Life is Music™

I wish everyone a happy new year in 2010 and invite in this new decade with eternal optimism.  I’m sincerely grateful for everyone who took the time in 2009 to stop by here and read.  Please keep coming back and don’t be afraid to comment!  : ) 

Peace and love in the new decade,

Chad
Life is Music™

Although I typically prefer to get the perfect focal length directly from my camera to avoid any major cropping, there are times when a cropped panoramic view can increase your photo’s power and beauty significantly.  This is especially true in nature or landscape photography where a wide angle view is typically present and since the human eye sees panoramically, duplicating this will oftentimes produce a stunning image.

Here are some tips I have for creating a quality panoramic image from one single shot, rather than stitching several shots together and editing with a program.

1. Quality – Since you will be cutting some of the data away, your initial photo should be taken in the lowest ISO possible to ensure that after the crop there is still quality data available to keep the photo sharp and unpixelated.  The original image should be sharp all around and exposed properly as any major editing after the crop can be amplified which will adversely affect the image’s quality.
2. Wide angle – The most stunning panoramic images have a severe wide angle.  To achieve this you will need to invest in a quality wide angle lens.  Wide angle is typically considered 24mm or less with 8mm being the widest possible.  For my digital slr I use a Nikon 12-24 f/4 G but there are many other quality wide angle lenses on the market.  If you are using a point and shoot, go as wide as possible.
3. Level - When shooting any landscape image that involves the horizon, the original image should be perfectly horizontal.  Again, any major editing of the image like straightening will have adverse effects on the quality after cropped.  To achieve a perfectly level photo always use a tripod.  If a tripod is not feasible (like trying to photograph in a canoe), use two hands with elbows in, slow your breath and keep the camera steady.  Take several images to ensure you have a few to choose from.  Like everything in this world there are exceptions, but keeping things level will work best and help ensure you get a dynamic panoramic image.
4. F stop – For nature and landscape photography I like to see everything in focus from front to back.  To achieve this you need to use a small aperture which will maximize depth of field and keep everything in focus rather than blurring areas that are not within your focal points.  Each lens has a sweet spot where everything will be perfectly sharp.  On my Nikon 12-24 f/4 G I have found this to be at f/10.  Depending on available light, I start at f/8 and will work all the way to f/22 to achieve the desired result.  The small aperture needed to keep your image sharp will slow shutter speeds, so once again a tripod is necessary especially when shooting in low available light like at dusk or dawn.  I also recommend using a wireless remote to eliminate camera shake on the tripod.
5. Composition – In composing a strong panoramic image, try to avoid framing the photo too close to the edges of the main subject.  Giving the image room to create a wide sweeping effect will amplify your subjects and create a more dynamic image.  Keep in mind the general rule in photography of thirds and remember that a panoramic image is cropped, so take advantage of the little vertical space you have.
6. Cropping - When it comes to cropping, less is more in my opinion.  If the rules above are followed you should now have a quality wide angle image that just needs to be cut down.  There is no golden rule when it comes to cropping, but  generally anything that has an aspect ratio of 2:1 (image being twice as wide as its height) or larger is considered panoramic.  Look at the main subjects and any symmetry or patterns to create the perfect panoramic crop.  Once again try to keep in mind the general rule of thirds in photography while doing so.  Try to minimize cropping the width and focus on cropping the height above and/or below your main subject.  Just as I mentioned earlier, the less editing you do (including cropping) the sharper the final product will be.  Experiment with different crops before settling on the best.

So there’s a little tutorial on creating a panoramic image from a single wide angle shot.  If you take your original image at the lowest possible ISO, compose a nice wide angle shot with a small aperture, keep everything level, and focus on cropping the height rather than the width you should create a quality panoramic image.  Have fun!

