Joel's Phoblography

Fireworks!

2011-07-19T06:02:00.000-07:00

I know I'm a little late... but here are some firework photos anyway! They were taken from SteelStacks, the new Artsquest building in south side Bethlehem, PA.

All images © Joel Mikulyak

Bethlehem in HDR

2011-05-05T20:19:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I last posted, so It's about time to spoil you with a big clump of 15 photos. I took a few in a cemetery here in Bethlehem, PA as well as the new Arts Quest building. It's all high dynamic range and pretty darn processed. Enjoy!

New Posts!

2011-03-13T18:41:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

I just updated Joel Alexander Photography with a wonderful portrait session of Jess and Jim. Check it out!

The Bookstore

2011-02-23T22:21:00.000-08:00

The Bookstore is a great little speakeasy-themed bar here in Bethlehem, PA.

Check it out in HDR!

NEW WEBSITE UP AND RUNNING!!!

2011-01-08T23:22:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!

I finally, after too long, have gotten www.joelalexanderphoto.com up and running! *crowd cheers* Check it out and let me know what ya'll think! I'm hoping it'll bring in some more wedding business. Thanks a bunch!

South Side Bethlehem - Lehigh University & The Funhouse

2010-11-09T23:22:00.000-08:00

My Buddy Doug and I took a walk around south side Bethlehem, PA today and shot some HDR of Lehigh University's campus and The Funhouse. Check it out!

I will post the rest very soon!

If you're curious about the technique:

I'm shooting with a Canon 50D digital SLR camera. The technique is called HDR (High Dynamic Range) and involves combining multiple exposures to see more of the detail in the photograph. To learn more about it, go to www.stuckincustoms.com. Trey Ratcliff is an amazing HDR photographer and has detailed tutorials and explanations on his website. ENJOY!

All Images (c) Joel Mikulyak 2010

WOOO GREEN

2010-05-20T13:16:00.000-07:00

A Very Green Bethlehem

Some pretty brick buildings from a million years ago, an the trees. A bit Over-Processed

Hello! It's been a while!

2010-05-17T06:45:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone. It's been a while since I last posted.. been busy with a job switch and some other things.

BUT I'M BACK!!!!... with a rented lens. I wanted to try something wider.

This is the tiny little street behind my apartment. I always walk past this building and admire the way it looks like a creepy prison-dungeon-underground lair...

I will post soon! Promise!

Great Local Blogger!

2010-03-29T13:12:00.000-07:00

I once met a girl getting coffee

She quickly walked up and stopped me

She opened her mouth

And the words that came out

Were, "Check out http://savethekales.wordpress.com "

Jamie K.

I'm NOT a poet.

Photo by: Wink PinUp Studio

Lamps and Liquor

2010-03-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

Some Piano and Comenius Hall

2010-03-25T08:49:00.000-07:00

Comenius Hall - Moravian College - Bethlehem, PA

SPOOOOOOKKYYYYYY!!!!!

Piano - Hotel Bethlehem - Bethlehem, PA

Last Two in Princeton

2010-03-24T06:43:00.000-07:00

Here are the last couple photos from Princeton University.

One is a repeat from the other side of the cathedral-like building, the second is of some of the dorms.. Definitely spectacular architecture.

ALSO! I'm always looking for new places to take some photographs.

Let me know if there is somewhere you recommend (near the East Coast) and I will do my best to get out there! Thanks!

Princeton Part II

2010-03-23T07:20:00.000-07:00

A couple more from the Princeton University Campus in Princeton, NJ. Check it out!

25 Minutes in Princeton, NJ

2010-03-22T14:21:00.000-07:00

I was on my way to a gig in Redbank, NJ and had an extra 20 minutes... so I stopped in Princeton, NJ! I walked around the Princeton University Campus, but unfortunately didn't have to time to take many photographs. I will post the few I took over the next couple of days... ENJOY!

