So after I had written my last blog I realized I had skimmed over a lot of our trip during our time in California. First off, I have to say that one of the primary reasons for going to California was to see family that I have missed quite bit. My Grandparents, my mom, and my dad. All have had such dramatic influences on my life that I owe them a bit of a thank you for the guidance over the years. I also wanted to spend a bit of time with my brother Dustin, who is doing really well.
Desiree had asked me to grab some specific pictures while I was out there. She wanted an updated picture to the four generations you see here. My Grandfather, always the hard worker and outdoorsman is still at it splitting firewood for customers he has had since I was a kid. He really has been one my greatest heroes.
So anyways, back to the trip. Sierra had the opportunity to spend time with her cousins while we were there and so I got to spend time with family and friends myself. We had a large family reunion and let me tell you that I am amazed there is not a law that keeps that many Aulabaugh's from being in one location at the same time. You seriously can't contain that much awesomeness from getting out of hand. I just wish a couple of cousins had been able to make it. So while I was there I also had a BBQ thrown in my honor. One of my oldest friends invited a cpl of old friends from high school and well, there was drinking, there was obnoxious behavior, and there was good food, Thanks Lish. It was an honor to be among these people once again, and then there was Jason. Now I hadn't seen Jason in years. As kids we ran the streets, the woods, the rivers, what ever we could to find mischief and cause mayhem, for our parents, who dealt with it accordingly. Well Jason took the opportunity to come spend a day with Sierra and I with his son where Sierra got her first lesson in skipping rocks down on the river.
A day of goodbyes. Sierra and I both hated to say goodbye to my family, but we had missed Desiree and Salt Lake City was a long ways away to pick her up by 10pm. Sierra and I set out eager to see momma again. I had forgotten one thing though, Time Change! I had planned to be there before Desiree so we could meet her at the gate and I had planned it out so that we would arrive with time to spare. That was until we crossed the time zone and the clock switched from 9 to 10 and I had 20 minutes to drive an hours worth of road, Whoops. Not sure Ill ever live that down. I will say that as we pulled up to the curb and Sierra seen Desiree she couldn't contain herself, she jumped out of the car and ran to her mom. I didn't even have time to capture it on my phone, just believe me when I say it was cute. Sierra and I were extremely happy to have Desiree back. Like I have mentioned before, a month is just to long to go on a vacation if you can't share it with your spouse.
The Next day we were on the road and it was going to be a bit of a drive to get to Jackson Hole Wyoming, but we were together, we had a tentative plan, and I couldn't wait to see the jagged mountains, the bison, elk, and more bears.
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Summer Vacation (Part 1)
It has been a while since I sat down and wrote on the blog. It seems that a lot more attention is being given to those who do video blogs and at some point I may jump on the bandwagon but for today, Lets see if I can get started in this again.
So whats up with us? Well Sierra and I spend the month of June either driving or visiting with family in California. We had so much fun and I am still sorting through images from the trip. It seems every time I go through the images I get hit with a flashback and how much we enjoyed our trip. During the first week we visited Sequoia National Park. Sierra was all over the place. Climbing rocks running around and just enjoying being a kid. We got to see 5 bears in 2 day, 3 of which were a tad to close. If you look in the picture to the right at the very bottom is Sierra, just to give a slight idea of how large this tree really is. Though she will have many, at one point in the day Sierra said it was the best day ever and I kind of agree, It was truly an amazing day.
Most of you may already know that Sierra and I were both born in Northern California and we have a lot of family there. It was amazing to get to see Grandma's and Grandpa's, Aunts and Uncles, and everyone else. We had the opportunity to spend time with some of our amazing friends as well and Sierra was happy to be able to spend so much time with her cousins. On one of the days Sierra and I took a drive up to Mt Lassen. Now, when I was a kid I overheard someone ask some foreign visitors why they had picked Mt Lassen as a location to visit. Their response was one that I will always remember, They had to see the "Living Mountain". Sierra says that was her favorite part of the trip as she got to play in the snow and climb on the rocks.
Going a month without seeing your spouse for work purposes is one thing, but it is entirely strange to not get to share the fun with them during a vacation, so after 25 days Sierra and I were on the road again, this time headed for Salt Lake City where Desiree would be meeting us and where the final days of our vacation would begin.
For me it is almost impossible to be near Grand Teton National Park and not drive through at least so I was working hard to find a way. We also had dinner plans with some friends in Casper Wyoming to keep and a concert in Tennessee to be at, we were running out of time in a quick hurry and we had a full schedule but you will have to wait to hear about that.
So whats up with us? Well Sierra and I spend the month of June either driving or visiting with family in California. We had so much fun and I am still sorting through images from the trip. It seems every time I go through the images I get hit with a flashback and how much we enjoyed our trip. During the first week we visited Sequoia National Park. Sierra was all over the place. Climbing rocks running around and just enjoying being a kid. We got to see 5 bears in 2 day, 3 of which were a tad to close. If you look in the picture to the right at the very bottom is Sierra, just to give a slight idea of how large this tree really is. Though she will have many, at one point in the day Sierra said it was the best day ever and I kind of agree, It was truly an amazing day.
