Cowboys, Cowgirls, & Cowdogs.

HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
edited February 6, 2013 in Journeys
Hi Y'all,

Recently I had a chance to visit Parkfield CA, population 18. Parkfield is right on the San Andreas Fault and is about a 4 hour drive east from SF or LA.

Parkfield is the location for the V6 Ranch. We were there to take part in a Muench Workshop led by my buddy, Andy Williams.

The wonderful extended Varian family went out of their way to provide us with photo ops and insights into a working ranch.

Driving horses

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Driving cows (AKA hamburgers, briskets and steaks :eat)

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They demonstrated some rodeo events for us.

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The Ranch and the Varians did their best to provide us models and photo ops

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Equipment: Nikon D4 and 800E, 70-2000mm 2.8 Vr I & the 24-70mm 2.8

Processed with PS CS5 and with NIK Color Pro Efex plug-ins and the Perfectly Clear plug-in.
Harry
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"

Comments

  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited December 4, 2012
    Great stuff, really liked silhouettes
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

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  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,904 moderator
    edited December 4, 2012
    Harry, thanks for the reminder of such a wonderful time at the V6 Ranch.

    Great to see you and Linda again too!
    Moderator Journeys/Sports/Big Picture :: Need some help with dgrin?
  • EaracheEarache Registered Users Posts: 3,533 Major grins
    edited December 4, 2012
    Very enjoyable series - I love the close-up, from-behind, roping shot! And the silhouettes of course!
    You've made me curious about the Perfectly Clear plug-in - is it "worth it", did it noticeably improve your shots, did you depend on the full-auto mode only? TIA!
    Eric ~ Smugmug
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited December 4, 2012
    Earache wrote: »
    Very enjoyable series - I love the close-up, from-behind, roping shot! And the silhouettes of course!
    You've made me curious about the Perfectly Clear plug-in - is it "worth it", did it noticeably improve your shots, did you depend on the full-auto mode only? TIA!

    Thanks for he kind words.

    About the Perfectly Clear plug-in, first a disclaimer, Athentech's COO is my good friend Andy. I was rather dubious when Andy first told me about it and I downloaded a trial version. I have never been a fan any previous do it all global plug-ins.

    After trying it out I was very impressed. It did an excellent job. On clarity, tone and color. The changes can be adjusted by sliders and it comes with different presets and you can create your own presets. It was a real time saver for me which is an important issue for me because I take lots of pictures. I could have gotten the same results with PS but it would have taken a lot more time.

    Unfortunately it doesn't create a new layer when it makes its adjustments so I have to create a duplicate layer before applying it. The only thing I wsn't happy with was its noise reduction. The NR created a world of plastic so I just kept the NR clicked off which was not a deal breaker as I'm happy with myy current NR software (NIK's Define).

    Perfectly Clear is now part of my usual workflow and it has saved me lots of time.

    Here's a quick demo of it on one of Linda's pics with a her D7000 and the 70-300

    OOC (cropped)
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    after I used Perfectly Clear
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    I would do some additional processing on the image but Perfectly Clear has already saved me a few steps and time.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • EaracheEarache Registered Users Posts: 3,533 Major grins
    edited December 4, 2012
    Harryb wrote: »
    I would do some additional processing on the image but Perfectly Clear has already saved me a few steps and time.

    Thanks so much for the demo and info Harry.... I'm generally skeptical of anything "automatic" because of the often dismal results from the usual (software) suspects. However, this looks promising and because your results are the standard we all aspire to, I'll probably give the free trial a go-round.
    Thanks again!
    Eric ~ Smugmug
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited December 4, 2012
    Great stuff, really liked silhouettes

    Glad you enjoyed them Awais.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited December 4, 2012
    ian408 wrote: »
    Harry, thanks for the reminder of such a wonderful time at the V6 Ranch.

    Great to see you and Linda again too!


    We had a great time and it was good to see you again.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • BlurmoreBlurmore Registered Users Posts: 992 Major grins
    edited December 4, 2012
    I love the shot of the cowgirl in turquoise. Everything in that shot is tense, the horse is tense and has a wild look in its eye, the calf looks, intensely resigned to being caught, but the rider is pure calm. Sitting the saddle tall, rein in hand almost daintily, casual hand on pommell...Beautiful.
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited December 5, 2012
    Blurmore wrote: »
    I love the shot of the cowgirl in turquoise. Everything in that shot is tense, the horse is tense and has a wild look in its eye, the calf looks, intensely resigned to being caught, but the rider is pure calm. Sitting the saddle tall, rein in hand almost daintily, casual hand on pommell...Beautiful.

    Thanks, they were very accomplished riders and confident in their abilities. They start riding at the age of 3.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • Gary752Gary752 Registered Users Posts: 934 Major grins
    edited December 5, 2012
    Harryb wrote: »
    Equipment: Nikon D4 and 800E, 70-2000mm 2.8 Vr I & the 24-70mm 2.8

    Processed with PS CS5 and with NIK Color Pro Efex plug-ins and the Perfectly Clear plug-in.

