Best of 2012

I wanted to figure out which of my images would follow into the "Best of 2012" category.  I have shot a lot of crap, but I have also shot a few pictures that I am really happy with.  The following would be the top 15 based on visitor popularity and my own preference. They appear in no specific order.

HDR image of a train from the Western Railway Museum

Residence at Black Diamond Mine regional park

Old Oak at Sycamore Valley regional park

Round Valley regional park

Vasco Caves regional park. Access by guided tour only

Contra Loma regional park

Sunset over the Green

My best editing work of 2012- "Tiny Farm"

Mt. Diablo seen over Marsh Creek

Brushy Peak regional park

Rusty tanker in Brentwood CA. Love the flat tire.

This tree at Black Diamond Regional Park was a finalist for the 2012 calendar

Macro shot at Los Vaqueros Reservoir

Brushy Peak Regional Park

Old building at Black Diamond Regional Park

Return to the WRM

I have a long history with the Western Railway Museum. My first visit was in the mid 1970's when my parents took my on a visit.

The Comet. Taken around 1975

The Comet taken in August 2011

My next visit was in the 1980's when my best friend and his parents took us on a day trip. I had no idea where the place was located but last year I accidentally passed it while going for a drive.

Museum ticket from 1987 and 2012

So I stopped in 2011 and took some photos and returned again today.  Below are some the shots.

This HDR capture of an old red boxcar was the last image I took today.
Clearly they are doing work to rebuild the interior and exterior.

The next 2 shots were taken of the same train 1 year apart using different lenses. Which one do you prefer?

2011 HDR 18mm Nikon kit lens version

2012 HDR 10mm Tamron wide angle version

HDR train interior

HDR image turned almost totally B&W. Not very happy with the POV.
Next time I will get the tripod lower toward seat level.

I also took a bunch of Macro shots with the Tamron 90mm Macro lens

And of course a few cool signs from inside the train that I really enjoyed

Macro Fun

Spent some time using my Tamron 90mm Macro this week. A few of the best shots:

Next time I post this, I will run a sharpening on the image

Bug Macros

The yard was full of little flying creatures today so I took out the Tripod, Macro Slide and Tamron 90mm Macro lens...

Joby Tripod

I tried using my Joby tripod today along with a macro slide and Tamron Macro lens. It was nothing but a pain. It kept sinking and moving. I couldn't get the tripod head into a solid position for any shots.

Yes this was a lot of weight for the tripod, but  didn't expect it to keep sinking on me like it did.

The lens was pointed downward, which increased the weight on the head.

Feeling like Spring

This is a great time of year for Macro photo work. I have a pretty large garden of roses and other types of flowers and as spring approaches I will be taking more a lot photos with my Tamron 90mm lens. All I need are a few bees or ladybugs and I am all set for some fun close up work.

I think one of the hardest things to shoot is a red rows. Preventing over saturation of the color must be some type of fine art, because I can never seem to get it right. Feel free to pass on your own tips.

I took these today from a tripod in the backyard. The sky was overcast which really seemed to help keep the lighting under control. I also lucked out with no wind.  I really hate the wind blowing around the flowers.