dpeterso

Masterfully done. Thanks for showing us what's possible. Dave

I hereby issue a second invitation for comments or observations. Many of you know me well enough to know I like to learn from everybody. Constructive or complaining criticisms or just plain opinions are appreciated.

I've prepared another slideshow this afternoon. It's nothing fancy, just good old pictures and music. I'd appreciate you taking a look and letting me know your impressions. It's titled "Images of Kansas" and is at the bottom of the list at the following link: http://www.epetersons.com/slideshows/ Hope you enjoy. Dave

Well worth the download time. In fact, I'm saving it to refer to for examples of what's possible not only in beautiful photographs, but also presentation techniques. I liked the use of the map to provide orientation and you have a well suited voice and manner for narration. Regarding the "studder", I did notice some on the inital pans as well occasionally when moving on the map. But in neither case was it terribly distracting. Also, for some reason it didn't play like a normal PTE show. My computer background never went away; your show lay over the top. All in all, you have inspired me with what's possible. Well done! Dave

Wow, I really liked the show. I love the forest and you captured it well. You have a nice artistic perspective in your images, and you are no stranger to the "good light". The music worked well for me. If you'll permit a couple of suggestions: hide the cursor at the beginning. Also, it would have worked better for me to mix up the pictures just a bit more, have a mixture of macro and full view as well as mixing the subjects to continue refreshing in the viewers mind that the context is a deep, dark, beautiful forest. Of course, these things are quite subjective, so if you really like it, that's what counts the most. Thanks again. Bravo! Dave

Now that's a different kind of slideshow. Really nice pictures of a beautiful airplane. I especially liked the shot from within the cockpit. Thanks for sharing Bernard. Regards, Dave

Barry - The pictures were taken with a Canon 40D at a resolution of 3888 X 2592. I then took them to Photoshop and resized to 1280 X 853. Regards, Dave

Jeff - Nice to get your comments. As one from Michigan, you certainly know snow & ice. We've talked before about the joy of being "out there". It was actually exciting and energizing being out in all the ice taking the pictures. Take care. Dave

Your guilt should be appeased after such a thoughtful and entertaining critique. I loved the part about the grocery store at 11PM. Truthfully, I struggled with the music. I tried several pieces and none seemed to do what I wanted them to do. The piece I settled for was a little "New Ageish" for my taste, sounding too much like a midi you get with all these emails people forward. I've long contended that finding the right music is the most difficult part. Thanks again for your valuable comments. Regards, Dave

Always good to read your comments Neil. Thanks for getting the ball rolling because as anyone that has ever posted a show knows, the silence is deafening. have a good day. Dave

Bill - Regarding your email today, it does indeed look like we traveled some of the same paths in Ireland, specifically the Cliffs of Mohr (?). On our trip to Ireland in 2005, we were on a tour bus and pretty much confined to looking out the windows at the passing scenery. You on the other hand must have rented a car and stopped when you saw a shot. You are indeed an accomplished photographer; you have many beautiful images in the slideshow. Thanks for sharing "Ireland 2007" with us. Hope you take another trip soon and bring back more wonderful images. Take care, Dave

Hello All - I have a new show for your viewing and critique. I tried to capture the beauty of a devastating ice storm that hit the midwest. The pictures are from our little town of Wamego, Kansas. You can download the show from this link by selecting the show on the bottom called "Ice Storm(01)". http://www.epetersons.com/slideshows/ Hope you enjoy it. Regards, Dave

Jeff - I just finished watching the full length version of your Utah adventures. Very impressive! The settings, the images, the music, all of them hooked me in ways I can't express. You struck a chord in me for sure. Regarding the music, I was familiar with Basil Poledouris, but not the other artists or music. Would you mind repeating what your last slide says regarding the music. Again, well done. Please take some more trips, please! Regards, Dave

I found your show quite interesting in that most slideshows are of landscapes. The colors and music were appealing. I especially enjoyed the happy faces of the performers. Thanks for sharing your culture with us. Dave

