Labor Day photography at Reid State Park

Our fun in the sun and surf...










We came to this same beach last year at this time. My camera was brand new and every photo I took was a delight. This time around was just as fun playing with my new polarizer. It's the "magic" that helps me photograph those oh so blue skies and takes the harsh reflections off the water. I notice now that some of the blue in these photos is a tad dark. Oh well... I'm learning.

I also tweaked a few of these photos in Bibble (I don't use any fancy expensive software) clicking the [Perfectly Clear] button which boosts the contrast and some other stuff I don't know about.

Taking these photos, viewing them (deleting over 300) and sharing them here makes me happy. Or perhaps it was just being at the ocean that made me so happy. Who cares the reason. Photography makes me happy. Period.

(photo by Damien)
(photo by Damien)
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Now if someone could just help me with the printing end of photography, ie: getting photos developed that look like they do on my monitor, I'd be deliriously happy. This has been my creative frustration for the last 9 months (I guess we're only allowed so much happiness at one time). If anyone has solid, non-confusing advice I'd love to hear it.

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  • Jamie

    Jamie on Sept. 9, 2009, 11:11 p.m.

    Have you tried calibrating your monitor? Your brightness, contrast and color may be off. Get a couple prints done at 5x7 or larger size and hold it next to your monitor. Play with the display settings until the picture and monitor look about the same. Then, re-correct, reprint and see if that helps. There are also free calibration tests online but I've never used them. A final check would be to make sure your monitor is displaying the largest color profile. I don't know how to do that from a PC but on a Mac you can do it from System Preferences in the Display section. Colors should be in the millions. Good luck!

    Jamie's last blog post... Two-Thirty on Tuesday

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    • renee

      renee on Sept. 9, 2009, 11:45 p.m.

      My monitor is calibrated. We bought eye spy or eye one or something like that. Maybe I'll e-mail you... I'm also having a graphic designer friend of Damien's come over to walk me through this. I use a mac but have an HP monitor.

      Thanks for the help Jamie.

      reply

  • Kristin

    Kristin on Sept. 10, 2009, 2:03 a.m.

    Oh, please do post your findings! I have the same frustration. Lovely on the screen, crap crap crap crappity crap when printed.

    Your photos always look lovely on my screen!

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  • Jody

    Jody on Sept. 10, 2009, 1:32 p.m.

    I also share that love for photography! ~ Perhaps we are all captivated by the beauty surrounding us, that we have been blessed to behold and live amongst. "Live every moment to the fullest" ~ maybe we are afraid to 'forget', or perhaps we just desire to share what brings us Joy, in hopes to 'spread the wealth'......interesting thing, this need to "Capture the Moment" that we have.

    I think your photos are fabulous! I know I now want an SLR with a filter too! I have a Cannon AT1 35mm and was given a nice digital camera for Christmas last year....BUT, wow! Now that I see what an SLR can do ~ I'm VERY interested in saving and shoping.

    Print wise ~ I feel your frustration. What do you use for a printer?
    I can't wait to hear what people's feed back is..... Carry ON, soldier. Great Work!!

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  • Jakki

    Jakki on Sept. 10, 2009, 7:39 p.m.

    Looks like a wonderful place to be! Your photographs do it justice, I'm sure.

    I very seldom print photo's at home. Even though I have a Cannon camera and printer (dont know if having the same brands makes a bit of difference but I felt like it should, LOL)I dont feel the depth of the colors come out. I use an online service to either deliver them to the house or I pick them up at a store, so I'd really love to see the tips people have myself.

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    • renee

      renee on Sept. 10, 2009, 7:58 p.m.

      I've only used on-line services, mpix was the last one. I'm looking for help for this kind of printing - sending out, not home printer use.

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  • Ellen

    Ellen on Sept. 10, 2009, 10:32 p.m.

    What a beautiful day by the sea! I love those clouds. I wish I had some good advice on the photo printing, but we don't always have the best luck getting our photos printed either.

    Ellen's last blog post... Can we talk Barbie?

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  • Shawna

    Shawna on Sept. 10, 2009, 10:49 p.m.

    beautiful, as usual. i'm in the same boat with printing. i don't want to commit to the number i need printed without trying a few first. i was going to go with mpix or pictage since they both have good ratings, looks like i'll be trying pictage first. if that fails, i'm sure there's a local printer in seattle and local's a better choice anyway.

    Shawna's last blog post... The garden bug

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