Author: adminjc

Photo – View To The Past

Published March 16, 2022 / by adminjc

Hi Everyone,

I took this photo in 2010 at the Gold King Mine and Ghost Town, next to Jerome, Arizona. As you can see, the window is very dirty and created a hazy and washed-out view of the outside.

Canon Rebel XSi / Canon EF-S 55-250mm kit lens at 55mm / 1/200 / f/11 / ISO 200 / Tripod used

I really liked the photo and wanted to make it look its best. But back then Photoshop and other software didn’t have Artificial Intelligence (AI) to do a lot of the work for you, including creating masks.

With my pen table I created a mask that would allow viewers to see clearly through the glass. It was a lot of fun, and I even wrote an article about the process. You can read this article, which was published in two magazines and a website, here www.jeffcolburn.com/articles/make-a-complex-photo-mask-with-a-pen-tablet

While AI is amazing, I still enjoy using my pen tablet to tweak masks.  

And check out ON1 Photo RAW.

Have Fun,
Jeff

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Photo – Tree At The Grand Canyon

Published February 23, 2022 / by adminjc

Hi Everyone,

I created this photograph at the Grand Canyon. A couple of hours before sunset I scouted the area and found three places I wanted to shoot at sunset. Because I would only have about 15 minutes of shoot time, they had to be close together.

Canon Rebel XSi / Canon EF-S 18-55mm kit lens at 42mm / 1/50 / f/11 / ISO 400 / Tripod used

The tree was the last of the three places I wanted to shoot. I shot the first location, then grabbed my tripod and ran to the second location, then the last one.

To get to the proper vantage point was a little tricky as there was only a narrow dirt path that led to it. This path was covered in tiny rocks, which made it slippery, and it sloped toward the Canyon. Slip on the rocks, or get too close to the edge, and you would fall hundreds of feet into the Canyon. Oh, the crazy things photographers do to get a picture.

But I got the shot, and it’s been a popular photo in the gallery.

If you are faced with a dangerous situation when taking photos, always err on the side of caution. No photo is worth your life, or getting seriously injured.

And check out ON1 Photo RAW.

Have Fun,
Jeff

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Photo – Wukoki Ruins

Published February 16, 2022 / by adminjc

Hi Everyone,

This shot of the Wukoki Pueblo was taken at Wupatki National Monument. The main ruins are interesting, but I prefer these ruins, as its isolation gives me a better feeling of what it was like to live there.

Wukoki Ruins
Canon Rebel XSi / Canon EF-S 18-55mm kit lens at 18mm / 1/80 / f 7.1 / ISO 200 / Tripod used

I set up my tripod as low as possible to get this shot. The photo was taken close to sunset. While you can get great shots at any time of day, at sunset the red sandstone almost glows.

I could spend all day shooting here. The ruins offer great distant shots, like this, but there are also great detail shots of the rocks and ruins that are amazing.

Wukoki Pueblo reminds me of a lone ship at sea, but the sea is made up of sand and rock. You can walk around, and in, this ruin.

And check out ON1 Photo RAW.

Have Fun,
Jeff

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Lots Of Changes

Published February 14, 2022 / by adminjc

Hi Everyone,

There are a lot of changes going on with my three websites. I’m hoping these changes will make things easier for you, and me. I have moved my ebooks at CreativeCauldron.com and my blog at TheCreativesCorner.com to JeffColburn.com

This way, you can go to one site and see everything. If you have signed up for my monthly newsletter, you will continue to receive it on the 7th of each month. The email for March will be larger than normal, it’s just how the system works since I have the blog set up at a new website. After that, it will only show posts added since the last newsletter.

Barren aspens

I have also renamed the newsletter Jeff Colburn’s Photography Newsletter, which will be the new heading of your email. If you have any problems with your newsletter, please let me know at info@JeffColburn.com

Finally, I will be closing down CreativeCauldron.com and TheCreativesCorner.com. In a day or two those sites will autoforward to JeffColburn.com, and in a few months be gone.

Have Fun,
Jeff

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Photographers – Personal Security While Out In Nature

Published January 9, 2022 / by adminjc

Hi Everyone,

When you’re out taking photographs in nature, you need to be responsible for your own security. If you’re like me, you can be hours away from any law enforcement, while carrying a few thousand dollars of camera gear. In this video I talk about a couple tools I use for my security and to protect my gear.

I hope you enjoy this video youtube.com/watch?v=ixD50eq74Pk. How do you protect yourself and your gear out in nature?

Check out my other videos on my YouTube channel

Have Fun,
Jeff

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What’s In My Bag – Protect Your Knees

Published January 9, 2022 / by adminjc

Hi Everyone,

Check out my latest video on how to kneel on the ground and rocks without your knees hurting https://youtu.be/cpPx9-scvGw

Northern Arizona has a lot of cinder and sharp basalt (hardened lava) as the region used to be very volcanic. I often have to kneel on hard ground, rocks and even fallen trees. I’m no spring chicken, and this hurts my knees. I’ve found an easy and inexpensive solution to this problem that you can use too.

Check out my other videos on my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcd8nqgH0CiaveaIlKbE1mA/featured

Have Fun,
Jeff

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What’s In My Bag – Charging My Phone In Nature

Published January 7, 2022 / by adminjc

Hi Everyone,

Check out my video on powering your phone and tablet when you can’t plug in.

If you find yourself nowhere near an electrical outlet, but need to charge your phone or tablet, then this power supply is just what you need. It will quickly charge your devices and get you going again.

I purchased one of these when I was taking a lot of photos with my phone at a Pompeii exhibit, and drained my battery. Since then, I’ve used it when in nature and at events where I can’t charge my phone easily. I just plug in the power supply to my phone to quickly charge it up.

Have Fun,
Jeff

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Staying Safe When Traveling In Your Car

Published January 6, 2022 / by adminjc

Hi Everyone,

While most of us don’t live in our cars, some of us may sleep in our cars, or RVs overnight when going out on a shoot. Before you do this, check out this article by Nicole Jordan. Two years ago she chose to live out of her car and travel the country. In the article, she lists 17 things she does to stay safe. These tips are good for people who are spending the night in a car or RV, or are even parking at a trailhead to take a hike.

Butterfly – The Arboretum at Flagstaff – FlagArboretum0110
Butterfly – The Arboretum at Flagstaff – FlagArboretum0110

Two things I would add are buying a tool to break a window and cut a seat belt. They are cheap and can save your life. Also, you can set off your car alarm if you are threatened. This will grab the attention of everyone in the area.

You can read Nicole’s article here https://www.yahoo.com/news/ive-living-road-myself-2-204045478.html

Have Fun,
Jeff

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