Uploads from oracle11g

Mesquite Sand Dunes and Clouds - Death Valley NP

nobody@flickr.com (oracle11g) — Sat, 09 Mar 2013 12:59:24 -0800

oracle11g posted a photo:

This is one of those images I wanted to make it as eye catching as possible without being way over the top...and I hope I've done so. Please comment if you can because I'm not sure if I've achieved it.

As usual, please view in Full Screen.

Three Brothers Merced River - Yosemite National Park

nobody@flickr.com (oracle11g) — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 15:25:51 -0800

oracle11g posted a photo:

It could have been named “The Six Brothers” due to the additional three in the reflection.

This was a cold morning in Feb 2013, the spot that I stood to take this image, was pretty much a perfect spot, with the foreground including the snow and some brown grass.

Also, the pointed piece of snow in the foreground points straight to the Three Brothers...if you happen to notice that.

The image was a composition of 8 images merged as a pano. However, the part of the left was cropped out because it seems to be out of place. Before the merge of all of these images, each individual image was also adjusted in Ligthroom for exposures, distortion, etc… Once the whole image was merged, it was adjusted for wide angle distortion in CS6, using the Filter –> Adaptive Wide Angle…which is a godsend that fixed 90% of the distortion issue. I only had to use a little bit of Puppet Wrap to fix some bent trees…

My intention is to convey the atmosphere of this scene as accurately as possible, however, nothing is like being there seeing the reflection of these rocks in the river on a brisk morning. How many images of the same places in Yosemite that we all have seen from different photographers? Yosemite is a natural wonder that one has not ceased to see the same things differently every time that one visits this NP. I will continue to go back to this NP year after year because there are so many places in this NP that I could spend years to explore and still not be able to see everything in every situation!

One note: After having a couple of my Gitzo Tripos legs situated in the Merced River water, I did retract then extend it in the frigid weather a few times, after I was done taking photograph, these last sections could not be retracted because the water had frozen inside the upper tubes. However, after 15 minutes inside the car, it works perfectly again. One thing certain, I am glad that I had spent more money on the Gitzo tripod and the Arca Swiss ball head! These 2 items are the best things that any landscape photographer must have. This has surely saved me some money in the long run because I had bought other brands, I would have spent money again to get these or something else! I also have a Markin ball head, even though it is less expensive and works OK, but it is not compared to the Arca Swiss Z1 that I have in terms of the way it operates and how it feels when I use it.

Please view this image in full screen mode for better viewing experience. Thanks!

Early Morning Walk in Mesquite Dunes - Death Valley National Park

nobody@flickr.com (oracle11g) — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:23:48 -0800

oracle11g posted a photo:

Often, when you see images of these dunes, you’d see a perfectly formed sand ripples, but you don’t see it here in my image and I hope I don't disappoint you. Well, I did try to get up early in darkness before sunrise, with my own assurance that I would be the first to be there. To my surprise, there had been other people with flash lights walking way far ahead of me! OK, even if I did not get the best looking sand dunes that day, however, I did get one of the best sunrise as a consolation prize. In this image, I tried to convey the glow of the colorful sunrise upon the sands near the camera and also the glow on the sand dunes in the far left, and I also tried to keep the image as realistic as possible.

Please see this in full screen, it does look better, guarantee! Thanks!

Edge of Vernal Fall - Yosemite NP

nobody@flickr.com (oracle11g) — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 12:58:30 -0800

oracle11g posted a photo:

If you've gone up to the top of Vernal Fall, you'd know the perspective presented by this image. This was taken with 2 legs of the tripod situated outside of the metal rail, next to the edge of this fall. A scary sight to be sure, however, in order to avoid including the metal rail with it, this had to be done. Also, the image seems to be cut off at the bottom left, however, it was not possible to capture that part unless I step out into the stream itself...something that NOT worth any life! You've heard about people felt into this fall and not found afterward every year so this is NOT a place to be taken lightly.

The image was taken was almost around sunset...with a light ray shining from the other side of the mountain face, to the right of the fall, with also some cold clouds/fog hoovering on top and bottom of the valley below. Also this was one of the most interesting and fun hike that I've taken, albeit there was some danger lurking due to the small stone steps that were slicked with the fall's mists. You can still see the narrow trail to the bottom left of this image, leading to this area. I might do it again someday and go further to the other falls if opportunity arises.

As usual, please view with full screen, or you can see the original image at my site:
bpham.com/places/edge-of-vernal-fall-yosemite-national-park/

Thank you.

Monument Valley - Site #9

nobody@flickr.com (oracle11g) — Sun, 09 Dec 2012 11:03:16 -0800

oracle11g posted a photo:

This is called Site #9 in the map of the Monument Valley Area. To me, this would be my #2 site to go to for photography after the Mittens. This image was taken about 40 minutes before sunset. You might want to come here for sunrise, the light would be on the other side, which might be very interesting and better.

