Chicopee Loc: NY State, USA

Thank you all for your thots about the spider web I posted yesterday....I will concede that it was an out of focus shot, and I will concede it probably should not have been posted here. But my point was not really the spider, rather, the prism effect of the web. Who knew those strands could reflect such light at just the right angle.
I thot I should let you know that I am capable of an 'in focus' shot....to my critics.....smiling......for your consideration.....thanks!

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Uuglypher Loc: South Dakota (East River)

Hi, Chicopee,
Loving your images from (I'm guessing) upstate NY!
A good and goodly part of my life was lived in Monroe Co, (near Roch.) and Tompkins Co,( ithaca region). Were those grapes at a Finger Lakes vineyard?

Hoping to see more.

Dave

Chicopee Loc: NY State, USA

Hello Dave, thank you very much for your kind comment. Yes I live in the southern tier of New York State not too far from Corning, actually closer to Hammondsport. I enjoy tromping through the Vineyards every year to see the beautiful formations and colors of the grapes. I am familiar with the area that you're talking about but I see that you are no longer around these parts . I am originally from Medina which is in Orleans County but I have lived in this area for the past 35 years . There are a lot of vineyards in this area and all offer of their own beauty. Glad you liked it, and glad it was a good memory for you.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Upstate New York looks similar to Maine (I lived in Albany for a year) and I enjoyed these sunny autumn "sense of place" shots very much, Pam.

Chicopee Loc: NY State, USA

Thank you Linda! Have you noticed the amt of snow your ole stomping grounds have received this yr?..........for photographers it would be a picture perfect snow scene....if you can stand the cold~

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Yakima has had a Maine-like winter this year, so I haven't had the chance to be envious

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Glad you decided to hang around, feel free to ramble and comment and think of things to talk about.

I like your "hometown" set. All these seem nicely focused on what you mean them to be They are well composed and cohesive enough to appear as a group expressing your local area.

My favorite is the berries, which is so rich in color and detail against such a nicely blurred and colored backdrop. I am pretty fond of the red barn one too, which is one of my favorite kinds of compositions, full of geometry and rich complementary color (when I first looked at it I thought I might remove the contrail but I wonder if this may be one of those rare occasions when a contrail adds to the composition). I love the excellent surface you captured on the grapes, which makes them look ready-to-eat; I might darken the blurred foreground leaves some to keep them from pulling the eye away, or even crop a bit. The first image, the bridge, is nicely composed and sharply caught with good color; if it were mine (which it's not and I know opinions about this vary widely) I'd bring up the shadows some and get less black clipping to see how that might work.

Thanks for sharing a piece of your world! Wander about our little community here and make yourself at home. Feel free to offer feedback on the photos you see posted. We don't have rules here about formal critique protocols so it is quite alright to ground your responses in your own opinions.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

The berries are a very nice shot and the processing is rather complimentary to the subject. Would suggest cropping slightly from right to remove OOF berry. Its a tad distracting. A snap for the wall I think.

Chicopee Loc: NY State, USA

Thank you Billyspad.........how did I miss that...........? Actually, the print I matted and framed....the matting covered that little dimple! But should have been caught in post processing.!

Chicopee Loc: NY State, USA

Thanks for your viewing and your feedback Minniev ......The barn required no post processing. It seemed to have been a perfect day for a good shot. Interestingly I was using my Nikon D50. And that morning I found the polarizing filter for the lens. I was coming back from a town and was wearing my polarized sunglasses and that barn, tree, sky, and contrail ......everything popped out at me. So I turned around and took the shot....having now, that polarized filter on the lens. The berries........Billyspad found a point I missed and should have cropped out....how did I miss that.....probably an 'eye' thing.....but I will take care of that. I agree w/ your assessment of the leaves I think....I will try that also. Honestly, the suggestion for the bridge....I'm not sure if I know how to do what you suggested...but I will play w/ it.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

What software do you use? I'm sure someone can help you if we know what program you have.

Chicopee Loc: NY State, USA

I use Photo Elements 11 and Faststone. I know Faststone has a slider for hightlights and shadows...I can look into that. I've tried to find out if its possible to adjust the size fonts when the initial window opens in PE 11....the font size for 'file, view, enhance etc' are much too small for me...same w/ the tools on the left side. But no one knows if there is a way to change the fonts to larger size..I tried the resolution but that didn't affect the fonts in the program, only everywhere else. Someone said its a microsoft issue w/ adobe. I don't know. My point is......I seldom use PE 11 for that reason. A real strain. I ck'd everywhere.
Of a truth, I do need someone close by to help w/ learn certain aspects like layering but that will have to wait a bit longer. So for now, all that I do is pretty basic.
So for now I will go w/ what I do know........basics.....lol.
Thanks for suggestion.

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Elements comes packaged with Camera Raw which is a powerful Raw file editor but will also allow you to work with Jpegs. So fire up the PC and open Elements then -

Click File->Open As (Alt + Ctrl + O)
Browse to your JPEG file location.
Select file.
In the Open As drop down choose Camera Raw.
Click Open

Remember its Open As and NOT Open

When your picture opens in Camera Raw you will have a Shadows slider and a Blacks slider to you can experiment with mins ideas. When finished adjusting just click Open Image and your image will open in Elements for further correction or saving.
Camera Raw is a wonderful photo editing tool and will open a whole new world up for you whether you shoot Raw files or Jpegs and its easy to use.
Happy snapping from a hot South Seas.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

In my slightly newer version, it's called "open in camera raw." I sent you an adjusted version to compare.

Pam, besides that powerful tool, take a look on the regular Elements edit page under "Enhance." There are sliders for lighten shadows, darken highlights, midtone contrast.

Another thought: when you're first playing with sliders, it's helpful to push all the way to left or right so you can clearly see the extreme. Then slowly move back towards middle 'til you're happy with the result. And after you've worked a second element, don't be afraid to go back to the first and re-adjust.

I hope you're able to get your font issue worked out. Much to explore and enjoy in Elements. I love it, even though I only know about half of what I should by now

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Your blackberries look good enough to eat. Yumm!