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Texas

Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Galveston and Port Arthur. Anything taken in Texas is placed here.
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Nikon D7000, Nikkor 14-24mm 2.8G, f8, ISO100, 14mm, HDR, 5 Exposures<br /> <br /> The River walk during Chistmas season, they string up millions of LED lights for an amazing light spectacle that attracts many people. This was taken during a Photowalk. Photowalks are a great opportunity to meet other aspiring photographers who share a passion just like yourself. I like this picture in particular because I believe it draws the viewer into the image. I find myself looking past the bridge. The colors are mesmerizing and one simply has to look on in amazement at the simplicity and beauty the city provides to its visitors. San Antonio's river walk to me is a world landmark especially during Christmas as there is nothing else quite like it, its very unique. People are super friendly and lots of great food and drinks to enjoy.
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Nikon D7000, Nikkor 14-24mm 2.8G, f8, ISO100, 14mm, HDR, 5 Exposures

The River walk during Chistmas season, they string up millions of LED lights for an amazing light spectacle that attracts many people. This was taken during a Photowalk. Photowalks are a great opportunity to meet other aspiring photographers who share a passion just like yourself. I like this picture in particular because I believe it draws the viewer into the image. I find myself looking past the bridge. The colors are mesmerizing and one simply has to look on in amazement at the simplicity and beauty the city provides to its visitors. San Antonio's river walk to me is a world landmark especially during Christmas as there is nothing else quite like it, its very unique. People are super friendly and lots of great food and drinks to enjoy.

