Quality Loss Posting to the Net

One of the things I've found hard to dial in is consistent quality when posting images to various sites online.  In the past I'd found I had to export at different settings for each site but even then they changed their back-end software often enough that it borked the quality of my images so I went back to standardizing everything for the Web.  I mostly drop to JPG at 100% quality, sRGB and 100% sizing but the loss of color is striking.  The upside is it means less work for me, but my images might look different depending on which site they are viewed.  Of course, in my very early days I was over-protective of my work so I splattered copyright information across every image.  I am still reeling in those controls as I fine-tune things and relax. 

That said, I refuse to use built-in processing tools like Google's 'enhance' as they over-embellish in most cases and I would like to keep things as 'real' as possible.  Nothing is worse than having someone order a print and have it be dead-looking when on the Web it looked spectacular.  Lots of retail sites run into this problem if you look into their FAQs and Q&As.  I'm betting that most consumers don't have color-corrected monitors!  If anything, I'd love to have people fall in love with an image of mine, receive their own print, and have to sit down dumbfounded at how much more they are seeing.  I can dream! 

I'm thinking it might be a good idea for retail sites to advise consumers to invest in color-correction software if they are going to consider ordering photography online.  One more vote for keeping the in-person gallery effect alive!  I love perusing in person...I just wish I had a house with 100million sqft of wall space and a budget to match! 

I currently use Google's Blogger/G+, Facebook, NatGeo and other sites mostly for competitions such as B&H's retail multimedia outlet (I love their store!).  I will likely be putting up more of my fine art creations on the likes of 500px, but I am seriously considering SmugMug for my eventual leap of faith into the professional showing and selling of my work. 

So far I have stuff up on:

Google
http://theoccasionalillusion.blogspot.com/

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/michaelpichahchyphotography

NatGeo
http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/profile/603046/

Enjoy!  I certainly love looking to the work of others.  And, believe me, I do make a note of those images (and other art forms, of course) that resonate with me, follow the artist, and make a grab for a piece any change I get.  The most well-known artist I have up is Art Wolfe but I very much want to help other aspiring artists in raising their bars.

Here's a doggie, a beach, a splash and a bridge.

©2015 Michael Pichahchy

A Wonderful Morning

It is dangerous...when you are fortunate enough to have an incredible view out your own window, especially in a city like this.  I desperately need to discipline myself to get out and explore more!  Join me?  I'm hopefully headed to Yosemite to attempt some frames of Horsetail Falls...amazing experience to see even if your camera dies. 

But - we need more moody cloudy days like this here in The City.  Such an incredible morning, lasting only maybe 15 minutes of the most amazing light.  I just wish I had been 100% on my game as I choked on far too many photos that morning; I wasn't taking seriously what I'd been told about 'exposing to the right' and these could have turned out so much better as a result.  Painful lesson to learn, but at least it was learned.  In my own defense, I was using a new tripod and head which completely changed my life behind the lens.  When not shooting by hand, of course.  I was using a new lens as well. 

I have a bunch more I need to get up as well; I might just add them to this post.

Enjoy!! 

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Update1:
I figured I might add some of the other images from this morning to this post occasionally. 

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This image is much fun because the sunlight has been split right down the middle. 

The worst part?  I have 221 shots of that morning before the rain chased me inside.  Many are my explorations with my new Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 lens but there are so many I'd love to share. 



©2015 Michael Pichahchy

Lonely Among Millions

I have likely written about this before, but it can be tough moving to a new area, especially a large metropolitan area.  It takes a while to acclimatize, meet people, get involved.  Especially if you're an introvert or even a very personable loner. It helps getting out and finding the pretty...the beautiful. 

I did some 'shopping' in Lightroom cleaning this image up a bit, removing some distracting lights and what have you.  I think I've finally started naming certain images.
<3

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'Lonely Among Millions'

©2015 Michael Pichahchy