Robert J Near - Photographer

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

2011-12-23T13:32:00.002-05:00

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

2011-10-18T21:14:00.002-04:00

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception has always been one of my favorite locations to do High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography. I was lucky to be allowed to go up into the upper level where the pipe organ once restored will reside which allowed me to capture the cathedral from high above the floor. Here are the HDR images I did using Nik Software’s HDR Efex Pro and Color Efex Pro 4. The third photo is from the alter area looking to the back and in this image you can see the balcony area I took the other two photos from.

State Capital – Albany, New York

2011-10-13T21:39:00.003-04:00

I have lived here in New York State all of my life (55 years) and until last week I have never been inside New York’s Capital building located here in Albany. I spent a few hours shoot images of the assembly chambers and the main staircase, commonly referred to as the “Million Dollar Staircase”. Below are a few of the images for my first visit to the New York State Capital Building.

Devil’s Kitchen Waterfalls

2011-10-11T20:18:00.002-04:00

It has been some years since I have went out a shot cotton candy waterfall photos. A few weeks I had to go up on the mountain top area of the Catskills to document some of the damage from tropical storm Irene so I stopped by one of favorite locations. This is the Devil’s Kitchen that is at the top of the Platte Cove area, this small waterfall is just down in off the road, very easy to get into and grab a few quick shots.

These images are shot using a 2 stop neutral density filter to lengthen the exposure time resulting in the cotton candy water effect. After image capture I processed images with Adobe Lightroom and NIK Software Color Efex Pro Tonal Contrast filter.

Salem Massachusetts Gallery

2011-10-04T21:32:00.003-04:00

I have just uploaded an image gallery of the images from SPS trip over to Salem Massachusetts; you can access the gallery from link below.

Salem Massachusetts Gallery

Autumn in the Adirondacks

2011-10-04T21:04:00.002-04:00

October 30th 2011 I took a drive up through the Adirondacks here in New York. Color was peaking but the reds had yet to appear this year, using NIK Software’s new Color Efex Pro 4 I was able to punch the images up. I have put together a image gallery of images I took from the trip and you can access the gallery from link below.

Fall in Adirondacks 2011

SPS Trip to Salem Massachusetts

2011-10-03T19:17:00.003-04:00

This past Sunday, October 2nd 2011 a small group of Schenectady Photographic Society members went over to Salem Massachusetts for a day of shooting. We where very lucky since they were calling for a 60% chance of rain and the day ended up with only a light mist at the end of the day.

Here are few of my favorite images that I took this past Sunday. While in Salem I purchased a large clear glass marble and then used this to shot through by holding it out in front of the lens. Color images have been processed with NIK software’s new Color Efex Pro 4 and the B&W images processed with NIK’s Silver Efex Pro 2.

Eastern States Penn Barber Chair Rework

2011-09-25T16:52:00.002-04:00

If you search the Internet for Eastern States Penitentiary (ESP) images you find hundreds of images of the ESP’s barbers chair. I made to trips down to ESP to shoot photographs there back in 2010, here is the two chairs you will find at ESP. The red chair is in the area that you go during normal visitor pass and the other chair is in a remote area only available to groups paying for special access for photo sessions.

These photos I when back and did a complete High Dynamic Range (HDR) rework. The first image I did the HDR work using NIK Software’s HDR Efex Pro. Then using NIK Software Color Efex Pro 3 I applied Tonal Contrast, Glamour Glow and Darken Lighten Center filters. The second photo was the same process but after I applied the three Color Efex Pro 3 filters I then processed image thru NIK Software Silver Efex Pro 2 to produce a B&W image.

Catskill Mountain Top Wedding

2011-09-25T16:34:00.003-04:00

On October 27th 2011 the day before Tropical Storm Irene hit the Mountain Top area I shot Jennifer and Ottis’s wedding. This was the first Wedding I shot at All Souls Church, a small stone church built in 1894 located in the Onteora Park near Tannersville NY. This beautiful Church set the stage for a beautiful wedding of Jennifer and Otis. From the church we ventured back to Windham Country Club for the reception, This the second time I have done a wedding at the Windham Country Club and if you are looking for a great place to hold a event in the Windham take a look at the Windham Country Club, beautiful venue with wonderful food.

Thank you to Ottis and Jennifer for selecting me to document your special day, your families made me feel so welcome as if I was part of the family. Weddings like this one make my job easy as I feel I am another wedding guest part of the special day. May the two of you have a long and happy life together.

Here area a few of the images out of the 535 proofs from the wedding, if you are having a wedding or event and you are looking for a photographer let me know and I can go over the services I can provide you for your special day.

June, July, & August Image Gallery

2011-09-18T21:33:00.002-04:00

I did not get out and do that much shooting over the Summer, but what I did shoot is in a small image gallery containing images that I did during June July and August. You can access gallery from link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2011images/JuneAug2011/

Tropical Storm Irene, Greene County NY

2011-09-15T21:37:00.003-04:00

Tropical Storm Irene hit Greene County NY hard a few weeks ago. This past weekend and the weekend before I ventured out to see the damage Irene left behind in Greene County, New York. Here in the Hudson Valley we had some bad flooding but nothing like what the damage it left behind in the Catskill Mountain region.

