CircleCount helps you better understand Google+

2013-05-19 15:53:30 (19 comments, 10 reshares, 181 +1s)

"Shadowed Dunes"
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

As a photographer I am not only chasing beautiful light, but the absence of light as well. Shadows help to give an image depth while Black and White images help to emphasis tonal contrast. If there is one thing I love about photographing sand dunes...it is the shadow play that happens just as the sun rises and just as the sun is setting.

For an extra bonus, see if you can find the lone hiker in the image...it should help to give you a sense of scale of these massive dunes in the middle of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains here in Colorado.

2013-05-18 14:37:31 (56 comments, 150 reshares, 1279 +1s)

A new image in my Imagine series.. 

http://paulpichugin.com

2013-05-17 15:56:21 (56 comments, 61 reshares, 925 +1s)

Our friend +Colby Brown living the enviable life of a professional photographer, this time in Iceland.

2013-05-17 00:36:37 (39 comments, 41 reshares, 618 +1s)

"The Chief"
Lower Antelope Canyon near Page, AZ

Testing out the new vertical images on Google+ by sharing this photo I took with an +HTC One Android phone a few weeks back in Lower Antelope Canyon?

What do you think for a cell phone shot? Love what Android is doing these days!

#htcONE #Androidography

2013-05-16 15:34:53 (38 comments, 34 reshares, 115 +1s)

Looking for a Dropbox Alternative? Check out "Copy"

This morning I came across a new company called "Copy" that is looking to get pretty aggressive in competing with the likes of Dropbox. Like Dropbox, you get to place a folder on your computer/laptop and have all of the files placed in that folder sync both to the cloud and any other computer you install the Copy application. While I love Google Drive, I like having a folder to sync on my computer.

So why did I sign up for yet another online cloud hosting service?

Two main reasons....

- Right out of the bat your get 15gb of space (with an extra 5gb as a special)
- There are NO file size limits, unlike Dropbox and many other cloud services. I can easily share 2gb files if I wanted. This to me is the best selling point.

Its free, you get 20gbs of free space and no... more »

2013-05-16 14:15:57 (144 comments, 95 reshares, 471 +1s)

So the new Google+ Layout Looks Like Facebook? Really?

Yesterday Google+ rolled out 41 new updates to the platform. Among these updates was a somewhat radical shift from what most users were used to. I personally am enjoying the new look, especially since it gives lots of love to photos (including vertical images that were previously cropped in our streams). However with any change there are certain to be people that are left unhappy. 

One of the most common comparisons is that the new Google+ looks like Facebook. Being a photographer and a visual artist, I decided to draft up a simple comparison to show you that they do not in fact look alike.While my monitors have a large enough resolution to showcase three columns, even the two column version has a much different feel and vibe.

So like it, love it or hate it, atleast make accurate comparisons if you aregoing t... more »

2013-05-15 22:13:24 (68 comments, 17 reshares, 353 +1s)

Testing Google's New UI and Layout....

I am enjoying it so far. What are your thoughts? Seems to put even more focus on photography. Do you think it will spur more engagement for your here on G+?

Oh..and this photo is of the +JOBY Grip Tight Mount holding a Galaxy S3 in Zion National Park while taking a photo of the Watchman during my Photography Workshop in the park last year :)

2013-05-15 21:42:00 (22 comments, 0 reshares, 81 +1s)

wait wait! something is new...I can't quite put my finger on it though ;)

2013-05-15 16:16:03 (11 comments, 7 reshares, 279 +1s)

Behind the Lens // Lower Antelope Canyon

If you visit either Lower or Upper Antelope Canyon in April or September, you will be able to catch the amazing rays of light making their way all the way to the ground. Time things right and you can get some pretty amazing results!

#behindthelens #canon1dx #antelopecanyon #htcONE

2013-05-14 16:19:37 (30 comments, 19 reshares, 259 +1s)

Photo Sphere // Complete 360 View of Vermillion Cliffs National Monument

This Photo Sphere was taken with a Galaxy Nexus phone at Coyotte Buttes South in the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument in northern Arizona a few weeks ago. The colored rocks found in this area is truly unbelievable  If you look closely, you can see "Gum Drop Rock" that has some pretty amazing color patterns.

In case you missed it, you can new embed a viewer to interact with Android Photo Spheres from a blog or website. You can see a demo of it in action as well as instructions here:

http://www.colbybrownphotography.com/can-photo-spheres-change-the-way-we-experience-the-world/

#photospheres   #androidography   #galaxynexus  

2013-05-14 15:18:05 (127 comments, 32 reshares, 237 +1s)

Apple's Macbook Pro retina FINALLY has some competition!

