Monday 31 December 2012

Peak District X

0325 - England, Peak District, Curbar Edge HDR

The view from Curbar Edge in the Peak District. This was part of a fantastic walk that took us along Curbar Edge and White Edge on a glorious winter day. Another view can be found here. A three exposure HDR image captured using a Canon EOS 500D with 18-55 mm kit lens. Processing performed using Photomatix and Adobe Lightroom.

Sunday 30 December 2012

Peak District IX

0324 - England, Peak District, Curbar Edge HDR

A highland cow seen not too far from Curbar Edge in the Peak District. I walked past this guy in fading light, he seemed very inquisitive and came within a metre before wandering off. A three exposure HDR image processed using Photomatix and Adobe Lightroom.

Saturday 29 December 2012

Warsaw III

0323 - Poland, Warsaw, Plac Zamkowy W Warszawie HDR

The "Castle Square", found in the "Stare Miasto" area of Warsaw, Poland. An alternative view of the square can be found here. Taken using a Canon EOS 500D and 18-55 mm kit lens. A three exposure HDR image processed using Photomatix and Adobe Lightroom.

Friday 28 December 2012

Peak District VIII

0322 - England, Peak District, Curbar Edge HDR

The view out from Curbar Edge in the Peak District. A three exposure HDR image processed using Photomatix and Lightroom.

Thursday 27 December 2012

Helsinki VI

0321 - Finland, Approaching Helsinki, Little Red Tugboat

On the approach to Helsinki harbour I spotted this little red tugboat. It's somewhat amazing that some of the ice fragments are not that dissimilar in size to the boat itself! Another shot from the same area is here.

Wednesday 26 December 2012

Brussels IV

0320 - Belgium, Brussels, Finance Tower

The Finance Tower (Tour des Finances, Financietoren) is a skyscraper in the Northern Quarter central business district of Brussels, Belgium, designed by the architects Hugo Van Kuyck, Marcel Lambrichs and Léon Stynen. It is the second tallest building in Belgium, and has the most office space of any building in Belgium. A single shot taken with a Canon EOS 500D and kit 18-55mm lens, processed using Adobe Lightroom.

Tuesday 25 December 2012

Pripyat IV

0319 - Ukraine, Pripyat, City Sign HDR

The entrance sign on the outskirts of Pripyat, founded in 1970. The 50,000 population city was evacuated in 1986 following the explosion of reactor number 4 at the Chernobyl nuclear power station. Residents were told that they could return within three days, however, 26 years on nobody lives in the city and nature has taken over. A three exposure HDR image processed using Photomatix and Lightroom.

Monday 24 December 2012

Pripyat III

0318 - Ukraine, Pripyat, Bumper Cars HDR

Abandoned bumper cars found in the amusement park in the city of Prypiat, Ukraine. The city is preserved in time, having been evacuated in 1986 due to the explosion of reactor number four at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant (Чернобыльская АЭС). A three exposure HDR image processed using Photomatix and Lightroom.

Sunday 23 December 2012

Warsaw II

0317 - Poland, Warsaw, Rynek Starego Miasta HDR

The 'Old Town Market Place' square found in the old town area of Warsaw, Poland. Heavily bombed during WWII, the square was rebuilt and restored to its pre war appearance. A three exposure HDR image processed using Photomatix and Lightroom.

Friday 21 December 2012

Kiev IV

0316 - Ukraine, Kiev, Museum Of The Great Patriotic War HDR

Detailing found on the 102 metre tall Motherland monument, affectionately nicknamed 'tin tits'. Seen in the grounds of the National Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War (of 1941-1945), Kiev. Alternative angle can be found here A three exposure HDR image processed using Photomatix and Lightroom.

