Both of these tours were created for Sandra Payden of Gregg Garrett Realty - Newport News, Va. All images copyright 2008, B. Payden Photography, LLC. http://www.bpaydenphotography.com http://www.paydenvirtualtours.com
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canon eos 5d: Fall in the Blue Ridge Mountains
- 11/15/08 10:28 AM
As an avid hiker and explorer of Shenandoah National Park-Skyline Drive, I recently availed myself of a hike in Whiteoak Canyon to the lower Whiteoak Falls. During a family get-together at Graves Mountain Lodge in Syria Virginia, I was pleasantly surprised to find several nearby trails leading into the park. This year my Family and I hiked the 4 ½ mile Lower Falls part of the Whiteoak Canyon, from the Park Boundary in Madison County off Weakley Hollow Rd. to the lower falls and back. It was a somewhat strenuous and steep hike, but well worth it for the fall colors … (14 comments)
canon eos 5d: Colonial Williamsburg
- 10/27/08 10:14 AM
Many people start their tour of Colonial Williamsburg at the wonderful and interactive Visitor Center, or if you are more adventurous, like myself and already have a background in history, try driving directly into Historic Williamsburg and do some exploring on your own. Be prepared for large groups most times of the year including LARGE groups of children. Below are a few images taken on a recent excursion to Williamsburg.
Below is The Public Hospital for Persons of Insane and Disordered Minds. This building was the first devoted solely to the treatment of mental illness in the new world. The … (25 comments)
canon eos 5d: Skyline Drive-Shenandoah National Park
- 10/15/08 08:07 AM
Skyline drive is a 105 mile scenic drive that runs the length of Virginia's Shenandoah National Park. The road runs generally along the ridge of the Blue Ridge Mountains within the park. The drive is particularly popular in the fall leading to congestion most weekends. Annually over two million people visit the park. Personally I have seen countless deer along the drive as well as wild turkeys, several large black bears and cubs and even a bobcat. I visit Big Meadows every summer as the Fawns generally foal the last week of May through the first week of June, making for … (16 comments)
canon eos 5d: Raspberry Plain - Leesburg, VA
- 10/14/08 02:22 AM
Rich in history, the Georgian colonial estate known as Raspberry Plain, since 1731, is set on fifty rolling green acres overlooking the Catoctin Mountains. Brick pathways surrounded by herbs and wildflower gardens nestled between ancient trees, wind through the sun-filtered grounds leading to the mansion and formal gardens. The mansion's portico offers a spectacular backdrop for any event on the South Lawn. The North Lawn boasts a breathtaking, majestic view of the mountains, pastures and pond. The hall's sparkling chandeliers, detailed archway and dramatic staircase, announce the elegance of the mansion's rooms. All the mansion rooms have glass paneled, double pocket doors, … (10 comments)
canon eos 5d: 2008 VA Beach SK8R Bash - Mt Trashmore
- 10/13/08 08:32 AM
On Saturday October 11, 2008 the city of VA Beach, Virginia sponsored a skateboarding competition at Mt Trashmore Park. Big airs, board grabs and other raw tricks were on order for this amateur skateboard contest. The skate complex at Mt Trashmore features a competition-sized vert ramp that is a massive 13.5 feet tall and 40 feet wide, and a freestyle street course that also features an above ground 7 foot deep bowl. The complex is open to skateboarders, inline skaters and BMX bikers alike. If you have never been do yourself a favor a visit someday for an awesome display of gravity defying … (2 comments)
canon eos 5d: Pacific Blush
- 09/20/08 09:21 AM
This image was recorded July, 2008 in La Jolla California. Image was captured with a tripod mounted Canon EOS 5d and EF 17-40mm F/4 USM lens. Image metadata is as follows: ISO 200, 40mm, f/4.0, 1/13 sec. My wife and I went to La Jolla for a Photography Vacation and to Visit my Father and Step-Mother who stay in La Jolla for the summers. I have been to LA and Orange Counties numerous times but have never made it to San Diego County before. We both fell in love with the beauty of La Jolla and plan to continue to make … (21 comments)
canon eos 5d: Julian, CA. Bloom
- 09/19/08 12:45 PM
This image was shot in the mountain gold mining town of Julian, California in San Diego County-July, 2008. Julian is an Official California Historical Landmark, #412. A short-lived gold rush was sparked by the discovery of gold in 1869 by a former slave named A.E. "Fred" Coleman. In recent years Julian has become a quaint mountain resort. My Father, Wife, and myself were on a trip to the High Desert at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and stopped in this mountain town for some of the world famous apple pies. The Julian Pie Company on Main Street has an awesome hot caramel apple … (10 comments)
canon eos 5d: California Dreaming #2
- 09/18/08 06:40 AM
This image was recorder with a tripod mounted Canon EOS 5d with a Canon EF 17-40mm F/4 L USM Lens set to 23mm, F/7.1, 1/100 sec. I shot this in La Jolla, California this July while on a photography trip to Southern California. I think the sillouhte of the surfer against the sunset makes this image.
