FOUR AWARDS AT FOTOCLAVE
Over the Halloween weekend, FotoClave, one of the largest photography symposiums and competitions in Northern California took place. We blogged about this back on September 16. Cathy and I were excited that 14 of our images were accepted for the competition. However, neither of us was complacent. The competition would be tough, with 60 images per category.
The results are now in and Cathy and I took home 4 awards. The winning entries were:
1st Place - Monochrome Prints- House at Arnarstapi - Mark
3rd Place - Creative Prints- Meditation - Mark
5th Place - Creative Prints - Reticulated Fuschia - Cathy
Honorable Mention - Nature Prints - Polar Bear Still Hunting - Cathy
It is a great honor to receive these awards and we look forward to next year.
The winning images may be seen on the right hand side of the page.
Best regards,
Mark and Cathy.
November 12, 2010
CHASING THE LIGHT
Journeys Through the American Southwest
On Sunday, October 10th, Cathy and I took off on another of our grand adventures. This time to photograph the Southwest, specifically southern Utah and northern Arizona. The last time I visited the Southwest was in 1983 with my parents and Cathy had never been there. Beginning on Tuesday the 12th, we had a 5 day photography workshop with Bay Area photographer and river runner Jimmy Katz. We would spend 5 days in Moab Utah photographing Arches National Park and some of the surrounding environs. After that, we would be on our own. By the time we finished two and a half weeks later we had visited and photographed Arches NP, Canyonlands NP, Dead Horse Canyon State Park, Capital Reef NP (briefly), Bryce and Zion Canyons, Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons, Horseshoe Bend and the Grand Canyon.
We were often up at 6 am in the morning so that we could be on station to photograph our subjects at sunrise. While the temperatures in Moab were quite moderate, the morning temperatures at Bryce ranged from 27 to 32 degrees. And of course we were also there at sunset to catch the beautiful last rays of the sun. One evening even had us doing night photography until 11 pm in Arches NP.
Without a doubt, the Southwest is one of the most beautiful areas we have ever seen. The colors were an intense orange during the sunrise and sunset hours. And the rock formations were astonishing. Cathy has already got two more trips to the Southwest in the planning stages.
If you would like to see some of our photos please go to our website at:
http://mcfineartphoto.com/
Until the next time,
Mark and Cathy
Grand Canyon After a Storm
Journeys Through the American Southwest
On Sunday, October 10th, Cathy and I took off on another of our grand adventures. This time to photograph the Southwest, specifically southern Utah and northern Arizona. The last time I visited the Southwest was in 1983 with my parents and Cathy had never been there. Beginning on Tuesday the 12th, we had a 5 day photography workshop with Bay Area photographer and river runner Jimmy Katz. We would spend 5 days in Moab Utah photographing Arches National Park and some of the surrounding environs. After that, we would be on our own. By the time we finished two and a half weeks later we had visited and photographed Arches NP, Canyonlands NP, Dead Horse Canyon State Park, Capital Reef NP (briefly), Bryce and Zion Canyons, Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons, Horseshoe Bend and the Grand Canyon.
We were often up at 6 am in the morning so that we could be on station to photograph our subjects at sunrise. While the temperatures in Moab were quite moderate, the morning temperatures at Bryce ranged from 27 to 32 degrees. And of course we were also there at sunset to catch the beautiful last rays of the sun. One evening even had us doing night photography until 11 pm in Arches NP.
Without a doubt, the Southwest is one of the most beautiful areas we have ever seen. The colors were an intense orange during the sunrise and sunset hours. And the rock formations were astonishing. Cathy has already got two more trips to the Southwest in the planning stages.
If you would like to see some of our photos please go to our website at:
http://mcfineartphoto.com/
Until the next time,
Mark and Cathy
Grand Canyon After a Storm
September 16, 2010
FotoClave 2010
Each year, at the end of October there is a large, regional 3 day photography symposium called FotoClave. Per the FotoClave website:
The Photo Contest this year has 8 divisions, including:
I am also delighted to point out that several other members of the Diablo Valley Camera Club qualified. Nicole Marshall qualified with 5 images, Euclid Viegas with 2, and Lori Espinosa also had 2 images qualify. Congratulations.
Hopefully at least a few of our images will make the grade and place in the final competition in October.
