CANADIAN ROCKIES (Alberta and B.C. )

[Dale Murray]

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/DDOWSON/th_LakeLouise.jpg (http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/DDOWSON/LakeLouise.jpg) Click for a bigger pic.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/DDOWSON/th_KickingHorseRiver.jpg (http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/DDOWSON/KickingHorseRiver.jpg)
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/DDOWSON/th_Blaeberryriver-Mtns1.jpg (http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/DDOWSON/Blaeberryriver-Mtns1.jpg)
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/DDOWSON/th_Banff2.jpg (http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/DDOWSON/Banff2.jpg)
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/DDOWSON/th_Banff.jpg (http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/DDOWSON/Banff.jpg)

[Jan]

Beautiful!! :) :)

[Dale Murray]

Beautiful!! :) :)
I took about 70 pics. Some are almost the same using different camera settings. I've been emailing them to some people on OT. Too many to post here. :)

[Jan]

I took about 70 pics. Some are almost the same using different camera settings. I've been emailing them to some people on OT. Too many to post here. :)

I know what you mean. I have taken so many mountain pics over the years, but every time we drive from here to Alberta I have to take more. :)

[Dale Murray]

I know what you mean. I have taken so many mountain pics over the years, but every time we drive from here to Alberta I have to take more. :)
Yep I know what you mean. We honeymooned in Banff and BC, and we've probably been through there 20 times but I still take pics. The glaciers around Lake Louise are a lot smaller than they were 35 years ago. I was comparing with some old pics. :)

[robarro]

very nice dale.. i'd like to get up that way sometime because of the pix all you cads post..

[Dale Murray]

very nice dale.. i'd like to get up that way sometime because of the pix all you cads post..
Well don't come in July or August. Way too many tourists. Even when we were at Lake Louise a couple of weeks ago, about 30 tour buses in the parking lot.Very hard to take pics with all those people around. :eek:

[stringbean]

Great pictures.

[Dale Murray]

Great pictures.
Yeh, beautifull B.C. :)

[Jaberwoc]

Hi Dale,
Like your pics a lot, the photo opportunities in an area like that are numerous, I envy you, there must be a fresh vista at every turn in the road.
Can I offer a little constructive criticism, I don't mean this unkindly. Take the shot of lake Louise, what has happened in this shot is that the large area of bright sky and the snowcapped moutains have taken over the exposure of the shot, in consequence everything below the skyline is under exposed. I've tried some correction in photoshop, which I think will be more like the scene you saw in practice. The only way to avoid this effect in practice is to use a graduated filter in front of the lens, this allows less light at the top and more light progressively downwards. Such a filter would greatly improve your pics in areas like this. I hope you agree. A couple of your other pics are affected similarly to a lesser drgree

[robarro]

i definately get rid of the dock also. IMHO
if your cam can shoot in raw format i could also give a bunch of tips about using it..

roy

[Dale Murray]

Hi Dale,
Like your pics a lot, the photo opportunities in an area like that are numerous, I envy you, there must be a fresh vista at every turn in the road.
Can I offer a little constructive criticism, I don't mean this unkindly. Take the shot of lake Louise, what has happened in this shot is that the large area of bright sky and the snowcapped moutains have taken over the exposure of the shot, in consequence everything below the skyline is under exposed. I've tried some correction in photoshop, which I think will be more like the scene you saw in practice. The only way to avoid this effect in practice is to use a graduated filter in front of the lens, this allows less light at the top and more light progressively downwards. Such a filter would greatly improve your pics in areas like this. I hope you agree. A couple of your other pics are affected similarly to a lesser drgree
My camera is a Kodak 7430 4mp so no filter. I could try using the Sports setting which has a faster shutter speed. Also can adjust the exposure but it would be a trial and error thing. I only have the free Adobe Photoshop 3 so I'm kind of limited in enhancing. It was a cloudy, overcast morning when I took the Lake Louise pics. Here's 2 more. Before and after enhancement.http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/DDOWSON/th_LakeLouise5_edited.jpg (http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/DDOWSON/LakeLouise5_edited.jpg)
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/DDOWSON/th_LakeLouise5.jpg (http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a118/DDOWSON/LakeLouise5.jpg)

[Kassie]

Super photo's, Dale. :)

[Dale Murray]

Super photo's, Dale. :)
I have more I can send you once I figure out what I've sent. :confused:

[Kassie]

I have more I can send you once I figure out what I've sent. :confused:

Your going to have to write it down...so as to remember. :D

[waterbaby]

Nice pics Dale.
To visit BC, you have to come in July or August, every other month it's raining! :p

[robarro]

i only have the free Adobe Photoshop 3 so I'm kind of limited in enhancing.
dale ,
if you have PSE3, you are not limited at all. PSE# is a GREAT image editor if you learn to use it it's really everything you would probably ever use..

[robarro]

dale, here's a quickie done in PSE#

[Dale Murray]

dale ,
if you have PSE3, you are not limited at all. PSE# is a GREAT image editor if you learn to use it it's really everything you would probably ever use..
I never use PS till a couple of days ago. I've had it on my computer since I got it a year and a half ago but never used it. I went into it a couple of days ago as I was trying to fix up a couple of old faded color pics and upgraded to PS3. Just got to keep learning I guess.

