PhotoBlog | KyleWith's Blog

Archive | PhotoBlog RSS feed for this section

I done better at Aurora

By KyleWith on January 28, 2012 in PhotoBlog

But I still ain’t that good.

This was my second attempt here in Yellowknife, third attempt over all at photographing the Aurora. Ironically, I still this my first attempt was the best. Nonetheless I keep trying.

The lights were not very bright while I was out this evening (about 11:30pm). I’ve been told there normally at their best from 1am – 3am, but I just don’t have the dedication yet to stay awake or get up again to go out and shoot.

This is however one of the “better:” ones I got this evening:

I like the element of the houseboat in the photo, but I must admit to some Photoshop trickery.

There is no way I could have lit up the foreground while keeping the Northern Lights so bright, so what I did, is brighten the foreground myself. I used the quick-select tool, got all the foreground and then upped the exposure. Seemed to work, although you can tell it was processed by the amount of noise you can see.

Next time I go Aurora hunt I should try two things:

Wait until there are real good lights. Be patient. Go far out-of-town, away from light pollution.
Be a man. Do the right fing. Err, I forgot what the second thing was.

Well until next time, send me all your tips. I need all the help I can get.

Just another one to look at.

Buffer

Comments { 0 }

Planes and Airports of the Holidays

By KyleWith on January 10, 2012 in PhotoBlog

Traveling is a fun experience. We go to different places, see different thing. It takes us out of our norm. People may dread those long layovers, but I like those people watching times.

All those different people all doing the same thing, traveling. All with there on style and mannerisms.

Airports present a very interesting arena for the wannabe photog. I love the HDR shots I was able to get, capturing what happens so many times a day.

Sadly I don’t think I will be at an Airport for a while now. When the time comes though, I have some ideas.

Buffer

Comments { 2 }

My attempts at Aurora Photography so far

By KyleWith on January 9, 2012 in PhotoBlog

To date I have attempted to shoot the Aurora Borealis twice. The first time was in September in the Peace Region, just north of Fort St. John, and the second was just recently over the holidays in Yellowknife, on the Dettah Ice Road.

Both times I tried different things and got very different results. Ironically, I think my first attempt was better than my second. Lets take a look and compare.

ISO400, 11mm, f/8, 30 seconds

ISO200, 16mm, f/13, 70 seconds

The biggest thing you will notice is the shutter speed. The first time I left it open to the longest preset of 30 seconds, the second time I used the BULB setting and timed it to about 70 second.

I’m not sure why I tried 70 seconds on the second attempt. Partly I think it was because when I had first gone out the lights were not out as strong, but they did end up coming out. As I scoured Flickr afterwards I think the most common shutter speeds are 15 and 30 seconds. It makes sense as you can see above in my first attempt. The ISO is also a mystery to me. I’m afraid to go any higher that ISO640 in fear my photos will look graining. What I have noticed on Flickr, is that if you want the foreground to show use a higher ISO. If you want it to appear more of a silhouette use a lower ISO. I read that my Nikon D90 works best at ISO200 so I had it there for my second attempt.

What I am struggling with on some level is my cameras capabilities. I’m read over and over that it is not the gear you use, it is how you use it. I tend to disagree with this when it comes to the Aurora. Obviously camera that are better suited for low-lighting will shine through in quality. For the time being though I have the D90 and I’ll stick with it.

These are some of my lessons learned in the first two attempts with Aurora. Do you have any advise and do something that works for you?

Buffer

Comments { 0 }

Dave’s 100 Best Images of 2011

By KyleWith on December 31, 2011 in PhotoBlog

I’m still wondering if I even took 100 photos in 2011 that I actually like, never mind having an entire blog post with all 100.

Dave Brosha definitely did have at 100 photos, heck he probably has a 100 favourite shoots of 2011 as well. That guy was busy. Check out his top 100 on his blog at the link below.

Dave Brosha Photography » My 100 Best Images of 2011.

On a side note, this is one of Dave’s top shots and it is of a talented Yellowknifer by the name of Pablo. Looking at this photo makes me think Pablo would make for a good double if they were to ever redo the movie Passion of the Christ. What do you think?

Buffer

Comments { 0 }

Vancouver Photographer and her iPhone App

By KyleWith on December 6, 2011 in PhotoBlog, Social Media/Internet, Videos

Lisa Bettany inspires me on two levels, first she is an amazing photographer and secondly she took the risk to help create an iPhone app. That iPhone app is Camera+ and is widely successful.

She went from very little to something big, because she used her head and made something of herself. Oh and did I mention she is Canadian. Creativity and Tech is alive in this country.

Buffer

Comments { 1 }

Erika Lange and her Hats

By KyleWith on November 27, 2011 in PhotoBlog

I have been wanting to get into more portrait photography for a while now, but have always lacked a subject. I’m not confident enough with myself to pursue it yet without fooling around and seeing what I come up with. This was my chance to practice, with Erika who approached me about the idea.

Erika recently got some new hat or as we Canadians like to refer these head toppers as, toques, and wanted some pictures with the hats. I thought sure why not, I need to improve on my skills. The other thing I have often struggled with when it comes to portrait photography, is location. I don’t know the area too well and am sometimes unsure as to where to go. Luckily, Erika did. She live in what they call the Old Fort. It is one of the original Fort St. Johns, yes there were many, before it moved up and out of the valley of the Peace River. So surrounding her house is forest with trails that lead to the river, perfect for photos.

Personally I like candid photos better. I like catching moments, not having to try to create them. I think a photo will make a bigger impact on the viewer if the subject isn’t looking at the camera, as if it isn’t even their. That being said, if a person want to expand the opportunities they must be diverse and that is my plan. I will admit I did start getting into the shoot when I started directing Erika where to look, where to point her head and watching how the light was hitting her face. I’m improving, I promise. Who is next?