Six-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). We spent the early afternoon walking around Ålesund including going to the restaurant Fjellstua situated on top of the town mountain Aksla. 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. We got a bit confused as to where the ship was docked, but did ultimately get back before it departed.

Inflatable Lifeboat Containers on the Hurtigruten M/V Kong Harald while docked at Maløy. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 800, 10.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/20 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Inflatable Lifeboat Containers on the Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald while docked at Maløy. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 800, 10.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/20 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Lighthouse outside Torvik. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 28-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 70 mm, f/6.7, 1/180 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Lighthouse outside Torvik. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 28-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 70 mm, f/6.7, 1/180 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Heron Fishing at Torvik. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/6, 1/160 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Heron Fishing at Torvik. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/6, 1/160 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Lighthouse while leaving Torvik. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/8.5, 1/250 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Lighthouse while leaving Torvik. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/8.5, 1/250 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Max Mammut while Traveling to Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 230 mm, f/8.5, 1/320 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Max Mammut while Traveling to Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 230 mm, f/8.5, 1/320 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Lighthouse while Traveling to Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/9.5, 1/350 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Lighthouse while Traveling to Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/9.5, 1/350 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Approaching Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 200, 12 mm, f/9.5, 1/350 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Approaching Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 200, 12 mm, f/9.5, 1/350 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Lighthouse and Ship while Traveling to Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 122 mm, f/10, 1/400 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Lighthouse and Ship while Traveling to Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 122 mm, f/10, 1/400 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Lighthouse while Traveling to Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/8.5, 1/320 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Lighthouse while Traveling to Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 400 mm, f/8.5, 1/320 sec). (David J. Mathre)
M/V Kong Harald Docked at Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 400, 10.5 mm, f/13, 1/640 sec). (David J. Mathre)
MS Kong Harald Docked at Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 400, 10.5 mm, f/13, 1/640 sec). (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)
Ålesund Winter Panorama. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera 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 6 images combined with Kolor AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)
Ålesund Winter Panorama. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 400, 24 mm, f/11, 1/500 sec). Composite of 6 images combined with Kolor AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)
Ålesund Harbor in Winter. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 100, 12 mm, f/6, 1/160 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Ålesund Harbor in Winter. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 100, 12 mm, f/6, 1/160 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Wall Art in Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 195 mm, f/5.3, 1/400 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Wall Art in Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 195 mm, f/5.3, 1/400 sec). (David J. Mathre)
Dusk After Leaving Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs and 35 mm f/2 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/2, 1/800 sec). Raw Image Processed with Capture One 7 Pro. (David J. Mathre)
Dusk After Leaving Ålesund. Image taken with a Nikon D2xs camera and 35 mm f/2 lens (ISO 400, 35 mm, f/2, 1/800 sec). Raw Image Processed with Capture One 7 Pro. (David J. Mathre)

As I mentioned at the beginning of this series of posts, I am getting ready to revisit Norway. At the time of the 2007 trip I only had a DSLR for about 6 months. There were many things about it I didn’t know – I was very early in the learning curve. By reviewing and analyzing the old images, I learn from my mistakes. When I look at the images that I took during that trip I cringe knowing that I could have done a better job – composition, exposure, focus, etc. I typically include camera settings with the description to help when I analyze the images. Since then cameras have improved significantly. Likewise the software used to process the images has improved. The new software lets me fix or improve the older images, and in some cases I have reprocessed the images. One of my goals for this upcoming trip is to take fewer, but better images. Comments and criticisms about these images are welcomed.

Six-Years Ago (23-January-2007) — Norway

Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Vacation. Day 3: Bergen and Embarkation on the Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald.

When we woke in Bergen, the sky was clear and there was new snow on the ground. The locals said that it had been raining for the last 50 days. I think many took the day off to enjoy the sun and snow. The Hurtigruten MS Kong Harald would not be departing until later that night, so we had the day to visit Bergen. As part of our travel package, we had a one day Bergen Card for transportation and various attractions. After spending some time outside around the Bergen harbor and Bergen Fish Market, we took the Fløibarnen Funicular to the top of Mount Fløyen. We also visited the art museum to see some of Edvard Munch’s paintings. Finally, as it started to get dark we made our way to the Hurtigruten terminal. I’ve included a fisheye view of my cabin and the stateroom at the front of the ship. As we learned later in the voyage, rooms near the front (or rear) of the ship move the most in heavy seas. Since then I always try to get a cabin near the middle of a ship for any voyage that may experience heavy seas.

