Articles tagged ‘Photography Locations’

Going, Going, Going….Gone! Lunar Eclipse Over Seattle

Written on December 10, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations, Tips and Tutorials


Going, Going, Going....Gone! Lunar Eclipse Over Seattle: Pentax 645D, Pentax-A 645 75mm f/2.8

Please click on the image to see a larger version. I woke up at 2:30 this morning to capture the lunar eclipse.  The clouds rolled in and obscured the 2nd half of the celestial event, but I was able to capture the 1st half.  The Rizal bridge was a perfect venue for this shot.  My friend and I were the initial ones there, but by the end, I counted a dozen photographers lining the bridge.  For this picture, I first captured the night lights with a long exposure (30 sec, f/11, ISO 100).  Then, I took several other short (1/125th sec, f/5.6, ISO 100) exposures, each about 8 minutes apart to capture the lunar eclipse and its course.  In the digital darkroom, I combined the exposures to produce the composite image you see here.

  • 11 Comments

linda lin: wow! that is amazing!

Kalpana: Mahesh, you are dedicated! Absolutely gorgeous

Sally Allison: This is sensational!! You must be thrilled to have it captured! And I love your title!

mariann: Beautiful as usual !!!

Bev: Mahesh, Just great that you have captured the eclipse so beautifully with the city lights. Spectacular.

Nicole: First of all, AMAZING shot. Secondly, it's interesting to think about how much went in to making this image happen... Clearly, you had to investigate where to position yourself for the best angle. Sounds like an event like this was a perfect way to meet fellow photo fanatics!

Barb Michieli: Thanks for "suffering" so that those of us, warm in our beds, could enjoy the event through your camera lens, Dr. Thapa!

Stacy Brown: You are amazing. I knew there was an eclipse and was sad to have missed it. thanks for sharing

Chris Budech: Very nice shot. I would have guessed you would have needed longer exposure or, bigger aperature, or higher iso for the moon shots--good to know. Thanks for the tech info.

Rachael: Oh, Im so happy to be seeing this. I missed it when it happened and this is even better because it's a glimpse of each phase. Thanks, Mahesh!

Julie Smith: Friend of Lynne Robins. Want to buy your photo.


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A Short Trip to Chicago

Written on December 5, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations


Marylin: Leica M9-P, Leica 18mm f/3.8

Please click on the images to see larger versions. Just a few images from downtown Chicago.  The last is a shot of Mt. Rainier as seen from the plane on my way back to Seattle.

Chicago Lights, Leica M9-P, Leica Summarit 75mm f/3.5

Stadium Lights: Leica M9-P, Leica 18mm f/3.8

The View from Up Here. Mt. Rainier from the plane ride back to Seattle: Leica Summarit 75mm f/3.5

  • 8 Comments

Julie: Spectacular Mahesh!

monty: very well done! those are professional pictures!

Karen: Hi Mahesh, I hope this finds you well. Thank you for once again sharing your beautiful gifts. I may never get to go to any of the places you photograph, but I feel I am there, threw you...Thank you..

Bev: Very nice---especially Chicago lights and the beautiful view of Mt Ranier. Great work; you are so artistic.

Doug: Nice photos, love the monochrome treatment and particularly the stadium photo! That Marilyn statue is just hideous though !

Sally Allison: Thank you Mahesh! The one of Stadium Lights is stunning, well, they ALL are!


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Images of New York

Written on November 14, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations


Last Light on New York. Taken from the top of the Rock: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 14-45 f/3.5-5.6

Please click on images to see larger versions. I recently came back from a four-day trip to the Big Apple.  The weather was unseasoably warm, with beautiful light and wonderful scenes.  I traveled light with a small but capable micro 4/3rd system.  I had the Panasonic G3 camera body, 7-14mm (for ultra-wide scene), 25mm f/1.4 (for low light candids), and the 14-45mm standard zoom lenses.  Here are a few images from the trip I hope you enjoy.

