*****February Photo Contest COMMENT THREAD*****

[2naSalit]

This is where we can discuss the photos submitted in the Contest.

Useful links
Entry submissions
http://www.democraticunderground.com/103650145

How to post images
http://www.democraticunderground.com/103623797#op


I'll do my best to be available to answer questions during this process.

Enjoy,

2na

[mnhtnbb]

1. I'm in!

[2naSalit]

2. Woo Hoo!

I knew you would be. I haven't had a chance to look yet, I have been posting all these threads!

I felt so good that I know how to spell February only to find that my fingers are challenged by it so I had to fix a couple typos!

[mnhtnbb]

3. LOL--I always have to spell check February and Wednesday!

[2naSalit]

4. Those are the two they warned us about in gradeschool!

[2naSalit]

12. I love those!

I have a postcard booklet of drawings of the universe from that century. That machine is amazing and beautiful. Makes me want to go to Prague too!

Nice entry.

[Mira]

5. mnhttnbb: Gorgeous start!

It will inspire us. I need inspiration.

Have not heard back from the administration about the size of the photos. In my life in general I rather beg forgiveness instead asking for permission. In this case I asked, and I'm not going to chase an answer.
I love the larger size, I hope we all go for it and see how the chips fall.

[2naSalit]

6. Hmmm

I pasted what was posted on the "rules" page. It seems a standard size but I am not claiming to know much here!

Let me know if I need to change something.

[mnhtnbb]

7. Thanks, Mira.

That clock is still working. It's in Prague.

I kind of went with the Back to the Future movie for ideas. I looked up photos I had of old cars, trains, planes, boats--thought about the crop circles at different levels in Peru--and then
remembered the photos I'd taken of this very cool clock. I had never really played much with the photos, so I was pleased to see the detail that was enlarged when I cropped it.

[Solly Mack]

9. I love Prague! I watched the noon time change at that clock.

It was great!

Great photo!

[mnhtnbb]

10. We saw it change, too, but not at noon.

It was a cloudy, rainy day when I took this, so we didn't stand there very long watching!

[mnhtnbb]

8. ManiacJoe had a reply from Skinner

http://www.democraticunderground.com/103649594#post43


The image info on the photo I just submitted is 1024 x 845 (viewing in classic mode)

so I think that the scaling down that ManiacJoe quoted Skinner as saying would still be done is for viewing
in the Standard mode.

[2naSalit]

11. Yikes.

This is where I will need help if there is a re-scaling process. I just need to know how to go about it... it's been ages since I had any practice with publishing techniques.

[mnhtnbb]

13. I don't think there is a problem.

Here's why.

Go in My account at top right of page.

Look at preferred format for regular web browsers. If it's set to standard, photos are automatically scaled to 800 px on the longest side
(Use my submission as an example) It will show (when you right click on the photo and select view image info) 1024 x 845 scaled to 800 x 660.

So, anyone looking at the photo submissions in standard format is going to see them ALL sized to 800 px on the longest side.

If people are looking at photo submissions in the classic format, then our new rules of longest side to be no longer than 1024px would be in effect,
and, as an example, my photo would be in compliance with the new rules.

[2naSalit]

14. Whew, Thanks.

I have a lot to learn in this environment, but learn I will.

[2naSalit]

15. I'm the liking entries so far!!

This part fun!

[alfredo]

16. BTW, the Juicer in my image is a cider press.

Hard cider was the drink of choice because the water in many places was sulfur or just dangerous.

[Solly Mack]

18. I've got a shot of an old juicer I got in Germany. Your photo is waay better.

I like it!

[alfredo]

20. Thanks. It's at a state park.

they work hard for their cider.

Johnny Appleseed apples were for cider, they were too sour to eat. Hard cider and Apple Jack fueled the pioneers.

[Blue_In_AK]

17. Since we're doing explanations,

my tripod pole used to carry telegraph lines alongside the Alaska Railroad back in the '40s.

[Solly Mack]

19. That's very cool.

[sorcrow]

39. That brings back some memories

I worked in AK in the late 70s into the early 80s. I'd not seen the tripods. We saw a lot of log cribs filled with stones, a few still with pre WW I telegraph poles. I even met a very old woman in Eagle who remembered when a young Billy Mitchell came through to install the lines!

Regards,
Crow

[Solly Mack]

21. OK. I'm in.

I hemmed and hawed and then decided, only to change my mind over and over again.

Oh, well.

[Mira]

22. The deciding it the hardest for me, every time.

Also the most exciting. I like your photograph so much. It is full of nostalgia and full of life at the same time.

