CircleCount helps you better understand Google+

2013-05-22 19:33:39 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Big day for my oldest daughter...graduating from High School! Very cool place to do it as well.

#redrocksamphitheatre #graduation #proudparents

2013-05-20 22:21:09 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

1970's Portrait with 2013 Sunglasses
National Air & Space Museum, Washington DC

This is a photo I took of +Linda Benton while sitting down to take a break at the National Air & Space Museum in Washington DC last year.

I used it to experiment a bit using yet another of
+Mark Johnson's awesome Photoshop Workbench tutorials....this time for a vintage 1970's look including some light leaks. Here is a link to the tutorial if you want to give it a try:

http://www.msjphotography.com/index.php/2013/02/photoshop-workbench-369-creating-the-popular-1970s-retro-look/

This was my first attempt as I slowly expand my PS skills.

#photoshop   #vintagephotography   #portrait   #portraitphotography  

2013-05-14 19:25:31 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Don't you want a 360 degree virtual tour of your business using Street View technology?

Here is a link to a recent tour I shot of Costa Vida which is a great local restaurant in Lone Tree, Colorado.  http://goo.gl/maps/hriuP

For more information or to book a shoot please visit my website at http://www.michaelbentonphotography.com/ or contact me through Google+. I am your Google Trusted Independent Photographer in Highlands Ranch, CO.


If you are in the Lone Tree area be sure to stop by Costa Vida for some great food: https://plus.google.com/109490012432918938865/about?gl=us&hl=en


#googlebusinessphotos   #googlebusinesstour   #googleplaces   #googletrustedphotographers   #gtip   #googlestreetview   #360pano   #360panorama   #virtualtour   #googlephotographers   #lonetree   #colorado   #highlandsranch   #douglascounty  #costavida   #ma... more »

2013-05-13 16:10:20 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 9 +1s)

Rows
Las Vegas, NV

Another shot from my last trip to Vegas for work and to visit family. Was supposed to go shoot a bit with +Mark Laussade but we only had time to eat dinner and he had to run. I always enjoy shots with lots of contrast and fun angles like this one.

#lasvegas   #thestrip   #abstract   #abstractphotography   #architecture   #architecturephotography   #palazzo   #nightphotography   #mondayreflection   #hqsppromotion  

2013-05-09 15:16:17 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Great Photography Content on Google+ and just All Around Good People

So this circle was custom assembled by me for +JC McGreehan who I met while shooting Mesa Arch in Canyonlands a couple weeks ago. He is relatively new to Google+ but has some great photos....you really should check out his street photos from Haiti. 

If you don't have these photographers in your circles you will definitely boost the quality of photos in your stream if you add them. There are many others I am sure I didn't include but this was just a quick scan through my personal favorites.

#welcometogplus   #photography   #photographers   #sharingiscaring   #circlesharing  

2013-05-08 22:06:44 (3 comments, 2 reshares, 16 +1s)

Deadwood
Arches National Park, Moab, UT

Took this during my recent weekend to the Moab / Arches / Canyonlands area. This particular tree was out by the Dark Angel at the far point of the loop that takes you past Landscape Arch. The weather was a bit rainy for most of the morning that day and had finally started to break-up a bit so we actually had a little drama in the sky. I went with monochrome on this to play a bit with all the tones in the branches and shadows.

I wonder what it looked like when it had leaves...hard to believe it ever did out here!

#monochromephotography   #treephotography   #archesnationalpark   #moab   #utah   #landscapephotography   #hqsplandscape   #desertphotography   #desertsouthwest   #monochromemonday   #darkangel   #desert   #deadwood   #hqsplandscapephotography   #hqsppromotion  

2013-05-06 19:11:27 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

If you are shooting off a tripod with a DSLR and you have an Android (I imagine there is an iPhone version as well...) you really should take a minute to check this out. It says it is BETA but that is pretty much because it is constantly getting better. You will seriously be amazed at what you can control with this.

Best part is you can get a big image preview off of your tablet and even wander around with a wireless view and control if you have two devices with WiFi. This was great for arranging things in your scene and seeing a live preview (think interior architecture or product shoots).