[Jaberwoc]

Hi Dale,
Ok your comments re. the filter, well I don't think a filter is standard on any digicam, as an example I'm attaching a pic of how it's done on a Canon A95, in the pic the ring in the foreground can be removed from the camera,this allows the adapter accessory to be fitted to the camera body, you can then attach filters, suplementary lenses or anything else. The adapter is a standard Canon optional fitting, I've checked the spec of you Kodak model, but have been unable to determine whether there's anything similar for your camera. I have seen third party fittings for other makers cameras that attach via the camera mounting screw to do a similar function. A homebrew arrangement isn't too difficult a task, depends how keen you are I suppose.
Regarding PS Elements, as Roy has already told, It's very powerful software and will do all you require to edit photos. I will quite easily apply the correction that I made with your Lake Louise Pic. I'll give you an outline of the steps I took in the process, if you like.

[greenenvy]

Awesome pics Dale. I love them all. Your camera takes beautiful pictures. :)
Hubby seen those places in the summer when he and a friend went for a drive to Jasper from Ft. McMurray. He said it's absolutely breathtaking, some thing to really see in person so oneday I hope to do just that. ;) He also made mention of the fact that those places were jam packed with tourists. :)

BTW, can all those digital camera's accomodate addon lenses, if not, what do I look for if I'm buying one that will? Thanks :D

[Jaberwoc]

BTW, can all those digital camera's accomodate addon lenses, if not, what do I look for if I'm buying one that will? Thanks
Hi Judy,
I think the simple answer to that is no, let me explain. in the case of my two cameras. the HP Photosmart 850 has a thread on the camera body that will take an adapter, but HP don't have an adapter as an accessory, I had to buy a third party unit made by the Tiffen company. Canons A95 on the other hand will allow fitting of an adapter and can supply one as an accessory, and there is at least one third party company that do make one. If you go to SLR models then the lenses usually have a filter thread built in to the lens itself. If you go for the less pricey models it's something you'll need to research before you buy. Hope this helps. ;) :D

[Jaberwoc]

I'll give you an outline of the steps I took in the process, if you like.
After thinking about it, I decided I'd do this anyway, there are others on the board that use PS Elements, so it will help them also.

Correction to Lake Louise Picture in Photoshop.

1. Open the picture in PS ... With the Lasso tool make a selection by left clicking and holding and dragging the lasso icon along the dark edge of the valley then outside the picture limits up the side across the top to join up with the start, try to do this reasonably accurately, but small strays from the line can be neglected. When done you should see the area selected bounded by moving dashes ( Marching Ants is an expression often used to describe this).

2. In the Select menu click on Inverse this will move the selected area to the bottom underexposed part of the picture, changes can be made in this selected area that don't affect the rest of the picture. Next in the Select menu again click on feather, in the dialogue box that opens set a value of 100 -150 pixels, this is to soften the edge of the selection, so that any applied changes aren't too abrupt.

3. In the enhance menu, drop down to Adjust Brightness/ Contrast click then select Levels in the sub menu, this opens a histogram window, which in effect show a graph of light in the selected area ranging from black on the left to white on the right with grey in the middle. Just beneath the histogram you will see three sliders, the one on the left sets black level and the one on the right sets peak white level. (see my attachment) for the moment ignore the middle slider.
In the histogram leave the black slider at rock bottom, the white slider can be brought in from the right, click, hold and drag the slider to a position just below the right edge of the black histogram, this sets the peak white level and the selected area should be showing brighter. You can now experiment with the middle slider, moving right will darken the area, to left it brightens, in effect it acts like a contrast control, this setting can be made to personal preference. Click the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + D to remove the selection and you're done, Save as whatever title you prefer

[Linda0199]

Beautiful pictures Dale. I snagged them for desktops. Peaceful scenery. Thanks

[greenenvy]

Hi Judy,
I think the simple answer to that is no, let me explain. in the case of my two cameras. the HP Photosmart 850 has a thread on the camera body that will take an adapter, but HP don't have an adapter as an accessory, I had to buy a third party unit made by the Tiffen company. Canons A95 on the other hand will allow fitting of an adapter and can supply one as an accessory, and there is at least one third party company that do make one. If you go to SLR models then the lenses usually have a filter thread built in to the lens itself. If you go for the less pricey models it's something you'll need to research before you buy. Hope this helps. ;) :D

Thank-you for the info, Jaberwoc :)

[ShadowThomas]

Very nice pictures, Dale. Thanks for sharing :) I can't make up my mind as to which one I like best. I downloaded all of them, and am useing the first pic you have posted as my desktop. Again, Dale, outstanding pictures. I bet that lake is great for fishing too. Even though it looks kinda cold there, I wish I was in a row boat out in the middle with a cold beer and fishing pool at my side :)

[greenenvy]

I've been using the first photo on my desktop also ever since Dale emailed me this picture. I loved it! I also have the second picture saved to use next when I'm reading to change. They are so beautiful. :)

[BigBarney]

Fantastic pictures Dale!

I visited your great country last October, visiting Toronto, Montreal, Niagara, Quebec City and Ottawa.
All in 8 days!!!!!

One question.....I use Photobucket too, so how do you post clickable thumbnails instead of the full picture?

Brian.