August 29, 2007 HDR Thriller (strong)

Aonach Dubh in HDR, originally uploaded by Mark Turnbull. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

The detail enhancement at a distance really makes this one pop. HDR and tonemapping gives it almost a 3-D character. As with most of these, it is BEST VIEWED IN LARGE ON BLACK. The photographer, Mark Turnbull, has also prepared a black and white version. I find my eye drawn to different things in it. In the color version my eye goes right to the back mountain; but in the black and white shot, the mountain competes for my attention with the foreground rocks on the right. Interesting how that works.

August 28, 2007 HDR Thriller (old)

The old bulls. Originally uploaded by ajschroetlin. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

Great pic in a great place...Rocky Mountain National Park. Of course the elk make the shot, but love that light too. You HAVE TO SEE THIS IN LARGE ON BLACK.

August 27, 2007 HDR Thriller (coast)

Positano, originally uploaded by Mor (bcnbits). Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

Wow. I could go for being here. But, to really see how great this photo is, you HAVE TO SEE IT LARGE ON BLACK....then pick yourself out window or terrace. I've already got my little blue beach hut right on the beach. Positano, Italy...I've got it marked down.

You know I love the twilight, and for some reason, I just seem to gain energy from scenes like this one.

August 25, 2007 HDR Thriller (history)

Reflected Visions Of The Past, originally uploaded by thepres6. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

Here's one that just made me scratch my head a bit. IT HELPS TO SEE IT IN LARGE ON BLACK. Makes you think about light and optics.

As said by the photographer, thepres6, on the Flickr caption:

"This is not photoshopped, or layers of different scenes and does not have any other effects applied. It is a dirty window reflection looking into an old building at sunrise. You can also see the sunrise sunlight coming through the 5 front windows in the building."

I say, estupendo.

August 23, 2007 HDR Thriller (pyramid)

The Ancient and the Modern, originally uploaded by graspnext.

After yesterday's rather remarkable pic, I thought I'd use "pyramid" as a search word and see what came up. I present two today. The one above I find has remarkable composition and theme with the modern high-density Cairo in the foreground set against the ancient pyramids in the background. Not only does it say a lot about the endurance of the pyramids, but it's just cool to think about all the history and span of time in between. Kinda raises the question...This is progress? MUST SEE IT IN LARGE ON BLACK.

And below is the glass pyramid entrance to the Louvre. Pretty stunning technical HDR work. IT, TOO, NEEDS TO BE SEEN IN LARGE ON BLACK to see remarkable detail in the stonework on the building among other things.

pyramide de nuit. Originally uploaded by coolmonfrere. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

August 22, 2007 HDR Thriller (black and white)

Pyramid in Black and White, originally uploaded by Foto Blitz Color. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

Not too many man-made things really deserve true awe, but the pyramids probably qualify. I hope I get to see them for real some time. Very cool choice to put this in black and white...much drama is added. GOTTA SEE IT IN LARGE ON BLACK. And not that it deducts anything from this amazing shot, but the sky is photoshopped, and there's a definite giveaway to that if you look hard.

And Damn...that "go to" list is getting longer and longer as a result of writing this blog....Iceland, Venice, the Canadian Rockies, and even the end of the earth. Oh well, at least I can see them all in HDR.

August 21, 2007 HDR Thriller (macro)

Karluv most macro, originally uploaded by mexikanec. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

This pic above is pretty neat, but you GOTTA SEE IT IN LARGE ON BLACK to get the most out of the effect. It is an HDR shot, but it is also "tilt-shift" processed to artificially narrow the focal length in order to trick your eye into thinking it's a tiny model of a city bridge. This is a real city though...and here's the "normal" HDR pic without Tilt Shift processing.

Ironically, I used the search word "macro" to see if I could get a good closeup on a miniature subject. In a sense I sort of got that, but not in the way I was expecting.

I've found and posted other tilt-shift shots before...here's my fav from way back in March.

