City and County 1, originally uploaded by DeNic Photos.

This HDR image of Denver’s City and County Building quickly became a fan favorite. I wanted to get a perspective that removed as many of the people as I could on this busy night in downtown Denver.

I took this image during a night outing with a local photography group.

I try to take part in as many group outings as I can. No matter the group, I always take something positive from it so I find them invaluable.

This month I have two group portrait workshops to attend to work on lighting and posing. I am looking forward to both of them as it gives me a chance to try out new ideas that I can then bring back to my clients.

Capitol and more, originally uploaded by DeNic Photos.

I had always wondered how photographers got those great shots that encompassed so much of a city skyline. Since this whole landscape thing is new to me and my idea of a landscape photo is little less than traditional (I tend to like night images…call me weird) I wanted to try to emulate some of the great images I have found over the years.

I picked up a Tokina 12-24/f4 lens, what they call an ultra wide angle lens, and have been playing with it. The image of the Colorado State Capitol was taken with this lens on a December night with a full cold moon hiding behind the clouds.

All the other lenses I tried that night would either capture the Capitol and some street, or the moon and some street. But the UWA lens got it all and the shot was nice and clear and free of digital noise.

Having the right equipment is key in getting “that” image.

I have made a resolution for 2009, albeit a tad bit early. One of my resolutions is to make sure that I have the right equipment to get the right image…no matter what the image may be. Yes, reworking the equipment bag is a huge priority for me in this coming year.

All done to make my services a better value for YOU!

red-rocks-1, originally uploaded by Dizzle @ 2*3 Photos.

Once again, I spent some time outside…in nature.

I took this photo at Red Rocks Park in Morrision, Colorado just west of Denver. It’s a popular spot for climbers, hikers and bikers…and with the amazing amphitheater there are concerts a plenty to find there.

This was the early part of an equipment test outing. With the exception of a “blue sky” preset in Adobe Lightroom 2, this shot is straight out of the camera. I only sharpened and added the frame on it in Photoshop.

Nature and landscape is really not my thing, but every once in a while a shot stands out that works.

platte-river-foot-bridge, originally uploaded by Dizzle @ 2*3 Photos.

A foot bridge over the Platte River to Denver’s Riverfront Park.

Take advantage of every opportunity presented to you. I was fortunate to be able to join Efrain Cruz and Armando Martinez from Denver’s Illuminate Workshops for their free Night Shoot workshop in Denver’s Riverfront Park area Saturday night.

We all had a great time shooting at the Denver Skatepark and I especially enjoyed taking advantage of the Millenium Bridge to get some amazing night photographs of Denver.

I meet several new photographer faces and got caught up with old friends I had not seen in a while. My friend and fellow photog Sheba Wheeler made the evening fun with her first real venture out in the dark and trying to figure out her tripod.

Efrain is a great teacher, very patient and understanding and he explains things in terms that everyone gets. Photography is a lot of technical jargon, but Efrain explains it so that even my young son could understand it.

If you are looking for a good photography school in the Denver area, check out Efrain and Illuminate Workshops…you won’t be disappointed.

Flowers–2, originally uploaded by Dizzle @ 2*3 Photos.

Came across this out front of the REI building in Downtown Denver near the Platte River.

Some folks are great at taking photos of people, some are great at taking photos of things. I am working on my “things”.

So today I went out and purposely did not shoot any images that included people. Instead I focused on flowers and water and whatever else I could find that wasn’t people.

This is my favorite shot of the day, simply because it was my first shot of the day and I think it came out fairly well.

Practice makes perfect…and no one is perfect so I am always practicing.

Enjoy!