What kid doesn’t love a holiday where exploding things is OK. I guess I’m still a kid in that sense, because 4th of July is still a favorite of mine. The independence of our nation celebrated by family, fireworks and banners. Once every few years my family pitches in and we have a big get together with a great DIY fireworks show. This was one not one of those years however, so I decided to help out on the crew of Orion Pyrotechnics for a show they were doing in Ephrata. It was neat to work on a professional show, and something that’s been on my todo list.
Orion did fireworks as well as explosives for the stunts at this even and I manged to grab some cool photos along the way. I’ve also been toying with HD video lately so I also captured some of the of the action with motion. It was a fun day and I’m considering doing more and perhaps even getting my pyrotechnics license. Check it out… Gav
by Gavin Seim: Midnight Seattle is an HDR photo I made of the Seattle Skyline. It went to the PPA International Print Competition this year and was awarded a Loan Collection merit. For those not familiar with PPA, this is a good thing. I’m told it will be be published in the international Loan collection book as well showing at Imaging USA 2011. This is the first year I’ve entered at nationals. I must confess, making the Loan Collection was really on my wish list. While this is the only of my four prints that merited, I’m still a happy, thankful camper. For those interested in HDR, check out my up coming HDR workshop on the Seim Effects site.
This is probably the last of my recent shoot from the Snoqualmie Pass summit. I’ve been looking at Ansel Adams work lately and experimenting with bold black and white for myself and the presets that I make for Lightroom users. I don’t usually do a lot of B&W, but I’m finding it can be really compelling. When color is taken away, many distractions go with it. The monochromatic world becomes one of lines, shapes and textures that the eye can dance endlessly through.
I’ve spent the better part of the last two hours doing subtle tweaks to this. The general B&W tone was fairly simple, mainly in LR, but to refine it I did a lot of cropping and cleanup and even more burning and dodging. I’m a huge proponent of well used burn and dodge to control the focus of a scene and as a recent fan of Ansel I see that he was too. It was juts a lot harder in his day. I have no doubt that is Ansel was alive today who would love digital. Click the image for a larger view… Gav
What Lies Beyond is up to you. I think the reason I like this stark scene is because it can be serene, mysterious or creepy depending on where your own imagination takes you. I tried this many ways (simplicity can be hard to decide on too) but settled on this one because it just felt right. I know it’s not for everyone, but I like a scene that leaves storytelling to your own imagination.
These trees can be found throughout Central Washington, as their used to break the wind. It was a foggy morning and took full advantage of it using a long lens and making a final image devoid of other distractions. Most know my work know me for bold details and color, but sometimes to like to take simplicity and bold composition to extremes. You can click for a larger version. Have a good evening.
My wife and I were recently on our way back from Vancouver where I had been teaching a Lightroom workshop. We ended up getting to the top of Snoqualmie Pass around nine or ten in the evening. There were wispy clouds, a nearly full moon and the lights from the ski slops reflecting off the peaks. It was incredible. I stopped and spent about an hour working with different angles and compositions.
It was amazing because while there were clouds, beautiful stars (a little hard to see on your computer screen) and a great moon. A combination that’s not always easy to get up here in the mountains. Here’s some of the results. My favorite is this first one, a panorama of the two peaks that I’m calling Whispering Peaks. Chances are it will make the cut form my Signature Canvas collection in the future and will probably be going to competition as well. You can click any image for the larger version. Let me know what you think… Gav
As many of you know I’ve been working with large canvas prints of my photography. I just picked up a couple large pieces I had at Anzelinis frame shop in Moses Lake and I’m loving the results.
I’m afraid you’ll just have to avert your eyes from my knobby legs. Pretty scary I know, but what can I say. It’s summer.
The first, Doorway To Winter, is a forty six inch canvas. I’m working on a limited edition signature series of this along with others to sell in local galleries. The next is a fifty inch canvas from Jana & Darrens wedding. Heres a few photos the results. along with some edge details on the frames. Yep I know I look goofy and awkward. We just grabbed some snapshots so I could show them off. Enjoy… Gav
UPDATE 11/09: This image is now available in as a large format metallic Signature Collection print. For ordering or gallery information please contact us.
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Here is another piece I just finished processing from my last batch of Seattle image. This one was taken late, about 1AM from Kerry Park. This is done using the HDR technique, processed in Photomatix and the rendered with some help from my new Hill of Lucas effect and some other work in Photoshop. The close up detail in the full size version is immense. You can almost see people eating inside the restaurant at the top.
The result is what I wanted. I like the bold definition and tonal range, but also that the Space Needle is the primary item in the scene. The HDR allowed me to keep the lights and shadows totally in control and get pull the natural light of the scene… Gav
Photography is about light and how we see that light. I took these last weekend using a Lensbaby which is a selective focus manual lens (a tilt shift look, for those who know what that means). The result is a little imperfect and not as clear as the highly expensive lenses I often use. It’s not for everything, but used at the right time the effect can be dramatic. This first flower was not at it’s prime, but because of that it stood apart from it’s nearly perfect brothers and sisters. It took hold of my attention and in the end was my favorite of the group. Imperfect, but not unseen.
These flowers (Arrow-leaved Balsamroot I believe) are everywhere this time of year. Bringing focus on just one, instead of the many, keeps the eye on the beauty and not on the crowd, while still knowing the crowd exists. This starts in camera, but does not end there. Even in the film days photographers worked with their images to put the attention where they wanted it.
Just to illustrate the power of the edit, I’m posting one of the plain uncorrected images next to the final version below. In this case basic correction, then one of my actions and plenty of burning and dodging (lightening and darkening certain areas on the image) brought of the depth and made the flowers stand out exactly the way I intended…. Gav
