tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15245050796900675052024-03-13T21:42:29.856+02:00Florian's PhotographsA vehicle for sharing my photographs, and other thoughts related to photography.Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-69204653324571475342017-06-14T11:56:00.000+02:002017-06-14T11:56:52.215+02:00Aus Photographic Workshop 2017<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgWznMlSFtkrXArTIYnzobCUwugQn6T9MmOaD4ztDUvI6o0P9pRETPvgVbWu2e8L73WzX8BxdfKYNMd1kaOUHIQXtrBnup5QL16VAraBMyamLrwpQijTFTTrO78ba732WTwiQBbcY4tU/s1600/Aus2017-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgWznMlSFtkrXArTIYnzobCUwugQn6T9MmOaD4ztDUvI6o0P9pRETPvgVbWu2e8L73WzX8BxdfKYNMd1kaOUHIQXtrBnup5QL16VAraBMyamLrwpQijTFTTrO78ba732WTwiQBbcY4tU/s640/Aus2017-05.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silk Painting Sunset - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/100, f/4, ISO 100</td></tr>
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Once again, I was lucky enough to co-present at the <a href="http://www.photoworkshops-sa.co.za/index.php/dates-and-cost/aus-namibia" target="_blank">Aus Photographic Workshop</a>, together with Wicus Leeuwner and JJ van Heerden, 21 - 27 May 2017. I cashed in all my Brownie points (leaving my wife with two little kids) and headed off to the desert for a week.<br />
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Once again, I concentrated on night photography, but my favourite image is the above sunset. It was taken at God's Window (a mountain overlooking the Garub Plains), and shows the sun seen through roughly 100km of air, as it sets beyond Lüderitz. It somehow reminds me of a Chinese silk painting, hence the title.<br />
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<h4>
Night Skies</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJSuexL9GUYxj8PlliMTjX3DYdmb478dF8Kzoipc1VhoG5dxGKMVf0jVViYR6JGNJB12WG4R7u84PlyWnwWOgmj_Bm50w_1e6RFad4mzFeElVQSfMGDu1w8P9c-NarrdEP0MgrmgqMm0/s1600/Aus2017-09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="749" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJSuexL9GUYxj8PlliMTjX3DYdmb478dF8Kzoipc1VhoG5dxGKMVf0jVViYR6JGNJB12WG4R7u84PlyWnwWOgmj_Bm50w_1e6RFad4mzFeElVQSfMGDu1w8P9c-NarrdEP0MgrmgqMm0/s640/Aus2017-09.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Klein Aus Milky Way - Canon 40D, Tokina 11-16, 8x30 sec, f/2.8, ISO 3200</td></tr>
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On the evening we arrived, I set out to find a good location for the first night shoot for the workshop. <a href="https://floriansphotographs.blogspot.co.za/2016/06/aus-workshop-2016.html" target="_blank">Last year</a> we all drove off to Geisterschlucht for the evening, and many of the participants struggled to get something reasonable on their first night. So this time we stayed within 200m of the lodge, and after only minor struggles all the participants were getting nicely exposed images of the Milky Way.<br />
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I took this test panorama on my first evening, before the workshop. The lights from the lodge illuminated the hill in the foreground, and a small amount of light pollution from the village of Aus can be seen on the horizon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0RPUDUhbL6nrNgOVjYOVh603t7aue77YGUWPYlhXTH_iKQritvlKOB0Fzr-xBZLqGBJM1ckTnhCVf4pXeDB-lfulSc-tMkOYcxwmZL5Uhyphenhyphen1C3vTV6DWQyMk9hqzpZbeB2ySWscYozEw/s1600/Aus2017-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0RPUDUhbL6nrNgOVjYOVh603t7aue77YGUWPYlhXTH_iKQritvlKOB0Fzr-xBZLqGBJM1ckTnhCVf4pXeDB-lfulSc-tMkOYcxwmZL5Uhyphenhyphen1C3vTV6DWQyMk9hqzpZbeB2ySWscYozEw/s640/Aus2017-06.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moonlight and Milky Way 1 - Fuji x100s, 28x30 sec, f/2, ISO 3200</td></tr>
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Last time I discovered that my little Fuji x100s works very well for night photography (although the longish 23mm lens means that I need to make many exposures to produce a wide panorama). Once again, I used it in faint moonlight (30% crescent moon) and the results are wonderful. I regret not completing the Milky Way, but I was impatient (sunrise was nearing) and initially only wanted to frame the tree with a bit of the Milky Way. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDXh0CCKhLya6sQlFabk2NZkiqPRuhyphenhyphenu2Wi_9xp9Ueg-0Xbr38WNB7kcB6ichKOxAx5DpxozJHgOZTGK89T4fJDwn3z9BPVxw_9gmlTdp_CcYhKllA6ofzfG76rP_7E1VYOOfwNVeiFY/s1600/Aus2017-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="971" data-original-width="1600" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDXh0CCKhLya6sQlFabk2NZkiqPRuhyphenhyphenu2Wi_9xp9Ueg-0Xbr38WNB7kcB6ichKOxAx5DpxozJHgOZTGK89T4fJDwn3z9BPVxw_9gmlTdp_CcYhKllA6ofzfG76rP_7E1VYOOfwNVeiFY/s640/Aus2017-07.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moonlight and Milky Way 2 - Fuji x100s, 41x15 sec, f/2, ISO 3200</td></tr>
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This is the other panorama I made that morning. The brightness in the sky is a little uneven, since twilight was approaching and the sky was slightly brighter in later exposures than earlier ones. One really must make sure to be finished before the onset of<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twilight" target="_blank"> astronomical twilight</a>.<br />
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Also, in the dark I didn't see the road in the foreground, that it mirrors the Milky Way so beautifully is pure serendipity. This also means that I didn't include quite enough foreground and had to fill in a sliver of it using Photoshop's "content-aware fill", which works pure magic. In view of this, and the incomplete sky of the previous panorama, it is time to formulate<br />
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<h3>
<b>Florian's Rule of Panoramas: </b>Always include more than you think you will need in a panorama.</h3>
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It's also time I start practicing what I preach.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0MR6oYwMCMJfc4-R2KnShg49Gs5V53UluxB_zlxqC_yiGpsT11Y-021dicJhbsPsYblpzsrrJxIXR_CMfTwfulVHMEg3QcXN5DvEThnIs5Y9RI-sllIux87kxgSHoi8aaMuMKdjzgSpA/s1600/Aus2017-08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="553" data-original-width="1600" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0MR6oYwMCMJfc4-R2KnShg49Gs5V53UluxB_zlxqC_yiGpsT11Y-021dicJhbsPsYblpzsrrJxIXR_CMfTwfulVHMEg3QcXN5DvEThnIs5Y9RI-sllIux87kxgSHoi8aaMuMKdjzgSpA/s640/Aus2017-08.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert Sky - Canon 40D, Tokina 11-16, 16x30 sec, f/2.8, ISO 3200</td></tr>
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On the morning we left for the Koichab river bed, which forms the southern boundary of the red dunes of the Namib, we stopped to photograph the skies. A sliver of crescent moon (5%) was rising in the East - that's the orange blob on the bottom right. It looks circular because it is so over-exposed that even the dark side of the moon (which is almost the whole moon in this case) is over-exposed. It is red because it is so close to the horizon - just as the sun would be red in this position. Above it extends a faint pillar of light - the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zodiacal_light" target="_blank">Zodiacal Light</a>, the shimmer of dust in the plane of our solar system back-lit by the sun. The bright blue planet above that is Venus, and just above and to the left of the moon, almost touching it, is Mercury.<br />
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To the left of the Milky Way you can see the two Magellanic Clouds (Small at the top, Large at the bottom). The strange green glow above the horizon is real - I've been seeing it in many of my night skies - and I'm now convinced it's<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airglow" target="_blank"> airglow</a> and not just an artifact from my old 40D sensor.<br />
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At least this time I obeyed my rule and didn't leave out any of the sky (it's a full 90x360 degree view). I deliberately positioned myself so the two cars would be directly under the Milky Way, but I didn't anticipate that the other workshop participants would follow me, but they certainly add foreground interest.<br />
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<h4>
The Wild Horses</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjrdRbs385_3qLoc2VcmSyJDtm_D3jRPzWeeqJN43PtXjO4v98jAXfphv3NycRsECBRNA15IdGOzMtJbQdnYESMlbPlKCIjs2dL3HRbVl8IUVzf3zs8ICKObwNUMYF27e0JI6fmfSe-s/s1600/Aus2017-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjrdRbs385_3qLoc2VcmSyJDtm_D3jRPzWeeqJN43PtXjO4v98jAXfphv3NycRsECBRNA15IdGOzMtJbQdnYESMlbPlKCIjs2dL3HRbVl8IUVzf3zs8ICKObwNUMYF27e0JI6fmfSe-s/s640/Aus2017-15.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horse at Sunset, Canon 40D, Sigma 150-600 C, 1/40, f/8, ISO 400</td></tr>
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The main attraction of these Aus workshops are the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namib_Desert_Horse" target="_blank">Namib Desert Horses</a>, who have been living feral in the Garub Plain since the First World War. On the first afternoon of the workshop, we were treated to a wonderful sunset encounter with these lovely animals.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRhndQuTHvjwmGx-U82SyK0VNqURCtG_sykaFUXMZZCatKRVLSD87SjSpKr2mMFVvoqrbroM9cNBlu7Fn6IYB5hzshGQFSPgmlYM5-b4Sr_VT1r9g7BMm8wVDEhMpeeCbg0uP6e-FUqs/s1600/Aus2017-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRhndQuTHvjwmGx-U82SyK0VNqURCtG_sykaFUXMZZCatKRVLSD87SjSpKr2mMFVvoqrbroM9cNBlu7Fn6IYB5hzshGQFSPgmlYM5-b4Sr_VT1r9g7BMm8wVDEhMpeeCbg0uP6e-FUqs/s640/Aus2017-16.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Equine Regard - Fuji x100s, 1/40, f/8, ISO 6400</td></tr>
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I had stupidly mounted my <a href="http://www.sigmaphoto.co.za/the-long-and-the-short-of-it-from-8-to-600mm-by-florian-breuer/" target="_blank">Sigma 150-600 C</a> (my 40th birthday present!) on my camera, but since the horses came right up to us, the 11-16mm would have been more useful. Luckily I always have the little Fuji with me. The others got some truly magical shots here.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPXFWdKPg6MPyD3Zl_2jd4bfnNWr6jy6ygqFqWuxG98g0ZUuvHx3j_Kt2vigIkYDjmATDH16KV2vmDNhMXVRI7IrF2muZAZN82Z6Edr4e0EJbJE21_Vahrr4ROuEwwLxhowVHY1waRL0/s1600/Aus2017-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqPXFWdKPg6MPyD3Zl_2jd4bfnNWr6jy6ygqFqWuxG98g0ZUuvHx3j_Kt2vigIkYDjmATDH16KV2vmDNhMXVRI7IrF2muZAZN82Z6Edr4e0EJbJE21_Vahrr4ROuEwwLxhowVHY1waRL0/s640/Aus2017-23.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of the Road? - Canon 40D, Sigma 150-600 C, 1/800, f/7.1, ISO 100</td></tr>
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Unfortunately, this may well have been our last encounter with the wild horses. It hasn't rained here since 2013, and there's practically nothing left to eat. It's so bad that since last year the horses are getting fed to keep them alive; even so, they're not in good shape. They have survived droughts before, but this time there's a graver menace: Spotted Hyenas have recently moved into the area. Unfortunately, the horses, being previously domesticated, don't understand that Hyenas are deadly: left to their own devices, the hyenas will kill and eat one mare every three days. With only 39 mares left, that doesn't leave much time. So in the meantime the local farmers are sacrificing their oldest cattle to feed the hyenas, and keep them from hunting horses, but that's hardly a long-term solution.<br />
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Since this is a nature reserve, the hyenas may not be harmed. Instead, the horses will have to be relocated somewhere else where they can be protected, but a suitable location still needs to be agreed.<br />
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<h4>
More Photographs</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRDjPzOzBwwnbnD1o7GiDcvsTW-Z6-c1xkDCZ2TN6i2Q2dWNIXN3Mx82gbis8NC4yuy5HU46uzY8j1kIOoMafDznv5mjp0Rrc5Qi9ILDygDDJ5o8PwQGzvTnhTJX7LlifSQKWYoVtg40/s1600/Aus2017-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRDjPzOzBwwnbnD1o7GiDcvsTW-Z6-c1xkDCZ2TN6i2Q2dWNIXN3Mx82gbis8NC4yuy5HU46uzY8j1kIOoMafDznv5mjp0Rrc5Qi9ILDygDDJ5o8PwQGzvTnhTJX7LlifSQKWYoVtg40/s640/Aus2017-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree of Life - Fuji x100s, 1/350, f/16, ISO 800</td></tr>
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Here's a shot to lighten up your mood again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEc__G_weKVqHu4BUtgM0NdgclFaAwKMb3RpF0ZgfTWJEFhvs7iHHFHmBceGx_3mVvXAe2P7YPtSvcYA7Lc8223ab0iM73VLACYuiHtRzTSluiM8esyzcjJdk-XEv8ZrJNBMnMgR8-70/s1600/Aus2017-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEc__G_weKVqHu4BUtgM0NdgclFaAwKMb3RpF0ZgfTWJEFhvs7iHHFHmBceGx_3mVvXAe2P7YPtSvcYA7Lc8223ab0iM73VLACYuiHtRzTSluiM8esyzcjJdk-XEv8ZrJNBMnMgR8-70/s640/Aus2017-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acacia and Dune - Fuji x100s, 1/80, f/8, ISO 640</td></tr>
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Okay, now there will be less talk and more pics. Some lovely acacias grow in the Koichab river bed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIGucPoMNEXCt__W1HLFL__8sVzZcuPkGEVmgzBnfwwG6YkfNLrrInQ6oO7Bh7eJQiAUx6BYfrxguSkdOibs0wY3e54LIaDubJ96-BmFVGr0uat7odLrnRjQitfUJ1mKAR9VP-s0Q42I/s1600/Aus2017-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIGucPoMNEXCt__W1HLFL__8sVzZcuPkGEVmgzBnfwwG6YkfNLrrInQ6oO7Bh7eJQiAUx6BYfrxguSkdOibs0wY3e54LIaDubJ96-BmFVGr0uat7odLrnRjQitfUJ1mKAR9VP-s0Q42I/s640/Aus2017-19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jigsaw Trees - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55, 1/100, f/8, ISO 100</td></tr>
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We had a lot of fun fitting all these trees together in the frame.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImxXli9if-ns8034TDz2KDcn4Os21LnV_N2w4JmZ2OF8uMP4-g8URlwrfkgljxAf1il_3m-T0l39osreNSrg-pU9V-pV618LGdRyqvr-Zn9gzNRULHkFbS5nS9QbnQAADfJuk-8F34J8/s1600/Aus2017-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImxXli9if-ns8034TDz2KDcn4Os21LnV_N2w4JmZ2OF8uMP4-g8URlwrfkgljxAf1il_3m-T0l39osreNSrg-pU9V-pV618LGdRyqvr-Zn9gzNRULHkFbS5nS9QbnQAADfJuk-8F34J8/s640/Aus2017-20.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Windy Dune - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/320, f/8, ISO 100</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTczBwGGWiOylGEwvqNVZhP_wPX1ABQx7SZgwul5eUjgxz7hL-DCtZc81FOaDdWGcHgzjGffdcdLNJXopACr-Vhai_sc46mjbc3VpNcjUN_8MnMwKT1tYFIvl6GFKAhA7khVezwnYPec/s1600/Aus2017-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTczBwGGWiOylGEwvqNVZhP_wPX1ABQx7SZgwul5eUjgxz7hL-DCtZc81FOaDdWGcHgzjGffdcdLNJXopACr-Vhai_sc46mjbc3VpNcjUN_8MnMwKT1tYFIvl6GFKAhA7khVezwnYPec/s640/Aus2017-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What are they all photographing ...? - Fuji x100s, 1/80, f/5.6, ISO 1600</td></tr>
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The trip to God's Window is a personal favourite. Perfectly placed, on the edge of the mountain, sits the most beautiful quiver tree I know, the Celebritree.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViQFFGpour8ukTKNx0148z3EnRTMteUFAK4ZmU3NlWZ9qqkW8tfuXD5RFuzP7TJzFhtJGWuWDIcRo4FW5rXk4h3xV1o3RHDUWuQOSkBfoKFl7zSow2fRn8nB-hHGyFnRkYEWERZpYP4M/s1600/Aus2017-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViQFFGpour8ukTKNx0148z3EnRTMteUFAK4ZmU3NlWZ9qqkW8tfuXD5RFuzP7TJzFhtJGWuWDIcRo4FW5rXk4h3xV1o3RHDUWuQOSkBfoKFl7zSow2fRn8nB-hHGyFnRkYEWERZpYP4M/s640/Aus2017-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">... the Celebritree! - Fuji x100s, 1/250, f/2, ISO 400</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As usual, we also visited <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolmanskop" target="_blank">Kolmanskop</a>, a ghost town outside Lüderitz.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDr9owz_SUOyajtHDfLREM2Nz957cIYGPNPl-233f_Mj0IsCWLsFsRW_bzPgQaYgAnAz5-54cdCNtR-tnSCB12F2nYIXGcAT3WUNpmlDYYoqaDLIQjnghHQS8fvGhu71T_AMocQlQiois/s1600/Aus2017-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDr9owz_SUOyajtHDfLREM2Nz957cIYGPNPl-233f_Mj0IsCWLsFsRW_bzPgQaYgAnAz5-54cdCNtR-tnSCB12F2nYIXGcAT3WUNpmlDYYoqaDLIQjnghHQS8fvGhu71T_AMocQlQiois/s640/Aus2017-03.jpg" width="544" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abandoned Staircase - Canon 40D, Tokina 11-16, 14x1/8, f/5.6, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I made this panorama with the camera (mounted on its trusty Nodal Ninja) jammed into a corner of this stairwell.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovme_XhTGMQw8RHiVxL53rVOAA0i7lL8gaL1fPn5x_YPKbfFwQ9tgGwyKKAZm671lONkVH9jGixCt1CDeJTZn-LIN9zAC7Ay8SI-GdCu2qlwVtKawakGhtPGVOIVgI3HnKIq6G3cWgZE/s1600/Aus2017-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovme_XhTGMQw8RHiVxL53rVOAA0i7lL8gaL1fPn5x_YPKbfFwQ9tgGwyKKAZm671lONkVH9jGixCt1CDeJTZn-LIN9zAC7Ay8SI-GdCu2qlwVtKawakGhtPGVOIVgI3HnKIq6G3cWgZE/s640/Aus2017-02.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand and Light - Canon 40D, Asahi Macro-Takumar 50mm f/4, 0.8, ISO 100, aperture not recorded </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmGGkaEgsZ8iIL4sQ_b2RdY3VcMpeytpwsP4fXuZJ_STS5gCCTjzxxBHYppNFzPQr1jF5GdrtHNEK0KkW_Nq-eC1jl3_ksAxXTLCiZA7OrASBdxA7KZjpPX1JAW_srsS32-13S9iWhvU/s1600/Aus2017-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmGGkaEgsZ8iIL4sQ_b2RdY3VcMpeytpwsP4fXuZJ_STS5gCCTjzxxBHYppNFzPQr1jF5GdrtHNEK0KkW_Nq-eC1jl3_ksAxXTLCiZA7OrASBdxA7KZjpPX1JAW_srsS32-13S9iWhvU/s640/Aus2017-14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dikke Willem Sunrise - Fuji x100s, 1/80, f/5.6, ISO 400</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErIwQKOA-K08krgF8DCkFX6e8SJYdrngb1nUiHvih_E-668RHOKSCLmCDTyUpcCc2mapMLcX6dwtSFfs0O0xqHQcfyZ8ylZ1pUhGxbk2QMfO0KeOIF9QDotvOXCEW-bi7LS_efi0sTQY/s1600/Aus2017-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="1600" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgErIwQKOA-K08krgF8DCkFX6e8SJYdrngb1nUiHvih_E-668RHOKSCLmCDTyUpcCc2mapMLcX6dwtSFfs0O0xqHQcfyZ8ylZ1pUhGxbk2QMfO0KeOIF9QDotvOXCEW-bi7LS_efi0sTQY/s640/Aus2017-21.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garub Sunrise - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 6x1/100, f/5.6, ISO 200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXmbgoHT0FziqlHsv5juSq1NiaEI7uR7U7p-9zFl3Gmvob0eeGhQYEO3FRttLCfFrCQ5gYNzA422zenP2Ajmb-fJLdxkwT03fiCXoJXrN676VDNs26ixPe-VBYQL8O9CyHMMcaVsNFJk/s1600/Aus2017-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXmbgoHT0FziqlHsv5juSq1NiaEI7uR7U7p-9zFl3Gmvob0eeGhQYEO3FRttLCfFrCQ5gYNzA422zenP2Ajmb-fJLdxkwT03fiCXoJXrN676VDNs26ixPe-VBYQL8O9CyHMMcaVsNFJk/s640/Aus2017-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sun-blasted Tree - Fuji x100s, 1/80, f/2, ISO 4000, IR filter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I also enjoyed the excellent infrared capability of my little Fuji.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PVTDR-vOdngyckGmI9ZKWHE9EOw1x6KPH4lh7TbJqhVtbLw-FQfqlq3D6tC2qnM79btTB6prlb5eHtAQgT6GUS6yhjzOFfcTaHp-WuLhLW6x_tY8qcJTuLtSNvZeFotxOw55vw6z-0I/s1600/Aus2017-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6PVTDR-vOdngyckGmI9ZKWHE9EOw1x6KPH4lh7TbJqhVtbLw-FQfqlq3D6tC2qnM79btTB6prlb5eHtAQgT6GUS6yhjzOFfcTaHp-WuLhLW6x_tY8qcJTuLtSNvZeFotxOw55vw6z-0I/s640/Aus2017-17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock Dome and Acacia - Fuji x100s, 10 sec, f/8, ISO 200, IR filter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhR3Z2P2WbNgpJrg7662Uu5F4b-gcgVdZBzWVEmDsl6t6FCpwAUAQlv7mAjPo3hOAJ3GyWg-xBLB61L2utDhv2EPwdvjjHdVJU-gLB2vTjjqWvLp8zEpYbOvX98xd-NGYZ_GrDzbKWAZk/s1600/Aus2017-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhR3Z2P2WbNgpJrg7662Uu5F4b-gcgVdZBzWVEmDsl6t6FCpwAUAQlv7mAjPo3hOAJ3GyWg-xBLB61L2utDhv2EPwdvjjHdVJU-gLB2vTjjqWvLp8zEpYbOvX98xd-NGYZ_GrDzbKWAZk/s640/Aus2017-22.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sociable Weavers - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/500, f/8, ISO 200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9TYJI-sstfM453rpIbnlz_zJQ7x7ueJ_qrnINISEuKPRP1JikWmX6jxabeZLpywB0tpH5UvA3O5oR-Th1xFzYYO1Z6z1AqROFgy45e6FwUU7-VVdaPpPW80ldCa8MLqRoofqe2f6Lk0/s1600/Aus2017-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-9TYJI-sstfM453rpIbnlz_zJQ7x7ueJ_qrnINISEuKPRP1JikWmX6jxabeZLpywB0tpH5UvA3O5oR-Th1xFzYYO1Z6z1AqROFgy45e6FwUU7-VVdaPpPW80ldCa8MLqRoofqe2f6Lk0/s640/Aus2017-04.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landing Flamingos - Canon 40D, Sigma 150-600 C, 1/640, f/8, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Here is one last pic to amuse you. And on that note, I bid you good night.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29Buh_cvk1adYddBzEtmO98-bokeglHtxApMXLSZ-mYlMEOL8oujynF3PNRR3WMuf5oAhETO1VJlNbkX_lNeCW7QtsqrIxpbNnP7u572a89P8snkBpyXadWSt5pluLmIUUhJO21mhr-E/s1600/Aus2017-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29Buh_cvk1adYddBzEtmO98-bokeglHtxApMXLSZ-mYlMEOL8oujynF3PNRR3WMuf5oAhETO1VJlNbkX_lNeCW7QtsqrIxpbNnP7u572a89P8snkBpyXadWSt5pluLmIUUhJO21mhr-E/s640/Aus2017-18.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two Billygoats Gruff - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/800, f/5.6, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-57349518131286963042016-12-16T11:27:00.000+02:002016-12-16T11:27:20.493+02:00Spirit Gull<h4>
</h4>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdWe7zm79Ks3BlqX3vOzBMYeFgz6fJUkZBiQItIMh4vACnm79-y94jBoW0qJ95gX_WKdDjQNvqDSdfA2uJ8HmQU5BOyBxgLEQHQ1UbnTnwUgeLdfvRTUV6qSKyRHRQqS-6D7jFC1VFB0/s1600/SpiritGulls-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghdWe7zm79Ks3BlqX3vOzBMYeFgz6fJUkZBiQItIMh4vACnm79-y94jBoW0qJ95gX_WKdDjQNvqDSdfA2uJ8HmQU5BOyBxgLEQHQ1UbnTnwUgeLdfvRTUV6qSKyRHRQqS-6D7jFC1VFB0/s640/SpiritGulls-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spirit Gull - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 F/4 IS, 1/10, F/13, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I recently cashed in all my brownie points and got away from my family to take part in the <a href="http://photoworkshops-sa.co.za/index.php/our-workshops/dates-and-cost/overberg-photo-workshop" target="_blank">Overberg Photographic Workshop</a>, presented by Wicus Leeuwner and JJ van Heerden. That's where I managed the above shot, which I wanted to share here.<br />
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<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<h4>
The making of</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
The shooting technique was quite straightforward - set the camera to
shutter speed priority, set at 1/10 or 1/15 of a second; set the
autofocus to track the birds (I almost never use this, so was pleasantly
surprised how well my 9 year old 40D could track them in flight) and
shoot away. I took about 250 shots in all, and this was by far the best
one. A number of others are decent, too, and I show them below. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYOsizRvHBzgXDip_eMTQTah7Gw-QImL3tmUADBp7xs0LsAXZvUKORnFOpW4bmzXPgHKA4Fp7WQWhn2NoNUJnYNXA0D5FcOFe6gAMJBxyXO3tDpMrUZvnSpkP7RgUodknRxJ67lumLhc/s1600/SpiritGulls-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYOsizRvHBzgXDip_eMTQTah7Gw-QImL3tmUADBp7xs0LsAXZvUKORnFOpW4bmzXPgHKA4Fp7WQWhn2NoNUJnYNXA0D5FcOFe6gAMJBxyXO3tDpMrUZvnSpkP7RgUodknRxJ67lumLhc/s640/SpiritGulls-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spirit Gull, as shot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This is what the shot looks like in camera. It was taken at the mouth of the Onrus River in Hermanus, South Africa. The water is brown because of dissolved tannin in the water, which is normal for mountain streams here. This luckily allowed me to selectively darken the brown tones in the black and white conversion. A similar effect can be had with a blue filter.<br />
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<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozFyYWqUjhGMz-LkrGgdbJ9-wEJgREVwQIXwQqLVqCeKcY31UUsZy-lDp0BX4qTrKpSvJVzZECDjstRk7QohgWU2heVcVQJPkFUJyHYVgan6nTFNl9OVxFEWvVswLzvKokrabVuZ7wuI/s1600/Adjustments.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozFyYWqUjhGMz-LkrGgdbJ9-wEJgREVwQIXwQqLVqCeKcY31UUsZy-lDp0BX4qTrKpSvJVzZECDjstRk7QohgWU2heVcVQJPkFUJyHYVgan6nTFNl9OVxFEWvVswLzvKokrabVuZ7wuI/s1600/Adjustments.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
All that remains was to crop to 4x5 (a ratio I love to use), some contrast adjustments and subtle split toning (warm highlights, cool shadows).<br />
<br />
<h4>
Some more pics</h4>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_e4gboQTrmUPgG9NWFpEeG2bHnqnabO5FHEE-UDzQ9E8ajLR6EhDxu0ncA2i1qfdwO8Hr5cocRE8LILEoIZ_Wfph6m9JG-3ZUfHCLtimvkD_H1oGpZbyVmvNyRkK3vcYByuFR4JSIek4/s1600/SpiritGulls-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_e4gboQTrmUPgG9NWFpEeG2bHnqnabO5FHEE-UDzQ9E8ajLR6EhDxu0ncA2i1qfdwO8Hr5cocRE8LILEoIZ_Wfph6m9JG-3ZUfHCLtimvkD_H1oGpZbyVmvNyRkK3vcYByuFR4JSIek4/s640/SpiritGulls-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take Off - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 F/4 IS, 1/10, F/14, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This is another of my favourites. It is very strange, but has an optimistic upward movement to it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3jOt7HMVXhzxwsUHGBSDqEqIjCLGWJLl1R2tTYSBlYAfHzLsFHI7c_sohNec6N2zTkcutkfOpgRlITr3DwaraYu5arzceRj3otzXiHmzGvyKBF3wlAE7f9wh9pUVR0Md-GjxjAwugww/s1600/SpiritGulls-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3jOt7HMVXhzxwsUHGBSDqEqIjCLGWJLl1R2tTYSBlYAfHzLsFHI7c_sohNec6N2zTkcutkfOpgRlITr3DwaraYu5arzceRj3otzXiHmzGvyKBF3wlAE7f9wh9pUVR0Md-GjxjAwugww/s640/SpiritGulls-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Untitled 1 - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 F/4 IS, 1/10, F/14, ISO 100 </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I managed to produce a similar look and feel for these images by saving a preset in Lightroom, with which I can apply the same B&W conversion and contrast adjustments with one click.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJniOkBQC8MN4gsD1Dp3dy1Y5gBCsKsRowhz1hyPeFYCXHp7CMLoTILeMVlxUXnUIAwv_i-ZsnY1sYaZk6zWAuqE0f7lXDoisKNd4cWD9xmFghf3fY_exlt5dAOASsD_g64kG-SQPK8w/s1600/SpiritGulls-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJniOkBQC8MN4gsD1Dp3dy1Y5gBCsKsRowhz1hyPeFYCXHp7CMLoTILeMVlxUXnUIAwv_i-ZsnY1sYaZk6zWAuqE0f7lXDoisKNd4cWD9xmFghf3fY_exlt5dAOASsD_g64kG-SQPK8w/s640/SpiritGulls-5.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preparing to Dive - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 F/4 IS, 1/10, F/13, ISO 100</td></tr>
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<br />The above is another of my favourites. Unfortunately, the original exposure has the bird at the bottom of the frame, so I had to extend the canvas in Photoshop to make it work. The "content aware fill" feature is really amazing - the bottom half of this image is computer generated. This means I can't enter it in most photo competitions.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-ekPhRf5TI8iaZedyHSJPei5GthGHCelcTtREt8fsFH6p5m__s8K0NfqcVf4gphyjLY7Yse9ieFeyAGrFAgACUVqv4KI4pi09ZKoiFLDv6AdVfxEytQj1N97lKOUs3_IlCprP5iF3n8/s1600/SpiritGulls-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-ekPhRf5TI8iaZedyHSJPei5GthGHCelcTtREt8fsFH6p5m__s8K0NfqcVf4gphyjLY7Yse9ieFeyAGrFAgACUVqv4KI4pi09ZKoiFLDv6AdVfxEytQj1N97lKOUs3_IlCprP5iF3n8/s640/SpiritGulls-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Untitled 2 - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 F/4 IS, 1/10, F/16, ISO 100</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAUDyjWJ6qvav5hE62a4QM5gMMKS3_tTMc174pZgt0d9oewryN5VnoGTKIN2uEwsyUZA4jAumjhHvefsdDCfngJob0TiEc78hmwg-CY2cJKjJKzJkWjPbAO5XZEPTFBfIb4pIEViFw04/s1600/SpiritGulls-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWAUDyjWJ6qvav5hE62a4QM5gMMKS3_tTMc174pZgt0d9oewryN5VnoGTKIN2uEwsyUZA4jAumjhHvefsdDCfngJob0TiEc78hmwg-CY2cJKjJKzJkWjPbAO5XZEPTFBfIb4pIEViFw04/s640/SpiritGulls-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Untitled 3 - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 F/4 IS, 1/15, F/20, ISO 100</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jdvrH1xnkcMt-0JtmttV2v2RhoyffxUjvSBDaKjtDdjsCThc_Yk-3CH_oWwas2jbku6iPrF7FTBa9qnEjGHiNSoaYqv3-P9fSEuXC91JUE-G3vX0S-OBMuv3FL0hiKHHzIBi1SKsbBo/s1600/SpiritGulls-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9jdvrH1xnkcMt-0JtmttV2v2RhoyffxUjvSBDaKjtDdjsCThc_Yk-3CH_oWwas2jbku6iPrF7FTBa9qnEjGHiNSoaYqv3-P9fSEuXC91JUE-G3vX0S-OBMuv3FL0hiKHHzIBi1SKsbBo/s640/SpiritGulls-8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Untitled 4 - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 F/4 IS, 1/10, F/14, ISO 100</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXhM4j_aRw8OuIgzwxXD7tXyQ1YL1VyO-Hcuj6RNo2itQo7RmGO5Ma00yZ7O1g7fOoP0xPhf6Q9bZcQ4FPKbE21exIkVVf8W1_uURkFHntyGoiVQylrZmWl1WxdFLD-P0XshcnescXWg/s1600/SpiritGulls-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCXhM4j_aRw8OuIgzwxXD7tXyQ1YL1VyO-Hcuj6RNo2itQo7RmGO5Ma00yZ7O1g7fOoP0xPhf6Q9bZcQ4FPKbE21exIkVVf8W1_uURkFHntyGoiVQylrZmWl1WxdFLD-P0XshcnescXWg/s640/SpiritGulls-9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Untitled 5 - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 F/4 IS, 1/10, F/13, ISO 100</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZ_IV2wVuz1WMDxPJ-bbzFd04FF_ZsQx6q4rfzUiwixO_Rdva5mzDrMzQip6k5ScYYMZZlB_u_fnTgWOBatsF5vm2hretmBfuSMD5jwLb2ejruy53ndOJrrnVHlJND2_KdYZWWqG3zUE/s1600/SpiritGulls-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZ_IV2wVuz1WMDxPJ-bbzFd04FF_ZsQx6q4rfzUiwixO_Rdva5mzDrMzQip6k5ScYYMZZlB_u_fnTgWOBatsF5vm2hretmBfuSMD5jwLb2ejruy53ndOJrrnVHlJND2_KdYZWWqG3zUE/s640/SpiritGulls-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Untitled 6 - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 F/4 IS, 1/10, F/13, ISO 100</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTlbCvrDZn1OSW_GX_fm0mTc4mhGYJpBEQSKpd-pV_l_Anb4ezqn4BvssH41b8IcuKVKsMQE0b6yZK6ujLRD6yLmo0brqNQPNP6yXaT59qfIld_nDMP9mizaz4TIdaXX868ueBcZjuN4/s1600/SpiritGulls-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTlbCvrDZn1OSW_GX_fm0mTc4mhGYJpBEQSKpd-pV_l_Anb4ezqn4BvssH41b8IcuKVKsMQE0b6yZK6ujLRD6yLmo0brqNQPNP6yXaT59qfIld_nDMP9mizaz4TIdaXX868ueBcZjuN4/s640/SpiritGulls-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Untitled 7 - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 F/4 IS, 1/15, F/20, ISO 100</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLf_FTNyoS1F-HBoJTu09TMi8brsqsfDIy3o8iHkpL7CKJiYLixYPbMy9l0hR_Nvqw0oMWCI5TO9XJB8TimHtn5h8RgZWHksNOgXfFdNyo-0fgG7nE3xk-NdOBcXYj3Yn_VGc1F9oNqg/s1600/SpiritGulls-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLf_FTNyoS1F-HBoJTu09TMi8brsqsfDIy3o8iHkpL7CKJiYLixYPbMy9l0hR_Nvqw0oMWCI5TO9XJB8TimHtn5h8RgZWHksNOgXfFdNyo-0fgG7nE3xk-NdOBcXYj3Yn_VGc1F9oNqg/s640/SpiritGulls-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Untitled 8 - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 F/4 IS, 1/6, F/20, ISO 100</td></tr>
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For these last two shots I kept the original colour.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaox0XzpG8sHFPzzxHqQ4vReJyBw5EX201Bq9j0HjJ07z9GCqWbFzdJdogaXGCu42YthyDrtl3MgAzoAB6xhj5SWKcvREsggDupsGQlag1cnCtf8Rc4tEHwwpJ5Gm1WAn2OGicqlma7OY/s1600/SpiritGulls-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaox0XzpG8sHFPzzxHqQ4vReJyBw5EX201Bq9j0HjJ07z9GCqWbFzdJdogaXGCu42YthyDrtl3MgAzoAB6xhj5SWKcvREsggDupsGQlag1cnCtf8Rc4tEHwwpJ5Gm1WAn2OGicqlma7OY/s640/SpiritGulls-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Untitled 9 - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 F/4 IS, 1/10, F/16, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h4>
In other news</h4>
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The rest of the workshop was also great, perhaps I'll post some of my other pics next time. Since the weather there is not always cooperative in spring (the main attraction being the grain fields around harvest time, and that needs some sunlight), the organisers wisely planned in a full day of macro photography, presented by <a href="http://nicole-palmer.blogspot.co.za/" target="_blank">Nicole Palmer</a>. That was an amazing experience! I was lucky enough to borrow the Sigma 150mm F/2.8 OS Macro lens for this; I wrote up my review for Sigma South Africa<a href="http://www.sigmaphoto.co.za/sigma-150mm-f2-8-ex-dg-os-hsm-apo-macro-review-florian-breuer/" target="_blank"> here.</a><br />
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My <a href="http://floriansphotographs.blogspot.co.za/2016/06/nightskies-with-fuji-x-pro2.html" target="_blank">Pearly Beach by Night panorama</a> recently won first prize in the <a href="http://www.countrylife.co.za/competitions/imageclub/image-club-november-2016" target="_blank">Image Club competition</a> in the November issue of SA Country Life Magazine, I'm quite chuffed with this.<br />
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So that's it for now. I'm sorry I don't post more often, but I now have two little rug rats to trip over, and they take up all my time and energy, so I don't often get to photograph something other than kids. The next big adventure will be the <a href="http://photoworkshops-sa.co.za/index.php/dates-and-cost/aus-namibia" target="_blank">Aus Photography Workshop</a>, where I'll again be presenting night photography alongside Wicus and JJ. I'll write more about that closer to the time.<br />
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Until then, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all!<br />
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<br />Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-85003908001557254942016-07-08T23:53:00.000+02:002016-07-08T23:53:16.355+02:00Night skies updated<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYdgGzX2o8rLAy6oVwpnmq7oWMNuemAZz-QTEH0gGX1Z4eNYrXti1J7KKMC8oXzp_YYArsuHm-9yPTFhM_9Z9C282JUmiESVr7-sRxM5hy6Fi8hEZ_wQg_9HB2ZBf0HuuuhMfHyqU2m4/s1600/Cederberg-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYdgGzX2o8rLAy6oVwpnmq7oWMNuemAZz-QTEH0gGX1Z4eNYrXti1J7KKMC8oXzp_YYArsuHm-9yPTFhM_9Z9C282JUmiESVr7-sRxM5hy6Fi8hEZ_wQg_9HB2ZBf0HuuuhMfHyqU2m4/s640/Cederberg-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cederberg Skies - Canon 40D, Tokina 11-16, 12x30sec, f/2.8, ISO 3200</td></tr>
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I have tweaked some of my recent night sky pictures, here they are.<br />
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The above shot was taken during a weekend in the Cederberg region. It was taken during a half moon, which is nice for illuminating the landscape, but a little bright for the stars. The Magellanic Clouds are visible, but they're hiding among the terrestrial clouds low over the horizon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixm_Hok6K6xaU0xB0HAGNxkieNkx1pb29wHOaScEfMhrwwq66Ngk7br28n1VTIxwcQdOtMziiyJjoFQcJAX0jhMtpQ2Xg85ZTfvByZ2HR4Ezn2p7_uCslOE0US9pDBHugyP2s4gbwW16k/s1600/Cederberg-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixm_Hok6K6xaU0xB0HAGNxkieNkx1pb29wHOaScEfMhrwwq66Ngk7br28n1VTIxwcQdOtMziiyJjoFQcJAX0jhMtpQ2Xg85ZTfvByZ2HR4Ezn2p7_uCslOE0US9pDBHugyP2s4gbwW16k/s640/Cederberg-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Galactic Heart - Canon 40D, Tokina 11-16, 30sec, f/2.8, ISO 3200</td></tr>
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Here is a single exposure of the same scene. As you can see, the Milky Way is actually quite straight, it is only the panoramic projection in the first image that makes it appear curved (if you project a part of a spherical image onto a flat piece of paper then some distortion is inevitable. That's also why Greenland looks so huge on a world map).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWygM9kwM5UotU7rVJNrZMjjXIPRF1XMGJN2eRogTNPq8VUrr0Q8HrZgOCm6Lqf2lOCEj47vrEN-zo4jy6p6a8igyZ4ZzNzsz_-gBnd6YE7MGTGjhOV2toNmhbQr3Lxqv7j_TOqHCKo7U/s1600/HeavensAbove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWygM9kwM5UotU7rVJNrZMjjXIPRF1XMGJN2eRogTNPq8VUrr0Q8HrZgOCm6Lqf2lOCEj47vrEN-zo4jy6p6a8igyZ4ZzNzsz_-gBnd6YE7MGTGjhOV2toNmhbQr3Lxqv7j_TOqHCKo7U/s640/HeavensAbove.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heavens Above - Fuji x100s, 4x30sec, f/2, ISO 3200</td></tr>
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I had already <a href="http://floriansphotographs.blogspot.co.za/2016/06/aus-workshop-2016.html" target="_blank">posted this shot before</a>, but here I have tweaked it a bit, improving the contrast using the wonderful Color Efex Pro tool of the <a href="https://www.google.com/nikcollection/" target="_blank">Google Nik collection</a>, which is now available for free. Also, I cropped it slightly so the aspect ratio is now 1x2, which makes it easier to frame. What I like about this shot is how the sky is blue near the horizon, but darkens to black towards the zenith. The moon was about 35% illuminated, which seems to me the perfect amount. <br />
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<h3>
Pearly Beach by Night </h3>
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I was lucky enough to borrow the new Fuji X-Pro2 camera, together with the Fujinon 16mm f/1.4 lens (which incidentally scores an astonishing <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AomVJ2lbrwb1dDRGeHJOaVZfYnlFR2ZDTFNlSnk2emc&usp=sharing#gid=2" target="_blank">3826</a> on the Astro Lens Score, <a href="http://petapixel.com/2014/01/29/picking-great-lens-milky-way-photography/" target="_blank">according to this site</a>). I wrote about my <a href="http://floriansphotographs.blogspot.co.za/2016/06/nightskies-with-fuji-x-pro2.html" target="_blank">experiences here</a>, where three of the next five images also appear. I have again hit them with Color Efex Pro. I'm wondering, though, if the contrast is a little overdone now. Feel free to leave a comment on what you think.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEi08ZatGaH93FtbQNsrdNagisv063e-_2ZzZD8vqsksMTaRYHcmo6sBYUkDzoczTO4qDz9YuaMA2lLbxgjof6eoYpgIqZqsDqx_Pk3FraGWIXfGQ5xGXrCZwLk3Q4UWRWSRNA8QiQ44/s1600/PearlyBeachByNight-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEi08ZatGaH93FtbQNsrdNagisv063e-_2ZzZD8vqsksMTaRYHcmo6sBYUkDzoczTO4qDz9YuaMA2lLbxgjof6eoYpgIqZqsDqx_Pk3FraGWIXfGQ5xGXrCZwLk3Q4UWRWSRNA8QiQ44/s640/PearlyBeachByNight-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearly Beach by Night 1 - Fuji X-Pro2, 16mm, f/1.4, 19x8sec, f/1.4, ISO 3200</td></tr>
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The above panorama uses a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miller_cylindrical_projection" target="_blank">Miller Cylindrical projection,</a> which sounds really high-brow, except that it's the only projection that gave usable results in this case, since I didn't shoot a full 360 degree panorama for this image (I was just planning to do a first test of the camera...).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQ5JuoGglxQgOeOhfbw4cubrsSpaHC9vRUkyZjVNDUddhX6-uQJSa4xsUC5FVE8oqmKfz7ZZJPJSjEqOhzMajbYhiCyZBSJgiybo7qW5viZt-zNMQRrXWJ8FixULzmxZUlxMyplzX4Ns/s1600/PearlyBeachByNight-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQ5JuoGglxQgOeOhfbw4cubrsSpaHC9vRUkyZjVNDUddhX6-uQJSa4xsUC5FVE8oqmKfz7ZZJPJSjEqOhzMajbYhiCyZBSJgiybo7qW5viZt-zNMQRrXWJ8FixULzmxZUlxMyplzX4Ns/s640/PearlyBeachByNight-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearly Beach by Night 2 - Fuji X-Pro 2, 16mm, 26x15sec, f/1.4, ISO 1600 </td></tr>
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This one and the next two all use a <a href="http://wiki.panotools.org/Fisheye_Projection" target="_blank">Fisheye projection</a>, which forms a nicely circular arch of the Milky Way. In this projection, the stars in the upper corners are actually just above the horizon behind you, so you really need a full-sky panorama to make one of these.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehq97ifNctAtg4zWKraQ-o6Zof2EnWS7HSAy7__XzUWKulTJocG-f-m80vyvC31lqvm2Otiwm3lm3lrX1jlNtTrrIq9yi_TfQEdBmadw5Zq5KE7mGhrHAcGea3_5s53Y3HEY_OzFsW94/s1600/PearlyBeachByNight-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehq97ifNctAtg4zWKraQ-o6Zof2EnWS7HSAy7__XzUWKulTJocG-f-m80vyvC31lqvm2Otiwm3lm3lrX1jlNtTrrIq9yi_TfQEdBmadw5Zq5KE7mGhrHAcGea3_5s53Y3HEY_OzFsW94/s640/PearlyBeachByNight-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearly Beach by Night 3 - Fuji X-Pro2, 16mm, 34x4sec, f/1.4, ISO 6400</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As you may notice, I tried out various exposure settings. Short, 4 second exposures are great for lazy people who want to get the shoot over and done with quickly, and also minimizes streaking of the stars. But you pay for that with higher image noise. Luckily the generous f/1.4 aperture allows such games. The downside: the foreground is slightly out of focus, which you'll notice if you print this large (so I don't recommend printing wider than about 50cm).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tkH9CUt89znTIXXu4P_hyphenhyphenqU9q8uNVMfJBRl2oRp0Z4nXCqQ4-Y_kaDidbgrm2dGXsN8lP2WIB8KgIxHndCLGwhrdrX5N3mvXHZlpwAdApRZbyS0T1d07T6wx2e8eb8xJNF-Xp2rKgaE/s1600/PearlyBeachByNight-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tkH9CUt89znTIXXu4P_hyphenhyphenqU9q8uNVMfJBRl2oRp0Z4nXCqQ4-Y_kaDidbgrm2dGXsN8lP2WIB8KgIxHndCLGwhrdrX5N3mvXHZlpwAdApRZbyS0T1d07T6wx2e8eb8xJNF-Xp2rKgaE/s640/PearlyBeachByNight-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearly Beach by Night 4 - Fuji X-Pro2, 16mm, 34x8sec, f/1.4, ISO 3200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This was the last one I took. On the way back I tripped over some kelp and injured my shoulder. Night photography is dangerous! Oh, all of the above images have a 16x9 aspect ratio, so they're well suited for desktop backgrounds.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmVSD0EMAa1yGwyp4RDaot2IRmxZLT8Zj8dR0003qmIqgeHCe4vTwVq5AnYamQluzkqxuzNvyeGXpCym51i_9Qg2ZIH8chlxD0O6cvABuQOy2VD-li6LQObS0BuQbj5e60FENGN0QwE8/s1600/PearlyBeachByNight-long.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmVSD0EMAa1yGwyp4RDaot2IRmxZLT8Zj8dR0003qmIqgeHCe4vTwVq5AnYamQluzkqxuzNvyeGXpCym51i_9Qg2ZIH8chlxD0O6cvABuQOy2VD-li6LQObS0BuQbj5e60FENGN0QwE8/s640/PearlyBeachByNight-long.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearly Beach by Night 4 Long Version - Fuji X-Pro2, 16mm, 34x8sec, f/1.4, ISO 3200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is the same scene, but using an <a href="http://wiki.panotools.org/Equirectangular_Projection" target="_blank">Equirectangular projection</a> to produce a longer image (5x2 aspect ratio here), which I like because of the dark triangles on either side of the image, which add to the composition. The two Magellanic Clouds in the center complete the image for me. It is my favorite of the series.<br />
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<br />Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-83012689258877046952016-06-28T13:40:00.001+02:002016-06-28T13:40:56.371+02:00Aus Workshop 2016<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSv3epIrKQMXTQ_E1ZhVKUeISVmNJDnic8eaYOMoP0pU8C6_VRfhagN0eziqeDIo_-JlmwEg1nKRO8kdFdqtaRTdlUwTBeG2s58tjWU_a1ah_ylVwXoHSa6xNSIAdnIHqy7GmdKeoJsU/s1600/Aus2016-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSv3epIrKQMXTQ_E1ZhVKUeISVmNJDnic8eaYOMoP0pU8C6_VRfhagN0eziqeDIo_-JlmwEg1nKRO8kdFdqtaRTdlUwTBeG2s58tjWU_a1ah_ylVwXoHSa6xNSIAdnIHqy7GmdKeoJsU/s640/Aus2016-04.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree and Dune - Fuji x100s, 1/100, f/8, ISO 200, Polarizer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The Aus Photography Workshop with Wicus Leeuwner and JJ van Heerden was a great success! It was an excellent learning experience for me, I had much fun and got some decent shots.<br />
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I suspect that my blog has in common with Playboy that most people come here for the pictures rather than the text. So I'll oblige with lots of pics below the fold (SFW, don't worry), along with some descriptions. <br />
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<h3>
Landscapes</h3>
Although not officially part of the workshop, a few of us took a day off to do a tour of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sperrgebiet" target="_blank">Sperrgebiet</a>,
the restricted diamond zone along the Southwest coast. Its history is
fascinating (go read it elsewhere), and the landscapes are pretty stark.
