Broadway Plaza Christmas 2011 HDR Warmed Up Version

I have not had a chance to shoot anything lately, but I have been thinking about the images I took at Broadway Plaza and woundered what an HDR with the color tempature changed from daylight to shadow. Here is the resulting image it looks quite a bit warmer.

Hangin With R C Concepcion

Last night I had the privilege to hangout with R C Concepcion and 24 other people on Google +. R C Concepcion  is one of the Photoshop guys on Photoshop User TV. Photoshop User TV is a show that I watch once a week for tips on Photoshop. Google + is a social network like Facebook you group other members into circles (Family, Friends, Photography , Photoshop............ect.) then you can read their posts.  In the hangouts you can see the other members (if the have a video camera), you can share links, your desktop and talk to each other.  Its almost like you are in someones living room, but in the comfort of your own home. Its amazing how much you can learn from the people on Google + , you can connect with people all over the world. R C Concepcion is in Florida and I am following people from around the world. We talked about photography,HDR and many other things. I even had a chance to compliment R C on his HDR book.

Broadway Plaza Christmas 2011 HDR

While picking up some gifts for Christmas I saw the tree in Broadway Plaza and could not wait to get back to take the following shots. Believe it or not these shots were taken with in ten minutes of each other. Make sure you click on the images to see a larger view.

Fine 49 HDR

I was going to Pet Co. when I walked in I was shocked. The store had been gone for over a year. The trip was not a total waste. I came across a 1949 Cadillac Fleetwood 75. I knew exactly how I wanted to process the images. First shoot in HDR and then convert to a high contrast black and white then selectively tone the image. The toning worked because of the era of the car. It also worked because the images were shot at mid day the car picked up the blue sky and it got rid of the gaudy color of the buildings trim. Take a look at the last image. Make sure you click on the images to see a larger view.

Plane Sight HDR

For years I have seen these planes when I was on bart, but I could not figure out where the were. I was doing research for a different photo when I looked up and there they were. Right on top of a self storage. A project was in the works. I just wish I would have had a chance to shoot the yellow bi plane that was on top of the Brenden Theater in Concord. I have always woundered why they took it down and what they did with it?

Thanksgiving Day Portrait

Today we shot our family protrait while we were all dressed up for Thanksgiving.

The kids and mom and dad. By this time Jacob was getting tired and he was fighting sleep. He wanted to play with his remote control car. Thats why he has it in the photo.

Happy Thanksgiving

Just a post to say thanks. Thanks to my wife Carol who puts up with my never ending wants when it comes to photography equipment and the never ending quest for knowledge of photography. She also listens to rants about this and that and I'm pretty sure she could care less, but she still listens to humor me. My daughter Emily who has sat for pictures to test everything from a new lighting technique to new equipment. She also has went on many photography adventures as well as helping get equipment to where it needs to be. Also my son Jacob who is a kick in the pants, he is only 19 months and already has an incredible sense of humor. He also is so cute its hard to take a bad photo of him.

I would also like to thank Joe McNally and David Hobby. Since there seminar I have a new confidence. That has me saying "Light I put that $#!+ on everything"! A little parody of Franks Red Hot Sauce. The biggest thing that helped was watching Joe McNally work with his Nikon Speedlights. I had to interpret it to Canon Speedlight technology, since I am a Canon shooter. David Zisers Seminar and Blog have helped also. Others who have helped are Monte Zucker (RIP), Clay Blackmore (Monte Zuckers assistant). Galen Rowell (RIP) who originally got me into landscape photography with his rich saturated colors. When it comes to HDR photography I would like to thank Trey Ratcliff and R C Concepcion for teaching and giving me new inspiration for photography. Because of them I am quickly becoming addicted to HDR photography. When It comes to post I would like to thank The Photoshop Guys Scott Kelby, Matt Kloskowski, Dave Cross, Corey Barker, R C Concepcion  again and Pete Collins.

Happy Thanksgiving have a great day.

Crockett HDR

Took a trip to the Crockett area stopped by the C and H Sugar Factory. I was in Hawaii and read the sugar was grown in Hawaii processed in Crockett and sent back. This is my second attempt at HDR. I had a previous post at the Byron Hot Springs Hotel. I thought I had HDR down but I had to rework the images because I realized what a hack I was on the first attempt. Take a look.

I was driving down Franklin Canyon Road and this place begged me to stop. A stream runs right through the base of the trees. I Would love to see it running.

A Day With Joe McNally

Get a unique perspective on the man who has inspired so many photographers. Watch the premiere of this special KelbyTraining.com class along with Scott and Joe, in its entirety. In between segments, Joe will answer your questions live via the liveblog or on Twitter with the #AskJoeM hashtag.

Hi Im watching Joe McNally and Scott Kelby "A Day With Joe McNally" on Kelby Training. I had the pleasure of meeting Joe McNally on the Flash Bus Tour. It was amazing to watch him use his equipment and get the most out of it. In case you missed the post of the Flash Bus Tour here is the link.

Byron Hot Springs Hotel HDR November 11 2011

This is my first attempt at HDR (high dynamic range). Its a photography technique where several photographs are taken at different exposures from under exposed to over exposed and then combined to produce a higher dynamic range than the camera can capture in a single exposure. The photos were taken at Byron Hot Springs Hotel built in 1914. There have been two other hotels built here but they both burned down. Movie stars including Clark Gable and Fatty Arbuckle came to the baths. Brown wiskey bottles marked "Jos. Kennedy" dating back to prohibition have been found on the site. During World War II the hotel was used as a interrogation camp.

The stairs were covered with marble (some of it is still on the steps). The fireplace to the right of the staircase has bricks made in Richmond and Livermore. The staircase is right inside the doors in the photo above.

There has been a fire in the kitchen and scrap metal collectors have taken the stove, the heater and serveral other things shown in snapshots taken back in September 2008. All the plumbing in the kitchen has been pulled down and the hot water heaters are knocked down and moved. I wanted to shoot a HDR of the stove but I was too late. I have heard of plans to restore the site, but I see it being destroyed not much left. Since my last visit whole walls have been knocked down.

Not only have people been taking things from the site, they are leaving things also. I saw everyting from old hot tubs, dump trucks, mobile homes to this hearse below. I hope the dearly departed had departed before the accident.

Del Osso Farms 2011

This is our trip to Del Osso Farms out in Lathrop. Its a little bit of a drive but well worth it.

I liked the reflection of the pumkins in Lowell's glasses.

The corn maze is our second favorite thing to do right behind the pumkin guns.

Our navagation team checking the GPS.

Mining.

The petting zoo, I think this was Jacobs favorite thing to do.

Aww love!

The obstacle course that I could not do last year because I had the wrong shoes on. This year it was my shoulder, maybe next year.

Time to go home, I don't think Jacob liked the wheel barrel ride.