The Stormline…..or, my quick day trip

Monday, February 8, 2010

Looking Southwest

Yesterday I desperately needed to “get outta Dodge.” Time outside of Prescott is necessary occasionally. Don’t get me wrong, I love this town. But you need to have a get away now and then.

After laundry was wrapped up (Sunday is my laundry day) the Versa was loaded up and I ran by Sadira’s house and we set off to Phoenix.  She needed a getaway day too, so we headed out together into the snow.  Yes, it was still snowing when we left Prescott.

As we made our way through Prescott Valley, Dewey, and Mayer, we were treated to some of the most amazing cloud formations.  The distant mountains were snow covered and draped in clouds.  It seemed to me the clouds were gathering on the mountains leaving the valleys open and exposed, with a random cloud here and there racing to cover the mountains as well.

Dropping down to “the Valley” (Phoenix) we were treated to different clouds.  Giant, puffy, cotton candy clouds.  Phoenix was not getting the storm we were in Prescott.  Instead, a beautiful day with the perfect sky.

As usual, the first stop was the Mac Store.  What can I tell you, I’m a creature of habit.  And no, I didn’t head down to buy anything, just to have a getaway for the day.  Of course, I did end up buying one thing.  The new “Digital Field Guide” for the 5D Mark II.  Months ago I bought another book as the field guide still wasn’t available, but the book was not as good as the series I’ve grown so fond of.  When I went into Borders Books and found it I knew I should get it.  A whole whopping $20!

Looking North / North West

We drove around Phoenix for a little while.  I forgot the GPS, and we were looking for Whole Foods Market.  Amazingly enough we did zero in on the place.  We also found the REI!  Wow, navigating without technology and finding a place….who would have known?

With our quick trip down wrapped up, the Versa was pointed North on Route 17 and we started making our way home.  As we headed out of the valley we saw an amazing cloud line.  Right where the higher elevation plateau was.  It looked like we were driving into a nightmarish storm.  Rain started hitting the windshield and I wondered how much snow we’d be encountering.

Interestingly enough, with our elevation gained we did find a storm line, but not a uniform “mega storm.”  The ominous looking clouds along the ridge were exactly that and nothing more.  Like the clouds draping the mountains in the morning, this storm line draped right along the elevation change.

Fortunately the Sunset Point Rest Area is open again.  We pulled in for a moment.  And I broke out the camera for a few shots.  The lens did get wet, and it got some snow on it as well.  But it was worth the stop.  I’ve never photographed a storm line that looked like this one before.  Of course, I could have gotten better photos of it, but I would have had to turn the camera into the blowing wind and sideways rain.  I decided to pass on that option.  Still, I think the two photos in today’s post give a pretty good representation of what’s going on……

Filed in Arizona, Digital Photography, HDR, Notes from Rich | | Comments (0)

A Snowy Morning in the Granite Dells

Sunday, February 7, 2010

This morning I woke up at 4:00 a.m. Something was off. There were sounds on the Airstream. Odd sounds. Almost as if something was rubbing along the exterior walls of the Airstream…….

I sat in bed listening and wondering.  What could it be?  Javalinas rubbing on the trailer?  No.  A mountain lion trying to coax me out of my warm bed…..?  Not likely.  And if it were a mountain lion, did it have its squirrel puppet with it?

For readers who don’t know about my mountain lion / squirrel puppet theory I suggest you go back and read the following post.

Finally, after hiding under the covers for another hour I decided to venture out.  Pretty clear to me I wasn’t going back to sleep.  And once I poked my head out of the Airstream everything was clear to me.

Snow and ice sliding down the Airstream’s exterior.  It snowed last night!  Oh, and it continued snowing this morning too!  Very pretty!

