I want to let everyone know that I had some issues this past month and did not get to review everyone images and I am sorry about that. I am home now and the madness should be less.   Posted: 10/01/2023 06:24:31

In keeping with my "Distressed Barn" project, I am about to amend same to include "Horses in Motion" ( wild Horses living on BLM land). I am seeking advice regarding "meter settings". I am a Canon 90 D Guy with 5 metering options..from Spot to Large Zone AF. Can any/all offer guidance as to which meter settings work best when "things" are moving rapidly...at me, side-to-side, away from me? Thanks   Posted: 03/10/2023 21:05:06

In a comment today, I made mention of the iMax 2.35:1 aspect ratio. I was asked to elaborate here. In my comment I was referring to the use of an ultrawide format. Turns out I misspoke a bit, but I'll explain.

An aspect ratio is simply a expressive formula that describes the ratio of the width of an image to its height.

We're all pretty accustomed to several conventional aspect ratios. For example, a "1:1" aspect ratio is the same width as height; it's square. Standard non-high-definition television screens use a "4:3" format; HDTV uses a "16:9" format. Many of our cameras capture the image in a "3:2", "4:3" or a "16:9" aspect ratio.

A very common format used by digital projectors is 1400 pixels by 1050 pixels, which is a 4:3 aspect ratio.

Note that it's common to express an aspect ratio in terms of two simple integers, such as "16" and "9", but the same aspect ration can be expressed as "1.78:1" (that is 16/9). The advantage of this way of expressing the ratio is that it's relatively easy to visualize the shape (in this case, almost twice as wide as tall).

While we can, and often do, crop our images to whatever aspect ratio suits our purpose, there are numerous "standard" aspect ratios. What makes them standard? Basically, nothing more than that they're commonly used by manufacturers of equipment: often film and cinema equipment. Most modern digital video for home consumption uses either "4:3" (1.33:1) or "16:9" (1.78:1) format.

Cinema often uses very wide formats to increase the immersion ("you are there") experience. I've heard other folks speak of the IMAX format as 2.35:1, and without questioning it, perpetuated that notion. After doing a (small) bit of research, though, I gather that IMAX movies use a 1.43:1 or 1.89:1 aspect ratio. There does exist a standard format, "Widescreen Cinemascope", which is often described as using the 2.35:1 format, but in actuality uses a 2:39:1 format.

So, now I'll editorialize a bit. Why do we even care about specific aspect ratios? After all, we can and do crop to suit out purpose. In my opinion, it's more important to fit the image to the subject than to an arbitrarily selected format. On the other hand, certain formats just tend to feel more "comfortable". I don't know whether this has to do with something inherent in the geometry and the way our brains are wired, or perhaps it's just a matter of familiarity. There can be practical considerations: if we intend our images to be projected, and we want to make maximal use of the visual space available to us, we crop to fit the aspect ratio of the projector (i.e., "4:3" or "1.33:1"); if we intend to print we may crop to a conventional 5:4, 4:3, or 3:2 format. On the other hand, there are also artistic considerations. Some folks feel that the square format conveys a sense of calm, of stability and solidity, and one often sees it used for woodland imagery. I happen to like the wider 16:9 or 2.35:1 (or similar) format for "epic vistas" and panoramic images.

When I'm cropping my image to fit my subject, I'm primarily paying attention to removing the part that's not essential to the story, then paying attention to where key visual elements end up in the frame. Once I find a framing that I like, I'll check to see if it approximates a common format. If so, I'll experiment with changing it to use that common format, and if I'm not displeased, I'll likely use it.




  Posted: 03/28/2022 22:53:58

I currently store the images I want to edit and save on a remote hard drive, by year and quarter. My interest is in categorizing, then retrieving select images ( horses, barns, granddaughters, et al) using keywords to "search" each of those years and quarters by keywords. It works if I point the search at one particular year, but I want it to search Everywhere on the hard drive ! How do I do that...please?   Posted: 09/15/2021 17:19:56

I was wondering if anyone from this group is heading to Rapid City for the PSA Convention in October. I will be arriving the 3rd of October and leaving the 10th of October. Would love to get together.   Posted: 09/13/2021 20:09:26

Now that I'm an administrator I found a few more toys to play with. Turns out we can submit an original image with the photo we want reviewed for a month (actually we can include 3). I've gone ahead and included the original with my Sept entry If anyone else wants to submit an original with your final entry just include them both when you send them to me, but be sure you let me know which is which.

Ed   Posted: 08/25/2020 15:58:19

Does anyone know how to start a NEW PAGE of comments. This board has become cluttered   Posted: 08/03/2020 21:04:28

Friends...I am asking advice regarding "polarizers". I do Not own one. That said, I am about to tour the Lamar Valley of Yellowstone... grasslands, very little water, I'm told. How would a polarizer help me in such a circumstance? Thanks   Posted: 06/11/2020 15:35:43

Can anyone recommend a "Photo-Guide" to show me around the Cody/Powell area of Wyoming...a rancher, a PSA member, a local camera club member, et al .
I want to hire someone who can direct me to better spots, so when I arrive, I can hit the streets runnin' !!   Posted: 05/29/2020 15:15:35

Dear PSA's groupees, I am a Canon 90D guy, wishing to shoot HDR. I have set my camera to "Disable" alignment...I want to do this in PS. That said, shouldn't I see 3 separate, -3, 0, and+3 images when I load into PS? Right now, I am getting only 1, out-of-alignment image? Please help   Posted: 05/25/2020 15:33:21

I would like to get some understanding on Smart Layers. Why would I use a Smart Layer and what is the technique? Many thanks.   Posted: 05/18/2020 19:07:33