Post-processing and visualization.

The most arduous task when you start sorting images, is selecting what works and doesn't. This is no easy task! I normally can't decide and suffer from inertia.

I am always critical of what I shoot especially if it's for my own use. Now saying that once you have your selects; time to start processing those images.

Here is one image that I really liked. The image was taken at the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook AZ. This has now been designated by the state as a historical site. This is one of the many treasures of early to mid-twentieth century America. Even though it's kitschy, it shows a great optimism, spirit, fun, and innocence of the time. I'm wondering if Gwyneth Paltrow the self-proclaimed critic of American taste and doyenne of all that is bad in North America has even travelled extensively throughout the country, instead of being self-indulgent nourishing her ego. But I digress; back to post-processing this image.

When looking at this photo, I get a late 50's early 60's feel for it. Now please believe me, that this is still a work in progress. In the late 50's and early 60's, advertisements, films, automobiles, small appliances, and clothing had a sense of heightened color. This is a general statement I know; but when you look at ads from that era or postcards the color is exaggerated and printed matter was grainy.

So this was my approach for this photo. After cropping then the real fun begins. In photoshop I decided to warm up the photo a bit and to clean up some of the dust spots (yes a Canon 5D is truly a dust magnet). From there I wanted to try and simulate a more late 50's feel so it's bit more contrasty and I decided to imitate a film stock (GAF) which is no longer in production.

Now I could also approach this photograph and work it as a faded image from over 50 years ago, and I'm still playing with that idea, however; there is still some work to be done on this photo. The Safeway and any other periphery in the background will have to be cloned out.

So those are some of the ideas that I had in mind. Well back to my Intous tablet and the next step for this photo. If I haven't mentioned this in past, please note: all these images are copyrighted and remain the property of the artist. I reserve all rights to these images and any use without my knowledge...well you know the rest.

Great trip and recommendations.

Finally back and finished downloading roughly 2ooo+ images. Now the arduous task of doing my selects. This photo is Artist's Lookout in Monument Valley.

One thing I must say, if you haven't traveled in this part of the country you're missing some of the most breath-taking scenery anywhere in the world.

I also encourage anyone who does make this trip, to keep their equipment to a minimum. I used a full-frame Canon DSLR and a wide-angle zoom lens for 90% of my trip. I ran into to one photographer that had one body and ten lenses. Although they were all primes, he regretfully admitted he should have taken his zoom lenses.

I also would recommend that instead of renting a compact car, that you upgrade to a vehicle that is larger and more suitable for the terrain. When I got to the car rental in Phoenix, they automatically upgraded me because they didn't have a compact. I chose a Chevrolet HHR and glad I did! It was great on gas and could take all the cow paths that I went on. It's a cross-over type vehicle and surprisingly well made. Oh don't forget you GPS, if you don't have one the rental place have them for a reasonable daily fee.

If you travel in the latter part of August or the beginning of September, make sure that you have water with you to keep hydrated. The temperatures can still hover between 98-102 degrees.

Now on to doing some of my selects.

Equipment...and what to take when you're ready to go.

So now comes the hard part; what to equipment do I take? Will this fast zoom lens do, or should I take all primes?

Well like they say, a car is a car is a car. A Porsche will get you there in style and fast, but a Toyota does the same thing; it gets you there.

So I've decided on two camera bodies a full-frame a Canon 5D and a 40D as a back up. Both have battery packs attached for extra balance and battery.

I was contemplating just bringing primes; 14, 20, 24, 50, 85, 135, and a 200 mm most of them L's. Then I thought the weight. I don't want the weight so now it'll be the same bodies plus a 17-40 mm (a personal favorite), instead of the 16-35mm, 28-135 mm, and 70-200mm IS. Nothing is complete without a laptop, battery chargers, flash unit, ND and Polarizer filters, Sony GC-1 webcam, iPhone, iPod, lightweight tripod, LaCie hardrives, and GPS. So that's the equipment list. Now I could have packed everything including the kitchen sink, or drive the Porsche but I think I'm fine with the Toyota.

Requests and a little bit of death.

When I mentioned to a number of people I know that I wanted to go and shoot landscapes, a couple of people looked dumbfounded. Others like my pal Jason Daryl thought it was a great idea. He like myself didn't think each other were outdoor kinda people. Jason Daryl is a photographic artist and specializes in the macabre and urban life, and occasionally works for Satan. A far cry from loving the outdoors and camping which he loves and will go at every opportunity.

