What I’m seeing: I really spiked up the colors & vivid settings before printing. Hey, a five-year-old likes colors, right? So I did this, and made everything nice & bright. When getting them back: just as before, the colors were slightly off and (more importantly) everything was much, much *darker*. To the point that you lost details in the shadows.

So, as mentioned the other day: acceptable quality for a five-year-old. Not acceptable to me. Kinda the last straw; gonna avoid them in the future…

But then, what? In my daughter’s case, she’s seen plenty of photos printed out large. She wants prints too. But she’s small, and quality isn’t really a concern yet.

The answer? print out some 4×6″ pictures for her. But, put two pictures on each photo, sized to 3×4″. Print & get home, and you’ll end up with unusually-but-perfectly-sized photos for a smaller person!

Prints in the hands of a five-year-old

Bugs in a Flower

Or this:

Flowers, Looking to the Sky

Or this:

Feet are Neat

Despite the copyright (which I claim on her behalf as the parent), all of these were taken by my five-year-old daughter.

Now, here’s the thing.  I had a decent (400mm) lens with me,  and actually had a decent opportunity to catch a good shot.  So, first thing: just catch the guy, right?  Here was the initial result:

Black-crowned heron, first take

Now, this is a pretty poor photo.  Somewhat sharp, but the bird isn’t that pleasing (pose-wise), and the background is… well, it’s a deal breaker.  Far too distracting, and not really adding anything to the story.

Now, contrast that with this image:

Black-crowned Heron, much better

Yes, the same bird.  Much better.  Reasons? Well, technically: better light, better framing, closer view.  Click on it to get closer, and you’ll see details in the eyes and water. Most importantly, especially for wild animal shots: the background supports it.  You see it’s natural habitat, simple shapes and forms, and nothing that tells anything outside of the story of this guy.

Now, having read this over: I suppose this isn’t the best shot either.  There are implied lines cutting through his head (although it doesn’t bother me), and the details need more retouching on the face and beak. And I’m not sure I’ve quite made the point as to how backgrounds matter, since the two photos are pretty different.

But you can see how the second is far superior, no?

Dolphinscape

The last two weeks of posting were done remotely, and planned in advance.  Because I was doing this – diving off the Kona coast, with dolphins…

To nourish the soul, to escape the cold. Hear the water trickle, the sound of life force replenishing.

Sit beside still waters

Still, would it not be better to get away for a time? Sunlight is essential for the human creature, and we sorely lack vitamin D this time of year.

Escape to Green

When the conditions are right, mostly in February and early March, we get fantastic sunsets

Burning Ice in the Evening Light

The sun is always low. But it gives us a wonderful tone to our light. Golden, soft. Pinks and oranges towards sunset…

Golden Light (at noon)

Still, there is beauty to be found. Clear, cold skies – bright snow, beautiful vistas. One need merely brave the cold.

Cool and crisp