😄 I don’t think that is what FOAS is talking about.😳

You're right. He's making a play on words. But it's also a posting from the San Diego zoo 😏

Aah, I was thinking of toadstools.

Your sunset picture is very nice. Good luck with your photography.

The two unfortunate things about the sunset/rise photo have nothing to do with the camera, as mentioned ad nauseum above concerning what matters when composing photos.

Putting the obvious center of interest in the middle of the image, and the horizon or other transitions between fields at the vertical halfway point of the image, are rookie mistakes characteristic of people who don't understand elements of composition. And how to use such elements to make an image more interesting.

Many of the best photos that have been taken are often photos of nothing much, not photos of something. As mentioned before, a photo of a bird, or a flower, or as here, a sunrise, is just a image of something obvious, to which the person snapping the shutter added nothing.

Okay then. Let's see your sunset photo, as l'm sure you have one.

I know there are a million things wrong with it. That's the difference between you and me. I will put myself out there. Admittedly this is a six or seven or eight year old photo. My only point was exposure matters. Actually said it was not the best photo. I didn't post my best.

But let's see yours! Don't, and I know that you're just the same fraud you've always been. You're incapable of putting yourself out there. Not a surprise. Typical snidely

" Don't, and I know that you're just the same fraud you've always been. You're incapable of putting yourself out there. Not a surprise. "

You know, I left playground-typical taunting behind when I finished fifth grade. Apparently not true for all.

Reread my comment above, I'm done with this thread and maybe responding to you too. You reject and insult those who offer helpful and objective comments that might cause you to think introspectively in a way you don't want to, as others so often comment. Do you wonder why you have so much free time? Maybe get a third job?

Aww, bless your heart! Not surprising. Of course you can't do it. You want to tell us all how it's supposed to happen, but you can't show us. Not surprising. You poor dear. You're so darn wonderful. Yay!

P.S. I have no idea why this dude is so jealous of me!

" Surely changing the exposure or some other setting would have made it better?! "

Assuming you want some real comments, my comments are more compositional.....I would have done more sky and less water (I think the sky is more interesting), and I would have made it a horizontal photo. That would also have changed the lighting balance by getting rid of all that dark water, and allowed the sky to be more visible without over exposing the sun. I like objects in the mid- to foreground of sunrise/sunset shots, or to create a silhouette with the sun I can't say what any changed settings would have done, since we don't know what settings your camera used.

I agree with not centering the horizon....the rule of 3rds.

But I also do a lot of work on my photos in editing which can make a dramatic difference and make up for what doesn't happen with the lens, etc. on photo taking. I claim to be no expert and am much more in your shoes rob...don't know my f-stop from my ISO. But editing allows me to take a picture to something more pleasing to my eye than the original.

Here's an example: unedited

and edited: straightened the horizon, cropped to make the sea 1/3 of the image, centered the sun, cut the light to deepen the image, added a little warmth to emphasize the sun and the contrast with the blue sky and saturated the colors a tad. I like this one better.

The other thing editing allows you to do is apply filters. Here, the pic above with the noir filter....completely changes the focus to the drama of the sky.

" editing which can make a dramatic difference "

Absolutely! There are some great programs that allow you to make all kinds of filter, lighting, and even AI adjustments. I don't know what Annie uses; I use Luminar for some fancier, more detailed, and AI things, and Photoscape (which is free) for quick edits like cropping and adjusting brightness/contrast/saturation, etc.

I just use what comes with the apple software. I have added a couple to my phone to allow me to play...Yamera which allows me to control shutter speed on the iphone and snapseed which has some interesting effects and is easy to use. But I much prefer editing on my computer where I can actually see what I'm doing vs. the phone.

The other thing editing allows is to go abstract. I enjoy it as I like playing with colors.

Here's the original, a close-up on the water flowing with the sun's reflection...

and after editing for colors...looks like I turned it upside down too.

Yes, I'm happy to have comments. Thank you for your helpful input! It wasn't my best work anyway, but it was a good example of why point and shoots are not my favorite. I might even go back to a manual.

It is fun to play with different angles and colors.

Rob, annie and torvet and probably others have great tips to artify your pics by editing.,how interesting. upthread, the rule of thirds was mentioned. read up on that.. editing and fancy camera stuff are just tools to help create a more artfull pic. more expressive.but it still and always comes from your very good brain. what you find interesting and good to look at. the more you know, the more refined your experiences of creatingand seeing will be.

So what did you think about my contribution to show me yours on today's thread (Thursday's)? Is that better? I tried to use editing software. I rather like the composition of both pictures, but maybe you have suggestions? Mind you, both of these pictures are from a point and shoot. I can't wait to get my SLR back up and running. I've been told Monday. 🤞🏻

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/6467995/i-ll-show-you-mine-you-show-me-yours-th-10-3-24#n=17

P.S. I even welcome your suggestions on today's photos elmer. Just because we disagree on how we get there doesn't mean we have to disagree on the outcome.

