Fuzzy Wuzzy was a Ground Squirrel - wide view

Fuzzy Wuzzy was a Ground Squirrel - wide view, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

During our trip out West, we went through Yellowstone. On the second day there, while exploring Fire Hole River falls, I stepped out on to the edge of the rocks to take some photos. Brent was standing by me and said "Look down there". At my feet about 3 feet away was this little fellow sitting right on the edge of the rocks, overlooking the river in the morning sunlight. I guess he enjoys the view too.
1/30 sec at f/5.6 ISO 100 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at 40 mm focal length on a Nikon D80

Fuzzy Wuzzy was a Ground Squirrel - on the alert

Fuzzy Wuzzy was a Ground Squirrel - on the alert, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

During our trip out West, we went through Yellowstone. On the second day there, while exploring Fire Hole River falls, I stepped out on to the edge of the rocks to take some photos. Brent was standing by me and said "Look down there". At my feet about 3 feet away was this little fellow sitting right on the edge of the rocks, overlooking the river in the morning sunlight. I guess he enjoys the view too. He whirled around when I tried to take a step closer.
1/40 sec at f/5.6 ISO 100 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at 200 mm focal length on a Nikon D80

Fall leaves with out of focus elements

Fall leaves with out of focus elements, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

After photographing my children, I walked around photographing some of the leaves using a large aperture to create photos with portions that were out of focus with pleasing bokeh..
1/500 sec at f/2.0 ISO 100 with "Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D" at 85 mm focal length on a Nikon D80

Fall leaves with out of focus elements

Fall leaves with out of focus elements, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

After photographing my children, I walked around photographing some of the leaves using a large aperture to create photos with portions that were out of focus with pleasing bokeh..
1/80 sec at f/4.0 ISO 100 with "Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D" at 85 mm focal length on a Nikon D80

Becky's Beautiful Hair

Becky's Beautiful Hair, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

It had been a long time since I could convince her to let me photograph her. Her hair is the longest it has ever been and I absolutely love it. Half way through the photo session, I got the big circular fan and blasted it on high. Some photos had really great flying hair. Her hair is more subdued in this one and it works I think. It was 80 degrees in the house at the time and the fan sure felt good!

Strobist: SB-900 into Wescott 43" white shoot through umbrella camera left. SB-800 behind her and to the right a bit and above shooting at a glancing angle over the back of her hair. 7' white styrofoam 2' from her on the right for reflective fill. White posterboard held on a tripod directly in front of her to reflectively fill under the chin. Triggered with pop up flash in commander mode with IR Pass through filter in front..
1/200 sec at f/3.5 ISO 160 with "Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D" at 85 mm focal length on a Nikon D80

Natalie's Autumn Photo

Natalie's Autumn Photo, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Becky wanted photo's for our wall of the kids in more full length and not just headshots. I made these photos during their piano lessons at the church.

Strobist info: Triggered by pop up flash of the D80 in commander mode with IR pass through filter in front. SB-900 and SB-800 on 2 stands with both shooting through a Wescott 43" white satin umbrella at camera right and about 3-4' from them. I was about 25' away with both of us in the shade of the tree..
1/500 sec at f/2.8 ISO 100 with "Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D" at 85 mm focal length on a Nikon D80

Brent's Autumn Photo

Brent's Autumn Photo, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Becky wanted photo's for our wall of the kids in more full length and not just headshots. I made these photos during their piano lessons at the church.

Strobist info: Triggered by pop up flash of the D80 in commander mode with IR pass through filter in front. SB-900 and SB-800 on 2 stands with both shooting through a Wescott 43" white satin umbrella at camera right and about 3-4' from them. I was about 25' away with both of us in the shade of the tree..
1/500 sec at f/2.8 ISO 100 with "Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D" at 85 mm focal length on a Nikon D80

Danielle's Autumn Photo

Danielle's Autumn Photo, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Becky wanted photo's for our wall of the kids in more full length and not just headshots. I made these photos during their piano lessons at the church.

