elliott937 Loc: St. Louis

Hey Dave, An idea for you. Affinity.

And before anyone says I should be subscribing to CC, From 2005 and PSCS5, I've spent more than $1,000 on Photoshop. And now with my brand new iMac, and with PSCS5 loaded, the program won't print, but shut down with every attempt. So, for me, Affinity is my choice. Besides, it gives me a chance to learn many new things too.

And for Dave, for ($49, I believe) you can do all your digi darkroom work without the need for the Internet.

Cracker-barrel Philosopher Loc: Duluth, MN

I've both heard about and early on suspected that PS by monthly subscription only was going to be a headache and that's why I stayed with CS4 as it does everything I need

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

Things like this are normal. They have the right to make sure you are an authorized subscriber,, and that you are not a hacker trying to hack into someones account. This is really to protect your account and you.

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

Wow, beautiful images! The hummer is tack sharp even on dbl download; but I bet you already knew that.

elliott937 Loc: St. Louis

Cracker, Do you mind my asking what OS you are using, especially if it is iMac. My PSCS5 always worked perfectly, including to my $1,200 Canon printer, but that computer had an OS probably 4 years old. Now, the new OS on the brand new iMac, while running PSCS5, the moment I press command-P, PS shuts down. So if you are using an older iMac, hang onto it.

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

LOL! Yes, thank you. I few years ago I developed my own way of photographing hummingbirds. The hummers are only here in the Spring and early summer. The males depart first. Over the winter I would think about what I could do next year to get ever better photos. It was a reiterative process getting a little better each year. I garnered a bit of fame and recognition for my hummingbird photos and gave classes in how I do it. I even sold a couple of prints to some people here on UHH. Then I kind of burned out because I not could think of how to improve on my technique.

I have now read articles written by others who take very good using a different technique, and got some new ideas of my own. One of the problems I would like to overcome in the very limited depth of field. I would like to keep both wings in sharp focus. I think I now know how I can do that. Today I was busy setting up my hummingbird lure and outdoor, hummer studio.

I'll find out in a few weeks when the hummers return to my house, if my ideas work. A hint of how I do it is that I use six flashes fired at the same moment. I have an open window and my camera is safe indoors and the flashes are outside! The hummers are very brave little creatures and become accustomed to firing flashes. I have had one enter my house by flying through the open window and checking me and my camera out, then turn and fly back out the window. This year I will be using a 600mm f/4 lens. I also have a Venus Laowa 15mm f/4 WA 1:1 Macro Lens on order that I want to give a try. I'm not very optimistic that it will work but others have had some success, so I'm going to give it a shot. There is a lot of trickery going on in the photo you mentioned but PhotoShop layers was not used. It's the real thing. I used a 300mm f/2.8 prime lens.

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

I'm using macOS Mojave ver. 10.14.4. No problems.

elliott937 Loc: St. Louis

I'm now using 10.13.6, and I won't upgrade. When I brought this computer home, I lost a scanner and a Wacoom tablet. Now I have a new scanner ($120) and a new Wacoom ($359). I hate upgrades.

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

Interesting info. I will be watching for your future images. I'm always attracted to Hummingbird captures because My Wife used to set outside with Me with a cup of tea and watch the little Hummers at Her feeder before She passed away due to cancer.

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

I don't agree with the whole held to ransom system Adobe uses now so stopped buying since 6 so that I can use it when I want and if I don't wish to use it for 8 months it does not cost me a penny. Just about everything I need to do can be done with 6 and yes there are some great new features in the latest Photoshop but I don't really need them.

I also bought all of On1 and I have the whole suit of Topaz Lab software. Topaz is great because I have had them for years and there is no charge when they bring out updates each year, it is FREE. Buy it once, update forever at no additional cost. Definitely one to check out if you do not know about it.

Davethehiker Loc: South West Pennsylvania

Sorry you had to go through that. I also lost my wife and mother of my children to cancer. It was the worst thing I ever had to endure. It's was worse than going through chemo myself many times to control my own form of cancer. I remarried to a wonderful woman who brings me joy every moment of my days.

BTW, I had to go through Chemotherapy treatments this time last year. I was too weak to photograph hummers last year. I'm stronger now.

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

Well that is what people were led to believe but that did not stop any hacking. When Adobe launched the cloud or CC ransom/rental what ever you wish to call it monthly charge, their latest and greatest Photoshop CC was hacked, I believe 27 minutes after they launched it, so much for that argument. As for the strategy, when they launched they were charging $49 a month but so many refused to pay that that they reduced to $29 and then had to keep going down until they hit the $9.99 price point.

I remember seeing a leaked inside report about the real reason Adobe wanted to go monthly ransom and it was all about more money, and nothing to do with avoiding being hacked, because I think that still happens. Their research found that most private users were not in favor of a monthly ransom charge but big corporate users just had to have Photoshop what ever happened.

Their sales revenue with all those additional licenses they would charge a corporate user was where their bread and butter was, the private user was just jam on top. 80% of their money came from big company use but they represented 20% of their user market. The other 80% of users contributed only about 20% to their annual revenue, so it was a no brainer. Put out the monthly charge system and those who were giving them most of the money had no option but to keep paying the ransom. Even if they lost 50% of their private users, they were making more money with the new monthly charge system, so they kept going with it.
So now you know "the rest of the story".

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

So sorry to hear about the loss of Your Wife to cancer Dave. Yes, it was a horrible time, and I still feel like it was yesterday. Glad to hear that You have been able to move on a little and remarry. I never will. I still wear My wedding ring, and another of My Wifes rings on My little finger. I suppose I should be getting over it by now, but awhile back I decided that I would wear Her ring until it is My time. Then if it must be that way, someone else will have to remove Her ring from my finger. Hope You stay well with Your battles with cancer. Hope You and Your present Wife are blessed with good health and happiness. Keep those Hummingbird pictures coming. Bye for now My friend.

foggypreacher Loc: Dickinson, Texas

Your photos are beautiful. At 16" they will be striking. The poor hummingbirds don't stand a chance.

TucsonDave Loc: Tucson, Arizona

I would purchase Affinity Photo for a one time fee of about $50. A lot of functionality with minimum issues - my experience anyway. I know you didn't ask for this response but for what it is worth.