the critique section

[kinetic]

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[gacop]

Mark I'm definitely not one that can critique but that sounds like it should be a must.

[delboy]

Good thinking Mark, I agree 100%, and may I add possibly the conditions when the photo was taken ie "pouring of rain so used my converted plastic bag camera raincoat" etc. I will in future show the exif and the conditions at the time the photo was taken.

Regards

Delboy.

[johnbiondo]

Mark, I must agree, this would be excellent learning material as well as the information suggested by delboy.

I do find that sometimes in our haste to post, we forget this information. Edits sometimes do not contain EXIF data or if you make a pasted copy in certain editing programs, so we will all need to pay a little more attention to what we are doing with this.

[kinetic]

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[kinetic]

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[johnbiondo]

Hi John and sorry we must have been posting about the same time.
Most of us keep am original copy and a working copy of our photos…so obtaining the original exif should not be a problem, and can be posted next to the photo as its own jpeg.
Its all about sharing with each other in order for us all to get our photos nice and polished as a finished item…I think it could work and be such a benefit to us all…thank you John for the support on this one.
Mark

Totally understand. I always keep my originals as well. We just have to ensure we take the extra steps to include the EXIF info in our posts. No problem about being on board with this. I have seen post after post asking the person what the EXIF is for a particular image. I think it's a great suggestion!

[delboy]

I will start the ball rolling.

We are having great weather at the moment(today at 10.0 am temp 24c going up to 30)

Last evening we went for a walk in our local park lots of sparrows on some wooden posts and the sun being low acted as a spotlight.

EOS50D EF20-200 f4L IS USM lens
1/1000 @ F4 FL200 ISO400

Although I was using a high shutter speed,the lens was on max FL(200),to reduce any camera shake I used one of the posts as a steady.
Sharpened and noise reduced in ACR, levels tweaked slightly, enlarged and cropped in Photoshop.

[kinetic]

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[mingkywingky]

I love the idea:)
I hope everyone will agree with you.
Thanks Mark.

[amaethon]

Im good with this, but will point out that viewing the exif isnt quite as easy on a MAC (please show me if i am wrong) so any info added to the post makes life easier. That said i will try and keep it in mind and do so for future posts.

Great Feedback and suggestion Mark

[sorted]

I am 100% with you on this one and agree with all comments great thread to start Mark and hope it will be followed as much as is possible. :)

[kinetic]

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[kinetic]

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[johnbiondo]

And where foes this come from? In Windows explorer it shows it, but you cannot copy/paste (except one line at a time) and in PS CS5 I don't see where to grab it all in one shot. I notice yours is a screen shot. If we had to do all this to make one post, then I'm sorry, but not many people are going to want to go through all this just to post.

Mark, I do like the idea of posting some information, but I believe the complete EXIF data is going a little over-board in my opinion.

[kinetic]

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[johnbiondo]

Okay. I do not have Lightroom, but I do have PS CS5. So I did Google searches and I found that in PS CS5 when the file is opened, you can click on "File" then "File Information" Then click "Camera Data" tab. The data is shown. However, the only extraction is an XMP file which is sort-of like a XML file and cannot be read properly with a a text editor. All I can do is screen capture it and then save as a JPG. So the steps are not so simple... on Windows and PS CS5.

When we post something here, we edit, save, then re-size, save a copy, then capture the exif data, save that file and then post both files. This ends up being a lot of steps added to a single post. Not to mention that every post will now double (or close to double) the space size used on the forum's server.

I will be investigating some scripts, or maybe I can find a way to write one myself (as I am pretty good at coding) The only free-bees I find on the 'net are command line types which I am not willing to use. I cannot seem to locate an extraction tool for Windows that uses a GUI interface.

Don't get me wrong Mark, I do like the idea, but it gets complex depending on the user's software, operating system, etc.

Is it really necessary to have ALL the exif data, or are the basics enough?

