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rinder99 · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 12:06 pm

Geeeez, This puppy zoomed into my top 40 quickly. wow.

digigandalf · Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 4601 Location: Twinsburg, OH

Not surprising!

(And you've never looked so good yourself!)

(Don't change your avatar too soon)

rinder99 · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 5:39 pm

nstanev · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 1:10 am

Laurin, that's a great photo! I'm trying to work out something similar (you made me take that photo - documented by Dave, where I'm sitting on my ass), but I'm battling some noise issues. Hopefully I can sort them out. :)

Some more images to share from my latest batch...

A better version of The Rock:

Another replaced sky (using a simpler technique than Katrina's, since it's a simple border between sky and ground):

My first HDR image that I ended up liking and uploading (thanks for the tips, Paul):

hhltdave5 · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:16 am

The Three Sister's shot is very nice Nick! Good job.

jmpaget · Joined: 05 Sep 2007 Posts: 1192 Location: UK

Got to say, this thread is a pleasure to come back to. Wonderful photos, thanks for sharing all.

hhltdave5 · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 8:41 am

rinder99 · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 11:56 am

Love #3 nick, Wow. and yes My shot was the one I wanted you to take.And thanks Justin. we don't argue here.One of the best things about workshops and teaching in General is being with people for a solid 3/4 days and sharing a common interest. When we get back home , That Darn "Life" stuff gets in the way. LOL

nstanev · Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 1:32 pm

So, I got back from my vacation to find out that this thread really died... How about we stir it up a bit? :)

First, a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my new friends and to everybody else reading this. Enjoy the time off, eat well, and drink responsibly.

Another thing I found out is that this image of mine shows up second in the "most popular" search for "monument valley". It was actually first for a couple of weeks! It sells well, but not like crazy, so I'm not sure what's up with the algorithms, but I'm not complaining. :)

And lastly, I just got a Canon 5D MK II! I only tried it around the neighborhood yesterday, with nothing worth showing, but I got a feel for it. First impressions:

Pros:
- The LCD! Some of you may remember the big "is it in focus" dilemma that my 40D was presenting me. Well, that is no more!
- Taking videos is pretty easy and I like the dual movie/stills mode. Now I have to figure out how to view them on my computer... I don't even want to think about editing - I have enough photos to deal with as it is.
- ISO capabilities - quite smooth up to 1600 and I also got some very decent (for personal use) shots at 3200 and 6400. Definitely an improvement over the 40D.
- The RAW and JPEG files look real nice so far.

Cons:

- The 24-105 IS lens seems to have more CA than my 17-55 IS. And it is also a weird type that cannot be easily corrected with one slider... I also think I detected some barrel distortion at 24mm (something my 17-55 doesn't have). I haven't pixel peeped enough around the corners, but they look a bit softer. This is my first L lens, so I was expecting a lot. But then, this is also my first full-frame camera, so I have to figure out what the differences are.
- The RAW file sizes. Woe is me...

I'm off to Yosemite for the weekend to test this baby out. Hoping to get some stuff to show and maybe upload. :)

Cheers,

Nick

nstanev · Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 1:45 pm

On a very loosely related note (as in, I'm still talking about my photos), I started uploading some shots from my vacation in India, Thailand, and Vietnam. It was a lot of fun - saw an Indian wedding, went sailing in the Phang-nga and Halong bays, was chased by gibbons in the jungle. Good stuff. :) Here are some samples:

Thailand:

India:

Vietnam:

hhltdave5 · Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 2:13 pm

Boy Nick you have been a busy guy! Congrats on the shots and the new camera. I think that is the one Katrina uses.

Have a great time in Yosemite. If you are going into the park make sure you have chains for whatever you are driving. They usually check as you enter the park.

Too bad Tioga Pass will most likely be closed but you will still have the main part of the park to check out. I think winter is my favorite time to be there.

Have a safe trip and Merry Christmas!

triceratops · Joined: 15 Nov 2006 Posts: 6660 Location: The other Nevada

Yep, Tioga Pass is closed. Came through there yesterday morning on 395. All mountain passes are closed due to heavy snow. Also, the Mono Lake area is having dense freezing fog. Beautiful to see, but treacherous to drive through. Snow on the ground all the way down to Bishop, but roads are fine.

nstanev · Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 3:17 pm

Happy New Year, everyone!

So, Yosemite was awesome! I can't believe I've lived in the Bay Area for more than 13 years and this is only my second visit there. And I can't even recall much of the first one 8 years ago... A lot of places/roads were closed, but the main valley road provides enough sights, especially if this is your first visit. The first day was overcast, so the light was not so great. It cleared up right before sunset, but I was back at the lodge by then... The second day was beautiful, with fog and clouds rolling up and down the mountain and the occasional light snowfall. I missed the sunset again, because we had to drive back early. :( The Mirror Lake hike was open, but my friend had shoes that couldn't stand snow and slush... It is a bit disappointing that I ended up with no sunset images, but that's the price you pay for going on a trip with a non-photographer. :) Overall, I'd say it was an amazing experience. I think I'm getting the hang of the 5D too and I'm happy with the results! There is more noise than I hoped for at higher ISO, but let me tell you - a 21MP image downsized to 10-12MP is noise free and crazy sharp. :) Here are a few shots from my first approved batch:

El Capitan shrouded by clouds:

Merced river:

Interesting ice pattern:

HDR of Bridalveil Falls:

Some Lord of the Rings stuff - reminds me of Alan Lee's illustrations to Tolkein:

Some cool-looking boulders:

The Yosemite village chapel:

tobkatrina · Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 3:53 pm

Wow, great images! I am so jealous! Excellent job... enjoy that 5D ;)

rinder99 · Posted: Sat Jan 02, 2010 8:31 pm

Good Eye nick.Excellent work.