Looking up at the Yosemite Falls

I was lucky enough to get to go to Yosemite for my second time this weekend. One of the many great thing about being married to my Japanese wife is when her friends and family visit from Japan, they always want to go on awesome road trips. This time we were thinking of going to the Grand Canyon but opted for Yosemite instead. Reason being, the Grand Canyon is only exciting for about 20 minutes, the you're bored. At Yosemite National park you could live there and never get bored. So much to do and see. 

It's nice to be doing photography again. Bronchitis kicked my butt for about two weeks.

Today's HDR Photo - Looking up at the Yosemite Falls

Looking Up at the Yosemite Falls My second time to Yosemite National Forest. I went last year when I first started to get back into photography. Since then I've got a few new lenses and a whole new perspective. Weather was a bit nicer this time as well. Everything was a bit greener, and more wildlife was out and about. It's truely spring there.

California Purple Daisies

I don't usually take pictures of flowers but, my mom was with me and she told me to. She actually had a few cool ideas how I could take pictures of flowers that would look awesome hung on walls. Giant macro photos and paintings of flowers are sort of in style right now and I actually have some cool ideas on how I can shoot some. But I'll need that Canon 100mm macro lens. It's on my lenses to buy list but I have other financial priorities currently.

Today's Photo - Purple Daisies

Purple Daisies These are some perfectly bloomed Purple Daises from when I was up near Pismo Beach. Everything is so green and in bloom and colorful up there in the spring. It's so impressive.

Color Presets with Photoshop CS6

Using Color Presets with Photoshop

I've seen a few people mention this around the internet and thought it was pretty cool. Was going to make a tutorial for this but hey, Adobe already did it. This is something that Photoshop's been needing for awhile.

With Lightroom we have our presets which are great but there was never an easy way to do it with Photoshop. There were ways to do it, but just not easy ways like there is now. Now there is a new Color Lookup Adjustment Layer where you can apply various  LUTS or Presets to your images. 

Photoshop Presets Tutorial

Praying Mantis

Bronchitis Sucks! I've been sick for the last week, too sick to even touch up photos. The worst is over now and I'm back on my feet at least. Bronchitis always takes awhile to recover from since it messes up your ability to get oxygen into your body. I remember last time I had it even a month after I had no stamina in the gym.

I should be posting more photos again now. I'm shooting this weekend and Yosemite the next weekend. Should be fun.

Today's Photo - Praying Mantis

While hiking through the Takachiho Gorge in Southern Japan we came across one of these guys. A Praying Mantis. It's been awhile since I've seen one of these. I live in L.A. now and not much wildlife makes its way into the concrete jungle. I use to see then a lot when I lived in San Juan Capistrano as a kid as well as San Diego.

Praying Mantis While walking through the Takachiho Gorge in Southern Japan we came across this guy walking along a hand rail. It's kind of cool being in Japan and finding one of these. I've always seen them around Southern California as a kid, but it's been awhile since I've seen one.

Manly Beacon of Zabriskie Point

The Manly Beacon of Zabriskie Point. Such an incredible name. This was just to the right of the Golden Mudstones of Death Valley. This scene is actually kind of ugly, but beautiful at the same time, if that makes sense. It's just amazing seeing all the different earthen tones together. 

Today's Photo - Manly Beacon of Zabriskie Point

Manly Beacon Manly Beacon at Zabriskie Point of Death Valley. Zabriskie Point is such a unique and beautiful and weird looking place. All at the same time.

The Wife and Me in Death Valley

This was taken at the Mesquite Dunes in Death Valley.

This is one of those, frame the camera, set the timer and run. It was a lot and back and forth to get it just right, but I had fun. It's now one of my favorite photos of my wife and I, It was all her idea too.

Such a amazing and epic place. Glad we did a photo here.

Today's Photo

The Wife and Me in Death Valley Picture of my wife Yumiko, and Me at the Mesquite Sand Dunes in Death Valley

Google Slashes Prices for Nik Photo Software

Google Slashes Price of Nik Photo Editing Bundle

If you remember, last September Google bought Nik Software, the creator of Nik Color Efex Pro and the popular HDR software Nik HDR Efex Pro. Recently Google has slashed the prices of the entire bundle. You can now order it for $149 instead of $499.