Thursday 20 December 2012

Chernobyl II

0315 - Ukraine, Chernobyl, Kopachi Village School HDR

A stuffed toy found in the classroom of the school in the abandoned village of Kopachi, found in the Chernobyl exclusion zone. This is the only remaining building in the village as the others were torn down and buried. The fear was that if the wooden buildings caught fire, more radioactive isotopes would be released into the atmosphere. All that remains of the other buildings are small mounds topped with a sign showing the international radiation symbol. A HDR image processed from a single RAW capture using Photomatix and Lightroom.

Wednesday 19 December 2012

Kiev III

0314 - Ukraine, Kiev, Museum Of The Great Patriotic War HDR

The 102 metre tall Motherland monument in the grounds of the National Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War (of 1941-1945), Kiev. A three exposure HDR image processed using Photomatix and Lightroom.

Tuesday 18 December 2012

Pripyat II

0313 - Ukraine, Pripyat, Culture Centre Energetika HDR

Дворец культуры Энергетик. Pripyat culture centre 'Energetika'. A three exposure HDR image processed using Photomatix and Lightroom.

Monday 17 December 2012

Kiev II

0312 - Ukraine, Kiev, Maidan Nezalezhnosti HDR

A view of Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square), the main square found in Kiev, Ukraine. A three exposure HDR image processed in Photomatix and Lightroom.

Sunday 16 December 2012

Kiev I

0311 - Ukraine, Kiev, Museum Of The Great Patriotic War HDR

Two colourfully painted tanks found at the National Museum of the History of the Great Patriotic War (of 1941-1945) in Kiev, Ukraine. A three exposure HDR image processed using Photomatix and Lightroom.

Saturday 15 December 2012

Chernobyl I

0310 - Ukraine, Chernobyl, Reactor 4 HDR

The memorial to the victims of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident, as seen 300 metres in front of the ill fated reactor number 4. This is the closest people are allowed to the concrete sarcophagus that was built over the remains of the exploded reactor. A three exposure HDR image processed using Photomatix and Lightroom.

Friday 14 December 2012

Warsaw I

0309 - Poland, Warsaw, Plac Zamkowy W Warszawie HDR

The "Castle Square", found in the "Stare Miasto" area of Warsaw, Poland. This shot was taken from the nearby bell tower of St. Anne's Church using my trusty EOS 500D and 18-55 mm kit lens. A three exposure HDR image processed using Photomatix and Adobe Lightroom.

Thursday 13 December 2012

Pripyat I

0308 - Ukraine, Pripyat, Ferris Wheel HDR
The abandoned ferris wheel found in the deserted city of Pripyat, near Chernobyl in Ukraine. The area is now part of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Zone of Alienation, covering around 2,600 km2.
In 1986, after reactor number 4 exploded, the 50,000 residents of Pripyat were evacuated. The area was declared a nuclear disaster area and nobody was allowed to return to live due to high levels of radiation. Since then the wildlife/nature has been allowed to reclaim the city, giving eerie scenes of a Soviet city frozen in time. A three exposure HDR image processed using Photomatix and Lightroom.
Buy at Redbubble; lots of options such as posters, cards and prints. Buy the wallpaper here, or the canvas here. Licence from Getty here.

Wednesday 12 December 2012

Ghent IV

0307 - Belgium, Ghent, Saint-Jacob Church HDR

The Saint-Jacob Church/Cathedral found in Ghent, Belgium. A three exposure HDR image processed using Photomatix. Final touch up down in Photoshop and Lightroom.

Tuesday 11 December 2012

Ghent III

0306 - Belgium, Ghent, Werregarenstraat

Werregarenstraat, or Graffiti Alley as it's also known as, is a pedestrianised street in Ghent where painting graffiti is legal. The alley is coated in graffiti throughout the 100+ metre length of it. Walking along you will find all sorts of artwork that is not guaranteed to last any length of time as someone may paint over it. Taken using a Canon EOS 500D, processed using Photoshop and Lightroom.