I used this app to shoot the photo from my recent post here:

https://plus.google.com/u/0/111469503092879234346/posts/GqGiRZq9gpf

#bestappsforandroid   #bestappever   #dslrcontroller  

2013-05-06 19:16:10 (10 comments, 1 reshares, 33 +1s)

Blue Hour in My City
Denver, CO

I had been wanting to get up to downtown Denver to shoot this skyline for quite awhile now and fortunately when the time was right the weather wasn't too cold. I got setup in time for some good sunset lighting but my favorites were during the blue hour. This is a single exposure processed in Lightroom with starting inspiration from +Trey Ratcliff's Lightroom preset Drama in the Center to get me going. After this shoot I met up with +Howard Weitzel for a bit of shooting over at Sloan Lake.

This was the first time I really got to experiment with my DSLR Controller app on my Android and it was pretty sweet. I was able to get all setup and then just kind of chill and relax leaning on the fence with my back to the scene while I waited around. That app let me shoot bracketed exposures, focus, bulb....whatever I wanted all automatic and I... more »

2013-05-03 17:36:48 (13 comments, 6 reshares, 29 +1s)

Mesa Arch at Sunrise
Island in the Sky, Canyonlands, Utah

Check out this crazy arch I found! I think I am the first photographer to ever shoot this at sunrise....had this nice secluded and private location all to my self.....

OK...maybe not....maybe shared it with about 20 other photographers....and maybe every DSLR toting photographer that has set foot in Canyonlands has this same photo...but this one is mine!

Got up at 4:20am and drove out here in the dark....only one other car was on the road and when he turned off the main highway out of Moab we knew where he was going. Both of us were driving a bit fast and the two sets of speedbumps by the visitor center were a surprise that felt like it was going to take the bottom off my Pathfinder. We hiked out to the point and a third photographer joined us....about 30 minutes later we had a photo workshop group of... more »

2013-05-02 19:12:01 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Chicago Basin, CO
Between Durango and Silverton

#landscapesinblackandwhite  

2013-05-02 14:17:07 (6 comments, 3 reshares, 22 +1s)

Spring Sunset Over Giants
Castle Valley, Utah

During a recent weekend trip to Moab, Arches and Canyonlands we ended up in a great spot overlooking Castle Valley in Utah. It was pretty chilly up where we were and unfortunately quite a bit of haze was in the air but I was still able to catch the colors as the sun was making its way down to the horizon.

#landscapephotography  +Landscape Photography  #desertsouthwest   #southwestlandscape   #castlevalley   #utah   #arches   #archesnationalpark   #canyonlands   #canyonlandsnationalpark   #moab   #mountainphotos   #sunsetphotography   #thursdaymotivation   #hqsplandscape   #hqspnaturephotography   #hqspnature   #hqsppromotion   #canon5dmarkiii  

2013-05-02 01:46:21 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 19 +1s)

All Aboard
Denver Lightrail, Park Meadows Mall, CO
Best viewed large for the tilt-shift effect...

So, a few weeks (months now?) ago I rented a Canon 17mm Tilt-Shift lens to experiment a bit with some architecture photography and thought I would get out and have some fun with it. You may remember my Nik Software experiments from that same time.

Anyway, this is a 7-shot HDR using Photomatix and finishing in Lightroom 4 at sunset. Was using the TS lens to get the miniature look to it.

#tiltshift   #tiltshiftphotography   #transporttuesday   #transportation   #lightrail   #denver   #rtd   #parkmeadows   #lonetree   #colorado   #hdr   #photomatix   #lightroom   #miniature   #modelrailway   #modelrailroad   #canon   #canon5dmarkiii   #coloradophotography   #coloradophotographers   #highlandsranch  ... more »

2013-04-16 15:07:20 (1 comments, 3 reshares, 19 +1s)

Happy Place
Chicago Basin, CO

This isn't Wednesday but any day is still a good day to share a waterfall photo. This is the kind of scene I picture when I need to go to my happy place. This small waterfall was off the beaten path on the hike down from the Twin Lakes in Chicago Basin in the backcountry between Durango and Silverton.

Part of what makes this place so great is it is pretty remote....easiest access is to take a steam engine in over an hour and then hike about 6 miles up in to the basin.

#chicagobasin   #colorado   #coloradophotographers   #coloradophotography   #coloradical   #durango   #silverton   #waterfall   #waterfallphotography   #waterfallwednesday   #landscapephotography  +Landscape Photography +Waterfalls  #wildernessphotography   #backcountry   #rockymountainhigh  +#photography +ColoradoPhotographers +HQS... more »

2013-04-16 19:14:25 (5 comments, 2 reshares, 16 +1s)

Chicago Basin Backcountry
Middle of Nowhere, Colorado

I don't remember exactly where I took this in Chicago Basin but I believe it was on the climb out the back up towards the Twin Lakes and the approach to the 14ers in the area. Converted to Black and White using Nik Silver Efex and finished off in Lightroom.

