Color Management, Photoshop Elements & EpsonR1800

After sorting through a large number of web search results to try and find the best settings to use for my Epson R1800 printer, using Espon Premium Photo Paper Glossy, and Photoshop Elements 5 - I finally hit upon a bunch of settings that work for ME. I've ignored the reams of advice to let Photoshop manage the color and turn off the printer color management. Here are the settings I arrived at:

Selected 'Let Printer Manage Color' in PSE:

In the print driver ICM mode, I select my color space (Adobe RGB (1998) for this print), and the paper profile from Espon. What could be easier!

Image Stabilization Works...

Last night I thought I would take a few test shots with my 70-200mm IS lens. This is a 1:1 centre crop of a handheld shot taken at 200mm, at 1/13s f/4. There is no chance I could take a picture this sharp at that shutter speed and focal length without IS. I've converted from RAW and done a little sharpening, about equal to what I would normally do on a shot to print. Also - this was not one out of a bunch of trials, but the only shot taken. The point is that it helps a lot in low light with a static subject.

Depth of Field

Here is an interesting 'take' on the depth of field issue between crop and "full frame" sensors. Anyone using anything other than a 24x36mm sensor will likely be interested in some of Paul's conclusions.

White Balance

I mentioned a while back that I had purchased a Robin Myers grey card. Here is an example of a RAW conversion using the 'As Shot' white balance obtained with the card. I'm really happy with the colors on this. Without the card I was a long way off.

In this case I shot my Canon 580EX through a shoot through umbrella located at camera left. In behind I used my reflector still in the black/silver case with the black side facing the camera. With the flash diffused, but so close to the background, I had to reduce the black a bit to get the background not looking slightly grey. It is a bit of a cliche shot, but I'm developing skills here!

Nik Software - Viveza

It seems to be a non-event on the photo websites, but I think this is a pretty cool product. I love things like this that move you to a new way of thinking about your pictures. I downloaded a trial and gave it a try - it is great for certain types of pictures.

Sounds like Nikon has been using the U-POINT technology for a while - maybe it is just Canon owners that are getting to catch up?

Runner up in West Jet photo contest

Well, I made it in the top ten in Westjet's annual photo contest. Only the top three are published, but I am featured with the other 6 runners-up on their web site:

http://www.up-magazine.com/magazine/exclusives/Top_Pics.shtml

You have to click on the photo that won to see the rest. There are little right and left arrows at the bottom of the photo to step through them. If you want to go right to mine, hit the left arrow, since I'm last.

Bring the camera...

"Bring the camera..." Seems a simple enough maxim for an amateur photographer. Yet until recently I've been lacking in this area. I do a pretty good job of hauling around my camera despite its size, but I don't often bring more than the basic standard zoom. At Christmas I received a Lowepro Slingshot bag. It has already made a big difference in what I take with me. I can carry my camera with portrait grip, standard zoom, 70-200mm zoom, two flashes, lensbaby, wireless transmitter, batteries, chargers, a rocket blower and memory cards. This weekend I emptied the bag of the various flash accessories, but left in the lenses and camera. I struck out on a hour and 15 minute showshoe trek and ended up in the presence of a woodpecker. Fortunately, I had my telephoto in the bag on my back. I ended up with this picture:



Not going to win any contests, but not remotely possible with my standard zoom.