Author: Marek

Less Paddling, More Photowalking, Shooting, and Experimenting with HDR

I haven’t paddled much during last weeks due to a tendonitis in my right wrist. I believe the problem is more related to the overuse of a computer mouse than paddling. The wrist does not really bother me when paddling – I completed the MR340 Race in July without a problem. Nevertheless, it seem that paddling does not help in recovery. So, less or no paddling, but more biking, inline skating or just walking with the camera.

Here is a little gallery of pictures shot during my recent photo walking. They are all HDR (High Dynamic Range) images combined from multiple frames with a different exposure. They were shot with Canon EOS 40D camera and Canon EFs 17-55 mm lens on a tripod and saved as RAW. Multiple exposures were processed into HDR images with Photomatix software using detail enhancer for tone mapping.

The last sunset image comes from my paddling on the Lonetree reservoir, but was shot from a shore with my DSLR camera. I haven’t had much success in an attempt to use my Pentax Optio W30 camera for HDR. It is difficult not to shake this little camera when changing exposure time even if it is mounted on a tripod.

Miller Block at historic old town of Fort Collins, Colorado, just after the sunset. 3 exposures +/- 1.5EV

Union Pacific boxcar covered with a colorful graffiti on the siding track near Harmony Mill, Fort Collins. Abandoned? A home of homeless? 3 exposures +/- 2EV

Old abandoned grain elevator in Pierce, Colorado after heavy rain. 3 exposures +/- 1EV.

Sunset over Rocky Mountains Front Range and Lonetree Reservoir. 5 exposures +/- 1EV.

It is the same sunset as in 5 Pictures in 1: HDR Image of Sea Wind Canoe and Colorado Sunset. The above pictures can be ordered as royalty free from FeaturePics (different sizes and license types including free thumbnails for blogging).

August 17, 2008
The Last Frame during the 2008 Missouri River 340 Race

I packed my Canon EOS 40D camera with a tripod for the recent MR340 race. I launched 40 minutes before the start and paddled across the Kaw River to shoot 150 boats lining up above boat ramp, then starting, entering the Missouri and heading down the river.

Exactly speaking, there were only 149 boats starting since my Sea Wind canoe was waiting for me stacked in a muddy beach of the Kaw River. Amazingly, I lost not more than 5 minutes to other boats before I was able to launch and start my race. You can see 8 of these pictures in the Fitness Paddling blog.

After 86 miles and more than 12 hours of almost non stop paddling (just a few minute breaks at two checkpoints) it was time to stop and turn my navigational lights on. Fortunately, the Big Muddy offered a beautiful big sandbar for this purpose. I couldn’t resist the quiet sunset and unpacked my camera and tripod. I spend next 25 minutes shooting. I preferred not to count how many boats passed me during that time.

The above picture is a HDR image derived from three 3 frames shot with different exposure time, processed and map toned with the Photomatix software. It is similar to my recent picture of the Colorado sunset combined from 5 frames.

During the 2007 MR340 I also stopped to shoot sunset between Waverly and Miami, but I was about 10 miles closer to Miami paddling a faster Thunderbolt kayak. Mark Przedwojewski and Brian Weber were just passing in their Kruger cruiser. At that time Connie was at Miami looking upstream and shot a picture of West Hansen and Richard Steppe approaching the checkpoint.

This year I managed to shoot Toby is his Sea Wind leaving the sandbar. Why he was in such a hurry?

It was the last time I used Canon camera during the race. My serious photography attempts ended there. The camera and tripod remained packed till Coopers Landing where I left them with my wife. I focused on paddling and shooting with my compact Pentax Optio W30.

July 24, 2008
Kayak and Water Photography by Jock Bradley

I am just reading Kayaking for Fitness book by Jodi Bigelow. I am going to write a review of this book, but the first thing which grabbed my attention was a great photography by Jock Bradley. Certainly, it is inspiration for my picture shooting.

