Showing posts with label photography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label photography. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
You Learn Something New Every Day...
Well, at least I do. Here's what I learned yesterday:
I hope you'll give it a try - it's fun!
My mind's been blown - I've used Photoshop and GIMP to edit images over the course of many years. I've always had a tough time isolating an item from a background when the image was in a natural setting.
I love to watch "Quilting Arts" on PBS (Ready/Create) here in Tucson; I always learn something new, usually about sewing or something else fiber related.
So, what do these two things have to do with each other you may ask? Well, yesterday I got to watch Episode 1904 of "QA" on transfer techniques. But here's the best thing I learned - one can use Powerpoint, yes the presentation software, to remove a background - and it is much more easily done, at least for me, than the editing software mentioned above. WOW!
So, I proceeded to "play". Here's my first result - before on the left, after on the right.
Although easily accomplished, it's not the be-all and end-all of editing. The main problem is that PowerPoint (at least in 2010 version I run) saves a JPG or PNG at a rather small size, 96DPI. (If this makes a large enough image for your needs, then you can stop here and print or otherwise use your new creation.)
Otherwise, one way to get around this is to use
the registry editor to change the size permanently. At this point I
haven't done that. If you decide to do so, please be sure you first
back up your registry; then follow directions you can find here.
There is also a "compress image" option that allows for various sizes, but at least for this dragon fly it caused the loss of large parts of the image so I couldn't use it - your mileage may vary!
I took a simpler approach and followed Ana Buzzalino's instructions from the show with just a few tweaks that she didn't discuss. (Preview here.)
Here's what I did:
1. Set the slide size as large as possible.
2. Cleared all of the pre-formatted areas so I was starting with a blank slide.
3. After inserting the original picture, used the "handles" to enlarge it to as large a size as possible to fill the slide.
4. Before I saved my slide as a png (same would work for JPG) I first placed a thick black matte picture style around it.
5. I did then use GIMP to remove this black "background" which left the dragon fly with a nice black edge around it (tried it with white first, but didn't like it as much.) This was a simple select (I used the fuzzy select tool) and clear (delete) procedure.
6. I also ultimately "resized" my result to make it larger, mainly so it would line up in the image above. Normally I would not do this.
And here is an example of adding this lovely dragon fly to an image that previously did not have one! Doesn't it look "right at home"?
Peace for all!
Judi
Friday, March 25, 2016
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Loving My Newest Toy
First some history
For my entire adult life, my main source of income has involved working with IBM mainframe computers - these used to be the big ones that took up lots of space; they still allow thousands of users simultaneous access to programs and data. There are users on some of these systems 24/7/365.
I've had various jobs including programmer, analyst, system support, database administrator, and more. Because of the need for round-the-clock access, I have almost always been "on call". Some places I worked had a rotating schedule, other places it was based on which application or database I was supporting.
My most recent, full-time, "real job" was for a consulting firm where there were many technicians, each of us with a beeper originally, or more recently a mobile phone. Since we often need to speak with each other, the most recent cell phones used there were on the Nextel network - we could push a button and talk to each other in time of crisis.
When I left that job, I got a gig as a support technician for a former client. They had someone on staff who could also support the platform, but needed additional support as he often traveled out of the country. So, I got myself a cell phone of my very own - something until then I had never cared about.
I got my phone through Verizon; there was a store front in my town within walking distance, and friends worked for the company - so why not help keep them employed!
All was fine until the first time my client called me on the cell phone while I was at home. The service kept dropping ("can you hear me now?") and I finally called the client back from my land line (and I also gave them that number, just in case!)
Two years later, and long after that contract ended, I was hired by my current employer. This was, of course, another "on call" 24/7 assignment. On my way to my first meeting with the actual clients, I called my employer at the site. Just as we were finishing the call, didn't the line drop!
My Verizon 2-year commitment was up soon thereafter, and since I had never had a problem with the Nextel network, which by then was owned by Sprint, I went and got me a new contract, new phone, and was now a Nextel user once again.
