So, today was a relaxed day.  Extremely relaxed, and that’s a plus in my mind.  Sure, there were plenty of errands this morning, but by 11:30 I was home doing some minor tidying.  That was it.

I did take the time to do another lesson from the 7 point system book.  I’ve got to say, it’s worthwhile if you really want to come to terms with Photoshop.  As a guy who only used Photoshop to crop and resize photos, and correct glaring color issues, what I’m learning is amazing me.  Really, amazing me!

I’ve now learned how layers and masks really work.  And the truth is you really can take a mediocre photo and make it a good one.  And you can take a good shot and make it great.  The examples in today’s post fall somewhere between moderate and good.  Not great yet.  However, I spent only 5-7 minutes editing to get a few changes.  I’m sure you see them.

The sky and surrounding areas in the photo are the same.  The Airstream has improved, and almost looks like a fill flash was involved.  You really get to see more of the trailer in the second shot.  Literally, this adjustment took well under 10 minutes.  It’s not a “great” photo, but it’s interesting how easy it is to alter the image and make it look like additional lighting was available.

Whether or not you think it’s super cool is irrelevant.  The technique is super cool.  And I spent no time on the edit.  Sometime this weekend I’ll see what I can really do with this image (I like the image, but wonder if more can come out of it).

On other notes…..

I realized, it was about this time last year that I started climbing again. Nice to think back.  Nicer yet, I’m looking forward to another season with Andy & Brooke.  Hopefully we’ll keep adding friends to the climbing schedule.  Oh, and I’d like more available time to climb…..we’ll have to see about that…..all depends on book sales I suppose…. 

Oh yeah, like I have a ton of free time.  Let’s see…..working a lot, a few web consulting gigs, running around taking photos, doing two different course books (which I’ll be reading after this post)……..etc, etc.

So, what’s this project?  It’s a simple one.  A new photo gallery to host my favorite shots.  I’ve got all the time in the world to sort through them, so shots will be added when I feel like it.  Not a rushed project.  Pop by and check out the initial structure.  The gallery is by no means completed.  It’s just starting.  Hope you like it.

In other news…..it looks like I’ll be getting a good review from another RV related publication.  The Digital RV is still out there folks.  Have you recommended it to your favorite RVer?  Better yet, you can also suggest it to non-RVers as well.  There’s something in it for everyone who doesn’t feel highly technical.

I’ve heard of grass roots movements pushing books way ahead.  Heck, there was a movie out last year based on a book written by a young man who started out with limited points of sale.  I think you know the one I’m talking about.  I’d love to see the same thing with the Digital RV (no movie of course).  And more books going out the door increases the chance that blog postings will occur from the road once more (gotta pay for gas somehow). 

On my last trip to Sedona we popped by New Frontiers.  That’s one of the fun “health food” stores here in Prescott and Sedona.  The Sedona shop is much bigger than the Prescott store, and it’s always nice to look around while visiting the red rocks.

We all decided to get some lunch while at New Frontiers.  Bert and Janie got some quiche, Sadira got some kind of strange salad (can’t remember what it’s called), and I got a baked tofu steak.  That’s what it was called.

The tofu was actually grilled and seared, and then chilled behind the deli counter.  Several spices were used when it was baked, and then more added when it was seared.  It looked pretty good, no kidding.

We drove over to Doe Mesa after a failed attempt at parking near Boynton Canyon (too many cars in the lot).  We set up for lunch on a few rocks and on the red dirt below the mesa.  What a great lunch setting!  And while having lunch I decided that I really liked this style of tofu.

Now I’m on a hunt.  An online google hunt.  I want to make my own.  Sure, I can go to New Frontiers, but I think it can’t be too difficult to create my own baked tofu.  And I’ve got a grill to sear it on too!

Ah, the strange things I think and blog about.  :)  If anyone knows a good site about how to make your own baked tofu pass it along!

I don’t think I could.  Honestly. 

That’s ok though.  Friday I’ll be resting for the entire day!  Well, a few minor errands, then it’ll be restful.  That’s the plan.  I’ll stick to it.

No complaints.  I’ve enjoyed all the visits with old friends the past few weeks.  First Gunny, then Bert & Janie.  Soon some new friends will be arriving.  I’ll be ready.  Remember, I’m resting on Friday.

