Category Archives: High Dynamic Range (HDR)

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Back-roadin’ to Alexandria, MN and back.


This past weekend was gorgeous with unseasonably warm weather.  Cyndie and I spent most of St. Patrick’s Day en route to Alexandria for a wedding.  Sticking to the main drag of Interstate 94 until the Clearwater exit; then the discovery and shooting began.

I continually feel so incredible fortunate to be able to consistently stumble upon wonderful sites to capture.  And to do so with Cyndie makes these experienced all the more memorable and fun.  As you have no doubt have gathered from past posts – the old, decrepit and crumbling  structures is high on our list to shoot.  From time to time we have been lucky enough to stumble upon the complete abandoned farmstead: barn, house, and if we are really lucky, additional out buildings.  We were just that lucky, not once, but twice this trip.  The awesomeness was plentiful and seemingly forever in-frame for the duration of our departure to our return.  On the return trip home we were super-double-lucky and happened upon the whole enchilada at one single location:  barns (yes, plural), house, out-building, and a dozen or so old cars.  What a glorious, spectacular mess of exquisitely aged color and texture.  Loved every minute of it.

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Countryside, field roads, and big ‘ol clouds – oh my.


Nature is really starting to turn up wick (an expression I’ll borrow from Mr. Kris Risch, my high school civics teach).  The scenery was quite picturesque this afternoon/early evening.  Beaming sunlight flaring from behind and through the clouds creating wonderful highlighted colors and deep shadow.  I found myself on a very interesting and wonderful path.  Hwy 58 South of Red Wing and then 325th Street to the West.  325th ends, 240th begins and heads North across County 1 Blvd; then it becomes 282nd and heads back East to County 1 Blvd.  Beautiful country roads – you gotta love the upper mid-West.

I don’t know nothing ’bout the why or when

But I can tell that it’s bound to be

Because I could feel it, child, yeah

On a country road

- James Taylor

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Country Roads – Old Barn – HDR
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Classic Corvette


When I arrived at the location for the meeting today I spied this classic Corvette in the parking lot.  This had HDR written all over it – or one could say reflected all over it.  1st and 3rd images are original exposures out of the camera.  EXIF f/2.8 | 1/250 | ISO-100 | spot metered.  2nd and 4th images are the 5 exposure HDR compilations.

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New lens and more HDR


I have been kicking around the purchase of a macro lens for about a month.  Today was the day.  I picked up a Tamron 90mm f/2.8 instead of the Nikon 105mm f/2.8.  The biggest reason – half the price as well as half the weight (14.3 oz vs. 27.2 oz).  The Tamron lacks the vibration reduction of the Nikon lens so I plan not to shake when I take pictures with this lens…so far so good.  I didn’t have a whole lot of time to play with it after work, but I like it so far.  Here are the fruits of its first 15 minutes out of the box.

I headed down to Red Wing Levee Park on my way to the RWPC monthly meeting.  The first 4 images are a 5 exposure (+2 | +1 | 0 | -1 | -2) HDR of a leaf on a bench in the park.  HRD effect applied are (in order) Black & White, Compressor, Enhancer, and Fusion.  The remaining two images are of a statue head (also in the park) and the waterfront.

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Rainy Days


You can only watch so much TV/Movies and nap.  Days like today are hard to garner any ambition, but I managed to drag myself out of the house and down to Red Wing Levee Park.  You usually don’t have to look very far to find something interesting to photograph.

Moored barge @ Red Wing Grain – Red Wing Levee
Moored barge @ Red Wing Grain – Red Wing Levee-HDR
Train Tracks & Cars – Red Wing Levee
Train Tracks & Cars 2 – Red Wing Levee
Train Tracks & Cars 2 – Red Wing Levee-HDR
Train Tracks & Cars 3 – Red Wing Levee
Moored barge 2 @ Red Wing Grain – Red Wing Levee
Moored barge 2 @ Red Wing Grain – Red Wing Levee-HDR B&W
Fisherman on the Mississippi – Red Wing Levee/Bay Point area
Mooring Piling @ Red Wing Grain – Red Wing Levee
Hen Mallards @ Red Wing Levee
Hen Mallard drinking from a puddle.
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Whitewater way


If you ever find yourself heading South from Kellogg, MN on Hwy 61 – hang a right onto 74 @ Weaver.  Take a drive through the Whitewater river bottoms.  74 is a very scenic path all the way through Elba to the Whitewater State Park.  Once the leaves start to turn this location will hopefully be amazing.  It is still very very green.  Co Hwy 39 to the South & East of 74 will make a loop back around to Co Hwy 26 (which runs East out of Elba) by Co Hwy 24; then Co Rd 37.  Follow the Crystal Springs signs.  There is a very small spring creek  (along Co Rd 37) that feeds the rearing ponds at the bottom of the hill where the DNR Crystal Springs Hatchery is.  Head East from there on Co Hwy 26 and then North on Co Rd 114.  This stretch will bring you out of the river valley into high lush farmland (windmill pictures).  Co Hwy 25 will bring you into Rollingstone and into a valley once again.  I went to Winona and crossed the river and headed to Alma.  On top of the bluff there are spectacular views via Buena Vista park.  This park is worth a visit.  160 or so mile loop – great drive.

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Sunrise @ Colvill Park, Red Wing, MN


Another beautiful morning sunrise at Colvill Park in Red Wing, MN.   There was only a bit of fog burning off the water, but it still provided for a nice effect and contributed to a somewhat subtle mood.  The back bay is starting to get some color.

Covil Park Bay – Even Exposure Shot
Covil Park Bay – HDR Fusion
Covil Park Bay – HDR Painterly
Covil Park Bay – HDR Compressor
Covil Park Bay – A Lower Perspective
Covil Park Back Bay – Riverside Bench