This is actually a really incredible deal especially for people just getting into photography and who are looking for really pro graded stuff. I personally use Lightroom and Photomatix for my HDR and those two programs just by themselves are around $100 each. So now you can have the ability to process HDR, all the filters of Color Efex Pro,  the very popular Black and White photography Editing software Silver Efex Pro and a great sharpener, Sharpener Pro 3, for under $150.00 There are a few other programs with the bundle as well. 

Here is the deal on there website: Nik Collection

I really like Nik Color Efex Pro and use it constantly in conjunction with all my other programs. Be sure to check out my Nik Color Efex Pro Review. I haven't tried their other software yet but now that it's so cheap I might just have to try out the whole bundle. This is exciting.

Now only if Adobe would slash its prices!

Sample Photo Edited with Nik Color Efex Pro

Photo Edited with Nik Color Efex Pro

Canon Announces the world's smallest DSLR

Canon EOS SL1

Canon Announces The World's Smallest DSLR - The EOS-SL1

It looks to just be a mini T5i although I've read that it has a new 18 megapixel sensor. Not sure what this new sensor is all about or if it's the one that's going to be in the 70D or the 7Dmkii. That might be cool if that is the case. 

I'm not really sure why you wouldn't need a super small DSLR because once you put any sort of decent lens on there it's automatically big again. Since you're camera can only be as small as your lens. Maybe it could be cool with Canon's 40mm pancake lens.

My favorite thing about this little camera is the price.

Here it is on Amazon: Canon EOS Rebel SL1 18.0 MP

I was considering getting a smaller mirrorless camera because of the size and compactness. But if this is as small as they say it is, it might be a better and more practical option.

Summary of the Canon EOS SL1 Specs

  • 18.0MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 5 Image Processor 3.0"
  • Clear View II Touchscreen LCD
  • ISO 100-12800, Expandable to 25600
  • Full HD 1080 Video with Continuous AF
  • 4.0 fps Continuous Shooting
  • 9-Point AF System
  • Scene Intelligent Auto Mode
  • Compact and Lightweight; Weighs 0.8 lb
  • Compatible with Canon EF and EF-S Lenses

Canon Announces New Rebel T5i

Canon T5i

Canon Announces Another Camera - The Rebel T5i 

They seem like they are refreshing these cameras whenever they feel like it. From everything I've been reading on it it's basically no different than the T4i except some slight physical aesthetics. (The settings dial now turns a complete 360 degrees.)

Kind of makes me feel like they are just doing it to get one last push out of that near ancient APS-C sensor model before the big refresh this year. 

See the full specs of the Canon Rebel T5i at B&H Photo.

And you can check out the overview at DigitalCameraInfo.com for more information on the differences.

What this really means for everyone is that the T4is which are basically exactly the same, will start going on a fire sale. Meaning amazing deals like we saw back in November. 

Here is an Overview of the Product Specs

• STM Lens Support for Quiet AF in Movies
• 18.0MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
• DIGIC 5 Image Processor
• 3.0" Vari-Angle Touchscreen LCD
• ISO 100-12800, Expandable to 25600
• Full HD 1080 Video with Continuous AF
• 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
• 9-Point All Cross-Type AF System
• Multi Shot Noise Reduction
• Compatible with Canon EF and EF-S Lenses

I'll post some of those great T4i sales as soon as I come across them. 

That's a lot of Sand - Mesquite Dunes of Death Valley

Death Valley is probably the closest place you can go to feeling like you're on an alien planet. It's no wonder they film practically every sci fi movie in this area. Well, back in the day. Now they just do it all in some giant green screen studio.

I always wonder who will be the first photographer to really explore mars. He will be instantly forever famous.

I'm actually having a really hard time writing meaningful post right now. My found out she can watch Netflix on my Xbox. You know what that means. GLEE!

Today's Photo of The Mesquite Dunes in Death Valley

Mesquite Dunes of Death Valley Another shot of the amazing multicolored dunes in Death Valley. These are the mesquite dunes. Everyone always asks me if it was hot when I was there. It was hot, but not that hot. It was probably mid to upper 80's in this particular spot. It was warm and I made sure to bring gatorade. March was a good time to go. Check out Alikgriffin.com to see more of my adventures

Pages