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.

Dreaming of Last Fall

Flagstaff weather is being its typical unsettled, late winter style with sleet and wind today. I got to thinking of our llama trek last October near Bluff, Utah. The autumn colors were fabulous, days warm, nights crisp, and the rock art was spectacular.

I tried a couple of panorama shots, which are quite easy. Set your camera on aperture priority so that the depth of field does not change as the overall exposure might. Take several overlapping pictures of the landscape (using a tripod is handy but the two examples were handheld). Then using Photoshop or another program that has a pano-program, let the computer and software splice them together.

Also, if your camera gear is getting heavier with each passing year, consider having a friendly, fuzzy llama helping you out. E-mail me for more information about these remarkable pack animals, which can carry over 100 pounds. You can take a few camping extras like a bottle of wine!