can only be described as a creek off the side of the road. So we pull over, and of course I had to get down there and give it my best shot. I couldn't really verbalize why I didn't care for most waterfall shots. But as we were shooting the sun started peaking through the trees, and then there was just a hint of steam and atmosphere whisping of the trees. And I started to see something that interested me. And I think thats what I miss in most waterfall shots. It's that they are usually surrounded by trees and very few have sunlight and atmosphere.
So anyway, this was the best of the shots I took, And honestly we crawled down and had the tripods in the water to try and make this creek look impressive. I think we did a fairly good job.
Anyway I couldn't pick which Version I like. I think the Black and White is classic and may be my choice in 20 years. But the color version is also interesting. So I am interested in which version you prefer? So +1 the version you like the best.
Hey  Did you finish any of your shots from here, would love to see what you came up with.

Take care everyone.

Day 124/366

I have been busy today processing these images from the Highland Games Practice I got to go to. One of the Key events and possibly most recognizable is the Caber Toss.
There is a little back story to this image. My friend Cory, had found his caber down on the shore, It's basically a large piece of drift wood. So this caber was a little bit longer and a little bit heavier than the standard caber, But he was using it for training and until this day not been able to throw it and get it to turn over(which means to flip it onto the end and have it fall over in the other direction). It would always get close then either fall back or to the side. So he brought this behemoth to the practice. Only one of the other guys even attempted to turn it, and in doing so It got out of balance and he let it fall to the ground, unfortunately this broke the end of the caber. So to repair it, they taped up the broken portion (You can see the mended portion in the image).

So with the caber broken and in the final hours of it's life, Cory basically had one last chance to turn it over. I think this was the extra incentive he needed, because on his last throw, he got it to turn over.

So while processing these images I kept going back and forth trying to pick THE image from the series. Then it dawned on me that this needed to be an Image Sequence.

So here is Cory's victorious Caber throw.

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