[kurt budliger]

I’d be surprised to see one before next year.

[kurt budliger]

I’ve been using it for a year or so.

[kurt budliger]

“I guess the point is, one of the very first things I learned about the photography business when I began to research it is that the standard is there is no standard – only a variety of possibilities that you can pick and choose from to you, and your customer’s satisfaction.”

Kendal hit the nail squarely in my opinion.

[kurt budliger]

“…or leaving your camera at home because the lights going to less than great?”

[kurt budliger]

All of those fish are pretty sick but damn that brownie of yours is absolutely one of nicest fish I’ve ever seen.

[kurt budliger]

Try not to get too hung up on buying filters, they won’t necessarily improve your photography (in fact they can make it worse).

[kurt budliger]

Guess you have to be careful taking a piss overboard

[kurt budliger]

Filters vs. Software for dynamic range seems to have replaced the jpeg vs raw debate and before that the film vs. digital debate.   😉

I find I’m using a mix of methods in my shooting, sometimes finding a two or three exposure blend (not into using the hdr merge software) just the ticket while other times balancing the scene with a 2 or 3 stop grad.  It really depends on the scene, the dynamic range, composition and my general mood.  I find I go for the blend option when the horizon is not uniformly level, like in Graham’s example.  

The trick for me in achieving a look that’s not hdrish is to layer the exposures in Photoshop, apply layer mask(s) and gradually paint (ie multiple passes) in the areas I want using a relatively large, soft edge brush with a reduced opacity.  If it’s a sky I’m adding I’ll make the brush quite large and go over the entire area with one big swipe at an opacity of 30%, not worrying if I hit the horizon (soft edge brush critical).  Then I’ll reduce the size of the brush and paint some more, all the while adjusting the opacity, usually down until I’ve got the exposure I want with no signs of the blend.  It takes some practice but can be done pretty quickly on most images.

2 stop grad

Hand blended using the above technique from two exposures

Hand blended

Hand blended

2 stop grad

Which technique do you think I used on this one?

And this one?

[kurt budliger]

Very nice, gotta get out there one of these days.

[kurt budliger]

Try to grab a used 70-200 f2.8 IS as folks upgrade to the mark II version.

[kurt budliger]

Thanks guys, I’ll probably grab it if it’s not already gone.

[kurt budliger]

Great looking boat Mickey!

[kurt budliger]

Definitely a birthday issue if you ask me, I’ve got a few of those starting to wreak havoc.

[kurt budliger]

Ya know I definitely get nostalgic for film, just not Kodachrome.

[kurt budliger]

Thanks guys!

Yeah Neal, I want to go back now.  

Corey, the grayling were amazing.  We caught multiple fish in the 17-18 inch range (measured) and according to my friend (who worked for blm doing grayling research) those fish could easily be 12-15 years old.

Tim, I’m jealous.

[kurt budliger]

David, I’m not sure what your complaint about LRs file management is all about.

[kurt budliger]

Having so much fun watching the matches this year.

[kurt budliger]

Good work Ben and thanks for the update!

[kurt budliger]

Woah, that link makes my brain hurt this early in the morning Zack.

Here’s a good one as it specifically relates to this discussion

http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/technical/digitaldof.html

[kurt budliger]

Awesome place to fish Seth, you’ll love it.

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