http://www.bpaydenphotography.com
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canon eos 5d: Ocracoke Lighthouse
- 09/01/08 12:59 PM
The Ocracoke light is the second oldest operating lighthouse in the nation. My wife and I visited this lighthouse on a recent visit to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The Bridge on Route 12, Ocracoke Island was in the process of being repaired by the NC Dept of Transportation. Not to be deterred I put our jeep in 4 wheel drive low and drove the two mile detour on the beach around the construction to the village of Ocracoke. We spent a lovely day exploring and shooting the village and would recommend it to anyone. Also of interest is the … (16 comments)
canon eos 5d: New Tour
- 08/26/08 06:37 AM
My newest Tour can be seen below. Comments welcome from all on suggestions for improving any of my tours. I would especially like input from REALTORS as I am continuing to grow the Real Estate part of my photography business. http://paydenvirtualtours.com/show/48163 This first image is an High Dynamic Range image created using 3 bracketed exposures +/- 2 stops:
Spacious, updated Kitchen:
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canon eos 5d: New Point Loma Lighthouse
- 08/26/08 01:48 AM
Point Loma is a seaside neighborhood of San Diego, California. Geographically it is a hillypeninsula that is bordered on the west and south by the Pacific Ocean, the east by the San Diego Bay and Old Town and the north by the San Diego River. Along with the so-called "Coronado Island" and the Silver Strand, Point Loma separates the San Diego Bay from the Pacific Ocean. Point Loma has an estimated population of 45,887 (including Ocean Beach), according to the 2000 Census Bureau The "new" Point Loma Lighthouse was constructed on the shore below the Old Point Loma Lighthouse in 1891 because the Old … (19 comments)
canon eos 5d: HDR image of Coronation Court-Norfolk Botanical Gardens
- 08/25/08 07:37 AM
Below is a recent example of a high dynamic range image created using Photomatix Pro 3. The image is of the Coronation Court at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens. The Coronation Court is where the Queen Azalea is crowned every year at the Norfolk International Azalea Festival. This image was created from three bracketed exposures +/- 2 stops.
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canon eos 5d: Sandy Bottom Nature Park-Hampton, Va.
- 08/23/08 02:14 AM
Hampton's premier park is a 456 acre environmental education and wildlife management facility. Born from borrow pits and garbage dumps, the park is truly a success story of reclamation of our natural resources. From the 10,000 square foot nature center overlooking Sandy Bottom Lake to the elusive creatures that inhabit the wetland marshes, there is something for everyone at the Sandy Bottom Nature Park.
Below are just a few examples of a recent trip to Sandy Bottom:
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canon eos 5d: Grand View Custom Home
- 08/17/08 08:13 AM
Below are a few shots from a recent upscale custom home in Hampton, Va. To view the full featured Virtual tour click here: http://paydenvirtualtours.com/show/47823 Front of House:
View from Widows Walk of Chesapeake Bay:
Great Room:
This custom home is a must see and was a pleasure to shoot for the REALTOR.
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canon eos 5d: Beautiful Property in Suffolk, Va.
- 08/03/08 07:42 AM
Below are a few images form a Virtual Tour I put together for a local REALTOR. This home truly shows pride of ownership and was a delight to document. To see the full tour visit: http://paydenvirtualtours.com/show/48077 The front of the house is beautiful and well maintained:
The Living Room has nice muted paints, as does the rest of the property:
The master Bedroom is spacious with a large master bath and sitting area:
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canon eos 5d: Perfecting HDR imaging
- 08/03/08 05:10 AM
Below is a recent HDR image I blended together using Photomatix. After Tone mapping I use the Tone Compressor function to keep the colors as close to the original as possible. This also has the effect of keeping the image looking more like a photo and less like a painting which the details enhancer function tends to do. Comments and critiques always welcome.
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canon eos 5d: Phoebus Virginia Heron
- 08/02/08 10:27 AM
While on a photography excursion to the quaint waterfront section of Hampton, known as Phoebus, I came across and shot a Heron I haven't seen in this area as often as I see the abundant Blue Herons and Great Egrets. The Heron I shot was a Yellow-crowned night heron, below is a juvenile bird:
I also shot this adult bird across Mill Creek in a tree:
One of the great things about living in the Hampton Roads area is the abundant wildlife and beautiful scenery. … (10 comments)
canon eos 5d: First attempt using Photomatix to create an HDR image
- 06/28/08 09:36 AM
This is my first attempt at using Photomatix and creating a HDR image. For this image I combined 3 images with a bracketed exposure of +/- 2 stops. I used a Canon EOS 5d on a tripod with available light to create the 3 images and to eliminate ghosting in Photomatix. Any comment or critiques would be greatly appreciated. I have seen some incredible HDR images in the Blogs and would appreciate any insight on how to improve my craft. Thanks and have a great day!
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canon eos 5d: First attempt at photo stitching to creat a panoramic image
- 06/28/08 12:41 AM
My studio has recently expanded into Real Estate Photography and Virtual Tours. Below is one of my first attempts at creating a panoramic image using photo stitching software, any comments or critiques would be greatly appreciated! I shoot with a Canon EOS 5d and used Adobe Lightroom and Canon Photo-Stitch for post processing.
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Related Links:
Northern Virginia Real Estate Photography - Bryant Payden
Below are two tours I have completed this week.
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