Battery Bluffs

I took these pictures on a recent hike around the Battery Bluffs.  It was a great hike, I definitely recommend it.

Night Windmill: Before and After

This windmill is located where the GGP meets Ocean Beach.  I tried to take a night shot of it, but as you can see the original came out a bit dark.  I lightened it up in Photoshop and it looks a little bit better.  It is still somewhat grainy.  I need to get back out there and try it with a lower film speed.

Malibu

We went to Malibu to check out the beaches, and they were beautiful! I have posted some photos of our trip. I was experimenting with taking shots of the sun. I think the sky around the sun looks pretty cool, but am not sure if they look too dark otherwise.

Beach Shots

I took these shots at Ocean Beach the other night and feel like they came out pretty well. I included the EXIF information for those of you who are interested. The colors have been adjusted a bit in PhotoShop. Just as an update to the previously posted photos: I figured out that the grainy shots may have occurred because the ISO speed was set at 1600, which was way too fast!

Top Shot:

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel XS

Shutter: 1/60

Aperture: f/5.0

Focal Length: 39mm

ISO: 400

Bottom Shot:

Camera: Canon EOS Rebel XS

Shutter: 1/60

Aperture: f/5.0

Focal Length: 18mm

ISO: 400

I am still in the process of learning what all of that means, and how to change them to get the desired shot. It is a lot of fun though, and although confusing at times, I am very excited to get back out there and try again.

Photoshop

This was my first attempt at photoshop. I wanted to bring out the colors a little bit more and lighten up the photo. I think it still looks a little bit grainy, but it is getting better. I also added the picture of San Xavier, which I tried to adjust in Photoshop. I changed it to black and white and adjusted the contrast. Compare it to the originals which I posted previously and let me know which one you like better.

Nigh-time photography trials

After years of using a "Point and Shoot", I finally got a dSLR! I decided on a Canon EOS Rebel XS and love it so far. I went out tonight for my first attempt at night-time photography. It was a lot of fun, but definitely a lot of experimentation. These three shots are of a statue that is located between the De Young Museum and the newly re-opened Academy of Sciences in the Golden Gate Park. In the second picture you can see the moon and a star or planet in the back ground. They all came out a little bit blurry, or grainy. I think it may have been easier if I used a tripod. Let me know what you think!