May 2015 Meeting Beginner’s Digital Photography SIG

Ben Lochtenbergh: SIG Leader, Editor of the Clubs Facebook account, and NOCCC Director. Why does one member need to do so much? Because no one else will.

SIG Leader: John Krill #3160

Meeting Time Is Now 12:30 PM

We had 6 members at the meeting.

The Fujifilm XPro-1 with the 27mm f2.8 lens

Note: The picture above was taken with the Fujifilm XPro-1 with the 27mm f2.8 lens. No flash was needed. Because the Fuji sensor has little noise at high ISOs flash is rarely needed.

Gave an overview of the camera and how it works. I described the good and bad points using the camera. Also showed how the Fuji sensor is designed making it unique among sensors.

If you are thinking of buying a digital SLR and have never used a digital camera I do not recommend this camera. It’s too quirky. For many photographers, myself included, who have gone with the Fujifilm XPro-1 found the learning curve longer then usual.

I’ll give you an example. I couldn’t get any electronic strobe to work. I have two and neither worked. Turns out if you enable Silent mode then the flash is disabled. This camera model doesn’t even have a built-in flash to disable and if you go to the trouble of putting a flash on the camera you wouldn’t want it disabled. I finally found the fine print in the manual that mentions this quirk of the camera.

That’s just one of many quirks of the Fujifilm XPro-1.

Conclusion – I love my Fuji. It’s not a general purpose camera like my Nikon D5100 but if I had to choose between the two then the Fujifilm XPro-1 is the keeper. It’s just too much fun.

Just What Is Adobe’s CC?

There have been many misunderstood ideas with Adobe’s new Cloud software.

The primary one is that the software is in the cloud and all your work is done from software that is not on your computer. WRONG. You download and install the applications just like in the past. The software IS on your computer. No difference there.

You have to be online to use the software. WRONG. You only need to be online for Adobe to check the status of your account. This is done once a month at the most.

You will lose all your images if you cancel your Cloud account. WRONG. You never lose any images since they are on your computer and they belong to you. Adobe does not block you access to the images.

Lightroom 6/CC

There are now two versions of Lightroom and they are identical except for access to the Cloud applications. They include the iOS and Android apps. You need a Cloud account to get the use of these apps.

I haven’t upgraded to Lightroom 6 yet. The upgrade cost is $80. I will get the upgrade version at some point.

If you think you qualify for the upgrade you need to go to Adobe.com and click MENU in the upper right corner. Then scroll down to the bottom of the next page and select All Products. Now scroll down to LR and click the Buy button. Now you can change from the Full version to the Upgrade version and select your current version from the I Own list.

I think that’s the only way to get the Upgrade version. Good Luck.

User Questions

We spent most of the remaining time answering questions. It had been very encouraging that members are bringing in their questions. Keep them coming.

NEW and Exciting Developments at NOCCC

We now have our own Facebook page. To find the Club’s Facebook account just do a Google search for Computer Club NOCCC and one of the listing will be for our Facebook account. If you are use Facebook make sure you LIKE the NOCCC page.

June Meeting

I have a new camera and that will be the main area of discussion. I will continue to show one or two Youtube videos at the beginning of the meeting. Maybe more slideshows? Anyone have some travel or family pictures to share?

PS: You have any ideas?

Standard Stuff That Is Always In This Report

If you have a special request for information regarding digital photography let me know. E-mail me using the address listed below.

Check out the SIG BLog for other information and maybe info on what we will discuss at the next meeting.

As always we will answer any and all questions.

If you have a special request for information regarding digital photography let me know. E-mail me using the address listed below.

See you at the next meeting.

Where the Pictures From The Main Meeting Go To Die

Note: I am using a new Web location for the photos I take at the meeting. I now upload the photos I take to Microsoft OneDrive and flickr. A link will be put here every month to the folder location with the current month’s photos.

