Monitor Matters

Happy Friday!

So tell me, what do you think of this picture?  Nice looking guy, right?  This is my son, who by the way placed first in his age group (pardon the proud mom moment).  But that’s not what I want to talk about today. I’m curious, how does it look on your monitor?

The reason I ask is because I used Lightroom on my laptop to process it.  Long story short, I thought I’d relax and be more comfortable as I worked.  Well, I immediately found myself struggling to focus through my progressive lenses (the narrowest part being for viewing the screen) on the little 8-inch or so, uncalibrated monitor, and struggling with the viewing angle of the monitor, which we all know changes what you see.  So other than for the crop, I wasn’t really sure if the color corrections or other edits I was making were actually helping or hurting.

Okay, so maybe I’m a little obsessive-compulsive when it comes to my photos.  He is only using the pictures for his FB and Instagram after all.  But when I returned to the photos on my website,  viewing them on my “Photo” monitor, content aside, I did not like what I saw.  This also happens to be true in reverse; photos that look great on my calibrated “photo” monitor don’t always look so hot on other monitors/devices.   I know, I’m probably over thinking this, especially since photos are viewed on so many different devices.  But, still, I want to show the best possible image… that’s just the way I am.   Heck, even the photos taken with my phone and shared always get a little extra love through Snapseed…  

It’s back to my tried & true (and big) monitor for me, and knowing that at least I am 100 percent satisfied before my images are sent out to be seen regardless of monitor/device it is viewed on.

Until Next time,
Maria

 

 

 

On your mark… Get set…

Go!This is this year’s sponsor poster for the Chalfont Challenge (poster layout courtesy of the borough), and the final race in the Bucks 5K Series.  This was my fourth year (5th if you count the time a actually ran jogged it) that I have been a part of this event.  So what’s so different this year from previous… me.  I’ve learned a few new skills since I started shooting this race and even more paramount, to me, is the comfort level I have reached interacting with and photographing people.  For the first time, I think it’s about 50/50… oh okay, maybe 60/40, candid shots (I do love catching the runner in mid air) and those shots where I’m actually engaged in and engaging the subject… from sponsors, to volunteers, to families, and to think all I had to do was ask… “can I take you picture?”

If you would like to see more photos from this event, you can check them out on my website here http://www.studiomdigitalart.com/p114600569

Til next time,
Maria

 

 

 

Race to Empower

Tomorrow . . . RAIN OR SHINE… I’ll be there to capture all the FUN!
Note to self:  Search YouTube for DIY rain protector 😛

Thanks to all the Women and Men, their dedication, and continued hard work in the fight against domestic violence.

 

It is the courage to continue . . .

Do your photos talk to you?  In my search tonight for a photo that would make a nice note card that would “speak” to runners, I found that I gravitated towards photos that spoke to me.   This one in particular spoke loud and clear.  The start of the race, the pack,  the green lights.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  It was actually 5 years ago that I ran my very first 5k . . . this 5K!  And on Saturday, it will be my third year that I will be shooting this race for the Chalfont Borough and the first time for the Bucks 5K Series.  It was just about three years ago that I hung up my running shoes and picked up my camera. What’s that saying . . . when one door closes, another opens . . . well you get the idea.

Speaking of sayings, I also found that finding just the right saying or quote to translate what the photo says to me and something the viewer can appreciate is quite a challenge.    I have a new appreciation for those motivational posters you see at A.C. Moore (a local craft/art store for you out of towners).   I don’t know if I really hit the mark here for the runners, but for me it pretty much sums up that first 5K and so many challenges since then . . .

Race results

 

The leader of the pack

. . . and my mom said this would be fun

as light as air

Here are Just a couple of photos from the 5k on Saturday.  To see many more photos from the race visit my site at creativelens.smugmug.com.  Overall the entire event was a success!  The weather held, although it was pretty warm & humid.  There was an abundance of photo opportunities (512 in all).  And I sold a print and a few note cards!  I think the later is quite an accomplishment, seeing as this was a runner’s event and I doubt anyone really came prepared to buy art.

 

I want to thank Fernando for asking me to be his partner for this event and my dad for making our display boards.  I hope to put them to use again in the very near future!