Tag Archives: High Dynamic Range Photography

Mostly True Stories, Places

Goblin Valley

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Not long ago, a group of scouts ignored the prime directive and damaged one of the non-carbon based life forms. The results went viral. We were investigating. Goblin Valley.

M class. The air was still. Breathable. Quiet. The terrain was foreign. Alien. Forbidding. Frozen figures watched, waited. Goblins.

Would they come to life? Would they reap havoc in the night? Best to visit in the light.

I can not say if a captured image contains a portion of the subject’s soul. The rocks must answer the query when sentience returns. Or perhaps sentience remains and only mobility has been taken. I could not tell. The figures were staring, watching. The hairs on the back of my neck stood. Chills. I was moving too fast. I perceived that age had slowed their movement, but not their purpose. Perhaps if I was careful, reverent, I could take with me their spirit and they would not bear witness of my own destructiveness. For, it would seem, that with more visibility, their demise is assured.

Three Goblins stand watch at the entrance to Goblin Valley, Utah.
Goblin Valley, Utah.
Goblin Valley, Utah.
Goblin Valley, Utah.
Goblin Valley, Utah.
Goblin Valley sentinels.
Goblin Valley.
Goblin Valley.
Goblin Valley.
Goblin Valley.
Goblin Valley.
Goblin Valley.
Goblin Valley.
Goblin Valley.
Goblin Valley.
Goblin Valley.
Goblin Valley.
Goblin Valley.
Goblin Valley.
Patterns in the sandstone.

 

Mostly True Stories, Places

El Arco–Lands End Los Cabos

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If you need a getaway, Los Cabos may be just the place. Beyond El Arco, the Arch, the cool Pacific meets the warm Sea of Cortez at Lands End. Lovers beach, accessible only by boat, calls to romantic sun worshippers. Los Cabos expériences between 300 and 350 sunny days each year. It’s almost always warm and sometimes, it gets very hot.

When Sammy Hagar opened the Cabo Wabo Cantina in the ’90s, he helped turn Cabo San Lucas into party central. However, just a few miles north, San Jose del Cabo still clings to the sleepy fishing village vibe that symbolizes the relaxed kickback sensibilities of the Baja Peninsula.

When it gets cold up north, or you just can’t wait for spring, El Arco at Land’s End is just not that far away.

El Arco, Lands End
At Lands End, Los Cabos, the warm Sea of Cortez greats the cold Pacific Ocean.
Mostly True Stories

Storm over Happy Valley

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I was teaching my sixteen-year-old daughter how to drive. The storm was gathering outside, and inside, our car. I wasn’t so much afraid for my life, as I was for hers. She didn’t seem to notice. It was all good.

“Pull over,” I said.

“Why?” It was her favorite question.

“Because I don’t want to die today.”

“Come on, Dad. Don’t be so dramatic.”

“Just pull over.”

She did.

My knuckles were white. My feet were pressed against the floor boards. I opened the door, got out of the car and took a deep breath. That’s when I could smell it, the rain, on a gentle breeze. I could see it coming. I knew it was going to be big, the storm. I breathed it in. I let it go. I felt a drop and grabbed my camera. The picture kept the storm from coming.

“You’re doing fine,” I said. “Let’s go home before the rain hits.”

She smiled and pull out.

“Don’t forget to signal,” I said, my feet pressing firmly on the invisible brakes.

Gathering Storm
All is quiet, just before the Heavens open over Utah Lake.
Mostly True Stories, Places

Hong Kong in HDR

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I don’t shoot everything in HDR. Honest, I don’t. However, Hong Kong is such a visual, visceral experience, quite beyond the ordinary sense, bordering on the overwhelming, that High Dynamic Range imagery seemed to be appropriate. Sometimes, I know, HDR–my HDR shots–skirt quite close to the edge of going over the top. I’m still trying to figure out where that edge is, what’s appropriate for the subject, what’s appropriate for the viewer. I certainly haven’t found that place–yet. I haven’t been doing this long enough. My wife sometimes tells me my HDR shots look like bad ’70s blacklight posters.