+TOSHIBA's new Kirabook just arrived this morning. It is a travel photographers dream...especially if you don't care for Apple products.

Specs:
- i7 3537u 2.0ghz processor (turbo to 3.0)
-8gb RAM 
- 256gb SSD 
- 2560x1440 retina like touch screen (13 inches) 
- Over 6 hours of battery life
- Weighs just 2.97lbs 

I will be testing this out in Iceland and Tanzania this summer. Hope to have a solid review by the end of June.

2013-05-14 03:58:33 (36 comments, 25 reshares, 475 +1s)

"Icy Crown"
Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina (Patagonia)

There is something magical about the Patagonia region of South America. Mt. Fitz Roy, pictured above, is easily one of the most spectacular mountains in the world, sitting just 10km from the small outpost town of El Chalten in southern Argentina.

Image Details:
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 24-70 2.8L
ISO: 320
Exposure: 1/640 sec at f / 11

2013-05-13 18:24:41 (20 comments, 15 reshares, 125 +1s)

Want 15GB of Free Storage with Google Drive? DONE!

Today Google Drive has anncounced that they are upping the limit of your free storage for having a Google account from 5GB to 15GB. All the details can be seen below!

2013-05-12 14:58:54 (31 comments, 5 reshares, 308 +1s)

Happy Mothers Day to my beautiful Wife!

My partner in crime, my best friend and the mother of the cutest little guy in the world, Jack!

2013-05-11 23:58:23 (26 comments, 58 reshares, 239 +1s)

Amazing Google Timelapse of the Earth Transforming Over the Last 25 Years

Google and +TIME have come together to showcase amazing time lapses from various locations around the globe that span the last 25 years. Want to see the Columbia Glacier retreat? What about Las Vegas expand over the last 2 decades? While some of this is depressing, this is pretty amazing!

To catch all of the timelapses, here here:
http://earthengine.google.org/#intro/LasVegas

2013-05-11 15:36:25 (20 comments, 22 reshares, 331 +1s)

“I tend to think of the act of photographing, generally speaking, as an adventure. My favorite thing is to go where I’ve never been.”  ~ Diane Arbus

This photo of me was taken in the Everest Region of Nepal  at nearly 16,000ft in the Himalayas by Alex Velzeboer.

2013-05-09 15:59:38 (37 comments, 22 reshares, 470 +1s)

"Sand Dune Sunrise"
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado

There is certainly something special about a location where you can combine the tallest sand dunes in North America with the beauty of the Colorado Rocky Mountains (specifically the Sangre de Cristo Mountains). Have it all happen around sunrise or sunset....consider me a happy guy 

Image Details:
Camera: Canon 1D Mark IV
Lens: Zeiss 21mm 2.8 ZE
ISO: 100
Exposure: 1/4 sec at f / 11

2013-05-06 18:58:01 (82 comments, 17 reshares, 82 +1s)

Adobe Announces the new Photoshop Creative Cloud

Gone are the days of being able to purchase the Creative Suite or Photoshop Box at your local store. Optical drives are a thing of the past, but the subscription only model will certainly turn a few heads. For $20 a month you can get PS or for $50 a month the entire Creative Cloud (all of adobes programs).

What are your thoughts? 

2013-05-16 02:03:20 (33 comments, 4 reshares, 306 +1s)

A Week Long Celebration To All The Moms Out There

Joining in on the +Google+  #MothersDay  festivities, here is my contribution to   #herestothemoms  

This photo of me and my mom was taken in 1982 and embodies the love and support I have been given since I was born. Thanks mom. You gave me the freedom to tread my own path, follow my heart and make a difference in the world.

2013-05-06 16:19:09 (19 comments, 7 reshares, 277 +1s)

You have to love finding hidden photographic gems while exploring a remote area. This photo was taken in a hidden slot canyon just off the wash of the Paria River in Southern Utah.

Photo taken with the +HTC One and edited with +Snapseed and then uploaded to Instagram.

2013-05-03 18:08:53 (44 comments, 40 reshares, 274 +1s)

Can Photo Spheres Change the Way We Experience the World?

Android Photo Spheres allow you to showcase a location unlike ever before. I am happy to announce that you can now embed your own Photo Spheres on your website or blog, sharing them with the world and those outside Google+. I worked closely with the +Android team to help make this happen and my website is the first to demonstrate this new feature. Enjoy!

