Yesterday out of the blue, my photo re-sizer would not work.  It apologized, and said, sorry but this image cannot be resized.  So I tried one after the other of the images on this chip, getting the same answer each time.  In an effort to find what was causing the problem with the re-sizer that I've used almost daily since joining GH, hubby got involved, and his research pointed out there is lock-unlock switch on the side of the chip.  On mine, this had gotten pushed into the 'locked' position, so the re-sizer couldn't get to the images to resize them.  After unlocking it, things worked just fine.  Just be aware that that very obscure switch is there.  I'd never noticed it before.

Annette Shelton/ mawnature/ maw

Let's Make a Trade!

I've noticed that over the last couple of weeks that members are taking photos from the wrong angle!

What do I mean by wrong angle?

If we casually look at any flowering plant (which is called a subject) in our garden we do not walk up to the plant and look straight down at their flowers. (This would be like standing on a ladder to take a photo of someone's head rather then taking a photo of the whole person, since all you would see in the photo is the top of someone's head and not the person's face.)  We naturally look at a 45 degree angle so we can see the more of the plant!   Remember this the next time you walk out into your garden to take a photo. 

I'd rather see a photo of the whole plant, (or at least a part of it) at a 45 degree angle rather then an un-natural photo looking down wards which is something we do not see.  This takes away some of the beauty of the flowers we are trying to capture!  

So, angle is very important, so please remember this the next time you wander through your gardens to try to capture that perfect moment!!

Ron ~ zone 6b ~ Ontario

Using an inexpensive tripod will make close-up photos clear and focused.  How may of you  have taken a photo of a particular flower only to have it turn out blury, all because you didn't noticed that you moved the camera as you snapped the shot!!. 

Using a tripod helps to hold your hands steady, and at the right distance so your photos turn out with great detail.  The tripod also helps you to keep the subject centred, right where you want it to be, not to the left, nor the right, nor even to high, or too low!!!!   The subject has to be almost dead centre in order to create that perfect photo!! 

The tripod gives you the time needed to check your camera settings, and adjust the camera to centre the subject.

A cheap tripod runs around $19, so everyone should have one!! 

Ron ~ zone 6b ~ Ontario

In order to take excellent photos of your gardens and flowers always wait for an overcast day, or take the photo in either the early morning, or late evening!  Taking a photo in the sun produces a photo that is washed out and doesn't reflect the true colors of the flowers!

Ron ~ zone 6b ~ Ontario

I use a free program from  Infranview   for resizing, and also cropping my photos to get rid of a lot of the background.  Since we can only upload photos that are 35.0KB or smaller this can be a time consuming venture, especially if you have lots of photos you want to post.  

Ron ~ zone6b ~ Ontario

It's really sad when you see a great plant picture, but it and the background are just totally washed out.

You can edit your brightness and contrast, usually in the same place you resize or crop your photos. This does not alter the colors, just the shading, so you can add drama and light to your photos.

Darkened Background & Popped Flower: Darkened background & brightened flower, played with mid range color adjustments 5/9/08

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 DizzyD %-}

WildIris, I too love my 35mm.  In my opinion digital still has a long way to go to catch up with the clearity of 35mm images. 

 Good Tips here...thanks everyone...I love my digital ...but will never replace 35mm...

It's me vegemm "So then neither is he that plants any thing, neither he that waters; but God that gives the increase." 1 Corinthians 3:7

All those helpful hints----come on everybody let us hear your hints to make those special photos.  Dale

Randy -- many of the basics of photography have remained the same -- as far as appealing subject matter, etc.  Any hints from you or anyone else better than I am - would be very greatly appreciated. 

Thanks much

God bless-- praying for your needs.     T   Theresa

Please add your own hints:  Here are a few more of mine. 

 This is going to seem simple -- but "take time to focus".

On most digital cameras, the camera will do an automatic focus, but you have to depress the trigger part way and let the camera have time to do that.  Watch your digital LCD or other screen and snap when you see the most clear photo. 

Then check the photo.  If it is not quite what you would like, on digital cameras, you can retake it.

If your photo looks "washed out" - you may have light near the photo that is affecting the image.  Be sure that your setting is on "auto" if you are not experienced with the other settings on your camera.

If your photo looks "too dark" - again, it could be lighting that is too strong behind the photo.   Try zooming in a little more on the photo and allowing the photo to fill the frame more -- instead of having so much light showing. 

God bless-- praying for your needs.     T   Theresa

i do too t