If you haven't been to this part of the Colorado backcountry you should put it on your must see list...If for some reason you can't make it please enjoy this photo!

(Hey +Gord Birch...you are right about Nik....great suite!)

#nikcollection   #niksilverefexpro2   #niksilverefexpro  +Mountain Photos  #mountainphotos   #mountainmonday   #mountaineering   #chicagobasin   #colorado   #backcountry   #coloradical   #landscapephotography  +Landscape Photography  #monochomephotography   #monochromemonday  +10000 Photo... more »

2013-04-15 17:32:53 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Must Shoot Photo Locations in Moab, Canyonlands, Arches...

Looking for suggestions...to narrow down so many choices.

The people with the answers that come to mind off the top of my head include +thomas o'brien +Scott Jarvie +jared ropelato +QT Luong +Rick Louie +Michael Riffle +Jay Patel +Varina Patel +David Kingham 

So, planning a Moab trip soon and wanted to get input from all my trusted photography friends and collegues about where to shoot. I will be there two nights and two days and am pretty open. Obviously I will be doing some mountain biking during the day but I am pretty open and very mobile for sunrises and sunsets. 

Been there a few times and from my research there are too many choices!

#phototips   #moab   #canyonlands   #canyonlandsnationalpark   #arches   #archesnationalpark   #sunrisephotography  #sunsetphotograp... more »

2013-04-12 15:57:57 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 1 +1s)

Planning Your Digital Afterlife with Google

This is an interesting idea and easy to setup....best part is you can write an auto-response email that your contacts will get if they email you after going inactive for a set amount of time. It may be the last loving or even witty email your friends/family get from you. Don't make them worry though...maybe you just got kidnapped by a foreign government and will be home soon.

#planning   #afterlife   #lastwillandtestament   #estateplanning   #digitalwill   #gmail   #google  

2013-04-11 21:36:27 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 29 +1s)

God Beams in the Forest
Oregon Coast

While on a family vacation a couple of years ago I was still sporting a point and shoot with relatively limited capabilities. I shot this photo expecting the sky to blow out quite a bit. Now, moving forward a couple of years I have been going back in Lightroom to some of my older shots like this to experiment with some digital darkroom fun.

Thanks to +Mark Johnson and his cool tutorials I now have my first attempt at salvaging this photo. Here is the technique that I used with some success:

http://www.msjphotography.com/index.php/2011/11/photoshop-workbench-306-dimensional-light-beams/

#treephotography   #treephotos   #godbeams   #lightbeams   #photoshop   #photoshoptutorials   #digitalmanipulation   #oregoncoast   #pointandshoot   #3d   #landscapephotography   #forestphotography   #naturephotography ... more »

2013-04-10 16:47:44 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 19 +1s)

Needle Creek Waterfall
Chicago Basin Approach, CO

Here is a submission for Waterfall Wednesday that I took while hiking along Needle Creek from the Animas River up in to Chicago Basin. This was the first great spot that we were able to relax and take a load off for a bit.

I took this with my 5DMKIII on a Joby Gorillapod which was perfect for these quick shots when I didn't have time to get everything out and setup. Processed in Lightroom.

#waterfallsphotography   #waterfall   #needlecreek   #animasriver   #chicagobasin   #rocks   #riverscapephotography   #hiking   #backpacking   #durango   #silverton   #colorado   #coloradical   #landscapephotography  +Landscape Photography +Waterfalls 

2013-04-10 16:41:00 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Largest Single Day Photographic Documentation Project
It Is Great Being Part of This Project

Selected prints, a laptop and cord with all images and the printed book were sealed up in a time capsule for future generations to get a look at a day in the life of the world (and a REALLY old laptop) someday in the future.

#aday   #adayinthelifeof   #timecapsule   #photography   #coolideasaroundtheworld  

2013-04-10 02:09:55 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

Urine Loving Mountain Goats of Chicago Basin
Twin Lakes, Chicago Basin, Colorado

So I spent a week up in Chicago Basin between Durango and Silverton last year and these mountain goats were everywhere. If you have spent any time camping in that area you no doubt became aware that these guys must have a salt deficiency or something! All the trip reports say to pee on a rock far away from where you live and they aren't kidding. (Get it... KID ....no pun intended.)

