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2013-05-18 04:03:52 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Sunset Trestle

St. Albert Railroad Trestle Bridge at sunset.
With +Justin Wondga 

2013-05-17 03:49:40 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Star Pattern

This is a quick one I made up as I experimented with Camtasia Studio. Camtasia Studio allows the user to record what he/she is doing on the screen. I am giving the trial version a try for making tutorials.
Here is a youtube video showing how I made this. The video has been sped up and is running at 4 times speed. There is no audio in this one. Then next one will have audio and be at regular speed. In the future I would also like to do hangouts so that people can join in and we can manipulate these images together. Just working out all the bugs right now.

http://youtu.be/n_3ZlkjA2Oc

I use a Wacom Bamboo Tablet when editing my photos which makes it so much easier.

If you would like to try  out Camtasia Studio yourself here is the website. Download the free trial and give it a go.

http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.htmlmore »

2013-05-17 03:40:31 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 4 +1s)

Star Pattern

This is a quick one I made up as I experimented with Camtasia Studio. Camtasia Studio allows the user to record what he/she is doing on the screen. I am giving the trial version a try for making tutorials.
Here is a youtube video showing how I made this. The video has been sped up and is running at 4 times speed. There is no audio in this one. Then next one will have audio and be at regular speed. In the future I would also like to do hangouts so that people can join in and we can manipulate these images together. Just working out all the bugs right now.

http://youtu.be/n_3ZlkjA2Oc

I use a Wacom Bamboo Tablet when editing my photos which makes it so much easier.

If you would like to try  out Camtasia Studio yourself here is the website. Download the free trial and give it a go.

http://www.techsmith.com/camtasia.htmlmore »

2013-05-16 23:18:43 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

I noticed something the other day that I never noticed before on the National Geographic website. If you look at the photos like the one I am sharing in this link you will notice a wonderful thing. Other than the fact that there are some amazing photos there, you will also notice that National Geographic tells us why they love the photo that you are looking at. This is an excellent tool for those of us that are still learning to make great photos. If gives us an idea as to what to look for when we are composing our own photos.
I suggest browsing these images on a regular basis to improve our own photo taking abilities.
Good on you +National Geographic 

2013-05-16 02:18:44 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Tartan

Smoke Manipulation - This was made in #photoshop from one photograph of smoke from burning incense. No color was added.

Inspiration - Celtic tartans or kilts.

#Edmonton #Canada #smoke #manipulation  

2013-05-15 21:22:44 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

SPOILER ALERT

If you haven't seen Iron Man 3 do not watch this.

I will let the video speak for itself.

2013-05-15 17:46:42 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Hey +Justin Wondga you mentioned moving on to dragonflies. Here are some tips.

2013-05-14 05:50:10 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Electric Snowflake

#Edmonton #Canada #smoke #manipulation #photoshop  

2013-05-12 18:13:58 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

I live downtown on Jasper Ave. It's busy and noisey. I am on the 9th floor. It's 2 blocks away from the nearest fire station and the boys were busy last night. No offense to the brave fire fighters but you kept me awake all night. So I wrote a poem.

Fire truck, fire truck...
WTF
Your sirens wail,
Your horns howl.
WTF
Fire truck.
It's late at night,
You gave me a fright
WTF
Fire truck.
All night long
What's going on?
Fire truck...
WTF.

2013-05-11 10:20:05 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

The Hidden

Digital Art - A shadowy figure hides in the darkness.
Who is he/she? What is he/she doing?

#Edmonton #Canada #digitalart #photoshop  

2013-05-11 10:08:07 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 2 +1s)

The Hidden

Digital Art - A shadowy figure hides in the darkness.
Who is he/she? What is he/she doing?

#Edmonton #Canada #digitalart #photoshop  

2013-05-11 08:46:26 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Pin Wheel

I have over 1500 photographs of smoke on my hard drive and the overwhelming majority of them process into a blueish color. It's extremely rare to find one that processes into a different color but this one did. No color was added to this image.
This is a smoke manipulation processed in #photoshop . The original image was overlayed onto itself several times to create the pinwheel. Then the pinwheel itself was enlarged and several layers of it used to create a background with a 25% opacity.

