There is beauty in a dead flower
This is a single flower from hydrangea bunch from our back
yard. Last year's bloom that was nice and crisp. The lines and forms were so inviting. This was shot indoors with cross-lighting so as to bring out detail and texture. Conversions to monochrome in NIK Silver Efex Pro.
Using Lightroom 3 Develop Module Presets in Lightroom 4
For Lightroom 3 users upgrading to Lightroom 4 or 4.1 who have lots of presets that are applicable in the develop module be cautioned. These LR3 presets will not have the same effect when you convert your image to PV 2012 (Process Version 2012)The best way to handle this is to select your image in the Develop module in LR4. Next select the preset and click on the exclamation icon on the lower right of your image. Using the pop-up dialog allow the update version to execute.Now you will need to make necessary modifications with the sliders in the basic panel as these are no loner the same as in LR3. Once you are satisfied with the results of your adjustments you can save this as a new preset.
Announcing Two Yosemite & Mono Lake - Photo Tours and Workshops in September 2012
Yosemite National Park is one of America’s most iconic landscapes offering some of the world’s most spectacular landscape photo opportunities. The valley is surrounded by high granite mountain walls carved by glaciers creating beautiful shapes. The waterfalls are spectacular as are the lakes and streams in the park.Mono Lake is unlike any other landscape in the world. Its beautiful tufas, alkaline water, desert-like vistas make it a remarkable place for photography. Sometimes it seems that you are on another planet or may be on a lunar surface. The late summer weather generally provides some interesting cloud formations.
IR imagery in Incandescent Light
Going a step further with the same Iris,
I took an image with my IR camera and adjusted it in Lightroom 4 so as to take the background to black. As the light was an incandescent source the true IR was not evident. Additional adjustments in LR4 yielded this.
Iris Close-up - the effect of white balance
Decided to do some close-up work this morning with an iris (indoors). The flower was lit with two simple reflector based workman's lamps each with a 60 W incandescent bulb. The first setup was created with auto white balance fooling the camera a bit to consider a cloudy situation thereby enhancing the warm tones.
This next image is with a slightly different composition and crop created after doing a custom white balance to have color accuracy despite the mixed light. Both images were photographed using the identical background.
Items for Sale
For sale one slightly used Canon 50D body with original packaging and all original accessories.One used Canon 1D Mark II with all original accessories, one extra battery and the 110 Volt AC power supply.One brand new never used Tamron 90mm Macro lens.Call or email me for details.
Adobe Labs releases a public Beta of Photoshop CS 6
Adobe Labs had released a public Beta of Photoshop CS 6.You can download the Mac and Windows versions at the following link:http://labs.adobe.com/downloads/photoshopcs6.htmlI have downloaded a copy and am installing it now. Stay tuned for my picks and comments on the new and updated features.
Canon - one big leap forward - the 600EX-RT radio based wireless flash
Canon's latest flash the 600EX-RT with built in radio-based wireless triggering that gives you full E-TTL and allows you to control 15 600EX-RT slave units (NO MORE LINE OF SIGHT). In my opinion this is a huge leapfrog over the competition. Yes everybody is talking about the 5D Mark III but this is the best new product – wow Canon!!! – you did listen to your customers and what an awesome response.
To get the most out of these units you will need to marry the unit with either the %D Mk III or the new 1DX. You can arrange the remote flash units in groups for a total of five and have total control over each group. What is even more impressive is a flash head zoom range from 20mm to 200mm.Also impressive is Canon's ST-E3-RT wireless transmitter, which offers all the triggering functions built into the flash without the need for one unit on the camera.I am providing a link to Syl Arena’s blog where he provides his first impressions of these fabulous units. Click here.
Great Meadows WLR - Concord
Woke up to blue skies and decided to check out Great Meadows. There is not much happening except Canada Geese fighting for good nesting spots and Red Wing Blackbirds that were in abundance. The dried up marsh grasses and cattails make for fairly drab backgrounds but for this image I decided to leave a lot of negative space while composing. It is more like calling to the nothingness at Great Meadows today.
SW Florida Workshop Day 5 the last day
An early morning ride out to Little Estero lagoon, hoping to catch some of the great light as the sun comes over the buildings.
The lagoon was well populated and had a lot of activity - both birds and photographers. There was another photo workshop that was at the same place at the same time.Here are a few images from the morning shoot. This is a slide show where images change in sequence so be patient as they load.
I was able to get a few nice images of the Little Blue Heron in its white phase:
Another one - both photographed with a Canon 7D and a 500mm F4.
Once we lost the good light we drove to Sanibel to Ding Darling. The loop is closed on Friday but we wanted to spend some time in the nature center and the gift shop. Lunch at Key Lime Bistro followed by some great ice-cream and we were off to Bunche Beach.Here is another slide who of the birds at Bunche Beach:
As the sun was setting we captured some great images before returning to the hotel. A very nice culmination to a great workshop. 
