Bordeaux

The Final Days Of The Tour

July 20, 2011 by Justin Balog 2 Comments

This year’s Tour is almost over and I’m not sure what I’m going to do with myself. I think my wife might be a tad bit excited to see it end. She likes the fact that I’m not a traditional sports guy. It frees up our Sundays since we don’t have to plan around the NFL. However, in July, its like I’m throwing a Super Bowl party for the entire month.

Starting Thursday July, 21st, The Tour will be won or lost in the high French Alps. If you haven’t watched it yet, make sure watch Thursday and Friday’s stages. You won’t want to miss what will be an epic battle unfolding against the backdrop of the Col du Galibier. Here is a quick TV schedule for the reader’s here in the states.

Andy…Andy…Andy!

Also, if you don’t know who to root for, root for Andy Schleck! He and is brother Frank will need all the help they can get to stave off the Attacks of Cadel Evans and Alberto Contador. Here is an image I made at last year’s TDF durning the final time trial in Bordeaux. Because of some bad luck, he lost to Alberto Contador. This year, with a little bit of luck, victory will be his!

Chasing The Tour

If you missed it last year, or you are one of our new readers here at LightAsMagic.com, here is the movie I put together while chasing these riders around the French countryside in 2010.

Filed Under: Bordeaux, Cycling, France, Nik Software, Tour De France, Travel

Reflections of Bordeaux

January 3, 2011 by Justin Balog 9 Comments

Howdy! I’m fully recharged and excited to be back. I missed everyone. This image from Bordeaux was made while visiting the Tour de France over the summer. After watching the individual time trial earlier in the afternoon where I made this image, pops and I spent the evening exploring the streets of Bordeaux. The evenings surrounding the heart of the city are magical. This evening was no exception. The reflecting pool pictured here is in a constant state of change. It begins by emitting a mist which is followed by an eruption of fountains. As the fountains fade, the pool fills with water. At this point, kids start to run and splash around. Shortly the water recedes and starts all over again.

News: Starting tomorrow the guest blog series, ‘Out Their Front Door’, hits HOSSedia.com. Let me say that the first installment knocks it out of the park. Make sure to check back tomorrow to see what it is all about.

Continue for Capture/Processing Notes…

Filed Under: Bordeaux, France, Gitzo Traveler, HDR, Nik Software, Nikon 17-35 2.8 AFS, Nikon D700, Processing Notes, Topaz Software, Travel

Three 19

November 16, 2010 by Justin Balog 8 Comments

Today’s image is from the Bordeaux riverfront in France. This area of the city is magical at night. All along the water front are miles of beautifully manicured gardens where friends gather to enjoy wine and share stories. In the midst of these gardens is a massive pool which reflects the city behind it. I will always remember walking along this river listening to the sound of a young French man singing Bob Marley’s ‘Redemption Song’. I couldn’t help but smile and whistle along. Someday I will head back to Bordeaux. It is one of those places you long to return to because you left so many images behind. Well, that and I didn’t try any of the wine……

Also, in case you haven’t noticed, HOSSedia.com has joined the ranks for 1 out of every 14 people in the world. We are now on Facebook, so if you are one of the folks, drop on by. If you like, please suggest it to a friend or two. Thanks!

http://www.facebook.com/HOSSedia

Fitness Challenge Update: We are growing in numbers. Thanks to our first female team member, we are now five people strong. Thanks Jill! If you are on the fence, now is the time to jump in. Think of your goals and get ready to post them on Friday. This will be a great way to stay motivated. As for the prizes, here is what we are working towards.

1) I will be giving away 5 8×10 signed prints of an image YTDB. If more than 5 people participate, I will randomly select 5 people from those that have participated to receive the prints.

2) The first prize winner will be randomly selected from the group of participants. First prize will be a 20×30 signed print of your choice. You can find my current print selection here.

3) I am still working on a couple of other prizes so stay tuned. I will keep you posted.

Continue for Capture/Processing Notes…

Filed Under: Bordeaux, France, Gitzo Traveler, HDR, My Favorites, Nikon 17-35 2.8 AFS, Nikon D700, Processing Notes, Topaz Software, Travel

Window Shopping In Bordeaux

August 31, 2010 by Justin Balog 2 Comments

No kidding, this was the neighborhood grocery store where we were staying at in Bordeaux. If this was my local grocery store, I don’t think I would ever keep anything in the pantry at home. I would visit it everyday, shoot some photos, and grab a piece of fruit and coffee on my way to work. In the evening, this hub of commerce flashed back to the days of the Salon when the local youth would come out to enjoy the surrounding cafes and discuss the day’s topics. It was the heart of the neighborhood, and just the down the street from our hotel.

Travel Guides: When I get back from visiting a town, I try to put together a quick travel guide that usually includes a map of photo locations and a quick list of things to do, places to eat, and where to stay. You can find all my travel guides, including the Unofficial Definitive Guide to Cozumel, over here:

http://www.hossedia.com/travel/

I hope to be publishing my guide to France very soon. Stay tuned!

Continue for Capture/Processing Notes…

Filed Under: Bordeaux, France, Gitzo Traveler, HDR, Nik Software, Nikon 17-35 2.8 AFS, Nikon D700, Photomatix, Travel

The Old Vineyard

July 31, 2010 by Justin Balog 0 Comments

I’m pretty sure I committed an international crime by not sampling any wine while driving through the vineyards of France on our way to Bordeaux. I guess I am more of a Leffe Brune type of guy. Boy, that is a good Belgium beer!

Google suggest that our drive from La Mongie to Bordeaux was around 3hours. We decided to stay off the interstate and take the back roads, which added about 4 hours and an untold number of stories to the drive. Well worth the extra time. One of the the vineyards we passed had an old monastery on its property. As you drive through the French countryside, you get used to seeing quaint villages surrounding a cathedral rich in character. If you stopped at everyone one, it would would take you a week to drive 300km. But this one, I couldn’t pass up. I will post the abandoned monastery sometime in the future. For now, I really liked the gate that led me to it.

Capture Notes:

Nikon D700
Nikkor 45mm PC-E
Gitzo Traveler
Lexar UDMA film

Aperture f/4.2
Focal Length 45 mm
ISO Speed 200

Processing Notes:

Capture – 7 images @ 1EV
Photomatix – HDR Tonemapping
Photoshop – Global Curves Adjustment
Nik Color Efex Pro – Glamour Glow (2x)
Nik Color Efext Pro – Tonal Contrast (selective)
Sized for web
LightAsMagic.com

Tip: If you schedule a day to explore the countryside into your trip, use it. Don’t rush to your destination. You will get there, but take time to fill your life with what is uniquely everyday.