Late this afternoon, I headed over to Half Moon Bay – specifically to Montara and the Point Montara Light Station – to join up with a small group of Google+ photographers. I tried several HDR shots – none of which worked very well given the continuous movement in the ocean. But this image grabbed me – primarily because of the vanishing point effect of the clouds merging at the lighthouse.

I shot this with my Canon 5D Mark II on a tripod – using a Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 lens. I shot it at f/11 at 1/50 of a second and post-processed it in PhotoShop CS5 using Nik’s Silver Efex Pro 2 and Color Efex Pro 4 filters. I particularly like the wide tonal contrast around the lighthouse in this image.

I’m back from our local Honda dealer where I got the news that my 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid needs a new IMA battery. That’s the big battery (behind the seat in my Civic) the helps boost acceleration in concert with the small gasoline engine in this car. It’s a core component of the hybrid technology.

Earlier this week, the Check Engine and IMA lights popped on on my dashboard – although, curiously, when I headed out to the dealer this morning both lights were off! But the codes were still set – which the dealer readout – and pronounced the verdict. The battery needs to be ordered and then installed – a half-day downtime.

I shouldn’t complain too much about this – it’s covered under warranty and the car really has been trouble-free to this point. I ride it hard and put it away wet – so it’s proven its worth. I’ll be interested to see how it performs after the new IMA battery is installed.

If you’re wanting to try HDR photography, Doug’s pretty much covered the bases on the various post-processing alternatives. I’m looking forward to trying out his newly recommended favorite technique using 32 Float in Photoshop!

Having started my working life at IBM, I was shaped by the strong culture that was such a core part of the company. The IBM Basic Beliefs (Respect for the Individual, Customer Service, and Excellence) became part of my life in those early years. Especially that first one: Respect for the Individual.

One of the customs inside IBM that was a delight was the practice of just saying thank you. When you became an IBM manager, one of the accoutrements was a set of personal stationery that you used to just say thanks. Sending those letters was an important part of gratitude for me – and receiving them was just a delight.

I had such fun going back through this folder of personal thank you letters that I had received over the years. A practice and a tradition that’s certainly faded a bit in today’s email-based world – but one certainly worth remembering! Gosh, how I also wish I had kept copies of the thank you letters I sent as well!

Yesterday, Doug Kaye and I headed out on a glorious January morning for some photography shooting over on the coast. We headed first to one of my favorite spots – Fitzgerald Marine Reserve north of Half Moon Bay. This county park has an iconic row of trees that offer a beautiful setting for us photographers. On some mornings, you’ll get fog – on others, a mix of fog and sun. Yesterday we had a glorious bright sun – but with that low sun angle this time of year.

I call this image “Tunnel View” – mimicking the Yosemite shots of that same name. I just love how these trees frame the path – and provide their own tunnel. The sun and shadows add layers to the image.

I shot this with my Canon 5D Mark II with the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS L lens – and post-processed it from a single RAW file using Lightroom to export 0/+/-2 exposure JPEGS for processing in Photomatix Pro. I imported that result into Photoshop CS5 and further tweaked the image using Nik’s Viveza 2, Color Efex Pro 4 and the amazing Silver Efex Pro 2. I did a final blend in Photoshop before importing back into Lightroom for some final tweaks, noise reduction, a touch of vignette and a bit of love (!).

Hope you enjoy it!

This morning I met up with Doug Kaye over on the coast – for a morning of shooting – of the photography kind. We started at the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve and then headed south to Pigeon Point Lighthouse before heading to Pescadero and Duarte’s Tavern (DOO-arts they say!) for a great cracked Dungeness crab lunch.

I’ve really come to appreciate these photo shoots with a friend – especially one who, like Doug, is pushing new frontiers and trying new techniques. As we explore a venue, we see through each other’s eyes – and see things we otherwise wouldn’t see. Try it sometime. It’s great fun!

This image is of the Pigeon Point Lighthouse on the San Mateo County coastline south of Pescadero. The light this morning was beautiful – and this black and white treatment features it!

This image was shot as a 3 image handheld HDR with my Canon 5D Mark II. I post-processed it first with Photomatix Pro (using undeveloped JPEGs exported from Lightroom 3 and Photomatix alignment by features), and then opened in Photoshop CS5. In Photoshop, I first adjusted with Nik’s Color Efex Pro 4 – specifically, tonal contrast and detail extractor. Then I brought the image into Nik’s Silver Efex Pro 2 before finally bringing back into Lightroom for final tweaking, noise reduction, and uploading.