Strobist info: Triggered by pop up flash of the D80 in commander mode with IR pass through filter in front. SB-900 and SB-800 on 2 stands with both shooting through a Wescott 43" white satin umbrella at camera right and about 3-4' from them. I was about 25' away with both of us in the shade of the tree..
1/500 sec at f/2.8 ISO 100 with "Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D" at 85 mm focal length on a Nikon D80

How Does Your Garden Grow?

How Does Your Garden Grow?, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Posting this around the begining of October and the memories of greenery are quickly fading. Remember the warm days of summer with fresh sweet corn from the patch? So do I..
1/640 sec at f/1.4 ISO 100 with "Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D" at 85 mm focal length on a Nikon D80

Two Cat Cold Weather

Two Cat Cold Weather, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

With the temperature dipping down to heavy frost levels at night, the official measurement of temperature now is 'Two Cat Cold' where it justifies two cats cuddling in the outside bed to keep warm. This was taken around 9:30 pm. What you don't get from this photo is that even 5 foot away where I sat to take this photo, one could still hear the load purring coming from the younger cat on the left named Oreo..
1/80 sec at f/1.4 ISO 3200 with "Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D" at 85 mm focal length on a Nikon D80

Top of the World in Grand Teton National Park

Top of the World in Grand Teton National Park, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

While staying in the Grand Teton Village at the base of the Tetons, we decided to take the tram to the top of the mountain. The view was spectacular. The air was frigid even though down below it had been warm. The wind was hard to stand against. To the east you saw Wyoming, and to the west you saw Idaho. Unfortunatley, we chose to walk the 7.5 miles down the trail. We were exhausted after the hike. We had planned on only taking the 'top of the world' hike. However, portions of that path were covered with snow and after one early slip left visions of my children careening down the mountain, we abandoned that plan.

Camera on tripod, remote release used, SB-900 on camera. Initial editing in Lightroom, further editing in Photoshop CS5 with some content aware fill to edit a couple of hikers out. Some adjustment layers for dodge/burn, softlight..
1/200 sec at f/14 ISO 100 with "Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM" at 10 mm focal length on a Nikon D80

Keith and Debbie and their children

Keith and Debbie and their children, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Before I finished by photographing just Keith and Debbie, I photographed them and their kids.

Strobist: SB-900 into 45" Impact white shoot through umbrella camera left. SB-800 and SB-600 into 43" Wescott white shoot through umbrella camera right. Triggered with pop up flash in commander mode with flashes on iTTL..
1/100 sec at f/5.0 ISO 400 with "50mm f/1.8D" at 50 mm focal length on a Nikon D80

Grandparents and Grandchildren

Grandparents and Grandchildren, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Keith and Debbie with all the grandchildren

Strobist: SB-900 into 45" Impact white shoot through umbrella camera left. SB-800 and SB-600 into 43" Wescott white shoot through umbrella camera right. Triggered with pop up flash in commander mode with flashes on iTTL..
1/100 sec at f/5.0 ISO 400 with "50mm f/1.8D" at 50 mm focal length on a Nikon D80

Thomasson Family at the Morrison Family Reunion

Thomasson Family at the Morrison Family Reunion, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

I made this photograph behind Aaron and Marcy's house. I had Keith and Debbie sit with their daughters on either side. Husbands stood behind and also Jason and April stood behind. I had children sit in front for the most part.

Strobist: SB-900 into 45" Impact white shoot through umbrella camera left. SB-800 and SB-600 into 43" Wescott white shoot through umbrella camera right. Triggered with pop up flash in commander mode with flashes on iTTL..
1/100 sec at f/5.0 ISO 400 with at 50 mm focal length on a Nikon D80

Caught in the act of smiling

Caught in the act of smiling, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Brent was third for me to make a photograph of on Sabbath morning. He controls his facial expressions well. I can direct to him slowly widen the eyes and the corners of his mouth and I take a few as his expression widens. I like this one best of about 30 of him.