Here is what I have been listing as an example:

18mm f/3.5 ISO 100 1/2 Sec exposure

[mingkywingky]

Thank you for the advice Mark. Yes, the exif data helps me figuring out how to set my camera for taking the similar picture. Sometimes it works sometime it doesn't, so we have to make an adjustment. Sometimes we can just know it, that the setting won't work in the situation.
For a beginner like me, knowing the exif data of some particular pictures really helps me learning, specially when the data is as complete as yours. However, I think the simple basic data like John's is enough too (for me). I use picasa (and photoshop) to edit my picture. Every time I download the pictures from my camera into my laptop, they go automatically to picasa, and we can see all the basic exif data of the pictures there. Therefore I could only share the data that's showed, and it's not as complete as yours.
Thanks Mark.

[kinetic]

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[johnbiondo]

Hi Mark,

Thank you for understanding the intricacies that can be involved. (I sometimes wish I owned a Mac :D)

The example you gave in your last post is probably sufficient enough. I also think that adding anything done in the editing program such as +2 vibrancy, +1 Exp Comp, etc. would also be beneficial for the goal as well.

I guess the bottom line is to have as much information as possible but also keeping it simple for everyone so that it is not cumbersome to post an image for critique.

Thanks for everything Mark. It is a great idea to make this a must-have. It only adds more information for people to learn from; That is the goal of this forum after-all.

[sandrac]

thanks Mark for suggesting this

I will learn so much more
thanks again

[kinetic]

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[sorted]

Hi Mark

I am open to either suggestion from yourself and John.
Maybe start with the basics but if people feel they can do a full version then great.
Either would be better than none?
You seem to have support for this don't let it slip away please.:eek:

[johnbiondo]

Hi Mark,

Don't give up so quickly! I must agree with Elaine. Let's start out by making it voluntary and then maybe in a while, it can become mandatory? (Admins must also be on board with it though to make it mandatory though)

Let's just start with those that have posted on this thread and take it slowly from there. Maybe when posting on someone's critiques, we can all "prompt" folks to add their exif if they haven't provided it. If enough of us do it voluntarily, then it will grow in time.

[DoctorJazz]

Hi Mark,
I liked your list of basics to be included with posts....

S/S…shutter speed
AP…aperture
ISO…iso
P/M…program mode
Lens used.
And people can if the wish add any filters used.

I would just add one: Exposure bias, if any used.

I think the challenge is getting the idea out there, as I'm sure people are posting their shots as usual without being aware of this conversation. I don't think we should give up on it at all. Maybe some suggestions from Admin on how to solve this would make it fly.:)

[sorted]

Hi All

I see Sandy has made a big effort at adding Exif data on her photo's this is great I likewise have added it on to my Photo in edit my photo even though on this occasion it was my point and shoot.
From what i can see this will definately work Mark, it is just a learning curve and people will do it as second nature I am sure.

I am sure the more people see it on all New posts they will assume this is the normal thing to do.:)
If all that have commented go ahead and put it into practice then this is a huge head start.

[kinetic]

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[admin]

Thank you all participating in this thread. We're working on a site upgrade and this is a very good idea. I'd like to have a system in place that would automatically extract and display EXIF data in all attachments where available. Naturally if the EXIF is not available, it won't be possible to show it.

[johnbiondo]

That would be really great! Thanks Admin, you guys Rock!

[sorted]

Excellant news Admin and thank you Mark for bringing the Question forward :):D

[DoctorJazz]

I agree with the above...Thanks for that great news Admin! Thanks for starting this conversation Mark! :D

[mj702002]

That will be wonderful Admin...Good job Mark for getting the ball rolling!

[Kaye]

Thank you all participating in this thread. We're working on a site upgrade and this is a very good idea. I'd like to have a system in place that would automatically extract and display EXIF data in all attachments where available. Naturally if the EXIF is not available, it won't be possible to show it.