There are also various ghost towns and abandoned mining machinery
rusting in the desert. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1ISb6rd4bGFZnzTgMEfLDu31vg2b3GzS1CwQptMWlD2C2_0bcfZcN6hKrjHmu4r1lpq_ZjKVoJVUk-aMonU63WHNnNp1ImAYFAP84Wtnk8TFBgJvuftjRSGnB-wx0sjXGElywhh2lYo/s1600/Aus2016-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1ISb6rd4bGFZnzTgMEfLDu31vg2b3GzS1CwQptMWlD2C2_0bcfZcN6hKrjHmu4r1lpq_ZjKVoJVUk-aMonU63WHNnNp1ImAYFAP84Wtnk8TFBgJvuftjRSGnB-wx0sjXGElywhh2lYo/s640/Aus2016-01.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bogenfels - Canon 40D, Tokina 11-16, 60sec, f/16, ISO 100, ND Filter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This is the famous Bogenfels rock arch in the Sperrgebiet. I used an ND filter to blur the motion of the waves and clouds, making the arch look more solid and permanent in contrast. I was hoping for a wilder sea, which would have made the foot of the arch appear to emerge from fog, but the day was unusually calm. The arch is huge, by the way, I should have included a little figure for scale.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QLOQ69etN5Fq8yEkgtpgK-PQwHxgYGhSP1SoW82UFYA9StFQGfGnmMJxKHYVJfCXitrUohmH84csOTE8pcnooBcotJacO5b_4fFp0bKYq8440WSXr7zWYPnCFet0hrhbXRgjie1lTJU/s1600/Aus2016-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5QLOQ69etN5Fq8yEkgtpgK-PQwHxgYGhSP1SoW82UFYA9StFQGfGnmMJxKHYVJfCXitrUohmH84csOTE8pcnooBcotJacO5b_4fFp0bKYq8440WSXr7zWYPnCFet0hrhbXRgjie1lTJU/s640/Aus2016-02.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nara Plant - Canon 40D, Sigma 8-16mm, 1/100, f/16, ISO 400</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Naras are melons commonly found in Namibia. They're edible, but for some reason the horses there don't eat them.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSZiqixUtFNPP6nUloDA_ryvFEVt8EZTFDAkYJnzRCT3l8GthQM7-ZL1GxYU1Cqd7wq6Fsi3YzC3WfQhOMonKDOISZe0kZMKtn_jQcHm2nn2EyFT-9fnk5O1g3APpqn0FQ_6ntWdOVYM/s1600/Aus2016-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSZiqixUtFNPP6nUloDA_ryvFEVt8EZTFDAkYJnzRCT3l8GthQM7-ZL1GxYU1Cqd7wq6Fsi3YzC3WfQhOMonKDOISZe0kZMKtn_jQcHm2nn2EyFT-9fnk5O1g3APpqn0FQ_6ntWdOVYM/s640/Aus2016-05.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garub Plains - Fuji x100s, 8x1/250, f/8, ISO 200, polarizer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The above panorama gives a nice feel of the Garub plains, with the various workshop participants enjoying themselves. I stupidly left my polarizer on, hence the darker portion of the sky. Because only the region at approximately right angles to the sun is polarized, that region looks darker, which is not ideal for wide angles of view.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEt_E9t_hHQIGVbwKu2AYmYQsnP2qH4TdNG6jDU_s7RvugzAHPD8TZqZkVgYoDjtUNlhDxjhfE0F34Et6g-K5co6eFKu3ULaEbN80CQJrnslLRMfkUIZ1qvOZt1JUGz-q-XQeNmn20Ol0/s1600/Aus2016-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEt_E9t_hHQIGVbwKu2AYmYQsnP2qH4TdNG6jDU_s7RvugzAHPD8TZqZkVgYoDjtUNlhDxjhfE0F34Et6g-K5co6eFKu3ULaEbN80CQJrnslLRMfkUIZ1qvOZt1JUGz-q-XQeNmn20Ol0/s640/Aus2016-06.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petrified Dunes - Canon 40D, Sigma 150-600 C, 1/1250, f/8, ISO 400</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Long lenses are great for compressed landscapes. That lovely Sigma 150-600 Contemporary was loaned to me by Sigma South Africa, along with the 8-16mm ultra-wide angle lens and the fast 35mm f/1.4 Art lens. All three lenses were very impressive. I wrote up my experience with them for Sigma's blog <a href="http://www.sigmaphoto.co.za/the-long-and-the-short-of-it-from-8-to-600mm-by-florian-breuer/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqz9O_v_6PVeHsTT6U_-U9Rl49ayhfycW0C-w5kpyo7bw966_Xe6M3LOQ0_C6OoT5YvYhGy8JnI_pvTEavDPJkmd5djsUYdK5fEIVIsrTKv8U-SIRHsXtgy-cmdebwJdXNilJmj7oqosw/s1600/Aus2016-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqz9O_v_6PVeHsTT6U_-U9Rl49ayhfycW0C-w5kpyo7bw966_Xe6M3LOQ0_C6OoT5YvYhGy8JnI_pvTEavDPJkmd5djsUYdK5fEIVIsrTKv8U-SIRHsXtgy-cmdebwJdXNilJmj7oqosw/s640/Aus2016-07.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Celebritree - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55, 1/60, f/2.8, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This is the Celebritree, one of the most-photographed quiver trees in the world (or would be, if more people came here), standing at the edge of God's Window with an amazing view of the Garub Plains. It really is a particularly lovely specimen.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggb5v0WVEjryu6iAd9JqZd2DUYucPuXt1OxXxCUb3BYjVr5yRcF9CaAY3Zz8h9zcrqi7iJWF2YEYnDd1cJrAB34MlGJd8YsFxuSCq__SRK1zZSmjjDtSevTAMrlrdOgHRculoc9diZ19s/s1600/Aus2016-08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggb5v0WVEjryu6iAd9JqZd2DUYucPuXt1OxXxCUb3BYjVr5yRcF9CaAY3Zz8h9zcrqi7iJWF2YEYnDd1cJrAB34MlGJd8YsFxuSCq__SRK1zZSmjjDtSevTAMrlrdOgHRculoc9diZ19s/s640/Aus2016-08.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from God's Window, Canon 40D, Tokina 11-16, 3x1/8, f/8, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Here is a view from God's Window. It's three shots, stitched into a panorama. I still didn't get enough in, so the bottom two corners are actually fake, courtesy of Photoshop's "content-aware fill" function. Did you notice?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmVb1vSRftGl61geza4PPPpgDSIgRwGDpBdwuSzRju4-uDAlm5OMkPAY2RLxGtPyh2U2CMHMkHfiTKMYb6_1LfiJrJKrAzJxtyk6xaDcImCI7_ac_Skp-jopJcDyK8cwWmRj9Hl_F9nQ/s1600/Aus2016-09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmVb1vSRftGl61geza4PPPpgDSIgRwGDpBdwuSzRju4-uDAlm5OMkPAY2RLxGtPyh2U2CMHMkHfiTKMYb6_1LfiJrJKrAzJxtyk6xaDcImCI7_ac_Skp-jopJcDyK8cwWmRj9Hl_F9nQ/s640/Aus2016-09.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B&W Sunset - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55, 0.4+1/10+1/40 HDR, f/5.6, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Okay, not the world's best sunset image, but I made some HDR images of sunsets, and frankly this one looks better in black and white than any of the others do in color. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCAVnMAocbFoxMSz9J1Y8TZtM7HRHZEVQ7GuIZwCL9_JX_720gYuBrsHfeU2MdFEU5LUMd9pABjRl1haTLaYLzg0Of9VTII95mVWlxGptcznkUliWud3graSt07EJP2af-wwoE_Wsbhg/s1600/Aus2016-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCAVnMAocbFoxMSz9J1Y8TZtM7HRHZEVQ7GuIZwCL9_JX_720gYuBrsHfeU2MdFEU5LUMd9pABjRl1haTLaYLzg0Of9VTII95mVWlxGptcznkUliWud3graSt07EJP2af-wwoE_Wsbhg/s640/Aus2016-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geisterschlucht - Fuji x100s, 6.5sec, f/11, ISO 200, IR filter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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JJ and I arrived a few days before the workshop and hung around exploring and taking photographs. I had a great time in the noonday sun with my little Fuji x100s and an infrared filter, while JJ napped, and photographed the charismatic acacia trees in the Geisterschlucht valley where we stayed. I can really recommend the little Fuji for infrared (and for little flowers, and for nightscapes...)<br />
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<h3>
Wildlife</h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKXFT-uhPzOSnb2yngKINby-J_yr7yqS1Pxy_VcV8pMYeI-hViH4qexjzrPm8lG23nkLr4LPOJ1KRN55tvgH9YrOHGYTllYVFczvNAgD65MihmV3X0ASexTNVOkTaRx8qRNEOLl22ax4/s1600/Aus2016-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKXFT-uhPzOSnb2yngKINby-J_yr7yqS1Pxy_VcV8pMYeI-hViH4qexjzrPm8lG23nkLr4LPOJ1KRN55tvgH9YrOHGYTllYVFczvNAgD65MihmV3X0ASexTNVOkTaRx8qRNEOLl22ax4/s640/Aus2016-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Six-Headed Hydra - Canon 40D, Sigma 150-600 C, 1/1000, f/8, ISO 640</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Most of our time was spent at the Garub water hole, an artificial water source created for the feral horses. These six ostriches showed up nearly every morning.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83vrxLe5DGI4W3bLUbZ-O1g4USXNpEydPul-fgwjjmkBK-v8UuoJXoz-jU6jqEWUHRjJ0mFX1oeRCd3Q1ww6-3BQjvdZxTGvFD_Ja8NNq7mZOi5bfERGe9Fj1ZQPbuPUX8sBUghG69eo/s1600/Aus2016-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83vrxLe5DGI4W3bLUbZ-O1g4USXNpEydPul-fgwjjmkBK-v8UuoJXoz-jU6jqEWUHRjJ0mFX1oeRCd3Q1ww6-3BQjvdZxTGvFD_Ja8NNq7mZOi5bfERGe9Fj1ZQPbuPUX8sBUghG69eo/s640/Aus2016-13.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three Desert Horses - Canon 40D, Sigma 150-600 C, 1/200, f/8, ISO 200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The famous <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namib_Desert_Horse" target="_blank">feral horses</a> near Aus are the main attraction for this workshop every year. This year, though, the horses are in serious trouble. It hasn't rained here in ages, and there's almost nothing for them to eat, to the extent that they're getting fed once a week. Because they rely on the water, they cannot migrate away to greener pastures. That, combined with hyena predation means that the population has halved in the last few years, and we didn't see a single foal.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dPPZHz0YBdssW1qUAuchQUMuKU5xOntWeeYlX48TKOHoDunCPZMMgVYHSBdGrqKeayp61EnQDCINK8ksPhEfLX-ClMcSpS6Uwfm7w4XYwzUKJMh_wXJeb9Ep71-0wc9g8NAone317yc/s1600/Aus2016-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dPPZHz0YBdssW1qUAuchQUMuKU5xOntWeeYlX48TKOHoDunCPZMMgVYHSBdGrqKeayp61EnQDCINK8ksPhEfLX-ClMcSpS6Uwfm7w4XYwzUKJMh_wXJeb9Ep71-0wc9g8NAone317yc/s640/Aus2016-14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Frank Exchange of Views - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/125, f/4, ISO 500</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is one of the few instances of sparring between stallions that we saw. Most of the horses looked miserable and listless.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIETblKuCBw60L1k8vZjThPE3t_AQEfAZRVBEdEyfOYeA9cKm0oYvoaq2qEEuhqQ5-628h6SWQG8RYTO6g7Dei61sMtBnSGgozIBtvdH_IYJQY2EV9BTeSKCG3-ycTgkgo0eMLg5xdDE/s1600/Aus2016-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIETblKuCBw60L1k8vZjThPE3t_AQEfAZRVBEdEyfOYeA9cKm0oYvoaq2qEEuhqQ5-628h6SWQG8RYTO6g7Dei61sMtBnSGgozIBtvdH_IYJQY2EV9BTeSKCG3-ycTgkgo0eMLg5xdDE/s640/Aus2016-15.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert Horse Sunset - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/500, f/4, ISO 500</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Rim lighting is always beautiful, which is why we often photograph these horses against the light.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigP38vYMk6w25NE6RZplpSRIXDUXhxtCIVuz84FTwKxXoQ8zXzFoKG48djf7FY2cQCIt1i0TODBFnUe1FWkHJZY3Wncxfftnh9OAA7wPYPjF7wjay3pGKoZ3T7HhLJA5p2_yx3jK91eAo/s1600/Aus2016-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigP38vYMk6w25NE6RZplpSRIXDUXhxtCIVuz84FTwKxXoQ8zXzFoKG48djf7FY2cQCIt1i0TODBFnUe1FWkHJZY3Wncxfftnh9OAA7wPYPjF7wjay3pGKoZ3T7HhLJA5p2_yx3jK91eAo/s640/Aus2016-16.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Dust - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/1250, f/4, ISO 200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yep, the plains are very dusty.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpbLLDLwwSd3mvfSNL89uDvV2ZmlgxzjS0Mb0yKcRskxuUMNPJuhGoTfTqvfASD2s8x8R33cEsIYuIUZ6HdEiQXX0F8Vi35hrfde35TlceBTmRRCHZdRI42GEWNUboRHPSs0_aaXk_tQ/s1600/Aus2016-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpbLLDLwwSd3mvfSNL89uDvV2ZmlgxzjS0Mb0yKcRskxuUMNPJuhGoTfTqvfASD2s8x8R33cEsIYuIUZ6HdEiQXX0F8Vi35hrfde35TlceBTmRRCHZdRI42GEWNUboRHPSs0_aaXk_tQ/s640/Aus2016-17.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cartoon Horse - Canon 40D, Sigma 8-16, 1/320, f/5.6, ISO 400</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Okay, this is not a wild horse, but a tame one, on the guest farm where we stayed. Much fun can be had with ultra-wide angle lenses. This shot was taken a few centimeters from the horse's nose.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRXFZI74ro2ay7Vna050fFj4U0wgQ2rSA0Mw_Q9thkug3nOW7OxtkGOhf8RG-OUb53DTD6RP03Mxk3K0F_wP6NYq_G0a7p-xjzt0yWoCCug-5oJVlbW9X_8UxVipORN-5MFAQ_5wzQPw/s1600/Aus2016-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRXFZI74ro2ay7Vna050fFj4U0wgQ2rSA0Mw_Q9thkug3nOW7OxtkGOhf8RG-OUb53DTD6RP03Mxk3K0F_wP6NYq_G0a7p-xjzt0yWoCCug-5oJVlbW9X_8UxVipORN-5MFAQ_5wzQPw/s640/Aus2016-18.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sociable Weaver - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/1000, f/4, ISO 800</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociable_weaver" target="_blank">Sociable weavers</a> build enormous nests, which can house hundreds of birds. One often sees fallen nests under acacia trees, where the nest kept getting enlarged until the branch broke under the weight.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnXTheRevJnSWINrhT4QdDTdtDJSwrdh8jmqvtyMmtIh1W7Ch6E2VDVCHNjWPrfXOf7gI_FomZ_B60pZ5oHn8TeJ2bHA3VS8iMuIqcGfYcGCs6vpRgzVvfOBT1-avCHrfABhDikJ_dw8/s1600/Aus2016-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnXTheRevJnSWINrhT4QdDTdtDJSwrdh8jmqvtyMmtIh1W7Ch6E2VDVCHNjWPrfXOf7gI_FomZ_B60pZ5oHn8TeJ2bHA3VS8iMuIqcGfYcGCs6vpRgzVvfOBT1-avCHrfABhDikJ_dw8/s640/Aus2016-19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lizard - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/200, f/11, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have often lamented that my otherwise wonderful 70-200 has a back-focus problem when focusing on nearby objects, and my old Canon 40D doesn't do focus micro-adjustments to compensate for this. But this time I nailed it, using manual focus override to pull the plane of focus back to the lizard's eye. Luckily, the little fellow obligingly posed for me at a distance of less than two meters.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0Fx6W2TUL3OK2kBvKXFlnty4ZKv-LPr0UNu8QbJoKqiYfNA0fJVpiXaq_bSB0feY1DoRZgI1321j6aELwHWA90N4oSUDjDJF849vZXqv4ale_6_3RnInRRADHfvi1W7C29OVqgtE9tY/s1600/Aus2016-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0Fx6W2TUL3OK2kBvKXFlnty4ZKv-LPr0UNu8QbJoKqiYfNA0fJVpiXaq_bSB0feY1DoRZgI1321j6aELwHWA90N4oSUDjDJF849vZXqv4ale_6_3RnInRRADHfvi1W7C29OVqgtE9tY/s640/Aus2016-20.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gemsbok - Canon 40D, Sigma 150-600 C, 1/1000, f/9, ISO 400</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are plenty of gemsbok (oryx) in the region, though they are poached and hence very skittish. Otherwise they look sleek and healthy, in marked contrast to the poor horses.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEAlz9L0XNEh-up2zWbDDOJjRnkZ8oI0nelCcQ3cgtWL_PQucacsoZs775HLXPW94hi5qlFmDZQ4yCQVcfohtizfkMAyUK-vHPzyfp1umnsqpPbfyv5P0iMB7piiKsniFU5FU9NR26tg/s1600/Aus2016-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEAlz9L0XNEh-up2zWbDDOJjRnkZ8oI0nelCcQ3cgtWL_PQucacsoZs775HLXPW94hi5qlFmDZQ4yCQVcfohtizfkMAyUK-vHPzyfp1umnsqpPbfyv5P0iMB7piiKsniFU5FU9NR26tg/s640/Aus2016-21.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bat in Flight - Canon 40D, Tokina 11-16, 1/250, f/5.6, ISO 800, flash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This little bat was flying regular patrols along the balcony of the lodge where we ate our dinners. Well, if you can anticipate it, you can photograph it. So I got Tanya's flash, mounted a wide-angle lens for an extensive depth of field, set the flash to manual (after almost frying the poor thing with my first test shot, I dialed the flash power down to about 1/32) and took a number of pot shots (which needed extensive cropping). The results, though amateurish, are surprisingly good, given the limited preparation. If you know what species this is, leave a comment.<br />
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<h3>
Flora </h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvEMsWY85LJju-gXuUbpLCb39gED_te3dmEJ60tVAlH-HFat8NtO55oXogXiOU4iNObFGDpyOSntPSnKS9w2avl4141EKix4Puo5YfEJk7r7_nF0H7OcXdaQul06pJZfpe472DI4pDkZM/s1600/Aus2016-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvEMsWY85LJju-gXuUbpLCb39gED_te3dmEJ60tVAlH-HFat8NtO55oXogXiOU4iNObFGDpyOSntPSnKS9w2avl4141EKix4Puo5YfEJk7r7_nF0H7OcXdaQul06pJZfpe472DI4pDkZM/s640/Aus2016-22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lithops - Fuji x100s, 1/80, f/8, ISO 500</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are very interesting plants in the Namib. These Lithops are also known as "pebble plants", and clearly try to game their surface area to volume ratio so as to conserve moisture.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJSIA5pp9jVnjhHxDvvCTZpadW4XZXFQGcaI77WM1utmT-5yoJJdNFWgV5kSdRSh0ZUX8G2IWZ25OH5WuJZCX11dPoA2jI1fPlI23L1wKto0v9DqhgTaFPU0aUvdlj1SZVqSM9sr3L_o/s1600/Aus2016-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJSIA5pp9jVnjhHxDvvCTZpadW4XZXFQGcaI77WM1utmT-5yoJJdNFWgV5kSdRSh0ZUX8G2IWZ25OH5WuJZCX11dPoA2jI1fPlI23L1wKto0v9DqhgTaFPU0aUvdlj1SZVqSM9sr3L_o/s640/Aus2016-23.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fenestraria - Fuji x100s, 1/110, f/11, ISO 200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
These Fenestraria, or "window-plants" take conserving moisture one step further - photosynthesis actually happens inside the leaf, behind a transparent window.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHIhE0HEzhBtXGWgBKSUFfUPVBudERWs2uzSocFHN7LwxGVbT0RB1VeVqQZ_7_3PmzAKLu97JNIaa3bx3e4CyCaaFrFz-2H7Yu3XJU0mLKKjFGTKI9NY47enKk96TdAbngk4YYrnhnQ4/s1600/Aus2016-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHIhE0HEzhBtXGWgBKSUFfUPVBudERWs2uzSocFHN7LwxGVbT0RB1VeVqQZ_7_3PmzAKLu97JNIaa3bx3e4CyCaaFrFz-2H7Yu3XJU0mLKKjFGTKI9NY47enKk96TdAbngk4YYrnhnQ4/s640/Aus2016-24.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bushman's Candle - Fuji x100s, 1/1250, f/5.6, ISO 200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Bushman's Candles are covered by a thick layer of wax, which remains long after the plant itself is dead and gone. This can actually be burned to produce a bright yellow flame, hence the name.<br />
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<h3>
Kolmanskop</h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5P8H_YWvDmPAmgalveuz1gOumWg2K6ItFn69J0dlRGALGD4M74Nya8F4U3vjQq9vUbUDuEVcg-es8ACNS5p3zuvs9YCzuNRjx2qyivY1W53EAeE-rT99xwcfJPWAMa5yoL7C5sJBcEDI/s1600/Aus2016-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5P8H_YWvDmPAmgalveuz1gOumWg2K6ItFn69J0dlRGALGD4M74Nya8F4U3vjQq9vUbUDuEVcg-es8ACNS5p3zuvs9YCzuNRjx2qyivY1W53EAeE-rT99xwcfJPWAMa5yoL7C5sJBcEDI/s640/Aus2016-25.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staircase 1 - Canon 40D, Sigma 8-16, 1.6sec, f/8, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolmanskop" target="_blank">Kolmanskop</a> is a ghost mining town, that was once very prosperous and advanced. It had the first x-ray machine in the Southern hemisphere, though this was used for finding smuggled (or swallowed) diamonds rather than broken bones. The visit here is always one of the highlights of the workshop.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLFqeaO6RjJKDSoTUOQsH0aO8fAL-XmdWGdbRJWnRm_x0sLWKdqn9mfHnlS-OBmy4geNUYS2tqL6Cj1EGTPDIjCGFI5dvEjAE4G1IqeAj2mmmNLch24GEdTH6uuMOs3zdfSa4u5KtDYs/s1600/Aus2016-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizLFqeaO6RjJKDSoTUOQsH0aO8fAL-XmdWGdbRJWnRm_x0sLWKdqn9mfHnlS-OBmy4geNUYS2tqL6Cj1EGTPDIjCGFI5dvEjAE4G1IqeAj2mmmNLch24GEdTH6uuMOs3zdfSa4u5KtDYs/s640/Aus2016-26.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staircase 2 - Canon 40D, Sigma 8-16, 0.5sec, f/8, ISO 400</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Now the houses are being reclaimed by the desert.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZ13cfZAsLg_NgZIWl3Qiq3HKoWrgXT6Dfv82UfvygzlqDnov3RxF4jWKe6L7WiDM5SB4ZifYovpIRGjX4I2mcPgZbdqdD0dlWeY8x_6Rn6S6SKlAQ9JZTxsuXIlPYRAiBqSZl0MPNBQ/s1600/Aus2016-27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZ13cfZAsLg_NgZIWl3Qiq3HKoWrgXT6Dfv82UfvygzlqDnov3RxF4jWKe6L7WiDM5SB4ZifYovpIRGjX4I2mcPgZbdqdD0dlWeY8x_6Rn6S6SKlAQ9JZTxsuXIlPYRAiBqSZl0MPNBQ/s640/Aus2016-27.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Door is Always Open - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55, 1sec, f/11, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2Z_aYz2PVCA0Fh9lWy8A_ZqBwvOQB_jOLR2BPFhZNHeTKfSYhUXdY6l64lHbOPxyj-2_ouypA81s_5JvgZiP5IDj5BHTUN2GzSTzJ6W3-gn9h4nFiUVJ4FN5sVH3v-dBHpXUTiIKUh4/s1600/Aus2016-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2Z_aYz2PVCA0Fh9lWy8A_ZqBwvOQB_jOLR2BPFhZNHeTKfSYhUXdY6l64lHbOPxyj-2_ouypA81s_5JvgZiP5IDj5BHTUN2GzSTzJ6W3-gn9h4nFiUVJ4FN5sVH3v-dBHpXUTiIKUh4/s640/Aus2016-28.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Triptych - Fuji x100s, 1/950, f/8, ISO 400</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This is not really a triptych, but a plain photograph of three toilet booths which are overdue some maintenance.<br />
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<h3>
After Dark</h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMAMnk2wNuTW7BnbtpJIExwbvwECUhDB62P6OcCZ0egM3hqjr53B0yo7vMIeHHHIUGrYDY-JstIjK70J86apMSVapVAhG5QbBznUuFUtnlzCrRjJCcMRHQDEbYXb0PeMBWjfRFMYdqqk/s1600/Aus2016-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibMAMnk2wNuTW7BnbtpJIExwbvwECUhDB62P6OcCZ0egM3hqjr53B0yo7vMIeHHHIUGrYDY-JstIjK70J86apMSVapVAhG5QbBznUuFUtnlzCrRjJCcMRHQDEbYXb0PeMBWjfRFMYdqqk/s640/Aus2016-29.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting Sun - Canon 40D, Sigma 150-600 C, 1/250, f/8, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I was invited to join the workshop as a night photography "expert" (the real experts demanded real money, I guess ;). I had a great time in this capacity - I love being out in the desert, I love photographing and I love teaching, and here I had the chance to combine all three.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimB_BZkBYQi8N5q4jnfczmC24SmyAauyIiWG6huJG9deGc3LVTn45SiTkMQRKDY4ewvZrrh9wjj0I-PC4Fwy56uHysp1Cp-RseKmu2_JB69LqHxwnNPlE85Hh_7beCmL2O8LeM2q7dX7Q/s1600/Aus2016-30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimB_BZkBYQi8N5q4jnfczmC24SmyAauyIiWG6huJG9deGc3LVTn45SiTkMQRKDY4ewvZrrh9wjj0I-PC4Fwy56uHysp1Cp-RseKmu2_JB69LqHxwnNPlE85Hh_7beCmL2O8LeM2q7dX7Q/s640/Aus2016-30.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crescent Moon - Canon 40D, Sigma 150-600 C, 1/200, f/8, ISO 800</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The workshop was held over new moon to guarantee dark skies. So when the moon did arrive, it was a lovely crescent, and with the 600mm at my disposal I got some nice shots of the side-lit craters.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3BFGB5W6YdPIdv0gNlw4bbxX11tnQCFyW9MgDePchYAONPyt903e8uqaU3gLf1897_QCeOORoAD_jtHzn272sXpdcDZjObxzXnM9U_I1FcV7G4gsQziKx6tMLSC2-bBF4-xT2uRtPWc/s1600/Aus2016-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3BFGB5W6YdPIdv0gNlw4bbxX11tnQCFyW9MgDePchYAONPyt903e8uqaU3gLf1897_QCeOORoAD_jtHzn272sXpdcDZjObxzXnM9U_I1FcV7G4gsQziKx6tMLSC2-bBF4-xT2uRtPWc/s400/Aus2016-31.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saturn - Canon 40D, Sigma 150-600 C, 1/90, f/8, ISO 800</td></tr>
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I even got a picture of Saturn, though it is only some 20 pixels across.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPEPcdZbny8JB23BN0yPOJ0PZ1aNTmfCK3XJWJPEiN10ul6uyiCpwhAIRD-3FnE3fQTspuFfEAnOENM9IEw6lw6KZxoJ-Qc3qgSNlV4Tf5nBvSKCGsuJ1spEbpJJdvIAiHeUrPhjSJzk/s1600/Aus2016-32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPEPcdZbny8JB23BN0yPOJ0PZ1aNTmfCK3XJWJPEiN10ul6uyiCpwhAIRD-3FnE3fQTspuFfEAnOENM9IEw6lw6KZxoJ-Qc3qgSNlV4Tf5nBvSKCGsuJ1spEbpJJdvIAiHeUrPhjSJzk/s640/Aus2016-32.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Galactic Heart - Canon 40D, Sigma 35 f/1.4 A, 15sec, f/1.4, ISO 3200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 turned out to be great for photographing the Milky Way. Clearly, aperture is king. The field of view is a bit narrow (on my 1.6x crop sensor), so I stitched a number of exposures into a panorama:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5ImXNI3lVlEmbLjOSLM6uBgRjKSU9Dwnv2m0M-sgrKRjDMYp08U2Mip_3Pxz-72e_JNHoOGgdd8OtDltJBcpAqZPkluyZGIjFBwac5Jq-GhM5M0j1iowZrwVOJ0i0qhzZpJOKUUthxY/s1600/Aus2016-33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA5ImXNI3lVlEmbLjOSLM6uBgRjKSU9Dwnv2m0M-sgrKRjDMYp08U2Mip_3Pxz-72e_JNHoOGgdd8OtDltJBcpAqZPkluyZGIjFBwac5Jq-GhM5M0j1iowZrwVOJ0i0qhzZpJOKUUthxY/s640/Aus2016-33.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milky Way Rising - Canon 40D, Sigma 35 f/1.4, 12x15sec, f/1.4, ISO 3200</td></tr>
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I didn't anticipate how much people would struggle with their cameras in the dark; initially even experienced daylight photographers found themselves stymied by their lens caps, HDR modes, mirror lockup, etc. With hindsight I should have known: all of this has happened to me, too. Focusing was a huge challenge, and so the Focus Bush was born - a torch left in a bush some 20m behind us, which people could use to focus on.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkrSnW8EXXZyKmKYH1q2me4ok_hT_sQKl0AWuVS0TtkZxeRcuifSSDRxjXI7AP_eAEU7PiKZfm3V_mfvbaA_v0k2V5Wi2e97RtJnkKS2urjOFRu-6BC36fVCoZVw6OiQZRCjwRVfNPec/s1600/Aus2016-34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkrSnW8EXXZyKmKYH1q2me4ok_hT_sQKl0AWuVS0TtkZxeRcuifSSDRxjXI7AP_eAEU7PiKZfm3V_mfvbaA_v0k2V5Wi2e97RtJnkKS2urjOFRu-6BC36fVCoZVw6OiQZRCjwRVfNPec/s640/Aus2016-34.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ghost Car - Canon 40D, Tokina 11-16, 2x30sec, f/2.8, ISO 3200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The above is a first for me: I had never used Photoshop for panoramas before, preferring to use the infinitely versatile and immensely frustrating <a href="http://hugin.sourceforge.net/" target="_blank">Hugin</a>. But in very simple cases (e.g. the above is made of only two exposures) it works quickly and easily.<br />
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The above car has sat at the entrance to Geisterschlucht for a long time, but has been mysteriously accumulating bullet holes over the decades. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9EJqg4kWMcSuigtuqFUR__x99EqrJbLhrJLLD3T8i7UEUlv1g-Ylz-IkKS-J8zeajDe9oeaVICjMNa24zmItwOvdkqb7Hj_IoR2qIVfBheN0bFf9SeVC-7-_cA704LfQ-IyATkdCn9o/s1600/Aus2016-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu9EJqg4kWMcSuigtuqFUR__x99EqrJbLhrJLLD3T8i7UEUlv1g-Ylz-IkKS-J8zeajDe9oeaVICjMNa24zmItwOvdkqb7Hj_IoR2qIVfBheN0bFf9SeVC-7-_cA704LfQ-IyATkdCn9o/s640/Aus2016-35.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early Morning Shoot - Canon 40D, Tokina 11-16, 10x30sec, f/2.8, ISO 3200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We left horribly early on our trip to the Khoichab River, and stopped for an impromptu night-sky shoot, which was great fun. So in the early morning the Milky Way has moved across the sky so that in a typical panorama, the two Magellanic Clouds lie outside the arch of the Milky Way, instead of inside it, as happens when you shoot this in the evening (<a href="http://floriansphotographs.blogspot.com/2016/06/nightskies-with-fuji-x-pro2.html" target="_blank">example</a>).<br />
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And if somebody can tell me how to get rid of that stupid panosphere icon that Google plasters onto my image, I would be very grateful.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvkaekphhe2pFqTEV-MT8HXxAwe4bTPbMTUK6C0B-ENTqJFB8PL4163gypO9LxqP4BbnNVOD07BBAHPw8afPIhIzJb1wvqmPV44AnxfaB8FcZghiyizLXlK9QzqTBcAcBAkmCYyZZZGk/s1600/Aus2016-36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvkaekphhe2pFqTEV-MT8HXxAwe4bTPbMTUK6C0B-ENTqJFB8PL4163gypO9LxqP4BbnNVOD07BBAHPw8afPIhIzJb1wvqmPV44AnxfaB8FcZghiyizLXlK9QzqTBcAcBAkmCYyZZZGk/s640/Aus2016-36.jpg" width="340" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heavens Above - Fuji x100s, 4x30sec, f/2, ISO3200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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This was pretty much the last serious picture I took at the workshop, and here I discovered that my little Fuji x100s is very well suited to night photography (the f/2 aperture is useful, especially combined with the excellent sensor), provided one makes panoramas to get a decently wide field of view. Also, I should shoot more in weak moonlight - in fact, perfectly dark skies are overrated - my best images typically involve some light pollution or at least moonlight.<br />
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I hope you enjoyed these pics. See you in Namibia next year?<br />
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<br />Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-32541375567528964372016-06-01T16:55:00.000+02:002016-06-01T16:55:00.087+02:00Nightskies with the Fuji X-Pro2<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmHIH_tCn7N-hmM3PWLDOOrsoCq8FTMYykRbrbu3IILYV8g4t2zNAMYp2gbWHuk9CE93myAg3Td2ZNIti6Xn58HB7vO_gMaTbFSWgQoxDMOfFmy2yNm-QeAbFD9_E_74T8uidveEbqkc/s1600/PearlyBeachAtNight-post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmHIH_tCn7N-hmM3PWLDOOrsoCq8FTMYykRbrbu3IILYV8g4t2zNAMYp2gbWHuk9CE93myAg3Td2ZNIti6Xn58HB7vO_gMaTbFSWgQoxDMOfFmy2yNm-QeAbFD9_E_74T8uidveEbqkc/s640/PearlyBeachAtNight-post.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearly Beach Skies 1 - Fuji X-Pro2 + 16mm f/1.4, 32x8sec, f/1.4, ISO 3200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Thanks to Hein Hough from <a href="http://www.fujifilm.co.za/" target="_blank">Fujifilm South Africa, </a>I was recently able to borrow the new Fuji X-Pro2, together with the 18-55mm, f/2.8-4 and 16mm f/1.4 lenses. What a lot of fun I had!<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I had the camera for a long weekend in Pearly Beach with the family, and most of my pictures were shots of my kids, so I won't post them here. But I did get one night of clear skies, where I could try out the 16mm on my panoramic head. The result is at the top of this post, and I'll explain how I made it below.<br /><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7es2jdvjHYuWEtNYXzgOa6OE7mgrw8L0qIEzLU_bH70_HNCogAMR9KnOa1UWCc3TZvSV18qljj4qxyQkXl8ihXneRAoh9fHzc0iAtmK5nps9o98AbJO-wcsz_1JbOhbgJrY8A_62n1OY/s1600/xpro2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7es2jdvjHYuWEtNYXzgOa6OE7mgrw8L0qIEzLU_bH70_HNCogAMR9KnOa1UWCc3TZvSV18qljj4qxyQkXl8ihXneRAoh9fHzc0iAtmK5nps9o98AbJO-wcsz_1JbOhbgJrY8A_62n1OY/s640/xpro2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<h3>
Quick impressions</h3>
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You can read detailed reviews of the Fujifilm X-Pro 2 camera all over the net, so I'll just briefly give my own impressions here. The camera is tiny compared to my old Canon dinosaur, and it was a very pleasant experience to shoot with it. I can carry it all day. The viewfinder is excellent, although I'm a pedant when it comes to precise framing, so I found myself always using the electronic viewfinder.<br />
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The camera and lenses feel very solid and ooze quality, unlike many of my plasticy DSLR lenses. The image quality is, of course, amazing. 24 MP and no anti-aliasing filter is the norm these days, but it's much better than what I'm used to. The noise level is very low, and I got usable shots even at ISO 6400.<br />
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Would I buy one? Well, it's very expensive, and since I don't make full use of the wonderful (and expensive) optical viewfinder, the X-T1 would probably be better for me.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJynehjrNn5G2U5Je2AKz3ADw5Iyv4Hbo969JaESK7f1Kwjh09hVs1BrMfY8yFumnW5vGdA9tEkcCcQhW89At2Tk8lH1jeel-AXuZZ9XzZg6vAB0YLc55MSz1x0zGcXotxFUAQYuSKLQ/s1600/Lilypad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJynehjrNn5G2U5Je2AKz3ADw5Iyv4Hbo969JaESK7f1Kwjh09hVs1BrMfY8yFumnW5vGdA9tEkcCcQhW89At2Tk8lH1jeel-AXuZZ9XzZg6vAB0YLc55MSz1x0zGcXotxFUAQYuSKLQ/s640/Lilypad.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lily Pad - Fuji X-Pro2 + 18-55, 1/640, f/5.6, ISO 400</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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At the end of the day, what impressed me most was the <a href="http://www.fujifilm.co.za/products/digital_cameras/x/fujinon_lens_xf18_55mmf28_4_r_lm_ois/" target="_blank">Fujinon XF18-55mm F2.8-4 R LM OIS</a>, to give it it's full name. This "kit lens" blows all other kit lenses out of the water. It is tiny and solid, yet a stop faster than other kit lenses and the image quality is brilliant. This is probably the best reason to buy into the Fuji X system.<br />
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<h3>
The making of the panorama</h3>
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<br />I found that the X-Pro2 with the 16mm lens are a small and light combination, and actually feel much better on my (somewhat lightweight) nodal point adapter than my old DSLR does. Also, with the large aperture (f/1.4) I could take much shorter exposures - 8 seconds instead of 30. This means the whole process went much quicker, so I could make more panoramas (I shot 4 in all).<br />
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<h4>
