Lightroom - The Magic Elixir

BEFORE

AFTER

Lightroom is truly amazing software. It is far and away my favorite way to optimize images. These BEFORE and AFTER images are good examples of what Lightroom can do.

It can enhance contrast, color, and so much more. And it is very fast. You do not have to spend half your life being chained to your computer in order to improve the look of your images. Most of us would rather be out shooting and not have to spend hours sitting at the computer, and for me this is definitely the way to go.

The BEFORE image, a close-up of ice formations on a beach in Iceland, shows very little color. The AFTER image shows all the color that is really there. Nothing has been artificially added. The colors you see in the AFTER image were there, but were not apparent before optimization in Lightroom.

In addition to bringing out the colors, Lightroom also was able to punch up the contrast, and bring out detail in the highlights, resulting in a much more pleasing image.

No matter where or what you photograph, every image needs image optimization of some sort. Some need more, and some need less, but there is no question that image optimization makes each and every image much more beautiful.

And speaking of travel, I am excited to be heading back to Iceland August 4 -14. The trip is limited to only 8 participants, and there are are still a few spaces left. This will be one of the best Iceland trips available. We will spend 10 full days there and will travel to some of its most iconic locations. We will photograph incredible waterfalls, spectacular rocky coastlines, lots of puffins and other birds, huge glaciers, beautiful horses, quaint villages, charming churches, and more. We will have our own large state-of-the-art vehicle with a charming native Icelandic guide, and will have lots of fun and great images. The trip is all-inclusive (except your airfare to and from Iceland). Just get yourself there and the rest will be taken care of! 

Call 757-773-0194 or email me at awakethelight@charter.net and 

I can give you all the details.

And see images of Iceland on the website at www.awakethelight.com

TECHNICAL DATA
1/125 sec. at f/8, ISO 800.  Canon 17-40mm f/4L set at 40mm on Canon 5D MarkII. Handheld.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."  --Mark Twain

A Balancing Act

One aspect of making a successful image is balance. Balancing the elements is not difficult but it can take a little thought. Balance is not necessarily symmetry. An asymmetrical image, like this one, can have good balance depending on the composition.

All the details in the window and the surrounding stonework are balanced by the large off-white blank wall. I deliberately off-set the window far to the right so that the blank wall would balance all the details.

Also notice that the empty space at the top is about the same size as the area of stones below the window. 

There were several different ways to compose this image, including centering the window. But that would have been a less exciting image in my opinion.

TECHNICAL DATA
1/100 sec. at f/8, ISO 1600.  Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS lens set at 98mm on Canon 7D Mark II body.  Handheld.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "What I dream of is an art of balance."  --Henri Matisse

Why THIS Iceland Trip?

If you have been following my Blog, you know that Iceland has become one of my favorite places to go. Its incredible waterfalls, sweeping scenery, huge glaciers, beautiful horses, and charming villages have captivated me. That is why I am going back August 4 - 14.

Today's image is the famous Kirkjufellsfoss triple waterfall with Kirkjufell Mountain behind.  

There is a lot of interest in photographing in Iceland, and I field many questions. Along with other questions, I am asked why the trip is priced as it is. There are several reasons, and today's blog has answers to this and other questions.

Q  -  Why is this Iceland trip more expensive than others I see offered?
A  -  There are several reasons.
            1. All lodging is included, and each person will have their own room with private bath. No one will have to share a room with a roommate (except couples traveling together of course).
           
            2. All meals are included, and all snacks. Food is amazingly expensive in Iceland, and many other trips offered do not include all meals. Read each trip offering carefully. Food generally costs at least 2 to 3 times more than anything comparable in the US.

            3. All tips are included. It has been a hallmark of Awake The Light photo tours to set fees that are all inclusive. There will never be any hidden fees. Since I hate to be "nickled and dimed" regarding any purchases or when traveling, I do not ever want to do that to anyone else either.

            4. All ground transportation is included.

            5. All guide services are included. We travel with a highly knowledgeable native Icelander who  knows every inch of the country. He also has many contacts all over Iceland who keep us informed on weather conditions, and lighting conditions. We can make spur of the moment decisions and be in the right places at the right times. This is an invaluable element of any photo trip.

Q  -  Are there any pricing specials?
A  -  Yes, there is an Early Bird special price if you register by March 1.  Pricing information is on the website HERE

Q  -  Why is the trip planned for August?
A  -  Summer is when the puffins and other bird life are still nesting there, and the weather is generally more benign. And August is just after the busiest tourist season, so the crowds will be a bit smaller. In addition, we will have nearly 18 hours of daylight, so there will be that beautiful "sweet light" for much of the day.

Q  -  Where will we go?
A  -  Our 10-day adventure begins in Reykjavik. We then travel to many parts of the country including the southern, western, and northern areas. We will also have forays into the central heart of the country. In our travels we will see many iconic waterfalls, impressive glaciers, puffins, famous Icelandic horses, rocky coastlines, quaint villages and farms, and much more.

Q  -  Why do you love Iceland so much?
A  -  Iceland is a captivating and mesmerizing place. The rugged scenery, the welcoming and charming people, the extreme cleanliness of the entire country, and its European charm combine to create a wonderful place to experience. And you will return home with impressive world-class images that you will cherish forever.

You can view images from Iceland and get more details HERE  

Only 5 spaces left, 

so call 757-773-0194 

or email me with questions. 

TECHNICAL DATA
1/2 sec., f/22, ISO 100.  Canon 17-40mm f/4L lens set at 17mm, on Canon 7D Mark II body. Gitzo tripod with Really Right Stuff ballhead. Black-and-white conversion done in Lightroom.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "In Iceland you can see the contours of the mountains wherever you go, and the swell of the hills. And always beyond that, the horizon."  --Hannah Kent

A Horse Of A Different Color

Icelandic horses are world renown. They have lived on the protected island of Iceland for centuries. They are beautiful, friendly, and enjoy the attention of photographers. And they are extremely photogenic.

Their manes blow artfully in the breezes. Their color combinations are unique and fascinating. And they are very graceful in their movements.

We will have several opportunities to photograph these lovely creatures on the ICELAND - ENDLESS LIGHT photo tour coming up August 4 - 14. We will also visit many of Iceland's spectacular waterfalls, its rugged coastline, and its huge summer puffin population.

If the magic of Iceland appeals to you, this is the trip to do this year. You can read more details here

There is an attractive Early Bird special if you register by March 1. So give me a call at 757-773-0194, or drop me an email for more information. 

TECHNICAL DATA
1/250 sec. at f/5.6, ISO 400. Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS lens with Canon 1.4x extender for a focal length of 241mm on Canon 7D Mark II camera.  Handheld.

TODAY'S QUOTE: "Horses are the dolphins of the plains, the spirits of the wind...."  -- Lauren Salerno