Hello Jeff - Glad you found a show of mine that you enjoyed. There were two historic sites in the show: the first was Fayette Historic Townsite within Fayette State Park. (http://www.exploringthenorth.com/fayette/town). The second place was Fort Wilkins within Fort Wilkins State Park at Copper Harbor, MI (http://www.copperharbor.org/fort_wilkins.html). Like all of my outings, I wish that I would have stayed longer and taken more (and better) pictures. Have a great day Jeff. Dave

Jeff - I certainly enjoyed the preview. Can't wait for more. I like how you get "out there" to do your photography. It makes me want to grab the camera and head for the hills. Regards, Dave

Bernard - I enjoyed your slideshow. The pictures were well seen and captured, the music was relaxing, and the motion was appropriate. The camera you were using &/or your skills with Photoshop handled the dynamic range well. Good job! Regards, Dave

Great show Paul. I liked the music as well as the animation. And of course, there is nothing like having excellent pictures to work with. Overall, very pleasing and well done. Dave

Hello Kim - Wow, I was pleasantly surprised. The music was right on, the duration about right, and the imagery was exceptional. You are obviously no stranger to a camera. The only suggest I woud have, and it echos what someone said, begin your pans and zooms with a little less throttle and end them with a little less brake. Other than that, a great show! Dave

Thank you for the feedback Patrick. Your impressions are important to me. I agree about the "Motel" in the last slide. I wanted a sunset in the last slide so much that I unfortunately compromised my sense of appropriateness. And I agree that the show drags on a bit. In this case, I had more music than I did good pictures. I hear what you are saying about the superfluous panning. For some it may seen unnecessary, for me, it felt right. Have a good week. Dave

Hi Andrew - Thank you for taking the time to critique my slideshow. As usual, I find your impressions instructive. I know what you mean about putting in a stop at the end of a pan before transitioning to the next slide. This was a "rule" that I picked up from the discussions on pans & zooms. I agree, it can break the flow. When I took these pictures, I was on a "fast" vacation and had to take only what was presented at the time. Slideshows such as PTE put photography in a whole new perspective though. On future trips, I'll plan more time in an area, especially knowing how the pictures might be used. Take care & thanks again. Dave

Thank you for your kind encouragement Neil. I'm pleased that you liked it. I've done a fair amount of reading on the Indians of the plains, and after falling in love with the music from "Dances with Wolves", I tried to put my pictures to work. I only wish that I'd spent more time in the area and taken better, moody light pictures. It's really difficult to take good pictures when on a limited time schedule. However, the good news is that I'm retiring the end of this year. Then I'll have more time to cover an area, especially knowing how I might use the pictures. Putting pictures into slideshows puts a whole new spin on photography. Have a great day (evening). Dave

Good afternoon Paul - I just finished watching your slideshow on the War Birds. Wow! Such stunning photographs you have here. Good slideshows begin with great pictues. And the opening to the show is fantastic. You are certainly ahead of me with special effects. I liked the music with the sound effects; it was fitting to the era. One little nit-pick--I would like to have seen you start the first pan a little to the left to crop out the modern aircraft, and then slow the pan down just a bit to enjoy the spectacular aircraft. All in all, a fine job. Would I watch it again? You bet. In fact I'm going to alert my kids to it. They'll love it too. Regards, Dave

I've enjoyed following the link about using special effects in slideshows. Oddly enough, I agree with everyone even though there are divergent opinions. I think we are talking art here and it's difficult to nail down. It reminds me of what Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart said in 1964 when dealing with pornography: "I can't define pornography, but I know it when I see it." Likewise in slideshows, the rules are illusive, but we all know when special effects work and when they don't. In that spirit, I have another show for your consideration and critique. I learned so much from the feedback on "Flinthills" that I can't wait to see what's in store. http://www.epetersons.com/slideshows/High%...ins%2802%29.exe If that copied shortcut above doesn't work, go here and select High Plains (02) http://www.epetersons.com/slideshows/ Have fun, Dave