Lightroom, part 1</h4>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxbW6N2D-XKG30-Z59zhapYBgRiQgn9zLeu7QQuyZoX9Z82SBLm_XfqiJiBrNITs476duHIJjbTRE6vNaResEcJuzEghTnk-9DX9pkTuoDU6FJ8bepko1MFsRaH4gmRwYWB2rP3gaolU/s1600/InLightroom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguxbW6N2D-XKG30-Z59zhapYBgRiQgn9zLeu7QQuyZoX9Z82SBLm_XfqiJiBrNITs476duHIJjbTRE6vNaResEcJuzEghTnk-9DX9pkTuoDU6FJ8bepko1MFsRaH4gmRwYWB2rP3gaolU/s640/InLightroom.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">32 shots in Lightroom, each 8sec, f/1.4, ISO 3200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I first imported all 32 exposures (2 rows of 12, and 6 straight up, and two unfortunate duplicates) into Lightroom 6, which I discovered doesn't have any saved lens profiles for Fujinon lenses. Oh well.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AJz84VDd5gWC3vW_a2u5jsvGDlN7ey6XRf-DGmhrEY9mTMnL344UcVHdAkhQwjeV7C6D8v6KDFuBaiyPet7S7BPUs071i46u-pfPzXgvdSPDk4LoZeP0CE7llqO16CClw2NZO-Xpm6o/s1600/BasicAdjustments1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AJz84VDd5gWC3vW_a2u5jsvGDlN7ey6XRf-DGmhrEY9mTMnL344UcVHdAkhQwjeV7C6D8v6KDFuBaiyPet7S7BPUs071i46u-pfPzXgvdSPDk4LoZeP0CE7llqO16CClw2NZO-Xpm6o/s320/BasicAdjustments1.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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I boosted the shadows a bit, increased clarity and vibrance and fiddled with the white balance until I was reasonably happy. I then exported the exposures to 16bit TIFF files, and loaded them into <a href="http://hugin.sourceforge.net/" target="_blank">Hugin</a>.<br />
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<h4>
Hugin</h4>
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Hugin is a free frontend for the popular PanoTools software package. It was lovingly written by nerds for nerds. This makes it extremely powerful and versatile, but also quirky and often frustrating to use.<br />
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To my dismay, I discovered that the 16mm lens was slightly decentred (it was a rental unit, a previous user must have dropped it). This is normally not field relevant, but it meant that Hugin struggled to find control points in the sky, that is, points on different shots that correspond to the same point in the final image, and which should be made to overlap. Since the stars are pinpricks on one side of the frame (even at f/1.4 this lens is wickedly sharp), but blobs on the other side, they don't look similar enough to the computer, so I had to spend an hour or three manually adding control points.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9UdXMBlzZ3ssVu92E5nPOQ4Thax78uZ15DbbJ1AXPo5IPM88jEk7PeVspgZh6fsQZomQArh82lN25h570ZPNK9n8SLURQWknrYtGOJ-LhUQNNQRdCu9GZvcUXVr1JXpStkavotqMSk4/s1600/controlpoints.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9UdXMBlzZ3ssVu92E5nPOQ4Thax78uZ15DbbJ1AXPo5IPM88jEk7PeVspgZh6fsQZomQArh82lN25h570ZPNK9n8SLURQWknrYtGOJ-LhUQNNQRdCu9GZvcUXVr1JXpStkavotqMSk4/s640/controlpoints.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manually adding control points in Hugin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Once I had my control points, I could play with the projection and crop at my leisure, and quickly arrived at a composition that I liked. Then I fought my way through some more Hugin bugs (bad things happen when there's too much overlap, so I eventually threw out some of the exposures. Also, the latest enblend.exe has a bug causing it to produce low contrast output unless you run it with the --no-ciecam option, that took a while to figure out). And finally, after many failed experiments, Hugin produced the following:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKEAt42ncs-fNbqSWCikrxmjl9tOiJ-pdsUpt98ryoDNcLbRx5vvD8bpNW_lYWjszn7S4fZDkTDDCX4xHkaF59VjD46gaUbO5KxGIF6k-N7OmKubc0qDiaWJQ_RrtQSDNxX-A3cyJgFs/s1600/PearlyBeachAtNight-pre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKEAt42ncs-fNbqSWCikrxmjl9tOiJ-pdsUpt98ryoDNcLbRx5vvD8bpNW_lYWjszn7S4fZDkTDDCX4xHkaF59VjD46gaUbO5KxGIF6k-N7OmKubc0qDiaWJQ_RrtQSDNxX-A3cyJgFs/s640/PearlyBeachAtNight-pre.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugin output</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I am especially happy with the composition of this one. I carefully positioned myself on the beach at a place where the Milky Way would touch the two ends of the beach. Those dark triangles on either side make the composition work. And yes, those are the two Magellanic Clouds in the middle.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Lightroom, part 2</h4>
<br />
Lightroom 6 has two huge advantages over previous versions. First, it knows the Fujifilm film simulation modes, so now I can have the wonderful Fuji colours in Lightroom - my little <a href="http://floriansphotographs.blogspot.co.za/2013/10/my-new-toy-fuji-x100s.html" target="_blank">X100s</a> has suddenly become far more useful.<br />
<br />
Second, the Graduated Filter selection can now be edited with a brush. This is amazing - I no longer need Photoshop in my workflow!<br />
<br />
So, I imported Hugin's output TIF file back into Lightroom, and the remaining adjustments literally took only a few minutes. I started with two graduated filters, one for the foreground and one for the sky.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxteKfaSAB61oPH2JGbfvwK2QnZcMAfwBvoU_65252DVCCbusbCClikdya5Y9SPtyUOYDAYBs1i9WZi2_TRVkTyZlh4Inks8VFyyT2wXAlB-u9du3W1UleJ6IAg9o7SAyR0jJxXuGNeUo/s1600/LowerMask.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxteKfaSAB61oPH2JGbfvwK2QnZcMAfwBvoU_65252DVCCbusbCClikdya5Y9SPtyUOYDAYBs1i9WZi2_TRVkTyZlh4Inks8VFyyT2wXAlB-u9du3W1UleJ6IAg9o7SAyR0jJxXuGNeUo/s640/LowerMask.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foreground adjustment selection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The foreground was lightened by one stop:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_v4Jnn3qb_pF1aIo51Ou6A4yYIjYO_RapHXh4MH4RI6cZWt0XpnmJ2UDQ6inDsp_EvLmOIzHGU4w73Rhod9wqTEzeDNdJBePqwvqPDD0vEtnJaXOYdGL5_Uve4X6zYjAPqzeJ1QmhPmM/s1600/LowerMaskAdjustment.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_v4Jnn3qb_pF1aIo51Ou6A4yYIjYO_RapHXh4MH4RI6cZWt0XpnmJ2UDQ6inDsp_EvLmOIzHGU4w73Rhod9wqTEzeDNdJBePqwvqPDD0vEtnJaXOYdGL5_Uve4X6zYjAPqzeJ1QmhPmM/s400/LowerMaskAdjustment.JPG" width="218" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Then I selected the sky,<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzMTQOLyykHrJjNsqBZ1WSgz7Y_SXupmfxOZGHauVY4pc1jQX_rGtQcLlD7tGQ5kISnEMKnYz2dICO7pIoHzCtO-i-DaAi9fp8zAvMmOJo68nVyeEAf6PvcXm79UX90iLdam91TR7-x8/s1600/UpperMask.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzMTQOLyykHrJjNsqBZ1WSgz7Y_SXupmfxOZGHauVY4pc1jQX_rGtQcLlD7tGQ5kISnEMKnYz2dICO7pIoHzCtO-i-DaAi9fp8zAvMmOJo68nVyeEAf6PvcXm79UX90iLdam91TR7-x8/s640/UpperMask.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sky adjustment selection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
which got a bit of a contrast boost:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mG4bfDcVEkv37LXRVwF6r3DepG9pV49oTYSPe96II4upq81GI-MagUA_9L7KSfBgdGjO5F3ZD1QFKIQkzF9wzfsSQvPWvc0kikynOn4v49RYBxtNH11DRPvKbZMHBYN4_PVihhbhxfg/s1600/UpperMaskAdjustment.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mG4bfDcVEkv37LXRVwF6r3DepG9pV49oTYSPe96II4upq81GI-MagUA_9L7KSfBgdGjO5F3ZD1QFKIQkzF9wzfsSQvPWvc0kikynOn4v49RYBxtNH11DRPvKbZMHBYN4_PVihhbhxfg/s400/UpperMaskAdjustment.JPG" width="221" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Finally, I made a few more global adjustments:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPaRmn5z0l1XY_YfbkrdR5GOwMIIWj9uQm9LIfwv-vORURG4Wp-_JQg2qYH6lo6GGnVMiILkOO3g3PyvAdDSrUYlaAkokHBJTvQ9GIf_HDXaWk_13ImRCQd65ZE-bVQLhiCBlrWcY9mzQ/s1600/BasicAdjustments2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPaRmn5z0l1XY_YfbkrdR5GOwMIIWj9uQm9LIfwv-vORURG4Wp-_JQg2qYH6lo6GGnVMiILkOO3g3PyvAdDSrUYlaAkokHBJTvQ9GIf_HDXaWk_13ImRCQd65ZE-bVQLhiCBlrWcY9mzQ/s400/BasicAdjustments2.JPG" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool it down and add more pop...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9SrspWzlNkQXal1JjSgz6UO7PHeomd6DR0Py5BxQf7s1Mv3Hauo4-Rzl1-3LoAyY7uBnzdFYBmGHtAFFDVNkTIqtOAX0CF4G5QN0uXPb2c2hfKXKAp5_-36rqXNk2DPgXvvg8VYe3Eg/s1600/effects.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9SrspWzlNkQXal1JjSgz6UO7PHeomd6DR0Py5BxQf7s1Mv3Hauo4-Rzl1-3LoAyY7uBnzdFYBmGHtAFFDVNkTIqtOAX0CF4G5QN0uXPb2c2hfKXKAp5_-36rqXNk2DPgXvvg8VYe3Eg/s1600/effects.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...darken the edges...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaejPkYdEFfEGH4x5cFNuqz2kVtAGOwg4yEXK-rp_8yf8GNYkc32wmEHVTvyrWopouvE5RajdCo9VE68sPwmlDSxT6NYABQAp-tlk7ILdRzF-QuPBC7R1fVCWK_qy3MpvL1BBt6ghF0KM/s1600/ToneCurve.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaejPkYdEFfEGH4x5cFNuqz2kVtAGOwg4yEXK-rp_8yf8GNYkc32wmEHVTvyrWopouvE5RajdCo9VE68sPwmlDSxT6NYABQAp-tlk7ILdRzF-QuPBC7R1fVCWK_qy3MpvL1BBt6ghF0KM/s400/ToneCurve.JPG" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and a slight tone curve adjustment.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And voila!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0OmGAKbmzVEI8DKTl6AbzTxJxqNoMOMPboFMtqbnu83TC4Rc_m1vAkx8frf-n6sG2XZ5pzlDJEfWRHhtCXTKgUC3y2rItP8s8wLLmLHxewbBflG1owNAno7xrUy0XxV1eR5TImMKVqg/s1600/PearlyBeachAtNight-post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia0OmGAKbmzVEI8DKTl6AbzTxJxqNoMOMPboFMtqbnu83TC4Rc_m1vAkx8frf-n6sG2XZ5pzlDJEfWRHhtCXTKgUC3y2rItP8s8wLLmLHxewbBflG1owNAno7xrUy0XxV1eR5TImMKVqg/s640/PearlyBeachAtNight-post.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is the final output.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I shot four panoramas that night, and have processed three of them thus far. Here are the other two, both given pretty much the same treatment (but I tried different exposure settings):<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAfDJW8oU45Y2UQ9zoaYU_2lL_9i654qcAkHqqvEY-nkqu3xeB9YPJRn7d9qsmZ6whmbdtMbVZslFPtDyV6sQwlnmS_AudqiBzcLMZqhMb7AA-Fe5FnHl-huce807fxXzGsfqTKboDN0/s1600/NightSky3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjAfDJW8oU45Y2UQ9zoaYU_2lL_9i654qcAkHqqvEY-nkqu3xeB9YPJRn7d9qsmZ6whmbdtMbVZslFPtDyV6sQwlnmS_AudqiBzcLMZqhMb7AA-Fe5FnHl-huce807fxXzGsfqTKboDN0/s640/NightSky3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearly Beach Skies 2 - Fuji X-Pro2 + 16mm f/1.4, 32x4sec, f/1.4, ISO 6400</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIl8Z5p0BrYvqXyG-YJNfhegdzKIENO5do_ykpP0FA9qJSEuv-Ma4elGD9NiD9Gr7gzpi00JUY3DskhNoJz1shvR4nxZ126OdSWbO4bNEioI3PslC_3HJtFhiVwyyh2Rf_5H5tKSXXhI/s1600/NightSky2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIl8Z5p0BrYvqXyG-YJNfhegdzKIENO5do_ykpP0FA9qJSEuv-Ma4elGD9NiD9Gr7gzpi00JUY3DskhNoJz1shvR4nxZ126OdSWbO4bNEioI3PslC_3HJtFhiVwyyh2Rf_5H5tKSXXhI/s640/NightSky2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pearly Beach Skies 3 - Fuji X-Pro2 + 16mm f/1.4, 32x8sec, f/1.4, ISO 3200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Once, again, my heartfelt thank to Fujifilm South Africa for lending me this gear. I also got to play with X-T1 and 56mm f/1.2 lens on another weekend. I should write about that experience another time. But for now, I'm off to Namibia tomorrow morning.<br /><br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-24433636907114866762016-03-29T21:05:00.000+02:002016-04-25T05:16:21.086+02:00Come join me in Namibia!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMj5spyYIXtBBLf7Gjb42Gx5gl79rvid7b3W8eYig0dCkgvhPb9Iq7ZOr0tlWnxLxlnmrNF5WPBmR1aDgDXdFczZjkxs8kWIszQ7QqZZDT3sGrfvTWTxerHsn7eMIiQr6_ZckC0SsgLI/s1600/Namibia-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMj5spyYIXtBBLf7Gjb42Gx5gl79rvid7b3W8eYig0dCkgvhPb9Iq7ZOr0tlWnxLxlnmrNF5WPBmR1aDgDXdFczZjkxs8kWIszQ7QqZZDT3sGrfvTWTxerHsn7eMIiQr6_ZckC0SsgLI/s640/Namibia-17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">God's Window - Canon 40D + Tokina 11-16, 0.6sec + 1/6 + 1/25, F/16, HDR</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Here is the big news I alluded to last time: I'm going to the <a href="http://www.photoworkshops-sa.co.za/index.php/dates-and-cost" target="_blank">Aus Photography workshop, </a>held at <a href="http://www.klein-aus-vista.com/home/" target="_blank">Klein Aus Vista</a> in Southern Namibia, 5 - 11 June 2016. This time, I'll be going as an instructor, specifically to teach night photography under the leadership of Wicus Leeuwner and JJ van Heerden. Read on to see what you can expect at the workshop.<br />
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<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<h4>
Night Photography </h4>
<h4>
</h4>
I went to this workshop as a student in 2012, and photographically, it was the best experience I ever had. The photos in this post were all taken during that trip, though the night photos were actually taken at the <a href="http://www.quivertreeforest.com/" target="_blank">Quiver Tree Fores</a>t near Keetmanshoop some days before the workshop, since the 2012 workshop was timed to coincide with the full moon.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2mhQKP6ZGi5vQ6bXFwFVAaiV2qU3dnHh4OtKWniYo7r6R4iwoRRL6U752rGSFhAmudu912N3zddrkdSbZvLfqsA8x8VZqHMGSzfloDw3h3LVT7jCFq5HKVL5cxSFYvG3l83zWHJ6w90/s1600/Namibia-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik2mhQKP6ZGi5vQ6bXFwFVAaiV2qU3dnHh4OtKWniYo7r6R4iwoRRL6U752rGSFhAmudu912N3zddrkdSbZvLfqsA8x8VZqHMGSzfloDw3h3LVT7jCFq5HKVL5cxSFYvG3l83zWHJ6w90/s640/Namibia-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quiver Trees by Moonlight - Canon 40D + Tokina 11-16, 64sec, F/4, ISO 800</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Early in the evening the moon was 90% illuminated, but quite low in the sky, so some stars were visible, while the moon illuminated the quiver trees in the foreground. Moonlight is the same colour as sunlight, just 18 stops or so dimmer, so daylight white balance will make the landscape look quite normal - except for the long exposure and the stars in the sky.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rfc5q_Ka0AdiSiK16LxLtb2gifuw8X6PPzBhs5u92C763mBGzUYfuW8rFvF1TBjWBq0MhV5FqfxDCVkySDBkX8S8oP0h0H-6umxr-OagmYlOUZvw2VaRddHxIVzR2dpRhhjjHYaqmCA/s1600/Namibia-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4rfc5q_Ka0AdiSiK16LxLtb2gifuw8X6PPzBhs5u92C763mBGzUYfuW8rFvF1TBjWBq0MhV5FqfxDCVkySDBkX8S8oP0h0H-6umxr-OagmYlOUZvw2VaRddHxIVzR2dpRhhjjHYaqmCA/s640/Namibia-02.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quiver Tree and Milky Way - Canon 40D + Tokina 11-16, 30sec, F/2.8, ISO 3200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Later that night, after the moon set, the Milky Way was up in its full glory. In June we can see towards the centre of the Milky Way, which is the most spectacular part. Here I illuminated a quiver tree with my torch, but because I only had a white LED torch, its light is far too cool to produce a pleasing colour at any white balance which makes the sky look good. Ideally, one should take a daylight-coloured torch, perhaps an old-fashioned one with a halogen bulb.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjioDqlpuaMvDMXaPwkw3qnLCMIfSSp_n-ZxQ8OaLBoJEyF89-xzuKkwXG3HxYCSZKgQ10uxuj-Er6IXWKu9UTVFjE79VM8M8SrncbWE2v56EstYy-r0QzHn-sRCnddMcsgDOXu43zBIZE/s1600/QTBN1-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjioDqlpuaMvDMXaPwkw3qnLCMIfSSp_n-ZxQ8OaLBoJEyF89-xzuKkwXG3HxYCSZKgQ10uxuj-Er6IXWKu9UTVFjE79VM8M8SrncbWE2v56EstYy-r0QzHn-sRCnddMcsgDOXu43zBIZE/s640/QTBN1-web.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quiver Trees by Night 1 - Canon 40D + Tokina 11-16, 6x30sec, F/2.8, ISO 3200, 6 exposures stitched</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
That same night, I took the<a href="http://floriansphotographs.blogspot.co.za/2012/12/quiver-trees-by-night-1-2-3.html" target="_blank"> three full-sky panoramas</a> that I have <a href="http://floriansphotographs.blogspot.co.za/2012/08/quiver-trees-by-night-2.html" target="_blank">written about</a> so much.<br />
<br />
<h4>
The Wild Horses</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieYytoZBLnTSsxn093lQgCyG_1I1tZi_eJVGDUH6KEilwXOdbSfymQv8pg-L2mF2N492p52vP06HQcHU7SKaaJrUNjAJWc8fhguN_Adbq0bPngzD-R8lud02rGhgWe4QDKdObDjwC2LY/s1600/Namibia-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieYytoZBLnTSsxn093lQgCyG_1I1tZi_eJVGDUH6KEilwXOdbSfymQv8pg-L2mF2N492p52vP06HQcHU7SKaaJrUNjAJWc8fhguN_Adbq0bPngzD-R8lud02rGhgWe4QDKdObDjwC2LY/s640/Namibia-03.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garub Plains Horses - Canon 40D + 17-55 F/2.8, 1/100, F/8, ISO 200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Of course, night photography will be only one attraction at the
workshop (which will this time coincide with the new moon). Arguably the
main attraction of Aus are the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namib_Desert_Horse" target="_blank">feral horses</a>,
which have lived in the area since the end of the First World War. They
rely for survival on an artificial water hole maintained there for
their benefit. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4u-sqmpnrRrvPxRcJduaD6nzUntyNX3nA-v_En67ssE-FeFP5MgeljORl9x6dv3u_vi48bO3tnyGcA02ocPRa1rlWU4r11avJAq4hyZP15Cl1Y4rXyNnzIi4uxmVcuQRhCff7t_5dBU8/s1600/Namibia-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4u-sqmpnrRrvPxRcJduaD6nzUntyNX3nA-v_En67ssE-FeFP5MgeljORl9x6dv3u_vi48bO3tnyGcA02ocPRa1rlWU4r11avJAq4hyZP15Cl1Y4rXyNnzIi4uxmVcuQRhCff7t_5dBU8/s640/Namibia-04.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running Free - Canon 40D + Tokina 400mm, 1/250, F/80, ISO 400</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
These horses have lived feral for many generations, and it is
fascinating to watch the interactions between members of a herd. They
are not shy, however, and come close to investigate the people
photographing them.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieajRZy3Imn5ROmlu7Q-8aCd5q5ngCdfQYIApI2aBJ_mLLcmJDq__NTFgry9lBbVHhyphenhyphen4o2Kzjab3QGa-5rsjC8DlF4vXc6s-ZuguHwrdrHpnuMtpZ6NlYwpslQzes1HDoV0CYY-tfpS-c/s1600/Namibia-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieajRZy3Imn5ROmlu7Q-8aCd5q5ngCdfQYIApI2aBJ_mLLcmJDq__NTFgry9lBbVHhyphenhyphen4o2Kzjab3QGa-5rsjC8DlF4vXc6s-ZuguHwrdrHpnuMtpZ6NlYwpslQzes1HDoV0CYY-tfpS-c/s640/Namibia-06.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Window to a Free Soul - Canon 40D + 70-200 F/4 IS, 1/125, F/4, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
Spectacular Landscapes</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6gK4eAM0kcxQxHwM370_t9OZzKKDhGxjHJvOUyLIaEK3hY-pVQdj-i_H5WHceC4EeLxCd8weVe_2LtwO1Q5sdk0EIOs6YhFsqVSD-PqHohiGBtxexa3pSOQ4gy719cJ1Evgd7yQZcb4/s1600/Namibia-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6gK4eAM0kcxQxHwM370_t9OZzKKDhGxjHJvOUyLIaEK3hY-pVQdj-i_H5WHceC4EeLxCd8weVe_2LtwO1Q5sdk0EIOs6YhFsqVSD-PqHohiGBtxexa3pSOQ4gy719cJ1Evgd7yQZcb4/s640/Namibia-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tranquility - Canon 40D + 70-200 F4 IS, 1/20, F/8, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Southern Namibia has some of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth. Aus lies on high, rocky terrain, which soon sweeps down to the Garub plains, a gravel desert that extends some 100km westwards to the coast. An amazing viewpoint over these plains is at God's Window, see the image at the top of this post.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhhyphenhyphenvjZgRY_ibOFpX7OuuuzL-m9exefgfN9ccKV8M7PpyMdbMoG4XsNVS_2c6B1az9Ec040MG8f8RbgopKFz_gC0P9md_ss7CdXgqmBtO_wbtHstWLLHi_Q9mTVxkM-uSKw0emaND2_w/s1600/Namibia-09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBhhyphenhyphenvjZgRY_ibOFpX7OuuuzL-m9exefgfN9ccKV8M7PpyMdbMoG4XsNVS_2c6B1az9Ec040MG8f8RbgopKFz_gC0P9md_ss7CdXgqmBtO_wbtHstWLLHi_Q9mTVxkM-uSKw0emaND2_w/s640/Namibia-09.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dune - Canon 40D + 70-200 F4 IS, 1/50, F/11, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A few hours drive to the north, one reaches the red dunes of the Namib Desert, the oldest desert on Earth, whose fauna and flora have had millions of years to adapt to the harsh conditions.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY66b-ZpLtPlaKbTYKhzhTnXJ-sixXHG7TfkfqbaztR5xfnoSxYMWlRigqi3zd0iZa3spfvp20ZQWGQ3rSX_RC60swFeWdlfdcmx4hU54xIGErkXYHuu3Aq0ZCW0I-VrJukCgRbhx0A7k/s1600/Namibia-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY66b-ZpLtPlaKbTYKhzhTnXJ-sixXHG7TfkfqbaztR5xfnoSxYMWlRigqi3zd0iZa3spfvp20ZQWGQ3rSX_RC60swFeWdlfdcmx4hU54xIGErkXYHuu3Aq0ZCW0I-VrJukCgRbhx0A7k/s640/Namibia-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gemsbok - Canon 40D + 70-200 F4 IS, 1/250, F/10, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h4>
<br /></h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
Kolmanskop</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRShfrvCbZAublKn9llDaLcJ65D8OSloB9WStvGDGuBdw74kfpE24K9qh9wrXL1Q2oKYF6q-Ltu94O_6IZyTZwNpfYi5EfkMoZJk2BALttnuaSUTfupRwAuZ7nYB1Os5HPGtB6uLZWKvk/s1600/Namibia-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRShfrvCbZAublKn9llDaLcJ65D8OSloB9WStvGDGuBdw74kfpE24K9qh9wrXL1Q2oKYF6q-Ltu94O_6IZyTZwNpfYi5EfkMoZJk2BALttnuaSUTfupRwAuZ7nYB1Os5HPGtB6uLZWKvk/s640/Namibia-15.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss Colmans Koppa - Canon 40D + Tokina 11-16, 1sec, F/16, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Just outside Lüderitz, this is the ghost of a<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolmanskop" target="_blank"> mining town</a>, built during the diamond boom of the early twentieth century. It was spectacularly wealthy and advanced (it boasted one of the first x-ray machines in the Southern hemisphere - to image smuggled diamonds, rather than broken bones), but was abandoned in the 1950s. Since then, the desert has been reclaiming the houses one sand dune at a time.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3RpIiJhk-TQbWJk0YEyj91iS99elbgGFCzaKFEH2LHVOd-nkBoYyAazv0pASIwSAhPTjDGyIGKqfEZwao13wHryV8IwHsUMkp5OHwOHuhn_ZrWRetctGqJPIvdM_VeClgCrOv6fEfFA/s1600/Namibia-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3RpIiJhk-TQbWJk0YEyj91iS99elbgGFCzaKFEH2LHVOd-nkBoYyAazv0pASIwSAhPTjDGyIGKqfEZwao13wHryV8IwHsUMkp5OHwOHuhn_ZrWRetctGqJPIvdM_VeClgCrOv6fEfFA/s640/Namibia-16.jpg" width="394" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Door in the Sky - Canon 40D + Tokina 11-16, 1sec, F/16, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h4>
What to bring</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
I hope you'll be able to join me at the workshop. If you do, or manage to come here on another occasion, here are some tips of what to bring with you.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJMZA8Hxr2GYhxQDL7Iw3RoAK6P_FuVSTmY2b0A5AZgpmkGi4WmE7c8InTiiuWO9Le6GNL0fDwlwYfmWM8fG83eMmVRSlTB7GZDoaIZn_2ITfeYjXsYYxUDif8IuVeljOgD7_uZEPQZ4/s1600/Namibia-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJMZA8Hxr2GYhxQDL7Iw3RoAK6P_FuVSTmY2b0A5AZgpmkGi4WmE7c8InTiiuWO9Le6GNL0fDwlwYfmWM8fG83eMmVRSlTB7GZDoaIZn_2ITfeYjXsYYxUDif8IuVeljOgD7_uZEPQZ4/s640/Namibia-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert Grass - Canon 40D + 17-55, 1/60, F/11, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
1. A <b>spare camera body</b>. This is not somewhere one gets to every day, how sad would it be if your camera packs up at the beginning of the workshop? For that reason I strongly recommend bringing a spare camera body as a backup. Remember also that the desert is quite a harsh place, and although your camera is unlikely to get wet, you do want to avoid getting sand in it, especially when you change lenses. The second reason to have a spare body is that you can then have two different lenses mounted, and can quickly change focal length without taking any lenses off your camera.<br />
<br />
Your spare doesn't have to be as fancy your main body (older, second-hand bodies should be affordable online), but if its control layout is the same as your main body, then you'll have a much smoother experience.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimp8Ef26o134MN04XA9Eb0rF-bOsbu6zxFGofQRGA97e33gNY890rIYf4rkPFoZr3Hat7a5VyDJ-6ptASjYrE0Mxl1yGGEIYQFFYgw0DwlDpRxnx4OC2FAnDSI128tKeagqrDSTxG4OXk/s1600/Namibia-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimp8Ef26o134MN04XA9Eb0rF-bOsbu6zxFGofQRGA97e33gNY890rIYf4rkPFoZr3Hat7a5VyDJ-6ptASjYrE0Mxl1yGGEIYQFFYgw0DwlDpRxnx4OC2FAnDSI128tKeagqrDSTxG4OXk/s640/Namibia-05.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Born Free - Canon 40D + Tokina 400mm F5.6, 1/640, F/8, ISO 400</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
2. A <b>telephoto lens</b>, mainly for the horses, but there will be opportunities to photograph other wildlife too, such as Gemsbok, ground squirrels, birds, etc. A 100-400mm zoom is good, longer is even better, if you can afford it. I can't, so all I have is the venerable <a href="http://www.pentaxforums.com/userreviews/tokina-400mm-f-5-6-sd.html" target="_blank">Tokina 400mm F/5.6</a> lens, but I found that it produces pretty good results, especially stopped down to about F/8 or so, and it's ridiculously cheap. Contrast is a bit low, but that can be fixed (somewhat) in post-processing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPaCuntMPon0b-bwKaXVjTGG5hP0CnvZ6f583TXZSpkuge6Y2c0ti_4Bbk7cWvjh04IHbyCH0vKRpOdiDWfYQTD1Tsq2z3uPTajAAlbaf_0CyI1XSx0n-v-zmuJ_KW-HQFaRFWQnQON0/s1600/Namibia-08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPaCuntMPon0b-bwKaXVjTGG5hP0CnvZ6f583TXZSpkuge6Y2c0ti_4Bbk7cWvjh04IHbyCH0vKRpOdiDWfYQTD1Tsq2z3uPTajAAlbaf_0CyI1XSx0n-v-zmuJ_KW-HQFaRFWQnQON0/s640/Namibia-08.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome Sky - Canon 40D + Tokina 11-16, 1/6, F/22, ISO 160, ND grad filter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
3. A large-aperture, <b>wide-angle lens</b>, for night photography. You want the spectacular night sky in your shot, so you need a wide angle. There is very little light, so you need a large aperture. It's very hard to autofocus at night, so ideally you also want something whose focus ring has a hard stop at infinity, or at least an accurate infinity mark. Since you'll be shooting wide open, accurate infinity focus is really important. My lens for this ideal: the <a href="http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/666-tokina1116f28eos" target="_blank">Tokina 11-16mm F/2.8</a>. It's optically excellent, even wide open, and it has an accurate hard stop at infinity on the focus ring. Now, if it were 1-3mm wider, it would be even better.<br />
<br />
In the day-time, you'll be using the same lens for sweeping landscapes and indoor shots at Kolmanskop (here a tilt-shift lens would be great).<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCsDuFZIdnuLJN6DQ8n5LooahMhUETJm0g2Hr_62KNkzI9bidPy6o6JR1v0LrFS24Z2qxVtsSCFsMZ0rcOBY2Zo4HJKOaFOAqMk7oF-3iyLc4MJlJXG1byABjPqc8_s_gI8dfVwG1eVc/s1600/Namibia-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCsDuFZIdnuLJN6DQ8n5LooahMhUETJm0g2Hr_62KNkzI9bidPy6o6JR1v0LrFS24Z2qxVtsSCFsMZ0rcOBY2Zo4HJKOaFOAqMk7oF-3iyLc4MJlJXG1byABjPqc8_s_gI8dfVwG1eVc/s640/Namibia-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garub Sunset - Canon 40D + 70-200 F4 IS, 1/80, F/8, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
4. A <b>medium telephoto lens</b>, 70-200mm is ideal. This can be used both for horse portraits as well as a wide variety of landscapes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSGmMROZADo9vu6krR4jGG9Xxo35nVZf8JfpYsGkHDJJRYS5vJDTUWnQnZmw3Yd2ymgd06mgKsiCiHuQjkHHYXX6odc0TUXZRzTz_H9YxmjaFYW2d_G2NC1buIXNWj3IWyeLUBPuMonM/s1600/Namibia-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSGmMROZADo9vu6krR4jGG9Xxo35nVZf8JfpYsGkHDJJRYS5vJDTUWnQnZmw3Yd2ymgd06mgKsiCiHuQjkHHYXX6odc0TUXZRzTz_H9YxmjaFYW2d_G2NC1buIXNWj3IWyeLUBPuMonM/s640/Namibia-07.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ant - Canon 40D + 70-200 F4 IS + Raynox macro adapter, 1/250, F/16, ISO 400, Flash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
5. There are always opportunities for a <b>macro lens</b> as well, although you don't want to carry too much on your back, so a clip-on macro-adapter, such as the <a href="http://www.raynox.co.jp/english/dcr/dcr150/indexdcr150eg.htm" target="_blank">Raynox DCR 150</a>, on your medium telephoto lens works pretty well.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HBIi8_avvqyvhhxFayj_XCCgOjb0NzLj-1zKg2Nl5YJiHHNmcYAqLCehExLqwieTe3-Vgeed7rd1wTn3Co-D-23yohMTpScwQ70862b-acf5B6nNyL51-oHQriZC_FFJZJ7Y2dGxw3I/s1600/20120809-161203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HBIi8_avvqyvhhxFayj_XCCgOjb0NzLj-1zKg2Nl5YJiHHNmcYAqLCehExLqwieTe3-Vgeed7rd1wTn3Co-D-23yohMTpScwQ70862b-acf5B6nNyL51-oHQriZC_FFJZJ7Y2dGxw3I/s320/20120809-161203.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
6. A <b>sturdy tripod</b> is a must. You'll be taking long exposures at night, potentially several hours if you're doing star trails, and there might be some wind. Forget the super-compact travel tripods with their spindly legs - heavier is better.<br />
<br />
A <b>nodal-point adapter</b> is pretty useful (but not essential) when taking panoramas, which you'll need to do if you want to capture more than just a small piece of the Milky Way.<br />
<br />
A <b>cable release</b> is also essential, and a fancy one that acts as an intervalometer will be quite useful for star trails, but again, is not essential.<br />
<br />
Also bring a <b>lens-cleaning brush and cloth</b> (Namibia is dusty), <b>spare batteries</b>, sturdy shoes, warm clothes (it gets very cold at night), a sun hat, etc. etc. <br />
<br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjEPoCaazJFpE3lKjLI67LZkHIQe1t8KRbsbjZXYHFjISLio2OQIUr1yR2GGzRYdqRbDgkiWmq5j2Jx2w_2efzC-KxtfL12lL-r3VmYICK0gbHGD5V606lzrkxTJWsPMjs2hw_bEy8Hw/s1600/Namibia-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjEPoCaazJFpE3lKjLI67LZkHIQe1t8KRbsbjZXYHFjISLio2OQIUr1yR2GGzRYdqRbDgkiWmq5j2Jx2w_2efzC-KxtfL12lL-r3VmYICK0gbHGD5V606lzrkxTJWsPMjs2hw_bEy8Hw/s640/Namibia-14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boulder - Canon 40D + 70-200 F4 IS, 1/40, F/11, ISO 100</td></tr>
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See you there! <br />
Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-15638892861208220922016-03-10T17:26:00.000+02:002016-03-10T17:26:50.838+02:00Do Not Go Gentle...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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...into that good night<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpEsUFS_d9eyqFe7Lqi9SL6EqriIyN_NgkN1walytJuPPddwFc-KZJFNIJkuLyLtirFEv0s4luj1MORCbIMOwKSUS1Y5hkafLoKLQzWUHKciY-w_hJhQlhAXaguZ2rzNMjh3rwwaFVpc/s1600/March2015-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmpEsUFS_d9eyqFe7Lqi9SL6EqriIyN_NgkN1walytJuPPddwFc-KZJFNIJkuLyLtirFEv0s4luj1MORCbIMOwKSUS1Y5hkafLoKLQzWUHKciY-w_hJhQlhAXaguZ2rzNMjh3rwwaFVpc/s640/March2015-03.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rage, rage against the dying of the light - Canon 40D + Canon 70-200 F4 IS, 1/30, F/11, ISO 100</td></tr>
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Don't worry, the light isn't really dying. I just have a new baby at home, and my time behind the lens and at the blogging keyboard is seriously curtailed at the moment. I have managed a few good shots in the past months, I think, which you'll find below the fold. I also have some very exciting news, which I will post in the next week or so.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrk-pSMLlP-cNQ3SM-7ZLmN41oFSf_lEJsbXPadH6AUCnhOG_SfwDc9oMc9DBCans3AUokcTykbQU66xsnKc7T6GN5-6631YCEXszmycnsRDXDhhMHWJdYwP5m-MCyGrjZpgRe2zm9W0E/s1600/Volmoed-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrk-pSMLlP-cNQ3SM-7ZLmN41oFSf_lEJsbXPadH6AUCnhOG_SfwDc9oMc9DBCans3AUokcTykbQU66xsnKc7T6GN5-6631YCEXszmycnsRDXDhhMHWJdYwP5m-MCyGrjZpgRe2zm9W0E/s640/Volmoed-02.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volmoed Falls - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55 F2.8, 15sec, F/11, ISO 100, ND filter</td></tr>
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Last October I took part in the <a href="http://www.photoworkshops-sa.co.za/" target="_blank">Overberg Workshop</a>, arranged by JJ van Heerden and Wicus Leeuwner (the same guys who run the exquisite Aus Photography Workshop in Namibia - but more on that next week!). We stayed in a place called <a href="http://www.volmoed.co.za/" target="_blank">Volmoed Retreat</a>, which also serves as a retreat for people who need it most.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLu1tdFK8FGtCUyQkjgDpRqnqiF1YSreM4RFR_v7tc7GA7i-sIq_TNQU8AC6vwn4vBsMT_IjntiqCd1EpO9Eq5O1RS_Hgvpzc13trDQCjhteAkCdYH_oCUvzN9FG9OhZS9OpGLFnmJauQ/s1600/Volmoed-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLu1tdFK8FGtCUyQkjgDpRqnqiF1YSreM4RFR_v7tc7GA7i-sIq_TNQU8AC6vwn4vBsMT_IjntiqCd1EpO9Eq5O1RS_Hgvpzc13trDQCjhteAkCdYH_oCUvzN9FG9OhZS9OpGLFnmJauQ/s640/Volmoed-03.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Volmoed Falls 2 - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 F4 IS, 20sec, F/13, ISO 100, ND filter</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Unfortunately, the weather gods did not look kindly upon us, and the entire week was rained out. The highlight of these workshops is normally photographing the wheat fields in the undulating terrain around Caledon during harvest time, but when there's no decent light, you need to be a better photographer than I to get something decent.<br />
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I did put my ND filter to good use and got some pleasing shots of the waterfall on the property, and we got to do a lot of macro work, too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc-EjYxroLWUDzdnOrRBfqqok01BHTRBU0ntQ5vgo3RNt73oWdskZtIMEm3yVQ5UzBBnrqOn9yMhDO6Lqd-jXsFQeixpn0E5cVLu-1S27moSV1M1nUSrtElfKQxldkLBs_4-015AuOAE/s1600/Volmoed-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNc-EjYxroLWUDzdnOrRBfqqok01BHTRBU0ntQ5vgo3RNt73oWdskZtIMEm3yVQ5UzBBnrqOn9yMhDO6Lqd-jXsFQeixpn0E5cVLu-1S27moSV1M1nUSrtElfKQxldkLBs_4-015AuOAE/s640/Volmoed-01.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple Stamen - Canon 40D + Canon 70-200 F4 IS + Raynox closeup adapter, 1/125, F/4, ISO 200</td></tr>