#Edmonton #Canada #smoke #manipulation

2013-05-11 06:06:43 (3 comments, 3 reshares, 22 +1s)

+Emma Hewitt does vocals on so many trance tracks. Her voice is amazing. Here she is with +Cosmic Gate which I first heard on +A State Of Trance 600.

2013-05-10 19:54:49 (2 comments, 2 reshares, 3 +1s)

Her voice is amazing. I first heard this on +A State Of Trance 600. Thank you +Armin van Buuren for sharing this with the world. It's a great track. The remix I heard was even better. This is what trance is all about. Soothing voice and uplifting music. I get goosebumps and feel so good after listening to it.

2013-05-10 03:24:32 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

My main gallery!

2013-05-09 06:22:47 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Skyfire

Lake Astotin at Elk Island Park, Alberta, Canada.
I took this photo last year but processing it presented it's fair share of problems. Recently I learned some new techniques and applied them to this shot. I am not 100% sure I like the results but I do like the look much better than previous attempts.
Feel free to comment and or offer suggestions.

#Edmonton #Canada #elkislandnationalpark #lake #sunset  

2013-05-08 21:32:20 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

I am very surprised at the response I am getting for my photo on 500px: http://500px.com/photo/33396993

2013-05-07 19:47:24 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 2 +1s)

Looks like such a blast. If you love Trance check out all the state of trance videos on youtube and follow +A State Of Trance on g+.

2013-05-07 07:44:19 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

Suspension

This suspension type bridge is a pedestrian bridge in a park in St. Albert, Alberta, Canada.

#Alberta #Canada #photo #photography #bridgesaroundtheworld #mirrorsandreflections  

2013-05-07 06:49:30 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

This is not my photo. I was browsing for some ideas for a project I am planning and came across this completely by chance. It's unrelated to the project I am working on but the work is so interesting to me I felt that I needed to share it.

Again not my photo.  If you wish to leave comments for the artist follow the link and comment on his page.

2013-05-07 04:40:46 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Regardless of your religious beliefs you should be able to get a chuckle out of this. Caution foul language.

2013-05-06 21:31:45 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

St. Albert Railroad Trestle Bridge

It was a beautiful spring day so I called up +Justin Wondga and asked him if he would like to help me find the trestle bridge in St. Albert. He agreed and we ventured out to find it. When we got there we discovered that there is a big park area all around the bridge and the landscape was just beautiful. This was taken using Justin's wide angle lens. A couple of guys were enjoying the day in a canoe and listening to music as they paddled along. Justin shouted to them. Shout, Out, Out, Out which was the name of the band that was playing. Hope I got that right. We were standing on a pedestrian bridge which made for some nice photos as well.

#Alberta #Canada #bridgesaroundtheworld #mirrormonday #nikon

+Edmonton Photographers +Nikon Shooters +Fresh Pics 

2013-05-06 21:30:28 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

St. Albert Railroad Trestle Bridge

It was a beautiful spring day so I called up +Justin Wondga and asked him if he would like to help me find the trestle bridge in St. Albert. He agreed and we ventured out to find it. When we got there we discovered that there is a big park area all around the bridge and the landscape was just beautiful. This was taken using Justin's wide angle lens. A couple of guys were enjoying the day in a canoe and listening to music as they paddled along. Justin shouted to them. Shout, Out, Out, Out which was the name of the band that was playing. Hope I got that right. We were standing on a pedestrian bridge which made for some nice photos as well.

#Alberta #Canada #bridgesaroundtheworld #mirrormonday #nikon

+Edmonton Photographers +Nikon Shooters +Fresh Pics 

2013-05-06 18:54:53 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

On Track

Life is like a train on the tracks. Rarely does it go straight. There are many stops along the way. Sometimes you pass by other trains. Some trains even get derailed.
As of late my train has been stuck in the station. I guess it needed some repairs. It's time to get it back on the tracks and going again.
I would like to thank all of you that have been following me and all those that have recently started to follow me. 2013 started out with a bang but then it quickly fizzed out. Getting back on track will mean getting more work done. So I hope to be bringing you many more images for you to enjoy.

