Month: May 2011

Two-Years Ago (14-May-2009) — California

Gone to See America 2009 Road Trip. Day 7: Spring in Yosemite National Park Photography Workshop with Michael Mariant.

I took this image 2 years ago  while driving into Yosemite National Park. I noticed something bright red in my rear view mirror. This was not red flashing lights, but rather something red in the woods. I turned around and found these flowers blooming. I did not know what they were — a plant or fungus. They were later identified as Snow Plants (Sarcodes sanguinea). Although plants, they do not use chlorophyll for photosynthesis, but rather get carbohydrates from coniferous trees via a shared mycorrhizal fungus.

Snow Plant (Sarcodes sanguinea). Yosemite National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 45 mm f/2.8 PC-E lens (ISO 100, 45 mm, f/8, 1/13 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Snow Plant (Sarcodes sanguinea). Yosemite National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 45 mm f/2.8 PC-E lens (ISO 100, 45 mm, f/8, 1/13 sec). (David J. Mathre)

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Wednesday (04-May-2011) — Nicaragua

Gone to See Central America and the Panama Canal. Semester at Sea Spring 2011 Enrichment Voyage on the MV Explorer. Ultimate Travel Photography Workshop II with Michael Mariant. Day 8: Leon, Nicaragua.

One of the more interesting places that Juleo took us in Leon was The Museum of Traditions and Legends. This used to be a prison before the revolution where Juleo spent some time as a teenager.

Prison Mural. Museum of Traditions and Legends in Leon, Nicaragua. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 360, 35 mm, f/4, 1/160 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Prison Mural. Museum of Traditions and Legends in Leon, Nicaragua. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 360, 35 mm, f/4, 1/160 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5.
Prison Mural. Museum of Traditions and Legends in Leon, Nicaragua. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/8, 1/100 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Prison Mural. Museum of Traditions and Legends in Leon, Nicaragua. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/8, 1/100 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5.
Prison Mural. Museum of Traditions and Legends in Leon, Nicaragua. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/1.4, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Prison Mural. Museum of Traditions and Legends in Leon, Nicaragua. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/1.4, 1/400 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5.
Prison Mural. Museum of Traditions and Legends in Leon, Nicaragua. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Prison Mural. Museum of Traditions and Legends in Leon, Nicaragua. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 800, 35 mm, f/8, 1/80 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5.
Hanging Skeleton Doll. Museum of Traditions and Legends in Leon, Nicaragua. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 140, 35 mm, f/2, 1/160 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Hanging Skeleton Doll. Museum of Traditions and Legends in Leon, Nicaragua. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 140, 35 mm, f/2, 1/160 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5.
Skeleton Doll. Museum of Traditions and Legends in Leon, Nicaragua. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 80, 35 mm, f/1.4, 1/30 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Skeleton Doll. Museum of Traditions and Legends in Leon, Nicaragua. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 80, 35 mm, f/1.4, 1/30 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5.
Native Mask. Museum of Traditions and Legends in Leon, Nicaragua. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/2, 1/500 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Native Mask. Museum of Traditions and Legends in Leon, Nicaragua. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 35 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/2, 1/500 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Focus Magic, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5.

Tuesday (03-May-2011) — Guatemala

Gone to See Central America and the Panama Canal. Semester at Sea Spring 2011 Enrichment Voyage on the MV Explorer. Ultimate Travel Photography Workshop II with Michael Mariant. Day 7: Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala.

We had to get up early in order to depart for the Tarrales Bird Watching field trip at 05:30 AM. On the bus ride to Tarrales I got a grab shot of some school girls waiting for the bus to school. A good fraction of the folks on this tour were part of the Road Scholar contingent attending the Enrichment Voyage. As such the average age was higher, and we knew that we would not be hiking as far as we did yesterday to the volcano. Even though we left early, it wasn’t early enough for best bird viewing. Also, my 70-300 mm lens did not have the reach to get good images of the birds we did see. Our guide was good at finding the birds in the canopy. I only have one image of a midget owl, and it is a crop zoomed to 100%. It would have been a bit better if I took my D3x body with double the sensor size vs. the D3s body. I took the D3s because of the better low light capabilities coupled with the 70-300 f/5.6 limits. Jon got some better images with his 400 mm f/4 + TC.

