Sun-up at the Grand Canyon

October 3, 2013October 3, 2013Mike Hope 1 Comment

As I mentioned the Grand Canyon in my last post I thought I’d upload a picture I took from the rim early one morning just as the sun was rising (sounds like a song coming on). I am just getting the feel for some slow shutter speed work, long exsposure and bracketing. This was pretty low light and zoomed using the 24mm – 105mm Canon L series. I took three shots at different exposures and then overlayed in post to give it dimension. I will keep practicing and the next shoot will be down by the ocean at Abalone Cove.

Sun up at Grand Canyon Mike-Hope

Thanks for stopping by,

Mike Hope

Shane Knight’s Fine Art Photography

October 3, 2013October 4, 2013Mike Hope Leave a comment

On a recent trip to the awe inspiring Grand Canyon we stopped off in the City of Flagstaff, Arizona. A really eclectic city with great people and history. On our wanderings we came accross a fascinating gallery set up in the old jail house.

The gallery was that of Shane Knight, a renowned fine-art photographer of the surrounding areas and beyond. We discocvered all this through the gallery admistrator Michelle, a wonderfull lady who was truley a pleasure to meet. Shane Knight’s work is truley inspiring. His works on horses and wild lanscapes are breathtaking and really have to be seen to be appreciated! You can see the hard work, joy and exhilaration that goes into each shot. I personally found this chance visit one of the highlights of our Grand Canyon stop and am seriously considering a major buy! There is some wonderful professional fine-art photography here. (mostly film and no Photoshop) as depicted on a motto in the window display posted on and old large format plate camera (maybe a Gandolphi I am not sure). Perhaps someone can put me straight on this one. Anyway, the gallery is doted with great photographic curiosities and artifacts as well as old cameras, not to mention the fantastic photography! What’s more it is located in an old historic jail house that still has bars on the windows, brick walls and prisoner graffiti from 1914.

If you are there please check it out, it’s awsome!! The Gallery is located at:

Shane Knight Photography

5 East Aspen Avenue

Flagstaff, AZ 86001
928.556.1563

Redondo Harbor Drive Mosaic Wall Project

September 4, 2013September 4, 2013Mike Hope Leave a comment

Now here is something on a much lighter note. I ride by here most weekends and have been watching the progress with interest. I think it is really great that people with so much talent are able to bring that little bit of joy into our lives and surroundings. The Redondo Harbor Drive Mosaic Wall Project…

… is just one of them and the artists, Patrice Linnett and Deborah Collette, are working their magic on the wall. If you havn’t seen it you should check it out. Also, the steps on the Avenue of the Arts on Redondo Pier. I was amazed at this and admire it everytime I walk or ride by. I stopped there the other day and took the picture below of my daughter Roxanna with the mosaic steps in the background.

Tron Motorcycle – Mike Hope

August 23, 2013August 23, 2013Mike Hope Leave a comment

Tron Mike Hope, a photo by Mike-Hope on Flickr.

Hi All,

I thought you might like to take a look at this photo I took at the Disney Exhibit of the Tron Motorcycle. I gave it some black and white and linear poster treatment. It was a very low light shot with no flash, but I think the noise adds to the grungy effect. What do you think? Fun making it and I may post some other renditions!! Thanks for checking it out.

Oh! and if you really, really like it it’s available on pixels.com

Mike Hope

Helmut Newton at the Annenberg Space

August 17, 2013August 17, 2013Mike Hope Leave a comment

Hi all,

This is a pretty interesting exhibit of some “more than revolutionary” fashion photography!! This is the first exhibition of Helmut Newton’s work outside of gallery shows in Los Angeles. This display features pictures from his first three books “White Women, Sleepless Nights and Big Nudes:

Helmut Newton – Women in Saddle

On till Sunday, September 8th. It’s free and a dollar for parking!! That’ll make me go!! Be warned some photos are not for the kids. Maybe the title gives it away – If you haven’t been you gotta go!!!