2013-05-03 14:10:32 (2 comments, 3 reshares, 81 +1s)

Instagram Adds Photo Tagging Features

I am loving +Instagram 's new photo tagging features that allow me to easily tag companies and friends alike. At the same time, I can have any IG images of me highlighted on my IG profile (via the mobile app)

http://instagram.com/colbybrownphotography

#ig #instagram

2013-05-02 17:57:45 (37 comments, 26 reshares, 470 +1s)

Androidography // Nature's Color Gradients

I spent this past week exploring some of the most amazing desert landscapes in North America, focusing on Southern Utah and Northern Arizona. This image was taken in Lower Antelope Canyon near Page, AZ. The colors I witnessed in the slot canyons in this area where unbelievable!

This photo was taken with an +HTC One and edited with +Snapseed

#htcONE #Androidography #slotcanyon

2013-05-02 17:26:46 (7 comments, 9 reshares, 234 +1s)

Welcome to the new Google+ Photos page!

The photo community here on Google+ keeps inspiring us every day. Your passion for sharing beautiful photography drives us to keep thinking of new ways to make your images shine. This doesn’t just mean building new features you can use to share and discuss those important photos in your life -- we also want to help this vibrant community of Google+ photographers grow. 

So, say hello to the new Google+ Photos page! Here’s what you can expect:

You’ll get inspired. We’ll share beautiful and thought-provoking photographs, and shine a spotlight on the photographers who created them. 

You’ll meet great new people. Through Google+ Photographer Spotlights, the Google+ Photos Chat Series, and good-natured conversations within the community, you’ll be able to connect with people around the world wholove photos a... more »

2013-05-01 15:26:10 (39 comments, 5 reshares, 339 +1s)

Happy Anniversary to my lovely wife Sarah! Here's to many more years of happiness and adventure exploring the world with our little ball of sunshine.

2013-04-30 21:41:53 (15 comments, 29 reshares, 209 +1s)

Wow. Discovery Channel's new 7 part series "North America" looks epic!

2013-05-03 17:11:00 (23 comments, 4 reshares, 373 +1s)

Yesterday +Peyton Hale and I set off to explore the hidden gems of Paria Canyon. We hiked in for roughly 4 miles before turning around so that we could make sunset out in the White Pocket area of Vermillion Cliffs National Monument in northern Arizona.
We are here for another day and then it is off to Page, AZ for some fun in Antelope Canyon and Canyon X. Looks like we should have solid sunset weather for Stud Horse Point and Horseshoe Bend as well. We have a jam packed 4 days left...

Photo taken with the HTC One and edited with +Snapseed

#Androidography #htcONE #Snapseed

2013-04-26 20:41:09 (35 comments, 26 reshares, 501 +1s)

Androidography // Coyote Buttes South

A storm passing through Coyote Buttes South in Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona made for some epic light. The textures and colors in the rock formations out are unreal.

I have also captured a few epic Photo Spheres of the are that I will be sharing soon!

This photo was taken with an +HTC One and edited with Nik Software's +Snapseed

2013-04-25 16:17:39 (32 comments, 19 reshares, 487 +1s)

Androidography // Zebra Canyon with the HTC One

Zebra Canyon outside Escalante, Utah is one of those amazing locations you just have to see for yourself to believe. Located two miles from the dirt parking lot, reaching the location often requires you to scale canyon walls and often times carry your camera bag over your head as you squeeze through tight corners. Your reward? An amazing view of a slot canyon that is barely a few feet wide and in the morning light...offers both the warm reflected glow from the sun and the cooler natural magenta colors of the opposite canyon wall.

This photo was taken with the HTC One by +HTC and edited in +Snapseed . It will be a bit before I get to get my pro work from this area.

#Androidography #Snapseed #htcONE #htc #utah

2013-04-24 19:23:02 (19 comments, 7 reshares, 256 +1s)

Looks like +Peyton Hale and I shouldn't of had that pizza last night here in Escalante, Utah before hitting the slot canyons ;)

6 days left exploring Kanab, Paria, White Pocket and Antelope Canyon.

#Androidography #Snapseed #htcONE +f-stop

2013-04-22 16:05:42 (41 comments, 27 reshares, 466 +1s)

Behind the Lens // Australia's Slot Canyons

If there was one thing that I walked away with from my trip to Australia it would be my love of Karijini National Park. Located in the middle of the outback, between various iron ore mining towns, it is a relatively unknown gem that houses some of the most beautiful gorges and slot canyons in the world.