People are now in the recovery/rebuilding stage but based on what I saw it is going to take many helping hands and donations.I have created two images galleries of photos I took in my travels thru the mountain top region of Greene County, NY.

Tropical Storm Irene, Gallery No. 1

Tropical Storm Irene, Gallery No. 2

PANABOOK 2011

2011-07-17T21:59:00.004-04:00

Just received my copy of the PANABOOK 2011 and I have two panoramic images published in the book. Kolor is the software developers that produces Autopano Pro the panoramic stitching software I use to develop my panoramic images. Every year Kolor asks photographers to submit panoramic images for possible selection for their annual panoramic photo book. For the 2011 book there was 553 photographers submitted and from this submissions the three jurors selected 156 panoramic images that made it into the 2011 book.

This is the second year that I have made the PANABOOK selection and this year they selected my infrared "Oakwood Cemetery" along this a B&W panoramic "Vanderbilt Column". I feel very honored that I have these images with the 156 great panoramic images from the four corners of the world.

Chebeague Island, Maine Wedding Shoot

2011-06-24T15:02:00.004-04:00

Last weekend I was out on Chebeague Island off the coast of Yarmouth Maine to photo document Maegen and Dan’s wedding. This was the first island wedding I have done and since the island is small (3 miles by 1 mile) I could not bring my vehicle out to the location. So due to this all the gear, which would be loaded into vehicle had to be loaded into a large heavy duffle bag and carried on and off the ferry. Granted I did not use all the gear I brought with me but it was there on the island with me just incase it was needed. Lesson learned next time it would make sense to ship most of this gear to the location the week before.

With all the weddings I do I meet the couple and say to my self is this couple I would enjoy spending the day with. Meagen and Dan are that type of couple their families and themselves made me feel like I was part of the family and made the day very enjoyable.

This wedding was a first in having a second shooter with me, John Santacroce who I work with wants to learn wedding photography and mentioned he would like to be a second photographer. John has excellent eye for photography and some of his work made the final cut. It is really nice to see the same moment from two different angles and eyes.

To Maegen & Dan thank you so much for choosing me to document your special day and making me feel apart of the family. May you have a long and happy life together.

May 2011 Image Gallery

2011-06-12T19:22:00.002-04:00

I have just uploaded a new image gallery of images from May of 2011, you can access the gallery from the link below.

May 2011 Gallery

Schenectady Photographic Society Color Print of the Year

2011-05-08T11:31:00.004-04:00

This image from the Eastern States Penitentiary (ESP) took top honors at Schenectady Photographic Society (SPS) as Color print of the year 2010-2011. It is a wonderful feeling as you set there and they are going thru all the entered prints and yours is still in the running, when they get that moment when they announce “and the Print of the Year” and it is your print. I always shoot photos that I want to hang on my walls and when they win a competition or someone wants to purchase one, it is the frosting on the cake.

This image is from Eastern States Penitentiary of the cell, which severed as the barbershop for the inmates. This image has been shot be every photographer that has visited the penitentiary, do an image search of ESP and see for your self there will be hundreds of the this cell.

This image is High Dynamic Range (HDR) photos made up of nine bracketed images take one stop apart. The nine images are merged together and tone mapped using Photomatix software by HDR Soft. The tone-mapped image is then imported back into Adobe Lightroom where I did a curve adjustment to bring the contrast back. From Lightroom the image is exported out to Photoshop where I use filters from NIK software to put the final touches onto the image. The first NIK filter I apply to the image is Tonal Contrast to bring out the textures, then follow this filter with NIK Glamour Glow, which brings out the color and apply a soft glow to the image. And the final touch to the image is with NIK Darken/Lighten Center to darken up the outer area of the image to give the appearance of the barber’s chair being illuminated from the ceiling window light in the ceiling of the cell.

The final result is a HDR photograph that does not scream HDR; to me this is the problem of many photographers today doing HDR they take it to far and the image screams HDR. Digital photography today is amazing but as a photographer you have to know when to stop when Appling the Photoshop tools and filters.

Gallery update

2011-05-01T19:31:00.003-04:00

I have not been out shooting much over the past three months, but I have just posted a image gallery of photos taken during February, March and April. You can access the online Gallery from the link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2011images/Feb-Apr2011/

Lighthouse Cafe Sanibel Island Florida

2011-02-20T19:07:00.005-05:00

The Hudson-Athens Lighthouse will be hanging on the wall at the Lighthouse Cafe in Sanibel Island, Florida. Sister Mary of St. Patrick Church here in Athens was in Sanibel Island for vacation and she stopped in the Lighthouse Cafe and Commented that the Village of Athens had a wonderful lighthouse back in New York. It was then when the owner told her that if she sent him a framed photo he would display it in the Cafe. Sister Mary arrived back home here in New York and asked me if I would do up a image of the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse so she could get it sent down to Lighthouse Cafe.