Most of you may already know that Sierra and I were both born in Northern California and we have a lot of family there. It was amazing to get to see Grandma's and Grandpa's, Aunts and Uncles, and everyone else. We had the opportunity to spend time with some of our amazing friends as well and Sierra was happy to be able to spend so much time with her cousins. On one of the days Sierra and I took a drive up to Mt Lassen. Now, when I was a kid I overheard someone ask some foreign visitors why they had picked Mt Lassen as a location to visit. Their response was one that I will always remember, They had to see the "Living Mountain". Sierra says that was her favorite part of the trip as she got to play in the snow and climb on the rocks.
Going a month without seeing your spouse for work purposes is one thing, but it is entirely strange to not get to share the fun with them during a vacation, so after 25 days Sierra and I were on the road again, this time headed for Salt Lake City where Desiree would be meeting us and where the final days of our vacation would begin.
For me it is almost impossible to be near Grand Teton National Park and not drive through at least so I was working hard to find a way. We also had dinner plans with some friends in Casper Wyoming to keep and a concert in Tennessee to be at, we were running out of time in a quick hurry and we had a full schedule but you will have to wait to hear about that.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Cost of a Picture
For years photographers have struggled with what to charge. What is the worth of a photo? It is said that a photograph is worth a thousand words but words do not always pay the bills nor reflect the worth to the photographer or the customer, and not all images are created equal... So what is a fair price?
I was up late last night messaging a friend and fellow photographer. He asked me what I felt was a fair price for one of his awesome images and I hate to say it but my answer was "I don't know". I told him to look around his local area and see what others were charging for similar style images. He sent me several links to photographers and my jaw hit the ground. Prints that I had sold for $30-$40 were selling in the triple digits. Just wow!!!
Most who know me know I try to have a philosophical approach to things and that trend usually transfers to my images. I have heard some say that you take the price of printing an image and do a 300% mark up or B= Ax3. One problem with this theory is that it does not come anywhere near the cost of capture (the total cost that it took to get the image and have it printed). As photographers we are often looking for that 1 image. The one image that defines our journey. It does not matter if you took 5 pictures or 1000, it is the one that means the difference.
So lets explore the Cost of Capture for a minute. It has been said that to get amazing images you must go to some place amazing. That takes money of course, vehicle, camera systems, support systems, food, lodging, clothing. Many items are highly specified to the task. For instance tripods for long exposure landscapes start at around $300 for the legs only. $180 for a quality ball head. High quality super wide angle lenses start around $1000. This is just a start, there really is a lot to factor in. And lets look at wildlife, well first you have to find the species your looking to photograph $$$. Wildlife photography can get expensive fast. Proper lenses alone jump into the $3k range fast and significantly jump from there even. Fast cameras that excel in low light such as the Nikon D4 and Canon 1Dx can't even be found used for under $5k so you can only guess at the cost of a new one.
So you may be seeing the big picture of why some of these images are so expensive and remember we have not even paid our own bills on it yet. Many photographers scrape a living or treat it as a second job. The simple fact is that we love to be out and taking those pictures and even when it gets rough out and our bodies are going through hell, our shutter fingers are twitching to get the shot that will give you some insight, to motivate, to tell a story that words would only corrode.
As photographers we also understand the value of a dollar as we continuously strive to stretch our own but we also know that what we have to offer is one of a kind. My personal goal is to inspire people from all walks to get out and explore our world. It might be hard to believe that the image above cost me over $500 to get but after all is said and done, that is the reality and while I do not expect to be paid back based on one image, it is, at least in my opinion, the best image from the trip and it was the most complex to make happen. So to consider a 10x20 canvas print at $200 it could be considered a bargain and at $200 I have to sell 3 to even begin making money back on the product. So is it worth it? Absolutely, for me it is my window to the world, my peace, my sanity. I do not create specifically for others, I create for myself and share with others.
SO the next time you are looking to buy a picture, remember it is not the cost of printing you are paying for, but the cost of everything it took to get the image, to acquire the skills and the equipment to be where the photographer needed to be to get that specific shot. Artistic photography is also very different from portrait photography although I see planty of people who undercut themselves in the hopes of gaining more clients. The sad reality is that those people effect the industry and in the long run they will not be around on a serious level to understand what they have done by pricing themselves out of the market. Photographers wirk extremely hard to get the shots they you all love to see online, in galleries, and specially on your walls. Honestly, in today's world the biggest complement you could pay a photographer is to buy a print. Not only does it help us pay our bills but it also says that our work is inspiring to you.
I was up late last night messaging a friend and fellow photographer. He asked me what I felt was a fair price for one of his awesome images and I hate to say it but my answer was "I don't know". I told him to look around his local area and see what others were charging for similar style images. He sent me several links to photographers and my jaw hit the ground. Prints that I had sold for $30-$40 were selling in the triple digits. Just wow!!!