#Alberta #Canada #railroad #blackandwhitephotography  

2013-05-06 04:39:22 (8 comments, 2 reshares, 12 +1s)

St. Albert Railroad Trestle Bridge

It was a beautiful spring day so I called up +Justin Wondga and asked him if he would like to help me find the trestle bridge in St. Albert. He agreed and we ventured out to find it. When we got there we discovered that there is a big park area all around the bridge and the landscape was just beautiful. This was taken using Justin's wide angle lens. A couple of guys were enjoying the day in a canoe and listening to music as they paddled along. Justin shouted to them. Shout, Out, Out, Out which was the name of the band that was playing. Hope I got that right. We were standing on a pedestrian bridge which made for some nice photos as well.

#Alberta #Canada #bridgesaroundtheworld #mirrormonday #nikon

+Edmonton Photographers +Nikon Shooters +Fresh Pics 

2013-05-05 15:54:17 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Feliz Cinco de Mayo

2013-05-04 21:41:25 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

Vicissitudes

[vi-sis-i-tood, -tyood]
  noun:
1. a change or variation occurring in the course of something.
2. interchange or alternation, as of states or things.
3. vicissitudes, successive, alternating, or changing phases or conditions, as of life or fortune; ups and downs: They remained friends through the vicissitudes of 40 years.
4. regular change or succession of one state or thing to another.
5. change; mutation; mutability.

This basically is the word I am going to use to describe the weather that we have been having so far this year. It's been pretty rough over that last while. But I am optimistic that it will get better. Should be a good summer. We deserve it.

Post processed in #photoshop and #lightroom . I added a texture layer to the sky. Thank you +Sharon Morsink for your frosty window photo and allowing me to... more »

2013-05-03 21:09:56 (11 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

3in1

From front to back:
                             Walterdale Bridge
                             High Level Bridge
                             Dudley B. Menzies Bridge

I have to admit getting to this location to take this photo was extremely difficult and very dangerous. I nearly fell down the embankment a few times. Areas where there was clay made it difficult to have sure footing. It was about 3 hours before sunset and I didn't feel like waiting. I will attempt a return trip when the conditions are more to my liking. If you look on the left bank you can see the early preparation for the new bridge that will replace the Walterdale bridge. I believe the fate of the Walterdale bridge is to become a foot and bike bridge. Post processing done inphotoshop and lightroom.

#Edmonton #Canada #river #bridgesaroundt... more »

2013-05-03 03:40:17 (10 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Power Outage

This is the old Walterdale Power Plant in downtown Edmonton. I finally got my butt back outside to take some photos. +22C how I love you! This old power plant is no longer functioning and the city is debating it's future. I have been a long advocate of tearing it down and building something useful in this space. I love taking pictures in this area and more often then not this ugly power plant has gotten itself in the way of a beautiful skyline shot. Today I managed to see it from a different angle and now feel that I have managed to capture it's more attractive side. If the city was to put some effort into cleaning up the river bank and making the building more visible it might be worth keeping. They have started work on the new bridge which will be build just to the left so maybe, just maybe they might clean up the area.

#Edmonton #Canada ... more »

2013-05-02 18:17:02 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) tweeted at 0:04 PM on Thu, May 02, 2013:
Anyone who tweets with #NHL14Hall today for @EASPORTSNHL #NHL14CoverVote is entered to win an #Oilers jersey signed by @hallsy04!
(https://twitter.com/EdmontonOilers/status/330019907670515712)

Get the official Twitter app at https://twitter.com/download

2013-04-29 02:14:54 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

Mon

In ancient Japan families would have emblems (Mon) made into banners, crests and placards. I am a big fan of Japan's history and was inspired by the emblem of the Tokugawa shoguns (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mon_%28emblem%29) to create this piece.
To me this pieces' core is a three leaf clover which to me is a symbolic connection to nature. The number 3 is a very common number in nature. There are multiple barriers protecting the core. As in life each person has their own walls that guard their heart. Each wall has a slight weakness which represents that each of us is vulnerable is some way. The outer edge is sharp and pointy. Representing our defensive nature. At first glance we look strong and impenetrable but it's just a show. An illusion because after all it's just smoke.
Each person is unique in nature and much of our behavior is a defensive... more »

