Bob Crum

Let's begin with the question I asked in my previous column: “What do you see as unusual in the photo data?” Is it the aperture? Nope. How about shutter speed? No again! ISO? Bingo! An ISO of 8,000 is not only high, it's as unseemly as a mermaid in a speedo.

Tech talk for just a moment. Remember the holy triad of exposure... shutter speed, aperture and ISO? ISO is an important value in properly exposed photos. ISO refers to the light sensitivity of a camera sensor. When you change the ISO you’re rendering it more or less sensitive to light.

However, we often don't get a benefit without some consequences. The by-product of high ISO is digital noise. ‘Noise' is often equated to 'grain' in film photography but it's more than that. Generally speaking, noise is defined as neurotic pixels that act abnormally. Those erotic... er... neurotic pixels don't render the color or exposure correctly.

Furthermore, a lower ISO won’t just make less noise. Most often it produces better color and dynamic range, which is the ability of the camera to capture detail in both highlights and shadows. Best to keep ISO as low as possible in order to get the highest quality photos from your camera. However, shooting under inadequate lighting, like indoor fluorescent lights, it's either go high with ISO or go home. Not only is the light inadequate, it's the wrong color light. We do what we need to do and deal with the noise in post processing (editing). Edit cautiously! I've learned that when I push the noise reduction slider too far I become like Vincent Van Gogh making the photo begin to look like a water color painting.

Speaking of artists, on April 19th the Fillmore High School presented a “Celebration of the Visual & Performing Arts” at the Memorial Bldg. The 20th Annual Arts Show was a fabulous fun evening. Not only were fabulous artworks of high school students showcased, students also ran the whole event. It was an evening of celebrating the student artists, musicians, actors, dancers, and faculty. The Los Rayos Mariachi Band got the festivities going with the Ballet Folklorico Dancers. Drama performances preceded the high school jazz band which was followed by the high school concert band. The cliché ‘fun was had by all’ is appropriate.

Some readers asked: Why did I select the photo I used as the photo of the week last week. Appropriate question considering the photo depicts more or less a nondescript plant in a black boot. Nothing special evoking any emotion. Au contraire mon ami. Often, photographers tend to see the world a little differently. We don't just see the overview. Not always but often we notice little things... details. The large room was full of beautiful flowers yet when I happened upon that one particular display, the plant in a black boot, it made me pause. The boot. The rock. The note! The details attest to the nature of the creator of the piece. Simple yet profound. A heartfelt note saying: “Thank you 1st responders”. I love the love that writer expressed. That's why I chose it.

Continuing the spirit of the flower show, the photo of the week is a gorgeous, delicate white rose. A must see online.

Heads up! Photo ops galore! The "Renaissance of Railroading" Railfest is this weekend. It's a celebration featuring train rides behind the majestic #14 steam engine, live music and a bit of Steampunk fun. Consider your weekend planned.

Send comments, suggestions or questions to bob@fillmoregazette.com