Playing with pictures

I have been in contact with various members of Saga Zone in the photographic forums. Things have been getting interesting recently. I posted a picture to a lady who wanted to learn more on working with layers, see below.

I suggested she fill in the missing bits. I had a go myself with the result below.

I know I could/should have made a better result, but I wanted to get things done. Looking back I see where I have gone wrong. The face, although it fits, I should have included her hair instead of trying to fit it under the original (I have seen her attempt, it is far superior). The bottle I took from a Google search, selected the area I wanted to work with. I then re-sized & 'spun' the layer to fit. I was quite pleased this had gone fairly well. It was after I had posted the image, I noticed the bottle in it's new direction still had air in the neck. Oh well, lesson learned ... Look at all the details I did get a mild telling off from the Lady in question, fortunately it was tongue-in-cheek. I have been notified warned that she will be getting her own back, in her own good time. Some members have contributed various versions on the theme. Below is my version of a contribution sent in by one member. (the image "on the wall" is the Lady's version)

All I have done here is to create an 'Out-of-Bounds' version using Paint Shop Elements 10. I did use the guided method, as working on layers alone is still somewhat above my head. However, it is a start. By looking at the image in the 'Full Edit' I could see the various layers used.

I have seen comments about altering images, not always good either. The general theme is based on lying , to alter the truth, Yes I agree to a certain point, but it is also an art form. The camera takes what it 'sees'. 

The person behind the lens does not always have the correct settings for the present conditions, so the image needs to be altered to suit. Picasso, Lowry & others did not 'see' what they painted (or did they?). Their work sells for millions, & nobody accuses them of altering the truth. People play computer games as a pastime, they will be at their screen for hours, if that is their thing, all well & good. Playing with photographic images is my thing. I may not be proficient at the job as yet, but I do get enjoyment from it, frustration included.

A Coot's nest

I had a couple of hours to spare today whilst My Good lady was at her beading class. I parked up at Barton-under-Needwood Marina (Nr Burton-on-Trent). It was blowing a cold wind & what with the rain, I decided to sit in the car with a couple of books to study. Both to do with Photoshop Elements. After about 70 odd minutes the rain eased off so I decided to stretch my legs. I left the camera in the boot, as I was not expecting to see much on such a short stroll. I had covered about 150yds when I saw a Coot at it's nest with building materials, and as a bonus there were eggs in the nest. So I nipped back to the car for the camera. I think it was worth the effort. Do you?

Update May18 I called back to the site on Thursday only to find that the nest had gone. How, why I do not know

Oh well, there's always next year.

I joined  Burton-on-Trent U3A last (late) summer. I wanted to get into the photographic group. The sad thing was, they were full. However, I started a new group by taking on the waiting list, we now have a membership of 5 persons, there is another interested party who came to see us. I think she is very interested.


We had a general meeting on Tuesday for all members of all groups. There was a demonstration of potting. It turned out to be the terracotta type, not the gardening variety, but it was very interesting & entertaining.We were all asked to make a small plaque with the clay they provided. Having made the plaque, we then had to add an initial & an icon of our interest in the space left. These were then collected. Whilst the hubby half gave us a talk, his wife was busy working in a large steel bowl. We did not know what she was doing, we had to wait & see. She eventually gave him permission to stop speaking, & produced her work. It has been taken "home" to their workshop to dry out before firing. We then can keep it as a present for fund-raising purposes raffle/sale, whatever. I hope to photo the finished article when it has been fired.

OUCH!

Last week I had an operation on my left shin, a cancerous growth was removed. It left a hole the size of a 'Half Crown'  (or a 50p piece) it was about two coins deep. Recovery is doing quite well but I do have the 'off times'. Walking, Tai Chi & swimming are out of the question, & taking a bath or shower presents problems. I have been told that a minimum of two months will be needed before I can even think of getting back to normal (what ever that was). Now I spend my time reading, playing with pictures (when I can get on my laptop), & walking to keep the blood circulating, enough to encourage healing. Dressings every three days at my local surgery. May 1st. I have to go to Derby for a dressing check-up. Don't they trust my local surgery? I then will have to go to Burton-on-Trent 16th. May to see the surgeon for a report.

The good news is ......I still get to keep the leg 

I had a 'phone call on Monday of this week, would I be interested in going to Scarborough for the day on Wednesday? The weather forecast was good for the whole week. Who was I to refuse? We had to put up with a mid-summers day...IN MARCH??? A nice saunter along the front with 'Granddad', Darren & Carol, not forgetting my camera. A change of scenery, great light, nice views plus a fish & chip lunch followed by a pint of Strongbow. I took several pictures which can be found in my album I have removed several pictures as they were not up to scratch. After some editing mostly re-sizing or cropping I feel a good day was had.
Below is my favorite picture of the day, a panorama. If you want to see more, just click the link.

I joined Burton U3A with the intention of joining the photography group. Sad to say, there was a waiting list of about 8 persons. It would be a long time before I got into that group. Having brought a camera (Finepix 2800HD) I thought help could be found from this group. Well, to cut a long story short, I decided to take over the waiting list. Having sent out e-mails to my new contacts I waited for the day to arrive. It was a lonely meeting, just me. Not being one to give in easily, I tried again, announcing the net meeting date. I had 4 persons turn up. Not a lot was done in photographic terms, as we had to get to know each other & also discuss what we wanted to do. It was hard work for me trying to keep the conversation going. I showed some printed pictures I had prepared for a general meeting a week later, I also showed  a Stringpod I had made to replace a tripod or monopod. That went down well. We did not want to meet at my home address every time, a field trip every other meeting would be better. We decided that the next meeting would be a field trip to Calke Abbey (NT). The group thought a theme for the next indoor meeting would be 'Street Photography' It is a start.
 I have had a few enquirers recently, thinking of joining, but past experience tells me to wait & see. Our next meeting coincides with Easter Monday, so we have put the next one back a week. Hopefully, printed pictures will be brought in for discussion.
Below are two pictures I favor from the Abbey trip.

Such a long time since July 21 2011 things have happened , too many to try & put them all in here now. I have been busy doing things & forgetting to update my blog, such is life. working out the bits & pieces on the camera. Sending it back for repair/replacement. A week in August for a holiday & wedding celebration in Ilam, Staffordshire. August saw the start of my problems with my hips & legs, walking & standing were giving me BIG PROBLEMS. September saw us celebrating our Ruby Anniversary in Calahonda, Spain 2 weeks followed by a weeks cruise on Adventure of The Seas around the Western Med' . Christmas was a good do, Dad (or Granddad as he is known around the world) stayed with us & our two lads (Men, sorry) came & went throughout the holiday period. January saw us another year older. Had another cruise from Southampton, 11 nights on "Independence of The Seas". Granddad came too, he reckons it was too much, the length of cruise & "The boat was too big". His words. But, we all had a good time.
 I have recently started a photography group within Burton U3A, the original photo group was full, so I took on the waiting list I have discovered  a new blog which looks to be promising site for my photography learning curve. Thanks for the info Holly, I'm looking forward to the next lesson.
This was just a quick up-date, let's see if I can carry on in a more regular fashion.
That's it for now, got to get my camera out & take it for a walk.