Playing around on the field

So I've been finding the last few days tough when it comes to keeping up with this blog. Some days are like that and others I feel like writing several posts at once. The exercise regime is going really well at the moment and even though my muscles feel tired and fatigued, I also feel really good. Seeing the weight dropping off day by day is definitely very rewarding. So to start off tonight's post I am going to show you a picture I took of +Linda Dean a bit earlier when we had just finished our kick around on the football pitch. She just realized that she could touch the ground again with her finger tips.

With the help of Snapseed I really liked how it turned out, I like the way the light was shining on her. Every time I play around with these images it amazes me how easy it has gotten. It is not all that long ago where you'd have to slog along for hours playing with software to get the image the way you wanted it to look.

I also absolutely love HDR, it truly is amazing to me what HDR can do to the right image. It's not just about capturing a moment in time with the camera but also almost turning it into a beautiful painting with the help of HDR.

We encountered this little fellow on our way to the park, he was just happily grazing away, waiting for us to move on so he could finish his lunch in peace. Nutria are not native to Oregon or even the USA, they originate in Brazil as far as I know. I'd love to know how they got up here in the first place, people bringing them up as pets I presume. I could be wrong with the Brazil part but I think it's definitely South America somewhere. I will have to get stuck in over the coming days with image editing, just been feeling tired the last few with all the exercise. 

A play on light and shadow

I've been playing around with shadows and silhouettes today, I love these types of images. I especially like the Noir style of photography and film, I probably get this from watching old gangster movies growing up, oh and that's Capone style gangster as opposed to a rapper style gangster. This first image I took a few weeks back but seeing it again today for the first time in weeks made me look twice at it.

It just hit a note with me, one of those ones you get lucky with when you are not trying for something special.

And this one is just one of those moments in time captured for our memories in years to come. I have never liked posed images and have always preferred action shots. The kind that look like you have just frozen people in time and space for future generations to see. I am very happy with the way this one turned out.

And another, in the background +Linda Dean and Talon can be seen in deep conversation as Linda explains the finer points of trigonometry to Talon. It is wonderful to watch Talon at times, he is so inquisitive. He questions everything around him in his quest for knowledge and doesn't blindly follow commands.

And to finish today's adventure here's one I just kind of liked, it's not fancy or artistic but I like the way the shadows fall. Once again, it was taken in our favourite park, well, the exit to our favourite park. I'm also very happy with the progress the old beard is making, kind of reminds me of my Dad in some ways. Looking forward to the day my brother decides to grow his out, we'll be like twins...at least we will be after I dye his grey and white, nothing a little chalk dust couldn't take care of! lol

Quick edit because I forgot to add the above image, I really like the way the beard is silhouetted in this shot and felt it had to be included in this post.



  

Playing with HDR and shedding lbs

In our never ending quest to shed a few pounds (double figure numbers) we've been heading out to some really great spots. We have basically spent our spare time the last week walking, cycling and hiking if only a short hike. Since I've been addicted to my Nexus 5 lately I decided to play around with the HDR, not the HDR+ on the camera but the HDR in Snapseed.

I love the effect, it's like an instant painting, if you can get the right light it works really well.

It works great with landscape shots, I haven't really played around with HDR+ yet. I have taken a few with the Nexus but haven't looked closely at them yet. I've just really been enjoying playing around with Snapseed. It would be nice however if it could handle larger images than it does.

The auto-panorama is also pretty incredible, this next one was pieced together on G+ from several images I took while we were out at Bald Hill.

And it's pretty seamless as far as I'm concerned. The software is getting really good, can't wait to see what the next few years brings us. I think though at the moment it's still better to take the photos with a DSLR and then play with them in an app like Snapseed. That's where I've gotten the best results, however, the convenience of having a pretty decent camera in your pocket does count for a lot. 

And here we go with the obligatory black n white photo, I just can't get enough black n white. I love the way they look, there is something timeless about black n white photography. I love the light, the shadows and the fact that +Linda Dean is on her Nexus in this one bitching on G+ about me taking yet another black n white picture, how cool is that?