After looking through some images from a recent camping trip I decided to crop down a few images to panoramic views.  Here are some examples and the cropped panoramic images I created from them.  For the most part I followed the rules above.  The second image was not taken with a wide angle lens, but I was still able to effectively get a wide angle shot since I was quite far from the subject and nothing on the lake was obstructing my view.

cropped panoramic

original image - ISO 200 f/8 1/25 sec @ 24mm

cropped panoramic

original image - ISO 200 f/10 1/80 sec @ 50mm

cropped panoramic

original image - ISO 200 f/11 1/160 sec @ 12mm

I paddled east across calm water as the sun began rising into a cloudless sky.  Ahead were the towering palisades of Clearwater Lake with a brilliantly pink sky overtaking the last deep blue of night just behind.  I squinted into the sun paddling away to my portage into Caribou Lake and so began my second solo adventure into the Boundary Waters.

With a year into planning, I knew the portage into Caribou Lake could be a challenge.  What I wasn’t prepared for was sinking knee deep in muddy sections of the 210 rod trail that were entirely under water.  By the time I hauled my gear across, my patience was tested.  The stunning beauty of Caribou Lake with its soft bluffy shores of pine and birch brought a smile to my face as I anxiously paddled my solo canoe hoping that one of the six campsites was open.  Every site on the lake was occupied.  I passed by four gentlemen at a site on the easterly stretch of the lake and they told me the only site on Little Caribou was also taken.  Now I was forced to big waters in search of a place to camp, my very worst fear.

I had left Clearwater Lake with nothing more than a granola bar and some water for breakfast and by the time I reached the end of Caribou Lake I was spent.  With the relentless sun doing its part to make things worse and my own mind frustrated and questioning my every decision, I pushed on.  Soon I sat on the westerly shore of one of the prettiest lakes I have ever witnessed, Little Caribou.  I ate some trail mix and a fruit bar at the end of the portage then quickly paddled across.

Pine Lake is a beast of water that sat 80 rods away.  After portaging I hugged the north shore of Pine knowing that the nearest site was still two miles away.  With a steady breeze working against me I cursed my misfortunes with my arms and back paying a heavy fee.  Finally I came upon the first site from the west which sat unoccupied.  The site itself and its view were quite unimpressive, but not wanting to venture further away from where I wanted to be, I made it home for two days and dropped on shore completely fatigued. 

Pine Lake (my camp on the right)

A very small island sat directly in front of me and housed the nest of two loons.  These birds were a constant source of entertainment with their wild calls frequently echoing down the lengthy and steeply bluffed corridor of Pine Lake.  I can only imagine a thousand years ago these same calls echoing across the great landscape barely changed by time, with its waters both deep and shallow lapping against these same rocky shores in the ancient rhythm. 

For two days I fished logical points within my area but had no luck.  The abundant sunshine and swirling or sometimes nonexistent winds didn’t help matters.  Due to the energy spent getting to my site, Pine Lake intimidated me and not wanting to venture too far away for fear of potential waves I stayed close to camp.  The disappointment of changed plans slowly waned as the rhythm of nature took over.  For hours I stared out across the rippled surface of the lake completely taken by the surroundings as birds provided a fine song above in the steep boreal shores that sometimes roared like a train when the winds whistled through.  It was in this time that patience returned to me. 

Taking a chance on finding an open site on Caribou Lake, on day three I packed camp and headed west.  On the way I hiked back through the forest to a waterfall called Johnson Falls.  It was glorious hike early in the morning with the dewy air scented in fresh pine.  I made it to the falls in half an hour and found myself on the easterly side of the falls with an obstructed view, yet downstream a dead pine trunk spanned the creek 4′ above the swiftly moving rapids.  Knowing there may not be another visitor for days, I went through the ‘what-ifs’ before sizing it up and crawling across the damp and sometimes mossy log.  I scooted sideways, my base low with my camera box in one hand and a tripod precariously slung over the opposite shoulder.  Once to the middle, the 14″ diameter log bounced lightly beneath my weight.  It took breathing and concentration but I made it across with my shins on fire most of the way.  I spent the next hour with the falls all mine.

Lower Johnson Falls

When I returned to the canoe I felt revived.  The day was beautiful with a few light clouds dancing slowly across the otherwise blue sky.  I paddled along leisurely sometimes letting the winds push me where they would and soon found myself back on Caribou.  With the holiday weekend coming to an end, I thought maybe some campers would leave a day early.  My thoughts were correct and I was able to choose the best of three open sites.  When I stepped foot on ground I stretched my arms high and and yelled to the heavens.  It seems that patience and a little luck payed off. 