August 21, 2007 HDR Thriller (karma)

Peace of mind, originally uploaded by h.andras_xms. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

Needed a change of pace and thought this was interesting. I very much like the composition, and I think it shows how HDR processing can add something to this genre of art photos. GOTTA SEE IT LARGE ON WHITE.

August 20, 2007 HDR Thriller (decide)

Schwabacher Morning - Thanks Jeff Clow!, originally uploaded by James Neeley.

Have you ever seen that Joy of Painting show on PBS where Bob Ross takes a painting from blank canvas to finished product in 30 min? This pic is clearly reminiscent of the quintessential Bob Ross painting...but in photographic form. Gotta see the finished product IN LARGE ON BLACK.

If you haven't see the show, I recommend it for when you are feverishly ill in bed...because there's just something about it that puts you right to sleep before he finishes the painting, without fail. Here's an example...in just 12 easy steps, except I am zonked out by step 5.

August 17, 2007 HDR Thriller (source)

TONNERRE : FOSSE DIONNE IMG_0617_8_9Enhancer. Originally uploaded by dirk vde. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

An historical artesian water source in France that became a town center. While it looks a bit still in the tank, the free flowing water can be seen emerging from the lower left. The Flickr caption says it is actually somewhat bluish in color when it emerges from the spring, so I think the colors are pretty authentic. VERY TRANQUIL IN LARGE ON BLACK.

August 15, 2007 HDR Thriller (worry)

Cadair Idris 4, originally uploaded by Geoff Edwards. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

What can I say about this one? Very surreal shot. However, Geoff Edwards the photographer said something in the Flickr caption about "it was just him and the sheep" in this photo above, but I didn't see any sheep. Made me curious, so I dug a little deeper and found the sheep in another one of his photos. I present it below. Both of these are pretty stunning HDR images that kinda show what kind of detail enhancemant HDR is capable of. And although it is time to turn in, I don't think these sheep are going to be much of a sleep aid. You GOTTA SEE THE TOP ONE IN LARGE ON BLACK....

And I have to say, even after all the HDR images I have seen, the sheep one below, WHEN VIEWED IN LARGE ON BLACK, still blows me away.

Cadair Idris 13. Originally uploaded by Geoff Edwards. CLick on Pic, see it in Flickr.

August 15, 2007 HDR Thriller (different)

The Queen and her commoners HDR. Originally uploaded by David Giral. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

Sorry Gang for the lack of posts. Away for the weekend. But have returned with a couple today to make up for it. Turned on Rhapsody and was inspired by Aimee Mann's "How am I Different" for today's search word. This led to two totally different pics. SEE THE ABOVE ONE IN LARGE ON BLACK.

.

And the pic below has amazing illusory reflections (MUCH BETTER IN LARGE ON BLACK). That has caused me to think much about reflections and if they are always this illusory or not. To some degree I suppose they have to be. It's a Zen principle that to speak of a thing is to miss the mark. But isn't to reflect on a thing the same? I suppose the only time you don't miss the mark is to experience a thing in the moment.

Hall of mirrors II. Originally uploaded by rustyjaw. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

August 10, 2007 HDR Thriller (snow)

Teton Fire, originally uploaded by James Neeley. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

I was trying to cool off from this intense heat with a snowy picture search and found this jawdropper. What amazing colors!! From the photographer's note on Flickr, it's all very real taken at sunrise with just HDR tonemapping, which means it essentially really looked like this. As James Neely the Photographer said in the Flickr comments..."I didn't do much of anything else since the image was so naturally intense." Yes...and very cool Mr. Neely, especially so on a hot summer day. And even COOLER IN LARGE ON BLACK.

August 10, 2007 HDR Thriller (summer)

Mer de glace, Mt. Blanc Range, originally uploaded by VeloManiac.

A cool glacial scene like this helps on such a hot day. GOTTA SEE IT IN LARGE ON BLACK. Incredible depth, incredible detail...in the large version, seeing the boulders on the mountainside shade near the center where the glacier bends would not be possible w/o HDR.

