Calling all Photography nerds!

Yep. This image is processed from a bracket combined into an HDR file and then processed in LR:



Now, that could easily have been done with a single exposure and been quite acceptable at web sized display. Using a bracket though greatly improves the noise in the shadows and darker tones. Below are enlarged crops from identical processing applied to the best single exposure as well as the HDR file (in this case a color version):

 

We're hitting the 5 main national parks in Utah come May (Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Arches/Moab, and Canyonlands). I'm concerned more with taking trails that get me great views rather than looking for super technical trails to test the truck on (I'm stock). Are there any must-drive scenic trails in these parks that I can't miss? I'm no professional photographer, but I do get a kick out of bringing my Canon S120 out with me on our adventures.

Picture below is from camping at Eleven Mile Reservoir in Colorado last Fall

 

Your Donner lake photo is outstanding!! I have to ask one question about the composition. Have you tried to leave out some of the brushy areas on the borders of the shot, so that the viewers attention will be drawn into the lake area of the photo? For me at least, there is actually TOO much good about the shot! There is just too much to take in . If I may suggest, when you do loose some of the border, don't center the lake in the shot. It seems like most everyones' mistake to do too much centering -- I tend to do it as well. The other shots are great as well -you have a great eye for photography.

 

Two week's till i take delivery of my quicksand OR (which i will shoot a ton lol), but I photograph stuff for a living. Lots of cool cars and travel photos here - www.donatodellapi.com

 

You won't find a bad view in Canyonlands or Arches. Just know that the parks are much bigger than most people realize. Canyonlands is divided into 3 districts, each with their own feel. Arches is amazing but very crowded. Try to get to the park around sunrise or earlier so you can be ahead of the biggest crowds. Delicate Arch is a must see. I can give you more insight into Canyonlands and the 3 districts if you are interested. attached is a photo from Chesler Park backpacking site.

 

Arches has a couple of dirt / sand trails that are mildly technical, not trafficked hardly at all, and offer some good views and good photo ops. If you have a Moab trail guide they show up on there, if you don't, ask a ranger at the park and he can point you towards them. One of them runs behind Eye of the Whale and I believe the name of the trail is, appropriately enough, Eye of the Whale Trail. It's a two way trail but there is a rock shelf that makes it tricky if you are going... umm.... I can't remember which way. I think you want to run it south. Whichever way I'm running it here:

 

mesa arch

Hers the gorge in Capitol Reef


Which takes you to the trail head to get to a view point to see this guy "the golden thrown"


And then Zion is just plain badass (court of the patriarch)

 

Hey my neck of the woods!

 

Just got a Sony a6000 a couple weeks ago. Still trying to figure out all of the settings, but this is what I've got so far:

pavementstripegrey by Kendra Waters, on Flickr
blacktopsnow by Kendra Waters, on Flickr

 

Spent some time in the desert today.

CMS17019.jpg by ChazLylePhoto, on Flickr


CMS17020-2.jpg by ChazLylePhoto, on Flickr


CMS17011.jpg by ChazLylePhoto, on Flickr


CMS17026.jpg by ChazLylePhoto, on Flickr

 

Haven't done any truck photos but have good portfolio of photos I do. Checkout on http://www.andrephotocafe.com/index.php?x=browse

 

ooof, I need to get to a desert asap. Some great photos

 

Very nice! Your creativity is showing...

 

Thanks! too many settings and buttons and software options though! I think I've saved almost all of the photos I've edited once as the original and twice edited haha

 

I am very much an amateur .
But I always have a 2 cameras in the house handy . Nothing fancy , 1 Canon EOS Rebel T5i with EF 70-300 1:4-5.6 IS USM
and a EOS Rebel XTI with a EFS 17-55 1:2.8 IS USM

 

Nice!

 

I took a SLR course at my local CC, and it was a big help. Also, DO THIS. DO IT:
http://worldwidephotowalk.com/

 

That looks awesome! I'll have to. Yeah, been looking at stuff like that and doing a lot of reading, it's just a lot to take in all at once plus it's cold and dreary here, which makes it hard to get out and take pics

 

Took this the second day I got my D5300 with the 70 - 300 lens, definitely need to keep practicing.

 

I definitely would be. It's our first time going out there, so we'll probably see a good chunk of the traditional tourist spots, but I would like to go off the beaten path to find other great sites as well.