360 Degrees

I got tired of working yesterday so I thought I would take a break and do something I really like, goofing off!

I purchased a special rail for my tripod a couple of months ago for taking panorama photos and I haven't had the time to try it out until yesterday. I stood in the middle of the bridge that crosses one of our ponds and took nine photos encompassing 360 degrees around the center of the bridge. I used photoshop to stitch them together.

My brain wasn't working right at the time because I did't take into consideration the panorama would be flat and each end of the bridge would show in a different spot in the photo. I needed to start my shots at a different point to really get the effect I wanted but at least I know now and can use that the next time I try something weird.

For Parker.

Anini Beach

Wishing you all the best with your recovery. May you use this restful time to recharge and energize. All the best.

Down on the docks...

We've been enjoying a nice patch of warm sunny weather over here on the West Coast, so I grabbed the camera and the fishing rod and headed down to the docks.

I'd have to say that I definitely did better this day with the camera than the fishing rod, I felt so sorry for the poor little fish I'd caught that I threw him back as soon as this picture was taken, which is pretty much what I do with most of the pictures I take too... Thank goodness for digital! 

In the weeds

Literally and figuratively. 

I was in the weeds when I took this photo and now I am back in the weeds at work. I may never get caught up!

This photo was an experiment just to see what would happen. I have been using focus stacking on my macro shots to get a better "all in focus" view so I thought I would try it on a larger scale just to see what happened. Instead of using a small aperture I took a series of six images, all focused at different points through the photo and then stacked them together.

Evening visitors

Found a couple of Barred Owls at the edge of the forest overlooking our back yard a few days ago. It was well into dusk but I was able to take several longish exposure, high ISO pictures using the tripod before darkness set in completely. Here are the best two captures after working them over a bit with Photoshop.

Big Sky

The skies really cooperated during this trip, giving me just the kinds and amounts of clouds I wanted for photos.

It's always nice when the elements make it easy on you when taking photos.

Running water

Soon to be beer I think. LOL

I was told that the Colorado mountains had a heavier than normal snow fall this past winter and the creeks and rivers in the mountains seemed to prove that out. They were running high and fast everywhere we went.

One of these times I'm going to have to take a white water rafting trip.

Happy Independence Day!

I was looking through my Hawaii photos for a nice stately picture of the US flag that I remembered taking a few trips back... But I came across this picture first, so much for stately, Happy Independence Day!

Storms on the h o r i z o n II

These are the same photo. I just made one in black and white and the other in color.

Which do you prefer?

Happy 4th of July everyone!

These pictures it was shot in Poipu area after a long day at the beach.  Got into a little trouble with the resort manager for using a tripod on the walk way, it could be hazardous for other people tripping on my tripod.  Also, I can't use these pictures for commercial work without permission of the resort management.  I guess he just got a bad reviews on his yearly performances!

Standing on the edge

Here's another black and white shot taken from way up there. I think we were around 11,000 feet when I took this one.

Casting the Shadow on Lydgate Beach.

Near Donkey Beach.

First, I was lucky enough for Val to show me this place, and did not get yell at by her, after I have put her through the rain, and 50 mph gusty winds for these shots!

In the past 14 years, 11 times on the island, I finally got a shot that I wanted.  What I'm trying to say is that, I always want a shot of sunrise on the beach with intense rain clouds.  I think the clouds will add more dramatic to the shot.

If you wondering what the history of this structure.  According to my guide lady in Kauai told me that, this is the rail for the sugar plantation worker to dumping their processed sugar cane into the sea.  However, it was closed down shortly after that because all the debris got wash up to Kapaa beaches area.   

Storms on the Horizon

Kind of self explanatory I think.

It rained on us three of the four days that we were there but it was only afternoon showers that never lasted too long. The clouds came in just long enough for me to get some photos.

Anahola Beach.

Getting High in Colorado

Nooooo, not that kind of high. Even though it is legal now in Colorado no wacky weed was used in making these photos.

The kind of high I'm talking about is the way up there kind, as in elevation.

We found this small snow melt lake at 13,000 feet. I don't think I've ever seen water so clear. Now I know why the beer tastes so good!

Even with the ice floating in the water I was wishing I had my underwater housing with me because I saw more than a few split shots I would have loved to have taken. 

If you are out of shape like I am, working this high for any period of time is pretty tough. At 13,000 feet your body only absorbs about half the amount of oxygen it normally does at see level. After being above the 10,000 foot level for about four hours I was exhausted and everyone else in the car was light headed, dizzy and having headaches. I was the only one climbing around the mountain like a goat trying to get photos. I think everyone else was thinking "what an idiot" but I couldn't help myself, I've been locked away at work for too long.

I plan on going back again in the fall and I will be renting an oxygen tank when I go. I could spend all day above 10,000 feet just because of all of the photo opportunities up that high.

This last shot was taken with the fisheye lens and then I took the bend/curve out of it using photoshop.

Sunrise at Lydgate Beach.

It's not Hawai'i....

...but it's not my front yard either!

We spent a couple of days in the Colorado mountains this past weekend and I finally got a chance to take a few photos.

I also learned that spending a lot of time at high elevations requires patience and moving slower than usual, something along the pace of a government employee I think. LOL

Interesting challenge...

Just down the street from the Hawaii Civil Marriage Office from yesterday's post I came across this... Obviously the City has had problems with pressure reducers and water meters going missing in the past and was taking no chances with this one!

I'm thinking this would be a fun challenge for someone who fancied themselves an amateur Houdini or Chris Angel wanna be!

Everyone Enjoying The Sunset.

My #1 rule is that never walk on the beach with my tennis shoes!  You always want to be a traveler, not a tourist.