saphotowalk1424mmHDRNikonD7000 John ChandlerRiverwalkSan Antonio

  • Nikon D7000, Nikkor 14-24mm 2.8G, f8, ISO100, 18mm, HDR, 5 Exposures<br /> <br /> The Bat mobile "Tumbler" as seen from the side. I overexposed the shot on purpose so as to blow out the parking and other cars beside it. This one required a bit more work but same type of bleach process with a slightly different filter effect. I love the contours and lines on this car, its so radical and unique. I must have spent 3 minutes studying it, looking for just the right angle.
  • Nikon D7000, Nikkor 14-24mm 2.8G, f5.6, ISO100, 24mm, HDR, 1 Exposure<br /> <br /> The Bat Mobile "Tumbler" was in a parking with other cars nearby, a wall and some trees and I felt it was a major distraction so I over exposed the shot then did some post work to do a bleach pass thru which almost completely removed the backgrounds, what ever was left I cloned it out. The result is a capture that looks like it was done in a studio but in fact was taken on a very bright day, using manual mode on the camera.
  • Nikon D7000, Nikkor 24-70mm 2.8G, f11, ISO100, 48mm, HDR, 5 Exposures<br /> <br /> For many many months there was like no water, Texas went thru a serious drought and each time i passed thru Dallas i was dismayed with lack of water in the levee. Then my luck finally rolled in with a storm. It rained all night. The next evening, the sky was clear and cool and i knew this was my big break. With a couple of friends we hunted for a way to gain entry to the levee. Parked the car beside a park walked onto the freeway and found access to the levee. I setup as close to the water line. I heart filled with joy just like the levee had filled with water. Without water it was pointless as the reflections give it life.
  • Nikon D7000, Nikkor 14-24mm 2.8G, f8, ISO100, 14mm, HDR, 5 Exposures<br /> <br /> In front of the Alamo is a small park. during winter they light up the trees. At first I was bewildered as I could not figure out from where to capture this shot. I walked and walked around in circles trying to figure out how to compose it. I once asked Trey Ratcliff from stuckincustoms.com, "How does one know how to compose a particular shot?" his answer was unexpected (heh what else can ya expect). He said "ya walk from side to side, until it comes to you". With this thought in mind I walked from end to end until I realized I need to add movement to it, hence take it from beside the streejavascript:%20void(0);t so as to capture the lights of cars. I was quite crowded but I still enjoy the picture as it seems unusual to me to see the detail of the lights in the trees.
  • Nikon D7000, Nikkor 14-24mm 2.8G, f8, ISO100, 14mm, HDR, 5 Exposures<br /> <br /> I often wonder what story lies behind these doors. The epic battle, the lives lost, the sacrifices the young men fought to their dying breathes to keep this sacred ground. The Alamo holds a special place in my heart, I have visited a dozen times now and each time I can't help but to take another picture and think about what took place here a long time ago and how teachers taught me the value of fighting for what you believe in.
  • Nikon D7000, Nikkor 14-24mm 2.8G, f8, ISO100, 14mm, HDR, 5 Exposures<br /> <br /> The River walk during Chistmas season, they string up millions of LED lights for an amazing light spectacle that attracts many people. This was taken during a Photowalk. Photowalks are a great opportunity to meet other aspiring photographers who share a passion just like yourself. I like this picture in particular because I believe it draws the viewer into the image. I find myself looking past the bridge. The colors are mesmerizing and one simply has to look on in amazement at the simplicity and beauty the city provides to its visitors. San Antonio's river walk to me is a world landmark especially during Christmas as there is nothing else quite like it, its very unique. People are super friendly and lots of great food and drinks to enjoy.
  • Nikon D7000, Nikkor 14-24mm 2.8G, f5.6, ISO100, 14mm, HDR, 5 Exposures<br /> <br /> A View of the river walk in San Antonio during Christmas. I think I read somewhere, there were 5 million led lights strung up along the river walk. Christmas is truly a magical time to visit this place. The river is saturated with blue and red led lights that leave a lasting memory. Ironically this is a perfect image where you want some ghosting or light trails which add movement to the picture.
  • Nikon D7000, Nikkor 14-24mm 2.8G, f8, ISO100, 14mm, HDR, 5 Exposures<br /> <br /> Taken inside a hotel right on the River walk in San Antonio. I can't remember which hotel but during a photowalk with Lotus Carol I spotted this hidden gem. I was surprised to see every other photographer just walk past this. I was bewildered to see them pass up what seemed like a perfect opportunity to shoot an incredibly beautiful Christmas tree. This has to be one of my favorites of San Antonio despite the fact this could from any hotel anywhere in the world but I like the rustic look, the warmth and the tropical feel of the palm trees.
  • Nikon D7000, Nikkor 14-24mm 2.8G, f5, ISO100, 14mm, HDR, 5 Exposures<br /> <br /> I found this heart of flowers on the River walk, I decided to make a tilt shift of it. I had to setup my tripod as high up as I could so I climbed on top of this concrete wall, not much room but I like it because there are so many vivid colors. I never seen this spot before but clearly it reminds of of lovers walking and sharing a moment together as love is in the air. The River walk truly is a romantic spot that anyone in love should share with that special person. I revisit the River walk yearly! It never gets old. A tilt shift was added in post, focal point being the bottom tip of the heart.
