ReDynamix

I've been playing with a photoshop plug-in called ReDynamix. I wasn't too sure about it to begin with. The results were interesting but it created a lot of noise in the process. I have since found a couple ways of reducing the noise created by ReDynamix and I'm very happy with the results.

All of my original images don't get touched/altered, I import them into Lightroom and export Tiff's and Jpeg's to work on. The first way I have found to reduce noise is to export as a 16 bit Tiff. Then in photoshop change the bit amount to 8 bit so the plug-in will work. This saves quite a lot of detail.

These images were done before I came up with the 16bit tiff idea. They only show what detail can be found in images that may look rather poor to begin with. They were all taken during a 3 hour Eco Cruise around the Tasman Peninsula coastline. During this trip I felt rather sea sick due to the fact I was forever taking photos. In other words, I was always looking through the view finder. This had an adverse effect on me. I didn't feel too good by the end of it but the trip was well worth it!

Low Head Lighthouse

This was the last stop after the Tamar River and West Heads. Low Head lighthouse, on the eastern side of the Tamar river. I have been here once before and since then had been thinking of going back. The previous time I was there I didn't venture down past the lighthouse but I could see some potential for some good shots.

I made my way through the gate and carefully walked down the step hill. I was walking past some large bushes when I came across two sheep grazing (the area is used for grazing by the owners). I saw them and they saw me. I brought the camera up nice and slowly trying not to spook them. I got the focus and exposure almost set when they decided, much like the sheep in the paddock, that they weren't having any of this and did a runner.

I proceeded down towards the sound of the waves breaking on the rocks. I was having fun jumping across the rocks finding different angles to shoot from. I didn't get too close to the waters edge since I was going to have my back turned to the waves. The last thing I wanted was to be drenched. I finally found a good spot to shoot from and found I had to clean the lens, it was covered with sea spray.

The walk back up the hill was a heart breaker, especially on the last few steps. But it was all worth it because these shots were my favourites from the entire day. I still want to go back there close to sunset, the light should be better then (or at least closer to what I had pictured in my mind) and should provide more dramatic shadows. But that can wait for a later date.

West Head Lookout

This was my next stop after leaving Bradys Lookout on the Tamar River. I was much calmer after taking the shots of the Tamar but I was behind schedule. I had planned a drive to different locations to coincide with the sun. Due the the fact I was already 2 hours behind I changed my plans and only managed to hit two other places. This is the second of the three spots.

I drove down the west side of the Tamar and arrived at Greens Beach. From here I took Gardners Road out to the West Head lookout. It's in a national park so permits do apply. The lookout looks over Anderson Bay towards Badgers Head.

I can tell you it was blowing!! The trees aren't leaning inland for there health. :) A couple of times I found it hard to keep my eyes open while taking photos. I had to take my hat off or it would be lodged in a sand dune by now.

At this point I had almost forgotten I'd been at work earlier in the day. It was a very nice feeling!