This final image was for fun - the afterglow created some beautiful hues that I wanted to capture with a few skimmers in flight.
This concludes the trip report for the March 2012 SW Florida Workshop. I hope to see some of you participate in next year's workshop or any of the other photo tours and workshops that have been planned.
SW Florida Workshop Day 4
Tiger Tail Beach, Marco Island was the location for today. The weather was perfect for the beach and the birds.
A plethora of peeps including the least sandpiper. All the images in the gallery were photographed with a Canon 7D and a 500mm F4. A Reddish Egret flew in and entertained us for quite a while: An Osprey nest provided some great photo ops with parents flying in with fish - feeding the the single chick.
We decited to take a break and head for lunch. Dark clouds rolled in and while at lunch we had torrential rain. Fortunately we got a few breaks in the afternoon and were able to photograph a few burrowing owls on the island. We then headed back and further to Cape Coral for more Owls. The following are images from both locations.
SW Florida Workshop Day 3
Venice, Florida was the venue on today's agenda. First stop the Venice Rookery. Despite the decimation of the Brazilian Pepper bushes there is still plenty to photograph on the island.
All the images above were captured with a Canon 7D and a 500 mm F4 lens mounted using a Sidekick.As the light got harsh we left for the Venice Dump - yes the dump. The dump has an abundance of vultures and eagles but we were found Sandhill Crane pairs - eight of them.
The two Sandhill images above were photographed with a Canon 7D and a 500mm F4 lens.Lunch and then on to the fishing pier:
Both the Tern, Ruddy Turnstone and the two Gull images were shot with a 7D and a 70 - 200 mm F2.8 lens.We waited for sunset - dinner and back to Fort Myers Beach. 
This last image was shot using a Canon 7D, 16 - 35 mm F2.8 lens and a Singh Ray VariND filter.All images in my florida posts with the exception of the Venice Pier were processed using Lightroom 4 only and no plugins. The Venice pier was processed in Photoshop CS5 with Nik Viveza and Nik Color Efex Pro plugins.
Macro and Close-up Photography Workshop - March 25, 2102
I will be conducting another Macro and Close-up Photography Workshop on March 25. The workshop is limited to a maximum of 10 participants. Please confirm participation at the earliest. Email s.verma@me.com or call 617-759-0010Click Here for Details - Macro and Closeup March 25
Planning on another Macro & Close-up Workshop March 25
Based on the responses to the last two workshops I will be conducting another Macro & Close-up workshop on March 25. Please email me at s.verma@me.com if you are interested - the spots fill up very fast.Details will be posted later today.In the mean time here are a few comments from the March 11 workshop participants:I’ve never gotten so much quality information from a single workshop. This class is perfectly geared to advanced amateur photographers. The material presented is neither too light nor overwhelming, and is well balanced between macro concepts, an introduction to the tools and software needed, and hands-on guided practice. You’ll leave with practical experience and knowledge of how to get started in this challenging and rewarding area of photography. - Abby 3/14/2012Shiv! I had already learned a lot from him over the years by paying attention to his commentaries on NECCC circuits, attending his Amherst presentations, and I enjoy his photography. I don't think I would have driven 100 miles for anyone else's workshop. 3/14/2012I came to the workshop wanting to learn more about focus stacking. Shiv did a great job and I felt that I learned a lot that I can apply to my photography. 3/12/2012Shiv covered all the essentials for macro techniques. I learned so much about the right equipment, best practices and software. I can't wait to try out everything I learned at home. 3/11/2012This was a very good workshop, and well worth the price I paid. The pacing was perfect, and in keeping the group small, it felt more like a bunch of friends talking, and not a regular class. All participants were encouraged to ask questions, and insert observations. 3/11/2012
SW Florida Workshop - Day 2
Day two of the workshop was an early trip to Ding Darling WR. We were at the entrance soon after it opened. One of the members in the group was a car length ahead of ours and was fortunate to see a Bobcat scurry by in front of his vehicle.The first stretch of the drive had a yellow crowned night heron hunting along fairly dark mangroves - we took a few shots for the record.The next stop was the first turnout where we were greeted by a large flock of American White Pelicans, Brow Pelicans, a Reddish Egret and Tricolor FIshing.
As the morning progressed the Red Breasted Mergansers and Pied Billed Grebes were showing up every where.
After a productive morning at Ding Darling - we went to Sanibel fishing pier for some diving pelicans.
Lots of fun. Now on to a bit of exploring we headed back to Fort Myers Beach and went further to check out Harnes Marsh.It is a lot of walking as no motorized vehicles are allowed. Saw a few Snail Kites and a pair of Sandhill Cranes with young.
