Archive for category Photography
Why you should always shoot in RAW
Posted by Christa Watson in Photography on July 10, 2012
This is sort of a quick and dirty <rant>, not a true post but what’s on my mind… If you are into photography at all, I am positive people are constantly asking you for advice on what next best thing is to buy to enhance their photos. Sure, it’s a no brainer that a full frame camera and sweet glass will definitely help with picture quality and I’m sure every photo blog in the world advocates it’s not the camera but the person behind it. Yes, all fine and dandy, I could write 100+ posts on all of that advice, but let’s get to the REAL point folks – for the love of all that is holy, please, please, please SHOOT IN RAW file format. Why? Because it saves the most possible data on your photo. JPEG shooting compresses it into nice and ugly pixels that when editing show up in all shades of green and purple splotches/boxes. This is how you are able to get soooo many shots onto your memory card, because of the compressed size. And guess what people? That data loss is permanent and can never be retrieved again. With a RAW file you can save later into a nice and compact jpeg, but not vice versa. I can go on and on about it but I feel like a picture may be worth more than just my words.
The first rule of good photography is to take good photos – well duh (set up the shot, choose the necessary settings, frame it correctly, you get my point).Now realize, I had no intention of doing any photo editing with these photos other than saving them and giving them to my friend Trish, I was just joking around taking pics in her back yard. Nor do I necessarily condone overprocessing photos. What I want to show is the CAPABILITY between shooting in RAW and shooting in JPEG.
Original Photo no editing:
After total manipulation, going to the extreme in exposure, vibrance, saturation, clarity, etc: (also not perfect, I spent maybe 2 mins on this)
Photo manipulation of a JPEG (simulated as I never shoot in JPEG – also I spent A LOT more time trying to get this photo to look as good as the RAW, like 30 minutes :/):
It may take a trained eye (or because I gotz skillz in editing) but there is almost a greenish quality to our jpeg photo and also what I like to refer to as the splotchy effect, and trust me, try putting this on a canvas or printing larger than 8×10 and you WILL be sorry:
So go ahead and buy a new camera if yours doesn’t have an option to shoot in anything other than JPEG, otherwise take that puppy out and keep practicing… in RAW! Only after you realize that it’s not the camera or the lenses that will take you to the next level should you consider buying them 
</rant>
Nude Nite Orlando
Posted by Christa Watson in Events, Photography on February 14, 2011
WARNING: Not Safe for Work – Do not Scroll down if you don’t want to see Naked/Nude People!
Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend Nude Nite Orlando this year due to the fact that I no longer live in Orlando, but I can always reminisce about last year’s event. Whether it was the artwork, live performances, or just diversity of mediums, I have to say it was sincerely impressive. I went from a photography exhibit, to an artist sculpting a live model in chocolate, to a burlesque show- I mean, where can you go to find that all in one place?
Well, since I am not able to attend this year, I’ve decided to post some photos I took at the event last year….and who knows, maybe we can get a Nude Nite up in Albany one of these days?
This first photo may seem familiar, since I posted her on my 365 project. She’s still one of my favorites:
The flyers were my second favorite after the burlesque dancers. They were memorizing:
The talent and variety of exhibits was amazing, some of my favorite pieces were:
"Erotic Asphyxiation Series" on aluminum by Dixie Lee
"Swinger" in bronze steel and wood by Chris Ricardo
Attendees enjoying the exhibits
The live art exhibits were interesting:
Full back henna
Even the audience put on a show:
My favorite acts of the night were the burlesque shows. These were not only super sexy and provocative, but were oh so clever and funny as well. I really need to find a good burlesque show to go to someday soon!
Brazalian martial arts ended my evening, definitely some amazing performances!
I hope everyone enjoyed Nude Nite 2011 as much as I did last year. Here’s to being able to attend in the future!
Icicles
Posted by Christa Watson in Photography, Random on January 13, 2011
Well, I’ve obviously found my new obsession of having a real winter. I know what you’re thinking… It’s snow isn’t it? No, no, I mean the snow is cute. It certainly is beautiful when it’s falling, and I love how it sparkles in the sun. It’s also awesome to throw my cat into it on the porch, run away and close the door (what? oh come on you know I would never do such a thing)
But seriously folks, I’m OBSESSED with ice. Acually, icicles to be precise. I mean how cool are these cold clear daggers of death?! I’ve managed to annoy hubs everywhere we go by pointing out every house, building and sign that has them hanging. I’m particularly fond of the icicle twinkle lights with icicles hanging off of them. So you must know how EXCITED I was to play with this monster:
Christa Approved!
Thinking of all the dangerous things I can do with this sucker!
My Dexter pose (the "perfect" weapon)
My artistic interpretation
Fun with Animated GIFs
Posted by Christa Watson in Photography on January 2, 2011
Just a little fun with some of the pictures I took on New Years Eve:
The Finale …365/365
Posted by Christa Watson in My 365 on December 31, 2010
I’ve been thinking about the last photo of my project for over a month now. I’ve had lots of ideas as to how I could connect it back to my first photo which was a picture of me playing a hand and putting it all in. I thought I could set up another shot where I put the cards down and they spelled out 365, but then I thought, meh that’s a little too cliche for me.
After thinking about it almost everyday I came to realize that this project has transformed over the year and has turned into more of a scrapbook of my life every day. So I went to a New Years Eve party at a friend’s house and made a pact that I would have fun, take a bunch of pictures, and not worry about my last picture… and with that, I give you #365 “Happy New Year!” I hope everyone has a wonderful 2011, I can’t wait to see what it has in store for me 
Walk around …364/365
Posted by Christa Watson in My 365 on December 30, 2010
Another day, another snowy sunset. I went walking around to get out of the house and stumbled upon this view. I have to say I already miss the snow as I hear it melting away. Good thing there is over a foot so it’ll take awhile… teehee
Zenbu …363/365
Posted by Christa Watson in My 365 on December 29, 2010
This post goes out to Tim who misses his Zenbu Chinese food. Don’t worry, we enjoyed it for you
P.S. We got the General Tso
P.P.S. Don’t you just love the small Chinese food containers? I mean they are soooo cute 
Cat tails …362/365
Posted by Christa Watson in My 365 on December 28, 2010
I love to watch these fuzzy little cat tails, especially in the snow. They are everywhere, I can’t believe how wet the land is up here.
Snow Day …361/365
Posted by Christa Watson in My 365 on December 27, 2010
I knew Santa was too busy making the younger people of the world happy, that he delayed my wish of a white Christmas until the day after. LOOK! My Snow is HERE!!!
Snowstorm …360/365
Posted by Christa Watson in My 365 on December 26, 2010
I was feeling very noir for this shot. My interpretation of the snow storm coming tonight. We are supposed to get upwards of 12 to 16 inches of snow. I’m gonna be like a little kid running to the window in the morning to see how it looks outside!
-
You are currently browsing the archives for the Photography category.
Find, Follow, Friend Me