Until next time,
Mark
Monochrome Prints
Mark - James
Mark - House at Arnarstapi
Cathy - Corn Lily
Color Prints
Mark - Namafjell Hverir, Iceland
Mark - Travis
Creative Prints
Cathy - Reticulated Fuschia
Cathy - Blue Flight
Mark - Reflections and Refractions – Red
Mark - Meditation
Nature Prints
Mark - Flock of Brown Pelicans displaying mating plummage
Mark - Polar Bear prowling the shore of Hudson Bay
Cathy - Solitary Polar Bear still hunting on frozen Hudson Bay
Cathy - Polar Bear roaming the Tundra
Creative Projected Images
Mark - Spirit
Each year, at the end of October there is a large, regional 3 day photography symposium called FotoClave. Per the FotoClave website:
"FotoClave is the premier photography forum in Northern California, drawing the finest amateur film and digital photographers together for a weekend of learning and sharing. The program is packed with informative and entertaining programs covering a variety of photographic techniques and subjects. In addition, FotoClave includes a competition where members of participating camera club councils show their best work."This symposium is sponsored by the three camera councils in Northern California. The three councils are Northern California Council of Camera Clubs (N4C), Central Coast Counties Camera Club Council (6C), and San Joaquin Valley Camera Club Council (SJVCCC). Each council is made up of individual camera clubs. N4C has 10 clubs, 6C has 6 and SJVCCC has 6 clubs for a total of 22 camera clubs.
The Photo Contest this year has 8 divisions, including:
- Pictorial, Journalism, Nature, and Travel Projected Images
- Color, Monochrome, Creative, and Nature Prints
I am also delighted to point out that several other members of the Diablo Valley Camera Club qualified. Nicole Marshall qualified with 5 images, Euclid Viegas with 2, and Lori Espinosa also had 2 images qualify. Congratulations.
Hopefully at least a few of our images will make the grade and place in the final competition in October.
Until next time,
Mark
Monochrome Prints
Mark - James
Mark - House at Arnarstapi
Cathy - Corn Lily
Color Prints
Mark - Namafjell Hverir, Iceland
Mark - Travis
Creative Prints
Cathy - Reticulated Fuschia
Cathy - Blue Flight
Mark - Reflections and Refractions – Red
Mark - Meditation
Nature Prints
Mark - Flock of Brown Pelicans displaying mating plummage
Mark - Polar Bear prowling the shore of Hudson Bay
Cathy - Solitary Polar Bear still hunting on frozen Hudson Bay
Cathy - Polar Bear roaming the Tundra
Creative Projected Images
Mark - Spirit
September 2, 2010
All good things eventually come to an end
And so it was on Tuesday, August 31st that I completed my final day as photographer for the Contra Costa Animal Services Department. This was an interesting and sometimes difficult job, but always rewarding. During the past 14 months I photographed over 4400 animals. I also met a lot of very dedicated staff that work very hard to take care of the animals that flow into the shelter.
However, it is time for me to move on. I am anxious to do more traveling and work on other areas of art and photography. And so I bid adieu to my friends, both two and four legged, at the Martinez shelter and wish them the greatest success. I especially want to thank Cindy Smith and Glenn Howell for their tremendous support. We will hopefully cross paths again in the future.
Mark
And so it was on Tuesday, August 31st that I completed my final day as photographer for the Contra Costa Animal Services Department. This was an interesting and sometimes difficult job, but always rewarding. During the past 14 months I photographed over 4400 animals. I also met a lot of very dedicated staff that work very hard to take care of the animals that flow into the shelter.
However, it is time for me to move on. I am anxious to do more traveling and work on other areas of art and photography. And so I bid adieu to my friends, both two and four legged, at the Martinez shelter and wish them the greatest success. I especially want to thank Cindy Smith and Glenn Howell for their tremendous support. We will hopefully cross paths again in the future.
Mark
June 15, 2010
Permanent Artwork for the Martinez Animal Shelter
Last December, Glenn Howell, the Director of the Contra Costa County Animal Services Department approached me with an idea for enhancing the appearance of the Martinez facility. He had seen another facility that had used large photographic prints to enhance the appearance of some of the animal enclosures. He wanted to do something similar with the rabbit enclosure at the end of the gallery in Martinez. After a bit of discussion I pitched to him the idea of mounting 4 large, dye infused, metal prints on the wire mesh sides of the rabbit pen. Glenn loved the idea and despite the fact that it took six months to get it through the county bureaucracy, the task has now been completed and installed.
The concept was to show that rabbits make excellent family pets. We quickly moved away from the idea of just photographing rabbits. We wanted to show people interacting with rabbits in a positive way.
