2012 Worldwide Photowalk

Last night in Gallipolis, I hosted a group of photographers for the 2012 Worldwide Photowalk. If you are not familiar with the Worldwide Photowalk, be sure to visit the website. We met at the Gallipolis City Park and walked around the downtown area. We had hoped for a great sunset but some clouds moved in and stifled that idea. It was a homecoming evening for one of the local high schools, so there were groups of people in front of the bandstand. We moved over to the doughboy and discussed how to shoot backlit situations using spot metering. From there we headed up towards the Ariel Theater and just branched out on our own. Here is the marquee for the Ariel Theater. The display at Tawney's Jewelers. The neon sign at B&E Shoe Repair. Finally the traffic at Second Avenue and State Street. I had a great time and look forward to next year! Enjoy, Chris

Framing Friday - Preserving History

It is amazing the history of Gallipolis and Gallia County. A few weeks ago Dr. Samuel L. Bossard Library contacted my about framing a newspaper. The paper was from February 17, 1938. It was the Daily Tribune published about the Funeral of Oscar Odd McIntyre. O. O. was a writer of the syndicated column "New York Day by Day". Newsprint is made to be inexpensive and not last for long periods of time. The paper has a high acid content that has to be neutralized in order to prevent deterioration. This paper had been treated but not until after it had sustained damage. Where the folds were several holes had formed and the paper had broken apart. In these 2 photographs you can see the holes and tears. The newspaper had to be mounted using a vacuum press. The mounting pulled the newspaper flat with careful attention the rips and tears were aligned. The newspaper was then matted and framed using conservation materials and UV resistant glass. The final project will hang in the McIntyre Room at the Dr. Samuel L. Bossard Library in Gallipolis, Ohio. Enjoy, Chris

Framing Friday - Fast Framing

Framing is labor intensive. Most people don't realize the care and attention to detail required in Custom Framing. A few weeks ago I did a photography and framing project for The Friends of Bossard Library. Trees had been planted in the memory of Randall Callahan and Marshall "Sandy" Brown. A framed photograph of the trees and plaques were to be given to the family members at the dedication. After photographing the trees and plaques I printed the photographs on rag paper. I wanted a torn edge look for the main photograph of the trees. I laid out the matting for a small shadow box to accent the photographs with a smaller mat window for the photograph of the plaque. Finally I cut and joined the frames. Assembled the package added a dust cover and hanger. While doing this I created a time lapse of the matting and assembly. While the video is only 56 seconds long, this was taken over about 2 hours. Here are the photographs of the final frames. Enjoy, Chris

Raccoon Creek County Park

At O.O. McIntyre Park District's Raccoon Creek County park there are several small streams that are off the beaten path. These streams only flow when it has been raining. After a 2 day soaking rain I wanted to try to return to on of these streams I tried to photograph last year but did not get the result I was looking for. There was still a heavy drizzle so I was glad for the weather sealing on my Sony A77. Last year with my Sony A100 I went with a plastic bag taped over the camera to protect it from the rain. The first shot after taking it I did not like the angle. So I reset my tripod to a lower height just inches above the water. You can see the change in point of view really changes the mood of the photograph. I also wanted to do a few HDR vertical panoramas. These are stitched from 20 images. using Photomatix and Photoshop CS5. I also wanted a landscape composition to go along with the vertical panoramas and the portrait compositions. Finally the Sony A77 does HD video. I shot a short 30 second video of the running water. Enjoy, Chris

Sony A77

After photographing with my Sony A100 for almost 4 years and over 100,000 shutter clicks, it was finally starting to show it age. The day I decided to retire it to a back up camera I was a little dismayed. I know the button locations by memory and can make changes without thinking about. I knew when I needed to add a little exposure compensation or a little white balance adjustment. Though it was only 11 megapixels I frequently printed large prints up to 16x32 that looked amazing. Though I knew this day was coming I hated to retire it to the bottom of the camera bag.

