The Digital Photo Guy

Are “They” Seeing What You’re Seeing?

By now, serious readers know there’s monitor calibration, printer profiling, projector profiling and, if you want to get picky, even, camera profiling. Well, do you know about web browser profiling? Say, whaaa???

You perfect your photos by color correcting, adjusting levels, setting black point, adjusting Hue/Saturation, tweaking Vibrance, etc until it’s just the way you want it. But you have no control over how they’re displayed on your viewers’ monitors. They could be viewing your photos on a $12000 Eizo calibrated monitor or a $79 Walmart “We don’t need no steenkin’ calibration” special. Throw in a non-color managed web browser and who knows what they’re actually seeing.

I had planned to embed screen captures from various browsers using photos with and without profiles but decided that was too much trouble. Instead, go to this web site and roll your cursor over the test images. The take away is that you have no control over someone who is cluelessly using a non-color managed web browser but you have some modicum of control over those who are, at least, using an up-to-date browser. In any case, be sure to tag your photos before uploading them.

Photoshoot in the Desert

I plan to scout Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and surrounds over President’s Day weekend, Feb 18-20. My plans include a sunrise shoot of the Borrego Badlands from Font’s Point, The Slot near Ocotillo Wells, abandoned buildings and some early wildflowers.

Up to 10 intermediate-to-advanced photographers are invited to join me on Sat, 2/18. You must know how to use your camera. Any format is welcome (dSLR, MF, LF, 35mm film) but P&S cameras are not recommended. No instruction or help is promised or implied. There will probably be conversations about tips, techniques, ideas and opinions but don’t expect to be tutored.

The day starts in Borrego Springs at 5AM so unless you live in BS, you’ll want to book a motel or camp in one of the nearby BLM areas. I’ll be there in my RV so if you camp near me, you can have access to water. Your car should be able to drive off-road. If you’re not at the meeting point at 5AM, you probably won’t find us as cell phone reception is sketchy and there are no street signs in the desert.

Below are some photos from past Anza-Borrego shoots. Don’t expect many flowers this early in the season. These photos were taken in the March-April timeframe.

Sometimes, It’s the Simple Things

I recently had a request to print the title in the margin across the bottom of a fine art print. That’s slam-dunk simple in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements but I’d never done it in Lightroom. I said to myself, “Self, how hard can that be?” As it turn out, a PITA (pain in the @$$.)

After fruitlessly searching the internet, I was ready to give up when my stubborness kicked in. No way was I going to let some stupid software thwart me! I recombed the internet and, even, GASP!, read the manuals. Finally, in desperation, I sent an e-mail to George Jardine, one of the best Lightroom instructors I’ve ever met. As I was beginning to suspect, George confirmed there is no simple, direct method of doing this. However, he gave me some tips that allowed me to cobble together a kludgy, bailing-wire-&-chewing-gum technique.

The top photo is what I wanted and the bottom photo is where I started. The white background shows the size of my paper, in this case a User Defined size of 17″ x 32″. Because the Epson 3880 doesn’t have roll paper capability, I buy rolls (17″ x 82′) of Calumet Brilliant Supreme Lustre and cut off the appropriate size using my Dahl 552 paper cutter. The unfortunate acronym,  BS Lustre not withstanding, this paper is almost an exact replacement for Epson Ultra Premium Luster.

First, I resized the image to leave 2.5″ along the bottom. Lightroom centered the image but I just changed the margins in the Print Module. I backed into the paper size by first deciding I wanted a final print 31.5″ wide. That set my height at 14.185″ which left me 2.815″ along the bottom. After accounting for bleed, I had 2.5″ below the photo.

Next, I opened Identity Plate Setup under the Edit menu and typed the title into the custom text box. After selecting the font and size, I closed the dialog. The size isn’t important because we can resize it by dragging the handles. Back in the LR Print Module, I checked Identity Plate in the Page settings and simply dragged it to the desired position.

Finally, to add my signature and hankyo (chop) in the lower right corner, I used the Watermark feature in LR3. Normally, watermarks are large and obnoxious but I just grabbed a sizing handle and made it small. You can barely see it in the lower right corner.

Caveat: If you want to get wordy in your title, you’re up the creek. For example, if I wanted a 2nd or 3rd line for my name and date, it can’t be done. For that, I recommend Photoshop or my perenniel favorite, Photoshop Elements.

Anza-Borrego Spring Scouting Trip

Over Presidents Day Weekend (Feb 18-20,) I plan to be in Borrego Springs to photograph the Borrego Badlands from Font’s Point, Glorietta Canyon, Mud Caves (if I can find them) and old abandoned buildings. Up to 10 intermediate-to-advanced photographers are invited to join me.

You must know how to operate your camera which can be just about anything (dSLR, MF/LF, 35mm film, etc) and, preferably, own a good tripod. A remote camera release will also be useful. The intent is to share composition, focus and exposure ideas, not fiddle with gear. If you’d like to join me, send an e-mail.

In mid-March, I’ll be out at Borrego Springs a second time to photograph any flowers that may be blooming. The forecast for this year doesn’t look very promising but hope springs eternal.

Alf Goes to the Rainbow Bridge

Last year, I wrote about my cantankerous, obnoxious, geriatric buddy, Alf. She was 21 years old and her body was beginning to fail her. I was afraid of waiting too long to help her slip the surly bonds of this world yet, I feared prematurely losing my buddy.

Last week, we took her to the vet for a “Quality of Life” exam. Alf was having a good day and amazed the doctor by leaping up and down from chairs and conducting a “perimeter check” of the examination room. The vet said she couldn’t find anything amiss with Alf.

Today, Alf went into convulsions and respiratory distress. In a panic, I wrapped her in her favorite towel and rushed her to the vet. The vet took one look and said she was beyond anything that even advanced treatments could do for her. Fortunately, my wife was able to get away from work and meet us at the vet’s office. We said our goodbyes and the vet helped Alf escape the prison of her worn out body.

May you always nap in your favorite warm spot, Alf. Thanks for all the joy you’ve brought us over the years.

Hi All,

My apologies but it appears a spammer/scammer may have hacked my e-mail. If you receive suspicious e-mail from “marylou” at The Digital Photo Guy, please delete it and notify me. Thank you.

Otherwise, I wish everyone on my mail list a Merry, Merry and a Happy, Happy. Best wishes for 2012.