Sorted out Gimp versus Sony Express and ended up with a pretty weed

[JBW]

[Manfred M]

You've nailed it in this shot.

What did you change in your Sony Express / Gimp workflow?

[JBW]

You've nailed it in this shot.

What did you change in your Sony Express / Gimp workflow?

I experimented and found that exporting into gimp using Tiff 8 bit and not converting worked the best. I also changed Gimp to try to use the system monitor profile. This gives me a shot in gimp that is very similar to the one created in S.E. And I have no idea why.

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured, flower looks suspended above the greenery.

[JBW]

You've nailed it in this shot.

What did you change in your Sony Express / Gimp workflow?

from one of my severrst mentors this is high praise indeed. Thank you.

[Manfred M]

from one of my severrst mentors this is high praise indeed. Thank you.

Brian - you seem to have a pattern of getting a really good image (from both a technical and compositional standpoint) and then going back and producing a so-so image. One of the important photographic skills on should have it to repeatedly create a consistent level of quality, both in the shot and in the PP work.

So I know you can do it and I try to point out when you get back into your comfort zone instead of moving forward.

[JBW]

Brian - you seem to have a pattern of getting a really good image (from both a technical and compositional standpoint) and then going back and producing a so-so image. One of the important photographic skills on should have it to repeatedly create a consistent level of quality, both in the shot and in the PP work.

So I know you can do it and I try to point out when you get back into your comfort zone instead of moving forward.

I agree but there is a reality in my life that makes turning the theory into practical impossible. I have M.S..

Part of the pattern you have detected certainly comes from slipping back into old habits.

Part of the pattern is that my body, in post processing terms can't be calibrated. My body is in constant change. My eyes are rarely the same day to day. Sometimes they are fine but twice (for a very short time) I have gone blind. My ability to think, reason, compare and adjust all change and often i am unaware of the change.

The upside here is that as I look back over the last few years I see an overall improvement in technicality and composition?

But i fear my shots will always have a wide variation in any given time frame.

But if you and others will keep mentoring I will keep getting overall better.

[Manfred M]

Brian - I understand MS all to well. One of our friends / neighbours and one of my wife's cousins have it. Both are younger than you and seem to be in worse shape.

One of the reasons I have suggested that you develop a workflow that is more based on using data than a visual approach is that this technique will allow you to achieve decent results somewhat independently of what your eyes tell you. The numbers won't lie, even if you can't trust your eyes 100% of the time. Mechanical aids like a tripod and focus peaking can help you in nailing the composition.

The one thing that these items and techniques can't help with are timing. I don't know your specific limitations, but I do know from the others I know that the disease is somewhat cyclical; you have periods where you can do things better and at times your body won't cooperate. Unfortunately, if you are reliant on the sun as you chief source of lighting, this will cause you issues. That being said, the light can be tamed, but requires a scrim (diffuser) and the ability to handle it.

[JBW]

Brian - I understand MS all to well. One of our friends / neighbours and one of my wife's cousins have it. Both are younger than you and seem to be in worse shape.

One of the reasons I have suggested that you develop a workflow that is more based on using data than a visual approach is that this technique will allow you to achieve decent results somewhat independently of what your eyes tell you. The numbers won't lie, even if you can't trust your eyes 100% of the time. Mechanical aids like a tripod and focus peaking can help you in nailing the composition.

The one thing that these items and techniques can't help with are timing. I don't know your specific limitations, but I do know from the others I know that the disease is somewhat cyclical; you have periods where you can do things better and at times your body won't cooperate. Unfortunately, if you are reliant on the sun as you chief source of lighting, this will cause you issues. That being said, the light can be tamed, but requires a scrim (diffuser) and the ability to handle it.

And there is no doubt that the numbers do help. as for a diffuser now and again i do use an umbrella.

[Wavelength]

Superb

[JBW]

Superb

it did come together nicely this time.

[purplehaze]

The upside here is that as I look back over the last few years I see an overall improvement in technicality and composition?

From where I sit, no question, Brian. It has been very rewarding to watch your progress and share in your excitement and enthusiasm.

My sympathies as regards the MS. It is rampant here where I live on the Canadian Prairies and afflicts both friends and family. Just out of curiosity, I think you said you are originally from Canada; are you also a Prairie boy?

[JBW]

From where I sit, no question, Brian. It has been very rewarding to watch your progress and share in your excitement and enthusiasm.

My sympathies as regards the MS. It is rampant here where I live on the Canadian Prairies and afflicts both friends and family. Just out of curiosity, I think you said you are originally from Canada; are you also a Prairie boy?

I was born in Vancouver but my family moved to Edmonton(?) for a year when I was pre school.

[purplehaze]

A fellow Westerner, then. Good enough!