Reorganization

After upgrading my operating system to Windows 7, I decided to

re-edit and re-categorize all my images.

Little did I know that this was going to be daunting task.

In the process I managed to delete a folder with recent images, that I failed to back-up, shame on me.

I have renamed some of the Gallery portfolios, and I have also

downsized the number of images included. I will try to keep the

number of images in each gallery to a minimum of 15 and max

of thirty for easier viewing.

I have also been experimenting with cropping some of the images to a 4x5 format, which makes

it easier to make standard size prints, 8x10 etc. I hope you enjoy the images I have selected.

As always it is a very hard task to be very selective in choosing images, as I want to share everything.

Please post any comments or suggestions that you may have.

Thanks J

The Unthinkable

This is not a pleasant blog to write, but definitely a necessary one. The unthinkable finally

happened. While in the process of re-editing, and going through my images it occurred to me

that I did not see some images from early Oct. Not to worry, I thought, as I never lose images, and eventually back them up to an external hard drive.

I painstakingly started going through all my saved edited images, and of course, they were not

any where to be found. Not to worry again, I always keep all my raw files, even the ones that I do not edit. Again, painstakingly going through folders and folders of raw images no luck.

The last thing that I wanted to tell myself was that somehow I deleted the tiff and raw files. I did not want to face this reality. It was not my fault, the computer must have done it.

It was time to accept the final stage of grief, and admit that somehow I had deleted the files.

I would normally back up my images after several shoots, and combine them all at once.

There were about twenty images that I had lost. They may never have been published, sold or won a contest, but they were my images that I truly enjoyed creating and viewing. Now I only have the memories of creating these images, and this will have to do.

So for all of you that think you should not back up your images, please do. Now I know why when

I attend workshops and seminars the instructors are constantly preaching backup.

You can be sure from now on that I will immediately back up my images after every shoot.

Hope this information helps you, and if you have any suggestions or comments please feel free to contact me.

Thanks Jay

Power of Raw Capture

While in the process of reorganizing, and re-editing my older files, I decided to

reprocess a few of them. With all the new software that is available to us, we have many more creative tools to utilize.

This is the beauty of capturing our images using raw data. We can process the same image over and over without any destruction to the original.

The image on the left was processed several years ago, and I was somewhat satisified. The image on the right was reprocessed recently using lightroom.

This is a truer representation of that image that I remember.

By utilizing the tutitorals that are available, and the newer software, and plug-ins, we can only get better at processing our images.

If you are not using raw capture, you should seriously consider it, as it gives us many more creative possibilities.

Please post any comments or suggestions you may have.

Thanks.

Unexpected Surprises

As I headed out the door on Fri. morning (10/16) for my workshop (Lethchworth State Park, NY) you could hear me moan and groan from here to eternity. I was cursing the weather gods, and asking what do you have against me. With nothing but rain in the forecast, I definitely was not a happy camper.

As I drove up the Northeast extension toward my destination, passing through the Poconos, I was hit with an unexpected surprise. There was snow on the ground, and on the Fall colored trees. Of course, with all these beautiful images
running through my mind, there were no safe place to stop.
I was able to make a few images from various rest stops. A song was playing on the radio, a country music station, all I could find, and there was a line that I remembered "The only thing for certain is uncertainty." By the time I reached my destination the snow was gone.

There was a steady drizzel all day Saturday, which created some fog and mist.

Sunday morning was a clear day, the conditions were great for early morning image making. There was fog, clouds and great light for optimal shooting.

The workshop was led by Joe LeFevre (http://www.joelefevrephoto.com/) The

Adirondack Photo Institute.

After all my complaining it turned out to be a pretty good weekend. The group was a friendly one, which always makes for a fun outing.

I hope you had a chance to view the images, and if you have any comments or suggestions, please post them.

Another lesson learned always expect the unexpected.

Return Visits

With only having weekends to get out and create images it is always a battle to choose a location. I seem to always return to Valley Forge National Park, which for me is in my comfort zone, since I have been there so often.

Each week I make a mental list of places I may want to try, and come Sat. or Sun.

morning I find myself heading for VF.

The last couple of weekends I forced myself to return to two places that I have not

visited for sometime, Churchville Nature Center, and Silver Lake Park. I have been to these places before, but always came away somewhat disappointed.

Not this time, the shooting conditions for me were at its best, fog, mist, and soft

light. I was glad I forced myself out of my comfort zone. Sometimes the rewards are greater than the risk. You can view the images in my Recent Gallery on the web site.

Shenadoah Valley (Skyline Drive)

With great anticipation I planned a short photographic trip to Shenandoah Valley for some Fall images. I had many thoughts, and pre-visualized images.

When I arrived the weather changed dramaticaly, with heavy winds, grey overcast skys, and large crowds. The colors were not yet at peak, the waterfalls and creeks were just about dried up, and the winds were adding to my frustration. Through all this I remained positive, and vowed to come away with images no matter what it took. It took a lot of patience, some hiking and near misses of hitting a deer crossing the road.

The lesson learned is that we should always have an open mind when planning any photographic journey, and take what Mother Nature has to offer, and to

use our photographic knowledge to create interesting images.