Bodie Island Lighthouse

On April 21, 2014, in North Carolina, Photoshop Tips, by admin
Bodie Island Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras National Seashore

Bodie Island Lighthouse, Cape Hatteras National Seashore (click to enlarge)

This is a “panoramic” image of Bodie Island Lighthouse I made using my Really Right Stuff PG-02 Pro Omni-Pivot Package.  Using Photoshop, I stitched together seven images to create one very large image.  The native resolution of my Nikon D300 is 18 inches by 12 inches.  By stitching together seven images, I end up with an image that is 42 inches tall by 18 inches wide (there must be some overlap between images so that Photoshop can do the stitching, that is why the image is only 42 inches tall).

Click on the image, and them click on the image again to enlarge it.  You will get an idea of how tall this image really is as you scroll, and scroll, and scroll down.  By stitching together several images I get a much higher level of resolution than if I had just blown up a typical 18 inch by 12 inch image.

Location: N35 49 06.73 W075 33 48.28

Manarola Sunset

On October 11, 2013, in Italy, Photography Tips, by admin
Manarola Sunset

Manarola Sunset (click to enlarge)

Another panorama image using my Really Right Stuff PG-02 Pro Omni-Pivot Package.  This image was taken from a promontory overlooking the the town of Manarola, one of the “Cinque Terre” (five towns) along the Italian coast in the Liguria region of Italy.  It was taken just after sunset during the “blue hour” which has become my favorite time of day to shoot.

This panorama consists of six images in two rows with three images in each row.  The long exposure gives the water that foggy look.  In actuality, the waves were crashing into the stone coast but the 30 second exposures softened those.

By the way, I took this image after a great meal at Trattoria dal Billy which is HIGHLY recommended.  The view is spectacular, make sure you drink the local Cinque Terre wine.  We brought a bottle home to drink a year later and the memories flooded back.

Location: N44 06 26.85  E009 43 32.38

Florence Night Skyline

On September 28, 2013, in Italy, Photography Tips, by admin
Florence Night Skyline

Florence night skyline from the tower of the Hotel Torre Guelfa.

Another panorama taken with my Really Right Stuff PG-02 Pro Omni-Pivot Package.  This was a series of nine images stitched together using Photoshop’s Photomerge function (File -> Automate -> Photomerge).  Each image was a 25 second exposure.

The image was taken from the tower of the Hotel Torre Guelfa.  This is the tallest privately owned tower in central Florence.  The hotel has a bar at the top of the tower which is the perfect place to watch sunset.

Be sure to book early and ask for Room 315.  Here is what the website says about that room (we booked it):

Room 315 is our jewel in the crown. One arrives through a very steep stair which leads from the third floor to an even higher level, where you find yourself on the roofs of Florence! Characteristic is a big terrace,  equipped with sofa and comfy chairs and a remote controlled shade, which allows you to live the city in a privileged way, even during the hottest season of the year. A romantic iron canopy bed and visible wooden beams on the attic ceiling makes this room so special.

I heard about this hotel during a photography seminar that I attended at the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.  The seminar leaders, Tom and Pat Cory, also run a seminar in Italy.  Tom and Pat base their Florence photography seminars in this hotel.  If you are interested in a photography seminar in the Smokey Mountains, Tom and Pat are highly recommended.

Location:N43 46 09.20  E011 15 11.04

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