Haena Beach Jungle

Just behind the high water mark along the beach from Haena to Ke'e is this little stretch of jungle that is often completely deserted. There is a path and some take it  but most walk down the beach instead. It is very quiet, green and photogenic. I spent a couple hours there in January and came away with these. Of course, I meant to go back before I left Kaua'i but did not. Maybe next time (sigh).

These were all shot with the D3, 24-70 @f/16, 1-3 seconds.

 

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© Steve Gandy Photography - SteveGandy.com/photography  

Merry Christmas from Koke'e

As further positive proof that I am way behind on processing my images from our sabbatical to Kaua'i I'm posting this Christmas card. These were all taken at one of the most beautiful places on Kaua'i and the world really. We visited Koke'e State Park and the Na Pali Coast overlooks on Christmas day. If you haven't been there just google "na pali kalalau" and you will find stunning postcard shots of the area. Here's my take from Dec. 25, 2011.

Kalalau Overlook

Looking inland from the park

Mist on the mountain

Sunset at the Kalalau overlook

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© Steve Gandy Photography - SteveGandy.com/photography 

Photoshop CS6 Beta is Fun

I've been using the new Photoshop CS6 Beta. I like it a lot. The Camera Raw changes that include Highlights and Shadows sliders that replace the Recovery and Fill Light controls are excellent. And I especially like being able to brush in White Balance settings as in this photo taken on the Kuilau Trail, Kaua'i. The trees, moss and backgrounds had a very green tinted light that worked well for those components but the leaf was left looking dull and uninteresting. I brushed on the warm sunlight that was there but not recorded by the camera and it really pops.

Leaf and moss covered tree. D3, Nikkor 24-70, 1/200, f2.8, ISO 200.

Other additions to Camera Raw's brush tool include noise and moire reduction. Here's the Brush panel from CS6.

CS6 Brush Panel

Here's a comparison of the Basic panels from CS5 and CS6.

CS5

CS6

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© Steve Gandy Photography - SteveGandy.com/photography