Early Morning Fish Market in Bergen. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs and 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 800, 10.5 mm, f/3.5, 1/50 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Early Morning Fish Market in Bergen. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs camera and 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 800, 10.5 mm, f/3.5, 1/50 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Early Morning Bergen Harbor. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 800, 12 mm, f/4, 1/50 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Early Morning Bergen Harbor. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs camera and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 800, 12 mm, f/4, 1/50 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Early Morning Bergen Harbor. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 800, 12 mm, f/4, 1/50 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Early Morning Bergen Harbor. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs camera and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 800, 12 mm, f/4, 1/50 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Early Morning Bergen Harbor. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 800, 12 mm, f/4, 1/50 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Early Morning Bergen Harbor. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs camera and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 800, 12 mm, f/4, 1/50 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Early Morning Bergen Harbor. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 800, 12 mm, f/4, 1/50 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Early Morning Bergen Harbor. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs camera and 12-24 mm f/4 lens (ISO 800, 12 mm, f/4, 1/50 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Winter View of Bergen from the top of Mount Fløyen. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs and 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 200, 10.5 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Winter View of Bergen from the top of Mount Fløyen. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs camera and 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 200, 10.5 mm, f/8, 1/250 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Winter View of Bergen from the top of Mount Fløyen. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs and 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 200, 10.5 mm, f/8.5, 1/320 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Winter View of Bergen from the top of Mount Fløyen. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs camera and 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 200, 10.5 mm, f/8.5, 1/320 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Winter Troll at the top of Mount Fløyen. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs and 35 mm f/2D fisheye lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/2, 1/1250 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Winter Troll at the top of Mount Fløyen. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs camera and 35 mm f/2D fisheye lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/2, 1/1250 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Winter Bird in Norway. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/6, 1/160 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Winter Bird in Norway. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs camera and 80-400 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 400 mm, f/6, 1/160 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Winter Female Statue in Bergen, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/5.6, 1/125 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Winter Female Statue in Bergen, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs camera and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/5.6, 1/125 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Statue of a Young Boy. Winter Art in Bergen, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/5, 1/100 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Statue of a Young Boy. Winter Art in Bergen, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs camera and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/5, 1/100 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Bench and Phone Booth in Bergen, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/4, 1/60 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Bench and Phone Booth in Bergen, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/4, 1/60 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Lutefisk in Bergen, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/4, 1/60 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Lutefisk in Bergen, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs camera and 35 mm f/2D lens (ISO 100, 35 mm, f/4, 1/60 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Hurtigruten Waiting Area in Bergen, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs and 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 400, 10.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/10 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Hurtigruten Waiting Area in Bergen, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs camera and 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 400, 10.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/10 sec) (David J. Mathre)
M/S Kong Harald from the Hurtigruten Waiting Area in Bergen, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs and 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 400, 10.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/8 sec) (David J. Mathre)
M/S Kong Harald from the Hurtigruten Waiting Area in Bergen, Norway. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs camera and 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 400, 10.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/8 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Fisheye View of My Cabin on the M/S Kong Harald. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs and 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 400, 10.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/15 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Fisheye View of My Cabin on the M/S Kong Harald. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs camera and 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 400, 10.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/15 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Fisheye View of Erik's Stateroom on the M/S Kong Harald. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs and 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 400, 10.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/30 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Fisheye View of Erik’s Stateroom on the M/S Kong Harald. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs camera and 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 400, 10.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/30 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Fisheye View of Erik's Stateroom on the M/S Kong Harald. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs and 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 400, 10.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/10 sec) (David J. Mathre)
Fisheye View of Erik’s Stateroom on the M/S Kong Harald. Image taken with a Nikon Dxs camera and 10.5 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 400, 10.5 mm, f/2.8, 1/10 sec) (David J. Mathre)

As I mentioned at the beginning of this series of posts, I am getting ready to revisit Norway. At the time of the 2007 trip I only had a DSLR for about 6 months. There were many things about it I didn’t know – I was very early in the learning curve. By reviewing and analyzing the old images, I learn from my mistakes. When I look at the images that I took during that trip I cringe knowing that I could have done a better job – composition, exposure, focus, etc. I typically include camera settings with the description to help when I analyze the images. Since then cameras have improved significantly. Likewise the software used to process the images has improved. The new software lets me fix or improve the older images, and in some cases I have reprocessed the images. One of my goals for this upcoming trip is to take fewer, but better images. Comments and criticisms about these images are welcomed.

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

Gone to See Norway 2007 Family Vacation. Day 1: Oslo.

In preparation for an upcoming trip to Norway, I am going to do several posts revisiting a family trip to Norway in 2007. Some of images have been posted before, and some will be new. The trip started in Oslo. I flew in from New Jersey, and the rest of the family flew in from Florida. All together, I think there were 22-24 in the group. On this first day, we toured Oslo. At the end of the day we had pizza with Arnie. It took a fisheye lens to get the whole group in one image. During this trip, I was using a Nikon D2xs camera with 7 lenses (10.5 mm fisheye, 12-24 mm, 28-70 mm, 35 mm, 50 mm, 80-400 mm, and 85 mm). For my upcoming trip, I want to travel lighter.

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)
Winter in Oslo Norway (David J Mathre)
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)

Sunday (06-January-2013) — Florida

Gone to See Florida 2013 Road Trip. Day 3: Foggy Morning in St. Petersburg.

When I woke up this morning and looked out from the balcony of my room at the Vinoy hotel it was foggy. I couldn’t even see the St. Petersburg Pier that I had been taking images for a time-lapsed video the previous night. I had hoped to go to Fort De Soto park for both sunrise and bird photography today — but it was way too foggy. Initially I could barely see the palm trees. At 11 AM, I still couldn’t see the Pier.

Foggy Morning in St. Petersburg from a Balcony at the Vinoy Hotel. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/3.5, 1/80 sec). Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2. (David J Mathre)
Foggy Morning in St. Petersburg from a Balcony at the Vinoy Hotel. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/3.5, 1/80 sec). Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2. (David J Mathre)

Seven-Years Ago (28-November-2005) — Florida

Florida Road Trip: Amelia Island Lighthouse.

The extended Mathre family was visiting Amelia Island for Thanksgiving, and more importantly to celebrate our parents 50th wedding anniversary. These images are of the Amelia Island Lighthouse taken with a Polaroid DSC-700 digital camera.

Amelia Island Lighthouse Light and Fresnel Lens. Image taken with a Polariod PDC700 digital camera. (David J Mathre)

Amelia Island Lighthouse Clockwork. Image taken with a Polariod PDC700 digital camera. (David J Mathre)

Amelia Island Lighthouse Spiral Stairway. Image taken with a Polariod PDC700 digital camera. (David J Mathre)

Amelia Island Lighthouse Spiral Stairway. Image taken with a Polariod PDC700 digital camera. (David J Mathre)

Amelia Island Lighthouse. Image taken with a Polariod PDC700 digital camera. (David J Mathre)