August 10, 2007 HDR Chiller (summer)

万寿山 - Tower of Buddhist Incense, originally uploaded by stoicviking. CLick on pic, see it in Flickr.

I have not done a Chiller in a while, but it seems fate brought me this photo so I had to post it. My reasoning?...it was 104F here today, and the only hotter day that I have ever experienced was when I visited the summer palace pictured here. That day in June 2005 in Beijing was 108F with incredible throat-peeling, bird-strangling smog. However, I can assure you even with the thickest of Beijing smogs, the sky did not quite look like this (well, maybe it was closer than I initally thought).

I have a personal distate for this heavy a hand on the HDR...need to increase the light-smoothing to neutral and back off the strength setting. Hey, but maybe that's just me.

August 9, 2007 HDR Thriller (evening)

Washington Monument, Twilight, originally uploaded by Foto Blitz Color. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

Often these perspective shots come out a bit disappointing, but this one is pretty darn good. The HDR processing lends excitement and realism by bringing out the stonework detail, the contrast in the sky, the color saturation, and even the blurred flag. GOTTA SEE IT IN LARGE ON BLACK.

August 8, 2007 HDR Thriller (spirit)

A Walk in the Light Green, originally uploaded by damian 78. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

A very striking photo that is obviously processed beyond just HDR (and very effectively!). I wasn't sure what it was all about, until I saw it IN LARGE ON BLACK. Evidently the red gates line the entire 4Km of this trail near Kyoto, Japan. That's pretty neat.

August 7, 2007 HDR Thriller (subtle)

Crescent Lake, originally uploaded by Lyle Krannichfeld. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

A relaxed fitting picture for the search word, "subtle"...partly selected though because I have been to this lake and it is a cool place. HERE IT IS IN LARGE ON BLACK.

August 6, 2007 HDR Thriller (ancient)

Corfe Castle, Dorset, originally uploaded by Mr Jam. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

So much to say, so little space. A very eerie shot that will now be in my dreams. First...YOU GOTTA SEE IT IN LARGE ON BLACK. Kudos to Mr. Jam, the photographer.

I was compelled to look up some history on this castle and found it to be almost as interesting as the shot. King Edward II of England was assasinated on his horse (stabbed in the back) near this spot in 978 (from Wikipedia: "the body of the murdered king slipped from the saddle of his horse and was dragged with one foot in the stirrup until it fell into a stream at the base of the hill upon which Corfe Castle stands." The Castle was evidently constructed in the 11th Century after the King was made a saint. If you want to know more you can check it out here.

So many pieces come together in this shot...the lighting on the foreground hill, the wispy sky, and the cross-embossed left edge of the castle falling away...so mesmerizing.

August 5, 2007 HDR Thriller (hot)

Hong Kong from The Peak on a Summer Night, originally uploaded by Stuck in Customs. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

Wow...nice cityscape and definitely a unique perspective on Hong Kong. I had no idea that the city was up against such abrupt wooded hillsides like this. The way the hillsides flow down into the city it does have that jungle-humid look. GOTTA SEE IT IN LARGE ON BLACK.

August 4, 2007 HDR Thriller (barn)

Morning Moulton, originally uploaded by James Neeley. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

Great HDR shot here, but maybe even better composition. This barn can be shot many ways, but in the shot above the mountain's peak really mirrors the barn's. GOTTA SEE IT IN LARGE ON BLACK for the full effect.

August 3, 2007 HDR Thriller (colors)

Colors of Buddha, originally uploaded by Stuck in Customs. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

Well, I was thinking that yesterday's shot was gonna be hard to top, so why not just at least go for some color today. Selected this rather cool shot of a buddhist monastery in Thailand. GOTTA SEE IT LARGE ON BLACK. The search word was pretty broad today as 8,660 photos showed up. I hate it when that happens, 'cauz I can't look through them all, but I think I found a pretty good one.

