Thoughtful Thursday Quote: May 23, 2013

While we were putting together our latest post, Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway - we couldn't help but think of the following Ansel Adam's quote for this week's Thoughtful Thursday photography quote.  We hope you enjoy!

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by Richard Stinson

onOne Software Announces onOne Labs Blog

Portland, OR – May 21, 2013

onOne Software, Inc.®, the leading developer and provider of photo effects for everyone, has announced onOne Labs, a blog that lists new technologies and products being considered for development in the effort to gauge interest and solicit customer feedback. onOne Labs will allow visitors to learn about development projects, note their interest level, and offer constructive comments.

onOne Labs will allow visitors to directly engage with onOne Software in a collaborative development process and voice what’s important for their digital photography and image editing needs. Projects discussed will range from those early in the concept stage to those in the very beginning of development to those that are near completion. Projects will also be updated throughout their development to elicit additional feedback.

“Customer input has always been a key factor in the development of our product offerings” said Craig Keudell, president of onOne Software. “In the past, we have gained tremendous insight from our customers about their wants and needs through occasional phone calls, emails, surveys, and conversations at conferences. Going forward, we’d like to have an ongoing and direct conversation with our customers to make sure we are meeting their expectations and building the best products for their photography needs. We already have a number of exciting things in the works, which we believe will become great additions to our line up especially after getting customer feedback via these Labs.”

The onOne Labs currently includes discussions about features now in development for the next version of Perfect Photo Suite —including a Quick View Browser and a new Perfect Enhance module—and new product offerings, such as one with the working title, Lightpad. These projects are listed with descriptions and may include visual mock-ups or videos to further describe them. Each of these are now listed in the onOne Labs awaiting feedback.

Availability
The onOne Labs blog may be found at labs.ononesoftware.com. Inquiries and suggestions related to onOne Labs development projects but not listed there may be emailed to labs@ononesoftware.com.

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by Richard Stinson

Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway in HDR

It's been dreary with clouds and occasional rain here for the last few days.  Please, don't get me wrong - we are still 12-14" behind in rainfall for the past 24 months, so it's much appreciated.  Purposefully, I went looking for some photographs that reminded me of the beautiful summers in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  Luckily, I found something to remind me of a brighter day.  (Even though you'll notice that like most days in the Black Hills - if you don't like the weather were you are at, just wait a few minutes and it will change as I remember the clouds had just started to roll in.)

So, on to the photograph - some new Photomatix Pro presets needed to be tested out, and I came across a 3 photograph bracket just screaming to be transformed into an HDR photograph. As a result of a little experimentation with some the presets, the photograph below was created.  Amazingly, the photograph was the result of a bracket of three handheld shots.  We hope you enjoy this view of the Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway.

Join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , Twitter, or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC. Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

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by Richard Stinson

Mt. Rushmore: Shining Out of the Darkness

Shining out of the darkness... Just what the hell does that mean?  Some of you may think I've lost my mind, but just hold on and read the rest of the story.

Let's start telling the story from an early spring evening while we were eating in one of the year-round restaurants in Keystone, SD.  While eating, I couldn't help but overhear a vacationing family making a stop to see Mt. Rushmore.  (Note: They were the only other customers in the restaurant - it's not like I was trying to eavesdrop.)  They were talking excitedly about getting up at dawn to view Mt. Rushmore, and then getting on their way to Denver.

I knew it, the waiter knew it...it was the worst mistake they could make in visiting Mt. Rushmore.  So I had to stop and tell them on the way out the door.

There is nothing more beautiful than the founding father's faces light up by the bright, shining lights after sunset.  There is something more visceral in this view - something more powerful, and even a little seductive.  You can almost see the hand tool marks of all those men as they scraped away the final 6 inches of stone after drilling holes through it.  Scrape, by scrape - piece by piece, rock by rock.

Of course, don't forget to see it in the daylight and enjoy the many wonders of the monument.  But don't rule out the light in the darkness.  It may just surprise you.  Seeing those state flags and Old Glory light up as the faces shine out of the darkness, still bring me chills, after all these years.

Join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , Twitter, or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC. Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

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by Richard Stinson