Could someone disclose the sizes again? I remember what they used to be, but I think I have C.R.A.F.T. disease setting in! LOL!

No, no, no Kort you misunderstood, during peak season a week is rated at $100 a night, the house sleeps one to four people, two twin beds and a queen bed. I am thinking it is cheaper off season. Prices have gone out of sight down there, dunno if you have checked recently. I can send you a link with all of the contact information for this guy, $100 a night for a house down there is unheard of, this link is for your future use! By the way? That price includes the use of the boat ramp as well. Sorry you can't join us, but I will be sure to bring back some images for you all. Brenda :)

Wow! Ok take this from someone who has deleted her gallery more then a few times to seek greener pastures... I won't do it again publicly anyway, I would prefer to just delete it and go unnoticed if there ever is a next time... While some members saw my leaving as a slap in the face or humiliating to them, let me explain what I think is the main reason I did it. I never meant to slap anyone or humiliate them if that makes you feel any better. I have never thought that I got the recognition I deserved here, very simple. You can read one of my rantings under the first post in my gallery under the name of Nilla. I also suffer little bouts of depression when I have done this in the past, so maybe that is part of it??? Yep probably. And I have always felt guilty about never having enough time to participate as I would have liked to, but hey what can I do? I can't manufacture time to spend here because days only have 24 hours in them and I have to work and sleep at least 16 of them, I also have to balance friends, family, hobbies, pets and relaxation in the remaining time, and no matter how hard you try you can't make a day 36 hours long. The leaving, banning or censorship of other members is just an excuse imo, or it was in my case me thinks. Sure I was angry when it happened, but I don't think I will be deleting my gallery because of it again any time soon. I joined other communities as you will read below, and guess what? It isn't any different there and each community/gallery comes with its own set of problems. Many don't have forums where the members communicate such as this, and many would have deleted this thread just because of the content! Think about it! I return here eventually, because it is the forum here that keeps me coming back, and the wealth of knowledge that I can find here in this forum. I personally don't like being second to 3d programs, I think they mostly suck, but without them this site wouldn't be here would it? I also think that the photography section of this site is popular enough and could sustain itself on it's own. It needs to break off and become its own site, but hey that is just my opinion. Here is a recent reply to a question asked about those other communities: I learned tons at Use Film but the censorship thing is/was out of control there, I have been getting letters from a few members recently about how bad it is. I also joined Fotola I think it was, I was like a grain of sand in a desert there, or at least that is how I felt. I also started a gallery on photopoints, hard to navigate for me, but I started getting the hang of it... wasn't a bad community I didn't think, but I never found a forum where I could ask questions and learn. I liked the fact that when you uploaded your posting there it was anonymous for 24 hours, so unless you signed your work, no one knew who you were. I uploaded a few images to Dc mag as well, wasn't impressed with them either! Scratches head Seems to me there are a few more, they left such an impression on me that I can't remember them LOL! And of course there is Photo-Genesis, a wonderful place but it is privately owned and invitation only! OK that is the run down! I like being here and I like the new improvements being made like LWITG. I don't comment or post much, sporadically if I do, and know that if I pay you a compliment I truly mean it. I don't know Pete's reasoning for his departure, we each have our own reasons for doing the things we do, we are each responsible for our own actions. If he decides to return he should know that he is always welcome. Brenda :)

Using my own rule of thumb, I never use colored borders anymore, the DO take away from any image imho. I either use blakc or white and add a sliver of the dominant color (usually 1 pixel) I responded to your IM. I hope I gave you enough information. Be sure to use edge preserving smooth after step 1, I use a setting of 3, to remove artifacts and noise. If you have any more questions feel free to ask. Here is my reply that I replied via IM: Hi Jared! I use PSP not PS so the steps may or not be close. I am going to try to explain this as best I can OK? 1. Open image is psp. 2. Take original image and go to "effects" "enhance photo" "automatic color balance" 55% temp = 6515 (which is about = to sunlight) uncheck remove color cast and apply. The go to "effects" "enhance photo" "contrast" and I played with the settings. I think it was darken, mild and flat. Then I go to "effects" "enhance photo" "saturation" and make it more colorful and bold. 3. Now duplicate two images (use shift D). 4. Go to one of the duplicates you made in step 3 and go to "effects" "blur" "gaussian blur" using a radius of 5.57 (because the longest edge on the image that used of yours was 557 x XXX) now copy it and go back to the original image and add it in as a layer. Now go to "layers" "properties" and I think for this layer I used the blend mode saturation, adjusted the opacity to where I liked it. And when I added the third copy "as is" I used the mode screen and adjusted the opacity to where I thought it looked best. I then went to layers, merge layers visable and saved. Open your saved image again and applied crop. Geeze I hope all that made sense... it only took a few minutes I swear! Anymore questions, feel free to ask! Brenda :)

