Mountain Photography on Display

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I was contacted by the Chair of the Fine & Applied Arts Department of Porterville College. For the next three weeks the gallery is mine, there are students sitting the Gallery Monday thru Thursday from 11:00 to 1:00 and then from 5:00 to 7:00. A reception will be held at the Gallery Friday evening April 20 from 5:00 to 9:00 PM consider yourself invited.

The local paper is going to do a feature on me and my Sierra photography as well.

"Porterville College is fortunate to have one of the finest galleries found on a community college campus. Located in the center of the campus in a uniquely shaped building, it offers both students and the community an opportunity to see art exhibited in a professional environment. Shows often include local artists, students or examples of important historical works such as Indian rock art. The concept of the gallery was conceived as a learning tool to share art as a total experience from conception of idea through construction to the final product."

Porterville College Website”

“Couple of shots from inside the gallery...



”

“How cool is that!!! Great pictures!”

“Great job Michael!”

“Wow! Congratulations WW. That's quite an honor.”

“Very Cool !! I wish I could go check it out, but it's a bit of a drive from here”

“Fantastic and well-deserved.”

“Awesome Michael....about time!!
Good luck!”

“It would be better if you had at least an inkling of how to take a photo.










hee hee - gotcha!”

“thats pretty awesome WW - i've always enjoyed your shots.”

“Niiiiiiiice!!! :-)

Congrats!”

“Very impressive! Nice space...”

“I am proud of you! yo bear!”

“Dude that's awesome, I hope to be as good as you one day, just got my first digital SLR, the 30D. Now to get some lenses. Any tips?”

“BTW, your pic above, I laid in that same spot last year when I was in Yosemite. Love that place!!”

“Thank You all so much for the kind words, I really appreciate it!!!


Dub... Save up for the "L" glass...it's worth every penny!”

“Congrats, WW.

For a minute there, I thought we could come since we're passing right by heading to the GC, but it's Sat that we'll be there.

(Maybe I should take the advice to Dub and start saving pennies........ Heck, it's the additional weight as much as cost that gets me more than the cost - unless I'm bs'ing myself.)”

“I will be taking my 30D out for its first backpacking trip this weekend. It is the single heaviest item I will be packing...it weighs almost as much as my pack and tent together. I bought the kit so I got a 17-55mm f/3.5-5.6 EF-S USM lens and I have a 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 EF lens from my film SLR from years ago. I just picked up a 50mm f/1.8 II EF lens and that thing takes amazing shots.

WW, any advice on lenses? I know I want the 70-200mm f/2.8L IS lens...and I think I want the 24-70mm f/2.8L EF lens...but as far as a good wide angle lens I"m not sure. My friend has the 10-22mm EF-S f/3.5-4.5 which is the digital equivalent to the 16-35mm EF f/2.8L lens. Or should I go for a fixed length? Like the 14mm? The price goes up a lot on each...$700 for the 10mm, then $1300 for the 16mm then $1700 for the fixed. Or if there is another lens you recommend I'd appreciate it. 'm researching those GND filters you recommended.”

“Karen...Grand Canyon??? I need to go there!

Dub...17-40mm f/4 "L" is my fav.....I'm hoping to move up to the 5D at some point. With the full frame sensor my 17mmm will truly be a 17mm. Great lens for the money!

I have the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS "L" it's an awesome lens! Also have the 50mm f/1.4, 300mm f/4 IS "L" and a 1.4 extender.

You might have a look at the Hitech GND filters, no color cast and cheaper than the Singh Rays. I use the Cokin P holder with my Singh Rays but the Cokin GNDs are reported to have a color cast.”

“After reading your post and thinking about the photos, I want to buy the 28-300 "L" but it is pricey, especially considering it's just a hobby and I'm not moving up the learning curve very quickly.”

“Dub,
I'll second that 17-40mm f/4L...I really love it! IMO...you don't need a GND, (most of the time), take the same shot (tripod of course) with the exposed dark foreground and another with the lighter areas and blended in Photoshop.

Like this...
”

“You don't really need two shots Mike.....if you shoot in RAW just process two versions of the same file and blend those.

I would rather have/use the GNDs than blend every frame....too much post processing for me! :)”

“Most of my blended shots are from one RAW file. I don't mind processing...I have lots of time, besides GNDs are expensive!”

“How cool is that? way to go.
That shot brings back memories as well. ;)”

“The L glass is that much sharper eh? What about the aperture, constant 4...correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a 2.8 aperture sharper? Or does the smaller 4 give better depth? I've been trying to find out what's better for wide angle landscape shots...small aperture, long shutter or the wider aperture, fast shutter. At around $400 that lens is very very tempting. Thanks guys!”

“Hey Michael! Congratulations! Wish I were closer so I could see your showing. I'm still interested in talking with you about one of the pictures from the hike last year. I need to narrow down my choices. You want to go to the GC? We are going down the Hermit 4/27 and back up the Bright Angel 5/1. One of the most awesome trails for breathtaking views. Interested? Email me....”

“f/2.8 gathers more light than f/4... that means faster shutter speeds in low light....nothing really to do with sharpness.

Most lenses have a sweet spot, my 17-40 is it's sharpest between f/11 and f/16...those small apertures will require slower shutter speeds and usually require the use of a tripod as well. I usually use mirror lock up and a remote shutter release as well, hoping to get the sharpest pic possible.”

“I made the Porterville College Homepage today...
http://www.portervillecollege.edu/”

“Thanks for the clarification on apertures...I always that the bigger the aperture the sharper the image hence the reason 2.8 was better than 4. I knew that it meant more light which is why I love my 50mm 1.8 for shooting inside at night. I really want to carry only two lenses when I go backpacking, but from what I'm gathering here I'm going to have to carry a tripod...any recommendations? I think you've convinced me to get the 17-40mm, I was checking out one of Buck's photos today on Flickr he took with it http://www.flickr.com/photos/buckforester/461187106/in/photostream/ and I'm impressed with all the pictures you guys have posted. Gonna seriously have to consider that lens.

One question, how do you find the sweet spot on a lens? The sharpest aperture?”

“WW, this is so cool!”

“Woohooo! Spent some time this morning with a reporter from the local paper, she's writing a feature article about my photography. Should be in tomorrows paper :)

Hey David, how have you been?
last edited: 4/18/07 7:52:21 PM”

“way to go WindWalker!!!!”

“Thanks Eddy!”