High Dynamic Range is Back Again

2010-03-17T09:07:00.000-07:00

Hello Everybody! Here are a few more HDR Photographs from Doylestown, PA.

A couple were handheld (and my hand is not very steady), but they came out alright.. just a little "shaky" looking.

They're still pretty neat. Enjoy!

All Images (c) Joel Mikulyak

More of Doylestown, PA in HDR

2010-03-16T08:29:00.000-07:00

Doylestown is a gorgeous town. Lots of old architecture and neat little shops. If you have the chance, take a drive and check it out!

All Images © Joel Mikulyak

HDR in Doylestown, PA

2010-03-15T10:18:00.000-07:00

Here are some HDR shots I took this weekend in Doylestown, PA.

Definitely some sweet architecture all through the town. More to come shortly. Enjoy!

All images (c) Joel Mikulyak

A Very Cartooney Bethlehem

2010-03-11T10:59:00.000-08:00

An Over-Tonemapped Version of Bethlehem

Some Photos of Jim, Scott, and Me.

2010-03-09T10:23:00.000-08:00

We recently recorded some hippity hoppity tunes in my "studio" and decided we needed band photos...

HA!

hear the corniest rap ever ... right here...

More HDR From Bethlehem

2010-03-05T08:16:00.000-08:00

Here are a few more from the recent Bethlehem photo excursion. Definitely a wonderful town to explore the possibilities of HDR photography. The details that can be captured are simply astounding. ENJOY!

and some coffee after the trip!

A couple more High Dynamic Range shots!

2010-03-03T10:48:00.000-08:00

A couple more HDRs from Bethlehem, PA.

Enjoy!

Bethlehem in HDR w/ NC

2010-03-01T15:47:00.000-08:00

Here are a few HDR shots of Bethlehem. I forgot my tripod, but luckily a friend's head is very stable.

Look!

2010-01-25T20:10:00.000-08:00

These are some more HDR photographs taken in Bethlehem, PA.

HDR

2010-01-23T18:03:00.000-08:00

So, I've recently became pretty interested in HDR photography, and thought I'd post one of the shots I took today.

I have a bunch at home on my other computer, and will post those shortly. Let me know what you think!

AND CHECK OUT WWW.STUCKINCUSTOMS.COM !

This is where I get my motivation!

All Images © Joel Mikulyak

From The Same Spot

2009-11-11T07:41:00.000-08:00

I walked out of my apartment and stood my tripod next to my car. A point was made to move it as little as possible and only rotate the camera for different shots. Mostly an attempt to foster some creativity. There are more to follow after these. Let me know what you think!

All Images © Joel Mikulyak

All Images © Joel Mikulyak

The Truth Is Out There!

2009-10-08T18:28:00.000-07:00

Remember what that's from?

Anywho, I was tagged with an Honest Scrap Award on Tina Crespo's blog. Now it's my turn to be completely honest.

I must name 10 different HONEST things about myself. If I tag you, then you can do the same as well!!!

___________________________________________

1- I'm very picky about my waitresses & food when I eat at a diner... bad habit, but the TRUTH!!!

2- I sometimes wish I was born 200 years ago as a Blacksmith.... REALLY!!!

3- The girl who has my heart will have it forever!!!

4- I love sleeping, especially IN... That's the TRUTH!!!

5- I want to travel more than anything ever... ever... NO LIE!!!

6- I want to take a picture of every person on Earth... Wish me luck!

7- I'm having trouble thinking of interesting things to write here.

8- I love being outdoors more than being anywhere else...

9- I look at the clock at 11:11 almost every day.. kinda of creepy!

10- Europe, Africa, South America, Asia/Australia ... in THAT order! And throw Antartica in there somewhere too.

Well, that's that! And I am tagging:

Jena - http://jenaardell.blogspot.com/

Leilani - http://letsmakeblogs.blogspot.com/

Kara - http://karaloomisphotography.blogspot.com/

Alex - http://sploing.wordpress.com/

New York Skyline & Jersey City

2009-09-04T09:27:00.000-07:00

We were playing a gig in Jersey City and I took a few pictures of the New York City skyline over the Hudson. Let me know what you think!