I dunno about PS Marlene I have PSP, but I had noticed that from the very little I have worked with PS, it was virtually the same thing just a little harder to navigate for me. I just created a "new" canvas, filled it with the color I preferred. In my case that is going to be either black with white font or white with black font as my 'frames' are always either black or white. Hmmmm maybe I should buttonize it as well? I dunno yet. Andreas I like yours! Will definately take that suggestion and put it to use, thank you! Yes Doug I know how to use tubes, it will take me a bit to remember how to make a tube, because it was a very long time ago that I used PSP for this. That is like the first thing I learned to do, second was animation shop! OK going to go play in PSP now! Thank you all for your answers. Brenda :)

I adjusted color, contrast and saturation, then created a few layers. I also used edge preserving smooth and cropped and added a border. The guys are right about the blue frame taking away from the image, so I added a sliver of blue into the frame and dropped shadow. If you want more info on what I did I can provide that. Brenda :)

Ooops! Ok here is my futile attempt! :-S

1. I do like this one but as mentioned the thorns detract from this image, but as far as colors go I really like this one! I wish you had taken more of it! 2. Is just awesome and I do love what Kort did with it too! I think this is my favorite of the lot. 3. I really like this image too! The yellow leaves draw my attention immediately and then I look down at the leaves on the seat of the bench and back up again. I like this one as well. Greeting card? Most definatley! 4. This would have been a really cool shot had she fallen in! ;) Kind of boring to me, but that is just my opinion. 5. I think this compo works and is actually a nice little shot! 6. Hmmmmm those things sticking out of the duck's bill draw my attention almost immediately, but they can be cloned. It is a shame that this duck's eye isn't visable either. Keep in mind that these are just my opinions and we all know what they say about opinions... LOL! Brenda :)

Attached Link: http://www.terragalleria.com/parks/np.dry-tortugas.all.html

I do enjoy shooting sunscapes! :) So no problem in that department Marlene and Andreas and I am sure I can shoot one for both of you!!! The beauty of the keys is that you can do an Atlantic sunrise in the morning and walk to the other side of the street and shoot a sunset on the Gulf! There is also the famed Key West Lighthouse that has been missing from my collection for some time now and the lighthouses on both Loggerhead Key and Garden Key, plus there is Ft. Jefferson in the Tortugas and can you imagine a Miami skyline image at night??? Maybe after revisiting the Key Biscayne lighthouse!? Plus all of the sunrises and sunsets I can handle, no worries I have two 512mb cards and a 1 gig at present, I may invest in another 1 gig card before I go too! I am including a link here to a gallery of images from The Dry Tortugas for you all to have a look at. Yep I can feel some aerial shots coming on too! ;) Here is yet another link to images from this magical place, sorry but you will have to copy and paste this one! :) http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0111/photo.html The knee is badly bruised, not sprained or broken thank god! Huge hugs to all! Brenda :) Psst!!! Kort I have linkage to the vacation rental where I will be staying if you are interested, how does $100 a night sound?

