tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65448213201878864172024-02-22T12:48:45.620-05:00RixFotos BlogADVENTURES IN PHOTOGRAPHY *** The official Blog for <a href="http://www.rixfotos.com/">RixFotos.com</a>Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-13034813131821535482012-06-17T19:01:00.000-04:002012-06-17T22:33:52.912-04:00Bass Harbor LighthouseMy wife and I just got back from vacation in Maine. We make the trip to Bar Harbor every couple years or so to visit family. While I'm there I also try to take some new shots. This time I was determined to get a decent shot of the Bass Harbor Lighthouse. After scoping it out earlier in the day, I decided that around sunset may be the best time to shoot it. I headed back out there with my brother-in-law Brad (One of Bar Harbor's Finest!) on Tuesday evening. The clouds were thick, but I was hoping that the sun would breakthrough near the horizon. It never did and here was what I ended up with...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBw9K7idlRgIV2cgv0Y-S4X3Nn8A8OT2xNsNYg6pAVtYZJnu9-QpZSS8H-lech6E-5LNNSG_IdACtpdpxm-wv8P429tiLdd6wqpMGOQVME_1X_xp8OIrxqhmYYxoVpKq2WMlNJ05Vhqg/s1600/IMG_5873_4_5_tonemapped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTBw9K7idlRgIV2cgv0Y-S4X3Nn8A8OT2xNsNYg6pAVtYZJnu9-QpZSS8H-lech6E-5LNNSG_IdACtpdpxm-wv8P429tiLdd6wqpMGOQVME_1X_xp8OIrxqhmYYxoVpKq2WMlNJ05Vhqg/s400/IMG_5873_4_5_tonemapped.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Not a <i>bad</i> shot but not quite what I was hoping for.<br />
<br />
Wednesday was a washout. Rained most of the day and Diane and I ended up going off of Mount Desert Island back to the mainland where I took some photos of some junked up houses and the lupines (purple flowers), that dominate the land. On our way back we stopped by the grocery store to pick up some things for dinner, then headed back to Bar Harbor... or so we thought. Two miles before the bridge back to the island we ran into some backed up traffic. We waited. And waited. It turned out that a truck was in an accident with a tour bus that was leaking propane... right at the bridge. They closed the bridge and it did not reopen again for almost 6 hours! We didn't get back to the house until 10:30pm!<br />
<br />
We decided to stay an extra night, so Thursday was my last chance at the lighthouse. This time not a cloud in the sky. I actually would have preferred some clouds for the sunlight to play off of, but you take what you can get. This time I was alone as I scrambled down the rocks to the shoreline with my tripod and camera. The sun was just going behind the rocks... A slight miscalculation on my part. I thought I would be able to see the sun meeting the water, but at this time of the year, the sun is about as Northwest as its gonna get before it starts heading due west again. I snapped off a quick shot before I even set up the tripod as the sun disappeared behind the shoreline...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhqcSvwFi3Q3xJ4bYo23KNcKfh5KaFszyUM8wh6StTNhbZ2yK_nlW6lYGK0WTU2sZiznQo5Ygdqs0Juh8WfH_0Qq9Eyfw5OT8Ct22BFj5MBRdHxpTwKlGKrT-P7lr3dDiWxYJCjPni0g/s1600/IMG_6003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhqcSvwFi3Q3xJ4bYo23KNcKfh5KaFszyUM8wh6StTNhbZ2yK_nlW6lYGK0WTU2sZiznQo5Ygdqs0Juh8WfH_0Qq9Eyfw5OT8Ct22BFj5MBRdHxpTwKlGKrT-P7lr3dDiWxYJCjPni0g/s400/IMG_6003.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
<br />
Now, I figured my only chance at a decent shot would be to wait until after sunset and see if I could get some nice color out of the sky. I switched to my wide angle lens so I could get more of the rocks in the foreground while still getting the top of the pine trees next to the light house. I was there for over and hour as the night approached and the other photogs that had been camping out left. The mosquitoes came out in full force. Even though I had sprayed "Off" on me, they were still having me for dinner. I was bracketing my shots, taking one at 2 stops under exposure, a second right on and a third 2 stops over exposed so that I could combine them into a single shot later. This way the sky wouldn't blow out all the detail in the lighthouse and rocks. The longer I stayed the more vibrant the color got on the shoreline. It was also getting darker, so my exposures were getting longer and longer, helping to smooth out the waves in the water. I was quickly losing my battle against the mosquitoes and at about a quarter to nine, I fired off my final 3 shots and called it a night. When I returned home I put the final 3 shots through the HDR processing with Photomatix...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNGLzBwiK_jaTJGWlATVk1eS_i1VDq4kfpBucZeWKfvPkDjr1Tq0vBv_21VsQ334G-P0w3JJPBlUUchx-DQd58xpHkYjHi7-_OBUouNfrfVsZNePssv4NFk5A7M0yqe360AMJsMKfT-M/s1600/IMG_5751_2_3_Demo-B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNGLzBwiK_jaTJGWlATVk1eS_i1VDq4kfpBucZeWKfvPkDjr1Tq0vBv_21VsQ334G-P0w3JJPBlUUchx-DQd58xpHkYjHi7-_OBUouNfrfVsZNePssv4NFk5A7M0yqe360AMJsMKfT-M/s400/IMG_5751_2_3_Demo-B.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was pretty satisfied with the result. Except for that red blur in the water. I thought it was pretty cool at the time I was shooting it that the light from the lighthouse was reflecting in the water, but it just ended up looking like a distracting red blob. When I went into Photoshop to make additional tweaks in the brightness and contrast levels, I took out the reflection. After a final cropping, I'm pretty happy with the end result...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXnUnaJjpMS0rPWfHdDuSqLjf_Sq2RG7U2mHASBKj6ef4RbJkxFFjzC3KHJHjQ2_ZppxOmbvkxcUm6Pkab5NC6zdxXza3wWqHo3bemd5Z7BFHZrs7A3sVK0e7-IfLbsduurQB1T1M8SU/s1600/IMG_6077_8_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXnUnaJjpMS0rPWfHdDuSqLjf_Sq2RG7U2mHASBKj6ef4RbJkxFFjzC3KHJHjQ2_ZppxOmbvkxcUm6Pkab5NC6zdxXza3wWqHo3bemd5Z7BFHZrs7A3sVK0e7-IfLbsduurQB1T1M8SU/s640/IMG_6077_8_9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Tech Stuff: 3 shots at f/16 at 4, 15 and 30 seconds ISO-100 Focal length - 10mmRic Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-22086899618672976442011-10-02T21:09:00.000-04:002011-10-02T21:09:33.743-04:00Ric's Epic Adventure - Epilogue: Parting Thoughts and Shots<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDgOvsqESVDQejW-bfRw9dmAX7h2Ka0uORPq3xTueGr4jhoN3r55UkKgUrUPkdIElSo_bJbcuE4kPJFmimP6o9Bxb4cnlOr4hJZna0MQJOZ4-WI9yNJrDF9qF9tuhXiobiqKLodAf0uA/s1600/IMG_25855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDgOvsqESVDQejW-bfRw9dmAX7h2Ka0uORPq3xTueGr4jhoN3r55UkKgUrUPkdIElSo_bJbcuE4kPJFmimP6o9Bxb4cnlOr4hJZna0MQJOZ4-WI9yNJrDF9qF9tuhXiobiqKLodAf0uA/s640/IMG_25855.JPG" width="459" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Almost two full weeks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
7 National Parks if you count my short jaunts through The
Capital Reef and Canyonlands.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thousands of snaps of my shutter…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And not nearly enough time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I could have easily spent a week at any one of these great parks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, I’m amazed and thrilled at all that I
saw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It truly was the photo adventure of
my lifetime.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_w92gawXZrBYIckgg0zI_l_wRu_nyIfa5FckgRcqYMe3PxFkm0d_8JqYW-1jyFjF186DI4Y1prAWewxWSi8lU1_l0XBSbL0icFZL5jm2aPpD-58YUpIfxCObkWQqDi0xz8rfVcKjHgBI/s1600/IMG_24821_2_3_tonemapped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_w92gawXZrBYIckgg0zI_l_wRu_nyIfa5FckgRcqYMe3PxFkm0d_8JqYW-1jyFjF186DI4Y1prAWewxWSi8lU1_l0XBSbL0icFZL5jm2aPpD-58YUpIfxCObkWQqDi0xz8rfVcKjHgBI/s640/IMG_24821_2_3_tonemapped.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Some random thoughts…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
People are friendly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had a slight bit of trepidation going out on this trip alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I figured I would speak to my wife every
evening if I was getting cell service, but, for the most part I’d be
alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That could not have been further
from the case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Photogs always seem to
congregate at the best spots and most are often willing and delighted to share
their love of the hobby and or profession with others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would be out at 4 or 5 in the morning and
there would always be a few folks to share the time with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would join strangers for a drink or dinner
after a day of shooting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not a
lonely endeavor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of these folks I
hope to keep in touch with.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vwlYiafWbC6keHsJxRzhV8p07NJ4fQju8k7Hs0OuLS1wPM16oDrJjSQFvx8-Pj-EX1697GPwIdzE9XDYLVFfqEgwZJ-slZxKcqBOLoR06X2VEq-A9XO6NOwFfEg3eUjt_AO58qVjKoY/s1600/IMG_24892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vwlYiafWbC6keHsJxRzhV8p07NJ4fQju8k7Hs0OuLS1wPM16oDrJjSQFvx8-Pj-EX1697GPwIdzE9XDYLVFfqEgwZJ-slZxKcqBOLoR06X2VEq-A9XO6NOwFfEg3eUjt_AO58qVjKoY/s640/IMG_24892.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They come from all over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everywhere I went, but I noticed this especially on my trip down into Bryce Canyon,
I heard a myriad of languages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some I
could identify… German, French, Swedish, Italian… many I could not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think at least a few were from off-world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made me feel glad that folks would come
from far off, just to see the wonders of this great land. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgxiOt6h-LB4IiXO_q1ovgsCv4sVtjdHqu9VQyw9cjiMEAWJ7nkBJ4uG5epcmjM0gIMInbQcnBYbHZAG8hZ6TT9CJuUpFLf-0peOpmKEz6JovPAF-0n920mFqixA4i5z3JY9l67W8Vns/s1600/IMG_25799_800_801_tonemapped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFgxiOt6h-LB4IiXO_q1ovgsCv4sVtjdHqu9VQyw9cjiMEAWJ7nkBJ4uG5epcmjM0gIMInbQcnBYbHZAG8hZ6TT9CJuUpFLf-0peOpmKEz6JovPAF-0n920mFqixA4i5z3JY9l67W8Vns/s640/IMG_25799_800_801_tonemapped.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Don’t forget the sunblock, water or the hiking shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hey, most of the time I remembered 2 out of
3. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWL0SN8UHTx1Khd-RQss5e0TfjgQrw5YlN-aZdqux61vo4PvOLSfzovq7NtFQPL2z5rC5BfzcA4avGAkcnmTeqCLC1L_wzia14_FRIHbuPljxyuk4MJ4Q8mXiDo7TC2DvgcHRcvWxH0g/s1600/Too_Pooped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfWL0SN8UHTx1Khd-RQss5e0TfjgQrw5YlN-aZdqux61vo4PvOLSfzovq7NtFQPL2z5rC5BfzcA4avGAkcnmTeqCLC1L_wzia14_FRIHbuPljxyuk4MJ4Q8mXiDo7TC2DvgcHRcvWxH0g/s640/Too_Pooped.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sirius-XM Radio kicks serious ass!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the first week of my travels I had a
rental with this amazing collection of stations and I wasn’t sure I could ever
go back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 70’s station and one of the
Blues stations were at the top of my list.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowk-QZvaGl0AHlqXuGz_L2L0K_M2gULGfdVMS-GauJjuX5qhgas9edW5y9o6P10RQMp8pZ19pZtl8lXsI7fbJwSFgBcXSo6PUtR7ktJPXMvC6VE9BA6-DcrQjW_Zhut55oa1w1ZUutTE/s1600/IMG_24527_8_9_tonemapped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowk-QZvaGl0AHlqXuGz_L2L0K_M2gULGfdVMS-GauJjuX5qhgas9edW5y9o6P10RQMp8pZ19pZtl8lXsI7fbJwSFgBcXSo6PUtR7ktJPXMvC6VE9BA6-DcrQjW_Zhut55oa1w1ZUutTE/s640/IMG_24527_8_9_tonemapped.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you are on an airplane and already feeling nauseous, do
not eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if it’s a four hour plus
trip.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWs9GB-2RdtQjs_3bUUOHQZOm08a5tTDYooLlQIU4RrO67cR7ogB-P_k2Atv6aNCzUeLdtddTVt8c_mVt6rFPRnW4-QrLepQq-fVDLS8nX179UjZ5H4hsaKHgv3rM4SVDUnk9fVqpcWg/s1600/IMG_25885_6_7_tonemapped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWs9GB-2RdtQjs_3bUUOHQZOm08a5tTDYooLlQIU4RrO67cR7ogB-P_k2Atv6aNCzUeLdtddTVt8c_mVt6rFPRnW4-QrLepQq-fVDLS8nX179UjZ5H4hsaKHgv3rM4SVDUnk9fVqpcWg/s640/IMG_25885_6_7_tonemapped.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And finally, I have to go back to Arches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially to conquer that one hill!</div>
Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-12443228493919958482011-10-02T16:44:00.000-04:002011-10-02T16:44:05.628-04:00Ric's Epic Adventure - Part 12: Sunrise at Mesa<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->Thursday morning I got up at about 5:30 and headed out to
shoot my final Arch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mesa Arch is
actually in the nearby Canyonlands
National Park and I had
heard it was a good subject for sunrises.
