Looking Back to Look Ahead

January 2, 2014 Dan Traun 7 Comments

It is that time of year when you reflect back on the year you just experienced. Reflecting back on the past enables you to understanding from where you have come. That is key in any plan for moving forward.

Creating photographs is one thing. Blogging about these photographs is a whole other deal. It take time, effort and thought. It’s work. But it is fun work.

I began in 2011 without a clue. A blog seemed like a fun thing – a way to grow my photography by sharing with a vast community. I shared 1170 photos from Sept-Dec. and had 15,000 visitors. I was fortunate enough to be Freshly Pressed three months into my new blogging experience. It was an eye-opening to say the least. The busiest day of the 2011 was November 17th with 3,043 views. My post, PHOTOGRAPHY PURIST. WHATEVER…, netted 10,000+ views overall and lots of wonderful feedback. This was just the boost I needed to keep me motivated and pressing forward (no pun intended). //2011 full report//

2012 was a great experience in photography and blogging. I averaged just under two posts per week – adding 98 new posts, growing my total archive to 158 posts. I think blogging about my photography encouraged me to see photographs in almost every direction I would look. There is no shortage of interesting subjects surrounding you. All you have to do is see them; that is what I think 2012 was all about for me. At 45,000+ views from 76 countries, I really feel like I reached out and shared a great deal of myself and my photography. 2012 was the year I began my monthly “revisited” posts where I would go back through my photos of the month and create black and white conversions on my favorite images. //2012 full report//

In 2013, I added 179 new posts, growing my archive to 332 posts. Cyndie and I traveled and photographed as much as we were able this year. Most notable was our two trips along Minnesota’s North Shore and our trip to Colorado when we were married. 2013 was the year I started my weekly photo posts in addition to my monthly reviews and black and white conversion posts. That seemed more plausible as a 365 project was more than I could commit to then. This was a great exercise in seeing my everyday. I captured some interesting aspects of normal life. A lot of my weekly captures were on the road as I commuted to and from work. I had two hours a day to view things differently. Two hours a day to see different compositions of the same/similar things in different light, weather and seasons. At 49,000+ view from 96 countries, once again I feel like I put myself and my photography even further out there. Another great year. I thank everyone for the wonderful feedback and your continued visits to my humble little space on the Interweb. //2013 full report//

Enough looking back. What is in store for 2014? A few Changes. (1) I changed names. I retired outdoorguyphotography and am now posting under my full name instead. I feel like the name just didn’t fit anymore. (2) I migrated away from WordPress.com and am hosting my blog. I haven’t figured out what all this means just yet. I don’t think you need to have everything figure out. Sometimes you just need to go with. With that spirit in mind, I did. This venture has not been without challenges. The biggest one so far is the separation from the WordPress community. More on that later.

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For the time-being, if you wish to stay tuned, please subscribe via email in the upper right-hand corner of the page. Another option; if you are a facebook user, you can follow me there by liking my Dan Traun Photography facebook page.

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Thank you all for your continued follows and feedback. I look forward to traveling and photographing my way through 2014 with my lovely and talented wife. I expect this new year will be full of all sorts of photography opportunities and adventures. Here’s to living, learning and pressing forward!

Photography

Distressed and Weathered Wood

January 2, 2014 Dan Traun 3 Comments

We met a couple of aging structures full of character recently. Cyndie and I drove past this little number on our way to Rice Lake, WI via Hwy 8. I never tire of the texture and color of the weathered wood.

As we pressed on closer to our destination, we took a slight detour off the main drag to take a closer look at a barn we have admired from afar on a few different trips to Rice Lake.

We would have loved to poke around inside this old tattered barn. This, too, had some fantastic wood. I loathe the day when all we will see dotting the countryside is steel-sided farm buildings. I suppose if there is some rust involved that may rekindle my interest a bit.

We’ve been so busy this year-end holiday season that we haven’t been backroading in what seems like forever. Soon. As the weather [hopefully] will mellow out, there will be more opportunities to get out there and capture more structures like this. Yes, soon. Happy shooting everyone.

