Saturday, December 4, 2010

The Grapes photo process...

I've been asked by a couple of people, how I processed my photo of the grapes I posted on flickr. So I will give a quick overview of what I did.
I started with 3 photos (as shown in the photo below). I shot the grapes as an HDR using 0, -2 and +2 Exposure values. I then tonemapped the 3 photos in Photomatix Pro and blended until I got the photo below marked 'Tonemapped Tif'.
After tonemapping the photo, I opened it in Lightroom 3. There I did a little tweaking in the 'Basic' section of the Develop module. I adjusted the photo with - fill light, highlight recovery, black clipping, contrast, temperature, tint, clarity and vibrance. I didn't adjust any of the above by very much. It was like making a stew... I adjusted to taste!
I then opened the lightroom-adjusted photo in Photoshop CS5. I don't like adjusting the sharpness of my photos in lightroom, so the first thing I did was to sharpen the photo on a new layer. (This photo did not have much noise, but if it had, I would have used Topaz DeNoise before I sharpened.)
After sharpening, I used a curves adjustment layer and grabbed the top point of the diagonal adjustment, (highlight side), then pulled it straight down to just below the middle of the scale. This will darken the whole photo without changing the color. Then making sure I was in the adjustment layer mask, I hit B(brush), then D (default colors),then X (switch foreground/backround color), choosing a large brush (1400 - 1600 dpi), with 0% hardness. I then clicked the areas I wanted to highlight with the brush. I have seen this technique used many times, and there are a number of ways to do it. Jim DiVitale shows another way in his Creative Lighting tutorial. (Click on the "Creative Lighting by Jim DiVitale" link.)
So after this, I saved the file and went back to Lightroom 3, and cropped and tilted the photo to my taste.
Simple Huh! Well it wasn't real difficult, but, as all my past photoshop instructors have said... Just play with it. There is no right or wrong way to do this.
Thanks... Dan O.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Morro Bay Panorama_02


Morro Bay Panorama_02, originally uploaded by albazap.
Ever since I started using Lightroom 3, I have been organizing and processing some of my older images. Over the years, I have shot for panoramas, but have not processed many, because the last time I did one in photoshop CS it took me 3 hours to get it right. So, since I had heard it was easier in the later versions of Photoshop, I decided to try processing some of the older panoramas. MUCH EASIER to work with CS5! this panorama only took 10 minutes to stitch and maybe another 5-7 to cleanup.
No wonder we have so many good photographers in the world now. The technology available to us is astronomical, and the things we can do with our photos really sets off the creative juices! Happy Shooting.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Sunset...

Saturday afternoon, the clouds were in the sky and the setting was perfect for what looked to be a great sunset. I had already taken my walk along the beach, but having just purchased my new Canon 7D, I was contemplating going back for the chance of the colors in the sky.
It was about 7:30pm when we sat down to eat dinner, after which we were going to watch a movie. As I relaxed and began to settle in to another uneventful evening, I continued to have the gnawing feeling that I should go down to the beach for the sunset.
I have seen and photographed hundreds of sunsets and sunrises, and this would be just another one, or so I tried to convince myself! All said, having seen all those previous mentioned sunsets, I knew that all were special in there own way. I started to forget about it, when Marilyn, speaks out and says, "Danny, look at the colors outside".
That was it! I grabbed my gear and headed the 1/2 mile to the beach. Walking through the Monarch Butterfly Grove, the pictures presented themselves to me. First a bench glowing in the low sun light. The trees bathed in yellow/orange, The sun saying its last 'good evening' behind the trunks of eucalyptus... I was in heaven!
The sun was just about to disappear behind the hills across San Luis Bay when I arrived at the beach. The clouds were orange red and the reflection on the surf was gorgeous! A swath of virga hung lazily below the clouds blowing in the breeze, creating a watercolor effect in the atmosphere.
I started clicking, trying different settings and getting to know my new camera. Damn! I didn't bring my tripod! Oh Well! I set the camera to a higher ISO and started shooting, the anti-shake feature of these new lenses was great. I could hand hold the camera and take pictures even as it became almost too dark to see! I LOVE THIS!
DONE! I began to slowly walk back home, enjoying the transition of the sky into twilight. Approaching the State campground, I could see all the campers prepping for their evening activities and made note of how glad I am to live in a place where many travel to visit!
To see more pictures click here

Monday, July 5, 2010

Today is My Birthday...

