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Lighthouse Lightroom Nik Software Photography Photography - Canon 5D Mark II

The Light at Point Montara

The Light - Point Montara - 2012

Here’s an image shot a couple of years ago at Point Montara along the Pacific coast. This is one of my favorite spots close to home – and I shot this image using my old favorite Canon 5D Mark II with the 70-200mm f/2.8L lens.

I processed it in Lightroom 5 and added a touch of Glamour Glow using Nik’s Color Efex Pro 4 to soften the skies and water just a touch.

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Black and White Monochrome Photography Photography Photography - Black & White Photography - Canon 5D Mark II Point Reyes

Around the Bend at Point Reyes Station

Around the Bend - Point Reyes Station - 2012

Two years ago this week we took a one day workshop at Point Reyes with photographer Marty Knapp.

I tried to emphasize the range of tonality in this image – using a combination of adjustments. I captured it with my Canon 5D Mark II and processed in Lightroom 5 and Photoshop CC using Nik’s Silver Efex Pro 2.

This image brings back a lot of memories for me – it was a wonderful day we spent with Marty.

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Lightroom Photographers Photography Photography - Canon 5D Mark II Photoshop CC Topaz VSCO Film

In the Field along Tomales Bay in August

In the Field - Tomales Bay - 2010

In August 2010, I took a workshop focus on Tomales Bay and Point Reyes. One of the other participants – Jack – was shooting with a set of classic cameras. It was a joy to watch him work.

Here’s a shot of Jack taken early on a late August morning along Tomales Bay. He’s shooting the famous Point Reyes fishing boat – aground at Inverness. The morning sun is on his back. I can smell the scene.

Shot with my Canon 5D Mark II and the Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS lens. Post-processed using Lightroom 5, VSCO Film and Photoshop CC with Topaz Simplify 4.

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Black and White Lightroom Monochrome Photography Photography Photography - Canon 5D Mark II Photoshop CC San Francisco/California

That Garlic Time in San Francisco’s North Beach

The Stinking Rose - San Francisco -2009

Here’s another image from my August 2009 workshop with Chris Honeysett in San Francisco’s North Beach. Shot outside The Stinking Rose with my Canon 5D Mark II.

Converted to black and white in the camera – and tweaked in Lightroom 5 and Photoshop CC.

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Lightroom Photography Photography - Canon 5D Mark II Photoshop CC San Francisco/California

Old and New – Columbus and Montgomery in San Francisco

North Beach Hotel - San Francisco - 2009

This is an image that’s been shot many, many times in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood.

On this Saturday morning in August 2009 we had some special light and I captured this image with my Canon 5D Mark II.

Post-processed in Lightroom 5 and Photoshop CC with a touch of the Oil Paint filter to add a bit of texture.

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Photography Photography - Canon 5D Mark II San Francisco/California

An Early Sunday Morning on San Francisco’s California Street

California Street - San Francisco - 2009

Three and half years ago – August 2009 – I took my first photo workshop. Led by Chris Honeysett, it was a Saturday-Sunday session. On Saturday, we scoured North Beach – it was amazing. On Sunday, we met early – 5 AM at the Transamerica Pyramid and then walked up to Chinatown and down Grant Avenue to Grant and California. At that corner I captured this image with my Canon 5D Mark II.

I’ll never forget this workshop with Chris – I learned so much about how to see thanks to his teaching. Part of the time, we had our cameras set to display monochrome images on the LCDs on our cameras. That was such a great learning experience – about seeing light and shadow without the distraction of color. I’ve applied that learning many times over.

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Black and White Marin Headlands Monochrome Photography Photography Photography - Black & White Photography - Canon 5D Mark II Photoshop CC

Point Bonita Light from Battery Mendell

Point Bonita Light - Battery Mendell - 2011

Two years ago this week Doug Kaye and I went to Rodeo Beach and then up the hill to Battery Mendell overlooking Point Bonita Light and the entrance to the Golden Gate. It’s a magnificent view from up there.

Captured with my Canon 5D Mark II with the 70-200mm lens. Post-processed in Lightroom and Photoshop CC with a bit of platinum toning applied.

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Marin Headlands Photography Photography - Canon 5D Mark II VSCO Film

A Look Back at the Marin Headlands

http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottloftesness/11445105283/player/

I went back tonight looking for holiday images from years before. Instead, I stumbled across this image – taken on December 17, 2011 – 3 years ago yesterday – at the Marin Highlands.

On that lovely Sunday, Doug Kaye and I met at Rodeo Beach, explored that amazing area and then headed up the hill to the headlands. While we were fooling around, I caught him taking this shot of me.

What might be different today is that we’d both be using different cameras. In this shot, he’s shooting with one of his big Nikon DSLR’s. And I’m shooting with my Canon 5D Mark II with the big 70-200mm f/2.8L lens on it.

Fast forward three years – I’d be shooting with my Fujifilm X-E2 and, most likely, Doug would be shooting with his new Sony Alpha A7. We wouldn’t be able to detect much difference in our images – in fact, they might be even better.

So much for my search for holiday photos tonight. I’ll try again tomorrow!

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Filoli Photography Photography - Canon 5D Mark II

An iPhone Street Shooter at Filoli

Street Shooter - Filoli - 2012

Here’s an image I captured at Filoli in February of 2012 with my Canon 5D Mark II – a woman shoot the magnolia tree with her iPhone. I loved how her iPhone case matched the color of her hat!

This image has layers from the separation of her from the background – and a bit of gesture as she aims and shoots her iPhone.

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Photography Photography - Canon 5D Mark II San Francisco/California Stages VSCO Film

Smokey Joe in San Francisco’s Chinatown

Smokey Joe - San Francisco - 2012

This is an image from last year – shot with my Canon 5D Mark II on a photo walk in San Francisco’s Chinatown with Doug Kaye.

I love the gestures of the people in this image – and that guy with the cigarette who I’ve coined as Smokey Joe!

This is a classic example of finding a “stage” – setting up across the street with the camera – and waiting for something interesting to enter the frame!

Post processed in Lightroom 5 with VSCO Film.