HDR Play ground

HDR seems to be the new mantra

Sunset@Rancho San Antonio, Cupertino

Having seen a number of stunning HDR pictures, I was really determined to do a HDR picture myself. Every one seemed to be using photomatix. At this stage, I didn't want to spend any money on it. So I looked around for free software. Ended up downloading qtpfsgui (mouthful to pronounce and remember). It is quite simple to use. My huge inspiration for HDR stuff is - stuckincustoms.com - yes wierd name, but really good stuff for all things HDR.

To start off, I just went to the nearest park - Rancho San Antonio in Cupertino, California. Just set up the camera for 2 stops either way. Took 3 shots at -2, 0, +2. Got home, used QTPFSGUI. Experimented with number of output settings. I wanted something surreal. This seemed to fit the bill.

Hope you like it!

Las Vegas back alley

Las Vegas! the city of excess! Every thing here has to be beyond normal, beyond luxury, beyond riches! While going through the casinos one by one, seeing the money madness gripping everyone around you, you either end up loving it all or hating it all. I was slowly drifting into the later. In that mood when friends were at the 'machines', I slowly wandered off into peace (if only to be found in Vegas!). Suddenly I found this location which was completely off for Vegas. Idyllic and beautiful, this alley definitely needed capture..

(click on the image to see the original size)
XSI
18-55 at 18mm
f/3.5
1/10sec
ISO 400

Grand Canyon grandeur

This is another of those on the 'must see in my life' list. When I first saw Grand Canyon, I was simply overwhelmed. This is something beyond my wildest expectations. Nature at it's Grandest. It simply mocks you to show how small you are in this world.

Took this picture after savoring the scale of the canyon for a couple of hours. Took it at the golden hour.

XSI
18-55 at 18mm
f/3.5
1/30sec
ISO 1600

Photo editing softwares

From the beginning, I have been using Picasa for editing all my photos (typically for adding my signature). I always wanted to move to Photoshop - but is too expensive :-( Photoshop Elements seemed to be the only option. I started looking for deals even on the PSE!!
Finally I got it for $29 from newegg.com !! But I am yet to learn it fully even after several months. But I found you tube to be immensely helpful -

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=photoshop+elements+8+tutorial&aq=1

I found the software to be quite advanced and useful.

But here is the good news - have you even heard of GIMP? I heard it from my son! It is actually as good as Photoshop elements. But the best part is - it is FREE!! Open source package.
Try it out - http://www.gimp.org/

Some help - http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=gimp+2.6+tutorial&aq=2

Download it and play around. It is fun!

If you are intimidated by complex softwares - then Picasa is the way to go - really easy to use while being able to do most stuff about photos -

http://picasa.google.com/#utm_campaign=en&utm_source=en-ha-na-us-bk&utm_medium=ha&utm_term=picasa

Let's edit and change some faces!

Boston Cityscape

Dear All,
I am back again! This picture is from a trip back to Boston from Niagara. We were driving back after our trip, we were tired, it was late in the night. Not many cars on the road and we were passing on this bridge to our friends' home. I suddenly pulled over, jolting my kids from sleep :-( That's a factory that we see in the reflections. The location is Malden (Boston,MA)

Tech settings: Canon XSI
18-55mm IS @55mm
1/5 sec
f/4.0
ISO 400

Niagara falls splendor!

(click on the picture to enlarge it)

Hello All,
After a long drive from Boston, we arrived at Buffalo and checked into the Hotel around 8pm. Instead of hanging around, we thought we should make a trip to Niagara falls in the night itself. When we arrived there, the first thing that got our attention was the clouds of vapor raising out of Niagara! Then the sound, then the sights!

The night view was impressive. Saw a lot of photo geeks going gaga over the picturesque location. I didn't carry my tripod because of weight (we were flying to east coast). So I rested my camera on one of the railings and started firing away pictures.

Tech: Canon XSI with 18-55 IS @ 24mm
0.6sec
f/4.0
ISO: 800

Hope you like it!

On Road - Boston to Niagara

(Click on the image to enlarge)

Hello All,
Welcome again! Last year, during my East coast trip ( July 2009), we were driving from Boston to Niagara. While driving we stopped for lunch some where on the roadside restaurant. After finishing mine, I grabbed my photo hoping to get a quick shot or two. While clicking, a passerby - an old lady who lived there, remarked she never noticed how beautiful the place was until then! How true!!

I really loved the shot and it is unedited. Didn't see a need for editing.

Tech: Canon XSI
18-55 @ 55
f/9.0
1/160s
ISO 400