nikonbill's "when I can post" 2024

[Needa]

I went in the "Middle" with my edit

Using Affinity, sometimes I have more of a personal challenge to get the look I'm going for. I like to see what the camera is thinking (I consider it much smarter than me) using NX Studio as a baseline. Getting proficient with my editor (Affinity) is a personal goal.

Good to have choices.

 

[nikonbill]

Thanks Needa,

So true, I will get there at some point. Lots of fun playing. I recently discovered some settings I changed from an online tip in my developing settings that pulled me off base for a while.

 

[nikonbill]

I have been busy with life stuff, but on the photo side I just acquired the Topaz AI2 software

I'm using forum tips I have read and felt like I kind of knew the program from the start. I turned off the "auto" as I prefer to have control. Here is one of my first efforts on a very average quality photo of a northern parula. I shoot all RAW image files and when I want "straight out of camera" I export from NX Studio to jpg with no adjustments

Straight out of camera

This is processed using Affinity Photo2 and adjusted after processing using Topaz AI2 - I'm pretty impressed, I have lots to learn but believe this will be a worthwhile tool

I'm thinking I still over sharpened a bit - comments welcomed

 

[Needa]

I'm thinking I still over sharpened a bit - comments welcomed

Maybe. It may just be a jpg artifact, take a look at your originals but along the edge of the leg the white glow doesn't seem to be there in the original.

 

[nikonbill]

Thanks Needa - appreciate your observations. I see what you mean

I am really surprised at the Topaz capabilities, it seems it will be much faster than the intracit smaller steps in the full editor

 

[nikonbill]

Getting used to Topaz AI2 a bit more - here is a wood duck photo that I could never really get "usable" its far from a great sharp shot. We were at Magee Marsh area and where we stayed there was a lake and the owner said the wood ducks would be out in the morning. This is a heavy crop, the ducks were on to me very quick and were moving away.

I'm getting pretty impressed

Original (just the crop used and after develop module)

Here is Topaz noise reduction - sharpening - and colors and then processed to my taste in Affinity then upscale in Topaz after export. All image's are reduced to the forum standard (long side 1024) for posting but you can really see the difference.

 

[nikonbill]

Out to find "wheel/s" today I got a reasonable shot of the famous Laughlin Mill built in 1763

 

[nikonbill]

Candidates

 

[nikonbill]

Wagon wheels

 

[nikonbill]

Some model A wheels

 

[nikonbill]

We went to Savannah GA recently for a little break, I've got processing to do here are some favorites

I was fascinated to find a Palliated woodpecker in Bonaventure Cemetery of all places just posing away

 

[nikonbill]

A slightly unexpected neat result at the main fountain at Forsyth Park, the "rain" from the upper fountain seems neat

 

[nikonbill]

The flowers were amazing

 

[nikonbill]

The Forsyth Park squirrels were photogenic

 

[nikonbill]

Some shots in Forsyth park Savannah GA, I was making an effort to catch interesting light this trip these were morning shots

 

[nikonbill]

Someone in Savanna has a sense of humor the park has a central corridor for walking only riding is fine on the narrower paths

 

[nikonbill]

I got out to work on gate photos this evening. My first thought of a good one is the gate at the main entrance to the Gettysburg National Cemetery

I cannot decide if this composition is too busy

 

[nikonbill]

Here is the side gate alone