Bob Crum

Considering the deluge of emails, were I to charge $10.00 each to use the email addy, I could almost buy a new Chevy Colorado long-bed diesel pickup. Well, OK, at least apply $60 towards the $7,500 down payment.

Photographer Ricky W. is so intrigued by the concept of photo styles previously discussed that he wants to know what programs I use to create/apply it to my photographs. Before answering Ricky's question, it's important to understand the underlying rationale for photo styles.

Besides compelling subjects and composure, it's essential to begin with a properly exposed photo. Style is an attribute applied to a digital image, not to correct or compensate for an improperly exposed photo. Let's presume that you have an image with all the correct attributes - composition, exposure and tack-sharp focus. What is the format of the image - jpeg or RAW? If it's a jpeg image, you're doomed! As I've said in the past, attempting to apply a style to a jpeg image is like putting lipstick on a hippo. Go back and resume crocheting the sweater you're making for the coming autumn chill. Just kidding. But I must qualify two different applications of photo styles.

First, many present-day cameras provide "picture style" options in the camera's programming. You can even download a custom style if so inclined. So, if processing RAW files don't interest you, simply apply one of your camera's picture styles. Furthermore, selecting an in-camera picture style maintains consistency throughout a photo shoot and almost eliminates post-processing work.

If you have a Canon camera, Canon’s Picture Style Editor is on the Canon EOS Solutions CD that came with your camera. If you lost the CD, it's available to download at Canon's website. The same for Nikon shooters. Nikon’s Picture Control Utility 2 is available via Nikon’s Download Center.

Many camera manufacturers provide numerous picture styles. And often there are more on the company's website. To personalize your photos further, create your own 'style' and upload to your camera. I did this to have a particular 'look' for my specialty: Mermaid boudoir photography.

Nikon’s Picture Control Utility is considerably limiting but provides reasonable control to create new image styles. But sooner or later, you're going to grow tired of in-camera picture styles. You'll want something better. You'll want pizazz! Besides jpegs, if you're recording RAW images, hooray! Now you can massage the photo in many more distinctive ways. But to accomplish this, you'll have to post-process the RAW photos.

Why bother with post-processing? Creating standard photos, i.e., photos the camera produces are generic and look like everybody else's photos. Ho-hum. Stylizing your photos differentiates them from the gazillion other photos in the wild. But applying an in-camera photo style is limiting your photo style to the camera's programming. Blah!

A RAW image is not a photo. Not yet. It's only a digital file similar to a film negative. Unlike a camera's heavily compressed jpeg, a RAW file is a record of the unprocessed sensor data. Raw files contain the image pixels themselves, and the image metadata. Metadata, which means “data about data,” is generated in the camera for each capture. Metadata records shooting data such as the camera model, serial number, the shutter speed, aperture, the focal length, and more. Raw files also include some additional metadata that raw converters need to process the raw capture into an RGB image.

There are many software programs available for editing RAW image files. In addition, I'll discuss the programs I use in the near future. Stay tuned.

Send comments, suggestions or questions to: focusonphotography@earthlink.net

On August 29, 2019 the City of Fillmore released the following: The City of Fillmore is requesting proposals from arts and performance organizations and individuals interested in acquiring the Fillmore Towne Theatre located at 338 Central Avenue in Fillmore CA. A complete copy of the Request for Proposals can be viewed and downloaded from the City’s website at, http://www.fillmoreca.com/business/request-for-proposal/). Three copies of the proposal must be submitted in sealed envelopes and addressed to: David Rowlands, City Manager at City of Fillmore, 250 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA 93015. All proposals must be submitted at or before 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25, 2019. Please mark the outside of the envelopes (and express shipment envelope, if applicable) as follows: “PURCHASE OF THE HISTORIC TOWNE THEATRE IN FILLMORE, CALIFORIA” Questions may be directed to David Rowlands, City Manager at drowlands@ci.fillmore.ca.us or 805-312-9746.

Looking to stay cool in the hot weather, the Cooling Center is open at the Fillmore Active Adult Center, 533 Santa Clara Street, Fillmore (805) 524-3030, and Fillmore Library, 502 Second Street, Fillmore (805) 524-3355.

Bob Crum

Some readers are charmingly curious. Larry M. suspected that there's more to photographic style than camera settings as discussed in the previous column. He asked: Besides camera settings, how is "style" implemented? The question presents a conundrum: Photographic style is as elusive to describe as balance, gravity and the taste of lasagna.