[Solly Mack]

23. Thank you, Mira. I wanted to shoot new but this my check-up time of the year.

I'm sick of doctors, but grateful for them at the same time. All the poking and prodding causes my face to hurt.

I love the sewing machine. My mom used an old Singer throughout my childhood. It was an antique even then.

[Mira]

24. Please

when you're done with the ones in the white coats, let us all celebrate your continued health together. Let us know!
That sewing machine is in an old abandoned gold mine in the Wild West of the USA. I have so many photos of that place, they are old and grainy, but what the hey. So is the subject matter of the contest.

[Solly Mack]

29. I go tomorrow for scans. Already seen my surgeon. My oncologist next week.

Then my regular dentist for the wonderful job of repairing the damage done by radiation. I finally got the go ahead for that.

[Mira]

32. Onward and Upward.

Sounds very good so far. You have been through so much, and you are emerging victorious.

[Solly Mack]

33. Thanks, Mira. I've been busy making a wind chime to distract me.

Not good shots, but here it is.







I was going to throw my old chimes away, but decided to rehab the chimes with some flower pots decoupaged with tissue paper.

[Blue_In_AK]

26. Your shot is cool.

[Solly Mack]

28. Thanks, Blue.

[JohnnyRingo]

75. I rather like it as well.

...as I do all your art. There is one thing though.

As I was studying it I was trying to figure out how you did such a mystical image. It has such an awesome carnival sense with the reflected lights in what at first appears to be a cool double exposure effect. Then I noticed it was reversed in a mirror image and knew the lights were reflected. I don't want to be critical of such a well thought out entry, but if the image were flipped it would be much harder if not impossible to figure out.

Regardless, it's my favorite so far, perhaps because I so fondly recall an era when pinball was the beating heart of arcades and bars, and melding with the pulsing machine was near transcendental. That might sound like a bit much, but it was a big deal until soulless video games replaced them.

Curse you Ms Pacman.

[Solly Mack]

76. Thanks, JohnnyRingo!

You know what you see if you turn around? Not what you see in the reflection. Other displays are on that side. I don't know how, but somehow, the pinball machines are from a mirror reflection, probably multiple mirrors inside a box, with lights running from top to bottom and on the sides. The front is glass, and when you stand in front of it, the only thing you see is your own reflection. If you stand just a little to the left or right, you see the pinball machines.

I love pinball machines!

I was standing to the side of the glass and just snapped.

Oh, give Ms Pacman some slack. She's "old school" now.

[JohnnyRingo]

77. You misunderstood.

I meant if you flip he image in a post edit, like this:

On edit: I hope I'm not putting you on the spot to change your creation, it appears outstanding as it is and likely has my vote. I'm sorry if I came off as rude.



I don't know if this ruins your composition, but now it doesn't look like a mirror image.

[Solly Mack]

78. I know what you were saying. I was just talking more about the place. Sorry!

I flipped it before entering, to give it a look-see, and liked the other way better.

I wanted it to be more surreal.

[alfredo]

25. Solly Mack, I would go crazy in that shop.

I hope you are able to go in and take some images.

[Solly Mack]

27. I was inside. The glass display is the kind if you stand directly in front of you only see yourself

but if you stand to the right or left, you see a box shaped opening, lined with lights, opening onto a room with an old penny arcade. When you take a photo from the left or right, you get the shot I got. But if you take a photo from dead center, you only get a selfie.

It was pretty cool, actually.

[alfredo]

30. I put the lens against the glass if I can get a good comp.

Too bad you couldn't get up real close to get details of the machinery of things like the score wheels.
Still, the reflection adds leading lines. That's cool.

[Solly Mack]

31. The mirrors were against me.

[alfredo]

34. They can be quite vindictive.

BTW, has Mira told you my news? If not I will message you.

[Solly Mack]

35. Haven't heard.

[Mira]

36. I would not without permission.

But I'm very glad to see this post, Alfredo. Been waiting.

[alfredo]

37. I thought I did. Well, Solly I've joined the big C club

They caught it early. It is on my neck, it is melanoma, and they say I am a good candidate for treatment. That's either good news or they are blowing smoke up my ass. They are doing a biopsy of my larynx, then pet scan and then radiation for seven weeks. They already did a biopsy on the peanut sized knot on my neck.

I will be ok, the VA is very experienced with this type of cancer, and they will be working with the Markey Cancer Center. Oh and it is free.

[Solly Mack]

38. I'd like to deny you entrance into the club, but I guess that ship has sailed.

Keep us posted.

Mira would not have said anything, especially news like cancer. She's a good egg that way. Cancer can be very personal.

[alfredo]

40. I trust her. I mistakenly thought I told her she could.

I think I said I was going to tell you and thought I gave her permission.