Below is the image that I produced and will be hanging shortly in the Lighthouse Cafe. So if you are in Florida and near Sanibel Island be sure to stop by the Lighthouse Cafe and see our wonderful lighthouse.

The Blue Hour

2011-02-14T20:40:00.002-05:00

Photographers are always talking about the golden hour, the hour just after sunrise and just before sunset. There is another hour in photography, known as the blue hour this is just after sunset and just before sunrise. During this blue hour period image will render the night sky as a deep blue color. Tonight on the way home I did a little blue hour shooting at Dean's Mills here in Coxsackie New York.

Happy Wedding Couple

2011-02-05T11:55:00.004-05:00

It is always nice to here back from the couples that I photograph their wedding day. As a wedding photographer it is my job to capture the big day for the couple, capturing all those special moments throughout the event. Below is a copy of the thank you note I received from Elia & Adam one of the couples contracted me to record their wedding during the past year.

“Robert

Adam & I wanted to thank you for the wonderful work you did photographing our wedding. The Photos were beautiful and you have been a pleasure to work with throughout the process, from taking the engagement photos to processing the final prints. Thanks to you, out big day has been recorded just the way imagined, with gorgeous photos of family and friends enjoying the celebration. Thank you so much!

All the best

Adam & Elia”

If you are getting married in the future please consider me to record your special day, you will find my pricing to be very competitive.

January 2011 Image Gallery

2011-02-05T11:19:00.004-05:00

I did not get out much in January but I have created a small image gallery of images that I did take during January. You can access gallery from the link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2011images/Jan2011/

PanoBook 2011

2011-01-23T15:52:00.003-05:00

I have just received notice that two of my panoramic images have been selected to be in the Kolor Autopano's 2011 Panobook. I am one of 116 photographers from around the world who have been selected to appear in this years panoramic coffee table book that they publish every year. This the second year that I have appeared in the book, last year I had one image appear in 2010 Panobook. Link below is listing of selected photographers for 2011.

http://www.autopano.net/forum/t10998-panobook-2011-selected-contributors

These are the two images that have been selected.

Happy New Year 2011

2011-01-01T13:57:00.002-05:00

Here is the first photo I have taken in 2011 while walking our dog Leslie this morning. Great morning light to start off 2011. Happy New Year to all.

New Exhibit - Albany Plastic Surgery Center

2010-12-10T19:20:00.004-05:00

This past summer it was discovered that I had a spot of skin cancer on my upper lip and I choose Albany Plastic Surgery Center and Doctor King to have this removed. During my visits Doctor King I talk about photography and once he saw my work he asked me if I would like to place some works in his office.

Today I hung 18 photos in the Albany Plastic Surgery Center located at 4 Executive Park Dr # 1, Albany, NY. If you are in the area feel free to stop in, or if you are looking for a plastic surgeon be sure to contact the Albany Plastic Surgery Center where you will find wonderful surgeons and staff.

November 2010 Gallery

2010-12-05T20:19:00.002-05:00

I have just uploaded the November 2010 image gallery to my web site, you can access gallery from link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2010images/Nov2010/

Then & Now

2010-10-30T19:41:00.003-04:00

Back in 2007 I did a high dynamic range (HDR) inside the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception in Albany NY. This Cathedral is a wonderful large structure that over the last few years has been under going a major restoration/face lift inside. Today I took some time to go back and take more HDR images of the new interior. The first image was from 2007 and remaining three is from today.

From 2007

From 2010

October 2010 Gallery

2010-10-29T14:59:00.002-04:00

I took seven photographers from Schenectady Photographic Society down to Eastern States Penitentiary (ESP) and we had access to cell block 11 and 14, which is normally off limits to the general public. I have just uploaded a gallery of images taken during the trip back to ESP. All the high dynamic range images where processed with Nik HDR Efex Pro software.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2010images/ESP-Oct2010/

October 2010 Gallery

2010-10-29T14:45:00.003-04:00

I have posted image gallery of select images taken during the month of October 2010.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2010images/Oct2010/

Adirondack's Gallery

2010-10-03T15:24:00.002-04:00

I have posted image gallery from my trip into the Adirondack Region on October 1st 2010. This was just after the region received over 5 inches of rain the day before.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2010images/Adirondack2010/

Need a Wedding Photographer

2010-09-26T16:04:00.004-04:00

I typically do not advertise my wedding photography on my web site, but if you have a wedding coming up and need of a photographer let me know. I think you find my rates very competitive. This is a image from wedding that I did earlier this year.