On May 19 I took my studio gear to the shelter to photograph the rabbits and models. Cindy Smith, Volunteer Manager for the shelter, had arranged for a variety of individuals to pose with the rabbits. Over the next 3 hours we photographed many different combinations of rabbits and people. From the hundreds of photos we finally narrowed it down to the final four, that can be seen below.
The final prints were spectacular and the comments glowing. These prints have clearly added a bit of elegance to the main gallery at the Martinez shelter.
If you are interested in seeing the original prints, drop by the shelter at 4800 Imhoff Place in Martinez. While you are there check out all the wonderful animals. You might even find a friend that you must take home with you.
Mark
Click on Image to enlarge
If you'd like to see some of the photographs from the rabbit photo shoot click here.
Last December, Glenn Howell, the Director of the Contra Costa County Animal Services Department approached me with an idea for enhancing the appearance of the Martinez facility. He had seen another facility that had used large photographic prints to enhance the appearance of some of the animal enclosures. He wanted to do something similar with the rabbit enclosure at the end of the gallery in Martinez. After a bit of discussion I pitched to him the idea of mounting 4 large, dye infused, metal prints on the wire mesh sides of the rabbit pen. Glenn loved the idea and despite the fact that it took six months to get it through the county bureaucracy, the task has now been completed and installed.
The concept was to show that rabbits make excellent family pets. We quickly moved away from the idea of just photographing rabbits. We wanted to show people interacting with rabbits in a positive way.
On May 19 I took my studio gear to the shelter to photograph the rabbits and models. Cindy Smith, Volunteer Manager for the shelter, had arranged for a variety of individuals to pose with the rabbits. Over the next 3 hours we photographed many different combinations of rabbits and people. From the hundreds of photos we finally narrowed it down to the final four, that can be seen below.
The final prints were spectacular and the comments glowing. These prints have clearly added a bit of elegance to the main gallery at the Martinez shelter.
If you are interested in seeing the original prints, drop by the shelter at 4800 Imhoff Place in Martinez. While you are there check out all the wonderful animals. You might even find a friend that you must take home with you.
Mark
Click on Image to enlargeIf you'd like to see some of the photographs from the rabbit photo shoot click here.
June 5, 2010
HDR in Photoshop CS5
A few weeks ago I received my copy of Photoshop CS5. I was excited about some of the new features being offered, including the new Content Aware fill capabilities. However, another area that Adobe was touting was their new HDR (high dynamic range) Pro module. I’d tinkered briefly with HDR in the past but never seriously. Photoshop’s capabilities in prior versions were meager at best, so I was curious to try out the new version.
Two weeks ago I was in Napa Valley with a buddy and we stopped by the Old Bale Grist Mill. I wanted to take a look at it to figure out what time of day would be best to photograph it. It turns out that there is no really good time because it is surrounded by trees and open meadows. The combination of shade and bright light makes photography difficult. I realized that this type of high contrast lighting would be a perfect subject for testing CS5’s HDR Pro module.
I used a 24 to 70 mm zoom lens mounted on a tripod mounted D700 and took a series of raw photographs from +3 EV to –3EV, in one stop increments.
[Click on any image to enlarge it]
The image above is the 0 EV image, or in other words, this is the picture you would get by putting the camera in autoexposure mode and taking a photo. Notice that the sky and foreground are largely burned out. Because I metered the exposure on the building there is good shadow detail, although there is some loss of detail at the bottom of the waterwheel. The thumbnail images show the exposures of all 7 photos.
These 7 images were loaded into Lightroom. Before attempting to process the images I figured I needed to learn how to use the HDR module so I went to NAPP’s (National Association of Photoshop Professionals) Photoshop CS5 Learning Center and clicked on the HDR Pro icon to view an instructional video. Eight minutes and 45 seconds later I was an expert.
Returning to Lightroom I selected the 7 images, Right clicked and selected Edit in >>>Merge to HDR in Photoshop. All 7 images were stacked in layers in one image in the new HDR Module and a HDR image was automatically created. For this image I wanted a realistic look. So after playing with all the sliders I simply selected the Photo realistic preset and clicked OK. The 7 individual images were merged into one HDR image, which opened up in the normal Photoshop screen.
While the HDR image was good it was not yet ready for prime time. I went through my usual routine of sharpening, etc. In this case I knew that I wanted the final image to be Black and White so I used a Black and White adjustment layer to make the conversion. The final step was to correct the perspective of the image using the Transform command (Edit>>>Transform>>>Perspective) to produce the final image shown below. For my first serious try at HDR I was pleased with the image.
