Ultimate Guide to File Types in Photography - November 2023

Scott Walker produces a YouTube Channel called 'Walks on the Wild Side'
He goes thru a comprehensive discussion over 2 videos about file types and their uses in modern photography.  Exceptionally well presented without being super technical and boring.

Combined they are almost 60 min, but worth every minute spent watching.
The Part 1 video discusses Raw Files - 25 minutes
The Part 2 video discusses Other Photo File Types - 33 minutes
 

Are you new to Photoshop and struggling with all the different save and save as and export options?
Follow this link to a YouTube video on the YouTube channel PiXimperfect, hosted by Unmesh Dinda.

He sometimes goes a bit quickly when packing the info into the videos, but it is YouTube - pause and rewind and review anytime.
He produced a chart for the video and it is available for download from him.

Saturation adjustments in PS.
One of the struggles that many people have is adjusting colour saturation in their images.
It can be a struggle!
There are multiple ways to do it and Blake Rudis from the YouTube channel f64 has an explanation of one way in this video.

Northern Lights
Many people are looking for more info on when the Northern Lights may appear and how to capture them.
The following links may be of assistance to you.

https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/

https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/

https://www.aurorawatch.ca/content/view/26/60 
Sends you alerts via email once you sign up

APPS:
Aurora Alerts
Aurora Forecast

Facebook Group to look for:  Alberta Aurora Chasers

Chasing the Aurora Borealis: How to Predict, Capture & Edit the Northern Lights
B&H Event Space

Discussion on what is "Straight out of Camera" images?!?

The expression that a digital image produced and shown online or on your computer or phone is 'Straight out of camera' implies that there is no manipulation or editing done by the maker.
But is this really the case with any digital image?
An interesting discussion on this subject is available on YouTube by Todd Dominey.
It is a 15 minute video that brings up numerous valid points.

Also in a related set of videos - Mark Metternich discusses Linear Profiles in Lightroom and Photoshop.
Something that Todd touched on in his video.
Discussion on Linear profiles  -  then watch how to make your own linear profile for your camera body.

Sensor Cleaning

Something that scares a lot of people is the camera sensor.  Yes it is possible to damage it, but the actual sensor in all cameras is covered by a thin piece of clear optical glass.
Quality sensor cleaning kits are available from all of the major camera retailers.
This video by Rick Vestuto from YouTube shows how to with a graphic depiction of sensor 'dirt'.  18 minutes long with him going over the cleaning at least twice.

Sensor Size and Megapixels Discussion.

Micro 4/3rd's - DX - FX - Cropped sensor - Full Frame - Medium Format.
What is the difference if you have a high megapixel camera and a lower megapixel camera.
This article published online by Photography Life in 2018 is still relevant to the newer cameras.

Auto set Adobe Camera Raw settings

Do you find yourself doing the same thing with your RAW image each time you open them?
Learn how to set up ACR so that you never have to do repetitive steps again.  You can even setup profiles for multiple cameras if you have them.
This Short Video from Anthony Morganti shows you how

Photoshop 'Quick Actions'

There is a somewhat hidden panel in PS that contains 'Quick Actions'.
This short video from Colin Smith of Photoshop Cafe explains this useful panel
 

Soap bubble photography.
Always a fun activity in the cold.
 And something that happens here in the Okanagan is cold in the winter.
One resource is this website - "Photograph Frozen Bubbles in the Cold” by Mark C Hughes

Two tips learned by one of our members the other night:
A breeze makes it hard to form the bubbles.
-30C makes the bubbles freeze very quickly so it’s hard to get that phase as the globe is partly frozen