Strobist info: SB-900 into an Impact white 45" shoot through umbrella at camera left at about 9-10 oclock position about 2-3' away. SB-800 into wescott white 43" shoot through umbrella camera right for some fill on the close side of the face. White 7' styrofoam posterboad at the back acting as a flag and a reflector. SB-600 behind the styrofoam aimed at the hair for hair light. 4' fluorescent light bank with 4 4' bulbs in each 40 watts at 5000k color temp. Pop up flash at M 1/32 providing a hair bit of on axis fill and acting as commander to trigger the 3 flashes. (in two groups).
1/200 sec at f/5.6 ISO 125 with "Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D" at 85 mm focal length on a Nikon D80

Light on her golden hair

Light on her golden hair, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Natalie was second to sit for a photo on Sabbath morning before church.

Strobist info: SB-900 into an Impact white 45" shoot through umbrella at camera left at about 9-10 oclock position about 2-3' away. SB-800 into wescott white 43" shoot through umbrella camera right for some fill on the close side of her face. White 7' styrofoam posterboad at her back acting as a flag and a reflector. SB-600 behind the styrofoam aimed at her hair for hair light. 4' fluorescent light bank with 4 4' bulbs in each 40 watts at 5000k color temp. Pop up flash at M 1/32 providing a hair bit of on axis fill and acting as commander to trigger the 3 flashes. (in two groups)..
1/200 sec at f/5.6 ISO 125 with "Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D" at 85 mm focal length on a Nikon D80

Throwing a Rock at the Mountains - Grand Teton National Park

Throwing a Rock at the Mountains - Grand Teton National Park, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

After leaving Yellowstone and driving south we encountered Jackson Lake with the Teton Mountain range in the distance. We stopped at the shore and Brent threw a rock over the lake at the mountains. I caught him in mid throw and in large view you can see the rock over the water..
1/125 sec at f/16 ISO 100 with "Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM" at 10 mm focal length on a Nikon D80

Those Grizzlies are Big in Yellowstone!

Those Grizzlies are Big in Yellowstone!, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Brent goes running back to the van as I made this photo. The only wildlife to be seen was a grizzly bear 1-2 miles away in the valley and a couple of buffalo in the distance..
1/200 sec at f/10 ISO 100 with "Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM" at 10 mm focal length on a Nikon D80

Fire Hole River Falls in Yellowstone - with Vignette

Fire Hole River Falls in Yellowstone - with Vignette, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

We stayed at the west entrance to Yellowstone and got up at a reasonable time the next morning. We traveled in and at a spur of the moment notice I noticed a little gravel drive off to the left (south). I turned off on this one way path which traced along the Fire Hole river and came to these falls. Even though it was 7:30 in the morning, the area was still shaded in shadows. Using my circular polarizer, an aperture of f/29 and ISO 100 I was able to get 1 sec exposure times. The nice blurring of the water is the result. I'm uploading two versions. One with and one without a vignette to see what people like better. Personally, I'm liking the vignette one better..
Base HDR exposure 1.0 sec at f/29 ISO 100 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at 46 mm focal length on a NIKON D80

Fire Hole River Falls in Yellowstone - without Vignette

Fire Hole River Falls in Yellowstone - without Vignette, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

We stayed at the west entrance to Yellowstone and got up at a reasonable time the next morning. We traveled in and at a spur of the moment notice I noticed a little gravel drive off to the left (south). I turned off on this one way path which traced along the Fire Hole river and came to these falls. Even though it was 7:30 in the morning, the area was still shaded in shadows. Using my circular polarizer, an aperture of f/29 and ISO 100 I was able to get 1 sec exposure times. The nice blurring of the water is the result. I'm uploading two versions. One with and one without a vignette to see what people like better. Personally, I'm liking the vignette one better..
Base HDR exposure 1.0 sec at f/29 ISO 100 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at 46 mm focal length on a NIKON D80

First Watermelon of the Season

First Watermelon of the Season, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

After picking tomatoes in the garden, I picked some weeds in the melon patch. I came to this big melon that I had had my eyes on for awhile. The curly tail was brown and when I thumped and slapped it it sounded ripe. I picked it and chilled it in ice water for awhile. We cut it up for supper after we ate our corn and beets. It appears to be a pink water melon. It wasn't compeltely ripe as the seeds weren't black yet, but the heart was sweet. Enthusiasm every year gets the best of me. Oh well, made for a good photo!