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I got to the parking area at the trail-head, the lot was
already full of cars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess other
folks had heard about it too!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
short 15 minute walk to the arch and when I arrived, there were already a bunch
of photographers that had staked out their claims with their tripods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After asking, I was able to squeeze in
between two of them to get my shots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unlike Delicate Arch, there wasn’t going to be any moving around for
different angles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mesa Arch is also a
lot smaller. As a matter of fact all of the photographers were planted right up
next to it, so close you could touch it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was so they could get the angle of the sun coming up. As the morning got brighter the under side of the arch began to glow with the warm reflection of the daylight.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrz2FRvpdl0L4_jXiuQxrDS9VvDnFwt4cBLGTsO_TMcsWl8RBZ5Aoh3g5E0QoVOFHloR-MITOa-nakIlMuFVgrdBXAErsLKVHngv0O2EnSckB3ZgVwflMSU8nYtTb6K5xPcTWnQK4aP78/s1600/Mesa-Dawn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrz2FRvpdl0L4_jXiuQxrDS9VvDnFwt4cBLGTsO_TMcsWl8RBZ5Aoh3g5E0QoVOFHloR-MITOa-nakIlMuFVgrdBXAErsLKVHngv0O2EnSckB3ZgVwflMSU8nYtTb6K5xPcTWnQK4aP78/s400/Mesa-Dawn.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I put on my wide 10-22mm lens and hoped for the best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily, I was able to get most of the entire
arch in the shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some latecomers
weren’t so lucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One suggested, “Hey
guys, if we all back up 10 feet we can all get the shot and get the whole
arch.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The guy next to me said, “You’re high, Dude!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ain’t moving.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These guys were hardcore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He showed the guy that made the suggestion
that he was able to get the whole thing in his viewfinder and suggested to the
fellow that next time he may want to come with the right gear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ouch.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another guy toward the back was setting off his flash and
quickly got scolded, “Hey, quit with the flashes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of us are doing time-lapse, Dude!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Dude” seemed to be the proper way of addressing someone
during this outing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, as they counted down the minutes to the sunrise
another latecomer decided he could plant his tripod right next to mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His camera was about 2 inches away and it was
difficult for me to even adjust the controls on my own camera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was also worried that with all his futzing
around so close to me, he would knock my camera and tripod over the edge and
into the abyss on the other side of the arch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was Asian and did not seem to be able to speak English, so I just
gave him a dirty look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took some pre
dawn shots then switched to a brand new card (with some difficulty because of
the cramped space) since the one I was using was getting close to full.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The sun came up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
all got our shots… Then I ran into a bit of trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My camera was stuck in a “busy” mode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kind of like when it’s processing an image by
adding noise reduction, but it wouldn’t stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I tried shutting the camera off, but to no avail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The camera was still stuck in its processing
mode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could the brand new card be
faulty?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was at my wit’s end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked the crowd if they had any
suggestions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing to do seemed
to be to eject the card or the battery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Either option could corrupt the data on the card, losing all the
shots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was finally decided after
about 5 more minutes that popping out the battery would be the lesser of two
evils.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took the camera off the tripod,
clicked the lid open, and just before I hit eject, the camera ended its busy
mode and was once again working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Relieved, that all was well, after checking the pictures, I
took a few shots hand held and then went to put my camera back on the
tripod.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Asian guy that had been
invading my personal space had moved my tripod!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Not cool, DUDE!” I exclaimed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I got a “So sorry” in response.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun was getting higher the moment had
passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least I got my sunrise
shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took some shots of the thinning
crowd and then headed back to camp, where I packed up and started the long
drive back toward the Vegas airport where I would be flying out of the
following day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjIClTuWKRa_JrR50X6j7kGsrYCWpLUq9lD7bSyxIJ0tUX0VJkQij-2eyytLTi4wJCp8fuX1WbB9szbAOXD07w1NqV3-gXfl497ZTAXIzZw2a9Yp0jvxxk_OqWAxJVU4D7v7yPjPQxcw/s1600/IMG_26534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjIClTuWKRa_JrR50X6j7kGsrYCWpLUq9lD7bSyxIJ0tUX0VJkQij-2eyytLTi4wJCp8fuX1WbB9szbAOXD07w1NqV3-gXfl497ZTAXIzZw2a9Yp0jvxxk_OqWAxJVU4D7v7yPjPQxcw/s400/IMG_26534.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkgFpG6suxkmtyArYDmyhGg26W8phyaor2LIdJhIdizOd3Je1v_zJRC0uu0hQ-6O2zs-KqylDHu7TH9TU58mqauFRb89ARnAs8rMgLfEh2w3gWQtVhswzTcOxq1uieWsGcubnFR2etvE/s1600/IMG_26558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkgFpG6suxkmtyArYDmyhGg26W8phyaor2LIdJhIdizOd3Je1v_zJRC0uu0hQ-6O2zs-KqylDHu7TH9TU58mqauFRb89ARnAs8rMgLfEh2w3gWQtVhswzTcOxq1uieWsGcubnFR2etvE/s400/IMG_26558.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4LL742WzLQN8AuCiFDWpH_AGOM5MpffR6BaNEHjTQtbMll3MupuhufFGvSbazI_zoRBHmyyB4RPYZWBzUrUUwUgpoAkKW7T92V2D0Xsjs_ieMbMnv-reKYjStdeAsKRPq52iyMrUx4U/s1600/IMG_26548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4LL742WzLQN8AuCiFDWpH_AGOM5MpffR6BaNEHjTQtbMll3MupuhufFGvSbazI_zoRBHmyyB4RPYZWBzUrUUwUgpoAkKW7T92V2D0Xsjs_ieMbMnv-reKYjStdeAsKRPq52iyMrUx4U/s400/IMG_26548.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvlb2pgmsFzMWwSq8Xoz-SRDcJd0YoI1M4NdB3S7kYEZognTaSXLRyzlkwGhopTgTemPXrs_zOMfCG_5D-HpuyZOb1VUhduaPwp0Ari_MvA-Za4m5XIHjCEpcvLfZDT3w_wEqkqhmJS8/s1600/Mesa-Arch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvlb2pgmsFzMWwSq8Xoz-SRDcJd0YoI1M4NdB3S7kYEZognTaSXLRyzlkwGhopTgTemPXrs_zOMfCG_5D-HpuyZOb1VUhduaPwp0Ari_MvA-Za4m5XIHjCEpcvLfZDT3w_wEqkqhmJS8/s640/Mesa-Arch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-58280696821921709222011-10-01T23:39:00.000-04:002011-10-01T23:39:51.926-04:00Ric's Epic Adventure - Part 11: Redeemed!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" />
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<div class="MsoNormal">
After my humiliating defeat on the previous hike, I returned
to the camp a beaten man. I saw that my loud neighbors from the night before
had moved on... well at least that was good. I took a shower, wrote one
of the blogs and then tried to get in a little nap before going on the hike for
Delicate Arch. Taking a nap inside that hot tent was not cutting it, so I
opted to get a little rest inside the air conditioned car.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I must’ve dozed off for a little bit, because suddenly it
was 5:30.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still had to drive back into
Arches and head up the trail. It took nearly a half an hour to get to the
trailhead. I asked some folks that had just returned how long it took to get to
the arch and they said about an hour (even though it’s only a mile and half
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The printed guide listed the hike
in their “Strenuous Trails” category, here is part of the official
description…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Length: 3 miles round
trip.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Elevation Change: 480
feet</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Take at least 2
quarts of water per person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Open
slickrock with some exposure to heights and no shade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first half-mile is a well defined trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon reaching the slickrock, follow the rock cairns</b>… yada, yada,
yada…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I lightened my camera bag as much as I could (got rid of the
telephoto lens and a few other things and headed up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was 6 pm. If I could make it in an hour I
would get there just in time for sunset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hopefully.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once again, it was hot, but at least with the sun’s low
angle, it wasn’t beating down on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
blood was pumping as I started heading up the “Slickrock” which is essentially
a giant hill made of rock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, and I
forgot the hiking shoes again as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
had to take several water breaks as I made my way up that hill that seemed to
have no end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also forgot my trusty
sweat rag/bandana, so I had to use my hat to mop up my face!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLl5rRiTy9iTowwd1PRhuXNV3ccaprEPXXfSWxWRJQEk-Il3YO7dNkm56i0QhwjYPHGOYoe1zcdliUuzzm_-wlzy2i5eIo0M2aA6WblBUp5xjr_RssvcbSpHXEh4Ld6FqtOJQIJyWDZEY/s1600/IMG_26306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLl5rRiTy9iTowwd1PRhuXNV3ccaprEPXXfSWxWRJQEk-Il3YO7dNkm56i0QhwjYPHGOYoe1zcdliUuzzm_-wlzy2i5eIo0M2aA6WblBUp5xjr_RssvcbSpHXEh4Ld6FqtOJQIJyWDZEY/s400/IMG_26306.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally it leveled off for a bit, but I was
only about halfway there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was thinking
that if I didn’t make the sunset I could at least get some dusk shots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was in a shaded area, blocked by the
cliffs, so I couldn’t tell how low the sun was.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I pushed on, some folks were already heading back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess they didn’t want to get caught in the
dark. They were saying “You’re almost there… Just around the bend…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure enough as I rounded the corner, there it
was!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun was still another 5 minutes
or so from setting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I snapped off a
quick pick, then, chose a couple of spots to set up with the tripod.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was great! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The arch is massive! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m including a shot with some folks under it