Jock Bradley is considered to be one of the finest kayaking photographers in the world. His images have appeared in countless magazines such as Canoe and Kayak, Paddler, Kayak Session, Men’s Journal, Outside, National Geographic Adventure and Sports Illustrated. A few years ago he published “Torrent” – a coffee table book collection of his finest whitewater images. You can see his portfolio dominated by kayaking and water themes on his web page: Jock Bradley Photography.

Here is a quote from his professional bio:

Early in my career it was clear that my eye was attracted to water. I found that I loved both the graphic power and the tranquil serenity it offered. Paying bills and raising a family led me along a more financially stable path of doing corporate assignments until about seven years ago. It was then, as a kayaker I decided to finally succumb to my true calling.

At first it was just about athletes kayaking over waterfalls that captivated me. The graceful synergy of the kayaker as he avoided bodily injury or death while plummeting over a sixty-foot waterfall was fascinating. For a few years, I immersed myself and explored the creative depths of this genre. To celebrate this photographic chapter of my life I recently had a coffee table book published showcasing some of my favorite whitewater images.

My vision has evolved from high-risk adrenaline activities to equally graphic and enduring images of people interacting with water. From kayaking, to yachting, to snow sports, anywhere there is water, you will find my camera focused on the activity.

His pictures appear in several recent books on kayaking including Kayak Fishing, Sea Kayaking Rough Waters, and Canoe Camping. I am sure he is involved in more books, but it is not so easy to find them since the photographer is not usually listed as a book co-author.

Related post: Kayak Photography Links – Tips and Hints for Paddling Photographers

June 23, 2008
Paddling Workout with a Dog – Pixel First Time in Sea Wind Canoe

Yesterday, Pixel, my Corgi puppy has his debut as a paddler. We paddled 10 miles in Sea Wind canoe on Beaver Pond in Arapaho Bend Natural Area near Fort Collins. He behaved perfectly in the front of Sea Wind cockpit. It is much easier to paddle with a little Corgi than with Dax, our 100+ lb Newfoundland.

Pictures were taken with Pentax Optio W30 camera. I think we have more photographic opportunities here.

Related posts and links:
– Paddling with Pixel, the Water Corgi
– Stand Up Paddling with Pixel, the Water Corgi

June 19, 2008
Winter Dusk on the South Platte River
Dusk on the South Platte River below the Plumb Ditch Dam near Greeley. Camera: Canon EOS 40D on a mini tripod. The picture was shot during a short evening paddling workout with Thunderbolt kayak starting at the Mitani-Tokuyasu State Wilderness Area (open till the end of February only) above Kersey.

Some related posts from paddling the South Platte River in winter:
February 22, 2008
10 Easy River Trips in the Mountains, Canyons and Plains of Colorado
<br /> A few years ago I found this book or rather a 60 page pamphlet written almost 40 years ago by Earl Perry, a past Park Ranger for Dinosaur National Park: . $3.95. Well, it was 1978.

Of course, during 40 years, a lot has changed including river access and water conditions, but this book still gives you some great ideas where to paddle in Colorado. River descriptions are combined with geological, historical, environmental, and practical information such as a river navigation and Colorado water law.

It is a great read even if do not run rivers. I like to browse through old river guidebooks to see what has changed and what hasn’t. Old junk cars along shores of the South Platte River haven’t.

The book covers the 10 definitive canoe and sea kayak trips in Colorado:
- 1. South Platte near Greeley
- 2. Yampa near Craig
- 3. Colorado, Horsethief and Ruby Canyon
- 4, Gunnison below Delta
- 5. Colorado near Rifle
- 6. Arkansas near Florence
- 7. Animas above and below Durango
- 8. South Platte through Denver
- 9. Rio Grande near Creede
- 10. Dolores above Gateway
The book is difficult to find, but used copies appear time to time on Amazon: Rivers of Colorado: Ten Easy River Trips in the Mountains, Canyons, and Plains of Colorado

