The last in my installment of vacation pics. I hope you all
forgive me for so many pic posts in one day but this is my first
day off since returning from my holiday in California, and my
only one until May 4th. Thus I wanted to make the most of it.
These were taken at the Golden Gate Recreational area,and
Muir woods.
It would almost seem like I'm one of those boring people that
must roll out the vacation pics to bore their friends with.
Normally I don't take many pics at all as I have a sort of
philosophy. You go on vacation and either enjoy yourself or
you take a lot of photographs. As I'm a semi pro amateur
photographer (as I mockingly refer to myself) I enjoy taking pics
and saw so much beautiful scenery that I just couldn't resist.
As well as having my longhaired mate Ray and myself in the pics
there are manes in many of them.
The Bay area is so beautiful if I had more time there I would
have taken many more pics. (good thing I didn't have more time
eh?) I hope you all enjoy these and as always feel free to comment and ask questions I'll be around to post answers.
Kevin
Me watching as my ship came in, and I'm up in the mountiains go
figure.
The redwoods are stunning.
Some stunning views of the coast on a perfect day I wish I had my
tripod.
I have two cameras a Fuji S7000 for my serious work and a little
Sony cyber shot for holiday pics. The little Sony takes
some damn good pics if I do say. We were just casually snapping
pics and many came out quite good.
This crappy pic with Ray all blurry was a sneaky attempt to
catch that forest ranger with black shoulder length hair.
to the right. Not my best effort so I put it at the bottom
LOL
Hi Kevin,
These photos are yet another reason why I am looking forward to visiting California. The only problem is finding enough time to fit it all in!
David
Hi Kevin,
Some beautiful pictures there and so many could be on a picture postcard that's for sure and you have a very good camera. I looks like you really had a wonderful holiday.
As I said before I'm nor been north of the Golden Gate Bridge but I'll be certainly doing that on my next trip over there.
Cheers,
John.B
Funny you mention that my mother suggested I put together
Calendars and pass them around to family and friends. Interesting thought maybe for 2009 I'll post you one if I do.
Kevin
Hey Kevin-
"Boring photos?" No way man. I could look at what you have posted today just about forever! Absolutely so magnificent and breathtaking to say the least. And do I EVER remember those fabulous Redwoods. Just glorious! And to think........all long hair related to boot!
More, more, more, more. (hint.)
Oh yes, you mentioned an apology for one of the photos not being up to par. Here's the solutionas seen above. Turn it into a painting, print it out, and frame it to hang in a place of honour! (And I'm not speaking of the far corner of your basement either.) LOL
Did we ever luck-out today with what you have contributed to this board.
All the best and thank you ever so much.
Justin~
Wow Justin that's pretty cool what you do with your photo software.
I guess your right even a less then desirable pic can be made into
something cool. I'm glad your enjoying my pics I enjoyed taking
them.
I've traveled to many parts of the country and a few places in
Europe and Northern Cal is among the best scenery yet. On my next swing out west I will make it up to Oregon as I'll have more time.
I know some people in Portland and would like to meet MLHH's
first president also.
Thanks
Kevin
Cya when you get here Mr. President. :-)
Justin~
what photo software do you use to edit pics they look pretty good
Well, it is a bit hard to explain as I tend to do my own thing and not follow directions. The one I rely on most is called "Black Magic" which is only available over the internet. With much practice one can take a B+W photo and turn it into a colour photograph.........but there is a certain amount of artistry involved as all of the colours have to be guessed at and done by hand. The other program is PhotoShop 6 of which I only know how to operate some of as I cannot figure it all out. Despite, bringing a photo back and forth between the two programs gets me results that are sometimes quite good I think. I like to pick on vintage and historical photos alot. Above is a photo that dates to 1881 of the Composer Johannes Brahms on his porch in Germany and composer friend Strauss adapted from the original Tin Type photo. A fun hobby and challenge!
Portraits and people are one thing and can come out the most realistic of all as if the photo was really shot in colour. However, when it comes to a view such as the one of the Titanic which I did today, an illusion is created of what it may have looked like but not 100% convincing as actually being an original colour photograph. There is probably a way to do it, but I have as yet to figure it out to my own complete satisfaction. Still however, better than nothing.
Looks pretty convincing to me as if it was shot in color
Kevin,
You making me jealous here. LOL I am having one of those, "It's a nice day outside, and I am stuck inside this telco closet!" moments again. :-)
Mike
Well break out of your prison and hit the real world. It's great
and you only live once so might as well live it up. I know the feeling though now I'm back to the daily grind.
Kevin
Beautiful photos Kevin!
Frank
Those are spectacular photos! Postcard-worthy. Thanks for sharing them, very cool.
-Phil
I really like all your vacation pics, never to much.
