Two-Years Ago (14-March-2014) — Iceland

Gone to See Iceland 2014 – Winter Photography Workshop. Day 6: Golden Circle.

Pair of Friendly Icelandic Horses Near the End of Winter. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 24 mm f/1.4G lens.

Pair of Friendly Icelandic Horses Near the End of Winter. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec) (David J Mathre)
Pair of Friendly Icelandic Horses Near the End of Winter. Image taken with a Nikon Df camera and 24 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 sec) (David J Mathre)

I am not providing the name or recommendation for the workshop leaders for this trip. One of the reasons I signed up  was the opportunity to photograph Northern Lights from Iceland. In 2013 I got some great images of the Aurora Borealis in Tromsö, Norway and hoped to do the same in Iceland. I arrived in Reykjavik, Iceland two days before the workshop and arranged a private tour with TripsByLocals.com to go Aurora Hunting. It didn’t look promising when we left the hotel (snowing an hour earlier). For the first 2 hours the sky remained mostly overcast. We then found a spot where the sky started to clear, and started to see the Aurora. It was cold and windy, but I found a place behind the van where I could set up a camera on a tripod. I was able to get 80 images which I used to create a time-lapsed video. The moon was almost full, and lit up the snow covered lava field in the foreground. It turned out that this was my only opportunity to get some good images of the Aurora on this trip. My father commented that it was not as good as the images I got in Tromsö last year. The weather for the Iceland workshop did not cooperate – lots of rain and snow with significant cloud cover. On the first day of the workshop we were supposed to fly from Reykjavik to Höfn but the weather in Höfn didn’t cooperate (even though it was sunny in Reykjavik). After spending some extra time waiting in the Reykjavik airport, it was decided that we would fly to Egilsstadir and take a several hour bus ride to Höfn. On the positive side, I got to see some of the Fjords on the east coast of Iceland, and on the negative side I lost a camera battery on the bus ride between Egilsstadir and Höfn when we had to change from a big 55 passenger bus to a smaller van. Once we got to the airport in Höfn we transferred to the van that would be our transportation for the rest of the workshop. Our first stop was the black sand beach on the coast next to the Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon. Every day when the tide goes out, ice that calved from the glacier in the lagoon goes out to sea, then when the tide comes in, the ice lands on the black sand beach. The makes for some great photo opportunities. However, as we arrived the rain started. We could only stay out for about 15 minutes before getting soaked in the cold and windy rain. We then went to Hotel Smyrlabjörg. I stayed at the same hotel last summer. The Icelandic food served at dinner was outstanding. When I went to sleep it was still raining. During the night the wind increased to the point it sounded like a train was passing outside my window. At about 01:30 AM I woke up and could see some stars in the sky outside my window. I went outside to get a look. It was still very windy. Windy to the point that I could barely stand up. I took a couple of pictures, and could see that the Northern Lights were starting – but there was no way I would be able to stay out in the gale force winds. So I went back to bed. The next morning at breakfast our workshop leader was gushing about how great the Aurora was between 03:30 AM and 05:30 AM. Unfortunately, he didn’t bother to wake the majority of the workshop participants even though he stayed out taking images for his portfolio. There were lots of apologies and excuses that he didn’t know what rooms we were in, but we were all staying in adjacent rooms. This turned out to be the one and only night that the Aurora were visible during the workshop. I was lucky to get the one night before the workshop to see and photograph the Aurora. Most of the others that spent thousands of dollars to see and photograph the Northern Lights as part of the workshop were very disappointed.

Five Years Ago (02-January-2011) — Argentina

Gone to See Patagonia 2010/2011. Photography Workshop with Thom Hogan. Day 8: Hosteria El Pilar.

Images from around Hosteria El Pilar near El Chalten in Argentina. When we saw the orange clouds developing at dusk over Mount Fitzroy we all left our deserts and rushed out of the dining room with whatever camera we had nearby. Some said the cloud looked like a shrimp, a dragon, and a Praying Mantis. I may have wished I had a different camera at the time, but didn’t chance missing the show.

The other images include a bee approaching a Pink Lupine flower, a horse and reflection of Mount Fitzroy at dawn, and then several early (02:00 to 03:00) night sky images. This was the first time I saw the Southern Milky Way, and an upside down Orion constellation.