OneDrive: http://1drv.ms/1Ig8ARu
flickr: http://tinyurl.com/lj3276k

SIG BLog: https://nocccbgphotosig.wordpress.com/

Email: noccc.bgphotosig@gmail.com

July 2013 Beginning Digital Photography SIG Report

SIG Leader: John Krill #3160

It was a small group that met this Sunday. I suspect the reason was the July 4^th was a long weekend.

One question I couldn’t answer was: Can you arrange your images in the order you want for a Slideshow? Will have to look into this and put up an answer on the SIG Blog: nocccbgphotosig.wordpress.com.

Lightroom 5 (LR5)

There is one really cool new tool in LR5. It’s a new version of perspective correction. I demonstrated what this tool could do on one of my own photos. In previous versions of LR you need to use the manual mode to correct for any distortions in the image. You still can manually correct distortation  in LR5 but always try the AUTO mode first.

The best way to see what’s new in LR5 go to Adobe and examine the videos for LR5. A good starting point at Adobe is: http://tinyurl.com/l9mpvlf.

LR5 Lens and Perspective Adjustment Before and After Using The Auto Mode

Notice there is some cropping. I’ve set LR5 to automatically crop the image (Constrain Crop) to eliminate white space.

The New Flickr

Because of the small size of the group I didn’t go to deeply into Flickr but because of the amount of storage now available, one terabyte, this may be a good place to store your photos. In August I will go deeper into Flickr’s possibilities.

Questions and Comments

Touch Screen Laptops

It was good to see someone at the club WANTED a laptop with the touch screen option. Only problem was he wants a laptop with a 17” screen and Dell didn’t have the Touch option for the 17” laptop.

Keep bringing in your questions. It really is the fun part of being a SIG Leader – answering question.

August Meeting

We will continue to take a look at Flickr. It’s changed but are the changes an improvement?

I still want to do a ‘Walk About.’ Didn’t I say that last month? Bring your camera and we’ll walk about and see what kind of picture taking problems we can find and maybe answer.

If you have specific picture taking problems then bring your camera and just maybe we can solve your problem.

Adobe Lightroom or A New SIG Maybe

I got so wrapped up in the Print Test that I forgot all about trying to start a new Lightroom SIG. No one showed up at Irvine Hall and complained about the lack of a meeting. So what follows is just a repeat of last month. I STILL want to try and get some kind of Lightroom SIG.

It will be at 12 Noon in Science 131. I plan to start at the very beginning and gradually go through the entire program in the coming months.

Note: I’ve changed the room location to Science 131. Since both photo SIGs meet in this room I’ve decided to add Lightroom to the list.

Or maybe only experienced Lightroom users will show up and we then can discuss just about anything related to Lightroom.

Or maybe it will be a little bit of both.

Sadly, for me, no one showed up for the July meeting. Maybe a little more publicity will help. Can’t give up yet.

If you’re interested in a Lightroom SIG then e-mail me at: noccc.bgphotosig@gmail.com

Standard Stuff That Is Always In This Report

If you have a special request for information regarding digital photography let me know. E-mail me using the address listed below.

Check out the SIG BLog for other information and maybe info on what we will discuss at the next meeting.

As always we will answer any and all questions.

If you have a special request for information regarding digital photography let me know. E-mail me using the address listed below.

We had 2 members at our SIG meeting.

See you at the next meeting.

Note: I am using a new Web location for the photos I take at the meeting. I now upload the photos I take to Microsoft SkyDrive. A link will be put here every month to the folder location with the current month’s photos.

SkyDrive Photos for the July 2013 Club Meeting: http://sdrv.ms/13v7P63.

Flickr Photos for July 2013 Club Meeting: http://tinyurl.com/m9nxh9x.

SIG BLog: https://nocccbgphotosig.wordpress.com/

Email: noccc.bgphotosig@gmail.com

Tidbits for May 2013

This is something I’m starting this month. I will do one a month but with a twist. I’ll continue to add tidbits to this one page for the entire month.

May 30, 2013

What’s coming in the upgrade to Windows 8

Personally I’m glad the Start button is history or was history. But other changes are being made for Windows 8.1.

Read about what’s coming in Windows 8.1 here.

May 27, 2013

Do I really need that digital camera?

