Author: Mike Hendren

Photography is a way for us to express how we view the world around us. It can reveal how we see things - our perception of reality. At times, it provides a creative medium that allows us to alter that reality. Photography also provides a way to capture time and then travel back there whenever you wish. Every time you look at a photo, it can transport you back to that moment, allowing you to relive and remember …

Do You Believe in Ghosts?

Do you ever get that feeling? You know … the feeling that “someone” is watching over you, like a guardian angel or something. The feeling that someone is, not only protecting you from yourself but keeping you out of harms way, too?

You don’t see anything – or anyone – but, still you feel a presence and wonder if you turned quickly, you just might catch a glimpse of them.

I wouldn’t know how to explain it. I suppose it could be a local ghost, a real angel, or maybe a long-gone ancestor who still walks among us.

Now, I don’t really believe in ghosts, but yet …… sometimes I just get this feeling – you know?
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This image was taken with the Olympus PEN E-PL1, using the in-camera feature to do a double exposure and then lightly processed in Lightroom 4.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Update: I’ve been notified to expect delivery on Friday, April 27th … Yay!

Sell Photos on Fine Art America

Artist Websites

These days, there are literally dozens of very fine websites that will host your images and allow you to sell those images to a broad market. Each one offers slightly different features and come in a wide range of prices.

My first choice for the last couple of years has been Fine Art America. They are undoubtedly one of the least expensive options available, plus they offer the sorts of things that I like. For instance:

  • At $30/year, you won’t find a better deal.
  • They can print non-standard sizes.
  • There is a robust community with many groups available to share your images … or start a group of your own, if you want.
  • There is no limit to the number of photos you can upload.
  • You set your own price levels, either in bulk, or for each individual image.
  • Fine Art America takes care of everything else – taking the order, printing, shipping, and billing – and then pays you after everything is complete.
They do offer a free account with some limitations, but for only $30/year, I think it’s silly to not take advantage of all they offer. So go take a look and give it a try.
The slideshow, below, is just another one of their services that is so easy to use.

http://fineartamerica.com/slideshowmouseover.php?id=4584199922&memberidtype=artistid&memberid=45841&width=400px&height=400px
Art Prints

Spring Time in the Rockies

Spring time in Colorado brings snow and cold one day, and bright, beautiful spring flowers the next. These two images were both taken just 2 days after a spring snow storm blew through, dropping 10 inches of fresh snow in the foothills of Colorado.
Both photos were taken with the Olympus PEN E-PL1. For the top image I used my new Pansonic/Leica 25mm f/1.4 lens which I am really loving after just one day. As you can see, it gives great color and contrast and what I think is a beautifully smooth, soft bokeh. Plus, at f/1.4 it’s still sharp enough to give nice sharp photos and also allow you to hand hold in some very challenging low light situations.
For the bottom photo, I used the Olympus 14-42mm kit lens which continues to impress me with it’s sharpness and detail.

Bringing Out Dynamic Range in Lightroom 4

I’m still frequently surprised at how much dynamic range Lightroom 4 is capable of extracting from an image. I’m also pleasantly surprised at how good the images can be from the “older” Olympus PEN E-PL1, especially using the 14-42mm kit lens.

For comparison, you can check the image at the bottom of the post, and you can see the main adjustments on this screen capture from Lightroom 4. As you’ll notice, the four sliders below Exposure/Contrast did most of the work with a little help from Clarity.

What you can’t see are the settings from the “Adjustment Brush”. I just reduced the saturation a bit and then brushed over the areas of the trees and the deck to reduce the blue cast on the snow.

So, from a 1EV underexposed image, Lightroom 4 enabled me to bring out the shadows, control the sun, and get a “near” HDR look from this photo. Nice!

If you’ve got any tricks to share, please drop me a message.

Images from the Olympus PEN E-PL1

I’ve had the little Olympus PEN E-PL1 for just over two weeks now and thought I would share some sample images.

I’m enjoying the camera a lot but find I REALLY need a viewfinder when shooting outdoors in bright light – the screen just isn’t bright enough, plus since I don’t wear glasses (and I need to) I have a hard time telling if it’s in focus or not.

What I love about the camera is that it takes high quality images up to a reasonable ISO of about 800 and still okay for some applications above that. As a habitual “tinkerer”, I also really appreciate the deep menu system that allows a high level of customizability. Lastly, at current prices – I’ve seen body only for $150 online – I think this camera is a steal, especially if you’re a micro four thirds (m43) user and can share lenses with another m43 camera. (Like the Olympus OM-D E-M5 whenever it finally gets here!)

These images were all taken with the Olympus PEN E-PL1 using the 14-42mm kit lens. They were shot at various ISO’s and some have had some processing done.

This black and white was done in Nik Silver Efex Pro.

The following two images were done with “Light Painting” … darkened room, 10 second exposure, and lighting with a flashlight.

NEW "Web Brochure" for the Olympus OM-D E-M5

Olympus just launched a new website highlighting their new Olympus OM-D E-M5. (First, when you go, be sure to view it full screen to get the full effect.)

The only way I can think to describe it is that it is an interactive web brochure, done like no other website I’ve ever seen. As you scroll through it, various images slide across in different layers – it is very well done!

So, go take a look but be careful … it might lead you to a new camera! 🙂

Don’t forget – go here for more links to Olympus E-M5 reviews and information.

Learning the Olympus System

Ever since ordering the Olympus OM-D E-M5 over a month ago, I’ve been waiting rather impatiently for it to ship. Unfortunately, that probably won’t be for another couple of weeks.

So in the meantime, I decided to get an Olympus PEN E-PL1 ($289 on Amazon w/lens) and begin to get familiar with Olympus’ menu system and general camera functions. In reading about both cameras, it appeared that they had similar menu setups and would make for an easy transition to the E-M5.

I’m thoroughly enjoying the E-PL1 and have been pleasantly surprised at the quality of images that can be coaxed from this little “PEN”. These images reflect a few of my favorites, so far, and have various amounts of post processing applied, from just a crop to some fairly aggressive black and white work.

All images are from the Olympus PEN E-PL1 with the 14-42mm kit lens.

ISO 1000, f/5.3, 1/40s, 37mm

ISO 200, f/8, 10 seconds, 42mm (light painting)

ISO 200, f/8, 1/1250s, 39mm, B&W processing in Nik Silver Efex Pro

ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/1500s, 42mm, cropped only

ISO 200, f/8, 10 seconds, 42mm, (light painting)