Captured this with my 5DMKIII and process it in Lightroom.

#chicagobasin   #colorado   #coloradical   #durango   #mountaingoats   #wildlifephotography   #animalphotography   #twinlakes   #mountainphotography  

2013-04-09 17:50:51 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 19 +1s)

Another Variation for My Nik Software Experimenting
Colorado Heights, Denver, CO

This version was using several of the options in the Nik Collection to include Define, Sharpener and Viveza. If you haven't bought the collection yet I highly recommend it.

Click through this album to see how different you can make each photo look using their products...pretty cool stuff.

#tiltshift   #tiltshiftphotography   #nikcollection   #niksoftware   #viveza2   #colorado   #denver   #architecture   #architecturephotography   #architecturalphotography   #nik   #google   #experimental   #experimenting  

I added my profile to the gglpls.com. #123130 http://www.gglpls.com/ #123130

2013-04-09 16:45:13 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 4 +1s)

What Would You Ask a Photographer?
Now is your chance...

As part of the Public Insight Network, there will be a clinic on Tuesday, April 16th at 1pm CDT about shooting the night sky. Take a look at the link below and you can get more information about how to take part and you can even ask some questions. Looks like it may be a pretty cool opportunity.

If you get a chance you should also check out +Bryan Hansel's work on his website at http://www.bryanhansel.com/ as he is one of the sources for the clinic and has some great photos.

Another awesome source of night photography inspiration is +thomas o'brien and his site is at http://www.tmophoto.com/

#publicinsightnetwork   #npr   #marsrover   #curiosityrover   #nightphotography  +NPR  #astrophotography   #astrophotography101  

2013-04-08 18:04:42 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 20 +1s)

Latest in My Nik Software Experiments
Colorado Heights, Denver, CO

This one is a black and white I did in Nik Color Efex which is part of the Nik Collection by Google....fun stuff.

Be sure to scroll through the others in the album to see some of the cool effects you can create with Nik's software. Each has its own feel and mood...this is a shot I captured early in the morning a couple of weekends ago here in Denver.

#nikcollection   #niksoftware   #nikcolorefex   #colorefexpro   #monochromemonday   #monochromephotography   #blackandwhitephotography   #blackandwhite   #lightroom   #architecture   #architecturephotography   #architecturalphotography   #google   #nik   #canonphotography   #canon5dmarkiii   #tiltshift   #tiltshiftphotography   #spooky   #spookhouse   #experimenting   #colorado   #denver   #coloradical  

2013-04-08 15:55:20 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Almost Time for the GoPro Mountain Games
June 2013, Vail, CO

New Title Sponsor but Same Awesome Weekend

Well it is just a couple more months until the Teva GoPro Mountain Games in Vail, CO. This is an awesome event full of events to watch and compete in. From kayaking to bouldering to mountain bike racing to photography....there is something from everyone here.

Make it a weekend! Are you going?

+GoPro  #GoPro   #vail   #vailvalley   #colorado   #coloradophotographers   #coloradical   #mountaingames   #gopromountaingames   #tevamountaingames   #tmg   #gpmg   #slackline   #slacklining  +gibbon-slackline.com.au  #whitewater   #kayaking   #slopestyle   #mudrun   #mountainbiking   #bouldering   #running   #rafting   #dockdogs   #flyfishing   #redbull   #redbullracing   #outsidemagazine   #otterbox   #garmin  #goalzero   #osprey   #thule ... more »

2013-04-08 03:21:03 (1 comments, 2 reshares, 34 +1s)

Next Photo in My Nik Collection Experiments
Colorado Heights, Denver, CO

This is the next of the group I was experimenting with using my new software from Nik. For this one I used HDR Efex as well as some final adjustments in Lightroom. 

Be sure to check out the others in the album and share your thoughts after comparing them.

#nikcollection   #nikhdrefex   #colorado   #niksoftware   #google   #architecture   #architecturephotography   #longexposure   #experimentalart   #hdrefexpro2   #hdrefexpro  +#photography  #denver   #hqsppromotion  

2013-04-05 22:08:09 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 16 +1s)

Helicopter Glass Cockpit
HeliExpo, Las Vegas, NV

I have shared some of these in the past and thought I would share a couple more. This is a nice Garmin package found in one of the many new Eurocopters at HeliExpo a few weeks ago. Can't get much more bling then this in a cockpit!