I’ll always remember this day and our time coasting the San Mateo coast! Beautiful!

My friend Doug Kaye has shared his new insights about a better workflow for HDR processing – one that maximizes the dynamic range available for post-processing rather than limits it as the Lightroom export flow automatically does. Be sure to read his insights – along with those of Klaus Herrmann who introduced the notion creating extended EV value images as TIFF files from the original bracketed RAW images in his article “Creating HDR Images the Right Way.” If you have comments for Doug, please share them on his Google+ post.

In what’s become sort of a tradition for me, on New Year’s Day I head for the Golden Gate and see what I can find to start the new year off right.

Today, my favorite venue was blocked by construction fencing – so I headed to my next favorite venue – Baker Beach. I happened to arrive just as the California Hornblower sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge.

This image was shot in RAW with my Canon 5D Mark II and then processed tonight in Photoshop using Nik’s Color Efex Pro 4 and Silver Efex Pro 2 before importing into Lightroom 3 for final cropping (16:9), toning, sharpening and noise reduction.

There were a lot of people enjoying Baker Beach when I shot the original image – but they were removed using the content-aware healing brush in Photoshop CS5 – yielding this final image. I’m sure they don’t mind!

2011 turned out to be a big year for me in my pursuit of photography skills. As I reflect back on my learnings, I thought I’d try to write down the highlights of the year for me in this New Year’s Eve post.

Beginning with my purchase of my first digital SLR about five years ago (a Canon 30D which I purchased immediately after reading Doc Searls post about his evaluation of this camera!), I’ve been making steady progress learning more about both the most important shooting skills for capturing images as well as the post-processing techniques that can really help enhance an image.

For me, it’s all about trying to get it right at capture time in the camera – but then also maximizing the image’s beauty in post-processing. Among other things, I’ve learned that even if the capture isn’t perfect, the end result can still be stunning with the right post-processing. But, it all begins with trying to get the right image at capture.

Capture

This year, I made more progress at trying to apply what I already know – taking the time to get the image right in capture. For much of my photography so far – mostly landscapes, urban scenes, etc. – this means slowing down and taking the time to really “work the subject”. It’s like breathing – forcing myself to stop, take a deep breath and think (and re-think) what it is I’m trying to do.

Early on, I tended to just fire away – without taking the time to think, compose, and really work the capture. DSLRs, in my experience, make this difficult – as you’re so inclined to just fire away.

The first photo workshop I attended (2009 – North Beach in San Francisco with Chris Honeysett) brought this issue to a head for me. And, ever since, I’ve tried to make sure that when I’m in the field that I slow down, breathe, and think about the capture I’m wanting to make.

In 2011, I tried to make this practice “muscle memory” on a shoot – still learning to do so effectively, but at least it’s now a conscious part of my approach.

Post-Processing

As Ansel Adams famously once said, “The negative is comparable to the composer’s score and the print to its performance.” Anyone who has seen a series of Ansel’s prints of the same image produced over time knows that he had different interpretations that he brought to the image. As he got older, many of his most famous images got darker as he printed them – adding more drama to them.

In today’s digital era, the performance art is all about the post-processing we do – since we might choose to print or, much more commonly, choose to post our images someplace online. Obviously, capture and post-processing go hand in hand – and, for me, involve very different parts of my brain. I find the two different experiences fascinating.

Photowalks

Another very valuable learning for me in 2011 was the great benefit of shooting with another photographer. In the photography community, photowalks of groups of photographers have been quite popular – and they can be a lot of fun. For me, I’ve come to really value doing a photowalk not with a large group but, rather, with one other photographer.

My good friend Doug Kaye and I did several of these 1:1 photowalks together during 2011 – and we learned a lot from each other – both in the field during capture (“seeing through each other’s eyes”) as well as how we post-processed similar images after the fact. For me, a 1:1 photowalk was a learning accelerator – opening new doors in both capture and post-processing.

Evolution

This year also saw me shifting away a bit from my earlier experiments in High Dynamic Range photography and back toward trying to enhance my craft at capture and in post-processing. Over the last couple of years, I experimented a lot with HDR – learning from Trey Ratcliff, RC Conception and others about their techniques. I continue to use HDR in post-processing – especially enjoying using the technique for single image RAW files – but it’s become a bit less important to me in 2011.