Silhouette of Mount Fitz Roy in Patagonia at Dusk with Glowing Orange Clouds from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten, Argentina. Image taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 19.2 mm, f/5.6, 1100/sec) (David J Mathre)
Silhouette of Mount Fitz Roy in Patagonia at Dusk with Glowing Orange Clouds from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten, Argentina. Image taken with a Leica D-Lux 5 camera (ISO 80, 19.2 mm, f/5.6, 1100/sec) (David J Mathre)
Bee Approaching a Pink Lupine in Patagonia. Hosteria El Pilar, El Chalten, Argentina. Image taken with a Nikon D3s camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec). (David J Mathre)
Bee Approaching a Pink Lupine in Patagonia. Hosteria El Pilar, El Chalten, Argentina. Image taken with a Nikon D3s camera and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 200, 300 mm, f/5.6, 1/640 sec). (David J Mathre)
Reflection of Fitzroy in the Morning with a Horse. Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten, Argentina. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/2.8, 1/25 sec). Patagonia workshop with Thom Hogan, Day 7. (David J Mathre)
Reflection of Fitzroy in the Morning with a Horse. Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten, Argentina. Image taken with a Nikon D3s and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 400, 50 mm, f/2.8, 1/25 sec). Patagonia workshop with Thom Hogan, Day 7. (David J Mathre)


One-Year Ago (15-October-2012) — New Mexico

Comparison of RAW Digital Image Processing Programs.

Both Phase One and DxO have released new versions of their RAW digital image processing software (DxO Optics Pro 8, and Capture One Pro 7). The following image of a horse in an open-air horse trailer outside of Taos, New Mexico was taken from within a van during ANPAT 12. The image was processed as follows: 1) The imbedded jpg image extracted using Color Bits “Photo Mechanic”; The RAW image converted to jpg using Nikon View NX2; 3) The RAW image processed with Nikon Capture NX2; 4) The RAW image processed with Adobe Lightroom 4 (using the Adobe RAW engine); 5) The RAW image processed with Phase One Capture One Pro 7; and 6) The RAW image processed with DxO Optics Pro 8. There is a tint in the window of the van, so adjusting the white balance is tricky. Some of the RAW processors do better than others adjusting and correcting the white balance. Most RAW image processors have the ability to correct for lens distortion. DxO Optics Pro 8 has the largest collection of profiles for lens distortion correction. Capture One Pro 7 only has lens correction profiles for a few (high end/Pro) lenses, and did not have the profile for the camera/lens used for this image.

Let me know which version you like or dislike (either reply to the blog post or e-mail).

Horse in an Open Air Horse Carrier on the Highway into Taos, New Mexico. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 camera and 30-110 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 30 mm, f/3.8, 1/2000 sec). Imbedded JPG extracted with Photo Mechanic. (David J Mathre)
Horse in an Open Air Horse Carrier on the Highway into Taos, New Mexico. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 camera and 30-110 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 30 mm, f/3.8, 1/2000 sec). Imbedded JPG extracted with Photo Mechanic. (David J Mathre)
Horse in an Open Air Horse Carrier on the Highway into Taos, New Mexico. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 camera and 30-110 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 30 mm, f/3.8, 1/2000 sec). View NX2 JPG image. (David J Mathre)
Horse in an Open Air Horse Carrier on the Highway into Taos, New Mexico. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 camera and 30-110 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 30 mm, f/3.8, 1/2000 sec). View NX2 JPG image. (David J Mathre)
Horse in an Open Air Horse Carrier on the Highway into Taos, New Mexico. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 camera and 30-110 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 30 mm, f/3.8, 1/2000 sec). Raw image processed with Nikon Capture NX2 (David J Mathre)
Horse in an Open Air Horse Carrier on the Highway into Taos, New Mexico. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 camera and 30-110 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 30 mm, f/3.8, 1/2000 sec). Raw image processed with Nikon Capture NX2 (David J Mathre)
Horse in an Open Air Horse Carrier on the Highway into Taos, New Mexico. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 camera and 30-110 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 30 mm, f/3.8, 1/2000 sec). Raw image processed with Adobe Camera Raw - Lightroom 4. (David J Mathre)
Horse in an Open Air Horse Carrier on the Highway into Taos, New Mexico. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 camera and 30-110 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 30 mm, f/3.8, 1/2000 sec). Raw image processed with Adobe Camera Raw – Lightroom 4. (David J Mathre)
Horse in an Open Air Horse Carrier on the Highway into Taos, New Mexico. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 camera and 30-110 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 30 mm, f/3.8, 1/2000 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 7. (David J Mathre)
Horse in an Open Air Horse Carrier on the Highway into Taos, New Mexico. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 camera and 30-110 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 30 mm, f/3.8, 1/2000 sec). Raw image processed with Capture One Pro 7. (David J Mathre)
Horse in an Open Air Horse Carrier on the Highway into Taos, New Mexico. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 camera and 30-110 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 30 mm, f/3.8, 1/2000 sec). Raw image processed with DxO Optics Pro 8. (David J Mathre)
Horse in an Open Air Horse Carrier on the Highway into Taos, New Mexico. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 camera and 30-110 mm VR lens (ISO 400, 30 mm, f/3.8, 1/2000 sec). Raw image processed with DxO Optics Pro 8. (David J Mathre)

Monday (03-January-2011) — Argentina

Gone to See Patagonia 2010/2011. Photography Workshop with Thom Hogan. Day 8: Hosteria El Pilar, Fitzroy Massif, and Hike to Laguna de Los Tres.