While at the grist mill I shot two other sequences; one of the side of the mill featuring the water wheel and one inside the mill showing two old milling stones. In each instance I followed the same process described above; shooting 7 images at 1.0 EV intervals. The image of the waterwheel I converted to an antique sepia tone in Lightroom after creating the HDR image in Photoshop. For the shot of the mill stones I pushed the details up in the HDR module to create a slightly hyper-real appearance.
I’m forced to conclude that Adobe did its homework on CS5. While the HDR Pro module may not be up to the level of Photomatix yet (or maybe it is) I found the interface simple and easy to use.
Mark
A few weeks ago I received my copy of Photoshop CS5. I was excited about some of the new features being offered, including the new Content Aware fill capabilities. However, another area that Adobe was touting was their new HDR (high dynamic range) Pro module. I’d tinkered briefly with HDR in the past but never seriously. Photoshop’s capabilities in prior versions were meager at best, so I was curious to try out the new version.
Two weeks ago I was in Napa Valley with a buddy and we stopped by the Old Bale Grist Mill. I wanted to take a look at it to figure out what time of day would be best to photograph it. It turns out that there is no really good time because it is surrounded by trees and open meadows. The combination of shade and bright light makes photography difficult. I realized that this type of high contrast lighting would be a perfect subject for testing CS5’s HDR Pro module.
I used a 24 to 70 mm zoom lens mounted on a tripod mounted D700 and took a series of raw photographs from +3 EV to –3EV, in one stop increments.
[Click on any image to enlarge it]
The image above is the 0 EV image, or in other words, this is the picture you would get by putting the camera in autoexposure mode and taking a photo. Notice that the sky and foreground are largely burned out. Because I metered the exposure on the building there is good shadow detail, although there is some loss of detail at the bottom of the waterwheel. The thumbnail images show the exposures of all 7 photos.
These 7 images were loaded into Lightroom. Before attempting to process the images I figured I needed to learn how to use the HDR module so I went to NAPP’s (National Association of Photoshop Professionals) Photoshop CS5 Learning Center and clicked on the HDR Pro icon to view an instructional video. Eight minutes and 45 seconds later I was an expert.
Returning to Lightroom I selected the 7 images, Right clicked and selected Edit in >>>Merge to HDR in Photoshop. All 7 images were stacked in layers in one image in the new HDR Module and a HDR image was automatically created. For this image I wanted a realistic look. So after playing with all the sliders I simply selected the Photo realistic preset and clicked OK. The 7 individual images were merged into one HDR image, which opened up in the normal Photoshop screen.
While the HDR image was good it was not yet ready for prime time. I went through my usual routine of sharpening, etc. In this case I knew that I wanted the final image to be Black and White so I used a Black and White adjustment layer to make the conversion. The final step was to correct the perspective of the image using the Transform command (Edit>>>Transform>>>Perspective) to produce the final image shown below. For my first serious try at HDR I was pleased with the image.
While at the grist mill I shot two other sequences; one of the side of the mill featuring the water wheel and one inside the mill showing two old milling stones. In each instance I followed the same process described above; shooting 7 images at 1.0 EV intervals. The image of the waterwheel I converted to an antique sepia tone in Lightroom after creating the HDR image in Photoshop. For the shot of the mill stones I pushed the details up in the HDR module to create a slightly hyper-real appearance.
I’m forced to conclude that Adobe did its homework on CS5. While the HDR Pro module may not be up to the level of Photomatix yet (or maybe it is) I found the interface simple and easy to use.
Mark
March 11, 2010
Five Awards at Creekside Arts Festival
The annual Clayton Creekside Arts Festival took place from March 5th through the 7th. Sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation, the theme for this year's art show was "A Community Comes Together ... Arts, Culture and Nature".
A wide variety of works were entered into this juried show, including paintings, ceramics, recycled art and photography. Last year I entered the show. This year Cathy joined me. Together we entered six of our photographs.
Awards were anounced Friday evening and combined, Cathy and I took home five ribbons. The first three awards were judged on the basis of all arts works, not just the photography division. Cathy won Best Technique for her Polar Bear Migration and I took Best Presentation for Great Egret in Flight. Cathy also won a Judges Choice award for "Portait of a Threatened Species", her classic image of a polar bear. In the Photography division, Cathy took first place with her photo of a brown pelican titled "Preparing for Flight". I followed with a third place finish with my "Bald Eagle Fishing".