Monday 10 December 2012

Brussels III

0305 - Belgium, Brussels, Botanical Garden HDR

A HDR image of a fountain in front of the rutunda in the Botanical Garden of Brussels. A three exposure HDR image processed using Photomatix/Lightroom/Photoshop.

Sunday 9 December 2012

Ghent II

0304 - Belgium, Ghent, Graslei HDR

A three exposure HDR image of the Graslei area of Ghent, Belgium. A three exposure HDR image processed using Photomatix and adjusted in Lightroom/Photoshop.

Saturday 8 December 2012

Ruddington I

0303 - England, Nottinghamshire, Ruddington HDR

A three exposure HDR image of dusk over a field near Ruddington, Nottinghamshire. Processed using Photomatix/Lightroom/Photoshop.

Friday 7 December 2012

Colwick Park III

0302 - England, Nottingham, Colwick Park HDR

A three exposure HDR image processed using Photomatix/Lightroom/Photoshop.

Thursday 6 December 2012

Colwick Park II

0301 - England, Nottingham, Colwick Park HDR

A three exposure HDR image processed using Photomatix/Lightroom/Photoshop.

Wednesday 5 December 2012

Colwick Park I

0300 - England, Nottingham, Colwick Park HDR

A three exposure HDR image processed using Photomatix/Lightroom/Photoshop.

Tuesday 4 December 2012

Nottingham XXXVIII

0299 - England, Nottingham, High Fields Park HDR

A HDR image of dusk/night over the lake in front of the Trent Building, University of Nottingham. Three exposures processed using Photomatix/Lightroom/Photoshop.

Monday 3 December 2012

Attenborough VII

0298 - England, Nottingham, Attenborough Nature Reserve HDR

A three exposure HDR image of dusk over a lake at Attenborough Nature Reserve, Nottingham. Processed using Photomatix/Lightroom/Photoshop.

Sunday 2 December 2012

Attenborough VI

0297 - England, Nottingham, Attenborough Nature Reserve HDR

A three exposure HDR image of Attenborough Nature Reserve, near Nottingham. Processed using Photomatix/Lightroom/Photoshop.

Sunday 25 November 2012

Attenborough V

0296 - England, Nottingham, Attenborough Nature Reserve HDR

A HDR image of dusk over Attenborough Nature Reserve, Nottingham. Three exposures tone mapped using Photomatix Pro, adjustments in Adobe Lightroom and final touch up in Adobe Photoshop.

Saturday 24 November 2012

Attenborough IV

0295 - England, Nottingham, Attenborough Nature Reserve HDR

A three exposure HDR image of dusk over Attenborough Nature Reserve, Nottingham.

Friday 23 November 2012

Attenborough III

0294 - England, Nottingham, Attenborough Nature Reserve HDR

A three exposure HDR image of dusk over Attenborough Nature Reserve, Nottingham.

Thursday 22 November 2012

Greenmount V

0293 - England, Greenmont HDR

A three exposure HDR image looking towards Holcombe Hill, near Greenmount.

Wednesday 21 November 2012

Nottingham XXXVII

0292 - England, Nottingham, Holme Pierrepont HDR

A three exposure HDR capture of the sky over Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham.

Sunday 24 June 2012

London XXI

0292 - England, London, Alexandra Palace, Empire Of Dirt

Four images superimposed to show a BMXer performing a trick at the 2012 Red Bull Empire of Dirt. The image has a bit of blur that I'm not happy with, but this was taken with the cheap Sigma 70-300, so not really a surprise that it isn't sharp.

Saturday 23 June 2012

Brussels II

0290 - Belgium, Brussels, Atomium HDR

Looking up at the Atomium in Brussels, Belgium. A three exposure HDR image.

Friday 22 June 2012

Lucerne IX

0289 - Switzerland, Lucerne HDR

Looking out across Lake Lucerne. A three exposure HDR image.

Thursday 21 June 2012

Bath IV

0288 - England, Bath HDR

A three exposure HDR image processed using Photomatix/Lightroom/Photoshop.

