Tuesday (05-February-2019) — New Jersey

Backyard Nature in New Jersey.

A bit of a heat wave after the cold temperatures last week. Colorful morning clouds at dawn. It was warm enough during the afternoon to completely melt the ice in the bird bath, allowing the solar-powered fountain to start working. After it got dark I made a time-lapse video of the fountain.

alt_title. (David J Mathre)
Fulll Sky View. Colorful Clouds at Dawn. Composite of 26 images taken with a Fuji X-T2 camera and 8-16 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 16 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and AutoPano Giga Pro (Inverse Little Planet). (David J Mathre)
alt_title. (David J Mathre)
Colorful Clouds at Dawn. Composite of 12 images taken with a Fuji X-T2 camera and 8-16 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 16 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)


Three-Years Ago (24-January-2016) — Japan

Gone to See the World. Semester at Sea Spring 2016 Voyage on the MV World Odyssey. Day 19: Arrival in Yokohama, Japan.

After a long 10 days crossing the Pacific Ocean, the MV World Odyssey arrived in Yokohama, Japan. It was a cold morning, but many students were up on deck to watch the arrival. Dawn and sunrise images were taken from the deck of the ship. After breakfast, we disembarked and proceeded through customs & immigration. Everyone had to go through the process before we could return to the ship. I took a camera, travel tripod, warm jacket and gloves. It was cold, and there were some snow flurries. I felt safe walking around the Osanbashi Pier (and in Japan in general) with a camera since there were so many locals with cameras out taking pictures. I did several 360° degree image sequences using a Mindarin Astro rotating tripod head. These were then used to create Little Planet and Mirror Ball views of Yokohama and the ship from the Osanbashi Pier.

The MV World Odyssey about to pass under the Yokohama Bay Bridge as we arrived in Yokohama, Japan. Image taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 23 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 1600, 23 mm, f/1.4, 1/30 sec). (David J Mathre)
The MV World Odyssey about to pass under the Yokohama Bay Bridge as we arrived in Yokohama, Japan. Image taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 23 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 1600, 23 mm, f/1.4, 1/30 sec). (David J Mathre)
Anticipating Japan after a Long 10 days Crossing the Pacific Ocean on the MV World Odyssey. Image taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 23 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 1600, 23 mm, f/1.4, 1/30 sec). (David J Mathre)
Anticipating Japan after a Long 10 days Crossing the Pacific Ocean on the MV World Odyssey. Image taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 23 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 1600, 23 mm, f/1.4, 1/30 sec). (David J Mathre)



Later in the afternoon I made two 360° time-lapse videos. The first of people enjoying the day at the Yamashita Park along the Yokohama harbor, and the second from a park with a view of view of the Osanbashi Pier and the MV World Odyssey. The images were taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera that was controlled by a Mindarin Astro 360° rotating head on a tripod. The time-lapse videos were then created using Photoshop CC and Premiere Pro CC.

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

Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Vacation. Day 4: Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage Traveling North.

In addition to transporting passengers, the Hurtigruten ships are working ships that carry freight, mail, automobiles, and fresh food between several ports along the Norwegian coast. Many of these stops occur during the night, and only last for short (15 minutes to 1 hour) periods of time. The schedule for the first full day of the northbound voyage stops at the following ports: Florø (04:30-04:45); Maløy (06:45-07:30); Torvik (10:20-10:45); Ålesund (12:00-15:00); Molde (17:30-18:30); Kristandsund (22:00-23:00). There are many lighthouses and automated navigation lights along the Norwegian coast. We spent the early afternoon walking around Ålesund. It was a bright clear day so several of us climbed the 418 steps to get to the top of the town mountain Aksla, including going to the restaurant Fjellstua. Although the restaurant was closed, it has the best view in Ålesund. I was able to take several images which were then combined into a wide panoramas of the town including the MS Kong Harald. We got a bit confused as to where the ship was docked, but did ultimately get back before the ship departed.