    Hey Harry! I can't beleive I was the only none to spot this! Would you care to tell us how much that first lens you listed weighs?

    GaryB
    GaryB
    “The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it!” - Ansel Adams
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited December 5, 2012
    BroPhoto wrote: »
    Hey Harry! I can't beleive I was the only none to spot this! Would you care to tell us how much that first lens you listed weighs?

    GaryB

    If I had a 70-2000 2.8 lens I would be writing this from a hospital bed with back injuries and multiple hernias. :hurt
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • CloudOnMyTongueCloudOnMyTongue Registered Users Posts: 27 Big grins
    edited December 7, 2012
    The silhouette photos are stunning. Thank you!
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited December 7, 2012
    The silhouette photos are stunning. Thank you!

    Glad you enjoyed them
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • bfjrbfjr Registered Users Posts: 10,980 Major grins
    edited December 7, 2012
    Always Killer Work, no matter the Genre.
  • SamSam Registered Users Posts: 7,419 Major grins
    edited December 7, 2012
    Harry,

    Great stuff!! I really enjoyed looking at your images.

    Sam
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited December 8, 2012
    bfjr wrote: »
    Always Killer Work, no matter the Genre.

    Thanks Ben, glad you could stop by. wave.gif
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • lifeinfocuslifeinfocus Registered Users Posts: 1,461 Major grins
    edited December 8, 2012
    Especially like next to last image - silhouette with one person on horse.

    Phil
    http://www.PhilsImaging.com
    "You don't take a photograph, you make it." ~Ansel Adams
    Phil
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited December 9, 2012
    The silhouette photos are stunning. Thank you!

    Silhouette images have always been one of my interests, glad you liked them.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited December 9, 2012
    Sam wrote: »
    Harry,

    Great stuff!! I really enjoyed looking at your images.

    Sam

    Thanks Sam, thta's one of the best complements a photographer can get.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • AndyAndy Registered Users Posts: 50,016 Major grins
    edited December 9, 2012
    clap.gifclap.gif WTG Harry, excellent work, and it was so much fun to have you and Linda on another workshop. I'm always impressed with your images bowdown.gif

    To those that may be interested, we're going back to the V6 Ranch for our California Ranch Experience in April :D
  • lifeinfocuslifeinfocus Registered Users Posts: 1,461 Major grins
    edited December 11, 2012
    I haven't tried taking silhouette photos. Could you explain your technique? I use Nikon also - so Nikon terminology would be fine.
    Thanks
    Phil
    http://www.PhilsImaging.com
    "You don't take a photograph, you make it." ~Ansel Adams
    Phil
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited December 11, 2012
    I haven't tried taking silhouette photos. Could you explain your technique? I use Nikon also - so Nikon terminology would be fine.
    Thanks
    Phil

    Hey Phil,

    There's nothing really complicated about taking silhouette photos. I just meter off the bright sky and shoot. Depending on lighting I will make adjustments to the exposure after my first captures. In ACR I may tweek the black setting to increase the black levels.

    Here's a pretty good intro http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-silhouettes
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • lifeinfocuslifeinfocus Registered Users Posts: 1,461 Major grins
    edited December 11, 2012
    Harryb wrote: »
    Hey Phil,

    There's nothing really complicated about taking silhouette photos. I just meter off the bright sky and shoot. Depending on lighting I will make adjustments to the exposure after my first captures. In ACR I may tweek the black setting to increase the black levels.

    Here's a pretty good intro http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-silhouettes

    Thank you, not as difficult as I thought.
    Phil
    http://www.PhilsImaging.com
    "You don't take a photograph, you make it." ~Ansel Adams
    Phil
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited December 11, 2012
    Andy wrote: »
    clap.gifclap.gif WTG Harry, excellent work, and it was so much fun to have you and Linda on another workshop. I'm always impressed with your images bowdown.gif

    To those that may be interested, we're going back to the V6 Ranch for our California Ranch Experience in April :D

    THanks Andy and next year's workshop looks great.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • strikingvikingstrikingviking Registered Users Posts: 99 Big grins
    edited December 13, 2012
    Thanks for sharing your phenomenal work Harry--what an interesting subject matter! Please show us more. What a great website this is thanks to posters like you.
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited December 13, 2012
    Thanks for sharing your phenomenal work Harry--what an interesting subject matter! Please show us more. What a great website this is thanks to posters like you.

    Thanks very much for those kind words and as per your request

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    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • strikingvikingstrikingviking Registered Users Posts: 99 Big grins
    edited December 13, 2012
    Thanks again Harry. But I'm sure some others would agree that it would be even better to read some text or captions to go with the great pics.bowdown.gif

    Keep em' coming amigo.
  • StumblebumStumblebum Registered Users Posts: 8,480 Major grins
    edited February 6, 2013
    Great fun work! Cowgirls take it! Love the silhouettes too. The cowboy with the white taken from back with the lasso....that would be my favorite! Enjoyed it!!!
  • SiobhanLaverySiobhanLavery Registered Users Posts: 11 Big grins
    Exceptionally evocative photographs - beautiful.
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