I’ll admit I haven’t been very motivated to take photos lately. I’ve been out hiking and had my camera along, but there haven’t been a lot of WOW moments. The thing that has captured my attention is new (to me) software. I demo’d a previous version of Topaz Labs software a couple years ago, but didn’t think enough of it to purchase. Advancements in their product made the decision different this time.
I have hundreds of photographs that I never considered printing because of slight flaws. I have now spent weeks testing the potential for many of these shots. The image above is one of several no longer going by way of the delete button. It was taken when I was still recovering from an injury, so I only had my camera with a smaller sensor and smaller megapixel size. Cropping of the original frame was further reducing its printing potential. Some images, mostly old film shots, are beyond recovering to the point I would like, but there are more than enough that have come through extremely well.
The top photo may not come across on screen like it does in a larger print. At first glance the rocks in the creek bed are the most obvious. Moving closer to the print, all those tiny branches capture the viewers attention, some clearly reflected off the water, some seemingly bonded to the stone. This is what I first saw when I pressed the shutter and am glad I was finally able to bring it out of the digital capture.
August 25, 2022 at 3:30 pm
Steve, I think that your trouble making pictures is more or less the same as a lot of us are going through. The pandemic changed everything including our mind sets about what it is we do, and why we do it. I normally have a routine that puts me in a flow and then I can work. It doesn’t seem to be helping these days. So, I just go with it. I’ve been using Affinity and On One for a few years having gotten resentful over just renting software. Affinity is really just a Lightroom clone for basic development, but OnOne is magic. Yes. I see the fine detail of the tree in its reflection. Looks good to me.
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August 25, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Thanks, Ray
I realized I have a lot of photos, and if I wasn’t going to take something new or different, I might as well try to enhance what’s already in the files. I still love being out in nature. When there’s a bunch of other people out in the same places, taking pictures that have no meaning other than to be posted on social media, I’m being turned off. I know where the quieter spots are and I find my solitude there, even though I might not be adding many new photos to the collection.
I tried OnOne earlier this year, and maybe I didn’t spend enough time trying to understand how to make the best use of it. I have learned enough about the Topaz programs to get excellent results now.
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August 26, 2022 at 2:16 am
I love hidden images like this, which take a little time to reveal their secrets. Glad you saved it and nice to see you back.
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August 26, 2022 at 11:08 am
Thank you Nadia. It’s hard to come across images like this where many details come through without it becoming too busy or distracting. I hope I can find some similar photos in the future.
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August 27, 2022 at 6:19 am
Me too!
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