Still playing but I think getting better...

I'm trying to be a sponge by reading a lot of stuff about photography.  Trouble is I think the sponge has too many holes to hold anything.  I'll keep going though.  Sooner or later something has to stick.

I know working with non-RAW image files from my point & shoot camera will not yield the same type of pictures as I have been admiring on the web but the experience of playing with the different software is worth it.  I do not want to over do the HDR image but I think it is very cool at making the images 'pop' under the right circumstance.  Here is another exposure I played with...

Today while I was reading through the posts on Google+ I came across a picture by Tom Bricker of the Dumbo attraction at Disney.  I believe he was going for a sense of movement with the static foreground and the blur of the Dumbo vehicles in the background.  While sitting in my garage cooking dinner on the grill I had an idea to do something similar.  It was raining out and as the cars passed by the cloud of rain that followed them was interesting.  Here is my attempt...

The other aspect of photography that I a learning is very important is the post processing on your images.  I downloaded a trial copy of Adobe Lightroom to see what I can do and to determine if it is one of the tools I should have.  My first couple of attempts were not that successful, but I think these two pics turned out OK.

And yes, taking pics from around my house, the clouds are a favorite subject.  I thought the two above were interesting.  I hope I didn't ruin them but 'adjusting' them...

Post Processing

I've been reading online again...  never sure if that is a good or bad thing.

This time it was about post production on photographs.  Who knew?  I also went with the pictures that came out of the camera.  Oh, I might have done a little cropping here, or simple adjustments there, but never any serious work on my pictures.  I think it will be cheaper to go back to school so I can get the student discount for some of this software!  But for now I'm playing with the trial versions to get a feel for the process.  I definitely need some tutorials or a book to help me out.

The one big name that keeps popping up on the websites I have been visiting is Adobe Photoshop.  I'm not sure I'm ready for the big boy just yet, partly due to only having a point & shoot camera that saves JPEG files.  I have downloaded the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 program.  Seems very easy to use (once I understand all the options).  I have 30 days to see what it (or I) can do.  After that I need to find a student who can buy it for me... lol.

Here is my first post production image.  Not sure what I was going for or what I accomplished, but it was fun playing around with the software.

Here is another...

Photography

I've started playing with my digital camera.  I have always enjoyed taking pictures and as my wife can attest I do a pretty good job filling up the memory card when we are on vacation.  I have always used a point and shoot camera never giving much thought to what else could be done.  I found myself recently being marveled by pictures people have taken at Disney World.  Being the 'fan' that I am there are quite a few sites and podcasts that I listen to and the topic of photography has popped up on quite a few of them recently.  I guess it sparked an interest...

Here are some of my 'playing around' images:

I started reading Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure, which has my head swimming but has also increased my interest.  I'm sure it will take a couple of readings before it all sinks in but I think it will make a difference.  My next step is to invest in a different camera.  I was going to say better but my 'little' camera does a really good job and by understanding how to truly use it I have taken some very cool pics (IMHO!).  What I would like to do is get a camera that allows me more control and options.  Still investigating and learning, so for now I'll keep playing around with the camera I have.

inFamous 2

inFamous 2 was as good as I hoped.  I finished my first play through on Sunday.  I ended up playing the first game twice to experience both side of the story.  I finished the first play of the second game as the hero and I'm currently working through again as a thug.

The improvement to the visuals was amazing.  I'm always impressed with the look of current games as long as it doesn't hold the game play back.  That really didn't happen with this game.  There were still a few control issues and hiccups but it really didn't affect my enjoyment.  At times it was like playing through a movie.  I really liked the addition of a few extra characters.  They added to the story but didn't complicate it too much.

Overall, both games are a lot of fun!  I'd be interested in another Sucker Punch game if it looks as good visually and is as unique...