Last time I brought him samples from Death Valley, "cause you never know when you want to clone yourself a little bit of death," he said. So with that I'll be collecting some samples from the Petrified Forest, Antelope Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, Monument Valley, and the Grand Canyon. For everyone else, I'll send them a photo a day to show them what they're missing. Like I've said nothing beats being out in the desert. Jason Daryl mentioned he would like to travel in Mexico by motorcycle. I told him the Baja would be great. Riding from San Diego to Cabo with your camera would be a cool thing to do.

Final Travel Details.

Now even before I attempt to configure my kit, I want to ensure that all the little things are done and booked.

So with the car, I've chosen a compact and will insist on a Toyota Yaris or Corolla. I prefer a sedan over a hatchback be cause of equipment considerations. Out of sight out of curious minds; the last thing anyone needs is to see camera equipment exposed (excuse the bad pun).

As for the CDW (collision damage waiver), if you have a Gold or Platinum card from any of the three big credit card companies you'll be covered. Double check with you card company what they cover. In my case, American Express will bring it to zero deductible but, won't cover personal liability.

As for the hotel, try and get one with free WiFi cause you can do any online file back-up as a precaution if any of your hard drives fail. The hotel that I've booked is clean, cheerful, and safe plus it's close to all the major freeways. Always try and review if you can what other patrons have written about the hotel you're staying in.

The hotel I'm staying at is not like the Plaza nor the Wynn. The Highland Country Inn in Flagstaff received 3.5 to 4 star ratings out of 5 from most travelers. It has free WiFi, complimentary HBO, fridge and microwave. Since I'll be out for the majority of the time, the price is right.

Location research from a distance.

The Internet has become an invaluable tool for research. Now friends told me that Internet is a marketing device, advertising tool, porn sideshow, and shopping mecca for exotic goods and services.

It is however; besides being all of that good or bad depending on the person's perception; a tool for research and exchanging ideas. It is community, despite what some sociologists or psychologists may say that it isn't.

Google is also one of the most valuable search engines that I have used, and is my choice. Ask, Yahoo, Bing, AltaVista, and Lycos are others that people use. But for me Google has been extremely invaluable when doing location research.

I would also recommend other sites as well such as luminous-landscape.com, fredmiranda.com for their forums and essays on various locations. National Parks also has a great website that lists parks by state, and handy tips that you can review, that website is www.nps.gov and I highly recommend that you visit it.

As for photographic reference and locations, I recommend going to the forums and looking at the work. Simply ask what the pros and cons were shooting in that location. For example; I was debating on shooting either Lower Antelope or Upper Antelope Canyon. I quickly found out a couple of things. The first was that for Upper Antelope Canyon is the most popular out of the two slot canyons. There is a photographer's rate of $50.00 and a minimum of twelve shooters would be escorted for two hours. There would also be some traffic control as well so it would give the photographer time to capture some images.

That didn't sound to appealing, neither did the idea of traffic control. What I did learn was that Lower Antelope Canyon was not as well travelled and that a four hour "Photographer's Pass" was only $26.00 unescorted. This sounded more appealing and I e-mailed the Navajo group responsible for Lower Antelope Canyon, and they gave me a lot of great information including the best shooting times.

I didn't realize that not to far from the Lower Canyon that I was close to Horseshoe Bend and and that I could shoot around dusk. So that would be one day's worth of shooting which includes travel time of four-five hours from Flagstaff to Page.

So you could blue-print, road map, or build a shooting itinerary from just doing your research prior to leaving. Combine that with the information from the navy, and all you have to do is tweak your days when you want to shoot.

Sun, Moon, Time, and the US Navy.

One of the most important things to a photographer is light. At the turn of the last century, photographers and camera men in the infancy of film used available light.

That's where skylights were desired for stills photographers and where the backlot came into play. Now photographers use electronic strobes in studio or portable units when on location. For landscape the photographer relies on natural light. Above is a photo that was taken on our day trip in Death Valley. This was taken between 6 and 6:30 p.m.; dusk. Even in March the richness of the color is unbelievable.

So I'm planning to go to Monument Valley, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend. I'm planning ahead for sunrise and sunset. Where does one go to research this information? The US Navy! Yeah the navy http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneYear.php . This site is truly remarkable it will aid a photographer who isn't familiar with a geographical location regarding, sunrise, sunset, moonrise, moonset, and new and full moons. It will aid you in times for these locations.

Next post is more research.