Filed in Airstream, Arizona, Digital Photography, Granite Dells, Notes from Rich, Prescott | | Comments (4)

The quick update

Friday, February 5, 2010

Yeah, yeah, yeah…..I know, the article on the Radio Popper Jr’s. I’ve been highly distracted with 6 dozen other things. Here’s what’s new from Prescott, Arizona:

  • The Vulture / HDR Workshop has a few slots remaining.  Oh, and I’ve dropped the price a tad as I know, the economy is painful.  :)   If you’ve ever wanted to get more out of your DSLR, learn how to setup realistic HDRs, sharpen your workflow skills, or you just need an excuse for some shooting fun in AZ, you’ve still got time to sign up!
  • Rob Jamason’s latest opening takes place tonight at the Goldstein Gallery in Sedona.  Way to go Rob.  Think you can get some of my stuff on their walls?  LOL!  If you’re in Arizona, and not too far from Sedona, why not head out for First Friday Artwalk in Sedona and pop by to give Rob some support.  Who knows, you might find something you’d like to take home too……..Can you believe I’m putting a link to another gallery on my site?  Believe it, I’m not competitive in that way, and I like supporting the artists that we host!  Plus I dig Rob’s images!
  • Creating a new Workshop Plan.  Been at it for days, and it’s going to be a super cool one!  Currently I’m working up a 3 day workshop to one of my favorite places.  White Pocket.  The plan is to offer 2 White Pocket Workshops this year.  One this April, and a second in October.  Good temperatures you know.  The maximum number of participants will be 3 per workshop.  If you’ve always wanted to shoot White Pocket, drop me a note sooner rather than later and I’ll make sure to give you first dibs on a slot in the workshop.
  • Received a ringing endorsement from Bert Gildart this week regarding the upcoming workshops.  I’ll be including that on my newly revised website.
  • Ah yes, redesigning the whole RichCharpentier.com website.  It’s almost ready to go live.  I’m hoping everyone will like it.
  • Finally, I’ve been prepping a presentation for a local Mac Users’ Group.  I’ll be presenting February 20th on Macintosh, portable technology (along the lines of my book, The Digital RV), and how Mac fits in with my photographic endeavors and business.  I wonder if I’m trying to cover too much?  ;)

Well, there you go.  Now, I’ve got to get back to printing!

Filed in Digital Photography, HDR, Notes from Rich, R. L. Charpentier Photography, Workshops | | Comments (0)

Dear Generic Frame Manufacturers…….

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Full spread which would yield an 8x12". Pretty, eh?

YOU’RE KILLING ME…….

No, seriously, you are. We really need to talk before I run down Whiskey Row barking mad in my boxer shorts and nothing else! Nobody needs to see that as I’m pretty pasty this winter……..

Digital has been around for a little while now. Well, digital photography that is. And interestingly enough, digital print sizes are pretty well known now. Well, they’re known by everybody but you!

Did you know that a digital shot does not translate to an 8×10″ print?  Really, it doesn’t.  In the digital world, without cropping an image, we’re working with an 8×12″ print.  Actually, I’ll give you a list of sizes for your reference:

  • 4×6″
  • 8×12″
  • 10×15″
  • 12×18″
  • 16×24″
  • 20×30″
  • 24×36″

Cropped for an 8x10". Yeah, I guess it is better and I should crop more!

We won’t go any further than that.  I don’t want to overwhelm you.  I mean, in a decade of digital photography you’ve totally failed to recognize the new market place you exist in, and you keep making frames that make digital photographers crop the tar out of their images.  Maybe you know better, maybe we really should crop our images, maybe we’re excessive with what we show.  And you know it, so you’re helping us to get a handle on scenes that should shed some pixels.

Filed in Digital Photography, Notes from Rich | Tagged | Comments (11)

The latest upgrade to Topaz Detail, V2

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Last night I received an e-mail from Topaz. The latest version of Detail is out, and at first glance it’s seeming pretty cool!

This morning I quickly downloaded Detail V2 and did a little experimentation with the latest from Topaz.  What I found was a quicker load time, a more stylized interface, and more interest in working with Detail for future images!

Launching Topaz Fusion from Lightroom 2 is extremely simple!

The new Detail screen. Feels like Lightroom, doesn't it?

Some new presets were included with Detail V2

Playing around with Detail for about 45 minutes I found it to still be a powerful tool.  Thinking back to the speed of the original version I’ve got to say it’s much quicker now!  That’s a plus for folks who are impatient while editing (like me).  V2 is quick, and toying with the interface you see the results almost immediately.

