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Topaz Tuesday - Cafe Bar

Panasonic GH2, 14-140mm, f/8, 1/100, iso 640

This was an image I took last year in San Francisco. My goal with Topaz was to restore the blue sky, which didn't really come through in the SOOC image, and to bring up the texture in this wonderful aging building. Talk about patina!

Without much time this morning, I was looking for a "quick fix" with a preset. Adjust 5's Heavy Pop Smooth nearly did the trick. I just added a bit more saturation to get the building patina where I wanted it. Nice going Topaz!

 

Tacoma Series - Day Seven

Leica M9, 50mm F/2, f/13, 1/350, iso 160

I found this amazing looking building. While I was walking around it figuring out how I wanted to shoot it, I noticed these gulls. They seemed to be using the heat off the roof for lift. They would race along the edge, then wheel off to the side. Kind of a thrill. I thought this one was kind of different with the gull backed by the cloud.

Tacoma Series - Day Three - Wordless Wednesday

On Wordless Wednesday, you tell the story...

Tacoma Series - Day Two - Topaz Tuesday

Leica M9, 35mm F/2, f/8, 1/350, iso 160

As my friend Stephan would say, this is T.T.T.T.T. Towery's Tacoma Topaz Tuesday Tower image. But anyway...

I liked this composition when I saw it in person, but even more so once on my computer screen. And then when I brought it into Topaz B&W effects, and hit it with the Dynamic II Grunge preset, whoa, even better. I went into local adjustments and added some more contrast to really pop the tower. Loving this!

See for yourself what you think of this B&W version vs the color one, on the Continue link below.

Wordless Wednesday

On Wordless Wednesday, you tell the story.

Island of Skies - Day Four

Canon 5D Mark II, 35mm F/1.4, f/6.7, 1/2000, iso 160

It's always sunny on top of the clouds, right? Flying, you know that. And what happens when there are holes in those clouds. Magical beams of light. I just love this effect.

Luna Lobby

Leica M9, 35mm F/2, f/4.8, 2 seconds, iso 160

What a gorgeous scene! This was the lobby at the beautiful boutique hotel we stayed in while in San Miguel de Allende.

Leica M9, 50mm F/2, f/6.7, 1/60, iso 1000

Whenever I see a scene like this, I always think of my blog bud Thomas Hawk - his city work really inspires me. In Seattle, our light rail stations have this LONG escalators, perfect for this type of shot.

High Flyer

Leica M9, 50mm F/2, f/3.4, 1/1000, iso 160

Yet another interesting day in Seattle. The only other large city I have enjoyed as much as Seattle was Sydney. Always felt comfortable there (lived there for a year), just like I do here. Life is good!

 

 

Topaz Tuesday - La Parroquia

Leica M9, 35mm F/2, f/23, 1/350, iso 160

La Parroquia is the landmark building in San Miguel de Allende, it towers over the town square (called the Jardin). It's an absolutely gorgeous structure, inside and out. I like how in these Mexican towns the churches are always open, and there are always some people going in and out. In this particular shot I had some very challenging lighting conditions, with the sun just off to the right of frame.

So I chose to get close in, that feeling of "it's so big I can't fit it all in!" I used the new Topaz Adjust 5 (kudos to Team Topaz) and chose a preset called Detail Strong. When you see the original on the continue link below you'll see just how much amazing work Topaz Adjust can do for your images. Easily!