The couple in this image contributed to the scale of this area. Where I stood to take the image, was the end of this short trail and this is a 4 image vertical pano.

I don't think this image conveys the vastness and awesomeness of this scene. In addition to some breeze and chill I felt at that time, which created the sense of awestruck in me. Totally awesome!

I elected to leave the image non-cropped to the right just to convey the sense of space.

Thanks for viewing.

Burr Trail Slot - Escanlante National Momument

nobody@flickr.com (oracle11g) — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 21:31:30 -0800

oracle11g posted a photo:

This slot canyon is a rare find. I just happened to talk to one of the locals who had used this slot to get married recently. This slot is not visible or detectable from the road unless someone specifically told you where and how to spot it. Pictures can't describe what I saw there during that time, however, I've tried to recreate the feel of what I remembered through this image. If you can spend a few seconds to observe the lighting and shadow, and the scale of this slot (with my wife as the model...:) ), you'll probably have the feel of being there.

As usual, please view this image in full screen if you can. Thanks.

Capital Reef National Park - Sunrise Light

nobody@flickr.com (oracle11g) — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 15:14:11 -0800

oracle11g posted a photo:

This image is a serendipity. Usually when I go to a place, especially where I did not know what, where, when to go, I get up early before sunrise, drive around, and see any opportunity for any photography, I stop, take some photos, then drive along the route and repeat.

This was taken after I’d done so, driving back to my motel….and then, WOW…the light was there, shining on the trees along the road in front of the park Visitor center. Picture can’t describe what I saw and felt at that time, the only thing I was able to do was to run from my car, with the camera and tripod, quickly setting up the gear and started to take pictures furiously…and hoped for the best. I've tried to replicate the lighting of what I saw there to the best of my memory.

Capital Reef is one of those areas whereby not too popular with photographers, due to less exposure and popularity. However, I can tell you that if I was able to stay longer than 1 day, I would have been doing a lot of exploration. The great thing about it when I was there was all the trees having turned yellowy and was just beautiful sights to see. That alone is worth the trip itself, regardless of getting any images or not.

The only thing that I wish is the sun ray would also be more on top of the "Cathedral" rocks on the left, however, I'm pretty sure that if I had waited for that light, then the lighting on the row of trees on the bottom would be gone as well....can't win them all.

Oh, BTW, this has nothing to do with this image, but I just found out that Firefox 16.0.2 version has color managed profile supports by default, so I don't believe that you have to turn that feature on anymore to view any images with ICC profile embedded as all of my images have.

As usual, please see this full screen, which does make a big difference. Thanks!

Devils Garden Arch - Escalante National Monument

nobody@flickr.com (oracle11g) — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 00:27:01 -0800

oracle11g posted a photo:

Sun finally broke thru the clouds in the overcast morning, with some glows on the rocks, which only happened for a couple minutes and then disappeared.

Hole In the Rock Slot Canyon - Grand Staircase-Escalante

nobody@flickr.com (oracle11g) — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 20:15:18 -0800

oracle11g posted a photo:

In order to reach this slot, look for Peek-a-boo Gulch since this slot is right next to it. Hikers should drive the 26 miles down the Hole-in-the-Rock Road off of Highway 12, until they find the Dry Fork Road, make the left. Once reach a fork, make a left again, go to the end, park at the turn-around parking lot. Follow the trail to the right down to the slots at the bottom. The first slot on the left is this one.

Notice the grey color powder covering the bottom of the slot. That is the water level in the slot during the rainy season...so it is not a good idea to hike in this area during that season.

Four wheel drive vehicles are recommended since the road is quite rough and would destroy your regular car's suspension if you do. Also, hiking down seems to be easier than going backup so make sure that you're ready and in good health before going. I did have a hard time getting back up...really getting old :).

Please use Firefox to view this image in full screen mode to see the subtle light and shadow. For some reason, Google Chrome really exaggerates the image as if it was overly sharpen and as the result, makes it look differently than what I intended.

Thanks for viewing.

Monument Mittens After Sunset

nobody@flickr.com (oracle11g) — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 11:47:05 -0800

oracle11g posted a photo:

This view was from top of the hill, at the The View Motel parking lot. This was taken right after the other image, which was taken down there at one of the parking next to the road during sunset. For this one, the light was quite even and therefore the whole image had the glow with no hot spots or shadow.

If you notice the road down below, which takes you around the whole area. I strongly recommend that you have either a truck or 4x4 SUV to get down there, unless you don't really care about your car. The dirt road is a challenge for regular passenger cars to say the least.

For more information of tips of where to go there, you can visit my website for more details.

Please view this in full screen mode.

Thanks for viewing.

