Photography by Randy Hanna » How to http://randyhannaphotography.com/blog Images, thoughts, and crib notes from near and far. Wed, 16 May 2012 17:34:28 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 Three Giraffes Crossing the Plains of Tortillis http://randyhannaphotography.com/blog/2010/10/three-giraffes-crossing-the-plains-of-tortillis/ http://randyhannaphotography.com/blog/2010/10/three-giraffes-crossing-the-plains-of-tortillis/#comments Sun, 10 Oct 2010 06:26:30 +0000 Randy Hanna http://randyhannaphotography.com/blog/?p=1358 I am often amazed at just how stunning clouds can look in black and white.  When there is a lack of dynamic color, black and white just seems to come center stage.  The image below started out as a normal RAW color capture via my Nikon D3s.  After basic color processing, I used Nik Software’s Viveza to selectively add contrast to the clouds followed by processing in Silver Effects Pro, again selectively targeting areas for increased contrast and brightness.  Finally, a very light touch of noise reduction followed by output sharpening yields the image below.  I am finding that giving those images bound for the trash a second look in b&w, often yields a very pleasing result. I would encourage you to try your hand at b&w conversions before giving up on a marginal color image.

Three Giraffes Crossing the Plains of Tortillis

Nikon D3s, 70-200mm f/2.8 @ 80mm, f/8.0 ISO 200 at 1/800 sec

Tortillis, near Amboseli National Park,  Kenya

Cheers and Happy Photo’ing

Randy

]]> http://randyhannaphotography.com/blog/2010/10/three-giraffes-crossing-the-plains-of-tortillis/feed/ 0 Hyperfocal Distance Baiscs for Landscape Photographers (part I) http://randyhannaphotography.com/blog/2009/11/hyperfocal-distance-baiscs-for-landscape-photographers-part-i/ http://randyhannaphotography.com/blog/2009/11/hyperfocal-distance-baiscs-for-landscape-photographers-part-i/#comments Mon, 30 Nov 2009 04:12:34 +0000 Randy Hanna http://randyhannaphotography.com/blog/?p=791 Hyperfocal distance is a function of focal length, f-number,  and the circle of confusion (or most correctly, the circle of least confusion).  Simply put, using the hyperfocal distance setting at any given aperture will result in the greatest depth of field (New York Institute of Photography).  At the heart of the hyperfocal equation is a value known as the circle of confusion (CoC).  The CoC is, without a doubt, the most misunderstood and controversial variable among imaging experts.  The basis for the CoC has invoked a debate that has been raging for some 70 plus years and will certainly continue into the future as the purists refine the resolving power of imaging devices.  Boiled down to the most basic level, the CoC is the reciprocal of resolution and is directly related to the sensor size of the digital camera.  The CoC describes the smallest image element that retains identifiable details.  Obviously, this would vary based on the distance from the object in primary focus.

Although I will further explain and provide examples of how to use hyperfocal distance in the next update, if you have an iPod or an iPhone, you are in luck  because there are two good applications to assist you.  Rather than carrying around a number of tables, simply let Mr. Apple do the math for you.  In coming postings, I will review the hyperfocal distance applications as well as demonstrate several applications of hyperfocal focusing and the benefits of such, so come on back for parts II and III.  ‘Til then,

Happy photo’ing

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