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I still don't have a proper macro lens, but the combination of my lovely 70-200 F4 IS and the Raynox DCR 150 macro converter work surprisingly well. The converter snaps on and off quickly (and to a variety of filter thread sizes), and the image quality is very good, too,<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkbGIs2fZwAZxZjtaMO_FuK2BZ3gnUpMhE1NZZoW1rDM1w56a_tYVRIpbe1Wtqy1WXGqkSxLlGVvai9UBARZDo_NtgytoYz4rEqMEfOlmy0f2ByKBNmbKtYDAf7Y2KKs4hxl6TZmVTjA/s1600/Volmoed-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkbGIs2fZwAZxZjtaMO_FuK2BZ3gnUpMhE1NZZoW1rDM1w56a_tYVRIpbe1Wtqy1WXGqkSxLlGVvai9UBARZDo_NtgytoYz4rEqMEfOlmy0f2ByKBNmbKtYDAf7Y2KKs4hxl6TZmVTjA/s640/Volmoed-04.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purble Bud - Canon 40D +Canon 70-200 F4 IS + Raynox closeup adapter, 1/90, F/5.6, ISO 400, Focus stack of 6 exposures </td></tr>
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The above shot was made using focus stacking: basically I set my camera to high-speed burst, focus on the closest part of the flower, and slowly move the camera toward the flower while shooting. The resulting exposures are then combined in Photoshop (there's a script that'll do this automatically), and the sharpest bits are selected from each exposure. As a result you get great depth of field on your subject, while you can still use a large aperture to blur out the background.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7jIAWVq9-ANK0aT6AkbJD-xfZS47ohAFYIghLvRR1WtoXiTZBgOSA9UFZGTTb9WCmMd8dy9VB2li4CwcAB4ztCt39VTHoLT4PgWb2HpPBIRuwugVar8JlajpMJz9iyB3gjQUc3N9xSY/s1600/March2015-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz7jIAWVq9-ANK0aT6AkbJD-xfZS47ohAFYIghLvRR1WtoXiTZBgOSA9UFZGTTb9WCmMd8dy9VB2li4CwcAB4ztCt39VTHoLT4PgWb2HpPBIRuwugVar8JlajpMJz9iyB3gjQUc3N9xSY/s640/March2015-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palm Trees - Fuji X100s, 1/80, F/2, ISO 3200, IR filter</td></tr>
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I'm also still enjoying the infrared capabilities of the little Fuji x100s. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2W98m-2qGF7AbHlGNWN9HszfxUdNXan1MJNP2IegCeprd7318K1XivZXV7qYw0s3aKc09ombHmOQ7ys1-GzDoGoqQokWhn6fZmKG-8OTt_7xzCQUfswAunbczc5LyklbWgonXqwtjmK4/s1600/March2015-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2W98m-2qGF7AbHlGNWN9HszfxUdNXan1MJNP2IegCeprd7318K1XivZXV7qYw0s3aKc09ombHmOQ7ys1-GzDoGoqQokWhn6fZmKG-8OTt_7xzCQUfswAunbczc5LyklbWgonXqwtjmK4/s640/March2015-06.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penguins and Boulders - Canon 40D + Canon 70-200 F4 IS, 1/125, F/7.1, ISO 100</td></tr>
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The above shot was taken at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boulders_Beach" target="_blank">Boulders Beach</a>, Simonstown. I flipped it horizontally (as I often do, can you spot another flipped image in this post?) - Japanese viewers may prefer it flipped back :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXBuBpX6w09YK6EMy81-IMbfk0wRUF_AmQxMAADUScoqRlqqcCfVlukdk2Lr3svmSoS3HO6vCDEe2gpOxbcyhL14sgEJVJoSM021LQTpo6omIaqWO9JMoQZBqbVbwQA4RMlNbVI7o7Ww/s1600/March2015-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXBuBpX6w09YK6EMy81-IMbfk0wRUF_AmQxMAADUScoqRlqqcCfVlukdk2Lr3svmSoS3HO6vCDEe2gpOxbcyhL14sgEJVJoSM021LQTpo6omIaqWO9JMoQZBqbVbwQA4RMlNbVI7o7Ww/s640/March2015-04.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earth, Cows and Sky - Fuji x100s, 1/220, F/8, ISO 200, Polariser</td></tr>
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I'm also still loving the 5x2 aspect ratio I originally used for the <a href="http://floriansphotographs.blogspot.co.za/2012/12/quiver-trees-by-night-1-2-3.html" target="_blank">Quiver Trees by Night series</a>. The above was taken near Ceres (and I used Fuji's Velvia film simulation mode for a change, otherwise I almost always use the Astia mode).<br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvhMSWT99RZUZrbI48yzdhaI1etmQONeXkX9x4gWhn35F4mvl_yhp9B2ZoqO1HM3YWJrpztiOJdc2hXzfeYvqN-diWLAF08iLkMlTxHIfb_dspUMGm5sbybkxF_0nFpkH3GC86JOaaFA/s1600/March2015-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvhMSWT99RZUZrbI48yzdhaI1etmQONeXkX9x4gWhn35F4mvl_yhp9B2ZoqO1HM3YWJrpztiOJdc2hXzfeYvqN-diWLAF08iLkMlTxHIfb_dspUMGm5sbybkxF_0nFpkH3GC86JOaaFA/s640/March2015-02.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cape Point Sunset - Canon 40D + Canon 70-200 F4 IS, 30sec, F/11, ND filter</td></tr>
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This sunset shot was taken at Kogelbaai, and the silhouette is that of Cape Point, some 50km away across False Bay. The long exposure smoothed out the water, while the haze softened all the contours. It was taken a few minutes before the wave picture at the top of this post.<br />
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As I mentioned, I have some exciting news, which I will write about in the coming week (or two, things are really busy when you have two kids under 2). See you then!Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-766427773291354572015-08-31T22:22:00.000+02:002015-08-31T22:22:07.030+02:00Mystery in Stone<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZqXBu7sVZieSfgYLJL31TXrFWEydPit5HMrLs00Heq8Dd8WlDaqnzI-mu99M-yWdVcyB92Ds4m7yVP1kEMBCChJp6sdMR_9duc3OOlt7e4BYM0QOp8_hbODXt1kPFBCf_fSG6d6ER64/s1600/EnglandBW-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZqXBu7sVZieSfgYLJL31TXrFWEydPit5HMrLs00Heq8Dd8WlDaqnzI-mu99M-yWdVcyB92Ds4m7yVP1kEMBCChJp6sdMR_9duc3OOlt7e4BYM0QOp8_hbODXt1kPFBCf_fSG6d6ER64/s640/EnglandBW-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mystery in Stone - Fuji x100s, 1/80, f/2, ISO 3200, Infrared filter</td></tr>
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On a recent conference visit to Europe I traveled light, so I only took my little <a href="http://www.floriansphotographs.blogspot.com/2013/10/my-new-toy-fuji-x100s.html" target="_blank">Fuji x100s</a> with me and left the backpack full of DSLR gear at home. One of the places I got to visit was <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonehenge" target="_blank">Stonehenge</a>, which has always been on my bucket list. It was a hot, cloudless day. The light was bad, and there were throngs of tourists, so I wasn't expecting to get anything decent, but I took lots of pictures anyway. In particular, I took a few shots with my infrared filter, which works really well on the x100s, allowing me to take handheld exposures (I had forgotten my tripod).<br />
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I felt that the stones have a more "otherworldly" look in the infrared, which increased the mystery of the place. Dialing down the "clarity' slider in Lightroom did the rest. I'm quite happy with the result.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjIijEKdokJUcSdj3U7_BOycsUprcwOMWfkhvfl4NVGNHe5aVopZ-_G3kn5jQXT6EYZkeAB_0GRtEq0RER4fD3FNSi2ymzgN_OhTCaDHKqC76tCcEdHUSgFZyZXwz-FoAGqETEpBi-n1M/s1600/EnglandBW-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjIijEKdokJUcSdj3U7_BOycsUprcwOMWfkhvfl4NVGNHe5aVopZ-_G3kn5jQXT6EYZkeAB_0GRtEq0RER4fD3FNSi2ymzgN_OhTCaDHKqC76tCcEdHUSgFZyZXwz-FoAGqETEpBi-n1M/s640/EnglandBW-03.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salisbury Reflections - Fuji x100s, 1/80, f/2, ISO 1600</td></tr>
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Stonehenge is near Salisbury, the site of a wonderful cathedral. I took the above shot in there, capturing reflections in the mirror-smooth surface of a pool of water. The water overflowed the pool right around the edges, so that no ripples could reflect from the edges, resulting in the perfect surface.<br />
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I chose black and white for this image to emphasize the strong vertical lines. I could have lightened the bottom half of the image (water doesn't reflect 100% of the light), but then it would have looked artificial.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYG8z8JTR58GzaFppwtK_oP7YnJrm-oqiGZOc1nzLTFzKCedvJAZ3zrZTj1m9fYF5W5VOUTjn393WYtY-AcJwXj_erX_JLpRmEMdKrWDLybjqBo9pRb-JT-7lGgidYpdO_p4HQfXNq9I/s1600/EnglandBW-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYG8z8JTR58GzaFppwtK_oP7YnJrm-oqiGZOc1nzLTFzKCedvJAZ3zrZTj1m9fYF5W5VOUTjn393WYtY-AcJwXj_erX_JLpRmEMdKrWDLybjqBo9pRb-JT-7lGgidYpdO_p4HQfXNq9I/s640/EnglandBW-02.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Paul's - Fuji x100s, 20sec, f/16, ISO 200</td></tr>
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I have always enjoyed photographing a city at night, often favoring long exposures, and this was the second time I wandered London at night with a camera and tripod. This is one of approximately one billion photos of St. Paul's Cathedral you'll find online, yet I particularly like this view, with all the strong lines complementing the diffraction spikes caused by the small aperture. The various pedestrians have been blurred out by the long exposure.<br />
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It was my wife's idea to convert this to black and white, and of course she was 100% right. She always is. And so, by complete coincidence, my only images of the last few months worth showing are in black and white. I think I'm starting to like this medium. I Hope you enjoyed this little triple; a very good evening to you.<br />
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<br />Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-52733163693926732442015-06-28T19:48:00.000+02:002015-06-28T19:48:46.009+02:00Uluru MoonriseSince I became the proud father of a <a href="http://floriansphotographs.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/why-ive-been-quiet-for-so-long.html" target="_blank">little monster</a>, I have had fewer opportunities for serious photography. One such opportunity arose during a recent family holiday to Australia, where I managed to sneak away from my family for a few days and head to Alice Springs in the middle of nowhere. Nearby (i.e. a mere 450km away) is a big red rock called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uluru" target="_blank">Uluru</a> (a.k.a. Ayer's Rock):<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0rmeef2dYh9IBR9MG_3XZIPJ4zc7DNzAB5j5y1p56J8qIZ-OpnayrS_IC7pkeArYy_fgdNJoGJK1Nto6Mq9SYqCpgckJ3bbJcqZgTJyLkrY8e2JQuWZ1vzZjHN7TWRksb1FMpcQCjnw/s1600/Outback-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0rmeef2dYh9IBR9MG_3XZIPJ4zc7DNzAB5j5y1p56J8qIZ-OpnayrS_IC7pkeArYy_fgdNJoGJK1Nto6Mq9SYqCpgckJ3bbJcqZgTJyLkrY8e2JQuWZ1vzZjHN7TWRksb1FMpcQCjnw/s640/Outback-01.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uluru Moonrise - Canon 40D + Canon 70-200 F4 IS, 1/8, F/8, ISO 400</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a name='more'></a>In the weeks before the trip I had carefully planned where to be at moonrise on 2 June 2015 so as to see the moon rising directly above Uluru, and to be far enough away so the moon would look big in comparison to the rock. Unfortunately, the only affordable way to see the rock at all was with a camping tour for backpackers (arranged by <a href="http://www.emurun.com.au/" target="_blank">Emu Run</a>, it was actually quite cool), and of course they have their standard viewing spot for Uluru at sunset, and there was no way for me to make it to my designated spot on my own. Besides, I didn't want to miss the <strike>champagne</strike> sparkling wine.<br /><br />
<br />
Greatly did I rejoice when the moon obliged anyway by rising just next to the rock. Okay, since we were quite close to the rock the moon looks relatively small, but I'm still happy with the result.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgWtm_43ZOfh7LM755-JeOH5ckQ5TcS-uDs_mk4yGhAEv2u78eYtZJFwwUVP2xi6vA1f42fUsg5Y7H96mDSREv23z-vaDZnQpRwoIOubt9AupajowlmI5cP5aOYImynWS-gGFe0G19_Y/s1600/Outback-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBgWtm_43ZOfh7LM755-JeOH5ckQ5TcS-uDs_mk4yGhAEv2u78eYtZJFwwUVP2xi6vA1f42fUsg5Y7H96mDSREv23z-vaDZnQpRwoIOubt9AupajowlmI5cP5aOYImynWS-gGFe0G19_Y/s640/Outback-02.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uluru Moonrise II - Canon 40D + Canon 70-200 F4 IS, 0.3s, F/5.6, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yes, I know these pictures aren't amazingly original. I'm not sure what one needs to do to stand out from the approximately one billion photos of Uluru that one finds online, but I think these at least beat the median.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyY01LBOAAx0NTqqxYtTtKyh9CmQWIbJXYFyfWJy-cwkM9AYGMJ2zVVJnmy0qmYuSTd9jdJFXDUw3N02wf298y5Fddnsev0cBqOzWa_lYbL6XQv5-8OGJ8YIjBDEbk7yCOlI1Snjg-y2g/s1600/Outback-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyY01LBOAAx0NTqqxYtTtKyh9CmQWIbJXYFyfWJy-cwkM9AYGMJ2zVVJnmy0qmYuSTd9jdJFXDUw3N02wf298y5Fddnsev0cBqOzWa_lYbL6XQv5-8OGJ8YIjBDEbk7yCOlI1Snjg-y2g/s640/Outback-03.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuji X100s, 1/110, F/8, ISO 400</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Uluru is a geological oddity. It is a chunk of sandstone, lying on its side. This is not unusual, but typically the forces that tilt the rock layers will also bend them, and hence cause cracks. Uluru has no such cracks, it's one solid piece.<br />
<br />
Another wonderful thing to see near Uluru is a mountain range called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kata_Tjuta" target="_blank">Kata Tjuta</a> (a.k.a. The Olgas):<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GFuv_nNulRWUTReEzsQmRUHPW9nZkzBt2jVJw4pdztGo8uw_g76aWd4CbBAQ3iq24yn4qi1hXF4vZXfyVbxNr_gnyh0xIpH8IgweI4segOLtf8_iu_PI3ghFuZ7ufha4fAH_DEabrA4/s1600/Outback-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GFuv_nNulRWUTReEzsQmRUHPW9nZkzBt2jVJw4pdztGo8uw_g76aWd4CbBAQ3iq24yn4qi1hXF4vZXfyVbxNr_gnyh0xIpH8IgweI4segOLtf8_iu_PI3ghFuZ7ufha4fAH_DEabrA4/s640/Outback-04.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canon 40D + Canon 17-55, 1/15, F/5.6, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
These are every bit as impressive as Uluru itself, but are not advertised widely overseas, for the simple reason that the Aboriginal People still use it for ceremonies from time to time, at which point the whole place is closed to gawking tourists. This doesn't go down well with visitors who just flew half-way around the world specifically to see the place...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMiMU5MFvFaJHWesoMbNExAwhgJ6196frbuxnacQVcT3NuIt_de3x5XAHVsSt1ARSRfWBH68P2L4hhq6wywWg2tcp74RVlrK13bV0AcLAWxhQm51IFcgrm7x3WkMIzSLPAMdyJgwznic/s1600/Outback-09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMiMU5MFvFaJHWesoMbNExAwhgJ6196frbuxnacQVcT3NuIt_de3x5XAHVsSt1ARSRfWBH68P2L4hhq6wywWg2tcp74RVlrK13bV0AcLAWxhQm51IFcgrm7x3WkMIzSLPAMdyJgwznic/s640/Outback-09.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canon 40 D + Tokina 11-16, 1/320, F/8, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here are some more pretty pictures: <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEo_O8SFJvzGk1TLx_MnLwobcw6MgXfu2y8Q5KGeFbjxafwODZVKXrtN1zGH-aXyX6ytYnBYSIo3pC-MtpzsLuMNo0gfPtMsfnG2Fs2hhQSXVPmlYr5gsX6uIKaR2SLJanGW1eF5_tqk/s1600/Outback-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEo_O8SFJvzGk1TLx_MnLwobcw6MgXfu2y8Q5KGeFbjxafwODZVKXrtN1zGH-aXyX6ytYnBYSIo3pC-MtpzsLuMNo0gfPtMsfnG2Fs2hhQSXVPmlYr5gsX6uIKaR2SLJanGW1eF5_tqk/s640/Outback-11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuji x100s, 1/600, F/8, ISO 200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBL5aid4Q4gDupGseX7bQ1iCHTfIHDdX0cnCzfmwk1Pfnc5eq-ViAcw0xqT-kN774DYAUqvQZba0bNoLkInHf-jC_g8ZgZD4_FYupsqr9N_f3KrPWJCBavoelyIDoLcJzv3uAjehdBTD8/s1600/Outback-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBL5aid4Q4gDupGseX7bQ1iCHTfIHDdX0cnCzfmwk1Pfnc5eq-ViAcw0xqT-kN774DYAUqvQZba0bNoLkInHf-jC_g8ZgZD4_FYupsqr9N_f3KrPWJCBavoelyIDoLcJzv3uAjehdBTD8/s640/Outback-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuji x100s, 1/500, F/8, ISO 200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvA_63UKsSZKeSQjUuC6Rc1sGTJfwKgtW5G7OmMg1UeEaBbH6jmJ46k0YMiqgPcPe6_MjwjfRwJhJeiTplhBHOV_3WFNLpX1h-QpYZZIGSaQGPwyq9LzBtLT7lJSjXULXbF-1g6xFZTY4/s1600/Outback-08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvA_63UKsSZKeSQjUuC6Rc1sGTJfwKgtW5G7OmMg1UeEaBbH6jmJ46k0YMiqgPcPe6_MjwjfRwJhJeiTplhBHOV_3WFNLpX1h-QpYZZIGSaQGPwyq9LzBtLT7lJSjXULXbF-1g6xFZTY4/s640/Outback-08.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canon 40D + Tokina 11-16, 1/640, F/5.6, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Usually when shooting a panorama, an iron rule is to shoot much more than you need, so that you have enough canvas to make the rectangular crop you want without bits missing near the edges. As usual, I forgot about that when making this 230 degree panorama of the Valley of the Winds:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6yvw7G5E45YzIauOuEzl0XwJmrrZS9SJuPnxY-u8KxaSGfUqdHohC1lOurVspn2K6KQgj-W7FByjwCXPtwyd6ZjXyoge1zr5-m2C_V9i393KuVJQ51-p7rURzMRuZD_7MGc1V5Zthrc/s1600/ValleyOfTheWinds-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6yvw7G5E45YzIauOuEzl0XwJmrrZS9SJuPnxY-u8KxaSGfUqdHohC1lOurVspn2K6KQgj-W7FByjwCXPtwyd6ZjXyoge1zr5-m2C_V9i393KuVJQ51-p7rURzMRuZD_7MGc1V5Zthrc/s640/ValleyOfTheWinds-small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valley of the Winds - Canon 40 D + Tokina 11-16, 1/320, F/5.6, ISO 100, 7 exposure panorama</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But in this particular instance, why bother cropping? The bulbous borders of the full panorama complement the domes very nicely. I think I'll try more uncropped panoramas in the future - rectangles are overrated! Next time, though, I'll try not to cut off the greenery at the bottom.<br />
<br />
Here are few more pictures for your viewing pleasure:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnzNCyaCU2-ebtTE6DREVGZG-avBzIZCGbkFzv6AKF4xf0rmFPwqNEszfKTRSdR69sh7c9AU4u0MOkjNw_Mz2Y40HHHu55O2MO8wssLFaANYsfOQF2CClDWSO2ozF7c4nLlQ8Q833kgE/s1600/Outback-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLnzNCyaCU2-ebtTE6DREVGZG-avBzIZCGbkFzv6AKF4xf0rmFPwqNEszfKTRSdR69sh7c9AU4u0MOkjNw_Mz2Y40HHHu55O2MO8wssLFaANYsfOQF2CClDWSO2ozF7c4nLlQ8Q833kgE/s640/Outback-05.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canon 40D + Tokina 11-16, 1/500, F/5.6, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmM3L94zgJkGbYitDFbn87trsy-lJdaWaDpZIXkFfSe5rRph-z2V-s9ORX2_ynYGnYdKDqTKMzPuLtYLBs5RUStoU2IxEZfHCGoB8_a3vX8c65EE4cKZF66XNlE300gu8blxheZS6pCM/s1600/Outback-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmM3L94zgJkGbYitDFbn87trsy-lJdaWaDpZIXkFfSe5rRph-z2V-s9ORX2_ynYGnYdKDqTKMzPuLtYLBs5RUStoU2IxEZfHCGoB8_a3vX8c65EE4cKZF66XNlE300gu8blxheZS6pCM/s640/Outback-07.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canon 40D + Tokina 11-16, 1/125+1/500+1/2000, F/5.6, ISO 100, HDR</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGokuSQ6z0xvmGQCf1Sc_jSLfJfCDnoEMBrMu-oY91cvqWUu8rMIPyFU6zsXlGt5Fd9C6d3TzAx8RdM4GXDnJgfFsnJVjSjzuI1AvDXzOXWitMYSL5u3-hvZNvFzulfHG_tdgPc3rF9qI/s1600/Outback-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGokuSQ6z0xvmGQCf1Sc_jSLfJfCDnoEMBrMu-oY91cvqWUu8rMIPyFU6zsXlGt5Fd9C6d3TzAx8RdM4GXDnJgfFsnJVjSjzuI1AvDXzOXWitMYSL5u3-hvZNvFzulfHG_tdgPc3rF9qI/s640/Outback-06.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canon 40D + Tokina 11-16, 1/100, F/5.6, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-27379533243484794122014-10-22T08:35:00.002+02:002014-10-22T08:35:45.043+02:00The Road to Work<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqnIlCVtsBDWNk0FUN7d2FWoHMSgHYmu78lluhMcKPo9Tieu7GPgOsJmeWYATQOgpjKtQ-doEmnVWqojEdweIHN6TZFISK4PMUsvKqkpRWVFctSWfhv-qyzF-TSpR_XGhBXeni0DK0jI/s1600/Road_to_work-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqnIlCVtsBDWNk0FUN7d2FWoHMSgHYmu78lluhMcKPo9Tieu7GPgOsJmeWYATQOgpjKtQ-doEmnVWqojEdweIHN6TZFISK4PMUsvKqkpRWVFctSWfhv-qyzF-TSpR_XGhBXeni0DK0jI/s1600/Road_to_work-01.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Road to Work - Fuji x100s, 1/80, f/11, ISO 2500</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Life is hard. Poor me. I have to cycle to work every day, and my route takes me along the Eerste River in Stellenbosch, on a well-maintained cycle path. These are some of the vistas I have to cycle past twice every day.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipef6Yeao8KpsxLuHCAn5pRExQMEXr8RlUkuwTq35pOfB5ZTPWjDHbyVRhZEsQOsQh65YUITGenFMhT-aDxdGt9DMK-wAVdThN_2RaxOXeORlRdWCKn734QSw4nWsYQs8BDaompuU8dIE/s1600/Road_to_work-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipef6Yeao8KpsxLuHCAn5pRExQMEXr8RlUkuwTq35pOfB5ZTPWjDHbyVRhZEsQOsQh65YUITGenFMhT-aDxdGt9DMK-wAVdThN_2RaxOXeORlRdWCKn734QSw4nWsYQs8BDaompuU8dIE/s1600/Road_to_work-02.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Road to Work II - Fuji x100s, 1/140, f/5.6, ISO 800</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXuOhxi1SsKHFF1N3iWv-bckn1N7brZ7TSHu1wuw_MR6NzTIe-qaMQfkfPaCMv9_ZFA1RT50RD1XMtTXD0bmRi_vFWeLO-ZcmQ5Cg-B8DDxYezNCkFgvAKBjIXroNqeuj1IzLkGWlrsI/s1600/Road_to_work-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXuOhxi1SsKHFF1N3iWv-bckn1N7brZ7TSHu1wuw_MR6NzTIe-qaMQfkfPaCMv9_ZFA1RT50RD1XMtTXD0bmRi_vFWeLO-ZcmQ5Cg-B8DDxYezNCkFgvAKBjIXroNqeuj1IzLkGWlrsI/s1600/Road_to_work-03.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remnants of the old bridge - Fuji x100s, 1/550, f/5.6, ISO 800</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you're wondering why I'm shooting at ISO 800 in good light, it's because the little Fuji x100s has an extended dynamic range mode, at which it effectively under-exposes at native ISO 200, then boosts the shadows two stops. It works pretty well with the built-in JPG engine.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitp571o9wWquih11O7i1EGgQAiJLkmuqKsYNu1FFvg3oYMdmB8iL9fwyzNEmKJ1VO2LWrQGhcOLOFfdXnuX9AElSWMLvN11SPDJEuMhSDQSXADlsqqcRbqwDE2rGkEq8-ljKyYea19DTE/s1600/Road_to_work-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitp571o9wWquih11O7i1EGgQAiJLkmuqKsYNu1FFvg3oYMdmB8iL9fwyzNEmKJ1VO2LWrQGhcOLOFfdXnuX9AElSWMLvN11SPDJEuMhSDQSXADlsqqcRbqwDE2rGkEq8-ljKyYea19DTE/s1600/Road_to_work-04.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eerste River in Spring - Fuji x100s, 1/120, f/5.6, ISO 800</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It doesn't work automatically in Lightroom, there the images are over-exposed, and you need to drastically dial down the highlights to get the same effect. However, you will find that there is a huge amount of highlight headroom.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJvlwg4UBhuv40k0maxqKnHOMCZkEyjL3tAHszXwm8fAmcgm-_7gkyVFD7SzlOQdOeDgldHCXWt5MOiX5eEVpv-dU98dB2cVdfdF-O1fN_yJX9Gbyza6XMSnJiki8X9_2dXFrWbmC4no/s1600/Road_to_work-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJvlwg4UBhuv40k0maxqKnHOMCZkEyjL3tAHszXwm8fAmcgm-_7gkyVFD7SzlOQdOeDgldHCXWt5MOiX5eEVpv-dU98dB2cVdfdF-O1fN_yJX9Gbyza6XMSnJiki8X9_2dXFrWbmC4no/s1600/Road_to_work-06.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">eXperience - Fuji x100s, 1/110, f/8, ISO 800</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Speaking of Lightroom, I have recently installed <a href="http://www.picturecode.com/index.php" target="_blank">Photo Ninja</a>, after numerous comparisons claiming that PN can render better detail than LR for the Fuji x-trans sensor. I must spend more time with it, but my first impression is that this is often true. Some of the above images were in fact processed using PN, can you guess which ones?<br />
<br />
<h4>
A photo phone</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWy7BUal_z-ZXesrjqXMlO4RwRlftkdCnS2J9AkfUW5d4U-uuJPxssOW5PXeoO96CnpXouCxrAHpPjQzZBDkjOSn4SKVHuViq-Tiaoia6CTbGnREFE0AtII33i2__1Wup-DNFRork4k8/s1600/Road_to_work-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWy7BUal_z-ZXesrjqXMlO4RwRlftkdCnS2J9AkfUW5d4U-uuJPxssOW5PXeoO96CnpXouCxrAHpPjQzZBDkjOSn4SKVHuViq-Tiaoia6CTbGnREFE0AtII33i2__1Wup-DNFRork4k8/s1600/Road_to_work-10.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tendrils of Spring - LG G2 phone, 1/60, f/2.4, ISO 50, HDR mode</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I'm always late at adopting the latest technology, so I only recently got myself a smartphone. After much compulsive reading of reviews, I am now the proud owner of LG's G2 phone (yes, I know the G3 has come out now, but that came shortly afterwards). Its camera is actually not bad, I especially like the HDR mode, which produces quite impressive results. Pity it doesn't shoot RAW.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxclunZcQZ7pQgHacDLc1ZNncF1ZSJqr235dhFDwQjfwOLIYGhD3AvwPQ3vVlpPGkzJqt3qoGKXs-Th5CG3pLVVCLu5R0IDvMMxCheENvCnUkgUZ743CjCkjjqWeYeL8rBdbwivTzf9s/s1600/Road_to_work-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxclunZcQZ7pQgHacDLc1ZNncF1ZSJqr235dhFDwQjfwOLIYGhD3AvwPQ3vVlpPGkzJqt3qoGKXs-Th5CG3pLVVCLu5R0IDvMMxCheENvCnUkgUZ743CjCkjjqWeYeL8rBdbwivTzf9s/s1600/Road_to_work-11.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers and Ivy - LG G2 phone, 1/60, f/2.4, ISO 50</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
As is often mentioned, your best camera is the one you have with you, and of course this thingy is always in my pocket. Plus, it's nice to have a camera on which I can browse the internet, play games and sometimes even make phone calls.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlRYtG6YUkHtjvCgVAGp9-VHg4t-iUC8zvht1OvI0lnok0QoRqsRID_JrMP744rEfewvU2mplH_4JcjNJxM9_7MnvMPufCPn_6HFAyYlnhVCd15876xbgAMDaHjwMm0LA4QIeXJyezLA/s1600/Road_to_work-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlRYtG6YUkHtjvCgVAGp9-VHg4t-iUC8zvht1OvI0lnok0QoRqsRID_JrMP744rEfewvU2mplH_4JcjNJxM9_7MnvMPufCPn_6HFAyYlnhVCd15876xbgAMDaHjwMm0LA4QIeXJyezLA/s1600/Road_to_work-13.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Flowers - LG G2 phone, 1/120, f/2.4, ISO 50</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Did I mention it's spring here in the Southern Hemisphere?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_Waf50L5LPTj9p8z1-xVJKBj2n92XlFXDkz2oRo3tfK_GO6jiPpuYQ7kmUaGfTTVGABhyphenhypheni6PyR9KKfRbUXOyfazJQmueBGuF6QxczynhKEVlfhcyfku-pAPpMWLuAdUDF5ahyim7eoA/s1600/Road_to_work-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_Waf50L5LPTj9p8z1-xVJKBj2n92XlFXDkz2oRo3tfK_GO6jiPpuYQ7kmUaGfTTVGABhyphenhypheni6PyR9KKfRbUXOyfazJQmueBGuF6QxczynhKEVlfhcyfku-pAPpMWLuAdUDF5ahyim7eoA/s1600/Road_to_work-15.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yet More Flowers - LG G2 phone, 1/120, f/2.4, ISO 50</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The tiny sensor on the phone makes for a very deep depth of field. The focal length is a mere 3.97mm.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Google, the artist</h4>
<h4>
</h4>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQJQUHmYQRU75IoUulynggg3lJCNEndNZZPkS68Ndq5lgH1-TfPe0E4KTkPUZalz8FXoJbLlcosyaUf1yyLrT8a_oXxOaMXfDCJANB-fKsbxV91FEoGxSBZWEKk0R9tbSxlfNZITYaAs/s1600/Road_to_work-09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQJQUHmYQRU75IoUulynggg3lJCNEndNZZPkS68Ndq5lgH1-TfPe0E4KTkPUZalz8FXoJbLlcosyaUf1yyLrT8a_oXxOaMXfDCJANB-fKsbxV91FEoGxSBZWEKk0R9tbSxlfNZITYaAs/s1600/Road_to_work-09.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome Tendrils - LG G2 phone,1/60, f/2.4, ISO 50, "photo awesome" by Google</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sometimes Google takes it upon itself to "enhance" some of the images that my phone backs up to Google Drive. Here is one example that almost works, I would have chosen the tendril in the lower right not to be blurred.<br />
<br />
Anyway, that's it for me for today. Being Daddy is a full-time job, and I'm still being a Mathematician in my spare time, and a photographer in my sleep. Perhaps one day Google will do the photographing for me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-83758184466445132102014-09-18T21:32:00.002+02:002014-09-18T21:32:51.140+02:00Spending time at the sea...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vrnB8XQK1HfGmMcK-l1sSKJo5BG0eNK6ykF1ICMirIN5l97Rem_4YKioLb_X2RH4rKfpxyFhiDm10mAfazBQ9qMmQ1_FdD29rCiQV0LpEsoWhpSMuxxYOlsSrf300fVoyzOVPTE3uUQ/s1600/SeaSide-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vrnB8XQK1HfGmMcK-l1sSKJo5BG0eNK6ykF1ICMirIN5l97Rem_4YKioLb_X2RH4rKfpxyFhiDm10mAfazBQ9qMmQ1_FdD29rCiQV0LpEsoWhpSMuxxYOlsSrf300fVoyzOVPTE3uUQ/s1600/SeaSide-01.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another World - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55, 60s, f/9.5, ISO100, ND filter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have just returned from a week at the sea with family, and for the first time in quite a while I have been able to spend some serious time photographing (see my <a href="http://floriansphotographs.blogspot.com/2014/09/why-ive-been-quiet-for-so-long.html" target="_blank">previous post</a> for the reason). It turns out that most of my keepers where made with a strong ND filter on my lens.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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<h4>
Passing the time</h4>
A while back I bought a stack of three ND filters: 3 stops, 6 stops and 10 stops. Only now have I gotten around to trying them out for real. These are basically just dark pieces of glass which block most of the light, allowing for longer shutter speeds during the day time.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrRP4UQ9i4zzKR6vjdLxsMz-qe0yxkanwahZ6GL4iqnlLmPN-inWZQmYpHzxQyPOL64Eblyj4_5gvquGQHNc7LMTQ2nJNfQS7jEUDXtQAT3QUANOHI8BoEo7dQu-88kjEQDgQbwAJ1xg/s1600/SeaSide-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgrRP4UQ9i4zzKR6vjdLxsMz-qe0yxkanwahZ6GL4iqnlLmPN-inWZQmYpHzxQyPOL64Eblyj4_5gvquGQHNc7LMTQ2nJNfQS7jEUDXtQAT3QUANOHI8BoEo7dQu-88kjEQDgQbwAJ1xg/s1600/SeaSide-02.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock in the Tide - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55, 90s, f/16, ISO 100, ND filter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Moving water gets smoothed out over time, with very different effects achieved at different time scales. These first three pictures basically use the long exposure to turn the churning water into a sea of fog, from which the rocks emerge. Naturally, a sturdy tripod is a must.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4splF31Sbz1AXFRFNROwTRb6FDrpMQsZ2m7utK9ZSy87efuY6QQeFAqouGGnobgl62weMoN3NhiPmqC56duF9ZiFkzKgACmk8blh_W1YUo_TzoEjnlyVXijeSBws6dWpPmd8i43dbf0/s1600/SeaSide-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4splF31Sbz1AXFRFNROwTRb6FDrpMQsZ2m7utK9ZSy87efuY6QQeFAqouGGnobgl62weMoN3NhiPmqC56duF9ZiFkzKgACmk8blh_W1YUo_TzoEjnlyVXijeSBws6dWpPmd8i43dbf0/s1600/SeaSide-03.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magic Pool - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55, 45s, f/8, ISO 100, ND filter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Those who know the South African coast may recognise Hangklip just over the horizon in the above shot - it was taken from De Kelders, next to Gaansbaai.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Panning for gold</h4>
Another game one can play with long shutter speeds is panning. One usually sees this in photographs of racing cars, where the camera swings to keep the car centered while the background is blurred by the motion, conveying a sense of speed.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQ9_tQ1BH8SQj6UTMHhKZawdKUuXuRTniuPr7SlCw8yynRfaotNm5RFhROhi3fkJAD0OL9JOqmbOUKa7sQi7T8oV_Tw51RiX4rbLjVkmHVk5vMlKif9u0AVdYxr5InXkqYuZADegbn-M/s1600/SeaSide-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQ9_tQ1BH8SQj6UTMHhKZawdKUuXuRTniuPr7SlCw8yynRfaotNm5RFhROhi3fkJAD0OL9JOqmbOUKa7sQi7T8oV_Tw51RiX4rbLjVkmHVk5vMlKif9u0AVdYxr5InXkqYuZADegbn-M/s1600/SeaSide-06.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wave - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200, 1/6, f/11, ISO 100, ND filter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here I tried this trick at the beach, panning to follow a wave. As you can see, the shutter speed is much faster (I used the 3 stop ND filter), but the 200mm focal length means that you still get enough blur to make the image more abstract. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOxToQxSvREzVCTnu-VGuPKaHX0xWgxdjrtkUBrsQtUegopN4mYvAOps-TSyBgYJXXmxdJ8njS_ecxnizsDIFgXUVFfIIt_0RxuS9TX_zGxuH7zJCruLOukisX8qUOLhgMI6vNRLpc0E/s1600/SeaSide-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOxToQxSvREzVCTnu-VGuPKaHX0xWgxdjrtkUBrsQtUegopN4mYvAOps-TSyBgYJXXmxdJ8njS_ecxnizsDIFgXUVFfIIt_0RxuS9TX_zGxuH7zJCruLOukisX8qUOLhgMI6vNRLpc0E/s1600/SeaSide-04.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach Tranquility 1 - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55, 1s, f/5.6, ISO 100, ND filter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is probably my favourite image of the lot. The camera movement smooths out rough details, making the image more restful. One challenge is getting a reasonably sharp horizon: for this your tripod head needs to be absolutely horizontal, so that the horizon does not move up or down during panning. I find that the bubble level on my tripod head is not accurate enough for this, so I did the following. I use live view and tilt the camera so that the horizon is just below one of the framing lines (if you need to conserve your battery, or don't want to heat up the sensor, you can use the little autofocus rectangles in your viewfinder instead). Then I pan back and forth, and look for the direction in which the horizon appears the highest (i.e. the camera is pointing lowest). Now I fiddle with the tripod legs (or a leveler, which I borrowed from my panoramic head for this purpose) to raise the camera slightly in this direction and try again. Eventually the horizon stays put when I swivel the camera, and I'm ready to go. But first: don't forget to focus at infinity - I did!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVKCNmrT_hI1TPe6k1Zj7QfudoiM4wNf2GT_04Ocmbclxk3w2FFcfdAvBZGb7IsbOkaTRriiFAc8HURAzTYkFDtTKd-P-v9DZSIsVv7VlgsxZ-dyzy8iDC_dN-pLz3Q0akqL2tHGysmI/s1600/SeaSide-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVKCNmrT_hI1TPe6k1Zj7QfudoiM4wNf2GT_04Ocmbclxk3w2FFcfdAvBZGb7IsbOkaTRriiFAc8HURAzTYkFDtTKd-P-v9DZSIsVv7VlgsxZ-dyzy8iDC_dN-pLz3Q0akqL2tHGysmI/s1600/SeaSide-05.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach Tranquility 2 - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55, 1s, f/5.6, ISO 100, ND filter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