Caribou Lake from camp

The site had a stunning view to the southeast and a nice flat canoe landing.  I took advantage of the flat shore and walked out into the 50 degree waters.  The dip was incredibly refreshing after the constant cycle of warm days and very cold nights.  I was just setting up my solo tent when a white bearded ranger in a tan hat and dark sunglasses stopped by to check my permit.  We talked for ten minutes and he explained that my campsite once had a rail line through it for logging operations.  “But now the forest has reclaimed what was rightfully hers.”  He laughed.  I smiled back at him.

quiet night on Caribou

sun setting on Caribou

I tried fishing again but had no luck.  The beautiful view I had on this gorgeous lake made me lucky enough I guess.  When the sun went down I paddled out to the middle of the lake to fish, but spent most of my time just sitting there and listening.  The winds had died completely now leaving me motionless on the water.  I watched as the sun fell out of view lighting the sky nicely and when it got dark I paddled back in and set up a campfire.  I sat and sipped bourbon with nature my only companion.  Soon I fell asleep and woke to a new day.

before sunrise on Caribou

I was up before the sun and had oatmeal and tea for breakfast before packing things.  It was the cloudiest morning thus far but I was grateful.  It seems the sun takes as much energy as it gives when paddling and portaging long distances.  After bidding Caribou Lake farewell, I portaged back to Clearwater Lake and it appeared foot traffic and runoff put the portage in worst shape than it was before.  When I reached Clearwater my boots were once again sodden in mud.

As I paddled back to my car I thought about the experience I had.  I sacrificed half of my trip on waters I didn’t want to be on, and the energy expended getting there made me forfeit a day hike to a towering overlook towards Canada I had long been looking forward to.  It seems that life often throws you off course no matter how much you plan ahead.  These are the challenges that display what you’re made of I suppose.  Do you give up, or make the best of the situation until you can make things better?  It seems nothing is easy yet with patience and faith in your actions you will get to where you need to be.

The large cold waters of Clearwater Lake began getting choppy and I looked over my shoulder to the high palisades one more time thankful that I got an early start on the day.  I struggled to keep a straight line with the waves pushing from the north but finally I landed on shore.  After packing my car completely, I walked down the shoreline and sat for some time.  It was going to be a cool and windy day.  My eyes searched around and saw no one.  Before I turned my back to the lake I took in a few more deep breaths and remembered what the white bearded forest ranger said as he paddled away from my site and waved, ”Enjoy the Boundary Waters.”  He said to me.

(first published September 3rd, 2007)

The day before I left home for a five day solo trip through four lakes in the Boundary Waters my mother was panicking.  “What if the bears get you?”  She asked having just learned that the area is a natural habitat of black bears.  I wasn’t worried about the bears although I did have a lot of my mind as I drove up to Ely, MN on August 26th for a night in a bunkhouse.  A father and son from central Texas stayed in the same bunkhouse and they were very gentlemen-like and reversed my opinion that all men from Texas are idiots.  They bought me dinner that rainy night and when we returned we packed and double-checked our gear before our respective adventures ensued.

I was up early and saw a nice doe and her fawn then later a gray wolf as I drove to my entry point on Lake One.  This was my first time in a canoe in over ten years and a few hens splashed out as I paddled away alone.  I made it through Lake One and its easy portages with no problems but when I reached Lake Two the sky darkened and the wind and waves picked up.  By the time I reached Lake Three where I planned on making camp, I was struggling against the wind and as I moved south around a small island the wind had me sideways.  With everything in me I tried muscling my way straight to no avail.  The rock-studded shore of the island was getting closer and for the only time on the trip I was really scared.  This is when I had no choice but to give in and I learned a big lesson;  sometimes you need to have faith and let nature take you where it will.  Luckily for me the winds pushed me to the sheltered north side of the island where I regrouped then moved on to another island for lunch and a break.  The winds died down later and I found a nice campsite upon a 20′ rocky cliff on the southeast side of the lake.  That night it thundered and rained like I have never experienced before in the wild.

