Tag Archives: beach

Clearing up an Overcast Day in Lightroom

24 Aug

For this edition of #FixitFriday I’m going through my favorite photos from last summer and in the process reliving  my Block Island dream trip.

Seems an appropriate way to end a summer, reliving last summer, laying on a beach and relaxing exploring the island of my youth. Most of the time the skies were overcast and cloudy, good when avoiding a sun burn, but I found it a difficult photography challenge. The result of the cloudy skies were flat and drab. Although I reworked them a bit in Photoshop CS2 I still didn’t get the result I was after.

Lightroom 4 has been wonderful, every time I open an image I wasn’t quite happy with I find I can correct or enhance. Even with a jpg file.

Lightroom 4 screen shot of a before and after photo processing

Lightroom 4 screen shot (click for larger image)

I always shot on aperture priority and as a result many of my images were underexposed. Not only did I open up the shadows and exposure in Lightroom 4 I also decreased the noise.

On the left side of the screen shot there are User Presets. Presets are saved adjustments you can use again for an image of the same type. For example overexposed images in bright sun is called “Dim the Summer  Sun” or “Bright and Sharp” for an underexposed image. Once a preset is saved it can adjusted and resaved under the same name. Presets save time when you have a batch of images under the same lighting that require the same adjustment.

Below is the straight out of camera shot and the resulting end photo in Lightroom.

SOOC (straight out of camera)

SOOC (straight out of camera)

Edited version, what do you think?

Edited Block Island photo in Lightroom 4

Edited Block Island photo in Lightroom 4

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California, San Diego Style

6 Mar

While we were in California last fall  (found a draft that never got posted, couldn’t let it go to waste)  for my son’s Marine Boot Camp graduation we took in as much beach time as possible. My daughter could both live at the beach very easily, something soothing about the consistency and rhythm of the waves. Although the water was very cold, my daughter just had to go swimming, hey she’s sixteen, she knows enough to come in when she’s cold.

Next day she learned to body surf, and did a pretty good job of it too. She was so proud.

Father and Daughter at the Beach

Father and Daughter at the Beach

Sunset on the Pacific Ocean

Sunset on the Pacific Ocean

Swimming in the Pacific Ocean, in October

Swimming in the Pacific Ocean, in October, just a little bit chilly

 

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Day 242/365: Star Fish and Pearls from Block Island

15 Sep

Pearls and Starfish

Pearls and Starfish

I love shopping and I this necklace from Block Island just radiates summer. Perfect with my tan from summer vacation. I could have stayed on the beach a week and never been bored. Maybe next time I will. Until the next summer on the island, farewell until we meet again.

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Day 238/365: Last Day on Block Island

23 Aug

Sachem Pond, Block Island

Sachem Pond, Block Island

My last Block Island post, sad and reflective at the same time. Was the trip what I expected? Yes. Do I wish I had more time to sit and relax? Yes. Will I be back? Yes. Block Island is a mixture of personalities, the wild untamed Mohegan Cliffs to the calm water on Sachem Pond. It’s invigorating and calming at the same time.

I ate amazing food, took a moped around the island and found out that yes, mopeds can go 50 mph, laid in the sun and did absolutely nothing. There is nothing like salt air and open skies to cleanse the mind and rejuvenate the spirit.

Narragansett Inn

Narragansett Inn

When I return, and I will return, I will head back to the Narragansett Inn. It was the perfect place to stay on a perfect island.

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Day 237/365: Sunshine, On my Shoulder, Makes Me Happy

17 Aug

Sunshine On My Shoulder

Sunshine On My Shoulder

This picture of my dear friend makes me smile.  Why were we laughing? Who knows, who cares. This is the epitome of a carefree summer day on the beach at Block Island.

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Day 236/365: It’s All About the LifeGuards

16 Aug

It was about lifeguards in high school

It was about lifeguards in high school

Ok, who is going to admit it first? I guess I’ll step up to the plate. As my friend said “It was all about the boys and the beach back then wasn’t it?” Yup, no doubt about that. Twenty something years later we plopped our towels down in the same spot on Block Island. In front of the life guard stand. Heck why not.

In high school our summer destination trip, which included girls and boys, consisted of riding the ferry over from Point Judith Rhode Island to Block Island. We got off the ferry in Old Harbor, walked five minutes to Crescent Beach and spent the rest of the day there. Didn’t leave. Why would we? We had everything we needed. Boys, beach, sand, and ocean.

