New OnOne software to debut

new portrait retouching plug in coming soon

http://www.ononesoftware.com/products/suite/perfect-portrait/?ind

Great Mississippi River balloon race

Every year, in October, the city of Natchez, Ms. holds the Great Mississippi River balloon race.It starts Friday night with a balloon glow and a fireworks show. The only problem I saw was the crowds, lines and the parking. We found a spot a couple of blocks away and paid to get in. Next time I wouldn’t pay to get into the balloon glow as there are other balloons at various sites around the city and Vidalia. There is a small carnival held on the grounds for the children.

Click the photo to see it larger

Click the photo to see it larger

Click the photo to see it larger

Click the photo to see it larger

When we arrived some of the balloons had already taken flight.

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Click the photo to see it larger

Click the photo to see it larger

We left before dark because the schedule said the fireworks would start at 7 PM. I asked a security guard where they would actually shoot the fireworks and he said “From a barge, in the river, just north of the bridge. We headed for an old parking lot just north of the fair grounds. There is a fence, sidewalk and overlook of the river.

Click the photo to see it larger

Click the photo to see it larger

Click the photo to see it larger

Click the photo to see it larger

I took the shots while waiting. What we didn’t know was they had to wait for a 30 minute window in the river barge traffic. That meant it was almost 9 PM when the fireworks started.

Click the photo to see it larger

Click the photo to see it larger

Click the photo to see it larger

It really was a good show they put on.

The next day we were going for the “Key grab” balloon flight. They put a key, to a new GMC truck, on top of the rock climbing tower and if a balloon pilot could grab it they won the truck. We went to the Vidalia side to have the sun behind us and sit on the River Walk. The balloons have to have a 5MPH or less wind to take off so it was after 5 PM when they did.

Click the photo to see it larger

Click the photo to see it larger

Click the photo to see it larger

Click the photo to see it larger

Click the photo to see it larger

We had a good time and saw some very colorful balloons.

Nik Color Efex Pro 4

It is out and I just downloaded the trial version. I will be running a review soon but for now here are some videos to see the new features

What’s new

Using multiple filters

Control Points

Single filter

Streamlined digital filters

Overview

Download the trial and give it a try.

Great photo opportunity

If you are in the area around Natchez Oct. 14-16 then don’t miss this great opportunity.

Great Mississippi River balloon race

and a great place to camp just 10 miles away Natchez state park

I hope to see you there.

Best place to shoot the flights are

Morning: Launch site or if you prefer in flight  would be the Natchez national cemetary ( This would afford views with the river and bridge)

Afternoon would be the launch site and the River walk on the Vidalia, La. side. This would put the sun behind you each flight.

The Friday night fireworks would be great from the Vidalia river walk with the reflections in the river and the bridge included( If you go south of the bridge and shoot north)

Nik Color Efex Pro 4

Nik software is announcing the next version of it’s award winning software Color Efex Pro 4

I’m excited because it finally addresses one of the issues I have with most plug in software. Except for onOne they all required  you to open, save and re open to add each effect. You could not open and add multiple effects until now. With this version you can stack multiple effects (ie. tonal contrast/brilliance and warmth) and preview the effect before applying. You are now able to  see the interaction of each effect and  how it relates to the final process.

Although, to me, this is the best feature there are many new filters and effects to make the upgrade worth while. I took forward to trying out the demo when it is released.

Topaz Labs B&W Effects

Training video from Topaz Labs

Topaz Labs B&W Effects Remember it is 50% off till the 18th

Laugh of the week

We’ve all heard this

Tip Thursday: Lens case

I read a lot of photography tips and web blogs to try and glean as much information as possible. I was reading one travel blog and one of his tips struck me. Always protect your lens. It went beyond the basics and said protect at all times. Never lay it on the ground, rocks on on your vehicle. Always return it to your camera bag. This will protect it from mishaps and accidents. Well, that got me to thinking and sometimes that is a dangerous thing, LOL.

I use a Lowe Pro Micro Trekker backpack camera bag for my everyday use. It is well padded and keeps my stuff organized, however when on a hiking adventure or shooting an event I like the fast access of my Humvee photography vest. However, it does not provide any protection from minor bumps or spills.

What I needed was easy on and off padded lens cases. Being the frugal person I am and with plenty of time in the yard swing I came up with a suitable solution. Enter the ubiquitous beer huggie, the neoprene stretchy kind. I happened to have one handy and I thought it would work great for standard, wide angle and short telephotos.

Click to see larger

as you can see it is the right height and size and will stretch to accommodate a variety of lenses. It fit my wide angle and my 100 macro.

Click to see larger

It even comes up over the lens hood. It has a bottom to also protect the rear lens cap and quiet it down. You could cut the bottom out of one and slide two on for a short tele like my 55-250 IS lens. The possibilities are endless. Just a little imagination and some quality yard swing time.

Topaz B&W Effects

Topaz Labs makers of the fine editing software Adjust and Details just came out with their first B&W conversion software, B&W Effects. If you don’t have a B&W plug in converter it is a steal at $59.99 but for a limited time (Sept. 18) you can get it for the unheard of price $29.99. Now that is a great deal. Just use code bwandbeyond. I will try to get an overview video up soon.

On another note my nephew has finished his cancer radiation treatments, so I won’t have to be staying in Shreveport during the week. Maybe with the cooler weather and more time I can get back into the blogging swing.

Yes, this is me all the way

To me researching everything about a photo destination is as important as being there.

Researching the shot