Dream Tomorrow, Live Today, Cherish Yesterday

Wordless Wednesday

On Wordless Wednesday, you tell the story.

Topaz Tuesday with Adjust 5

Canon 5D Mark II, 24-70mm F/2.8, f/9, 1/250, iso 200

Here is a vantage point I don't normally see, because usually I'm on that ferry right there. This time my wife and I were doing a bit of touring. We were on the ferry going to Bremerton, and luckily it was leaving while "our ferry" was at the dock. Typical gorgeous Seattle day!

With a little help from Topaz Adjust 5, that is. Topaz Labs has recently released a great update, version 5. They have incorporated the user interface from their Black and White Effects program, and included many new presets. It was fun going through them and seeing all the various treatments. I was kind of surprised to find that in the end, my starting point was good old Spicify! All I did after that was back down the saturation somewhat.

As always, click on the Continue link to see the original vesion, and leave a comment if you'd like.

After photography comes...

Canon 5D Mark II, 70-300mm, f/5, 1/320, iso 200

We didn't just take pictures while in San Miguel, we ate too! And well, quite often. A few times we wished we had chosen a different place. This was one of the most memorable meals, outside on a terrace overlooking Guanajuato. Great company, great food. Great memories.

Boatin Sunday - Shot for Dan

Canon 5D Mark II, 70-300mm, f/4.5, 1/100, iso 200

Now that I'm back home for a while, I'm going to resume the Boatin Sunday images. Today's image is a tribute to my friend Dan Sniffin. Dan was the first photographer that told me I needed to slow down. "Don't try to get every shot, Bob, get the shot." Watching Dan work is like the difference between fast food and gourmet food. He crafts his images.

It reminds me of a line from the Dan Fogelberg song "Leader of the Band." He's talking about his father and he says ".. A thundering velvet hand, his gentle means of sculpting souls took me years to understand."

The shots Dan took while in San Miguel (that I saw anyway) were mostly about lines and color (well there was the shot of the woman in the shawl that could be on the cover of NatGeo...).  And they were beautiful. Crafted. He took his time with those subjects. Dan thinks of things I just don't think of. Yet, anyway.

I have some more trips coming up with Dan and "I'm gonna get me some mo' learnin' `bout taking my time."

 

Abstract Stream

Canon 5D Mark II, 35mm F/1.4, f/22, 1/5th, iso 250

I have been doing some abstracts recently and really enjoying them. All the bold colors are really working for me. What about you?

Guanajuato Overlook

Canon 5D Mark II, 70-200 F/2.8, f/5.6, 1/1000, iso 400

As previously mentioned, we spent one day in the city of Guanajuato, about an hours drive from San Miguel. I really enjoyed this city, in many ways more photographable than SMA.

We ended our day at this famous overlook. It's a real destination for tourists, North Americans and Mexicans alike. The city has done a great job giving everyone lots of room for photography. John Barclay and I had a lot of fun with a young photographer from El Salvador who had a nice camera, but no long lens. We lent him our stuff and it was a kick. Took a lot of pictures of couples with their own cameras.

There are thousands of these concrete homes built into a hillside. I wish I had taken one completely wide angle shot to give you and idea of how many we are talking about.

We got there at 5, and waited for the golden light. I was really hoping to wait until the lights started coming on in the homes, I believe this would be the very best shooting conditions. Alas, it was so cold that our group just didn't have it in us to wait (not to mention we had dinner reservations back in SMA).

While I didn't get a completely wide angle, hit the Continue link below and I'll give you an idea of what it looks like.

Thanksgiving Homecoming

Canon 5D Mark II, 400mm F/5.6, f/5.6, 1/320, iso 320

I took this shot yesterday. Always a thrill when a submarine goes through "our backyard." It wasn't until I was processing it and really saw the guys standing up there that I realized how thrilled they must be to come home for Thanksgiving. Who knows how long they have been silently prowling the ocean? Must be just amazing to come out into the world and their loved ones.

Happy Thanksgiving to all, especially those in our military services all over the world.

Miércoles Sin Palabras

 

On Wordless Wednesday, you tell the story...

Topaz Tuesday - Tiene VW?

Leica M9, 35mm F/2, f/4.8, 1/250, iso 160

Cars are everywhere in San Miguel. And you'll see just about every kind of car you can imagine. The ones that captured my attention were old VW bugs. I have a beautiful shot of another one that I'll share at some point. This was a "grab shot." Walking down the street, I quickly took this one, getting my camera low to the ground. In this kind of environment, you don't really have time to set up every shot. You'd get run over!

For processing I wanted an old time B&W feel. So into Topaz Black and White effects. I played with a few presets, but when I found "Wenge Dynamic" I knew I had my look. A slight curves adjustment was all I needed. This looks like a 30 year old postcard to me, just what I was going for. What do you think?

The original is on the Continue link, where you can also leave a comment.

Model Monday - El Experimento con La Senora

Leica M9, 50mm F/2, f/5.7, 1/125, iso 160

Recall last week I mentioned we where shooting "models" while in San Miguel, that just happened to be the ranch hand families. We had been shooting this wonderful couple. Actually, the Senor, was the "man with the hands" in last Monday's post.

Anyway, he was wearing his sombrero throughout. I had this idea of putting his hat on her. But with him being deaf, and the language barrier, I didn't want to freak them out by starting to grab items of clothing. I asked one my Spanish speaking cohorts if "experiment" was "el experimento" like I seemed to recall from my junior high Spanish. "Si" she said.

So I said to her "Por favor Senora, uno Experimento con sombrero?" Not perfect Spanish, but close enough. She looked confused for a moment, and then I gently removed the hat from her husband and placed it on her head.

And thus we obtained this slightly bemused look that I think really makes the image. Gracias Senora!