Most who know me know I try to have a philosophical approach to things and that trend usually transfers to my images. I have heard some say that you take the price of printing an image and do a 300% mark up or B= Ax3. One problem with this theory is that it does not come anywhere near the cost of capture (the total cost that it took to get the image and have it printed). As photographers we are often looking for that 1 image. The one image that defines our journey. It does not matter if you took 5 pictures or 1000, it is the one that means the difference.
So lets explore the Cost of Capture for a minute. It has been said that to get amazing images you must go to some place amazing. That takes money of course, vehicle, camera systems, support systems, food, lodging, clothing. Many items are highly specified to the task. For instance tripods for long exposure landscapes start at around $300 for the legs only. $180 for a quality ball head. High quality super wide angle lenses start around $1000. This is just a start, there really is a lot to factor in. And lets look at wildlife, well first you have to find the species your looking to photograph $$$. Wildlife photography can get expensive fast. Proper lenses alone jump into the $3k range fast and significantly jump from there even. Fast cameras that excel in low light such as the Nikon D4 and Canon 1Dx can't even be found used for under $5k so you can only guess at the cost of a new one.
So you may be seeing the big picture of why some of these images are so expensive and remember we have not even paid our own bills on it yet. Many photographers scrape a living or treat it as a second job. The simple fact is that we love to be out and taking those pictures and even when it gets rough out and our bodies are going through hell, our shutter fingers are twitching to get the shot that will give you some insight, to motivate, to tell a story that words would only corrode.
As photographers we also understand the value of a dollar as we continuously strive to stretch our own but we also know that what we have to offer is one of a kind. My personal goal is to inspire people from all walks to get out and explore our world. It might be hard to believe that the image above cost me over $500 to get but after all is said and done, that is the reality and while I do not expect to be paid back based on one image, it is, at least in my opinion, the best image from the trip and it was the most complex to make happen. So to consider a 10x20 canvas print at $200 it could be considered a bargain and at $200 I have to sell 3 to even begin making money back on the product. So is it worth it? Absolutely, for me it is my window to the world, my peace, my sanity. I do not create specifically for others, I create for myself and share with others.
SO the next time you are looking to buy a picture, remember it is not the cost of printing you are paying for, but the cost of everything it took to get the image, to acquire the skills and the equipment to be where the photographer needed to be to get that specific shot. Artistic photography is also very different from portrait photography although I see planty of people who undercut themselves in the hopes of gaining more clients. The sad reality is that those people effect the industry and in the long run they will not be around on a serious level to understand what they have done by pricing themselves out of the market. Photographers wirk extremely hard to get the shots they you all love to see online, in galleries, and specially on your walls. Honestly, in today's world the biggest complement you could pay a photographer is to buy a print. Not only does it help us pay our bills but it also says that our work is inspiring to you.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Check Your First Aid
If you spend a lot of time in the outdoors or on the road I would like to encourage you to think about emergencies. All to often what is most overlooked in the outdoors is safety and first aid. So why do I bring this up right now? Well I have been hauling around the same backpackers first aid kit for quite some time and the other day while I was trying to organize the 4runner I decided to have a quick look at my kit. What I found was that I was lacking horribly. Most of my medicines had long since been expired, moisture had reached some of my band-aids and after looking at the kit I found that it was itself a minimalists kits. Lacking in many items Now this is the same kit I had taken with me hiking, camping, and hunting several times and I realized that IF something had happened at the beginning of one of my 3-4 day trips I probably would have been in a bind.
Now I realize that backpackers want fast and lite but if you skimp on your kit to much and end up needing it, your trip could turn south real fast. Also, not every type of trip requires the same kit and even location can play a major role in what you might need. Remember that just having the kit is not the same as knowing how to use it. A good First Aid class is priceless for those who spend a lot of time in the outdoors. Knowing what medicines you can take and when as well as how to stop bleeding, making splints etc can really change the outcome of a potentially horrible situation. Now many of these classes are not cheap, often more expensive than a regular CPR/First Aid course but you will learn a lot more about how to cope with emergencies in the outdoors. to give you an idea of the costs associated, classes from the American Red Cross here on the Space Coast of Florida average about $70 while a limited Wilderness First Aid course starts at $220.
Some things to think about when putting a kit together are;
What bandage materials you might need.
What you might need if the bleeding is more serious.
What you might need if someone else if bleeding.(gloves)
What you would need for blisters (moleskin)
What you might need if you broke a limb (Duct tape might be handy to help make a splint)
What tools you might need (tweezers, knife, scissors, syringe)
Medications (ibuprofen, acetaminophen, iodine, antiseptic, antibiotic, etc )
The items listed above are just a start and should be considered for the length of time you plan to be out. I am by no means an expert but it is very important to be knowledgeable and prepared for the worst to happen. I hear a lot of outdoors enthusiast say things to the tune of always being prepared and I have to admit that I caught myself in that same category, believing myself to be prepared when I wasn't. I have taken some time to find where my kit lacks and I plan to do a refresher course on my CPR/First Aid ASAP. Being self sufficient is something we should all strive for and if you spend a lot of time in the outdoors, that life you save just might be your own...