Fall in Central Park: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 14-45 f/3.5-5.6

View-box. Taken at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA): Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

The Big Apple: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

To Coney Island: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

Purple Walkway. Highline Park: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 14-45 f/3.5-5.6

Social Animals. NYU: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 25 f/1.4

Mass Transit: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 25 f/1.4

Fun with Bubbles. Central Park: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

Lost in Thought: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 25 f/1.4

Fashionable: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 25 f/1.4

Bookworm: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 25 f/1.4

Atlas Shrugged: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

Graffiti: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 14-45 f/3.5-5.6

Leashed: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 25 f/1.4

Sliders: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

Moment of Silence:Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

Easy Rider: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 25 f/1.4

Handi-capable: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 25 f/1.4

Controlled Impulse: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 25 f/1.4

  • 7 Comments

karen: Awesome! Especially loved the dog walker (go figure...Penny and Maggie).

Kalpana: Fabulous!

Mariam: these are great!! you have totally captured NYC. looking at them I totally miss NY now!!

Rachael: I love the lady on the bus and the guy you captured on his scooter with a box strapped to his back.

Karen: Wow!!! These are awesome!! I want to go there, right now!!! I used to go up at Christmas a lot. So cool Christmas in a big city like that. The hustle and bustle and the store windows, just the feeling in general. Thank you, once again for sharing such awesome pictures...

Nicole: Your skyline image feels/looks like a futuristic city. It has this mystical feeling to it. I really like that one. I also like the Lost in Thought picture. She's so pretty and such a thoughtful look on her face. It makes you wonder what she's thinking about...

Jennifer: These are fabulous! You are an amazing photographer! We were just there end of October for Tony's mom's surprise birthday party.


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Orcas Island

Written on September 9, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations


Orcas on Orcas Island: Nikon D7000, Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G IF-ED AF-S VR. Orcas with Mt. Baker in the distance.

Cindy and I just got back from a wonderful, 1-week trip to Orcas Island, in the San Juans.  The weather was terrific, and we had tons of fun hiking, kayaking, whale watching, and just lounging around.  The highlight of the trip was observing a pod of transient Orcas playing and feeding as majestic Mt. Baker loomed in the distance.  Here are a few images I thought turned out well.  Hope you enjoy ‘em!

For the People, By the People: Nikon d7000, Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX. Mt. Baker at sunset as seen from the top of Mt. Constitution.

Choppy Waters: Nikon D7000, Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G IF-ED AF-S VR

The Kayaker: Nikon d7000, Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Floating Sunset: Nikon d7000, Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX. Cindy takes a break from paddling and enjoys the sunset.

Right Angle: Nikon d7000, Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX

Sunset Heron: Nikon D7000, Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G IF-ED AF-S VR. A heron, waiting patiently for dinner.

  • 11 Comments

linda: I never envisioned a world where people go kayaking and everyone freezes at the same moment to watch a cascading sunset. You captured that. And thanks for the heron.

Conrad: Very nice man! You should post these on FM dude!

Randy: How close were you to the orcas?

--> Mahesh: Thanks, gang! Randy, we were maybe 100 yards or so from the Orcas.

Bev: Love the sunsets. Also the mountains. Beautiful.

Barb Michieli: Don't we live in a great state? Thanks for posting these . . . makes me feel like I was there!

Spoorthy vemula: So, what camera do you like better? The k-5 or the d7k?

--> Mahesh: Spoorthy, both the K5 and D7000 are very good tools. If I could have only one, I prefer the K5, but just by a hair.

Spoorthy: Then i made the right choice:D

bob towery: Mahesh, these are all wonderful, each in their own way. You captured the great moments of your trip, but also created very high caliber images. I particularly like choppy waters. I'm a big fan of moving ocean water images. This, along with the classic boat, and B&W, is just awesome.


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Point of Arches

Written on August 29, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations


Sunset at Point of Arches: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

A few friends and I went on a fabulous camping trip to Shi Shi beach and the Point of Arches last weekend.  The weather was warm, and the light was sublime.  I planned it so we’d arrive at low tide during the early mornings.  We had tons of fun exploring the tide pools, climbing rocks, and relaxing on the beach.  I hope you enjoy the shots.