#heliexpo2013   #expo2013   #heliexpo   #eurocopter   #garmin   #glasscockpit   #helicopter   #aviation   #aviationphotography   #aviationphotos   #helicopterphotography   #mfd   #lasvegasconventions   #lasvegas   #hai  

2013-04-04 16:15:55 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Where is My Bag

Denver International Airport, Denver, CO

When I am hanging around in the airport waiting to travel I often like to take photos to help pass the time. Lots of people to see and if it is a cool airport like Denver's there is some interesting architecture and lots of places to get unique perspectives on things.
 
#dia #airportphotography #airport #selectivecolor #selectivemonochrome #colorado #peoplephotography #lookingdown   #waiting #canon5dmarkiii #canonusers #canon #lightroom   #denver   #denverinternationalairport  

2013-04-04 02:07:03 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 29 +1s)

One of My Favorite Places to Play Growing Up
Red Rock Canyon, West of Las Vegas, NV

So, when I was a kid this was one of my favorite places to explore. I grew up on the West side of town and it was close enough to ride my road or mountain bike up as an escape from the city. I actually worked out at Blue Diamond Bicycles for a couple of years.

During a recent trip I was pretty shocked to see just how close the city has grown to the edge of the region...lame.

#redrockcanyonphotos   #lasvegas   #redrockcanyon   #bluediamond   #nevada   #desertphotography   #desertsouthwest   #southwest   #sandstone   #landscapephotography  +Landscape Photography +Mountain Photos 

2013-04-02 01:42:06 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Hmmm, Hopefully That is a Typo

So, this is a flyer for my daughters After Prom party for her senior year in high school....times are changing!

Thought you would like this +Jason ON...

#fail   #typo   #saynotodrugs   #afterprom   #afterparty   #highschoolprom   #highschoolprobs   #oopsie   #oops   #mybad  

2013-04-02 01:32:07 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Shooting Interior Photos
Lone Tree, CO

So, I have a buddy that let me get some time inside some of the model homes his construction company has on the market so I could try my hand at interior architecture photography. I feel pretty good about it. As a guest I didn't really want to move anything around but it still turned out pretty good. I will share a couple others later....

#interiorarchitecture   #modelhomes   #lightroom   #interiordecorating   #interiordecorating   #homedecor   #lonetree  

2013-04-01 15:50:45 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

My Next Nik Experiment with Silver Efex
Colorado Heights, Denver, CO

Here is the third of my photos I have been experimenting with in the #nikcollection  as part of the learning process. I have a few more from my first time using the software from +Nik Software and +Google after their smoking deal on the whole suite of plug-ins.

Of all the software I think Silver Efex is my favorite because it is the most different from what I already was doing with Lightroom and Photomatix for my other work.

#nikcollection   #niksilverefexpro2   #silverefexpro2   #monochromemonday   #monochromephotography   #spooky   #experimental   #experimentalart   #blackandwhitephotography   #coloradoheights   #denver   #colorado   #coloradical   #hqspmonochrome  +#photography 

2013-04-06 17:46:50 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 23 +1s)

Angels will Trump
LDS Temple, Las Vegas, NV

My submission for +SacredSunday™ on this beautiful Easter day.

But before the arm of the Lord shall fall, an angel shall sound his trump, and the saints that have slept shall come forth to meet me in the cloud.

I was in Las Vegas for work and +Linda Benton and I hung around for a few extra days after I was done. We made it up to the Temple at the base of Sunrise Mountain and while the weather was great the sky was extremely bright and blown out.

So, I decided to get a little creative with the exposure and came up with this....managed to keep from burning a hole in my eye in the process so that was good.

#churchofjesuschristoflatterdaysaints   #lds   #ldschurch   #ldstemples   #lasvegas   #temples   #temple   #silhouette   #sacredsunday   #sacredartsunday   #sacredarchitecture  #architecture ... more »

2013-03-31 02:30:16 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

More Nik Collection Experimenting
Colorado Heights, Denver, CO

Earlier today I shared the first of a few shots I took this morning during the blue hour here in Denver. My plan was to play around with my new +Nik Software  Collection of editing goodies.

Once the whole set is uploaded I will share the whole album.

This was my first dive in to Nik Silver Efex and I have to say it is pretty awesome...so awesome that you could spend forever trying to decide which cool effects look the best and that is why I have several from that software that I will be sharing.