C’est la vie.

It’s fun and it looks cool. I can’t draw. I don’t use a brush. But, if I did, my impressionist paintings might also look like bad ’70s blacklight posters.

C’est la vie, again.

I would, at some point like to approach art, not just capture, although, I think I look at the world with a documentarian’s eye. I do enjoy the candid, the natural, the slice of life, the story in the moment.

I didn’t throw all my visual sensibilities out the window when I landed in Hong Kong. I did capture some of those images. Nevertheless, the striking structures of Hong Kong demanded that I shoot more than one image and compelled me to combine them in my favorite HDR tone mapping software. So, if that wasn’t enough of an apology, here is gallery of Hong Kong, HDR style.

And, by the way, I’d love to know if galleries work best for viewing these images, or, if posting them individually over several days is more enjoyable. Thanks, and I hope some of the fun I had in Hong Kong rubs off on you and brightens your day.

View of the downtown Hong Kong Financial district, Wan Chai.
It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of traffic, people, noise and smog; however, when in Hong Kong, don’t forget to look up. The sky is up there, somewhere.
In spite of the size of the city, the number of people and cars, Hong Kong boasts a remarkably effective public transportation system.
Soaring above the teeming masses, Hong Kong’s endless skyscrapers are home to the most densely packed populace in the world.
Many towering buildings in Hong Kong have been designed with rectangular openings to withstand high winds during violent storms.
Families live aboard Junks and make their living by fishing and transporting passengers across the water.
The Junk is a traditional Chinese sailing vessel. Junks are still part of the seafaring lifestyle for many Hong Kong.
Among the busiest natural harbors in the world, Victoria Harbor is also one of the most scenic.
While it may seem like it, all is not sweetness and light. While there are not many left in Hong Kong, there are still some poor areas.
Bold architecture accents Hong Kong’s optimistic position as a leading global city.
Changing light conditions and swirling storm clouds dance above the soaring buildings of Hong Kong.
A brewing storm lowers over Victoria Peak in the background and the massive skyscrapers of Hong Kong.
Every night for ten minutes, 45 buildings in Hong Kong on both sides of Victoria Harbor synchronize a light show to music.
Looking back toward the city from Tamar Park, Hong Kong.

Places

Chaing Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Taipei, Taiwan

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Two sets of stairs, each with 89 steps representing Chaing Kai-shek’s age when he died, lead to the main entrance of the Memorial Hall. Rising 289 feet above ground and covered in glazed tile, the structure and surrounding flower beds represent the colors of the flag of the Republic of China.

Chaing Kai-shek retreated from China to Taiwan with his army in 1946 following defeat at the hands of the Communists. He had been ruling China for nearly twenty-two years. After arriving in Taiwan, he served as President of the Republic of Taiwan until his death in 1975. During the period of his rule, he continued to develop plans to retake mainland China from the Communists. Following his death, the Memorial Hall was erected in his honor and has become a natural gathering place, landmark and tourist attraction. If you visit Taiwan, don’t miss it. I was impressed.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
Erected in honor of former President of the Republic of China, Chaing Kai-shek, the Chaing Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a famous monument, landmark and tourist attraction in Taipei, Taiwan.
Places, Things

A Taste of Australia

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Whirl-wind tour. 

Gold Coast. I want to feel the sand and surf before I die.

Brisbane. The Brisbane River snaking through the city leaves the marks of flood waters on the stone foundations of downtown high-rises.

An Aboriginal street performer plays a didgeridoo concert for some coins; the deep, rich, mysterious, mournful sound vibrating my bones. After playing, he tells us the story of how his father, European, fell in love with his Aboriginal mother deep in the bush.

Driving away, a Kangaroo stands and stares at us, watching us go with sad eyes.  Why are you leaving?

From Kangaroo Point, the spectacular setting sun gives way, too soon, to the sparkling stars of the Southern Cross. I’m far from home and longing to see my family.

