20-October-2009

Ghirardelli’s “The Original Chocolate Shop” at night in San Francisco. A must stop for chocoholic’s near Fisherman’s Warf. The image was taken on 20-October-2009 with a D3x and 16 mm fisheye lens (f/2.8, ISO 1250, 1/60 sec). The image was processed using Capture One Pro 5 and Photoshop CS5 using the Topaz Denoise 5 and Focus Magic filters, and then conversion for web and sRGB using Photoshop CS5. The Topaz Denoise 5 (medium RAW setting) filter did a much better job removing noise from the image than other software. If you look closely, you can see the photographer’s reflection looking over the pumpkin in the window.

18-October-2009

Yosemite National Park from 30,000 feet. The view is of Liberty Cap and Nevada Falls, the top of Vernal Falls in bottom right (mostly blocked by Sierra point).  I was flying from New Jersey to California on Continental. It was a clear day and the captain announced that we would be able to see Yosemite out the left windows. I was on the right side of the plane. He then announced that he made a mistake and we would be able to see Yosemite Valley from the right side. I quickly got my camera out and was able to take a number of images. This image was taken on 18-October-2009. Nikon D3x, 70-300 mm VR @ 300 mm, ISO 200, f/11, 1/500 sec. Processed with Capture One 5, Photoshop CS5, Focus Magic, Topaz Detail, and converted to jpg with Photoshop CS5 “save for web”.  I never expected to get this much detail from an image taken through a commercial airline window.

Thursday (25-June-2009) — California

Working at SIRNA in South San Francisco.

During the day we heard that Michael Jackson had died. That evening while looking for dinner in San Francisco we saw that the Wax Museum already had a Michael Jackson display.

Michael Jackson Memorial at the San Francisco Wax Museum. Image taken with a Nikon D700 and 16 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 1600, 16 mm, f/2.8, 1/160 sec). Raw image processed with DxO 6.5, Capture One Pro, Topaz DeNoise, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Michael Jackson Memorial at the San Francisco Wax Museum. Image taken with a Nikon D700 and 16 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 1600, 16 mm, f/2.8, 1/160 sec). Raw image processed with DxO 6.5, Capture One Pro, Topaz DeNoise, and Photoshop CS5.
Andrew with the Gimme Some Chocolate Bear in front of Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop in San Francisco. Image taken with a Nikon D700 and 16 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 1600, 16 mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec). Raw image processed with DxO Optics Pro, Focus Magic, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5. (David J Mathre)
Andrew with the Gimme Some Chocolate Bear in front of Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop in San Francisco. Image taken with a Nikon D700 and 16 mm f/2.8 fisheye lens (ISO 1600, 16 mm, f/2.8, 1/60 sec). Raw image processed with DxO Optics Pro, Focus Magic, Nik Define, and Photoshop CS5.

Thursday (10-October-2008) — California

Gone to See America October 2008 Road Trip. Eighth Annual Nikonian Photography Adventure Trip. Day 6: Yosemite National Park.

The smallest waterfall in Yosemite Valley is at Fern Spring. It is just off the road and in the shade. Well worth taking the time to visit and photograph.

 (David J Mathre)
Fern Falls in Yosemite Valley. Image taken with a Nikon D3 camera and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 42 mm, f/16, 1/2 sec). (David J Mathre)
Yosemite's Smallest Waterfall at Fern Spring. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 70 mm, f/16, 5 sec). (David J Mathre)
Yosemite’s Smallest Waterfall at Fern Spring. Image taken with a Nikon D3 and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lens (ISO 200, 70 mm, f/16, 5 sec). (David J Mathre)

Thursday (09-October-2008) — California

Gone to See America October 2008 Road Trip. Eighth Annual Nikonian Photography Adventure Trip. Day 5: Yosemite National Park.

Half Dome early morning from Olmsted Point. After spending the night at a run down motel in Lee Vining we were given the OK to return to Yosemite Valley and rejoin the Nikonian group after the 2nd rock slide at Curry Village. We stopped at Olmsted point to view Half Dome from a different perspective. Olmsted point is on highway 120 (Tioga Pass Road). Half Dome is about 5 miles away, but over 30 miles on the highway.

 (David J Mathre)
(David J Mathre)