Another perspctive of "Sunset at Cuvaison"

This is a real interesting twist on the panoramic I posted.  I tried to make it the desktop on my computer and it changed the perspective into this wierd view of the scene.  I re-created what it did in Photoshop and here it is.  It reminds me of Middle Earth from "Lord of the Rings."  Enjoy.

Be sure to click on the picture for a larger view. 

By the way, the folks at Cuvaison saw my post on Twitter and said they liked the shot.  They're following me on Twitter now!  Kinda fun.  I sure enjoy the view from Cuvaison... Might be the best in all of Napa and Sonoma!  The wine ain't bad either!

A Vineyard Panoramic- "Sunset at Cuvaison Winery"

I've played around with several shots from Cuvaison and made a quick panoramic.  I have learned a lesson from this recent shoot.  Getting it right in the camera is one of the secrets to easily "developed" files.  The lighting on these shots combined with a correct exposure yielded minimal post production work.  I created this panoramic from 3 shots in about 10 minutes.  Don't forget to click on the picture to get a larger view.  Enjoy.

Here's another sunset shot from yesterday

I love the street drenched from the recent rain... it had stopped only a few minutes prior to taking this shot. 

I love how the light is glowing on the clouds on the left side.  This may be one of the best exposures I have ever made.  Enjoy!

I went back for a sunset at Domaine Carneros yesterday

I went back to Cuvaison yesterday right at sunset and took another set of pictures.  It was raining so hard on the way there I almost turned around and came back.  I'm sure glad I didn't give up.  By the time I got there the rain was intermittent and the sun was about to set.  The colors were spectacular and the low light from the setting sun gave everything a great deal of dimension.  Here's one of the results.  Enjoy!

Another version of the leaf from Carneros

Here's another version of the leaf pic from Holiday in Carneros.  I shot this at Kenwood Winery in the Sonoma Valley.  I played around with the perspective and did some dodging and burning and adjusted the color balance..  What do you think?

Matthew asked to see the tree shot in color.  Here you go:

A few more shots from last weekend...

Most years in the fall, near our anniversary, I make a Napa/Sonoma shot that depicts the harvest time in the area.  I find the Fall season to be magical and one of the best to photograph in California's wine making region.  The colors are crisp and vivid and it seems that around every turn in the road there's a new and inspiring place to explore and photograph.  The area has an interesting mix of agricultural industry, California history and pure natural beauty that has just captured my imagination.  I always think that I've been down every road, no matter how small or remote, but then I discover something new like the shot below at Cuvaison's facility in the Carneros region... They have 2 facilities, one in Carneros and one in Calistoga.  So you see, now I have to plan a trip to Calistoga, as I think I have never been to the one in Calistoga, at the north end of the Napa Valley.  If they have a scene there as inspiring as this one in Carneros, I wonder what they have to offer in Calistoga... mmmmmm?

I've uploaded a few shots from our anniversary trip this year...  drop me a message of which should be the shot for 2009.  You can click on each shot for a larger view.  Enjoy!

We are so lucky to have these spectacular regions nearby.  There are breathtaking views everywhere you look... even looking up like the last shot.  Enjoy!

Holiday in Carneros

Last weekend we celebrated our 34th wedding anniversery with dear frineds in Sonoma at a fun event called Holiday in Carneros.  It is a weekend at a bunch of different wineries in the Carneros Region located mainly in Sonoma County.  I was able to take a few pictures while we were there.  I have uploaded 2 shots... they are the same file, one in color and one converted to black and white.  Double click on each picture for a larger view.  Which do you like best?