August 2, 2007 HDR Thriller (view)

"Red Mountain View". Originally uploaded into PBase.com and copyright © 2004-2007 by Albert Yanowich Jr. Click on pic, see it in PBase.com

Here's a fun one. I found this HDR shot on a search of Pbase instead of Flickr. It looks nice, but nothing special because it's a bit small. But now...CLICK HERE TO SEE IT IN LARGE PANORAMA MODE....

Yeah, it's okay...I nearly fell out of my chair too. Scroll around a bit. Look at the detail in the foreground...and the background. Yikes!

August 1, 2007 HDR Thriller (Turn Turn Turn)

Burn On Big River, originally uploaded by griffsflickr. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

"To every thing, turn, turn, turn
There is a season, turn, turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under Heaven..."

Hello blogosphere. I am making a humble return from a cathartic memorial service for my sister, Karen. We played Turn!, Turn!, Turn! as the recessional song. It'll be sticking in my head a while and I don't mind. I somehow feel freer to speak of her now that she has stepped out of this world into the next. She passed from liver cancer. She was a wonderful person and a dedicated physician, and many of her patients paid their respects at the service. After great difficulties in this life, I do feel she is at peace.

This shot is lovely, and it just happened to be from coastal Connecticut near where Karen spent her childhood and learned to love the water. What a sky!! But that's not all there is to this shot, because it also has a real sense of neighborhood to it.

Unfortunatey, I cannot post the above shot in large on black, so today you get a bonus second shot that I can post IN LARGE ON BLACK...

Clouds over Tahoe HDR #2. Originally uploaded by Bill Strong. Click on pic see it in Flickr.

My sister has passed away. I am in hiatus to focus on her memorial. She was a great person, doctor, and friend to so many.

July 16, 2007 HDR Thriller (jewel)

Where the land ends and the sea begins.... Originally uploaded by luispraiameco.

Where the land ends and the sea begins.... Originally uploaded by luispraiameco.

-

These two shots of the same subject are also both HDR shots. The main difference is how they were processed. It's the differences in the HDR processing settings that are the major difference the outcomes (maybe not the only difference because I suspect that the lower image also has a filter tone applied to the sky). Here's the TOP IMAGE IN LARGE and here's the BOTTOM IMAGE IN LARGE.

-

While both have that look of a painting common in many HDR shots, their moods are really different. The lower one is superior technically....it has far less noise (especially noticeable in the sky comparison in the large size) and fewer tell-tale HDRtifacts, like the slight halo around the large sea rocks in the top image. What's the better shot? I think if it's just used in small size on a web site, the top image has greater impact; but when its to be used in large size, then the bottom image is better. What's your preference?

-

Also...I would not have guessed this was from Portugal. In fact, the bottom one has such an "artist's rendering" look to it that I might have guessed "science fiction book cover" instead of actually being from somewhere on earth.

July 15, 2007 HDR Thriller (path)

Golden Path Sepia, originally uploaded by Lutz-R. Frank. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

Transitions with doors, paths, bridges...yes, I know I'm on that sort of kick. But I find in this shot a real expression of peace. EXCELLENT IN LARGE ON BLACK. And kudos to Lutz-R. Frank for converting this image into HDR from a single Raw photo...it adds a depth a level of detail in the background that makes this shot really hum. Going to golden sepia was a great move too...here's the original color shot for comparison....just doesn't have the same dreamy feel to me.

July 14, HDR Thriller (end of the world)

castle at the end of the world, originally uploaded by •milky joe•. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

I got to thinking from the last post that if the end of the world is a location, there must be other good HDR shots taken from there. Well, 149 came up in the search, but I stopped at this one. I think it's safe to say that I could go to the end of the world and would be unlikely to top it. NO JOKING>>>YOU GOTTA GOTTA SEE IT IN LARGE. Truly a fantastic shot, expertly processed.