so you can get a sense of scale. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTB0vmkuWgZNYhJ1kyJdm0Ce9YtE3cQYRVNBzCS11qF95kqIjxNuLFjWf3mtU_J6_MDN8Vs2kqr4Wfwh3Tc86bwwerwiwPWMi8HdLuyMySO7-T3IeeL3XAtdzRQ_wMfRfmWB7U3RRP-1c/s1600/IMG_26307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTB0vmkuWgZNYhJ1kyJdm0Ce9YtE3cQYRVNBzCS11qF95kqIjxNuLFjWf3mtU_J6_MDN8Vs2kqr4Wfwh3Tc86bwwerwiwPWMi8HdLuyMySO7-T3IeeL3XAtdzRQ_wMfRfmWB7U3RRP-1c/s400/IMG_26307.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_UEq-UB3SzvcJPD90KjM1eghMOMhn7knGI6mFbYoHZLkaAVTH5oiMPW_gtI4kKHcSf7tQ6iWtkOPW0RzZUfr2AisN6scez1tHgbEYAjBsXlbD8eDxUkzgAw6g545GKcZyjFEolLzKtA/s1600/IMG_26313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_UEq-UB3SzvcJPD90KjM1eghMOMhn7knGI6mFbYoHZLkaAVTH5oiMPW_gtI4kKHcSf7tQ6iWtkOPW0RzZUfr2AisN6scez1tHgbEYAjBsXlbD8eDxUkzgAw6g545GKcZyjFEolLzKtA/s400/IMG_26313.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWZAHVaUHy8LkI9KNxM_htryLbc7Uphuar_-Gw3_twY7MmA9KWS6qz8pVX6qY2gGlhrJ26s8xGvh93KVQylReIXuLOncHuC0sfLRe-BtM4fOQVtsFXEVeJj1EzIJZidFaIrZWKdAvhBA/s1600/IMG_26316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWZAHVaUHy8LkI9KNxM_htryLbc7Uphuar_-Gw3_twY7MmA9KWS6qz8pVX6qY2gGlhrJ26s8xGvh93KVQylReIXuLOncHuC0sfLRe-BtM4fOQVtsFXEVeJj1EzIJZidFaIrZWKdAvhBA/s400/IMG_26316.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jBpb2exv6X4qT7GG9mMOFyLul0dTNk4lABrq5xHT-A06vIWCooVpt_vpSdIMkP9wKTZIWk1R9OTu4EgWgP8eqrWNxz-g0qXXFawCjGhMNswIllSnSoP07cq7bphE6h_c965wWBRqrzs/s1600/IMG_26321_2_3_tonemapped-a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jBpb2exv6X4qT7GG9mMOFyLul0dTNk4lABrq5xHT-A06vIWCooVpt_vpSdIMkP9wKTZIWk1R9OTu4EgWgP8eqrWNxz-g0qXXFawCjGhMNswIllSnSoP07cq7bphE6h_c965wWBRqrzs/s400/IMG_26321_2_3_tonemapped-a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
After some coaxing from others that made the trip, people got out from under the arch so that the shutterbugs could go to town. People applauded the sunset and started
heading down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stuck around a little
longer to get some after sunset shots and quickly debated whether or not to
stay until the stars came out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had serious doubts about being able to make it back on my
own in the darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes those
rock cairns
(path markers) can be pretty far apart and it probably would have been pretty
easy for me to get off the beaten path coming down that giant stone hill and
picking up the path again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While up there at the top I befriended a young married couple
from Indianapolis,
Chris and Abby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think they said they
were celebrating their 4 year anniversary?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Anyway, we were the last ones there and they offered to make the trip
back with me… and am I glad they did!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Chris is a member of the National Guard and had been through some pretty
extensive survival training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We weren’t
even halfway back yet and we were in total darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abby and I had our headlamps, Chris didn’t
need one!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This guy could see in the
dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With no moon, the only natural
light was from the starlight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
long but enjoyable trip back as I got to know them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few times we turned off our lights just to
gaze up at the stars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am really going
to miss seeing such an amazing sky at night.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back at the bottom I thanked them for their company and we
said our goodbyes, they still had a 4 hour trip ahead of them in their car. Hope it was a safe trip, you two!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wasn’t done shooting for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I decided to drive down toward Balancing Rock
where I ran into a few more nightscape photogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I took several shots of the rock and then did a long exposure with some
star trails.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was really only about a 20 minute shot and probably
should have been maybe at least an hour, but I needed to get back to camp so I
could get up early for my final morning of shooting before it was time to start
the journey home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, I’m calling
this one “Star Child” cuz it kinda reminds me of the end of 2001: A Space
Odyssey!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlXf5TC2MrX2qfoDVl2Y65Yj8Ze_B_ddL_s6txajnLGtvCIET45wsGmTRYHdPc-8G4pJPWCMGPHsBdhQLj-GlKuC1kRCAu7h4evKyqIlRIJE5Z0v4DqdxSp1pGCo2m6xi45WsBX5JDXA/s1600/IMG_26402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlXf5TC2MrX2qfoDVl2Y65Yj8Ze_B_ddL_s6txajnLGtvCIET45wsGmTRYHdPc-8G4pJPWCMGPHsBdhQLj-GlKuC1kRCAu7h4evKyqIlRIJE5Z0v4DqdxSp1pGCo2m6xi45WsBX5JDXA/s400/IMG_26402.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-85535563179618975242011-10-01T10:28:00.001-04:002011-10-01T10:28:10.295-04:00Part 10: Epic (Adventure) Fail!When I returned from the restaurant Tuesday night, all I wanted to do was hit the hay, er, sleeping bag. Unfortunately, my neighbors in the camp right behind mine thought it was okay to party until 2:30 in the morning. The camps at this off park site, were very close together. These people were probably no more than 15 feet away from me. It was 2 guys and a girl and the longer the night went on, the louder she got. Let me tell you, you haven't heard "Hey Jude" until you've heard it with an off key drunk German accent.<br /><br />In the morning I was wiped and got kind of a late start. After breakfast, I headed back into Arches and took some shots as I made my way to the end of the park, where the Devil's Garden hike begins.<br /><br />About a mile into the hike is Landscape Arch...<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/65833679@N05/6200583612/'><img src='http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6167/6200583612_b7c740c150_b.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/65833679@N05/6200076515/'><img src='http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6173/6200076515_8ed5c70093_b.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/65833679@N05/6200081479/'><img src='http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6128/6200081479_b42129ce89_b.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I imagine it's called that because it kind of blends in with the landscape until you get closer to it and can see the sky through the arch. It's very long and thin and I wonder how long it will be able to defy gravity. Then it was on to the Double "O" Arch. This part of the hike is listed as "difficult with many elevation changes, rocky footing and some exposure to heights," meaning cliffs.<br /><br />They weren't kidding by calling this "difficult." my heart was pounding as I gained elevation. Shortly after I started this part of the hike, I climbed a rocky hill to a point where there were some large rocks you had to climb up and around, right next to a nice little drop off....<br /><br /><center><a href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/65833679@N05/6200083637/'><img src='http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6160/6200083637_b27ccc33c0_b.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The rock surface was pretty smooth, like an idiot, I had put on my sneakers instead of my hiking shoes. On top of this, my photo backpack was weighing me down and I was a bit off balance. With the tripod attached, it was probably close to 30 pounds. Other folks were having trouble negotiating that area, going in both directions. Some needed help. With the hot noon time sun beating down on me (unlike Bryce Canyon it was a much warmer day and there was no cloud cover), I made a decision to turn around and go back. I wimped out and was very disappointed and depressed about it.<br /><br />On the way back I was muttering things like "Hikes are for people that don't have cars" and "They should either move the roads closer to the arches, or the arches close to the roads!" <br /><br />I planned on hitting Delicate Arch (probably the most famous) in the late afternoon. Another difficult hike and it would be even hotter. We'll see how that went in the next installment...<br /><br /><br />- Posted from my iPad<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Arches%20National%20Park,%20Utah&z=10'>Arches National Park, Utah</a></p>Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-24048026599359679912011-09-27T18:09:00.001-04:002011-09-27T18:09:14.300-04:00Part 8: Have a Bryce Day<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5657164671435592546'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQG6SvxiiUkJ0Ry-4Z2QAL9KBWf4U6DaMtniBWJOq2KLl9Lm3GIM4ODKGt9AxDCVIx-wGOYkYD4rB4H6Nclimz-uOpyqwF4aBDIFLFTJXjQmqpO1YIF6RRBYdB_nX3O6NoN3MURfHljw/s288/iphone_photo.jpg' border='0' width='350' height='233' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Bryce Canyon was pretty low on my list. I had never heard much about it but several folks I know talked it up. And what the heck, it was on the way to Arches from Zion so I thought I should check it out.<br /><br />After driving to a few of the overlooks, I decided to go for a hike into the canyon. All I can say is WOW. The place is magnificent. It feels as if there is a magic to the land. Formations and views that shouldn't really exist except maybe in a Road Runner cartoon.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5657164680100096978'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcysMhlV3Fl-kurw8Vn6mHQk7H06hEF-4CKpsgu9ZS2MMx3GSleupaEFPeJKI4aU9nQjShqbC-auJmrrqD8dZSyuDRVNunDsInkjEOfyQVvCC8naZkTd9FbMlB35JbD27zsYfYwYawNmA/s288/13.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5657164724912167906'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSkCZSeTlq0Zsx1Qi61ETnk9fYrFvkqqyzOni93GptVUaYwZzKMUt1s7j8RgSBR4VjZLHsO_MkgRvjRQmoA4PVD2j3XzYo9SeM1jHEZy4Ba46pn4mN2C0WLTVRakWypHXjQJSAYCIUfk/s288/14.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5657164734304618754'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Z7L29DP5IHpSxqGLJRT_BfcAORGuu8xHdOIyPyIBggx4pxGPLOTAmeyq4afmJWoGsM_Zo1FZnIgVMJ4FHzuvCp9AYyilWoZN58v4GRlYiMoQSzNmIuA4eL0Y1MPHlqAs_vkQaIk156A/s288/15.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5657164800481272754'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9S2Qi7h33I3i4dAnrXRdajmP0n_Q3_sp10vhJiFz_1-zcR3s6vI29SgMdjIpZSxzVIVQe4wFNv2yEVUXNWRt7xEUTHnBlyLUyr8Xv0V8wqqaaGS9sbweWe2pXMD_E3li4iXxCkux4uQ/s288/16.jpg' border='0' width='187' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5657164806320247522'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-I7nduiACkahPyBMwvF5EgSoCdn3cgmCMh0pzQcwHWWAQxD-f857kS36T6QvjmzdkfmG_ioxlZM5SLqCfahumjCnozXwqGXPxTVEoNxAj52UB-NGGVKaQ_ELxqHWByWczA4rrkM8D7aM/s288/17.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I combined two of the suggested hikes. The Queen's Garden and the Navajo Loop. The park paper calls it "The World's Best 3-Mile Hike!" It took over four hours to get to the bottom and climb my way back to the top. It seemed like I had to stop every 50 feet or so to take another picture. Good thing too, because I needed lots of breaks before reaching the top. The guide listed it as a moderate hike. All I can say is good thing I quit smoking 4 years ago.<br /><br />When I got to the top, I treated myself to a beer, it was bliss.<br /><br />Tomorrow, I head to Arches. It was at the top of my list. Now it seems like it's got a lot to live up to after Bryce Canyon.<br /><br />Right now, it's a little after 10 at night and a fellow from Germany just invited me over for a beer. It'll be the second best beer I've had all day!<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5657164937404216626'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3TytMycP6MM8BZend32Pb4FXe5oq8N-1KYRM7DXwS4V0Ulzdn0aDAbUQ30Zep-oP3XyMCjiUvHQIVSwrSRcVQhy3e7pt3yhSD3Eicptgr0pfCzBfSTCOcfnsndLVi4DYcQp4EUtkFxs/s288/18.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted from my iPad<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=N%20Camp%20Ground%20Rd,%20Bryce%20Canyon%4037.632127%2C-112.165021&z=10'>N Camp Ground Rd, Bryce Canyon</a></p>Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-83669314970570907232011-09-27T18:04:00.001-04:002011-09-29T11:39:46.998-04:00Part 9: The Road to ArchesI was on the road fairly early from Bryce Canyon... Well after breakfast at Ruby's Diner, it was probably a little after 8 am. Btw, if I didn't mention it before the "Ruby" family seems to own the whole town. What little town there is, anyway.<br /><br />I decided to take the scenic route, that would bring me off the beaten path...