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Filters Still Have an Important Role in High-Quality Photography

In Equipment & Technique, Landscapes, ND Filters, Scenes & Scenarios by Ernesto Santos

I recently returned from a week in South Dakota and it was an exhilarating, wonderful experience. I’d just switched to Singh-Ray 4×6 inch Galen Rowell neutral density grads from the “P” size, so I was looking forward to trying out these larger filters with my usual hand-holding technique. Here is how I approach hand-holding ND grads; it’s quite an easy process, and best of all, it obviously doesn’t require futzing around with a bulky filter holder. I often stack up …

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Using Singh-Ray polarizers to enhance hot air balloon images in Albuquerque’s early morning light

In Equipment & Technique, Landscapes, Polarizing Filters, Scenes & Scenarios, Special Events by Ernesto Santos

There is no doubt that New Mexico is blessed with a multitude of dramatic natural areas and inspiring historical architecture, but what really stirs the soul of this photographer is the magnificent light to be found in the state. This is particularly true of the northern areas around the Sangre de Cristo and Sandia mountain ranges. During this most recent visit, I found all the national parks to be closed, but nobody had been able to turn off the light. …

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Following up a ten-day visit through Scotland with an adventurous trip to Ireland

In Equipment & Technique, Landscapes, ND Filters, Polarizing Filters, Scenes & Scenarios by Ernesto Santos

After a couple of days in Dublin we rented a car and drove to Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. Our plan was to head straight to the scenic northern coast of the island and then swing back through the Republic of Ireland following its western edge as we made our way back to Dublin and our plane back to the States. In the early afternoon we arrived in the beautiful little town of Ballycastle which was …

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10-Day Tour of Scotland fulfilling a life-time dream

In Equipment & Technique, Landscapes, ND Filters, Polarizing Filters, Scenes & Scenarios by Ernesto Santos

While I was anticipating beautiful scenery, I did not expect it to be so overwhelming. There was some rain, but what would the Scottish Highlands be without the rain, fog, and dramatic clouds? After a few days in Edinburgh to get over the jet lag, we rented a car and sped off to the town of St. Andrews. For those of you who are not avid golfers, St. Andrews is the birthplace of the sport and home to the greatest …