Strobist: Triggered by pop up flash with IR pass through filter in front. SB-900 and SB-800 on separate channels in TTL mode shooting through a 45" white Impact umbrella camera left about 2 feet away..
1/200 sec at f/10 ISO 100 with "Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM" at 11 mm focal length on a Nikon D80

Lone Tree in Mammoth Hot Springs

Lone Tree in Mammoth Hot Springs, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Walking on the board walk of Mammoth Hot Springs, I came to this area and switched out my lens to my Nikon 18-200 mm lens and put on circular polarizer. The foreground was water and the polarizer allows you to see the the orange colored bottom. One can see some of the reflection on the water surface along the right edge of the photo..
1/40 sec at f/10 ISO 100 with Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-f/5.6G VR Lens at 18 mm focal length on a Nikon D80

At the Entrance of Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone

At the Entrance of Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

The road curved here with enough width for us to stop and make this photo before we toured Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone..
1/200 sec at f/10 ISO 100 with "Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM" at 11 mm focal length on a Nikon D80

Natalie Standing in front of the Corn Patch

Natalie Standing in front of the Corn Patch, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

We went out and picked a bunch of sweet corn, cut it off and froze it this afternoon. After getting cleaned up, I took Natalie out to the corn patch and photographed her with the sun shinning on her hair.

Strobist info: SB-900 on camera as master in TTL -1.0 ev. SB-800 TTL through 45" Impact umbrella camera right and about 2-3 feet from her..
1/1600 sec at f/2.0 ISO 100 with "Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D" at 85 mm focal length on a Nikon D80

Natalie and Becky Hiking

Natalie and Becky Hiking, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

On the path to Harney's Peak, Natalie and Becky pause for a quick photo of the two of them..
1/80 sec at f/5.6 ISO 100 with "Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM" at Focal Length 10 mm on a Nikon D80

On the Way to Harney's Peak in the Black Hills National Forest

On the Way to Harney's Peak in the Black Hills National Forest, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

This is from fairly early on in the hike. I had still fairly good morning light at 9:30 in the morning. I set up on some boulders while everyone stopped for a water break..
1/100 sec at f/14 ISO 100 with "Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM" at Focal Length 10 mm on a Nikon D80

On a Hike up Harney's Peak in Black Hills National Forest

On a Hike up Harney's Peak in Black Hills National Forest, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

About a half hour from the top of Harney's Peak I stepped out to the edge of this ledge to make a photo..
Base HDR exposure 1/40 sec at f/14 ISO 100 with "Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM" at Focal Length 16 mm on a NIKON D80

Sylvan Lake in Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota

Sylvan Lake in Black Hills National Forest, South Dakota, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Here we started at the trailhead for the hike up to Harney's Peak. Sylvan Lake stands as a beautiful starting point and great point of interest. We hiked up trail #9 on the way up and then down another one (I think #4) on the way down. We should have stayed on #9 as the scenery was better and it was shorter!.
Base HDR exposure 1/30 sec at f/16 ISO 200 with "Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM" at Focal Length 10 mm on a NIKON D80

Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park

Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

On our first afternoon at Yellowstone National Park, we went to the Mammoth Hot springs. Unfortunately, a lot of them were temporarily dried up. This one had a red orange pool and the angle of light was great such that I got a great photo without any light reflection on the surface. The stench of sulfur in the air was overpowering!.
1/320 sec at f/10 ISO 100 with "Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM" at Focal Length 13 mm on a Nikon D80

Rushing River Leaving Yellowstone

Rushing River Leaving Yellowstone, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Driving south into Yellowstone National Park, this river was rushing along the western side of the road. I got down over the embankment and shot this and on we went.. - 1/320 sec at f/10 ISO 100 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at Focal Length 18 mm on a Nikon D80