Other images</h4>
While we're on the topic of attaching funny filters...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtgU-5UXst1dYlW72sBdrBtEN0u_rSwe1WHK0eLMlgNin12P9AaCltxwiwKPvvJNDF1hIQFhdkEnaChKqqqCNX9EbTZvDrkWBwV7kh1UQI8ThT77p4W_2utUxWJnXwtFGWUw4fv3K-20/s1600/SeaSide-08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFtgU-5UXst1dYlW72sBdrBtEN0u_rSwe1WHK0eLMlgNin12P9AaCltxwiwKPvvJNDF1hIQFhdkEnaChKqqqCNX9EbTZvDrkWBwV7kh1UQI8ThT77p4W_2utUxWJnXwtFGWUw4fv3K-20/s1600/SeaSide-08.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rooi Els - Canon 40D, Tokina 11-16, 10s, f/4, ISO 1000, IR filter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
...here's a shot of Rooi Els (with Hangklip on the left) taken in the infrared. This time the long exposure time is due to the infrared blocking filter in front of the sensor. I wrote more about infrared photography in an <a href="http://floriansphotographs.blogspot.com/2013/06/infrared-photography.html" target="_blank">older blog post</a>. The image is strange rather than beautiful, but the sky was something special, so here's another shot, this time without anything more fancy than a polariser on the lens.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9v2ZFTXDeVeetMd0cx1Hog5Kp7xaDY1MaR6_c37b9Tn0N3oHvixBVv4xzjJ_dAv0IqcMUONjA97jjtbQ1kPdd5IVWTxH4qgaIlFMi_a3oX43Yizks5O0Fr_wJZK-yHqJQsa0rcAOCDCs/s1600/SeaSide-09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9v2ZFTXDeVeetMd0cx1Hog5Kp7xaDY1MaR6_c37b9Tn0N3oHvixBVv4xzjJ_dAv0IqcMUONjA97jjtbQ1kPdd5IVWTxH4qgaIlFMi_a3oX43Yizks5O0Fr_wJZK-yHqJQsa0rcAOCDCs/s1600/SeaSide-09.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Radiant Sky - Canon 40D, Tokina 11-16, 1/125. f/8, ISO 100, polariser</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The cloud streamers in the sky are actually parallel, and the radiating effect comes from the perspective, which is exaggerated by the wide angle lens (11mm). In fact, this sky is simply begging for a panorama. Did I make one?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhbzcWpDnv6F1x0QCNG-wI2B7eSsM1k5blTbsOl70UPsnisuxBsmgcwWeQbKuTkvii-dhl8bDE_0132KK-wPdO-ya2a5zFx3IMiM8tEVUR6GicR12Sb4dpMibgavoKIqYGqpSt3BQ1kM/s1600/RooiEls2-PS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhbzcWpDnv6F1x0QCNG-wI2B7eSsM1k5blTbsOl70UPsnisuxBsmgcwWeQbKuTkvii-dhl8bDE_0132KK-wPdO-ya2a5zFx3IMiM8tEVUR6GicR12Sb4dpMibgavoKIqYGqpSt3BQ1kM/s1600/RooiEls2-PS.jpg" height="278" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panorama Attempt 1 - Canon 40D, Tokina 11-16, 6x(1/125+1/500+1/2000), f/8, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Of course I did! But I made a huge mistake: I was too lazy to dig out my panorama adapter from under the luggage in my car, so I shot this hand-held. As a result I have spent many hours in front of my computer trying to stitch this properly. The above attempt was made in Photoshop, after I couldn't get a decent result from Hugin. I had to use Puppet Transform to get the horizon straight, and I couldn't properly merge the different exposures. I'll try again some other time.<br />
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Here is a parting shot:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIEtIPAFkB6ChZfo7c98xJ0hFVcaBzYwDsmb58eHN5Bt0qOYrFPbORBqPIQBZlmdDslWWCEr4uo7RvNyNB1hO3VJ2ZrMt2N2s54w4TY3f9D909l8u-99NuWvFx14BhUKQ_DM8IZEbnG8/s1600/SeaSide-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIEtIPAFkB6ChZfo7c98xJ0hFVcaBzYwDsmb58eHN5Bt0qOYrFPbORBqPIQBZlmdDslWWCEr4uo7RvNyNB1hO3VJ2ZrMt2N2s54w4TY3f9D909l8u-99NuWvFx14BhUKQ_DM8IZEbnG8/s1600/SeaSide-10.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glow From Within - Fuji x100s, 30s, f/2, ISO 6400</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Why is the exposure so long? Because this is illuminated mostly by starlight... and by the glow worm sitting among the leaves! Again, not a masterful image, but the scene was quite cute. It is also the first time I managed to photograph a glow worm, well, at least its glow. The worm itself is, of course, overexposed.<br />
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Have a good one! Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-64344955882874546772014-09-16T13:18:00.000+02:002014-09-16T13:18:27.667+02:00Quiver Tree Poetry!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkIQjWo8PXaFzWgdWJQhUmrwaljDoSINyIZzI7HNWUbF91OPvFelng7oL6VbF1H9LsXF6W0M71XY_vU7hzZlt9OiCIAfqO_pq4oVkNdksQtILGrsCqopj9vvk1k-YtvZKvQ56K-4IrRc/s1600/QTBN1-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkIQjWo8PXaFzWgdWJQhUmrwaljDoSINyIZzI7HNWUbF91OPvFelng7oL6VbF1H9LsXF6W0M71XY_vU7hzZlt9OiCIAfqO_pq4oVkNdksQtILGrsCqopj9vvk1k-YtvZKvQ56K-4IrRc/s1600/QTBN1-web.jpg" height="256" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quiver Trees by Night 1 - Canon 40D, Tokina 11-16, 6x30sec, f/2.8. ISO 3200, Nodal Ninja</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
No, this is not a new image. But I am very excited that my fellow South African, Walter Schwim, has written a poem on quiver trees that perfectly accompanies Quiver Trees by Night 1 (<a href="http://floriansphotographs.blogspot.com/2012/12/quiver-trees-by-night-1-2-3.html" target="_blank">or 2</a>, for that matter). It was published on <a href="http://poetscollective.org/blog/2014/08/chotjes-vision/" target="_blank">Poet's Collective</a>. I reproduce it here with the kind permission of the author:<br />
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<h3>
Chotje’s Vision</h3>
(Eyes of the Aloe)<br />
<br />
Did you watch a gibbous moon<br />entangled in those starfish eyes<br />of wise old thorny Kokerboom<br />beneath Namakwa’s starry skies?<br />Did you touch his horny hide <br />and ask him pardon for your rude<br />request that he in you confide<br />his thoughts and secrets un-eschewed?<br />
Did he take you far away<br />beyond the feeble lunar glow<br />into his gleaming milky way<br />to places only Kokers know?<br />
Where spirits fly on angel wings<br />for starfish eyes can see all things.<br />
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© WW Schwim, 2014Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-45889022106118858202014-09-03T23:17:00.000+02:002014-09-03T23:17:24.316+02:00Why I've been quiet for so long<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg087jRA7WV3yVPKbdrfxU1Pus0pitV7TpueF36Wm6neoBMeZhRfZHoXifvoQj1JAbp3Uw8o61BjiNDm3acYIFhMSWgWdnpeEeUO6w3F8t6HzygpBt4PhfvMFs6Epbfv3Zr1RlqYWDA9pQ/s1600/Mira2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg087jRA7WV3yVPKbdrfxU1Pus0pitV7TpueF36Wm6neoBMeZhRfZHoXifvoQj1JAbp3Uw8o61BjiNDm3acYIFhMSWgWdnpeEeUO6w3F8t6HzygpBt4PhfvMFs6Epbfv3Zr1RlqYWDA9pQ/s1600/Mira2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mira - Fuji X100s, 1/80, f/2, ISO 500</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
A new <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mira" target="_blank">star</a> is born - well, actually she was born three months ago. My life has become a lot busier since then, especially because we have moved from a flat into a house (kids need a lot of space!). This also meant that I didn't have internet access at home for about a month. And with all the baby stuff, renovating and moving, I haven't had much time for photography.<br />
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Nevertheless, here are a few recent pretty images (don't worry, I won't show you any more baby pictures).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGBVk_FFV9cBAmYtReoOFrwrlJZv088K-9QO7h-LmIW289X3Bx0hEzUWqImSzUDeGKzR28xZvJmHJw-cOTRXhgQXpbOChfHqsxAlSoFy2Otp2zzXefMYUZ_D8Ze0lpzRBVz_7KRQWIWc/s1600/survivor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGBVk_FFV9cBAmYtReoOFrwrlJZv088K-9QO7h-LmIW289X3Bx0hEzUWqImSzUDeGKzR28xZvJmHJw-cOTRXhgQXpbOChfHqsxAlSoFy2Otp2zzXefMYUZ_D8Ze0lpzRBVz_7KRQWIWc/s1600/survivor.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Survivor - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55, 1/4, f/22, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I took this back in April, when I spent a weekend alone in the Cederberg. The shrub is only knee high, but looks like it must be centuries old.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqHz7-SDRf4cxvmE0NzzS0k0he1t9xLJNq3Mhk9nqK5UP1tFR4gDinTjRhcXqFFI2WC7ILI9AT3R4TmJU1YVSIA5YT7v_4qJwoiJeZ3DIHqwIcBvg3qT8FTFmL6pTx8J8L2BW4_C8Fos/s1600/rico.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqHz7-SDRf4cxvmE0NzzS0k0he1t9xLJNq3Mhk9nqK5UP1tFR4gDinTjRhcXqFFI2WC7ILI9AT3R4TmJU1YVSIA5YT7v_4qJwoiJeZ3DIHqwIcBvg3qT8FTFmL6pTx8J8L2BW4_C8Fos/s1600/rico.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rico - Canon 40D, Tokina 11-16, 1/4+1/15+1/60, f/9.5, ISO 100, HDR</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the last few apartheid years, the South African government built a "blacks only" <a href="http://whenonearth.net/macassar-beach-pavilion-cape-town-south-africa/" target="_blank">beach pavilion at Macassar beach</a>. It was generally boycotted and has since fallen to ruin, making it a paradise for photographers.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJsZPssqvgQ_prapbGMXFGM9Ai-y8RRSIwQRK30Whaa4mw6hkMuDx6OulDyiJ1unNrjqss467caGBuzCBly81k-CAjwa9t7LlmePp7iCftdlmg0VqR9WXJwSvZpqLDCBPYHxZgFJ0LWU/s1600/shell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRJsZPssqvgQ_prapbGMXFGM9Ai-y8RRSIwQRK30Whaa4mw6hkMuDx6OulDyiJ1unNrjqss467caGBuzCBly81k-CAjwa9t7LlmePp7iCftdlmg0VqR9WXJwSvZpqLDCBPYHxZgFJ0LWU/s1600/shell.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shell - Fuji X100s, 15s, f/16, ISO 200, Infrared filter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
These are some remains of a water slide. It took my friends at my camera club a while to figure out what this is.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvKKPVinmRIVyv9orWpfL1gVeRmQxrvTqVqs0Cc7BoDau2tXD6AI_cw4v_6Q9RhhkuAmkxAVE-kgZprt6Wc3Avqfm0v7VNN-3Tc3fOMOhx0fSgPF7bq7L_Avoo51St2oJgpoC2M3KFgQ/s1600/FalseBayStorm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqvKKPVinmRIVyv9orWpfL1gVeRmQxrvTqVqs0Cc7BoDau2tXD6AI_cw4v_6Q9RhhkuAmkxAVE-kgZprt6Wc3Avqfm0v7VNN-3Tc3fOMOhx0fSgPF7bq7L_Avoo51St2oJgpoC2M3KFgQ/s1600/FalseBayStorm.jpg" height="276" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">False Bay Storm - Fuji X100s, 6x1/1000, f/5.6, ISO 800, panorama</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The <a href="http://www.imo2014.org.za/" target="_blank">2014 IMO</a> took place in Cape Town in July and I was one of the coordinators (i.e. script markers). While the papers were being set up we were holed up in a hotel overlooking False Bay, and I took this panorama from my hotel window.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRTwEC6ylA9Tee2Yc5gJ14wcQdpFgl3ZycQEWDPNY3du6qUEBVEWrekvnHEa_vGGBtWSklyBypCaFyzoCDSc6vuSpht5-wtqRQaprYsae6wkBqE5WYd866ccg9rFqPM3OoEsCUXVYuOM/s1600/PaternosterSunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRTwEC6ylA9Tee2Yc5gJ14wcQdpFgl3ZycQEWDPNY3du6qUEBVEWrekvnHEa_vGGBtWSklyBypCaFyzoCDSc6vuSpht5-wtqRQaprYsae6wkBqE5WYd866ccg9rFqPM3OoEsCUXVYuOM/s1600/PaternosterSunset.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paternoster Sunset - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f4 IS, 1/60, f/5.6, ISO 200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
...and this is just one of about a billion sunset pictures you can find on the net. But it's mine, and this is my blog. Enjoy!Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-55576203358958724732014-03-25T20:57:00.000+02:002014-03-25T21:03:44.556+02:00Shoot the moon!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcD1V0124kc6ylwEWqSaw23Y9S6AFvgctWyTYPExh3MwxhJWWBT5irVNYvOTbPeaRh63YAAujhyphenhyphendXLNOVqGB8W3_5xV5mdDAz1cV6GziR5DVezNe0QmS7QZ0-nSRRiPAFdGhyMK2WBttE/s1600/Shoot-The-Moon-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcD1V0124kc6ylwEWqSaw23Y9S6AFvgctWyTYPExh3MwxhJWWBT5irVNYvOTbPeaRh63YAAujhyphenhyphendXLNOVqGB8W3_5xV5mdDAz1cV6GziR5DVezNe0QmS7QZ0-nSRRiPAFdGhyMK2WBttE/s1600/Shoot-The-Moon-06.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The moon is watching - Canon 40D, 70-200 f4 IS, 0.3sec, f/22 ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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On 15 March I joined a bunch of photographers to photograph the moonrise over <a href="http://floriansphotographs.blogspot.com/2013/08/theewaterskloof-dam.html" target="_blank">Theewaterskloof Dam.</a> The <a href="http://helderbergphoto.com/" target="_blank">Helderberg Photographic Society</a> does this thing about once a year, and this time Tafelberg Photographic Society wanted in on the act; it was fun shooting with a bunch of new faces.<br />
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We arrived well before moonrise, so we had plenty of time to enjoy the scenery of dead trees standing in the water, illuminated by the late afternoon sun.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPS7RE3CsuW-xTmhqAM_BwWQV7p2-s_RBPntCCQLLzefGod7RU3UtwI70b6yawyDRbBdLfjuniybs_QDMKitd-8SmrAurI-L3cOxVNmtiiVSOEM_c8AzRL7SKvcK4mjiwbu194EfI79I/s1600/Shoot-The-Moon-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKPS7RE3CsuW-xTmhqAM_BwWQV7p2-s_RBPntCCQLLzefGod7RU3UtwI70b6yawyDRbBdLfjuniybs_QDMKitd-8SmrAurI-L3cOxVNmtiiVSOEM_c8AzRL7SKvcK4mjiwbu194EfI79I/s1600/Shoot-The-Moon-03.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dead Trees - Canon 40D, Tokina 11-16, 1/125, f/8, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGS6Oxz0gsClLHrep85MgNYokQHfDI5LsjdwoCzClsGyGBxOlIvxRbAgl8Jm-Hm-d90Z-8CjJ5iUOXYy1RDjzm5mOGz-W8mBsQhYCZXU6kP3Piie3tjMU1AMvJ1-8cV5QPPd-ZzooBl4/s1600/Shoot-The-Moon-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUGS6Oxz0gsClLHrep85MgNYokQHfDI5LsjdwoCzClsGyGBxOlIvxRbAgl8Jm-Hm-d90Z-8CjJ5iUOXYy1RDjzm5mOGz-W8mBsQhYCZXU6kP3Piie3tjMU1AMvJ1-8cV5QPPd-ZzooBl4/s1600/Shoot-The-Moon-04.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More dead trees - Canon 40D, Tokina 11-16, 1/90, f/8, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I have not much else to say, really, except that once again I really enjoyed my Fuji X100s with an infrared filter mounted. This time I took longer exposures at base ISO for a very smooth look.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ngKtUCmdL1gBvh_A9y9YqzeaF_U72It1MG9ZD7EbA1tTIe02Qm_Y8YXQoLvy6DpAIlK8rTqxbV_9Ge4JvcJwM8Rg2xOi4DHeEhhEVxj7eEjfNAq2dO7LwhbHiMNFgrLtV2xJRz17ebk/s1600/Shoot-The-Moon-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ngKtUCmdL1gBvh_A9y9YqzeaF_U72It1MG9ZD7EbA1tTIe02Qm_Y8YXQoLvy6DpAIlK8rTqxbV_9Ge4JvcJwM8Rg2xOi4DHeEhhEVxj7eEjfNAq2dO7LwhbHiMNFgrLtV2xJRz17ebk/s1600/Shoot-The-Moon-02.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Infrared Reflections - Fuji X100s, 14sec, f/11, ISO 200, Infrared Filter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span id="goog_1411544108"></span><span id="goog_1411544109"></span>Finally the moon did rise, applauded by the sound of snapping shutters...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhome_YvZfg0vl7FdNEk_QS_8fcAucATlRAxNRwQYXkMPFJJGmuBWQnYzjVZOMY0utc9A2oDdM3QPvBzIEcVELdOl5WIWupKb4QhGmC8VU7yi4zwQ2QHwH7L3XHB81ijA5z0bz1_bKChwk/s1600/Shoot-The-Moon-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhome_YvZfg0vl7FdNEk_QS_8fcAucATlRAxNRwQYXkMPFJJGmuBWQnYzjVZOMY0utc9A2oDdM3QPvBzIEcVELdOl5WIWupKb4QhGmC8VU7yi4zwQ2QHwH7L3XHB81ijA5z0bz1_bKChwk/s1600/Shoot-The-Moon-07.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I seem to really like this group of trees... Canon 40D, 17-55 f2.8, 2sec, f/11, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Z5RmGW8IiQs3nlgeukwrcCvDilGuWD38N98mDVzvhh02ogNgugeqYeApBDyaq6gJEypOPwU7N1RZZectq5CIScRLvAP0OPrf_uKOp6HYTBmsPkamWCtPakpbUq3FfNWBKxMpsGpIIN0/s1600/Shoot-The-Moon-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Z5RmGW8IiQs3nlgeukwrcCvDilGuWD38N98mDVzvhh02ogNgugeqYeApBDyaq6gJEypOPwU7N1RZZectq5CIScRLvAP0OPrf_uKOp6HYTBmsPkamWCtPakpbUq3FfNWBKxMpsGpIIN0/s1600/Shoot-The-Moon-05.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clouds, Branches, Moon. - Canon 40D, 70-200 f4 IS, 1/8, f/19, ISO 100</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDerY2k20eTZvA2XYaxmW7LjC_EqlJTWtx53S7OEHaI2o6s-8Ql5Ww8NNXfWpve5rC_KdkHyK-5p4MeoeZvAO-Ln1piXd_XRyrIFL9c9g2lhbQoAjn-kWnQxWnaB-3a0HtqJHxgp7bUdc/s1600/Shoot-The-Moon-09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDerY2k20eTZvA2XYaxmW7LjC_EqlJTWtx53S7OEHaI2o6s-8Ql5Ww8NNXfWpve5rC_KdkHyK-5p4MeoeZvAO-Ln1piXd_XRyrIFL9c9g2lhbQoAjn-kWnQxWnaB-3a0HtqJHxgp7bUdc/s1600/Shoot-The-Moon-09.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moving Sky - Fuji x100s, 30sec, f/14, ISO 800</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFzRGueBbKvP4Wb-C4x3C6Ib8giB_ptRucbArBTd_cogeuQefOwXBPBRxx5XcroNdkisPliFvaEqEYtAPS6QZLLJ_rxUuN3J289_RKS0C8sYHn75rQxGLmkIkN7ltRsrMW9DDNAQ9lWE/s1600/Shoot-The-Moon-08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFzRGueBbKvP4Wb-C4x3C6Ib8giB_ptRucbArBTd_cogeuQefOwXBPBRxx5XcroNdkisPliFvaEqEYtAPS6QZLLJ_rxUuN3J289_RKS0C8sYHn75rQxGLmkIkN7ltRsrMW9DDNAQ9lWE/s1600/Shoot-The-Moon-08.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moonshine - Canon 40D, 17-55 f2.8, 61sec, f/8, ISO 100</td></tr>
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That's all folks! Hope you enjoyed the pretty pictures. I'm hoping to find time to write a series of posts on panoramic photography, so please do pop by again in next few months.<br />
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<br />Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-73049292479999864882014-02-10T22:35:00.002+02:002014-02-10T22:35:50.068+02:00Minor success at the WPO<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9e8qaw5OGvO9rXcfkps7EMWnbOqezSocwpFBLULa4UzhVuGVRKH6AF3mAT3BRChlrOY28lGxNCTtpIF6WbTvrXWeBDlZlvhq2fuaNKQA3kBMSOhCEBtCsI2wAojTq7gg-v2aD6uZr7Q/s1600/Theewaterskloof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9e8qaw5OGvO9rXcfkps7EMWnbOqezSocwpFBLULa4UzhVuGVRKH6AF3mAT3BRChlrOY28lGxNCTtpIF6WbTvrXWeBDlZlvhq2fuaNKQA3kBMSOhCEBtCsI2wAojTq7gg-v2aD6uZr7Q/s1600/Theewaterskloof.jpg" height="256" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoke on the Water - Canon 40D, Tokina 11-16, 20x30sec, f/2.8, ISO 3200</td></tr>
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The above image of the <a href="http://floriansphotographs.blogspot.com/2013/08/theewaterskloof-dam.html" target="_blank">Theewaterskloof Dam</a> was <a href="http://www.worldphoto.org/images/image/735169/?FromImageGalleryID=21081&FromImageGalleryGroupID=2" target="_blank">commended</a> at the 2014 Sony World Photography Awards. I had renamed the image, the old title being somewhat less inspired.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0W1p9ym0Y5VPzqT6Rb57eBZ9Yg-9WGeJlDESl_5qLJeGaln_-D_AZWGV3wjCj88aCCVaQz0x2Hh4xoNDhCpQQKKIlsah_LAdM91yNKs9DvKSME3cMdV7d-_xe2KMbYHpPcwg5J_46vs/s1600/Panoramic_Commended.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0W1p9ym0Y5VPzqT6Rb57eBZ9Yg-9WGeJlDESl_5qLJeGaln_-D_AZWGV3wjCj88aCCVaQz0x2Hh4xoNDhCpQQKKIlsah_LAdM91yNKs9DvKSME3cMdV7d-_xe2KMbYHpPcwg5J_46vs/s1600/Panoramic_Commended.png" height="160" width="200" /></a></div>
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I was a <a href="http://floriansphotographs.blogspot.com/2013/02/news-update.html" target="_blank">bit luckier last time</a>, when my <a href="http://floriansphotographs.blogspot.com/2012/12/quiver-trees-by-night-1-2-3.html" target="_blank">Quiver Trees by Night 3</a> was shortlisted, and <a href="http://floriansphotographs.blogspot.com/2012/08/quiver-trees-by-night-2.html" target="_blank">Quiver Trees by Night 2</a> was commended. Still, I'm very happy with the result, especially as 2013 really wasn't a good year for me, and this was one of very few decent images that I produced.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6XCgtxN1jaznOa649RjVPcTM7psjBMUd4M86in-xfk92tuyfUTPITrisSuUEv2jrjXmoAu1lkoMJ-eTUSOFM1mI6B27NFeTRz8ODq5gmnwQ9VUqVwncIGyEcBIYrU04caEUXnu0-DlE4/s1600/Aloe-IR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6XCgtxN1jaznOa649RjVPcTM7psjBMUd4M86in-xfk92tuyfUTPITrisSuUEv2jrjXmoAu1lkoMJ-eTUSOFM1mI6B27NFeTRz8ODq5gmnwQ9VUqVwncIGyEcBIYrU04caEUXnu0-DlE4/s1600/Aloe-IR.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Aloe - Fuji X100s, 1/60, f/2, ISO 2000, Infrared filter</td></tr>
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I have little else to report, so here's a pretty picture I made a few days ago at a "camping" weekend in honour of a friend's birthday. Aloes reflect beautifully in the infrared; since I was too lazy to use a tripod, I had to shoot wide open to get a reasonable shutter speed. In this case, the shallow depth of field definitely contributes to the image. Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-65237206133090140712014-01-10T22:38:00.000+02:002014-01-10T22:38:15.152+02:00I'm Back!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRd5n7K8RQSS0XJswmaBhvAf4xURIq6DbsqADcmwU2ui7Qkp5X5qdYZ0DxZGfLWADZxNZDJgWlc4FDlRcbrXGnB7spC48AkYPz6SzycX_nqgxAICX8xln21-6R6kSV3Klw_AVK5n1GDog/s1600/RoadTrip-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8HIia3zaUCMgxeqNTVbKs6cA18W7KikF8RLXYv7QTC0rJBGLT9NDvGlg46GdgisxRE3esy0nd2c4BTK2BMqtUVD5WT-zvzLFQi3EHXY6kQ70Iwu15C1_Cw9qZmhI65_dS3pXuFWYkoY/s1600/RoadTrip-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8HIia3zaUCMgxeqNTVbKs6cA18W7KikF8RLXYv7QTC0rJBGLT9NDvGlg46GdgisxRE3esy0nd2c4BTK2BMqtUVD5WT-zvzLFQi3EHXY6kQ70Iwu15C1_Cw9qZmhI65_dS3pXuFWYkoY/s1600/RoadTrip-16.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giraffe Portrait - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/350, f/5.6, ISO 100</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7zA_LpJh9-o0mmJL-jj4do_DZGfUMu9H4NEomYgHjnBmkJScdaDC7JqeczB4rclEIdceIgpXsrS-rnLt3hj-Ezw_fsH5FXnj7u6wrPL_q7SrzMW-1KnFHRrtHpBkrBF-XntT4tYgH0M/s1600/RoadTrip-09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
I'm back after a three-week road trip to KwaZulu-Natal province with family. I won't bore you with the details, but I got to photograph beautiful landscapes, especially in the Drakensberg Mountains, as well as animals in the Addo Elephant National Park and the Ithala Game Reserve.<br />
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See below for some of my favorite shots. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2jBnc26S2gF6lY0_n22rL0VK_z0pO4unDVY2cubdzyQiL9YQctf_pniwoHBoANTjVf63E9KMYBR9F1JfhQLCF_SoDBtCHWz9L3SSZ1cpXyg1UFS514sAL4JhROZlX07Gf2cMwOnLV1A/s1600/RoadTrip-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA2jBnc26S2gF6lY0_n22rL0VK_z0pO4unDVY2cubdzyQiL9YQctf_pniwoHBoANTjVf63E9KMYBR9F1JfhQLCF_SoDBtCHWz9L3SSZ1cpXyg1UFS514sAL4JhROZlX07Gf2cMwOnLV1A/s1600/RoadTrip-01.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robberg Sunset - Canon 40D, Tokina 11-16, HDR 1/15+1/60+1/250, f/11, ISO 100</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8HIia3zaUCMgxeqNTVbKs6cA18W7KikF8RLXYv7QTC0rJBGLT9NDvGlg46GdgisxRE3esy0nd2c4BTK2BMqtUVD5WT-zvzLFQi3EHXY6kQ70Iwu15C1_Cw9qZmhI65_dS3pXuFWYkoY/s1600/RoadTrip-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8yyRcxgcpXg2Q3enALn_h7UyUxtZ99-i66ZI_Zozo6niSfODg0eRHX9tPkrhnF4h0VJxWxCsTTxpD4d3Dj8f9iHjBVhAMLHvDwVq7Yga7wzBzRY-NYCU_HdeP1HLCtzzxKR7cw-i0jU/s1600/RoadTrip-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8yyRcxgcpXg2Q3enALn_h7UyUxtZ99-i66ZI_Zozo6niSfODg0eRHX9tPkrhnF4h0VJxWxCsTTxpD4d3Dj8f9iHjBVhAMLHvDwVq7Yga7wzBzRY-NYCU_HdeP1HLCtzzxKR7cw-i0jU/s1600/RoadTrip-12.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathkin Valley - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55, HDR 1/30+1/125+1/500, f/11, ISO 100</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhJlnxlH6CFxU7YxvFONDNw-wvBLZmSEj2_T5BOgevXFG7RrHRAY7eLirAvo43TdjmZUTBJk2yABhutjyph4xBs1H1XcA98scka7uAEMyik77FmJ1AJNqJKsPYpmIi9V2RsXPQpZbLRs/s1600/RoadTrip-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhJlnxlH6CFxU7YxvFONDNw-wvBLZmSEj2_T5BOgevXFG7RrHRAY7eLirAvo43TdjmZUTBJk2yABhutjyph4xBs1H1XcA98scka7uAEMyik77FmJ1AJNqJKsPYpmIi9V2RsXPQpZbLRs/s1600/RoadTrip-13.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Moods - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55, HDR 1/60+1/250+1/1000, f/5.6, ISO 100</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwr5csevmRZbIJ4Ld4RpmOQmAXZCEPcgfOXESTgnaPqvJ1B-B5Q-RpbXc4hSOvpCc0c2dGoBd6YdIab2KcwuK4EuAGtiMjSZXIcJUhp2-_EzBZcgdGCs7QCtx-8F4gFThcYHHose0x9KE/s1600/RoadTrip-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwr5csevmRZbIJ4Ld4RpmOQmAXZCEPcgfOXESTgnaPqvJ1B-B5Q-RpbXc4hSOvpCc0c2dGoBd6YdIab2KcwuK4EuAGtiMjSZXIcJUhp2-_EzBZcgdGCs7QCtx-8F4gFThcYHHose0x9KE/s1600/RoadTrip-02.jpg" height="640" width="430" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sable Antelope - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/125, f/5.6, ISO 100</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxDWsR_gJi5SXASpMVe0vwT52rxEkR_IWiwUn_-5UzGSKEib4vTrD_E7rFpzO6HBd2jmMzv3mm1xRJXO8diDrIXzJfEtHSOVfT5JmwK1hVpEqUHkVT25bUKcZu764FKzfwmX_NZjEmOA/s1600/RoadTrip-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxDWsR_gJi5SXASpMVe0vwT52rxEkR_IWiwUn_-5UzGSKEib4vTrD_E7rFpzO6HBd2jmMzv3mm1xRJXO8diDrIXzJfEtHSOVfT5JmwK1hVpEqUHkVT25bUKcZu764FKzfwmX_NZjEmOA/s1600/RoadTrip-03.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow Mongoose - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/500, f/5.6, ISO 250</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1PnpAIXnrSpzdfbmbnWHl08Lp-KMaWk30YmtiY18WENoggoB4xbKswTdS6FkJgOwfW4gf6q96bYwaEVrUcusKVC-OfUzeXOyTwAQKOYBlOiHztSfRxF_vgK3psG1CIG1ZJS1qp_nds4/s1600/RoadTrip-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1PnpAIXnrSpzdfbmbnWHl08Lp-KMaWk30YmtiY18WENoggoB4xbKswTdS6FkJgOwfW4gf6q96bYwaEVrUcusKVC-OfUzeXOyTwAQKOYBlOiHztSfRxF_vgK3psG1CIG1ZJS1qp_nds4/s1600/RoadTrip-04.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-backed Jackal - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/1500, f/5.6, ISO 250</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCOphyphenhyphen5Zv0zRe-PhQSUynzT2ijJOrIa8bmfLkKoxfN-x1pg-NTr6QRdQuiKMoIJWGqvn_ofRfqWzpnrZ6JDJ0GN5W4iUWzm2jy326RZNGsS9Dj7407Ctv1maH_DiGSzZ2YjttIaVTqfc/s1600/RoadTrip-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCOphyphenhyphen5Zv0zRe-PhQSUynzT2ijJOrIa8bmfLkKoxfN-x1pg-NTr6QRdQuiKMoIJWGqvn_ofRfqWzpnrZ6JDJ0GN5W4iUWzm2jy326RZNGsS9Dj7407Ctv1maH_DiGSzZ2YjttIaVTqfc/s1600/RoadTrip-06.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kudu Spies - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/125, f/5.6, ISO 250</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRch219RVyrD3LB-9YnL8-3DKVmdoOtkbi0zs02obal7kiM5P9lqgv_vUhrghIveaUZACqjyP-q_nPqlfWS4D4KMoYHsPRaBWaLcY6NxfYPSgegrM58th-LibF0HohHUQJ7o4mC95Aw5o/s1600/RoadTrip-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRch219RVyrD3LB-9YnL8-3DKVmdoOtkbi0zs02obal7kiM5P9lqgv_vUhrghIveaUZACqjyP-q_nPqlfWS4D4KMoYHsPRaBWaLcY6NxfYPSgegrM58th-LibF0HohHUQJ7o4mC95Aw5o/s1600/RoadTrip-07.jpg" height="640" width="432" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Kudu - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/125, f/5.6, ISO 250</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZfyK6qib8vx1TbIKKvzUGhCcYkDTVnsfmhtqsOWvBQn3nqfAwjgPIm-Qp67M97uCaQllOFtHA_tv2A-zocZt3DjJW7_ZC_Au4PGwxGdoFyzCsDUI6ePtMccknPuAbkqTVeWNwOy8TUw/s1600/RoadTrip-08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBZfyK6qib8vx1TbIKKvzUGhCcYkDTVnsfmhtqsOWvBQn3nqfAwjgPIm-Qp67M97uCaQllOFtHA_tv2A-zocZt3DjJW7_ZC_Au4PGwxGdoFyzCsDUI6ePtMccknPuAbkqTVeWNwOy8TUw/s1600/RoadTrip-08.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An especially beautiful warthog - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/500, f/5.6, ISO 250</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcrc_MZhZ6TYA1dpXQg2M5Vpgg1H52LHZJClUP2O6fs4wtwp3Ui75Gp0_U6mvenBHpw83450JjxgQyd6XTNDb0GTWIH5NN38wGXkhk3QCMRJNibcAE43ia2_I1f92_Wq9tPTyWbIKigU/s1600/RoadTrip-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpcrc_MZhZ6TYA1dpXQg2M5Vpgg1H52LHZJClUP2O6fs4wtwp3Ui75Gp0_U6mvenBHpw83450JjxgQyd6XTNDb0GTWIH5NN38wGXkhk3QCMRJNibcAE43ia2_I1f92_Wq9tPTyWbIKigU/s1600/RoadTrip-10.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zebra Panorama - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/500, f/5.6, ISO 250</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzCi_TcHFmND_eikTgUMT6t6u8isacENuYwYne-jC4eQgvgMjRqC6jMd_gxVPZxpqrsRbKSZsT2-vcEzFh8b3bUVAxkh045RiYqA2PL1MDIGmRW7vU9J3vmVwVzFiSSH7VyCBz9NUTAo/s1600/RoadTrip-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzCi_TcHFmND_eikTgUMT6t6u8isacENuYwYne-jC4eQgvgMjRqC6jMd_gxVPZxpqrsRbKSZsT2-vcEzFh8b3bUVAxkh045RiYqA2PL1MDIGmRW7vU9J3vmVwVzFiSSH7VyCBz9NUTAo/s1600/RoadTrip-11.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't remember what these animals are called... - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/250, f/5.6, ISO 250</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xDbblSerlSrS3fhJ5KeCzxX7krMUiflyrB87QvPU8S7ZSCblrm_dY5tMOhYKN7jJgmvPyeTfVzbKd2wjkZirB1H0K6GoHXWkUuW7flcZ7jed4Tp3lIONjtfoG1PFIG7rF_bKaA4W5oA/s1600/RoadTrip-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xDbblSerlSrS3fhJ5KeCzxX7krMUiflyrB87QvPU8S7ZSCblrm_dY5tMOhYKN7jJgmvPyeTfVzbKd2wjkZirB1H0K6GoHXWkUuW7flcZ7jed4Tp3lIONjtfoG1PFIG7rF_bKaA4W5oA/s1600/RoadTrip-17.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weaver Bird advertising his nest - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/350 f/4, ISO 100</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNh4JVNWXtlGjjwq7WMkyfuqX98dXEN5BgZYFD7l-20f9OGSM-rtpyNPlXKa1vF-ApxaEqWYUX8-0JFBOo1xzyjfZE8wZrOJ1NM09S9hCrK6vZDrsMSDu2ktbqC6d0xsdlg7kC31kmyl0/s1600/RoadTrip-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNh4JVNWXtlGjjwq7WMkyfuqX98dXEN5BgZYFD7l-20f9OGSM-rtpyNPlXKa1vF-ApxaEqWYUX8-0JFBOo1xzyjfZE8wZrOJ1NM09S9hCrK6vZDrsMSDu2ktbqC6d0xsdlg7kC31kmyl0/s1600/RoadTrip-18.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Zebra, with scars - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/180, f/5.6, ISO 200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4anwOFxLzFPSAmBQraBWZYnFbjeAN3S10zErEXRpotMyfDA_93iaz0ofMkWIPZYLg2_hyVzcFu8ExkvctsYz5C1WcNu83ThCYyYlhR2V8_swzYpjswT4m3TbhHK9pgiSGT7IfrsC_Vg/s1600/RoadTrip-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU4anwOFxLzFPSAmBQraBWZYnFbjeAN3S10zErEXRpotMyfDA_93iaz0ofMkWIPZYLg2_hyVzcFu8ExkvctsYz5C1WcNu83ThCYyYlhR2V8_swzYpjswT4m3TbhHK9pgiSGT7IfrsC_Vg/s1600/RoadTrip-19.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Rhino with Calf - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/250, f/5.6, ISO 400</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Tzro5ADTaqKt76rhqWrLOatMEtmOHUTijM6I9Ou5mUwFIBnKhPIOLPDO4gRFM8QwsxElH48AwZJg9MAN4J4KD-6LfvWwOwLVz6YW9JraDhORPyLbslgGH6H0DutK-70B6LJlEhIaiNs/s1600/RoadTrip-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Tzro5ADTaqKt76rhqWrLOatMEtmOHUTijM6I9Ou5mUwFIBnKhPIOLPDO4gRFM8QwsxElH48AwZJg9MAN4J4KD-6LfvWwOwLVz6YW9JraDhORPyLbslgGH6H0DutK-70B6LJlEhIaiNs/s1600/RoadTrip-20.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This calf is a messy eater - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/500, f/5.6, ISO 100</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XHK4hfU5ozgbgCHOHAkHXRvNsIZ2H-TAYId6XKG0ZeurFHgppIFwwlt2a1l4KxEiAFhJSuvoch0_3Oqyok8R1QwBVeGMa_nWF8U9GZIaEaWSA5ARXQQhOHuSda7Lidc5cONaemFe2yI/s1600/RoadTrip-09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XHK4hfU5ozgbgCHOHAkHXRvNsIZ2H-TAYId6XKG0ZeurFHgppIFwwlt2a1l4KxEiAFhJSuvoch0_3Oqyok8R1QwBVeGMa_nWF8U9GZIaEaWSA5ARXQQhOHuSda7Lidc5cONaemFe2yI/s1600/RoadTrip-09.jpg" height="320" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warthog Family - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/250, f/5.6, ISO 250</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiho-wPdhnA5m1ZOxid3msKn31ehAWPY4O915WbbOLaoAvAdPDfgfGRwSj7_fmtfROTDnrwW_wdRDoDazPiAA5xGu64sQlzth2mVnwp1Q_ruA2IEccdCYRQ2BRtVP2v5qwJ9fJKHBfV3Ug/s1600/RoadTrip-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiho-wPdhnA5m1ZOxid3msKn31ehAWPY4O915WbbOLaoAvAdPDfgfGRwSj7_fmtfROTDnrwW_wdRDoDazPiAA5xGu64sQlzth2mVnwp1Q_ruA2IEccdCYRQ2BRtVP2v5qwJ9fJKHBfV3Ug/s1600/RoadTrip-15.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How often do you get a leopard and a snake in one photo? - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/125, f/5.6, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIo7P-lvsxrrB-9BWJoC-KnRQqzp-OgS1kyMgTN1wEPIP5DgveiUtd1gRfi-RGsbFUsksuq8ou_-FL_QKIxPPVhAgMCaLkmxmmwxbP27ek33JpTrJJ3dDtlbqmNk2Dn9W9GnBDVl4mwO0/s1600/RoadTrip-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIo7P-lvsxrrB-9BWJoC-KnRQqzp-OgS1kyMgTN1wEPIP5DgveiUtd1gRfi-RGsbFUsksuq8ou_-FL_QKIxPPVhAgMCaLkmxmmwxbP27ek33JpTrJJ3dDtlbqmNk2Dn9W9GnBDVl4mwO0/s1600/RoadTrip-21.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What're you lookin' at?! - Fuji X100S, 1/320, f/11, ISO 200, flash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdqiNzwqJM6yAiJ6c2ZqfASx5q1FXE_K_MUd8KgI8Z5VGnr8eYlaoDg17DQbUHhd3cr9Gj7nF6n88G_zx62qW_O87x-tL-enAFKBk6gf0kK9AypKlPYk7QOVoDiBLX8LC71K9T-nZzr4/s1600/RoadTrip-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdqiNzwqJM6yAiJ6c2ZqfASx5q1FXE_K_MUd8KgI8Z5VGnr8eYlaoDg17DQbUHhd3cr9Gj7nF6n88G_zx62qW_O87x-tL-enAFKBk6gf0kK9AypKlPYk7QOVoDiBLX8LC71K9T-nZzr4/s1600/RoadTrip-14.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monsters in the Sky - Fuji X100S, 1/60, f/2, ISO 2000, Infrared filter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-59390778827589273602013-12-13T18:56:00.000+02:002013-12-13T18:56:09.359+02:00Holidays!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8AVHeyFWxZF7MIjQGxCC1KomAZeFfgsJlGdqHKYnJ6Php8eVqqTvUeMyr-sTvxx4YQ9Kc03873WG5Qrk8B0RBzqxtmPdeVTP-Sj-tV8Pk8udz7lGMj8RhLTD_NjaNSc5uHfyIjeEv94/s1600/CedarbergPile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8AVHeyFWxZF7MIjQGxCC1KomAZeFfgsJlGdqHKYnJ6Php8eVqqTvUeMyr-sTvxx4YQ9Kc03873WG5Qrk8B0RBzqxtmPdeVTP-Sj-tV8Pk8udz7lGMj8RhLTD_NjaNSc5uHfyIjeEv94/s640/CedarbergPile.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boulders and Clouds - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55mm, 1/60, f/5.6, ISO 100 </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Here is just a quick post to mention that I'm off on a road trip tomorrow morning that will take us to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addo_Elephant_National_Park" target="_blank">Addo Elephant Park</a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drakensberg" target="_blank">Drakensberg</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ithala_Game_Reserve" target="_blank">Ithala Game Reserve</a>. I'm really looking forward to this, and will hopefully get some nice landscape and wildlife shots.<br />
