When I last shutdown Aperture I apparently left it on a photograph I took of Shaw Cabin and Girstmill.  Tonight when I started up Aperture the image really struck me.  I’m now sharing that image with you.  I have others that I’m still processing and hope to share someday.

For those interested in what processing I did: 5 bracketed shots, HDR Efex Pro, then Silver Efex Pro for conversion to B&W and the TinType filter.  I’ve been reading about TinType lately and have thoughts of maybe someday using that form of photography, certainly creates one of a kind images.  Until I get the time and expertise to do real TinType photography my modern darkroom will have to suffice.  I thought TinType would be appropriate here given the date of many items at the village and when TinType photography came about, 1850s according to Wikipedia.

All pictures are uploaded to my “store” so you can view/download/order prints, etc..  You can download the originals at no cost, for personal use only.

I will be putting them on my “store” so you can view/download the originals, or order prints, etc..   I will update this post when I get that completed.

Below I have a slide show of the pictures.  If you want to download any of them (FOR FREE) you can view them at my store along with getting prints made, etc.  I certainly hope you enjoy them, and please leave a comment, I always appreciate the feedback.

Note — you can view the pictures full screen if you wish.  In the lower right hand corner of the slide show are some icons, click on the middle one to view the pictures full screen.

You can find the gallery of photographs here for downloading or getting prints.

In this one I wanted to experiment with some techniques and used a nice series of my daughter warming up.  She loves the middle frame where both of her feet are off the ground at the same time.

I tried to photograph the US Capital building up close, but I got whistled at by the guards indicating not allowed.  I didn’t have the energy to walk up the stairs to ask them if it was the photograph or the tripod that was the problem. (I learned at the Lincoln Memorial it is the tripod feet they object too, as certain feet can damage the floor.)  The front of the building with a water fountain was just screaming to me for an HDR photograph, but alas it was not meant to be yesterday.

They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. — Benjamin Franklin

I think we as a country have gone too far and given up too much of our liberties in the name of security. Anyone should be able to photograph government buildings, after all if we pay taxes then we own part of the building and thus I believe have a basic right to be able to photograph/draw/paint it.  If we are not causing harm to others, then I believe we should be able to do something.

If I had a GigaPan and say a 70-200, or a 200-400 lens, then I could stand a far distance away and yet get a very detailed image of something.  I wouldn’t be able to capture the photograph I wanted to take yesterday but if I wanted a detailed image of something with the intent of learning faults to cause harm, I don’t need to be close to accomplish.

Someday I hope to own a GigaPan EPIC Pro (until then I hope to get a Gigapan Epic to go with my Canon S95) so I can take very detailed landscape panoramic images combined with HDR as well.  I imagine a nice panoramic print 64″ tall and very long, yet very detailed.  Of course to accomplish my goal having a Nikon D3 and very powerful Mac Pro would be helpful.  :)

I headed away from the US Capital building in search of other photographic items. I really like the architecture of the buildings on the corner of Constitution Ave NW and 3rd St NW.  I also grabbed a shot looking down Constitution Ave. which when I processed it to look vintage, I think came out nicely.  Printed at 13 x 19 looks very nice.

Processed using Aperture, NIK Software HDR Efex Pro, and Topaz Simplify on one as well.

Here is the first picture that I have processed.  I’ve sent this off to be printed 12 x 18 and 20 x 30.  :)

Update: Adding a picture of the building, I like buildings built of rocks, or at least made to look that way.  I used Nik Software‘s HDR Efex Pro (my first image with it) to create this picture.

I started playing around with the various software pieces of the bundle and all I can say is Wow!  This software makes working in my dark room a lot easier and the results are wonderful.  I am still learning how to use the software so I’ll get better but even after just a day, the results are very nice.

If you scroll through the archives of my blog about a year ago I spent time with a wonderful family with the sole purpose of taking their pictures.  That was a first for me, I was extremely nervous.  One of the pictures from that day I really like but always knew it needed some assistance in the dark room.  Today I used the new tools at my disposal and I think made a much better version.

So first is the original photograph, the 2nd image is the revised image.

What do you think?  Better?  Could it be better?  Even though the child is not my own, I am so drawn to this picture.  I love how the viewer is drawn to the thoughts that could be going through his mind.  Of course this was just a very short moment in time, as kids have short attention spans and they were both running around that day.