I began, for the first time, to try to learn more about portraiture. I’m still a relative novice at it – there’s a lot of difference between shooting a landscape and a person – but I’m beginning to appreciate and try to apply those differences. Portraiture is definitely an area I want to continue to focus on in 2012!

I also became much more aware of the techniques available in post-processing – including some of the great filters available (Nik, Topaz, and others) along with the application of techniques from some of today’s masters. I feel much more confident today that I can import and process and image into my vision than ever before – yet I also feel like I’m only 10-20% down the path toward really being a master at applying these techniques.

Portfolio

One of the best things I did in 2011 for my photography was to create my first portfolio – both online and in print – of what I considered some of my best work. Can’t believe I hadn’t done this before – but I hadn’t – and now it’s become a regular part of my workflow in post-processing.

While having my portfolio online is great, there’s nothing quite like holding my portfolio book in my hand and seeing these images on real paper. This year, I used iPhoto to create my 100 page portfolio book – and gave away a few copies as gifts to family friends.

Summary

All in all, 2011 was a great year for me in learning about photography. I’m looking forward to continuing to learn in 2012. One thing is clear – I really enjoy all of these aspects of photography. At my age, it’s great fun to have such a stimulating avocation to pursue – and to benefit from all of its rewards.

My 2011 Photography Resources

• My Portfolio Online
  • Smugmug
  • Google+
• My Gear
  • Canon EOS 5D Mark II – my “big camera” – takes beautiful images when I slow down and breathe!
  • Canon PowerShot S100 – my “little camera” which is also in my pocket on every photo shoot!
  • Canon EF 135mm f/2L – my new lens this year – beautiful for portraits!
  • iPhone 4S – also in my pocket all the time along with Nik’s Snapseed application for beautiful adjustments in camera!
• Books
  • Craft and Vision – all of David DuChemin’s titles are great!
  • Matt Kloskowski’s Layers: The Complete Guide to Photoshop’s Most Powerful Feature
  • Vincent Versace’s Welcome to Oz 2.0
  • Scott Kelby’s Professional Portrait Retouching Techniques
• Printing
  • iPhoto books for my portfolio
  • Sizzlpix of my “Bookends” NY subway shot
  • Costco for everyday printing – same day pickup, great quality
• Workshops and Photowalks
  • Derrick Story workshops
  • Multiple photowalks – 1:1 with Doug Kaye – at Stanford, Alcatraz, Mare Island, Rodeo Cove, Embarcadero Center, DeYoung Museum/Golden Gate Park/Japanese Tea Garden.
  • Portraiture workshop at Stanford taught by Neal Menschel
  • Jaime Ibarra’s 1:1 workshop
  • KelbyTraining videos – especially Jay Maisel’s two NYC sessions
• Post-processing tools
  • Nik Software – Viveza, Color Efex Pro 4, Silver Efex Pro 2
  • OnOne Software – Perfect Photo Suite, Perfect Portrait
  • Topaz Labs – Adjust, Simplify in particular.
  • Imagenomic’s Portraiture
  • Photomatix Pro – the BEST HDR processing tool.

