Saturday, September 29, 2012

Yellowstone Thermal Pools

Phase One DF\IQ160 Mamiya 120mm f/8 1/250 ISO 50
 
We've been going to Yellowstone at least once a week during September to see the changing of colors as well as visiting different geyser spots and there's certainly no lack of thermal activity in Yellowstone.  What we quickly noticed is the vast array of colors found near the geysers. 
 
Canon 1DsIII 24mm f/11 1/160 ISO 100
 
Canon 1DsIII 4mm f/11 1/125 ISO 100
 
Before we go any further we invite our readers to visit the following Wikipedia sites for much more information than we could ever share here.  Yellowstonegeothermal features and Fumarole.
 
Canon 1DsIII 38mm f/13 1/160 ISO 100
 
Phase One DF\IQ160 120mm f.5.6 1/200 ISO 50
 
Cambo WRS\IQ160 f/8 1/45 ISO 50
 
Our first visit was to Black Sand Basin that's less than a mile north from Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful.  Our second visit lead us to Old Faithful and the boardwalk around Upper Geyser Basin.
 
Looking into the shallow pools near the geysers and larger pools is much like looking at clouds.  Well almost.  Have you ever looked at clouds and seen shapes, forms and maybe animals?  Looking into the shallow pools is much the same.  We dare you to take a walk along the boardwalk of any geyser basin and not have your imagination run wild as you look into the shallow pools. 
 
Phase One DF\IQ160 55mm LS f/2.8 1/100 ISO 100
 
We're not finished as we still have several more basins including Biscuit, Midway and Great Fountain Geyser as well as the Morning Glory Pool back in the Upper Geyser Basin.  Our goal is to get to as many of these as possible before the Park closes the south entrance for the winter.
 
Canon 1DsIII 42mm f/13 1/160 ISO 100
 
Anyone else see a rocking horse?
Canon 1DsIII 45mm f/13 1/160 ISO 100
 
The images included here have all been captured using either Sandy's Canon 1DsIII along with a EF24-70 or Don's Phase One IQ160 digital back connected to either a Cambo WRS technical camera and Schneider 35mm lens or a Phase One DF body and either a Schneider 55mm LS or Mamiya 120mm macro lens.
 
Canon 1DsIII 70mm f/13 1/160 ISO 100
 
Phase One DF\IQ160 120mm f/8 1/250 ISO 50
 
The processing was performed using a combination or Capture One Pro and Photoshop CS6 along with some help at times with NIK software.
 
Phase One\IQ160 120mm f/8 1/250 ISO 50

 100% crop of above
 
We hope you enjoy the images and stay tuned for more as we continue to explore Yellowstone Geyser Basins.
 
Sandy & Don
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Jackson Hole Fall


This is a continuation of the fall colors we've found here in the Jackson Hole area.
 
Canon G12 f/8 1/125 ISO 80
 
Phase One DF/IQ160 55mm LS f/2.8 1/160 ISO 50

After having such great luck on Thursday we decided to revisit the same area on Saturday.  The majority of the images were taken along the Snake River on the 26/89 with a few added from the 191 along the Hobart River.
 
Canon 1DsIII EF24-70 (58mm) f/8 1/125 ISO 100 

Canon 1DsIII EF24-70 (46mm) f/8 1/125 ISO 100
 
We still feel our description of using Skittles or Starburst candy is accurate.  We actually bought a bag of Starburst and found the reds and oranges a very close match.
 
"Kahuna" along the Snake River
Canon 1DsIII EF24-70 (25mm) f/5 1/125 ISO 100
 
Colors
Canon 1DsIII EF24-70 (70mm) f/5 1/125 ISO 100
 
Canon 1DsIII EF24-70 (58mm) f/5 1/125 ISO 100
 
Canon 1DsIII EF24-70 (64mm) f/7.1 1/125 IS 100
 
There's isn't a lot we can add here other than the images so enjoy them.
 
Along the Hoback River
Canon 1DsIII EF-24-70 (70mm) f/8 1/125 ISO 50
 
Phase One DF/IQ160 55mm LS f/2.8 1/125 ISO 50 

Phase One DF/IQ160 55mm LS f/2.8 1/125 ISO 50

Phase One DF/IQ160 55mm LS f/2.8 1/200 ISO 50
 
There's more to come so stay tuned.
 
 
Sandy & Don
 
 
 
 

Friday, September 21, 2012

Fall comes to Jackson Hole area

Along Red Creek Cyn
Canon 1DsIII, EF24-70 (48mm) f/5 1/160 ISO 100
 
First a word of caution.  If you think the colors are being manipulated you are wrong.  The colors you see here are exactly as we saw them.  There is of course some slight variances due to the camera, type of sensor and whether or not a filter was used on the lens.
 
Canon 1DsIII, EF 24-70 (51mm) f/4.5 1/160 ISO 100
 
The best way to describe what we're seeing is using either a bag or Skittles or Starburst candy.  Pick up either and you'll see a close approximation.
 
Along Red Creek Cyn
Phase One DF/IQ160 55mm LS f/2.8 1/200 ISO 50
 
We've been in the Jackson Hole area since September 1st and during that time we've been searching for color.  In vain.  What we have had is smoke from several local wildfires.  The good news is that one of the fires is mostly contained.  The other bit of good news is that we have been fortunate to meet several of the firefighting personal that were sent here not only from Wyoming but through out the nation.  We've also met, sat and talked with several law enforcement officers from the Forest Service from as far away as Florida.  We'd like to offer a huge "Thank-you" to all the Hotshots and LEO's who ended up in the Jackson Hole area.  You guys rock!
 