Peter, this sound like a brilliant idea if you can manage the upgrade to do this.
I say this as I feel that some new members are possibly a little unaware of much of this. (When I first joined, I didn't have a clue as to what EXIF data was! ..... but have learned so much both in the technical field of photography and also the physical "shooting" side, much to the kind assistance I have received from both Admin and many many members.

[kinetic]

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[mrdoug]

What if you're posting someone else's photos... pretending to be photographer, and don't have their EXIF data?

LMBO

Sorry... I couldn't resist! I've been ripped off MANY times in 2010 and I'm mad as hell.

[kinetic]

Doug you’re mad…and that’s what I like about you…hey maybe you could ask them for the EXIF as well…:D:D:D

But sorry to hear you were getting ripped off. :mad:

Mark

[mrdoug]

…hey maybe you could ask them for the EXIF as well…:D:D:D

Can you imagine composing that email to the photographer?

Dear Mr. Photographer,

I've been using your photos on an online photography course which has recently
gone to a new system which shows the EXIF data per photo. Since I copied your
photos from Flickr, I never got that information. Would you please send me the
originals with the edits so I can keep posting your material?

Sincerely,

Wanna-be

There out there, folks!

[Patey]

This is pretty good software for viewing EXIF http://www.opanda.com/en/iexif/download.htm

http://i53.tinypic.com/2cq1fyg.jpg

Just right click on any image, select the program and any EXIF attached to the image is displayed.

[DoctorJazz]

Patey,

The software is useful for those who know what they are looking for and why, but
for the large turnover of students, the fix really lies in the upgrade of the site as suggested by Admin so that this information is readily available with every post.
It will help the people taking the course to put theory into practice with the camera
and I believe it will also do a lot to enhance the critique sections.

[mj702002]

Excellent point Sandy!

Admin-- How is that coming along?

[shirlm2]

I'm also interested to know how things are progressing. I cannot believe how much more I've learnt since some people have provided EXIF data.

[verikos]

I'm also interested in any new developments on this. We have to make the critique section a 'PROPER' critique section where each photo is accompanied by it's EXIF data, either automatically (which would be more convenient of course) or manually typed in. If you dont want to have your photo critiqued then just put it into your gallery. That way people will still be able to view your photos and still be able to add comments.

[Patey]

Patey,

The software is useful for those who know what they are looking for and why, but
for the large turnover of students, the fix really lies in the upgrade of the site as suggested by Admin so that this information is readily available with every post.
It will help the people taking the course to put theory into practice with the camera
and I believe it will also do a lot to enhance the critique sections.

Sandy
I don't really understand what you mean, with this free software you just right click on any image and if the EXIF has not been stripped, it's displayed on your screen.

eg.
http://i53.tinypic.com/2cq1fyg.jpg

Canon 40D
Shutter Speed 1/200
F Stop F13
ISO 100
Aperture priority. If you scroll down the lens and focal length are also listed.

It's all right there, what else do you need?

[admin]

Sorry for not responding promptly to the Suggestions section guys, things have just been manic here with the complexity of a site upgrade because not only forums will be upgraded but the main site as well. The upgrade is still not ready to be applied to the site as we had a couple of attempts on the testing site gone wrong, lots of bug fixing involved. But thank you for your suggestions, they allow us to create a better site! Although it is impossible to apply every single request, rest assured that they are all being considered. Will keep you informed on the development and thanks for being patient.

[sorted]

Sorry for not responding promptly to the Suggestions section guys, things have just been manic here with the complexity of a site upgrade because not only forums will be upgraded but the main site as well. The upgrade is still not ready to be applied to the site as we had a couple of attempts on the testing site gone wrong, lots of bug fixing involved. OMG hope it won't infest us :eek:But thank you for your suggestions, they allow us to create a better site! Although it is impossible to apply every single request, rest assured that they are all being considered. Will keep you informed on the development and thanks for being patient.
:) Improvements are always good Thank you Admin :D