<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5657805940859897618'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAiHqgTwxjiakDwq-AQgpkXB0v24HPKUuypnnPVTQBHKUAjYNJX6wcsU8KexsFGQi2C6IPhma1DNLie4lit1FPFsaD_NETlyD3M0TyAMF0Q_sSnyBjvZr3w_flcTXCDy6yu1Y2YjmikVs/s288/5.jpg' border='0' width='187' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5657806115151080642'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj199XwbsXMDNLvvDns6RC0rIdOx03NRDyRHmJ8W7Rc7g6bLGz47kOJz0KyefIZONOzEut7FrbrYDbnSIJH7_M4Ic9s5OwnJrMYqyq5u5UzEm76Xb2CyYRT1prGPByo6bfFoecYqUY06n8/s288/13.jpg' border='0' width='187' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> <br />It also brought me through Capitol Reef National Park. Now this REALLY is Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote territory.<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5657806305385287890'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf99bjQa-hpbcVy87Sh251Ud7EHut8cD8Z0YoW3hmwMPrN-tveFvNVlyocEAfV7ayYR_qQU2yE5z9JTJ_eXiBeSam5s5VEDGvna1H9UZvXxxxuZpiWuQShs9Y__o_9_vJG72XpwrAefUA/s288/15.jpg' border='0' width='187' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5657806471768645490'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNzuwa_HUqmMkuRfnCzUYMqcjiL0ckxHUNZb3KltTWRPkni2e6Pa3J9LiHBszZPEMBPKLWAycgXG1hGWUZEQ_Y5CmJt7WQ_aomjx0SixepwC48-2KMJfjqd0P7CHMz3ghRSZi5c1-4AE/s288/16.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />After all the stopping to shoot photos it probably took me about 8 hours to get to Moab where I checked into the first campground I could find (nothing was available in the park).<br /><br />After that I headed into Arches National Park and after a bit of scouting, I picked out a spot to shoot my first Arch. The daylight was waning, so this was gonna be it for the day. I stuck around for about an hour after sunset for some more starlight pictures and as I walked back up the trail, I nearly bumped into another photog that was trying his hand at star trails. My headlamp pretty much messed up his shot as I headed back up the path in the darkness. We got to talking and then ended up having dinner and a beer together back in town at a fine dining establishment known as Bucks. Sorry I messed up your shot, Keith! I probably should have at least paid for his beer!<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5657806593096698578'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Kt9akqBWAiL-K-p9kTpb_0JLCmQeYERC7Gbn1bsad37_DNB28orWe8XypQ8yrtneDPOUDJ0UjNTwLhCrdsHLhF8NQrA_snQRzZxlqJv0KApwr7M59l4fqxdEaLj5GNbz6__bpKXq6qo/s288/17.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5657806680219014306'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJro7iPeUGwq10L3Ux7g2HVk9lrdHZGPkR_prVzCRrkBxSuOolrjbDM3amamx5tFnPW5RVfRH1ftaz43NMckcqPs9Z8JW-8YMcgdam1JujyFChaqVrgdWjs8MQOCNGqCPn2RMCVTdbcpk/s288/18.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5657806737356183218'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__TMCEopQdqJ6zr7DV5EWtlf27O0bpGT9y8quA6wYffrNT0qJTdX9FLFNukdsj2KJXr5obD0ChZWAO66tKb5Sw01573M0-g79XztY3L2IoYW6EFke2xrdmd7eUuWTd3DY7k0hmrtKgFM/s288/19.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />After that I got back to the camp and turned in at around 11:00... in what became a very long night...<br /><br />to be continued...<br /><br /><br /><br />- Posted from my iPad<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=McCormick%20Blvd,Moab,%20Utah%4038.585874%2C-109.558692&z=10'>McCormick Blvd,Moab, Utah</a></p>Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-91136849166638738572011-09-26T01:10:00.001-04:002011-10-02T14:43:31.805-04:00Ric's Epic Adventure - Part 7: Zion Country and Beyond!I'm writing this from my campsite in Bryce Canyon. This is a much quieter spot than the one I had just outside of Zion, yesterday. Guy was snoring 2 tents down and it was LOUD!! <br />
<br />
Spent much of the day shooting and hiking in Zion. It is impossible to convey in photos just how big and fantastic this place is. Parts of it seem Middle Earth like. I wonder if Tolkien was ever here.<br />
<br />
Around 3 in the afternoon, I decided I better start heading to Bryce. Haven't seen any of the park accept the campground yet. <br />
<br />
After I set up e tent, and was politely told by a ranger that I had set up in an RV area (he let me stay where I was, though) I headed out to get something to eat. This "town" if you can call it that, doesn't have much. In contrast, the town just outside of Zion was a happening little place. Anyway was in a weird little restaurant that was packed to the gills with a bus load of tourists. It looked like it was gonna be a long wait. A couple came in after me and we decided to share a table. It didn't seem right me taking up a whole table by myself. They were from Oregon and were also on a photographic journey. And guess what? They paid for my dinner!<br />
<br />
It's amazing the amount of photogs I have met on this trip. Some are professionals, while others, it is their passion/hobby. One guy in Yellowstone put it best. He said "This is my boat." All of them have been willing to share their excitement, enthusiasm and tips with me. When you are standing outside with a stranger at 5 in the morning, you both realize you're a little crazy... I mean passionate.<br />
<br />
Anyway, the fire is dying, time to go to bed, it's gonna be a cold one... Supposed to be in the 40s tonight!<br />
<br />
Here's a few parting shots of Zion National Park...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5656531374636616626"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpNv81uV0RT-CUc4ru0m-KFXtAX4dOsmXcmnW-mrQhgzkQXKfqX7428XbsoqICTwI_AtQmqImv006NHBWIiTt8Y2LUVu72XHKIGD6xEY64UnB40UxbLTfSsWf0FcHIEKkmhDpEAutFMT8/s288/5.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5656531396962838066"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxLNcDy53d0SLEbscxiIKd4vQvjqYObI8K5XmApPE1k-O15l1VewCyJSH_NAzr7ZoDHJEY8fD7wgJ-NfyVfhXXB9-Zl5xXnbTHxnmg6BWQrqkCEpaAz612ZK7KMf95_96DiHdOWyB9YgY/s288/12.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5656531408436975186"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_BiJvttNCkGaVDtHAuUteoGvMvE2qqCbDWZ42XBLxdJ3Iq3tOBcV2rjEANdR4gBNqu3J4CusE7WrApXzmjleXHfyuQZSR7t4np6ilmQs03Cj5Z2zt7WJ0fkqO6qAU0_QLVtmMkB1BAs/s288/13.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5656531418801317858"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4MXKgAZHn_dIeJ1eI_SxK7Lac44qfFPY-WptbV2jbbLv_uyZYtjJb3LjPa9gG7PN2d1Cf4C7-0eDawgnQQTzcvvqhJm7oJuCfoVD2dzzfR4CK1St2u3N69S6oxQIuPnPi0AalhUHjks/s288/14.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="281" /></a></center><br />
<br />
<div class="blogpress_location">
Location:<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=N%20Camp%20Ground%20Rd,%20Bryce%20Canyon%20National%20Park%4037.637417%2C-112.169231&z=10">N Camp Ground Rd, Bryce Canyon National Park</a></div>
Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-69422013288492485712011-09-24T11:51:00.001-04:002011-09-24T12:16:28.978-04:00Ric's Epic Adventure - Part 6: On the Road (and in the air) AgainYesterday was a day of travel. It was another early start at around 4:30 am, because I wanted to get in some more practice at some star lit landscapes. This was from the same location I was at the previous morning (an area known as Mormon's Row, about 20 miles north of Jackson). I should have started even earlier. Soon dusk was approached and the stars were getting washed out. On some of the shots you can see the light from a car streaming by way off in the distance on the horizon. I'll have to see if I can photoshop those out later. I also used my headlamp to throw a little light on the buildings.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5655954256901191970'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwH9jCtPk-0-OjxU4iglKYkeRyERwDDNSbHcc6yiBdljXuaLaFBNoRouzoJ0ISYDj__gOTJV4x2xWZWqMVDrKmqx0DeB5ipF-wagLH-bzQSrgCV4sSN3yXevFrqZqN6jC03wvPyt6Llew/s288/5.jpg' border='0' width='350' height='233' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5655954271536098530'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gbagah1EWe_gK_EJBZSe2x-VCrE93DdqI2-j2EpIhWpAwhjOVru5m5cpon0dx8PzTeLR_dYEjXjLHkk_k42ihZIA9Vpnm2B1Bv4Pm6KWRVJKup-2G7D8J5ORLZR3lSOrjWZZlejWcX8/s288/12.jpg' border='0' width='350' height='233' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5655954280551194690'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmyQJfwy9vF5ciP6BLDhQzNg4lzVwUA4y6ks-e8uVX3Whb7u1u9b4naDm9XNiVdsuJ9kdxnBt4V5aI7fA37H-uWKGk1dD44MZFp2KD29tu6hEb_5keTkooA7_Jd6dovmcSHGmXXuFYJFk/s288/13.jpg' border='0' width='350' height='233' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />As the sun came up, I drove several miles north to get another view of the Tetons in the early morning light...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5655954286678316738'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPDx-ZJrELe3mZIgKj49RRFXohBmU2ca9wTlMxu0xAra0KQjpmfBPq0vUmMadhZ1TGIX08mnpNOnEJ43PVHZj_mdcT0gfP9V7NCbzaXJKZPsRr0N7qK3woQuu0MMaH85C2ECIaqsZCPf8/s288/14.jpg' border='0' width='350' height='233' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />...And then just before 8 am, I got in the car and headed back to Cody. It was about a 3 and a half hour trip back up through the lower part of Yellowstone. As I drove by some beauty spots that I had missed before, I had to ignore the urge to pull over and take some more shots. I was mostly successful.<br /><br />Good thing Cody has a small airport. I got there about 40 minutes before the departure and still had to turn in my rental. Flew outta there on a small commuter, connected in Salt Lake City, then onto Vegas. During that flight I met a very nice couple from Montana and we chatted for most of the short trip. I even bored them with some of my photos.<br /><br />Once in Vegas, I headed to Advantage Rental Car where I let the guy convince me into getting an upgrade (10 more bucks a day) into an Altima. He explained that the compacts didn't really have any extras and with all my traveling, I would really want something more in a full sized vehicle. My last rental, a Hyundai Elantra had a Sirius-XM radio, and man, did that really spoil me. I figured I'd better get the upgrade.<br /><br />To my disappointment just a regular radio. From what I can tell the big perk is keyless operation. <br /><br />yay.<br /><br />After about 2 more hours of driving (now with the trusty but previously neglected iPod plugged in), I got to the Comfort Inn in St George, Utah. They couldn't find my reservation. I thought I might have to be setting up my tent somewhere in the dark, and I was pretty exhausted. Luckily I had the confirmation number and they had it... Not under Easton, but under my wife's hyphenated last name... O'Connor-Easton! When I had called to make the reservation the day before, they had asked if I had used Comfort Inn before and I gave them our phone number so they could check. It was under my wife's name. I guess they didn't think to change the name to the guy that was making the reservation or the name on the credit card I was giving! I always knew that hyphenated last name was gonna come back to haunt me!<br /><br />Diane... I love you and I miss you and even though you couldn't make the trip, it's like you're still with me! I just don't have anyone teling me where to drive... Except of course the GPS, which I have named "Diane 2"<br /><br />Btw, when I started yesterday morning it was 28 degrees, and 14 hours later when I was driving out of Las Vegas it was 103!<br /><br />So, now it's on to Zion National Park!<br /><br /><br /><br />- Posted from my iPad<br /><br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=St.%20George,Utah%4037.082370%2C-113.605115&z=10'>St. George,Utah</a></p>Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-15399418061144682292011-09-24T00:49:00.001-04:002011-09-24T00:50:48.923-04:00Ric's Epic Adventure - Part 5: Teton TimeSpent the day on Thursday shooting the Grand Tetons from several different locations. Of course the best time is sunrise, but you can only be in one spot at a time, so many of the shots I got were from midday.<br /><br />Here's a few...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5655782732512250210'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAi2OwWlhEwAel8NcYFfbkx0LywKyMMG4RHno-IO3jH5jGIOL7sW3T9rVYNNIlAiS8my-Jv_RDejaaMr5cbQgp-ibapwK4Yogf9rhOLnsbCujjuTYN-5sx2fu5vWJyU6u6HHVNo21gNlk/s288/5.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5655782874752242738'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NsXdzpVjlNxI6W3oAgRR_1nxXn7UXgEjX5qCozTx1ye_gWLh25b38J5H0d7KrUJWz3eWYYON9f1c5BKWDx8zci0lz0xAkJ-JWRD44khEpuGHQeEzcw-IL_RWk8b9JbnYpQegTkPMS-M/s288/12.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5655783071855086130'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_Vw-SQ7Lbqbg-46aXLALAzyWlRjmqFnDw5BxwQ1q8cV4L0rGZ9GTQK1HpXWe-Pt-C2hAcP51Xav2L2aEtF_ZrKpQjcv2HjPnm7szBLfQv6gZ-Y5iA8aS74GhgXnaJcy4v-IAwcjGpas/s288/13.