Rows of Green

Marty CohenAgriculture, Daily Photo, HDR, Salinas Valley15 Comments

Row Crops in Spreckels

Row Crops in Spreckels

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For years I’ve driven by the beautiful row crops in the Salinas Valley in California. Each time I do, and the light is “just right” I’ve said, “Oh, I wish I had my camera.” Well, this time I did and stopped to shoot this photograph. It was late afternoon, driving home from LA and we went through the tiny town of Spreckels in the Salinas Valley. The lighting was great to take a series of shots at different exposures and combine them into an HDR (High Dynamic Range) photograph. HDR photos are the result of blending different exposures of the exact same scene and adjusting the contrast ratios. This results in images that can range from more visually realistic than a single shot can produce, to some very far out exaggerations of color and texture that can result in really interesting photographic effects.

One of the leading photographers who uses HDR photography a lot is Trey Ratcliff. He’s a very special photographer and a wonderful, motivating teacher. I learned a great deal from taking his Webinar course. To see his work and the books and tutorials he offers, click here to visit Stuck In Customs, his website.

This photo was taken with a Canon EOS 40D, EF17-40mm f/4L lens, ISO 250 on Lexar Digital Film. Five images at different exposures were combined using Photomatix Pro and Photoshop to produce this HDR image.

15 Comments on “Rows of Green”

  1. Hello,
    I wanted to know if I could use your photo on my new web site we are building? Please let me know.
    Thank you!

    1. Hello Geoff. Thank you for asking. For website use, I charge $125 License fee for permission to use this image. If you would like to proceed, let me know and I will send a PayPal invoice and then forward you the jpg file after payment is received. Marty

  2. Being a farmer’s daughter, this is my favorite photo so far! Terrific, Marty. It captures the spirit of the Salinas Valley.

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