Blow-up

Thank you blogger

2010-08-13T12:25:00.000-07:00

This is the last update on Blow-up blog. I rebuild my web page on www.jurokovacik.com and part of it will be my blog. So I'm going to leave blogger. Thanks for fish and - So long.

Making pictures of a rainbow

2010-07-27T07:53:00.001-07:00

20100501_brittany_st_malo_170
Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

It is nearly impossible to make plans about shooting rainbows. OK, of course you can make plan "It would be nice to have a picture of this mountain with a rainbow above. Why not to try it this evening?" You can, but the probability of your success is very, very limited. Rainbow usually just occurs. Rainbow in photography is a gift. And I have to add the first warning here - not usually, every-time it is just short term gift. You have few minutes to do something with it. If you are talking about moments when slow, thoroughful, meditative landscape work abruptly change in kind of an adrenalin rush, shooting rainbow is example par excellence.

This was my first evening on Atlantic coast, beautiful old port Saint Malo. Original plan was to stay in camp for one night, but it was closed with official opening two weeks later. I had to find hotel, a bit disturbing after full day driving. Fortunately I succeed in the first attempt. I just booked in and went out. Ocean, coast, port, smell, tide, waves, storm, shower, dark clouds, sunset. Great, unforgettable first experience.

Rainbow began with finishing rain. I had 50 mm on camera at that moment, the lens I had made few rainy pictures with. The first rainbow picture was made 8.55 p.m. /it is funny how late is the Sun setting down in this part of the world - it was the beginning of May/ After few pictures rain had stopped and I changed to 20 mm Nikkor - my widest lens. Its 94 degree angle of view is enough for the covering whole rainbow half ring. I made the first wide picture 8:56 and after that I decided to try to move to the better spot.

It was the place on this picture. Yellow, orange, red color of houses and clouds and walls with lightest part in the center, reflection on wet pavement, bit of sea on the left and the relative symmetry of the scenery covered under rainbows umbrella. I made first picture here at 8:57 and after that another few with small variations, this picture was third in the row. /I was looking for that white sea wave curve on left down/ Rainbow had started to diminish at 8:59 and the Sun finally set down around 9:05.

So, next time you will see somebody running frenetically* in that funny awkward style, in one hand tripod with camera, second hand on the bag with lenses, a bit crazy look in eyes, jumping here and there, abruptly stop for a moment and than continue in her or his wandering, please, don't laugh too loud. You are witness of very rare and in city environment unique appearance - landscape photographer at his/her best moments.

*web dictionary definition: as if possessed by an evil spirit

Juro Kovacik Landscape pictures

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Brettagne

2010-06-01T13:22:00.001-07:00

The first picture from "the big" photo journey to Bretagne I'm going to publish on my blog. France is beautiful country, but Ocean, Ocean is overwhelming. I can't describe that experience, I may try to show it.

Long time exposure was a part of the plan I was traveling with in my bag. I bought a gray 2 stop filter for this kind of pictures to extend exposure time and it works as supposed. Less or more as supposed.

Now I just want to be back. Mr. Spock, can you beam me up, please?

Liptovska Mara, early morning

2010-04-28T03:59:00.000-07:00

Krakow

2010-04-26T21:29:00.001-07:00

More pictures

Bratislava, morning and long exposure

2010-04-18T10:40:00.000-07:00

This is one of pictures I gathered in few mornings in last weeks. This time I'm shooting in Bratislava with 24 mm lens on D5000. Great small and very fast and fluent combo. I'm working in aperture priority mode. This one was taken in dark underground, so shooting time reach unbelievable 5 sec. I made just this one on these moving steps. Its pretty funny how nice it works, this time.

Cierny Vah

2010-04-11T10:38:00.000-07:00

The upper reservoir of Cierny Vah storage power plant is build on Turkova, 1179 m high mount with gorgeous view of West and High Tatras sierra on the opposite side of Liptovska kotlina

It wasn't the best morning from the weather point of view, but it wasn't dummy morning. Windy, cold and cloudy sky developing from dark blue gray to light gray with just few minutes of morning color.