Check your First Aid kits and be sure that you have what you need and that it has not expired. There is nothing wrong with putting together your own kit either as long as it allows you to be prepared. have one stored under the seat of your vehicle with a majority of items you might need and another for hiking/biking etc. Be organized, be prepared.
http://www.first-aid-product.com/
http://www.redcross.org/take-a-class
http://www.nols.edu/wmi/courses/wildfirstaid.shtml
Now I realize that backpackers want fast and lite but if you skimp on your kit to much and end up needing it, your trip could turn south real fast. Also, not every type of trip requires the same kit and even location can play a major role in what you might need. Remember that just having the kit is not the same as knowing how to use it. A good First Aid class is priceless for those who spend a lot of time in the outdoors. Knowing what medicines you can take and when as well as how to stop bleeding, making splints etc can really change the outcome of a potentially horrible situation. Now many of these classes are not cheap, often more expensive than a regular CPR/First Aid course but you will learn a lot more about how to cope with emergencies in the outdoors. to give you an idea of the costs associated, classes from the American Red Cross here on the Space Coast of Florida average about $70 while a limited Wilderness First Aid course starts at $220.
Some things to think about when putting a kit together are;
What bandage materials you might need.
What you might need if the bleeding is more serious.
What you might need if someone else if bleeding.(gloves)
What you would need for blisters (moleskin)
What you might need if you broke a limb (Duct tape might be handy to help make a splint)
What tools you might need (tweezers, knife, scissors, syringe)
Medications (ibuprofen, acetaminophen, iodine, antiseptic, antibiotic, etc )
The items listed above are just a start and should be considered for the length of time you plan to be out. I am by no means an expert but it is very important to be knowledgeable and prepared for the worst to happen. I hear a lot of outdoors enthusiast say things to the tune of always being prepared and I have to admit that I caught myself in that same category, believing myself to be prepared when I wasn't. I have taken some time to find where my kit lacks and I plan to do a refresher course on my CPR/First Aid ASAP. Being self sufficient is something we should all strive for and if you spend a lot of time in the outdoors, that life you save just might be your own...
Check your First Aid kits and be sure that you have what you need and that it has not expired. There is nothing wrong with putting together your own kit either as long as it allows you to be prepared. have one stored under the seat of your vehicle with a majority of items you might need and another for hiking/biking etc. Be organized, be prepared.
http://www.first-aid-product.com/
http://www.redcross.org/take-a-class
http://www.nols.edu/wmi/courses/wildfirstaid.shtml
Monday, January 6, 2014
Cold Weather Photography
As the seasons change our opportunities do to. I have heard of photographers that give up after the cold sets in but to me that is a key time to be out and photographing. Sure braving the elements is tough but most animals are going through far tougher situations than we are. Adapting to the change can be a key element to your photography. Think of a visit to the Tetons, or Yellowstone. In the dry months it is not hard to find beauty in the landscape and the wildlife. The same can be said of the winter months but with 5-6 ft of snow on the ground not only is your means a lot of changes. Transportation to reach specific areas, how the animals react in the cold temps, exposure compensation, even gear changes.
Battery life is one component that tends to get overlooked the most but in the cold battery life can be cut in half or less. Take 2-3 batteries with your and keep your charged spares close to your body. Find a good lens cover to keep moisture out. I keep a cpl of silica gel desiccants in my Pelican case to help with moisture. Also, and this might be one of the most annoying issues to arise is a lens fogging up from dramatic temp changes. Always allow your
lens to acclimate to the ambient temps that you will be shooting in. I can tell you from experience that there is nothing worse than trying to take pictures of a herd of Elk and having my lens fog up on the outside and even within the camera. I generally try to keep a rain cover on my camera of some type just to be safe as well.
Exposure compensation and white balance is crucial when photographing in the winter, sure you can adjust some of that in post processing but the real goal should always be to get as close to perfection as possible in the camera. Just as I under expose by 1 stop for white birds in sunlight, I try to do the same if possible in snow. It is to easy to loose detail and blow out the shot if your not on top of your exposure with every shot. Set a custom white balance as well. You can set a mood with white balance by adding warm or cool tones carefully.
Snowshoes? Maybe, having walked in snow shoes I can tell you it is no easy feat but they will allow you to get into tougher areas and do so quieter than a pair of boots will. With it turning off cold over most of the country be sure to have the
proper clothing for the areas you plan to be in and never assume that
you have enough to "get you through" when you know that you may need
more. In the outdoors 2 is 1 and 1 is none... Never push yourself to exhaustion in extreme weather. Know your limits and know when to say when.
Even with the dangers involved in braving the elements to get the shot, many times the moments experienced during the harsh conditions will net the best images and the most memorable adventures. I want to encourage you to get out and find the things that make the seasons. Bundle up, be safe, and enjoy!!!
Bundled up in warm tones |
lens to acclimate to the ambient temps that you will be shooting in. I can tell you from experience that there is nothing worse than trying to take pictures of a herd of Elk and having my lens fog up on the outside and even within the camera. I generally try to keep a rain cover on my camera of some type just to be safe as well.
