Is this HDR or not?

Do you think this photo is HDR or not?  It’s the second photo I have released with the Nikon D800 with it’s 36 megapixel extremeness!  I’ll leave it open for debate for a while… you may enjoy watching the discussion over on Google+ as well!

Daily Photo – The Disney Fantasy Cruise Ship

And speaking of that… I am here on the maiden voyage of the Disney Fantasy.  It’s an amazing ship (50% bigger than the other ships) and a great playground for photographers!  Forget the kids!  In fact, I almost did a few times… but they are having fun in all the kids’ clubs…  Well… I have a ton to talk about and show… but busy busy busy with photos and not much internet!  Anyway, debate away on whether or not this is HDR…  Either I’m tricking you, I double-tricking you, or something unknowable… I look forward to coming back and seeing what you think!
http://stuckincustoms.smugmug.com/Portfolio-The-Best/your-favorites/10668747_nxsXfB/177807

Behind-the-Scenes Video

William Beem (frequent community commenter here on the blog… you know him… you love him…) recorded a video of the situation below.  See it here on YouTube.

Missed our Cruise!

We were supposed to get on a cruise for Disney today and we missed it because of flight problems!  Oh no… so now we are scrambling to get down to Grand Cayman to meet the boat.

Daily Photo – Where the Princess Dwells at Night…

But, while in the middle of all this drama, I happened to already be Orlando, so why not make the most of it?

I called for a little PhotoWalk at Disney! It was really really really fun — and getting this shot was tough! I think +William Beem +Gilmar Smith +Keith Barrett or perhaps +Ali Elhajj got a video of me trying to convince half a dozen Disney workers to “sweep water” in front of my camera, which was splayed on the ground. At first, one guy didn’t want to do it because he might get in trouble… then the other acquiesced… and then, before they knew it, they were all being controlled like crystal farmers in Starcraft… we eventually got all the water in the right place!

I had to go over and whip out my sweet Android phone to show them some photos from Google+ — I found the one from Paris with the puddle — I said I needed a puddle about thiiiiis big … and eventually we got it all engineered out. They were all very helpful and nice… I convinced them all to come onto Google+ to see the final result — so I hope they are here! Hi guys – Y muchas gracias!

Where the Princess Dwells at Night…

Photo Information

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• Date Taken2012-03-31 03:06:38
• CameraNIKON D3S
• Camera MakeNikon
• Exposure Time15
• Aperture8
• ISO100
• Focal Length19.0 mm
• FlashNo Flash
• Exposure ProgramAperture-priority AE
• Exposure Bias+1

Trey’s Variety Hour #23:  Wearable Cameras of the Future

Daniel Suarez (author of Daemon) joins me, Leo Laporte, Kevin Kelly, and Gordon Laing to talk about Augmented Reality, Drone Swarms, Cameras and Art in the Future, and much much more.

Facebook Subscribe and the New Timeline

My Facebook page has been getting more and more subscribers lately, so if I was unable to friend you because I hit the 5K limit, this Subscribe option will work out well for you.  I also activated the new Timeline, but I notice not everyone has yet.  Have you done it?  I think it is kinda cool, even though I know there are a few FB-haters out there.

Daily Photo – The Old Market

I have another Disneyworld trip coming up, and I was reminded of this place.  This is Epcot, one of the best spots for photography at sunset and into the evening.

This area makes me long to go to some of these places for real.  It’s all so wonderfully fake around Disney, but that is nice in its own way.  I have several more places in the Middle East to visit, and I hope to make that happen over the next few years.  Before I actually decide on a place and land on the shores of Tripoli, I’ll be sure to blog about it!

Fake Book in China

I’m not sure – but I think this is a rogue copy of my book in China! 🙂 I signed it anyway 🙂

Daily Photo – The French Quarter of Disney

Amazing Disneyworld! I am starting to switch my opinion about the best place to shoot in Disneyworld. I’m now thinking it is definitely Epcot. It used to be Animal Kingdom, which is still amazing.. but I find myself with more options and variety at Epcot, especially in the evening.

Here’s a great tip. If you stay at the resort, then go to Epcot on the “bonus hours” evening. Then get yourself way out at the opposite end of the park when it closes. You can then take your time and leave, taking photos all along the way. It’s pretty much absolutely deserted! The security guards did not seem to bother me either…

Thanks Gail and Louis and Gino and….

So, whenever I post a photo of Montana, I always know it will make Gail happy. So I like to see not only her comments, but all the other regulars… I also like how you all are getting to know one another. If you are on Google+ or Facebook, feel free to share your info so people can friend you in these other mediums as well!

Today’s photo has a bit of a German theme, so I know someone will be extra-happy… .or maybe William Beem because it’s from Disneyworld!

Daily Photo – Late Night in Germanville

This area of Epcot is one of the best for night photography. There was a little bit of light in the sky, so I had to make this shot as quickly as possible. I didn’t really have time to do a proper scouting, but this was such a nice situation, I made it happen as quickly as I could. I think my full-tripod-setup is under 25 seconds in these emergency situations.