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY KORT!!! Sorry I missed the day, haven't been around much in the past few days! Hope your day was wonderful! Brenda :)

Wow Modesty a nice set up there, funny thing I have a cat that sleeps on top of my monitor in the evenings! LOL! :) Noeline, Yes that is an aquarium next to my work station LOL! I guess that tells the story why I don't get anything accomplished! :) Now Doug THAT is a work station! I scored an 11 on that geek test LOL! Oh and I see Dandi! :) coolj001 a cool laptop with an even cooler design on the screen! Love your little cartoon on the right! ;) Carlos yours looks very comfortable, an interesting little wicker lamp accentuates nicely! :) Nice and neat! Nongo gets the neat award, love that flat screen btw! And the artwork on the wall is beautiful there! :) Andreas that is a cool desk, I like your flat screen too! I used to have my screen far and away too but I had to downsize because of the fish tank! Lots of remotes LOL! You are as bad as I am! :) A nice neat corner workplace Kort and I think your banana is standing at attention! LOL! ;) Onslow/Richard I really like your simple uncluttered approach! :) Yours is very homey Margana and it looks comfortable! And yes that light... :) Nice set up Noeline! Bryce??? That is one big book! Looks good everyone! Thanks for responding! Brenda :)

No worries Kort, I know nothing about pbase. Might have to have a look see! :) I learned tons at Use Film but the censorship thing is/was out of control there, have been getting letters from a few members recently. I also joined Fotola I think it was, I was like a grain of sand in a desert there, or at least that is how I felt. I also started a gallery on photopoints, hard to navigate for me, but I started getting the hang of it... wasn't a bad community I didn't think. I liked the fact there that when you uploaded your posting was anonymous for 24 hours, so unless you signed your work, no one knew who you were. I uploaded a few images to Dc mag as well, wasn't impressed with them either! Scratches head Seems to me there are a few more, they left such an impression that I can't remember them LOL! And of course there is Photo-Genesis, privately owned and invitation only though! OK that is the run down!

Brenda :)

Message edited on: 01/19/2006 18:11

Some of them do Marlene. Depends on where you go. However, the censorship/freedom of speech issue always seems to come up, people are outsted and members leave, that my dear is everywhere. Dunno what my plans are at this point. I honestly think this forum is one of the reasons I keep returning here. Posting isn't such an issue for me anymore, I guess for a while it was... sigh I have met some wonderful people both here and in other communities, that have taught me lots. One of the other sites that I belonged to had oodles of talent, it was like a back patting service, you tell me how good my work is and I tell you how good yours is. The ones that were mediocre or needed improvement were lucky to be acknowledged. I guess it is pretty much the same all over. The question now is do I want to continue to participate? Yeah for now I will anyway, we shall see. While my father was in the hospital last January through June, two men stood out amongst everyone, one emailed me on the average of once a week sending his thoughts and prayers and would always ask how I was doing, how dad was doing and when I was coming back to post again. I later found out that he is a clergyman, we still email back and forth even though I haven't posted in that community in some time. The other man is one of Rosity's own, he kept me company on my long drives to Gainesville every friday night after work, keeping me awake for the drive, three and four hour phone calls on friday for the ride there and sunday for the ride back were not uncommon. I guess you could say I have made some long term good friendships in most every community where I have been. I hope my ramble answered your questions! Brenda :)

I am sorry Kort I neglected to mention your posting (I was not ignoring you I swear!), I got all excited once I scrolled down and saw what Richard had done to it, even though I had the softness, to me it wasn't finished until he rotated it and cropped it! That made all the difference in the world. Don't get me wrong Kort I like your version too, but the one I posted in the gallery is the look I was going for, and always have tried to acheive without success. I usually shoot them too sharp (if there is such a thing!) And have never understood how I could take a sharp image and turn it into that silky softness. I like how your edges softened as they regress into the flower kind of like a shallow dof which, duh, I should have used! Next time I will! ;) I think your version would be very much gallery worthy if flipped and cropped like post #11. Now that I have seen the result of the flip and crop I couldn't present that image sharp or soft any other way, it made such an incredible difference! Yes I know blah, blah, blah, blah... LOL! Onslow/Richard that image with the spiral you posted along with the explanation may be the reason I have been unable to obtain the results I wanted. Thank you for your explanation! The missing piece to the puzzle! I needed that! :) Brenda :)

Thank you Drea for taking the time to explain this to me, will definately see what I can come up with! Watercolor filter eh? Oil Painting filter too? I have some Ulead will have to go look at their site I don't have data becker but I am sure I can make this work in one program or another! Thank you again! Looking at the images above is a big help! :) Brenda :)