Exposure compensation and white balance is crucial when photographing in the winter, sure you can adjust some of that in post processing but the real goal should always be to get as close to perfection as possible in the camera. Just as I under expose by 1 stop for white birds in sunlight, I try to do the same if possible in snow. It is to easy to loose detail and blow out the shot if your not on top of your exposure with every shot. Set a custom white balance as well. You can set a mood with white balance by adding warm or cool tones carefully.
Cool tones give an image a dreary feel |
Even with the dangers involved in braving the elements to get the shot, many times the moments experienced during the harsh conditions will net the best images and the most memorable adventures. I want to encourage you to get out and find the things that make the seasons. Bundle up, be safe, and enjoy!!!
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Savannah, A Family Vacation
"Don't go in the Warehouse"
I heard these words as my family and I searched for a
restaurant Saturday night. We had heard of the awesome Ghost Tours that various
tours services offered but we were running out of time. Nearly 3 nights is just
not enough to see all that Savannah and the surrounding areas have to offer and
we knew we would have to come back some day. Savannah is one of those places
that inspires artists, captivates historians, and offers so many dining options
it could keep a foodie occupied for years. I'll blame it on my wife, after all
it was her idea. She had always wanted to see Savannah and after some debate I
finally relented and for once, took the road more traveled. If you look up
great vacation locations in the U.S., Savannah is sure to be in the top 20 and
Trip Advisor has them in the #14 spot and US News has them at #20.
After we had
decided that Savannah was our destination, we next started figuring lodging.
Desiree of course, always on the lookout for deals started looking at cheap
motels and we did find some in the $75 range. Now we spent a month in one of
the nicest Motel 6's I have ever seen in 2012 and to be honest, it was still a
Motel 6 with 3 people in it so I decided to look at a different path. I knew a
hotel suite was out of my league but I wanted 2 divided rooms for privacy, and
a little room to stretch, I wanted a vacation rental. After looking around
online I finally contacted Savannah Dream Vacations (savannahdreamvacations.com
) and talked to Marcia. Ever talk to a travel agent of any kind that truly gets
what your after? That's exactly how I felt after talking to Marcia and then our
subsequent emails proved just that. We had discussed locations and amenities
and even price and I was asked if I was a little flexible in my travel dates as
the weekend we had originally chosen was a very busy weekend of rock concerts
that I had not known about before. We settled on their E. Park Ave location for
$99/night your normal charges when renting a vacation home. Marcia went above
and beyond by helping us plan our trip as well, filling us in on the local
hotspots and even offering to set up tours and reservations. If you want to
vacation is Savannah, Marcia at Savannah Dream Vacations is the one to talk to
for sure.
We arrived
in Savannah Friday around 1:30pm and we were all very hungry and a bit tired
from the drive up. We decided to stop down on River St for a bite and to look
around real fast. None of us had ever been to a Joe's Crab Shack so we picked
that for our first meal in Savannah. The food was good but I did have one issue
with the way they prepare their shrimp. Now if you have ever been shrimping or
cleaned whole shrimp you know that when you pinch the heads you can get the top
vein 99% of the time without shelling and the bottom vein is easy enough to get
before hand as well. As it turns out the only deveined shrimp that have is
their fried shrimp which is shelled and butterflied. I am a firm believer in
properly cleaned shrimp so this was a bit of a turn off for me. They did make
it right by bringing me some fried shrimp and I have to say, they were amazing
and it took me back to when I was a kid helping clean shrimp at my grandfathers
restaurant in Vina Ca. Sierra enjoyed her lunch as well and even continued to
pick through after she declared she was full.
After that we walked around a little and checked out River St. while most were running for cover to get out of the rain. We made it to our rental and were fortunate enough to meet the owners. The location was nice and away from the hustle of downtown Savannah. The decor is simple and relaxing and the modern appliances were new and very clean. Of everything in the rental I only had a couple complaints. First the most comfortable bed ever sits in a room to small for its size. The headboard could be reduced to make a bit more room. The other thing was that the showers hot water seemed to oscillate and did not hold an even temp. Not a deal breaker but could have been better. The last thing is not really a complaint but rather something that was not disclosed. The house as it sits is not the entire rental. Guests rent the upstairs portion of the house, while the bottom is a book binding shop. Not a huge deal as the upstairs is more than adequate
room for 2-4 people
After that we walked around a little and checked out River St. while most were running for cover to get out of the rain. We made it to our rental and were fortunate enough to meet the owners. The location was nice and away from the hustle of downtown Savannah. The decor is simple and relaxing and the modern appliances were new and very clean. Of everything in the rental I only had a couple complaints. First the most comfortable bed ever sits in a room to small for its size. The headboard could be reduced to make a bit more room. The other thing was that the showers hot water seemed to oscillate and did not hold an even temp. Not a deal breaker but could have been better. The last thing is not really a complaint but rather something that was not disclosed. The house as it sits is not the entire rental. Guests rent the upstairs portion of the house, while the bottom is a book binding shop. Not a huge deal as the upstairs is more than adequate
room for 2-4 people
Saturday
found us well rested and excited to get the vacation rolling. One of the best
parts of a vacation rental is the full kitchen. While we did not cook, we did
use the kitchen for fast cheap breakfasts which brought our out of pocket costs
down significantly. Today was planned to explore the historic district or
Savannah and learn some of the rich history, creepy legends, and stories right
out of Hollywood. Sierra wanted to ride the trolley really bad so that's what
we did first. We went with Old Savannah Tours for a 90 minute ride. Not bad I
have to say, the areas covered are vast and the guides are very knowledgeable.
