The iPhone 3GS has a 3.15 megapixel, autofocus camera. While it has its limitations, it’s good enough that I keep my DSL-R at home for all outings where photography isn’t the primary objective. It’s not very good in low light or where the scene has high contrast (the dynamic range is very low). In the right hands it can be a wonderful little camera for two reasons: it’s always in your pocket (or hands) and photos can be captured, processed and uploaded all from a single device.

To process photos on the iPhone I consistently turn to Photogene, an app that is quick, intuitive and very powerful. Here’s an example of what can be done in a few minutes with a few sliders.

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app · iphone · photogene · photography

For a couple years I’ve had a photography site at photography.brentdanley.com that few people visited. I built it as a project to learn the Flickr API and the JavaScript framework Prototype. I’ve been wanting to incorporate it into my main site for a while, and now it’s done.

Click on the Photography link to check it out.

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css · flickr · jquery · photography · php · phpFlickr · webdev · wordpress

Ever wonder why sunglasses manufacturers polarize the lenses? Polarization makes things looks better: skies more blue and clouds more white. Also, reflections are greatly reduced on shiny dark surfaces.

I took these photos today at Bay View Beach in Saco, Maine. Both of them are straight out of my iPhone 3GS’s camera without post processing. The one on the right was taken through polarized sunglasses.

I keep a circular polarization filter on my two most used camera lenses. With them I can dial in the amount of polarization I need for the look I’m trying to achieve. The difference can be dramatic, depending on the conditions.

photography · polarization · Science

Today was another Maine Photography Meetup (or at Facebook). Like the last one I attended, the conditions were ideal: the temperatures climbed into the 60 °F range. Remember, it’s November in Maine!

As is usual, the girls and I got to spend time with old friends and make some new ones. We hiked down Scarborough Beach and then along the cliffs of Prout’s Neck Bird Sanctuary. And back.

After our long hike we enjoyed brunch at The Good Table in Cape Elizabeth. It was incredible. My $6 mug of hot apple cider with rum was worth every penny! Hayley’s $2.25 bottle of “real” maple syrup…not so much.

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beach · maine · meetup · photography · scarborough

This morning the Maine Photography Meetup Group met at Evergreen Cemetery in Portland. The weather couldn’t have been better: clear sunny skies, falling colorful leaves and lots of dew. It was great to see old friends and meet new people.

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autumn · evergreen cemetery · maine · meetup · photography

From xkcd. This is great!

cartoon · comic · fall foliage · funny · humor · photography · photoshop

This is one of the most popular photos in my Flickr photostream, so I thought I’d share it with you, too. It made it all the way to the #1 spot in Flickr’s Explore (March 22, 2008), an index of interestingness.

Please leave a comment.

brentdanley · explore · flickr · photo · puzzle

Today I went on a cruise in Casco Bay to Long Island with the girls and a few friends I met on Flickr. It was a great time! I can’t wait to do it again in the summer.

A Cruise To Long Island
Brent Danley, Danler.org, February 16, 2009

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casco bay · cruise · long island · maine · photography · winter

Do these guys have a sweet gig, or what?!

I’d love to have all that gear and be part of the White House Press Corps. Every moment must be captured for a frenzied twenty-four hour cut-throat news cycle.

This is the pen and executive order Obama would sign on his first full day as President.

I’d be the guy with the jacket and jeans. Doesn’t the guy on the left look like a younger Bill Gates?

executive order · obama · pen · photographer · politics

Jason Gendron and I went to Cape Cod, Massachusetts yesterday to photograph lighthouses. It was an awesome day!

I met Jason at five o’clock for breakfast at Station House Grill in Hollis, Maine, where he works weekend mornings. He cooked our breakfast, which was delicious.

After breakfast we drove to East Boston Piers Park where we photographed the early morning Boston skyline. The temperatures were frigid and wind brisk. We wasted no time getting our shots so we could return to the warm car. Next we drove to the north side of the Charles River to photograph the city. Unfortunately the sun was too high and directly in front of us. Not wanting to miss any daylight photography opportunities we immediately headed south to Cape Cod.

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boston · cape cod · jason gendron · lighthouse · massachusetts · photography · travel · winter