Day 1 Sitka, Alaska

paparosspapaross Registered Users Posts: 131 Major grins
edited September 4, 2010 in Landscapes
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=142541
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=177087

I just returned from a 5 day shoot with Muench Workshops, http://www.muenchworkshops.com/, in Sitka, Alaska,
I am now faced with the monumental task of how to select, organize, delete, post produce, and present some of 3,500+ photos.
My 1st thought was to work it down to just 10/15 that I believed were technically and artistically correct and present
on my Smugmug site. However, I have found this new toy “Dgrin”. I’m enjoying every minute of working through its nicks
and crannies, of which there are many. I decided to emulate my photographer buddy and friend Dan Thorp, http://www.dthorp.com/,
and present photos from each day as i tell the story of our adventure.

The workshop was suppose to start a 4PM on Fri. There was no way to fly the same day across country with 3
plane changes and airport stops and get there in time. So I went the day before. Much to my surprise, so
had everyone else except Dan. We all had dinner at ? restaurant where I had the most delicious halibut I have ever eaten. But I digress.

Andy Williams of Muench Workshops, http://www.moonriverphotography.com/, introduced us to #2 Dan Evans, our local guide
and soon to be friend, http://www.alaskadanevans.com/dev/, and offered to take us out on his boat the next morning.
A free day! Absolutely! :clap

993247141_MfLFW-L.jpg

I woke up early that next morning, and wandered the back streets and the large fishing docks before we left on our boat trip.
This is a fishing town 1st, make no mistake about it, a tourist town second.

993256949_ZGJTU-L.jpg

From the boat docks, you can see the town of Sitka. How unusual,
that the most prominent building in town is where Alaskan soldiers go to retire.
We are told the 1st floor are apartments, the 2nd floor houses those who need
daily help, and the 3rd floor houses the infirmed.
Wonder what the basement houses?:dunno

993293946_N8ANU-L.jpg

Looking from the docks to the bridge that takes you to another island, where the airport is.

993262580_J8GXx-L.jpg

Time for the group to load into Dan’s boat for a “two hour” trip.
Just like Gilligan’s Island.

993294861_Wr3E5-L.jpg

Sea Otters are abundant in the waters of Sitka, although they disappear under water if you get too close.
I was lucky to get this closeup, albeit, not the sharpest photo on the block.

993297341_6JxRz-L.jpg

Alaska has more eagles than any state in the US, and its population is most abundant around Sitka.
Again not sharp and crisp. I was using a Canon 70-200 2.8 L II with a 2x converter. Not smart!
I would change lenses tomorrow.:cry

993309385_a63id-L.jpg

We spotted this small uninhabited island, not that hard to do, as there were “100’s” around us.
We decide to storm the beaches.

993304603_Qsgv2-L.jpg

Our version of "storming the beaches".
Dan Evans had to pull his raft from his boat and take us to shore individually.

993353035_Uyu9t-L.jpg

Rainfall in Sitka is abundant...60% annually. We were very lucky.
Only 1/2 day of rain in our 5 day trip.
The rest included cloudy to partly cloudy days, a photographers’ dream.

993310057_ELJoN-L.jpg

Vistas were abundant from this small island.

993326062_GwLJj-L.jpg

If you’re pixel peeping, you know this is not sharp.
Wind is not always a photographers’ friend.

994054878_Mvr8T-L.jpg

Photography will wear you out!

993311110_ACqVN-L.jpg


993338833_Nc8vu-L.jpg

Our other leader from Muench Workshops is Marc Muench. Go figure! http://muenchphotography.smugmug.com/
Not sure what he is looking for!?

993328732_aupst-L.jpg



993335296_JvJRh-L.jpg



993362958_e9yKZ-L.jpg

When we arrived back in Sitka harbor, we were greeted with this docked yacht. I decided to Google it.
It is registered in Chicago, and housed at Georgetown, Cayman Islands. So all the way to Sitka?
It must have been rented by a group from somewhere. Price is only $525,000 a week.
Nevertheless, we would rather stay on Dan’s ‘yacht”.
It was more fun.


LOOK FOR DAY 2 SOON!
As Dorothy said in Wizard of OZ: "Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Lions, Tigers, and Bears".
OK, no Bears or Tigers, instead Sea lions, Whales, and Puffins :barb

Comments

  • cmkultradomecmkultradome Registered Users Posts: 516 Major grins
    edited September 4, 2010
    Ross-
    Thanks for posting - looking forward to Day 2!! Keep them coming.

    Stephanie
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited September 4, 2010
    Ross, it was such a pleasure to have you at the workshop! I feed off of your enthusiasm, and you always ask the best questions. Keep up the craving photographic knowledge!

    Small crits: the otter is about 2/3s stop too-dark. The two IRs are very slightly tilted clockwise. Use the ruler tool, in Photoshop, draw the line on the horizon, then do image>rotate>arbitrary - Boom-done!
  • paparosspapaross Registered Users Posts: 131 Major grins
    edited September 4, 2010
    Thanks Andy! I feed off of your comments and crits. Don't stop. AS Marc once said (and I ad lib), sharing your photos is like a never ending high.
    Can I edit the thread with adjusted photos? I seem to remember in reading tutorials that once posting they cannot be changed without the moderator intervening??
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited September 4, 2010
    papaross wrote: »
    Thanks Andy! I feed off of your comments and crits. Don't stop. AS Marc once said (and I ad lib), sharing your photos is like a never ending high.
    Can I edit the thread with adjusted photos? I seem to remember in reading tutorials that once posting they cannot be changed without the moderator intervening??
    Leave post#1 alone, and just reply with your edited photos so we can see thumb.gif
  • paparosspapaross Registered Users Posts: 131 Major grins
    edited September 4, 2010
    Adjustments
    994635495_wvGTP-L.jpg

    2/3 stop added. I paid more attention to the reflections than the masts. Don't have a total mast photo.

    994532536_aE6hM-L.jpg

    I added 2/3 stop. I like it much better.

    994631810_mapFk-L.jpg

    Removed some saturation. Straightened by using the railing. What you see is what PS gave me.

    994559498_F6tF2-L.jpg

    I had a hard time seeing a level problem, but here's the results. When I compare the 2 together, I can see the difference.

    Thanks for your help.
  • dadwtwinsdadwtwins Registered Users Posts: 804 Major grins
    edited September 4, 2010
    Yeaaaa!!!! Ross....keep your story telling going....I love itclap.gif

    I really should of brought my IR camera....love those shots and with the mass amounts of greenery all around us...IR would of been funiloveyou.gif
    My Homepage :thumb-->http://dthorp.smugmug.com
    My Photo Blog -->http://dthorpphoto.blogspot.com/
Sign In or Register to comment.