September 2010 Gallery

2010-09-26T15:37:00.005-04:00

I have just created a image gallery of images taken during September 2010, you can access gallery from link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2010images/Sept2010/

Dangers of Hiking in Catskills

2010-09-15T21:03:00.002-04:00

Two of my favorite locations to go and hike for photography in the Catskill Mountains are getting a lot of attention. These areas are the Kaaterskill and Platt Clove areas due to hikers falling and getting hurt or loosing their life. The local officials are asking NYSDEC to look into these locations and make recommendations or changes to the locations to help prevent future issues.

I do not want to see anyone get hurt, but I also don't want to see chain link fences or barricades in the nature area of the Catskills. Signage at trail heads is called for but we must know when we are going into locations we are not prepared for. When going into extreme locations we have to know our limits and not go into areas we are not prepared for.

The posting image is the Bridal Veil Falls in the Platt Clove, this is the view that everyone hikes into see. If you go there go slow and easy it is a short hike down a extremely steep slope to the 100 foot high ledge/cliff which I am standing on to take this photo. This view would not be the same when view thru a chain link fence.

August 2010 Gallery

2010-09-05T21:53:00.002-04:00

I have just uploaded image gallery of photos from August 2010 and you can access this gallery from the link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2010images/Aug2010/

Something Missing

2010-08-22T11:29:00.003-04:00

One of my favorite photo subjects is missing and will no longer there to be photographed. The old barn on Schoharie Turnpike near Freehold was struck by lightening and has burned down to the ground. I remember the first time I found this location and photographed it, the farmer came out and I ask him if would be OK to walk around and photograph is barn. He said "Sure no problem but why photograph the old barn" I said in return "but it has such a great character to it", and the farmer in reply said "if you like it that much I will sell it to you if you like". From that day I would stop and shoot photo of the barn thru the years and seasons watching it age, this past weekend I drove by only to find the charred remains, it was sad sight.

Petconnection Adoption Clinic

2010-08-15T19:38:00.002-04:00

Leslie and I when to WTEN's Petconnection adoption clinic this past Saturday and I have create a image gallery of photos I took during this event. You can access the gallery from the link below.

http://www.rjnphoto.com/GACGallery/GAC08142010/

Crop Duster

2010-08-15T19:27:00.002-04:00

While driving from Coxsackie to Catskill I came across a crop duster working a corn field. Here are a few of the images I captured while pulled off the road.

July 2010 Image Gallery

2010-08-05T21:37:00.002-04:00

I have just posted July 2010 Image Gallery on my website, you may access this gallery from link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2010images/July2010/

Eastern State Penitentiary Visit

2010-07-06T17:56:00.002-04:00

July 5th I drove down to Philadelphia PA to visit the Eastern State Penitentiary, one of America's most historic prison taking up a full city block in the Fairmount area of Philadelphia. This is now setup as a museum and for photographers they will allow you to bring and use your tripod for a nominal fee. Six out of the thirteen cell blocks are open to the public and the majority of them are still in a decaying state making this location for high dynamic range (HDR) photography. I have uploaded a image gallery of photos I did while there, you can access the gallery from link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2010images/EasternState/

June 2010 Image Gallery

2010-07-06T17:50:00.002-04:00

I have just uploaded a new image gallery of images taken during the month of June 2010. You can access June 2010 Gallery from link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2010images/Jun2010/

Happy 4th of July

2010-07-04T22:32:00.003-04:00

Happy Fourth of July to all, here are some photos from the fire works display here at Sleepy Hollow Lake.

HDR Workshop at Oakwood Cemetery Chapel

2010-06-20T17:41:00.004-04:00

I did a HDR photography workshop hosted by the Photocenter of Troy at the Oakwood Cemetery Chapel - Crematorium in Troy NY. The Chapel was built in 1890 in memory of Gardner Earl who past away in 1887. this location was a amazing place to introduce photographers to HDR photography. I have created a image galley of photos I took from this event and the gallery can be access from link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2010images/OakwoodHDR/

Greene County Cruisers Car Show

2010-06-20T17:34:00.003-04:00

I took some photos at the Greene County Cruisers Car Show this past Thursday (June 17th 2010) and have created a images gallery of photos I took at this show. You can access the newly uploaded gallery from link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2010images/AthensCarrs/

Tiger Lilly's

2010-06-13T16:53:00.002-04:00

The Tiger Lilly's are starting to bloom here in Upstate New York and here are a few images I took today and did them as B&W photos. Two of them are multiple exposures, one is two exposures and the other is a five exposure image. Also included is a B&W image of young wild grapes I found growing along the road.

Ansel Adams Sky

2010-06-13T16:45:00.000-04:00

Here in the Northeast we do know that often get what I call Ansel Adams Sky's, Blue sky with big puffy white clouds. The other week we had the right conditions and these are a couple of images I took then converted to B&W to create a digital Ansel Adams type image.

