|
| Group |
Round |
C/R |
Comment |
Date |
Image |
| 3 |
Dec 20 |
Reply |
I have one left, Lisa. Email me your address and I can send you one. I will have another shipment coming soon for anyone else interested.
LT |
Dec 31st |
| 3 |
Dec 20 |
Reply |
I love the colors in this image, Lisa, and the idea behind the capture it's very creative.
LT |
Dec 31st |
| 3 |
Dec 20 |
Reply |
I believe you are in Florida right now, right Randy? I am in Minnesota and we are having a snow storm!!
LT |
Dec 23rd |
| 3 |
Dec 20 |
Reply |
Michael, are you right or left handed?
LT |
Dec 23rd |
| 3 |
Dec 20 |
Reply |
Thank you, Michael, for your comments!
I tend to be a rule-breaker, so that is why I saw more impact with the light and the bird looking straight ahead than if there was a side profile; it is a look that makes you want to look twice; like looking at a bird with attitude. I thought this point of view was unique and would stand out from the average shot.
LT |
Dec 23rd |
| 3 |
Dec 20 |
Comment |
Hello Michael,
I do a lot of black and white photography (I am also a member of group 62). I took a look at your image in several programs but really struggled to come up with anything. I noticed the file size for the black and white image size is 640x427 and the file size is only 38 kb, and the color is just 49 kb; there aren't enough pixels there to do an edit of the image for you.
I really like the scene you captured but if you have a bigger file size you can send we might have something more to work with. The image does seem soft and there isn't a lot of light in the scene.
LT |
Dec 21st |
| 3 |
Dec 20 |
Comment |
Hi Mary Ann,
Nice capture and a fun creative framing idea with the branches! I think the busy branches tell the story of the bird's habitat. I agree with the others a little sharpening could help so that is all my edit is doing.
How long was your lens? You were at 400mm. I used to have a Nikon D500; it is a good birding camera.
Best regards,
LT |
Dec 21st |
 |
| 3 |
Dec 20 |
Comment |
Hello Randy,
What an amazing capture of this Iguana! I like the separation between beard and front feet, there is a character in its claws of this animal; I wouldn't want to spook or tangle with him, yet it has an interesting yet deceiving smile.
Do you shoot in aperture mode, manual mode, or auto mode? For a scene with bright daylight, you probably could use a lower ISO which would help with the brightness of the image. Also, a wider aperture like f/2.8 to f/5.6 instead of f/16 would help; f/16 puts the whole scene in focus.
Have you tried to shoot this critter at f/4 or f/5.6 in aperture priority? Since it is not moving fast, aperture priority may get you better results in the brightness area.
I am not good at background replacement but I do have an option I put together for you to help the Iguana stand out from the background. Let me know what you think.
Best regards,
LuAnn |
Dec 21st |
 |
| 3 |
Dec 20 |
Reply |
Michael,
Could you do a sample crop so we can see what you are talking about? Sounds interesting.
LT |
Dec 21st |
| 3 |
Dec 20 |
Reply |
Hello Oliver,
I am so glad you liked my photo zine! It took me a few months to design it, find a printer that would do custom size, and then get a print copy that was clean of errors. I am excited to start the second issue of my photo zine!
If anyone here sees this note and is interested in a copy of my photo zine, let me know via email or leave a note here in this group. I will get in touch with you about it. It is a 24-page booklet with 38 photographs. I titled it, "Spring, Summer, Fall" it is an exploration of time and nature, and an invitation to pause and reflect.
I was going to sell it on my website, but my website crashed as soon as I put a storefront on so I have to get the word out manually.
Best regards,
LuAnn
|
Dec 21st |
| 3 |
Dec 20 |
Reply |
Hi Randy,
I went back to look at the file and see what time I took the image; 12:30 pm on January 11, 2017. If that day is anything like today, here in Minnesota, it must have been a cloudy overcast day, the pine trees behind the bird would have been dark, along with ISO 800, a fast shutter at 1/1250 sec, and an aperture of f/6.0 this would tell me why the image looks like a dark time of day. The light illuminating the bird's underside could very well be from the light reflecting up off the snow. The atmospheric perspective that day and the camera settings must have been right to create this look.
Thanks for your comments!!
LT |
Dec 17th |
| 3 |
Dec 20 |
Reply |
Thanks, Mary Ann, for your comment!!
LT |
Dec 17th |
| 3 |
Dec 20 |
Reply |
You have a good point, Stephen, about split screen needing to relate both halves to each other in some way. It's a juxtaposition effect.
