289 “Best Photos of 2011″ Blog Posts

289 “Best Photos of 2011″ Blog Posts

Photographing People Outdoors with Off Camera Flash

Photographing people outdoors can be a challenge. Lighting conditions are not always ideal so I carry my flash with me just in case.

This photo shoot we went up to Hatcher Pass near my home and by the time we got there, the sun was behind a mountain. The entire area was cast in shadow so I put together a small off camera flash solution. Since we were hiking around I didn't want umbrellas and stands. I put a STE2 on my hotshoe and gave my wife Meg a Canon 580EX II with a small softbox on it.

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This shows no flash


Flash using the Canon 580EX II


Triggering the 580EX II with the STE2

Hobbits in Alaska?

While looking for another waterfall to photograph, I came across this and knew I had to set up my tripod. Used 3 exposures, Photomatix and Photoshop CS5.

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Using Flash Outdoors

Having fun with the dogs on a bright Alaskan day can lead to very contrasty photos. Sometimes I will throw a flash on to brighten their faces. These were all taken with my Canon 5D mark II with a 430ex flash on the hotshoe. I usually take the flash off of the camera, but with 6 dogs running around I found it safer to leave the flash on the camera.

Notice how evenly their faces are lit and the catch light in their eyes!

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HDR Photo of the Day

Falls near Juneau, Alaska

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Photoshop CS5 HDR

I am trying out the new version of Photoshop CS5. I love the new content aware feature. I do a lot of HDR and tonemapping work so I wanted to compare it with my tool of choice Photomatix.
The first photo is tonemapped in Photomatix using one of my presets. The second photo is done in Photoshop CS5 and its new HDR tool. Both were cleaned up with content aware (hair on sensor) and I used Nik's Color Efex Pro as well.
I think Adobe is finally getting serious about HDR and will give Photomatix a run for its money. I like both photos, but as you can see the Photomatix one is much more saturated and the cloud details are better.
This is my first attempt at Photoshop CS5 HDR tool. More to come I am sure.

Spring Skiing

Took Donner up to Hatcher Pass today for what will probably be the last ski of the year. We had a blast! It was a gorgeous day for skijoring and required only one layer of clothes. Got to love days like that.

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