I was born on the 5th of July... I was supposed to be a 4th child, but my mom had to be scheduled for a cesarean section on the 5th.
Being late for my due date had a major impact on my life. Because of that major trauma of not being a "real live nephew of my Uncle Sam", I have spent my entire life striving to be on time, or even early, for any event I am involved with! Hell, I even joined the military and fought in Viet Nam, just to prove I should have been a 4th of July child... To no avail. No matter how hard I try, I will always be a plain ole 5th of July child. No special celebrations, no special acknowledgements, just a regular old birthday based solely on who I know, and family. "Alas, poor Yorick..."
Think how you would feel if everyone always celebrated so hard the day before your birthday, that they had no energy left to celebrate your birthday! OH THE SUFFERING I have experienced! All of you who are born on the 5th, you know what I mean. There is only one thing that I could imagine might be worse, and that is being born the DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. OHHH the agony!!
So... Happy Birthday to Me!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Drivers - Slow Down and Pay Attention!

I was watching the news today and saw that 2 Highway Patrolmen were killed while working for our safety on the highways. The people that killed them were obviously either driving impaired or not driving with any care for the conditions of the road!
I have been driving since 1968 and have also been riding motorcycles on the road since then. Over the years I have obviously seen some stupid and inconsiderate drivers, but in the last couple of years I have seen more and more IDIOTS on the road.
To me driving is a privilege that demands my complete attention. I know that there are many who think that they can do more than pay attention to the road while driving, but if that was true, then why do they continue to make laws against doing things while driving, ie. talking on the phone, texting, etc. IT'S BECAUSE YOU CANNOT FULLY CONCENTRATE ON DRIVING!! The same people who "multi-task" while driving, are the first people who will blame someone else when something goes wrong. I have seen it, read it and heard it on the news!
Some of you may think, well this guy is just getting old! I got news for you, even though I am 58 years old I still can ride a motorcycle faster than many 1/2 my age and recently hit speeds over 150 mph on a track. So I know it has nothing to do with me, other than the fact that I see and recognize more and more BAD DRIVERS.
So what's my point you might ask. The point is this. We have the responsibility of not only ourselves and loved ones in our hands when we are in control of a motor vehicle, but also the responsibility of all others that we are sharing the "PUBLIC" Roads with! The roads are not only for me but for all. So I ask that when you drive, that you make a concerted effort to concentrate on the job at hand of DRIVING! Also report any of the idiots that are putting my families lives in danger by acting stupid while driving!
My condolences to the families of all those Patrol Officers who have given their lives, working for the safety of mine!

Saturday, June 5, 2010

A short note...

It is a beautiful and warm day in Grover Beach. I've been taking it easy today, getting caught up on personal chores that don't seem to get done during the week. I have been updating information in the computer and responding to messages from friends.

I am sure glad I live by the beach. It looks to be pretty warm inland.

I plan on doing some family research this evening and maybe watch a good movie.

Until next time...

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Los Osos...

Today I was working in Los Osos, (same area from where the picture at the top of this page was taken). I always find it amazing that on one side of a home it can be windy, cold and 2 jacket weather, and then all you have to do is walk to the other side of the house and it's shirts off, lay back and have a cool drink weather. Ah yes, this is California coastal weather. I wouldn't trade it for any other place in the world.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

First Flight Cover 1935 - Miriam Forbes


Miriam Forbes worked for Pan American Airways in China. China National Aviation Corporation was taken over by Pan Am in 1933. As you can see by the address on this 1935 First Flight cover, it is addressed to Miss Miriam Forbes at CNAC in Chungking China. She was the secretary to Mr. Bixby, president of operations in China.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Great Aunt and Great Grandmother in Hawaii 1937.

