Trunk Bay Panorama - St. John - US Virgin Islands - USVI - Caribbean

Trunk Bay Panorama - St. John - US Virgin Islands - USVI - Caribbean, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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Spending two weeks on St. John in January was wonderful. This is a 9 shot panorama made from images shot in portrait orientation. I set up my Nikon D7000 on my Really Right Stuff carbon fiber tripod with ballhead and leveled everything. Then I shot a bracket of 3 images at each position and rotating a bit each time.

Merged from Adobe Lightroom to Photoshop and then final tweaking in Adobe Lightroom.
1/320 sec at f/5.0 ISO 125 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at 18 mm focal length on a Nikon D7000 - Order Prints

Cinnamon Bay Beach View - St. John - US Virgin Islands - USVI

Cinnamon Bay Beach View - St. John - US Virgin Islands - USVI, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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On the north side of St. John there are many lovely bays and beaches. This beach made for a wonderful photo. So much was happening: the sandy beach lit with golden sunshine, some interesting rocks at high water mark, a lone mangrove to give interest at mid distance on the right, turquoise waters fading to blue, perfect blue sky with puffy white clouds in the sky. I aimed to create the photo with a leading line from the lower left that would lead to the mangrove tree, then lead the eye back to the water. How do you think I did?

Technical info:
3 images shot in burst bracket mode (since I left the tripod back at the vehicle). These were processed into 2 different versions of an HDR. Then the HDR images were opened as layers and masked and combined. Then the resultant image was opened as layers with the lightest exposure image to recapture some highlights to be masked in. Final editing in photoshop with luminosity masks and then final tweaking in Lightroom because of lightrooms excellent automask features.
Base HDR exposure 1/60 sec at f/10 ISO 125 with "Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM" at 10 mm focal length on a Nikon D7000 - Order Prints

Overlooking Magens Bay - St. Thomas - US Virgin Islands - USVI

Overlooking Magens Bay - St. Thomas - US Virgin Islands - USVI, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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On our first full day, we started by driving to Mountaintop, the top of St. Thomas, to enjoy the views and do a bit of souvenir shopping. After walking through the shop, one can walk out to their balcony which has a fantastic view. One first sees Magens Bay, then a peninsula of land and on beyond, Hans Lollick Island. We were fortunate to get here early, just as they opened up. After awhile, the taxi buses started pulling up dumping off loads of tourists.
1/100 sec at f/10 ISO 320 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at 22 mm focal length on a Nikon D7000 - Visit my profile page at www.flickr.com/people/christensen_carl/

Maho Bay - St. John - US Virgin Islands - USVI

Maho Bay - St. John - US Virgin Islands - USVI, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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White sandy beaches, lush tropical foilage, blissful weather, turquoise ocean for snorkeling - what a fantastic location. Two weeks of warm weather and snorkeling in St. John in the US Virgin islands during January makes a great get away from Minnesota.

maps.google.com/maps?q=18%C2%B021'26%22+N+64%C2%B044'60%2...
Base HDR exposure 1/125 sec at f/10 ISO 125 with "Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM" at 15 mm focal length on a NIKON D7000 - Order Prints

Family Photo on Christmas Eve 2012

Family Photo on Christmas Eve 2012, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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With everyone home, it was time for a family photo. We had not got one done in time to send out for Christmas cards. Sorry to everyone that sent us one since we didn't get one out this year.

I set up in the living room with a black back drop. Shot at 50 mm the camera was around 15 feet away. I shot tethered to the laptop which was plugged via HDMI intot he big TV so that as we shot with remote we could see the images displayed up on screen.

