Anyone Out There?

Anyone Out There?, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

My personal blog, www.bigpixelpushing.com is now over a year old. I want to thank all of you who visit and enjoy my photography. Having a blog has been real commitment in both time and effort. When I first started Big Pixel Pushing, I typically posted a new image every few days.

I began to wonder if I could manage to post one image per day, everyday without fail. Weekends and holidays included. Sounds easy I know. But keep in mind, there are quite a few steps involved in posting what is hopefully an interesting and compelling image. First I have to take a lot of images or image sequences if I intend to make an HDR. Next I have to sift through all these images to find one I think would make a good post. I then have to process the image sequence. This consists of making an HDR merge, tone mapping, post processing, watermarking, posting and finally writing a description.

A few months ago I decided to try. So for almost 100 days in a row, I processed and posted a single image each day. Now I know that I can do it. It can be done. However, this diligence left very little time for anything else in my life and therefore is not sustainable.

I decided to take a break from photography and posting. I got a handful of questioning emails. A few were concerned (thanks), but more were pissed which was interesting and unexpected. While the site gets a good amount of traffic, (in August there were 48,080 page views and 18,953 unique visitors) it gets almost no comments.

I love blogs and read several everyday. I comment on blog postings when I think I have something relevant to say.

You would think with several hundred people visiting this site each day that someone would share an opinion, link, comment, critique, technique, event, or just say hi.

So this seems to be a very one sided arrangement. I post, you view. Ok by me but in the future I’ll be posting when the mood strikes and time allows.

Thanks for reading,

Greg
greg.jones.design@gmail.com

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.

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!

Oscar's Nomad - Plate 2

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

Another image of this amazing 1957 Chevy Nomad.

Impressive Wingspan

Impressive Wingspan, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Wow I just couldn't take enough photos of this super fine '59. In an era of tall fins being very popular on cars, Chevy designers went for the wide stance. Good decision I reckon.

Make mine a '39

Make mine a '39, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

I saw several 1939 Chevy's at the 2009 Uptown Whittier Car Show but I think this was one of the nicest. Only HDR seems to be able to reveal the high gloss reflectivity of the paint on these customized cars. If you look just to the left of the license plate you can clearly see my rolling backpack, tripod and me taking the photos used to create this composite image.

One Nine Five Nine - Impala

One Nine Five Six - Impala, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Ok so why can't modern car manufacturers make anything even approaching the coolness of a car like this? Kathy was going to the Ruby's car show and asked if I wanted to go. Well now, any chance to hang out with my beautiful wife is great and if we can take photos of cool cars too it's a win, win. I last photographed this 1959 Impala at the Uptown Whittier Car Show about a year ago. I reintroduced myself to the owner who was nice enough to move the car to a more open space so I could get better pictures. I took a lot of shots which I will post in the weeks to come.

Grounded

Grounded, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

Slammed 1957 Chevy Nomad Station Wagon - This was the 2nd year in a row that I have had the good fortune of seeing this amazing car at the Uptown Whittier Car Show. I have yet to meet the owner but I think I'll leave a few photos with the car this year. The paint on this car is not be believed.

Sunset Color Palette

Sunset Color Palette, originally uploaded by big_pixel_pusher.

I had just served myself some dinner and was walking into the living room with an idea of watching a DVD while I ate. When I looked out my front window I saw this amazing scene. It was raining fairly hard but the light and the reflections on the street were too beautiful to pass up. I ran back to my bedroom to get a camera, tripod and umbrella. By the time I got the tripod setup, mounting plate attached to the camera and umbrella ready to open I looked back out the window and the sky had turned a pinkish orange. I knew I had to get the shot quickly and in fact 5 minutes later, the sun had set and all color in the sky was gone.

I wish I had collapsed the tripod so the camera was 5" above street level. I have always found that a low angle view adds interest and reflections are enhanced. Next time.