2013-04-29 02:01:57 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 5 +1s)

Mon

In ancient Japan families would have emblems (Mon) made into banners, crests and placards. I am a big fan of Japan's history and was inspired by the emblem of the Tokugawa shoguns (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mon_%28emblem%29) to create this piece.
To me this pieces' core is a three leaf clover which to me is a symbolic connection to nature. The number 3 is a very common number in nature. There are multiple barriers protecting the core. As in life each person has their own walls that guard their heart. Each wall has a slight weakness which represents that each of us is vulnerable is some way. The outer edge is sharp and pointy. Representing our defensive nature. At first glance we look strong and impenetrable but it's just a show. An illusion because after all it's just smoke.
Each person is unique in nature and much of our behavior is a defensive... more »

2013-04-27 03:00:00 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Cool. I've been considering getting an airbrush kit and learning to use it. Here's motivation and inspiration.

http://nikonrumors.com/2013/04/24/military-grade-desert-mirage-lizard-painted-nikon-gear.aspx/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NikonRumors+%28NikonRumors.com%29

2013-04-26 06:38:55 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

Adding to bucket list:

Attend Ozora Festival!

2013-04-24 07:18:38 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

Dead Red

This is my first 100% digital drawing.

The drawing depicts a planet on the verge of destruction by some sort of alien presence.

Created in photoshop. I used some brushes that I downloaded. Here are the links to them.
http://browse.deviantart.com/art/Nebula-Brushes-109919892
http://browse.deviantart.com/art/Planets-Photoshop-Brushes-37337466
http://browse.deviantart.com/art/Nebulae-Brushes-18959502

2013-04-23 06:46:31 (7 comments, 1 reshares, 18 +1s)

Wings of an Angel

If an angel came down from heaven and said to me "David, I am going to give you my wings for a day. What will you do?"
I would fly to the coast. I would go up and down the shoreline as much as I could in the time given to me. I love the sound of the waves hitting the shore. I love the smell of the ocean air. I would live that day like a gull or albatross. Where I live there is no ocean. The nearest coastline is over 1000km away.

What would you do if you had wings for a day?

3 hour smoke manipulation from photos taken by myself and manipulated in photoshop.

#Edmonton #Canada #smoke #manipulation #photoshop  

2013-04-23 05:56:57 (2 comments, 2 reshares, 8 +1s)

Wings of an Angel

If an angel came down from heaven and said to me "David, I am going to give you my wings for a day. What will you do?"
I would fly to the coast. I would go up and down the shoreline as much as I could in the time given to me. I love the sound of the waves hitting the shore. I love the smell of the ocean air. I would live that day like a gull or albatross. Where I live there is no ocean. The nearest coastline is over 1000km away.

What would you do if you had wings for a day?

3 hour smoke manipulation from photos taken by myself and manipulated in photoshop.

#Edmonton #Canada #smoke #manipulation #photoshop  

2013-04-22 05:43:07 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Fountains of Light

2 hour smoke manipulation.

Even in the darkest of times one can find light. Sometimes we may feel like there is no hope as the dark surrounds us but there is always light. All we need to do is believe in ourselves because the brightest light always shines from within. As each person believes in their own light we will join together as a people and fill the darkness with a fountain of light that will flow for all time.

This is a single photograph of smoke taken by myself. It was then manipulated in photoshop to create the image you see.

#Edmonton #Canada #smoke #manipulation #photoshop  

2013-04-19 19:46:10 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 0 +1s)

Act now!

2013-04-18 21:48:06 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Bubble Goes Pop

This is a soap bubble photographed as it pops. These type of explosions are fun to do and the great part is that nobody gets hurt. Bubble blown by +Justin Wondga 

Thanks Justin for your help.

My heart goes out to the people of #Boston

#Edmonton #Canada #bubbles #pop  

2013-04-16 23:46:24 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Smoke Ring

Smoke manipulation - 2 hours.