Robert Frost: The Mountain

2010-03-31T06:04:00.000-07:00

Robert Frost
The Mountain

THE mountain held the town as in a shadow 
I saw so much before I slept there once:
 I noticed that I missed stars in the west, 
Where its black body cut into the sky.
 Near me it seemed: I felt it like a wall 
Behind which I was sheltered from a wind. ..

continued

Great advice about nailing exposure

2010-03-29T22:59:00.000-07:00

If you are shooting RAW you want to use whole dynamic range of your camera and push histogram to the right as much as possible without blowing highlights. It is a bit tricky, because camera calculated histogram based on JPG converted by your camera shooting settings. That's while you should have neutral settings for saturation or contrast. Problem is with white balance - in some situation WB can overblow red or blue channel in camera jpg used for histogram and when you expose with this you underexpose your raw files. Simple solution - you have to set WB manualy. Here are instructions and file for D700 http://www.roesand.com/general/173-nailing-exposure-with-uniwb-for-the-nikon-d700

Cant find the same for D5000 at this moment

If you are still shooting JPG, hold your dreams how better camera body would make you to be a better photographer

Thanks Thom Hogan for point this problem out

Eurovea, Dunaj, Bratislava

2010-03-27T03:03:00.000-07:00

Slideshow on Flickr

Robert Frost: Fire and Ice

2010-03-24T00:32:00.000-07:00

Robert Frost
Fire and Ice

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.

Robinson Jeffers: End of the World

2010-03-23T00:19:00.000-07:00

Robinson Jeffers
End of the World

When I was young in school in Switzerland, about the time of the Boer War,
We used to take it for known that the human race
Would last the earth out, not dying till the planet died. I wrote a schoolboy poem
About the last man walking in stoic dignity along the dead shore
Of the last sea, alone, alone, alone, remembering all
His racial past. But now I don't think so. They'll die faceless in flocks,
And the earth flourish long after mankind is out.

Sylvia Plath: Winter Trees

2010-03-22T11:39:00.000-07:00

Sylvia Plath
Winter Trees

The wet dawn inks are doing their blue dissolve.
On their blotter of fog the trees
Seem a botanical drawing.
Memories growing, ring on ring,
A series of weddings.

Knowing neither abortions nor bitchery,
Truer than women,
They seed so effortlessly!
Tasting the winds, that are footless,
Waist-deep in history.

Full of wings, otherworldliness.
In this, they are Ledas.
O mother of leaves and sweetness
Who are these pietas?
The shadows of ringdoves chanting, but chasing nothing.

Robinson Jeffers: The Excesses Of God

2010-03-21T23:27:00.000-07:00

Robinson Jeffers
The Excesses Of God

Is it not by his high superfluousness we know
Our God? For to be equal a need
Is natural, animal, mineral: but to fling
Rainbows over the rain
And beauty above the moon, and secret rainbows
On the domes of deep sea-shells,
And make the necessary embrace of breeding
Beautiful also as fire,
Not even the weeds to multiply without blossom
Nor the birds without music:
There is the great humaneness at the heart of things,
The extravagant kindness, the fountain
Humanity can understand, and would flow likewise
If power and desire were perch-mates.

Liptovska Mara E-book

2010-03-20T03:01:00.001-07:00

Liptovska Mara, E-book on Lulu.com

From light to dark

2010-03-18T03:32:00.000-07:00

Fascist and Antifa demonstration in Bratislava, Hodzovo namestie, 14.3.2010

Slideshow on Flickr

One picture is nothing

2010-03-12T07:44:00.000-08:00

I think it was Lubo Stacho in the time when he was my teacher who said: "One picture, however brilliant, is nothing." I believe that if you want to say a story - story of people or story of land - you need much more then one picture. You need a book. A collection of pictures from different days, taken in different weather and in different moods. Moods of people, moods of country, moods of you are in. I'm just making plans and booking for photo trip to Brittany, to see La Mer. And the biggest problem I have with this is that it will be one way, no return trip. Or not?

