Yosemite in the Fall.

Before it gets winter.

Auto ISO

I was just doing some reading about Auto ISO. What drawbacks, if any, are encountered by using this on a regular basis?

SOOTC vs. Post Processing argument again?

I believe that if I started a thread entitled "Photographing the Mating Habits of the North America Cuckoo Bird", the SOOTC vs. Post-Processing argument would arise and dominate or even overtake the conversation.

I think this "argument" is ridiculous but I will admit that my lifelong job as a professional photographer and my starting my career in the "old school" has tainted my opinion. I'll explain.

In the olden days of film photography, precise and accurate camera work was more important in that there were few and difficult remedies for poorly crafted negatives or transparencies. There were many specialized chemical treatments and techniques for darkroom manipulation but most of these were time-consuming, painstaking, costly, and oftentimes resulted in lesser quality, and production and delivery delays. So, as a veteran of this culture, I try to address as much of I can at the camera whenever possible and still encourage others to do so, even with the advent and great flexibility in digital imaging. Whether performed in the old-fashioned darkroom on in a computer-driven program, tweaking, enhancement, and special effect added post-shooting is perfectly acceptable and routine as far as I am concerned- that is not tantamount sloppy shooting and radical post-processing.

In professional photography, we have the added element of the CLIENT who expects good work delivered on time. Frankly, how we arrive at a good image is of no consequence to the client or for that matter anyone else we want to impress, persuade, gift, or illustrate anything or tell a story to with our images. Whether you are pleasing a client, selling images at a gallery or crafts show, submitting pictures to an editor for publication, or inviting the neighbors in for a slideshow of your last vacation-who case, other than yourself, how you made those images? They will stand or fall on their own. There is nothing to prove in the process!

In professional circles, if you over-process an image and it becomes apparent - it the pastel dress has turned to "hot-pink" or the shrimp looks like a lobster because to went nuts on a slider, you will get an objection. If you over sharpen or under soften, you may run into a blooper! If you would rather have an azure blue sky instead of a sky blue sky in a landscape, who is on gonna question you? Perhaps the editor at Nation Geographic or the curator at the Hayden Planetarium- never know? Lots depend on who you are working for and what you want to accomplish or if you just wish to express your vision differently.

Enhance the dynamic range of a photojournalistic image that does not amount to fakery. In fine artwork, there is no real or imagined "code of ethics" that dictates everything must be authentic. If someone takes pride in his or her ability to create perfect images without any further enhancement, they too deserve respect and should not be criticized for the philosophy. There are some situations where a photographer can not cull every image they are not completely satisfied with and have no othere alternative but to salvage it in post-processing. Theses should be individual artistic, practical and personalized choices.

Postcard from Canada

Icefield Parkway

Check out in Download,,, Thank you

Come On, People, Let's Have Some Appreciation Here.

Honestly.

Resting softly

Flamingo resting

Overused Phrase In Photography

I will probably start a range war here, but, I think the phrase "I don't like my camera making decisions for me" is so overused. I contend, unless you are shooting creatively, the camera is, in fact, making decisions for you. The purists always say, I shoot manual mode because I want to be in control of my camera. So, you set shutter speed, you set the aperture, you set the iso, but then, you check the exposure meter. If the little slider line is not in the middle (for proper exposure), you then adjust one or more of the three (shutter speed, aperture, iso) To get WHAT THE CAMERA SAYS is proper exposure. So, as I said, unless you are shooting for creative effects, and ignore the exposure meter on your camera, that camera is making decisions for you. What say you?

Overcast Lighting

Some of the best shots of wildlife, both flora and fauna, are on overcast days. It was misty this morning on my walk in the garden. Downloads show better detail if you have the time. Enjoy.

The Upper Peninsula Of Michigan...Why Would You Not Want To Go There?

Blair Shaw, Jr. asked for more photos. These are from my recent trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I have added some new locations that I found to be worth the drive.

Tahquamenon Falls

Canyon Falls

Lake Superior Sunrise

Marquette Harbor Light

Lake Of The Clouds

Pictured Rocks. The Vase.

Chapel Rock

Sable Falls

Grand Island East Channel Lighthouse

Hello everyone - I am new to this forum

After a long break I enjoy shooting pictures again. Got a new camera and came along this nice rainbow while going to work this morning.
Hope you like it too :)

Rainbow in Manoa Valley