More experimenting with bilateral symmetry. This one proved rather difficult to get the heart shape. I managed to achieve it using puppet warp in photoshop. I felt it was important to try keep the smoke looking as realistic as possible as it formed the heart. Puppet warp likes to stretch things out if you are not careful in how you place the pins. Unlike many artists my art is created by taking away rather than adding. A painter adds paint to create a painting but I start with a photograph of smoke and using photoshop I take bits of the photo away in order to create shapes. I take a photo of smoke burning from incense, duplicate it, the overlay it upon itself in reverse. I move around the overlay until I see something forming. I then delete the overlay. Take parts of the original photo away in order to make the image better then repeat... more »

2013-04-16 23:43:55 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 4 +1s)

Smoke Ring

Smoke manipulation - 2 hours.

More experimenting with bilateral symmetry. This one proved rather difficult to get the heart shape. I managed to achieve it using puppet warp in photoshop. I felt it was important to try keep the smoke looking as realistic as possible as it formed the heart. Puppet warp likes to stretch things out if you are not careful in how you place the pins. Unlike many artists my art is created by taking away rather than adding. A painter adds paint to create a painting but I start with a photograph of smoke and using photoshop I take bits of the photo away in order to create shapes. I take a photo of smoke burning from incense, duplicate it, the overlay it upon itself in reverse. I move around the overlay until I see something forming. I then delete the overlay. Take parts of the original photo away in order to make the image better then repeat... more »

2013-04-16 17:03:07 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 1 +1s)

BREAKING NEWS: Adobe just released "Lightroom 5" Public Beta version

...and we released our Lightroom 5 Learning Center with all the latest info, videos, and more! Here's the link: http://www.photoshopuser.com/lightroom5

2013-04-15 22:50:53 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

My Edmonton, Alberta circle. I've added a few as of late.

2013-04-15 22:52:15 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Aiki Warrior

(From Wikipedia)
The principle of aiki (合気?) is particularly difficult to describe or explain. The most simple translation of aiki, as "joining energy", belies its philosophical depth. Generally, it is the principle of matching your opponent in order to defeat him. It is this concept of "matching", or "joining", or even "harmonizing" (all valid interpretations of ai) that contains the complexity. One may "match" the opponent in a clash of force, possibly even resulting in a mutual kill. This is not aiki. Aiki is epitomized by the notion of joining physically and mentally with the opponent for the express purpose of avoiding a direct clash of force. In practice, aiki is achieved by first joining with the motion of the opponent (the physical aspect) as well as the intent (the mental portion), then overcoming the will of theopp... more »

2013-04-14 20:47:40 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

With the crappy winter being so long I am thinking it might be hard to handle +35C.... Ok thought over. No it won't. :)

2013-04-07 09:02:50 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 1 +1s)

This is not my work. However, the artist is amazing so I wanted to share his work.
Check out some of his other stuff as well.

2013-03-29 10:35:29 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Conduct

Smoke manipulation.

I have loved music for as long as I can remember. It has always been an important part of my life and lately it has been inspiring many of my creations. I always listen to music when I work on my photos so I decided to create a piece of art that reflects my love for music. In this piece I see a very powerful and inspiring conductor. He is waving his hands about as he directs his musicians to create beautiful music. The music surrounds him and becomes a part of who is is.

Never doubt the power of music. It has the ability to change your mood, lift your spirits or calm a restless mind. I believe the music you choose to listen too defines you as a person and I have decided to move my musical tastes towards uplifting and inspiring music. Music that is positive and inspires me to create.

#Edmonton #Canada #smoke ... more »

2013-03-28 04:30:08 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

Self Portrait

2 speedlights and on camera flash for fill. Both speedlights behind, one on left one on right. White reflector in front on the left. Post processing in Photoshop CS5 with Nik Silver Efex Pro.

2013-03-27 04:32:15 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

One of my favorites from a portrait shoot I did recently. Decided to try out the free trial of Nik Silver Efex Pro. Thank you Reagan and Rob for allowing me to share.