Category Archives: On Assignment

New York City and ICM

On my last visit to NYC I took to the streets to try some ICM techniques.

There are so many fabulous things about New York City. If you have ever been, I’m sure you will agree. The food is outstanding, the buildings are big and interesting and the quantity and quality of entertainment is found no where else in the world. But another great aspect of NYC is all the people. They come in all shapes, sizes, nationalities and generally pretty darn friendly for a big city.

I’ve been lucky to visit NYC several years in the summer and I always like to stay over for a Saturday. On Saturday mornings the city hosts Summer Streets, which is a pedestrian friendly event. They close miles of a major city street all traffic lanes and open it to pedestrians to walk, ride, skateboard, roller-skate. Any activity that keeps you moving. And along the way they have music and food venues.

I always like these Saturday mornings and on my last visit I took to a closed Park Avenue to try some ICM techniques with the all the people in motion.

For all of these images, the blur was done in camera with a low ISO (ISO 50) and slow shutter speed (1/4 TO 1/20). The aperture will vary depending on the amount of light. At times, I had a 3 stop Neutral Density filter on. A slight horizontal movement was made with the camera. For these images the movement was horizontal. The technique requires a lot of snaps to get a keeper and I still need a lot of practice.

ICM Images

Post Processing

I use Bridge, Camera Raw and Photoshop as my primary post processing software. I know many people use Lightroom and I am sure you can do many of the same operations in Lightroom.

From Bridge, I take the Raw image into Camera Raw and make my usual edits.

Next, I open in Photoshop and copy my Background Layer. I then review the image and fix anything that needs fixing. This could be a sensor spot cleanup or cropping of image.

If needed, I add a Levels or Curve Layer to adjust the dark and light areas of the image.

Next, I merge the Layers by selected all layers, holding down the alt/option key and going to Layers > Merge Visible. This will create another Layer on top of your other Layers. This layer will contain all of the edits previously performed, however, you will no longer be able to edit the layers below the merged layer. Unless of course you delete the merged layer, then you still have access to all your work. I recommend you immediately rename this layer. It can get confusing.

From here, I applied a High Pass Filter to the merged layer (Filter>Other>High Pass). For these images, I used a Radius of 12. Don’t be alarmed when your layer turns gray. Just change the Layer Type in the Layers Palette from Normal to Overlay or any of the other types that look interesting to you.

The High Pass Filter is a form of sharpening filter. If you don’t want the filter effect on the whole image, convert the merged layer to a Smart Object (Layer>Smart Object>Convert to Smart Object), apply the High Pass Filter to the Smart Object Layer, add and invert the mask and with a brush apply the sharpening (High Pass Filter) to specific areas.

You can also just take the merged layer of your image into Nik, Topaz or any number of third party pieces of software to obtain any your vision.

I hope you found this interesting info and I thank you for reading!

It is always fun to try new techniques. Keep shooting.

More of my work can be viewed at susanmcanany.com.

Yosemite’s Giant Sequoias in Mariposa Grove

Recently we made a stop to see Yosemite’s Giant Sequoia Trees in the Mariposa Grove. We had really been looking forward to the stop since my partner had never seen the giant Sequoias and I always love a good inspiring walk through the forest. Much to my surprise what we found was anything but inspiring. We entered the park using the SW entrance via 41 not far from Oakhurst where we were staying. The twenty minute drive to the park was mostly through a graveyard of trees that had been affected by forest fires throughout the years. Several fires have occurred in that area in 1961, 2021, 2022, so the area leading into the park is looking pretty devastated.

I was hopeful the park would be in better shape.

We paid our entrance fees and headed for the short shuttle ride from the parking lot to the Mariposa Grove where the Giant Sequoias live. We started up the path and the further along we went the more disheartened we became. Little did we know the Mariposa Grove had been affected by the Washburn fire 2022. We continued on to the highlight of the the trail, the Grizzly Giant, which is a little over a mile hike. It was a beautiful tree and mostly saved from fire damage. However, if you continue along the trial to the Tunnel Tree and beyond even more devastation can be seen. Here we encountered more charred forest and signs that a “controlled burn” had taken place. It was the most depressing walk through the woods I ever took. I write this today not to bash Yosemite, but hopefully prepare others if they also plan a trip to the see Yosemite’s Giant Sequoia Trees in Mariposa Grove.

