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The warm horizontal stripes inspired this composition.
Camera settings and post-processing: Shot with the Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi, 1/4096 s, f/8, ISO 400, 18 mm, Auto white balance, curves, color enhancement and manipulation, plus crop.
One of my favorite summer annuals. You can't beat this color in the Northwest
Camera settings and post-processing: Shot with the Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi, 1/512 s, f/5.7, ISO 160, 55 mm, curves, color enhancement, plus crop.
Grace, beauty and a touch of color.
Camera settings and post-processing: Shot with the Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi, 1/64 s, f/5, ISO 800, 140 mm, curves, color enhancement, plus crop.
Hmmm ... what mischief can I get into next.
Camera settings and post-processing: Shot with the Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi, 1/83 s, f/5.7, ISO 1600, 55 mm, Manual white balance, curves, color enhancement, plus crop.
Reflecting on the day after a summer rain.
Camera settings and post-processing: Shot with the Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi, 1/332 s, f/5.7, ISO 1600, 42 mm, curves, color enhancement, plus crop.
Just a taste of Willy Wonka's gum just wasn't enough for Violet.
Camera settings and post-processing: Shot with the Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi, 1/64 s, f/5, ISO 800, 140 mm, curves, color enhancement, plus crop.
My Grandmother passed away a few weeks ago after 90 great years. One of the things she wanted me to to have were these albums of Engelbert Humperdinck. She took my cousin and I to his concert at the Paramount in Seattle back in the mid 70's. I was about 9 at the time. Let's just say, she loved the concert and the memories will last in my mind forever. Here's to you Grandma.
Update: Oh, and I just found this Youtube video of Engelbert in Vegas. Now you can witness why the memories will never fade.
Camera settings and post-processing: Shot with the Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi, 8/28/2008, 1/99 s, f/4, ISO 400, 70 mm, curves, color enhancement, plus crop.
A small flock of Pelicans flying by at sunset at Cannon Beach, Oregon.
Camera settings and post-processing: Shot with the Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi, 8/14/2008 7:45:34 PM, 1/166 s, f/5.7, ISO 400, 260 mm, curves, color balancing, plus crop.
In July I did this amazing photo shoot with my friend Willow of Willowsphotography.com. She has inspired me a lot in learning the craft of photography and getting my images out there. This is a shot of my daughter that I took at Willow's studio. I'll post others from time to time. It was a great day and a really fun shoot. Thanks Willow.
Camera settings and post-processing: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi, 1/83 s, f/5.7, ISO 1600, fl 55 mm, I did some color correction and enhancement of color in Photoshop for this one.
While we were on vacation at Cannon Beach Oregon, I came across this gentleman practicing the art of Tia Chi. He was a real master at his craft and it was a pleasure capturing the grace and motion of this ancient practice. You can see many more of this Tia Chi dance on my Flickr photostream.
Camera settings and post-processing: Shot with the Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi at aprox 1/332 s, f/14.1, ISO 800, Canon EF 70-300 IS Telephoto Zoom, curves, color balancing, plus crop.
I love these beautiful purple irises that pop up in my yard every spring. Their green foliage fills up the garden and makes a wonderful backdrop for everything else.
Camera settings and post-processing: Shot with the Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi at 1/332 s, f/14.1, ISO 400, Canon EF 70-300 IS Telephoto Zoom, curves, color balancing, very slight crop.
Walking along the Waterfront park in Portland, Oregon I came across these great deck chairs that were just waiting to be set out for the dinner rush. I couldn't pass up the warm colors and great angles.
Camera settings and post-processing: Shot with the Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi at 1/332 s, f/14.1, ISO 400, Canon EF 70-300 IS Telephoto Zoom, curves, color balancing, very slight crop.
, curves, color balancing, very slight crop.
On August 21, 2008, I began this photoblog to visually document the residents, visitors, plants, animals, architecture, landscapes and all around life where I live. Unless noted, all photos are taken within a 100 mile radius of my home.
I love to mountain bike, hike, fish, play any sport you want and just admire the beauty that surrounds us. I have lived here all my life and while I love to travel, this area has grown on me like moss on my north side. I am an avid gardener and landscape designer. I spend a lot of time behind my computer in my career, so any time that I can get outside and experience nature, I treasure it.
This project is my ongoing attempt to become a better photographer. I have been a graphic designer and web developer for most of my life and I have always had a passion for photography. I recently purchased a Canon Rebel XSI an my passion has now grown into a digital addiction.
New photos are posted two to three times a week and are described in the "Photo Info & Viewer Comments" section underneath the photographs. Previous photos are available in the Archives.
I am a designer at heart, not a writer. I try to communicate my messages through the visual communication. I'll do my best to describe my experiences with the shoots the best I can.
Thank you for visiting my photo blog -
Mike
Camera Equipment
UPDATED (9/26/09) 2008 to present -- Canon Rebel XSI with the following lenses: Canon EF-S/18-55 IS; Canon EF 85mm f/1.8; Canon 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS EF USM; My bag is just starting to grow. Suggestions welcome.
Digital Camera HQ is a great place to read consumer reviews of the Canon Rebel XSI (my camera!).
2006-2008 -- Kodak P880
Digital Camera HQ also has consumer reviews for Kodak digital cameras. This is a great point and shoot for stills and wide angle shots, but not much more than that.
2003-2006 -- Sony Mavica MVC-CD500
Camera Settings & Post-Processing
My digital photography has evolved over the years. I love working working with Photoshop, ACDSee Pro2 & Light room.
I know that with these tools I could take out or improve any shot with these tools. I'll let you know if I do, but I am now concentrating on creating the best shots possible straight from my camera, lenses and light sources. My goal is to create compelling compositions, colors and moods that make the viewer feel the emotion of the shots.
I shoot in RAW+JPEG format, always in manual mode, and use Photoshop CS2 to increase/decrease contrast and saturation and adjust tonal values, mainly with the Curves tool and the Color Balancing tool.
I have been inspired by many photographers, but my friend Willow of http://www.willowsphotography.com/ has put me on this path to better myself and my craft with her inspiration.
You can read about my family and some of the experiences behind the photos at my wife's wonderful blog (ellejthoughts.blogspot.com). She has become a very dedicated blogger and it has been a lot of fun watching her explore all of her talents on this fantastic site.
Contact Information:
I value your thoughts, opinions and questions. Leave a comment on an individual photo or send me a note on my guest book, I read them every day.