Wednesday 20 June 2012

Nottingham XXXVI

0287 - England, Nottingham, Tower Building HDR

Looking up at the brutalist architecture of the originally named 'Tower Building', found on University Park (Nottingham University). At 17 floors and 61 m high I don't think this quite classifies as a skyscraper, but it's still a fairly imposing building. A three exposure HDR processed with Photomatix/Lightroom/Photoshop.

Tuesday 19 June 2012

Trier II

0286 - Germany, Trier, Trierer Dom HDR

A three exposure HDR image of the front face of the cathedral in Trier.

Monday 18 June 2012

Edinburgh IV

0285 - Scotland, Edinburgh, Dusk HDR

HDR capture of the evening sky over Edinburgh, as viewed from the castle.

Sunday 17 June 2012

New York XXX

0284 - USA, New York, Looking Up

Looking up at the Chrysler Building.

Saturday 16 June 2012

Brussels I

0283 - Belgium, Brussels, Atomium HDR

A three exposure HDR image of the Atomium in Brussels, Belgium. The 102 metre high sculpture forms the shape of a unit cell of an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times.

Thursday 7 June 2012

Ghent I

0282 - Belgium, Ghent, Gerard De Duivelsteen HDR

Taken during my brief tour of Belgium. If only I had that wide angle lens then I could have got the full reflection in!

By the canvas here or the wallpaper here.

Wednesday 6 June 2012

Lucerne VIII

0281 - Switzerland, Lucerne

Walking on water?

Tuesday 5 June 2012

Meersburg VII

0280 - Germany, Meersburg, Sunset

One of the many boats on Lake Constance, as viewed from Meersburg whilst the sun sets.

Monday 4 June 2012

London XX

0279 - England, London, Tower Bridge HDR

Tower Bridge HDR. Three exposures merged and processed with Photomatix. Cropped and adjusted in Lightroom with final touch up and edit in Photoshop.

Sunday 3 June 2012

Jersey City III

0278 - USA, New Jersey PATH HDR

Another image that was sitting in a 'to edit' folder for far too long. This involved generating a HDR image from a single shot, then adjusting certain areas in Photoshop. Finally I touched it up in Lightroom. For whatever reason the EXIF has been stripped out during the processing, but this was taken with a Canon EOS 500D and 18-55 kit lens in July 2010. Taken at either a PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson) station in New York, or New Jersey, I really can't remember which.

Buy the canvas here or the wallpaper.

Saturday 2 June 2012

Lanzarote I

0277 - Spain, Lanzarote, El Golfo HDR

El Golfo. I was fortunate enough to be sent to Lanzarote on a conference the other week. I really wish I had a wide angle lens though. This is a three image panaorama, each shot being a three image HDR capture (ie nine images in total). Processed using Photomatix and Hugin.

The sky was fairly washed out, so I decided to 'swap' it with a sky from another image. I'm not entirely sure whether I'm happy doing this or not, since it is no longer the true original image. But then since I process things quite a lot I decided to give it a go. A little bit of information, the lake/lagoon is green due to microorganisms living in the water and the beach is black due to volcanic ash.

Friday 1 June 2012

Vienna V

0276 - Austria, Vienna, Fountain HDR

The power of post-processing? Every so often I go back through my 'archives' and try to apply some of the new tricks and skills I have gained to some older shots. Here is an example of a photo I took in June 2007 with a Samsung Digimax A6 (an extrememly low rent point and shoot). I even uploaded the original here.

In order to re-adjust this image I took it into Lightroom to adjust the levels, then into Photoshop to remove the unwanted people on the left side. I still wasn't happy though, so I created +1 and -1 exposure equivalent photos and created a 'faux' HDR in Photomatix. Simply using the preset 'painterly' effect and then some final adjustments in Lightroom I got the look I wanted.

For those interested, this is the "Die Macht zu Lande" fountain created by Edmund von Hellmer in 1897.