One last thing, be aware the crowds and wait is huge in the summer so bring plenty of beverages for the trip!

Normal area of Mariposa Grove.

Burned area of Mariposa Grove.

Burned area of Mariposa Grove.

Grizzly Giant Sequoia Tree

Thanks for stopping by. More of my work can be viewed at my website.

Spring in the Desert

When spring in the southwest desert is rainy, it truly makes for great weather with clear skies and oh so green mountain sides with lots of wildflowers blooms. Compared to Florida, the rain showers are minimal, often an inch or less in the valley. However, the mountains get a lot more rain and snow as beautiful clouds make their way north east.

I believe this is the first spring in several years the desert received such plentiful rains and we all know how much the southwest needs it. The catch phrase around here is “nature threw us a lifeline” and everyone is grateful for it. The reservoir is full again and everyone is breathing a sigh of relief.

I am fortunate to live close to hiking trails and made plenty use of them hiking several times a week. Much of the time the iPhone is my camera of choice, but, a few times I took my “big girl” Sony camera with me and happy I did. It was well worth toting it the distance and elevation to some of my favorite spots. Actually, it was truly a spiritual experience seeing and capturing the transformation of nature before my very eyes. I have hiked the Bogert Trail in Palm Springs many times, but the visual of the green was magical.

When viewing the images below, try to visualize the landscape in multi shades of tan, brown and gray and maybe you will have a spiritual experience also.

Images from the Trail

Wild Flower Bloom In the Rocks

Spring in the Desert

Sea of Green

Spiritual

My Time

My Happy Place

The weather is beginning to warm and many of the wildflowers are still holding on, but the grasses are turning brown. I know what the future holds for them as summer weather approaches with it’s 100 plus degree temperatures. For now, I’ll savor the beautiful spring in the desert that I am lucky to experience.

Hey, thanks for stopping by and taking a look. View more of my work on my website or at Saatchi Art.

Survival – New Black and White Print

Just wanted to share “Survival” one of the latest black and white prints I have available for sale. It is an image of a Florida tree living in salt water or maybe just barely hanging on for life. Shot in Sarasota bay waters where mangroves, sea-grapes and a variety of water fowl feed and live. (yes, it is saltwater, so no alligators do not live there) I went out that day because it looked like their would be heavy fog and this particular spot provides a harbor for quite a few sailboats. I was looking for that misty, dewy, foggy morning with sailboats vaguely revealing themselves. Those shots didn’t come out as well as I would of liked, but then this particular tree caught my attention. It also has caught the attention of many water birds as they perched on the branches either resting themselves or fishing.

I used black and white in post processing and wanted a rather overexposed background to simulate and remind me of the fog of the day. It was a great day to be shooting and it helped jump start my creativity.

“Survival” by Susan McAnany

Thanks for reading and more of my work can be viewed at www.susanmcanany.com or at my Etsy Store.

Alligators, Babies and More

Alligators, babies and more were the target of my shoot last Sunday at the Myakka State Park. Recently, this has become our go to spot for hiking and general immersion in nature. It is really quite beautiful to see and be in “old Florida”. One of the few natural habitats in my area (southwest Florida) that has not been infiltrated by non indigenous plant species. Everything from palm and oak trees, Spanish moss, exotic birds and of course alligators grow freely, protected and uninhibited there.

We are always on the lookout for alligators. It is easy to spot their hangout spots always close to the shoreline and filled with sun. The vegetation is brown amongst tall green grass and literally all smashed down from their endless lounging. Luckily they seem to hangout on the opposite side of the river as the hiking trail. But one never knows when or where they may cross over, which adds to the adventure of the hike. Often times we see them in water; their partial snout and eyes just right above the waterline taking it all in or maybe spotting prey. Lets hope not human.