Slidshow from Snowstorm over Liptovska Mara

http://www.photoshelter.com/c/jurokovacik/gallery-slideshow/G0000pfvV9o4wZGk/?start=

Before and after sunset - Tatry, Krivan

2010-03-08T01:59:00.000-08:00

Before and after sunset - Nizke Tatry

2010-03-08T01:57:00.000-08:00

Havranok

2010-03-06T02:37:00.000-08:00

I have spent lot of time on this spot last days. Had made a lot of pictures here and I'm just going to work on them. It was amazing how different and new it was here day after day. There were boring moments, there were busy moments and there were moments of overwhelming beauty. Discovering not by walking, but by staying.

Donkey hill

2010-01-15T04:52:00.001-08:00

Donkey hill is a place in Male Karpaty sierra where you can feel that this is something special. Maybe it was witches sabbats spot once. (Btw another one is in High Tatras sierra near to Hincovo pleso.) It take around tree hours to walk from Raca to Donkey Hill. I was trying to make some pictures on the way but without success. At the time I arrived to Doneky hill weather changed. Sunny winter day was covered in fog so I had to forget the original plan to make a big scenery of sierra. Weather was noticeable colder here and some wind raised. Trees trunks and branches were covered with ice and snow. It was pretty easy and fast to find and produce some graphic like winter forest pictures here. OK, at least I have something, I though. I was on my way home for less then 30 minutes when I found a miracle place. Isolated old forest with high trees was beautifully lightened by setting Sun diluted in fog. Great situation for 100 mm Nikkor and pretty satisfactory result.

What I noticed and is funny fact that I'm usually able to make my best pictures after few hours of walking. And second thought that maybe not speciality of a particular place but the walking is the key.

2010-01-13T22:39:00.001-08:00

Winter forest by *jukov7 on deviant ART

Winter in Male Karpaty forest

2010-01-13T01:59:00.001-08:00

Winter is pretty tepid here in Bratislava this year. But just few hours of walk from the City, in Male Karpaty sierra, the picture is different. My target was Donkey hill, but when I reached the area Sun definitely disappeared in falling fog. Not so far is one marvelous forest with good view into it, so maybe at least I found what I was looking for.

Winter forest | Juraj Kovacik

Tatry

2009-12-11T07:24:00.001-08:00

TATRY

By Juraj Kováčik

Book Preview

Tatry - book on Blurb

2009-12-11T03:04:00.001-08:00

Tatry - book on Blurb
Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

Finally got the book done. It was very nice work to put pictures together. This is story of beauty and amazement I have found and tried to share. There is full preview of the book on Blurb, so enjoy the ride.

Many thanks to people around me for their help.

Link on Blurb.com www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/1076500

Liptov after sunset

2009-12-11T01:08:00.001-08:00

kvacianska_20091125_1051
Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

There is something miracle in that short time after sunset and before dark. Light is soft, colors fully saturated and sky color is shifting from orange to pink. This is the time when color is king.

kvacianska_20091125_1051

Liptov

2009-12-07T05:43:00.001-08:00

velky-choc_20091126_1170
Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

When I'm making pictures in High Tatras sierra, Krivan peak is one of my preferable spot. The main reason is simple and not, it is not about its beautiful shape. Krivan is the most Western peak of this sierra so it is easy to have good light here. For Liptov is Velky Choc peak the same. Its position on west border of region together with its high is great combination for panorama scenery. Only disadvantage here is that to see this scenery you have to walk one vertical klik. After previous rainy days it was pretty muddy there, so some funny skidding moments occurred. Hm, it was the day.
velky-choc_20091126_1170

Ruzomberok

2009-11-11T05:03:00.001-08:00

Ruzomberok
Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

I like this one. It is about beauty of nasty things (that paper factory smell really bad) and its about the role of accident in landscapes. Check Adams 40 examples book - it is interesting how many of his best works were take by the way from somewhere to somewhere. It is good to have a plan and a target, but what is perfect is to have a bit of luck. And the best is not to stay home when weather looks to be dully and totally unattractive

Late evening by Liptovska Mara dam

2009-11-11T04:54:00.001-08:00

Late evening by Liptovska Mara dam
Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

This picture is an example why you sholdn't shoot in jpg's. Processed from RAW just in Lightroom this one give the result I like without a touche in editor. It is funny how similar feels to be developing pictures in Lightroom to the trick one use to used in classic darkroom

