Seeing the Invisible

I always get a thrill out of discovering rock art. Sometimes the pictographs and petroglyphs are quite clear and easy to see and photograph. However, more often than not, the images are faded and difficult to decipher. I recently became aware of some software programs that help to enhance photos of rock art.

One program is called DStretch, which can be found by doing a search on the Internet. But first, you will need to download another program called ImageJ. DStretch is a plugin for ImageJ. I am still learning how best to use these programs; but in the meantime, here is an example. Check these programs out, have fun, and send me some of your results at swa@infomagic.net. Thanks.

Near Bluff

Last week, Ann & I backpacked into the lower end of one of the many canyons sliced into the western edge of Cedar Mesa. As many of you know, this entire region is littered with the ruins and relics of the Anasazi. We witnessed some very well-preserved cliff houses and pictographs that looked remarkably bright and fresh, especially some hand prints. Last year was an exceptionally "good" year for tumbleweed, which gave the dog some difficulty. Does someone make sticker proof booties for Labs? On the drive to the trailhead, we found a wonderful "log" of petrified wood eroding out of the Chinle clays. Just another great hike in the Bluff area.

Kate's Paintings

Our daughter Kate has been spending the winter in Arroyo Hondo, not far from Taos, working as the personal assistant to renowned painter Alyce Frank. One of the benefits of this arrangement has been Kate's opportunity to learn how to paint. Alyce Frank's style is called Magical Realism, in which she makes use of brilliant oil paints to imaginatively render landscapes of the American Southwest and occasionally portraits.

Above are two of Kate's first works. The portrait is of Alyce. The landscape is near Arroyo Hondo. I am very impressed (even if I am the Dad). I am looking forward to more beautiful art from Kate's brush.

Egypt

What amazing things are happening in Egypt. In May, 2009, I was privileged to be on a Lindblad Expeditions trip that included the Suez Canal, Cairo, and Alexandria. We boarded the National Geographic Endeavour at the south end of the Suez Canal and joined a parade of ships steaming north. Part way through the canal, the ship was stopped and the captain informed that an "extra fee" was required to proceed. We had already paid a hefty sum to traverse the canal. Luckily on board was a retired American ambassador, who called a friend in Washington, D.C., who then called someone in Cairo, and soon we were on our way.

In Alexandria, a similar incident occurred when we told that the ship could not leave the harbor. But more phone calls were made and off we went.

While touring the cities, it was a little disconcerting to have armed guards on the buses and armed vehicles in front and behind us. But one of the highlights for me was a visit to the New Library of Alexandria built atop the site of the legendary Ancient Library, which was destroyed in 642 AD during the Muslim Conquest. The new library, opened in 2002, is a futuristic 11-story structure designed by Snohetta, an international group of architects based in Norway. We witnessed a machine that could digitize a book in a few minutes and visited a reading room where up to 2000 people could be seated. The room was bustling with students doing homework (and probably checking their Facebook pages) at dozens of computer terminals.

Near the end of our visit to Alexandria, Massimo Bassano, the National Geographic photographer traveling with us, asked the local guides if the more "serious" photographers could walk the last mile or so back to the harbor. The guides did not like this idea but Massimo persisted; and finally, about 10 of us with our big, expensive cameras dangling around our necks were let off.

Massimo immediately headed up an alley teeming with people. We were obliged to follow. Stern faces stared at us. One man wagged his finger and shouted, "No photos!" But then someone asked me, "Canadian?" I timidly replied, "No, American." Suddenly the locals began to shout, "Obama! Obama!" Smiles spread across those dark faces and hands were thrust out with thumbs up. What a relief! Everybody wanted their pictures taken and soon a parade of men, women and children were following us.

And now it's goodbye to Mubarak. Other dictators? Beware. Exciting, remarkable times.

Elkhorn Ranch 2011 Photo Workshop

This year's photo workshop at the Elkhorn Ranch was the best yet...many participants, photogenic cowboys and cowgirls, and thundering herds. Remember that these workshops are not just for experienced photographers with expensive equipment. We teach digital newbies how to get the best out of their point and shoot cameras, which are amazing. Next year's workshop will be January 22-29. Come with your camera ready to aim and create outstanding images. Check out the Elkhorn website: www.elkhornranch.com.

The Canelo Project

We had the opportunity to visit the Canelo Project in southeast Arizona, where Athena and Bill Steen operate a B&B plus offer workshops in strawbale building. I have been constructing a small strawbale studio in Bluff, Utah patterned after one of their buildings highlighted in their book Small Strawbales. It was great fun to see the incredible possibilities when working with clay, sand, and lime. Check out their website: www.caneloproject.com.

Solstice Lunar Eclipse

All day long it did not look very hopeful for a view of the lunar eclipse on the solstice, an extremely rare celestial event. Thick flannel gray clouds blanketed Flagstaff's skies and an astronomer friend said that the forecast wasn't good. But we stayed up late (not easy for us old folks) and kept checking outside. Amazingly, as the shadow of the Earth slowly began to slide across the face of the moon, the clouds thinned enough for a most spectacular sight.

As you may remember from an earlier post, photographing the moon usually takes a normal daylight exposure since it IS the sun illuminating the lunar surface. However during an eclipse, the range of brightness is so extreme between the shadow and unshadowed areas that it is difficult to get a good exposure without resorting to High Dynamic Range techniques ( something to be discussed in a future blog - it's where several images are taken at different exposures and then combined using software). Additionally, once the shadow covers the moon, the light is pretty dim, requiring a much longer exposure. To keep it simple while I was outside in my pjs, I waited until totality was almost complete and then bracketed my shots. The best turned out to be .6 seconds @ f2.8; ISO 800.

Happy Holidays and Good Shooting (with a camera)! :-)