2017 Project 52 - 2nd QTR - Sandy(Skitterbug)

[skitterbug]

#116, I like the original better but the experimentation is worthy of posting; thanks for sharing your vision.

Hi John ~ This photo is one that does lend itself to many interpretations apparently. I've enjoyed the dialog about it and the suggestions that have been offered. Thank you for appreciating the original that I posted. It gives me hope that maybe what I'm seeing works okay. I know I have a lot to learn about PP and what results may be pleasing. Thank you for your thoughts!

[Geoff F]

All of my editing work includes layers and masks, Sandy, which aren't available with Lightroom; although in some cases you can use Adjustment Brushes instead.

Currently, I use the CC Photoshop version which comes with Lightroom as part of the package; but I have never seen any point in Lightroom. Before going to Adobe, originally with CS5, I use Serif Photo Plus which also has a full range of layers and masks.

Masking over a layer and varying the opacity by using a brush, particularly if used with a drawing tablet, gives so much extra flexibility although it is a technique which needs to be learned gradually.

If you don't have the use of another frog, how about placing a gnome or similar ornament behind the waterfall?

[skitterbug]

All of my editing work includes layers and masks, Sandy, which aren't available with Lightroom; although in some cases you can use Adjustment Brushes instead.

Currently, I use the CC Photoshop version which comes with Lightroom as part of the package; but I have never seen any point in Lightroom. Before going to Adobe, originally with CS5, I use Serif Photo Plus which also has a full range of layers and masks.

Masking over a layer and varying the opacity by using a brush, particularly if used with a drawing tablet, gives so much extra flexibility although it is a technique which needs to be learned gradually.

If you don't have the use of another frog, how about placing a gnome or similar ornament behind the waterfall?

Hi Geoff ~ Lightroom is a bit limiting regarding PP but it was an easy way to get started in editing. I've a copy of Affinity Photo that seems to have a more robust editing package but it is also going to take a bit of studying to figure out how to use it. It does have layers, masks, brushes, etc. so it may be worth my time! <grin>

I chuckled about putting a gnome under the waterfall. It is difficult reaching under there and it would be my luck to fall face first into the pond trying to do this. <chuckle> But it is an interesting thought especially to see if I can actually produce a decent pic featuring anything hiding behind that waterfall. We shall see!

[Geoff F]

Affinity is the latest software from Serif and is an upgrade to their Photo Plus. It has nearly as many features as Adobe CC, at least as far as the average user is concerned. Should be reasonably easy to get to the basic operating level as most of their software is fairly user friendly.

[skitterbug]

Affinity is the latest software from Serif and is an upgrade to their Photo Plus. It has nearly as many features as Adobe CC, at least as far as the average user is concerned. Should be reasonably easy to get to the basic operating level as most of their software is fairly user friendly.

I started to reply last evening and zap, we lost our electric service! <huge sigh> But I'm back today so........

I played a bit with Affinity. It has lots of post processing tools that I'll have to explore and learn how to use. Many terms are puzzling since those terms probably refer back to the use of dark rooms for photo development. I also found out that I can use Affinity as part of Light Room as an external editor so that is nice. I can do some basic corrections to my pic in LR where I feel comfortable and then choose Affinity to try my hand at fine tuning...

Since my calendar says I am in Week 23 I thought I'd better post a pic showing my efforts. Here is another shot of the bullfrog that I tried some PP on. Along with some other tweaks, I tried toning down the brightness of the water and bringing out the detail of the bullfrog a bit.
I used Flickr to upload and share from since TinyPic doesn't seem agreeable yet. Opinions always are welcome and I appreciate them!

[Wavelength]

Again an excellent addition to this frog series; very special

[Geoff F]

Yes a nice scene.

I wonder about cropping to 4 x 5 ratio and losing a little from the right side? But only because those pebbles in the bottom right corner are a bit soft focused.

[skitterbug]

Again an excellent addition to this frog series; very special

I appreciate your praise! Thank you!

[skitterbug]

Yes a nice scene.

I wonder about cropping to 4 x 5 ratio and losing a little from the right side? But only because those pebbles in the bottom right corner are a bit soft focused.

Hi Geoff ~ So I gave the 4 x 5 crop a try. I probably should have started from the original but I didn't want to lose my editing work. So I cropped the one I "think" I uploaded in the first place. No, you don't want to see my organizational skills. LOL

This better for you? I like it too. Perhaps even less waterfall affect but I don't think that matters so much since it is the bullfrog that I wanted to capture here.
By the way the camera settings were: ISO400, f/14, 1/200ss I don't think Flickr allows settings to be seen?

[joebranko]

I like this composition even more!

