It is interesting to see that this topic has been hashed and rehashed since the beginning of the UHH site and to see how the moderator seeded the conversations way back when. This topic's persistent discussion gives argument for a moderated fact-page on various topics...but that would reduce clicks. Interesting

I guess the first issue is what does "improve" mean? What is wrong with the pic you are looking at? I am assuming noise.

I hope this helps: As someone who uses micro 4/3 gear, I often face the issue up up-sizing. I have found that Topaz and LRc both up-size pretty well. More experienced users may correct me, but I up-size then do the processing. The AI noise reduction feature of both Topaz and LRc does quite well in fixing some of the artifact problems that come from a lower res pic.

As far as $$ goes, no one better than than the legendary John Bogle, the founder of Vanguard and leading proponent of index investing. Take a look at Bogleheads.com...his principles have been proven time and time again. He far eclipses any other figure in the financial world.

Greetings..I was the one who started the photo critique section...I never received any messages about dissension so I am not sure where you got this. Had there been some dissension communicated, I would have certainly changed the forum rules if that is what people wanted. But, from my perspective, I grew weary of asking people to actually critique photos rather than then "nice shot" nonsense. That is not critique. The permission thing, I think, was simply courtesy. There was one member who seemed interested in posting obviously screwball pictures. I had to communicate directly to a few members who thought the section was another venue to continue their childish disputes with other members. It took time, thought and effort to be a member of the site. The final straw was simply that there were competing special interest sections and I had to move on with my life to other things rather than try to deal with the nice photo comments and police childlike behavior.

The other issues was I started the travel section around the same time. There was an effort to include issues such as having some (photography- related) cultural competence when visiting foreign lands. Meanwhile, the section had to compete with the regular main section that also allowed travel issues...I was hoping for a more dedicated discussion on photo related issues in travel, but could not compete with the general section. I am not in the businesses of creating clicks on a voluntary basis without support of the site owner. So, I simply moved on.

All of it was an effort to elevate the photography discussions towards the artistic and travel stuff. But the mojo of the UHH is tilted towards Canon v. Nikon v. Sony; raw vs. jpeg, etc. I come back once in a while to check on the technical issues where I might learn something and ignore the rest.

I am happier for it. Best regards and happy shooting.

HipCoyote

I added significant grain to some photos I took at Auschwitz and Birkenau. Finalized in black and white. It seemed to add a historical kind of view. Old, grainy. Pics somewhat captured the hell that it was. I wish I could go back and redo the that trip. Not sure I’d even take a camera this time though. I’ve learned quite a bit since. There is one photog who purposely did longer exposure of people as they moved about with the displays or relics in focus. Excellent photography. Better than my meager efforts.

But there is a time n place for grain. But not often.

Since you asked, I will weigh in. Unlike a lot of hogs, I will be blunt.

When you display a photo it has to be very very sharp. Every photo, generally, has to have a subject that is interesting and tells a story in some way or is artistic. I had one judge say that photos are like a movie, where there is a main character and sometimes a supporting actor in the scene. In other instances, as in animals, a picture of an animal is ok, but a very good picture has to be of an animal doing natural activity such as hunting, mating, feeding babies, etc. . Birds in flight have to be crystal clear, eye has to be in focus, feathers have to been readily identifiable. There is a reason it is an entire sub-specialty. I can't remember, but I THINK BillNikon has some bird shots that are excellent in the gallery. IMO, a bird in flight has to be entering the frame, not in the middle...to show movement. (Generally of course.)

The flower is presented as a square with some substantial background issues that take the eye from the flower to the background. That flower is a long beautiful flower that demands something other than square.

The only photo I might show would be the cheetah. And at that, there is no interaction between the person and the cat. In fact, they are ignoring each other. Imagine if they were looking in each others' eyes! Run your eyes around the edges of the photo...is there something distracting? I see a reed or piece of grass right in the middle of the photo...try to get rid of it.

IMO, photography is about the quality of light as well. That is missing in these photos...quality of light. That is why vignetting pics often help the photo...it changes the lighting a bit.

So, my thought is the cheetah, but there needs to be some repairs.

Roger that....and the photos must be fascinating.

Much thanks

Thank you very much. Purchased on eBay or something?

I am looking to purchase a small, inexpensive, point and shoot camera or two, any brand, that takes AA batteries. I have a photo project where I need a few to hand out to people, have them take pics, then give the cameras back to me to see what they come up with (hopefully they give them back!). I want the AA feature so I don't have to deal with varied batteries on a trip.

So, if you have such an item, please let me know.

Thx.

HipCoyote

No slopper? What? You jest!

Btw. My beloved step grandpa was a Bojon. A term I’ve not heard anywhere else. Still have family in Pueblo. A fascinating place.

But I’d prefer San Diego anytime. Headed there soon to go pluck a few blue fin from the waters.

Go Central !

Like you I am not religious but my moral compass tells me to be a bit kinder when I can. I think most people are just trying to live a nice life. Unless they do something overtly to offend I see no reason for rancor.

As I said this photo is good (or maybe a bit less) but I offered encouragement of other ideas. Further, if we look in the gallery there are not a lot of noteworthy shots there. But they don’t ask for critique and it is not usually offered.

Further, a side benefit of this post was the opportunity for a few Puebloans to reminisce and make a bit of connection. Why not just look at the post and move on? Or be curious? It is a very unique place.

I see the religious holidays as an inspiration in the spirit of the event. Pagan or not.

Lots of bad stuff happening in the world. I chose to not add to it unless provoked.

Happy Easter

Green Chili on Xmas Eve. What could be better?

Some folks never pass up an opportunity to be unkind...on Easter no less.

I was born and raised in the Steel City. Long since moved away. Go Central, beat Centennial.

Re the photo. Downtown where, exactly? I can't quite place it. In any event, it looks like you were having fun with long exposures. Good for you. In this case obviously there were passing cars and you caught the truck. The plate does not matter...its not like we can go "run" it and find out where the person lives and steal their mojo.

I read somewhere recently that good photos are enemies of great photos. How true that is. This is a good photo, but there are some excellent venures in Pueblo that deserve your attention. The Neon Alley off Union is one such place. It is my preference to have people in my photos...with them showing movement or blurry a bit. It might be a cool thing.

One of my many unfulfilled projects would be to do a photo essay of Pueblo...the taverns, the Mill, the Mesa, Union, some of the wonderful buildings downtown. And Salt Creek, Bessemer, Bojon Town and Dog Patch. It is a diverse place.

The cranky pants are right...this post belongs in Gallery, but that is a trifling.

I'd bet few people even know what we're talking about!

Now go to Coors, have a slopper and be happy.

I do not say this often on UHH, but you are a very very good photographer. As you mention, light is a key component of your work...exceptional. I encourage others to take a look. (I imagine you spend quite a bit more time taking photos than I do..I am on the move. You clearly "snipe" some folks in great locations...takes time, patience and an eye.)

Interesting question.

Finding my photographic interests was a bit of a journey. The digital journey started with a photo seminar in Yosemite. Took great (under instruction) photographs. Took a few more seminars such as astro photography. I joined a photo club and went on their events...mostly set up deals like polo matches, beach volleyball, etc. But over time, I found that I did not care to go somewhere specifically to take photographs. Even a trip to Africa, I enjoyed taking photos of animals, but preferred taking photos of people there (see below). Wife and I travel quite a bit..so my "lane" has really been wrapped around travel, and mostly interaction with people during travel. Take a few shots, talk to people, make friends. So perhaps it should be called documentary travel photos?

I guess unless I am immersed in the photo, behind the viewfinder, it really isn't that enjoyable to just take pics.

Cute.