Nik Software

Lessons From A Mountain Goat

June 10, 2013 by Justin Balog 3 Comments

I just got back from a weekend long #roadtrip that took me from the eastern plains to 14,000 ft. For the entire trip, I took one camera with me and left the tripod at home. This is one of my favorite images from that trip. I shot it with the non-pro super zoom, Nikon’s 18-200. I know it’s cliche, but to hell with the gear. Just get out and shoot! Great images are in you, not your gear. If you can’t afford $10,000 worth of lenses…who cares. Just get out and have fun!

Photographer’s Note – I used Google’s Viveza software to emphasize the structure in the mountain goat’s coat. The rest was Lightroom 4 and Mother Nature.

Filed Under: Colorado, Lightroom 4, Nik Software, Nikon 18-200 VR, Nikon D7000, One Click, Processing Notes, Tips

Roooaaaad Trip!

June 5, 2013 by Justin Balog 2 Comments

It sure feels like summer, and that can only mean one thing…Road Trip! I hope everyone has something planned. Even if it’s a long weekend, it sure is nice to get out, leave the plan behind and see what destiny has in store for you!

Filed Under: Americana, Nik Software, Nikon 17-35 2.8 AFS, Nikon D700, Travel, Utah

TV Free

May 23, 2013 by Justin Balog 4 Comments

This is my kind of place. A quaint little lodge in the jungle, without a TV for 50 miles. Years ago, I gave up TV completely. I didn’t become as productive as I thought I would. I just ended up hanging out at coffee shops a lot more. Now I have a TV, largely because of the Tour de France, Downton Abbey and House Hunters International…but I still try to limit my TV time. Do you have any favorite shows?

Filed Under: Belize, HDR, Lightroom 4, Nik Software, Nikon 14-24mm 2.8, Nikon D700, Really Right Stuff, RRS Versa 24, Tips

Sand Fleas & Palapas

May 21, 2013 by Justin Balog 5 Comments

I can’t even begin to tell you the anguish I endured as a result of being attacked by sand fleas while shooting this image. After the initial attack, I probably had over 100 bites on my arms and legs. I asked everyone for remedies…grocery store owners, friends, Mayan mystics…you name it. They all offered preventive measures. However, it was too late. The damage had been done. Do you have any remedies for sand flea attacks?

Photographer’s Note – This is a single image shot with the legendary Nikon 14-24 2.8. The little light sparkles are a result of a dirty lens. Everything shows up on that bad boy. I wanted to clean it, but I was under attack. But I’m not really a stickler for that kind of stuff anyway. When you post as many photos as I do, and try to encourage others to make some magic of their own. A little lens flare just adds interest to the adventure. Right?

Filed Under: Belize, Lightroom 4, Nik Software, Nikon 14-24mm 2.8, Nikon D700, Processing Notes, Travel

The Ship’s Tavern

May 15, 2013 by Justin Balog 5 Comments

I haven’t posted much from Denver lately, so I decided to go waaaay back into the archive today. This is the famous Ship’s Tavern, which is the quaint little pub in the world famous Brown Palace. A must see while visiting Denver.

Photographer’s Note & Other Geeky Stuff – When I’m shooting at night, I try to overexpose my images. Partly because the camera will tend to underexpose them. Even if I lose some detail in the highlights, I can easily recover that information in Lightroom. What it does give me is an information rich file to work with. This allows me be creatively style my night scenes with Nik Filters. Hope that helps you on your own creative journey!