  • Nikon D90, Nikkor 14-24mm 2.8G, f2.8, ISO100, 24mm
  • Nikon D7000, Nikkor 14-24mm 2.8G, f5.6, ISO100, 17mm, HDR, 6 Exposures. <br /> <br /> This picture was taken in Port Arthur, TX. For days on end I went out to a remote location every day after work but the sun and clouds simply would not play nice for me, then on the last day I walked outside the hotel and finally I got some amazing colors and clouds. Post work was done via topaz adjust, there is a painterly preset which works wonders for sunsets.
  • Nikon D90, 18-55mm 3.5-5.6G, f5.6, ISO200, 55mm, HDR, 3 Exposures, +5 Macro filter used.<br /> <br /> A flower in my friends backyard. I don't know what type but it came out of simple grass field. Some sort of summer flower. I used macro filter to add magnification to it. Shot it handheld, took me several tries as i hand to remain very still. When taking pictures its always best to shoot them at the same level which means getting down on the ground. This was taken with a kit lens and the macro filters cost me like $20, so this goes to show with a kit lens and a little extra one can achieve very good macro shots.
  • Nikon D90, Nikkor 14-24mm 2.8G, f2.8, ISO100, 14mm, HDR, 1 Exposure<br /> <br /> The Saturn V rocket located at Nasa Space Center. This rocket was just huge and my lens could not get it all. I opted for back and white, I wanted to give it a sense of the past. Standing beside it, i was in awe of how this old technology got man into space yet it was not so long ago. Rockets are still the main transportation mode. I wonder how long before rockets will be cast aside for a new method.
  • Nikon D90, Nikkor 14-24mm 2.8G, f8, ISO100, 14mm, HDR, 3 Exposures<br /> The Texas State Capitol on an overcast day. I oirginally tried to take this picture from the opposite side of the building but once I walked into it and emerged on other side it seemed more dramatic to me. Sometimes it pays to explore just a tad further. I plan to revisit this spot to see if I can get it during better sunset.
  • Nikon D90, Nikkor 14-24mm 2.8G, f5.6, ISO100, 14mm, HDR, 3 Exposures<br /> <br /> A picture of 4th street, famous for its nightlife and many bars. This picture has to be my favorite of Austin. For those of you who know Trey Ratcliff from Stuckincustoms.com, he was in town doing a photowalk. Since I idolize him i followed him intently, analyzing everything he looked at hoping a morsel of how he composes an image would fall on the ground so i could pick it up and guess what. One did, i saw him setting up for this shot so I decided to try this spot also. Ironically we literally took exact images as he posted this scene also. His way way better. I think he acknowledged the fact mine was similar to his and this is his greatness, he is very willing to share and educate on how to compose and I've learnt a great deal from him and always look forward to his photowalks. This was taken during SXSW, so there was alot more activity, more lights lit up which adds to the drama in the picture.
  • Nikon D90, Nikkor 14-24mm 2.8G, f22, ISO100, 14mm, HDR, 1 Exposures, Tripod with remote<br /> <br /> The ferris wheel at the restaurant The Aquarium, downtown Houston. I had to wait a long time so as both rides were spinning at same time. Every time I thought I was going to get the shot, one ride would come to a stop and other would spin which did not give the effect I wanted.
  • Nikon D90, Nikkor 14-24mm 2.8G, f8, ISO100, 24mm, HDR, 3 Exposures<br /> <br /> Downtown Austin during day light hours. This one same spot as the night time version but added a warm pink spot to it in post to give it drama. The sunset added warmth to the city. This was taken at a park where theres lots of people jogging and once in a while you can see fellow photographers setting up their tripod. I don't know what it is but there is a delight in watching a fellow photographer looking to capture what I see.
  • Nikon D90, 18-55mm 3.5-5.6G, f8, ISO100, 22mm, HDR, 3 Exposures<br /> <br /> The fountain at dusk in front of the Aquarium restaurant. I'm tempted to return to this spot and try using a flashgun to light up the dolphins.
  • Nikon D90, 18-55mm 3.5-5.6G, f5.6, ISO400, 18mm, HDR, 3 Exposures<br /> <br /> A church beside a very tall building at downtown Houston. This was one of those images I took only to realize later on how popular it was. Inspecting the image there seems to be a symbolism which speaks to some. A tiny church with a mammoth energy company behind it.
  • Nikon D90, 18-55mm 3.5-5.6G, f8, ISO200, 18mm, HDR, 3 Exposures<br /> <br /> Downtown Houston as a storm rolled in. This was taken from the Sabine bridge which seems hard to go to and not obvious at all as you have to drive into downtown then turn around and pretend you are going back onto allen parkway but instead veer off into a small road. SAdly my hard drive crashed and lost the original files and I'm left with what I uploaded to the site which was not full resolution. I've been back many times trying to recreate it but never was as good as this one. Now i have a triple backup system in place so I never loose files again.

  • 100987laurajohnson

    on December 25, 2011

    Love it! What wonderful Christmas lights!

  • fotoeffects

    on December 25, 2011

    Neat shot!

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