rolfhickerphotography.com blog

Free HD First Snow Waterton Lakes Wallpaper Calendar

Thu, 3 Nov 2011 12:01:34 PDT

And another free HD wallpaper background calendar for the month November 2011, first snow in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada.

First snow in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada

Another free wallpaper calendar (computer background) for the month November 2011, available up to 1920x1080px. In the xxl version you will see a elk in the picture and it will give you a great size comparison to this beautiful area in Waterton Lakes National Park. My favorite part of the picture is the Elk and the reflections in the river.

Free HD Wallpaper Computer Backgrounds November 2011

Wed, 2 Nov 2011 14:34:34 PDT

I just uploaded my new free HD wallpaper (computer background) calendars for the month November 2011.

Moonrise in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Busy days, lots happening.

I just updated and uploaded 3 new free HD wallpaper calendars (computer backgrounds) for large monitors up to 1920x1080px. They a free of charge but I included a donate button just in case that someone wants to donate a buck or two for the extra work. A +1 for Google, a like for Facebook or any share would also "count as a donation" of course and is very appreciated.

Crazy days in life of a photographer

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:21:49 PDT

What a crazy day today, what a crazy time...in the life of a professional photographer.

Myra Falls, Strathcona-Westmin Provincial Park, Vancouver Island

Gosh, this must have been one of the darkest days we had for a very long time. Seems like "worst scenario" has hit us at to the very wrong time.

What happened?

As many of you know by now, we are expecting a baby in the next few days or couple weeks. Because we are living a bit remote on the northern part of Vancouver Island (heaven for a nature photographer to life) my wife had to move to Courtenay, which is about 2.5 hours south of here by car, she needed to move to be closer to the hospital. The Doc recommended 3 weeks before due day just in case the baby decides to come early. Given the difficulties we had with our first son Daniel, we did not argue with the Doc.

Free HD Computer Background Calendar

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:46:38 PDT

I'm very happy to be able to let you know that I'm now able to offer you FREE high definition computer background calendar photos (wallpapers) with an imprinted calendar.

While we are waiting for our baby, and I'm getting the feeling it is not taking much much longer, I'm trying to roll out as much news as I can.

After I already told you that we launched my completely redone website www.HickerPhoto.com I got two more news today.

1. We finally launched our new Fine Art Shop for Canvas Wraps and Fine Art Photo Prints.

2. I'm now able to offer you FREE HD computer background (wallpaper) calendars - you will be surprised how "sexy" they look.

Turbulent Exciting Scary Times

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 08:32:27 PDT

Let the countdown begin, times are turbulent, exciting and also very scary - the biggest challenge so far in our lives?

Panorama: Balance rock after early spring thunderstorm, Arches National Park, Utah, USA

Times are difficult and challenging, I guess many are in the same boat. Our live is set to become very turbulent very soon with some major events happening in our lives.

Let me share the biggest news first - we are expecting another baby which is due within the next 2-4 weeks. We are very happy and exicted about it but also very scared after our somehow very difficult times we had with our first baby Daniel. As some of you know, he was born with Downs Syndrome, too early and had to spent almost 4 weeks in intensive care at the start. He is doing very fine today and makes our days brighter and happy, every single day and so far we are happy with his development too.

Whats the fuzz about photo themes lists on Google+

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 09:59:12 PDT

Tears and laughter were close last week for me on G+. So what is all the fuzz about those photo theme list on G+?

Single tree in snowfield - Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Wow and autsch, what a busy last week on Google+. It was a great week, exciting but on the other side also a little bit disapointing and bitter.

On one side I "met" so many great new people, got so many amazing nice comments, that it made me spending more time on G+ than I could or should afford right now. But it was worth it, it seemed like I touched a lot of people with my photos and shares and that is one of the big reason why I became a photographer - of course beside the fact that I have to feed my family with my pictures too. I'm still absolutely blown away from G+ how great it is for photographers - there are plenty enough posts out everyday to tell you why and how G+ is especially great for photographers. It was only my second week on Google+ and more then 6400 people circled me so far - I know it is not a lot for some out there but for me personally it is amazing. That means that 457 people per day circled me in average.

Fall Season Cascading Waterfall Fresh Snow

Fri, 7 Oct 2011 07:50:50 PDT

When colors of fall season meets first snow on a waterfall you gotta end up with a beautiful pictures.

Cascading waterfall with colorful fall leaves covered in fresh snow, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada

No secret here, fall is my favorite season to photograph but it is closely followed by winter. Even better if both seasons mix. I photographed this small but very beautiful waterfall last time we were in Waterton Lakes National Park in southern Alberta, Canada. The park is mostly known for its amazing landscape and scenery of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. I was supposed to create new landscape photos for one of our calendar publishers but the weather was not on our side, not at all.

Gigapano Toronto Skyline Stunning

Wed, 5 Oct 2011 08:21:48 PDT

With this gigapano of the Toronto Skyline I start a new theme on Google+ - TravelPanoWednesday - showcase your best panos!

Giga panorama of the Toronto skyline in Ontario, Canada

I love the photo themes on google+. I already started "NatureMonday" and "FlowingWaterFriday". Today I want to add another new photo theme to G+: "TravelPanoWednesday". The idea is simple, show your stunning panoramas, use #TravelPanoWednesday in the description and then your picture will be shown - hopefully we get a great collection of stunning panoramas together - you can find them all here.

Snowshoes Mountain Scenery Banff National Park

Tue, 4 Oct 2011 10:53:43 PDT

HDR Photo: Pair of snowshoes sticking out of the snow beside Mistaya Canyon within the beautiful mountain landscape of Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada.

HDR - Red snowshoes in winter scenery, Banff National Park, Alberta

I'm just going through my archive to find something for #TonemapHDRTuesday on Google+ and to write my blog about it. I had a very long day, very busy but I want to make sure I have my blog ready for you tomorrow morning.

I took this image a couple years ago on a short winter trip to the Canadian Rockies. We (my wife Michelle & I) only had about a week and part of it was assignment so we didn't really had a lot of "creative playtime" for ourselves. The one day we planned some shots for us it was all cloudy and overcast, simply boring, so we decided to add some colors with our snowshoes (standard equipment in winter) which we had with us. It didn't make the light any better but at least we had something to play. And then I thought about a HDR (High Dynamic Range) and the washed out light was ideal for it. I could shoot right into the sun and still would loose only some of the highlights in the sun - but that is fine because it is a small part of the picture.

Google Plus Photo Themes

Tue, 4 Oct 2011 09:06:25 PDT

The complete free and uncontrolled daily photo theme list for Google+ which includes most photo themes.

When I started out doing my own photo themes on G+ I thought there was only one list on Google Plus with photo themes. BUT I needed to ask for permission to start a photo theme, and I got denied, no matter which theme I suggested. I heard the same problem from other curators and decided to start this list with ALL photo themes on Google Plus.

This list is unbiased, free and uncontrolled in a matter that I list every theme somebody seriously wants to start.