31. December 2009 by Friedhelm.

Yesterday I was photographing in and around Carmel, CA. Like Yosemite National Park the California Coast is always fascinating.  Great photographers, like Ansel Adams in Yosemite and Edward Weston on the coast, have created here their images. It is a great privilege to see and photograph the places where they have worked.

I photographed this image last night after the sunset. The deep red colors in contrast to the blue ocean and clouds intrigued me. I used a 200mm lens. My camera setting: f16, 1/4sec., ISO 400.

Enjoy and have a happy New Year!

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30. December 2009 by Friedhelm.

We have a special connection to the Chape in Yosemite Valley since we got married there. When we arrived the snow storm was on the peak. I had to take a few quick shots to take my camera from the wet snow. Camera setting: f8, 1/60 sec., ISO 100.

Enjoy!

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29. December 2009 by Friedhelm.

We were walking around Jack London Square when this window front caught my attention.It was almost dark and a tripod was needed to take this shot. Camera setting: f4, 1/20sec., ISO 100.

Enjoy

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28. December 2009 by Friedhelm.

Currently I am reading Harald Mante’s book “The Photograph.” Harald Mante systematically describes the elements of design and he starts with the point ant it’s impact on the composition. I photographed a candle on my lightbox. Using Photoshop I enlarged the background while at the same time I shrunk the candle. Mante is right, despite the fact that my subject (the candle) has become a point in a larger frame it is still the focal point and my eyes are automatically drawn to it.

Enjoy and read a photography book to get inspired!

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27. December 2009 by David.

Last week when I went to Yosemite I visited one of my favorite spots. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. It was so beautiful here I didn’t have to make any adjustments to the photograph. Oh by the way, I’m heading up there again today. If I get up early enough.

F10, 1/50sec, 28mm, ISO 200

Keep clicking

Dave

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25. December 2009 by David.

I took a trip up to Yosemite last weekend. At my first stop I noticed a Christmas ornament in the back of my truck that had fallen off a decorated tree I had transported. I stuck it in my vest and used it as a prop in some of my photographs.

I like this particular one because of how the snag mimics the line of Half Dome in the background. I added the ornament in a ‘what the heck’ moment. Kinda like the effect.

F8, 1/200sec, 100mm @ISO100

Keep clicking and Merry Christmas

Dave

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25. December 2009 by Friedhelm.

We finished our trip to the Bay area at Jack London Square. The sunset was spectacular and I tried to catch the effects of the sun rays on the water fountain. Somehow this image reminded me of Christmas. Jesus was born in a small village centuries ago and the effects are visible until today. I hope the gifts we give and receive today brighten up the day and making us thankful.Camera setting: 24-105 lens@45mm, f18, 1/30sec., ISO 100, tripod mounted.

Enjoy!

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24. December 2009 by Friedhelm.

We had to get out of town yesterday and we decided to go to San Francisco for the most part of the day. My family went shopping and I had several hours time to wander around Market street and to photograph. I took a picture of the the incredible architecture that I admired in the shopping mall.  I wondered about how the homeless person will experience the Holidays in front of a 60% sale sign and I visited St. Patrick’s church for a moment of silence where I photographed the nativity display.

All three image are somehow an expression of Christmas for me. Enjoy and have a great day!

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23. December 2009 by Friedhelm.

The days before Christmas are usually pretty stressful, at least for me. While I was cleaning the house yesterday I saw our big cat laying relaxed on our bed. I decided to grab the camera and take a few shots. I used a 200mm prime lens and a tripod since the curtains were partially closed and I did not want to use a flash. The cat just opened the left eye a little bit and let me shoot. She was relaxed. Somehow this image spoke to me: It is important to concentrate on important things and don’t sweat the small stuff.

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22. December 2009 by Friedhelm.

After the rain fog usually sets in. The high moisture forms wonderful raindrops at plants and spider webs. I discovered this larger raindrop on a rose stem surrounded by many tiny raindrops. I used an old 55mm M42 Chinon lens and extension tubes to get this shot. I had to get close to the drops and I had to be very careful not to touch them and not to create a small air wave which would have destroyed the drops.

Enjoy!

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