Quick Pics

A few quick pics from this week.

Sunflower with a busy bee - Leica D-Lux 4

Abstract Sculpture - Leica D-Lux 4 - Adobe CS5 and Topaz Labs-Detail-2

Scratching a Itch - Leica D-Lux4 - Nik Software Color Efex Pro

First shot with Pentax Optio W90 that I just purchased to use in the pool. No raw just jpg but a very robust, waterproof to 20 feet and shockproof to boot. Very useful when you have little ones around who want to take pictures too.

Pillar Point Harbor

A gorgeous summer day on the Northern California Coast - A visit to Pillar Point Harbor, Princeton by the Sea. A lovely lunch, good company and some pictures, a perfect day. All photographs were taken with the Leica M-9 and post processed using Adobe Lightroom 3.0.

Looking through the harbor docks towards the breakwater.

The breakwater provides a nice place for visiting boats to anchor.

Here is a video slide show highlighting some of the pictures taken on this day. They were prepared in Adobe Lightroom 3.0 slide show module. If you are using a computer with out flash support or a Apple I-Pad and would like to see the video click here.

Contrasting Light

More Leica D-Lux-4 pictures taken the week of August 8-14th. Starting with these roses taken through some trees as I peered into this hidden garden. The image was captured with a manual exposure setting of -1 and 2/3. I used this setting so that the light coming off the flowers would not be blown out and to enhance the darkness behind the flowers. Processed using Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Photoshop CS5.

A old sink that had been discarded beside the road. The sink is highlighted by the filtered light coming through some trees and rust in contrast to the original color.

A peaceful creek setting taken mid day again I used a manual exposure setting of -1.0.

I located this lizard lounging on the bank of a pond and slowly got close enough to get this shot without disturbing him. I try not to disturb wildlife when taking pictures if at all possible.

Here are a few black and white photographs that were processed using Silver Efex Pro. The highlights in the boys hair where heightened using Color Efex Pro 3 and applying the Glamour Glow Filter.

A pond scene with the dark water contrasted by the sun drenched foliage, make for a interesting picture with reflections highlighting the water.

Dark to light gives depth to this picture as the strong light at the rear of this picture draws ones eyes from the front to the rear. I metered on the subjects face and shirt and it worked out well.

Using Light

Today's pictures were taken with the Leica D-Lux 4 and concentrates on light and how it impacts your pictures.

This flower picture was taken in program mode at minus 2 exposure. The result is that the flower itself that was strongly over exposed compared to the background is now properly exposed and the background is under exposed and the results are what I was visualizing when I took it.

I this picture the available light was bright sunlight that was filtered through the trees and nicely highlighted these leaves. The details in the leaves were brought out with Topaz Labs Detail 2.

This picture was taken in extreme lighting conditions and then processed with Nik Software Color Effects Pro. I used the glamor glow filter to accentuated the warm colors and darken the background for further contrast in the image. The way the light fell on this fern again called for under exposing the photo by -2 1/3 so that I didn't blowout the highlights.

This last picture of a boy and his dog works well in black and white as well as color. The strong contrast of light coming through the trees and reflecting off of the leaves help make this picture work. Photo was processed in Nik Software Silver Efex Pro.

17 Mile Drive

More pictures from the Monterey Bay Area featuring the 17 mile drive that winds through Pebble Beach to Carmel. All photos were taken with the Leica M-9 with the 90mm Elmarit 2.8 and processed with Adobe Lightroom 3.0, Nik and Topaz plug-ins.
In this first picture you see one of the world famous Cypress trees at  Cypress Point. The skies where overcast and the ocean calm which is common for early summer.

A lone fisherman on the colorful rocks, Pebble Beach.

Who is watching who? I love this picture with the young lady taking a picture of the chipmunk as another one is checking out her pocket for some goodies.

Looking over the side of the cliff down at the blue water.

On the beach the remains of a seal, just skin and a few bones are left.

Looking south from Cypress Point towards Big Sur.

A rocky beach between Pebble Beach and Carmel.

Looking down through a Cypress tree to the rocks and ocean below.

A last look at a Cypress tree which almost growing out of the rocks.

Moss Landing

We took a drive down the California coast on Wednesday and here are some of the images I took. All were taken with the Leica M-9 using the Elmarit-M 90mm 2.8 lens. Today's pictures are from a quick stop at the working harbor of Moss Landing. Starting with this interesting view of the smoke stacks of the local cement factory taken from across the Moss Landing harbor.

Processed with Adobe Lightroom 3.0 and Viveza 2.

Working fishing boats sharing the harbor with small sailboats.

Point Lobos a local location and the name of this boat, they do lots of whale watching from this harbor.

This is where the fish are processed and sold. Note the Pelican perched on the processing equipment watching and waiting for a handout.

A working boat docked and ready for tomorrow.

As you may have guessed all of the photos were taken on a dreary overcast morning, not that unusual for this time of year. Next stop is the famous 17 mile drive.

Contrasting Elements

A few interesting pictures taken with the Leica D-Lux 4.

1940's Chevy truck sitting out in the open air waiting for service. This photo was taken at a local garage that has a interesting client base. On any day you may see everything from a new Bentley to a vintage Ferrari. In this picture the brightness of the chrome grill is what caught my eye and is in complete contrast to the dirty windshield and faded paint.

Close up of the grill converted to black and white using Nik Software Silver Efex Pro. The reflections off the grill really jumps out at you.

Going back to nature a overgrown garden cart with strong filtered light highlighting the leaves and spokes of the wheel. You never know where you may find a interesting photo opportunity. That is one of the reasons I try to carry a camera with me. The D-Lux 4 is great for throwing into your pocket or purse.

I'm not sure who is more interested, looking through the glass a safe way to meet new friends.