July 12, 2007 HDR Thriller (sunset)

Sunset On the Lighthouse of the End of The World II HDR. Originally Uploaded by David Giral. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

A MUST SEE IT IN LARGE.

Not just another pretty sunset...this one was apparently taken from the end of the world. Always wondered where that was.

And while this one above is the best of the search, here is a runnerup sunset that is a more traditional fiery-sunset-as-the-subject shot with quite the reflection (and here's the Flickr referrral to it).

July 11, 2007 HDR Thriller Slideshow - Revisiting the July 1 Search

In my July 1, 2007 post , I used the search word "Door". I found so many terrific shots of doors that I thought I would post a slideshow of the best doors I reviewed that day to give you a taste of what I had to select from. It wasn't easy. In the end the unique perspective of that July 1 shot won out because it fit the moment and meaning of the day, but as you'll see in this slideshow there were many great shots. The last one being my favorite. Anyway, here's the link to the show...

July 10, 2007 HDR Thriller (window)

Multi window. Uploaded by valpopando. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

There were lot's of pics on this search, but I liked this one the most. You really HAVE TO SEE IT IN LARGE ON BLACK to appreciate it fully.

July 7, 2007 HDR Thriller (birthday)

Pavillion (mono) ... Originally Uploaded by asmundur. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

It's 7/7/07...and we celebrated my sister's birthday in the hospital today. We tried our best to make it as special as possible for her. She will be leaving us soon...we know this, and so does she. Try as we might to bring cheer to the party there was a piece of me, and I know others too, that felt like it was held at a pavillion like this one above...and nobody could say anything about that. Hospice care is a good thing. It's also a difficult thing. It's like she's got a train to catch, but nobody knows when...the decision has been made and we're all in the waiting room together, her included...she's sort of meandering in a cognitive sense, but she's right there in front of you...almost a ghost. We are not at a loss for words for her though, loving words, but words seem so inadequate.

July 4, 2007 HDR Thriller (leaving)

Mile Marker 13, originally uploaded by James Neeley.

Can't see beyond the bend, but i'm sure its beautiful to the person who leaves down this road. HERE IT IS IN LARGE.

Best of June Thrillers

I almost forgot to post a review of the best of June. I have decided to do it two categories...vista photos and art photos and present the best of each below.

Best Vista...from June 20, 2007: Peyto Lake, originally uploaded by NY_Doll. Click on pic, see it in Flickr. SEE IT IN LARGE ON BLACK HERE.


Best Art Photo... from June 6, 2007: Play Room, originally uploaded by Dan Bollwerk. Click on pic, see it in Flickr. SEE IT IN LARGE ON BLACK HERE.

Have a Great Independence Day!

July 2, 2007 HDR Thriller (wish)

Cave of the Three Gnomes, originally uploaded by Alan Jordan. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

So much to this one and so surreal in many ways. Some of the vividest memories are of childhood events that are centered on beliefs and faith. And there really is a discussion going on between these girls and the gnomes. HERE IT IS IN LARGE ON BLACK.

And I do see things, people, animals in the rocks and foreground.

July 1, 2007 HDR Thriller (door)

Little Red Door. Originally uploaded by Кafka. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

This door popped up in the search, and it seems to loom in the distance, yet it is also strangely welcoming. It helps to remind me that a door is an entrance as much as an exit. A MUST SEE IN LARGE which really hits you with the unique perspective of this shot. Try as I might, I find I cannot take my eye off the door.

The Lockless Door

It went many years,

But at last came a knock,

And I thought of the door

With no lock to lock.

-

I blew out the light,

I tip-toed the floor,

And raised both hands

In prayer to the door.

-

But the knock came again

My window was wide;

I climbed on the sill

And descended outside.

-

Back over the sill

I bade a "Come in"

To whoever the knock

At the door may have been.

-

So at a knock

I emptied my cage

To hide in the world

And alter with age.