Beach Babes 25 years later...

Beach Babes 25 years later...

This time our trip budget was a little more than the $20 we stuck in our pocket. Some things have changed, but some things stay the same.

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Day 235/365: Crescent Beach on Block Island

16 Aug

Crescent Beach, Block Island RI

Crescent Beach, Block Island RI

Crescent Beach is the most popular beach on Block Island, it’s within easy walking distance from the Ferry Docks, has a full service beach house complete with showers, bathrooms, and a wonderful concessions to eat lunch. Block Island is an oasis in New England. The soft white sands are a contrast to the rocky pebbly beaches of Connecticut and the water is sparkling blue.

Much of this is due to Block Island being twelve miles off shore and away from the sheltered waterways of Long Island Sound which tend to “trap” pollution, debris and make the beaches a little foamy and dirtier. Block Island reminds me of the Caribbean, a little slice of heaven.

Relaxing at the beach

Relaxing at the beach

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Day 234/365: Green Umbrellas Over the Ocean

15 Aug

Harborside on Block Island

Harborside on Block Island

This combination of green umbrellas and the white picket fence just screamed out for a photo. Taken on Block Island (have you gotten enough yet?) at MacPhails in the Old Harbor over looking Old Harbor. Had a really good clam chowder here, Yum!

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Day 233/365: A Sunset Worthy of Applause

11 Aug

Sunset on the Porch of the Narragansett Inn

Sunset on the Porch of the Narragansett Inn

Another sunset deserving of applause. I just about starting clapping to honor the tradition in Key West. The sunset was a perfect back drop to our dinner at the Narragansett Inn. Our trip was nearing a close and just one more day lay ahead for shopping and exploring.  I couldn’t of asked for a better ending to a day.

There is just something about a sunset over the water with the smell of ocean air wafting in the breeze. To someone born and raised in Connecticut now living in land locked Nebraska this is shear bliss.

Sunset over New Harbo, Block Island, RI

Sunset over New Harbor, Block Island, RI

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Day 232/365: Eating on Block Island

10 Aug

Did you really think I could show pictures of my trip to Block Island without food? I think not! Geesh who would I be if I didn’t break my camera out during meals.

Breakfast at the Narragansett Inn

Breakfast at the Narragansett Inn

One of the delights of the day was breakfast, which is included at your stay at the Narragansett Inn.

Many places list a breakfast buffet but it’s short of the gourmet and heavy on the carbs (bagels and the like), not here. Fresh pancakes, or french toast, and the absolute best scrambled eggs I’ve ever had. Sorry Mom. I’m also a sucker for grinder salt and whole pepercorns, look, look, it’s standard on the table! I’m in heaven.

Pistacio Crusted Cod

Pistacio Crusted Cod

Dinner at the Narragansett Inn was wonderful. I stayed true to my theme of regional food and ordered the Pistachio Crusted Cod. Would have never thought of using pistachios on fish, but paired with the tomato/mango salsa it was a blend of flavors and textures which worked very well together.

Lobster Roll

Lobster Roll

The Lobster roll from the Rebecca’s On The Beach was a pleasant surprise. Normally beach concession stands serve the traditional hot dogs, hamburgers and the like. didn’t know what to expect, but this cold mixed lobster salad (think tuna salad with lobster instead) really hit the spot.  The next day we visited the main beach and I had a grilled tuna steak sandwich. Can’t get that in Nebraska.

New England Clam Chowder

New England Clam Chowder

Authentic clam chowder from MacPhails in the Old Harbor was an item to check off the list and the rainy overcast Monday made it a perfect choice.

Fried Calamari, yum, yum!

Fried Calamari, yum, yum!

I’m one of those people who love calamari, even the little ones with eight legs that remind me of the little sea creature they are. In my opinion it’s a reminder that my sea food didn’t come out of a box chopped up and in “cookie cutter” sizes. These beauties were found at Payne’s Dock restaurant within “stumbling” distance of the Narragansett Inn. That is if you need to stumble back after a few margaritas.

Hope I made you hungry, I know I’m hungry again and want to go back.  I also enjoyed clam fritters for lunch, tuna steak sandwich at the beach, and shrimp salads. Overall I think my culinary menu of regional foods was well rounded.

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