I find the image interesting because the guy has the mask and the woman doesn't. |
Dec 9th |
| 3 |
Dec 20 |
Reply |
You raise an interesting point, Michael, about the artist's intent. The viewer's eye will be drawn to the light which is the framed artwork in the window; my eye is also drawn to the bright streetlight above the couples head.
Capturing this image during the day would lose all the effect of the neon colors from the window that really add to the photo and give it some pop.
I did try converting it to black and white as you suggested, but there isn't enough tonal variation to justify this conversion, in my opinion.
LT |
Dec 9th |
| 3 |
Dec 20 |
Comment |
Speaking of the shirt color in this image, the complementary color for yellow is purple. Another consideration to shirt color is to determine what the main subject of the image is, and where does Ruth want the viewer to rest their eye in the photo; on the hiker or the golden aspen trees and trail?
LT |
Dec 9th |
| 3 |
Dec 20 |
Reply |
Yes, Stephen, that is it exactly nicely done! |
Dec 9th |
| 3 |
Dec 20 |
Reply |
David, I really like your Topaz edit and this butterfly. I too use Topaz; just getting into it. What are your favorite selections? I enjoy using Impressions, textures, and overlays that help improve the look of ordinary leaves and things I find in nature. Feel free to chat about Topaz I'm interested in hearing your experience with this great tool.
LuAnn |
Dec 9th |
| 3 |
Dec 20 |
Reply |
Thank you, Kieu-Hanh, for your thoughts and comments.
It was an artistic choice to darken the image; I personally enjoy dark, moody, and dramatic photos. When I try to lift the shadows as you suggested, there is nothing in the background to see. My guess is this image was taken under the cover of a tree canopy on a cold dark day in the middle of winter; January is our coldest month. It may have been 12:00 noon that day but in January midday can be dark and dreary here.
I appreciate your suggestion.
Best regards,
LuAnn |
Dec 8th |
| 3 |
Dec 20 |
Reply |
Thank you, Michael, your thoughts and comments are always appreciated.
LuAnn |
Dec 8th |
| 3 |
Dec 20 |
Comment |
Someone told me to try the bird in a left to right diagonal so I flipped the image. Any thoughts?
Best regards,
LuAnn |
Dec 7th |
 |
| 3 |
Dec 20 |
Comment |
Well, Larry, thank you ever so kindly for your comments! I am excited to hear that this image has potential. You have inspired me to enter it in a salon.
I have made the adjustment according to your suggestion, tell me what you think.
Best regards,
LuAnn |
Dec 7th |
 |
| 3 |
Dec 20 |
Comment |
Hello Ruth,
This image is an excellent story of a hiker on a beautiful woodland trail of white aspen trees. I could see a viewer sensing a 'come, walk with me' feel from viewing this photo. The trail's leading line into the woods gives the image depth, and the classic fall yellow leaves are a juxtaposition to the dark green pine trees scattered within the woodland.
The only concern I noticed was the specular highlights on the grouping of trees on the left. These same trees are also tilting to the right just enough for the balance to feel off. When I straighten them in LR, it looks better, but then the lower edge of the frame moves up to the bottom edge of the person's boots, so a PS edit to extend the lower frame first would be in order.
Lastly, I do agree with Michael to change the color of the shirt to a complimentary color.
Thanks for sharing this great image with the group!
Best regards,
LuAnn |
Dec 4th |
| 3 |
Dec 20 |
Comment |
Hello Kieu-Hanh,
What a pretty butterfly! There were not many butterflies in Minnesota this year; I think I may have seen only a handful or so.
Your capture of the butterfly left you with a few options for editing. I made the image vertical and rotated the butterfly in a left to right diagonal. The wing tip is close to the top corner, but my edit is only a sample of what you can do; this is not a finished edit.
I am curious what the other members of the group could do to help you with this image. Anyone have a creative idea for this pretty butterfly?
I hope things are going well for you, Kieu-Hanh.
Best regards,
LuAnn |
Dec 4th |
 |
8 comments - 15 replies for Group 3
|
| 62 |
Dec 20 |
Comment |
Hi Bob,
I like your image this month! I have always enjoyed the european photographers on YouTube that show how to do ICM. Your original image looks great as well; it must be the gold and green tones that catch my eye. It is nice when we can take a quick shot and like the results, I agree. Good job!