Normally, I like to zen out and take my time. Others, like this, are the result of sheer, bloody panic.

Coming soon – Secret Fireworks Spot!

When I spent the day with Robert Scoble at Disney World, we were lucky enough to have a personalized tour from Keith Barrett. Keith showed me a secret spot to shoot the fireworks — very cool! I’m still working on that photo, but I will release as soon as I am done… it was a very challenging shot.

Daily Photo – The Haunting

And here is yet another from Disney!

So, I was sitting there in the Tower of Terror taking photos inside the first room into which the group is ushered. It’s the one where they show that Twilight Zone clip. Anyway, I just stayed in there as five groups came in and out, trying to get a photo. Eventually, the cast member asked me (in a nice way) what I was doing. I told her that I thought the room was awesome and I was capturing it for my blog. She seemed curious, so I whipped it out (my iPad).

She started going through my photos and was very excited. And then she told me to follow her, and she opened up the little gate that gave me full access to the lobby itself. I grabbed many photos, and here is one of them…

Lou Mongello

While at Disneyworld, I ended up meeting Lou Mongello, a very interesting guy that is Disney’s biggest hardcore fanboy! Note that I say that with the ultimate respect, because he has built his love of something into quite an empire! Now he runs WDWRadio.com, has podcasts/apps, and more!

Robert Scoble interviewed Lou while we were there together. Watch, and you’ll see all kinds of tips! Thanks again Keith Barrett for setting everything up.

Disney Shots

We have a category system here on the site, so if you want to see all of them, check the “Disney Category” at the bottom of this post. Once you get to the bottom of the page, click “PREVIOUS” and you’ll get another pagefull…

Daily Photo – The Fireplace in the Tower of Terror

I’ve always wanted to get “behind the velvet rope” and take proper photos of this area, and it finally happened!

This lobby was richly decorated to look like an old, classic Hollywood hotel that has been left alone to slowly deteriorate. Although this angle in particular does not show the decay, future ones will… Also, a future one will include the full story of how I got behind the velvet rope — you won’t believe it!

Topaz Adjust Review and Problems

If you want to know more about how the photo below was made, and why it “pops” in that way, see my full Topaz Adjust Review.

So, I still use it from time to time to add some microcontrast to images, but I notice it is going super slow. Is anyone else having this problem? I have a pretty fast Mac Pro too… I just can’t figure it out. Also, I still have an old install of Topaz Adjust 3, which I tried out… but it crashes whenever I try to run it. What a pain!

Daily Photo – Journey of a Lifetime in Africa

I have never been to Africa, but it is very high on the list. Very very high. And I understand from many of my friends that it will get very deep into me, and I’ll want to go back many times. That’s okay… and I look forward to that feeling!

This photo below is taken in Disneyworld in the Animal Kingdom. The Imagineers run around and make everything look all Africa-ey and authentic… I don’t really know how authentic this is… but I certainly liked the feeling and style of this wall, so had to take a photo!

All the DisneyWorld Photos

If you want to see all my them, click on the Disney World category. After you get to the bottom, click “Previous” to see another batch of 15 or so. I have a lot… and if you love Disney like me, maybe you’ll find a few in there you like.

Daily Photo – The Mystery of the Orient

The biggest mystery here, which you may have guessed by now, is that this is not in the orient at all. This is in the World Showcase area of Epcot. In some ways, I think, Epcot has the least exciting rides and attractions of the four Disney parks in Orlando. But what it lacks in rides, it makes up for in photo ops!

My best suggestion for photographers is the following. First, if you are staying in a Disney resort, then you get special “night hours” at different parks. Be there on the Epcot night, and make sure you are as far away from the exit as possible when the park closes. Then, you can take your time walking back to the entrance and take as many photos as you like! Everything is well lit, there is nobody around, and security doesn’t even seem to mind. No one rushes you out… it’s very relaxing and perfect. And, of course, the World Showcase has all sorts of cool buildings, architecture, and landscaping… countless opportunities for great compositions.

I took this photo right outside of a great Japanese restaurant. I forgot the name, but I had some pretty good sushi. I think this place and the California Grill have the best sushi at Disney, if you are into that sort of thing.

Daily Photo – Balloons at Disney

I’ve been trying to capture a shot of balloons at Disney forever… it took a while before I found something with which I was happy!

Do you know these balloons cost $10?  TEN DOLLARS!  A ten dollar balloon…  but they do light up.  So that’s kinda cool.  What isn’t cool is that you have to buy one for every single kid in your retinue.

One other cool thing (kinda secret) is that if it ever goes flat or pops, you can bring it back to get a free one.  Technically, you could even bring it back the next year and still get a new one.  This might go against the spirit of the deal, but it is a ten dollar balloon for the love of Disney-god.