Three-Years Ago (09-April-2008) — Arizona

Page Arizona Photography Workshop with Winston Hall. Day 2: Upper Antelope Canyon.

Nik recently upgraded its Silver Efex Pro plug-in for Photoshop CS5 to version 2. The following images of the Upper Antelope Canyon were taken during a Page Arizona photography workshop lead by Winston Hall.  The raw images were processed with Capture One Pro, converted to tiff and transferred to Photoshop CS5, then converted to B&W using the new Silver Efex Pro plug-in. The conversion used the default “Fine Art #19” settings. Make a comment to this blog post, or send me an e-mail if you see the ghost in one of the images.

Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 15 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2 (David J Mathre)
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 15 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 1/4 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2 (David J Mathre)
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 1/4 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 15 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2 (David J Mathre)
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 15 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 30 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2 (David J Mathre)
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 30 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 14 mm, f/16, 5 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2 (David J Mathre)
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 14 mm, f/16, 5 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 48 mm, f/16, 6 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2 (David J Mathre)
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 48 mm, f/16, 6 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 32 mm, f/16, 8 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2 (David J Mathre)
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 32 mm, f/16, 8 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 29 mm, f/16, 2 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2 (David J Mathre)
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 29 mm, f/16, 2 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 25 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2 (David J Mathre)
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 25 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 10 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2 (David J Mathre)
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 10 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/11, 30 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2 (David J Mathre)
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/11, 30 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/11, 6 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2 (David J Mathre)
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/11, 6 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 3 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2 (David J Mathre)
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/16, 3 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 40. mm, f/16, 2.5 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2 (David J Mathre)
Upper Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 40. mm, f/16, 2.5 sec). Image processed with Capture One Pro. Converted to B&W with NIK Silver Efex Pro 2

Three-Years Ago (08-April-2008) — Arizona

Gone to See America 2008. Page Arizona Photography Workshop with Winston Hall. Day 1: Lower Antelope Canyon.

Comparison of HDR Express Default Processing Modes. I recently obtained HDR Express (from United Color) as a new HDR (High Dynamic Range) processing program. The following are examples of the default processing modes provided in HDR Express. The images were taken on this day in 2008 while on a Nikonians Academy Photography Workshop in Page Arizona with Winston Hall. Additional images from this day are in the 08-April-2008 Blog.

The first two images are the initial single image processed with Capture One Pro. The first “as is” — note the amount of the image over exposed (clipped) near the top and second “optimized” using the Capture One Pro tools to better balance the exposure. The following 13 images are composites of 5 over and under exposed images processed with HDR Express using the default processing modes: Optimum, Linear, Natural, Vivid, B&W, B&W Grunge, Dreamy, Vintage Color, Soft & Cold, Artistic, Blogger’s Delight, Artistic, Grunge, Retina Burn.

Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/4 sec). (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/4 sec).
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/4 sec). (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/4 sec).
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (Vivid Profile). (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (Vivid Profile).
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (Vintage Color profile). (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (Vintage Color profile).
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (Soft & Cold profile). (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (Soft & Cold profile).
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (Retina Burn profile) (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (Retina Burn profile)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (Optimal Profile). (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (Optimal Profile).
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (Natural Profile). (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (Natural Profile).
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (Linear Profile). (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (Linear Profile).
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (Grunge Profile) (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (Grunge Profile)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (Dreamy Profile). (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (Dreamy Profile).
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (Blogger's Delight profile). (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (Blogger
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (B&W profile). (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (B&W profile).
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (B&W Grunge profile). (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (B&W Grunge profile).
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (Artistic profile). (David J Mathre)
Lower Antelope Canyon, Page Arizona. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24 mm f/3.5 PC-E lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 0.1-0.6 sec). HDR composite processed from 5 images using United Color HDR Express (Artistic profile).