While you do get to see a lot on these tours it is mostly a glimpse as you make
your way to the next stop.
After our
ride we stopped for lunch at The Pirates' House. To say we were all very hungry
would be an understatement and we delved into our food like there was no
tomorrow. One recommendation on this place, have the soup!!! While all of the
food was good, you just have to have some of their She Crab Soup.
We had a walking tour scheduled for 3pm with
Savvy Savannah Tours (www.savvysavannahtours.com). The meeting spot just
happened to be outside of the restaurant so that was convenient. Cindy was our
guide for this tour. A very nice, informative, and patient guide she told us of
historical homes, the historical squares and their significance, and even put
up with my constant stop and go of picture taking. I would recommend them to
anyone for a nice detailed tour of Savannah. One thing I would say is that
while the trolley tours are nice and show you more, the walking tours are far
more detailed and informative. If you are a history buff or a photographer, the
walking tour is for you. You may need multiple tours to see the city but it is
my opinion that it would be worth it. I would recommend Savvy Savannah Tours to
anyone wanting to explore the city
and get great detailed information.
After our tour we decided to try to get into Forsyth Park and try to get some photos. Forsyth is a very popular park with both tourists and locals and so it is quite busy. There were multiple "festivals" going on in the park when we were there. basketball, football, kids playing in the playground. It is a busy, busy place. We only stayed shortly and although the pictures I did take turned out ok, there was just too much commotion going on to stay to long.
and get great detailed information.
After our tour we decided to try to get into Forsyth Park and try to get some photos. Forsyth is a very popular park with both tourists and locals and so it is quite busy. There were multiple "festivals" going on in the park when we were there. basketball, football, kids playing in the playground. It is a busy, busy place. We only stayed shortly and although the pictures I did take turned out ok, there was just too much commotion going on to stay to long.
Saturday
Night found us at the Shrimp factory down on River street again. First off I am
going to say that this was my favorite meal of our trip. While it is in the
tourist area, the food is exactly what you expect from a coastal river front restaurant,
It's good!!! I had their signature dish which was a hearty seafood stew. This
stew had everything you could think of for local seafood. The story goes that
when fishermen returned from a day out they would toss whatever they got into this
stew, fish, clams, mussels, crab, shrimp, you name it. Add some veggies,
spices, in a light creamy base and you have one heck of a meal with 3+ bowls of
the stuff. After having a few bites of this stew, Sierra declared she wanted to
have this stew for her birthday dinner the next night. It was also the only
dinner that Desiree opted to take her leftovers back to the house. After dinner
we walked around the river front and listened to an amazing sax player while I
took some pictures. The girls both received ornamental flowers made from some
kind of long grassy leaf. Very cool to see made.
Those that
know me know I am a photographer through and through. They know I do not mind
getting up at the crack of dawn to get the shot. I had made a deal with Desiree
to let them sleep in and I would pick them up for breakfast after I got my
pictures. My destination was clear but my timing was not, as t turns out the
area I had planned to visit and get my images does not open until 9am, well
after the photo mark so I had to improvise.
Desiree and
I had agreed that Sierra deserved to have a good birthday breakfast Sunday
morning and our awesome waiter from the Shrimp Factory had mentioned Goose
Feathers. While Goose Feathers is not by any means what I had expected, the
somewhat limited menu proves that quality is much more important than quantity.
Sierra got a chocolate waffle and we met with the manager for a bit who turned
out to be one of those laid back sorts that is also a traveler. Super nice guy!
The rest of
the day had been planned to get out of town and see the surrounding areas, primarily
to visit Tybee Island and the Wormsloe Plantation. The Avenue of Oaks, rarely
have I been to a place that caught my attention like Wormsloe. Starting with
the entry way it is like opening the doors to some fantasy world. The long oak
lined lane is such an attention grabber that paying the $22 only stings for a
brief second. I say stings as you can visit any of the major National Parks for
$25 a car. The price though quickly fades as you start down the lane and
realize just how magnificent these trees are. While not the largest Live Oaks I
have ever seen, they are huge and they are plentiful. The visitor center and
trail system is neat as well, we seen 2 whitetail deer and many bird species on
our walk. Just be warned, if you visit with intent to get family photos as we
had, take comfortable shoes as well. I admit I was wrapped up in family picture
taking and forgot to grab my sneakers or hiking boots. An amazing place in my
opinion and one well worth the visit. If you ever visit Wormsloe Plantation, do
yourself a favor, regardless of what others are doing, take it sloe!!!