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5655783266357902642'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDQQx64QXLKbWzoyJukBegQWjiOtD1OKa2Kz7Jgj1_rqIUGs3ESUsj2W0B9R9Fbh95VfzXp0NeZb1n-UiwwRenBGPpNcPZfE9TuR0PbZ2eOgGkAtoBj60LJq0eGQabZnbI1HqmELwZq8/s288/14.jpg' border='0' width='187' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />And I even took some shots where there wasn't a Teton to be seen!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5655783349194141810'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kt3Dr2bkI_Ji3AgTQo2f1s9JiugshBt7lxzxHF6E-YYQqAS0QmPWRaabcvEg8quykevXJUTqQHHLRiSA-PCu1Alk1Aa7BWxgYUB0xc-LtlOiv7UfRGzvoaFJ07o_iDQ33TwTwkAhyphenhyphen6Y/s288/15.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5655783504195603026'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJf5O0A6i_e6x9mLTdpfzq7Q-GYBogxFc6SSaFfi7H8kpCnG2DoSiEla3bHBxr_x76A3XLClEP4Bp3IKocsbLTJ8HPXrOluraC5Y1qDG1qmOCBc47eLdEeh-9h59LhJVwsbUUZPQBVRrA/s288/16.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5655783685617961042'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSy6en3RugZyYxXAUNOh2B2kCKYWBxNxF4_kcbxe4PKV9HRGuIp5-jJoqwm1fhwvvzuABwL3vNB9rsaCcrpoq6gUMMJxvoWdMVrYDl1RDEnen8SvGTM0XV-DSCq7rXNacuRhI3WUZy6QY/s288/17.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />And ended up eating dinner in Jackson at The Cowboy Bar. In case I didn't mention it before, cowboys are big in these parts. The barstools were all saddles which gives new meaning to the phrase "saddling up to the bar." Despite the cowboy motif, my beer had a slight sic-fi bent...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5655783742061371362'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxWOwwj9rpXvyzZbDWeJu5NsRAL6MrzK9iJT1RPPIGJNdCC6bvhEDYPNzx1xbzQvU9Owvu3GvngtVBn2emyyKuGapgvFGjPC22-LrtJDaVhzpGmh76L8xMq7ZSvlIFNkdgmxXrlNNn2U/s288/18.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />That's OB-1 as in Obiwan Kenobi from Star Wars in case you didn't get it, or possibly aren't a nerd.<br /><br />One last parting shot. Advice for the bathroom...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5655783793821659378'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cyacuZ8NqHLJjt8X6gXD8eSuiMY_jQYXd4dxWHZM1WGq81u_vObdnxcThEsAtAH_esjMiPjdyDYIcAPdnwlAtYQAExrAazoehndy4IiHEXNtt21wF0tOmw7eUcdtiBSRZHvsQfZQ48s/s288/19.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />Oh, and in case I never mentioned it, you can click on any of the pix for a bigger view. The app I am using for the iPad likes to use these incredibly small thumbnails. When I tried to enlarge them a bit, the photos became kinda digitally artifacty. <br /><br />And no, "artifacty" is not a word. <br /><br />More tomorrow...<br /><br />- Posted from my iPad<br /><br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=U.S.%20191,Jackson,United%20States%4043.481493%2C-110.762355&z=10'>U.S. 191,Jackson,United States</a></p>Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-58461786192050560872011-09-22T10:12:00.001-04:002011-09-22T10:12:03.384-04:00Ric's Epic Adventure - Part 4: I Think I Hear a Mountain Lion<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5655186238465888226'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFS9ee-eZx-5vh-2eXgzI_ZwnB_z61isu28E0C7pwxvH-muqrH1AW-xUy1xDJNpvfw95XQyUhlnKEyikW6_lQ_jc1JvFGIKQ_WCkoIabJw7Z_J9K25AIK3FoMPutfiO0c0KvDcjccOI_8/s288/7.jpg' border='0' width='350' height='233' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5655186384751382002'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3RTsKKnqkEbUr8Diwgx8G7BNx2Z721y7_GYlyx83oGMYmkA0B9c2X9nvzVvA8JF55J8bf8teVTC-xCptYjn6U32LrgO5LkZ0LY7NRH9rQ8pNFmFqo2HjXfudjQ3trAS76pS7MD6CBjqg/s288/8.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='187' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Yesterday, I did one last tour of Yellowstone. It was a gorgeous day and it was nice to see some nice clear blue water, especially after spending a few weeks covering all the muddy streams and rivers left over from tropical storm Irene. Saw several more Bison but no other wildlife accept for the small butterfly that kept landing on me and my camera. <br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5655186424494210114'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Z8tMM92PvNiKleNRScciqVQM1t4r8xofrFYUh1N-NW3pPNQy2oacMRnfzcrL5IU5YtMI-q8B2zWv4RnRXHMJpVQ767YCoh-OncyU7zGLRSiNFo0QCmm2RKipxpICPvuOUYZL5_vloic/s288/9.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5655186439016285394'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUW3TB-LUr7LwG8vD0zCkglSwoBFQFB-vjmIq0vb-plBYe_agmyyGGcoEjFP2VARdLivRwllTGOWuxtmG3Ln82H1TrWCnlsy-ep5zfZuSeTsvDkP9V4qFYg1CcFJYy5580ALLE29w1UZM/s288/10.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Next, I headed through Grand Teton National Park to Jackson, Wyoming. Right now, I am waiting for the sun to come up to light up the mountains, but thought I would try getting the shot under starlight as well. While standing out here in the dark, I could hear something rustling around in the weeds. I hope it doesn't eat me!<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5655186526752267602'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjMknb3wpkbjm7S0Zm16qNipNR19EpZRUivo1XDWiQnHAVoUszlByz_ysTxrBRQyeJukoyYetQI65zuOe2_XxTfOVd631reymivJPuXnAQ0XQpOh07YTQX_5m9BhfLhjUI9URl13Ujic/s288/5.jpg' border='0' width='350' height='233' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted from my iPad<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Antelope%20Flats%20Rd,,United%20States%4043.665262%2C-110.664007&z=10'>Antelope Flats Rd,,United States</a></p>Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-82277006474866255092011-09-21T08:11:00.001-04:002011-09-21T08:11:41.830-04:00Ric's Epic Adventure - Part 3: Buffalo Bill CountryFinding the time to post these blogs is a little tougher than I thought it was gonna be. Right now, it's a little after 5 in the morning and I wanted to post a quick update before I was on the road and out of cell service again... Well, now it's almost 6 am because the app on my iPad just crashed as in was getting ready to post! So here's a quicker update...<br /><br />After a big day in Yellowstone on Monday, I decided to hang out in Cody yesterday. The main downtown area is maybe about 5 blocks long, but the actual town stretches several miles in all directions. Yeah, they even have a Walmart! But most of the downtown either caters to cowboys or cowboy wannabes with plenty of saloons and shops selling cowboy hats and boots. As a matter of fact, the town is named and was partially founded by one of the most famous cowboys of all, William "Buffalo Bill" Cody. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5654784278400276130'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0lMJsZ4CyPSfbF8yKKJnBSudnXJYQJAHOlNIzgXB1jbxE01mne2_ClwO7lrj6NoFUGtjlx59jVhPwZ4MFxzxRWANo5YBrgpOth3tZO6RbHL7PNBseKtqppztSg2rn8-I1hu1wryaWgA/s288/7.jpg' border='0' width='350' height='233' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5654784326045287874'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpu542MR9xK8fXOhuMoxkfA8VlrJUZ2S8qQnymcHyftXViyaTCC-ECtM__xkFpfvl8BvpL2cvY8WOaGEFteBkUdfy7bprdgdrNcLiG1429ynDB2aA6200b-TLt7B_DZeO9eIaIRft16vE/s288/8.jpg' border='0' width='350' height='233' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Just outside of the main downtown area is the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, a really fine museum all about BB and the Old West.<br /><br />As the day wound down, I returned to some of the overlooks I had seen on Monday just outside of town and after the sun set, I had never seen so many stars! I'll try to post some of the star shots later. They need a bit of tweaking.<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5654784382820399810'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tPp7sO3CtBfy-ACY2mfoKU5I24KKSSvnf9mYJcI8SxmFujdqHqb6s-54L7OTySEPyPtmaGzvpwTesJgPXJJsDsc_zkwOAyiMjr8hJ4gKtvXn6tGZvPodk-uLpIEQC8qbDKuHTxtOjbU/s288/5.jpg' border='0' width='350' height='233' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Oh, and many of the shops sell Bear Spray. I didn't buy any and this is probably the closest I'll get to one, courtesy of the BB Museum...<br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5654784437858124194'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSgFXrO7ZcyaQgerUhAXPh6Wr-RS_u9qjkt4nUQUekAU5GAn11A6LVDTWD-N2K9Syyh-iPMiwsoUCGTDJWprVCcn-nKMppRrJ65NxgDHUhn3i77er02YwD2dt81wE4ein3CMCynosHIg/s288/9.jpg' border='0' width='350' height='233' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />- Posted from my iPad<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Cody,%20Wyoming&z=10'>Cody, Wyoming</a></p>Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-18261991257995610692011-09-20T13:40:00.001-04:002011-09-20T14:01:48.223-04:00Ric's Epic Adventure - Part 2: Yellowstone!Sunday night, when I got to the motel from the Cody airport it was dark. So I really wasn't aware just how different my surroundings were until I got up Monday morning and took a look out of my motel door...<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5654502771810039586'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMTVcdQdGGlT8CvVdXcGtLrD2iIOzry13X7tWBybY6ofdFtK_e2VTFzv072H0kGgGZHGPCeNdwdf1ay4pyeO5WvASHSAUSwsKatL-nduGLL-93ynXKe1Tt1FKbwc9tZN0jAJbvAN86Kw/s288/1.jpg' border='0' width='350' height='233' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Well, it was like waking up in a different world! I think one of my first thoughts was how BIG everything is out here. Soon, after breakfast I headed out to Yellowstone. Its about 60 miles away to the East Entrance, and it's not exactly a quick trip. Especially because I kept getting distracted by the sights from the road and I would have to stop the car to grab a few photos. This area, not far from Cody, is called "Holy City" because it supposedly resembles the ancient city of Jerusalem...<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5654502854874039330'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZRklb-OVGG30OohAOZ2xZd_K6PUA8nGoiIkO4TESY5ykhyWzcv5kCTYz434nBGN_N-z8PPTW0O5EhXBWDGwZ3lDQ3OV2wgyyGBYYDyltOa3O7PBBP13WVbVGLSbPM19JG-U4hUbidNk0/s288/3.jpg' border='0' width='350' height='233' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> <br />Finally, I arrived at Yellowstone. The place is massive. I did the southern part of it, which consisted of a stop at Yellowstone Lake, a short mile hike to Natural Bridge, a lot of steaming boiling water holes and I finally ended up at Old Faithful at about 3:30 in the afternoon. Here are a few of the highlights...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5654502926513839154'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrsGPPmQ3Sy7_o6l99Ho9dWrE1JU3gvPmghEjosKqmyaVoyZav_3CEK5Ii71Ib3lnr1sDFxw3UQ_tXH_xvsypiZir7_bhze0zkcbojCrh5OtiB7vkXsgQYzUdwtr-IRhyphenhyphenHgm71EfYV5U/s288/4.jpg' border='0' width='350' height='233' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5654502968215730018'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3ZGOg6tGaIqyIQQGOXSIn4DHstoUrEbeOQuRBo2Iy_MxK1OfPZQeqzzd6uVurETdvY7VT2yF-6HNUCVNcdsyocxA5FID92tl3J4PBq6-IbPnnsnc8ncYtOb4U_RYHiPHPSuFSukQUcA/s288/5.jpg' border='0' width='350' height='233' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5654503049393592802'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJMIYS_y7j5GTL0e0U_H_7TN_ieJow2Nui85iO2p6ThoiE7A4xfuOk7Scmac5Iquj0PulN2oye00GVguWiByXZATWGskrX_WkIGYwe6-uD3gijpbbSXHBIjkrP5efwBAwc97h-RIIFeo/s288/6.jpg' border='0' width='250' height='374' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5654503167056207330'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPk6slz5GVUAQsaAY5IXwarmXfOVklTq6aLa7E8JfWxBljKrS-zChudHh2TB0QwuIErqTKn_nAT-dNB3bsiy4JQ4sWSLHzf5FMmGvwOxIaLMAC2G4C4VSM6xXI8-cMNcL34Nbw1N7SPbg/s288/7.jpg' border='0' width='350' height='233' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5654503537962715746'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9c5ORLz7drXxidjXocLw5sLOzxLyFq2SQGe8Mm4CDqemjwe39lee1a0pJKDIk9k6RUfQ-si7WyBrfn8UGm02e33wiK-E4v9HIgzlQ5TlOvGQIQwXP46gYjztQVf_UkBOFX8I0NaVIQU/s288/8.jpg' border='0' width='350' height='233' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I stayed for 2 eruptions of the famous geyser and hit the road again at about 6 pm. It was overcast and I was loosing light pretty fast. But it seemed every time I travelled another mile or so, there were more sites to see, so it was pretty slow going and i wasn't going to be able to do the Northern part of the park until another day. Fortunately, my delays put me in the exact right spot when the sun started breaking through after a brief rain. There was an amazing rainbow, that I was taking a picture of as I was driving, looking for a place to pull over. Once I found a spot, the rainbow had already started to fade, but behind me was a breathtaking sunset and a perfect way to cap off my first visit to Yellowstone...