Sorry, this will be a short blog post.  I haven’t even sorted e-mail in 24 hours.  I told myself this morning, “No e-mails, no major web stuff.”  Just a quiet morning with the radio.  Then work.  Then running out because I had no Sierra Mist…..well, not super restful today.

Now off to sort e-mails (75+ tonight……it’ll take a few).  Then bed.  So exciting, eh?

You’ll have to look back to yesterday’s post and photo to see what I’m talking about.  While out shooting with Bert & Janie I took a photo that I knew I’d like.  A cactus with a dead tree behind it, and behind that Bell Rock.  I posted the photo last night without a super once over.

Remember, I was very tired.  Still a little tired this morning, but that’s ok. 

If you look at the prior post you’ll see the differences.  The original shot was “a little dark”.  Alright, it was extremely dark, and that was my fault.  I accidentally rolled my exposure down to a -1.  Whoops.  Hard to read the screen with sunglasses on, and I noticed a few shots after.

Rather than walking back and reshooting, I used my Photoshop Lightroom quickly today.  One simple fix.  I upped the exposure by +1.  That simple.  Take a look at the old photo, I think you’ll see the difference.

Ah yes.  I am done.  Stick me with a fork.  Feel free to come up with other lame comments like the last one and fill those in for yourself.  I’m too tired to think about more little phrases.  I’ll be lucky to finish this post….

If you’re wondering whether or not I’m tired, wonder no more.  I’m exhausted.  Good thing I had today off!

Since Bert and Janie are still in the area I decided to run up to Sedona to do a little more touring with them.  Sadira came along too, and it made for a nice day.  We paid a quick visit to Bell Rock, Rollies Camera, the “Life is Good” store, and Boynton Canyon.  Oh, and we popped by the Doe Mesa parking lot for a little lunch.

While we did no big hikes, we did run around a good bit.  Of course, many photos were taken.  I won’t be posting most of them, as they are repeats of previous visits (hence the links to former posts).  I’m sure Bert has a slew of fun new photos.  Keep up with his blog and see for yourself.

It’s been great visiting with Bert & Janie.  I’m sad to see them go.  But I know that somewhere down the road we’ll meet again (maybe for a long bicycle trip……just speculating).  After all, we met Summer of 06′, saw each other again Fall of 06′, and here we are Spring of 08′ meeting up again.  I’m sure our paths will cross once more.

Isn’t the 08′ Airstream Rally taking place in Bozeman, MT. this year?  I think the Gildarts live in that neck of the woods…..hmmmm…….

As I noted yesterday, Bert and Janie elected to remain in Prescott for one more day. Ah, the same song so many others have sung…..”I guess we could extend one more day.”

After my arrival in Prescott I had a similar tune in my head. “One more week. Keep searching the tech jobs nationally, and do it from Prescott.” I’m sure you all remember that tune, and you probably knew before I did that I had indeed found my spot!

With an added day, and the fact that I was free for the day, Bert and I started the morning out early with a ride along the Peavine once more. I think over the past week he’s ridden it 4 or 5 times. Janie was enlisted for one of those rides, maybe more. It’s safe to say, Bert enjoys the Peavine. He’ll also be mentioning it in a travel article he’s working on regarding the area.

Ah, Prescott in print (once again). Not surprising, this place has a ton to offer (with the exception of tech jobs…..just saying).

As we cycled the path today Bert stopped for every sign on the way back. He wanted all the information he could gather on the area, geology, and history. Fortunately the trail has many signs along the way, and all are relatively informative. I can’t count how many times I’ve walked or ridden by them, or how many times I’ve re-read them.

Along the way I was also enlisted by Bert to set up a few shots. Lone rider along the Peavine. Misplaced Canadian in Arizona. Rogue wireless engineer rampaging through the Dells. These are a few titles that would fit with the photos……

In total we spent almost 3 hours along the Peavine today. 8:30 departure, 11:30 return. Ok, it was 3 hours, not almost. Lot’s of photos, slow riding, and good conversation once again!

After returning to the park I had some chores that needed attention. 2 hours of laundry, tidying the Airstream, and all that other “household” stuff. Once completed I was off again!

Nothing exciting. Just a trip to get some more propane. Burt & Janie joined in, as they were down a tank too. Being Airstreamers we all know that occasionally the tanks must be filled. Today was the day.

After our ride around town, stop into a bike shop for Bert, and our tank refills I took a little time to finally eat lunch. A haircut followed.

Exciting details, eh? Yup, the jet set life for me!