Monument Valley Sunset

nobody@flickr.com (oracle11g) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:29:22 -0800

oracle11g posted a photo:

Just came back from a 7 day trip around Sedona, Momument Valley, Capital Reef National Park, Escalante National Monument, an exhaustive trip for sure, with lots of driving, hiking, eating hamburgers, potato chips, etc...but for sure this was very enjoyable. This image is the first image that I've processed. There will more coming in the next weeks.

I will write a detailed trip itinerary later on, on my website, about where I went, stayed and ate...with the purpose to help someone who wants to do similar trips to these areas in a few days...a quick hit and run kind of things. For sure, you'd need a 4x4 to access these areas, a rental car would be best, however, it was my own car that I used :(

Please view this in full screen mode...

Thanks for viewing.

Upper Wahkeena Falls - Portland, Oregon

nobody@flickr.com (oracle11g) — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 20:30:15 -0700

oracle11g posted a photo:

This fall actually concluded my trip to Portland, Oregon, when from this fall, I had to drive back to the airport to catch the fly back to California within 3 hours. This is my most enjoyable trip by far...5 days in multiple locations, with driving taking up to 8-10 hours some day. However, when the sceneries along the highways were as beautiful as these, I would not mind at all. Hope you've enjoyed these images of Oregon. I know that there are so many other unexplored places that I will have future opportunities to come back to.

Thanks.

Ecola State Park - Oregon

nobody@flickr.com (oracle11g) — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 23:08:57 -0700

oracle11g posted a photo:

This was one of the best parks to visit if you come to Cannon, Oregon. At the far distance, you could see the Haystack Rock. Wish that I was able to stay here for one more day.

The overcast and foggy day added to the mood of this image of which I'd been longing to capture for a while.

You may be able to see more subtle details and gradation of gray scale if seeing this in full screen.

Thanks.

Water Motion - Cannon Beach, Oregon

nobody@flickr.com (oracle11g) — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 10:00:29 -0700

oracle11g posted a photo:

Waves brought water very close to where I stood, and an interesting motion of water and sand ensued. This image concentrated on the water/sand motion that leads the eyes back to the Haystack Rocks.

Morning Jog - Cannon Beach Oregon

nobody@flickr.com (oracle11g) — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 22:50:36 -0700

oracle11g posted a photo:

Expected a glorious sunrise morning, however, it was really foggy morning. Fog was so thick that the whole area was foggy and dark, even the sun ray was not able to cut through. However, even though it was not what I expected, some of the images turned out to be better than I had hoped for. In other words, I do love the atmospheric that this condition gave me, or I tried to make the best of what I was given? You could still see a bit of the sunrise colors bled thru the fog from behind me.

Please view this one in full screen mode for better result. Thank you.

Crater Lake Morning Sun, Oregon US

nobody@flickr.com (oracle11g) — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 16:08:15 -0700

oracle11g posted a photo:

Wish that there was some morning breeze that came with this picture....no amount of pixels can express the real experiences that I felt when being there, taking pictures. It was pretty cold, some breeze...the sun was just coming up to the left, shining its ray to the mountains to the right. The clouds' reflection could be seen in the water. Peaceful, calm and just breathtaking....Intentionally I wanted to get the sun star, and It was a clean one without the usual dreaded glare.

Suggestion: I was at this spot both for sunset and sunrise...I think the sunrise is much better, however, you'd probably want to do both, since maybe when I was there, that was the one day condition thing...just a suggestion if you can't come to both times.

Hope you'll enjoy this one. Please view it full screen, which will give you a better feeling of being there standing next to the edge...which actually gave me butterfly in my stomach :)

Also, you can go to my website to see the exposures and gears that I used for this image.

Sunset and Fog at Crater Lake, Oregon

nobody@flickr.com (oracle11g) — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 19:55:35 -0700

oracle11g posted a photo:

Love the layers of mountain range sandwiched between the layers of fog...

Smith Rocks before Sunset, Bend Oregon

nobody@flickr.com (oracle11g) — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 18:17:49 -0700

oracle11g posted a photo:

This image was taken before the other image that I posted previously. It was a difficult image to process since the contrast was a bit of a challenge. It is also a bit busy, but I think there are lots of details in the image that are worth letting your eyes wondering around. Took me a while to get to this point where it is probably acceptable. Hope you'll enjoy it as I do. Thanks.

Shepperds Dell Fall - Portland, Oregon

nobody@flickr.com (oracle11g) — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 21:47:27 -0700

oracle11g posted a photo:

An obscured location, not obvious from the road, but this place was mostly filled with yellow leaves...pictures can't describe what I saw there.

Multnomah Falls - Portland, Oregon

nobody@flickr.com (oracle11g) — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 21:41:06 -0700

oracle11g posted a photo:

One of the iconic falls in Portland, this was taken at the entrance of the trail to the bridge above. There were some yellow foliages around the areas...That day was overcast and was good for photography, I was lucky to be there that day.