Strobist info: SB-900 (with diffusion dome one) in 64" Alien Bees Silver Parabolic Light Modifier (PLM) with white diffusion cover camera right. SB-600 into white shoot through umbrella above and behind the family for hair light. Triggered via pop up flash in commander manual mode with Nikon SG-3IR IR Panel to block visible light.
1/200 sec at f/7.1 ISO 640 with "50mm f/1.8D" at 50 mm focal length on a Nikon D7000 - Visit my profile page at www.flickr.com/people/christensen_carl/

Worn Path up the Mountainside on the way to Ouzel Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park - Estes Park, Colorado

Worn Path up the Mountainside on the way to Ouzel Lake - Rocky Mountain National Park - Estes Park, Colorado, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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On the hike to Ouzel Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park just outside of Estes Park, you criss cross up and down the mountain sides on pathways like this. Sometimes passing underneath a rock outcropping. The shade was a nice break from the warm sun. This was around 3 hours in and we weren't even quite to the half way point of Ouzel Lake!
1/100 sec at f/4.0 ISO 720 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at 29 mm focal length on a Nikon D7000 - Order Prints

Blurred Waterfall over Granite Rocks in Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado

Blurred Waterfall over Granite Rocks in Estes Park, Rocky Mountain National Park - Colorado, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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As you drive out of Estes Park into Rocky Mountain National Park, you can wind your way up the mountain on Bear Lake Road. This road will eventually take you to the trailhead for the hike to Lake of Glass and Sky Pond. Along the way is a series of small waterfalls as a stream rushes over lichen covered granite rocks. Since it is in the shade most of the day, it is quite easy to get a long exposure photo to capture the flow of the water.
Base HDR exposure 1.0 sec at f/22 ISO 200 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at 200 mm focal length on a NIKON D7000 - Visit my profile page at www.flickr.com/people/christensen_carl/

Burbling Brook over Granite Rocks in Rocky Mountain National Park

Burbling Brook over Granite Rocks in Rocky Mountain National Park, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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Leaving Estes Park, Colorado, one enters into Rock Mountain National Park and then turns on Bear Creek Road. Part of the way along a stream follows the course of the road which I photographed several times.
Base HDR exposure 1.0 sec at f/20 ISO 250 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at 56 mm focal length on a NIKON D7000 - Order Prints

View from Mount Evans

View from Mount Evans, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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At the top of Mount Evans, there were so many different views to zoom in on. Weather was threatening, however, for a moment, sunlight lit up a distant mountain that I captured here.
1/200 sec at f/9.0 ISO 400 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at 200 mm focal length on a Nikon D7000 - Visit my profile page at www.flickr.com/people/christensen_carl/

Upper and Lower Chicago Lakes in the Chicago Creek Valley in Rocky Mountain National Park

Upper and Lower Chicago Lakes in the Chicago Creek Valley in Rocky Mountain National Park, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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On the drive up to Mount Evans, we stopped at Summit Lake. Hiking around to an overlook, you could look down into the Chicago Creek Valley. Here you see the Upper and Lower Chicago Lakes. The Alpine lakes get a turquoise look under the right lighting conditions!

3 bracketed shots combined via HDR, reimported back to Lightroom, and then edited as layers with base exposure to Photoshop. Luminosity masks used for a variety of layers and finally back to Lightroom.
Base HDR exposure 1/125 sec at f/9.0 ISO 400 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at 38 mm focal length on a NIKON D7000 - Order Prints

White Fluffy Baby Mountain Goat eating Grass in Rocky Mountain National Park

White Fluffy Baby Mountain Goat eating Grass in Rocky Mountain National Park, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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On the way to the top of Mount Evans, we saw this so cute fluffy baby mountain goat. He looks like he is about ready for the winter!
1/200 sec at f/10 ISO 400 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at 200 mm focal length on a Nikon D7000 - Visit my profile page at www.flickr.com/people/christensen_carl/

View from Mt. Evans overlooking Summit Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park - 14297.9 ft

View from Mt. Evans overlooking Summit Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park - 14297.9 ft, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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The drive up Mount Evans road was filled with constant views that seemed always to put you in danger! We stopped at Summit lake which is seen in the foreground. We hiked part way around it and then followed a trail to an overlook that looked down into the valley. If you look carefully in the photo, right at the center you see the trail head past the lake to an edge. We then drove up to the summit of Mount Evans and hiked the remaining distance to this peak at 14,300 feet. While at the top we saw lighting striking in a coming thunderstorm and then hurried our way back down.

