Just Flying In To Say....
Thursday, August 8, 2013 at 08:40PM 
I started shooting in "raw" yesterday...O.K. first try...perhaps not so good. This is not in sharp focus but the little bugger moves fast.The reason why I choose to put it up here is twofold...1. I like the way he was coming in straight on, and two, I'll be able to watch my progress as I go forward.
This little guy is a bit better and I'm happy with him...Here's what I learned on my first try...Raw works for these photo's because I had to crop them so tight. I think that if these had been jpeg files I wouldn't have anything to show you because I would already have lost so many pixels in the compression. I also learned that I will need more work in Lightroom and photoshop to make the best presentation possible. It's not a natural, knowing, process for me yet. I don't mind that, I've got time to learn and lots of resources. These photo's also gave me a chance to think about the process and where I go moving forward. I did like the learning curve though.
Here are the rest that made the cut to the editing room yesterday...I love these little birds, just so darn cute and really, really tiny...
Last but not least, another favorite for me is this one of the Hummingbird silhouette against the early evening sky ..feeding from a pine tree.
Thanks to all who answered questions for me and to Kim Klassen for the lovely texture, Purple Grunge, used on all of these photo's.
Reader Comments (23)
Oh, Cheryl you have made some wonderful photos. I especially love the one of the silhouetted hummer and pine tree...they are all gorgeous!
Well Cheryl, I have less than one day at work...then I'll be experiencing "retirement"!! I'm so excited!
Thank you Beverly...I really appreciate your visits....and Congratulations on your retirement...Enjoy.
You did GREAT for your first time! It is so scary flipping that switch to RAW, but so worth it in the end. Without Kim's teaching I would have had a much tougher time. Great idea to post your photos and document your growth! All of life is a learning process so enjoy!
Thanks Sarah...your comment is so encouraging...like you without Kim, I would not be where I am today...and she really loves raw, so I had to try. Sure does take up a lot of space though...LOl...hopefully my processing will improve quickly.
Good on you for trying RAW! Give yourself a big pat on the back and lots of time and space to learn the ins and outs. You have a great eye for composition -- as evidenced by that last shot (and many of the other ones I've seen on your blog) -- and I think that's the hardest thing to learn and teach in photography. The technical stuff is just a matter of trial and error and experimentation. And once you've done it a few thousand times, it'll be second nature ;-) (kidding about thousands, maybe hundreds.) But without the vision, a even technically perfect image is not compelling at all. So be encouraged. In addition to Kim, I've found lots of other wonderful learning resources on the web, many free. Enjoy!
This is a wonderful series Cheryl! My fav is the first one, makes me feel as if he/she is flying just to me. Surprised this is your first attempt at RAW. I had resisted using raw till recently and wished I had done so sooner. That's what I like about photography though it's an evolving art that I never grow tired of =)
You are always learning something new...I envy you that, I need to be more like that. I love photography, just don't take much time to learn new things.
Nice shots Cheryl, especially the one with the pine tree, so sweet. Good luck with your learning, looking forward to see what you do next.
Way to get everyone to blogrightup by shutting down your comments! You are an inspiring work in progress. I did hummers this year too for my first time ever but I wasn't as brave as you to post them. Maybe I will now. I found them to be really challenging and fun. Lovely photos. Have fun in Raw!
That last photo is STUNNING! Hoo-Raw for RAW! You will love it!
Well, where to start?
First of all, Congrats on going raw! I love your adventuresome spirit and openness to always learning and growing.
Secondly, I've never seen a humming bird go to a pine tree! Fascinating!!!
My Dear Grandmother from New Hampshire was my everything. To this day, memories of sitting at her dining room table, eating gingersnaps and carrot sticks while watching the humming birds in her garden, fill me to the brim with sweet nectar. Ah, the simple things in life.
LOVE, JOY and CELEBRATION . . . Wonder and Inspiration . . .
I also love the way you posted on flickr, but brought more of us over here. Pointing us in the direction of your new love and gift for for presentations through your blog.
Sending all good things your way, and thanks again for sharing your positive spirit with all of us.
Thanks Sherry for your oh so encouraging words on this blog post...I am going in a new direction...I can feel it. I love the learning now where as before I would shy away from it, not sure of myself. Each little victory moves me a forward a bit more and really since taking lessons and meeting people like you I am stepping out...I'm so grateful for your kind words and your help...
Haha Rebecca, I am a slow learner...I think part of it was not understanding what raw meant and how useful it could be..after taking a few editing courses I got the picture and so now I'm giving it a try...your work is always inspiring...thanks for visiting me here.
Thanks Stephanie..your work is beautiful...not sure how much more you could learn...you really put yourself out there and I love visiting you on Flickr...me, I just keep putting one foot in front of the other and see what happens...
Ah my Sweet Cowgirl, how nice to see you here...Comment box is off so I can learn what I want to learn here. Haha but you found me...your work is so inspiring to me...you have your own unique style and you know what your doing..someday I hope to really know my style also...in the meantime, I'll visit you and just keep watching you make magic in the mountains.
Thanks Denise for your visit and support...I'm going to keep trying that's for sure...Such wonderful support in Groupies...
Oh there is my Friend Antoinette...my biggest cheerleader and driving force...I see you found my message on Flickr...Well this is a challenge but I'm going to keep up with it..Positive Attitude right.? I have lovely hummingbirds up here in Maine but for some reason I can't get them to come at home...your Grandmother's table sounds like a wonderful place to have been..thanks for sharing that with me...
I keep saying I'm going to shoot raw and at the last minute I switch it back to jpg! Maybe next time... I LOVE the bottom picture of the hummer in silhouette!! Gorgeous!!!
Welcome to the World of Raw Cheryl.
Thanks for your visit Barbara...I'm giving it a try.
These really are the most beautiful photos. I shoot in RAW all the time now and I can't imagine ever going back to jpeg.