Daily Photo - Deep in the South of New Zealand
I drove over 4,200 kilometers while there -- it was just a wonderful experience. Towards the end of the journey, we started making deeper and deeper into the southern island, where things seemed to get more wonderful and wild every kilometer.
The weather was crazy the whole time! It would go from sunny to violent little storms to random winds to perfect calm. During one of those transition periods, I was halfway to Milford Sound by this beautiful little lake when this rainbow peeked out. I quickly got into position to capture it, but then realized I had on the wrong lens! The 12-24mm was okay, but this really called for the 24-70. Despite worries of rain getting into the chamber, I switched out lenses, doing my best to keep all the elements at bay.
HDR Spotting Doing Well!
www.hdrspotting.com/EditorsPicksHDRPhotos was started late last year as a spin-off of this site. We started it because we wanted to drive more traffic to and get more attention to other interesting HDR photographers and artists around the world. I knew that existing engines were not really doing a great job of spreading around and "creating" attention. So, in essence, we have created what I call an "attention generation engine".
I knew that my photos were above average -- and I had over 20 million views on Flickr. But then I would look at some of my friends' photos (and even the photos of strangers), and I saw they only had a few hundred or a few thousand -- and their photos were just as good if not better! Anyway, I thought it was high time to make a new site, designed to generate more traffic and attention to other photographers out there, and that was the origin of HDR Spotting.
Since then, whenever I have a speaking engagement or photowalk, I always have nice people come up to me and tell me how much more traffic they are getting. Often times, their views have gone from maybe a few dozen into the thousands. That's great! And I think it will only get better from here.
Note that HDR Spotting is still in beta and is invite only. I do not hand out codes. You'll have to get a code from an existing member, but I understand they are sometimes handed out in the HDR Group on Flickr or on Facebook. Anyway, this concludes the little HDR Spotting update. Be sure to check out the HDR Spotting Front Page too -- new photos roll in there on a constant basis.
from the blog www.stuckincustoms.com
Tags: New Zealand travel trey ratcliff treyratcliff stuck customs stuckincustoms stuckincustoms.com blog travelblog photography hdr high dynamic range imaging digital processing world south western pacific new Zealand weather violent storms random winds lake rainbow mountains clouds sky color wild wilderness nature outdoor natural day water reflection dramatic green Nikon d3x march 2010
Daily Photo - The Dock to Forever
One of the advantages of going down all the side roads is that you get to find cool places! After leaving Nelson on the South Island, we found a little lake on the map that looked about perfect. After a few hours of meandering, we discovered this place was almost completely empty (just like every place else on the South Island!). Even better, there was a perfect little dock jutting out into the lake.
I first took a bunch of shots with my 14-24mm lens... but it was not really getting the dock with the distant valley in the right way. So, I put on my 70-200mm, zoomed in almost all the way, then backed up quite a bit to get the compression effect of the valley. Remind me to post the other version someday so you can see the comparison! I haven't processed it yet -- but it is in my "Pile to Process" -- which is now 22,000 strong.
In Limited Editions of 250...
There is a new print release from Yellowstone: The Atomic Explosion and Mushroom Fallout at Sunset. Getting this shot was quite difficult because earlier in the day I forgot my tripod! I left it at a ranch where I was staying, and then rode a horse for 3 hours... and forgot I left it back at the ranch! That would have meant another 6 hours of horse-related-activity, and I was not up for that!
Luckily, I had gotten to be friends with the head park ranger for Yellowstone, named "Ranger Rick". That's his real name! How cool. Anyway, I had stopped at his place where I talked with Rick and his wife before he filled me up with all kinds of powerbars, snacks, and other goodies (he is so nice!) -- AND he let me borrow his tripod! So, that was a real life saver. I spent another few hours out shooting until dark, then stopped back by his place after I took this shot, and left the tripod on his doorstep, not wanting to wake him up.
from the blog www.stuckincustoms.com
Tags: New Zealand travel stuck customs stuckincustoms stuckincustoms.com blog photography photographyblog hdr high dynamic range imaging digital processing color outdoors dock pier plank water lake new Zealand empty sky mountains valley clouds scenic natural wilderness panorama trey ratcliff treyratcliff hdrtutorial tutorial february 2010 nikon d3x
Daily Photo - Six Girls in New Zealand Getting Meat
While on a long drive from the Coromandel to Matamata (where The Shire is), we pulled into this pizza place to stock up on some much needed carbs. I saw these six girls lined up so perfectly, I had to grab a quick shot.
Most places in New Zealand outside of the cities seem to shut down about 8 PM. I had to start getting used to planning ahead to get dinner! It's hard for me because I usually just go go go go until after sunset, taking photos like a madman... and THEN I think about dinner. But that trick doesn't really work when you're on the road there...
New Silver Efex Pro Shot
In my few workshops, I always take time to show off this tool. If you want to see more, see my Silver Efex Pro Review here on the site. For those of you that have tried it before, then I probably don't even need to tell you!