I wasn't sure I wanted the world to know, but I guess it is OK to be the drama queen on special occasions.

[Solly Mack]

42. Oh, hush. You're not a drama queen.

But I do understand not spreading the news.

Mira is wonderful. I agree.

[alfredo]

43. She's a jewel.

[2naSalit]

41. Oh my!!

I do hope all goes well with your treatment plan... I have seen too many friends and relatives go through the process, some successfully. It seems that more people make it through the process in recent years, and that's truly hopeful. Catching it early is really good.

Best wishes!

2na

[alfredo]

44. Thanks. I conquered Crohn's so I can do this

[2naSalit]

45. I trust you will!....nt

[mnhtnbb]

46. Oh, no!

I haven't been on DU all day--busy with other stuff--so just now seeing your news.

Yes, you can do it! And we're here sending special photo-enhanced DU good vibes.

[alfredo]

48. Thanks.

Maybe I will get sympathy votes in this month's contest

[Solly Mack]

52. lol!

Maybe.

[Curmudgeoness]

47. Well, I'm in.

I really do have to learn photo editing, but it will have to do.

[alfredo]

49. It's not hard. You just do little things like light and contrast.

If not needed, do nothing.

[Curmudgeoness]

50. If it isn't hard,

why are there a million things offered as options!!!

[alfredo]

51. Adds value to the software. What operating system do you use?

If it is a Mac, I can give you some pointers. It comes with a good editor.

[Curmudgeoness]

54. I appreciate the offer, but I have a PC.

I am talking classes on Photoshop through our photo club, but I get lost easy.

I figure that it will be a long time before I learn enough to matter. But that's ok. I am just happy to be able to do any little amount of editing that I have learned so far. I am just frustrated now because I am sure that I could have made my photo better, if I knew how.

[alfredo]

57. I wonder what this slider does is how I learned.

[Adsos Letter]

53. I like that image NV Whino!

I think it is perfectly composed, and a great title.

Is that one of the "new" bridges for the Flood Control project in the background?

[NV Whino]

58. Yes. I was down there Super Bowl Sunday.

A great day to be out and about with the camera.

I stopped and talked to the guy on my loop back to the car. He had just crashed the thing. He tried to send it low, under the bridge and then fly it up for a bird's eye view of the river. He lost his GPS when he went under the bridge. Fortunately, it didn't damage the drone.

But, when I got home and looked at my photos, I loved the juxtaposition of the old fashioned lamp with the modern toy. Not great photographically speaking, but it says a lot with a very simple image.

[Solly Mack]

55. Excellent entries, so far! We need more, please!

More, more, more!

[2naSalit]

56. I really like the entries we have sof far BUT we need some more!!

Please go and keep the reminder kicked to help us get more entries.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027604588

Thanks,

2na

[fizzgig]

59. the wheels are finally turning for me

but it's going to be the weekend before i'm able to shoot anything. hope that's not going to be too late.

[2naSalit]

60. Well, check in when you are ready...

unless you have something in your archives...

[fizzgig]

72. and i'm in

[2naSalit]

73. Excellent!

It's a good one, brings back some ... memories.

[Recursion]

61. I finally entered one of these

I've kept meaning to

[Mira]

62. Welcome and congratulations

It's such fun to participate, and an immense opportunity to learn and commune.

[Solly Mack]

63. Welcome!

Nice!

Glad you entered!

[2naSalit]

64. Welcome!

I only started entering my photos last fall, I think I was in three total. Love your picture!

Good luck!

[Trailrider1951]

65. I'm in with a photo I shot a few years ago

Haven't had much time for photo shoots lately. Lovely pics everyone!

[2naSalit]

66. I love it!

I get the feeling I've seen this building before, where is it?

[Trailrider1951]

67. It's in downtown Dallas

just north of Dealey Plaza. It was the "Old Red County Courthouse", built in the early 1890's, a lovely example of the period's architecture. It is now the "Old Red Museum". I'm glad you like it!

[Trailrider1951]

68. Here it is from another perspective:

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]


You can see much more detail in this photo.

[mnhtnbb]

69. Don't you hate it when a car, truck, bus, person, enters the frame

you've been waiting and waiting and waiting to shoot?

[Trailrider1951]

70. Yep

PHOTOBOMB! LOL

[2naSalit]

71. Then I have seen it

many years ago. Not sure if I can recall when I was there last. There are a few in New England that are that style including some mansions that are a bit smaller but that style. Cool.

[elleng]

74. MissHoneychurch, how good to see you!!!

[MissHoneychurch]

79. Hey elleng