Have a great Christmas,
LT |
Dec 25th |
| 62 |
Dec 20 |
Comment |
Hello Emil,
Great shot, and I like your enthusiasm to stick to your plan and figure out BW Artisan Pro. I too purchased this plugin and I am trying to figure it out. Joel's tutorials are rather long at 2 and a half hours so it will take some time. I am finding it takes the right image with excellent exposure and sharpness to get the most out of Artisan Pro. I do not have any suggestion for change, but I am curious about the low light condition. It seems like a bit more light or brightness would be nice.
Best wishes for a great holiday,
LT |
Dec 25th |
| 62 |
Dec 20 |
Reply |
Hello Oliver,
I am so glad you liked my photo zine! It took me a few months to design it, find a printer that would do custom size, and then get a print copy that was clean of errors. I am excited to start the second issue of my photo zine!
Best regards,
LuAnn |
Dec 21st |
| 62 |
Dec 20 |
Reply |
Yes, Emil, that bug was very tiny on the tiny green fern plant I found in my yard.
LuAnn |
Dec 15th |
| 62 |
Dec 20 |
Reply |
Oliver,
Did you come up with the same edit I did? I just looked at your edit and noticed it looks almost exactly like mine!! What a hoot! I've never had this happen before. Great idea, I like it.
LuAnn |
Dec 13th |
| 62 |
Dec 20 |
Comment |
Hi Leah,
I really like both Oliver and Bunny's edit. My edit, however, is a bit extreme and perhaps not at all what most would like but I like it. I know a photographer on Instagram who does a version of this silhouette style and he gets thousands of likes; I've always wanted to try it.
By the way, my website crashed after adding a shop to sell my photo zine so I am doing it manually. Tech support says it will take them a while to migrate to an updated version could be a week or so I am not sure. So I am taking the opportunity to update my website since I will be out of service for a while. In the meantime, email me your address and I will send you a zine! My email is: luann.thatcher@winternet.com
Best regards,
LuAnn |
Dec 13th |
 |
| 62 |
Dec 20 |
Reply |
Thanks, Oliver, I did not know if I could post a link.
LT |
Dec 10th |
| 62 |
Dec 20 |
Comment |
I just received my photo zine this morning and it is on my website LuAnn Thatcher Photography if you are interested.
LuAnn |
Dec 10th |
| 62 |
Dec 20 |
Reply |
Hi Leah,
I am so excited to hear there is another macro lover doing photography!! Yes, shooting macro's are not easy when you first start. I have had my lens for a while and tried and failed miserably. But since the virus struck, I was determined to shoot nothing but macro all year. If you ever need help or have problems you can't figure out, let me know; I would be happy to help. I am working on an apple still life tonight with my macro lens. It took all day but I am have something by tomorrow. Getting balance and specular highlights under control seems to be the tricky part.
The post office sent me a notice saying I should get my book delivery tomorrow. I will let you know when it is available; I am so excited!
Best regards,
LuAnn
|
Dec 9th |
| 62 |
Dec 20 |
Reply |
Hi Bunny,
Thanks for your comments on my photo! I have to try Bob's suggested crop and see how it goes. I also think a Topaz watercolor texture would look nice as well.
You asked about my zine. I watch many youtube videos and follow several people who do street photography who have been printing photo zines; that was my inspiration. I ended up having Mixam.com print the zine because I wanted a specific size (9 3/4" wide x 5 3/4" tall horizontal format and side stitched). The design is something I could sell on my website or hand out to friends at Christmas; the book has 24 pages and 37 photos.
I looked at other printers, but most would not print custom sizes; I wanted something unique, simple, and something I could handout if I wanted to. I have the first copy, and it has inspired me to print Issue Two!
Best regards,
LuAnn
|
Dec 9th |
| 62 |
Dec 20 |
Comment |
Hello Israel,
I am glad you liked my edit. I have never used distortion before but using LIghtroom on my IPad; the version was different than what I have on my desktop computer (Adobe Lightroom for IPad); it is so different it is like using a new software program everything is set up different than the desktop version. So I, too, learned that the distortion tool is a great option for the right image!
Israel, I have been watching Amir Tsarfati with Behold Israel ministries on their website. The view of Galilee is impressive from where he is speaking. I have Israel on my list when vacations are allowed again, and I definitely will take you up on your offer as a tour guide. Maybe others from the group would be interested in a group outing with Israel in Israel!