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<h3>
Print orders</h3>
<br />
I will probably have sporadic internet access in the next three weeks, so I cannot promise that I will be able to process print orders in time for Christmas. I will be back on 5 January, however.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiMt_q6JjawmSdj-SPaYJxo-FWJCPsEknqDXhRSHtdWO6qmrUdD3W5rlaK2FNdFL290fbK_nqYkebW0XvcUjaaBEOmTqyhLgwBBoCBlRUgg3547Es69E9egXlX63JZQPmiBseQSo5xYk/s1600/AfterHours-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiMt_q6JjawmSdj-SPaYJxo-FWJCPsEknqDXhRSHtdWO6qmrUdD3W5rlaK2FNdFL290fbK_nqYkebW0XvcUjaaBEOmTqyhLgwBBoCBlRUgg3547Es69E9egXlX63JZQPmiBseQSo5xYk/s640/AfterHours-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After Hours - Fuji x100s, 1/60, f/2. ISO 3200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
2013</h3>
<br />
This year wasn't a very good one for me, unfortunately. My brother Klaus passed away in May, which, though not unexpected, was a big emotional hit for the whole family. My work also kept me extremely busy, so I did not produce many good new images.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXk5mgEOHLy6AtomDTJ_zaEXJ7LLzVKHalAcR1aw219jaqsZ0mCRIlmFGsMqueUgCbmk3caDXCb5_c8A0zixB7XGG3kN30SXXosQt0fIpNAVsOrA3wH7SLv3VEHD4QRhRxOdyojqMDZM/s1600/OnTheStairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXk5mgEOHLy6AtomDTJ_zaEXJ7LLzVKHalAcR1aw219jaqsZ0mCRIlmFGsMqueUgCbmk3caDXCb5_c8A0zixB7XGG3kN30SXXosQt0fIpNAVsOrA3wH7SLv3VEHD4QRhRxOdyojqMDZM/s400/OnTheStairs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
On the other hand, the Mathematics Division moved into a newly renovated building at Stellenbosch University, and guess whose large print was mounted above the staircase in the entrance hallway :) This 250x100cm print was quite hard to produce. It was printed on matte paper, laminated and block mounted. I first learned the hard way that you can't laminate luster paper very well, so I had to reprint on matte. Then it took me a long time to track down people brave enough to laminate a 250x100cm print, but in the end it got an excellent layer of "wheat laminate", which suits the print very well. As always, <a href="http://roxannospictureframers.co.za/" target="_blank">Roxanno's in Jamestown</a> did an excellent job mounting and framing the final product.<br />
<br />
Gearwise, I have totally <a href="http://floriansphotographs.blogspot.com/2013/10/my-new-toy-fuji-x100s.html" target="_blank">fallen in love with my Fuji X100s</a>. I'm still not convinced that the x-trans sensor really is the way to go for the best detail (certainly not with Lightroom - the in-camera raw processor produces better JPGs), but the thing is just such a joy to use and easy to carry around that I'm willing to ignore the pixel-peeping for now. And the high-ISO performance is so amazing that I have it permanently set to auto ISO with 6400 limit. I have no regrets.<br />
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIRTRWh_vN9qdCV80zkdG1KnK3Xlc29I2pOMpP11JglJDcd1_KpsPgGNUKz5JBR1T9P-vyf2JiV4JCCwWeOyzDo6ViVWntTaE78S7gBLqSlPfvt_m_vrb7xdNoE6X5yqWGhyphenhyphenBSn3zpiY/s1600/CampusIR-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiIRTRWh_vN9qdCV80zkdG1KnK3Xlc29I2pOMpP11JglJDcd1_KpsPgGNUKz5JBR1T9P-vyf2JiV4JCCwWeOyzDo6ViVWntTaE78S7gBLqSlPfvt_m_vrb7xdNoE6X5yqWGhyphenhyphenBSn3zpiY/s640/CampusIR-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink Oak Tree - Fuji X100s, 1/60, f/2, ISO 2500, IR72 Infrared Filter</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
I have been shooting some infrared with the Fuji (with a 720nm infrared filter). The good news is that the Fuji seems more sensitive to IR, so I can shoot hand-held, and even compose in the electronic viewfinder. I also manage get a little bit of color effects, but not as good as <a href="http://www.kolarivision.com/index.html" target="_blank">these folks</a> who physically convert their cameras (and yours, for a fee!) to infrared. This will hopefully be the subject of a future blog post.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLzIB-7rkPkER-iDutDg31FnLxWWpyonQjInbxk3CYrhbdPbIxA94VGFZ1zDnZXSL0-qUIPA8cmo_kxJLwcs0zXm4PyALJX-pWqELrJaj7HdCk2mQdZzmxi8QRQ_fldvRm8ovfYW2eoE/s1600/SunRise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlLzIB-7rkPkER-iDutDg31FnLxWWpyonQjInbxk3CYrhbdPbIxA94VGFZ1zDnZXSL0-qUIPA8cmo_kxJLwcs0zXm4PyALJX-pWqELrJaj7HdCk2mQdZzmxi8QRQ_fldvRm8ovfYW2eoE/s640/SunRise.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise - Canon 40D, Tokina 11-16, 1/60, f/5.6, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So that's it for me. Here's wishing you happy holidays and safe travels if you go someplace interesting. See you next year!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3qyhXpAtyd8er6yijlVPIBWlkYtX8YuEaWTqbZYdk8wAA2k8Yn9Stqf9EQ5OKpxHKfuDRosAImeqT1OnPspqEFMvnG3O545wONqMTa4O-RWdPyzeKtiCnxTgJiyYvEJJbkUdYZudUPA/s1600/HittingTheRoad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf3qyhXpAtyd8er6yijlVPIBWlkYtX8YuEaWTqbZYdk8wAA2k8Yn9Stqf9EQ5OKpxHKfuDRosAImeqT1OnPspqEFMvnG3O545wONqMTa4O-RWdPyzeKtiCnxTgJiyYvEJJbkUdYZudUPA/s640/HittingTheRoad.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hitting the Road - Fuji X100s, 1/550, f/5.6, ISO 200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-14637212468838581792013-11-29T17:29:00.001+02:002013-11-29T17:29:38.048+02:00Baobab Panorama<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lSzs6MbEBlyrzo_U6-OwJxN0zlIgA0sb0_V3y_-SdH5isFlrbdHgFKZ-zweAciJtb6514wP4sb5W9xEgypjHLAhfXgYJb4rFcdK5fyfQ7xTPkY99tnRI1BgShDEyaSTDXZJn7HW40sU/s1600/BaobabPanorama1920x768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lSzs6MbEBlyrzo_U6-OwJxN0zlIgA0sb0_V3y_-SdH5isFlrbdHgFKZ-zweAciJtb6514wP4sb5W9xEgypjHLAhfXgYJb4rFcdK5fyfQ7xTPkY99tnRI1BgShDEyaSTDXZJn7HW40sU/s640/BaobabPanorama1920x768.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baobab Panorama - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55, 8x0.3s, f/8, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I haven't posted anything for a while, and this post will be rather short, but rest assured that this blog has not been abandoned.<br />
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When my wife and I <a href="http://floriansphotographs.blogspot.com/2012/07/baobabs-bicycle-baobabs-bicycle-canon.html" target="_blank">visited Madagascar</a> in 2010, I took a number of shots for a panorama at the famous Baobab Avenue, just north of Morondava. When I got back home, I wasn't satisfied with my attempts to stitch this panorama (mostly because the sky was too bright), so I left it.<br />
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Recently, I got an email from a very friendly lady who wanted to buy one of my photographs, and asked if I have any baobab images in panoramic format, and perhaps in black and white. So I remembered the panorama I took, and reprocessed it again (now using Lightroom rather than Canon's own DPP which I used three years ago). This time I was very happy with the result, and the friendly lady now has a nice big canvas of this image on her wall.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><h3>
Postprocessing</h3>
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This image was taken just after sunset, and is composed of eight shots, since back then the 17-55mm lens was the widest I had. Since we're basically looking into the sunset, the sky is much brighter than the foreground. This might have been a good opportunity to try <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-dynamic-range_imaging" target="_blank">HDR</a>, but I was under a bit of time pressure, or perhaps it just didn't occur to me.<br />
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I always start with basic adjustments to the images in Lightroom, in this case I dialed down the highlights as far as they would go, lifted the shadows and increased the exposure to brighten the foreground some more.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxgdAkAWfFQB6eWZG_XqaqAUpFxftJ1V1jBIl4rRO_oWTX4dSi4FGeuk3JqQayi5OLXWF5P6cZNB_GRptVYd1wZJs8uEEBBsazZdCItkkg1G4mHeBSfUsBhmqPO4ZQNM_PTYLlRxE2r8/s1600/BoababPanAdjustments.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxgdAkAWfFQB6eWZG_XqaqAUpFxftJ1V1jBIl4rRO_oWTX4dSi4FGeuk3JqQayi5OLXWF5P6cZNB_GRptVYd1wZJs8uEEBBsazZdCItkkg1G4mHeBSfUsBhmqPO4ZQNM_PTYLlRxE2r8/s320/BoababPanAdjustments.JPG" width="196" /></a></div>
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After stitching the eight exposures in Hugin, which was quite straightforward this time, I imported the image into Photoshop. There I selectively darkened the sky some more (I use curve adjustments with masks). At this point, the image looked like this:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSci_qcxlgZSRozNbVR1R1UN4mBGbG-KaaPtT0jwz1VKpYNKOAlrOmfXn87tePIvD_KKfhVADPA6Do6slDpkkGzUcgJ1Yk4GlpGd6rwKzFeiuFBZPHaiiR30YoRasShWiR5fFgQv28VU/s1600/BaobabPanorama-pre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSci_qcxlgZSRozNbVR1R1UN4mBGbG-KaaPtT0jwz1VKpYNKOAlrOmfXn87tePIvD_KKfhVADPA6Do6slDpkkGzUcgJ1Yk4GlpGd6rwKzFeiuFBZPHaiiR30YoRasShWiR5fFgQv28VU/s640/BaobabPanorama-pre.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baobab Sunset in colour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So now you know what it looks like in colour. If you look closely at the lower left, you'll also notice a blurred copy of one of the tourists - the exposures were 0.3s long - and he was cloned out of the final image. Lastly, I converted to black and white, and added a little bit of sepia toning. It looks good on canvas.<br />
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So that's it for today. Various family members are coming to visit for the holidays, but I hope to get one more blog post in before we leave for a road trip to KwaZulu-Natal in mid-December. This means that any print orders received after Friday the 13th of December will only be carried out when I get back in early January.<br />
Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-38216757407351834332013-10-02T01:24:00.001+02:002013-10-02T01:31:49.292+02:00My New Toy: The Fuji X100s<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63_QyPMerYjMRWdl_FgWltmaP7ouFHCyMBZc68lXDDfsgb64Ec8fDbbY2i7aH5MQo8QYaOUOKDDwWXcABF50p_PtzN5h6kg2mPnqXzb8NM36PXxkg3JkOKhx_KAvcCcz_acfqCNYZ_yE/s1600/x100s-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63_QyPMerYjMRWdl_FgWltmaP7ouFHCyMBZc68lXDDfsgb64Ec8fDbbY2i7aH5MQo8QYaOUOKDDwWXcABF50p_PtzN5h6kg2mPnqXzb8NM36PXxkg3JkOKhx_KAvcCcz_acfqCNYZ_yE/s640/x100s-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new toy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is not a gear review site - I have neither the time nor the money to test every new gadget that comes along. However, after weeks of deliberation and reading of such sites, I decided to buy myself a Fuji X100s, and in this post I'll share my impressions of this lovely little camera as well as some pictures I took with it in Moscow and Paternoster.<br />
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<h3>
Why the x100s? </h3>
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I'm extremely lucky to have a job which allows me to travel to interesting places - most recently I got to spend two weeks in Moscow - and in the past I would carry an entire backpack full of camera gear with me wherever I went. This is a huge pain, especially since there does not exist an ideal camera bag, i.e. one which (1) has space for a DSLR and several lenses, (2) fits my laptop and bunch of A4-sized papers and books for work, and (3) is comfortable to carry on my back for extended periods. In practice, you get to pick at most two out of three. In my case, I have a nice backpack that satisfies (1) and (3), and a fancy airport case satisfying (1) and (2).<br />
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So I needed something more portable, especially for work trips. I considered switching to a more portable camera system - the Fuji X system comes to mind - but again this involves compromises (not to mention expenditure) that I don't want make right now: An ideal camera (1) has excellent image quality, (2) is very portable and (3) is highly flexible. Again, pick two! My solution is to keep my DSLR system [(1) & (3)] and get a second, portable camera [(1) & (2)]. The X100s fits the bill perfectly. Moreover, it is very pretty, so even my finance minister approved of the purchase :)<br />
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<h3>
Handling</h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaGbAxd8fjm9XbPeMg6WdQ_p_KIGZWQmIzQczgbmNogvU0eBbV0Ng2DklEAe8IP3De_kZhFYAzxYyb1hveJNGJPaBRYJ7JrG5jpP4_8O6OxDth4GQj0PRT90wJYLf3zJjF5uawDUUL-c/s1600/x100s-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaGbAxd8fjm9XbPeMg6WdQ_p_KIGZWQmIzQczgbmNogvU0eBbV0Ng2DklEAe8IP3De_kZhFYAzxYyb1hveJNGJPaBRYJ7JrG5jpP4_8O6OxDth4GQj0PRT90wJYLf3zJjF5uawDUUL-c/s640/x100s-02.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This little camera is a dream. It is small and light, yet feels quite robust so you can take it along anywhere. As you can see above, shutter speed is controlled by an old-fashioned shutter speed dial on the top plate, and aperture via an aperture ring around the lens. Both dials have an A (automatic) setting; I usually leave shutter speed on A and choose the aperture I want; this is effectively aperture priority mode, which I also use most often on my DSLR. Unlike my DSLR, however, I also keep this baby on auto ISO (one can set the used ISO range anywhere within 200-6400, and also dictate minimum allowed shutter speed), which works brilliantly. As my pixel-peeping below may convince you, the Fuji has such excellent high ISO performance that I really don't care what ISO it chooses most of the time.<br />
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<h3>
Focus</h3>
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One source of frustration is that, when in autofocus mode, the camera wants to refocus every time you press the shutter release (I set up my Canon 40D so that it only focuses when I press the "AF-on" button under my right thumb). There are two ways around this. First, you can just leave it in manual focus, and tap the "AFL-AEL" button under your thumb to autofocus (this is what <a href="http://www.kenrockwell.com/fuji/x100s.htm" target="_blank">Ken Rockwell</a> recommends). The disadvantage to this is that you don't see the selected autofocus spot, and I suspect it just uses the center point. Also, you can easily accidentally move the focus ring on the lens. Second, you can focus where you want, then press the AFL-AEL button, which locks the focus there until further notice (or until the camera goes to sleep - after 30 seconds!) and you can shoot without any stupid refocussing. This is my preferred method, but I would really appreciate a firmware update that lets you set up the AFL-AEL button as the sole autofocus button.<br />
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That said, autofocus isn't amazingly fast, but since the camera is anyway not suited for sports or wildlife, this is not an issue. Manual focus works quite well, with focus peaking as well as a digital split image focusing aid. <br />
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<h3>
Viewfinder </h3>
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The most brilliant thing about the Fuji X100s is the viewfinder. At a flick of a conveniently located little lever, you can switch between an optical and an electronic image. The optical finder is HUGE (now my Canon 40D's finder feels like I'm looking down a tunnel at the little image), has all the information you might want overlaid on it (fully customizable, of course), and shows a lot more of the scene than what will end up in the shot, so you can really anticipate the perfect moment, when things are about to line up just so in the frame lines. This is of special interest to street photographers, who used range-finder cameras in the film era for just this reason. Of course, the optical finder does not look through the lens, so there is some parallax error. The frame lines do shift as a function of focus distance, but if you want truly accurate framing (or any framing, in macro mode), you need to switch to the electronic finder. This has high resolution and shows 100% of the frame (another thing my old Canon can't do), but I simply don't like electronic finders, which is why I ultimately didn't switch to the Fuji XE-1 system.<br />
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Speaking of switching between optical and electronic finders: If you ever play with an X100 or X100s (or X-Pro) in a shop, and can't seem to switch off the electronic viewfinder, don't panic - just turn off the macro mode!<br />
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<h3>
Lens</h3>
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The little X100s has a very fine 23mm f/2 fixed lens (about 35mm equivalent field of view). You can't change it, and you zoom by walking backwards and forwards. This sure changes the way I usually shoot, but I found I got used to it pretty quickly. There are plenty of pundits who advocate shooting with a fixed focal length, anyway, as this is supposed to stimulate your creativity. I haven't noticed any rise in my creativity yet, but maybe my faith is not strong enough... The lens is extremely sharp, even at f/2.<br />
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<h3>
Image Quality</h3>
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The X100s uses Fuji's radical x-trans sensor. Basically, this 16 megapixel sensor has an unusual color filter layout, which reduces color moire artifacts, and thus eliminates the need for an anti-aliasing filter. Details? See <a href="http://www.fujifilmusa.com/products/digital_cameras/x/fujifilm_x_pro1/features/" target="_blank">Fuji's explanation</a> (their high-end X-pro1 uses the same sensor) or this very basic <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayer_filter#Fujifilm_.22X-Trans.22_filter" target="_blank">Wikipedia page</a>. The take-home message is that the sensor should be capable of producing more detailed images than a conventional 16MP sensor. Much ink and blood has been spilled on the net on whether this actually pans out in practice.<br />
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One result, though, is that RAW converters have a hard time making sense of Fuji's RAW files, and only recently (e.g. Lightroom version 5.2) have been able to compete with the camera's own (excellent) JPG engine. I haven't done much comparative pixel-peeping myself, but I find that the images look slightly soft at the pixel level, but respond very well to sharpening. Note that <i>looking sharp</i> is quite independent of <i>containing fine detail</i>. An unsharpened image from the X100s certainly contains plenty of fine detail, i.e. the information is there, but it looks a lot crisper if you apply some sharpening. To illustrate what I mean, look at the following tourist snapshot of the Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow (which was demolished in communist times and rebuilt in the 1990's): <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OWfY-6Levvyvifgpj3Gh3SKQha6_akQuwbEz8Wh0HrtvxLmwqlIdxT07QmekQdzSnItDaX0Ej9mmRZ_c4bxSR_9nqtt_Cm6EgEkF1yOOK1CDXSICMDLozqEgc1u6579UNZ891y373xY/s1600/x100s-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OWfY-6Levvyvifgpj3Gh3SKQha6_akQuwbEz8Wh0HrtvxLmwqlIdxT07QmekQdzSnItDaX0Ej9mmRZ_c4bxSR_9nqtt_Cm6EgEkF1yOOK1CDXSICMDLozqEgc1u6579UNZ891y373xY/s640/x100s-05.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christ the Saviour Cathedral, Moscow - Fuji X100s, 1/340, f/8. ISO 400</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Here is a completely unsharpened 100% crop:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSfFVNHY3ddYpdl1IuKBQF6HmbvxGREKbsU6XeP0YC051ejW9eVnjM7WDTDT_B_532hcWzr0UPvGYdSSAEA0haZBFow7vW2B06vSCSS2zUXxM8hnx6TSNKB_r1VweSoTvTEb4YBeEsdo/s1600/crop1-unsharpened.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSfFVNHY3ddYpdl1IuKBQF6HmbvxGREKbsU6XeP0YC051ejW9eVnjM7WDTDT_B_532hcWzr0UPvGYdSSAEA0haZBFow7vW2B06vSCSS2zUXxM8hnx6TSNKB_r1VweSoTvTEb4YBeEsdo/s1600/crop1-unsharpened.tif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">100% crop, no sharpening, no noise reduction - Fuji X100s, handheld, 1/340, f/8, ISO 400</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Looks a bit soft? Remember that this is a tiny crop - assuming the above is about 15cm wide on your screen, the full image would be 85cm tall at this magnification - and that is already a crop of a larger image still (the disadvantage of not having a zoom: you zoom in by cropping) - the uncropped image would be 120cm tall. Besides, look what a little sharpening can do for you:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EanjG49WpOLFsokPVqdHjULX8Zy5GUDuHkwmUvqAvUdKfx502mjnIgFNJALxMm9rDEZ8JImts_IFx4OQgeIjKMTiHKh1pHInXGfmXd_BAVDUwHkKCEnEaC0S7ASRkhRsSOu8Sy_ROnk/s1600/crop1-sharpened.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EanjG49WpOLFsokPVqdHjULX8Zy5GUDuHkwmUvqAvUdKfx502mjnIgFNJALxMm9rDEZ8JImts_IFx4OQgeIjKMTiHKh1pHInXGfmXd_BAVDUwHkKCEnEaC0S7ASRkhRsSOu8Sy_ROnk/s1600/crop1-sharpened.tif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">100% crop, sharpen 30 in Lightroom - Fuji X100s, handheld, 1/340, f/8, ISO 400</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I think if you stick your nose up against a 120cm print and see this, you won't be too disappointed.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdF3_uhfc-Yqr62t6d5-kmzXjaNw8X7lk-NlCjg_Mz7xwJbY-D1kUrI7WqI-IuROolHfR8PubecXLdHE8U6P6ArR9g0FJ40zEs7MuQ2uBdiYGaBDAKb5WvezJGbV6kKf2GsO7SZmWHpE/s1600/Sharpening.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdF3_uhfc-Yqr62t6d5-kmzXjaNw8X7lk-NlCjg_Mz7xwJbY-D1kUrI7WqI-IuROolHfR8PubecXLdHE8U6P6ArR9g0FJ40zEs7MuQ2uBdiYGaBDAKb5WvezJGbV6kKf2GsO7SZmWHpE/s1600/Sharpening.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The settings used in Lightroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
Noise</h3>
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As you may have noticed from the screenshot of my sharpening settings above, I've dialed noise reduction all the way down, with even color noise reduction down to 5 (from a default of 25 in Lightroom). Obviously, I can't do aggressive noise reduction when I'm trying to show off my baby's sharpness, but the fact is that the x-trans sensor has surprisingly low noise, even at high-ISO settings. Even better, the character of the noise is far less unpleasant than from my Canon 40D. Even at very high ISO, there is almost no color noise, hence my color noise reduction of 5 above is actually my default value, even at very high ISO, where I just add some luminance NR. The noise looks much more like film grain that typical digital sensor noise. See for yourself:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyBdRy9ZY5I16IMGTXEG199VfXFr4fA2oBUvvSY6aentLHcrzVIQ1jJrkYpjnpjeqJXL5ZdK2slof1fSa-NcukOhWHvZ4Eke4obdsjEmdqhphajNo-TqPVoDf6UCbiGfCmbyNDHQDRkE/s1600/x100s-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpyBdRy9ZY5I16IMGTXEG199VfXFr4fA2oBUvvSY6aentLHcrzVIQ1jJrkYpjnpjeqJXL5ZdK2slof1fSa-NcukOhWHvZ4Eke4obdsjEmdqhphajNo-TqPVoDf6UCbiGfCmbyNDHQDRkE/s400/x100s-03.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roses - Fuji X100s, handheld, 1/60, f/2, ISO 5000</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Sorry about this shot - it was one of the first pictures I took while playing with my new toy. I know that hand-holding in low light with a wide-open aperture is not a recipe for producing crisp macro shots... but look at the following 100% crop:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjaGdVa_xH85g51E6kbWuWymrNFvBtxCs18FLcqbo1L4k6RbtFvpeuV5jfWSzWX-hHQMoTRBuxC6PbWwUUcWNzHOgtMlql_6Mx7KSGLjxiSV0b0JyCZg6JJqAL35BYfU1j29GyM9KPGc/s1600/crop2-small.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjaGdVa_xH85g51E6kbWuWymrNFvBtxCs18FLcqbo1L4k6RbtFvpeuV5jfWSzWX-hHQMoTRBuxC6PbWwUUcWNzHOgtMlql_6Mx7KSGLjxiSV0b0JyCZg6JJqAL35BYfU1j29GyM9KPGc/s1600/crop2-small.tif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">100 crop, color NR 5, luminance NR 0, Fuji X100s, handheld, 1/60, f/2, ISO 5000</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Sure, there's plenty of luminance noise at ISO 5000, but it doesn't look so ugly. I applied my usual 5 color noise reduction, and the color noise is completely gone.<br />
<br />
In summary, my own experience is that the image quality is top notch, certainly far better than what my old Canon 40D can manage (I know that's not a fair comparison. If you want to see how the X100s measures up against current models, go pixel-peep to your heart's content at <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilm-x100s/18" target="_blank">dpreview.com</a>). However, the RAW conversion is tricky, so if you use a bad RAW converter (e.g. early versions), or sharpen too much or too little, or kill your colors with a high color noise reduction, chances are you'll find something to complain about. I don't and I'm happy.<br />
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<h3>
A tourist in Moscow</h3>
<br />
Okay, enough talk. Here are some pretty pictures from Moscow.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRK7Xq2Kp-KqrnNc-xKJSQgskMZMR4XtUdyygtKmFhTr3x9O-N_sVvFtzvUdMtoM-lxZG0TZIXUKS818dhlJAMhVqQmIbJeihyH_2ry9lBbqqyLxSLW6SuMrMta1-pphs7gs6MDuYsRcc/s1600/x100s-08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRK7Xq2Kp-KqrnNc-xKJSQgskMZMR4XtUdyygtKmFhTr3x9O-N_sVvFtzvUdMtoM-lxZG0TZIXUKS818dhlJAMhVqQmIbJeihyH_2ry9lBbqqyLxSLW6SuMrMta1-pphs7gs6MDuYsRcc/s640/x100s-08.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saint Basil's Cathedral - Fuji X100s, 10sec, f/16, ISO 200, 3-stop ND filter (built in)</td></tr>
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<br />
Another cool feature: the X100s has a built-in 3-stop ND filter. It's mainly there to help you get over the 1/1000 shutter speed limit at f/2 (the camera has an in-lens shutter - this means you can flash sync at any shutter speed, and the shutter is super quiet, but the maximal shutter speed depends on your aperture). I would prefer it if I didn't have to dive into the menus every time I want to use it. To be fair, everything else I need is available either via a direct button press or in the excellent "quick menu". Also, the above shot shows what nice sun stars f/16 will produce.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dmcxXjm5xkJ7LQysB7aHWz01hyphenhyphenRSlrrXe9JlhYrUh-OHOAWiQxslCp0Rei0sBFMSSMGZ9Fny5ZYWJG72SZHmQZOvf1BpCipHBNr9ULn6yzujzXEBt414pvSd82WmTlZPVFqIolw8xCU/s1600/x100s-09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dmcxXjm5xkJ7LQysB7aHWz01hyphenhyphenRSlrrXe9JlhYrUh-OHOAWiQxslCp0Rei0sBFMSSMGZ9Fny5ZYWJG72SZHmQZOvf1BpCipHBNr9ULn6yzujzXEBt414pvSd82WmTlZPVFqIolw8xCU/s640/x100s-09.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onion Domes - Fuji X100s, 1/950, f/8, ISO 800</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Looks like it should be made of Lego, no? This is an amazing building - unlike typical western cathedrals, St. Basil's Caethedral does not contain any single large room. Instead, it consists of a bunch of smaller churches clustered like barnacles; essentially each church is a tall tube capped by an onion dome, and dedicated to one or another saint. None of them have space for more than 30 or 40 people.<br />
<br />
Another thing you may notice is that I shot at ISO 800, despite the fast shutter speed suggesting that there was more than enough light. The reason is that the X100s has an extremely useful dynamic range extension tool, which requires you to shoot at higher ISOs, and in return you get to keep much brighter highlights. I suspect it works by capturing at ISO 200, under-exposing to save the highlights, and then boosting the shadows and midtones by two stops (so shadow noise should correspond to a normal ISO 800 capture). The dynamic range extension has 0 (off), 1- and 2-stop settings, and you can leave the choice to the camera - which works especially well in conjunction to Auto ISO.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxqLNBBeIfpIzC6152CXt9KHX13X7EtFF_EAtQBzY8ei2n6fDvsrQbnoNrCNl_QRaPsKslenW94Ch9fXrL0TmbqB4wZznz4AOl_HkRtDM27P0STQ0GgE4haan0GcM5nH7QTlcuyONMS4/s1600/x100s-10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxqLNBBeIfpIzC6152CXt9KHX13X7EtFF_EAtQBzY8ei2n6fDvsrQbnoNrCNl_QRaPsKslenW94Ch9fXrL0TmbqB4wZznz4AOl_HkRtDM27P0STQ0GgE4haan0GcM5nH7QTlcuyONMS4/s640/x100s-10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Defending the Faith - Fuji X100s, 1/320, f/5.6, ISO 800</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This Tsar's Cannon in the Kremlin was never meant to be fired; it would probably blow up if you tried.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdmMjou7V1JxxzKDAy3aE_DNaylPSU4ZTkcVsAmyJ-QRXJWLIPr5W_UJwAjeeDAyGLnXFa4d80W-OSNSqExS-RikYh45jKcgc3w8ByogKeVnpkA80I-MdmcSfCrj6B6US7yqm1LqChWA/s1600/x100s-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdmMjou7V1JxxzKDAy3aE_DNaylPSU4ZTkcVsAmyJ-QRXJWLIPr5W_UJwAjeeDAyGLnXFa4d80W-OSNSqExS-RikYh45jKcgc3w8ByogKeVnpkA80I-MdmcSfCrj6B6US7yqm1LqChWA/s640/x100s-11.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">G.U.M. - Fuji X100s, 1/60, f/5.6, ISO 1250</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This study in symmetry was taken in the G.U.M. shopping mall next to the Red Square. It's a JPG direct from the camera, but I have since decided that I still prefer shooting in RAW - I don't want to have to make all my color decisions before shooting. Oh, and yes, those walkways do have railings. Look closer.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOA1jb-TUbYbypotLgChCYWD_gyGa03yg-LArqnoPlXdbX90eeucZ17HtZGfS4XhvzZdVL9pW1aP3gJr_f75bvSW9p3qXAUcquEvAFTdoMav151uWf-W2g_w4KyZfkn5_RZp4i4o5OgKU/s1600/x100s-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOA1jb-TUbYbypotLgChCYWD_gyGa03yg-LArqnoPlXdbX90eeucZ17HtZGfS4XhvzZdVL9pW1aP3gJr_f75bvSW9p3qXAUcquEvAFTdoMav151uWf-W2g_w4KyZfkn5_RZp4i4o5OgKU/s640/x100s-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pushkin Cafe - Fuji X100s, 1/40, f/2.8, ISO 3200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This "Napoleon Style" of interior decorating is very popular in Russia. Opulent. Stylish. Kitch?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBlNmFYbZb-hpbDN2JhpuA9u6NEw208IMI79YA59NdxqBWebmD_wL9eDcaZ1Fy7jZUOLd-MVFhfignN9qrnou0gSK2zKLqvEsPgCnEPZLkjPrCe9K6JdSMcpe7t9wXdpZOgeKauTJJ-c/s1600/x100s-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBlNmFYbZb-hpbDN2JhpuA9u6NEw208IMI79YA59NdxqBWebmD_wL9eDcaZ1Fy7jZUOLd-MVFhfignN9qrnou0gSK2zKLqvEsPgCnEPZLkjPrCe9K6JdSMcpe7t9wXdpZOgeKauTJJ-c/s640/x100s-13.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pushkin Cafe's Bar - Fuji X100s, 1/50, f/2, ISO 3200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmQhpJ8zhLoO5nA0xkJ6aVTYMkgy3baC4NcPnSVfqCeQQjQ3wIRIDT3b-W6zXT876Jol9r4mGpzKIoWEJj9AykZ17e5iFVq2xaOSnHIlqN8TMdFtIf4YgLxoJFOISzZMaNSgGSFmOQZc/s1600/x100s-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmQhpJ8zhLoO5nA0xkJ6aVTYMkgy3baC4NcPnSVfqCeQQjQ3wIRIDT3b-W6zXT876Jol9r4mGpzKIoWEJj9AykZ17e5iFVq2xaOSnHIlqN8TMdFtIf4YgLxoJFOISzZMaNSgGSFmOQZc/s640/x100s-14.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Icon-snapper - Fuji X100s, 1/100, f/2, ISO 2500</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is possibly my favorite image from Moscow, taken in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tretyakov_Gallery" target="_blank">Tretyakov Gallery</a> (an amazing art museum). This Orthodox priest was very intent on photographing icons. For his own pleasure? Officially for the church? Who knows? Anyway, St. Nicholas looks the other way, so it must be ok.<br />
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<h3>
The Moscow Underground is Not a Political Movement</h3>
<br />
Otto wouldn't have known, but the Moscow Metro is absolutely amazing. Started in the 1930's under Stalin, the metro stations are built on a grand scale, often with granite floors and marble walls, sculptures, meticulous mosaics and other artwork. And it is spectacularly efficient, trains running every 90 seconds or so, even late into the night. I've heard the Moscow Metro referred to as the 8th Wonder of the World. I think that's not far off. Oh, and it's a lot cheaper than the slow, ugly, crappy metros of Paris, London, Berlin etc.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34eKTkyl6bLMLEMWpHpOZWfYmuQ3jQ6Wg9aPhdY7dgCnkbz5vVglhrskyOqhJHTM61Z_-r6N7K4_G1hPXCaiquXWbGUEhhh76zwCMk6f53gMLf2Pw5t6cMnjz0xXdKdgfLAr_3Wi4RjE/s1600/x100s-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34eKTkyl6bLMLEMWpHpOZWfYmuQ3jQ6Wg9aPhdY7dgCnkbz5vVglhrskyOqhJHTM61Z_-r6N7K4_G1hPXCaiquXWbGUEhhh76zwCMk6f53gMLf2Pw5t6cMnjz0xXdKdgfLAr_3Wi4RjE/s640/x100s-15.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Protecting the Revolution - Fuji X100s, 1/60, f/2, ISO 3200</td></tr>
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These are some of the sculptures at the Ploshad Revolutsii station.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpe9xSUvbAQ-5jkPAv8DbaFBDDNbvYadsxVkyUKv1bO3fXC8Qs0ToNc_3qAQcyjHuw-3Ubfo6h1DoSpaMwAy_JbTAAsTDD2C6Sab1ueNt_zKWzhrVF9XA2-OJjikeFbQaOSZTBUNXINzE/s1600/x100s-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpe9xSUvbAQ-5jkPAv8DbaFBDDNbvYadsxVkyUKv1bO3fXC8Qs0ToNc_3qAQcyjHuw-3Ubfo6h1DoSpaMwAy_JbTAAsTDD2C6Sab1ueNt_zKWzhrVF9XA2-OJjikeFbQaOSZTBUNXINzE/s640/x100s-16.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ambushing the Commuters - Fuji X100s, 1/60, f/2, ISO 2000</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jnhEbdMV-RG6Dcxctov_QGKDwMeushHZw58OC1KCot7ho3poPaWb1eTjhRvMrCT1SShDePmZgEb43qu2qtjJZxrG50iYSmLlKaE3jvXFbAsMrPdaiJ9BI95IntOMf3mwUbG4AX75r04/s1600/x100s-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jnhEbdMV-RG6Dcxctov_QGKDwMeushHZw58OC1KCot7ho3poPaWb1eTjhRvMrCT1SShDePmZgEb43qu2qtjJZxrG50iYSmLlKaE3jvXFbAsMrPdaiJ9BI95IntOMf3mwUbG4AX75r04/s640/x100s-18.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Komsomolskaya Station - Fuji X100s, 1/100, f/4, ISO 1600</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VF5RBMbe5t5hKrwShxDLw10bNoose2DRbqqWKt8zInxWAl8VtAjJWVjowH3qh8rXryCDS1ITxG9bGOKrjMfB54FxxtexlZyB3k9Pnw3NnUVPNz-sgSiZrzpcn9-kuVtSfNFBRRPCBqs/s1600/x100s-21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VF5RBMbe5t5hKrwShxDLw10bNoose2DRbqqWKt8zInxWAl8VtAjJWVjowH3qh8rXryCDS1ITxG9bGOKrjMfB54FxxtexlZyB3k9Pnw3NnUVPNz-sgSiZrzpcn9-kuVtSfNFBRRPCBqs/s640/x100s-21.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Novoslobodskaya Station - Fuji X100s, 1/4, f/8, ISO 200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My only regret is not having a wide-angle lens with me in the metro. The place really lends itself to panoramas, maybe I should go back one day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHg2iTKlggE_h5DY0BPITcChl6HcjFX-6KkGsiWBJeuQ2WO4-xfj6yj7NFBlZqNqHVrmKDOIroNzwSwXQpir4RgIjsWNSKgdL_BEY5kmMvL49lyGaHNHApYlgr3HPrHotw1U-bVY7seBQ/s1600/x100s-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHg2iTKlggE_h5DY0BPITcChl6HcjFX-6KkGsiWBJeuQ2WO4-xfj6yj7NFBlZqNqHVrmKDOIroNzwSwXQpir4RgIjsWNSKgdL_BEY5kmMvL49lyGaHNHApYlgr3HPrHotw1U-bVY7seBQ/s640/x100s-19.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mayakovskaya Station 1 - Fuji X100s, 15sec, f/16, ISO 200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Notice the ghosts of commuters, blurred away courtesy of the built-in ND filter.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwYFslIP_NUxM4GW_Gox9Mey2Pims23XWf0ozYNW7iAhjyJVz5fAr6Ulz0Zi9v1ws5lE8YiFxykyHp8_46BYVstF5tWHt0V3mFk_epM5aQ-5RMrVqvWq_Liu48CdRC3w1h6waJ0llQoM/s1600/x100s-20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwYFslIP_NUxM4GW_Gox9Mey2Pims23XWf0ozYNW7iAhjyJVz5fAr6Ulz0Zi9v1ws5lE8YiFxykyHp8_46BYVstF5tWHt0V3mFk_epM5aQ-5RMrVqvWq_Liu48CdRC3w1h6waJ0llQoM/s640/x100s-20.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mayakovskaya Station 2 - Fuji X100s, 15sec, f/16, ISO 200</td></tr>
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<h3>
Paternoster</h3>
<br />
The weekend after my return from Moscow, my finance minister and I had a lovely long weekend at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paternoster,_Western_Cape" target="_blank">Paternoster</a>, our favorite little touristic fishing village on the South African west coast. I brought both my cameras with me, but to be honest, I used the Fuji almost exclusively - it is just so much smaller and nimbler than my bulky DSLR.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7UBK-AtgnoONXFE_e3jvfNtzo-KOyE6y6Nn5OvTwCKB04xfSbbwZN4xD5RiAJPTf06tYYQrjnT-BWaMgFKm2NVygCuNsgDB76gl2qKZZyoUemypEkUwXjptlzNp4O01swHGTdllG1mo/s1600/x100s-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7UBK-AtgnoONXFE_e3jvfNtzo-KOyE6y6Nn5OvTwCKB04xfSbbwZN4xD5RiAJPTf06tYYQrjnT-BWaMgFKm2NVygCuNsgDB76gl2qKZZyoUemypEkUwXjptlzNp4O01swHGTdllG1mo/s640/x100s-22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gentle Start to a New Day - Fuji X100s, 1/60, f/11, ISO 400</td></tr>
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While there, I tried out the sweep panorama mode some more - it had frustrated me in Moscow. In principle it is very easy to use, you just slowly sweep the camera through a 120 or 180 degree angle, and the camera does the rest. In practice, however, the resulting panorama has stitching errors more often than not, and if the brightness varies too much across the scene, you can get vertical banding from different exposures. Also, if the camera uses a slowish shutter speed (1/125 is slow) then the individual exposures are motion-blurred.<br />
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The above shot is just a crop from a normal photo, but below are some of the few sweep panoramas that worked out. Interestingly, sweep panoramas work fine with moving waves, but as soon as you have lots of hard edges (e.g. buildings) you'll see stitching errors.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirG_C4lzDhe0qYWkqeq_gLdf6Sc4WQejzwssUicLzFmDFRVuUcoJluwbIDDanp3s7UxYa2_FJgQRO6V9CEMpkqWoqKm4JtiReelaOzwAF4zMCF_KLvZqeNpZKXPzu017JsMYy33ciUVoo/s1600/x100s-23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirG_C4lzDhe0qYWkqeq_gLdf6Sc4WQejzwssUicLzFmDFRVuUcoJluwbIDDanp3s7UxYa2_FJgQRO6V9CEMpkqWoqKm4JtiReelaOzwAF4zMCF_KLvZqeNpZKXPzu017JsMYy33ciUVoo/s640/x100s-23.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paternoster - Fuji X100s, sweep panorama, 1/220, f/4, ISO 800</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZwlC0BvB2Rh9cwIEn74Qb6uKh4adeLZwOE93ddZpy32uvWJ12B2rLY4Oj_ZTZryae02OrBzGUXHNS_VbUdSSSix9WL9ciV3aAJOouOJIu2PuLyn3MW77lWr4XH-UB1HnmR0d_CVd_Yc/s1600/x100s-25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZwlC0BvB2Rh9cwIEn74Qb6uKh4adeLZwOE93ddZpy32uvWJ12B2rLY4Oj_ZTZryae02OrBzGUXHNS_VbUdSSSix9WL9ciV3aAJOouOJIu2PuLyn3MW77lWr4XH-UB1HnmR0d_CVd_Yc/s640/x100s-25.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at the Beach - Fuji X100s, sweep panorama, 1/125, f/11, ISO 1000</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRcw-vFSmux70XKXfOvPgWeZTMZ4-nxcsHapryloEUIWVn4z8SbOtoTwFVlPlbBGy5moRTU9kRzGHqbgNglMVpFFtyDaUVEaUVkKvmTj4j91KFi0RtDJ5NJrhtvdzU1UxELmpm7tFmY0/s1600/x100s-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRcw-vFSmux70XKXfOvPgWeZTMZ4-nxcsHapryloEUIWVn4z8SbOtoTwFVlPlbBGy5moRTU9kRzGHqbgNglMVpFFtyDaUVEaUVkKvmTj4j91KFi0RtDJ5NJrhtvdzU1UxELmpm7tFmY0/s640/x100s-26.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Promise of Light - Fuji X100s, sweep panorama, 1/170, f/4, ISO 800</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBq3z0k27tzYW9_wIFduttiZNQlwAcG1PchNqQSfPdpR7zLGR3irdqezfc-ugbhvHTsZWyF9FNDZb2FztYVC-9YXroh9sze5_zhVugwk-x8fMHfZLYnCX9siOC76urHsQVK9iJQsZvpoE/s1600/x100s-28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBq3z0k27tzYW9_wIFduttiZNQlwAcG1PchNqQSfPdpR7zLGR3irdqezfc-ugbhvHTsZWyF9FNDZb2FztYVC-9YXroh9sze5_zhVugwk-x8fMHfZLYnCX9siOC76urHsQVK9iJQsZvpoE/s640/x100s-28.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A New Day - Fuji X100s, sweep panorama, 1/125, f/5.6, ISO 800</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-62784466087434696932013-08-13T23:47:00.000+02:002013-08-13T23:47:05.299+02:00Theewaterskloof Dam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9e8qaw5OGvO9rXcfkps7EMWnbOqezSocwpFBLULa4UzhVuGVRKH6AF3mAT3BRChlrOY28lGxNCTtpIF6WbTvrXWeBDlZlvhq2fuaNKQA3kBMSOhCEBtCsI2wAojTq7gg-v2aD6uZr7Q/s1600/Theewaterskloof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9e8qaw5OGvO9rXcfkps7EMWnbOqezSocwpFBLULa4UzhVuGVRKH6AF3mAT3BRChlrOY28lGxNCTtpIF6WbTvrXWeBDlZlvhq2fuaNKQA3kBMSOhCEBtCsI2wAojTq7gg-v2aD6uZr7Q/s640/Theewaterskloof.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theewaterskloof Dam after Dark - Canon 40D, Tokina 11-16, 20x30sec, f/2.8, ISO 3200</td></tr>
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Theewaterskloof Dam lies just over the Franschhoek Pass. When it was established in 1978, it flooded a number of trees, whose bleached skeletons can still be seen poking out of the water. Some of them can be found on the sandy shores of the dam, depending on water levels, and make excellent photographic subjects. For example, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGSeIFDkZ5TJc7BK2mzuC638mIC1RxtVD8stZpEkYLGlBTLVwopGy9KSLQ9QiU_i9OzxxNXQPJCRehpnQgEB-DOwjDHChSX23EkQViYuNmLBm0vZHODzcSeT9S0Cjm6KyCyDbNfREajo/s1600/20110327-175543.jpg" target="_blank">The Eye of Sauron</a> (mentioned in my previous <a href="http://floriansphotographs.blogspot.com/2013/06/infrared-photography.html" target="_blank">post on infrared photography</a>) was taken there back in 2011.<br />
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I arrived there late one afternoon a few weeks ago, just in time to catch the last light on some of the trees. I blundered along the swampy shore (it had been raining heavily earlier that week) and tried to reach the trees I had photographed two years ago, but in the gathering dark I eventually gave up and turned back. Next time I'll bring gum boots!<br />
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As the last of twilight faded away, the only remaining illumination was the light pollution from Franschhoek and Stellenbosch behind the mountains - and from the Milky Way, which was rising in the East.<br />
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I set up my tripod and panoramic head and took a series of 30second exposures at ISO 3200 (the highest my old 40D can manage) and f/2.8, which I eventually stitched into the panorama above. I'll show you my post-processing below. It's quite similar to how I made the <a href="http://floriansphotographs.blogspot.com/2012/12/quiver-trees-by-night-1-2-3.html" target="_blank">Quiver Trees by Night series</a>. <br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmbJrWBMEXTZRT_3bc0jsNSsf3NQC-oi4aKlWVbGPt6mgC4hz9f7qEA9j3AYV_NqUez4C6HvDuDLUeFeldL9RSvP-ZxGry-04-MG0dQpphwLuNJGQ0YmC9uOAShyphenhyphennus4xUtQe0zeljxk/s1600/Theewaterskloof-dead+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAmbJrWBMEXTZRT_3bc0jsNSsf3NQC-oi4aKlWVbGPt6mgC4hz9f7qEA9j3AYV_NqUez4C6HvDuDLUeFeldL9RSvP-ZxGry-04-MG0dQpphwLuNJGQ0YmC9uOAShyphenhyphennus4xUtQe0zeljxk/s400/Theewaterskloof-dead+tree.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last Light - Canon 40D, Canon 70-200 f/4 IS, 130sec, f/11, ISO 100, ND filter </td></tr>
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<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
Composition</h3>
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Composing a panorama is difficult, since it is very hard to visualize what a 270 degree view will look like compressed on a single page - that is simply alien to the way we normally see the world, which is why ultra wide-angle panoramas can be so striking. There are a few tricks worth knowing, though.<br />
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First, parallel lines in the sky get turned into arch-shaped structures in the final panorama (assuming a equirectangular projection or similar). Such patterns may by quite subtle, often just a statistical asymmetry in the random pattern made by clouds - the linear structures aligning parallel, or sometime perpendicular, to the direction of the wind. But in a panorama, these arches can become quite obvious, as in the image at the top of the post. The lines in the clouds here were parallel to the shore of the lake (that's just dumb luck on my part), and so the feet of the main arch stand nicely above the edges of the water.<br />
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I set up my camera at the point on the shore nearest to the stumps, so that way the stumps would end up in the center of the distorted image of the lake, and thus also directly beneath the arch in the sky. On my way there I had hoped that the Milky Way might arch over the whole scene, but it was still early and the Central Bulge was just rising in the East. I was again lucky in that it is nicely balanced by the brightest region of light pollution in the West.<br />
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Once again, this shows that light pollution - hated by most astrophotographers - can contribute something essential to the composition. <br />
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<h3>
Preparation</h3>
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I didn't do any. I just found myself with a free evening, packed my gear into the car and drove off. I was mostly lucky to get this shot. I really should have done my homework, though, and with wonderful free software like <a href="http://stellarium.org/" target="_blank">Stellarium</a> it is child's play to predict exactly where the stars and moon will be at any time and location.<br />
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<h3>
Post-Processing</h3>
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I always shoot RAW (for maximum flexibility), and import the images into Lightroom. I had made 20 exposures, covering almost the entire sky. I had learned from previous experience: rather include too much than too little, you will crop a lot anyway.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieogiWzYlez3PopUteiQlaGpcjtwrbjSen04dt8YsQ2xlVITS0rMDYyINurXtERVHWYFA5aDxeOGGCr3iXMjNrPQZYJcMqI0oVQAJkNBXSzdtsflY-Q-ieae7XtKFfaaCI86h6ebrjlxo/s1600/Theewaterskloof-lightroom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieogiWzYlez3PopUteiQlaGpcjtwrbjSen04dt8YsQ2xlVITS0rMDYyINurXtERVHWYFA5aDxeOGGCr3iXMjNrPQZYJcMqI0oVQAJkNBXSzdtsflY-Q-ieae7XtKFfaaCI86h6ebrjlxo/s640/Theewaterskloof-lightroom.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 20 exposures in Lightroom</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmjWzsm8etZuHvLeR_yDYCGT79z63FmnMeFPuZ98lJLwmEwHR6W-4u5Z8M6JQIHZvh7uRJ0a111Xj7FK1luNMvzySkklaq8pupN5hLLDsvj36k6Pijmr9yPLRGYsUj5FdGd8en1UUbXc/s1600/Theewaterskloof-lightroom-basic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmjWzsm8etZuHvLeR_yDYCGT79z63FmnMeFPuZ98lJLwmEwHR6W-4u5Z8M6JQIHZvh7uRJ0a111Xj7FK1luNMvzySkklaq8pupN5hLLDsvj36k6Pijmr9yPLRGYsUj5FdGd8en1UUbXc/s1600/Theewaterskloof-lightroom-basic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmjWzsm8etZuHvLeR_yDYCGT79z63FmnMeFPuZ98lJLwmEwHR6W-4u5Z8M6JQIHZvh7uRJ0a111Xj7FK1luNMvzySkklaq8pupN5hLLDsvj36k6Pijmr9yPLRGYsUj5FdGd8en1UUbXc/s320/Theewaterskloof-lightroom-basic.JPG" width="136" /></a></div>
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I made some basic adjustments in Lightroom: Pulled down the highlights (the highlights actually clipped in the brightest part of the cloud on the right - I should have been more careful), raised the shadows, and set a very low color temperature white balance to better contrast the orange light pollution from the blue stars.<br />
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I then exported the images as 16-bit TIFF files (so as to keep all color information for Photoshop to work with).<br />
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Next, I loaded the files into <a href="http://hugin.sourceforge.net/" target="_blank">Hugin</a>, my favorite (though quirky) panorama stitcher. Hugin does a very good job at finding control points (pairs of points in separate exposures that should coincide in the final panorama), especially in starry skies. But since I had such high noise levels in my exposures (ISO 3200 with shadows additionally lightened), Hugin's built-in control point finder struggled a bit with the darker regions. It's also quite bad when control points are added in the clouds, since these move from shot to shot - especially during a 30 second exposure. So I spent some time adding control points mannually.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJeb77LkgKE1N7HlVJgMZAnSifVBdb4Y49ZqSpct3TZFljEVBFTly5p1YqKviuqWlFTBvhTkKy_0btN8sHFP0UgxQIvVJM9axteG2OEPj_H2bfhhw6QxYNcPR5fk74PnpoFR-dfHYX0zA/s1600/Theewaterskloof-Hugin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJeb77LkgKE1N7HlVJgMZAnSifVBdb4Y49ZqSpct3TZFljEVBFTly5p1YqKviuqWlFTBvhTkKy_0btN8sHFP0UgxQIvVJM9axteG2OEPj_H2bfhhw6QxYNcPR5fk74PnpoFR-dfHYX0zA/s400/Theewaterskloof-Hugin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Hugin</td></tr>
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Eventually, though, I got a reasonable set of control points (for a while I was puzzled by two shots which didn't match well with the rest - it turned out these were two single pictures I had taken earlier some distance away. I threw them out - they are not part of the 20 shown above). Next, I got to prod and pull at the panorama in the quick preview window until I got the surface of the lake horizontal (that actually required a complete redo of the image. I had already printed it when I realized that what <i>looked</i> straight actually wasn't), and I got a framing I liked - with the tree stumps dead center, propping up a nice symmetric composition. The Rule of Thirds is made to be broken!<br />
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<h4>
Photoshop</h4>
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Once Hugin had finished stitching a nice 16-bit high resolution panorama, it was ready for Photoshop.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCvL0hNCjVDJcVqZdBAudrvWh4bKdI303SUCw61YoCFmssQnlJ3cvthb2UlGznfQWW-eugtateF-1z_gyxEaE19ETFWgVlwIgpbRu0H9ER_kjkAaBa68AGrgDtXR1eRi5DQPOatt4OlQ/s1600/Theewaterskloof-before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCvL0hNCjVDJcVqZdBAudrvWh4bKdI303SUCw61YoCFmssQnlJ3cvthb2UlGznfQWW-eugtateF-1z_gyxEaE19ETFWgVlwIgpbRu0H9ER_kjkAaBa68AGrgDtXR1eRi5DQPOatt4OlQ/s400/Theewaterskloof-before.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before Photoshop</td></tr>
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Okay, so this doesn't look quite as different from the final product as my Quiver Trees by Night did. A few things were still amiss, however. The brightest bit of cloud was overexposed and featureless, and much brighter than the left hand side, upsetting the overall balance. The tree stumps were too dark. The Milky Way barely visible, the color balance still looked too warm and the image lacked punch. Time for some magic.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKI1UvEQMApQZtwgU3-SReP4vpqsf5SPtMCWIULUYFX1sAsK6g_GKZBNXCWEKE3PPVx6Cwa8syDrexxoNON9YsJ6D6ew0574UftpQQz0PT20Qrp5AO20Zg1gSB0eJWAe77iV0zmpDUmOg/s1600/Theewaterskloof-screenshot1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKI1UvEQMApQZtwgU3-SReP4vpqsf5SPtMCWIULUYFX1sAsK6g_GKZBNXCWEKE3PPVx6Cwa8syDrexxoNON9YsJ6D6ew0574UftpQQz0PT20Qrp5AO20Zg1gSB0eJWAe77iV0zmpDUmOg/s1600/Theewaterskloof-screenshot1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adjustment layers in Photoshop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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These are the adjustment layers I made. As you can see, my weapon of choice is the Curves Adjustment, masked so as to affect only certain portions of the image. Curves gives you the finest possible control over contrast, and I also use it for lightening and darkening, instead of the dodge and burn tools.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJH6-CdwOgYE98qw2sMYLMSLh8cij6Onte8sClbLw75X6nqMAlEtwgeGM7Dk6neOltL31ysSry6InIxNBzeH0svqi-DYN7GwItXInc5KPOTiDmseX5JVcb4QoY9Bv9PKyV8GFakqteJNs/s1600/Theewaterskloof-stumps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJH6-CdwOgYE98qw2sMYLMSLh8cij6Onte8sClbLw75X6nqMAlEtwgeGM7Dk6neOltL31ysSry6InIxNBzeH0svqi-DYN7GwItXInc5KPOTiDmseX5JVcb4QoY9Bv9PKyV8GFakqteJNs/s1600/Theewaterskloof-stumps.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tone curve for tree stumps</td></tr>
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This is the tone curve I used to lighten parts of the tree stumps. The curve is very steep in the darker tones, giving a strong contrast here. You pay for it by losing the highlights, but there aren't any in the stumps. To draw up this curve, I selected a small rectangle in the image containing about half of the stumps, then created the curve adjustment layer. Photoshop automatically turns the selection into a mask for the adjustment, and I modify the curve while watching what happens in the rectangle, especially compared to the rest of the image, which remains unaffected. When I have the effect I want, I pour black paint into the layer (making the adjustment invisible) and start subtly painting with white (at about 10% opacity) onto the layer mask above the stumps. This way I slowly lighten bits of the stumps until they looked about right.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYgmf7GGSOXjES2pdBRo2EiducYYBNtHSTh-q-BLtK-v1Y7kWtGTzEUa3pz991VbTUVH92jYlU12sdTWBRYY1Rom2nehsAtUQztO0LeTRuH0NAdg4kFjv6O8fWVBy3qoMLvStidwc4-o/s1600/Theewaterskloof-clouds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYgmf7GGSOXjES2pdBRo2EiducYYBNtHSTh-q-BLtK-v1Y7kWtGTzEUa3pz991VbTUVH92jYlU12sdTWBRYY1Rom2nehsAtUQztO0LeTRuH0NAdg4kFjv6O8fWVBy3qoMLvStidwc4-o/s1600/Theewaterskloof-clouds.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darken the clouds</td></tr>
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Next, I did pretty much the same to darken, and increase contrast in, the brightest clouds. If you carefully look at the histogram above, you can see the precipitous drop at the right - this is where the highlights were clipped, then pulled down a bit in Lightroom, but the information was already lost. Usually there is more headroom in the RAW file, but at ISO 3200 the dynamic range is quite low.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsdKbbbfwmwBh_VZlgUV8p_HBtigZZZsiRJudsIaYzQ1fZva6UO3jLwXiht4bTmvSc8iLCvPhsPejO4W_FxLVO8QSfn-C15VbSN-Igodx0nNYZpBNS8aOGOHhsdYeYUEA_tnTTdUV0WU/s1600/Theewaterskloof-MilkyWay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsdKbbbfwmwBh_VZlgUV8p_HBtigZZZsiRJudsIaYzQ1fZva6UO3jLwXiht4bTmvSc8iLCvPhsPejO4W_FxLVO8QSfn-C15VbSN-Igodx0nNYZpBNS8aOGOHhsdYeYUEA_tnTTdUV0WU/s1600/Theewaterskloof-MilkyWay.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Increasing contrast in the Milky Way</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After that, I did the same again to increase contrast in the Milky Way. As you can see from the histogram, almost all of the selected portion of the image falls in a narrow band of tonality, and I made the tone curve steepest here, which means high contrast. That's the beauty of the tone curve: height above (or below) the diagonal tells you how much you are brightening (or darkening) certain tones, whereas the slope (for my students: the <i>derivative</i>!) indicates the contrast.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTG0joTqo6wPCmfc27FHi-JlVIFZt8npjyY_PrKR0Thy-9hCt95puJxTCQHBJCSoy5VICiDDjzlWkA8BNkBXTciX9ro5Pu1vwT1UhkPai8nS0juNbMZdXgFSOyQuwsywhSqd7ZDMspGg/s1600/Theewaterskloof-darken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTG0joTqo6wPCmfc27FHi-JlVIFZt8npjyY_PrKR0Thy-9hCt95puJxTCQHBJCSoy5VICiDDjzlWkA8BNkBXTciX9ro5Pu1vwT1UhkPai8nS0juNbMZdXgFSOyQuwsywhSqd7ZDMspGg/s1600/Theewaterskloof-darken.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darkening edges and corners</td></tr>
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I also used a tone curve to darken the edges and corners of the image. This helps to keep the eye from wandering out of the image.<br />
<br />
One layer I had better explain is the "faked texture for blown bit". This is a transparent image layer onto which I cloned a bit of texture onto the blown bit of cloud from the surrounding cloud. I just selected as source the bottom layer and then painted onto the transparent layer with the clone stamp. This way I could control the opacity of the layer and thereby adjust just how much fake texture to introduce. I tried not to overdo it. Here are the before and after pictures of that portion of the image.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiOpCiQ_oPdCTeAA3AZMQ03578_BdfXpnzTSo9WvziAIxJEfASJfqehxfgJ4uy_QANW2Uh_TAv2TIrhAqI3w8dFV_yEBOctNi5AnYzkzqnZuEggUdHxYuQZ_35zzFtNuaqtKQaMCxxw4/s1600/Theewaterskloof-sky0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxiOpCiQ_oPdCTeAA3AZMQ03578_BdfXpnzTSo9WvziAIxJEfASJfqehxfgJ4uy_QANW2Uh_TAv2TIrhAqI3w8dFV_yEBOctNi5AnYzkzqnZuEggUdHxYuQZ_35zzFtNuaqtKQaMCxxw4/s320/Theewaterskloof-sky0.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSy7cbtJ7DqDXflcff6sR_oQ_9x69DXsOg5SbvMpX5QbKpCRKPBBJINMOrkbqkYRHrua0vilxyjZXYbUB5ltHQw7VlEqRaNFMjl-UfmOOrD_AM6HQ5b-Qt27v2b6yUi8f1Dt9bxsgn12I/s1600/Theewaterskloof-sky1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSy7cbtJ7DqDXflcff6sR_oQ_9x69DXsOg5SbvMpX5QbKpCRKPBBJINMOrkbqkYRHrua0vilxyjZXYbUB5ltHQw7VlEqRaNFMjl-UfmOOrD_AM6HQ5b-Qt27v2b6yUi8f1Dt9bxsgn12I/s320/Theewaterskloof-sky1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There are two more layers. One is a Photo Filter, which is just a cooling filter (can somebody please explain a more convenient way to adjust white balance in Photoshop?) used at low opacity. The other is my watermark - a simple text layer - which I use to protect my images on the web.<br />
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<h3>
Some more pics </h3>
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Well, that's it. Here are a few more images of the Theewaterskloof Dam (taken during a full moon outing with the <a href="http://helderbergphoto.com/" target="_blank">Helderberg Photographic Society</a>), as an apology for neglecting this blog for so long. My excuse: I'm holding my inaugural lecture on Thursday, and that takes a lot of preparation. Enjoy!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9U7VEbwcXvKtr3JKfYn2J8b77yNJxkiRYzuSK593TKPqR_sMgg7mOLrWwrI6f87pSYKVgyp2RCWhiWw6qKVQeZEb45NQ4dudvOIquPk56srXumAT3vknMdEtdbKm93_oo_V617uZKlI/s1600/Theewaterskloof-dead+trees-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm9U7VEbwcXvKtr3JKfYn2J8b77yNJxkiRYzuSK593TKPqR_sMgg7mOLrWwrI6f87pSYKVgyp2RCWhiWw6qKVQeZEb45NQ4dudvOIquPk56srXumAT3vknMdEtdbKm93_oo_V617uZKlI/s400/Theewaterskloof-dead+trees-01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really need to lay off the colors in my HDRs...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuA0swLUD7KXOPTQH6wkPobDypmSgTlP8KxjuQNcRi3DQn73GZMjK2cXouPDSQhYERPzZOdJ0ulhy_PZY60souvWiA56sVX6RuJ_fXlQKuY_BQpHC9INRBi-4g7wF9YemCdrXLRRvkiQc/s1600/Theewaterskloof-dead+trees-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuA0swLUD7KXOPTQH6wkPobDypmSgTlP8KxjuQNcRi3DQn73GZMjK2cXouPDSQhYERPzZOdJ0ulhy_PZY60souvWiA56sVX6RuJ_fXlQKuY_BQpHC9INRBi-4g7wF9YemCdrXLRRvkiQc/s400/Theewaterskloof-dead+trees-02.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Completion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPEQSDL650udwgJ46oyFp_cRBzeVlTs_Fc_GxR_S8HSfzb4uvgHgxVeIpK2KoweHNYS7vmqIAE0uO-_taHlF-or7rextVR7-jhVwr8Ipkq8WVMWUACFy6QeJNf1wIRLvmGYO-OzOcvqs/s1600/Theewaterskloof-dead+trees-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPEQSDL650udwgJ46oyFp_cRBzeVlTs_Fc_GxR_S8HSfzb4uvgHgxVeIpK2KoweHNYS7vmqIAE0uO-_taHlF-or7rextVR7-jhVwr8Ipkq8WVMWUACFy6QeJNf1wIRLvmGYO-OzOcvqs/s400/Theewaterskloof-dead+trees-03.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moonlight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com8Theewaters Nature Reserve, South Africa-34.006423552496948 19.1910982131958-34.009714052496946 19.186055713195802 -34.003133052496949 19.1961407131958tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-7206377516862714512013-06-07T16:46:00.000+02:002013-06-07T16:46:38.897+02:00Infrared Photography<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mIze_g6jhzdW9Hs7V4h75BItN-lG2IiSdpPCTKxsYNnhoQitrM8VhEHlMxID_THqy-00wMTmi2Gg_thiPQm2nqax0aToy-iLo3dz7Am2WzVqez10w6Lk7bqFrl2cLiGTR1aXOz2XtAI/s1600/20120604-175315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mIze_g6jhzdW9Hs7V4h75BItN-lG2IiSdpPCTKxsYNnhoQitrM8VhEHlMxID_THqy-00wMTmi2Gg_thiPQm2nqax0aToy-iLo3dz7Am2WzVqez10w6Lk7bqFrl2cLiGTR1aXOz2XtAI/s640/20120604-175315.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acacia - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55, 61sec, f/5.6, ISO 1600, IR filter</td></tr>
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Infrared photography has been around for a long time, and is always good for unusual and sometimes disturbing images. Being something of a geek, I have been drawn to it for quite a while, and now I've finally gotten around to writing about it. <br />
<h4>
<a name='more'></a><br /></h4>
<h3>
Technical Stuff</h3>
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Infrared light is merely ordinary light whose wavelength is a bit longer (i.e. redder) than the human eye can see. Light visible to the average human eye ranges in wavelength from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visible_spectrum" target="_blank">390nm to 700nm</a>, whereas the pictures on this post are made from 760nm light. Don't confuse this with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermography" target="_blank">thermal imaging</a>, which uses much longer wavelengths.<br />
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Certain films and digital camera sensors are sensitive to infrared light. You can try this by pointing a compact camera at a typical TV remote and pushing a button on the remote. On your camera's screen you should see an infrared LED light up at the front of the remote, but your naked eye won't see it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05fkDja8cer4e7nKFI3fFZybZ8mG9vG53mPTKmlcVlazSKXBfKipBdbJyrKJ-YNujgsMsXqRH5LEoDI52DK87QA88vHyoVdMy7k-w2PFpbB9DJPO9GR0FGjUVw6nCWvhn6F4kP597sxM/s1600/20121230-120232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05fkDja8cer4e7nKFI3fFZybZ8mG9vG53mPTKmlcVlazSKXBfKipBdbJyrKJ-YNujgsMsXqRH5LEoDI52DK87QA88vHyoVdMy7k-w2PFpbB9DJPO9GR0FGjUVw6nCWvhn6F4kP597sxM/s400/20121230-120232.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">760 nm infrared filter</td></tr>
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To take pictures exclusively in the infrared, you need to mount an infrared filter (like the one pictured) onto your lens. This is where the challenges start. For one, your viewfinder will be pitch black; after all, the point of this filter is to block out all light <b>except</b> for the infrared. This means that you should mount your camera on a tripod and compose your image before screwing on the filter. Be sure not to change the zoom on your lens while you're mounting the filter (and the lens hood, which is a good idea here).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZ2QP9oNCvtYQDYxVYoxUY0FN59KlsaAMNxk0vAiFJ9RMYGTVxfRC6kJIWWFPqv0XAbUhVWkFOKZGFmicn10RB5ENFjsSniV-F7Gl1yFzUN6iQSObiCbDAMe4Yaf1YQTJfJjA0B4tXvg/s1600/20110618-205010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZ2QP9oNCvtYQDYxVYoxUY0FN59KlsaAMNxk0vAiFJ9RMYGTVxfRC6kJIWWFPqv0XAbUhVWkFOKZGFmicn10RB5ENFjsSniV-F7Gl1yFzUN6iQSObiCbDAMe4Yaf1YQTJfJjA0B4tXvg/s640/20110618-205010.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notre Dame Cathedral 1 - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55, 30sec, f/5.6, ISO 250, IR filter</td></tr>
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Once you've composed the image and mounted the IR filter, the next challenge is focus. The infrared image typically focuses at a different distance than the visible light image, so you will need to refocus once the IR filter is in place. Some lenses have a little red mark on the focus scale indicating where to set the focus manually for an infrared image, but most modern autofocus lenses don't seem to have these any more. The good news is that many SLRs (such as my old Canon 40D) can autofocus on an infrared image - at least as long as the camera hasn't warmed up too much in the sun. That's what I use, and it's very accurate when it gets a lock. Sometimes you need to play with the AF point a little.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIzzhQdNJ8DGulyFe4qXbFFevLQY2F9XhJU1uTIrUz6FwEb_aIZ7R_B8kKbn9mvAYjdjc39kfHHUkN7zo6rvRjzyAmPITP9jq0VcU-KujLgi4OYVC33yEe7fNH9QIT0pGxw6axztksmA/s1600/20120920-120900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIzzhQdNJ8DGulyFe4qXbFFevLQY2F9XhJU1uTIrUz6FwEb_aIZ7R_B8kKbn9mvAYjdjc39kfHHUkN7zo6rvRjzyAmPITP9jq0VcU-KujLgi4OYVC33yEe7fNH9QIT0pGxw6axztksmA/s640/20120920-120900.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notre Dame Cathedral 2 - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55, 120sec, f/4, ISO 200, IR filter</td></tr>
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The reason for this is that different wavelengths of light are refracted differently by the lens elements. This causes the problem of chromatic aberrations (which led Newton to discover the colour spectrum - he was wondering why he got funny colour fringes with his telescope!), and one of the reasons modern lenses are so complicated is that one must combine several lens elements made of different types of glass to correct for this effect. But the correction is typically only done for visible light and the image produced by infrared light is usually quite a bit off the visible light image. For this reason, infrared images focus at a different distance setting.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOP69l5MqaWGhs5VItOtGY4qWayxx-cYyN10momFnTBio1e2HB1OBDl406rUGsIFU2jNyoMVEhF40dq4yFFtFVzN7_WvaKD7u96LItCU7p1WXErJgBFmvBMvBL0H3acAGp2EShqXFnUI/s1600/InfraRed-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOP69l5MqaWGhs5VItOtGY4qWayxx-cYyN10momFnTBio1e2HB1OBDl406rUGsIFU2jNyoMVEhF40dq4yFFtFVzN7_WvaKD7u96LItCU7p1WXErJgBFmvBMvBL0H3acAGp2EShqXFnUI/s640/InfraRed-03.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notre Dame Cathedral 3 - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55, 74sec, f/4, ISO 100, IR filter</td></tr>
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For this reason, also, most cameras have a filter placed in front of the sensor that cuts out infrared light (perversely, this is also called an infrared filter, even though it has the exact opposite effect as the IR filter you screw onto your lens). This is to prevent the uncorrected (and thus out-of-focus and differently sized) infrared image from interfering with the corrected visible light image on the sensor. A defect in this filter embarrassed Leica with their <a href="http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/m8-infrared.shtml" target="_blank">M8 digital rangefinder</a> camera, and the rich people using this thing had to shoot with a special infrared-blocking filter mounted on the lens. The problem was corrected in the Leica M8.2.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVlS6ehXOUxkETkHBsresbfTtdvvyiCuVHnVwm9ZrOqJKHEFTJlqt-fhXaEsJZwFVZJLPbssB3LeSR9B1WF_2p6mOc1Q3PLw79Lbp8T6ajZ_ZwI8MOBva9tPAef4GeB7PB5eJIvZfFu4/s1600/InfraRed-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVlS6ehXOUxkETkHBsresbfTtdvvyiCuVHnVwm9ZrOqJKHEFTJlqt-fhXaEsJZwFVZJLPbssB3LeSR9B1WF_2p6mOc1Q3PLw79Lbp8T6ajZ_ZwI8MOBva9tPAef4GeB7PB5eJIvZfFu4/s640/InfraRed-01.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicago Bean with Ghosts - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55, 30sec, f/2.8, ISO 100, IR filter</td></tr>
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So now you see another challenge: the filter on the camera's digital sensor is deliberately blocking out infrared light, so how can we take infrared photographs? One solution is to modify the camera by removing this filter. Some <a href="http://www.lifepixel.com/tutorials/infrared-diy-tutorials" target="_blank">crazy people do this</a>, but the camera then becomes quasi-useless for visible light photography, so you're now the proud owner of an infrared-only camera.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNxbHCuelULetNsHufs1HN_Ljh71MQRnfpHXp8Qd3fU76k8j1YMTw3YwcBjcvnZtvP92OGNS0yikpzh-Soy9M0QUvWXbvZgQsrGpii20i4_W1ula7DtHbLbhb9hhj_27sYUEqBV1WgmA/s1600/InfraRed-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNxbHCuelULetNsHufs1HN_Ljh71MQRnfpHXp8Qd3fU76k8j1YMTw3YwcBjcvnZtvP92OGNS0yikpzh-Soy9M0QUvWXbvZgQsrGpii20i4_W1ula7DtHbLbhb9hhj_27sYUEqBV1WgmA/s640/InfraRed-02.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baha'i Temple - Canon 40D, Tokina 11-16, 108sec, f/4, ISO 100, IR filter</td></tr>
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The other solution (and whether this is feasible depends on the camera) is to just make very long exposures. Some infrared light does make it through the blocking filter, and as long as this is substantially more than the visible light that manages to get through the IR filter on the lens, a long enough exposure will produce a decent infrared image.With my Canon 40D this works quite well, though the exposure times are typically very long: e.g 30secs at f/4 and ISO 400 on a sunny day.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGSeIFDkZ5TJc7BK2mzuC638mIC1RxtVD8stZpEkYLGlBTLVwopGy9KSLQ9QiU_i9OzxxNXQPJCRehpnQgEB-DOwjDHChSX23EkQViYuNmLBm0vZHODzcSeT9S0Cjm6KyCyDbNfREajo/s1600/20110327-175543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGSeIFDkZ5TJc7BK2mzuC638mIC1RxtVD8stZpEkYLGlBTLVwopGy9KSLQ9QiU_i9OzxxNXQPJCRehpnQgEB-DOwjDHChSX23EkQViYuNmLBm0vZHODzcSeT9S0Cjm6KyCyDbNfREajo/s640/20110327-175543.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Eye of Sauron - Canon 40D, Tokina 11-16, 78sec, f/5.6, ISO 100, IR filter</td></tr>
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The resulting image looks pink in the camera, since the red pixels on the sensor are more sensitive to infrared light than are the green or blue pixels. This is due to a combination of the transmissivity of the different color filters in front of the red, green and blue pixels, as well as the relative gain ("boosting") of the three color channels.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2-SYztAxj55Sw-Pkl2YXkRtZXxwV5yKe-fW8WUgLiikSFg5YnUlfmhBclFeKDHleW2EIdPqFP7jIyoe3ECzJZluSKpK5FdXyqVZ1R11mkM1_3P_UxOEQFGpJ62E8-aR4rCZUdACtCAY/s1600/20121215-173237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2-SYztAxj55Sw-Pkl2YXkRtZXxwV5yKe-fW8WUgLiikSFg5YnUlfmhBclFeKDHleW2EIdPqFP7jIyoe3ECzJZluSKpK5FdXyqVZ1R11mkM1_3P_UxOEQFGpJ62E8-aR4rCZUdACtCAY/s640/20121215-173237.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quiver Trees and Clouds - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55, 10sec, f/4, ISO 800, IR filter</td></tr>
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<h3>
But is it art?</h3>
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Okay, so now we have a pink image of an infrared scene. Next, one will want to convert this to black and white, and perhaps add a little toning to taste. But what makes infrared images different from normal black and white photography? Well, things look a little different in the infrared. The sky, for one, is typically much darker in the infrared than in visible light, thus bringing out the clouds better, just like using a red filter in normal BW photography. Green foliage, on the other hand, is highly reflective in the infrared, so that trees and grass look almost white and ghostlike - such as in the picture of the acacia tree in the Namib at top of this post.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJVf2Q4fLQ_3-jpOy3t8TAqgFaoNyeTrYv4e_OSkz_jvIoYXfaEmb5QJqAwcpDo4qhzZwEDDAZGam1baQBLQ8XXZ-uR_bvRikRdrWolcaPhI7QPJHhGVise8MzZ1ZpR5bTPiNb5YUpKQ/s1600/20121217-104335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJVf2Q4fLQ_3-jpOy3t8TAqgFaoNyeTrYv4e_OSkz_jvIoYXfaEmb5QJqAwcpDo4qhzZwEDDAZGam1baQBLQ8XXZ-uR_bvRikRdrWolcaPhI7QPJHhGVise8MzZ1ZpR5bTPiNb5YUpKQ/s640/20121217-104335.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young & Tall - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55, 10sec, f/4, ISO 800, IR filter</td></tr>
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Another effect is simply the length of the exposure blurring out motion. This can give the clouds a vague look, blur people into ghosts, but also messes up trees swaying in the wind.<br />
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The overall aesthetic of an infrared image is different, and if you know what you want, you can use this to good effect. Add a little alien split toning and the image can become rather disconcerting. As with all photographic techniques, it's fun to try out different stuff, but it requires a lot of thought, practise and artistic vision to turn a gimmick into art.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bgWo5zpI9T7NIrJpGjo9bqSNQqzFDeXlbL0nEdbPd_-RFC8DFQ94CfUS2O6Ir0_lDWWj0kZupkY6WONMHUliFEbKasXG0Q14y-s_jN0VDBmRcPGCjtIkxNL3mVhBek5px6fpTjPmSQk/s1600/20121217-101934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bgWo5zpI9T7NIrJpGjo9bqSNQqzFDeXlbL0nEdbPd_-RFC8DFQ94CfUS2O6Ir0_lDWWj0kZupkY6WONMHUliFEbKasXG0Q14y-s_jN0VDBmRcPGCjtIkxNL3mVhBek5px6fpTjPmSQk/s640/20121217-101934.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alien Planet - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55, 10sec, f/4, ISO 800, IR filter</td></tr>
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Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-13698279317676082992013-04-07T17:52:00.000+02:002013-04-07T18:00:12.888+02:00Lemurs in Madagascar<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lhb0ipgGam1dPPf9XywT99O1q5MOAGt4GZ7DIldfkkN4U2RArQRQlp1pC5t2IwWfnOZGARJ8CIZqB-QZbIDfHJtzR3pi_qb9LQFKWxw7JTiNSKfCW_60UQpJSLiBIksEK0ZUTleQCuY/s1600/Lemures-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lhb0ipgGam1dPPf9XywT99O1q5MOAGt4GZ7DIldfkkN4U2RArQRQlp1pC5t2IwWfnOZGARJ8CIZqB-QZbIDfHJtzR3pi_qb9LQFKWxw7JTiNSKfCW_60UQpJSLiBIksEK0ZUTleQCuY/s640/Lemures-15.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black and White Ruffed Lemur (<i>Varecia variegata variegata) - </i>Canon 40D, 70-200 f4 IS, 1/125, f/5.6, ISO 100</td></tr>
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In July last year, I again visited Madagascar to teach a short graduate course at the University of Antananarivo. The following week I headed East into the rain forests, and spent several days photographing lemurs and chameleons.<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemur" target="_blank">Lemurs</a> are an interesting branch of primates and are only found in Madagascar. They're also very cute, and thus endangered by ruthless collectors for the exotic pet trade, and of course also by Madagascar's catastrophic habitat destruction. In this post I'll show you a few of them, with the chameleons having to wait for a future blog post.<br />
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I first visited the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andasibe-Mantadia_National_Park" target="_blank">Andasibe and Mantadia</a> National Parks, as well as the Analamazoatra Reserve, where I could see these photogenic critters in their natural environment. Thereafter, I visited a number of other reserves, which have mostly been stocked by various lemur species which don't necessarily belong to that region, such as the Ring-tailed lemurs which are endemic to the South of the island.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwwqajfGyD8lETm9biETCWGYAkpOiXsZmhdOWLxx8Ev0nJyYjQOIfmevHsDcJWlkzvahk6sBS1IuNd-yP7Nvve4622bUQgvFbIm7NeLc34QmvWLmqA-fVqx_vM4CKatgW3y0aIcu0YZE/s1600/Lemures-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwwqajfGyD8lETm9biETCWGYAkpOiXsZmhdOWLxx8Ev0nJyYjQOIfmevHsDcJWlkzvahk6sBS1IuNd-yP7Nvve4622bUQgvFbIm7NeLc34QmvWLmqA-fVqx_vM4CKatgW3y0aIcu0YZE/s640/Lemures-12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ring-tailed Lemur (<i>Lemur catta</i>) - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55, 1/160, f/5.6, ISO 250</td></tr>
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As before, my trip was arranged by <a href="http://madagascar-tour-guide.com/" target="_blank">Madagascar Tour Guide</a>, who did an excellent job. I had my own driver (you must hire a car with a driver in Madagascar - you'll live longer that way!) and various highly knowledgeable guides lead me around the forest, and spotted all sorts of creatures that I would never have noticed.<br />
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<h3>
Indri</h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowo48SGbtNeaJ6hcSnGO3hgd0CODssPIVU09LU-Q911ILPwiSMqUW9NHhqIQhdZ4WHOxuw2uNIATs3iMqnOMKNhTi9xUherWAhqYTv2_llzVs2VT1VhI7-2PkbNiuZXeaI1dGJtDgoZY/s1600/Lemures-04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowo48SGbtNeaJ6hcSnGO3hgd0CODssPIVU09LU-Q911ILPwiSMqUW9NHhqIQhdZ4WHOxuw2uNIATs3iMqnOMKNhTi9xUherWAhqYTv2_llzVs2VT1VhI7-2PkbNiuZXeaI1dGJtDgoZY/s640/Lemures-04.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indri (<i>Indri indri</i>) - Canon 40D, 70-200 f4 IS, 1/250, f/5.6, ISO 200</td></tr>
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The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indri" target="_blank">Indri</a> is the largest of all lemurs, though that's still not very big; they typically weigh in at 6-9kg. They spend almost their whole lives in the trees, and only rarely climb down to the ground. I did witness one occasion, where an Indri climbed down to munch some soil for its mineral content. Ironically, it was too close for me to get a decent picture of this rare event with my 70-200mm lens mounted.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbijbRUXNFXPyeA1CE7MBoNxutVcBrk8MmX0rwPo34fwcrg2HMdRpes4tF3fYT9xn5oPv8QXhVWjI4QAD4oWGJhhNBQhpjpIMPI55GTisVs_AqcVjPQuq3qgOf3U-2hpvqJAzvgReUYIA/s1600/Lemures-05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbijbRUXNFXPyeA1CE7MBoNxutVcBrk8MmX0rwPo34fwcrg2HMdRpes4tF3fYT9xn5oPv8QXhVWjI4QAD4oWGJhhNBQhpjpIMPI55GTisVs_AqcVjPQuq3qgOf3U-2hpvqJAzvgReUYIA/s640/Lemures-05.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indri in flight - Canon 40D, 70-200 f4 IS, 1/1000, f/5.6, ISO 400</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Indri are prodigious jumpers, and can move very rapidly through the forest by jumping from one tree to the next without breaking stride.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOt-5tX_mSjcLBYOT0bbjJVr9hGRTvHsK9pj2-gaGPjM005JSJWqe66X5jH9VvXV-RZh8k9KTaBKTz79c-NIQSdMcNUm1ZJIXOGJ_n6Tr7nlw3ck6hUlaZUq37-JxuErl_ORRq_sTS2E/s1600/Lemures-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgOt-5tX_mSjcLBYOT0bbjJVr9hGRTvHsK9pj2-gaGPjM005JSJWqe66X5jH9VvXV-RZh8k9KTaBKTz79c-NIQSdMcNUm1ZJIXOGJ_n6Tr7nlw3ck6hUlaZUq37-JxuErl_ORRq_sTS2E/s640/Lemures-02.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wake-up call - Canon 40D, 70-200 f4 IS, 1/250, f/8, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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They live in small family groups and mark out their territories with eerie and impressively loud calls, usually around 10am each morning. I spent many hours hanging out with groups of Indri in the forest, following them as they foraged though the canopy, and that was probably the most enjoyable part of the trip.<br />
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My trusty old 40D with the wonderful 70-200mm f/4L IS lens attached did a good job. A lens hood is essential in the forest, to keep branches, leaves and water droplets off the filter. A powerful flash also helps. I also have a convenient <a href="http://raynox.co.jp/english/dcr/dcr150/indexdcr150eg.htm" target="_blank">close-up lens by Raynox</a> that can be clipped onto the lens for macro shots (e.g. of chameleons) at short notice.<br />
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<h3>
Diademed Sifaka </h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEQNBRfq6ZDzya2dLyW_Y66GfyYfDpUZoYYQrivJ-32WcXTGOLNgr4sLpmFrmLGs_hbGg2JBDEs3rKhW7eYnBqCXKESJuk8z5A5sdQoxufuh8uImXt6G9zM2JcJnttX9KZD5myizWi40/s1600/Lemures-06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEQNBRfq6ZDzya2dLyW_Y66GfyYfDpUZoYYQrivJ-32WcXTGOLNgr4sLpmFrmLGs_hbGg2JBDEs3rKhW7eYnBqCXKESJuk8z5A5sdQoxufuh8uImXt6G9zM2JcJnttX9KZD5myizWi40/s640/Lemures-06.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diademed Sifaka (<i>Propithecus diadema</i>) - Canon 40D, 70-200 f/4 IS, 1/100, f/4, ISO 800</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We also tracked a family of beautiful <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diademed_sifaka" target="_blank">Diademed Sifaka</a>, with the little ones tumbling about the undergrowth and letting us get relatively close. The leader of the group (I assume that was the daddy) wore a radio collar.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlHgBt-clm3TCNLpClSNka1bjYGfi-h9UaJ_tydLtFu0ZagXjItjFNLt3MEWL1N5AnWSX5xwEsXvdcyQ9u_gT4TdgVf1jPLOBQyav8sAcq-hHUO-g5sTPnD1dE80oCBSk6bFqi0SXBgE/s1600/Lemures-07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXlHgBt-clm3TCNLpClSNka1bjYGfi-h9UaJ_tydLtFu0ZagXjItjFNLt3MEWL1N5AnWSX5xwEsXvdcyQ9u_gT4TdgVf1jPLOBQyav8sAcq-hHUO-g5sTPnD1dE80oCBSk6bFqi0SXBgE/s640/Lemures-07.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy has a funky radio collar - Canon 40D, 70-200 f4 IS, 1/125, f/5.6, ISO 400</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
Goodman's Mouse Lemur</h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWfF9jbaTJZ9mhCSs45V-2YZ3gfvXv_2MEFSyLAw_Afwb4ngcvc7VCIabs5P87crviTMzpEZyEfIiiEYKefn_CP-8uGS1CqtA4cc8uGupCVVYUpIrNPeqtjzrLWAAILnCixxp3gs04Fk/s1600/Lemures-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWfF9jbaTJZ9mhCSs45V-2YZ3gfvXv_2MEFSyLAw_Afwb4ngcvc7VCIabs5P87crviTMzpEZyEfIiiEYKefn_CP-8uGS1CqtA4cc8uGupCVVYUpIrNPeqtjzrLWAAILnCixxp3gs04Fk/s640/Lemures-01.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodman's Mouse Lemur (<i>Microcebus lehilahytsara</i>) - Canon 40D, 70-200 f4 IS, 1/125, f/4, ISO 800</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goodman%27s_mouse_lemur" target="_blank">Goodman's Mouse Lemur</a> was only recently discovered to be a different species from other mouse lemurs. They're tiny and nocturnal, but are relatively easy to find in the area around Andasibe. Just walk along the road at night, shining your torch into the bushes, and you're bound to find one sooner or later - their eyes shine right back. You'll also see other shining eyes, e.g. from moths and spiders. <br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
Other Lemurs</h3>
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At various other reserves (I can in particular recommend the <a href="http://www.palmarium.biz/index.php?lang=en" target="_blank">Palmarium</a>) I got to see a motley collection of different lemur species. Most of these were not in their natural habitats, and many had been habituated to humans, including rescued pet lemurs.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsV9KvspYuLyZK_jkUhSxS0AethpuPGgN2HDhHyGpYU5Mbtx62ec41W3aLAW24RC9pne_Qqc8JhWJPVJaXxoAsKkBq9a4VjSGdaCUA77NXzwHoN_zsn0LP6UCr1cO9SUTe5NC4zOf1Mj4/s1600/Lemures-09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsV9KvspYuLyZK_jkUhSxS0AethpuPGgN2HDhHyGpYU5Mbtx62ec41W3aLAW24RC9pne_Qqc8JhWJPVJaXxoAsKkBq9a4VjSGdaCUA77NXzwHoN_zsn0LP6UCr1cO9SUTe5NC4zOf1Mj4/s640/Lemures-09.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bamboo Lemur (not sure which species) - Canon 40D, 70-200 f4 IS, 1/125, f/4, ISO 250</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwUKkZtDGhfefW_DvOnfg98Ic-7CpnfCH53zbkBB7S5VICb_kT7zZqe7W85IpR2NUxwNaT9h8Kts00lTBf83h1kJYPlYiOnH7hYA0EQ3PZMOW2lAoY9p2TpY5ENeVn4mI-ZLwe6Lg7VM/s1600/Lemures-13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwUKkZtDGhfefW_DvOnfg98Ic-7CpnfCH53zbkBB7S5VICb_kT7zZqe7W85IpR2NUxwNaT9h8Kts00lTBf83h1kJYPlYiOnH7hYA0EQ3PZMOW2lAoY9p2TpY5ENeVn4mI-ZLwe6Lg7VM/s640/Lemures-13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ring-tail Lemurs are the most social of all lemurs - Canon 40D, 17-55, 1/200, f/5.6, ISO 250</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iiRghAekx8YR5Uv-kAeQDjgpjCXNFNJbFrj6rJ-kpYHFq0wvDeYWxsOvCJtUPTp6H4prAlgfRClVn_EihSh2AZkLODNtXrKi37h2Tdbjx-gKbBYU2D4BxRRkBylaoE7BOJbPqojtXW4/s1600/Lemures-14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4iiRghAekx8YR5Uv-kAeQDjgpjCXNFNJbFrj6rJ-kpYHFq0wvDeYWxsOvCJtUPTp6H4prAlgfRClVn_EihSh2AZkLODNtXrKi37h2Tdbjx-gKbBYU2D4BxRRkBylaoE7BOJbPqojtXW4/s640/Lemures-14.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crowned Lemur (<i>Eulemur coronatus</i>) - Canon 40D, 70-200 f4 IS, 1/200, f/5.6, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DJ2zYj7_lf5xXYhtY_60EoOn2cuRO87EcWX2YtqSSZGAx_Qb9SQg6-_WbBcZKJY-L-kO3tN2MuEmC1lOh2B1MgXr0QCN44bs32mwUEhPFXpVYwtt5lrgpoC5hSPWEJMUzZ23MTkc9DQ/s1600/Lemures-17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DJ2zYj7_lf5xXYhtY_60EoOn2cuRO87EcWX2YtqSSZGAx_Qb9SQg6-_WbBcZKJY-L-kO3tN2MuEmC1lOh2B1MgXr0QCN44bs32mwUEhPFXpVYwtt5lrgpoC5hSPWEJMUzZ23MTkc9DQ/s640/Lemures-17.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Black Lemur (<i>Eulemur macaco</i>) and Crowned Lemur - Canon 40D, 70-200 f4 IS, 1/125, f/5.6, ISO 400</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDo8gPzGe3df1lSp8tLYrUXfZpTaxokVNMy8GbPBUtCrc23TgLcXY-O0FyJtv4eHk3nIAz-aQVTPR531zJq_rTvXJ_HALVvJtig_rQ_OAQ5sz6bz8VnFOPISTlCIK2za6-CuvWdV1dPI/s1600/Lemures-11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDo8gPzGe3df1lSp8tLYrUXfZpTaxokVNMy8GbPBUtCrc23TgLcXY-O0FyJtv4eHk3nIAz-aQVTPR531zJq_rTvXJ_HALVvJtig_rQ_OAQ5sz6bz8VnFOPISTlCIK2za6-CuvWdV1dPI/s400/Lemures-11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banana thief! - Canon 40D, 17-55, 1/160, f/4, ISO 250</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LF8NtL36its_Zyj5g4xdFeLfSY3CUyCccPATfPQgFnPqWePuPRpwVK6rCol7HzrZXuqUjNrhlRhoy2eWuuo_9VZFP857RR7zqRXoEoX6bDyRCv6FaoOMYDNyw0Jbxh69XVKjnO5lnBg/s1600/Lemures-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1LF8NtL36its_Zyj5g4xdFeLfSY3CUyCccPATfPQgFnPqWePuPRpwVK6rCol7HzrZXuqUjNrhlRhoy2eWuuo_9VZFP857RR7zqRXoEoX6bDyRCv6FaoOMYDNyw0Jbxh69XVKjnO5lnBg/s640/Lemures-16.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing Black and White Ruffed Lemur - Canon 40D, 70-200 f4 IS, 1/125, f/5.6, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kDCjvkCLYXxksnHVc1SKq17IJnJ7-Uj40uxyszDPLtKfhpS_62O5isH6eaIKirUSkOhyO-FszDMctCmqE7pShMyfgCSF1AqGuhIVuzpVB5xXUClf-RHwejJ5ymqRMjv7JlVsTiWuBoo/s1600/Lemures-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6kDCjvkCLYXxksnHVc1SKq17IJnJ7-Uj40uxyszDPLtKfhpS_62O5isH6eaIKirUSkOhyO-FszDMctCmqE7pShMyfgCSF1AqGuhIVuzpVB5xXUClf-RHwejJ5ymqRMjv7JlVsTiWuBoo/s640/Lemures-18.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coquerel's Sifaka (<i>Propithecus coquereli</i>) - Canon 40D, 17-55, 1/125, f/5.6, ISO 200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNHf1Wzz6jtbV4p8wdgUE9Oe5ZBRouZAtZMm8fHxngTQRvWrXj3Fp_f2ybSO3UDJwPxAJVCavBq8nIg6QEdCbf-g7EuTOL8D059ozVKlKx0tns9QP4e8qW2Vcwfr5VUOVWJtZt2meh3k/s1600/Lemures-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNHf1Wzz6jtbV4p8wdgUE9Oe5ZBRouZAtZMm8fHxngTQRvWrXj3Fp_f2ybSO3UDJwPxAJVCavBq8nIg6QEdCbf-g7EuTOL8D059ozVKlKx0tns9QP4e8qW2Vcwfr5VUOVWJtZt2meh3k/s640/Lemures-19.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumping sifaka - Canon 40D, 17-55, 1/125, f/8, ISO 200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sifakas are more at home in the trees, when on the ground they move by jumping rather than walking.<br />
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There's something to be said for having a Brown Lemur sitting on your shoulder and grunting in your ear. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmpcU3fVXnQZb9dAddVRfYn_tZTalpBX5vlJxmR5Z9I2tsgZtXsNlICf4c0ueaygVR6wpPMdbcl2QbT_sNdWZ9CbaIixgpiq6kWn58jOlnNWNXGUuf0GiOXvSxDHqcP7hZzTa7isUZiQ/s1600/Lemures-08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmpcU3fVXnQZb9dAddVRfYn_tZTalpBX5vlJxmR5Z9I2tsgZtXsNlICf4c0ueaygVR6wpPMdbcl2QbT_sNdWZ9CbaIixgpiq6kWn58jOlnNWNXGUuf0GiOXvSxDHqcP7hZzTa7isUZiQ/s640/Lemures-08.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yours truly (<i>Homo sapiens</i>) and Brown Lemur (<i>Eulemur fulvus</i>) - Say no to drugs!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com7Madagascar-17.895114303749143 48.603515625-21.763482803749142 43.439941625 -14.026745803749144 53.767089625tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-13713416572947564062013-03-25T10:05:00.000+02:002013-03-25T10:10:19.927+02:00New online gallery is live<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWr45cJEljbEKLRTDiwoCc9Xzn7rupudUHjykUYIpHvNH-I0gDZ5s-dkwqcuN6Wrqvs9x1gQlzsyk15gIvFJyyYAaSZoPsDqdtWVYyiUJ-nWzSbdjgpg8yhDE9jfpWECK8hEIDOYKxjQ/s1600/FiveWomen-1920x788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWr45cJEljbEKLRTDiwoCc9Xzn7rupudUHjykUYIpHvNH-I0gDZ5s-dkwqcuN6Wrqvs9x1gQlzsyk15gIvFJyyYAaSZoPsDqdtWVYyiUJ-nWzSbdjgpg8yhDE9jfpWECK8hEIDOYKxjQ/s640/FiveWomen-1920x788.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Five Women - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55, 1/1000, f/8, ISO 100</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My new online gallery is now live at <a href="http://floriansphotographs.com/" target="_blank">floriansphotographs.com</a>. Purchasing prints has thus become easier, with a simple shopping cart system for the most popular images and options.<br />
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So far, I have only uploaded six images to this gallery, but more will follow when I get around to it.<br />
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I'd be grateful for any comments, requests or bug reports.<br />
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This picture? It has nothing to do with the online gallery, but it is one of my favorites, taken early one morning just as I got off the ferry across the Manambolo River in Madagascar. What I like is the five different attitudes towards snap-happy tourists displayed by these ladies.<br />
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In other news, I once again walked away <a href="http://worldphoto.org/images/image-gallery/16538/?FromImageGalleryCategoryID=80&FromImageGalleryGroupID=2" target="_blank">empty-handed</a> from the Sony World Photography Awards. Oh well, it was pretty cool to be shortlisted. And there's always next time. <br />
<br />Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-70048885296527905912013-02-18T15:36:00.000+02:002013-02-18T15:36:45.259+02:00News updateI've been rather busy recently with work, so I haven't had much time for working on my photographs. Meanwhile, however, my photographs have been working for me!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bP-EwVnv4sHxNOcEsGx-VWiMbc_J8TFRl_tiY1Ihmg2aBScOchIuLCHqe11rowd24KtA-SjO9Ran3bhIFzJCNYkWGCOyRdvsKUdn62opoDFgnfrLYOXfEPkzJuyamsR0Xz-3w3I1wiM/s1600/Panoramic_shortlisted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-bP-EwVnv4sHxNOcEsGx-VWiMbc_J8TFRl_tiY1Ihmg2aBScOchIuLCHqe11rowd24KtA-SjO9Ran3bhIFzJCNYkWGCOyRdvsKUdn62opoDFgnfrLYOXfEPkzJuyamsR0Xz-3w3I1wiM/s1600/Panoramic_shortlisted.jpg" /></a></div>
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On 5 February, the shortlist for the 2013 <a href="http://www.worldphoto.org/about-the-sony-world-photography-awards/" target="_blank">Sony World Photography Awards</a> was announced, and my <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8zH_HCzAM5YzHRsWesX_9qzT2vqXxs2TIYa1ZCa6x2hA7KzYQ7BxyeosEQ-9TnQhaz-bEZEvXUtW2X3BVd-92qBCy-m-UHbPeDnAEESKPSVH1W3F7xm57b3M0UTUwMjW6V6pXvSKmQs/s1600/QTBN3-web.jpg" target="_blank">Quiver Trees by Night 3</a> was shortlisted in the <a href="http://worldphoto.org/images/image-gallery/16048/?FromImageGalleryCategoryID=81" target="_blank">Open Panoramic category</a>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqequGyykhJevqVCeAQ6zKWqHwlQK3WJzbJGnHWWifbgayvz8_9N0dxkQv4pULQiPf2lXeW6ZdFRqOnsqel_Z_AKH675d7MolAYHWTFTK6D4QJhpBv9g4mOdx65Tuw6NYnUtzFwtUH9yg/s640/QTBN2-web.jpg" target="_blank">Quiver Trees by Night 2</a> earned a <a href="http://worldphoto.org/images/image-gallery/16137/?FromImageGalleryCategoryID=85" target="_blank">commendation</a> in the same category. The category and overall winners will be announced on 19 March, so I'll have to sweat for another month. <br />
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Around the same time, the finalists for the <a href="http://www.parkerharris.co.uk/competition/EPOTY-2012" target="_blank">2012 Environmental Photographer of the Year </a>competition were announced, and <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqequGyykhJevqVCeAQ6zKWqHwlQK3WJzbJGnHWWifbgayvz8_9N0dxkQv4pULQiPf2lXeW6ZdFRqOnsqel_Z_AKH675d7MolAYHWTFTK6D4QJhpBv9g4mOdx65Tuw6NYnUtzFwtUH9yg/s640/QTBN2-web.jpg" target="_blank">Quiver Trees by Night 2</a> was selected as one of 53 finalists. The finalists will be exhibited at the Royal Geographic Society in London, 9 April - 3 May, and again later in the year at the Grizedale Forest. It is unlikely that I'll be able to visit the exhibitions, but if anybody reading this does see it, please drop me a line.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>In other news, I have finally bought myself a decent desktop computer: Intel i7-2600K processor with 16GB of RAM, and an SSD for the important stuff (Windows, Lightroom, Photoshop). Man, that thing flies! Furthermore, since it runs Windows 7, I could finally install <a href="http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-lightroom.html" target="_blank">Lightroom 4</a>, which was very generously sponsored by <a href="http://www.russellbrown.com/sightings.html" target="_blank">Russel Preston Brown</a>, a senior creative director of Adobe Systems, Inc. Thanks, Russel! Besides extra capabilities (e.g. for producing books or webpages), Lightroom 4 also has an improved image processing engine, in particular it is now better at extracting shadow details - very useful for my type of photography. With my new machine, I no longer have to wait for each image to load and processing lots of photographs has become much less painful. I can also build much larger panoramas now without running out of memory, maybe I'll post a nice one soon.<br />
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Lastly, I can't post a post without a nice photo; and since readers should be quite sick of my quiver trees by now, here's a golden oldie from Madagascar.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nwpQ5M8sQGk/UI4KpeW-2CI/AAAAAAAABuI/ddIgiDRrrlg/s1600/20100710-054406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="345" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nwpQ5M8sQGk/UI4KpeW-2CI/AAAAAAAABuI/ddIgiDRrrlg/s640/20100710-054406.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the Tide - Canon 40D, Canon 17-55, 1/125, f/5.6, ISO 200</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1524505079690067505.post-47452482418605839352013-01-22T08:07:00.000+02:002013-01-22T09:10:58.926+02:00Quiver Trees by Night 2 RemasteredQuiver Trees by Night 2 has been remastered, in particular I have fixed the aspect ratio to 5:2, like the other two images in the series, by including more sky - cropping the sides was not an option. I had to rephotoshop the whole thing (see <a href="http://floriansphotographs.blogspot.com/2012/08/quiver-trees-by-night-2.html" target="_blank">here</a> how), so it looks a little different. Let me know in the comments if you consider this an improvement.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrFNPXLOvEkuY4epVJeW3yNXvl3Pl5gr5nvW_gVafWBQtB4G-boh_EwyHgDP2Ey8g7d8-yavCRzKy-B2hqbj5d_WWk6GOdwNK_cHCTUQWkpznrWchkGFIQh0m9H_Kj3bNLNRIDH2lhvo/s1600/QTBN2v2-2013-01-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrFNPXLOvEkuY4epVJeW3yNXvl3Pl5gr5nvW_gVafWBQtB4G-boh_EwyHgDP2Ey8g7d8-yavCRzKy-B2hqbj5d_WWk6GOdwNK_cHCTUQWkpznrWchkGFIQh0m9H_Kj3bNLNRIDH2lhvo/s640/QTBN2v2-2013-01-22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quiver Trees by Night 2v2 - Canon 40D, Tokina 11-16, 12x30sec, f/2.8, ISO 3200, Nodal Ninja</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As a result, the <a href="http://floriansphotographs.blogspot.com/2012/12/quiver-trees-by-night-1-2-3.html" target="_blank">Quiver Trees by Night triplet</a> now fits together as a whole, and is more easily framed as all have the same 5:2 aspect ratio.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Special Offer</h3>
To celebrate this, I'm making the following special offer for those who wish to buy all three prints:<br />
<br />
<b>Quiver Trees by Night 1, 2 and 3, 35x14cm (14"x5.5"), printed on metallic paper, airmailed anywhere in the world for only $99.</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkIQjWo8PXaFzWgdWJQhUmrwaljDoSINyIZzI7HNWUbF91OPvFelng7oL6VbF1H9LsXF6W0M71XY_vU7hzZlt9OiCIAfqO_pq4oVkNdksQtILGrsCqopj9vvk1k-YtvZKvQ56K-4IrRc/s1600/QTBN1-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkIQjWo8PXaFzWgdWJQhUmrwaljDoSINyIZzI7HNWUbF91OPvFelng7oL6VbF1H9LsXF6W0M71XY_vU7hzZlt9OiCIAfqO_pq4oVkNdksQtILGrsCqopj9vvk1k-YtvZKvQ56K-4IrRc/s1600/QTBN1-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkIQjWo8PXaFzWgdWJQhUmrwaljDoSINyIZzI7HNWUbF91OPvFelng7oL6VbF1H9LsXF6W0M71XY_vU7hzZlt9OiCIAfqO_pq4oVkNdksQtILGrsCqopj9vvk1k-YtvZKvQ56K-4IrRc/s640/QTBN1-web.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quiver Trees by Night 1</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrFNPXLOvEkuY4epVJeW3yNXvl3Pl5gr5nvW_gVafWBQtB4G-boh_EwyHgDP2Ey8g7d8-yavCRzKy-B2hqbj5d_WWk6GOdwNK_cHCTUQWkpznrWchkGFIQh0m9H_Kj3bNLNRIDH2lhvo/s1600/QTBN2v2-2013-01-22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWrFNPXLOvEkuY4epVJeW3yNXvl3Pl5gr5nvW_gVafWBQtB4G-boh_EwyHgDP2Ey8g7d8-yavCRzKy-B2hqbj5d_WWk6GOdwNK_cHCTUQWkpznrWchkGFIQh0m9H_Kj3bNLNRIDH2lhvo/s640/QTBN2v2-2013-01-22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quiver Trees by Night 2v2</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8zH_HCzAM5YzHRsWesX_9qzT2vqXxs2TIYa1ZCa6x2hA7KzYQ7BxyeosEQ-9TnQhaz-bEZEvXUtW2X3BVd-92qBCy-m-UHbPeDnAEESKPSVH1W3F7xm57b3M0UTUwMjW6V6pXvSKmQs/s1600/QTBN3-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8zH_HCzAM5YzHRsWesX_9qzT2vqXxs2TIYa1ZCa6x2hA7KzYQ7BxyeosEQ-9TnQhaz-bEZEvXUtW2X3BVd-92qBCy-m-UHbPeDnAEESKPSVH1W3F7xm57b3M0UTUwMjW6V6pXvSKmQs/s640/QTBN3-web.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quiver Trees by Night 3</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
You may choose if you want them signed (on the image, bottom right) or unsigned. Please do provide your full international mailing address. The watermark, of course, will not be printed.<br />
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<tr><td><input name="on0" type="hidden" value="Quiver Trees by Night 1, 2 & 3, 35x14cm metallic prints. $99" />Quiver Trees by Night 1, 2 & 3, 35x14cm metallic prints. $99</td></tr>
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<br />Florian Breuerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10470269408267432921noreply@blogger.com13