How I Took This Photo

On Hiatus

howitookthisphoto — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 02:21:14 +0000

Hi there. Just a quick not to let you know that this blog is currently on hiatus while I trek through Central Australia. I have set up a trip journal/blog here if you would like to join me on the trip. Take care dear reader.

Queenscliff, Victoria, Australia

howitookthisphoto — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 19:29:02 +0000

Details:

Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk II
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
Exposure: 13 exposures (2,1.66.-1.33,-1,.66,.33,0,.33,.66,+1,+1.33,+1.66+2 EV)
Aperture: f/18
Focal Length: 35mm
ISO Speed: 100
Accessories: Manfrotto 190XB Tripod, Manfrotto 322RC2 Heavy Duty Grip Ball Head, Canon RC1 Wireless Remote
Date and Time: 14 August 2009 4.29pm

Post Processing:

Imported into Lightroom
Exported 13 exposures to Photomatix
Tonemap generated HDR using detail enhancer option
Re-imported back into Lightroom
Sharpening in Lightroom
Added keyword metadata
Exported as JPEG

A Tribute to Snow Leopard

howitookthisphoto — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 13:03:30 +0000

Details:
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk II
Lens: Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM and Canon Extender EF 2x II
Exposure: 1/320 sec
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 385mm
ISO Speed: 2000
Accessories: N/A
Date and Time: 05 July 2009 09.36am

I Think I Can

howitookthisphoto — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:36:48 +0000

Details:

Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk II
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
Exposure: 13 exposures (2,1.66.-1.33,-1,.66,.33,0,.33,.66,+1,+1.33,+1.66+2 EV)
Aperture: f/18
Focal Length: 35 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Accessories: Expodisc, Manfrotto 190XB Tripod, Manfrotto 322RC2 Heavy Duty Grip Ball Head, Canon RC1 Wireless Remote
Date and Time: 14 August 2009 04.03pm

Post Processing:

Imported into Lightroom
Exported 13 exposures to Photomatix
Tonemap generated HDR using detail enhancer option
Re-imported back into Lightroom
Exported HDR and 0 EV exposure to CS3 and layered HDR on top of 0 EV
Brush tool to even out the sky
Curves layer for contrast
Hue/Saturation Layer (reds,greens,blues)
Noise reduction
Re-imported back into Lightroom
Dust removal in Lightroom
Sharpening in Lightroom
Added keyword metadata
Exported as JPEG

Great Otway National Park

howitookthisphoto — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 07:10:38 +0000

Details:

Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk II
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
Exposure: 13 exposures (2,1.66.-1.33,-1,.66,.33,0,.33,.66,+1,+1.33,+1.66+2 EV)
Aperture: f/18
Focal Length: 16 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Accessories: Expodisc, Manfrotto 190XB Tripod, Manfrotto 322RC2 Heavy Duty Grip Ball Head, Canon RC1 Wireless Remote
Date and Time: 09 August 2009 12.00pm

Post Processing:

Imported into Lightroom
Exported 13 exposures to Photomatix
Tonemap generated HDR using detail enhancer option
Re-imported back into Lightroom
Exported HDR and 0 EV exposure to CS3 and layered HDR on top of 0 EV
Brush tool to even out the contrast
Curves layer for contrast
Unsharp Mask
Re-imported back into Lightroom
Added keyword metadata
Exported as JPEG

Good Morning Starshine • Anglesea • Victoria

howitookthisphoto — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:11:47 +0000

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Details:

Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk II
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
Exposure: 13 exposures (2,1.66.-1.33,-1,.66,.33,0,.33,.66,+1,+1.33,+1.66+2 EV)
Aperture: f/18
Focal Length: 16 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Accessories: Manfrotto 190XB Tripod, Manfrotto 322RC2 Heavy Duty Grip Ball Head, Canon RC1 Wireless Remote
Date and Time: 01 August 2009 06.48am

Post Processing:

