Posted by Russ Shugart on February 1, 2011 at 8:11 PM
Hello! I've been a lurker here for quite some time now and I have to say this site has some of the most talented nature photographers anywhere on the internet! You guys, girls too, are amazing, if not a little intimidating and very inspiring. One of the reasons I joined is that I don't know enough local folks to go out and shoot with and heading up to the hills alone and rolling the dice too many times is just not a good idea. One of the dangers of watching the movie 127 Hours I suppose!
Anyway, here's a couple of fairly recent shots that I've done that I like.
Russ
www.AlpineGalleria.com
Posted by Russ Shugart on February 1, 2011 at 8:12 PM
Here's one more.
Russ
www.AlpineGalleria.com
Posted by Russ Shugart on February 1, 2011 at 8:12 PM
Welcome Russ! Seeing some strange jpeg artifacts on the images, not sure if it was due to conversion to jpeg or the upload. That 3rd image looks like a fantastic scene though.
Posted by Russ Shugart on February 1, 2011 at 8:26 PM
I noticed that also. Not enough experience with the upload suggestions. The quality settings suggested seemed awfully low. What settings do you use for jpg size and quality?
I honestly don't. I hate the uploader here, so I link my images as URL's. Others can be more help there I am sure.
Posted by Anne K. Rusk on February 1, 2011 at 9:17 PM
Welcome! Sometimes I use Andres Resch's web sharpener script that works well for most things. He has a link to it in his signature line. It resizes the image and sharpens for the web, you just need to flatten it, change to 8bit and save as a JPEG.
They look good on your website!
Posted by Jeff Hackett on February 1, 2011 at 9:18 PM
Welcome Russ! That first image has some sweet layer action going on, also love the snow or hoar frost on the front most tree.
Posted by Jack Garrett on February 1, 2011 at 10:49 PM
I usually save for web in PS and convert to S-rgb...seems to work most of the time. Max file size is 300k and 720 pixels on the long side.
Nice images but something is sure off in the conversion to post by the looks of it. They look almost Orton.
Posted by Russ Shugart on February 1, 2011 at 11:21 PM
Very good. The bottom two do have some Orton in them. I've been fooling around with that technique for some time now. I like the idea of just posting a link to the pictures on my WEB site and get around the posting issue.
Russ
www.AlpineGalleria.com
Posted by Kalin Wilson on February 2, 2011 at 12:32 AM
I like the layers in the first one, the soft light is nice. The third one has something odd going on with the mountains, maybe it's the orton effect. It might be a little heavy, making the mountains too soft. Also the blue/cyan cast on the mountains is a little heavy. The scene does look awesome.
Posted by Rick Dunn on February 2, 2011 at 9:34 AM
Welcome, Russ. Images look very promising, but something went wrong in getting them converted to jpg. It has nothing to do with the uploader; the pixelated "blocks" are indicative of a .jpg conversion problem.
A couple of thoughts....
one - looking at the image info (right click), it shows these are all about 40-50kb. You can go up to 300kb, which is plenty for most images, so try higher quality settings. If you're using PS, use the save-for-web function and select a quality setting that keeps it below 300kb. Based on the image size (600 px), you should have no problem getting a sharp image at that file size.
two - looking at your site, the images are physically smaller there than here. Did you stretch them, or resize from your original, final file? You'll want to resize from the original. I'd drop the original down to 720 px, apply any final sharpening for the resized file, then save (or "save to web") and aim for between 200-300kb depending on the image.
If you have trouble, holler. It'd be nice to see these large and sharp!
Welcome! These 3 images show you have a keen artistic vision. I do wish I could see these at a better resolution and larger. The colors seem pretty strong on my monitor, and I would just ditto what Kalin said.
Posted by Jack Garrett on February 2, 2011 at 9:56 AM
I looked at these same images on your website after reading Rick's post....what a difference! You have some nice work on there Russ so I think once you figure the best way to convert them for the forum we are gonna be in for a real treat....welcome aboard.
Posted by Pam Colander on February 2, 2011 at 10:01 AM
Welcome Russ! I like all three of these and you've gotten all the advice you need on the upload issues. Looking forward to more from you. I can't wait to see 127 Hours as soon as it comes to Hooterville
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on February 2, 2011 at 11:47 AM
Welcome, Russ. You've got a great set of images on your website. Hope you get the posting problems worked out, and share some more.
Posted by Don Grall on February 2, 2011 at 12:18 PM
I thought there was some Ortonicity going on there! #3 does look like spectacular place and it is a great comp!.. #1 is a realy eye-catcher with that dramatic spotlight effect as well
Hey, Russ! Glad to see you here! I hear about your lurking and I'm glad you joined.
Also, congrats to Russ on a recent accomplishment. The first photo he posted was published in Nature's Best Landscape section for their annual competition AND his photo was selected to be displayed at the Smithsonian for the same category.
Posted by Paul Wegemann on February 3, 2011 at 8:34 AM
Welcome, Russ! I like your way of seeing and really enjoyed your site. I think the ortonizing thing is an artistic decision, so I won't comment on that. As far as web sharpening, you should check out Marc Adamus' web sharpening technique. Just google it. I look forward to seeing more of your work.
Discussion
19 repliesAnyway, here's a couple of fairly recent shots that I've done that I like.
Russ
www.AlpineGalleria.com
Russ
www.AlpineGalleria.com
Russ
www.Alpinegalleria.com
Russ
www.AlpineGalleria.com
They look good on your website!
Nice images but something is sure off in the conversion to post by the looks of it. They look almost Orton.
Russ
www.AlpineGalleria.com
A couple of thoughts....
one - looking at the image info (right click), it shows these are all about 40-50kb. You can go up to 300kb, which is plenty for most images, so try higher quality settings. If you're using PS, use the save-for-web function and select a quality setting that keeps it below 300kb. Based on the image size (600 px), you should have no problem getting a sharp image at that file size.
two - looking at your site, the images are physically smaller there than here. Did you stretch them, or resize from your original, final file? You'll want to resize from the original. I'd drop the original down to 720 px, apply any final sharpening for the resized file, then save (or "save to web") and aim for between 200-300kb depending on the image.
If you have trouble, holler. It'd be nice to see these large and sharp!
Also, congrats to Russ on a recent accomplishment. The first photo he posted was published in Nature's Best Landscape section for their annual competition AND his photo was selected to be displayed at the Smithsonian for the same category.
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