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Back from The Brink...I am back to myself for the most part this weekend. I had suffered from a sinus infection for the better part of the last 2 weeks. I was on the last day of antibiotics before I began to see signs of getting any better. I spent much of the time resting when I wasn't working.
My online class I have ben taking is on the last week. I have learned alot from this course. It focused alot on how to process the digital images and spent 2 weeks concentrating on working with RAW files. This was invaluable info for me. I can saw I am a convert now. There is alot of fine adjustments you can make with a Raw file that is not as easily done in a jpg. I had had friends and groups on flickr speaking RAws virtues for months, but I just really didn't know how to get the results I needed.
Processing RAW images is akin to taking your film to a lab to be developed. Instead of applying chemicals, you use the software to bring out the desired colors and lighting adjustments. Instead of being afraid to make alot of changes to the original I am thinking of Photoshopping as a necessary part of the photos process. Unless you are adding elements that were not originally in the photo, of course,LOL
I have learned the importance of cropping the image before making adjustments, as you are changing the overall pixels whenever you crop. I have also learned that sharpening is a necessary process to digital images, not just a personal preference. Virtually all digital cameras, from SLR to point-and-shoot, contain an optical filter in front of the image sensor. Called a low-pass filter, it improves image quality in several important ways, but in the process blurs image detail slightly. This softness can, and should, be compensated for. Not only do I understand this now, but I learned what is the best way to sharpen using the unsharp masking process. I never understood the radius &threshold settings or how much to set each setting before.
Now that this class is wrapping up, I may find myself more available. I enjoyed catching up with you all this weekend. Hope you are warm and well . I wish you a wonderful Valentines Day.
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