This behind the Lens shot is of Joffre Gorge, located within walking distance from the Karijini Eco Lodge that I stayed at. Who is coming with me for the workshop I am teaching out there next year?

#behindthelens #SeeAustralia #karijini

2013-04-19 20:38:58 (8 comments, 11 reshares, 94 +1s)

Google+'s own +Giuseppe Basile recently launched an awesome new website focused towards helping you buy, sell or trade your photography gear worldwide. Its free to join. Check it out!

2013-04-19 15:23:47 (15 comments, 16 reshares, 298 +1s)

Daily Inspiration

"While there is perhaps a province in which the photograph can tell us nothing more than what we see with our own eyes, there is another in which it proves to us how little our eyes permit us to see."

~ Dorothea Lange

#dailyinspiration   www.colbybrownphotography.com

2013-04-18 17:55:58 (58 comments, 57 reshares, 585 +1s)

Photo Sphere // 360 Panorama of Karijin National Park

A few weeks ago I found myself in Karijini National Park in the northern region of Western, Australia. It ended up being one of the most beautiful locations I had ever documented with amazing gorges, waterfalls and a location that is right in the middle of the Australian Outback (Bush). While this +Android  #photosphere  isn't perfect because of the extreme amount of contrast found in these gorges, it does give you an idea of the sheer beauty of this place.

This particular location is called Hancock Gorge and you can see Kermits Pool (emerald pool) at one end of the panorama. Enjoy!

#seeaustralia   #nexus4   #photosphere  

2013-04-18 14:34:23 (27 comments, 25 reshares, 415 +1s)

f-stop Faction Tim Kemple journeyed to the jungles of Mexico to photograph a kayaker dropping off a 65-foot waterfall with a Phase One camera. Click here to read more about the project's risks and triumphs and watch a video of the experience: http://fstopgear.com/news/2013-04/ends-earth-tim-kemple#.UXABiD6rxkk

2013-04-17 18:36:21 (4 comments, 2 reshares, 82 +1s)

Description
The path to getting the shot is filled with blunders, gaffes and, eventually, growth. Despite wanting to believe that every shot since Day 1 has been a winner, the journeys of these photographers are filled with photos suffering from every mistake in the book. In this episode of Google+ Photos Chat, our panel will share their stories and imagery taken during these 'formative years' and the lessons learned that helped make them the photographers they are today.

Panel
Brian Matiash - Host
Laurie Rubin - Moderator
Andy Biggs - Guest
Aravind Krishnaswamy - Google+ Photos Engineer and photographer

Date and Time
Wed, 4/17 4PM PST

2013-04-17 15:02:11 (15 comments, 32 reshares, 268 +1s)

Daily Inspiration

"There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept." ~ Ansel Adams

2013-04-17 14:06:19 (15 comments, 32 reshares, 152 +1s)

A Sneak Peak at the next Photoshop

Wow....a sneak peak of whats to come with the next +Adobe Photoshop 

hint....... DE-BLUR!

Thanks for the find +Pedro Kin! 

2013-04-17 00:10:07 (13 comments, 15 reshares, 218 +1s)

Behind the Lens // Eagle Bay Sunrise

On my last morning in Oz, I found myself on the beaches of Eagle Bay in Dunsborough, Western Australia. The weather originally looked pretty socked in but there was a glimmer of hope with light breaking through the clouds near the horizon as dawn approached. As I walked down the beach in the dark looking for a shot, I reflected on the last 23 days I had spent exploring the beautiful country of Australia. I truly enjoyed my time there and certainly look forward to returning next year.

#Behindthelens #Nexus4 #SeeAustralia

2013-04-16 15:53:13 (11 comments, 17 reshares, 92 +1s)

Why Non-Profits Need Photography

It is always great to see +The Giving Lens being featured by companies I love. +pictureline inc.  (Utah's premier camera retail store) gave TGL the floor for this weeks guest blog post, written by +Kate Siobhan Havercroft. 

2013-04-15 21:21:36 (126 comments, 102 reshares, 661 +1s)

Wow...so sad to hear about the Boston Marathon. My heart goes out to the families of those injured or killed.

I worry about the world we live in at times...

Photo via John Tlumacki

2013-04-12 15:58:40 (38 comments, 12 reshares, 232 +1s)

Looks like some goodies were waiting for me when I got back from Australia. Looking forward to testing out HTC's new flagship android phone, the +HTC One.