We spent so
much time at the Wormsloe Plantation that we were running out of time for Tybee
Island so we headed that way with the lighthouse and fading light in mind. Once
we got there the photographer in me went into over drive and I was digging out
lights, lenses, and tripods as fast as possible. The hour had come and was
fading fast. From the beach, the Tybee Lighthouse is a portrait photographers
paradise and it shows when you see the number of portrait photographers trying
to get the shot. I seen 3 other photographers looking for the shot with their
subjects in tow. This is the location to think outside of the box though. If
you don't the odds of being different are slim. I even had one lady that had
been paddle boarding come over and tell me that if I shot in a different area
that I would not get any power lines in the shot. Nice, but comical if you were
to look through my viewfinder and see no power lines where I was set up
already. That just goes to show how much this area is used and what type of
mind set
you need when shooting there. We left after all had gone dark and we were walking by the light of the lighthouse itself. Really, really cool spot and I look forward to trying an early morning shoot there as I know I only covered a small portion or the beach.
you need when shooting there. We left after all had gone dark and we were walking by the light of the lighthouse itself. Really, really cool spot and I look forward to trying an early morning shoot there as I know I only covered a small portion or the beach.
By the time
we left the beach we were all very hungry and looking for a local hangout to
grab some grub. Sting Rays S
eafood had some good reviews so we said what the heck. Sadly though, the only person that enjoyed her meal was Sierra who got her soup and a corndog. Actually the soup was great as we all had some but we would have been better off to go with a corndog than what we chose for entries. My crab cake was way over cooked and under prepared and Desiree did not enjoy her scallops at all. She ended up eating her fries and coleslaw and wasting most of the scallops. It left me dreaming of the what might have been had we visited Mrs. Wilkes Dinning Room like Marcia had suggested.
eafood had some good reviews so we said what the heck. Sadly though, the only person that enjoyed her meal was Sierra who got her soup and a corndog. Actually the soup was great as we all had some but we would have been better off to go with a corndog than what we chose for entries. My crab cake was way over cooked and under prepared and Desiree did not enjoy her scallops at all. She ended up eating her fries and coleslaw and wasting most of the scallops. It left me dreaming of the what might have been had we visited Mrs. Wilkes Dinning Room like Marcia had suggested.
Until Next
Time
Monday was
to be our last rendezvous on Savannah, so we loaded the car and headed into
town for one last stroll on River Street as well as lunch at Lady and Sons
Restaurant. First off, I have to say, it was suggested we skip Lady and Sons
and go somewhere else. Oh how I wished I had listened, the service was awesome
but the food was mediocre when you are thinking of Paula Deen and the food she
makes on TV. The best part of the meal was dessert by far. We each had a
different item and each was quite amazing. It is hard to say but the meal
itself was not worth it and next time we will just cut to the gift shop to buy
the desserts instead.
The walk was
nice and Sierra and I split off from Desiree so that she could shop in peace
and so that Sierra and I would not be bored out of our minds. Sierra and I
found a sweet candy store where we got to watch the candy being made. We
sampled a piece or two but mainly watched as it was made. Sierra was enthralled
with the process, even asking the man to make more after he had run out of caramel
that he was spreading over the pecans. Desiree found us and we made our way to
the waterfront for one last look around before calling our trip a success and
heading south.
Savannah
Georgia is one of those tourist places that you really do not feel like a
tourist even as you walk along river street lined with shops and restaurants.
Mixed with rich history and a restful elegance the city has something to offer
just about anyone. It is a foodies dream come true and a history buffs heaven.
We seen artists painting, musicians playing, and watched the ships slip through
with the tides. To sit along the river and watch ships come and go it is hard
not to get sucked into the life style. I heard story after story of visitors
who had come as tourists only to buy a house and settle in. Even the college
life is not the rambunctious lifestyle that you might expect in such a place
but rather a place where the college, Savannah College of Art & Design,
plays a principle roll in taking care of the city and her history. It is not
hard to see why tourism is second only to shipping as an industry in Savannah
either. To submerge yourself in the lifestyle is a breath of fresh air compared
to the hustle found in most cities these days. I must say a big thank you to
Savannah Dream Vacations for all the tips, the great price on the rental, and
for setting up our day with Savvy Savannah Tours. If I have one regret it was
not letting Marcia, set us up with massages from Manderly, also with Savannah
Dream Vacations, who is said to be an amazing massage therapist. There is
always next time, and there will be a next time. What can I say, I'll just
blame it on my wife...
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Trick or Treat, Currently in Photography (Photography Series)
Trick or Treat!!!
