Farm Remnants.
Views: 135
Trespass. Thou shall not pass. :-/ A lovely look old railroad grade trail.
Views: 94
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.
Views: 82
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.
Views: 97
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.
Views: 183
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.
Views: 2254
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.
Views: 161
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.
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.
Here are some photos from Day 3.
Views: 530
Day 2 on MN North Shore began exquisitely. We made our way down to waters edge for the Sunrise @ Grand Marais shoot. Nature cooperated nicely. From there, we back-tracked a bit to Cascade River State Park for a beautiful morning hike up the river gorge among the picturesque cascades.
Years ago, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) had a camp at the Cascade River. The men in this camp worked on a variety of conservation projects. Today, you can see some of their handiwork on the trails that wind along the river. One enrollee told how they cut and moved the large pine logs from Cascade down to Gooseberry Falls State Park to finish buildings in that park. From the beginning, Cascade was thought of as a state park, but it wasn’t until 1957 that it was officially designated as such. -wikipedia
Next we got off the beaten path (Hwy 61) and made our way towards another destination (Hollow Rock Resort). After checking in we were off on the Gunflint Trail to drive a loop through the forest in search of Devilfish overlook. We got closed, but missed a road and stumbled on a Red Fox – cute little bugger; then just continued on our way. We decided to take another run at a sunset at Honeymoon Bluff that overlooks Hungry Jack Lake off the Gunflint Trail. The second attempt yielded better results than the first.
Another full day on the MN North Shore. Love this place. There is a surprise around every corner.
Views: 362
Any long-time follower of this blog knows that with Cyndie and I; although destinations are great, it is all about the journey in between those destination that really stand as lasting memories through the years for us. This trip tot the MN North Shore was no exception. The in between was great on the MN North Shore!
Our first day we made it as far as Grand Marais. This is by far my favorite area on the MN North Shore to be. Its close proximity to The Gunflint Trail, Judge CR Magney State Park, Cascade River State Park, Temperance River State Park and all of the back roads, forest roads and loops you can travel are via car are phenomenal. It’s beautiful country.
Along the way to Grand Marais we stopped at Temperance River State Park. Later in the afternoon we made out way out to Honeymoon Bluff. There was no sunset to be had as it was cloudy and overcast, but we made the best of it. It was full day. Even Though the color was 100% or past peak (in most areas), there was still some great color and likely 80% less people than a week ago. Day 1 was pretty smooth sailing; Day 2 though, we were part of a 3 car traffic jam on a forest road. The congestion cleared soon enough though. Here are some shot from day 1.
Views: 349