Imported into Lightroom
Exported 13 exposures to Photomatix
Tonemap generated HDR using detail enhancer option
Re-imported back into Lightroom
Exported HDR and 0 EV exposure to CS3 and layered HDR on top of 0 EV
Brush tool to even out the contrast
Curves layer for contrast
Magic Wand tool to select foreground
Unsharp Mask on selection
Re-imported back into Lightroom
Added keyword metadata
Exported as JPEG

Erskine Falls • Victoria • Australia

howitookthisphoto — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 06:11:38 +0000

Click on this link to buy

From the Visit Victoria website:

An 8.5 kilometre drive from Lorne on the Erskine Falls Road, this is one of the most popular falls in the Otways. An easy walk brings you to an overlook of the falls cascading 30 metres into a beautiful fern gully. Moderate walk down steps to base of falls.

Details:

Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk II
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
Exposure: 13 exposures (2,1.66.-1.33,-1,.66,.33,0,.33,.66,+1,+1.33,+1.66+2 EV)
Aperture: f/18
Focal Length: 16 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Accessories: Expodisc, Manfrotto 190XB Tripod, Manfrotto 322RC2 Heavy Duty Grip Ball Head, Canon RC1 Wireless Remote
Date and Time: 01 August 2009 12.00pm

Post Processing:

Imported into Lightroom
Exported 13 exposures to Photomatix
Tonemap generated HDR using detail enhancer option
Re-imported back into Lightroom
Exported HDR and 0 EV exposure to CS3 and layered HDR on top of 0 EV
Brush tool to even out the contrast
Curves layer for contrast
Unsharp Mask
Re-imported back into Lightroom
Added keyword metadata
Exported as JPEG

Point Addis • The Great Ocean Road • Victoria

howitookthisphoto — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 01:44:39 +0000

Click on photo or this link to buy

From the Parks Victoria site:

Rugged sandstone cliffs overlook the Point Addis Marine National Park that covers 4,600 hectares from the Victorian State limit at sea, along 10 kilometres of coastline between Anglesea and Jan Juc. This Marine National Park is representative of the central Victorian coastline and is exposed to the intense wave action that arrives on this coast largely from the southwest. The waves are a major part of this environment and shape the coastal landforms as well as the animals and plants that live in the area.

The Point Addis Marine National Park also includes the world famous Bells Beach, a beach noted for its waves and surfing. Bells Beach features as one site for international surf competitions including the annual Rip Curl Classic.

Offshore, there are a number of small rocky reefs including Ingoldsby Reef, a popular local diving destination.

Details:
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mk II
Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
Exposure: 3 exposures (-2,0,+2 EV)
Aperture: f/18
Focal Length: 25 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Accessories: Manfrotto 190XB Tripod, Manfrotto 322RC2 Heavy Duty Grip Ball Head, Canon RC1 Wireless Remote
Date and Time: 02 August 2009 6.29am

Post Processing:
Imported into Lightroom
Exported 3 exposures to Photomatix
Tonemap generated HDR using detail enhancer option
Re-imported back into Lightroom
Exported HDR and 0 EV exposure to CS3 and layered HDR on top of 0 EV
Brush tool to even out the sky
Curves layer for contrast
Quick selection tool to select sky and noise reduction filter on selection
Quick selection tool to select cliffs and foreground and unsharp mask filter on selection
Re-imported back into Lightroom
Chromatic aberration adjustment in Lightroom
Slightly cropped in Lightroom
Added keyword metadata
Exported as JPEG

Today’s Special

howitookthisphoto — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 19:37:23 +0000

Frank and I came to Anglesea for the weekend to take lots of photos. We got up early and caught this beautiful sunrise. Even though I’m still having my sabbatical, I just had to share this one with you guys. This is Frank’s photo of me taking the above shot…

Exhibition Fountain • Melbourne • Victoria

howitookthisphoto — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 07:22:59 +0000

Hi everyone. I’ve decided to take a small break from updating this blog because I have some things to attend to before we start our trek through central Australia in September.

I’d particularly like to say thanks for all of your support and comments. No doubt I will do the occasional upload during this break but it won’t be anywhere near as much as I have in the past. I’ll be back online properly in September and I hope you’ll come along and join me on our journey to Uluru, Alice Springs and Central Australia.