Best regards (shalom, my friend),
LuAnn |
Dec 8th |
| 62 |
Dec 20 |
Comment |
Hello Israel,
You have become quite an amazing photographer since I first met you in this group! This is a great image. I agree with the other comments, love the solitaire sign, the desolate area, rusted old truck, everything about the surroundings works together to make this a great image.
My sample edit experiments with geometric distortion. I am not good with Lightroom as I do not use it on a regular basis. I have it on my IPad so I was trying out the Creative Cloud version. I raised the exposure because I think the image was a little dark and I felt the need to see inside the shadows in the front of truck. I added a little negative vignette, and in the Geometry section I used -50 distortion. Distortion pulled the front end of the truck closer to the camera making the truck more prominant in the frame.
Let me know what you think about the shadows and distortion.
Keep shooting, my friend!
Best regards,
LuAnn |
Dec 7th |
 |
| 62 |
Dec 20 |
Reply |
Normal is a good word to hear! My fingers are crossed the time passes quickly, Oliver.
Have you taken a look at the BW Artisan Pro software at all? I did purchase a copy, but I need more time to work on it. I like Joel's idea of making the software. I am impressed with the subtle adjustments and think that it will be a perfect option for black and white. Joel is not easy to learn from for me, but Ben Harvey Photography on YouTube does a nice take on reviewing the software. All in all it is a great buy.
Take care,
LuAnn |
Dec 4th |
| 62 |
Dec 20 |
Comment |
Hello Oliver,
What a beautiful dog portrait, and, yes, Hello Cinnamon! You did an excellent job capturing this photo, and the monochrome conversion works very well. The dog's eyes are sharp, and there is a texture in the hair that makes me want to reach into the image and pet Cinnamon. The white fuzzy blanket gives contrast to help the dog stand out. The highlights are well under control! Bravo!
The only suggestion I could think of was to add a white vignette (+73 to blend and soften the edges), and I adjusted the perspective with auto using the Transform tool. I love DeNoise, so I gave it an extra dose of that as well :-)! I have heard Dave Kelly on YouTube recommend doubling up on DeNoise sometimes.
That's is my suggestion. I look forward to hearing what others have in mind for Cinnamon.
Hope recovery is going well.
Best regards,
LuAnn |
Dec 4th |
 |
| 62 |
Dec 20 |
Comment |
Hello Bunny!
It is a great pleasure to have you join our group and share your expertise in creative photography! We seem to have a lot in common; I like to limit my editing process, and I am also at home trying to compose images from my property. Photographing the mundane can sometimes be a challenge when the woodlands aren't always at their finest, but a challenge I bravely take on.
The bottle in this image is lovely. It appears to be the same bottle from your other photo, "Seed Head on Bottle," from your other study group. That was quite a lively discussion your fellow group members had with your image!
I am thrilled you are with us and hope you enjoy Group 62 as much as I do.
Cheers! |
Dec 3rd |
| 62 |
Dec 20 |
Reply |
I will, Oliver! I am so excited it is my first one. The printer forgot to print the artist statement page so they are redoing the job. Christmas rush an all but I am hopeful!!
Cheers,
LuAnn |
Dec 3rd |
| 62 |
Dec 20 |
Comment |
Hello Oliver,
Thank you so much for your thoughts on my image! I am amazed that this tight crop came out as clean as it did. Using Topaz DeNoise is a fantastic product, and I have had much success using it to remove noise and sharpen images.
The green plant is a baby fern unfurling, so it was very tiny; I should bring a ruler with me in the spring to record plant sizes. I enjoy documenting subjects.
I put together a photo zine from my spring, summer, fall photographs that I am having printed. I can share it with anyone interested when it becomes available, hopefully before Christmas. I have never published a zine before, but I am happy with the sample copy!
Best regards,
LuAnn
|
Dec 3rd |
9 comments - 8 replies for Group 62
|
| 79 |
Dec 20 |
Comment |
I love your photo, Val! It is unique, engaging, and tells a story of the location and not the people in the image. Without the title, this could be anyone's hometown or favorite vacation destination. I could see the viewer's being able to pull many personal memories from looking at this image.
I have seen lots of ICM photos online, especially with subjects like trees, forests, and landscapes. This image is different and it is the city scene that will capture peoples attention. The high key effects are refreshing.
I could see a second version of this image looking wonderful with a Topaz watercolor effect added that would give it a subtle canvas texture effect in the white areas. Well done!
LuAnn |
Dec 9th |
1 comment - 0 replies for Group 79
|
18 comments - 23 replies Total
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