Avery Posted December 27, 2021 Share Posted December 27, 2021 1 hour ago, Charlie Spencer said: I'm not sure what it says when I can't see the differences. I suspect it says more about me than the photos. A lot of it seems to be knowing what to look for in the minute changes. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKLland Posted December 27, 2021 Author Share Posted December 27, 2021 5 hours ago, Charlie Spencer said: I'm not sure what it says when I can't see the differences. I suspect it says more about me than the photos. What @Avery said 3 hours ago, Avery said: A lot of it seems to be knowing what to look for in the minute changes. Which can also elevate the image greatly. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birding Boy Posted January 2, 2022 Share Posted January 2, 2022 Thoughts on this edit? The final image seems bright on my phone, but maybe a tad underexposed on my laptop when I upload it to ebird haha. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKLland Posted January 3, 2022 Author Share Posted January 3, 2022 1 hour ago, Birding Boy said: Thoughts on this edit? The final image seems bright on my phone, but maybe a tad underexposed on my laptop when I upload it to ebird haha. Looks good! I’ve also noticed that when I up the exposure during editing and add to eBird, eBird seems to make all photo a bit darker. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birding Boy Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 12 minutes ago, IKLland said: Looks good! I’ve also noticed that when I up the exposure during editing and add to eBird, eBird seems to make all photo a bit darker. Yeah, especially with these really contrasty black and white birds it’s often a pain to get the exposure just right. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKLland Posted January 3, 2022 Author Share Posted January 3, 2022 1 hour ago, Birding Boy said: Thoughts on this edit? The final image seems bright on my phone, but maybe a tad underexposed on my laptop when I upload it to ebird haha. I might’ve cropped it a little. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Birding Boy Posted January 3, 2022 Share Posted January 3, 2022 55 minutes ago, IKLland said: I might’ve cropped it a little. Yeah, I'll probably leave it as it is since I'm not too invested in it and I've already uploaded it to eBird, but thanks! I'll have plenty of opportunities to get better ones. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 On 1/2/2022 at 5:38 PM, Birding Boy said: Thoughts on this edit? The final image seems bright on my phone, but maybe a tad underexposed on my laptop when I upload it to ebird haha. Well, I'm on a 6-month old 24" monitor with the colors recently recalibrated. I can't see the eye in the first shot but I can in the second. You've lost some of the 'snowline' at center left but I'd say it's worth the tradeoff. I like the original edit better than the second crop; enough hint of snowline remains to give the background some texture beyond pure white. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 (edited) Okay, these are adjusted from .JPGs (yeah, I know) using paint.net. They're pasted directly into Whatbird. At my current skill level and for what I'm trying to learn, I don't think working from .RAW or embedding from eBird is essential. I'm not ready to ride on the street yet, so the training wheels aren't affecting my performance here in the driveway. This was shot through the kitchen window in Feb. '21, on one of those mornings I was too wimpy to venture outside (much like today!). Purple Finches are few and far between here so I wanted a shot, and I knew if I went out on the deck that I'd startle everything away. Obviously, it's too light, and the windows screen didn't do the resolution any favors. The first photo is cropped only. For the second and third, I made adjustments before cropping; would I be better served cropping last? paint.net has a tool labeled 'AutoLevel'. Like any newbie, I saw something with 'Auto' in the name and decided to see if it was a magic wand to perfection. This image is better but there's too much of something,(or several somethings), especially in the uncropped version, but I don't know enough to say exactly what's overdone. So I started over. After putzing with several tools and resetting after each one, I did something with RGB Curve. This image is with that setting at 190,130, numbers I finalized on simply because there was a grid intersection on the tool's adjustment graph at those points. Nothing like being anal retentive for deciding across a range of options, especially since I have little clue what this tool does. I guess I could get desperate and see if there's a manual... Opinions? Edited January 16, 2022 by Charlie Spencer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 Oh, I forgot one thing. The original is uploaded to the eBird checklist and thus Macaulay. My goal is to replace that posted image with an improved version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonesome55dove Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 25 minutes ago, Charlie Spencer said: Okay, these are adjusted from .JPGs (yeah, I know) using paint.net. They're pasted directly into Whatbird. At