Canon 5D II, 70-300mm, F/6.3, 1/800, iso 200
We can always tell when we are about to get a visit from a big Navy ship. First the way is cleared by these hot Coast Guard attack boats. What do you think, best job in the Coast Guard? Looks like the pilot was checking me out!
Canon 5D Mark II, 70-300mm, f/6, 1/400, iso 200
Another image from the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Show. When you have a beautiful wooden boat, you must have a matching wooden dinghy to go ashore with, right? Beautiful craftsmanship
Canon 5D Mark II, 70-300mm, F/5.6, 1/250, iso 200
The John C Stennis (Facebook page) steamed through our backyard again yesterday. But this time it was a misty evening. Normally, my POV is with the ship presenting her side "straight." This time however she made a turn and I got a profile view. In the calm water and mist, the word "majestic" came to mind.
I often think what I would do if I had some other lifetimes I could choose. One of them would be an officer on a big Navy ship like this one.
Canon 5D Mark II, 70-300mm, f/5.6, 1/2000, iso 250
Sailboats are such a classic photographic subject. Once a month there is a race/cruise around our island. This fine looking craft was close to shore and caught my eye. It was a decent picture but nothing special. But I thought perhaps given a painting treatment it would be more special.
Into Topaz Simplify, and right to the oil painting preset. Yes, that's a start. I then played with virtually every slider. I just work visually, moving them back and forth, seeing the result. Especially when you have a subject with water, it's fascinating to see what the Topaz software does with the image.
And in about two minutes I had exactly what I was looking for. As always, the original image is found on the continue link below.
Canon 5D Mark II, 70-300mm, f/8, 1/640, iso 250
Was down at the harbor yesterday, just in time to catch this nice scene. Life would be good on a beautiful sailboat like that, just taking in the Seattle skyline. Don't you think?
Leica M9, 90mm F/2, f/4, 1/250, iso 160
While I can't say I "grew up on boats," I did spend a fair amount of time boating. And when I was a kid, "Chris-Craft" was a magic brand. The best, in our area anyway. And look at this beauty, a 42 footer.
My boating memories are some of the best and most vivid I have. What are yours?
Leica M9, 90mm F/2.8, f/4, 1/250, iso 160
At least for me, as a photographer, I'm always on the lookout for something different. Something no one else has captured. Those times are few and far between.
On my way to Vancouver by air recently I was treated to an amazing site, one I have never seen before. Long ship shadows in golden sunset light. The additional boat and its wake really livens up this image.
Not bad through the plastic and glass windows of a small commuter plane!
Canon 5D Mark II, 70-300mm, F/5, 1/320, iso 200
Yes, that is real wood. And metal fasteners. Look at those sensuous curves. Today's fiberglass boats are surely a lot easier to build and maintain. But they don't have the soul of these wooden beauties.
Canon 5D Mark II, 70-300mm F/4.5, f/4.5, 1/80, iso 200
Another image from one of the wooden boat shows I attended this fall. This particular yacht was a thru and thru classic. With super friendly owners to match. Check out those gear shifters! I'd love to be on board this beauty for a nice fall cruise day.
Canon 5D Mark II, 135 F/2, f/4.5, 1/200, iso 200
While shooting the Port Townsend Wooden Boat show, I was mindful of door and deck hardware. In many cases, the hardware is as old as the boat itself, which could mean 1920's or newer. This particular set caught my eye, for obvious reasons.
In Lightroom, I decided the perfect treatment was a preset called Bleach Bypass. I clicked on this one, then did a huge curves adjustment to darken up the lower half of the exposure curve. Old time like for genuine old time hardware.
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