#androidography #htcone

2013-04-12 14:55:33 (16 comments, 46 reshares, 307 +1s)

"The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera." ~ Dorothea Lange

2013-04-10 04:33:33 (32 comments, 32 reshares, 569 +1s)

Sunset at Bowling Ball Beach
    - Mendocino County, CA

The very cool section of beach in Northern CA, was a pleasure to hang out at last week.  My friends +Casey McCallister +Michael Bonocore and +Maximilian Laue joined me for a great weekend of exploring the coast.

I gave out my filter holder and filters to friends to use, so I had to make due with one measly filter and my hands in order to get any shots.  It just goes to show you that you don't really need all that stuff to take pictures.  Patience, creativity, and a little trial-and-error is all it takes ..... Oh... and a little luck!

~joe
#azure #seascape

2013-04-10 00:21:49 (20 comments, 12 reshares, 456 +1s)

Behind the Lens // Mt Field National Park

One of the most amazing things about Tasmania is the diversity it offers photographers. In what many would consider a small island, you are greeted with many different eco systems and environments. A little over an hour north west of Hobart you will find Mt. Field National Park, which is home to some amazing waterfalls and dense forests that were a treat to photograph after spending so much time along the coast line.

Next time I am back in Australia, I plan on spending a few weeks in Tasmania...exploring much more of this photographic gem!

#behindthelens #SeeAustralia #Nexus4 #Snapseed

2013-04-09 01:12:04 (24 comments, 16 reshares, 379 +1s)

Behind the Lens // Making the Most of Your Time

On my first day in the gorgeous Karijini National Park in the northern region of Western Australia, I headed for Dales Gorge. By the time I got well into the canyon, many locations were already too harsh to capture with the sun bouncing down the gorges walls. So instead of throwing in the towel, I went looking for abstract compositions in the shadows.

I am always surprised at how many great photographs I come away with when "the light isn't right" for the specific scenes I wanted to capture initially. You just have to be willing to broaden your horizons and become aware of the opportunities around you.

#behindthelens #Nexus4 #Snapseed #SeeAustralia

2013-04-08 00:12:15 (36 comments, 9 reshares, 251 +1s)

Behind the Lens // Creepy Crawlers

As a photographer I am constantly looking for unique angles and perspectives to capture the subjects that I find captivating. However in Australia, especially when working in the Outback, I was continuously surprised by how many times my hands ended up close to some pretty creepy looking local residents when I was reaching for a new hand hold or climbing the walls of a canyon to get a higher perspective.

However, to be honest...I had a lot of fun (while testing my nerves) bringing out my macro lenses and documenting these beautiful creatures. As long as they weren't crawling on me in my sleep that is ;)

#SeeAustralia #Nexus4 #Snapseed #behindthelens

2013-04-07 00:16:03 (29 comments, 13 reshares, 325 +1s)

Perth Photo Walk 2013

Yesterday local Perth photographer +Paul Pichugin and myself hosted an amazing group of people for the first Photo Walk of 2013 in the beautiful city of Perth here in Western Australia. We had over 160 people show up, which included nearly 40% of the participants engaging in their first photo walk EVER!

I love hosting photo walks as they are an excellent tool to help highlight amazing and vibrant photo communities around the world. It was great to see so many people partaking in their first (and certainly not last) photo walk for this event. Photography is no longer an art form based on solitude, but rather one that allows you to connect and share experiences with others that share you passion for photography. I look forward to coming back to Perth in the future and seeing just how much the amazing people here in Perth have pushed to grow the great... more »

2013-04-06 00:29:30 (20 comments, 11 reshares, 238 +1s)

Spending the morning with local Perth photographer +Paul Pichugin doing aerial photography with +Rotorvation Helicopters over Perth, Australia and some of the islands just off the coast line.

#Nexus4 #Androidography #Snapseed #SeeAustralia #SeePerth

2013-04-05 00:35:02 (59 comments, 36 reshares, 609 +1s)

Behind the Lens // Karijini

Without a doubt, Karijini National Park in the northern region of Western Australia is one of the most beautiful locations on this planet. I spent the last three days exploring the Australian bush, amazing gorges and remarkable canyons that make up Karijini.

Needless to say, I am already planning a return trip and I am currently working out the logistics of running a photography workshop in the park itself in 2014.

This photo was taken of Kermits Pool.

#SeeAustralia #Nexus4 #behindthelens