Month: January 2012

Five-Years Ago (28-January-2007) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Vacation. Day 9: Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage Traveling North.

The extended family was on a winter vacation in Norway, traveling north on the Hurtigruten ship M/S Kong Harald. This was day 6 of the voyage traveling north along the Norwegian coast. The stops on this day were in Øksfjord (02:15), Hammerfest (05:15-06:45), Havøysund (09:45) Honningsvåg (11:45-15:15), Kjøllefjord (17:45), Mehamn (20:00), and Verlevåg. During the stop in Honningsvåg we took a bus to North Cape (Nordkapp) traveling through the North Cape Tunnel. Later that night, the Captain announced that Auroras (Northern Lights) were visible.

Moon at Dawn Over Havøysund Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 85 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/1.4, 1/180 sec). Modified using Nik Color Efex. (David J. Mathre)
Moon at Dawn Over Havøysund Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 85 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/1.4, 1/180 sec). Modified using Nik Color Efex. (David J. Mathre)

Five-Years Ago (27-January-2007) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Vacation. Day 8: Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage Traveling North.

Five years ago the extended family was on a winter vacation in Norway, traveling north on the Hurtigruten ship M/S Kong Harald. This was day 5 of the voyage north along the Norwegian coast. The stops on this day were in Stokmarknes (01:00), Sortland (03:00), Risøyhamn (04:30), Harstad (06:45-08:00), Finnsnes (11:45), Tromsø (14:30-18:30), and Skjervoy (22:45). During the stop in Tromsø, several of us went for a dog-sled ride. Even though only early afternoon, it was already dark out. At the end of the day, there was a baptism ceremony for passengers that crossed the Arctic Circle for the first time officiated by the Captain and King Neptune.

Freighter Loading and Gisund Bridge (Gisundbrua) in Finnsnes Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 80 mm, f/4.5, 1/40 sec) (David J Mathre)
Freighter Loading and Gisund Bridge (Gisundbrua) in Finnsnes Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 80 mm, f/4.5, 1/40 sec) (David J Mathre)
The Cargo Ship NARDJARL Listing While Unloading Containers in Finnsnes Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 80 mm, f/4.5, 1/25 sec) (David J Mathre)
The Cargo Ship NARDJARL Listing While Unloading Containers in Finnsnes Norway. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 80 mm, f/4.5, 1/25 sec) (David J Mathre)
Winter View of Finnsnes Norway from the M/V Kong Harald. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 35 mm f/2 lens (ISO 200, 35 mm, f/2, 1/60 sec) (David J Mathre)
Winter View of Finnsnes Norway from the M/V Kong Harald. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 35 mm f/2 lens (ISO 200, 35 mm, f/2, 1/60 sec) (David J Mathre)
Winter View of the Finnsnes Lighthouse in a Snowstorm. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 85 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/1.4, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
Winter View of the Finnsnes Lighthouse in a Snowstorm. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 85 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/1.4, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
Mary Cleaning her camera on the M/V Kong Harald. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 85 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/1.4, 1/60 sec).. (David J Mathre)
Mary Cleaning her camera on the M/V Kong Harald. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 85 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/1.4, 1/60 sec).. (David J Mathre)
Lars on the M/S Kong Harald. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 85 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/1.4, 1/20 sec). (David J Mathre)
Lars on the M/S Kong Harald. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 85 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/1.4, 1/20 sec). (David J Mathre)
CANIS Stretching Before Taking us on Dog Sled Ride in Tromsø. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 85 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/4.8, 1/60 sec).. (David J Mathre)
CANIS Stretching Before Taking us on Dog Sled Ride in Tromsø. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 85 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/4.8, 1/60 sec).. (David J Mathre)
Brave Staying Warm. He was Not Included in the Dog Sled Ride. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 85 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/4.8, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Brave Staying Warm. He was Not Included in the Dog Sled Ride. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 85 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/4.8, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Dogs Being Prepared for a Dog Sled Ride Outside Tromsø. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 1000, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/8 sec).. (David J Mathre)
Dogs Being Prepared for a Dog Sled Ride Outside Tromsø. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 1000, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/8 sec).. (David J Mathre)
Dog Sledding Outside Tromsø. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/6 sec).. (David J Mathre)
Dog Sledding Outside Tromsø. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 50 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 50 mm, f/1.4, 1/6 sec).. (David J Mathre)
Mary after the Dog Sledding Trip in Tromsǿ. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 85 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/4.8, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Mary after the Dog Sledding Trip in Tromsǿ. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 85 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/4.8, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Dan After the Dog Sled Ride in Tromsø. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 85 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/4.8, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Dan After the Dog Sled Ride in Tromsø. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 85 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/4.8, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Coffee Pot on a Wood Fire. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 85 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/1.4, 1/60 sec) and fill flash. (David J. Mathre)
Coffee Pot on a Wood Fire. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 85 mm f/1.4D lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/1.4, 1/60 sec) and fill flash. (David J. Mathre)
Christopher warming up after the Dog Sled Ride Outside of Tromsø. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 85 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/1.4, 1/60 sec).. (David J Mathre)
Christopher warming up after the Dog Sled Ride Outside of Tromsø. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 85 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 85 mm, f/1.4, 1/60 sec).. (David J Mathre)
King Neptune at the Crossing the Arctic Circle Ceremony. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/6.3, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
King Neptune at the Crossing the Arctic Circle Ceremony. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/6.3, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
King Neptune and the Ship Captain Performing a Baptism at the Crossing the Arctic Circle Ceremony. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/6.3, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)
King Neptune and the Ship Captain Performing a Baptism at the Crossing the Arctic Circle Ceremony. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/6.3, 1/200 sec). (David J Mathre)

Five-Years Ago (24-January-2007) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Vacation. Day 5: Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage Traveling North.

