Debunking myths on genetics and DNA

Saturday, January 26, 2013

San Francisco Bay Bridge

I recently got back from a 5-day trip to the Bay Area, where, over the week-end, I was privileged to go shooting with a group of local photographers. Since I don't have much water here in NM, the thing I enjoyed the most was doing long exposures by the water.

I wanted to show you some examples of shots I took of the Bay Bridge. I do some editing, mainly I add contrast, lower highlights and tweak exposure as needed, but what makes these shots so different is the timing. As the light changes, so do the colors. I did use a graduated neutral density filter, which does not change the colors. All it does is darken the upper portion of the frame so that you can achieve a more uniform exposure (otherwise the sky would be too bright).

For me, the lesson learned here is that the best time to shoot is blue hour, right after sunset. And you have to be quick because the colors change by the minute. I've noted the time each shot was taken below. Which one do you like best?

Right after sunset, 5:32 pm:

5:33 pm:

5:39 pm:

5:47 pm:

5:54 pm:

Different day, much later: 6:44 pm. As you can see, the pastel colors are pretty much gone and all is left is yellow and blue-purple. I tried to fiddle with white balance, but got stuck with pretty much those colors. No filters here as it was already quite dark.


Much later at night, 12:56 am (in this one I switched to tungsten to drop the color temperature):

1 am (standard white balance, this time, but I tweaked temperature and tint):


I'm self-taught, so I'm learning all this stuff by myself (well, not quite, I'm learning from other photographers!). I welcome critique/tips/advice for next time. Thanks!

Monday, January 14, 2013

The Pedernal

It's freezing here in Northern New Mexico. Abiquiu Lake looks like this these days:




The thermometer hit 19F when I shot these (-7C). The peak to the left in the first picture is the Cerro Pedernal, Georgia O'Keeffe's favorite mountain. She once said that if she painted the Pedernal often enough, God would give it to her. So it now belongs to her. :-)

Sunday, January 6, 2013

The life of a soap bubble, the movie

I coerced, er, I mean persuaded my 10-yr.-old to do a science project this year, and guess what I proposed he'd do? Soap bubbles, of course, so Mom could have a little fun taking colorful pictures.

I took several consecutive frames, until I realized that the best way to describe the beauty of these objects is through a movie. So here it is, I hope you like it. I thought it was fascinating!





Saturday, January 5, 2013

More snowflakes!

Remember my first attempt at snowflakes?

Well, you know I wasn't going to leave it at that, right?

Here's more. :-)






They're still far from perfect, and heavily cropped. I'm told the way to go would be to stack several photos together in order to get a full snowflake in focus, but I've been lazy about it.

I hope everyone's having a lovely winter. Highs are still in the lower thirties around here.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Happy New Year


HAPPY NEW YEAR, FOLKS!


Thank you for reading, interacting, following, commenting.

The above is my favorite shot of 2012. It's my toast for a 2013 filled with scientific discoveries and great photography. :-)

Wishing you all a joyful, peaceful and healthy New Year.

elena