Mlynicka valley

2009-11-11T04:48:00.001-08:00

Mlyncika valley
Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

Last day of the season in High Tatras I spent in Mlynicka valley, mainly around waterfall Jump. The best picture of the day is without waterfall, but its water are there. Taken in late afternoon or early evening, with gold light reflection in the creek. The mount is maybe Patria, I'm not 100% percent sure. This is the last picture to the Hight Tatras book

Baranec from Havranok

2009-10-30T23:54:00.001-07:00

autumn_20091030_405
Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

It was an intersting end of not so succesful day. Early Friday's morning was sunny with clear air, big relief after Thursday rain. I left my car by Havranok hill and went to Liptovsky Hrad - old ruin with nice panoramatic view with Ruzomberok on one side and Mikulas on other. Sky was covered with cloud after 10 a.m. but I still had some vague hope for evening shooting on Havranok. And it works. Working on landscapes you have to be stubborn and never give up. And have a hope. But that's true not only for landscapes, I think.

There was one funny moment this day - When I fall down into mud on a steep hill I discovered that my expressive language can be pretty impressive...

BJD on analog

2009-10-28T11:33:00.001-07:00

BJD_200910252226
Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

I shoot here few rolls of film this year. I like and believe in Delta 400 at ID11 combination so I used it. With 50mm I need at least 1/30 sec, at 1/15 its blured more then often. This one is from B-scene, with at least 2 stops lower light level then the one on the main stage. Moreover, setting of lights was a bit careless, so center of light was not on singer microphone, but a chunk on right side, where she is taken on this picture. Angela Trondle, a great singer with strange songs

BJD 2009

2009-10-28T11:13:00.001-07:00

BJD_200910251099
Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

These were great days. There are tree points why I love shooting on Bratislava Jazz days. Music, light and /relative/ freedom.

Music - Callier hit my heart, Rozsa and his Unlimited partnership smashed my head and Joao successfully targeted both of them

Light - they are taking concert on TV so there is usually lot of light, at least enough for 1/200 sec at 1200 ISO. This works very smooth on D7oo and is fast enough for 180 mm Nikor, which was my king this time.

Freedom - there were no stupid limits like just two first songs shooting /actually maybe for Dulfer there was that limit, but who care - I packed camera after first song. Dulfer really is not my cup of tea/

Esterhazy in Artforum digital

2009-10-20T05:13:00.001-07:00

esterhazy-20091019-DSC_2066web
Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

Old mechanical Nikkor 100 on apperture 4. Very nice and reliable lens.

Peter Esterhazy in Artforum

2009-10-20T05:03:00.001-07:00

esterhazy-20091019021-Edit
Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

Lot of people were yesterday in Artforum. Foma 400 in Rodinal is a bit rough film, but that is what I looking for now. I worked with full open 35mm lens with 1/15 and 1/30 of sec, metered for 400 ISO. Developed 12 min in a bit more then 20 Celsius

Bratislava at work

2009-10-10T08:21:00.001-07:00

Bratislava at work
Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

As many say good photographer makes great pictures with any camera. True, maybe. But, the selection of camera is one important point when you are going to start new project. This is third camera I'm using for this Little Dark City. After D700 and G10 I return to the basics, to the film Leica. D700 is too big and G10 is too ... plastic toy ... Leica and films are relief at this moment, but doubts are here.

Maybe it is just nostalgia, shooting films, smell of developer, slower and more intuitive process of shooting without immediate check on display. And I'm not 1000% sure if BW is the best way for todays Bratislava. At this moment.

Krivan and Moon. Again

2009-10-08T04:07:00.001-07:00

havranok_200910040092g_web
Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

This picture was taken during the last evening shooting on Havranok, lovely spot behind Liptovska Mara with gorgeous view of West Tatras and Krivan . To achieve this size of moon I had to use 180 Nikkor with Tamron's 1.4 x converter. A bit risky combination with not predictable result - sometime it works sometime not.