Five years ago the extended family was on a winter vacation in Norway, traveling north on the Hurtigruten ship M/S Kong Harald. This was day 2 of the Hurtigruten voyage north along the Norwegian coast. The stops on this day were in Florø (04:45), Måløy (07:30), Torvik (10:45), Ålesund (12:00-15:00), Molde (18:30), Kristandsund (23:00).

Ålesund Winter Panorama. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 400, 24 mm, f/11, 1/500 sec). Composite of 3 images combined with Kolor AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)
Ålesund Winter Panorama. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 400, 24 mm, f/11, 1/500 sec). Composite of 3 images combined with Kolor AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)

Five-Years Ago (21-January-2007) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Vacation. Day 2: Oslo.

This was the beginning of the extended family winter vacation in Norway. Our first full day was in Oslo. Some of the children in the group had never seen snow before. A long day with many things to see and do as well as adjust to the time difference.

Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
National Theater and Ibsen. Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
National Theater and Ibsen. Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
National Theater and Ibsen. Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
National Theater and Ibsen. Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
Nobel Peace Center. Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
Nobel Peace Center. Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
Artillery Guarding Oslo at the Akeshus Fortress. Winter in Oslo Norway. (David J Mathre)
Artillery Guarding Oslo at the Akeshus Fortress. Winter in Oslo Norway. (David J Mathre)
Roald Amundsen. Arctic Museum, Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
Roald Amundsen. Arctic Museum, Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
Roald Amundsen. Arctic Museum, Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
Roald Amundsen. Arctic Museum, Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
Family in Norway, Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
Family in Norway, Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
Glass Menagerie, National Theater, Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
Glass Menagerie, National Theater, Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
Orchids, Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
Orchids, Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)

One-Year Ago (10-January-2011) — Chile

Gone to See Patagonia 2010/2011. Photography Workshop with Thom Hogan. Day 15: Torres del Paine National Park, Departing Hosteria Lago Grey Chile.

Early Morning Double Rainbow in Patagonia. Comparison of HDR (High Dynamic Range) Processing Programs. Digital camera sensors are not able to deal with the full dynamic range that the human eye can process. The same is true with computer monitors and printers. There are several commercial programs that will combine over and under exposed digital images to provide a composite digital image that tries to express the wider dynamic range of the eye. I continue to evaluate the commercial HDR programs. The following images are of an early morning double rainbow taken at Lago Grey in Torres del Paine National Park in Chile during my Photography Workshop in Patagonia with Thom Hogan (10-January-2011). The inital image is the original single exposure. This is followed by four HDR images processed with 1) Photoshop CS5 HDR Pro, 2) Photomatix Pro, 3) Nik HDR Pro, and 4) HDR Express Pro. Please reply with comments on which HDR image you like or don’t like.

Early Morning Rainbow, Lago Grey, Torres del Paine, Chile. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 28-120 mm f/4 lens (ISO 200, 31 mm, f/5.6, 1/25 sec). (David J Mathre)
Early Morning Rainbow, Lago Grey, Torres del Paine, Chile. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 28-120 mm f/4 lens (ISO 200, 31 mm, f/5.6, 1/25 sec).
Early Morning Rainbow, Lago Grey, Torres del Paine, Chile. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 28-120 mm f/4 lens (ISO 200, 31 mm, f/5.6). HDR composhref=
Early Morning Rainbow, Lago Grey, Torres del Paine, Chile. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 28-120 mm f/4 lens (ISO 200, 31 mm, f/5.6). HDR composite of 4 images using Photoshop CS5 HDR Pro
Early Morning Rainbow, Lago Grey, Torres del Paine, Chile. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 28-120 mm f/4 lens (ISO 200, 31 mm, f/5.6). HDR composite of 4 images using Photomatix Pro (David J Mathre)
Early Morning Rainbow, Lago Grey, Torres del Paine, Chile. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 28-120 mm f/4 lens (ISO 200, 31 mm, f/5.6). HDR composite of 4 images using Photomatix Pro
Early Morning Rainbow, Lago Grey, Torres del Paine, Chile. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 28-120 mm f/4 lens (ISO 200, 31 mm, f/5.6). HDR composite of 4 images using NIK HDR Pro (David J Mathre)
Early Morning Rainbow, Lago Grey, Torres del Paine, Chile. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 28-120 mm f/4 lens (ISO 200, 31 mm, f/5.6). HDR composite of 4 images using NIK HDR Pro
Early Morning Rainbow, Lago Grey, Torres del Paine, Chile. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 28-120 mm f/4 lens (ISO 200, 31 mm, f/5.6). HDR composite of 4 images using HDR Express (David J Mathre)
Early Morning Rainbow, Lago Grey, Torres del Paine, Chile. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 28-120 mm f/4 lens (ISO 200, 31 mm, f/5.6). HDR composite of 4 images using HDR Express