Monday (27-December-2010) — Argentina

Gone to See Patagonia 2010/2011. Photography Workshop with Thom Hogan. Day 1: Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Since it is summer in the southern hemisphere, the sun rises very early. I went to “Parque Natural Y Reserva Ecologica Costanera Sur” to take some bird pictures. Unlike yesterday when the path through the park was open, this morning it was closed. The sign at the gate said the park was open at 8:00 AM November to March. When I asked someone at the gate all he answered was mañana (tomorrow). I guess the park is closed on Monday. Since the workshop doesn’t start until later today I continued my walking tour of the city. Even though it was morning, it was still very hot. Later in the afternoon, we had a walking tour of the city led by Fredrico from Wanderlust Expediciones.  Thom then started the official part of the workshop with an intense lecture. The group had dinner at a local restaurant (lots of beef — this is Argentina).

Estacion Retiron during a morning walk in Buenos Aires. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 125, 5.7 mm, f/4. 1/500 sec) (David J Mathre)
Estacion Retiron during a morning walk in Buenos Aires. Images taken with a Leica V-Lux 20 camera (ISO 125, 5.7 mm, f/4. 1/500 sec) (David J Mathre)


Thursday (05-August-2010) — California

Gone to See America August 2010 Road Trip. Day 5: Eastern Sierra Photography Workshop with Michael Mariant.

A few images from the first day of the Eastern Sierra Photography Workshop with Michael Mariant. I actually missed the first locations that Michael took the group to earlier in the day since I was traveling from San Francisco (visiting my group as part of my day job). Michael provided me with the GPS coordinates for the Red Canyon Petroglyphs so I could meet up with the group for the petroglyphs and then sunset over the Owens Valley. I took the following images of the petroglyphs soon after meeting up with the group. You can tell that there has been vandalism as folks try to add their own “art” or have taken parts of the ancient art away.

Red Canyon Petroglyphs. HDR Composite of 5 images taken with a Nikon D3s and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/2, various). HDR Processed using NIK HDR Efex Pro (David J Mathre)
Red Canyon Petroglyphs. HDR Composite of 5 images taken with a Nikon D3s and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/2, various). HDR Processed using NIK HDR Efex Pro (David J Mathre)
The Hand. Red Canyon Petroglyphs. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/80 sec). Raw image processed using Capture One Pro 6 and Photoshop CS5 (David J Mathre)
The Hand. Red Canyon Petroglyphs. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/80 sec). Raw image processed using Capture One Pro 6 and Photoshop CS5

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The Hand. Red Canyon Petroglyphs. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/80 sec). Raw image processed using Capture One Pro 6, Nik Silver Efex Pro 2, and Photoshop CS5 (David J Mathre)
The Hand. Red Canyon Petroglyphs. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 200, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/80 sec). Raw image processed using Capture One Pro 6, Nik Silver Efex Pro 2, and Photoshop CS5

Saturday (17-April-2010) — California

Gone to See America 2010. Big Sur Photography Workshop with Michael Mariant. Day 3: Big Sur & California Coastal Redwood Forest.

California blue iris, a view up into the redwoods, and the John Pfeiffer homestead cabin. Images taken on the Oak Grove Trail in Big Sur State Park.

California Wild Blue Iris Bloom (David J Mathre)
California Wild Blue Iris Bloom (David J Mathre)
Wide Angle Looking up from a Coastal Redwood Forest. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 14 mm, f/16, 2.5 sec). Raw image converted using Adobe Camera Raw 6.2 (landscape and used lens correction). (David J Mathre)
Wide Angle Looking up from a Coastal Redwood Forest. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 14-24 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 100, 14 mm, f/16, 2.5 sec). Raw image converted using Adobe Camera Raw 6.2 (landscape and used lens correction). (David J Mathre)
John Pfeiffer Homstead Cabin. Oak Grove Trail, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California. Composite of 3 images taken with a Nikon D3x and 85 mm f/2.8 PC-E lens (ISO 100, 85 mm, f/16, 1/8 sec). Raw image processed with Photoshop CS5 and Nik Silver Efex Pro 2. (David J. Mathre)
John Pfeiffer Homstead Cabin. Oak Grove Trail, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California. Composite of 3 images taken with a Nikon D3x and 85 mm f/2.8 PC-E lens (ISO 100, 85 mm, f/16, 1/8 sec). Raw image processed with Photoshop CS5 and Nik Silver Efex Pro 2. (David J. Mathre)

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A print of the “View Looking Up in a Redwood Forest” image won “Best in Show” and “People’s Choice” Awards at the Tampa Bay Photographic Art Society in September 2010.