On the path picture, try cropping it so the end of the path is at 1/3 instead of 1/2 of the vertical space and see if you like it better...

Thank you that helps! I will try it and see what I think.

I think you need to look at other peoples photos to get an idea of what your after. Rules can be broken. THIS photo called "Room to Roam" centers everything...but it's really good.Link Tell me if you like it? Then tell me why you like it? then compare it to your path photo....because the path is the leading line. This opens the conversation as to what your after in a leading line...path photo...

Exactly!

Does the photo say what I want it to say? I will look at the link

I took a Humanities class. We had to "disect" paintings. An example:

1) Done in thirds

2) the string connects the bird to the boy

3) The boy is typical for the times, it's what's going on around his feet that makes THIS exceptional....not ordinary. Take away the bottom third and it's not that interesting.

4) The black cat disappears into the background.....nice touch.

5) There are more birds in the bird cage...the observer wants to look around the cage...

6) what does the bird have in it's beak?

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Like this...only the instructor would require 10 observations in order to pass...continue giving 4 more observations.....

Because when you take a photo....you compose the photo.

In addition to the balance in the composition, I find the foreground too dark and the light coming through the trees over exposed. One of the things with editing is the different adjustments are on sliders so you can slide in both directions and see what works and how you like them...go big with your adjustment at first to see how it changes the pic and then fine tune by going a little closer. The adjustments will also impact each other....increasing the contrast can make it sharper, but darker....but then cutting shadows can make the whole image lighter, etc. That's part of the fun with playing with the tools provided. Look for things like balance in lighting, how much detail can you see and do you want to see it, colors if they're realistic or bring out more with a little more saturation, a little more color intensity. They also have color balance so you can swing it a little cooler with more blue or warmer with more yellow.

" light coming through the trees over exposed "

Perhaps by the book, but to my aesthetic, I liked the "overexposed" light coming through the trees, but I agree that the colour balance seemed off and I would have made it a little cooler and less green. Different software programs have different ways of doing that, but try it out and I think you'll like the effect with a little less green and more blue (blue light, which will counteract the greens long before it turns things blue in colour).

" Because when you take a photo....you compose the photo. "

No Nicole, you have it all wrong. One simply needs to learn which button to push on the camera so that the camera automatically composes the image. ;-)

Nicole, i found your dissection of that painting fascinating! I never would have figured out exactly why it’s so compelling. Thanks for posting it.

I find the story changes when I do the suggestions. It is lovely (despite the fact the point and shoot sucks. It still reminds me of the climb). Maybe it is better. Maybe the path become something hidden and to be discovered.

I feel like the path is what I wanted to remember. So what about this? Now, I feel like I am on the path. Not that one is better than another. It just tells my story. I could be offbase!

I do think the path is more mysterious in the top one, but it has that bright light....I like the lighting better in the bottom one. But isn't it fun playing with the images!

@elmer....every photographed a wedding? You the photographer ask the couple to entertwine hands. Or... put her ring on top of his ring. Or...put her shoes on her wedding train...snap a shot. Or ....when they throw rice as the couple is leaving...crouch down low....shoot from the height of the brides waist....looking up at the rice in the air with the couples faces smiling.

It's ALL poses. All shots you manufacture. It's about capturing moments and manufacturing moments that will be memorable. Getting the lighting just right. The light will put focus on objects giving them importance.

All that I mentioned above...carries over to ALL the shots you take. The photographer is important in shaping "the story".

It's NOT the camera MAN! It's the cameraman. (An old photographers saying...putting importance on the photographer...not the equipment)

Nicole, i think elmer was talking tongue in cheek. otherwise, ir would contradict his previous statements, and there was a smile.

Yes, thank you 0314. Clueless remains tenaciously clueless.

@HU-864750314....Ooops....rereading. YOU are correct. :0)

note: I'm kind of buried right now.

Elmer, was that”clueless” remark necessary? you have a strong, cruel voice in your head. can you shut it up.?

Not directed at Nicole.

Everyone has the right to be wrong or to misunderstand something they know little about. When comments consistently suggest so, to persist mentioning the misunderstanding over and over again as if repetition could change it from wrong to right displays an attitude foreign to most people.

though you were done? Bless your poor lil' ol' heart. Until everyone thinks like you, you're allowed to be cruel.

So what if it displays an attitude foreign to most people? did you mean to focus on the wrongness/inaccuracy/misunderstanding, rather than displayng an attitude?

Elmer, let me restate to make it easier for you. was your ”clueless” remark necessary——and 2., can you shut up the cruel voice in your head. yes or no will suffice. thank you

I shouldn't let your comment go without response. Rob, bless your poor lil' ol' heart.

I took a nap. Sorry Elmer. I think I can keep up now. You still trying to take shots? I think Robin's having fun with ya.... 😏 Hu-864750314....I think Elmer is my brothers twin. I grew up with one just like this....he's not making a dent ya know....