Like the previous version, presets are available.  Personally I think the presets are a great way to learn.  Try each out, see what’s changed in the sliders, and you’ll quickly clue in to how Detail works.  Enjoy some effects in one preset, and different effects in another?  Pretty simple to combine several presets together and create your own!

So, if you’re a Detail user, the latest version is out.  And if you’re not, well Topaz offers trials of their software.

A quickly edited image using Detail. I really do like how detail handles detail enhancement!

Filed in Notes from Rich, Tech Reviews | | Comments (0)

The Tuesday Updates – HDR Workshop, Vulture Mine, Upcoming shoots, and more

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

There’s a lot of news to cover today. Mostly it’s about RL Charpentier Photography, the gallery, and some fun little upcoming events!

  • The Vulture Mine and HDR Workshops:  Well, it’s finally here and official.  R.L. Charpentier Photography, LLC is offering our first group workshop here in Arizona.  What’s it all about?  Day one involves shooting on location at the Vulture Mine, outside of Wickenburg, Arizona.  The class is limited to 5 students, so there will be plenty of one on one instruction time during the 6 hour session.  Day Two of the workshop takes place in historic Prescott Arizona.  For the full details click here and sign up!  The workshops will take place March 6th and 7th, and should be a lot of fun

    The old "WC" at Vulture

  • Upcoming Workshops:  The Vulture / HDR workshops are the beginning for this year.  Each workshop will be kept to small groups with a maximum attendance of 5 participants.  Check in regularly, as I will be announcing the events.  Given the small class size, if you want to get in on it you’d better be quick!  What’s in the hopper for this year?  One or two White Pocket 3 day workshops, one or two along Cottonwood Canyon Road (the Grand Staircase Escalante), a few sessions at Vulture, and two surprise locations that I’m not going to give away yet.
  • Canon Blogger’s Latest Interview:  Well, I didn’t tank Jason’s ratings on my last interview with CannonBlogger, so I got invited back.  This time around it was a free flow interview, so it was pretty unique.  We covered IPads, printing HDR, printing and screen calibration, and other random stuff!  It was a fun interview, and part one of two.  The second interview will cover selling your photography, gallery work, and what we do here at the Ian Russell Gallery.
  • Rob Jamason’s Upcoming Showing in Sedona:  Rob is taking off with his work.  Magazine shoots, racing all over the West Coast, and an opening at the Goldstein Gallery in Sedona this Friday.  Way to go Rob!!!
  • One on One Classes in full swing:  Looking to improve your photographic skills?  Well, the one on one classes have already taken off.  If you’re looking for some time with me (Rich) on Digital SLR Basics, HDR, Intro and Advanced Photoshop, get in touch sooner rather than later.  Mondays are already booking up, and as the Workshop schedule gets going this year weekends will be disappearing fast!  Drop a comment, or feel free to contact me directly for further information!
  • Expertise From Rich?  Really?  Well, the other week I received a call from one of my favorite vendors.  Seems a client was having an issue with a calibration, and the first person to get the call was me.  Guess the reputation here is building, and that’s great.  Was I able to help their client?  Yes!  The issue they were having was one I experienced before, and it’s total user error.  We all learn a great deal from our mistakes, don’t we?  :)
  • A special photo shoot:  I’ve been asked to do a unique commission piece this month.  The weekend of February 28th is now booked due to this shoot.  If it all works out though it could be a good deal of publicity for RL Charpentier Photography, so keep your fingers crossed for me!

Well, there’s all the updates fit to print.  I will be picking up on my wireless flash experimentation later this week.  The gallery / print shop has been busy today, so it took me a while to finally get something up here.

Filed in Arizona, Digital Cameras, Digital Photography, HDR, Notes from Rich, Photographing Arizona, R. L. Charpentier Photography, Wide Format Printing | | Comments (1)

Does Rich Still Take Pictures?

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Customers from out of town came by looking for this image....yesterday. So, I shot it today!

For regular readers, you might be asking that question. I understand the question completely. It’s been a while, hasn’t it.

The simple answer is “Yes.” Taking photos is still fun, and I want to get out and do more. The truth of the matter……. I’ve been busy at the gallery, and my personal revenue stream has been down, therefore I haven’t been out to any super cool locations lately.