Maybe time to consider this "poor mans tele" http://www.bythom.com/300lens.htm. By Hogan's review it has limitations like slow autofocus, but they doesn't matter when you are taking landscapes and I have not been going to shoot lions, yet.. The biggest problem - it's heavy beast, when its weight double the weight of 180.

Exibition in Next Apache

2009-10-07T23:57:00.001-07:00

Bratislava with Canon G10

2009-09-28T06:11:00.001-07:00

bratislava-200909170011g_web
Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

D700 is great camera, but it looks to be a bit too big, too visible and in some moments too noisy for work in streets. So I set G10 in manual exposure with auto focus and turn off all beeps and lights. One of the best things on this camera is viewfinder. I'm not able to work with back screen. Viewfinder on G10 is very poor with more then limited performance, but it works. In some way. The worst thing on camera is shutter delay - you have to look ahead and predict development. Sometimes people came out of frame if I'm slow or not to came into frame if I'm too fast. But sometimes it works - specially if everybody freeze for a moment.

Featured on Photoshelter.com

2009-09-03T01:23:00.001-07:00

bratislava-200908110496g_web
Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

Photoshelter featured September 2009

krivan_200908150235-krivan_200908150245-9473g_web

2009-08-18T04:18:00.001-07:00

krivan_200908150235-krivan_200908150245-9473g_web
Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

I took around forty panoramas that sunny day. This one is the best at this moment, specially for people on the right side. But frankly it was the day when you have no problem to put somebody in your composition.

Krivan in a summer Sunday 2

2009-08-18T04:12:00.001-07:00

Krivan in a summer Sunday
Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

Taking panoramas in stile of live photography is very shaky business.

Krivan in a summer Sunday

2009-08-18T04:09:00.001-07:00

Krivan in a summer Sunday
Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

That was a kind of experience. It was really sunny day and Krivan was crowded like a beach. The first impulse was turn back, but it was my first sunny day on Krivan this year when previous two attempts were about grumbling and walking in clouds, not about shooting. I took few panoramas with people, it was too funny and irresistible. Final print is in BW through channel mixer, mainly as an attempt to put some dignity to carnival like colors people wear here. I hope it still a bit funny. At this one `I don't mind my shadow in left down corner.

Vychodna Vysoka

2009-08-05T05:29:00.001-07:00

Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

That was the day, dream of every landscape photographer. Everything works - great mountains, sunny day with some clouds just to improve composition and my legs worked so so... It's a shame that on eleven hour long trip I'm not able to be focused all the time, not able to avoid dim moments when it is impossible to catch the beauty around me. This one was taken at a sharper moment, I hope.

Sedlo prielom

2009-08-05T00:08:00.001-07:00

Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

I'm afraid you have to go on flicker for bigger version of this one to note tourist mark ant two hikers on their way. Just click on the picture and after that on "All sizes" button

Velka studena dolina

2009-08-05T00:04:00.001-07:00

Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

One of the best July trip with lot of sun and demanding track with pass sedlo Prielom twice. View is from Vychodna Vysoka peak. I took few panoramas there and now I only regret I had not spent more time there on the top

Krivan in clouds

2009-08-04T23:53:00.001-07:00

Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

It was again one of that days with some sun in the morning and pretty cloudy rest of the day.

Romska superstar 2009

2009-08-03T03:42:00.001-07:00

Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

A very nice shooting for .tyzden on Gipsy superstar in Spissky Hrhov, organized by Dorota Nvotova. I had free access to anywhere so I used again my main landscape 20 mm Nikkor. You have to go really close with this one. More pictures here. More pictures here http://pa.photoshelter.com/c/jurokovacik/gallery/Romska-superstar-2009/G0000mjy71.Sv3AI

Pohoda 2009

2009-08-03T03:37:00.001-07:00

Originally uploaded by Juro Kovacik

it was not a good day. In one minute everything was different. More pictures here> http://pa.photoshelter.com/c/jurokovacik/gallery/Pohoda-2009/G0000zWc6nrOScfs

From here to there - Bonsai

2009-07-10T09:09:00.001-07:00

An article about editing pictures in GIMP on this link

http://tiny.cc/KcCV4

Samuel's bonsai

2009-07-10T06:29:00.001-07:00

flowers_200907100042_1g_web
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Taken in natural light in a cloudy day with old 100/2.8 Nikkor. I like this lens and use it regularly for my landscapes. Without extensive editing, just bit of sharpening, curves and other things