Point of Arches in Monochrome: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

Beauty Reflected: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 14-45 f/3.5-5.6

Starstruck: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

Star Warp: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

Skinny Dipping: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

Ocean Giants: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 14-45 f/3.5-5.6

Somewhere Beyond the Sea: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

Monochrome Monoliths: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

A Time to Reflect: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

Tidepool Tentacles: Panasonic G3, Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm f2.8 ASPH OIS

Beach Grafiti: Panasonic G3, Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm f2.8 ASPH OIS

The Dive: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

Me, Myself, and I: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 7-14 f/4

  • 14 Comments

Linda: Great Pics as always Mahesh :-)

victor mellado: awesome photos keep them coming...just ordered 3 more prints on metallic paper...i love how metallic paper make the images "POP"..

Barb Michieli: WOW! Too cool, Dr. Thapa!! I'm partial to "Skinny Dipping" :)

Vivek: Great work !!

Andi: Outstanding....

Bev: Great photos, maybe not the one of you, but the first 11 are just awesome. Can I use some of them? Love the reflections.

Karen: These are awesome, as always!!! Thank you SO much for sharing them. Take care.....

lorena: wow. a.m.a.z.i.n.g.

Sally Allison: Terrific! Your photos are candy for my soul! I am so pleased to see a visual of you too! And to enjoy all your efforts! Thank you!

drpankajshukla: awesome captures..

David Guidas: A wonderrful series of photos as usual Mahesh. Love the starfish photos. The G3/7-14 combo looks great for such excursions.

Spoorthy: is that really you? i thought your would be indian witha name like mahesh. :P

Peter Davison: Wonderful photos! I always enjoy seeing your latest updates, your work is consistently good

bob towery: Wow, many nice ones. "Somewhere beyond" is just fantastic. Nice work.


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Late Snowmelt: Mt. Rainier

Written on July 26, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations


Late Snowmelt at Mt. Rainier: Pentak 645D, Pentax-A 645 75mm f/2.8. Below Mt. Rainier is Tipsoo Lake, just beginning to thaw.

Please click on images to see larger versions. I’ve been up to Mt. Rainier a few times this year, most recently last weekend.  Snow and ice are still plentiful, with wildflowers unlikely to bloom at all in the meadows.  Summer, in general, has been pretty nonexistent so far in Seattle and surrounding areas.  However, a late (or no) thaw does have some photographic advantages.  I hope you enjoy these two shots.

Unnamed Waterfall: Panasonic G3, Panasonic 14-45 f/3.5-5.6. Found this nice cascade by the side of the road.

  • 6 Comments

Ann: so beautiful!

Barb Michieli: My MOST FAVORITE mountain on earth!!! Thanks for bringing it "closer" to me, Dr. Thapa :)

Karen: I hope this finds you well. : ) These are breathtaking, as usual. : ) I wish I were at that waterfall..... Thank you for sharing...

linda: the late sun on the mt. and the reflections in the stream....captures it all. thank you. [will you be at Bellevue Arts this next weekend?]

Sally Allison: I love both of these shots so much! I saw Linda's comment asking if you will be at Bellevue Arts Festival. I don't know how I became your fan, but I would like to know if you sell your work!

Three Bears Lodge: Love the photo! We posted your link to our facebook page today: https://www.facebook.com/ThreeBearsLodge Would love to see some more Rainier photos from you!


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Over the Top: Happy B-Day, America!

Written on July 5, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations


Fireworks Over Lake Union: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8

Please click on the image to see a larger version. I had a wonderful vantage point for this year’s fireworks show over Lake Union.  The skies were crystal clear; the weather was pleasantly cool; and the light show was probably the best I’ve ever witnessed.  Wow!  I hope you enjoy this shot.

  • 10 Comments

Kristie: This is totally awesome!

chris: Really cool shot, a lot there. Didn't see the fireworks, so photo makes up for that. f/2.8--I assume that's wide open for your camera. Fast Shutter speed???

Steve: Wonderful! It was unusual because you captured the barge and the city...not just the display.

Bev: Awesome, you really make the fireworks come alive.

JoAnn: Love it Mahesh!!!!!!!! J

Sally Allison: You MUST enter this in some contest! This is the best fireworks shot I have ever seen!

Spoorthy: Actually it was probably a very slow shutter speed right?

