Hit and Miss 2020 Project Thread - Skitterbug aka Sandy

[skitterbug]

Another GIMP mention, sorry. In the GIMP you don't need an actual glass ball at all!

Here's a simulated glass egg:






Interested?

Hi Ted - it looks very complicated if the equipment you have in the image needs to be used! <smile> I'm curious though!

[xpatUSA]

Hi Ted - it looks very complicated if the equipment you have in the image needs to be used! <smile> I'm curious though!

The GIMP has quite a remarkable set of filters - one of which Filter>Distorts>Apply Lens simulates the effect of optical distortion caused by having an elliptical lens over an image. Elliptical can probably include circular. I could go further if you like with a detailed example.

[Manfred M]

The GIMP has quite a remarkable set of filters - one of which Filter>Distorts>Apply Lens simulates the effect of optical distortion caused by having an elliptical lens over an image. Elliptical can probably include circular. I could go further if you like with a detailed example.

Looks very much like what the Photoshop <Filter> <Distort><Spherical> does too. Affinity Photo is the same and uses the same flow as Photoshop.

[skitterbug]

Today's weather was more springlike although tonight we will be back below freezing temperatures. We had a bed of purple crocus displaying their beautiful blossoms. I attempted to capture a few of them. I used 1/320ss - f/11 and left ISO to do whatever it pleased. It chose ISO12800. Rather high I think but the camera had a mind of its own - with my permission LOL.

Spring is here!

[Urbanflyer]

Lovely! We need to remember the wonders of spring!

[Wavelength]

Beautiful.....Uh, after a long gap?

[skitterbug]

Lovely! We need to remember the wonders of spring!

Thanks for commenting Judith! And I agree, we need to look around and see the beauty that is especially apparent during spring!

[skitterbug]

Beautiful.....Uh, after a long gap?

Hi Nandakumar - Seems like the very grey days have lingered longer or maybe it is simply because of the turmoil that is happening. However, the flowers are making a break for it and blooming when they can! So it gives me something to try and "focus" on again! I'll try and be a bit more regular when opportunities present themselves for images! Hope all is well for you! Thanks for commenting!

[Cantab]

Sandy, it's a cheery photo. In my view, your settings worked well.

[skitterbug]

Sandy, it's a cheery photo. In my view, your settings worked well.

Thank you Bruce! I was a bit concerned about the higher ISO. I appreciate your assurance that it worked okay!

[Geoff F]

With that image, Sandy, I would use the old trick of selecting the flowers with the selection brush, adding a little bit of feather then inverting the selection before doing a bit of selective noise reduction to the background areas which are affected by the high Iso noise.

[skitterbug]

With that image, Sandy, I would use the old trick of selecting the flowers with the selection brush, adding a little bit of feather then inverting the selection before doing a bit of selective noise reduction to the background areas which are affected by the high Iso noise.

Thanks for the memory jogger...... Sometimes remembering certain ways to post process images are forgotten. I'll be curious to see if I can accomplish this and arrive at good results.

[skitterbug]

Hubby was excited to see this female northern flicker while he was in his usual spot by his window. I decided to try some photos. Couldn't open the window for fear of scaring the bird so my tries were all taken through a closed and somewhat dirty window. I chose f/8 - 1/320 and ISO left on Auto (ended up being 1000). I was pleased and surprised that I could capture a decent image!

Ideas for improvement and comments are always welcome!

[Cantab]

Sandy, for my money, this is a good shot. I'm currently looking at it on my iPad, but the relevant parts all appear sharp. Sometimes the only option is to shoot through a closed window; your camera ignored any dirt!

According to the bird book in my car, you have yellow shafted flickers, and I can see a tiny bit of yellow in your photo. Out here, we have the red shafted version (often more orange than red).

[Geoff F]

I would make one very slight change to that image, Sandy. At the tip of its tail there is a small pale bit of dead stem going to the image edge; I would clone that out. Otherwise, this image looks excellent to me.

[skitterbug]

Sandy, for my money, this is a good shot. I'm currently looking at it on my iPad, but the relevant parts all appear sharp. Sometimes the only option is to shoot through a closed window; your camera ignored any dirt!

According to the bird book in my car, you have yellow shafted flickers, and I can see a tiny bit of yellow in your photo. Out here, we have the red shafted version (often more orange than red).

Hi Bruce - Yep, I agree she is a yellow shafted flicker! I hope she finds a mate and stays. Often we have a new species stop by and grab something to eat and drink and that is the last we see of them so I hope this one does stay. We have plenty of cover for her.

Thanks for commenting!

[skitterbug]

I would make one very slight change to that image, Sandy. At the tip of its tail there is a small pale bit of dead stem going to the image edge; I would clone that out. Otherwise, this image looks excellent to me.

Hi Geoff - I see the offending piece of dead grass. We have plenty of this sort of thing around here currently. But I agree, it might be nice to remove it and clean up the area a bit! Thanks for the suggestion!

[Cantab]

I would make one very slight change to that image, Sandy. At the tip of its tail there is a small pale bit of dead stem going to the image edge; I would clone that out. Otherwise, this image looks excellent to me.

Sandy, I'm now looking at the flicker on my desktop monitor and agree with everything Geoff said.

You have excellent focus and sharpness, and clearly chose a good shutter speed, etc.

In my view, this photo is definitely worth the minor edit Geoff suggests.

[skitterbug]

Hi Bruce and Geoff - See if this looks better? <smile>

[Cantab]

Hi Bruce and Geoff - See if this looks better? <smile>

Great!