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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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I blew out the light,

I tip-toed the floor,

And raised both hands

In prayer to the door.

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But the knock came again

My window was wide;

I climbed on the sill

And descended outside.

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Back over the sill

I bade a "Come in"

To whoever the knock

At the door may have been.

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So at a knock

I emptied my cage

To hide in the world

And alter with age.

-Robert Frost