HDR'ing

Just downloaded a trial version of Photomatix. A program that allows you to combine multiple images of different exposures to create one image of more detail, or what is called a High Dynamic Range (HDR) photo. I could spew forth a pile of technical jargon but I'll let the pictures explain it for themselves.

The first photo is taken using the best exposure possible to get the greatest amount of information. The sky is too bright and the objects are too dark but it's a good compromise.

The second is taken with a shorter exposure. The sky is great but you can't see any boats or land.

And the final image is taken with a longer exposure, capturing the boats really well but the sky is blown out.

Combining the photos together and conducting some 'tone mapping' with Photomatix and this is what you get. Pretty cool for a first go.


And another one.


Once I pay for the key I'll be able to get rid of the watermarks created by the trial version. Happy days.

The one legged man.

Had a funny day yesterday. As the day went on my usual cynicism with society increased as a result of inflamatory anti-cyclist articles such as this; and stupid, fat and lazy auto-commuters holding me up on the way home. It all started getting me down so I went for a ride.

On my second descent of Castle Hill I noticed an old man riding upward on a mtb/hybrid. He was progressing very slowly and although I thought he had bitten off more than he could chew (and perhaps shouldn't have attempted the hill) I nodded hello and he nodded back. I turned around at the bottom and started up again, soon I caught him in my view ahead. He was still struggling, looking awkward on the bike and going quite slowly.

Then, to my amazement, I realised what he was doing. This was a man who had overcome a huge hurdle in his life and was now out on a hot and humid day making the most of what he has. He wasn't sitting in front of a TV or driving a car, like most people in his circumstances were. He had discovered that even without a leg, life keeps on keeping on.

I slowed down as I passed and said hello. Most two legged people will give you a bit of a grunt and comment on how hard the climb is. No-one is ever as happy as he was to say hello and comment on the breeze.

I reached the top and headed down again, passed him, nodding again. I reach the bottom and decided on one more climb. He passed me on his way down, wind blowing through his grey hair, huge smile on his face and yelling in his European accent "OYOYOYOOOOY!!!!!!!".

The rest of my day was great!!!

The Wedding

I was actually in Bondi for Robbo and Roo's wedding, so here's a few snaps.

The church wasn't too shaby, overlooking the heads.

Signing up for life.


The usual suspects.

Dunbar House was set up nicely.

They served me beer at my table.



The rest I can't remember.........

A weekend in Bondi.

Headed down to Bondi for the Aussie Day weekend. What a different world!

Here's a couple of views from my balcony at the Bondi Hotel.

And some shots around the bay.

Where's Wally?





And a shot of my hotel. Est 1920



Finally a couple from Watsons Bay

Irony.

i-ro-ny -noun: an outcome of events contrary to what was, or might have been, expected.

So there I was last night, watching bikes fly through the air, over ramps, half pipes and rails. Today, I also saw a bike fly through the air, only this time within inches of my drivers side window, coming to an immediate halt after impacting the rear of the car in front of me. Very quickly followed by a teenager, landing metres in front of my car and sliding to a halt in the turning lane.

Teenagers are getting more and more 'X-treme' everyday. He was carted away in an ambulance so it was a once of trick, but it goes to show more devotion to the art of cycling than I ever have in a 24 hour race or commuting and training everyday; rain, hail or shine.

The catapult.

The sacrificial bike.


The landing zone.


All okay eventually.


Note: Before you all think I have a cold black heart; I am only talking in jest (although it was 100% his fault for filtering through stationary traffic into an empty but fast moving turning lane and it is people like him that give cyclist a bad name.The media will still call him a 'cyclist', just because he's riding a bike). He came out of it pretty well and I was the one to call the ambo, render some first aid and comfort the driver of the actual car (because it wasn't her fault and she's the one who'll remember it for the rest of her life, not him). That's once my hands stopped shaking enough to use my phone - damn buttons are so small!!

Was on my way to see Juno too. At least there's an arvo session.