Rysy and Vysoka

2009-07-09T13:38:00.001-07:00

koprovky__200907010203g_web
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Pink clouds and sky in pale blue, both in colors of metro-sexual shirts, looks to bit a bit silly and inadequate in the country of sharp peeks

Koprovy potok

2009-07-09T13:35:00.001-07:00

koprova__200906060017g_web
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

today I bring home 10 framed prints and this one is todays favorite. There were obvious amount of editing here, but I love this shoot taken in cloudy rainy dummy day

Mala studena in winter and summer

2009-07-09T13:31:00.001-07:00

win_sum_mala
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Different moods of these pictures are on two sides of scale I have discovered in this year Tatra project yet. It is not big surprise that the place I measure on is Mala studena dolina. If you have only one day trip to this area, you should not miss this place

Prodigi in Bratislava .

2009-03-19T03:06:00.001-07:00

prodigy_200903070070g_web
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Another one "tree songs only" shooting experience. Light conditions were, hm, extreme? Nikkor 50/1.4 was the hero of that evening.

mala_studena_20090315_0216g_web

2009-03-18T13:27:00.001-07:00

mala_studena_20090315_0216g_web
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

The best picture from the last trip to Mala studena dolina. This time i took old mechanic Nikkor 28/2 and it looks to be a great lens. It is amazing how perfect work do these old glasses with new digital bodies.

Pink

2009-03-12T10:43:00.001-07:00

kvety_macro_200903120064g_web
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

From neverding serie of flowers pictures

Sur in night

2009-03-11T04:03:00.001-07:00

sur0220g2nn_final_web
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Some pictures needs their time. This one was taken in early autumn 2008 and it takes me half a year to release how to interpret it. Deep editing and paint like look fit this one, I think

Creek form melting snow in mountains

2009-03-10T06:41:00.001-07:00

IMG_1798g_web 20090310
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

One of the first taken with Canon G10 while running in forest with Beny. As obvious its deeply GIMPing this time - lot of local burning and dodging. Where is the border between photography, paint and fake?

Ticha dolina

2009-03-09T11:29:00.001-07:00

ticha_20090303_0006g_web
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

The saddest place in High Tatras I have visited

Krivan from Koprova dolina

2009-03-09T05:47:00.001-07:00

IMG_1634_koprova_20090302g_web
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

First days with Canon G10

Not so sunny morning

2008-12-06T13:05:00.001-08:00

Not so sunny morning
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Sun disappear that morning, hiding behind clouds. Snow was covered with brown dust. I took this one with 24mm, but this 50mm version works much better for me. Taken with F16, maximum for Nikkor 50/1.4

Sunrise

2008-12-02T06:17:00.001-08:00

Sunrise
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Maybe a too much of colors here. Lot off post processing here, different layers for top and bottom half of the picture. The result has a bit of that wired HDR look. It will be interesting to see if this one survive or if it will finish in the bin as "over the limits".

Moonrise above Baranec

2008-11-25T09:22:00.001-08:00

Moonrise above Baranec
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

look at the big version - nice stars here

Moon and Baranec

2008-11-22T07:13:00.001-08:00

bigger version here

Moon and Baranec
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Cloudy evening on Liptov

2008-11-22T06:04:00.001-08:00

bigger picture here

20081117_smrecany0031
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Dve tri prasiatka

2008-11-08T08:21:00.001-08:00

20081108_tri_prasiatka0081
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Dve tri Prasiatka
A Ha Divadlo Braislava
20081108
Zuzana Kronerova, Natalia Kusnierikova, Zuzana Mojzisova, Eva Filova
Navrat, Pestuni

Stanley Clark and Marcus Miller

2008-11-06T07:33:00.001-08:00

Stanley Clark and Marcus Miller
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

It was a great night - or tree nights - for Nikkor 180/2.8. At ISO 1100 I went for 1/200 sec and F3.5