--> Mahesh: Thanks everyone! I left the shutter open (bulb mode) and had a black card infront of the lens. Every time I saw a burst, I let the card down for a fraction of a second. That's how I was able to capture so many bursts on a single exposure.


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The Magic of Lime Kiln Lighthouse

Written on June 18, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations, Tips and Tutorials


Stars Above Lime Kiln Lighthouse: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8

The above is an image from an overnight trip to San Juan Island.  I wanted to capture the sunset and night moods in a single photograph. For those who are interested, here’s how I “made” this photograph.

1. At ISO 80, I took 5 bracketed exposures (-4, -2, 0, +2, +4) about 20 minutes after sunset to capture the warm glow in the sky and detail in the foreground rocks afforded by the the ambient light.

2. From the same spot, I took a single, 30-second exposure several hours after sunset at ISO 6400 to capture the stars.

3. In photoshop, I combined the 5 bracketed images to obtain proper detail in the foreground and sunset sky.

4. For the last step, I placed the image with starts as a separate layer on top and used blending mode “Lighten”. This allowed the bright stars to “show through” while leaving the sunset colors intact.

While on the island, I also came across a few foxes.  Below are a couple of snaps of them.  I hope you enjoy the shots!

Fantastic Mr. Fox: Pentax, K-5, Pentax DA* 60-250mm f/4

The Black Fox: Pentax, K-5, Pentax DA* 60-250mm f/4

  • 14 Comments

Bev: Just great; love the sky and the stars.

Joel: Beautiful lighthouse picture and starry sky. Thanks for sharing how you brought out the stars without disrupting the exposure for the remainder of the picture. The foreground rocks are great - dark enough to feel the time of day, but detailed enough to visualize, with their scattered lighter areas adding texture and interest.

Naveen: Love the lighthouse picture. Thanks for sharing the technique...

Julie: Really love the light house picture, its gorgeous!! you are talented with the foxes...

linda lin: Gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JoAnn: In awe of the litehouse! ..and love seeing the foxes. Were they tame or were they going to eat you?

linda: amazing...and a little freaky. It's so unlikely to get stars so clearly, it seems like it must be pinholes in the paper. And water in foreground by dark rocks manages to look like 'fog' rolling in...but only by land. thank you.

Alan Grose: You beat me to Lime Kiln. I'll be there in July. Awesome lighthouse photo! I'm going to look for more on your site.

Chris Budech: Mahesh, thanks for the composing tips and great pics. So is combining bracketed images recommended when you have a big contrast in light and dark in your image in general? Or best for eve shots such as this one?

Rachael: The way he sits, it looks like you got to know the little black fox. he probably watched you for a while. He is soooo cute!

Dona: I am such a sucker for starry skies! This is really a gorgeous picture. I also appreciate knowing how you did it.

shanter: It is impossible not to look at the black foxes eyes--mezmerizing. Love it.

tiffany: I am in complete awe of your pictures. That first image with the stars is probably one of my favorite landscape pictures I have ever seen. Thanks for sharing the photoshop info, I would love to improve my landscape photography.


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Spring in The Palouse

Written on June 12, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations


Palouse Wildflowers: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8

Please click on images to see larger versions. Spring is probably my favorite time to visit The Palouse.  The last week of May and/or the first week of June is usually best, with slight variation from year to year.  The greens of the early wheat fields are almost fluorescent under the right lighting conditions, and the lupines at Steptope Butte are magnificently abundant.  In addition to the obligatory scenes from Steptoe, this year, I drove around quite a bit looking for interesting compositions of farms. barns, and trees.  I hope you enjoy these images.  I plan to go back in the late summer when the wheat is golden brown.

In Between: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8

Old Friends: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8

Nestled in the HIlls: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8

Wheat Patterns: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8

Lone Tree: Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS

A Fixer-Upper: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8

Follow the Fence: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8

Still Standing: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8

Whitman County Growers: Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS

Tree in Wheat Field: Pentax K-5, Pentax DA* 16-50mm f/2.8

Bucolic: : Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 800mm f/5.6L IS. This is a stitch of 7 portrait oriented images (file size over 100 MP). The detail captured is pretty ridiculous. Below is a 100% crop to give you an idea.

