I have been in the habit of opening my photos in Photoshop, checking them out to see which ones I like the best, and then using Photoshop to "doctor" them to look better than their best. To me this is the way to learn digital photography. I don't really believe that a straight photo, digital or otherwise, will make a great photo. But working with Photoshop can make all the difference in the world. By the way. I go back to the ancient days of only B/W available in scanners, (no color for a few years was available), and the screen on the computer was also only in B/W! Talk about having fun? Now look what we have available! It's a different world all together, and getting better by the week!
Bob Curtis
When you go to Montana check out in Kallispell the "Triple D Game Farm." They raise wild animals for photographers and movies! I guarantee you will have a blast there any time of the year. I have taken photos there of Black Bears, Mountain Lions, Mountain Lion cubs and babies, Adult Lynx, Wolverines, and many more. They charge you so much per animal and have places all over the area that is suitable for photos and trainers who will go with you. Tell them that Bob Curtis from
Texas sent you there!
Bob Curtis
I am a retired Band Director and hate the fact that guitars have taken over so strongly today. Give any one a guitar and before you know it they are playing (?) in a Rock Band. While teaching in a college band my major drummer had to transfer to another school. An individual whom I knew volunteered to play with us. He had very little experience in a regular jazz band and didn't know his chords hardly at all. All in all, it was a rough half year. Lesson of the story - be sure you know what you are doing before you take the job or you will make a MESS of it!
Bob Curtis
I, Personally, prefer the second photo as it is centered, clearer, and looks much better to me than the first one. It is a matter of choice. I hate wasted space, and that is what the first one has to me. Keep practicing and showing photos as you learn from others what they like and dislike.
Bob Curtis
If you have the right chemicals for the film you can do your own processing and learn in the the secrets of good processing in the process. I taught both B/W & color slide processing when I was teaching large classes through the Community Education department of our Public Education classes in school. One student, after processing color slide film, got extremely mad because all of the film turned out a bluish color. His answer to his problem was to wad it all up and throw it into the trash. I told him that he did not listen to me as I was explaining the process. It all comes out a bluish color, but as it dries it changes to the color or the original slide image. Boy, was he upset as he only brought one roll of film to process. He became a great listener after that and always asked what color the film would be after processing.
Bob Curtis
Just curious as I have not seen it done this way before. Thanks for the info.
Bob Curtis
I know that you must have had a reason for all the photos being slanted but I, personally, can not think of one. Please enlighten us so we can all be informed of your judgement.
Bob Curtis
Hooray for you! I wish there were more like you! Maybe the world will be a better place when individuals learn that it's not just the cameras out there, but the individuals controlling the cameras that make all the difference! Keep on plugging away, all you pros and things will get better.
Bob Curtis, retired Pro.
You won't believe this, but I had one photographer from this series argue with me that there were no "artists" in photography and that photography was NOT an "art form." Finally, I believe that he either (1) gave up and accepted the fact that Photography WAS an art form, or (2) just gave up in disgust and then went home and turned his computer off and did not reply any more. Thank all of you that jumped right in and said that Photography WAS AN ART FORM! YOU HELPED A LOT!
Bob Curtis
Phil - Thank you! I was highly confused about PS CS-6 because I KNEW it had not been released yet.
Bob Curtis
Phil - Thank you! I was highly confused about PS CS-6 because I KNEW it had not been released yet.
Bob Curtis
Which version are we talking about here? CS-5 or CS-6? I have been using photoshop for a long time and the current one is v. CS-5. As far as I know v. CS-6 is in experimental stage now and has not been released yet. Each new version usually comes out around 12 - 14 months apart., so v. CS-6 is NOT on the market - - - yet.
Bob Curtis
Gary, I can certainly sympathize with you. My wife and I have been married for about 60 years. During that time neither of us has been seriously ill, until just recently. It seems that we both had accidents, I had a fall and hit my head against a cabinet but seem to have recovered fairly well with stitches in my head (I am a diabetic) and she fell and hit her head against a cabinet in our bed room. So far I am doing well, but she is having a hard time recovering. Personally, I feel that it is a combination of medicines that is causing her major problems. We both have an appointment with our family doctor this after noon and we, along with some of our close friends, are going to ask our doctor to check to see if this might be possible, as she is still having problems staying awake, she really doesn't like to eat very much, and is just not herself at all. I have told people that when she is sick, all my attention goes to her. Any way, I wish you success in your new found business. I know that my wife and I really enjoyed ourselves, but it was hard work. Most people think that you just go home afterwards, but that is only the beginning. You have to get all the film together by rolls. and send them off to be processed. When the proofs come back you have to number them, place them in the booklet, throw away all the rejects, get them ready for the couple, and the take their order and get the 8x10's back and fix the large wedding album, arrange for any special prints to be either ordered or printed, etc, It just seems to go on and on - - - until the next one, and it starts all over again. I can't remember us having any vacations like we used to while we were teaching, but that is part of the game. Best of luck to you! Seriously, if I can help in any way by offering suggestions or advice let me know, and I will do what I can.
Bob Curtis
Gary, I under your problem as most of us who have been pros have gone through similar problems. Keep up your practice, check equipment regularly, even the spare parts, and if you find any extras I'm sure they aren't mine. Good luck to you and your endeavors for the future. It is a wonderful experience doing weddings, but is is very stressful at time. Have a good plan and you can alieviate most of this before it happens.
Bob Curtis
Sorry, but I have lived nearly all my life in Texas. I was, however, born in Chicago, ill. My mother and father were in Cleburne, Texas, visiting his mother and step-father and they got a telegram from the company in !903 telling them "don't come back to Chicago as we have gone bankrupt." Of course, they had to go back and get their belongings and moved to Cleburne, Texas, Now, my wife of over 50 years and I live in Bay City, Texas, which is about 30 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico. We have lived in the same house for over 40 years. Our daughter and grandson live in Alvin, Texas, with her husband, Charlie Myers. I am a retired pro photographer who specializes now in animal and scenic photographs. I have photographed all the major large animals except the Polar Bear, and I know where to go to get them, but my wife is a little leary of going to Churchill, Manitoba, Canada. I don't know why as we took a 12,000, 2 1/2 month, driving tour of the Rockies, Western Canada and Alaska in 2003 as our pre 50th wedding aniversary gift to each other. Got to finish as my wife is ill and I need to check on her.
Bob Curtis