Finally to wrap up the day Bert and I returned for one more Dells photo session. He’d taken an amazing shot the other night, and I was interested in replicating it. You’ve seen the results. While ok, it still didn’t work out exactly. Probably my lack of a polarizing filter on my 17-85mm lens. Should have brought the other lens with the filter. Ah well, there’s always tomorrow.

Bert & Janie had suggested a get together tonight.  A little dinner and conversation before they headed off into the sunset.  Their plan has been to pull out tomorrow (Friday) and begin their trek northward.

Honestly, the thought of them heading out has had me a little down.  I’ve enjoyed visiting with them, showing them around, and I’ve wished I had more available time.  Like most of the people I’ve met in my travels, they’re very “good people”.  Oh, and let’s not forget, I’m happy to pick Bert’s brain about photography!

So, I was happy to find out tonight that they’ve opted to stay one more day.  See, I’m off tomorrow!  That means an early bike ride with Bert.  He wants more shots along the Peavine Trail.  And I’ll give him the quick tour of Granite Basin for good measure.  Nice they can stay one more day, and that I have some free time!

Before our dinner tonight Bert and I took another walk into the Granite Dells.  This time I brought him by the Emerald City Wall, then above Time Zone, and finally over to Thor’s wall.  Our conversation was tough at points, as we were drowned out by the blasting wind.  We could talk when we got in between rock formations, but out in the open I think we mostly heard “wooooooosh.”

After our walk we loaded up into the Titan and headed across town.  We had a very nice dinner, and nice evening.  Good conversation too.  You can’t really ask for much more.

Look forward to a longer post tomorrow, more photos, and some shots of Bert & Janie’s last day in Prescott.  Fortunately they won’t be going to far (Sedona before they really head north), so we’ll meet up once more in Sedona this weekend.  Good photos won’t be far behind!

Photo sorting has come under control.  Several hours of work, but in the end I know what I like and don’t like in my collection from the past few days.  I’m happy to say, there were many shots that went into the “like” category.

One shot that I really like is the one you’re looking at today.  But here’s the thing…..the rocks were a little washed out.  Ok, they were extremely washed out.  Direct sunlight, whitish rocks, dark plants.  Hmmmmm……

So, I did a little retouching to see if I like it more.  The photo wasn’t put into Photoshop CS3.  That would be too much.  Instead I did simple developing work in Photoshop Lightroom.  It’s got a great develop module.  In that module you can alter tone curves, add clarity (I did that), punch up the colors, etc.  It’s a slick interface to say the least, and I finally really know how to use it.

Alright, here’s the after photo.  I punched up the clarity, and contrast of the rocks.  While they’re still super white, you can see along the left edge that the rocks have more definition.

Beyond that, little editing at all.  I just wanted the over bright rocks to have a little more texture, and I think I brought it out well.

See, doing edits doesn’t mean extreme changes to photography.  Instead in this instance I corrected a problem with my shot choice in harsh lighting.  I think while the improvement is slight, it still does a lot for the photo.

A big mug of mint tea is sitting to my left.  Pretty good stuff too!

In front of me the Macbook Pro is whirring away.  Adobe’s Photoshop Lightroom is on screen, and I’ve been looking at it for a while.  A good part of last evening was spent in front of it, and now this morning I find myself right back at it.

Photo Sorting…..that’s what’s up today.

Shots from Jerome and the Promised Land are back logged.  Lightroom certainly helps me manage my shots.  Still, I’ve taken nearly 600 photos in a few days.  I’ve selected my ultimate favorites, but now it’s time to roll through the “question marks.”  Honestly, there aren’t many bad ones.  There’s the problem.  They’re not all keepers…….or maybe they are.

For instance, every photo of the hedgehog cactus flowers just stun me.  Each gets better.  Each seems richer, bolder, and just amazing.  Can I delete any of those?  Should I?  Pick 3 of the best and say goodbye to the other 12?  Probably not.

Yup, photo sorting will continue for a day or two.  And tonight I’m taking a bike ride with Bert.  I’m sure I won’t take any pictures while doing that……. 

By the way, the photo in this post blows me away.  You should see it full screen.  I’ve cropped it slightly, but there are no other edits.  As I’ve mentioned before, I’ll be letting you know when I actually edit photos here.  What you’re seeing is an “as shot” photo.  I’ve only started sorting…..we’ll get to editing next week.