Since you guys know I am kind of a color-centric kind of guy, this thing has to be pretty cool in order for me to use it... Actually, I'd like to do a great deal more black & white stuff, but I know most people like the colorful stuff. I'll continue to sprinkle these in from time to time if that is okay!
from the blog www.stuckincustoms.com
Tags: New Zealand travel stuck customs stuckincustoms stuckincustoms.com blog travelblog photography photoblog photographyblog hdr high dynamic range imaging digital processing software tutorial hdrtutorial trey ratcliff treyratcliff southwest pacific new Zealand Aotearoa six girls getting meat coromandel matamata Waikato Region 88.3 radio tairua station Paku kiwi kiwis pizza burgers fish chips food menu menus waiting social candid black white blackandwhite deli february 2010 nikon d3x
Daily Photo - The Valley of Abundance
I started the day in Queenstown and decided to cut out early because it was too stormy. That was too bad, because I was really excited about going up the mountain to do the street-luge. I did it near Rotorua on the north island and had a great time.
Anyway, I was disappointed to leave, but I had a good feeling about where I was going to next towards Milford Sound. The feeling paid off, because I found this place as the sun was setting! This valley could have been more perfect, but I just don't know how! On this one, I used my 70-200mm lens, which is typically not a lens I use a lot for landscapes. I made a little handheld video that I am going to get edited together for the newsletter crowd to see first!
Updated Camera Recommendations and Equipment List
People commonly ask me how to get an "HDR Camera" (see link for recommendations). Well, I have to tell them that there is no such thing as an "HDR Camera". But there are certain types of cameras that are better at making HDR photos than others. The secret to HDR is not really in the camera, but in the software and process. If you are new, I have all that laid out in my HDR Tutorial.
I used to recommend the Nikon D40 as a good entry-level camera, but I just can't do it any more. Yes, you can make a decent HDR out of a single RAW file, which the D40 can certainly do, but it is not always optimal. I have organized the three categories of camera into "Good", "Better", and "Best" to make it simple for people that are just getting into the sport.
I talk to thousands of people that are new to photography (or just about to get more serious about it), and you'd be surprised how many people ask me, "So where do I get an HDR Camera?" The most important thing is that your camera can do auto-bracketing. I only know about and recommend Nikon cameras -- I am just not all that familiar with Canon. Although, if you have a Canon DSLR camera, you should be just fine.
New Newsletter Soon - Free How-To Video
If you like the photo above, I have a how-to video that will be included with the newsletter. It's free, and I promise not to spam you. I send about one per month, and try to fill them up with beautiful things... The newsletter is spreading like wildfire! If you are not yet on it, fill out the simple form at stuckincustoms.com and get ready...
from the blog www.stuckincustoms.com
Tags: New Zealand travel stuck customs stuckincustoms stuckincustoms.com blog travelblog photography photoblog photographyblog hdr high dynamic range imaging digital processing software tutorial hdrtutorial trey ratcliff treyratcliff southwest pacific new Zealand Aotearoa milford sound Piopiotahi fjord island south te wai pounamu fiordland national park Te Wāhipounamu greenstone UNESCO world heritage site valley abundance scenic natural outdoor outdoors wild wilderness mountain mount peak foothill sunset pretty scenery field grassland nature clouds sky Nikon d3x march 2010
Daily Photo - The Artist's Palette in Rotorua
Isn't this spot awesome? I did not expect all this geothermal activity in New Zealand -- it was just as impressive as Yellowstone.
This area of the north island is called Rotorua. This, specifically is the Champagne Pool at the Artist's Palette at the Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland. The term "Wonderland" always makes me think of a cheap attraction on the side of the road where you can buy rubber snakes after the kids have had a great time and the parents are bored out of their skulls. But this Wonderland really was a Wonderland for all ages! I made a few videos here as well... I need to get around to editing these things together for y'all!
The World in HDR, now on the Kindle
I found out that my HDR Book is now on the Kindle. That is kinda cool! Although, frankly, in all honesty, I would recommend you get it on the iPad rather than the Kindle when it is available. It will just look so much better in color. Anyway, I thought you guys would like to know that little update... I have no date yet on the iPad version. I did talk to my editor on the phone, and everything is moving forward!
from the blog www.stuckincustoms.com
Tags: New Zealand travel stuck customs stuckincustoms stuckincustoms.com blog travelblog photography photoblog photographyblog hdr high dynamic range imaging digital processing software tutorial hdrtutorial trey ratcliff treyratcliff southwest pacific new Zealand Aotearoa rotorua Te Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe lake bay of plenty north island district Te Ika-a-Māui February 2010 Nikon d3x wai-o-tapu wai tapu geothermal oktaina volcanic centre center reporoa caldera taupo volcanic zone champagne pool hydrothermal arsenic antimony sulfides hot spring crater steam hydrochemistry colors brilliant surreal