This is a panaroma of 2 images at 18mm stitched together.

Cropped for prints at 10x20 or 12x24
1/80 sec at f/9.0 ISO 400 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at 18 mm focal length on a Nikon D7000 - Order Prints

That Feels Good - Buffalo Scratching on a Tree

That Feels Good - Buffalo Scratching on a Tree, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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I'm guessing it feels good to scratch your chest on a downed tree if you are a buffalo. He was letting out a sound that sounded like contentment.
1/60 sec at f/5.6 ISO 800 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at 120 mm focal length on a Nikon D80 - Visit my profile page at www.flickr.com/people/christensen_carl/

Striking View from Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone National Park

Striking View from Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone National Park, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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Driving along Grand Loop Road heading east on the northern side of Yellowstone National Park, one is treated to vast views of valleys and mountains in the distance. Not far from here, we saw a Grizzly and her cub crossing the road.

maps.google.com/maps?q=44%C2%B051'26%22+N+110%C2%B024'35%...
1/160 sec at f/9.0 ISO 200 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at 32 mm focal length on a Nikon D80 - Order Prints

Becky in front of sunrise at Coral Bay, St. John - US Virgin Islands - USVI

Woman in front of sunrise at Coral Bay, St. John - US Virgin Islands - USVI, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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On the deck of our villa, we stepped out to the sunrise over the islands and enjoyed the view.
1/200 sec at f/8.0 ISO 100 with "Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM" at 10 mm focal length on a Nikon D7000 - Visit my profile page at www.flickr.com/people/christensen_carl/

White Sandy Beach at Leinster Bay - St. John - US Virgin Islands - USVI

White Sandy Beach at Leinster Bay - St. John - US Virgin Islands - USVI, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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A gradual slope of white beach led into Leinster bay on the northeastern side of St. John in the US Virgin Islands.
1/320 sec at f/10 ISO 200 with "Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM" at 10 mm focal length on a Nikon D7000 - Order Prints

Grand Tetons from atop Rendevous Mountain - Teton Village - Grand Teton National Park

Grand Tetons from atop Rendevous Mountain - Teton Village - Grand Teton National Park, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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From Teton Village out of Jackson Hole, Wy, you take a tram to the top of Rendevous Mountain. You can see the Grand Teton to the North and the view is impressive.
1/400 sec at f/8.0 ISO 100 with "Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM" at 10 mm focal length on a Nikon D7000 - Visit my profile page at www.flickr.com/people/christensen_carl/

Alpine Mountain Wildflowers in Grand Teton National Park

Alpine Mountain Wildflowers in Grand Teton National Park, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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At the Top of Rendevous Mountain in Grande Teton National Park at 10390 Feet, sits pretty alipine wildflowers in front of vast lofty mountain peaks. The air is crisp and cool, the sun is warm, and the view is breath taking.
Base HDR exposure 1/320 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 D7000 - Order Prints

Winding Gravel Road through the Mountains - Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Winding Gravel Road through the Mountains - Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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This gravel road is more of a foot path. It descends from the peak of Rendevous Mountain in Grand Teton National Park. It is a greater than 7 mile hike down - be prepared!
1/320 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 D7000 - Visit my profile page at www.flickr.com/people/christensen_carl/

Mount Moran in Grand Teton National Park

Mount Moran in Grand Teton National Park, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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Driving around touring and looking for scenic views, we came to this location. Mount Moran is seen as the prominent mountain and is recognizable because of the 'black stripe' at the top.
1/160 sec at f/9.0 ISO 200 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at 82 mm focal length on a Nikon D7000 - Visit my profile page at www.flickr.com/people/christensen_carl/

Winding Road through the mountains in Rocky Mountain National Park

Winding Road through the mountains in Rocky Mountain National Park, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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1/125 sec at f/6.3 ISO 400 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at 18 mm focal length on a Nikon D7000 - Visit my profile page at www.flickr.com/people/christensen_carl/