Here I was going for that old photo that I found in the attic look.....

#nikcollection   #blackandwhitephotography   #silverefexpro2   #silverefex   #silverefexpro   #coloradoheights   #denver   #colorado   #coloradical   #architecturephotography   #architecturephotography  #oldphotos ... more »

2013-03-30 21:46:24 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Car shopping.



Or maybe just taking pictures....

2013-03-31 02:24:55 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Colorado Heights University
Denver, CO

So after taking advantage of that sick deal from +Nik Software by Google I decided I wanted to experiment a little with the new plug-ins and editing software.

I went out this morning and took this shot before sunrise...now back at home I have ran it through some quick edits in the various products. This one was post-processed in Lightroom 4. My other motivation to shoot this location was the awesome 17mm Tilt-Shift lens I got from +BorrowLenses.com for the weekend.

I will upload the others to this same album one at a time to compare each.

So many toys...so little time.

#nikcollection   #niksoftware   #tiltshiftphotography   #borrowlenses   #coloradoheights   #denver   #colorado   #coloradical   #longexposure   #longexposurephotography   #nightphotography   #nightscapes  #architecture ... more »

2013-03-30 12:36:26 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

First time visiting this Veteran's Cemetery

2013-03-30 11:43:43 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Early morning random photo shooting....We shall see where it leads.

2013-03-27 17:06:21 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Operational Control Center
Englewood, CO

Our Operational Control Center (OCC) in action this morning…this team is so instrumental in helping keep our crews safe and sound around the clock.

Photo Credit: www.michaelbentonphotography.com

#AirMethods   #operationalcontrol   #ems   #airmedical  

2013-03-25 16:32:58 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

Lone Tree
Left Hand Reservoir, CO

A little snow and tree for Minimal Monday here in my stream. This was originally planned to be a snowshoe hike back to Left Hand Reservoir near Brainard Lake just outside Ward, CO. Lucky for us the snowpack was hard enough to just walk on it. It was pretty dang cold and very windy so we didn't spend too much time out in the open.

Came across this little guy along the trail and wanted to make sure he felt noticed.

#naturephotography   #naturemonday   #minimalmonday   #minimalism   #snow   #pinetree   #brainardlake   #lefthandreservoir  +The Minimalist Photographer  #lonetree   #colorado   #coloradophotographers   #coloradophotography   #coloradical   #winterphotography   #snowphotography   #snowphotos  

2013-03-24 01:58:03 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Imagine Dragons - Night Visions Tour...

Sweet.

#imaginedragons #nightvisionstour #coloradical

2013-03-22 20:13:58 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

HeliExpo Ends Again
Las Vegas, NV

Other than getting all caught up on the latest in the industry, the HeliExpo event is a great time to network. Like my earlier photos...this is at the end of the show as the aircraft are all leaving the Convention Center.

This is a Bell 407 climbing out of the parking lot just after sunset...

#aviationpluspictures   #aviationplus   #transportation   #transporttuesday   #transportationtuesday   #helicopter   #lasvegasconventions   #lasvegas   #expo13   #heliexpo   #heliexpo2013   #bell407   #palmtrees   #helicopterphotography   #nightphotography   #nightphotographyfriday   #canon5dmarkiii  

2013-03-22 02:36:33 (15 comments, 1 reshares, 25 +1s)

Perception
Las Vegas, NV

Yeah, I know it is heavy-handed HDR and maybe  definitely a bit strange and sloppy but I thought it was appropriate for the subject.

If you haven't already heard of this building it is the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health...yes....Center for Brain Health. They got a bit of feedback after designing and building this one!

Will plan to do a version with a more natural look someday down the road....was experimenting here.

#architecture   #architecturephotography   #hdrphotography   #photomatix   #brainhealth   #clevelandclinic   #lasvegas   #abstract   #abstractarchitecture   #modern   #modernart   #overkill   #overcooked  

2013-03-22 02:24:20 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Parked
Kansas

Took this while out at an aircraft salvage yard in Kansas as part of an accident investigation for work. Yes, an airplane salvage yard...kind of like a car junkyard that you can go out and get parts to fix up your plane. #WhoDaThunk  

Need a wing or a seat back tray table? This is the place!

If you view it full screen and play around with the zoom you can see where to jack it. Google+ is pretty cool.

