First pictures with the camera...help? (Dial-up Bewaaaare)

[Golfer]

I really don't know what I'm looking for/at when it comes to digital images or how to critique the quality of the image.

I've seen lots of very good photographs on the board lately and wanted to get a more experienced opinion on what makes this camera good or bad when it comes to quality of the results

Ignoring the content of the photos and focusing on the detail I guess could the experienced members offer up an opinion of the camera that took the photos?

Thanks!

First one for color/clarity of an object relativey close:


Second one for a long-range shot at 4x (maximum mechanical zoom) zoom without using the cameras digital zoom "feature"


If there are other types of photos I could take that would put the camera to the test I'm all ears as well.

Thanks again!

[Ripsnort]

In the sky, I see a pin-cushion effect. What was the ISO setting?Jpeg or RAW? There are noise tools available on the web to clean it up, post-process. Photoshop works quite well for me.

[Ripsnort]

On the second photo, its obvious even after alittle post-processing that you're shooting through what appears to be plexiglass (see the blue hue in 2nd picture)

Here's my before and after:

[Golfer]

wow!  Thanks rip I'm glad you responded as you were the photographer for some of the shots I mentioned.

I didn't realize so much touch-up work went into your photos.  You use Photoshop then?  Is it still as expen$ive as it used to be?  I had an opportunity to liberate a few copies when in high school but the good angel on my shoulder talked me into not taking one.  Last time I listen to it!

[Ripsnort]

Incidently, the resolution you're shooting at, would make a poster. That's why it looks grainy on the computer.

Here is what alittle post-processing does for the pin cushion effect.

Before and After (I used just one zoomed up section since you don't even see the pincushioning at a 1600 resolution)

Before


After

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by Golfer
wow!  Thanks rip I'm glad you responded as you were the photographer for some of the shots I mentioned.

I didn't realize so much touch-up work went into your photos.  You use Photoshop then?  Is it still as expen$ive as it used to be?  I had an opportunity to liberate a few copies when in high school but the good angel on my shoulder talked me into not taking one.  Last time I listen to it!

Out of a typical 1200 photo shoot day, I clean up about 200 of them, anything from cropping, to pincushioning.  When I shoot max zoom range, my lens does weird things, however some of the shots I';m shooting on the other side of the field make it worth holding onto the pic instead of dumping it in the trash, then I'll take the time to clean it up.  Out of focus shots can sometimes be cleaned up, but they don't clean up well.

Sometimes you give up sharpness of a picture when cleaning up the pin cushioning (Dust and Scratches in Photoshop)

I'm not sure of the cost, I given a donation copy of Photoshop 7.0 at the 2002 convention . Been working great for me for years!

[Golfer]

Thanks for the tips.  I (wrongly) assumed leaving the image untouched by changing the size would result in the 'best' result.

Grassy-ass!

[Ripsnort]

Here is a good resolution rule of thumb if you plan on printing:
512x384 Wallets (2.1"x3.1")
800x600 3.5”x 5”
1024x768 4”x 6”
1152x864 5”x 7”
1536x1024 8”x 10”
1600x1200 8”x 12”
1712x1368 11”x 14”
2048x1536 16”x 20”
2400x1800 20”x 30”
2880x1920 24”x 36”
3200x2400 30”x 40”
4000x3200 40”x 50”
4800x3200 40”x 60”

Naturally, depending on your megapixel size, and your ISO settings, the outcome of the photo will vary when blown up without post-processing.

[Saintaw]

Originally posted by Golfer
Photoshop then?  Is it still as expen$ive as it used to be?!

bitcomet.

[BlueJ1]

Golfer, do you like the camera. I punted your old thread not seeing this one. I'll be purchasing the same model tomorrow.

[AquaShrimp]

Thats a photo of where I work, SDF.

[ramzey]

Rips you cannot do just simple 1 click auto lvl cuz you are loosing a lot of details and its look unprofesional like burned pictures. Thats not the way you should do it. This color stains all around look nasty.

[Golfer]

either way it's more than my capability at the moment.  Photo looks great, ramzey but there's no right or wrong way there are just different ways

What's ISO?  I see the option for ISO Auto or HI on my camera.

I don't have the book since I'm on the road at the moment.

thanks again guys!

BlueJ i replied in the other thread.  I like it but it hasnt been long enough to even use up the batteries.

[ByeBye]

Originally posted by Ripsnort
On the second photo, its obvious even after alittle post-processing that you're shooting through what appears to be plexiglass (see the blue hue in 2nd picture)

Rip, in your professional opinion, what was it in the picture that induced you to conclude that the picture was taken through pexiglass?

[ByeBye]

Originally posted by Ripsnort
Out of a typical 1200 photo shoot day, I clean up about 200 of them, anything from cropping, to pincushioning.  When I shoot max zoom range, my lens does weird things, however some of the shots I';m shooting on the other side of the field make it worth holding onto the pic instead of dumping it in the trash, then I'll take the time to clean it up.  Out of focus shots can sometimes be cleaned up, but they don't clean up well.

Sometimes you give up sharpness of a picture when cleaning up the pin cushioning (Dust and Scratches in Photoshop)

I'm not sure of the cost, I given a donation copy of Photoshop 7.0 at the 2002 convention . Been working great for me for years!

When you get Photoshop Cs2, then you might be working with something that could help you.