Dream Tomorrow, Live Today, Cherish Yesterday

Topaz Tuesday - Hands and Faces

Canon 5D Mark II, 135mm F/2, f/3.2, 1/15, iso 250

I decided to troll through some of my images of the Gladding McBean factor shoot, from October of 2010. Looking for something that seemed like a good Topaz Adjust candidate. This one caught my eye, I like the subject and composition quite a bit.

Usually I'm cropping an image, and making a few adjustments in LR before going to Topaz. In this case, I made several trips, because once I applied changes in Topaz, I realized I wanted to change the crop, things like that.

I settled on the "Dramatic" preset in the "Vibrant" collection. I was going for a look which would really bring out all the textures. No other changes!

As always, the original image is displayed on the continue link below. This time I did something different though, I'm showing you the pre-cropped version. Often when I meet people in person that are visitors, they say they are intrigued by my choice of crop, rotation, that kind of thing. So showing you the entire image, and the cropped one, will give you a bit more insight into my thinking.

(Also, if you weren't reading the blog back when I posted the Gladding series, you can review it here)

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!

 

Topaz Tuesday - Old School

Leica M9, 50mm F/2, f/9.5, 1/350, iso 160

Have mentioned here before that my uncle started a Honda shop the same year I was born. So I kind of grew up in the business. When I see an old Honda like this one it brings back a flood of memories.

Was eating at a waterfront restaurant in La Conner, WA, yesterday. This classy machine was just outside. I hoped the owner wouldn't come drive away before I could get out and shoot it. And so it was.

And as I viewed the scene I knew this would be a classy Topaz Tuesday image, and that I would most likely use my old standby, Spicify. Everything about this scene is "old school!"

You can view the original on the Continue link below.

Topaz Tuesday - Chess Match

Leica M9, 50mm F/2, f/4.8, 1/90, iso 640

A lot of my Cuba memories are small vignettes, like this one. Usually just a couple of people. I only saw one chess match though, and I'm glad I captured it. As I have said before, I enjoy trying out images of people with Topaz Adjust.

This scene is enjoyable, but lacked the gritty feel of Trinidad. Hence why I tried Adjust with it. And it delivered. This time I didn't go with a preset, I just began using the sliders, starting with Adaptive Exposure, to get the look I had in my head. I also used local adjustments in a couple of spots (burn).

Compared to the SOOC image, which you can see on the Continue Link below, the feel of this version is more like Havana itself - a little humid, a bit more run down.

Train Art Series - Day Six

Canon 5D II, 180mm F/3.5 Macro

Today I'm bringing this series to a close. I appreciate the comments I have received on these. I do care very much for these images. And while I have more, I think showing six here on the blog is plenty.

As I type this, I'm in my last full day of the Ixtapa trip. Wonder what I can put up on the blog tomorrow?

 

 

Train Art Series - Day Five

Canon 5D II, 180mm F/3.5 Macro

After I shot these images I wondered if I was the only one to do so. A few days later a photo magazine showed up, and a guy had done basicaly the same thing. And he had also come up with clever names for the images, something I struggle with.

If I had to show these in a gallery, I'd be tempted to call them Train Art #1 (etc).

Let's have some fun, give your best shot at naming this one?

 

Train Art Series - Day Four

Canon 5D II, 180mm F/3.5 Macro

If I had to name this one, perhaps "explosion and bullet hole."

Train Art Series - Day Three

Canon 5D II, 180mm F/3.5 Macro

Although this one is not as colorful as the rest of the series, I very much like the patterns created here. And I feel a strong "nature vs man" theme which I always enjoy. A lot going on in such a small space.

Boatin Sunday - the Legend

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?

Cuba, Land of Contrasts

Leica M9, 50mm F/2, f/3.4, 1/2000, iso 160

I'm back home! At least until tomorrow when I head to Cali for my day job.

Amazing trip. Number one was all the photographic opportunities. Number two was the cameraderie with my companions. Thanks again for the invite Dan! It was a special time. I especially apprecaite the chance to make new friends.

I shot about 4,500 images, and remember you don't work too quickly with a rangefinder like the M9.

As for today's image, you may or may not know that from an automobile point of view, Cuba is sort of frozen in time. American cars were shipped there until the embargo. They love the American cars from the 40's and 50's, and keep them running. It's really a trip. Shooting the cars is one of the most fun experiences there.

I'll talk more about what it is like when I post my Cuba images.