Posts for: Nick K
Feb 27, 2021 14:16:51 #
AzPicLady wrote:
Death Valley is one of those places I haven't tackled yet. I had planned to do a workshop there, but Covid hit and now they are too expensive. I guess I'll have to do it on my own. Is it safe to camp there if you're by yourself? Great pictures. Did you have a map so you knew where to go and when?
AZPicLady; I have been in Death Valley before and was taking a friend that wanted to see certain areas of the beaten paths. I bought this map and guide book to look for places along the way, I already basically knew the route I wanted to take. the map is excellent and guide book has lots of information and is laid out into areas of the park. we did back country camping, Here is a link to a map on areas off limits to camping.https://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/backcamp.htm. I would say it is safe but very remote. Furnace creek has a wide range of options from camping to resort and is centrally located. roads are very rough with sharp rocks that will eat up passenger car tires but if you go slow it should be ok. Have a spare and be able to change it, you can also rent jeeps. the road to the Playa is at least 30 miles of dirt, it was in better condition than last time I travel it but will take over 1 hour each way. Keep an eye on fuel and check ahead with rangers for road conditions and fuel availability stations may be closed but we found them all open. Death Valley is a wonderful place to visit with precautions.
Feb 27, 2021 13:57:18 #
domcomm wrote:
I agree that some of them look underexposed. I ran 4 of them through PhotoLemur (a little 1-click program) which does a nice job of bring more detail and color into both the shadows and highlights.
thank you for your input, I will check out that program. I am also looking at calibration as my monitor seems to be brighter than when I post pictures with my phone or tablet.
Feb 26, 2021 17:18:46 #
cambriaman wrote:
Nice. Next trip try Zabriski Point at sunrise along with the other 50 or so photogs up there.
Yeah, I have been there.
Feb 26, 2021 12:20:34 #
Reuss Griffiths wrote:
Very nice series and look at Death Valley few of us will ever see. Is that track right up the middle of #2 caused by the rock in the middle of the image? I read somewhere that tracks across the playa were made that way but don't remember how. Nice job Nick.
Reuss; Yes that track was made by the large rock. Ice will form on the lakebed and then the wind will push the rocks along leaving distinct track marks. if you ever have a chance to go, all the moving rocks are at the south end of the lake bed near a hillside that the rocks roll down onto the lakebed.
Feb 26, 2021 12:14:23 #
joecichjr wrote:
Beautifully done - but it would be an awful place to have problems 
Thank You Joe; it is a bad place to have problem. I have traveled much of that route before and though not technical (by my vehicles standards) tires are a concern as most of the roads are rough and have sharp rocks that can puncture a sidewall. The roads were surprisingly better than I had anticipated with little or no washed out areas. we had a huge storm come through a month prior but I think it was cold enough so mostly snow not rain was dropped.
Feb 26, 2021 12:05:20 #
Ourspolair wrote:
Excellent captures. On my monitor, everything looks good except the Longhorn appear under-exposed. The highlights in the sky are really bright in #2, so, although you should always check your monitor calibration once a month, you seem to be "in the zone". I calibrated my monitor 3 days ago, so I would guess that your monitor is not far off.
I have found that you need to tell Costco NOT to put on their automatic settings.
Thanks for sharing.
I have found that you need to tell Costco NOT to put on their automatic settings.
Thanks for sharing.
Ourspolair;
Thank you for your input. #2 would of benefited from a graduated ND filled, the sky was very bright and the camp was in the shade.
Feb 25, 2021 18:00:15 #
DanielB wrote:
Are you using Lightroom? If so you can load your local Costco's printer color profiles in and that will help keep your exposure and color correct when printing. Calibrating your monitor is important also since all monitors are back lit and if you have your brightness turned all the way up it's giving you a false sense of exposure when your editing. It may seem counter intuitive but having your monitor calibrated to the correct gamma is imperative even if it seems dark to you.
Daniel;
Thank you for the info, I am running Lightroom. I do run my monitor bright. I have to look into the Costco color profiles. I know they went to a centralized location for printing so I was going to send a few prints of and see how they come back. I will do some searches on calibrating my iMac and loading the color profiles.
Feb 25, 2021 17:04:49 #
Curmudgeon wrote:
Looks like a fun trip. On my monitor, pictures are under exposed.
HMM, when I have printed some from Costco they are also under. I have on my list to calibrate my monitor. I am researching how to get it accurate with a printer. I will work on that thanks for the heads up.
Feb 25, 2021 16:45:46 #
Here are a few more from my 3 day Death Valley trip. We went in some remote areas and covered a lot of distance in the park.
a sunrise view of the Nelson range from Homestake camp area
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Spot for the night, Homestake camp area
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The Grandstand at the north end of Racetrack Playa
Bighorn in Warm Springs canyon
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Titus Canyon is a one way canyon entering Death Valley National Park from Nevada near Beatty.
(Download)
Feb 25, 2021 16:32:37 #
b top gun wrote:
Did you go to Star Wars Canyon and see any jets flying in that area?
We came out over the south pass on Monday presidents day and had lunch there. no jets. my Offroad trip is planning a run there in October. from the research the run leader is doing it appears they only run during the week and before and after air shows is the best times to see the planes.
Feb 25, 2021 16:28:50 #
cameraf4 wrote:
Cool shot of the playa, Nick. What did you think of the road there?
Actually the road was very good this time. it is defiantly filled with washboards but I drop the air pressure on my tires down to about 20 to 25 psi and that softens the ride.i cruise at about 25-30 mph. My jeep is built for these conditions also.
Feb 25, 2021 16:25:06 #
Ourspolair wrote:
Great captures and renderings. I would not like to visit there in the summer! Thanks for sharing.
Your welcome, I have a buddy that went out this past summer @ 125 degrees. too hot for me.
Feb 24, 2021 19:21:21 #
Feb 24, 2021 18:03:59 #
Here are a couple from A Death Valley Trip last weekend.
Aug 1, 2020 10:49:10 #
Junior wrote:
I am avid photographer. I have a Nikon D750. I am currently shooting indoor sports(volleyball and basketball)/activities for my children and children of relatives and friends. I am considering a used Nikon 70-200 2.8 VRII or a new Tamron 70-200mm 2.8 G2. I would like your opinion on anyone who has used both lenses or the new Tamron. I have rented the Nikon numerous times and familiar with its performance.
Junior; I am in the same boat as you, I shoot a D810 and have purchased the 24-70 G2 lens as the reviews for the VC were better than the Nikon. The reviews on the 70-200 seem to favor the Nikon for focus aquisition on moving subjects and sharpness @ 200mm. I have found a used 9+nikkor VRII for $100 more than the G2. I rented the G2 yesterday and will probably rent the Nikkor next weekend to try to make the decision. I will keep you posted on my results.