There were definitely more clouds this morning, and I am glad that I did the night sky images the previous day. The goal for the day was to hike to Laguna de Los Tres. This is a glacial lake at the base of Fitzroy. Both Thom and Tony were under the weather, so did not attempt this hike. The hike starts right in front of the Hosteria, and goes through some really nice wooded areas. Since it was overcast, this made for some great photo attractions but had to keep the time we stopped short to make the entire hike. There were several views of glaciers along the trail, and we heard the boom from several ice falls. As we got to the Poincenot campground we could see that the remaining part of the trail was a series of very steep switchbacks. I decided to stay around the campsite, have lunch and wait for the rest of the group to come back. Rob figured that they would be back in 2.5-3 hours. After 2 hours I could see the group through a telephoto lens still going up the hill, which was now in full sunlight. It took the group an extra 1.5 hours to do the round trip to Lago des Los Tres. As soon as the group got back to the campground, it clouded over again with wind and some light rain. The group hightailed it back to the Hosteria. Soon after we got back, the sun peaked though to give us a bit of a rainbow. I went to the back deck to try to photograph the rainbow. As soon as I did a couple of horses came into the back courtyard.

Remains of a Tree Struck by Lightning in Patagonia. Hike from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten to El Mirador and Laguna Torre. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/11, 1/8 sec). (David J Mathre)
Remains of a Tree Struck by Lightning in Patagonia. Hike from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten to El Mirador and Laguna Torre. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/11, 1/8 sec). (David J Mathre)
If a Tree in Patagonia is Attacked by a Magellanic Woodpecker Did Anyone Hear It? Hike from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten to El Mirador and Laguna Torre. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/4, 1/50 sec). (David J Mathre)
If a Tree in Patagonia is Attacked by a Magellanic Woodpecker Did Anyone Hear It? Hike from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten to El Mirador and Laguna Torre. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/4, 1/50 sec). (David J Mathre)
Crossing a Creek on a Log Footbridge in Patagonia. Hike from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten to El Mirador and Laguna Torre. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/8, 1/160 sec). Day 7 of a Photography workshop in Patagonia workshop with Thom Hogan.. (David J Mathre)
Crossing a Creek on a Log Footbridge in Patagonia. Hike from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten to El Mirador and Laguna Torre. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/8, 1/160 sec). Day 7 of a Photography workshop in Patagonia workshop with Thom Hogan.. (David J Mathre)
Hike to El Mirador and Laguna Torre in Patagonia from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten, Argentina. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/16, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
Hike to El Mirador and Laguna Torre in Patagonia from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten, Argentina. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 100, 50 mm, f/16, 1/160 sec). (David J Mathre)
Tree in Patagonia taken during a hike to Mirador and Laguna Torre from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten, Argentina. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 70 mm, f/4.5, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
Tree in Patagonia taken during a hike to Mirador and Laguna Torre from Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten, Argentina. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 70-300 mm VR lens (ISO 100, 70 mm, f/4.5, 1/800 sec). (David J Mathre)
A Cat with Two Horses Grazing under a Rainbow in the Backyard of Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten, Argentina - Patagonia. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 800, 50 mm, f/6.3, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)
A Cat with Two Horses Grazing under a Rainbow in the Backyard of Hosteria El Pilar in El Chalten, Argentina – Patagonia. Image taken with a Nikon D3x and 50 mm f/1.4G lens (ISO 800, 50 mm, f/6.3, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)

Friday (31-December-2010) — Argentina

Gone to See Patagonia 2010/2011. Photography Workshop with Thom Hogan. Day 5: Estancia Helsingfors, Equitrecking, then Travel to Hosteria El Pilar just outside of El Chalten.

We started the day riding horses on a trail to an alpine lake. Most of the group chose to ride the horses, even though many of us had not been on a horse for many years. The horses brought us to a point near the end of the trail which we needed to complete on foot. Our gaucho took an image of me riding the trail with my Leica V-Lux 20 point & shoot camera. One thing that all of us on the horses learned was the need to apply sunscreen to the tops of our hands, which were all sun-burned by the end of the trip. That afternoon after getting back to Helsingfors, we checked out and took the bus to Hosteria El Pilar just outside of El Chalten. This location is much closer to Fitzroy. So far the weather on the trip has been unusually clear for Patagonia. Note that I don’t like the color profile for these out-of-the-camera jpg images.

Equitrecking at Estancia Helsingfors. (David J Mathre)
Equitrecking at Estancia Helsingfors. (David J Mathre)
Turquoise Lake Panorama. Equitrecking and Hike Destination Estancia Helsingfors, Glacier National Park. (David J Mathre)
Turquoise Lake Panorama. Equitrecking and Hike Destination Estancia Helsingfors, Glacier National Park. (David J Mathre)