This one was at my dad's place at 3AM after the gig^

Musikfest & Italian Food

2009-09-01T17:24:00.000-07:00

A couple night photos of some tents and a crowd at Musikfest... and a delicious salad...

yumm

Whooops!

2009-08-31T10:25:00.001-07:00

I was looking at my blog here from a different computer, and it seems to me that some of the photos are really dark. If this is the case, let me know and I'll have to adjust my brightness settings and probably calibrate my monitor again. Let me know! Thanks!

Joel

A Day At The Fair!

2009-08-28T17:33:00.000-07:00

Alex, Ashley, Scott, and I followed some hot air balloons and ended up at the Warren County Farmer's Fair.

Check it out!

All Images © Joel Mikulyak

Late Night, New Hope

2009-08-22T10:33:00.000-07:00

Red Bank, NJ

2009-08-20T07:51:00.000-07:00

Here are a few shots I took at a gig in Red Bank, NJ.

Great view of the Navesink River!

Let me know what you think!

Also... I just shot a wedding last week and will post a couple photos soon!

A Quick Trip Through Bethlehem

2009-08-18T19:17:00.000-07:00

Just a few photo from a quick trip through Bethlehem, PA.

Such a pretty town.

I Love Your Feedback!

All Images © Joel Mikulyak

Hey Everyone!

2009-08-18T11:46:00.000-07:00

Hey all! I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while, but they will be up as soon as possible!

I'm also working on a website and hope to have it up and running within a month. I'll keep you updated. Thanks!

New Camera!

2009-07-09T05:37:00.000-07:00

Hello Everybody,

I have some exciting news! I just picked up a Canon 50D! So far, I love it. Pictures will follow shortly.

CAKE!!!

2009-05-10T15:47:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in a while, but really want to be doing so on a weekly basis...you can feel free to bug me if I don't post!

Here are a few of my cousin eatin' some CAKE!
Sweet, eh?

Signs of Spring

2009-03-08T19:39:00.000-07:00

A couple clues that spring is on its way!

All images are copywrited by Joel Mikulyak.

Point n Shoot Extravaganza

2009-02-24T09:34:00.000-08:00

I probably took a little over 1,000 images this weekend on my Canon point-n-shoot. Here are a couple of them! I love hearing your feedback, good or bad, so please comment!

This weeks theme is "play."

My favorite image of the whole weekend. She loves that piano.

Running away to her horse.

SWWWIIIINNNNNGGGG!!!

Friday's Lunch

2009-02-20T08:32:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! I'm about to run out and fix my sister's car, but wanted to post these real fast. The first is the Hoboken skyline and the second was taken in Belvidere, NJ after school.

Have a great weekend, and leave some feedback! Thanks.

Music @ Moravian

2009-02-17T10:23:00.000-08:00

I took these before Orchestra rehearsal in Bethlehem, PA. Enjoy!

Bethlehem is such a great town!

Sunset in Bethlehem

2009-02-13T07:08:00.000-08:00

These great shadows were cast as the sun was going down in Bethlehem, PA. I love the uniform texture of the brick against the random lines of the shadow.

Look through some of the older posts for other great images!

Long Time No Post!

2009-02-12T17:00:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! I apologize for not posting for the past week, but I thank the loyal viewers who still checked in every day!

Today's Post: ROCK SALT

Due to the recent snowy/icy weather I now have a new friend... rock salt. I was playing with my camera's macro settings and thought these looked neat! Hope you like them!

And one last photo:

He was hanging out at PetCo while I looked at scorpions... really hard to shoot him through the dirty glass, humid tank, and weird lighting... but it's an awesome pose!

A Church in Lambertville, NJ

2009-02-02T14:21:00.001-08:00

A photograph of a great church in Lambertville.