Bratislava Jazz Days 2008

Bratislava Jazz Days 2008

2008-11-06T05:23:00.001-08:00

BJD_20081026
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Longital Gloria

2008-10-17T02:46:00.001-07:00

longital_gloria_okt08_0114
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Longital, Gloria, Klub za Zrkadlom Bratislava 15. oktober 2008

It was the first concert with D700. Great body. ISO 1600 is a bit rough in underexposed parts of picture. ISO 1100 is OK for me, ISO 800 is simply great. Light conditions were suboptimal or crazy that evening, depends on your nerves. At ISO 1600 at F3,5-5,6 I had at best 1/100 sec, so 180/2,8 Nikkor was nearly all the time only death weight in my bag. Tamron 90/2,8 did its work as usually, but the winner of the night was 50mm/1,4 Nikkor. All pictures in the set are direct conversions from RAW in Bibble Pro, only exposition is plus one or two bits and the same for shadows. For print I tried bring more light to the left part, hope it will work. Ah, and it was a great music - some of its here

Twitter - what is it?

2008-10-09T03:27:00.000-07:00

First time I noticed Twitter it was because of my old sci-fi dreams. That time it was one of probes on Mars - Phoenix, the one which is sitting on its back and digging and cooking all the time near to pole - and its pages I discovered. OK, interesting but nothing for me, I had though. What to do with something without pictures? But today I discovered nice article by Caroline Middlebrook and it change my mind.

Ostry Rohac

2008-10-06T12:59:00.001-07:00

Ostry Rohac
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

On the way to Placlivo

2008-10-03T10:59:00.001-07:00

On the way to Placlivo
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Walking to Smutne sedlo

2008-10-01T07:54:00.001-07:00

Walking to Smutne sedlo
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

On the way from Ziarska dolina to Smutne sedlo. First snow started where scrub ended. Nikkor 12-24 with D70 at 18mm. 1/80 sec at F22, ISO 200

Rohace, Ziarska dolina

2008-09-28T12:54:00.003-07:00

Rohace, Ziarska dolina
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Nikkor 18-24 with D700, set at 16 mm
some vignetting is here

Rohace - Ziarska dolina

2008-09-28T12:54:00.001-07:00

Rohace - Ziarska dolina
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Nikkor 18-24 with D700, set at 18 mm, clear sky at edges

Orchid 2

2008-09-16T12:01:00.001-07:00

Orchid 2
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Again 180mm, this time at 22. A great lens. By some you should not use 22 aperture on small size DX sensor, but on FX it works, I think

Orchid

2008-09-16T11:58:00.001-07:00

Orchid
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

180mm 2.8 Nikkor with 2.8 apperture. Details are not so strong with full open hole , but I love the bokeh it produce.

Rohace ridge

2008-09-11T07:59:00.001-07:00

Rohace ridge
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Mount Ostry - meaning SHARP - in a short glimpse of sun. Stones on foreground are from Placlivo mount

Fuzzy sunflower

2008-09-11T07:53:00.001-07:00

Fuzzy sunflower
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Ravens surfing on the ridge near to Baranec

2008-09-11T07:51:00.001-07:00

Ravens surfing on the ridge near to Baranec
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

They played on the strong wind flow like surfers on the sea waves.

Raven on Baranec mount

2008-09-11T07:48:00.001-07:00

Raven on Baranec mount
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Happy moment with Tamron 90 mm on D80. Raven was sitting on column and flay away when I came close.

Was it a volcano?

2008-09-11T07:46:00.001-07:00

Was it a volcano?
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Have to find a geologist to ask. Male zavraty, Rohace

Like in a plane

2008-09-11T07:43:00.001-07:00

Like in a plane
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Descent from Placlivo, Rohacske plesa behind the clouds. 24 mm prime Nikkor

Ridge of Rohace sierra near to Smutne sedlo

2008-09-11T07:41:00.001-07:00

Ridge of Rohace sierra near to Smutne sedlo
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Amazing place with stone statues, more of them here www.flickr.com/photos/juraj_kovacik/2812864615/ or here www.flickr.com/photos/juraj_kovacik/2812864037/in/photost...