<br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5654503574330209010'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi32BqTVUp3AHvPQAL3oa5O04uPDpks8pIM-GenDuNUPh0kWVAVes62TBFr_JRniP1qAusR6zkjv5RHzLIJTr8167XwbjS4pj1CNelW2T0iBspLJ7yfIjOlrnuR8tWqakVsCede-hcOkiw/s288/9.jpg' border='0' width='350' height='233' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />For many of these shots, including the one above, I took multiple exposures, so I can process some "HDR" type shots when I get back. Speaking of getting back, I didn't get back to my motel room until almost midnight, so today I am going to explore Cody, before returning to Yellowstone tomorrow!<br /><br />- Posted from my iPad<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Yellowstone%20National%20Park&z=10'>Yellowstone National Park</a></p>Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-35762349454509037622011-09-18T15:27:00.001-04:002011-09-18T15:27:11.428-04:00Ric's Epic Adventure - Part 1: The Adventure BeginsAfter a very long Summer, my 2 week vacation is finally here. This is the first time I had 2 weeks in a row off since the early '90s, and man, am I pumped!<br /><br />Right now, i'm waiting to get on the first of three flights that will eventually take me to Cody, Wyoming, where I will be trekking to Yellowstone National Park tomorrow. This will be the first of several National Parks I intend to visit and i'm hoping to get a lot of great pictures.<br /><br />Anyway, I seem to have gotten off to a less than auspicious start. As I made my way thru airport security I was told that I was randomly selected for a more thorough search! Maybe I was looking suspicious with my giant backpack filled with photo gear.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5653783394052533090'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoA5uxqpLao-xO_3z6-nJ4DSdfHJjovsnU40mfcD4ZGHJoJG16zbjN0tSaSdAcaGWb5moxnwMsdjzBi-mqIixh0Fw9nXkssb7873_4XnZCJHsM6x3vMUbsMKFkxKyMjh93uf0lZXs77o/s288/3.jpg' border='0' width='350' height='262' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />After making it successfully thru the screening process, I'm told by the kind folks at Continental Airlines that my backpack will probably not fit in the bin, so it is going to have to be gate checked. Not good... Be back soon...<br /><br />On the plane now... It's a smallish commuter to Cleveland. My seat is both a window and an aisle. I was able to move the camera and 3 lenses into my padded messenger bag, so i'm glad I brought it. What I didn't bring was a jacket. I left it in the car when my wife, Diane dropped me off. She called just before I boarded to let me know. It may get down to the 20s in and around Yellowstone so, I may already know what my first purchase will be.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='https://picasaweb.google.com/103183815519241538390/RixFotosBlog?authkey=Gv1sRgCMm0m5L_tIDbWw#5653783405439319138'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjzipSVLWYKIxFnWjsWDNwzcSRg6XPyD7d2nI07VubpYtQUuS0h1UpB5Wt-Ri6ao1pO7GaWGZzWoiRrSqNvmNCC6TeDLvQ9m0RZhlGap9OKU6639bEg0W42RT6lgAnjACCJAfPE80IWA/s288/1.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />That's it for the first report. Just touched down in Cleveland and I have full bars so I'm sending this puppy now! This may be a bit of a learning process since it's the first time blogging from the iPad!<br /><br /><br /><br />- Posted from my iPad<br /><p class='blogpress_location'>Location:<a href='http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Albany%20International%20Airport%20and%20the%20sky!%4042.745642%2C-73.809400&z=10'>Albany International Airport and the sky!</a></p>Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-80295118648212630082011-08-07T14:55:00.002-04:002011-08-09T08:49:55.709-04:00Steeplechase!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqP-bwk2u3iMOwLac9-D4K1qKq9waozkOrPfFY4B3L7dhYLoSzwFvgVzh9eDbCKkA-vI3RCmk18BLSxb14A_36Lr3BBXzF8ujZvdiT-3BCcvymGAEPClatKfQdm15_IC9izXge-bPXano/s1600/Steeplechase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqP-bwk2u3iMOwLac9-D4K1qKq9waozkOrPfFY4B3L7dhYLoSzwFvgVzh9eDbCKkA-vI3RCmk18BLSxb14A_36Lr3BBXzF8ujZvdiT-3BCcvymGAEPClatKfQdm15_IC9izXge-bPXano/s400/Steeplechase.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999; font-size: x-small;"> click on the pix for bigger views!</span></div><br />
Last week's best shot at the track was taken with a remote shutter on a mini tripod sitting in the grass right next to the hurdle where the horses jump for the Steeplechase races! I set up the camera, but it was actually WTEN producer Dave Mink that pushed the button on the remote. I had my hands full with the TV camera. My Canon 7D was set to take continuous shots in rapid succession once the shutter was pressed in the hopes of getting a decent one. Surprisingly, the camera was still going off when I went to retrieve it, even though my pal Dave was no longer pushing the button. Let's just say there were an awful lot of images to erase!<br />
<br />
Besides cropping for more of a panoramic type shot, there was quite a bit of editing done to this photo... Here's the original...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPhwGEbisMH5ayJsmuL3REkHuBuJUvMabGb1CVHo6FHqPyWnzmSK2lgyPsZn4AVVpYv0ShBYZc2NNoIT3degm01bs9c3ehnQGm0GHXJ9OS9vwMOfzRtRONyoVl2qH8bY_lgRg70s49b4/s1600/Steeplechase-orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPhwGEbisMH5ayJsmuL3REkHuBuJUvMabGb1CVHo6FHqPyWnzmSK2lgyPsZn4AVVpYv0ShBYZc2NNoIT3degm01bs9c3ehnQGm0GHXJ9OS9vwMOfzRtRONyoVl2qH8bY_lgRg70s49b4/s400/Steeplechase-orig.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
First off, I increased the saturation in both the sky and the grass and upped the contrast just a little. There was another camera on the ground in front of the banner covering up the C and the H, so I had to get rid of that and rebuild the letters...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUfk8auJVXJkE-zh8S49q6HfBK0HjS0Dj3zpVDt74S_IURQ9gIoEIsGct9dRN1apeO0ILoOCrclw6ug9OwrflUnrjSvYGsglT44eTJATGEGMn4skuYwh9k4ZaGLSGTGDuUh58R_YMCDE/s1600/Steeple-cam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUfk8auJVXJkE-zh8S49q6HfBK0HjS0Dj3zpVDt74S_IURQ9gIoEIsGct9dRN1apeO0ILoOCrclw6ug9OwrflUnrjSvYGsglT44eTJATGEGMn4skuYwh9k4ZaGLSGTGDuUh58R_YMCDE/s400/Steeple-cam.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Next, I cloned out the people's heads that are peaking over the hedge. That's me, Dave Mink and intern Jenna Cottrell under that lead horse...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeVoWB2gq_1U4g94MZjgTfWOoP8lFYyCVDQtv6TmAvAWSSCGaCeHnODPiRwHQVv5DyDvEyk85Ns_VDz8clFd5mSWmp6aGZHMWH8rkeZd_FmqVlSG_4Zg7YDz2YtxnSglntvAcW3YbFUc/s1600/Steeple-Peeps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeVoWB2gq_1U4g94MZjgTfWOoP8lFYyCVDQtv6TmAvAWSSCGaCeHnODPiRwHQVv5DyDvEyk85Ns_VDz8clFd5mSWmp6aGZHMWH8rkeZd_FmqVlSG_4Zg7YDz2YtxnSglntvAcW3YbFUc/s400/Steeple-Peeps.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
There was also a distracting red helmet over the lead horse's hind quarters...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaoPVWb91WhA3HKXcy_dV1g3hluTlX3jjgS198ODYdum97qQyoD2Zyd1kjs7qNxyRNwB2mr7kntPRARsx6pOhYiAqoxvynCe_GyqBkzXDZ8ydWzuiDXBQ6utdwN6_nnhyphenhyphenvVeOGrsuitw/s1600/Steeple-hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaoPVWb91WhA3HKXcy_dV1g3hluTlX3jjgS198ODYdum97qQyoD2Zyd1kjs7qNxyRNwB2mr7kntPRARsx6pOhYiAqoxvynCe_GyqBkzXDZ8ydWzuiDXBQ6utdwN6_nnhyphenhyphenvVeOGrsuitw/s400/Steeple-hat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I got rid of it. For the pic, I think we'll just assume that the jockey on that horse was riding a couple inches lower!<br />
<br />
That's about it. The shot was taken with my 10-22mm lens at f/4.5 at 1/2500 sec with an ISO of 400!<br />
<h1><span class="profileName fn ginormousProfileName fwb"><br />
</span></h1>Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-18363819491703866572011-07-30T16:37:00.025-04:002011-07-30T16:53:43.595-04:00Surviving the Summer of HellFor my day job, I, along with some of my WTEN cohorts have been sentenced to covering all 6 plus weeks at the Saratoga Race Course' 2011 season. Everyday we come up with track related stories for the news and have to be done in time to man the cameras for LIVE coverage from 4 to the end of the news at 6:30.<br />
<br />
Last week leading up to opening day, we dealt with a heat wave with hot and humid temps well into the 90s. We got to conclude our first official week with a heavy downpour. Most work days have ended up being between 10-12 hours long and sometimes I actually forget what day of the week it actually is! Its like the hot and sweaty version of Groundhog Day, except in the movie Bill Murray awoke every day to Sonny and Cher singing "I Got You Babe." At the track, they play Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind" at the end of the final race, usually about the time we are getting for our last LIVE hit. This will go on until the track closes for the season on Labor Day, which right now, seems an incredibly long way off. Thank God for the overtime which will help pay for a 2 week vacation I have coming up toward the end of September. Right now, I just have to survive until then!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUyB9sTCGrJV6qyyPqPBTwQG0Y_E4EStYMjkJQDUy3mfZkaEWMxmPY4c71zqY3G29VYS4ahP_m-njEER80WhcbpV4NPxjpz6_Cj2Jw1t5SzDqm0VJhjaSDlShb8UndZLZZ93s1jAYyDo/s1600/Photo+Jul+30%252C+3+55+20+PM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqUyB9sTCGrJV6qyyPqPBTwQG0Y_E4EStYMjkJQDUy3mfZkaEWMxmPY4c71zqY3G29VYS4ahP_m-njEER80WhcbpV4NPxjpz6_Cj2Jw1t5SzDqm0VJhjaSDlShb8UndZLZZ93s1jAYyDo/s400/Photo+Jul+30%252C+3+55+20+PM.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Shot taken by intrepid reporter Christine O'Donnell of Ric Easton trying to stay cool at his camera perch</span></div><br />
Anyway, to try and keep my sanity throughout this seemingly endless gig, I am grabbing my DSLR and snapping shots whenever I get a free minute. Hopefully, every once in awhile, I'll get something pretty good. <br />
<br />
The best shot of this first full week of racing is from under the rail during Wednesday's first race. Since photographers are not allowed right next to the rail during a race, I set the camera on a small tripod and had to use a remote trigger to fire off the shot. Went with my wide 10-22 lens to get the rail in the shot. Here it is...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhbga-8rZoxuEO2imXOIuoX-fd3LMbzpe0wtFy0pvwehFSVUnBT9GwR1F-oon9_DY9osx90HMLzTegJphtukOGOQ2q40tBZW7zSu61TU2DNmVO6PvwJYxK2ZoK7KxtR3zB3RDj8PwBEA/s1600/IMG_22641-a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUhbga-8rZoxuEO2imXOIuoX-fd3LMbzpe0wtFy0pvwehFSVUnBT9GwR1F-oon9_DY9osx90HMLzTegJphtukOGOQ2q40tBZW7zSu61TU2DNmVO6PvwJYxK2ZoK7KxtR3zB3RDj8PwBEA/s400/IMG_22641-a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
It was pretty much hit or miss, there were a lot of shots with horses either just leaving or entering the frame. This was one of the few that seemed framed perfectly. I do wish the horses and the jockeys were a little sharper. I probably should have gone for a faster shutter speed, as 1/400th of a second may not have been enough!Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-40363170757287231982011-07-23T10:07:00.000-04:002011-07-23T10:07:37.704-04:00The Painters' TruckSpent all week up at the Saratoga Race Track (for my real job as a videographer for News 10). It was a HOT week. Temps in the 90s, 3 days in a row. Expected to be there again today.<br />
<br />
Anyway, a lot of folks were working in the heat, getting things ready for yesterday's Opening Day. These painters had been touching up the infield and had finally called it quits at about 3 in the afternoon on Thursday...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgft8rqbEbJtdqVHKjg_IFTWi9QtHo-ydZ29KJAppN-WpSNeBrbBM2wwqcWXvwsxPiR4gb7yqD8vA1QDo8ZKYI2VxQpbeNWdK1iYB0SMIcuIgEZlq3kAqNvd-RlXShiZ-AFldBo1t8lp3o/s1600/IMG_8414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgft8rqbEbJtdqVHKjg_IFTWi9QtHo-ydZ29KJAppN-WpSNeBrbBM2wwqcWXvwsxPiR4gb7yqD8vA1QDo8ZKYI2VxQpbeNWdK1iYB0SMIcuIgEZlq3kAqNvd-RlXShiZ-AFldBo1t8lp3o/s400/IMG_8414.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