The Paterson Falls

2009-01-30T17:23:00.000-08:00

Here are a few images I made on a visit to the Paterson Falls. If you haven't had a chance to see the falls and are in the area, check them out! They are definitely worth the trip.

Leave some feedback! I love to hear your criticism.

...and if you are new to the site, be sure to catch up by checking out past posts!

Bicycles!

2009-01-29T19:48:00.000-08:00

This is an image I made of rental bikes in Frenchtown, NJ. I just love the color and light in the image, and the mix between warm and cool light. Enjoy!

Let me know what you think!

Photoshop Tip: Ocean Ripple Effect

2009-01-28T15:09:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody! I wanted to share a great tip/trick you can do in Adobe Photoshop. I learned this technique from photographer, Rick Sammon's book: "Digital Photography Secrets," and find it not only very useful but also lots of fun. I don't know how many of you explore the filters section of Photoshop, but there's a great distortion filter called "Ocean Ripple" that gives your image the effect of rippling water. This technique is used by many professional photographers and graphic artists to give the illusion that the subject is sitting next to a body of water. Here are a couple of my images.

How it is done:

1) Choose an image

2) Copy the image

3) Paste it into a new document

4) Flip the image vertically and copy it

5) Go back to the original image and change the canvas height to twice the original size, anchoring from the top

6) Paste the flipped image in a new layer to the lower portion of the canvas

7) Now select the bottom half (the one you want to be the reflection) and go into "filters" > "distort" > "ocean ripple..."

8) You can move the sliders to the intensity you are looking for (make sure your preview button is turned on so you know what will work the best) and apply the filter

9) Now darken the reflection layer to the extent that you think is best.

10) I use the burn tool to make the merge point more even, but you might find a technique that works better for you.

11) Depending on the image, I will transform the angle of the reflection to give the viewer a different perspective.

If you use any other techniques to do the same thing or have any questions, let me know.

HAPPY REFLECTIONS!!!

Lord Stirling Park - Looks almost like Infra-Red Photography

2009-01-27T11:43:00.000-08:00

I was just playing around in Photoshop to make this image. It looks almost like an infra-red photo with blue highlights! What do you think?

Some Scans From December

2009-01-26T13:10:00.000-08:00

Here are some favorites of mine from the past couple months.

1) Fire Hydrant

2) Bench by the River (It looks almost like a painting)

3) Poofs in Clinton, NJ
and the same one desaturated a little:

4) An old barn in Sussex County

#2 (the bench on the river) is my favorite. Which do you like the most?
Let me know!

All Photos Copyrighted by Joel Mikulyak

Photographer of the Week #3 - Garry Owens

2009-01-25T14:56:00.000-08:00

Garry Owens is a photographer from California who shoots everything from portraits to vehicles. My favorite shot of his is of a Seal Hunter in Greenland. Check out the site!

http://www.garryowens.com/garry.html

I hope you enjoy it.

Wind-Blown Flags

2009-01-24T09:47:00.000-08:00

Here is an image I made of three flags on a post in Manahawkin, NJ:

Converging Lines

2009-01-23T06:55:00.000-08:00

Photo Tip #2: Converging Lines

Converging lines are lines that draw your attention to a subject. If you look at an image of a long straight road the lines seem to move closer the further away you look, drawing your attention to whatever is at the end of that road. It could be the sky or a mountain range. Here is an example.

The convergine lines are the lines in the floor boards, base board, basket, and even the lines of the light. They all point to the subject, the mandolin.

I hope this tip was helpful and if you have anything to add, let me know!

Christmas Season

2009-01-22T08:29:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in a couple days, so I thought you might like to see some photos from the Christmas season. Enjoy!

(Bethlehem, PA - Christmas Season)

(Bethlehem, PA - Christmas Season)

(Bethlehem, PA - Christmas Season)

(A sign in a store in New Hope, PA)

(Ivy on the side of a building in New Hope, PA)

(The Clinton Mill - Clinton, NJ - Christmas Season)

(Family visiting during Christmas at my house.)

