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This image was processed in Aperture 3 as a RAW file before being taken into NIK HDR Efex 2 where I used the Structure 1 preset where I then boosted exposure, shadows, highlights, contrast and structure. I then returned the image to Aperture 3 where I boosted definition, contrast and vibrancy followed by sharpening.
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The point where the three Interstate Highways intersect in Louisville is known locally as Spaghetti Junction. The weather was changing yesterday from a cloudless sky in the morning to this winter sky around mid afternoon. This image overlooks the Spaghetti Junction intersection and southeast Louisville. It appeared that there was a grid that had been overlaid on the city sky that extended into infinity. The perspective of the clouds intrigued me and I decided to capture it.
I first processed this image in Aperture 3 where I made a few adjustments to the RAW file before taking it into NIK HDR Efex Pro 2 where I worked on enhancing the texture and tonality of the image. I then returned it to Aperture 3 where I applied some exposure, saturation and vibrancy changes. I lowered the saturation slightly and increased the vibrancy in order to achieve the overall feeling I felt when I shot the scene. I had a couple of dust spots that needed attention so I used the Spot and Patch tool in Aperture 3 to clean them up. I then took the image into Photoshop CS5 where I manually adjusted the vertical perspective to compensate for the distortion my 12mm lens had created. Back in Aperture 3 I applied a very slight vignette before saving the image for the web.
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I thought it would be appropriate to begin 2013 with an image of dawn. I see the new year as one of opportunity and possibility, peace and contentment, exploration and discovery and most of all excitement. None of us know what the future has in store but as long as we face it head on we can weather any storm and gain new skills and knowledge.
To all of you who read this blog I hope to give you my very best at sharing my vision of our world as it appears through my lens. I will share my attempts at being a better photographer and artist. I hope to learn more and share more about photography, HDR photography in particular, and the steps I take in crafting my images.
Whether you are new here or you have been following me since I began this blog last May I hope you will visit on a regular basis and that you will engage in commenting on the work I share. I think that critiques are the path to greater understanding and growth in the arts and the comments of all are welcomed.
May this year be the best of our lives and lead us forward into learning ever more about our passion for photography and art.
Happy New Year to you all!
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With the unseasonably warm weather we have been seeing here in Louisville the past two weeks we have been treated to some incredible sunsets. This image was captured last Thursday evening just after sunset. I used a single frame processed in Aperture 3 and NIK HDR Efex Pro 2 create this photo. I chose a panoramic crop to emphasize the linearity of the clouds and the bridge on the right side.
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This photo is from Louisville’s Waterfront Park near the Kennedy bridge which carries I-65 across the Ohio River. The bridges on the left and right, the Clark Memorial Bridge and the Big Four railroad bridge were constructed in 1928. I find it amazing that they both were built in one year. In contrast today there is another bridge that will be built, starting later this year, alongside the Kennedy that will require almost three years to complete.
This image was created by cropping a single frame into the panorama format. I then processed it in NIK HDR Efex Pro and Aperture 3. I wanted to emphasize the perspective of the scene by positioning myself almost under the Kennedy and shooting the image with my 18-55mm lens set to 18mm at f9.