That was day two. Day three to come
SW Florida Workshop Day 1
An early morning trip out to the pools in the Fort Myers Beach area was productive. The bird were magnificent with their feathers blowing in the gentle breeze. The light was perfect as was the action.Here are some of the images from the beach:
The egrets were very active and there was plenty of fish to be eaten.
Next stop was Sanibel Island and the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge. Ding Darling was quiet compared to the many trips I have done in the past but still a fun place to be. Lots of Brown and White Pelicans, Cormorants, Red Breasted Mergansers and Pied Billed Grebes.
We left Ding Darling and drove to Captiva for lunch at a favorite spot "Key Lime Bistro". One of the members had developed a problem with her Nikon D700 that refused to focus properly so the day before we rented a body that had to pick up from the hotel. Once assembled we left for our next photo location. Beautiful evening light made one forget the biting by the no-see-ums that some repellant took care of. Here are some images in the awesome light:
Then the sunset turned the skies a deep reddish pink - the water and the birds all seemed to get this glow.
SW Florida Workshop - Day 0
An early morning uneventful but bumpy flight to Fort Myers got us in on time. We collected our bags, rented the car and off to Fort Myers Beach. The workshop included a trip to Cape Coral for burrowing owls so day zero required a scouting trip to the area. The typical locations were devoid of owls but the vacant lots yielded some active burrows.Here are some images from this scouting trip:
India Trip Report 4 and Final
This is the last of the India trip reports but I will continue to update the blog with additional images as I process them. Just got back from an awesome workshop in SW Florida - look out for the next batch of reports and images.
So we arrived in Kanha for a three-night stay. The plan was for five safaris but with the unpredictability of the airline we were booked on, we changed our tickets to depart from Nagpur instead of Jubalpur. This meant a 5 to 6 hour travel time from the lodge instead of 2 to 3 hours.Kanha is about 3 times the size of Bandhavgarh resulting in a sparse distribution of both safari jeeps and animals. It is however a prettier jungle and has a few species that are not found in Bandhavgarh – the Indian Bison or Gaur, the Indian wild dog, and swamp deer. We saw and photographed all but the wild dog.The Earth Lodge in Kanha is one of the nicest places to stay. Very modern facilities, beautiful stone construction, an infinity swimming pool and awesome food.Here are a few images of the lodge photographed by Hal Oliver:
Here are some images from Kanha:
It is now February 26th and the eve of our departure. We fly from Nagpur to Delhi on Indigo Airlines – an upcoming and ranked number one in India. It was a pleasure to leave a bit ahead of schedule and land on time – a very pleasant experience.We decided to do a bit of sightseeing on the last day. A trip to Delhi Haat that is more like a permanent craft fair. Handicrafts and native foods from the various states of India are the main attraction.The next Photo Tour will include a visit to photograph Asiatic Lions. Custom trips to India can be requested both for Cultural and Wildlife opportunities.
India Trip Report - 3
Landing in Jabalpur we were greeted by a very courteous group of Kingfisher staff and were soon on our way driving to Bandhavgarh. We checked in at the Nature Heritage Lodge, a quick lunch an off to our first safari. Bandhavgarh is divided into three zones with only two being active. The zone closest to the resort is TALA and the one farthest is MAGDI. Our first safari was in Magdi the second zone.
Our first creature was a wild boar, actually a whole family of about 8 boars. A number of Hanuman Langurs, Chital (Spotted deer), peacocks and peahens were in abundance as were owls, raptors and a numerous species of awesome birds. The next three days were spent in the TALA zone – each day presented us with a variety of wildlife but unfortunately no tigers. One had been located by an elephant scouting team and accessible only by traveling on elephant back. We decided not to do the viewing and hope for better luck by jeep.The fourth day’s AM safari was in the Magdi zone and did not yield any tigers but a potential as one of the jeeps had heard two tigers growling and crunching on a kill. The next safari yielded an extended viewing of one of the two tigers. The following day the safari was even better when each one did a 40 to 45 minute show. With the success of viewing tigers we decided to extend another day in Bandhavgarh and reduce the Kanha excursion by a day.Rather than showing individual images here is a slide show gallery representing the two zones in Bandhavgarh, scenes from the safari, a village in the area and its people:
India Trip Report - Part 2
Next stop was a couple of days in Delhi just relaxing and doing some sightseeing a bit of architectural photography of some of the land mark monuments. Our first stop was the Qutab Minar.
Following lunch the plan was to visit Humayan’s tomb but lunch took longer than anticipated so that was avoided but deferred to the next day.A morning visit to Lodi Gardens and an afternoon visit to Humayan’s tomb yielded a few memorable shots.
The following day Feb 17 We were booked on a Kingfisher Airlines flight from Delhi to Jabalpur. This is the day after the airline announced their quarterly results of huge losses and the possibility of a shutdown. After considerable delays and the possibility of missing our firs safari in Bandhavgarh we finally boarded the flight at 9:00 AM which was a 2.5 hour delay.More in the next segment of the report.