Image file changes

I recently made a discovery in the settings of the editing program I use
(Lightroom 3) that allows me to export my photos at a resolution of 1 dpi.
This has multiple benefits for both me and also to visitors of my blog and
website - more so when I've finished updating images on my sites.

Having the photos at 1 dpi makes the file size so much smaller so they load
much faster in the browser window. Also it makes uploading them so much
easier. But from my perspective there is also the added bonus of lessening
any concerns that my photos will be misused; which is a whole post in of
itself.

Image use and copyright is something all photographers have to keep in mind
when posting photos online. It's commonplace for images to be shared and
reposted, which as long as my metadata and watermark are still there and/or
I get image credit is something I'm okay with. My concern was more that
having high resolution images online could result in someone taking a photo
and printing it (possibly multiple times). Also with a high resolution image
my watermark could be cropped/edited out with minimal impact; unless I went
with the full image watermark that obscures the image.

Now, computer screens behave much differently to a printed image. Most
printed images are at least 240 dpi and sometimes much higher depending on
the printer. A computer screen however displays by a different process and
dpi has no bearing on how an image looks. Most images on the internet are
set at 72 dpi as this is generally used as the default. You will not see any
differences between a photo at 300 dpi and one at 72 dpi when viewed on a
computer screen (other than poor image processing and compression, which is
a different subject again). Taking this even further, you can convert to 1
dpi and it will appear onscreen to look as good as a photo at 300 dpi.
However, try printing either and you will most definitely see a big
difference.

Sent from my Motorola Smartphone on the Now Network from Sprint!

Mixed bag of things follow up

I recently posted about my technical problems...and after some further
investigation I want to update a couple of things.

To begin with, my scanner hasn't died. I tested it on my PC and laptop under
Windows 7 and it appeared dead. I then borrowed a Macbook Air and it worked
perfectly! So my issue is that Windows 7 will not work with my Epson
Perfection V500 Photo scanner - driver and software errors on install and
the scanner will not function.

I also found that my laser printer would not install under Windows 7 - a
Dell 1700n. And once again I was able to simply install it on the Macbook
Air.

After these final issues (have had a string if other issues too) I have come
to the conclusion that Windows 7 is not for me and my hardware. Instead I am
seriously looking to ways to switch to a Mac as it seems to "just work". And
luckily all the software and hardware that matters to me for photo work has
Mac install options on the install discs.

Sent from my Motorola Smartphone on the Now Network from Sprint!

Mixed bag of things

I've recently been experiencing a mix of ups and downs; mainly a lot of technical headaches related to my digital workflow.

• my main workstation had to be rebuilt as things were just not running properly
  

• my laptop has an annoying habit of crashing at random times with random errors
  

• my flatbed/film scanner has "died" and my backup film scanner doesn't want to work on my rebuilt computer
  

• my recently cleaned/lubed 20mm prime lens has once again (before I even used it on camera) leaked lubricant onto the aperture diaphragm blades and stopped working
  

At least I do have some good things to relay. I seem to be experiencing a larger merging of my photography and my day job. Part of which is the recording of an on-going construction project relating to my day job. Then today I was invited to take the official photographs at an employee awards event.

So despite all my recent issues, things are still moving forward and I'm still taking photos. And each photograph moves me forward as a learning process and allows me to keep growing.

Sent from my Motorola Smartphone on the Now Network from Sprint!
(but edited to correct formatting)

Some observations while wandering downtown

Over this last weekend I spent most of it in the downtown urban area of the city with a couple of cameras. While there I could not fail to notice that of all the photographers and other people carrying cameras the common factors were DSLR bodies and large aperture telephoto zooms, which looked to be 70-200's or similar. Why this seemed strange to me was I was wishing I had a wider angle lens than the 18-55 zoom I was using, that or that I didn't have a DX sensor giving me a 1.6x crop on the lens.

I am spending a lot more time using wide angle lenses in my photography and finding I prefer to get closer and fill the frame. So much so that I will even be picking up a 35mm wide angle and finder for my old rangefinder so I can use that more for urban photos; the standard 50mm was just too long for most things in downtown Tulsa, or so I found. What's going to be pricy is getting a wider angle lens for my DSLR as I would really like something around the 20mm size (20mm for FX, 12.5mm for DX) so my choice comes down to either a new body and use my existing 20mm (once it's fixed, again) or find a 12.5mm DX lens for my existing body.

Either way, I don't have the funds to do this for the forseable future.In the meantime I'm just happy to be feeling more inspired and spending time with my cameras recording images that speak to me. Ultimately it's the photographer that counts and not the camera.

Sent from my NOOK

(edited and reformatted - the email client on my Nook Tablet had sent this as a wall of text)

More photos of downtown Tulsa

Had a good weekend and explored some more of downtown Tulsa with my cameras - had my DSLR and my analog rangefinder loaded with B/W film.  Seems I wasn't the only one wandering around with a camera as I lost count the number of photographers I saw. 

I also want to add another of the sunset/dusk photos from my previous set of Tulsa photos as it too is part of the downtown area.

So first up is the second dusk photo:


Now for the daytime photos of building details that caught my eye:




There are more daytime photos that I am currently working through for minor editing and I will be posting more here - and also once I have the film developed I'll be posting some of my B/W images too.  Stay tuned for further updates.

Downtown at dusk

After several delays and numerous distractions I finally got to download the low-light photos off my camera and processed the raw files for use.  And as promised I will be posting some samples here on my blog - and here is the first one:

 

New photos soon

I will be posting some new photos in the next couple of days as I have been busy taking new images for my photo course assignments.  I have spent the last couple of days taking cityscapes at dusk.  It's been interesting trying to balance the amount of light remaining in the sky and the lighting on and around the buildings.  Also it's been a challenge to get an interesting sky as most days here in the Tulsa area have been free of clouds so it has been pretty lifeless.  Luckily the last two days have had some clouds so that has helped.

My plan is to spend tomorrow (Sunday) offloading the photos from my DSLR and processing the raw files prior to converting a few to jpg's to post here.