New HDR

As I've noted previously, night shots look best at twilight. And the window of opportunity for balance of twilight and artificial light can sometimes be just 15 minutes. HDR (high dynamic range) has changed that scenario, in that now you have the contrast control to expand or contract your highlight to shadow ratio. My good friend Joe@ joecarrphotography.com convinced me to update my Photomatix for even more control in such instances and It now gives you options previously unavailable. Here's a couple results that give a wide range of exposure that could not be captured in a single frame.To make this more of a challenge the hotel shot was previously done on film with a full frame camera, the new D300 is Not full frame and the vantage point required a mini panorama merge to encompass the whole property, even with a 12 mm wideangle lens. note, you can now click the image directly to enlarge!

Mike and music

Mike
Originally uploaded by Michael Slear

A friend is cutting an album locally, and asked me to document. So was experimenting with snooted speed lights in the sound studio and loved the feel of this image. It really projects the mood of the moment.

sunrise pier

sunrise pier
Originally uploaded by Michael Slear

Sometimes just showing up early is rewarding. Like before sunrise, which was nice in itself but clouds on a horizon are always hard to beat. If there’s color you have a pretty good chance of just another pretty photo. But we have lots of those, so, adding the knowledge of shutterspeed and movement of one of the elements of image the result is a little different, giving the sense of the moment, and movement. And as always a little rhythm always adds to a shot. The pier as well as the waves, you can almost hear them.

Uploaded by Michael Slear on 21 Feb 11, 8.36PM EST.

Framed

Framed
Originally uploaded by Michael Slear

Pictures within pictures are almost always playful, and at the very least entertaining. Framing up frames is even more fun so next time you pickup the camera try framing a frame, see where it may take you. Trying different f stops and focus areas will yield different results. This struck me as it reminded me of an old Led Zep album cover....... I mean Cd cover...

Fun

Fun
Originally uploaded by Michael Slear

Funny how things come full circle..... 30 years ago we sold B&C, then Myrtle Beach Farms a multiple page brochure on the Pavilion, I even designed it and wrote the copy. In that brochure was a shot of the Caterpillar and to show the motion, yet freeze the action was a challenge for a rookie, given the limitations of film and equipment and inexperience......got the shot though albeit not quite as successful as this one, 30 years later. Same ride by the way and only couple photoshop clicks. I miss the pavilion.