After the Owl, I then switched to my 105 mm f/2.8 macro lens and focused on closer objects. In addition to close-up images of insects and flowers, the 105 mm lens is also great for people. The remainder of the following images are of a small girl in Tarrales, a local jail, a close up of a China Berry, and of a flower with a bee. Then images from the bus ride back to the M/V Explorer. A school girl, Guatemalla mass transit, a coconut vendor with his machete, limes at a produce stand, woman walking past a produce vendor, a cross-eyed guy next to a “Prohibido Estanciona” sign, woman vendor cutting coconut, her son, and several images from an open market produce vendor.


Individual images in the slide show can be viewed and/or purchased here.

Monday (02-May-2011) — Guatemala

Gone to See Central America and the Panama Canal. Semester at Sea Spring 2011 Enrichment Voyage on the MV Explorer. Ultimate Travel Photography Workshop II with Michael Mariant. Day 6: Guatemala.

We arrived at San Francisco de Sales, a small hamlet in Pacaya Volcano National Park. As soon as we got off the bus we were mobbed by children selling (or renting) wood walking sticks. The price started at $1 US per stick, and quickly dropped to 2/$1. Before starting the hike we had lunch (chicken or beef with rice and vegetables). We were also given the option to ride a horse for $10 US. I decided to take this option since I had a good experience riding horses earlier this year in Patagonia. Unlike the ride in Patagonia, each horse had guide lead the horse up the trail. My guide was Antonio, and the horse I rode was named “Champion”. Much of the trail was in the clouds. Each time the group stopped to rest, the horse guides without riders yelled “taxi taxi”. Rob soon decided that he needed a taxi. At one point it started to rain, and I got to wear an authentic poncho. Near the end of the trail, we got off the horses and did the remainder of the trail on foot. We went past some hot vents — warm enough for some of the folks to roast marshmallows. There was another large tunnel that the more adventurous entered. When we got back to San Francisco de Sales, the kids that had earlier sold the walking stick looked to get them back. There was a real pecking order, with the larger boys retrieving more of the sticks. Some of the passengers did take the walking sticks back to the ship. There was a concern that the kids guiding the horses and selling the walking sticks should have been in school.
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Guarding the Pepsi. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 (ISO 200, 49.2 mm, f/4.9, 1/125 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Guarding the Pepsi. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 (ISO 200, 49.2 mm, f/4.9, 1/125 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. .
Little Girl Watching the Volcano Hikers Arrive San Francisco de Sales. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Leica X1 (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. . (David J Mathre)
Little Girl Watching the Volcano Hikers Arrive San Francisco de Sales. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Leica X1 (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. .
Waking Stick Vendor in San Francisco de Sales.. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 (ISO 800, 4 mm, f/4, 1/160 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. . (David J Mathre)
Waking Stick Vendor in San Francisco de Sales.. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 (ISO 800, 4 mm, f/4, 1/160 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. .
Antonio Getting Champion Ready for the Trail to the Volcano in San Francisco de Sales. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Leica X1 (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/4.5, 1/200 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. . (David J Mathre)
Antonio Getting Champion Ready for the Trail to the Volcano in San Francisco de Sales. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Leica X1 (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/4.5, 1/200 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. .
Rob Documenting his Lunch in San Francisco de Sales. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Leica X1 (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/2.8, 1/30 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. . (David J Mathre)
Rob Documenting his Lunch in San Francisco de Sales. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Leica X1 (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/2.8, 1/30 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. .
View of the Trail in the Mist from on top of Champion. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/3.2, 1/320 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
View of the Trail in the Mist from on top of Champion. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/3.2, 1/320 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5.
Trees in the Mist on the Trail to the Volcano. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/6.3, 1/320 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Trees in the Mist on the Trail to the Volcano. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/6.3, 1/320 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5.
Jenny on her Horse on the Trail to the Volcano. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Leica X1 (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/4.5, 1/200 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. . (David J Mathre)
Jenny on her Horse on the Trail to the Volcano. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Leica X1 (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/4.5, 1/200 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. .
Hiker taking an image of the lava in the mist. On the trail to the Volcano. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 320, 24 mm, f/8, 1/320 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Hiker taking an image of the lava in the mist. On the trail to the Volcano. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 320, 24 mm, f/8, 1/320 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5.
Jenny entering a tunnel in the Volcano. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 450, 24 mm, f/8, 1/320 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Jenny entering a tunnel in the Volcano. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 450, 24 mm, f/8, 1/320 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5.
Not really Glowing Lava. Wood Burning in Heated Lava Vent. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 125, 24 mm, f/2.8, 1/320 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Not really Glowing Lava. Wood Burning in Heated Lava Vent. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 125, 24 mm, f/2.8, 1/320 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5.
Solar Starburst with Silhouette of Hikers on the Trail to the Volcano. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/16, 1/1250 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Solar Starburst with Silhouette of Hikers on the Trail to the Volcano. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/16, 1/1250 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5.
Silhouette of Jenny on the trail to the Volcano. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/16, 1/800 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Silhouette of Jenny on the trail to the Volcano. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/16, 1/800 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5.
Champion After Completing the Trail to the Volcano back in San Francisco de Sales. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Leica X1 (ISO 1600, 24 mm, f/16, 1/200 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. . (David J Mathre)
Champion After Completing the Trail to the Volcano back in San Francisco de Sales. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Leica X1 (ISO 1600, 24 mm, f/16, 1/200 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. .
Waking Stick Vendor in San Francisco de Sales. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 400, 24 mm, f/1.4, 1/320 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Waking Stick Vendor in San Francisco de Sales. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 400, 24 mm, f/1.4, 1/320 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5.
Guardabosque (Park Ranger) in San Francisco de Sales. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 720, 24 mm, f/1.4, 1/320 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Guardabosque (Park Ranger) in San Francisco de Sales. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 720, 24 mm, f/1.4, 1/320 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5.
Waking Stick Vendor in San Francisco de Sales. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/1.4, 1/320 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Waking Stick Vendor in San Francisco de Sales. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/1.4, 1/320 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5.
Waking Stick Vendor in San Francisco de Sales. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 560, 24 mm, f/1.4, 1/320 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Waking Stick Vendor in San Francisco de Sales. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 560, 24 mm, f/1.4, 1/320 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5.
Waking Stick Vendor in San Francisco de Sales. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 280, 24 mm, f/1.4, 1/320 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Waking Stick Vendor in San Francisco de Sales. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 280, 24 mm, f/1.4, 1/320 sec). Raw image processed and converted to B&W with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5.
Outdoor Stairway in San Francisco de Sales. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 500, 24 mm, f/2.8, 1/200 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Outdoor Stairway in San Francisco de Sales. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 500, 24 mm, f/2.8, 1/200 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS5.
Girl with Yellow Pants Running into Building with UNE Party Sign in San Francisco de Sales. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 280, 24 mm, f/2.8, 1/200 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Nik Viveza 2, Nik Define 2 and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Girl with Yellow Pants Running into Building with UNE Party Sign in San Francisco de Sales. Pacaya Volcano National Park. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 280, 24 mm, f/2.8, 1/200 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro, Nik Viveza 2, Nik Define 2 and Photoshop CS5.

