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Posted on 15/04/13 3:16:25 PM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 3972 Reply  |
gkbgraphics
Hi all, I have been rather busy for the last couple of weeks getting my new website up and running. I thought it was time, even though it is not yet quite complete, to put a post up with an invitation to critique the site. There are still some pics to be posted, notably in the Natural History section but many of the links are there for navigation around the site. I really would appreciate any critical comment on ways to improve what you see. You can find it at: http://www.gkbgraphics.com/ Gordon _________________ 76.38% of all statistics are made up on the spot. |
Posted on 16/04/13 10:48:00 AM |
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Sjef
Flying Dutchman Posts: 571 Reply  |
Re: gkbgraphics
Hello GKB, Very beautifull pictures and 3D graphics! I love the white background and the tabs are clearly set out. Your pictures are clickable so I expect it opens on a new (tab)page in my browser. That doesn't happen and twice I shut your website by mistake. Your text is not so much to my likings. Studies has revealed Verdana is the most readable font on the internet. Your lettering is very 'different' to say the least. Well, your asked for it and there you have it. But I keep saying, your website is a beauty and I've set it in my Favorites. |
Posted on 16/04/13 11:09:36 AM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 3972 Reply |
Re: gkbgraphics
Thank you for your kind comments Sjef, The font issue is exactly the sort of comment I need. I'm not that keen on the font either (it's called Puritan) but that is the best option available with this particular theme. One option was a 'Courier' look-alike! YUCK!!! The Header font is Helvetica. I would like to replace it with Verdana but unfortunately I'm not a programmer - fortunately I know someone who can help with this and may well call on his talents. Gordon _________________  |
Posted on 16/04/13 3:56:08 PM |
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Jota120
Ingenious Inventor Posts: 2615 Reply  |
Re: gkbgraphics
Gordon, I was going to comment on the weird font too, but I just got carried away looking at your beautiful images of aircraft. Wow! You know I love flying, even if it was on a hang-glider or 747 to China with 747. Steve is the master of fonts of course. I'd ask him, but certainly a distraction at the moment. I've not completed my comments, but it is nice if maybe can tabulate the text in some areas (put in vertical rows and add the links at the side. Up to you. NASA do their own thing not tabulated , but I don't think you want to be that dry(?) http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html The backgrounds are certainly on the boring side, like none.... but don't go too far, subtle is most important I think. Remember when we had the discussion on Steve changing his ... 
Commentary great. Thanks. So my key point at the moment, get some tabulation in there and maybe some very subtle texture colour in the background. I really love the content, and sorry to repeat myself I love those aircraft photos..... |
Posted on 17/04/13 11:17:46 AM |
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tooquilos
Wizard of Oz Posts: 2885 Reply  |
Re: gkbgraphics
Hi Gordon, your site, to me, looks fresh, concise, friendly and easy to navigate. As far as the font size goes, my preference would be that it's a bit larger..as far as font type I think its a case of personal choice I was positively mesmerised by your infra red images. They are stunningly beautiful. I looked into it sometime ago as I was very interested to do it, but it all seemed to complicated. Do you have a dedicated camera for it? and do you use an infra red filter? _________________ Dorothy: "there's no place like home!" |
Posted on 17/04/13 12:21:35 PM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 3972 Reply |
Re: gkbgraphics
Hi Anna, Thanks for your (and Trevor's) comments. The camera I use is an old Nikon D100 that was converted to infra red photography by Lifepixel in the USA. They have a whole list of cameras that can be converted. It's not cheap but it can give new life to that old camera that was replaced and is now just gathering dust. http://www.lifepixel.com/ Imaging chips are particularly sensitive to the infra red end of the spectrum so manufacturers place a filter over the chip to prevent any infra red light reaching the chip. Companies such as Lifepixel remove that filter and replace it with one that stops visible light reaching the chip so that you get only infra red light being recorded. You no longer have a dense, virtually opaque red filter over the lens as it covers the chip instead; and you don't have the handling and exposure problems that you had with film. Infra red photography is now, with the help of Photoshop, as simple as it's likely to get. Have a look at Lifepixel's site for much more information on how it is all done along with some beautiful images. But do check out if you can get a camera converted in Oz as it will probably be much cheaper than sending it to the USA. I look forward to seeing your first images. Gordon _________________ |
Posted on 18/04/13 11:25:25 AM |
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tooquilos
Wizard of Oz Posts: 2885 Reply |
Re: gkbgraphics
Thank you so much Gordon for all the info! I have an old 400D which may be suitable for adaption. However, in the meantime, Ive played around in PS with some stock images..with a bit more fine tuning I think I can achieve a similar result (?) Not all images lend themselves to IR but the ones that do turn out amazing. Thank you once again Gordon   _________________ Dorothy: Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore |
Posted on 18/04/13 2:12:04 PM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 3972 Reply |
Re: gkbgraphics