Schonowe Volunteer Fire Company Car Show

2010-06-05T21:08:00.002-04:00

Leslie and her friends of Greyhounds as Companions attended the Schonowe Volunteer Fire Company Car Show today and I have created a image gallery form this event. You can access gallery from link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2010images/GACJune5/

Leslie Enjoying the Lake

2010-06-03T20:50:00.002-04:00

Leslie is starting to enjoy the waters of Sleepy Hollow Lake. After work nights I take Leslie for a walk down to the boat launch area of the lake and she has discovered the water now that the temperature has warmed up. I think she may want to take up scuba diving since now she will place her head under water for a few seconds at a time, think she is looking for the fish.

May 2010 Image Gallery

2010-06-03T20:44:00.002-04:00

I have created a new image gallery of photos taken during May of 2010. You can access gallery from link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2010images/May2010/

Spring Time in Vermont

2010-05-17T21:59:00.002-04:00

I took a day's vacation last week and made a trip into Vermont, it was overcast day with light rain, perfect for waterfalls. I hit the Roaring Brook, Texas Falls, and Moss Glen Falls area. Could not get the typical Texas Falls image since the bridge down stream from the falls was taken out by flood in 2008 and the replacement bridge has not been completed yet. I have created a image gallery of images taken during my trip, gallery can be accessed from link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2010images/VermontMay2010/

Claverack Motocross Races

2010-05-17T21:23:00.002-04:00

I spent last Sunday at the Claverack Motocross Races testing my photographic talent at capturing the action. I have created five web galleries of the images I took and you can access these from the link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2010images/ClaverackMoto/

Dandelion Triptychs

2010-05-07T21:56:00.003-04:00

I have always like photographic Triptychs and I have finally done on of my own, showing the stages of a Dandelion.

Morning Sun Burning Thru

2010-05-07T21:34:00.002-04:00

I always have my camera with me and during the past week in paid off, this image was taken on my way into work, it pays to have a camera with you when the weather and light come together.

Images from March & April

2010-05-07T21:31:00.002-04:00

I have just uploaded a gallery of images from March and April of 2010, and you can access the gallery from link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2010images/MarApr2010/

Infrared Gallery

2010-05-07T21:21:00.002-04:00

I have created a Image Gallery of the first images from my Infrared converted Nikon D200. Shooting Infrared with a converted digital camera is much easier that the days of shooting Infrared film. The gallery can be accessed from link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2010images/IR-1/

The Mystic Whaler visits Athens River Front

2010-05-07T21:10:00.002-04:00

Last weekend (April 1st & 2nd) the Mystic Whaler Schooner visited the river front here in Athens NY. I was able to get down to the river front early and took some images of the Mystic Whaler prior to it shoving off to travel north on the Hudson. The Mystic Whaler is based out of New London CT.

I have created a gallery of the images I took and gallery can be accessed from link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2010images/mystic/

Schenectady Photographic Society Slide show - Greyhound Rescue

2010-05-03T21:24:00.002-04:00

Reason to always have Camera with you

2010-04-22T20:38:00.002-04:00

I think people may wonder why I always carry my camera with me, this is the reason. You never know when a image will be waiting for you. This was taken this morning just outside of Coxsackie NY on my way into work. I have learned when you see great light and elements working together, stop and get the camera out and shoot because it may be there for only a few minutes.

Hudson Wetland Panoramic

2010-04-18T19:54:00.002-04:00

I had to go over to Columbia County this past weekend and on my way home I stopped to capture this multiple stitched panoramic of the large wetland just south of the city of Hudson NY.

Digital Multi Exposure

2010-04-18T19:47:00.004-04:00

This is two exposures first in focus and second thrown out of focus.

This is four exposures focuses on four different depths of the flowers.

One of the things I like about the Nikon digital cameras is that they can actually do multiple exposures on a single digital frame. Here are two images that are multiple exposure images from the Nikon D700 camera.

More Lens Baby Images

2010-04-18T19:42:00.002-04:00

I got out early this morning to make some images before breakfast. These are some of the images I did with my Lens Baby composer lens.

Greyhounds as Companions April Meet-n-Greet

2010-04-18T19:34:00.002-04:00

The Greyhound as Companions held their April Meet-n-Greet today at Delmar Pet Supply, Leslie and I attended and I have just created image gallery of photos I took at the event. You can access this image gallery from the link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2010images/GAC04182010/

Infrared Panoramic

2010-04-17T13:46:00.003-04:00

During this past week I took the D200 Infrared camera out and did a multiple image stitched panoramic photo. Image is made up of 8 images stitched together using Adobe Photoshop CS4.

Spring in Infrared

2010-04-13T12:41:00.004-04:00

Fresh vegetation is the perfect subject for Infrared Photography. This past week I got out and did some shooting after a long period of not shooting. These images where taken with my Nikon D200 which I had converted over to Infrared by LifePixel. My D200 was converted to a Deep B&W IR filter so it will only produce B&W Infrared images.

Spring is Blooming

2010-04-13T12:34:00.002-04:00

I have not been out shooting that much over the first part of this year, but this past weekend and did some shooting. After a winter of gray and no vegetative life things are coming back to life with leaves and flowers blooming giving the world new color for the year. These area few images from a flowering tree here in Athens, NY taken with my lensbaby lens system.