This morning I hit that breaking point.  The one where I just had to go shoot something.  Fortunately I had a few ideas in mind…..

Just yesterday I lost out on a sale.  It was an image I had yet to make.  The courtyard at the Hassyampa.  I just haven’t taken an image there that I liked yet.  The customers did get some other Prescott pieces, but they left disappointed that I didn’t have a very specific image of the hotel.

Every time I go to photograph the old elevator at the Hassyampa it isn't lit. Today it was!

So this morning I went and re-shot around the hotel.  I got one that I like too.  :)   I got a few others there that I liked as well.

The railing begged to be photographed!

The railing begged to be photographed!

After shooting around the hotel (again) for a while I made my way back to the gallery.  A customer was waiting for me.  More canvas to run.  That’s always a good thing.

Once I wrapped up with my client I grabbed the tripod and the 5D once more and ventured over to the Bird Cage Saloon.  Now, I’m not a bar person.  But I thought it would be cool to shoot the interior of a bar or two today.  I mean, it is Whiskey Row, right?  Eventually I’d like to shoot in Matt’s, Jersy Lil’s, Holligans’, and the rest of the booze halls in town.  Just to say I did it……..  :)

Before noon, and yes, there were patrons there already. On the bar....two bloody mary's.....

Keep in mind.  None of these are final edits or anything.  And none are for print.  I just had to get out and exercise my camera!  :)

In the Firehouse Annex, right next to the Ian Russell Gallery

Filed in Arizona, Digital Photography, Notes from Rich, Prescott | | Comments (5)

Venturing further into Flash: Wireless with the ST-E2

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Finally, we get the posting up here. Unfortunately I left my portable drive at home this morning, so I had to take a couple of photos here in the gallery in order to show you my little wireless demonstration…..

Someday I’ll remember that portable drive again, I just know it……

In my last posting regarding my foray into flash photography I noted that the flash choices I made were a 580 EX II and a 430 EX II.  My hope was to use the 580 as the wireless controller, and while it worked, I didn’t necessarily like having the flash on camera.  The solution.  I dedicated wireless device.

The ST-E2 was my first pick for wireless firing.  Why?  Simple, made by Canon for Canon devices.  The integration was the part that was of interest to me, just like the 580EX’s integration as well.

After my initial learning curve with both flashes, my reading the “Digital Field Guide” on Canon flash, dealing with the ST-E2 wasn’t a huge exercise in learning.  It’s got a very basic interface, and I can still control some things from the camera’s menu as well.  Granted, some menu screens aren’t available for flash control like using the 580EX II as the wireless controller, but enough is there to get by with.

Looking at the image of the device you can see, not much to it.  A high speed sync button, an ETTL as well, the ability to select channels, a pilot test…..And some type of ratio thing.

The ratio section of the controller was the only thing that took me a few minutes to figure out.  But once figured out you’ll find it’s extremely cool!

The ST-E2 can only control 2 groups of flashes.  There are now options on other devices to control up to 3 groups, but here we’ve got two, and that’s what we’ll deal with.  Group A & Group B.

I separated my flashes into group a and b.  The fun here?  You can keep the flashes equal with output, or you can select either group to over power the other.  What’s that buy you?  Well, possibly dramatic lighting if you set things up right.

The shots I did in the Airstream were super cool and really made the point.  Sorry I forgot the drive again today!  :)

So, you can control flash output through the on screen camera interface.  But from there you can also alter each group’s output further with the ST-E2.  Want one flash 8 times the output of the other?  Yeah, you can do that.

Check the shadowing on the ceiling. The flash to your left was set to higher power.

Now check the shadowing on the wall. Want to guess which flash had the higher power set?

So, what’s all of this buy me?  Control.  Control of the flash output, and the ability to wirelessly control my flash units.  Very cool.  The one drawback.  You really do need line of site to the flash units.  We’re talking 30 feet give or take.  From my experiments in the Airstream I can say, the moment the flash is out of the controller’s line, the flash won’t fire.

That’s what led me to get one set of Radio Popper Jr’s, and I’ll be blogging about that soon.

