Purely Ornamental

Purely Ornamental, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Lensbaby macro shot of this cool hood ornament I found in the back lot at the Bob's Big Boy Broiler car show. Very often the show is so busy that a lot of cool cars end up parking out back.

Let it Burn

Let it Burn, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Here's another view of this slammed caddy. I have included an inset of the fifth of ten exposures that I took to create this HDR image. This is good way to compare what typical photography methods would capture when faced with a scene that has such a wide range of light. As you can see, the inset photo is lacking both shadow and highlight detail. Also I can tell you from personal experience that the inset image does not represent the scene as my eyes remember it.

Our eyes are amazing devices and much more suited to capturing both light and detail than any camera regardless of price. I get a lot of emails from people who hate HDR photography for various reasons. While I respect the opinions of others, I personally feel that this process is very empowering and allows me to capture the scene the way I saw it and even take it further if I choose to do so. What do you think?

Exothermic Reaction

Exothermic Reaction, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

I didn't catch the make or model of this car but I don't think this is the original paint! Often car owners remove all manufacturer logos and model name plates. This makes it tough for uninformed people like me. I think this is very cool whatever it is.

Turn the Beat Around

Turn the Beat Around, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Glow-Fest at Disney California Adventure. This guy was an amazing dancer. Lots and lots of people were watching his moves, taking pictures and dancing around the lighted platform he was on.

Glow-Fest

Glow-Fest, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Disney California Adventure is hosting a nighttime celebration of color called Glow-Fest which features music, dancing, professional dancers and lots of interesting lighting and color. I couldn't resist breaking out my Lensbaby.

Look at that Cadillac

Look at that Cadillac, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

I was walking around the Ruby's car show and had 2 people tell me that there was a wicked red, slammed caddy off by itself and not crowded on either side by other cars. This is highly desirable when taking photos with a wide angle lens. By the time I found the car, the sun was going down and the sky was pretty spectacular. When I am faced with a scene like this, where the sky is super bright and I am essentially shooting right into the sun, I am so glad I shoot using the high dynamic range method of photography. Only HDR can pull off a shot like this!

The stars only come out at night

The stars only come out at night, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Another pretty sunset at the Bob's Big Boy Broiler in Downey. With the weather gettting warmer, the Wednesday night car show is getting busier. Parking was very hard to come by but the selection of cars to shoot was great. This night I forgot my tripod mounting plate so I was limited to using my monopod and just shooting 3 shot HDR's while the light held out. I did boost my ISO as it got darker but that introduces a lot of noise into my images.

La Bandida

La Bandida, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Kathy, Manny and I all met up at the Bob's Big Boy Broiler for the weekly Wednesday night car show. La Bandida was there too.

It's full of stars...

It's full of stars..., originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Kathy and I were walking around the financial district in San Francisco when we decided to go into this shopping center in search of lunch. This was taken from the food court on the bottom level. I just set the camera on the table, lens facing skyward and tried to keep my head out of the way. Lots of stores here I never ever shop in.

Oscar's Nomad - Plate 2

Oscar's Nomad - Plate 2, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Another image of this amazing 1957 Chevy Nomad.