New HDR Processing software

2010-04-13T12:19:00.002-04:00

I have been trying out some new High Dynamic Range (HDR) software, HDR Photostudio by Unified Color. Photomatix has always ben my main software for HDR work but I am finding HDR Photostudio to be great for doing HDR landscape work producing high dynamic range landscape image that does not have the HDR pushed look and has a feature that eliminates the halos between light/dark areas common in HDR images.

These are a few images tat I took this past weekend at Montgomery Place and processed through HDR Photostudio from three bracketed exposures (-2, 0, 2)

Winter Outing to Dog Park

2010-01-31T20:32:00.002-05:00

With the lack of snow we took Leslie out to the Dog Park here in Athens. Leslie and her friend Zeek had the park all to them selves. I have uploaded images from this outing to a gallery which you can access from the link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2010images/Leslie1312010/

First Images of 2010

2010-01-31T20:28:00.003-05:00

I have just uploaded the first images of 2010 in my Stock Gallery area, you can access "Jan. 2010 Image Gallery" from link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2010images/Jan2010/

End of 2009

2009-12-31T22:23:00.004-05:00

Only a one and a half hours left in 2009 and here are the two last images I have taken in 2009. One from this morning taken from car window during snow storm and the other image taken this evening in Village of Coxsackie.

Happy New Year

Link to final images from 2009 - http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2009images/Last2009/

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays

2009-12-23T15:26:00.002-05:00

Wishing All a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Digital Infrared

2009-12-20T19:54:00.003-05:00

I have had my Nikon D200 camera converted over to capture infrared light making it a dedicated infrared system. Infrared images will show green vegetation as very bright near white and blue sky and water will render near black. I was able to capture a few infrared images just prior to winter setting in here in New York which I have posted in this blog. Look for more infrared images once the green leaves return in the spring.

New Leslie Gallery

2009-12-20T19:47:00.002-05:00

I have just added a new image gallery to my stock gallery area featuring some new images of our greyhound, Leslie. You can access the gallery from link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2009images/Leslie-2/

Greyhounds as Companions

2009-12-20T19:32:00.003-05:00

Greyhounds as Companions just received two new Grey’s (Huey and Garret) from Florida and I have created an image gallery of their bath day. Also included in this gallery are images from the Meet-n-Greet at Glenmont, NY Pet Smart this past weekend. You can access this new gallery from link below.

The blog image is Giselle, 2 year old white female greyhound how is deaf.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2009images/GAC_Dec2009/

LensBaby Gallery

2009-12-14T19:57:00.002-05:00

In today’s world of high mega pixel cameras and super sharp optics there isa lens called the LensBaby. The LensBaby has a sharp sweet spot that can be moved around the image by bending the lens with anything outside the sweet spot becoming very soft and out of focus. I just picked up the latest design called the LensBaby Composer and before all the color was gone spent a couple of days walking around the Village of Athens applying the LensBaby on the last of fall color.

I have placed a Gallery of LensBaby images in my Stock Gallery area, the Gallery can be accessed from link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2009images/Lensbaby1/

Fall 2009 Image Gallery

2009-10-25T20:48:00.005-04:00

I ave just created a Fall 2009 Image Gallery which you can access from link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2009images/Fall2009/

Saint Josephs Church

2009-10-17T22:07:00.003-04:00

I conducted a HDR photography workshop and we had access to Saint Josephs Church located in Albany, NY. This church has been vacant since 1990 and it is sad to see this mighty cathedral in it state of decay. Hopefully people realize what a wonderful structure this and pull together to save and restore this church.

The church was cold and dark with only a flood light illuminating the interior, but the HDR imaging reveals the colorful beauty of the churches interior.

I have a image gallery of photographs created during this workshop which can be accessed from link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2009images/StJosephs/

Trip to Vermont

2009-10-12T18:49:00.005-04:00

I took Columbus day off and headed out to Southern Vermont to get some Fall Foliage images. The two locations was Jenne Farm (must photographed farm in Vermont) and Sleepy Hollow Farm. I was a little late in getting there and the light was hard so I ended up doing a few HDR imagesas well. The color in the Woodstock VT. area was near peak but not a lot of red yet.

Creative Work

2009-10-11T12:16:00.003-04:00

Nikon has not pulled the creative tools that we had during the film days from today's digital camera bodies. During yesterdays outing in the Catskill Mountains I shot a few ten shot multiple exposures of a stand of trees along one of the roads I traveled. These images are all in camera no Photoshop magic.

Fall in Catskill Mountains

2009-10-11T12:05:00.003-04:00

I was out in the Catskill Mountains yesterday to see how the fall colors doing. Here a few images I took in the Tannersville and Hunter area of the Catskill Mountains here in Upstate New York.