100% crop from above panorama

  • 19 Comments

Ray Still: Hey Mahesh Cool takeaways went by that way last week and yep Steptoe Butte has a Moose finally saw one of the offsprings right on the road on the way off Steptoe

--> Mahesh: Thanks, Ray. Wow...a moose at Steptoe! That's awesome! How great would it have been to capture that with the wheat fields in the distance? I hope you got a good shot.

Aaron Cowan: Very nice images Mahesh. I've just spent the past 10 months in Moscow finishing my Masters (EE) and now I'm living in Pullman for work so I'm very familiar with the areas you took these images. The clouds in the B&Ws are excellent.

--> Mahesh: Thanks, Aaron! I think I remember your mentioning your studies in Moscow before. How lucky you are to live in such a beautiful place.

Bev: Great composition and light.

Lisa: These landscapes are amazing, I love the bright colours and the clarity!

Ann: All of them are so beautiful, but the b/w fence leading to the barn w/stunning clouds behind really drew me in. thanks for sharing, Ann

Gary C.: Met you once at the ebike store.....I'm part time there. Eric sends along you're photo's. You have amazing talent. I have a photo interest also but alas no artistic eye. Greatly enjoy your work!

Karen: I hope this finds you well. : ) Oh my, they are all awesome. The wildflower one is amazing. Thank you SO very much for sharing your beautiful work with us. You are truly gifted. Take care. Peace & Love, Karen

Tim ONeill: Lovely images Mahesh. I recognize some of the structures. I started looking in FM back in 2002 when you were indeed a starving student.

Rachael: i want to marry "tree in wheat field!"

linda lin: soooo peaceful!

Alan: Amazing photos, Mahesh! Great work!

colleen parker: thank you for sharing your zen-like images! i will be moving to Moscow Idaho soon and plan to explore the area with your images for photographic inspiration!

Sally Allison: Your photos always feed my soul! Love them! Thank you for sharing!

Tim ONeill: Great images Mahesh. I recognize a lot of scenes. I've been following your work in FM since 2002.

Ryan: Wonderful photos as always. It's impossible to pick a favorite. -- Which areas or roads over there do you find the most photogenic?

Charles Duncombe: I grew up in Moscow, ID and these are as lovely a set of images from the Palouse as I have seen. Brought me fond memories of my childhood. Thanks.


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Flower of the Forest: Redwood National Park

Written on June 1, 2011 Posted in Photography Locations


Flower of the Forest: Panasonic Lumix GH2, Panasonic 14-140mm

Please click on the images to see larger versions. My friend, Mike, and I recently spent a few days at Redwood National Park, in northern California.  We stayed in Crescent City and took several day hikes into the forest.  The Rhodies were out in full bloom in the northern part of the park but somewhat scarce further south.  The weather was hit and miss, but we tried to make the best of it.  I hope you enjoy these images.

Forest from the Trees: Panasonic GH2, Panasonic 14-140mm

The Tree Cave: Panasonic GH2, Panasonic 7-14mm

Florescent Green: Panasonic GH2, Panasonic 7-14mm

Pretty in Pink: Panasonic GH2, Panasonic 14-140mm

A Slug's Life: Panasonic GH2, Panasonic 14-140mm

Leaf Trail: Panasonic GH2, Panasonic 14-140mm

Forest in Bloom: Panasonic GH2, Panasonic 14-140mm

Heavy is the Head: Panasonic GH2, Panasonic 100-300mm

Battery Point Light: Panasonic GH2, Panasonic 14-140mm

  • 6 Comments

mariann: love them

linda: CA is my 'Home State', where I was born. Seattle is my current, much-loved home. Yet your photos have managed to truly capture, and convey, a state that still has much beauty. Thank you.

Chris Budech: I'm also from Cal. and have been many times along the North Coast and through the redwoods--enjoyed the photos--Battery Point B/W is very cool.

Bev: Love the photos. As a resident of Ca, I feel the natural beauty should be celebrated.

Salim: Amazing photos as usual Mahesh. Love how you control that GH2 of yours. Well done

Rachael: The rhodies look more delicate than ours. Great shots! -r


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