This is a series of bracketed photos brought together in Photomatix and finalized in Lightroom. My challenge here was trying to decide what to do with the horizon....wings level = sloping terrain....this is what I went with.

#transportation   #aviationpluspictures   #aviationplus   #blackandwhitephotography   #monochromephotography   #aviation   #aviationphotography   #photomatix   #lightroom4  +Aviation ... more »

2013-03-21 13:42:45 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

A great group of pilots here for their new hire training...Colorado, helicopters, nice weather...what more could you ask for?

2013-03-20 15:57:49 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 20 +1s)

Intense Sand Dunes Sunset
Great Sand Dunes National Park, CO

As warm as this photo looks it wasn't adjusted much in post to look like this. We were down there just in time to run around and catch some shots as the sun was setting. If you haven't been down there you need to. Pick a season because they will all be different and beautiful like most anywhere in the great state of Colorado!

For #cophotowednesday  curated by +Howard Weitzel +Stan Showalter and +Al Nesbit 

#landscapephotography   #sanddunes   #sanddunesnationalmonument   #greatsanddunesnationalpark   #greatsanddunes   #sunsetphotography   #sunsetwednesday  +Landscape Photography +National Parks Conservation Association +National Parks  #coloradophotographers   #coloradophotography   #colorado   #coloradical   #michaelbentonphotography   #mbphoto  

2013-03-20 00:45:41 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 17 +1s)

Leaving Las Vegas
Upwind Leg, McCarran Airport, Las Vegas, NV

A little softer than I had hoped but I kind of had to work quickly. Not to mention there are no electronic devices on when this was taken so my Canon 5DMKIII had to set to mechanical only mode. That IS what the M stands for right?

This is obvsiously a sunset shot on climbout from the airport in Vegas. I had a great boarding number so I was able to pick a seat right where I wanted. I had hoped for a takeoff to the North but the wind shifted a bit and they sent us out more northwest. 

All the finishing touches for this shot were in Lightroom...some clarity, saturation and sharpening...both globally and some more targetted.

#transporttuesday   #transportationtuesday   #aviationphotography   #aviationpluspictures   #aviationplus   #southwestairlines   #lasvegas   #leavin... more »

2013-03-19 14:46:09 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

Jellied Glass
Bellagio, Las Vegas, NV

Sure, this is probably something that is overshot while on the Strip in Vegas but I thought I would try my hand at it. This is actually an HDR shot so I could bring out all the transparency in the glass. Shooting this on the ceiling can be tricky with the crowds at times and with the gardens closed this is where everyone was.

The HDR technique allowed me to bring out the full range while shooting into the backlit subject. This is a five shot bracket that came together in Photomatix and then finished off in Lightroom.

See more of my work at www.michaelbentonphotography.com 

#bellagio   #bellagiolasvegas   #lasvegas   #hdrphotography   #expo13   #heliexpo2013   #heliexpo   #jellied   #glass   #glassart   #glassartist   #canonphotography   #canonphotographers   #photomatix   #photomatixpro... more »

2013-03-15 02:27:34 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

De-Light
Wynn, Las Vegas, NV

Along the lines of my earlier shot that I shared from the Wynn hotel that I made during a recent trip out there for work. There were so many cool oportunities for abstract shots like this. Maybe it is cliche but here it is anyway.

#wynn   #wynnlasvegas   #lasvegas   #abstract   #abstractarteveryday   #abstractphotography   #heliexpo   #heliexpo2013   #expo13   #lookupward  

2013-03-14 13:53:22 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 15 +1s)

Dome or Bowl
Las Vegas, NV

While in Las Vegas recently for work I took the opportunity in the evening to try and capture some of the more unique and artistic things I saw. I grew up there but never really spent any time down on the strip. Lots of fancy decorations and lights to capture. This was inside the Wynn where our company stayed for the week.

These definitely weren't the same dark and dirty Vegas hotels that I remember from growing up.

#lasvegas   #lasvegasstrip   #wynn   #abstract   #abstractarteveryday   #stevewynn   #heliexpo   #heliexpo2013   #expo13  

2013-03-14 03:25:51 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

Cobra Over Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

At the end of the annual HAI Heli-Expo all of the helicopters go out the back door of the convention center and fly back home. This is an old Army Cobra lifting off and headed out.

#armyaviation   #cobra   #helicopter   #expo13   #heliexpo   #heliexpo2013   #army   #cavalry   #aircavalry   #aviationphotography   #aviationpluspictures   #aviationplus