-Robert Frost

June 30, 2007 HDR Thriller (now in the back)

Reach for the skies, originally uploaded by H!ghTower. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

Perhaps nothing illustrates the photographic meaning of the word "capture" more intensely than a sunrise/sunset. They are so dynamic, and then they are gone. My friend the connoisseur of sunrises over at SPOD will really appreciate these fiery crespuscular rays. GOTTA SEE IT IN LARGE ON BLACK. While HDR processing rarely adds much to the fire portion of a good sunrise or sunset, it can bring out detail in the dark foreground, as it does here. Bravo on this shot.

June 29, 2007 HDR Thriller (spiral)

Initiation Well, originally uploaded by antonioVi. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

My sister has been in a downward medical spiral since May 9, and I can't do anything about it. That's not true because I can pray about it, but I want to do more. She needs pain medication to take the edge off, but she needs so much that it's causing other serious complications. God, please help her.

This blog (and yours) have been a bright bit of mental recharge during a very difficult time. But it's getting to the point where it's physicaly all I can do to post these...they may become intermittant...and please know that I appreciate your visits here regardless of my hiatus from yours.

As for this pic, it is essentially a large well with staircase access (here it is in large). It's located at an interesting castle in Portugal (Quinta da Regaleira)...it may have been used in masonic initiations. Click on the pic and there's more info about it on the Flickr page.

June 29, 2007 HDR Thriller (broken)

ROMPIENDO LAS OLAS, originally uploaded by Antonio Bellón. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

I am stunned by this one...such movement in the shot. More on it later. Gotta go! But here it is IN LARGE ON BLACK.

June 28, 2007 HDR Thriller (illuminate)

Seeking Distant Plateaus, originally uploaded by James Neeley. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

It's that "low evening light"...it does wonderful things sometimes. The layers and the complimentary colors are really just so soothing here...something I need today. STUNNING IN LARGE ON BLACK.

June 26, 2007 HDR Thriller (element)

Seen or sensed, originally uploaded by LynchburgVirginia. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

Staring deep into this one. Amazing how far back it goes in such dark conditions. Another LynchburgVirginia special...really special. ENJOY IT IN LARGE ON BLACK.

June 25, 2007 HDR Thriller (laundry!)

Skinny dipping. Originally uploaded by _uncommon. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

Great shot and composition here. Any photographer has to appreciate the way HDR brings out the detail of the side of the house, even though its in shadow. That's neat alright, but then look at the detail inside on the ceiling...that's amazing. To really see this you GOTTA SEE IT IN LARGE. I can hear the water lapping now, but this was not what I expected for this search word...was expecting something more like THIS (which I like too).

June 24, 2007 HDR Thriller (looking up)

looking out, in HDR, originally uploaded by fervus. Click on pic see it in Flickr.

It took me a while, but I eventually figured this one out. Very neatly done. MUCH BETTER IN LARGE ON BLACK. There are some real lessons in this shot.

June 23, 2007 HDR Thriller (structure)

Glass Vortex, originally uploaded by DanielKHC. Click on pic, see it in Flickr.

A real study in lines, color, and reflection. HERE IT IS IN LARGE ON BLACK. Looks for all the world like you are in a surreal hallway with a highly polished floor, but the picture is actually taken straight up inside the atrium of THIS BUILDING (Singapore National Library). Great stuff.

June 22, 2007 HDR Thriller (dragon)

Dragon Pool, originally uploaded by /\ltus. CLick on pic, see it in Flickr.

Taking a break fom the landscapes, and found this remarkable shot. Dragons symbolize luck in the east but take on a menacing connotation in the west. Says a lot about the cultural differences I guess...exactly what it says, I don't know. Here is this shot IN LARGE ON BLACK. For what its worth, this is a working fountain as the stream is running out of its mouth rippling the surface.

I did recall that /\ltus has had at least one other great shot that turned up as a Thriller. It was one was one of my favorites...May 14, 2007...But you really have to SEE IT IN IN LARGE ON BLACK.