Down the road we’ll get to the crux of all of my fun experimentation, I promise.  :)

Filed in Digital Cameras, Digital Photography, Gear Review, Notes from Rich, Tech Reviews | | Comments (3)

Everybody else is doing it….The Apple Newton….er I mean the IPad

Thursday, January 28, 2010

No, I’m not implying that Apple’s new IPad is like the Newton. But I am trying to remind readers of something…..

Apple has been a leader in “bleeding edge” technology for a long time. I remember while in college sitting in a political science course with Dr. Don Davison, the guy sitting next to me was using a Newton. Unfortunately for the Newton, it was way too early for most folks to adopt. It had a limited following, but that did not mean it wasn’t an amazing technology for the time.  I think that was around 1990 or 91′.  Wow!

Now, here’s Apple again with another advance in portable computing. Will it replace my laptop? Nope. Desktop? Nope. But that doesn’t mean that this device won’t be adopted.  As a matter of fact, I bet Apple will sell the tar out of these this year.  Will I be getting one?

Not yet.

Now, some of my favorite tech bloggers are out there very excited about the IPad.  Reading Kelby’s site this morning he admonished the “feature counters” out there, and reminded all of us that folks didn’t think the IPhone would fly.  Scott has a point, but that point still won’t get me to get an IPad yet.  A few years ago when I worked in the wireless industry and had plenty of disposable income I would have gotten one immediately.  Now owning my own business and being on a super tight budget, anything I buy has to be extremely useful!

The IPad is a very cool device!  However, I need “multi-use” devices, I live in an Airstream.  Almost every piece of technology that I own is used for more than one purpose.  For the time being, the IPad isn’t it for me.  If it had more storage space, a multi-tasking capability, etc., it would be on my radar screen.  Could you imagine using it to off load images in the field?  That screen would be amazing.  A Lightroom App for the IPad combined with more storage space would make this a must have device for me almost immediately.

Oh, and the final issue that keeps me from adopting the IPhone or IPad.  Internet service via AT&T.  Didn’t you work for them on the networking side Rich?  Why yes, I did, and I was proud to work for them. The AT&T network has been disappointing people in my area for years.  3G in Prescott?  Nope.  We’re too small.  Dropped calls, dropped network connections?  Yup.  I so wish that the IPad’s network service would be selectable by end users, not predetermined.

So yes, Apple has released an cool new device.  And I won’t be getting the first generation version.  Now, with a few improvements you’ll find one in my Airstream.  I figure I’ll wait for the second generation version!  Until gen 2, I’ll keep using my IPod Touch, just love that device!

Filed in Notes from Rich, Tech Reviews | | Comments (10)

ST-E2 Post delayed, and other news tidbits

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Well, I thought I’d have the next post on my flash experimentation up, but go figure, I left the portable drive at home. I specifically put it next to my keys last night in order to remember it, and look how well that worked out! So, tomorrow!

What’s happening at the Gallery today?

This morning I veneered 4 new canvases.  Two for Robert Jamason’s upcoming opening at the Goldstein Gallery in Sedona, one of my “Grand Canyon Monsoon” prints in a 24×36, and an 18×24 for a friend’s image (it’ll be on its way tomorrow).  Now the canvas is drying right next to me, and they’re all looking good!

Since announcing the “One-on-One” training I’ve had two additional sign ups from local photographers.  I think we might have a hit here!  We’ll just have to wait and see.  I can say, the first one this week was one of my toughest customers when it comes to price point, and he was beyond satisfied with what he got out of an hour and 20 minutes!  That’s always good.

In other news, we’ll be doing Art Walk this Friday.  I know, it isn’t 4th Friday, it’s 5th Friday…..but 4th Friday got toasted by the weather last week.  Who wants to schlep around town in slush, snow, and cold wet stuff?  So, if you missed the Art Walk last week, never fear.  We’re doing it this week!

Well, that’s all I’ve got this morning.  Now it’s back to work.  Reorganizing my Client Library in Lightroom to streamline the printing process.  That should take a little while, as I’ve gotten a little messy with storage.  Time to reclaim some room on the external drives!

Filed in Digital Photography, Notes from Rich, R. L. Charpentier Photography, The Ian Russell Gallery | | Comments (1)