So I am going to start out with the obvious? Nikon, Pure Photography... Nov 5th
Now I have not seen the camera and although I kind of hope that the following is wrong, some of the things I am hearing is manual everything, including focus, full frame sensor like the D4, Blah blah blah blah. Almost sounds like a bad dream right? I mean you can take the camera you own right now and do this same thing, make it all manual. So why have a camera that ONLY does that? D4 sensor, sweet but why not something truly revolutionary and new? I mean it says the wait was worth it in their little ridiculous teaser trailers they have been posting to YouTube. I can say that the other "New" offerings from Nikon are a bit uninspiring so I hope that the rumors are false and that this new camera is really ground breaking. The offerings I am referring to are the Nikon D5300 and D610. Yes both of the cameras these replace were released last year and the so called updates are really nothing special. If you already have the D5200 or D600, don't waste your time. Nikon has also released a new lens, the 58mm, which is getting good and bad press due to the hefty $1700 price tag and the rather minimal range difference from their classics in the 50mm range, only time will tell if it lives up to their last 58mm lens which is thought to be one of the best by the few who own them. After a big year last year Nikon Needs to step it up if they want to keep the customers they have earned since the Nikon D3 was released.
Sony is another camera manufacturer that seems to be listening to their customers list of dreams and even adding some new desires to the list of other manufacturer's customers. I am talking about the new Sony A7, a 24mp full frame and the A7R, a 36mp full frame. Both mirrorless cameras that are sure to take the breath of those who hold them. They are even trying to revolutionize the mobile market with a lens/ sensor combo that connects to your cell phone with their DSC-QX10 and QX100. All I can say is wow!
Canon on the other hand has been relatively quiet lately which leads me to believe that they are up to something BIG. Yeah they released the 70D, a rather cool enthusiast camera if your into video and a great camera for those learning the craft, but not really the ah inspiring release we are used to seeing from them. I can already hear the trumpets sounding and the press shutters rolling.
If your into the Micro 4/3's cameras all I have to say is OM-D E-M1, From everything I have heard if your not stuck on the idea of a big sensor, this is the camera to have! In the right hands this camera shines as bright as any and that is not limited to cameras in it's price point.This camera goes the distance and those who have them, love them. Not for everyone but I know of at least 1 professional that shows up to client shoots with the previous model and the E-M1 is supposed to blow it out of the water.
For those of you who use plug-in's Nik Software has just released the new Analog Efex Pro and what a program it is. I have to admit I have been scratching my head as to the usefulness of the program in most applications. I also have to note that the file size has grown from an already remarkable size of 100MB for the original programs that consisted of Define, Silver Efex, Viveza, Color Efex, Sharpener, and HDR Efex. That has now grown to a whopping 300MB with the addition of Analog alone. It does have some cool features but I am unconvinced of the benefit of adding fake scratches to a photo or fake blemishes of any kind. There also seems to be some bugs associated with the program as I am unable to use most of the programs in LR5 currently and many have reported issues with the update causing crashes to their PSCC, although the fix I believe is to simple un-install the entire Nik Collection that automatically updated and reinstall it.
Nik Analog Efex Pro and Lightroom |
So I am going to start out with the obvious? Nikon, Pure Photography... Nov 5th
Now I have not seen the camera and although I kind of hope that the following is wrong, some of the things I am hearing is manual everything, including focus, full frame sensor like the D4, Blah blah blah blah. Almost sounds like a bad dream right? I mean you can take the camera you own right now and do this same thing, make it all manual. So why have a camera that ONLY does that? D4 sensor, sweet but why not something truly revolutionary and new? I mean it says the wait was worth it in their little ridiculous teaser trailers they have been posting to YouTube. I can say that the other "New" offerings from Nikon are a bit uninspiring so I hope that the rumors are false and that this new camera is really ground breaking. The offerings I am referring to are the Nikon D5300 and D610. Yes both of the cameras these replace were released last year and the so called updates are really nothing special. If you already have the D5200 or D600, don't waste your time. Nikon has also released a new lens, the 58mm, which is getting good and bad press due to the hefty $1700 price tag and the rather minimal range difference from their classics in the 50mm range, only time will tell if it lives up to their last 58mm lens which is thought to be one of the best by the few who own them. After a big year last year Nikon Needs to step it up if they want to keep the customers they have earned since the Nikon D3 was released.
Sony is another camera manufacturer that seems to be listening to their customers list of dreams and even adding some new desires to the list of other manufacturer's customers. I am talking about the new Sony A7, a 24mp full frame and the A7R, a 36mp full frame. Both mirrorless cameras that are sure to take the breath of those who hold them. They are even trying to revolutionize the mobile market with a lens/ sensor combo that connects to your cell phone with their DSC-QX10 and QX100. All I can say is wow!
Canon on the other hand has been relatively quiet lately which leads me to believe that they are up to something BIG. Yeah they released the 70D, a rather cool enthusiast camera if your into video and a great camera for those learning the craft, but not really the ah inspiring release we are used to seeing from them. I can already hear the trumpets sounding and the press shutters rolling.
If your into the Micro 4/3's cameras all I have to say is OM-D E-M1, From everything I have heard if your not stuck on the idea of a big sensor, this is the camera to have! In the right hands this camera shines as bright as any and that is not limited to cameras in it's price point.This camera goes the distance and those who have them, love them. Not for everyone but I know of at least 1 professional that shows up to client shoots with the previous model and the E-M1 is supposed to blow it out of the water.
Edited using Nik's Analog Efex Pro as well as Colorefex, Photoshop, and Lightroom |
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