Those are some very nice surroundings and views, it always cool to photgraph that. Then you walk a little furter and the view is even better and you take some more pics. Digital camera's are a bless :)
Hi Vincent
If you get to come to America definitely go to San Francisco
lot's of cool people and great scenery. I warn you though it's not
a cheap town but with exchange rates what they are the
international tourist have more spending power. When I go to
Europe I have to go with tin cup in hand begging. LOL
Thanks
Kevin
"...This crappy pic with Ray all blurry was a sneaky attempt to
However, you did a GREAT job on the left, catching the young lady's jeans ! HA!
I'm good at sneaky pics aren't I? :D
Kevin
Hey Kevin
It sure looks like you were busy being the official photographer of your vacation.Hey thats what is so great about digital, just snap away thousands of shots if you have a big enough memory card.Anyway your pics do bring back memories as I've been to Muir woods but that was back in the 80s during one of my first trips out west.I've also seen Alcatraz island twice during separate trips also.But hey you can never tire of the awesome scenery that California offers.I'm certainly looking forward to my return trip starting this weekend.The first highlight will be the meetup on Sunday with Bill and friends.After that I know doing wine country is on the list and I'll also be attending a Sharks playoff game for all you hockey fans out there.
So Kevin was this your first ever trip out to CA?I take it you were trying to hit as many spots as possible in a short amount of time.There is just so much to see that you just have to plan several trips back as you still have LA and San Diego just to name a couple others.Anyway I'm glad you had fun and got to do so many things.The pics are cool and if you have more do post them.Take care my friend:)
Mark
Hi Mark
Actually I've been to LA loads of times and find it boring and annoying to get around in. It's all concrete and generic.
Northern Cal is so very different at least some of it. San Jose is a lot like LA big and flat and more car friendly. I like SF cause you can make do without a car most of the time. If I lived there I'd have a car but use public trans most of the time.
Great City wish more US cities were like that still.
Kevin
Hey Mark, if you find yourself in the Sonoma county area...more wine country, let me know. Be happy to show you around my town and Armstrong Woods, the old growth redwood forest just 2 miles from me. In any event hope you have a great visit.
Cheers,
Max
Thanks for all of your pics, Kevin! You got some great shots.
And for those of you who have any doubts, all that scenery really does look like that, and it's all within a 45 minute drive of here.
There's also a lot to do in the Bay Area. A lot of people say they can spend two weeks here and still have not seen all the sights they wanted to see. If any of you have a hankering to come, allow plenty of time, and be sure to let us know so you can meet up with the MLHH guys in the area. We are not a large group, but there are enough of us to have a fun afternoon.
We've had comments along the line of "Why can't we have get-togethers like that?" Well, you can. You just have to let those near you know and pick a weekend date and a central location. Plan lunch and something fun to do in the afternoon afterwards, and you'll get your chance to meet others.
I've met 19 of the 222 people (not counting me) in the Users' Directory, either here or in my travels. Guess what? None of them bite!
Bill
Hey Kevin, super pics...thanks for sharing. I live right here in northern CA and seeing this always makes me happy that I have all this in my back yard. I live just 2 miles from a virgin redwood forest called Armstrong Woods and it's a favorite getaway of mine...as well as the stunning coast. I never get tired of seeing pics that show it off and I just took some at the coast a few days ago myself. Glad you enjoyed your trek to CA.
Cheers,
Max
I can kind of relate as I moved to Wisconsin cause it was nice and better quality of life. Very scenic up here even in winter.
Would love to live in Northern Cal but for what I paid for my house
in WI wouldn't even make a downpayment in SF. :-)
Thanks Max
Kevin
Both you and Ray are looking good. Keep growing those manes, and hopefully I will get to meet you in person next time.
Scott
What beautiful and breath-taking vistas. I am glad you posted these pics. Great clear day for pictures, too.
As my hair grows, I am noticing more and more long-haired men. Glad you found some randoms, too.
Shawn (MrCrow)
Aside from meeting some of the gang the redwoods was my favorite
stops along with the ship. I seem to get more mane pics when I
go to the Faire in WI. I'm sure there all around in CA but
probably working and not hanging out. The WI Faire starts up in
July so pics will flow then.
Thanks Shawn
Kevin
Lovely images Kevin, looks there's some prime singletrack begging to be ridden on my mountain bike!!
Cheers Dave
The term "mountain bike" came from that mountain, actually. The bikes were specially designed to handle the trails there. The mountain itself is Mt. Tamalpais, also known as Mt.Tam. Its foothills are called the Marin Headlands. Muir Woods is a redwood grove that is tucked into a canyon in the headlands. All of this is the terrain that you see in Mark's photos.
Info on the term 'mountain bike' from Wikipedia
Bill
Thanks for that interesting little nugget of information Bill. Marin mountain bikes have models called Muir Woods, and Eldridge Grade, I wonder is Eldridge Grade a hill?
~ Dave
Bill
Kevin,
I'm just blown away by these photos! What incredible natural beauty and nice that you got a few hair shots in as well.
Thanks for posting these,
Jason