Recently I digitized a number of old family photos that my sister had in her collection. Among those pictures were a series of old black and white negatives. We couldn't tell what the pictures were, so I scanned them, and realized that the 2 women in the photos were my great aunt Miriam Forbes and her mother (my great grandmother) Johanna (Ahern) Forbes. It is obvious that my grandmother had hawaiian leis around her neck, but no one knew if she had gone to hawaii or was just celebrating. So I decided to do some investigative work. A few years ago I had researched articles in the local newspaper telling the story of my aunt Miriam and g-grandmother Johanna leaving Shanghai for Manila on the ship S. S. President Jefferson, after the Japanese invaded China. This was in late 1937. My aunt Miriam worked for the  P.A. Airways System, and their office was in Hongkew.
My assumption was that Miriam had either met Johanna in Hawaii prior to going to China or after they returned from their ordeal. One of the things that sticks out in the picture was the tower behind them. I didn't know what the tower was, but based on the fact that it looked like they were in Hawaii, I did a google search for: 'tower in hawaii'. The search came back with multiple hits showing pictures of 'Aloha Tower' in Oahu. That was it! I have been to Oahu but never noticed this tower. I learned the history, and that it was almost demolished but became part of the Aloha Center. Aloha tower is located where all the cruise ships arrived, back in the 30's. I am still researching this part of my aunt and g-grandmothers life, and hope to determine when exactly they were in Oahu. As a side piece of history, Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt Jr. was aboard the same ship, (S.S. President Jefferson) when they left China. She had written for the United Press a graphic account of her experiences in Shanghai.

TheResearchman...

Someone asked me the other day why I use the screen name of "TheResearchman". I thought it was obvious, but maybe it isn't if you don't know me. I started using it on genealogy sites because mostly what I do on those sites is research my family. I have been an amateur genealogist for about 30 years and have spent many hours researching in libraries, courthouses, other cities, etc. In the last 5 years the research information available to the family historian online has multiplied exponentially. I have been able to find copies of original documents that just 5 years ago I would have had to travel to the towns and countries where these documents resided, and spend hours looking for these documents. Now with a simple (sometimes not so simple), push of a computer button, up pops my ancestor, and the copy of the original document.
Anyway, since I am a man and I spend hours, for fun, researching my families, I thought the screen name of "TheResearchman" fit. So now I use it for my screen name whenever possible. By the way, I still have to travel, write and look for info in other places. Not everything is online!

Early to bed, early to rise...

Ben Franklin is attributed with the quote, "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man health, wealthy and wise". Well I don't know about the wealthy and wise, but I seem to be healthy enough. Ever since my early 30's, I have been getting up early in the morning (generally between 4 and 5 am). Once I awake, I very seldom can go back to sleep. I haven't used an alarm clock in years. If I need to get up earlier, I can tell myself before I go to sleep, and I will wake up at that time.
I love and enjoy the quiet of the early morning. To me there is nothing better than arising before the sun and watching the sunrise. I feel like I am privy to a world that no one else is aware of. I can relax, read, watch a movie or just prepare for the day, and know that I am ready to take on my life. Try it sometime... Unless you already are an experienced early riser, you don't know what your missing.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Goofing off

So, here I am. My favorite time of the day. When all my work is done and I can sit and discover the many things available to play with out in cyberspace. Yea, that's how I got here! I took a link from my niece to her blog, and then followed the steps to set up my own blog... WHY? Hell, I don't know. It seemed like the right thing to do at the time! I guess the question is, will I return to write more at a later date. Check back and see.
So this is the first entry in "TheResearchman Blog". Have a great day!