Related posts:
February 7, 2008

Sticky Pod Review – Suction Cup Camera Mounts for Kayak Photography

I have been using different approaches to mount my camera or camcorder on a boat deck from various mini tripods and clam pods to mounts improvised with a foam, bungee, and duck tape. Recently, I almost entirely use a suction cup mount from Sticky Pod Camera Mounts. I have found it reliable and easy to use.
The sticky pod has been involved in shooting of all my movie clips and paddling self portraits in interval camera mode since 2005/6 winter.
The sticky pod mounts come in different configurations from a single cup mount to heavy duty mounts with 3 or 4 suction cups. The essential part of this system is a strong suction cup with a 1/4″ thread. It can be connected to any standard photography tripod head or anything else using 1/4″ bolt.
Originally, I’ve bought the sticky pod with three suction cups and two extensions. This setup works pretty well with any camera or a light camcorder. You can see it here on a rear deck of my Sea Wind Canoe.
However, most of the time I am using just a single cup mount for my Pentax Optio W10: a suction cup + a connecting 1/4” rod + a knuckle (mini ballhead). This is a really small package which I carry on my Sisson Nucleus and Thunderbolt racing kayaks.
The mini ball head (knuckle) provided with the sticky pod is not very smooth, but secure and does it job. However, you can use any mini ball head or other tripod head with this system. The smallest and lightest knuckle I have found is one made by Giotto (below $10).
The extensions are pretty heavy (solid aluminum) and make even a light camera somewhat wobbly on a single cup. I am using them only on the 3 suction cup platform.
Other applications. I have manufactured a deck mount for my Garmin Edge 305 gps using a single suction cup, a piece of aluminum and the original bike mount. I am planning to built a bow light mount for my Thunderbolt kayak. It will probably use two suction cups.
Will it stick to your kayak? The sticky pod mount will stick to any smooth surface. I have used it on a deck or hull of several boats from paddling fleet including clear carbon, gel coat, plastic and plywood surfaces. It will probably not hold on any textured deck. When in doubt make a test with any small plastic suction cup before ordering the sticky pod.
Clean and rinse the kayak deck before mounting the suction cup.
Always use a tether for your camera!

Please let me know if you can recommend any alternative camera mounting system based on suction cups or if you have any questions.

May 18, 2007

Use Your Paddle to Stabilize a Camera

I often use a paddle to stabilize my Pentax Optio camera, especially, when paddling rather tippy boat like Sisson Nucleus or Spencer X-treme. It serves two functions:

1. To have your paddle ready for bracing.

2. To avoid shaking the camera when pressing a shutter button.

I recommend this technique for shooting with any small camera, just keep your camera on a leash and attach a piece of non-slippery material to your paddle. I also recommend to use a 2 second self timer whenever possible and reasonable.

Of course, this method may not work if you are paddling against 30 knot wind or through rapids …

paddling & shooting

I was caught on video by Marcie Nolan when shooting with my Pentax Optio W10 from Sisson Nucleus kayak during warm-up before the recent Dotsero Race on the Colorado River in Glenwood Canyon.

September 27, 2006

Boat Chute on the South Platte River at Brighton

August 18, 2006. I seldom paddle South Platte River in summer. There is usually not enough water for paddling below Greeley. The river flow is much better between Brighton and Fort Lupton, but water quality is poor since it is much closer to Denver.

I needed some river practice in my Sisson kayak before the Dotsero to Hanging Lake race, so I went for a short evening paddle to Brighton. At the flow of 300 cfs at Henderon there was plenty of water in the river to paddle. The river looked pretty nice with all late summer overgrown weeds. Unfortunately, the water was, as I was afraid, stinky with a distinct sewage aroma. Nevertheless, I paddled from Brighton’s Veteran Park about 1 mile downstream to a boat chute, played a little bit in waves, and paddled back upstream. Running the chute wasn’t really fun since I was taking a big splash of that stinky water on my face.

Related posts:

August 18, 2006