Overall the festival was a wonderful event and a great experience for Cathy and I.
Best regards,
Mark and Cathy
The annual Clayton Creekside Arts Festival took place from March 5th through the 7th. Sponsored by the Clayton Community Library Foundation, the theme for this year's art show was "A Community Comes Together ... Arts, Culture and Nature".
A wide variety of works were entered into this juried show, including paintings, ceramics, recycled art and photography. Last year I entered the show. This year Cathy joined me. Together we entered six of our photographs.
Awards were anounced Friday evening and combined, Cathy and I took home five ribbons. The first three awards were judged on the basis of all arts works, not just the photography division. Cathy won Best Technique for her Polar Bear Migration and I took Best Presentation for Great Egret in Flight. Cathy also won a Judges Choice award for "Portait of a Threatened Species", her classic image of a polar bear. In the Photography division, Cathy took first place with her photo of a brown pelican titled "Preparing for Flight". I followed with a third place finish with my "Bald Eagle Fishing".
Overall the festival was a wonderful event and a great experience for Cathy and I.
Best regards,
Mark and Cathy
February 7, 2010
Photographing Three Dimensional Artwork
As a follow up to an article that I wrote last year (see March 26, 2009 entry on this blog) I am now providing information to artists on how to photograph their three dimensional artwork. As more and more artists seek to creat websites they are discovering the problems of photographing their sculptures and other 3D art. This new article delves into the issues and explains in detail how to simply and inexpensively take pictures of your own artwork and upload it to the web.
If you are interested in learning more about how to photograph 3D artwork please check out the article I've written at:
http://mcfineartphoto.com/art3D.htm
If you wish to download a copy you may obtain a PDF version at
http://ebag.wordpress.com/downloads/
As a follow up to an article that I wrote last year (see March 26, 2009 entry on this blog) I am now providing information to artists on how to photograph their three dimensional artwork. As more and more artists seek to creat websites they are discovering the problems of photographing their sculptures and other 3D art. This new article delves into the issues and explains in detail how to simply and inexpensively take pictures of your own artwork and upload it to the web.
If you are interested in learning more about how to photograph 3D artwork please check out the article I've written at:
http://mcfineartphoto.com/art3D.htm
If you wish to download a copy you may obtain a PDF version at
http://ebag.wordpress.com/downloads/
Sculpture by FROgard Butler
January 3, 2010
Nine Awards at 2009 Annual N4C Print Competition
Mark and Cathy Pemberton received 7 ribbons and 2 first place medals at the annual Print Competition of the Northern California Council of Camera Clubs (N4C). N4C is a regional organization that represents 13 camera clubs in Northern California. Each year, all of the monthly winning print entries from the 13 clubs are judged in an annual competition and awards given. For 2009, Mark and Cathy collected five Honorable Mention ribbons, one 5th place ribbon, one 3rd place ribbon and two first place medals.
Cathy took first place in the Creative division for her beautiful “Misty Morn Along Gastineau Channel.” The creation of this piece was described on this blog back on June 7 if you are interested in reading more about it. Mark took first place in the Color Pictorial division for his “Polar Bear Sojourn.” The other works that placed include:
Cathy - Reticulated Fuschia, Solitary Polar Bear (Urus Maritimus) Still Hunting on the Frozen Hudson Bay.
Mark - Blair (3rd), Urban Homestead (5th), Xiao Fang #2, Polar Bears Sparring, Ghosts of Bodie.
Mark and Cathy Pemberton received 7 ribbons and 2 first place medals at the annual Print Competition of the Northern California Council of Camera Clubs (N4C). N4C is a regional organization that represents 13 camera clubs in Northern California. Each year, all of the monthly winning print entries from the 13 clubs are judged in an annual competition and awards given. For 2009, Mark and Cathy collected five Honorable Mention ribbons, one 5th place ribbon, one 3rd place ribbon and two first place medals. Cathy took first place in the Creative division for her beautiful “Misty Morn Along Gastineau Channel.” The creation of this piece was described on this blog back on June 7 if you are interested in reading more about it. Mark took first place in the Color Pictorial division for his “Polar Bear Sojourn.” The other works that placed include:
Cathy - Reticulated Fuschia, Solitary Polar Bear (Urus Maritimus) Still Hunting on the Frozen Hudson Bay.
Mark - Blair (3rd), Urban Homestead (5th), Xiao Fang #2, Polar Bears Sparring, Ghosts of Bodie.
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