Sandmania's photostream

I would like to thank everyone for your comments, emails and wishes while I have been away. Time for photography has been quite limited, although I hope to get back into the swing of things again now.

I wish you all a Happy New Year.

Its good to be back. :)

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HDR Tutorial Beginner | HDR Tutorial Advanced | My New York Set

Another shot from the Brindley Place complex from last year. They have this little fairy lights on the trees all year round apparently....I thought it was just a Christmas thing at first.

HDR Tutorial Beginner | HDR Tutorial Advanced | My England Set

Taken handheld from atop the Empire State Building. Initially I was going to upload the coloured version, but then decided to tone it with a blueish photo filter.

HDR Tutorial Beginner | HDR Tutorial Advanced | My New York Set

When I visited Warwick Castle I had a couple of hours spare to explore the town, during which time I stumbled upon this cathedral. Now I have been to a fair few cathedrals and churches in my time...especially in Italy, but this one had a very eerie and atmospheric feeling to it. There was not a soul insight during the hour or so I was there, although I did see the priest here and there. The cellar was extremely spooky :-S

See it Super Spooky.

HDR Tutorial Beginner | HDR Tutorial Advanced | My England Set

Since the start of last year, I started experimented with off camera lighting and bought myself a couple of Nikon flashes, umbrellas and light stands. Its been an interesting learning curve grasping lighting concepts etc.. in a studio environment and its been enjoyable and very different from the usual travel/HDR photography I do.

The famous www.strobist.com is an excellent site and reference point to all those who are interested in using off-camera flash and they also have there own Flickr group here. I might work up a basic lighting tutorial when I get the chance on this image.

These are some of first shots I took with my lighting equipment. I added a strong texture to the main image, but you can see the other variations and shots below. The processing was kept pretty minimal.

Also watch out for a textures tutorial coming soon.

Strobist Info:

SB-24 behind camera right, shoot through umbrella, triggered by cactus triggers
SB-26 behind camera left, shoot through umbrella, setup as slave.

Manual mode, Iso speed 100

Thanks to Vanessa for the texture. Not too sure where I got the other texture from...I'll give credit once I find out. :)

HDR Tutorial Beginner | HDR Tutorial Advanced