Made it into 2010 Panoramic Photography Book published by Autopano Pro

2009-09-25T21:45:00.003-04:00

For my extreme panoramic images I use AutoPano Pro software to stitch these photographs together. Every year Autopano Pro asks users to submit images to be considered to be published into their yearly panoramic photography book. I submitted three of my images to be considered for this book and they selected my panoramic image of the Old Decaying Farm in Freehold NY.

Autopano Pro had 1392 images submitted from 638 photographers through the world. This year, a jury composed of famous photographers selected 130 images that will be published in the book: Arnaud Frich, Bertrand Bodin and Hervé Sentucq, all three are specialized in panoramic photography.

Hudson 400 Exhibit

2009-09-24T10:28:00.002-04:00

This is the 400th year anniversary that Henry Hudson sailed the Hudson River here in New York State and there has been events along the River this summer. The Photo Center in Troy, NY is currently featuring the Hudson River with a gallery exhibit entitled “The Hudson 400”. This show features photographs of the Hudson River and neighboring valley and I have four of my works chosen to hang in this show. The opening reception will be September 25th 5 to 9 pm along with a closing reception on October 30th 5 to 9 pm. If you are in the area please plan on seeing this exhibit to see how many great photographers have captured this mighty river.

Photo Center
404 River Street
Troy, NY 12180-2821
Phone 518-273-0100

5–9 p.m. Monday–Tuesday, Thursday–Friday
noon–6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Eagles on the Hudson River

2009-09-24T10:12:00.002-04:00

For years I paddled my kayak on the Hudson River trying to capture images of the bald eagles now living along the river with no luck. The other weekend I was out on river with long time friends, Marc & Judy on their pontoon boat. Just below village of Athens we spotted on of the mighty Eagles and I was able to get few good shoots of this guy before he decided we had gotten close enough. The later in the day on our way back we spotted a juvenile eagle which I captured in flight.

Athens Cultural Center - Point-n-Shoot

2009-08-10T21:11:00.002-04:00

I taught a four day point-n-shoot photography course focused on people looking to get the most out of their point-n-shoot cameras. The course was offered by the Athens Cultural Center in the Village of Athens. I was lucky to have a wonderful group of buddy photographers eager to learn the basics of digital photography and everyone shown some really good photography talent. I have assembled a image gallery of some of the great work from my students, you can access this gallery from the link below. When you click on Gallery thumb nail a larger image will be displayed and the photographers name will be in the file name of image.

http://www.rjnphoto.com/ACCPNS/index.html

I would like to say thank you to all the students for allowing me to share my photography experience and also like to thank Athens Cultural Center for hosting this.

Blog image credit, photographer Debbie Scott

2009-07-19T15:16:00.003-04:00

Lisa and I took Leslie to Athens Dog Park today to meet Carolyn and her three greyhounds (Isabel, Rodeo, and Baxter). We are finding that greyhounds are wonderful breed of dog and their owners are wonderful people. We all had a great time this morning and images from this outing can be found at the following link.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2009images/DogPark_071909/

Photoshop Magic

2009-07-17T20:18:00.002-04:00

I have never been one to manipulate photos that much in photo shop other than HDR work. I have finally gotten out and did some photography, shooting flowers. After looking at the images they looked just like the flowers I shoot in previous years, nothing new. So into Photoshop I when to try some layer blending magic and this is what I ended up with, which I like and does not look like previous years image.

Gallary Show - McGreevy Pro Lab

2009-07-17T20:06:00.003-04:00

I currently have gallery show at McGreevy Prolab with the opening reception August 7, 2009 5pm to 9pm. This part Albany's First Friday with trolley service running between participating galleries. This show is featuring so of my high dynamic range images from the past three years.

McGreevy Prolab is located at 376 Broadway in downtown Albany.

Hope to see you there, Robert

Leslie Gallery

2009-07-12T13:33:00.004-04:00

Finally have gotten around to placing a gallery of images that I have taken of Leslie. Photos taken out doors are from the Village of Athens Dog Park a wonderful dog park which Leslie can run free to her hearts content. To access this gallery use link below.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/2009images/Leslie-1/

Political Landscape - 2nd Place SPS Slide Show

2009-05-23T20:04:00.004-04:00

I took a second place with my "Political Landscape" projected image essay at Schenectady Photographic Society this year. I have posted a copy to the web and it can be accessed from link bellow. To play the show open link below and click on flag image, Political Landscape.

Political Landscape

Greyhounds as Companions

2009-05-17T18:54:00.003-04:00

Greyhounds as Companions is the adoption group that we adopted Leslie from and the third Saturday they do Meet and Greats at the PetSmart in Glenmont, NY. We have been attending these since getting Leslie allowing her to socialize with other greyhounds and be ambassador for greyhound adoption. This past Saturday I took my camera to document some of the action.

This is Freddy who was just rescued all the way from Guam, looking really good after a long flight that I would not even make in first class.

Freddy and Memphis both rescued from Guam.

And this is Leslie relaxing on the sofa after a hard day of Meeting and Greeting.

