Tag Archives: workshop

Learn from the HDR Pro

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I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating.  Were it not for what I learned from my friend and mentor, Harold Davis, my Astronomy Photographer of the Year, 2010 win would not have happened.

Photon Worshippers **Winner Astronomy Photographer of the Year, 2010 - People and Space **

It is really just not possible to capture the wide range of exposure latitudes without post processing. Moreover processing with traditional tools does not result in as pleasing a result. It took application of the Hand HDR blending technique I learned at one of Harold’s workshops (and from his book) to make the image possible.  I hope you’ve also noticed that the image above bears none of the hallmarks of “typical HDR” imagery.

Harold is teaching an HDR workshop on March 24, 2012 in Berkeley, California. For details please see “Photography with Harold Davis”  Harold has a book on the subject scheduled to publish in July, 2012. You can pre-order it now for a quite modest price.  The Hand HDR techique is also covered along with several other powerful tips in his book The Photoshop Darkroom: Creative Digital Post Processing.

A Line in the Sand [C_035604-8PSb]

Here is the same subject using automated HDR processing:

In Another Universe [5_019718-23hdr]

And another example that “screams” HDR with its “gritty” texture and surreal look.

That Sinking Feeling [C_035617-21de]

But you do NOT have to make images like that. You can if you wish. Harold will show you both!

If you’d like to see all of my images of and around the marvelous location, take a look here.

Alabama Hills Star Circle Academy Workshop: November 5 – 7

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It’s ON!

Harold Davis and I have opened our Star Circle Academy Workshop for registration.  Harold has written up some comments about it in his blog. Of course for the details and to register you should consult the workshop page.  Here is a brief summary:

Just one of many tantalizing prospects for photography in the Alabama Hills Star Circle Workshop - and very accessible, too!

The Alabama Hills Star Circle Workshop is for anyone who wants to learn more about the exciting world of night photography, or who wants to take their night photography to the next level. The workshop is geared to provide specific information about photographing star trails using an intervalometer (a programmable timer) and using stacking software to create a single composite low-noise image of star circles.

Here are some links for more information: Star Circle Academy; Information about Alabama Hills Nov 5-7 workshop; Workshop syllabus (PDF); Registration.

Tuition is $425 if you register by September 11, 2010, $500 if you register by September 30, 2010, and $600.00 thereafter. Click here for more details or to register.

Based on past experience, we expect this workshop to sell out as it is strictly limited to 20 participants. A waiting list will be available once the workshop fills.

Class room portions of the workshop will be conducted at the Best Western Frontier Motel in Lone Pine, California where rooms are available to workshop participants at a discounted rate of $80 per night.

Welcome to My Little Corner of Rotating Heaven

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Kip Evans got me kick started on my thirst for acquisition of photons three years ago and Harold Davis added some additional excitement via his Night Photography workshops and camaraderie. Now I feel I’ve reached the point where I can call myself a real photographer. I’m excited to boast about some of my recent accomplishments with much thanks and appreciation to Kip and Harold and many others who continue to encourage and nurture me in my journey to capture increasingly compelling visual imagery.

Even my darling wife encourages me despite the very late hours that sometimes keeps me away from home as well as some long weekends out in the wilderness.

So far in my photographic endeavors I:

  • Sold prints to strangers who have seen my images on Flickr, and to friends of friends who saw my work when my wife showed them my gallery on her iPhone.
  • Was published in the East Bay Regional Parks 2010 calendar (I’m Mr. March)
  • Was commissioned to do custom work and prints for display at a large area church: Venture Christian
  • Was selected as “Photo of the Day” twice on Merzeta.com
  • and most recently, I was informed that two of my images have been short-listed for the Astronomy Photographer of the Year contest held by the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England (that contest concludes in early September). If I win, my work will be featured at the Royal Observatory and I will receive a cash prize which I will completely spend just to go to England!

And if all that is not enough for one man to enjoy, here are a few more recent developments to note…

  1. My lovely wife gave me a lavish “birthday milestone” gift ahead of my actual birth date. Adding to that my son threw in the all important additional batteries! and my daughter and her fiancee added books and videos.  My new big-eyed companion is the Canon 5D Mark II – a professional class camera. I hope to be worthy of it!
  2. Together with Harold Davis I am almost set to launch Star Circle Academy.  Details and workshop information will be coming soon. Our first event will be in early November in one of the most interesting places I know of!
    3. An ultra long stacked exposure taken in Alabama Hills near Mount Whitney, Lone Pine, California

    An ultra long stacked exposure taken in Alabama Hills near Mount Whitney, Lone Pine, California

  3. For my “milestone” birthday I’ll be spending some R&R in Hawaii with my bride of many years.

I can only hope that you are as blessed!