" I think Robin's having fun with y "

It's a recurring pattern that has nothing to do with taunting. The last comment was a well known Southern insult, akin to go perform an unnatural act on yourself.

But could be. She said she took a second job because she was bored. Can't begin to imagine why she has a lot of alone time. Know anyone else who thinks they don't work enough?

Oh, and no need to apologize for taking a nap - take one any time.

Know anyone else who thinks they don't work enough?

Yes, me. I tried retiring years ago. I was bored, everyone else was at work. I felt useless. Realized I liked getting up in the morning and having some place to go, with a purpose. I need structure in my life. I have several neighbors like myself. Dave is 77 years old with a PHD in Physics trying to invent a collider for a man-made isotope in treating cancer. He's had success, now he's trying to get the cost down. Chris was a Doctor, then hospital administrator, now he teaches high school science....he's 65. Larry has a law degree, then got a masters in Business Mgt, he just retired, does ham radio, he's 65 & also running for a position on the board of directors...so am I.

Whoa baby, you are cool. also cool neighbors. well educated do-ers. my favorite kinds of pals altho we have, or i particularly, have aged out of doing. our pals, 70’s and 80’s, travel, collect bridge master points and take classes, pilates and yoga. im not mobile but skinny dh does 4-5 miles of hills daily.

I retired many years before the max age my firm has for partners. My #1 joy in retirement is that most days other than the minority when I have an appointment or a commitment to a friend or family member, I wake when I wake and not to the sound of an alarm.

I have hobbies that I pursue. I enjoy exercising many times a week or not, depending on how I feel. I'm accountable to myself for that. I read almost every day. We travel. Contrary to how most of my adult life was spent, the ring of my phone or the ding of an incoming email never signals someone contacting me to say I may have to do something I may not necessarily want to do.

I've been on boards. I've actively done nonprofit work. When I retired I did a bit more. I took classes. Been there, done that, mostly no more of these things.

I stopped reading all the business and technical publications my job required but didn't provide me with the time to do as much of as needed. I read them because I had to, not that I enjoyed it. My happiness now is no longer having to be excessively busy. I get enough sleep. I don't need to spend time doing things I don't want to do or with people I wouldn't necessarily choose to spend time with (the clients concerned know who they were ;-) ). My time is for my wife, my kids and their families, and my friends. Couldn't be better.

https://www.quietnormal.com/bless-your-heart/

Go with the "clueless" version.

"Puff puff puff puff!! Stomp, stomp stomp! I'm going to leave and never come back" comes back full force. Clueless

Other than when I returned your curse, my last comment to you was when I said it was. I've been conversing with Nicole and others.

Sad that you think it's all about you when it's not.

Oh yes that's so right! 🙄 That's it exactly.

(CLUELESS!)

Elmer....I get that lifestyle. I go low-key every once in a while, then amp back up.

Hu-314---I'm going to do Silver Sneakers. Spin class maybe or kick boxing. You rock! ❤️

Rob....loving that your posting photos on the Show me thread!

Yes, Nicole. An amp-ed up life during career years happily leads to a lower key retirement.

The Silver Slipper program with my coverage has changed its name to Renew Active. It's funny that gyms that accept it offer different price breaks from one to the other with no apparent pattern. In Norcal, I belong to a local gym (4 locations) and the benefit is no membership fee and a $10 discount from monthly charges. Or, no fees, use only between 1pm and 3 pm (!). I took the former, I can't be sure when I want to go. In SoCal, I looked at several and chose a location belonging to a big chain. Physically very impressive bordering on overwhelming, just as clean, a good vibe welcoming to people of all ages and fitness levels (no gym rats). Better hours, and with Renew Active, completely free. Much more for less. Go figure.

Unless you have a favorite gym, do some comparison shopping. Always go in, the vibes from one gym to another can vary greatly, as you may know.

@Elmer J Fudd.....In 2 months I'm eligible for the Silver Sneakers. Interesting about the diff offers. I used to belong to a "cool" gym, with a fantastic Yoga class until we moved. The YMCA down the street is packed. The neighbor was going to a 5:30am spin class there to get "the right vibe". That early...just sounds brutal!😂 I'll take your advice & shop around.

Everyone is different but having a comfortable vibe is very important to me for a gym. I want positive feelings of being there and need to avoid those with any negative factors that could discourage me. Normal people looking for health benefits. Even folks a bit gung-ho don't bother me if normal in other respect.

No pierced and tattooed guys under 5'6" wearing a too small tank top and tight short shorts, whose chest measurements are numerically close to their IQs and also their height in inches. No women wearing a thong and a couple of handkerchiefs up top trying to attract someone to breed with.

Most "family" gyms have dress standards but some don't. I pay an extra $30 a month over one that's free, to avoid a crowd I don't want to see or spend time with.

They're out there to be found. Something for everyone.