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)


Three-Years Ago (22-January-2016) — Pacific Ocean

Gone to See the World. Semester at Sea Spring 2016 Voyage on the MV World Odyssey. Day 17: Crossing the Pacific Ocean.

Some kind of wonderful!!! You had to be there to take in the dawn view of the sky over the Pacific Ocean. Someday I’ll be able to make a large format print of the full panorama. The day before had been windy and some wave action. Unlike many others, I didn’t get seasick, and didn’t need to take any of the anti-nausea medications. The aft decks 6 and 7 provide some wind protection that allowed me to get out and take images  of the dawn sky and the and sunrise. It was still a couple of days before we would arrive in Yokohama.

Colorful Dawn Panorama at Sea from the Aft Deck of the MV World Odyssey While Crossing the Pacific Ocean. Composite of 6 images taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 23 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 23 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)
Colorful Dawn Panorama at Sea from the Aft Deck of the MV World Odyssey While Crossing the Pacific Ocean. Composite of 6 images taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 23 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 23 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)
Colorful Dawn clouds over the Pacific Ocean from the deck of the MV World Odyssey. Image 1 of 6 taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 23 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 23 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre)
Colorful Dawn clouds over the Pacific Ocean from the deck of the MV World Odyssey. Image 1 of 6 taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 23 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 23 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre)
Colorful Dawn clouds over the Pacific Ocean from the deck of the MV World Odyssey. Image 2 of 6 taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 23 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 23 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre)
Colorful Dawn clouds over the Pacific Ocean from the deck of the MV World Odyssey. Image 2 of 6 taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 23 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 23 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre)
Colorful Dawn clouds over the Pacific Ocean from the deck of the MV World Odyssey. Image 3 of 6 taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 23 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 23 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre)
Colorful Dawn clouds over the Pacific Ocean from the deck of the MV World Odyssey. Image 3 of 6 taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 23 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 23 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre)
Colorful Dawn clouds over the Pacific Ocean from the deck of the MV World Odyssey. Image 4 of 6 taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 23 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 23 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre)
Colorful Dawn clouds over the Pacific Ocean from the deck of the MV World Odyssey. Image 4 of 6 taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 23 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 23 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre)
Colorful Dawn clouds over the Pacific Ocean from the deck of the MV World Odyssey. Image 5 of 6 taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 23 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 23 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre)
Colorful Dawn clouds over the Pacific Ocean from the deck of the MV World Odyssey. Image 5 of 6 taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 23 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 23 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre)
Colorful Dawn clouds over the Pacific Ocean from the deck of the MV World Odyssey. Image 6 of 6 taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 23 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 23 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre)
Colorful Dawn clouds over the Pacific Ocean from the deck of the MV World Odyssey. Image 6 of 6 taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 23 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 23 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro. (David J Mathre)

Three-Years Ago (13-January-2019) — Pacific Ocean

Gone to See the World. Semester at Sea Spring 2016 Voyage on the MV World Odyssey. Day 9: Crossing the Pacific Ocean From Hawaii to Japan.

Images from sunrise and sunset from the deck of the MV World Odyssey. One thing that I noted on this voyage was the very red color of the sun at sunrise and sunset as we crossed the Pacific ocean. I wasn’t expecting smog in the middle of the ocean. The closer we got to Asia, it became even more pronounced. I normally do not try to take pictures of the sun without a very dark filter, especially through a telephoto lens. However, on this voyage the atmosphere near the horizon became that filter.

Orange colored sky and clouds over the Pacific Ocean just after sunrise. Composite of 10 images taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 35 mm, f/16, 1/250 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and stitched together with AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)
Orange colored sky and clouds over the Pacific Ocean just after sunrise. Composite of 10 images taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 35 mm, f/16, 1/250 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and stitched together with AutoPano Giga Pro. Click on the image for a wider view. (David J Mathre)



Individual images in the slide shows can be viewed here.