SPS Projected Image of the Year

2009-05-17T18:34:00.003-04:00

I am pleased to announce that my photo "Rainy Night" took Projected Image of the Year for the 2008-2009 Schenectady Photographic Society. Final image of the year competition was judged by four photographers.

SPS Monochrome Print of the Year

2009-05-17T18:26:00.004-04:00

With summer just around the corner, the 2008-2009 Schenectady Photographic Society is coming to a close. I am proud to announce that my photo titled "Church on Hill" was picked as Monochrome print of the year.

Leslie

2009-04-10T20:14:00.002-04:00

Leslie has learned the finer comforts of her new home, here she is taking a quick rest in the couch. Since Leslie arrived I have been staying close to home the last few weeks so I have not been out shooting, just snapping of Leslie from time to time.

New Family Member, Leslie

2009-03-21T19:25:00.003-04:00

My wife and I are happy to announce that we have a new member to our family, her name is Leslie a two and half year old retired racing greyhound. She is getting adjusted to her new home and is not at all camera shy as you can see from these images.

Albany Frist Friday - Hamel Reality

2009-03-03T15:24:00.002-05:00

I have just finished hanging my upcoming show at Hamel Reality on the corner of Dove St. and Hudson Ave, in Albany NY. The show is part of Albany's First Friday and will be up for the month of March. It is always a chore thinking of what images to hang in a solo show, but I feel I have made the correct selections featuring what I feel is so of my strongest panoramic works.

I would also like to say thanks to Adrian and Jay for their help in hanging this show.

I have a on line gallery of the images that are on display at this show and gallery can be access from link below.

Albany first Friday - Hamel Reality

Images from February Posted

2009-03-02T19:11:00.002-05:00

I have just posted a February 2009 Gallery, in the 2009 Image Gallery area. You can access this gallery from link below.

February 2009

March Gallery Show

2009-02-15T10:08:00.005-05:00

Panoramic Images by Robert J Near

Exhibition Dates
March 4, 2009 to March 27, 2009

Opening Reception
Friday, March 6, 2009
From 6:00pm to 9:00pm
(Part of Albany’s First Night)

Hamel Realty
Corner of Hudson Ave. & Dove St.
Albany, New York
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm

One more time to the Hudson River for the Ice Boats

2009-02-08T14:55:00.003-05:00

Just when I thought I had taken enough images of the Ice Boats I had to stp by the Hudson River here in Athens one more time. With the temperatures going into the mid 40's the frozen surface was changing to a liquid state. The thawed water layer on the ice made for great reflections of the magnificent vessels.

Many of the boats were being taken down to transport back to their homes, but there still boats out sailing one last run before heading home. The larger boats are actually called Ice Yachts, and a few of the yachts today where lifting one skate off the surface as you will see in these blog images. You may be asking what happens if they go to far and cannot dump the wind from the sails, they go over. Laying there on the side everyone comes to help and many hands guide the yacht back upright ready for another run.

I have posted two images in the 2009 Galleries and these can be accessed from link below.

Ice Boat Galleries

Ice Boats back for second weekend

2009-02-07T21:26:00.012-05:00

The Ice boats where back for the second weekend here in Athens on the Hudson River and the wind did blow. It was a great day of fun and action out on the river, at one point I counted 32 boats.

Ice Boats Second Day

2009-02-01T22:54:00.005-05:00

I have added two more galleries of photos of the Ice Boats I took today on the Hudson River here in Athens, NY. Galleries are located in the 2009 section of Stock Gallery area.

http://rjnphoto.com/Gallery/Latestwork/

Ice Boats return to Athens NY

2009-01-31T20:17:00.010-05:00

This winters weather has provide good ice for ice boating on the Hudson River in Athens NY. Today the ice boaters arrived here in Athens and glided across the ice powered by the winter’s winds.

Frozen Hudson River, Decaying Fleet

2009-01-26T19:01:00.006-05:00

With all the cold weather here in the Hudson River Valley the mighty Hudson has frozen over with 6 inches of ice along the shores of Athens. A group of old decaying work barges near the Peckham Industries terminal has long been a favorite photo subject of mine. So with the frozen river surface providing a solid surface to explore these barges from angles which would only be access by boat. This past weekend I strapped on the ice cleats and ventured out onto the frozen surface to capture the decaying fleet from a different angle.

Upcoming Photocenter Best of 2008 Show

2009-01-07T20:51:00.006-05:00

2009 is off to a good start; I have been notified that the Photocenter in Troy NY has chosen two of my woks to hang in the upcoming Best of 2008 juried show. The Best of 2008 will run from January 23, 2009 thru March 8, 2009 with opening reception Friday, January 30, 2009, 5-9pm. The Photocenter is located at 404 River Street in Troy NY.

Both works in this show are high dynamic range (HDR) images and the panoramic image is a multiple stitched full 360 degree swing HDR panoramic. Mark your calendars for want should be a great show of the finest photographic works of 2008.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

2008-12-24T08:18:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.

Robert