HDR Photo of the Day

Falls near Juneau, Alaska

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Waterfall HDR

I love waterfalls! I love the challenge of getting that smooth silky look of flowing water. When the weather is bad, I look for a waterfall. This is Salmon Creek Falls just outside of Juneau, Alaska. If you can make it outside of the tourist season, you might be the only one there. I have shot these falls several times and never ran across a single person.

I decided to play with Photomatix settings on this one and like the way it turned out.

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Salmon Creek Falls, Juneau, Alaska

Photographing Ketchikan

Ketchikan is a fantastic place to visit. I spent a couple days there this last week and a couple days on Prince of Wales Island. These are all HDR photos taken in and around Ketchikan.

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Photographing Hatcher Pass

It is fall time and one of my favorite places to go is Hatcher Pass. It is well known for its winter activities as well, but for me autumn has the colors and light I appreciate.
Hatcher Pass itself can be driven in the summer, the gravel road extends from Wasilla to Willow. I usually do the drive at least once a year.
A few years ago the road was paved to Independence Mine. I would have like to see it remain a dirt road, a lot less traffic. People seem to be "discovering" Hatcher Pass, it gets more crowded every year. I went up to Reed Lakes Trailhead last week and could not get a parking spot.
Here are some shots from this past weekend. I was trying out my new $200 polarizer. The first two shots I used my ND8 filter to slow the water down and not blow out the highlights.

All photos are HDR and processed through Photomatix. I have an HDR tutorial here.

Little Su River

Just before I got wet

Road to Independence Mine

Cabins near The Motherlode Lodge

Just off the road

MotherLode Lodge (looking pretty bad)

Sure wish someone would buy the MotherLode Lodge. It is deteriorating quickly. It is a shame, I have spent many Easters, birthdays, weddings, Mother's Days and Christmas

HDR Photo of the Day Waterfall

This is a HDR of the South Fork Eagle River Falls. Went through quite a bit getting these shots. Slippery, rocky slope with a siberian husky yanking on me wanting to jump in the water. I think it was worth it though.

I have an HDR tutorial here.

HDR Photo of the Day Waterfall

HDR and long exposure of a waterfall south of Anchorage, Alaska. These falls are only a short hike in. I have an HDR tutorial here.

Juneau Waterfalls

I have been to Juneau twice this month. The first time was 5 days and it rained on us the entire time. Last week was much nicer...80 degrees and sunny...in Juneau. Nothing like Southeast Alaska on a clear day.

The last day of my first trip the rain slowed so I finally got my camera out. The light was poor so I headed to some waterfalls I knew about. These are Salmon Creek Falls just outside of Juneau. I was the only person there. I wish I would have had more time, but I had a plane to catch.

I used my ND8 filter which brings down the light 3 full stops. This allowed me to create long exposure photos without blowing out the highlights. This was my first try at long exposure HDR. All the photos in this blog are 3 long exposures combined and tonemapped in Photomatix.

Salmon Creek Waterfall

Salmon Creek Waterfall

Salmon Creek Waterfall

Salmon Creek Waterfall

Salmon Creek Waterfall

Ebner Falls is a little more work. Hiking up Preservation Trial with all my gear, including my heavy duty tripod, in 80 degree weather. We Alaskans are wimpy when it comes to heat.

Ebner Falls

Ebner Falls

Ebner Falls

I revisited Salmon Creek Falls on a nice day. The light was not that much different, it sits in a rain forest so not much light gets through.

Salmon Creek Waterfall

Salmon Creek Waterfall

Be sure to visit Juneau's waterfalls the next time you are there.