This past week, I had my Canon 5D Mark II camera with the 70-200 f2.8L lens. I used a mono-pod for stability and even though the wind was pretty kicked up, I was happy with my images. It is hard to go wrong with that lens. Give it plenty of shutter speed and the rendering is beautiful. Although I love nature and totally enjoy being in it, I will admit, unless I am with a group of photographers, I am not much of a landscape photographer. It requires a level of patience I currently do not have. There as such wonderful landscape photographers, professional and amateur that know how to capture the essence of a scene. I am much more of a zoom in on the details type of person/photographer. This I believe is illustrated with my portfolio at www.susanmcanany.com

Regardless, I had a blast on Sunday and here is a shot of the alligators we saw. This shot contains a momma and baby alligators off to the right somewhat concealed in the vegetation. Very fascinating!

Alligators in the wilds of old Florida

Momma with baby alligators.

Thanks for reading. Make it a great day!

More of my environmental prints can be viewed in Nature Made in my Portfolio.

Desert Family – Image From My Archives

Keeping with my previous goal of finding new images, “Desert Family” is a photo I made a couple of months ago while in California. My ideal workflow, if I am not on deadline, is to review my images right after shooting because I always want that immediate gratification, which is the beauty of digital. But often, I like to let some time pass before doing significant post processing.

How I Post Processed

My post processing for “Desert Family” consisted of accenting the things I really liked in this image. The bleakness of the desert mountain against the deep blue sky really captured my eye, along with the shadows the clouds cast on the mountain. The addition of the three green palm trees adds an element of life into the bleak surroundings that is characteristic of the desert. I used Photoshop’s Curve Adjustment Layer and selected specific areas in the shadows and highlights of the mountain to accent some of these areas. I also added a Hue & Saturation Layer to bring out more blue in the sky. To complete the image I used a texture over the sky to give it that portion of the image a more painterly effect.

The Image “Desert Family”

Thanks for reading and you can view more of my work on my website.

Fabulous Palouse in June

Fabulous Palouse in June was another grand tour with Dan Sniffin and John Barclay and the photo opportunities were wonderful and abundant to say the least. Between the long days, beautiful light and picturesque landscape it would be hard not to get great photographs. The evening light has always been my favorite time to shoot, but in Palouse if clouds are present creating shadows on the rolling hills anytime is a good time for photography. Here are a few of my favorites from the trip.

“Still Standing” – Palouse Area

“Rolling Hills” Palouse Farmland

“Stuck In Time”

Thanks for looking and more of my work can be viewed at susanmcanany.com.

Spring In Bloom – Charleston Tour with John Barclay and Dan Sniffin

Charleston Market

Magnolia Plantation – Simulated (tried to) the infamous “Tony Sweet” filter with Perfect Effects plug in.

This Dogwood was one of my favorites in Magnolia Plantation – Used the High Pass Filter in Photoshop and masking to create a somewhat dreamy effect.

Right out of the camera. Very pretty.

I know it got cold but was it snowing?? The swamp area processed with infrared filter in Color Efex. Thanks for the suggestion Dan.

Botany Bay was worth the early wake up call two times. Image was cropped to panoramic. I believe this image is my favorite of the trip.

Graffiti Galore

I have had an infatuation with graffiti art for some time. For me there is something very liberating and rebellious about finding a public place and making art, knowing it will probably be around for only a very limited time. Usually it is either painted over by authorities or often another graffiti artist.

I also admire the skill and vision that must be involved to paint some very elaborate designs with a can of spray paint. No pencil sketches allowed. My first exposure to spray paint art was in my teens when a friend offered to paint a wall in my bedroom with a face of one of my favorite rock stars, Frank Zappa, using neon spray paint. Cool idea. Needless to say, my mother was not too thrilled, but she did allow me to keep it. I think even she recognized it as a form of art.

Graffiti art can vary from simplistic designs such as the Skippy Girls in Australia to the mayhem I recently photographed in Philadelphia. Sometimes the artist is conveying a message, either political, social or gang related, other times it can be terrific mural. Generally, they are tagged, which is the artist’s signature. All are impressive and I stop to view and photograph when ever possible. Enjoy the graffiti images below and if interested in seeing more please visit my website, Susan McAnany Photography.

The Darlings of Darlington, Australia