I like clouds. A lot. For capturing wide images of the sky with high resolution, I've expanded my software collection with some applications that can produce panoramas, so I've now started to include the combination of HDR and panorama creation into my image processing experiments. Three examples can be found in this set; for the web page, I'm still looking for an easy way to combine wide panorama images with more traditional rectangular formats on a single page automatically. (I'm still using Aperture as my DAM [= Digital Asset Management] application.)
I recently started experimenting with HDR (= High Dynamic Range) images, where I reached one conclusion early on: don't overdo the effect. Included in this set are a few examples.
I got a faster camera in 2009 and tried it out during some new sports event. And more cloud pictures...
Sport on the Allmend in Berne:
These are some pictures of the various sports that people enjoy on the Allmend in Berne; the particular day these pictures were taken was Saturday, 19th September 2009.
A series of pictures taken of the first game of the finals of the women's Swiss national fast-pitch softball league 2009 (best of three). This took place on 26th September 2009.
Pictures of Berne 2004 to 2008:
This is a small older set of pictures taken in and around Berne, Switzerland (which is where I live). These pictures were taken within the last three years; a large part of my older collection exists as slides only, so it might take me a bit longer to scan them and add them.
Some random pictures,from the years up to 2007:
Another small sample of my collection of (sometimes slightly odd) pictures. Again most of them were taken in Berne, but some are from other places in Switzerland (in the central alps, mainly). Some have been edited (as marked in their description), most have simply been cropped, colour-corrected or converted to black & white.
Proper hot summer weather again.
A very warm day this year. It's always interesting to see people living in the streets where the race takes place lending a hand; the spectators and helpers often provide the best subjects. The picture on the left (bigger version here) is probably one of the better pictures I've taken during these events (despite the slightly unfavourable light).
Schweizer Frauenlauf (Swiss Women's Race) 2014 in Berne:
My tele-zoom lens seems to have started acting up recently (the only lens I bought new); in order to test if it's the lens or maybe the camera, I tried out a few situation where the autofocus would really have a difficult time getting it right (which included using a tele-converter in some of these shots). That's one of the reasons why this almost ended up as a portrait gallery.
Sadly, the conclusion was clear: focussing in that lens doesn't work reliably anymore under a particular set of circumstances (and it's been getting worse). For this reason I've started to think about replacing the lens.
Schweizer Frauenlauf (Swiss Women's Race) 2013 in Berne:
I've settled on a few corner of the race course for taking pictures; it's been an interesting lesson figuring out what a difference it can make to be familiar with the course–you start figuring out where tele-lens fotography can be used to the best effect, and where you find spots where you don't have to worry about three or four rows of spectators in front of you.
Schweizer Frauenlauf (Swiss Women's Race) 2012 in Berne:
One of the best signs of a relaxed atmosphere: lots of runners are smiling or even laughing during the race.
Schweizer Frauenlauf (Swiss Women's Race) 2011 in Berne:
This year there was light rain, at least for the first two groups of runners (the ones covering the 10 km course). Interesting to see: it's clear that some of the runners are not familiar with the sight-seeing aspect of the course; you notice them looking up at the tower of the cathedral (the Bern Minster), for example. Some had cameras (or phones) with them and stopped to take pictures.
Schweizer Frauenlauf (Swiss Women's Race) 2010 in Berne:
A lot cooler this year; almost perfect conditions for running.
Schweizer Frauenlauf (Swiss Women's Race) 2009 in Berne:
Temperatures this year were high enough that quite a few participants struggled under the heat.
Schweizer Frauenlauf (Swiss Women's Race) 2008 in Berne:
Earlier than usual this year (probably to avoid a clash with the European football championship), the race took place on the 1st June 2008.
Schweizer Frauenlauf (Swiss Women's Race) 2007 in Berne:
The next race took place on the 10th June 2007. Once more, it was a very warm summer day.
Schweizer Frauenlauf (Swiss Women's Race) 2006 in Berne:
These pictures are from 11th June 2006, the day this race took place in the summer of 2006; for more info on this event, see http://www.frauenlauf.ch (opens in separate window). The labels for these pictures are in German.[Die Beschreibung dieser Bilder ist auf deutsch.]