If all you’re doing is making 4X6 inch prints and posting to the Web then probably not. Just get a good smartphone and have at it.

Here’s a bunch of examples of the iPhone photos.

May 21, 2013

5 Things To Know About the New Flickr

Ted Forbes over at The Art of Photography has put up a post on what you need to know about the new Flickr. Ted is a good writer and does a good job of explaining things. I read him often and also view his videos. Check him out.

Here’s the link to his Yahoo post.

May 21, 2013

RAW or JPEG?

Reasons why one photographer shoots RAW most of the time.

What I tell people wanting to know which to use: If you don’t use any photo editing software or you shoot for web sites like Facebook or Flickr then JPEG is what you should be using. Otherwise use RAW.

May 20, 2012

So What Are The Differences Between Photoshop And Elements?

I’ve always wondered what was missing from the cheaper version of Photoshop. After all $99 retail price for Photoshop Elements is way less than the $609 for Mac or the $649 for Windows for Photoshop.

Wonder no longer. Someone at the Adobe forums is compiling a list of differences.

The complete post is here.

May 15, 2013

Adobe publicly confirms stand-alone future for Lightroom

Adobe Product Manager Tom Hogarty stressed that Adobe has, ‘no plans to make Lightroom subscription-only at any point in the future.’ The statement, made in light of the overwhelming response to Adobe’s Creative Cloud announcement last week, was made during a Google+ Hangout today in which both Hogarty and Lightroom PM Sharad Mangalick responded to audience questions.

The Complete Post Is Here.

May 14, 2013

Windows 8.1 Due In Late June

Today at the JP Morgan Technology, Media & Telecom Conference in Boston, Tami Reller shared with the audience that the update previously referred to as “Windows Blue” will be called Windows 8.1and will be a free update to Windows 8 for consumers through the Windows Store.

Complete post here.

May 9, 2013

Scott Kelby on Adobe’s Announcements at the MAX Conference

If you’re a user of any of Adobe’s CS software bundles then you should read this question and answer post by Scott Kelby.

May 7,2013

The Five Stages of the Camera Buying Process

You want or need a new camera and aren’t sure of the best process to use in deciding on and purchasing said new camera. Here’s a blog post that just may help you solve your dilemma. Read and weep.

Or just go out and buy the dang thing.

May 6, 2012

Adobe heralds subscription-only future for Photoshop and Creative Suite

See story at DPReview.

Amazon is having a Gold Sale of the 3M Streaming Projector Powered by Roku (SPR1000.)

The portable ultra-compact 3M Streaming Projector Powered by Roku allows you to wirelessly stream your favorite online movies onto a 120-inch projection field. The rechargeable battery runs for up to 2.5 hours (on eco mode) between charges.

Sale Price: $169.99.

Check it out here.

May 2, 2013

The High Cost Of HDMI Cables

First up this month is HDMI cables. Why do they cost so much? I’ve been of the opinion that merchants, including Fry’s Electronics, charge a hefty price because we have been told over and over that any HDMI cable is an expensive thing to build. It is really? The least expensive HDMI cable at Fry’s was $16.00 for a 6′ cable with most 6′ HDMI cables in the $30.00 range. So the question is can we do better?

Amazon to the rescue.

Amazon is selling two, I repeat 2, 2-meter HDMI cables for $9.99. Even with shipping and tax this is still cheaper than any local store’s price. And that’s FOR 2, I repeat two, HDMI cables.

I’m currently using one of the two HDMI cables I purchased from Amazon and it works just fine. The second one I needed for the club meetings.

Here’s the link at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0052SCU8U/ref=pe_175190_21431760_M3T1_ST1_dp_1

Adobe Lightroom 4 – 20% Discount

Today only! Purchase Lightroom 4 for $99 ($50 off) on http://Adobe.com  with promo code BFDAY2012: http://adobe.ly/T1EV20    (U.S. only)

For a limited time only, receive 20% off Lightroom 4 on with promo code BF2012: http://adobe.ly/T521F1   (U.S.only)
Note: I have no idea how long ‘Limited’ is.