And last, but certainly not least, my beautiful girlfriend:

(She is such a great model!)

As always, your feedback is greatly appreciated. Stay tuned for more photos!

All images copywrited by Joel Mikulyak

Walkin'

2009-01-19T18:42:00.000-08:00

Yes, it is a great Miles Davis album, but it's also the title of tonights photo. I love the lines of the parking lot and all of the movement in the photo.

Football Season!

2009-01-19T09:23:00.001-08:00

It's the end of football season so I thought I would post some photos of Ashley and I playing the game at Penn State! Hope you like them.

Stay tuned!

Photography Tip #1 : Photographing the Moon

2009-01-18T15:00:00.001-08:00

Hello everyone, I will be periodically posting photography tips to improve the quality of your photos. There are many more to come!

TIP#1: Photographing the Moon

I am a big fan of pictures of the moon and stars on a clear, bright night. The best technique I have found is to use a tripod and to over-expose the image by one f-stop (maybe two). First, use a telephoto lense of with the highest zoom as you can get (200mm +). Shooting a full moon, with 200 ISO film, set the shutter speed to 1/200 second. Since the moon is lit by the sun's light you would think that using the "sunny f/16" rule would work. This might not work if you want a bright white sun. There is a good chance that the moon will look gray. Our eyes see it as white because of the dark surrounding sky. Instead, overexpose it by a single f-stop (changing it to f/11). This will give you a bright white moon!

This is what I have found to work best, but if you have other techniques PLEASE SHARE!

Here is the link to a site I found with other great techniques!

Photographer of the Week

2009-01-17T08:34:00.000-08:00

Dane Sanders in one of the worlds top wedding photographers. His work is amazing. I have linked to his portfolio site and hope you take the time to check it out. He also has a book out, Fast Track Photographer, that helps you discover who YOU are as a photographer.

Bonnett Island

2009-01-15T15:05:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple from Bonnett Island Estate in Manahawkin, NJ.

See you tomorrow!

Colorado

2009-01-15T08:26:00.000-08:00

Good morning! Here are some photos I took on a trip to Colorado. Hope you like them.

More to come later today!

Landscape Night

2009-01-14T19:53:00.000-08:00

It's two-for Wednesday and I'm posting three photos of the crisp winter sky above cornfields. I love the effect I get shooting while driving. The foreground is wonderfully blurred. The third photo is my favorite. I hope you like them! Leave some comments, if you'd like.

Farewell and Goodnight

Chilly River

2009-01-14T09:14:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! I'd like to share a couple photos I took on my Canon SD1000 in Califon, NJ. It's hard to capture the landscape by camera, because it's such a busy scene, but here is my attempt! I hope you enjoy them.

And here's one taken at Lord Stirling Park of a few geese on ice. (Also on the Canon SD1000)

More to come later today!

Photo Dinner

2009-01-13T15:53:00.000-08:00

It's today's BONUS POST!!! (doo doo dooooo - trumpet fanfare)

Just a few more macro (close-up) shots from this evening.

Have a great night, and I'll see you tomorrow!

p.s. If anyone has anything they would like me to post, or has seen a recent photo, review, or article that they would like me to post, LET ME KNOW!!!

Photo Lunch

2009-01-13T09:28:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone!
It's about 1PM EST and I am starving for lunch, but I have already put off posting for too long. I have a few "closeups" for you today. Some might call them "macro" some might not. I was just playing around in Photoshop with a photo of my watch. I hope you enjoy!

I was just playing around, overlaying a giraffe's pattern on the watch photo.
Let me know if you have any other cool ideas!!!

And a close-up portrait of the most wonderful woman I know:

Have a great day!

Outdoors

2009-01-12T09:03:00.000-08:00

I love being outdoors, whether it's hiking or just sitting on my back deck. Here are some more nature photos to start the week. Some were taken a couple years ago on that old film SLR and some are newer (and out of the car window).

I just came across this next one. I had forgotten about it!