I had been waiting for Sony to release the A77 body for about 2 years. I knew with development taking so long and Sony's reputation I knew it would be an amazing camera. So about 2 weeks ago I finally ordered my A77.





The A77 is not a true DSLR, it is an DSLT. A DSLR has a mirror that is used for the optical view finder that has to flip up and out of the way to take a picture. The A77 has a semi translucent mirror that stays in place. Instead of an optical view finder it has an electronic view finder. I was skeptical of this at first but have come to really love the features of an electronic viewfinder. The A77's SLT technology allows it to take an amazing 12 frames per second and use phase detection autofocus for HD video. I was thoroughly surprised to find that my Sony HVL-F58AM flash would keep up with the 12 frames per second also. In addition to these features the Sony A77 is a 24 megapixel camera compared to my 11 megapixels. Also the low light ability with ISO up to 16,000. I am still testing the ISO range but it seems usable up to ISO 4000.

Trevor doing a flip at 12 frames per second.


















Some photographs from doing some HDR testing and macro testing.

Macro Testing


HDR Testing




Look for more testing results soon.

Enjoy,
Chris

Legend of the Dogwood

At the time of Crucifixion the dogwood had been the size of the oak and other forest trees. So firm and strong was the tree that it was chosen as the timber for the cross. To be used thus for such a cruel purpose greatly distressed the tree, and Jesus nailed upon it, sensed this.

In His gentle pity for all sorrow and suffering Jesus said to the tree: "Because of your regret and pity for My suffering, never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and twisted and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross--two long and two short petals. And in the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints, brown with rust and stained with red, and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see it will remember."



Enjoy,
Chris

Framing Friday - Moulding of the Month

If you did not already know, I offer full service framing. I have a full line of mats, mouldings, and glass. I can frame anything from photos, to Jerseys, to cross stitches and more. I am starting a Moulding of the Month Program. The first moulding will be available at discount pricing on all orders placed by April 30, 2012. The pricing reflects a 15% discount.

This months moulding is a 2 3/4" wide Reverse Honey Scoop. This is a distressed moulding with a gold lip.



Pricing this Month is as follows:
8x10 - $35.50
11x14 - $44.07
16x20 - $57.53
20x24 - $67.32

Pricing does not include glass, mounting and matting. If you have any questions e-mail me at: chris@ohiohikerphotography.com

Enjoy,
Chris

Snowy Morning

Woke up this morning to a light dusting of snow.









Enjoy,
Chris

Hiking - Kanawha Trace

The Kanawha Trace is a 32 mile trail from Barboursville to Fraziers Bottom in West Virginia. It is maintained by the Boys Scouts of America. Yesterday I section hiked from Hannan High School to Blackjack School. The section was about 5.6 miles and then I returned to my truck. My total was 11.3 miles. The GPS told me my moving time was 3 hours 37 minutes and my average speed was 3.1 miles per hour. I tried to keep my load light but did manage to take my camera, two lenses and my GoPro Hero 2 for some video. It was a frosty morning to start but the day turned out to be a beautiful February day.











This is Blackjack School that is used as a camp by the scouts.






I also did some video using my GoPro Hero 2. This is a short 5x5, 5 seperate clips lasting 5 seconds each.



You can see the HD Version of the video here

Enjoy,
Chris

Green Bottom Wildlife Area

You never know how the weather is going to change. I almost always have my camera and tripod with me and Tuesday evening I was glad I did. After a stormy day, I was leaving Huntington to head home. The clouds were breaking up and with the winds they were moving fast. As the sun began to set I pulled off along West Virginia Route 2 for a about 30 minutes to take some pictures. I am glad I had my camera and tripod. I also had my GoPro Hero2 so I shot a time lapse and some video. I really enjoyed the half hour I spent taking these photographs and as I was leaving the skies darkened again with clouds and more rain followed.



The music is Autumn Sunset by Jason Shaw. http://audionautix.com/index.htm

I also put together a video of the shoot and some of the editing of the photographs.




Here are the final images from the Green Bottom Wildlife Area.



















Enjoy,
Chris