Let's make lasagna. I carefully layer the noodles, sauce, meat, minced garlic, whole milk ricotta and sliced mozzarella. After baking at 400º for 40 minutes, and cooled, I anxiously take the first bite. Ah! Now, let me describe the scrumptious flavor. HA! My brain tells me it tastes good, but it's impossible to articulate what my tongue's sensory taste buds tell my brain!

Lasagna and photography have much in common. To make a photo, we layer ISO, lens aperture and shutter speed in the camera. However, instead of an oven, we bake (post-process) the photo in the computer with photo editing software programs. Afterward, ah, a scrumptious photo emerges. But I can no more describe the magnificence my eyes see as I can describe the taste of lasagna. But oh how I enjoy both. The photo highlights so delicate. The background bokeh indescribable. Texture, detail and dynamic range so splendid words cannot describe the eye candy I see.

I realize that for many, post-processing, aka photo editing, is something to be avoided like sunbathing in a hail storm. I get it! But make no mistake; photo editing is essential if you desire to improve your photos. There isn't an alternative. No shortcuts. You edit, or you have to accept whatever your camera gives you.

Lest readers perceive that photo editing is a superficial exercise, a few words from George D. Lepp, an Outdoor Photographer magazine columnist. "Post-processing images is an essential element of digital photography. RAW capture (you're shooting in RAW format, aren't you?) [his words] is only the beginning of the process, not yet as good as the image can be - that's why it's called RAW. If you're shooting in JPEG format, you're letting the camera decide a lot about how your image will look."

Lepp added, "Now don't get me wrong: it's not just about 'fixing it' on the computer. I prefer the term 'optimizing.' When you sit down to edit, you still need to start with an image file that has good content and composition and is technically excellent."

A timely note from photographer Kevin Landwer-Johan on contrastly.com: "Know your camera so well you don’t have to think about it every moment you are using it. This will make you a better photographer." Excellent advice, however, that's merely one-half of the requisite for developing a photographic "style." Style is best accomplished in the digital darkroom. Photo editing software, the magic sauce, provides adjustment options for exposure, color and contrast to produce a photo like the scene as seen by the photographer. More importantly, the editing program also empowers the photographer to, ahem, embellish the photo to taste, which if applied consistently, combined with consistent camera settings, becomes the photographers photographic "style!" But perhaps you think photo editing is boring! Or worse, tedious? Au contraire, mon ami! 'Tis creative enjoyment beyond description.

The previous photo of the week of a sea lion was not stylized. Being a jpeg from my Panasonic P&S camera, attempting to apply a style to a jpeg with any photo editor is as useless as applying lipstick on a hippopotamus.

Photo of the week is Baldwin #14 steam engine's tender getting water at the Loose Caboose in Santa Paula Labor Day weekend.

Send comments, questions or suggestions to: focusonphotography@earthlink.net

Ventura County Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Andy Calderwood gave a presentation on Ventura's now legal industrial hemp, approved in 2018. He mentioned that George Washington grew hemp on his farm for cordage. The county has approved about 4,000 acres for the production of hemp. Three of four crops can be produced in hot house environments. They can produce 5000 pounds per acre. It has an odor similar to marijuana. Certain oils such as CBD can be derived from this plant.

8-B Planning Commission's recommendations were accepted by the City Council, to wit: 1.Submit comments about amending the Downtown Specific Plan. 2.Direct City Staff to develop a Request Proposal and budget for City Council approval to select a consultant to update the Downtown Specific Plan.

8-C Council concluded that electric and natural gas technologies are available to achieve the climate goals and "we should be able to maintain local control and not be forced to use one source of energy over another". Staff's recommendation was approved to maintain local control of energy solutions.

8-D Staff recommended that the City Council: 1. Adopt the attached Resolution 19-3734 authorizing the City Manager to file a claim with the Ventura County Transportation Commission for the allocation of Transportation Development Act Funds for Fiscal Year 2019-20; and2. Approve the attached Budget Adjustment to recognize the actual TDA funding to be received for the FY 2019-20 budget. Council approved Staff's recommendation.

8-E REQUEST FOR DIRECTION REGARDING BILLING ISSUES. This lengthy agenda issue is available on the city's website. It concerns the method city should use to bill different groups for activities.

8-F TOWNE THEATRE. City Council, acting as the Successor Agency Board of Directors, providing comments and direction regarding the RFP for the Towne Theatre. City Council/Successor Agency Board authorized staff to solicit offers from private parties to purchase the Towne Theatre.