Stiff as a plank

We have really been pushing the exercise this last week and today was no exception. In fact I am sitting here writing this post with legs as stiff as planks of wood. We started today with a cycle to north town to cancel our T-Mobile account and do a bit of shopping. After that it was time for the fun stuff, a walk through the wooded part of Crystal Lake Playing Fields followed by a kick around on one of the many football (soccer) pitches. Again I decided not to bring the Nikon as I was really going for exercise and also because I am having a whole lot of fun with the Nexus 5 right now. You are however in luck in that I decided on a few colour shots today, mainly because we had an encounter on the way with the biggest fracken dragonfly I've ever seen. This guy was big, mean, armoured and busy looking for a place to rest when we stumbled along with our cameras.

We must have been a comical sight creeping forward one step at a time trying not to disturb it before we got a few shots.

I am really not surprised this one had to rest awhile, the armour on it was really impressive. I could not imagine another creature in the insect world (at least here in Corvallis) taking this one on.

Just look at that tail, if anyone knows what kind of dragonfly this is, please let me know in the comments. I'd be really interested in knowing and maybe doing a bit of research on them. This was the first time we'd seen this particular kind and I'm wondering if it's a rare type or if they are common in the Willamette Valley.

Now before you get to excited about the colour pictures I am still in a black n white sort of mood and I thought this was a good one from today's haul. I just kind of like the way it looks. And that's really it for now, I will be taking the Nikon out very soon and I am also currently editing a whole lot of pictures from awhile back.

Nexus at the park

I have to say that I have really been enjoying my Nexus 5 over the past few months. It was a good upgrade from my HTC Sensation which was a great phone in its day with a great camera. And even though it was a phone that was a couple of years old, the camera really held up well and was tough to leave behind. But everything changes and comes to an end and when the touch screen started selecting apps on its own I knew it was time to say good buy to my beloved HTC Sensation. I chose the Nexus 5 because of price and more importantly I wanted to have the stock Google experience. The fact that the Nexus series also receives fast regular updates, also helped as I have been burned in the past (damn Moto...where's my Xoom 2 JB upgrade???) helped in the decision. Well I haven't been disappointed, the Nexus 5 is a truely beautiful piece of technology that is well worth owning. Today though I won't bore you with a review but instead show off what the camera on the Nexus 5 can do.

I know, I know, more black n white but like I said in my last post, I am just in a black n white mood right now so you will have to bear with me until I work through it. If I don't work through it I may develop itchy eyeball syndrome and not be able to take more pictures ;-)

This one I really liked, it was just a random shot but I liked the way it turned out. It's amazing how some of your favourite shots will be random snaps.

I also really like this one of +Linda Dean and Talon chilling after we'd just finished a full 18 hole round of disc golf at Willamette Disc Golf Course here in Corvallis.

Disc golf in the sun can make you thirsty indeed and so refreshments were on hand or in my backpack as the case was. Bottles of watery goodness are an absolute must when doing the full course. And again I think this photo really shows off the quality of the camera on the Nexus 5.

I used Snapseed on Android to edit these shots and like I've been saying for some time, it is a fine little editor to have on hand and in your pocket. If you're in the market for a new phone I would definitely take a serious look at the Nexus 5, it's a serious piece of kit at an affordable price.

There and back again - A tired mans journey

In a house in Corvallis there lived an Irishman. Now this house was not a mansion nor a shack. It was a snug wooden house with all the comforts an Irishman could want for. Irishmen are known for being stout of belly and hairy of toe. Both of which are caused from the consumption of their favourite black beverage which they call "The Black Nectar". They like to consume "The Black Nectar" with every meal, breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, tea and supper.

On this particular morning the Irishman was reading the latest Linux news and enjoying a snack between breakfast and brunch when he heard a shrill voice shouting from the direction of the bathroom. It was his wife and she was explaining how they were going on an adventure. Adventures were not something this Irishman thought about on a regular basis nor ever wanted to experience. Adventures he thought were for long bearded hippies and the over toned youth from across the river. "Have a think about it over brunch" his wife said as she entered the room.