Forward to 2012
Sprint announces they are dropping the entire Nextel network, and all users have to transition to at least the Sprint 3G. This needs to be done by, I think, next February, so they've given us all fair warning.
First thing I did was check out the web site showing strength of service at my then Boston area home - Sprint looked OK. Next, even before purchasing my new place in AZ, I did the same. Nextel was stronger by one bar at the new place, but Sprint was OK here, too.
I decided I would wait until my September billing cycle to make the upgrade as I knew a new phone would be in my future (the old one wasn't supported, naturally).
Because I am a photographer, I didn't choose my new phone for any reason other than it had the best camera (IMHO). My old phone did include a camera, and in a pinch it could be used, just don't try to see the picture any larger than about 3" x 2". Here's one of the best pics I ever got with it.
It does have a certain interesting quality, if you like the out of focus thing for all of your pics.
My new phone is an iPhone 4S. First app I personally installed after leaving the Sprint store was Instagram (I later found out that Facebook bought them that same day!)
I'm having a blast using my new toy. Here's some of my latest shots. I hope you enjoy!
Peace to all, Judi
For my entire adult life, my main source of income has involved working with IBM mainframe computers - these used to be the big ones that took up lots of space; they still allow thousands of users simultaneous access to programs and data. There are users on some of these systems 24/7/365.
I've had various jobs including programmer, analyst, system support, database administrator, and more. Because of the need for round-the-clock access, I have almost always been "on call". Some places I worked had a rotating schedule, other places it was based on which application or database I was supporting.
My most recent, full-time, "real job" was for a consulting firm where there were many technicians, each of us with a beeper originally, or more recently a mobile phone. Since we often need to speak with each other, the most recent cell phones used there were on the Nextel network - we could push a button and talk to each other in time of crisis.
When I left that job, I got a gig as a support technician for a former client. They had someone on staff who could also support the platform, but needed additional support as he often traveled out of the country. So, I got myself a cell phone of my very own - something until then I had never cared about.
I got my phone through Verizon; there was a store front in my town within walking distance, and friends worked for the company - so why not help keep them employed!
All was fine until the first time my client called me on the cell phone while I was at home. The service kept dropping ("can you hear me now?") and I finally called the client back from my land line (and I also gave them that number, just in case!)
Two years later, and long after that contract ended, I was hired by my current employer. This was, of course, another "on call" 24/7 assignment. On my way to my first meeting with the actual clients, I called my employer at the site. Just as we were finishing the call, didn't the line drop!
My Verizon 2-year commitment was up soon thereafter, and since I had never had a problem with the Nextel network, which by then was owned by Sprint, I went and got me a new contract, new phone, and was now a Nextel user once again.
Forward to 2012
Sprint announces they are dropping the entire Nextel network, and all users have to transition to at least the Sprint 3G. This needs to be done by, I think, next February, so they've given us all fair warning.
First thing I did was check out the web site showing strength of service at my then Boston area home - Sprint looked OK. Next, even before purchasing my new place in AZ, I did the same. Nextel was stronger by one bar at the new place, but Sprint was OK here, too.
I decided I would wait until my September billing cycle to make the upgrade as I knew a new phone would be in my future (the old one wasn't supported, naturally).
Because I am a photographer, I didn't choose my new phone for any reason other than it had the best camera (IMHO). My old phone did include a camera, and in a pinch it could be used, just don't try to see the picture any larger than about 3" x 2". Here's one of the best pics I ever got with it.
It does have a certain interesting quality, if you like the out of focus thing for all of your pics.
My new phone is an iPhone 4S. First app I personally installed after leaving the Sprint store was Instagram (I later found out that Facebook bought them that same day!)
I'm having a blast using my new toy. Here's some of my latest shots. I hope you enjoy!
Monday, January 16, 2012
Pressing Matters - Week 3
Happy Monday (Tuesday in some parts of the world!),
It's the 3rd week of my 52 week photography project. I thought I'd make another shot of something around the house.
In my youth I used to love to iron, even on the hottest day of the summer. I don't dislike it now, but don't have much need to perform this household task - especially when knit turtlenecks and sweaters are the daily attire.