1. The Winner Is: Oven Roasted Tri-Tip for Football Sunday – My link to the actual time tested recipe I use for making roasted tri-tip in the oven the easy way. This recipe and my other favorites can be found over on my ScottsKitchen.com site.
2. My Life in a Sling! – Rotator Cuff Surgery – In late 2009, I had rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder to deal with a “massive rotator cuff tear”. Going into the surgery, expectations were low – but I couldn’t have had a better outcome! I do hope I never again have to spend 6 weeks in a sling!
3. Happy Fourth of July! – A post from July 4, 2010 that includes an earlier July 4th parade image that I took of the Redwood City parade a few years back. This was early in my renewed photography “career”!
4. HOW TO: Setting up the Canon PowerShot S90 to Shoot HDR – One of the impacts of my rotator cuff injury was that I was no longer able to raise my Canon EOS 5D Mark II to my eye to shoot with it. As a result, I bought one of the first Canon PowerShot S90′s when they became available – and began experimenting with using it for High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography.
5. Some Initial HDR Explorations with the Canon S95 – An update on shooting HDR photography with the S90′s newer brother – the Canon PowerShot S95, another amazing pocket camera. I took this camera around the world with me on my travels and continue to recommend it – and the more recent Canon PowerShot S100 whenever anyone asks me for a pocket camera recommendation. These cameras produce fabulous results!
6. Yosemite – Handheld HDR with Canon 5D Mark II – On one of my first trips out after my rotator cuff surgery, I went to Yosemite in June 2010 and captured this image with my Canon EOS 5D Mark II while just entering the park. Yosemite is an amazing place – and a real treat for photographers. One of the best trips I made there was with my son David to spend a day shooting with Michael Frye. Be sure to check out Michael’s website – and spend a day with him for a Yosemite photo shoot you’ll never forget!
7. First Time Out with HDR Photography on a Canon 40D – My first DSLR was the Canon 30D which I bought based upon an evaluation posted online by Doc Searls. When the 40D was introduced, I upgraded – and it’s still one of my favorite cameras. The 40D was a lot of fun for handheld HDR shooting because of its quick multishot performance. I ended up selling both the 30D and 40D on Amazon. Coincidentally, the buyer of the 40D lived here in Menlo Park – and we arranged a face-to-face delivery of the camera! What are the odds of that happening?
8. The Power of Black and White – Canon S95 HDR – One of the things I learned from my late friend Chris Gulker (a dedicated black and white photographer) was the power of the black and white image. There’s something about dropping the color away and just leaving the light and the shadow that transforms an image and gives it dramatic effect. This post, about a month before Chris passed away, was written to try to demonstrate that effect. Here’s another memory from my walks with Chris – what I call Chris’s Steps at the Cantor Art Museum at Stanford.
9. Shoot HDR on the Canon EOS 5D Mark II – Rodin’s Gates of Hell – This is a much earlier attempt at shooting Rodin’s Gates of Hell using my then brand new Canon EOS 5D Mark II. As I look back on this post, I realize how much learning has gone on since I wrote it!
10. Update: 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid and Tires – Back in 2006, I downgraded from a big Audi A6 to a much smaller Honda Civic Hybrid. After a few years, I needed to get new tires – the Hybrid had special low rolling resistance – and hard to fine – tires. I shared my research about the tires I ended up getting. Not sure I made the right choice from a miles per gallon standpoint but they’ve held up fine since.
11. More Canon PowerShot S90 HDR Photography – Fitzgerald Marine Reserve – One of the first outings I made after my rotator cuff surgery was to the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve near Half Moon Bay. If you catch this row of trees in just the right morning light, it’s very striking. On this particular morning, the sun was just beginning to punch through the morning fog. Love this place!
12. Canon PowerShot S95 Unboxing! – In August 2010, I upgraded from the Canon PowerShot S90 to the S95 – and this was my attempt at an unboxing sequence as I opened the camera box upon arrival. These Canon PowerShot S-series cameras are superb. Whenever I now go out shooting, I’ve got my big Canon EOS 5D Mark II slung over my shoulder and (now) my Canon PowerShot S100 in my shirt/pants/coat pocket. I find that I’ll take about an equal number of shots using the two cameras – and really value having both “bodies” with me to enable me to go wide or telephoto as the moment might dictate.

None of these top 12 posts as measured by page views during 2011 were actually written this year! Seems odd – but I guess that’s actually not so strange. Most of these page views are the result of Google searches – and these just happen to be among the most popular search results.

As for the most popular posts I actually wrote during 2011, here there are:

1. The Power of Oven Roasted Tri-Tip! – A followup post commenting on the popularity of my oven roasted tri-tip recipe posts here and on ScottsKitchen.com.
2. Single RAW HDR Processing with the Canon PowerShot S95 – All about how I’ve learned that even single shot RAW images can be turned into beautiful HDR images using the tools available.
3. Slow Coffee! – My recommendations on making a great cup of coffee!
4. My Mid-2011 Photography Workflow – Written mostly for my own memory (!), this post describes how my photography workflow worked midyear. It’s since changed again – and I need to provide an early 2012 workflow update in the new year!
5. The Golden Gate Bridge in HDR – A look back at this Golden Gate Bridge image which turns out to be my all-time most popular image on Flickr – taken in January 2010 on a beautiful day at the Golden Gate!

Thanks for another fun year here – we celebrated this blog’s tenth anniversary just a month ago. I’ve found blogging to be a great outlet for me – as I’ve come to really enjoy writing and sharing what I find interesting and, hopefully, useful! Here’s to another ten years – or more!