2. September 2010 by Friedhelm.

This is a prime example how important it is to wait for the right light. An hour earlier this image would have looked flat and totally boring. At the end of the day there was just enough light to illuminate the roots. The creek on the left is totally in the dark. When you are photographing in a park, forest, zoo or any other place it always pays off to come back a couple hours later and observe how the light changes your subject.

Enjoy and happy photographing!

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24. August 2010 by Friedhelm.

These trees already look amazing  from a distance but they are absolutely stunning when you stand right in front of them. Try to determine their age by counting the annual rings in the bark. Consider their size when Rome was founded or Columbus discovered America. One thing I know for sure. I will have to come back even it is a bout six hours to drive from my home to get there.

Camera setting: 84mm focal length, f11, 1/25 sec., ISO 100, tripod mounted.

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23. August 2010 by Friedhelm.

When you arrive at Bristlecone Park and see these ancient trees for the first time you are feeling a sense of “awe.” These trees needed certain conditions to survive and thrive over such a long time. I learned that they needed alkaline soil and harsh weather condition combined with an altitude of more than 10,000 feet. Camera setting: 98mm focal length, f11, 1/100sec., ISO 100, tripod mounted.

Enjoy and have a great photographic week!

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13. August 2010 by David.

Back to the first part of my vacation we visited Olmstead Point in Yosemite on the way to Bodie and Mono Lake.

I like this photograph for a number of reasons. The cracks on the granite face lead you up to the smaller rock and then to the tree against a very blue sky. Hopefully your eye stops there and doesn’t wander off the page, but returns to take in the whole scene.

1/200sec at F13, 60mm, ISO 250 (not sure why!), polarizing filter, handheld

Keep clicking

Dave

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29. July 2010 by Friedhelm.

I photographed the remains of this pine tree that Ansel Adams photographed in 1940 on top of Sentinel Dome. If you would like to see the Ansel Adams image, please follow the following link: http://www.photocollect.com/homepage/dirchoice.html

When I climbed the Sentinel Dome the visibility was quite limited due to air pollution. Therefore I decided to concentrate more on close-up shots than on panoramic images. I wonder what the air pollution is doing to this magnificent park and I hope that future generations will be able to enjoy the park as much as I do.

Camera setting: 23mm focal length, f22, 1/3sec., ND filter, tripod mounted

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23. July 2010 by David.

While the area around Chowchilla, Ca. is known for almonds and dairy there’s a lot more going on here than that.

The stone fruit season is in full swing and these peaches will soon be in a grocery store or canner.  Hopefully in a couple of years I’ll be able to take this photograph in my own back yard. I planted a couple of fruit trees earlier in the year.

f5.6 at 1/5th sec., 85mm, iso200

Keep clicking,

Dave

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21. July 2010 by Friedhelm.

There are great hikes through Muir Woods. On one of them I saw a group of trees together basically forming a “V” shape. This was the perfect shot for me. Camera setting: 104mm focal length, f8, o.3sec., ISO 100, tripod mounted.

Enjoy!

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12. July 2010 by Friedhelm.

Trees are fascinating to me and when ever I am walking I observe the trees. This tree I discovered in San Francisco. The light bark formed an incredible contrast to the dark leaves. Since the camera sees light different than the human eye I had either to bracket the and shoot for a HDR or I had to find a way to balance the light. I opted for balancing and in camera raw editing I applied a graduated filter on the bottom of the image. Camera setting: 24mm focal length (full frame camera), f11, 1/4sec., ISO 100, tripod mounted.

Enjoy and have a great photographic week!

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6. July 2010 by Friedhelm.

The tall Redwood Trees in northern California are just magnificent. It is just too bad that about 97% of these beautiful trees were cut down. It is beyond me to imagine what human greed can destroy. I love photography because it is creative and not destructive!

Enjoy!

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25. June 2010 by Friedhelm.

It rained last night. This is highly unlikely in June in Central California. The rain cleaned the air and I got out photographing at 6:00 AM. This is the first shot I got into my camera.

Enjoy and happy Friday!

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