What I found fascinating was their truck. Old, rusted and paint speckled, it was a thing of beauty...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyk7E0I1y1IcLUEuvMc7MpcJQa0m1tQoQM93PAu4-GaysOdKNMURmmQAQYvmH0TwnpVArMor_ykYwiguNHSnv4FgV9R4H7n-LXoCdeOU9Sl0wU5Qlgj_7XpCv-5siVyv4yzHR5b8F97U/s1600/Truck-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyk7E0I1y1IcLUEuvMc7MpcJQa0m1tQoQM93PAu4-GaysOdKNMURmmQAQYvmH0TwnpVArMor_ykYwiguNHSnv4FgV9R4H7n-LXoCdeOU9Sl0wU5Qlgj_7XpCv-5siVyv4yzHR5b8F97U/s400/Truck-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wReBZOeCYMA7lwosnJYZXPv4p36giCKEnCHC8BM8iCs5plkwAtcxWKaie-VOtV4EgF33f2IkdjLWiIdlPLl93kLUXyejihVVeWvoBKe29-L9TEHSRxb21aBWZGqCkq85fXeVqVuypJA/s1600/Truck-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wReBZOeCYMA7lwosnJYZXPv4p36giCKEnCHC8BM8iCs5plkwAtcxWKaie-VOtV4EgF33f2IkdjLWiIdlPLl93kLUXyejihVVeWvoBKe29-L9TEHSRxb21aBWZGqCkq85fXeVqVuypJA/s400/Truck-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I had actually wanted to get a shot of the 2 guys with the truck, but they were not really in the mood to pose for pictures. So I settled for reporter Christine O'Donnell and Sports Anchor, Drew Brill!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMu3-NbGFV8HyQbTeZVtjBOsVNZf7_-jA2L9d_tkZ48pu3nZKBpkx9aHqFTdL9eb3ASnFFKkYZxxaCj8xQkxq29GD8Wfqx8jqz4UMD5wReUWOBVAKofXkjAIXWB1WAVJBYmyCB9fHRvEo/s1600/Truck-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMu3-NbGFV8HyQbTeZVtjBOsVNZf7_-jA2L9d_tkZ48pu3nZKBpkx9aHqFTdL9eb3ASnFFKkYZxxaCj8xQkxq29GD8Wfqx8jqz4UMD5wReUWOBVAKofXkjAIXWB1WAVJBYmyCB9fHRvEo/s400/Truck-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Click on any of the pix for a bigger view!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Check out the main site at <a href="http://www.rixfotos.com/">www.RixFotos.com</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"Like" the Facebook page <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/RixFotoscom/127100628219">here!</a></div>Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-47736196148538291082011-07-10T17:39:00.005-04:002011-07-10T18:51:00.152-04:00And... they're off!Well, the 2011 season at the track is still a couple of weeks away, but me and my pal, John Nilsen of <a href="http://web.me.com/johnnilsenstudios/Site/Blog/Entries/2011/7/10_Saratoga_Racetrack.html">John Nilsen Studios</a> headed up to get some pix. We were up there on Saturday afternoon scoping things out in and around the town and track and returned before sunrise this morning to get the horses on their early morning workout.<br />
<br />
Took some HDR pix of the track as the sun was coming up and I'm amazed at some of the colors that show up. Some of which don't seem to go together. Maybe its time to back off and go for a more naturalistic approach. Anyway, here's a sampling and don't forget to check out John's stuff <a href="http://web.me.com/johnnilsenstudios/Site/Blog/Entries/2011/7/10_Saratoga_Racetrack.html">right here!</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQFJ-sXReRHpot_qJTM9Fej-oAus2ddkCRr_VuizoJDXVBITFRrAT5h2KF3xMqd2bdFG8mcTLZNG1cvhhci4bSWidORDXH6f7qbEVIE-VN9S6weyM6U-SFXVkt3klKtJKVH9xfnWKaRk/s1600/IMG_7597_8_9_tonemapped-a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQFJ-sXReRHpot_qJTM9Fej-oAus2ddkCRr_VuizoJDXVBITFRrAT5h2KF3xMqd2bdFG8mcTLZNG1cvhhci4bSWidORDXH6f7qbEVIE-VN9S6weyM6U-SFXVkt3klKtJKVH9xfnWKaRk/s400/IMG_7597_8_9_tonemapped-a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">One of the main gates at the Track</span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOMogLs5tqdkdywoS5fU7Ueeci3B0owCpUIXAbGAFQHyOlYKtq6EkZO1CfUSxnOAVrTzUpwYWSGl5r_IsGCJFVc4ShsvitPwbrGTL1796jrwPBmXub5OBgY8miNB3LQIsbFvqHFQlpDs/s1600/IMG_7696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOMogLs5tqdkdywoS5fU7Ueeci3B0owCpUIXAbGAFQHyOlYKtq6EkZO1CfUSxnOAVrTzUpwYWSGl5r_IsGCJFVc4ShsvitPwbrGTL1796jrwPBmXub5OBgY8miNB3LQIsbFvqHFQlpDs/s400/IMG_7696.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The shot of this street in Downtown Saratoga is supposed to emulate the selective focus that those tilt shift lenses can do. The effect often makes the subject look like it may have been a toy model. This was created in Photoshop, since I don't have any of those tilt shift lenses!</span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPc2Apw7BAMmuld6gtLL_gL1scAx_SxlgbXbwljDym7wRYUQT1ErY4yTGyMu2qNfsK3GTQE-f9sohepmHwIYTATiRUmFTyfyF5SddohhsPnsjatXShKTm0Lal5BYHnrSP4gnSzSrb7WI/s1600/IMG_21199-a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPc2Apw7BAMmuld6gtLL_gL1scAx_SxlgbXbwljDym7wRYUQT1ErY4yTGyMu2qNfsK3GTQE-f9sohepmHwIYTATiRUmFTyfyF5SddohhsPnsjatXShKTm0Lal5BYHnrSP4gnSzSrb7WI/s400/IMG_21199-a.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Here, I'm on the ground looking up through the starting gate at one of the camera towers at the track.</span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJwe6TWMBskIU-BvBiMt1F4KrmbuwfZAYI8VFNqjGj2bqzjkpPcJ73ARe1DQhGw-lQX528RuWFGQLGBy6sR8IpxiubqVLHhn_9IU4fJ7JgctFEBS7y86Hzoy38Rit7Yn8SAgf5T_hYwU/s1600/IMG_21239_40_41_tonemapped-a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikJwe6TWMBskIU-BvBiMt1F4KrmbuwfZAYI8VFNqjGj2bqzjkpPcJ73ARe1DQhGw-lQX528RuWFGQLGBy6sR8IpxiubqVLHhn_9IU4fJ7JgctFEBS7y86Hzoy38Rit7Yn8SAgf5T_hYwU/s400/IMG_21239_40_41_tonemapped-a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Carousel at Congress Park</span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvB-OkkM9AdleNapcAsItGYWFUBcFtSKDhGgfiddoyE6gYHyNj_E6RBWWBki0FFeF77HDjUo4trtkTJUowHmPT0HgENbmgxXn9ITEc6IiRUmjY3gh-1QM3UF1tcMvrAOSIMN6MzXGTXYA/s1600/IMG_21435-a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvB-OkkM9AdleNapcAsItGYWFUBcFtSKDhGgfiddoyE6gYHyNj_E6RBWWBki0FFeF77HDjUo4trtkTJUowHmPT0HgENbmgxXn9ITEc6IiRUmjY3gh-1QM3UF1tcMvrAOSIMN6MzXGTXYA/s400/IMG_21435-a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_u950K5jyfRQ2yJ4CmuIpS-zm_ENd_29QjMHhyphenhyphengYN3AnlP-P_HsBjEtUAhu6UCAexhtqfI5516k3MD0SXlqmVTvk1cJRoDLupYwZ9Cfiw97Ij8OKcs3cN4LhmEzDGtuL8Nda8KV1C-ag/s1600/IMG_21320_1_2_tonemapped-a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_u950K5jyfRQ2yJ4CmuIpS-zm_ENd_29QjMHhyphenhyphengYN3AnlP-P_HsBjEtUAhu6UCAexhtqfI5516k3MD0SXlqmVTvk1cJRoDLupYwZ9Cfiw97Ij8OKcs3cN4LhmEzDGtuL8Nda8KV1C-ag/s640/IMG_21320_1_2_tonemapped-a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0u03K-1bi6AqidGbVNmzSJoldjdrXErbGuPN2k5PMTNVd9kP5ywcNHZv5AHIyTO9ZaQpMBKyUPLzRxnqH7xXBQudJYeehFnGXmU03GUPesE1ydZ0A90-HQAPmylBLZDZKjiamQOSPyw/s1600/IMG_21424a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL0u03K-1bi6AqidGbVNmzSJoldjdrXErbGuPN2k5PMTNVd9kP5ywcNHZv5AHIyTO9ZaQpMBKyUPLzRxnqH7xXBQudJYeehFnGXmU03GUPesE1ydZ0A90-HQAPmylBLZDZKjiamQOSPyw/s640/IMG_21424a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxTJvpkF0bNe5kfHIvFosgJ-2xVt9PDXx_cJfUM-mzRn7NrzdXmjKNiPh49CQ8QZ6Ftsm5agpjh4LkWKF5kWfkhS90-AIuzfKArGxShISJBV_YHYVnALhmWDaT53fkj28S6ep95qWPM0/s1600/IMG_21743_4_5_tonemapped-a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxTJvpkF0bNe5kfHIvFosgJ-2xVt9PDXx_cJfUM-mzRn7NrzdXmjKNiPh49CQ8QZ6Ftsm5agpjh4LkWKF5kWfkhS90-AIuzfKArGxShISJBV_YHYVnALhmWDaT53fkj28S6ep95qWPM0/s640/IMG_21743_4_5_tonemapped-a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKseU4x-sq6Gr1UYvWOhcq7JL5V9E1AgEWZfLya8XXDbmIpa_tARBT9n10_NLxOX8GwTc8dwnfGERB6aHTaA6UQrmntXPWB6WJUh9Rv5sioDR56sdkLp4F8PfuaXOGXHaj69E2Act7q4/s1600/IMG_21349_50_51_tonemapped-a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKseU4x-sq6Gr1UYvWOhcq7JL5V9E1AgEWZfLya8XXDbmIpa_tARBT9n10_NLxOX8GwTc8dwnfGERB6aHTaA6UQrmntXPWB6WJUh9Rv5sioDR56sdkLp4F8PfuaXOGXHaj69E2Act7q4/s640/IMG_21349_50_51_tonemapped-a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-47590402211734132242011-07-06T08:31:00.002-04:002011-07-06T08:33:11.766-04:00Happy 5th of July! (on the 6th!)The day after the big fireworks party on the Plaza, all was calm and quiet as the sun headed down. Knocked off a couple of shots with the wide angle lens, gave it a little HDR treatment with Photomatix and got rid of some bothersome lens flare in Photoshop.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCe5cA70JN_qsO-Dv1MRVRbivn7HF1jz72eNAedUdrORC6NrBtZQkbdNlDW7G1FhOjvvL8sdGB_MjUeqQtS3z63p5DxkEVxwDvLrKx2f3-QQ2rFYClzss-Q3tRpx1geGxQdoYVnOzOuk/s1600/Sunset_on_the_Plaza_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCe5cA70JN_qsO-Dv1MRVRbivn7HF1jz72eNAedUdrORC6NrBtZQkbdNlDW7G1FhOjvvL8sdGB_MjUeqQtS3z63p5DxkEVxwDvLrKx2f3-QQ2rFYClzss-Q3tRpx1geGxQdoYVnOzOuk/s400/Sunset_on_the_Plaza_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7GOy9XULfFpZLlqiwZlQ0HMYrZxpiA1gbDg_ooa9_-SG6hOSFbGC-Uka6EI3Tr7s86x-PJPypoHDvv9Yiy7UbISeN_-N05yl6i2QBX7R3NqujPbRcmcOelxA360x7ZDRiDJiuZvuQfs/s1600/Sunset_on_the_Plaza_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7GOy9XULfFpZLlqiwZlQ0HMYrZxpiA1gbDg_ooa9_-SG6hOSFbGC-Uka6EI3Tr7s86x-PJPypoHDvv9Yiy7UbISeN_-N05yl6i2QBX7R3NqujPbRcmcOelxA360x7ZDRiDJiuZvuQfs/s400/Sunset_on_the_Plaza_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAoGd7I3wBhUB3iidwPI_HmgGk260DP4fJmhupJ3YE4a0WE9sPYXbCN7kWgKI7hh2UBwdHiOozilYAdo8rVFjPezCxtiKSGQueO1fOU3YPD2sK8Pc3turxf2g-1rqND-61GrpgaAxhiWQ/s1600/IMG_8357-500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-9357385094005586882011-07-05T10:13:00.000-04:002011-07-05T10:13:35.374-04:00Happy Independence Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TPNxPglbW8g2g3thM936PurbRAdBEiYb-Zg5LakKgbPceWTNljEVqGbuUV750MECyWQb9fQvU5hv30K0k9-Jn2dICOT52wjur31I-CD0IJO_3T-Qt89YQWxR4NxkW1n1cp3HESgRXjQ/s1600/Fw-2011-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TPNxPglbW8g2g3thM936PurbRAdBEiYb-Zg5LakKgbPceWTNljEVqGbuUV750MECyWQb9fQvU5hv30K0k9-Jn2dICOT52wjur31I-CD0IJO_3T-Qt89YQWxR4NxkW1n1cp3HESgRXjQ/s400/Fw-2011-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHzoGe0U27mhZFZzCTbLqykJUuOhGjRCeV_RWGN6OFFSwNUWWhAzkwOb9uMtKu7bxUp1zJn55P39SkF-BTZpumDV0r5M5nLxVNwyw0ZeOEG5FsIfkBPaAagGlsArzP1S5HMdHqBXYgOw/s1600/Fw-2011-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHzoGe0U27mhZFZzCTbLqykJUuOhGjRCeV_RWGN6OFFSwNUWWhAzkwOb9uMtKu7bxUp1zJn55P39SkF-BTZpumDV0r5M5nLxVNwyw0ZeOEG5FsIfkBPaAagGlsArzP1S5HMdHqBXYgOw/s400/Fw-2011-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05pGiLKY6pLrncfAwoTsIqK2Zh8REcwneO4z-0Te_VJdl16oGvs4vL6DVDlW5wuWc9ZGuca4JbiTqGlqJqqMQggvP1st-GPwZGGBR6qw03JZjeiXt842D3NEbrCYOH1I2kShNrs7AQP8/s1600/Fw-2011-3w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05pGiLKY6pLrncfAwoTsIqK2Zh8REcwneO4z-0Te_VJdl16oGvs4vL6DVDlW5wuWc9ZGuca4JbiTqGlqJqqMQggvP1st-GPwZGGBR6qw03JZjeiXt842D3NEbrCYOH1I2kShNrs7AQP8/s400/Fw-2011-3w.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><br />
Every 4th of July, I try to find a different spot to take shots of the amazing fireworks display at Empire State Plaza. This year a couple of my potential locations fell through (could not get on top of the buildings I wanted to!) and I was thinking of skipping the shoot. However, yesterday, I decided that I really didn't want to miss this once a year event. So after work (yes, I had to work yesterday), I started scrambling. <br />
<br />
As I was crossing over the Hudson River into Rensselaer, I noticed the bridge work that was being done and one of the lanes was closed. I swung over into the closed lane, got out of the car and had a pretty decent view. However, it seemed like a fairly dangerous location and with folks rubbernecking, they might not have noticed me. There was also a good chance that the cops would have spotted me and kicked me out. Somewhat regretfully, I rejected the location.<br />
<br />
After checking out some other spots from across the river I headed further up into Rensselaer and came across some folks that had an amazing view of the Plaza. I had actually taken a skyline shot from there almost 20 years ago, before there were any houses. Its such a great view that every year they host a Fourth of July viewing party with their friends and family. They graciously granted me permission to set up and shoot the show! I'm not gonna reveal the exact location, because I'm sure they think their annual 4th blowout is big enough! But, I just wanted to say thank you for letting me crash your party! Oh, and I owe you an enlargement of your favorite shot!<br />
<br />
Click on any of the photos above for a bigger view!Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-12699333195327254902011-06-20T21:12:00.000-04:002011-06-20T21:12:33.176-04:00Same place, different wedding...Two weeks after I assisted my friend, Elaine shooting a wedding at the Glen Sander's Mansion in Scotia, I returned there (this time Elaine helping me out) for another wedding shoot. It was a very nice wedding and a fun day... even though I had just been stricken with the dreaded Lyme Disease! The day after the shoot I thought I had the flu. If only! I've been on antibiotics since and feel much better. They caught it early, so no biggie!<br />
<br />
