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Fiery Dawn on Snowy Pines

By Mike H

Services for Real Estate Pros with Mike Hendren Photography

December 01, 2010 05:13 AM

A few days ago, I was treated to a spectacular, fiery sunrise the morning after a few inches of fresh snow softly coated the pines near home.

Hear was a golden opportunity to try out some HDR (High Dynamic Range), using my new camera, the Nikon D7000. So far I've been thrilled with the results from this camera, finding it to produce very clean images with low noise at reasonable ISO's.

One of the things I'm really liking is the ability to save settings to two of the positions on the mode dial: U1 and U2. I haven't tried everything but I'm happy to report that you can save your AEB (bracketing) settings and even other positions on the mode dial. For instance, when I select U1 now, the camera is set to the Aperture Mode and is ready to shoot 3 bracketed images with 2 EV spacing - quick and easy!

Once the images were downloaded, I used Nik's new HDR Efex Pro to create this image. In this case, I was only able to use two of my bracketed images and was surprised and pleased with the result. HDR Efex Pro is a great addition to the software possibilities available for HDR work and gives you a good number of presets to choose from, plus it has Nik's proprietary U-Point technology as one of it's tools.

This image is available in a variety of printed formats at my Fine Art America website.

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Comments(24)

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William Johnson

Retired - La Jolla, CA

Retired

Hi Mike, How are you, Seems that over the last year I had lost track of you. Hope life is treating you wonderfully and how great that you have a new 7000 Nikon. I have been more fixated on some new prime lenses and one day hope that I can get even close to your talent level. This photo is truly magical. Positively stunning Mike.

Dec 01, 2010 11:21 AM

Andrea Swiedler

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT

Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Mike, oh my, this is one amazing photo! Oh wait, all of your photos are just simply amazing... I am just in love! Nice new toy you have for yourself..... Santa came early did he?

Dec 01, 2010 12:09 PM

Patricia Feager

Flower Mound, TX

Mike,

That sky is a masterpiece! When I look at that sky, I can't understand why people would prefer to stay in bed and sleep in late or go out after work and drink or socialize when they could be seeing all that beauty up in the sky for free!

Dec 01, 2010 05:18 PM

Mike H

Mike Hendren Photography - Cloudcroft, NM

Hi Myrl, and thank you very much for the "Feature" - I really appreciate that!

Hey William, I haven't been very active here at AR, but yes life is wonderful as always. You know, I seem to be drifting away from the zooms and using my primes more - this photo was taken with a Nikon 35mm f/1.8.

Andrea - thank you so much for the VERY nice comment! Santa did come early, didn't he - now, I won't mind it so much when I find that "lump of coal" under the tree with my name on it. :-)

Hi Patricia and thanks. I feel cheated when I sleep a little later than usual and miss the sunrise.

Thanks to everyone for the unbelievably nice comments - they are so appreciated!

font.f1 {font: 12.0px 'Lucida Grande'; color: #000000}Have a great day!

 Mike
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Dec 02, 2010 02:16 AM

Renee Marrs Caperton

Marrs & Associates - Corsicana, TX

Realtor - Corsicana Texas Real Estate

It Looks like a postcard...Beautiful Photo!

Dec 02, 2010 02:55 AM

John Mayer

Oikos Realty, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach Florida - Cocoa Beach, FL

Your Beach Area Expert

Mike - My brother just got the new D7000 and loves it too. If your picture is any indication, I'm sure he will be sending me some fantastic shots to critique soon. For now my D90 will have to do :-) I'll have to try out the software.

Dec 02, 2010 04:27 AM

Team Honeycutt

Allen Tate - Concord, NC

Sunshine in the morning. Great to be alive and well

shelton

Dec 03, 2010 01:32 AM

Mike H

Mike Hendren Photography - Cloudcroft, NM

Hi Renee and thank you.

Hey John, good to hear from you. Yes, your brother will probably drive you nuts with photos from his new toy! :-) But you can do the same to him - I've seen your many great photos here at AR and that D90 is a great camera, too.

Good morning, Shelton - I wholeheartedly agree!

font.f1 {font: 12.0px 'Lucida Grande'; color: #000000}Have a great day!

 Mike
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Dec 03, 2010 01:42 AM

Debi Boucher

Real Estate Showcase Photography - Woodland Park, CO

"Realtor Showcase" - Real Estate Photography/Virtual Tours

Absolutely gorgeous Mike! I was so excited when Nik's HDR came out - I bought it right away - only to find it does not work properly on a 32 bit system.... So.... I have to wait till the new one comes out in January. I was CRUSHED!!!! Sounds like you're having a great time with your new camera, too - Awesome!

Dec 05, 2010 06:25 AM

Mike H

Mike Hendren Photography - Cloudcroft, NM

Thanks Debi! Yep, I'm enjoying it, but then I always enjoy any camera I have.

Have a great day!

 Mike
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Dec 05, 2010 06:48 AM

Jorge Martinez

North Orange County ReMax Realtor - Anaheim, CA

Espanol Spanish Bi-Lingual Agent

Amazing photo Mike! You really know how to use the camera. That shot would make anyone want to move to Colorado!

Dec 11, 2010 05:30 AM

Chris Alston

Chris Alston (Keller Williams Realty, Silicon Valley, California) - Campbell, CA

Silicon Valley, California

That is pretty cool, with the snow in the front and the sky in the back... It doesn't snow here in N. Cal bay area, so snow pictures always bring me back to some trip...

Dec 21, 2010 04:55 AM

Tony & Darcy Cannon

Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT

The C Team

Mike, awesome photo! Really great shot!

Jan 01, 2011 03:55 PM

Carol Ryniewicz

CR Premier Properties LLC - Woodstock, CT

Broker / Owner - CT & MA

My first reaction to that photo was "WOW" that is a great shot! I love the contrast between the warmth of the sun and the cold of the snow. Makes it a very nice photo! Thank you very much for sharing it with us! Happy New Year!

Jan 02, 2011 11:16 PM

Menlo Park Real Estate and Homes for Sale

Wende Schoof - Menlo Park, CA

WendeByTheBay.com - 650.504.0219 - SF Peninsula

Wow! This is absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!

Jan 07, 2011 03:58 PM

Jen deManincor

Long and Foster - Columbia, MD

Breath taking photo! I've been looking for a really good camera...I'll have to check out the Nikon that you're using, amazing quality! Thanks for sharing!

Jan 13, 2011 04:09 AM

Linda D. Pufford

Stage with Divine Style - Home Staging - Novato, CA

ASPM, Marin/Sonoma Home Stager

Mike,

That is an awesome photo... it just glows!!! The photo is a work of Art! Great camera... and a great camera man as well. Thanks for sharing this!

Jan 13, 2011 03:42 PM

Larry Lawfer

YourStories Realty Group - Newton, MA

"I listen for a living." It's all about you.

Mike, it is always a treat to open your blog and to see one more of your great photographs. I hope your office is filled with this art and you should consider using this as a gift at closing. Not just this picture, but many of your images would be cherished by your clients. Have a great New Year

Jan 14, 2011 12:51 AM

Kristine Ginsberg

Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ

NJ Home Stager

Great photo Mike, and thanks for the information on your Nikon. However, I'm not too proficient with it yet, but you've inspired me.

Jan 15, 2011 04:57 PM

Sondra Meyer:

EXP Realty, LLC - Corpus Christi, TX

See It. Experience It. Live It.

This is probably one of the most beautiful sunrise pictures I can remember seeing.

May 30, 2011 09:56 AM