Smutne sedlo, Rohace

2008-09-11T07:38:00.001-07:00

Smutne sedlo, Rohace
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

It was not a sunny day, but it was a great trip. The ridge of Rohace sierra is sharp and one have to use hands from time to time - at leas I have to. Look at that people on horizon - Smutne sedlo was crowded at that time

Ziar 2008

2008-08-31T10:50:00.001-07:00

Ziar 2008
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Dam Liptovska Mara in sunset

2008-08-23T10:43:00.001-07:00

Dam Liptovska Mara
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

90 mm/2.8 Tamron is a great lens. Perfect for micro photography and more then usable for general pictures

An evening on Dolinky

2008-08-23T10:36:00.001-07:00

An evening on Dolinky
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

At least there are that days. You are chasing for ghost for weeks and months, you are out days and nights at sun, rain and snow, you are loosing kilograms and wearing out your shoos and patience. And one day it happens. You are on right place at the right moment. And you are shooting. This was that day

Ziaranka creek

2008-08-23T02:19:00.001-07:00

Ziaranka creek
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Early morning, taken with 24 mm Nikkor. I got low here. Long time and small hole - 1.6 sec and f 1/18

Ridge of Nizke Tatry sierra near Chopok

2008-08-23T01:54:00.001-07:00

Ridge of Nizke Tatry sierra near Chopok
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

From a two days trip on Nizke Tatry ridge. Picture was taken near to Chopok, few minutes after heavy rain. 24 mm prime

Ziaranka creek

2008-08-23T01:48:00.001-07:00

Ziaranka creek
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

12 -24 Nikkor, focal length 12 mm. The widest view I'm able to achieve on D80. Another point to look for full size sensor camera

Meads on Dolinky, Liptov

2008-08-23T01:43:00.001-07:00

Meads on Dolinky, Liptov
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

24 mm prime lens with polarize filter. It was taken in nearly 90 degrees angle to the Sun. I waited for shade on the bottom part of picture to add that slope line in the foreground. It was a nice day

Old shade and "Ziaranka" creek

2008-08-22T12:11:00.001-07:00

Old shade and "Zairanka" creek
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Again 24mm prime lens. Taken with aperture setting F 5.6 only. Old decay shade was build as a sauna. It doesn't work anymore. Or it works partly only. If you want use it, you may have a lot of cold water. Hot would be a problem. Its kind of asymmetric sauna today, which works only on one side of traditional hot - cold process. It is for free, if you dare.

Natalka a Lenka

2008-08-21T12:32:00.001-07:00

Natalka a Lenka
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Taken with Tamron 90mm, RAW processing in Bibble Pro and Andy BW simulation plugin

Creek

2008-08-21T10:44:00.001-07:00

Creek
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Again 24 mm prime lenses on D80. Early morning with a slight fog above water.

Morning forest

2008-08-21T10:39:00.001-07:00

Morning forest
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

A picture from morning forest on Liptov. Taken with 24 mm, working as 35 mm on D80. Leafs on the left bottom are blurred by breeze.

Bibble PRO - Andy BW simulation

2008-08-09T05:10:00.001-07:00

Bibble PRO - Andy BW simulation
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Transforming of a digital shoot to BW picture is kind of a riddle. Direct luminance transformation is usually too flat. RAW file processing software is distributed with light version of Andy BW simulation. On picture you may see how does it work, settings: Fomapan 100/ Ilford Multigrade 4 Filter 1

Gray

2008-08-08T11:05:00.001-07:00

Francuzsko_20070134
Originally uploaded by JUKOV

Gray is very, very photogenic city. With medieval roots, with narrow lanes which are twisting up to flank of a hill, with stone stairs and and quite nooks. One can dream about to spent a spring or fall here for taking pictures. A nice dream. This picture is only one of interpretation of this shoot. I have made a few bromoils from this picture, here is one of them

World is wonderful place ...

2008-08-06T02:48:00.000-07:00

... on landscape pictures by Charles Cramer.

You can find beauty of simple and ordinary things here. You may find that the Dome is not the only thing to look at in Yosemite park. Cramer makes pictures of scenes you may find in every forest and is HE what make them extraordinary. Great vision, great and inspirational work.