Anyway here are some of my favorite shots from Maria and Chris's special day!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMOoSdefzIOkV3z3-bclbPPkQeieNGRYWloHUhSbWnlZoZ6Pr-gCO9G054Em3WgbLxX7QeDZ6rNC7J2zl2P_v4WlVBG4S7HGo1UoxL-9FTA_QYnZJPzqEa-7w-x8LQi-Q6DKINa4StTg/s1600/06-04-11_0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMOoSdefzIOkV3z3-bclbPPkQeieNGRYWloHUhSbWnlZoZ6Pr-gCO9G054Em3WgbLxX7QeDZ6rNC7J2zl2P_v4WlVBG4S7HGo1UoxL-9FTA_QYnZJPzqEa-7w-x8LQi-Q6DKINa4StTg/s400/06-04-11_0010.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtSOU1JWnQA1eZOs6VRO6E1Vuhyzr9ncXPx5utKY6OR2fmRFdU8E_52bwkxA4CHSYWmvy_reUBcnfNRyHm6podRgk96MQM4ZWpUUdVxkI6V05caDJIN8sUL574r9BfCrJsrVnwcdMz-M/s1600/06-04-11_0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMtSOU1JWnQA1eZOs6VRO6E1Vuhyzr9ncXPx5utKY6OR2fmRFdU8E_52bwkxA4CHSYWmvy_reUBcnfNRyHm6podRgk96MQM4ZWpUUdVxkI6V05caDJIN8sUL574r9BfCrJsrVnwcdMz-M/s400/06-04-11_0066.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCm4xcF9oOJZuc5s12iDkbujRSQx1yhvJoMf1gid69U3o-yJ3YR0-VIbjABXXGeVYJtUCYGeca3FWQPW97oD-d37x1_f-OHzAzOS91gH5_7nhfAv4jidd6f_LhaePk_0lNNAqdeK1oUU/s1600/IMG_0915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCm4xcF9oOJZuc5s12iDkbujRSQx1yhvJoMf1gid69U3o-yJ3YR0-VIbjABXXGeVYJtUCYGeca3FWQPW97oD-d37x1_f-OHzAzOS91gH5_7nhfAv4jidd6f_LhaePk_0lNNAqdeK1oUU/s400/IMG_0915.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSdJC82m1t-NfO_oJrwEixcsyxLdyiLhGNfzMpWc5kBURH-HY_O6maCjwNM6CqLrVN4HrEqyeW861KPkLV5B_gDuxmo6ZAG5uZWz8YIlqsUc8RwpVJ49C-8A68pXWeZt_m1aZ56F4cU0/s1600/06-04-11_0742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSdJC82m1t-NfO_oJrwEixcsyxLdyiLhGNfzMpWc5kBURH-HY_O6maCjwNM6CqLrVN4HrEqyeW861KPkLV5B_gDuxmo6ZAG5uZWz8YIlqsUc8RwpVJ49C-8A68pXWeZt_m1aZ56F4cU0/s400/06-04-11_0742.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPGI3k1TWFuSvQ_jJ8PptNCksnCSdTuwewjnEMDVsyyPViBlG6YLlqykoEd8V9NeAj7pFvAAxEhsskncScQqgKx7NHzh0ZCnfDiK3KO-Zr-Hi05ea6SYlyI28d651J4qSSSez9YBDPnE/s1600/06-04-11_0748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMPGI3k1TWFuSvQ_jJ8PptNCksnCSdTuwewjnEMDVsyyPViBlG6YLlqykoEd8V9NeAj7pFvAAxEhsskncScQqgKx7NHzh0ZCnfDiK3KO-Zr-Hi05ea6SYlyI28d651J4qSSSez9YBDPnE/s400/06-04-11_0748.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtBG96fBPaUx_FYAi4SDXB-BKxq2ZoUaAGliRlb-8jyoGWBgiEDVxSrXdm_xJ4hFxIXrbPUiIFBKUFs7uSfiwR2TqtR5cOOtfZ8jY74JEBWtkwY-7ci0YBYmHsbXAGtHzPxiiU9OcFnM/s1600/06-04-11_0704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtBG96fBPaUx_FYAi4SDXB-BKxq2ZoUaAGliRlb-8jyoGWBgiEDVxSrXdm_xJ4hFxIXrbPUiIFBKUFs7uSfiwR2TqtR5cOOtfZ8jY74JEBWtkwY-7ci0YBYmHsbXAGtHzPxiiU9OcFnM/s640/06-04-11_0704.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioz64tktDpcP7J3yhD2oTC6Z0x7YQ4t5M_6X468QEZuNnNUZ1h7ypgO7XVQEP5T0XVYWQAYJRbWS_qGPPHkiugXH6uKHMz8-NCIvZFh1XRA2gVHhMZZDyB6zBQjDG7R13HmXEIN48Lz68/s1600/06-04-11_1043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioz64tktDpcP7J3yhD2oTC6Z0x7YQ4t5M_6X468QEZuNnNUZ1h7ypgO7XVQEP5T0XVYWQAYJRbWS_qGPPHkiugXH6uKHMz8-NCIvZFh1XRA2gVHhMZZDyB6zBQjDG7R13HmXEIN48Lz68/s400/06-04-11_1043.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRNrA37G9sz6O4KDQaeO5b4xFM3GyKqWpiEEdEIfTk2Tjg5TBbwYtPKRMEZSgDtz2bwNWn9wibAAIBc77FUlytdAcyVrpkB5JmDJZlocemQJu-8jzSgG-aUUFcMJyJ29YCMo8nbVsDuM/s1600/IMG_7092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRNrA37G9sz6O4KDQaeO5b4xFM3GyKqWpiEEdEIfTk2Tjg5TBbwYtPKRMEZSgDtz2bwNWn9wibAAIBc77FUlytdAcyVrpkB5JmDJZlocemQJu-8jzSgG-aUUFcMJyJ29YCMo8nbVsDuM/s400/IMG_7092.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-58527826550598342612011-05-25T15:58:00.000-04:002011-05-25T15:58:44.921-04:00Capitaland in HDR<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsJidTHm4hOlDgOSUAleyMjllkHw6qYceMoiT1gVGUkt19mXA9ia6Lj6ox0d1itg6QwLA9vFjd6q-DAmQriBU7eT-1zaZwhgixmFlcxkXSeAQzi0bWgpsLyI-cUxEV1VJ6Ix0y_NRYvk/s1600/Albany-HDR-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsJidTHm4hOlDgOSUAleyMjllkHw6qYceMoiT1gVGUkt19mXA9ia6Lj6ox0d1itg6QwLA9vFjd6q-DAmQriBU7eT-1zaZwhgixmFlcxkXSeAQzi0bWgpsLyI-cUxEV1VJ6Ix0y_NRYvk/s400/Albany-HDR-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Today, I found a new perch for a shot of Albany (click on the pic for a bigger view). This is from the roof of a new(ish) office building on Broadway. I really like the new view. Instead of just the iconic Empire State Plaza, you can see much more of Albany's varied architecture. It looks like a real city! Although, I'd like it better when they finally get that crane away from the Capitol Building. The above shot is an HDR image of 5 different exposures combined. This may become one of my favorite spots and I'll have to check it out during different times of day. Below is the original exposure...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuin59jEbdbIILdU_nivKtSwr5I3M85TV_e9uzkL6QZOELF6JiuL5ONmCwzvs9z_rWPr1lXjqU1QUy01noKPqr9l2AAd5I-Vu1Okbgk7tDUUmpCyn_KSslakJUBvCcoWU_MukR3eF9ro/s1600/IMG_0119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuin59jEbdbIILdU_nivKtSwr5I3M85TV_e9uzkL6QZOELF6JiuL5ONmCwzvs9z_rWPr1lXjqU1QUy01noKPqr9l2AAd5I-Vu1Okbgk7tDUUmpCyn_KSslakJUBvCcoWU_MukR3eF9ro/s400/IMG_0119.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsJidTHm4hOlDgOSUAleyMjllkHw6qYceMoiT1gVGUkt19mXA9ia6Lj6ox0d1itg6QwLA9vFjd6q-DAmQriBU7eT-1zaZwhgixmFlcxkXSeAQzi0bWgpsLyI-cUxEV1VJ6Ix0y_NRYvk/s1600/Albany-HDR-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-2763169348566745702011-05-22T20:44:00.000-04:002011-05-22T20:44:39.854-04:00Wedding season...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7Uo0piYbWt03e-3Yogs8Q_kj9eihpD9_u0MOVfy8FrtJ02zRWCRuquyd4UkwEjc6OK2SZTE5S3xJvqz9S1-0f5Q_Qrr0R1-yTg_yBElZ6-v__GIXfYssHbrgfv41kCQNJ1VUQWO-YMM/s1600/May-Wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7Uo0piYbWt03e-3Yogs8Q_kj9eihpD9_u0MOVfy8FrtJ02zRWCRuquyd4UkwEjc6OK2SZTE5S3xJvqz9S1-0f5Q_Qrr0R1-yTg_yBElZ6-v__GIXfYssHbrgfv41kCQNJ1VUQWO-YMM/s400/May-Wedding.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Assisted the very talented Elaine Ciccarelli in a wedding shoot this weekend. My first of the year. I was the second camera, trying for those more candid moments. Here's one of 'em. Another shoot in 2 weeks... I'm gonna have to find more comfortable shoes!Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-23687547747086611032011-05-15T10:48:00.000-04:002011-05-15T10:48:43.148-04:00Bringing out the beauty in Albany's CathedralRecently, Albany's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception underwent a huge restoration. As a matter of fact the outside of the renewal project is still going on. Inside, the place is stunning. But its hard in a photograph to bring out the true beauty of the place. There are a lot of details that you can see with the naked eye (as you adjust to the darker areas) that is kind of tough for the camera to pick up. At least in a single shot. So, I thought this might be a good subject for the an HDR (High Dynamic Range) photo.<br />
<br />
Again, the idea for HDR is to bring up the shadows and calm down the highlights using numerous exposures. Here's a before and after (click on the pix to make them bigger)...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgS3M66QhtkK-U-I_FqAkeehyubTOeBqEebKyyq5tDuZ9a7VVWr12vNbXvJ2TZW5jD08Ma7yHKDCPVgY1YlknpP94diXfrZJnsS5WoQE5RnljyofWqXejExvxXRYdGL7megVQ3HLao9eA/s1600/Blog-Cath-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgS3M66QhtkK-U-I_FqAkeehyubTOeBqEebKyyq5tDuZ9a7VVWr12vNbXvJ2TZW5jD08Ma7yHKDCPVgY1YlknpP94diXfrZJnsS5WoQE5RnljyofWqXejExvxXRYdGL7megVQ3HLao9eA/s400/Blog-Cath-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
To get all the detail I needed I made a total of 7 shots. In addition to the first exposure (the before picture above), I made 6 more shots at varying degrees of under and over exposure. Then, using a program called Photomatix, all 7 shots were merged into a single image...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWa6wZ60oPO9ZbFF-OSdyWsDqbALYpahdOM8cfqCXkH9Y6YuqOBNEX5UmcrXtPEKgj2U9xmodC6y6PcAZYKm_4Gr0WNz4WnI-yD-vI1fRm5oQlStpiY3veGL4dBe4MRnfq-0hNrJMvtGM/s1600/Blog-Cath-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWa6wZ60oPO9ZbFF-OSdyWsDqbALYpahdOM8cfqCXkH9Y6YuqOBNEX5UmcrXtPEKgj2U9xmodC6y6PcAZYKm_4Gr0WNz4WnI-yD-vI1fRm5oQlStpiY3veGL4dBe4MRnfq-0hNrJMvtGM/s400/Blog-Cath-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
After the processing the image looks a little flat, so then I went into Photoshop for some additional tweaking, upping the contrast and adjusting the colors and saturation a bit. I was happy with the final product. You can see a bunch of detail in the brickwork, and the bright light from the stained glass windows is not blown out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3IOxAI_9ii0AiZPkQ8FJPBfXcCCBSsqU_8idDqy9UhbMi4tBEmwNpYpDLZfNZGJxKyoB1yNmFx5zkG7gNmMPdhg52uyyHlj47IYkZIabGvxu60wtV2ybF4RH7gFhuHM9fXaQ0WMYGBM/s1600/Blog-Cath-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3IOxAI_9ii0AiZPkQ8FJPBfXcCCBSsqU_8idDqy9UhbMi4tBEmwNpYpDLZfNZGJxKyoB1yNmFx5zkG7gNmMPdhg52uyyHlj47IYkZIabGvxu60wtV2ybF4RH7gFhuHM9fXaQ0WMYGBM/s640/Blog-Cath-3.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br />
<br />
After I took that first shot(s), I tried again with a much wider view. I put on my 10-22mm lens and zoomed out to get as wide a shot as possible....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfevYCqYwjlQOQ3LeynDA7pFTBPPeH04UKLe2wFY0ZzkBOfB1TUcugg5t_mN5onmsa8OqNjnwU0NY2u_lmR5aJZRmfLp3SwdHbI-4ETBaRMyETUzIe_yCylCdbf0IApvUjTZuTAx2Dzo/s1600/Blog-Cath-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfevYCqYwjlQOQ3LeynDA7pFTBPPeH04UKLe2wFY0ZzkBOfB1TUcugg5t_mN5onmsa8OqNjnwU0NY2u_lmR5aJZRmfLp3SwdHbI-4ETBaRMyETUzIe_yCylCdbf0IApvUjTZuTAx2Dzo/s400/Blog-Cath-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I wasn't quite all the way in the back, but fairly close to it. As you can see, because I am using the super-wide lens, I have some perspective distortion going on with the pillars. So after again combining 7 shots, I also used the Lens Correction tool in Photoshop to straighten things out...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht08tg0ahzjzEq1hrBUDOA6vLCbU7qYGlplBzAiwXuA4ise2zDyJo6ICZYLSueT8qgb9cqeVPscd4p94cCr_JmBF-Nl8oVZP6-Y0mqwONlglIP3UkH-g8uJdpD6CnHay1N3Ae2fv0qtrU/s1600/Blog-Cath-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht08tg0ahzjzEq1hrBUDOA6vLCbU7qYGlplBzAiwXuA4ise2zDyJo6ICZYLSueT8qgb9cqeVPscd4p94cCr_JmBF-Nl8oVZP6-Y0mqwONlglIP3UkH-g8uJdpD6CnHay1N3Ae2fv0qtrU/s400/Blog-Cath-5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Now, as I was going on to the next step of tweaking up the contrast, etc... there were two little details in the shot that bothered me (they were also in the first vertical shot). There were two large electric fans toward the front of the church. I cloned them out as best as I could...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84uVuPqQyOLt8qhP4OKZaLyKZveqHgZHqP8bYVz216ccBp67je8xZjzpI2JlQ9eXBXewUmlNpyqeQOZxRblFN8nrH_6Ypaxb6wurM9sY5WBKG9QoHEKzESw86hLfjJlcYMGXO01QrCKI/s1600/Blog-Cath-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj84uVuPqQyOLt8qhP4OKZaLyKZveqHgZHqP8bYVz216ccBp67je8xZjzpI2JlQ9eXBXewUmlNpyqeQOZxRblFN8nrH_6Ypaxb6wurM9sY5WBKG9QoHEKzESw86hLfjJlcYMGXO01QrCKI/s400/Blog-Cath-6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Again, after the final tweaking, I was pretty happy with the final result. Click on this final pic for a fairly large view...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0RdX96CIqoqlPY1_hXbSuH9454yg6ALrRs9fGO3z_2QYcTdZ4u7qmLQS2TwgGIxVYOzfI1y_J-TL_IsPe747aVnIbTMTBhBWTKRfcvb699IF4917T6YRMKW0lAim9JWESSwOIAiy3jo/s1600/Blog-Cath-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj0RdX96CIqoqlPY1_hXbSuH9454yg6ALrRs9fGO3z_2QYcTdZ4u7qmLQS2TwgGIxVYOzfI1y_J-TL_IsPe747aVnIbTMTBhBWTKRfcvb699IF4917T6YRMKW0lAim9JWESSwOIAiy3jo/s640/Blog-Cath-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6544821320187886417.post-68694519604909742452011-05-11T20:47:00.000-04:002011-05-13T16:42:02.826-04:00Star Trails... 1st attempt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8WegOWrF1e9GaUC78qIDHrX7fqzN0IrOP-uYeRF_5Q3h38aX838KlkxAEK-IG3wpG29sFhSwT7xqd31eHDwIocnEkQtF2pPzjDUfi-j5Rb2kCQhXE8byiwR9QRND06XuHQTIWQ93Lt0/s1600/Stars-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA8WegOWrF1e9GaUC78qIDHrX7fqzN0IrOP-uYeRF_5Q3h38aX838KlkxAEK-IG3wpG29sFhSwT7xqd31eHDwIocnEkQtF2pPzjDUfi-j5Rb2kCQhXE8byiwR9QRND06XuHQTIWQ93Lt0/s400/Stars-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Next September I'm heading out west and want to get some star trail shots at Arches National Park and the surrounding areas. I thought it might be time to do a few practice test shots. Here's the first attempt. This is about a half hours worth These are actually about fifty 30 second exposures piled on top of each other in Photoshop. I think it'll work better with no clouds in the sky. When I combined all the shots the clouds seem to form a kind of stepping pattern. This wouldn't happen in a single super long exposure, but from what I have read, really long exposures create a lot of noise in the digital image, hence the need for a bunch of smaller exposures. Hopefully, by the time I head out on the vaca, I'll have this all figured out! Btw, that weird line near the horizon was a plane.Ric Eastonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01466309290727287715noreply@blogger.com0