The next day was gray and overcast.  I spent most of the day fishing and had wonderful luck catching walleyes off of a small island in the middle of the lake.  Before I returned back to camp at dusk, the sun finally showed me some of its brilliant colors that I had been anticipating for so long.

Cloudy Sunset on Lake Three

When I returned back I sipped on some whisky keeping my eye out for the full moon.  It was still cloudy but for a few moments its rays shined through.  That night I fell asleep quickly waking several times to a bull moose calling from the south. 

On Wednesday I woke up with the sunrise to a very cold morning.  The sky had cleared and temperatures had to be in the lower forties.  A dense fog covered the lake and was slowly burning away with the daylight and the full sturgeon moon stood small but visible before it finally sailed away.

Full Sturgeon Moon at Sunrise

After putting on my cold weather clothes, I made some hot tea and curry soup then packed my gear for my trek to Horseshoe Lake.

I portaged into Horseshoe Lake by 9:00AM and found a very nice and secluded site in the southeast arm.  This was going to be my day to relax and the sky was blue and filled with beautiful white clouds that passed by with the light breeze.

Beautiful Horseshoe Lake Afternoon

The day was perfect and I only briefly saw one other canoe.  It felt like the lake was mine.  After a swim and some much needed yoga, I made pasta and fried walleye for dinner and drank one of the beers I had portaged in.  The sun set quickly and I snapped a few photos as the lake shown calm and as smooth as glass against the fading colors of the sky.

An Evening on Horseshoe Lake

That night as I layed in my small solo tent, two loons talked to each other from each side of the lake.  I fell asleep dreaming and again woke to a bull moose calling and then later the howl of a lone wolf.  They were all telling me that it is good to be alive.

The next morning Horseshoe Lake was calm and clear.  I packed up quickly and headed off back to Lake Three with my eyes on an island campsite.  When I reached Lake Three, not a soul was to be found which felt odd since I had seen several boats my first few days there.  I paddled on smoothly with the light breeze and the site I wanted was open.  The site was on the east side of a large island in an area where several smaller islands converge and it pointed out to a wonderful view of the north and east.  I set up camp and wandered around the island a bit before spending the rest of the day on the water fishing.  The day was sunny, breezy and very hot and I sunburned my face and hands.  The fishing was great but four days of hard work was making me tired and sore.  I fished hard right in front of camp and later returned and cooked a nice dinner and had my last beer as the skies darkened.

Lake Three Dusk

The critters of the night kept me up for a while but soon I fell asleep with a nice cool breeze blowing through my tent.  The next day I was heading home.

I peeked my head out of the tent early in the morning and saw the first light of day.  The chilly morning air made me scramble for clothes as I stepped out into the most magnificent sunrise of my trip.  The horizon started bright red and then yielded into yellow and blue through the light clouds.

Silent Wavelength of Lake Three

Golden Sunrise on Lake Three

I had oatmeal and tea for breakfast and then packed camp.  Once the sun rose, the winds picked up and while looking at my compass I knew they were going to battle me all the way out.  I sat and read from Ivan Turgenev’s “Sportsman’s Sketches” hoping the winds would die but the horizon showed no signs of change and I knew it didn’t look good.  I battled the stiff north breeze through all of Lake Three and then again through Lake One before finally making my way out through where I entered.  Four men were on shore ready to embark on their own adventure and a beautiful young black lab with a red bandana around its neck swam out to my canoe and welcomed me.

I pulled my canoe on shore exhausted yet content and took my time packing things up.  An older gentleman and I spoke a bit about fishing and the weather and it really felt weird to have an actual conversation with a person, but being alone for five days sure made me a good listenener.  Time alone with nature can do wonderful things to you if you let it.  It doesn’t often come easy or without a price though, but then again nothing worth a lick ever does.

Welcome to the blog for Chad Rieder Photography!  Here I will be posting concert reviews with photos, trip reports with photos, and other random thoughts.  Please come back again soon and be well!