The good news, for me, is that spending such a short time down under means that I will go back. I must.

Dusk settles on Brisbane, Australia and the Brisbane River
The Brisbane River flows beneath the Goodwill Bridge at dusk in Brisbane, Australia.
The sun sets over Brisbane and Goodwill Bridge as seen from Kangaroo Point.
This street performer, half aborigine, was a most excellent didgeridoo player.
On a visit to Brisbane, it doesn’t take long to leave the city behind and get lost is the Beautiful, Australian bush.
This young Kangaroo stood up to pose for pictures not far from Brisbane, Australia.
Not my best photo ever. When I got to close for comfort Kanga took off with amazing speed.
The Koala Bear is actually not a bear at all, but a marsupial native to Australia.
The sub-tropical climate near Brisbane, Australia is perfect for beautiful wild flowers.
Sunset on the Brisbane River.
Places

Sunset on Aotearoa

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No matter how much I want it to last, the day always comes to an end. I try to make it last. I try to hold it in my hands. I try to capture the moment, to remember the brilliance, to savor the beauty. No such luck–but wait–my camera…

Leaving New Zealand I couldn’t resist the sunset. Perhaps, the HDR shots are a little much; however, the actual brilliance was indescribable. Would I go back to New Zealand? Will I go back? In a Kiwi second.

First settled by the Maoris nearly 700 years ago, Captain James Cook discovered and mapped New Zealand in 1769.
Known as Paradise of the Pacific, New Zealand is a land of stunning natural beauty and diversity.
On average, there are 137 rainy days in Auckland each year, guaranteeing more sunny days than not.
Auckland has a vibrant and colorful Mauri population, the largest of any city in the world.
Climate conditions in New Zealand make for spectacular sunsets, nearly every evening.
With cool breezes, sunny weather and friendly people, if not paradise, New Zealand can’t be far from it.
Places

New Zealand, Not Far From Paradise

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If it looks idyllic, that could be because it is. Not too hot. Not too cold. Clear air. Friendly people. Thriving economy. And, incredible scenery.

Talking with the locals in Auckland and Wellington the apocryphal claims went something like this:

“There are more sheep in New Zealand than people.”
“There are more boats in New Zealand than people.”
“The Garden of Eden was actually in New Zealand.”

I couldn’t verify any of these claims; although, I hope to return to New Zealand in search of the Garden of Eden. In any case, I hope to return to New Zealand to explore more of ‘Middle Earth’. Thanks to Peter Jackson, the world has enjoyed the striking beauty of a pristine southwestern Pacific island paradise.

Auckland Volcanic Field
Many of New Zealand’s lakes, lagoons and islands are the result of the many volcanoes formed by the Auckland Volcanic Field.
Places

Wellington, New Zealand Lighthouse

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It was a blustery day when we arrived in Wellington, New Zealand. As usual, we only had a short time to shoot b-roll for our documentary assignment. However, we knew we were close to Weta Studios. You can’t, you just can’t come to Middle Earth and not stop by Weta. By the time we got there, the studio was closed. No tours available. But, the light was right, the scenery was incredible and this lighthouse led the way.

Lighthouse
Near the entrance to Wellington harbor, this rusty lighthouse warns wandering sailors away from perilous rocks.
Places

Still wishing for those warm Italian breezes

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Ostia Beach, Rome Italy
Home of the ancient Roman seaport, Ostia is a beautiful resort destination on the Tyrrhenian Sea and the mouth of the Tiber River.

Lido di Ostia, or Lido di Roma is a beautiful resort destination on the Tyrrhenian Sea and the mouth of the Tiber River. Ostia was the ancient seaport of Rome. Due to the buildup of silt and the passing of time, the actual Roman seaport is now several kilometers from the sea. But, the warm Mediterranean breezes still blow across a resort village community not far from the heart of both ancient and modern Italy. When I go back to Rome, and I will, I hope to spend more than an afternoon soaking up the sun, sand and warmth of this beautiful Italian community.