gCaptain.com

Smashing Magazine, the site for web designers, has an excelent collection of HDR photos. They explain;

Applied carefully, High Dynamic Range-technique (HDR) can create incredibly beautiful pictures which blur our sense of the difference between reality and illusion. In graphics HDR imaging is a set of techniques that allow a far greater dynamic range of exposures than normal digital imaging techniques. The intention is to accurately represent the wide range of intensity levels found in real scenes, ranging from direct sunlight to the deepest shadows. This is usually achieved by modifying photos with image processing software for tone-mapping. And the results can be really incredible; in fact, many artists and designers come up with some pretty fancy results.

Here are a few to wet your appetite, click on the images for photographer information; [Continue Reading →]

Just some of the flotsam from the MSC Napoli. Read all the details at CargoLaw.

Yesterday the passengers of the cruise ship Norwegian Spirit were, as the Daily News headline reads, “Cruising For A Bruising”, yesterday as the ship allided with New York City’s Pier 88. Click HERE for details.

Photo of the M/V New Flame. Marine Link has the details of this incident HERE. Video can be found HERE.

Photo of the research boat Russell W. Peterson takes on water about 14 miles off the coast of Rehoboth Beach, Del., Monday, May 12, 2008. Video of this incident can be found HERE.

Via H&K Law

CargoLaw.com brings us this week’s incident photo. At first glance this could just be two ships at anchor, waiting on weather. To uncover the incident take a second look at the draft lines… ouch!

Full details on this incident, including more photos, can be found HERE.

Our favorite Picture Blog Dark Roasted Blend is running  a series titled: Shipwrecks & Sea Disasters

Don’t miss it.  Here are but a few of their offerings:

gCaptain also has a more comprehensive post of incident photos in the archives, click HERE to view it.

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This post was written by Richard Rodriguez, Rescue Tug Captain, and US Coast Guard approved instructor for License Training. You can read more of his articles at the BitterEnd of the net.

Our photo of the week shows the Canadian Tall Ship S/V Concordia undersail. It was taken by Flikr photographer Oriano nicolau. The original can be found HERE.

Stunning, dramatic shipwreck photography by Donibane Sanjuan. See more here.

Via Dark Roasted Blend

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This post was written by Richard Rodriguez, Rescue Tug Captain, and US Coast Guard approved instructor for License Training. You can read more of his articles at the BitterEnd of the net.

It’s time to cast your votes for the 2008 webby awards. While we are sad to report gCaptain did not receive a nomination this year we are please to find some other great sites that did.

The image above links to the most innovative and graphically pleasing website of the year “The Whale Hunt“. What is it exactly? Boiled down the site documents the  whaling tradition of Inupiat Eskimos in Barrow, Alaska. What is generating buzz is how photographer Jonathan Harris displays his amazing photos in such a graphically stunning and usable design. Here’s more the information from their FAQ:

Is this a political project?

No. This project has nothing to do with politics. It is about storytelling, and makes no comment on the politics of hunting whales.

What’s the difference between subsistence whaling and commercial whaling?

Subsistence whaling is the hunting of whales by aboriginal groups who have a tradition of whaling. Commercial whaling is the hunting of whales for commerical profit. The International Whaling Commission includes a more detailed definition here.

Do you personally support subsistence whaling?

As stated above, this project is not political. But speaking personally, after spending nine days with an Inupiat Eskimo family in Barrow, Alaska, observing their traditional whale hunt, I support their right to continue whaling, in compliance with scientifically determined annual quotas. Nutritionally, whale meat has allowed the Inupiats to subsist in the Arctic for thousands of years (where farming is impossible due to eleven months of snow covered ground, and where fresh fruit and vegetables are flown in at great expense). Culturally, the whale hunt is equally important to the Inupiats, shaping their sense of honor, purpose, community, and identity.

For gCaptain’s coverage of whaling CLICK HERE then head over to the 2008 webby awards to vote on your favorite maritime related sites. Our top pick? National Geographic for the use of social media in the release of their top shows The Deadliest Catch and America’s Port.