{"id":51510,"date":"2017-11-09T04:37:47","date_gmt":"2017-11-09T08:37:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/?p=51510"},"modified":"2017-11-15T07:26:43","modified_gmt":"2017-11-15T11:26:43","slug":"the-marbled-godwit-straightforward-image-optimization-challenge-results-offer-a-tremendous-opportunity-for-learning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.birdsasart-blog.com\/baa\/2017\/11\/09\/the-marbled-godwit-straightforward-image-optimization-challenge-results-offer-a-tremendous-opportunity-for-learning\/","title":{"rendered":"The Marbled Godwit Straightforward Image Optimization Challenge Results Offer a Tremendous Opportunity for Learning …"},"content":{"rendered":"

More Blog Subscription Problems \ud83d\ude42<\/h3>\n

It appears that our server was recently spammed by AOL and possibly by several other (AOL-related?) e-mail providers. AOL was the first to do that to BPN more than a decade ago and we eventually solved the problem. But, they are back on our case. If you suddenly stopped receiving BAA Blog notices please click here<\/a> to learn the easy work-around. <\/p>\n

Stuff<\/h3>\n

I urge everyone to pick their three favorites below and leave a comment. The blog is designed to be interactive. As always, the more folks who play, the more everyone will learn. And yes, that includes me \ud83d\ude42 <\/p>\n

I did lots of work on the 5D IV Guide on Wednesday. Swam 3\/4 mile. Did lots of positional exercises and cardio stuff. Answered lots of e-mails, and commented a lot in the Avian Gallery<\/a> at BirdPhotographer’s.Net<\/a>. <\/p>\n

The Streak<\/h3>\n

Today makes one hundred four days in a row with a new educational blog post! This one took more than two hours to prepare. With all of my upcoming free time (or not …), the plan right now is to break the current record streak of 480 … Good health and good internet connections willing. <\/p>\n

More Cheap Weekend Fort DeSoto In-the-Field Instruction<\/h3>\n

Sign up for the full day Saturday 11 NOV and the Friday afternoon session (4:30pm till sunset) on 10 NOV is free!<\/strong><\/font> <\/p>\n

Saturday, November 11, 2017: Morning session — 6:45am for 3 1\/2 hours: $149. Add lunch, image review, and Photoshop session: $249 (total).<\/p>\n

Saturday, November 11, 2017: Afternoon session — 4:30pm for 3 hours: $99.<\/p>\n

Saturday, November 11, 2017, both sessions including lunch: $329. Sign up for the full day Saturday and enjoy a Friday afternoon session for free. <\/p>\n

Sunday, November 12, 2017: Morning session — 6:45am for 3 1\/2 hours: $149.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Learn to get the right exposure every time, to approach free and wild (and often tame!) birds, and to design a pleasing image. And learn the location of my new Fort DeSoto hotspot along with my favorite sunset location (sky conditions permitting). To register call Jim or Jen at the office at 863-692-0906 or shoot me an e-mail<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Canon lens rentals are available on a limited basis: 600 II, 500 II, 400 DO II, and 200-400 f\/4 with Internal TC.<\/p>\n

Cheap but great instruction. <\/p>\n

Booking.Com<\/h3>\n

Booking.Com came through for me twice again recently with both the DeSoto Fall IPT and next July’s UK Puffins, Gannets, and Bempton Pre-trip room reservations. And all the rates were great. If you’d like to give Booking.Com a shot, click here<\/a> and you will earn a $25 reward. Thanks to the many who have already tried and used this great service. <\/p>\n


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Gear Questions and Advice<\/h3>\n

Too many folks attending BAA IPTs and dozens of folks whom I see in the field, and on BPN<\/a>, are–out of ignorance–using the wrong gear especially when it comes to tripods and more especially, tripod heads… Please know that I am always glad to answer your gear questions via e-mail<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Marbled Godwit Straightforward Image Optimization Challenge<\/h3>\n

In the Fort DeSoto Early Winter IPT & RAW File\/Image Optimization Challenge #2<\/em> blog post here<\/a>, folks were invited to download the Marbled Godwit RAW file, convert and optimize it, and send me a sharpened 1200 pixel wide JPEG via e-mail. The good news is that everyone sized their JPEGs properly. Next time I will teach you to Optimize to File Size while saving your JPEG \ud83d\ude42 Below are the fruits of everyone’s labor. <\/p>\n

To begin, this exercise was designed to be a test of your basic RAW conversion and image optimization skills. There is an absolute ton of learning going on here for those who wish to soak it all in, and there will be a lot more learning in the follow-up to this post; I will critique each of the images that were submitted. Notice the huge variety in cropping choices and the great range of color balances. Almost every image looks quite different. Some are over-sharpened; some are over-Nikked (too funky); some are too YELLOW; some are too CYAN; and some are cropped too tightly for my tastes. As the learning continues, your assignment for today is to list your top three picks in order of preference with the best conversion and optimization job at the top of the list.<\/em><\/strong> Be sure to click on each image to enlarge it because the larger versions appear sharper than the smaller ones. <\/p>\n

Those who wish to do so may take a crack at these:<\/p>\n