rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

Finally, my first picture post, though on the Hog for nearly two years.

I have been taking pictures for a lot of years. My first good camera was a Voigtlander Vitessa. Later, for quite some time, I used an Asahi Pentax K1000. When digital came around, my first good camera, which I really liked, was a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-F717 (with the swivel body). I cycled through some others, including a very good Panasonic DMC-FZ18. I currently use a Canon G16 and Canon 70D, with Canon lenses EFS 50mm 1.8 II, EFS 10-18mm 4.5-5.6 IS STM, EFS 18-135mm 3.5-5.6 IS STM, EFS 70-200mm L 4.0 IS USM. Cost will preclude my acquisition of any upgraded equipment.

I have used or tried just about every post-processing program on my Windows 10 computer, which has a fast processor, 16 GB RAM and an Nvidia GeForce GT 730 video card with 2 GB video RAM. Unfortunately, my monitor is just a standard Acer 23 inch, with the limitations that implies. (I cannot afford a good photo monitor.) Perhaps that is just as well, as I have cataracts which limit severely my ocular capabilities, though I did just recently score 100% for accurate color vision on the Munsell Hue Test. (I am 90 years of age.)

My post-processing never has been very sophisticated/in depth. I used PaintShop Pro from before it was Corel, up to version X9. I now am using Canon Digital Professional, Adobe Photoshop Express, the Adobe subscription programs (desktop), ON1 Photo RAW 2018.5 and occasionally Topaz Studio.

With that as a background, here are 10 shots from those taken at the annual Baguio Flower Festival this past February. I processed a bit in ON1 and used a preset I saved from the first photo for all the rest (admittedly, not the best idea, but a time saver; I also would have cropped two or three a little had they been done individually). I resized down from 5472x3648 to 2400x1600 to reduce file size for uploading. Critiques are solicited, as that is how I will be able to improve, equipment and eyesight permitting!

Loren; Baguio City, Philippines (the past nearly three years); previously, Phoenix, Arizona and Southern California

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hannaco Loc: People's Republic of California

Very nice.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

A nice set!

Levi M.

This may be an unpopular opinion but I'd like to give mine regardless, for perspective's sake. In all of these photos it seems as though contrast/black point (I'm not too sure which, I'm new to the field so forgive me please) is very high for the image and some detail is being "smothered". I feel as if the quality of the images would be greatly increased if you lightened up on the contrast slightly and allowed the finer, subtler details to show themselves. They seem to be shy compared to the loud and extreme color. This is all mostly unimportant if that's the look you were going for anyway. I will say, though, that #4, #6, and #9 show the BEST of itself due to this high contrast. The way the color changes from red to green to white on the leaves is very satisfying and the way the white contours the deep green. Those two demand respect with their piercing visuals and they have mine. Hopefully this gives you an idea of what you want to go for. Everything looks pleasing, all in all. Just a bit harsh in color when compared to the surrounding detail for the rest of the images but that's just me being picky :)

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

Thanks for the comment - You're up early!

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

Thanks for the comment; glad you liked them.

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

Thanks for the comments. I like intense color - for many things - and know that some do not. However, as I noted, I created a preset for the first picture I processed and then used it for all the others. Two or three of them I would do rather differently were I to adjust each separately, as the depth of color does hide the detail which really is there. I usually take so long to get everything just right (for me) that I didn't wish to spend the time now. I also would have done a little cropping to improve a couple of them, but normally I do most of my cropping in the viewfinder.

Again, thanks.

hannaco Loc: People's Republic of California

No, just finished dinner.

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

Sorry - I was going by your noted location of California, where it's now 5:34 AM Saturday. Of course, it's 8:34PM Saturday where I am!

Loren

SpyderJan Loc: New Smyrna Beach. FL

90 and still clickin'. Good for you.

hannaco Loc: People's Republic of California

well, I am in California. Just work the night shift. The wall clock at work is on IST.

debbie wrazen Loc: Western New York

Sweet photos, congrats on turning 90! Your photos and posts show alot of the tenacity that I'm sure you displayed during your life.

gregoryd45 Loc: Fakahatchee Strand

Very nice series, Loren. Welcome to UHH. Look forward to see more posts from you

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

Thanks - be 91 in January.

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

Thanks - and still do!