Did a 2-day backpacking trip in yosemite 2 weeks ago. Spent the night up at Cloud's Rest (almost 10000ft); that was soo worth it. Brought my camera gear with me and here are some pics. The pics really should be viewed bit larger .
Thanks. I was lucky with some incredible lighting; it was completely overcast throughout the day except during sunset and sunrise, in which the sun dramatically shined through the cloud layer.
Loser777: How can you be bored? Not only is it really scenic, the last part is pretty scary.
Zeal: I scored 5D with really good deal, which despite being a good deal, broke my wallet. So, I had to do with cheap manual focus lenses. Optically speaking, they are excellent, not to mention incredible build (better than modern lenses). We just lose AF and I had to shave the 5D mirror to adapt some of these lenses. Its pretty common nowadays to adapt older lenses (with ebay adapters), whether because of cost or just simply excellent optics. These lenses are sold in craiglist, ebay, camera forums etc.
So 600 USD for used (some wear and scratches) 5D and 170 USD total for 3 excellent MF lenses covering 21mm, 50mm, and 200mm = 770 USD And I laugh at those who splurge 800 dollars alone on a new Canon consumer crop body (t2i or whatever) - and that is without lens.
In fact, in the morning (pic 4 and 6), it was absolutely crazy. There WAS a double rainbow in the far distance (too far to take a good pic of it though). There was the moon. To the right of us, there was a 5000 ft drop to the abyss. And of course, you could also see the scene of pic 4 and 6 to the east and west, respectively. All at once. Absolutely crazy
I'm not sure why I clicked on this blog. Basically for no reason. But, I was completely blown away by these photos. Looks like I have a new background wallpaper!
Really really impressive. Wish I could've been there! Also I envy people who buy SH cameras so much, I was just the foolish person you mentioned that spent 600 bucks on an entry level Canon, 3 years ago...
On September 10 2010 17:31 NukeTheStars wrote: I'm not sure why I clicked on this blog. Basically for no reason. But, I was completely blown away by these photos. Looks like I have a new background wallpaper!
if you want to use it as background wallpaper, send me a pm with your email and your screen resolution and which pic you want i can send you the file with the proper resolution and sharpening
holy shit those are nice photos, i always cringe at tl photo blogs because the pictures are usually terrible but people are too nice anyways. But this stuff is really amazing!
Others a little oversaturated/processed for me, but they look cool.
Using old manual lenses is really a treat if you're used to plastic consumer zooms. I have a 58mm f/1.4 converted to Canon EOS mount, but I've been shooting almost exclusively with my Minolta XD11 lately for 35mm stuff. Once you use a body designed for manual focus, you'll never want to go back.
Suggestion: if you will be using mostly manual lenses like your Super Tak, consider a focusing screen designed for fast lenses like the Ee-S. Dimmer, but makes a huge difference nailing focus when it's critical.
Yea, I just purchased a split screen; hopefully that will help me nail focus better. As for the PP, I agree that it is certainly high on the saturation/contrast side. But then again, velvia (a film I really would like to emulate) also is!
Awesome pics man, I dont really know how photography like that works lol, do you make it so the pic is taken over a few seconds (or longer than a picture would normally be taken in)?
Edit, also is there any chance i could get cloudbreak1 as a screensaver on 1440 x 900
The equipment is listed below the pictures. Canon 5D is a fullframe DSLR and I adapt cheap (but good) old manual focus lenses to it.
I think the one of the sort of unique things I do is that I take panoramas (in fact, all the pics here are panoramas), instead of using a wide angle lens. This results are better, imo, because of 1) more resolution, 2) good sharpness and no distortion from focal lenghts like the 50mm, 3) more compressed view from longer focal lenghts (I dont like how wide angles push the distant objects way back). It is like having a bigger sensor.
The exposure times are all normal. i think it has to do with the combination of catching a spectcular scene (combination of hard work and luck), the right approach (lens, camera, and pano) and a meticulous post processing.
Myself, I've somehow found myself scaling halfdome in sandals twice! haha. 1st time (age 23 or so) I had worn sandals everyday for the past 6 months (surf trip). 2nd time (age 40 or so) I accidentally left my tennis shoes at camp some 30 miles out of the park and thought "Oh well, I did this 20 years ago, I can do it again." Was definitely harder 2nd time. http:/wwww.broodwarai.com/images/cochita2/hdometennis.png
God I love stuff like this. I almost never get out into nature, and by nature I don't mean out at the local park or something. Last summer I climbed Mt. Washington in August I think. There was not a cloud in the sky, perfect temperature, good friends- basically an unforgettable time. Wish I got to do stuff like that more often, and your pictures of Yosemite are beautiful and make me jealous
Yosemite Park is definitely one of the major places on my travel-list, i've been wanting to go there ever since i saw it in Star Trek 5 (oh yes iam a nerd, but who isnt) about 15 years ago. Those pictures of yours are truely amazing, makes me want to go there right now ... i shure hope i can finally find the time for some travelling again sometime next year
I logged on just to tell you that you are a very good photographer. Simply amazing. I'm a huge fan of nature pictures and now I can't decide which one of your pictures to use as a background.
Thanks for the compliments. Konadora: I have gone through many gear (canon xti/400d, some other manual lenses, kit lens, canon ef 50mm 1.8), but these three lenses and 5D is what I have now. I can't afford to keep more gear around; it would be a luxury for me. But honestly, I feel like these are sufficient since I would never bring more than three lenses, 5d, and a tripod on a trip, esp. on a backpacking trip like this one!