I hope you enjoy the week ahead.
Peace, Judi
It's the 3rd week of my 52 week photography project. I thought I'd make another shot of something around the house.
In my youth I used to love to iron, even on the hottest day of the summer. I don't dislike it now, but don't have much need to perform this household task - especially when knit turtlenecks and sweaters are the daily attire.
I hope you enjoy the week ahead.
Peace, Judi
Monday, January 2, 2012
Happy New Year!
Welcome readers,
It's 2012, the Earth is still here, and it's not too cold in New England (but will be tomorrow if the meteorologists are correct.)
In an effort to make myself take/make more photographs, I've decided to try another year long project. However, a picture everyday is just too much for me to consider right now; so I am going to try to create one image each week.
While editing today's image, I was inspired to try it in two versions - one in full color, the other as an old-style photo with a sepia tone.
Which do you prefer? Thanks for your input!
Peace, Judi
It's 2012, the Earth is still here, and it's not too cold in New England (but will be tomorrow if the meteorologists are correct.)
In an effort to make myself take/make more photographs, I've decided to try another year long project. However, a picture everyday is just too much for me to consider right now; so I am going to try to create one image each week.
While editing today's image, I was inspired to try it in two versions - one in full color, the other as an old-style photo with a sepia tone.
Baking Day
Baking Day-Sepia
Which do you prefer? Thanks for your input!
Peace, Judi
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Teams Treasury #5
Just a couple of days later than usual. Enjoy this treasury that includes work from members of Photographers of Etsy (POE) and the Female Photographers of Etsy (fPOE).
Peace, Judi
From the great photographers here on Etsy, they are members of POE (Photographers of Etsy) and/or fPOE (Female Photographers of Etsy).
Peace, Judi
'Teams Treasury #5' by JudiFitzPatrick
From the great photographers here on Etsy, they are members of POE (Photographers of Etsy) and/or fPOE (Female Photographers of Etsy).
 Black and White Daisy 8x12 f... $25.00 |  Rectangle Photo Plaque - Bel... $28.00 |  A Single White Anemone 5X7 P... $12.00 |  High Tide $20.00 |
 A view from Palace of the Ar... $75.00 |  Premade Etsy Banner Avatar a... $7.50 |  Cornfield 9x6. $22.00 |  Sunflower Petals in Black an... $25.00 |
 Columbine 8 x 10 Photograph ... $20.00 |  Tranquil Barcelona Beach Sce... $8.00 |  50% OFF - Flowers - 8x8 Fine... $15.00 |  Three men are coming down th... $30.00 |
 Ready to Ship - Iron Sky - 1... $20.00 |  25% OFF - Bursting Pink (8x8... $30.00 |  Down by the Water at Sunset $25.00 |  White Water Lily - 16 x 20 M... $175.00 |
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Tuesday Teams Treasury
'Teams Treasury #3 - Hooray for Blue and Orange' by JudiFitzPatrick
The complimentary colors of blue and orange and the complimentary works of POE and fPOE - enjoy!
 Hope - 11 x 14 Photography A... $35.00 |  Orange Tulips $28.00 |  4x6 Masada Sunrise Print $9.00 |  Perfect Design - Fine Art Na... $25.00 |
 Dock At Dusk - 8x10 Fine Art... $20.00 |  8x10 Bowling in the Tropics ... $30.00 |  San Fransisco Bridge Tower -... $199.00 |  Moonlit Beach- 8x10 $20.00 |
 Maine Coon Cat in Sunshine 8... $25.00 |  Orange Slice Chihuly 16x48 C... $150.00 |  Key Largo Red Sunset 8x10 $25.00 |  Fine Art Victoria Zeoli mo... $14.99 |
 the infinite abyss, 8 x 12 f... $25.00 |  Jewel Blue Ocean Print 8 x 1... $35.00 |  Blue Bird and a Moon - 12 x ... $45.00 |  Just a few more steps - 5 x ... $15.00 |
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