Phase One DF/IQ160 55mm LS f/2.8 1/125 ISO 50
 
Now to talk about the fall colors.
 
Travel south from Jackson past Hobart Junction along the Snake River on the 26/89 and you'll enter the Bridger Teton National Forest and Targhee National Forest.  Just before entering Alpine Junction you'll come across areas such as Wolf Creek and Red Canyon.  As a point of reference this is in close proximately to the Grand Canyon of the Snake River.  This is the general area where we saw the first of the colors shown here.
 
Phase One DF/IQ160 Mamiya 300mm f/4.5 1/200 ISO 50
 
Along Bear Creek Road
Canon 1DsIII EF 135mm f/8 1/160 ISO 50
 
Deciding to explore the area after leaving, we took a side road south of Alpine which lead us into the Caribou National Forest and along McCoy Creek Road and eventually Jensen Creek, Bear Creek Roads.
 
Along Bear Creek Road
Phase One DF/IQ160 55mm LS f/5.6 1/125 ISO 50
 
The images were captured either with a Canon 1DsIII or Phase One DF/IQ160 digital back.  We've attempted to add more information for each image.
 
Phase One DF/IQ160 80mm f/2.8 1/125 ISO 50
 
Fall is visiting the Jackson Hole area - how long she does is anyone's guess.
 
Phase One DF/IQ160 55mm LS f/2.8 1/125 ISO 50
 
We'll be sharing more later so stay tuned.
 
Sandy & Don
 


 
 


Friday, September 14, 2012

Black Sand Basin, Yellowstone National Park

"Emerald Pool"
Cambo WRS/IQ160 Schneider 35mm 3-shot panorama
We've been going into Yellowstone Park at least once-a-week since arriving in the Jackson Hole area.  Part of the visits have been made as we wait for the fall colors to arrive, part to escape the smoke in the Jackson area and (for the most) part to enjoy the beautiful park and geysers.
 

Phase One DF/IQ160 55mm LS lens
 
Black Sand Basin in Yellowston is located 1/2 mile north of Old Faithful and is named after the course black obsidian sand that surround the thermal features.  The furthest feature from the parking lot is Emerald Pool with several smaller pools and geysers along the way.  Most of the trail is comprised of a wood boardwalk which makes for a very easy walk around the area.
 

Spouter Geyser
Phase One DF/IQ160 55mm LS lens
 
The creek running through the area is named "Iron Creek" which has no relationship to us.
 


Opalescent Pool
Phase One DF/IQ160 55mm LS lens
 
I've returned to shooting medium format last November while working here in the Jackson Hole area.  Until then I used a combination of a tech camera and a Leica 35mm M9.  Now I'm pleased to say that I feel I have the best of both worlds being able to capture landscape with either the WRS of Phase One DF by simply removing my digital back and swapping between the 2-systems.  I've also upgraded my digital back (once again) to a Phase One IQ160.  While the P65+ and the IQ160 share many of the same features the IQ series fits my shooting style and just feel at home on my tech camera.  The larger screen, ability to double check focus, and leveling are just a small sample of what makes this a stellar digital back.  I'm also fortunate to have added a Mamiya 120 macro lens this past March and plan on using it here as well as trying out a Schneider 55mm LS lens.
I've been using a Schneider 35mm on the WRS since I bought it and have found it works well either with a single image capture of multiple for a flat stitch.  I've been using a 80mm since getting the DF with great success. I found I wanted a slightly wider focal length however not as wide as the 35 thus the Schneider 55mm.  As many of you already know there's a slight difference between medium format focal length and 35mm and is based on the size of digital back used.  In very simple terms a 55mm medium format lens is equivalent to a 35mm camera lens at 35 mm while the 80mm is eqivalent to a 50mm lens.  I feel the addition of the 55mm to my DF lens kit answers my quest for slightly wider focal length while at the same time allowing me a faster system to capture versus the more time consuming tech cam.  
 
Once again I'd like to offer my thanks to a good friend and great camera dealer, Dave Gallagher, Capture Integration for allowing me the opportunity to put the 55mm through it paces.
 
Also, my many thanks for allowing me to share my experiences to so many of you.  Please remember your thoughts, suggestions, and comments are always welcome.
 
Next up will be Sandy's experiences using her Canon 1DsIII.
 
Don
 
 

 
 
 

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Shooting Glacier National Park with a Canon 1DsIII

 EF17-40 (40mm) f/8 1/160 ISO 100

EF24-70 (59mm) f/6.3 1/125 ISO 100

Along the Trail of Cedars
EF24-70 (34mm) f/2.8 1/100 ISO 125

Along the Trail of Cedars
EF24-70 (24mm) f/2.8 1/100 ISO 125
 
The last entry showed sample images from Glacier that were all captured using Don's medium format and a Phase One IQ160 (60.5 megapixel system); now we'll share samples from my Canon 1DsIII 35mm (21.1 megapixel).
 
Boat Dock at Lake McDonald
EF24-70 (28mm) f/11 1/160 ISO 100

B&W conversion using NIK Silver Efex Pro2
 
The images are taken at Lake McDonald, Trail of Cedars and Wild Goose Island; all hand held using the 24-70 or 17-40mm lens. 
 
EF24-70 (35mm) f/11 1/160 ISO 100

EF24-70 (70mm) f/11 1/160 ISO 100

EF24-70 (67mm) f/11 1/160 ISO 100
 
Enjoy the images!
 
Wild Goose Island
EF24-70 (34mm) f/11 1/160 ISO 100
 
Sandy