2014 (365), Daily Shots, Photography

01.02.14 – Farm Remnants

Image January 2, 2014 Dan Traun 5 Comments

Farm Remnants.

2014 (365), Daily Shots, Photography

01.01.14 – Trespass

Image January 1, 2014 Dan Traun 4 Comments

Trespass. Thou shall not pass. :-/ A lovely look old railroad grade trail.

Photography

Minor Technical Difficulties

December 31, 2013 Dan Traun

The technical difficulties with my new blog host were minor and thankful short-lived. If there is one thing that goes hand-in-hand with technology, it is definitely patience. Fist pounding, tantrums and the like may make you feel better temporarily, but patience will take you further…or is it farther. You get the point.

Time for a quick nap before the New Years Eve going-on’s.

I am looking forward to another event-filled and action-packed year full of photographic adventures with my partner in it all – my beautiful and talented (also a photography) wife Cyndie.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Photography

Happy 2014

December 31, 2013 Dan Traun 3 Comments

2014 will bring many new things no doubt. The very first few things: (1) Change of Scenery. I’ve had a paid account with wordpress.com going on three years now. I finally made the leap to my own hosted sites through bluehost. Why? More options, more control and less cost. (2) Outdoor Guy Photography is no more – retired; It’s been a good run. I am going to just roll on with Dan Traun Photography from here on out.

Happy New Year everyone!

You can find me here at dantraun.com from now on.

iPhoneography, Photography

iPhoneography p3 – Super Wide Angle

December 12, 2013 Dan Traun 2 Comments

Previously published @ outdoorguyphotography.com // iPro Lens System Parts: 1 |2 | 3 | 4

The following images were captured at the dining room table yesterday evening. This set was taken at home with the iPro Lens System; utilizing the macro lens. I am pretty impressed with its ability to get in there close and capture such detail. I maintain that these lenses can create some pretty incredible images with an iPhone. The tip of the knife blade has some interesting detail. There is lint on my ring – in a few different locations. I was even more impressed with the quarter. These images have been even sharper had I utilized a tripod. The fish eye lens has arrived and I has been a lot of fun with it…more on that later.

iPhoneography, Photography

iPhoneography p2 – Super Wide Angle

December 7, 2013 Dan Traun 3 Comments

Previously published @ outdoorguyphotography.com // Parts: 1 |2 | 3 | 4

The following images were captured during a trip to Estes Park, CO this past November. These two photos were taken at The Stanley Hotel with the iPro Lens System; utilizing the .45x Super Wide Lens (14mm in 35mm equivalency). The first perspective is from the front lawn/patio. The second photo is of the central staircase on from the second level.

As you can see there is some barrel distortion which super-wide angles lenses are known for. It is a fun lens to attach to your iPhone and explore the possibilities. This lens was fun to use and has been my favorite thus far. I an eagerly awaiting the arrival of the fish eye lens 🙂 Here are two more photos; the first is from inside Rocky Mountain National Park. After our wedding ceremony, Cyndie and I explored the park a bit (still dressed up) in the late afternoon light. The second photo is what we encountered as we returned to Estes Park. The local elk heard was milling about.

iPhoneography, Photography

iPhoneography p1 – iPro Lens System

December 6, 2013 Dan Traun 3 Comments

Previously published @ outdoorguyphotography.com // Parts: 1 |2 | 3 | 4

iPhoneography is no doubt not a new term to most of you. I am just now getting around to really exploring it. For those that still may linger in the dark and are unfamiliar, it is the combination of “iPhone” and “Photography.” Super clever eh. ||more on that||

I didn’t abandon my bulky DSLR for those new-fangled, fancy-dancy point and shoots; I am certainly not going to give it up for a picture-taking-phone-thingy either. There is no denying the convenience and even performance of today’s camera phones. These smart devices have already affected the camera market and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. As I mentioned in a earlier post, The Future of Photography, people are buying point and shoot cameras less and simply relying on their smartphones for their photography needs. There are fun things you can use in conjunction with smartphones that make the experience perhaps somewhat more desirable.

