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.