my current skill level and for what I'm trying to learn, I don't think working from .RAW or embedding from eBird is essential. I'm not ready to ride on the street yet, so the training wheels aren't affecting my performance here in the driveway. This was shot through the kitchen window in Feb. '21, on one of those mornings I was too wimpy to venture outside (much like today!). Purple Finches are few and far between here so I wanted a shot, and I knew if I went out on the deck that I'd startle everything away. Obviously, it's too light, and the windows screen didn't do the resolution any favors. The first photo is cropped only. For the second and third, I made adjustments before cropping; would I be better served cropping last? paint.net has a tool labeled 'AutoLevel'. Like any newbie, I saw something with 'Auto' in the name and decided to see if it was a magic wand to perfection. This image is better but there's too much of something,(or several somethings), especially in the uncropped version, but I don't know enough to say exactly what's overdone. So I started over. After putzing with several tools and resetting after each one, I did something with RGB Curve. This image is with that setting at 190,130, numbers I finalized on simply because there was a grid intersection on the tool's adjustment graph at those points. Nothing like being anal retentive for deciding across a range of options, especially since I have little clue what this tool does. I guess I could get desperate and see if there's a manual... Opinions? Normally as a rule, I start out making any adjustments [contrast, lighting, etc] first and then I crop to an eye-pleasing photo. However, if after that process has been done and the photo looks out of ''whack'' for any reason then I reverse the steps. In my opinion it really depends on the subject, background, and etc on which way to go...trial and error my friend until you find the look you are going for! ? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonesome55dove Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 5 minutes ago, Charlie Spencer said: Oh, I forgot one thing. The original is uploaded to the eBird checklist and thus Macaulay. My goal is to replace that posted image with an improved version. Would you mind posting the original here? ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 (edited) 6 minutes ago, lonesome55dove said: Would you mind posting the original here? ? What came out of the camera. Cropping on the photos here wasn't an artistic decision; there's a white spot on the post I'm using as a common lower left point for these experiments. Edited January 16, 2022 by Charlie Spencer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonesome55dove Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 19 minutes ago, Charlie Spencer said: What came out of the camera. Cropping on the photos here wasn't an artistic decision; there's a white spot on the post I'm using as a common lower left point for these experiments. Just curious what format do you shoot in? RAW? The above photo seems to be a ''thumbnail'' of the original as its size is 1000x667 pixels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 (edited) 12 minutes ago, lonesome55dove said: Just curious what format do you shoot in? RAW? The above photo seems to be a ''thumbnail'' of the original as its size is 1000x667 pixels. That's interesting. I shoot in .JPG but the original is 5472 x 3648, the camera's max image size. Apparently Whatbird did some reduction when I pasted it here. Edited January 16, 2022 by Charlie Spencer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKLland Posted January 16, 2022 Author Share Posted January 16, 2022 42 minutes ago, Charlie Spencer said: What came out of the camera. Cropping on the photos here wasn't an artistic decision; there's a white spot on the post I'm using as a common lower left point for these experiments. 1 hour ago, Charlie Spencer said: Okay, these are adjusted from .JPGs (yeah, I know) using paint.net. They're pasted directly into Whatbird. At my current skill level and for what I'm trying to learn, I don't think working from .RAW or embedding from eBird is essential. I'm not ready to ride on the street yet, so the training wheels aren't affecting my performance here in the driveway. This was shot through the kitchen window in Feb. '21, on one of those mornings I was too wimpy to venture outside (much like today!). Purple Finches are few and far between here so I wanted a shot, and I knew if I went out on the deck that I'd startle everything away. Obviously, it's too light, and the windows screen didn't do the resolution any favors. The first photo is cropped only. For the second and third, I made adjustments before cropping; would I be better served cropping last? paint.net has a tool labeled 'AutoLevel'. Like any newbie, I saw something with 'Auto' in the name and decided to see if it was a magic wand to perfection. This image is better but there's too much of something,(or several somethings), especially in the uncropped version, but I don't know enough to say exactly what's overdone. So I started over. After putzing with several tools and resetting after each one, I did something with RGB Curve. This image is with that setting at 190,130, numbers I finalized on simply because there was a grid intersection on the tool's adjustment graph at those points. Nothing like being anal retentive for deciding across a range of options, especially since I have little clue what this tool does. I guess I could get desperate and see if there's a manual... Opinions? I think you did a fine job. Unfortunately, even with great editing you can’t get a real sharp shot through a window. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 (edited) 14 minutes ago, IKLland said: Unfortunately, even with great editing you can’t get a real sharp shot through a window. Oh, heck no. Yeah, there is plenty I could have done to improve the quality in-camera. I think we've all had those moments when just getting any image takes priority over adjusting the camera to get the best image possible. There may be more that can be done with this .JPG to render it better for Macaulay but I'm not unhappy. I guess at this point my question is, is the 'AutoLevel' image more or less pleasing than the RBG Curve adjustment alone? Does the Auto feel 'too much' to anyone else? If so, what does it have too much of? Edited January 16, 2022 by Charlie Spencer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonesome55dove Posted January 16, 2022 Share Posted January 16, 2022 21 minutes ago, Charlie Spencer said: That's interesting. I shoot in .JPG but the original is 5472 x 3648, the camera's max image size. Apparently Whatbird did some reduction when I pasted it here. I thought you used .JPG but becasuse the file size is small I had to inquire. So, yep, the file was probably downsized to save space on Whatbird. Thanks! ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKLland Posted January 16, 2022 Author Share Posted January 16, 2022 9 minutes ago, Charlie Spencer said: Oh, heck no. Yeah, there is plenty I could have done to improve the quality in-camera. I think we've all had those moments when just getting any image takes priority over adjusting the camera to get the best image possible. There may be more that can be done with this .JPG to render it better for Macaulay but I'm not unhappy. I guess at this point my question is, is the 'AutoLevel' image more or less pleasing than the RBG Curve adjustment alone? Does the Auto feel 'too much' to anyone else? If so, what does it have too much of? I don’t think it has any over editing. I might’ve brightened it more, though. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 Okay, one more (last?) time. The first is the cropped original, the second was adjusted by the program's AutoLevel tool, and I did the last one manually. Opinions, please. I'm try to decide if I make enough of a difference on my own to bother, or if I should take what the app offers for these admittedly questionable images. Thanks. Cropped original AutoLevel Manually adjusted: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonestranger Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, Charlie Spencer said: Okay, one more (last?) time. The first is the cropped original, the second was adjusted by the program's AutoLevel tool, and I did the last one manually. Opinions, please. I'm try to decide if I make enough of a difference on my own to bother, or if I should take what the app offers for these admittedly questionable images. Thanks. Cropped original AutoLevel Manually adjusted: I like the the manually adjusted edit. The AutoLevel has just a bit too much saturation(?) in my opinion. The manually adjusted edit might benefit from a just bit more contrast and/or saturation though. This comes from a guy that doesn't really know what to do when editing his own photos, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. On second thought, you might want to keep that salt for de-icing walkways and roadways. Edited January 17, 2022 by lonestranger Operator error 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKLland Posted January 18, 2022 Author Share Posted January 18, 2022 3 hours ago, Charlie Spencer said: Okay, one more (last?) time. The first is the cropped original, the second was adjusted by the program's AutoLevel tool, and I did the last one manually. Opinions, please. I'm try to decide if I make enough of a difference on my own to bother, or if I should take what the app offers for these admittedly questionable images. Thanks. Cropped original AutoLevel Manually adjusted: I completely agree with @lonestranger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidan B Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 Which would you say is better? Original first edit second edit 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueJay Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 My first ever edit. What do you guys think? https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/406638111 https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/407286031 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKLland Posted January 18, 2022 Author Share Posted January 18, 2022 57 minutes ago, Aidan B said: Which would you say is better? Original first edit second edit I like the third best! Nice job 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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