I recently had the pleasure of receiving an iPro 5S Trio Kit Series 2 from Schneider Optics (retail $229.00). I was instantly impressed and wowed. This system is a hardware add-on that allows you to screw on lenses; it’s magnificent. |

The Trio Kit has everything you need to immediately enhance the quality of your iPhone 5S photos. In the kit you’ll find the cleverly designed case, molded to firmly but comfortably fit your iPhone 5S. The iPro handle can attach to either side of the case and serves as both a tripod mount and a case for your lenses. The Tele, Super Wide, and Macro lenses bayonet easily on to the case providing options to add width, depth, and details to all your shots.

These little lenses deliver some impressive results. The build quality looks and feels substantial. I have no complaints.

IPRO .45x Super Wide Lens S2 Specs (35mm Equivalency):

	Still Mode	Video Mode
iPhone Native Lens	30 mm	42 mm
with iPro Super Wide	14 mm	19 mm

IPRO 2x Tele Lens S2 Specs (35mm Equivalency):

	Still Mode	Video Mode
iPhone Native Lens	30 mm	42 mm
with 2x Tele Lens	60 mm	80 mm

IPRO Macro Lens S2
With 2.5X magnification the new Macro lens provides razor-sharp details enhancing emotion in your portraits and giving your very small subjects a very big presence. From flowers, stamps, coins, and jewelry, to that weird bug you found in the bathtub, this Macro Lens has you covered.

There are two other lenses currently available: wide-angle and fish-eye – full list here.

I brought the iPro lens system with me on a recent trip to Colorado. It travels well with its very compact size. The handle/tripod holds the lenses well while not in use. All I have mentioned thus far are what I receive to be pluses. To be fair, this system isn’t perfect, but close. My iPhone is in an Otterbox. To use this system I have to dig it out of the case and switch it up with the system-specific case. There isn’t really any other way to screw a lens on without having the special case. I am not sure this is a con. The case is sturdy, but does lack full frontal phone protection. If Schneider Optics would have partnered up with Otterbox on this venture, it would be perfect. Schneider Optics really did their homework on this and produced a real quality product that is very easy to use and well made. The iPro Lens System is currently available for iPhone 4/5, Galaxy S4 & iPad Mini.

What do these lenses look like in action? I will post photography examples in an upcoming post: iPhoneography p2. I really look forward to seeing what I can do with this system while working with the limitations of camera phones.

Destination, Nature, Photography

The In-Between, Day 3 | Minnesota North Shore #exploremn

October 25, 2013 Dan Traun

Fall 2013 MN North Shore series

Day 3 was the day – the morning actually – the sunrise shoot we had hoped for back in July when we planned this trip. I love it when a plan comes together! Hollow Rock was right outside our cabin; a mere 100 yards or so to the shooting location on the rocky beach. That morning was absolutely gorgeous. Everything came together nicely. The clouds, color and sun all working in perfect harmony.

Gunflint Trail to Grand Portage

After an epic sunrise experience we set out to explore forest roads between the Gunflint Trail and Grand Portage. The color around Grand Portage [although past prime] was better than Grand Marais. I’ve never seen so many Ruffed Grouse in my life. I seen as many birds on this trip as I had all the years I used to upland hunt. We were also searching for the third waterfall, Partridge Falls, on the Pigeon River and eventually found it. We were unable to find a decent falls vantage point down river for a good photograph, but enjoyed the location just the same. It is quite peaceful out in the middle of nowhere. Natures beauty really consumes and carries you around from one location to the next. At one point our travels were impeded by the handiwork some busy beavers.

One bit of advice whilst out and about in strange lands and big wilderness – study a map or two before you set out. GPS, on more than one occasion, failed to provide adequate direction. A little bit of mystery is fine, but having a general idea of where you will be traveling – starting and ending up – is paramount to a good trip. “Ready to Navigate” displayed on the GPS, although humorous, is not helpful at all. As you can see from the Lightroom Map Module below from GPS data, we covered some ground over three days. It was a fabulous trip and experience with my betrothed.