Monday (02-May-2011) — Guatemala

Gone to See Central America and the Panama Canal. Semester at Sea Spring 2011 Enrichment Voyage on the MV Explorer. Ultimate Travel Photography Workshop II with Michael Mariant. Day 6: Guatemala.

While riding the bus to the Pacaya Volcano we noticed what looked like a tornado just off the highway. The sky was cloudy, but no sign of thunderstorms. It turned out to be a large Dust Devil. I got the following images from the rear of the bus using a Leica V-Lux 20 point & shoot camera. For another view, check out Jenny’s shot from the front of the bus.

View of a Dust Devil in Guatemala from a Bus along Highway CA9. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 19.5 mm, f/4.4, 1/500 sec) (David J Mathre)
View of a Dust Devil in Guatemala from a Bus along Highway CA9. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 19.5 mm, f/4.4, 1/500 sec)
View of a Dust Devil in Guatemala from a Bus along Highway CA9. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 100, 29.9 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec) (David J Mathre)
View of a Dust Devil in Guatemala from a Bus along Highway CA9. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 100, 29.9 mm, f/5.6, 1/500 sec)
View of a Dust Devil in Guatemala from a Bus along Highway CA9. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 29.9 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec) (David J Mathre)
View of a Dust Devil in Guatemala from a Bus along Highway CA9. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 29.9 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec)
View of a Dust Devil in Guatemala from a Bus along Highway CA9. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 19.5 mm, f/4.4, 1/500 sec) (David J Mathre)
View of a Dust Devil in Guatemala from a Bus along Highway CA9. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 19.5 mm, f/4.4, 1/500 sec)
View of a Dust Devil in Guatemala from a Bus along Highway CA9. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 19.5 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec) (David J Mathre)
View of a Dust Devil in Guatemala from a Bus along Highway CA9. Image taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 80, 19.5 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec)