Summer?
Seriously. Of course work had something to do with it, but it’s the opening day of bird season already!
Since I’m short on time sitting in a hotel room in the Florida Keys and avoiding much more important web related activities; here is a short photo summary of the 3.5 weeks I had of a U.P. summer. Short as it was, I enjoyed every last breath of fresh air and each opportunity to sleep in a tent, play my guitar and spend priceless time with friends.
Returning back to the U.P. in August, I was hard pressed to think I could swing in UPO2011, let alone find time to camp with friends. I got lucky and was able to stay home for a couple extra weeks. Didn’t waste a tick of time either- getting outside and on the water, fishing on the mind and good weather to boot.
Dana Lake Morning
We spent a good weekend at one of my favorite spots, and the weather couldn’t have been better. Catching craw-dads (err.. crayfish…) for the sole purpose of frightening 3 little girls was the call of the day. They weren’t, however, too darn scared. Mornings here must be what perfect was planned after. Fog rolling around, up and across the water, sunshine and it’s warm early. TJ had a bright idea to treat us to a night cap with some Jim in it. Still, without fail and striking a new term to define being a badass (I’ll explain that some other time), George visited my screen door too damned early, eager to fish. George was having a moment, and in short order was making waves.. or was he??
George debating whether to fish or return to the tent!
Of course what sharing of photos would be complete without a sunset? While trying not to cause a ruckus during one of Alyssa Summers’ Yoga classes (hey, I was there to take pics), I snagged this shot looking west just as the class was ending.
Sunset during a Munising Yoga Session
I think the month I was home set the record for ‘random invites’. TJ was called up for a maintenance trip out to the North Light on Grand Island, and while there I didn’t mind taking photos of the 1974 FJ40 they use. Bought new in Marquette (in 1974 for anyone who missed the obvious), the 40K miles on the rig are 99% island made. The story of the family and their time on the island isn’t even blog material, it’s full-on book material. Maybe one day I’ll get to talk with them more. I was a bit overwhelmed by the background and history, and was only there for 2 hours.
Grand Island North Light FJ40
Adding to random invites, my crazy ass cousin invited me along to fish for salmon that were (oh, how did he put it).. “leaping from the lake, eating everything in sight, practically jumping in boats!!!”… Ok, not quite the quote, but that’s how he sold me on the trip. Had nothing to do with the idea of an epic sunrise, flat Lake Michigan waters and being on a boat with good friends 
I’ll admit to having the closest fish pole next to me receive the only bite of the day, but it was too damn early to catch fish and it simply got away. (end of story, Brad). The sunrise and the lighthouse made for the perfect summer morning photo (in my opinion, or course)
Manistique Lighthouse @ Sunrise
I’m tellin’ ya.. there’s something about watching the sun come up and watching the sun set in the same day that invites optimism into your day and allows it to run on 93 octane. (even if you’re a mouth-breather). I’m not a morning guy but each and every time I am up early I enjoy the hell out of it. Reckon I’ll do that a bit more & more.
High Rock Bay Sunrise during UPO2011
The UPO2011 trip was fantastic (oh come on, you know you liked it too…) and went by way too fast. I know we have some changes coming down the line, red tape has found us and our resolve will likely need some support for 2012. I hope the good times of the last 4 years can continue to be shared with old and new friends. I met some new friends this year, talented friends, and am looking forward to.. well, whatever we end up doing together. Time will tell.
Joe in the CJ on Gay Beach during UPO2011
Often, one image will remind me of so many things. This is that image. My good friend Steve and his son Kevin were gracious enough to invite me to tag along with life-long friends for a pontoon waddle along the PRNL. This picture captured that day for me, and makes me appreciate meeting a mentor and photographic optimist, the type of friend that you don’t get to meet but few in a lifetime.
A Cliff & A Cove
I can’t think of any other way to put it other than the best time I’ve had on Lake Superior since the days fishing with my Grandfather. Making memories and bringing good ones back… something about that that words can’t cover.
Doesn’t seem like much of a summer to look at but a half a dozen images. I tell you what, it was good. I appreciate my friends. There was thought about including many of the good times with friends in this blog, but I’m not going to do that. We had a lot of good fun, and you know who you are. I think of the time spent on Facebook or idle on my butt and imagine that even more good fun could be had if I got back to the basics. There’s a plan.
Not even 4 weeks of summer… but it was freaking awesome. I gotta get back to work.
Take a picture,
Tom
HDR Photo Processing
If you’ve spent even a small amount of time online looking at photos, you’ve likely stumbled across vibrant, almost 3d looking photos and figured out that you were looking at HDR Photography.
I’m not really interested in writing about HDR, whether I like it, hate it, etc, etc. I just wanted to give a quick blog that talks about how I process most of my HDR photos.
My process is actually quite simple, and I wish I had looked at doing HDR a few years ago.
Here’s how I do it:
Start by shooting RAW files in your DSLR.
Download the image to your computer. (I use a Mac, FYI).
Open the RAW file in Aperture. In Aperture, adjust the exposure to 1.00 and export the file to your desktop. Next, adjust another version to -1.00 and export that file to your desktop.
From here, I use Photomatix Pro and load the 3 bracketed image files. Select the +1, -1 and original exposures into Photomatix Pro. When you start messing around with this software you’ll find that you can do images that are way over the top, or quite subtle in processing. It’s your art, so I say do what you like. When you’re done messing with the pre-set options, as well as the manual adjustments, you simply process the HDR and save it to your desktop. It’s that easy.
File Examples:
Original Exposure
-1.00 File Exposure
+1.00 File Exposure
And a lightly processed HDR file of the 3 above files run through Photomatix Pro:
HDR Processing
By no means am I a pro at HDR, or even photography. I do enjoy the seemingly limitless possibilities to mess around with Digital Photography. If you have a process that is different, or some constructive criticisms, I’d be happy to hear them. Worth noting here is that in order to create an HDR of this image, I had to use the above process vs. bracketing in AEB on my Canon. Moving objects don’t stay put too well for 3 identical exposures
You can see some other HDR shots I’ve done in my HDR Album on Smugmug. If you’d rather view them in Facebook, here you go.
Oh, by the way, there’s an APP for this. (as if you didn’t know that already!)