Switch Back Roads in Rocky Mountain National Park

Switch Back Roads in Rocky Mountain National Park, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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The road is crisscrossing up and down the mountain.
1/250 sec at f/8.0 ISO 400 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at 24 mm focal length on a Nikon D7000 - Visit my profile page at www.flickr.com/people/christensen_carl/

Road on the Spine of the Mountains

Road on the Spine of the Mountains, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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The road ran along the spine ridge of the mountains with deep gorges on either side.
1/250 sec at f/9.0 ISO 500 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at 18 mm focal length on a Nikon D7000 - Visit my profile page at www.flickr.com/people/christensen_carl/

Valley between the mountains

Valley between the mountains, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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From high up in the mountains of Rocky Mountain National Park, I photographed the distant valley with winding streams and winding road.
1/250 sec at f/9.0 ISO 500 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at 35 mm focal length on a Nikon D7000 - Visit my profile page at www.flickr.com/people/christensen_carl/

Dangerous Winding Road along the Mountain Ridge

Dangerous Winding Road along the Mountain Ridge, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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The road pass along on the spine of the ridge of the mountains. The mountain falls off rapidly to either side. This is Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park outside of Estes Park, Colorado.
1/250 sec at f/9.0 ISO 500 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at 18 mm focal length on a Nikon D7000 - Visit my profile page at www.flickr.com/people/christensen_carl/

Family Photo in front of Alluvail Fan Falls waterfall in Rocky Mountain National Park

Family Photo in front of Alluvail Fan Falls waterfall in Rocky Mountain National Park, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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We walked the Alluvial Fan Trail to the Alluvial Fan Waterfall
1/250 sec at f/9.0 ISO 400 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at 44 mm focal length on a Nikon D7000 - Visit my profile page at www.flickr.com/people/christensen_carl/

Family Photo on Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park

Family Photo on Trail Ridge Road, Rocky Mountain National Park, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Via Flickr:
We paused to walk out into the alpine tundra to shoot this family photo.
Base HDR exposure 1/320 sec at f/11 ISO 100 with "Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM" at 10 mm focal length on a NIKON D7000 - Visit my profile page at www.flickr.com/people/christensen_carl/

Alpine Tundra in Rocky Mountain National Park

Alpine Tundra in Rocky Mountain National Park, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

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With mountains in the distance, the alpine tundra stretched away in front of us with little flowers dotting the landscape.
Base HDR exposure 1/320 sec at f/11 ISO 100 with "Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM" at 10 mm focal length on a NIKON D7000 - Order Prints

Rushing River Waterfall - Old Fall River Road - Rocky Mountain National Park

Rushing River Waterfall - Old Fall River Road - Rocky Mountain National Park, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Via Flickr:
After turning off the Fall River Road, we drove up the one way gravel Old Fall River Road. Part was up the steep gravel road, as it coursed through switchbacks, we came to a trail that led to this set of falls. Unfortunately, there was construction at the top where normal observation could take place. However, I was able to get this view from below.

Single image processed with luminosity masks in Photoshop. I also made an HDR image that I placed underneath and then with a mask at 50% brushed in a few details from the hdr processing. I was able to get a slower shutter speed with f/25 with polarizer on the end.
Base HDR exposure 0.6 sec at f/25 ISO 100 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at 24 mm focal length on a Nikon D7000 - Order Prints

Winding Road Down the Mountain in front of the Grand Tetons - Grand Teton National Park

Winding Road Down the Mountain in front of the Grand Tetons - Grand Teton National Park, originally uploaded by Carl's Photography.

Via Flickr:
To get to the west side of the Tetons, you travel up and over and through a pass and descend into Idaho. We then found a road to lead us back into Grand Teton National Park on the west side. The three Teton Mountains are seen in the distance with the one on the left being the Grand Teton.

Single image from raw NEF edited with Lightroom and then with luminosity masks in Photoshop
1/160 sec at f/10 ISO 200 with "18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR" at 29 mm focal length on a Nikon D80 - Order Prints