Weapon of Choice (Westy 52)

Weapon of Choice
Originally uploaded by Westy Photography

This week's image is a B&W shot of my Canon G9 pro compact, taken with the D300 + 85 1.4 (at f5.6 for this shot).

I love the amount of detail the 85 picks up, and of course the gorgeous background Bokeh it produces... No wonder it is known to Nikon users as the 'Cream Machine'!

The image was converted to B&W in Apple Aperture using the excellent Silver Efex plug-in.

Herne Bay Panorama

Herne Bay Panorama
Originally uploaded by Westy Photography

This is a 10 shot Panorama taken at Herne Bay Beach on Saturday.

I set-up the D300 on a tripod with the 18-200 at f8.

I then took two '5 shot' bracketed images, which I combined into two separate images using Photomatix.

I then 'stitched' the two new images together in Photoshop to create the Pano.

Finally I applied a filter to bring out the blue in the sky a little.

Lots of work for one shot, but I think it was worth it.

Goodbye Legend (Westy52)

This weeks' image was taken with the Canon G9 outside Ipswich Town's Portman Road ground.

It shows the growing tribute to ex-England and Ipswich Manager Bobby Robson. As you can see it is not just Ipswich fans paying tribute, as the Arsenal and Liverpool scarfs testify.

I added a slight 'bleach by-pass' effect in photoshop to achieve the look I was after here.

I also like the way the scarfs and shirts lead the eye towards Sir Bobby's statue at the end of the frame.

Award Winning - SWPP Recognition

Hi all,
Just a quick update to say that 'Into the Blue' was voted 'Gold' - Macro image of the month for July by the SWPP.

This image will now feature in Professional Imagemaker Magazine - I will scan a copy when I get it.

Thanks for the support.

Wired for Sound (Westy 52)

Trying out the 35 1.8 this week - Seems to be a pin sharp portrait lens - Light and fast too.

I also picked up a copy of Topaz Adjust, so I thought would combine the two products.

Natural light portrait of Caitlin (along with iPod), taken with the D300 + 35 1.8.

Imported into Photoshop, and Topaz adjustment applied. It gives a nice overall contrast boost, which I like, but was too much on the eyes.

I added a layer mask and bought the eyes back to how they were in the original image, which I think works far better.

More practice needed on the Photoshop plug-ins front I think!

A game of opinions (Westy 52)

This weeks' shot was taken at Wembley Stadium during the 2009 Community Shield.

It is a handheld two shot HDR using the G9.

Once the two images were combined, I bought back the original 'pitch' image in photoshop (as the players had moved, causing ghosting in the HDR).

I have also applied a Topaz 'Colour Pop' action, which I think works well here.

I like the way the two guys at the edge of the frame help emphasis the feeling of watching and discussing the match.

Isolation (Westy 52)

This weeks' image was taken at Wild Britain in Bedford.

I really liked the way this single flower was standing on it's own in isolation.

I shot at 200mm f5 to further isolate the flower from the background.

Shot with the D300 + 18-200vr (not the ideal lens, but it did a fine job here).

Slight saturation boost in CS4, and darkened corners to emphasise the colour of the petals.