The Author – Bart Busschots
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Mar
29
Photo of the Week 58 – Connolly’s Folly at Dusk
Filed Under Photography on March 29, 2009 | 2 Comments
A somewhat controversial technique I’m very fond of is tonemapping single RAW files. Tonemapping is more normally applied to a High Dynamic Range (HDR) image generated by combining multiple shots of the same scene at different exposures. A RAW file contains much less information than an HDR image, but it still contains enough to allow tonemapping to bring out hidden detail quite effectively, though only to about plus or minus a stop and a half. I find this is a really effective way of processing sunset and dusk shots like this one.
I took this shot from just outside the derelict graveyard at Donaghmore next to Pike’s Bridge along the Royal Canal between Maynooth and Leixlip. The obelisk you can see against the dramatic dusk sky is the top of Connolly’s Folly.
- Camera: Nikon D40
- Lens: Nikon DX AFS 55-200mm
- Exposure: 1/320 sec
- Focal Length: 75mm
- Focal Ratio: F4.5
- ISO: 200
- Camera Mode: Aperture Priority
- Post Processing: Single RAW file tonemapped with Photomatix Pro
Mar
22
Photo of the Week 57 – Hoverfly on Brambles
Filed Under Photography on March 22, 2009 | 2 Comments
This is one of many shots that I’ve taken while mountain biking along the towpath of the Royal Canal in and around Maynooth. This particular shot was taken between Pike’s Bridge and Deey Bridge (just outside the Intel plant in Leixlip). On this section the towpath is not paved in any way, there isn’t even a gravel path, it’s just a grassy trail. There’s a lot more nature to be seen along these un-developed stretches of the towpath, so I enjoy cycling here the most, even if that does mean getting muddy sometimes.
I’m not really sure exactly what insect this is, but I’m assuming it’s some species of Wasp (if anyone does know please post a comment). The flowers however I can identify, they’re Bramble/Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus agg.) blossoms.
Update: Tom Gleeson has identified the insect as a particular species of Hoverfly – Helophilus pendulus, thanks Tom!
- Camera: Nikon D40
- Lens: Nikon DX AFS 55-200mm
- Exposure: 1/160 sec
- Focal Length: 200mm
- Focal Ratio: F20
- ISO: 200
- Camera Mode: Aperture Priority
- Exposure Bias: -0.67
Mar
20
A Short Tribute to Mort Lachman
Filed Under Photography on March 20, 2009 | 1 Comment
The single best thing about being involved in the Mac community is the great people you get to meet (all-be-it virtually). This evening my thoughts are with one of those people in particular, Robert Lachman of Photography and the Mac, Mac Review Cast, and NosillaCast fame. Over the past months I’ve really been enjoying a series of photos Robert’s been posting to his blog. They’re pictures of the great Bob Hope taken by his dad, Mort Lachman, who was on of Bob’s main writers. The photos are fantastic in their candour and lack of any pretentiousness.
I was very sad to read earlier in the week that Mort was in hospital having suffered a heart attack, and even sadder today to learn that he has passed away. Robert has posted a fantastic video on his website, which I think serves as a wonderful tribute to his Dad. I also think everyone should check out Mort’s great series of Bob Hope photos, they really are something special.
If you read this Robert, you and your family are in my thoughts at this difficult time in your lives.
Mar
18
Thoughts on iPhone OS 3.0
Filed Under Computers & Tech on March 18, 2009 | 4 Comments
Yesterday Apple held a press event to release details of the next version of the iPhone software, called version 3.0. You can read some of the highlights and watch a video of the whole presentation at Apple’s website. I sat down and watched it late last night, and have to say I was impressed. I was expecting to finally get some of the things I’ve really wanted, but I was blown away by the scope of this new release, and in particular, just how many new tools they are putting into the hands of the developers. Apple are notorious for inflating numbers through generous interpretations of terms, but even when you bear that in mind, 1,000 new APIs for developers to use is impressive, as indeed is 100 new user-level features from Apple themselves.
Mar
17
Photo of the Week 56 – Green-Veined White on Lavender
Filed Under Photography on March 17, 2009 | Leave a Comment
Without a doubt the most common butterflies in Ireland are the so-called “Cabbage Whites”. These break down into a few related species, but they are all very similar. Just because there are a lot of them around though, doesn’t mean they’re not beautiful little insects. This particular shot is of a Green-Veined White (Pieris napi), and what I love about it is the colours around the butterfly. Being mostly white, there isn’t much colour in the actual butterfly, but with the butterfly feeding on a vividly colourful Lavender flower, and with lots of lush green in the background, the shot is still full of colour.
- Camera: Nikon D40
- Lens: Nikon DX AFS 55-200mm
- Exposure: 1/1000 sec
- Focal Length: 200mm
- Focal Ratio: F5.6
- ISO: 800
- Camera Mode: Aperture Priority
Mar
10
Photo of the Week 55 – Benitachell
Filed Under Photography on March 10, 2009 | 2 Comments
This week I’ve chosen another scan of one of my old Olympus OM-1 shots. In this case from September 2000 in Spain on a family holiday. This particular shot was taken within walking distance of my parent’s place just outside the village of Moraira on the Costa Blanca. If you head up the mountain behind the house you end up with some lovely views of the valley below, and with a zoom lens you can pick out some of the neighbouring villages, including the small town of Benitachell. I particularly like this shot because of the layering of the small hill the village is on, and the mountains in the background. I also like the way the church is still the tallest building is the village, just like it was a hundred years ago.
Mar
1
Photo of the Week 54 – The Moon over Maynooth
Filed Under Photography on March 1, 2009 | 1 Comment
I fell in love with this shot the moment I saw it importing into iPhoto. I’m not even sure it’s technically a good photo, but I just love it.
I took this shot from St. Mary’s Square on the grounds of St. Patrick’s College (AKA the NUI Maynooth South Campus). For those of you who’ve visited the campus, that’s the square with the cool water garden in it next to the College chapel. I’ve always loved the architecture of the buildings around this square, and in particular these little sun-roofs. You have these little sunroofs on both St. Mary’s and St. Patrick’s House, but these ones are on St. Patrick’s House. It was quite hard to get this shot without getting a wet foot, but I eventually managed to line everything up correctly and get the shot, even if I was at quite a stretch.
- Camera: Nikon D40
- Lens: Nikon DX AFS 55-200mm
- Exposure: 1/400 sec
- Focal Length: 200mm
- Focal Ratio: F22
- ISO: 800
- Camera Mode: Aperture Priority
- Exposure Bias: -0.76