Helmut Newton Photography Exhibit –


thanks for taking a look… Mike Hope

Arrowead Resort – Mike Hope

August 17, 2013August 23, 2013Mike Hope Leave a comment

Arrowhead Resort – Mike Hope, a photo by Mike-Hope on Flickr.

The lovely Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa, great place for a weekend getaway. They have a little private beach, lot’s of lake view rooms and pretty good amenities. Close to Arrowhead Village with plenty of live music on Friday and Saturday evenings!! I took this one while hanging out on the balcony watching the light fade away… which is exactly what I was doing too!!

Lake Arrowhead Concert Series

Free Photography Software: A Guide | Popular Photography

August 2, 2013October 15, 2013Mike Hope Leave a comment

Free Photography Software: A Guide | Popular Photography

Popular Photography

High Votage Twisted by Mike-Hope

If you are interested in some really good photo editing software for zero bucks Popular
Photography has some great suggestions. I have tried a few especially Windows Gallery,
which will open Canon RAW files, and Gimp, which is pretty powerfull. There are also some great online editors
that don’t need downloading. Great for when you are in a hurry or on someone elses computer. Photoshop
Express is one of them and gives some quick edits and filters.

I did this this one with a quick upload and distort in Photoshop Express. Easy!! Give it a try!!

I also just tried out pixlr this is a great Instagram type fun and fast editor for applying very cool effects. You realy should try this and let me know what you think. The photo below was processed in pixlr.

A pixlr adjustment!

If you are looking for some cool FREE programs to edit you photos check out the link to Popular Photography

Fujifilm XM1 review | Cameralabs

July 31, 2013July 31, 2013Mike Hope Leave a comment

Hi All,

Here is a pretty good review and comparison on the Fujifilm XM-1. It compares quality, build, response and etc. wth the Olympus PEN E-P5 and the Panasonic Lumix GF6. A pretty thorough review with interesting results. Let’s see how pricing goes over the next few months!!

Fujifilm XM1 review | Cameralabs.

FUJI XM-1

Check it out and let me know what you think. I am still enjoying the Canon EOS-M with a few old FD primes!!

New FUJIFILM X-M1 Camera + Pricing

July 25, 2013October 3, 2013Mike Hope 1 Comment

Hi all,

Hey, I just read that Fuji has come out with this retro camera, the all new FUJIFILM X-M1, 16M with interchangeable lenses and a 3.0 inch tiltable LCD!!! Real cute, and now a serious contender for the other mirrorless cameras out there. I have owned an X-20 and was really impressed with the build and quality. The things which did not hold up for me was the manual focus and pixel quality (12M pixels) apart from that when I review the pictures the color and general quality was great. I still miss it! Overall, l and can see myself trying out the new X-M1. Perhaps Fuji will finally lure me away from Canon (Talking lens adapter here).

The Suggest Retail from Fuji is :

The FUJIFILM X-M1 (body only) will be available in black and silver in July 2013 for $699.95.

The FUJIFILM X-M1 and XC16-50mm (24-76mm) F3.5-5.6 OIS lens (kit) will be available in July 2013 for $799.95.

The FUJIFILM X-M1 (body only) will be available in brown in August 2013 for $699.95.

Here is the brief spec and you can check out more on the Fujifilm site

The quality of a digital SLR in a compact body.
The large APS-C 16M “X-Trans CMOS” & “EXR PROCESSOR II” realize impressive color reproduction and high resolution.
Easy-to-use One Handed Operation & The 3.0-inch, 920K-dot Tilt LCD screen.
Be versatile with interchangeable lenses.
Wireless Image Transfer allows instant sharing via mobile devices.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Mike Hope

Fujifilm FUJIFILM X-M1 press release link

iPhone 5 case set Mike-Hope

July 24, 2013August 1, 2013Mike Hope Leave a comment

iPhone 5 cases Mike-Hope, a set on Flickr.

Hi all,

thought you might like to check out some of the new iPhone 5 case designs available on Michael Hope Photo Art. These are all from photographs or Photo Art that I have put together into a set on flickr.

Check them out if you have a chance…

Thanks for stopping by,

Mike Hope
A Free website for all your photo art and digital designs … Start showing it off!! You may make some money too!!