The mentored sketchbook.

Farm HDR

Photographer's notes: Camera: Canon EOS 40D, Lens: 28mm-135mm, Shutter speed: 0.6 sec., at f/23. ISO: 100, exposures: 0;+1;+2

So, Chris and I went out to the farm again. As we were driving there, I suggested we have a certain goal or challenge to strive for, just to make it less repetitive. Chris said how about an HDR? An HDR (high dynamic range) image is actually three images put on top of one another. You take three images at different exposures, one at the right exposure for the heavily shadowed areas, one in the middle, and one for bright areas (you'll notice in the above notes that I have three exposures). Everything else is kept the same. I'd seen Chris do this a couple of times, and I knew what the results could look like, so with this knowledge I chose the above topic. The three of us (Chris, young Peleg, and I) each chose a couple of subjects to shoot, we spent about an hour and then we left. Later Chris helped me put the three images into the special software that makes the HDR image. We then "tone mapped" to create the above image. Tone mapping is  the mapping out of all the tones or tonal contrasts to achieve the look you want. You can make an incredible photo, that looks normal except amazingly accurate, or a grungy graphic looking photo like the one I have above. I'm not an expert, but if you are interested you can check out www.stuckincustoms.com. That's Trey Radcliff's website. He goes all around the world making HDRs.

A Sunday Walk Photo Assignment

Last Sunday I took my friends Nomi, Taltal, and Peleg for a walk along Walker Valley; not far from where I live. We walked around Clark's Marsh, Taltal with her sketch book and Peleg and I with our cameras. As I have often mentioned in my Newsletters, some people say they never bring a camera on such outings as it prevents them from being observant. I feel the opposite. Whenever I bring my camera, I find all my senses are more alive than ever. I look at the big picture and I look for small details. I look for birds and I look for animals. I examine the landscape, looking for texture, patterns and form. I am also aware that the day's outing, no matter what you are doing or where you are going, is part of a story. I enjoy telling that story through photographic imagery. That is why I made the above image. It was the beginning of the journey; the 'heading out'. 

Around midday, we stopped for a snack. Taltal did a drawing in her sketch book, Nomi watched the birds perform their spring rituals, while Peleg and I photographed. As the air was still, I was drawn to reflections in the calm water. Due to its simplicity, the one above was my favourite.

Moments later, a slight breeze produced reflections of an entirely different nature. They were in constant motion producing new compositions by the second. My challenge was to try and capture one!

It was a wonderful two hour walk, but without my camera, I doubt I would have noticed such beauty. When I am with my camera, I feel alive and very much aware of the natural world around me.