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[skitterbug]

I like this composition even more!

The updated crop does add a different perspective to the pic! Thank you Joe!

[skitterbug]

Week 24

I have a series of toad pictures that I want to post. My hubby found this fellow jumping against the garage wall trying to get out. Don't know how he found his way into the building in the first place. When I came home, Mr. Toad was sitting on damp concrete 'thinking'.

#1 - Mr. toad thinking
ISO400 – f/6.3 – 1/100ss



I took some pics and headed indoors to see if I had anything decent and then decided that I'd give it another go. This time I found Mr. Toad sitting in a 4"x4" planting pot with a sad looking tomato plant that I had left over. I didn't leave much of the plant because it really does look sad. This is the best of the group I took of him in the pot. I was a bit disappointed in myself for not getting more focus on his eye......

#2 - Mr. Toad in Pot
ISO100 – F/6.3 – 1/15SS



While I was trying to get decent pics, Mr. Toad eventually tired of my intrusion on his quiet time and began to leave the area!

#3 - Mr.Toad makes his escape
ISO100 – F/5.6 – 1/25



I'm going to add another pic to bring a little color to a drab day. We have lots of cloud cover and rain. All good since we needed it but it still makes the day dreary.

#4 - Delphinium
ISO100 – F5.6 – 2.0ss



Of course comments are always appreciated!

[Wavelength]

How many variety of frogs in your premises!!!
..and that blue flowers have a killing beauty!!!

[skitterbug]

How many variety of frogs in your premises!!!
..and that blue flowers have a killing beauty!!!

Hi Nandakumar ~ We have at least 3 American Bullfrogs and 20 Bullfrog tadpoles in our koi pond. Of course it is a guess as to the amount of tadpoles there still might be since I have not see even one of them since turning them loose this spring. The tadpoles were purchased from a pond and garden supply store. I've only seen one toad so far and of course he is featured in the above pictures. We do have tree frogs that sing contently during the night. I haven't seen one of those yet. Here are a couple of links about various frogs and toads that Ohio is supposed to have: Ohio Amphibians and Ohio DNR

The delphinium is a perennial that took me a bit to get started but now it is returning each year to brighten my landscape. I have another one but it is lighter blue and not as eye catching.
There probably should have been a little space in my picture above the top of the flower and the edge but it didn't work out because I managed to take a "crooked shot" of it and had to straighten it up! <lol> But I'm glad you like the pic. I enjoy receiving comments and suggestions always! Thank you!

[bnnrcn]

I wish the frog was standing on a contrasy colored place Sandy. Then the frog would be more noticeable.The flowers look lovely. The red thing at the bottom is a bit distracting but even so it is a nice image. May be you can change reds into grey with PP

[skitterbug]

I wish the frog was standing on a contrasy colored place Sandy. Then the frog would be more noticeable.The flowers look lovely. The red thing at the bottom is a bit distracting but even so it is a nice image. May be you can change reds into grey with PP

Hi Binner ~ if only toads would cooperate and go where we'd want them! <lol>
The red at the bottom is the vase that the flowers were in. I wanted to show more of it but as mentioned, due to my messed up shot and the crookedness of the flowers, I lost a lot of cropping ability. And the rest of the ones I took weren't what I'd wanted. When I am back editing pics, I'll take another look at the flowers and see, what I could do. Thanks for your observations!

[Geoff F]

Toads look OK.

And yes, as you said the flower shot is a bit tight on the top and bottom.

Could you, possibly, increase the canvas size and clone some more background into that new area before straightening and cropping? Particularly important at the top.

[skitterbug]

Toads look OK.

And yes, as you said the flower shot is a bit tight on the top and bottom.

Could you, possibly, increase the canvas size and clone some more background into that new area before straightening and cropping? Particularly important at the top.

Hi Geoff ~ So instead of working outside in the heat, I decided to see if I could rework my flower and toad pic. Thoughts about these will be appreciated!

Starting with the delphinium, I added more space above the flower and decided to completely remove the vase. Also the blue isn't quite as dark in this one.



So giving Mr. Toad another try, I think I've brought him "out of the concrete" a bit better. Hopefully, this makes him more visible even though he wants to hide!

[Wavelength]

You very well created more space above the flowers; but removing the vase has created a feeling of abrupt halt? probably Binnur's suggestion to change color to grey (or very pale green ,yellow etc ) may avoid distraction....
The frog/toad has now enhanced features, including colors...
Well done

[Geoff F]

These edits look good. Just one thought going on from what Nandakumar said. Crop the flowers a fraction closer at the bottom or clone in a bit more stem so the stems run to the frame edge instead of stopping just short as they do now. That will look more natural.