A woman praying:

I hope you enjoyed today's photos. Let me know by commenting!

Late Night

2009-01-11T23:01:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone, it's late and I am about to sleep, but just took a quick photo. Do you remember this guy?

Stay tuned tomorrow for some new photos!!!

Goodnight.

Homecoming

2009-01-11T08:36:00.001-08:00

My best friend just spent a year in Iraq as a soldier with the U.S. Army. He arrived at home on December 24th, Christmas Eve. Here are a few pictures from the homecoming reception.

Pretty mean lookin' basketball team

His mother

A soldier's family brought flowers, so while I waited I took some photographs.

I thought this was a funny photo. (The place was actually packed)

Photographer of the Week!

2009-01-10T00:23:00.001-08:00

Each week I am going to post a link to a photographer. It might be to his/her website, it might not!

This week, photographer, teacher, and author, Joel Sartore! He is a nature photographer who is best known for his photos in National Geographic Magazine. Incredible photos on his site and in the magazine! Check it out!

Unfortunately, due to legal issues, I can not post one of his photos, but here is a link to one of my favorites.

Dock Shoot

2009-01-09T06:47:00.000-08:00

Here are some from the "Abercrombie" Dock Shoot with Ashley. These were taken this past August on my SD1000 and I played a little in photoshop. Comment anyone?

And one of us:

A Corn Crib

2009-01-08T06:41:00.000-08:00

There is a road near where I live with a small farm on it. The farm property stretches right to the road and on the very edge is this old corn crib. It's a great old structure, but I don't want to say much. Just look! Here are three photos of it taken while I was driving. I think I will stop next time.

AND I ALMOST FORGOT!!! Some mushrooms in a log at Merrill Creek Reservoir:

Local Landscapes

2009-01-06T20:55:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share a few of my local landscapes with everyone.
New Jersey is nicer than people make it out to be!

Oxford Lake: Oxford, NJ

North Branch of the Raritan River and the Clinton Mill: Clinton, NJ

A cornfield in Warren County, NJ

Cute Story

2009-01-05T21:59:00.001-08:00

Hey all! My girlfriend sent me this cute story about an extremely mix-matched pair! Elephant Sanctuary. Enjoy!

Bedtime Photos

2009-01-05T21:37:00.001-08:00

It's just after midnight and about to hit the sack, but firstI thought I would post some old photos I took on an ancient Fijuca SLR. They are from different locations and different times, the most recent taken about a year ago and the oldest at least four. Everything from swans, to a band, to my father! Enjoy!

Katelyn in the Photo Lab at William Paterson University

A Band in Central Park (New York, NY)

Barrel rings in Milltown, NJ

...and the barrel they go on!

Swans gone fishin' in Stirling, NJ

The same swan taking a stroll with some ducks, again in Stirling, NJ

The ducks on lookout until sundown

Candles and a cross in church: New York, NY

An incredible bass player at William Paterson University

Last, and most importantly, my dad.
He is the one responsible for my photography.

I hope you all enjoy the old photos and look forward to your comments! Sleep well.

King of the Jungle

2009-01-04T21:38:00.001-08:00

I left this one out, but decided to share it with you today.

Tree Frog and Giraffe at the Philadelphia Zoo

2009-01-03T12:19:00.001-08:00

A few friends and I spent a day exploring the Philadelphia Zoo, where we met these guys!

First Date

2009-01-03T10:40:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd share one of my favorite photos with all of you. I took it in August 2007 at Bushkill Falls, PA. It was my girlfriend and my first date together and a wonderful memory. It was a bright, sunny day and the waterfalls looked gorgeous (so did she).

(Taken with an old Canon T50)

1st Photo of 2009

2009-01-02T14:54:00.000-08:00

I just missed the sunset, but caught the moon.

(Taken with a Canon SD1000)

A New Year

2009-01-02T14:32:00.000-08:00

Hello and happy New Year!

I'm writing this blog to share reviews and some of my own personal photography with you. Enjoy!