As they relaxed after brunch sipping black nectar from a bottle the Irishman heard his wife start to sing...to sing in the deepest voice he had ever heard, it was quite disturbing to say the least.

Far over the Willamette Valley old,

through the trees and meadows gold.

We must away ere break of noon,

to seek the pale enchanted ale.

The Irishmen of yore made mighty brews,

while maidens danced under a pale moon.

In halls made of oak and granite stone,

they drank their fill.

For ancient King and Druid Lord,

their mouths were watered from the golden hoard.

They harvested the blend and stirred the wort,

to make black liquid in barrel old.

On Oak shelves they stored their brew,

ready for lunch at one or two

They ate and drank to their hearts content,

until black liquid had turned to gold.

Far over the Willamette Valley old,

through the trees and meadows gold.

We must away ere break of noon,

to seek the pale enchanted ale.

With his jaw on the floor the Irishman agreed to go on the adventure across the valley to a town that promised a tasty morsel and an Oakshire ale. With that he brushed his beard and combed his toes and was ready to leave. The weather was good but didn't feel too warm when they set off. 

Having accidentally left his magical Nikon behind, the Irishman was forced to use his Nexus 5 to take pictures of the days adventure. He didn't mind this as the camera on the Nexus 5 was pretty good in the bright sunshine they were experiencing.

As they travelled the temperature rose and it did start to become a bit uncomfortable.

Regular water breaks became a must, not that the Irishman wouldn't have preferred a tastier beverage but this was probably not advisable in the heat.

By the end of twenty five miles they were both hurting and in need of food. The Irishman thought to himself "My wife obviously doesn't understand what second breakfast is...never mind second brunch...". But that was about to change, the holy grail was in sight and it was a glorious sight indeed.

Having been drinking water all the way to the town of Brownsville it was now time to purchase a pint of the good stuff. With plenty of beverages to choose from it was a tough decision that involved a lot of drool. The Irishman couldn't decide if it was food or golden nectar that he wanted first. Finally after some deliberation he settled on an Oakshire Amber Ale to drink which was to be followed shortly after by a Mushroom Swiss Burger served with thick golden fries.

After the meal and beverages were consumed it was time for a quick look around the town of Brownsville before they set off for home.

The journey home started off well, the numbing effects of the ale helped to hold off the pain they were feeling in their joints and limbs. Again as with the journey there, regular water breaks became a must every couple of miles.

Unfortunately for the Irishman, his forgetting of the sunblock was becoming a real problem. His arms were now glowing red and he was very aware of the intense burning sensation that ran down both arms and across the backs of his hands. Luckily for him they were in site of Flat Tail Brewing, one of the finest establishments this side of the Willamette river. A quick dinner and a pint of Black Nectar and the couple were on the final leg of their days adventure. Fifty miles later, several pints of water, beer and no where near enough food they were home, they had done it. Fifty miles there and back again!

Snow, beautiful snow...

For the second time this winter we had snow in Corvallis. Last Thursday and Friday about a foot of snow was dumped from the sky on our heads. The initial reaction as usual is one of excitement because snow is very beautiful and puts an almost ethereal glow on everything. However, after a couple of days it becomes troublesome and dangerous as the ice sets in, making it difficult to move around. So the best time to head out to get some shots are those first couple of days and that's just what we did. It was also a perfect excuse to really give my Nexus 5 a run out to see just what it can do with a little help from the brilliant Snapseed. 

So far I've been really impressed by the Nexus 5, it is a great device and the camera is pretty good in daylight conditions. I love my DSLR but I have to admit, being able to easily carry my Nexus around with me and edit and share on the go is a really fantastic experience, I can't wait to see what future generations of phones bring us. And as I've covered before, Snapseed is just an incredible App that really brings your photographs to life and can give them a real fantasy almost game like feel. For example, around our house had a very Guild Wars feel to it with all the snow, it felt like the Norn areas in the game when we stood on the porch at night and looked out at the trees and Snapseed I think helped to capture this effect.

Now we wait for the inevitable thaw and the ice and slush that comes along with it. That will still never take away from the beauty of the initial snow fall for me. I'd happily take the snow over boring months of drizzle any year.