Hi Anna, One of the best techniques for simulating infra red in Photoshop is to use the Channel Mixer. On the way through this you will find that this technique is also good for simulating some spectacular autumnal colours and it all takes only a few mouse clicks. The type of photograph that is excellent to use is one with plenty of green foliage (a strong infra red reflector), a rich blue sky ( a strong infra red absorber) and some pretty little fluffy clouds. Open up your image and select Layer>New Adjustment Layer>Channel Mixer. Leave the Red slider at =100%, move the Green slider to +200% and then move the Blue slider to -200%. You should now have your autumn colours. The Channel Mixer dialogue box appears to work slightly differently in the later versions of Photoshop; the box in the image below is from CS2. When you add up all the values in the three slider boxes they should come to 100; if they don't, you will get a colour cast. Now, before you close the Channel Mixture dialogue box, hit Monochrome. After you hit Monochrome Photoshop might try to change the values in the slider boxes but just put them back where I said. If your whites are blown out just try lowering the 'constant' slider until they look better. I tried to use the images that you posted to illustrate the difference from your own IR images but they were too low resolution and they went all 'blocky' on me. I had a look at Lifepixel’s site to check on the Canon 400D. Because this particular camera requires a thinner filter over the chip there may still be some visible light leakage so they recommend shooting in Black & White mode. Whichever way you go, have fun. Gordon 
_________________ 76.38% of all statistics are made up on the spot. |
Posted on 19/04/13 06:33:09 AM |
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Sjef
Flying Dutchman Posts: 571 Reply |
Re: gkbgraphics
Hi Gordon, Thanks for all the info. Some time ago I stumbled across this site for my 'old' Canon G3: http://www.lifepixel.com/tutorials/infrared-diy-tutorials/canon-powershot-g3-g5 But I found the charge for the infra red filter was too high ($180). If you can't change the Puritan font for your website, you could increase the size a few points. I think it would be easier to read and after all you'd have left a rather unique appearance. And again: your aeroplane photographs are stunning sharp and clear. Really excellent!! I have many nice plane pictures on my harddisk, but yours are something else.  |
Posted on 19/04/13 12:08:54 PM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 3972 Reply |
Re: gkbgraphics
Thanks Sjef, I reckon that I used up at least three lifetime's worth of fun taking the shots! _________________ |
Posted on 20/04/13 01:50:08 AM |
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tooquilos
Wizard of Oz Posts: 2885 Reply |
Re: gkbgraphics
Gordon, Ive given the Channel Mixer a go and am very happy with the results. Its a layer I rarely use. I applied a Colour Look Up adjustment layer over the top. I think in view of what can be achieved through PS maybe camera conversion would be overkill? Thank you so much for providing inspiration and instructions on how to achieve it  _________________ Wicked Witch of the West:I'll get you, my pretty! And your little dog, too! |
Posted on 20/04/13 07:29:02 AM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 3972 Reply |
Re: gkbgraphics
Glad to be of help, Anna. I love the way that the clouds punch out in your image. _________________ 76.38% of all statistics are made up on the spot. |
Posted on 29/04/13 11:49:19 AM |
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Lorenzo1977
Montage Maximus Posts: 54 Reply  |
Re: gkbgraphics
It's a really lovely website,congratulations |
Posted on 01/05/13 6:47:15 PM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 3972 Reply |
Re: gkbgraphics
Thank you Lorenzo. It was fun and occasionally frustrating to put it together. Gordon _________________ If at first you don't succeed then skydiving is not for you. |
Posted on 02/05/13 08:38:54 AM |
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Sjef
Flying Dutchman Posts: 571 Reply |
Re: gkbgraphics
Wow! What a beautiful website. It's ever so sharp and neat! Many congratulations Gordon, a lot of work indeed!!   |
Posted on 02/05/13 5:58:13 PM |
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BigVern
Q Quipper Posts: 674 Reply  |
Re: gkbgraphics
Gordon .... Nice! Whilst no doubt Dali would have applauded your surrealistic enhancements to his work I think he would have hidden and implied the invisible head in the space between the impossible elephant, tiger, nude and ant infested pomegranate. Not sure how he would have incorporated the mobile phone and the yellow glasses (ah the memories ... putting shadows to these glasses was my first ever Friday challenge). Hope it nets you some commissions. _________________ "Check out the big brain on Brett!" |
Posted on 02/05/13 6:08:09 PM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 3972 Reply |
Re: gkbgraphics
Thanks Sjef and Vern. Vern, yes I remember that challenge as well. It's amazing to see how everyone has improved their technique over that time. _________________ 76.38% of all statistics are made up on the spot. |
Posted on 08/05/13 7:56:36 PM |
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vibeke
Kreative Kiwi Posts: 2166 Reply  |
Re: gkbgraphics
What a great website, some wonderful work there. So that's how you are spending your 'retirement'? I was fascinated by the Infrared, something I have been wanting to try. I have an old Canon 10D (digital), that's just sitting in a box. Nowhere here where it can be converted. How much does it cost in UK and how long does it take? Cheers Vibeke _________________ Perfect confidence is granted to the less talented as a consolation prize. |
Posted on 09/05/13 09:59:38 AM |
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GKB
Magical Montagist Posts: 3972 Reply |
Re: gkbgraphics
Hi Vibeke, Sorry I haven't been in touch. 'Fraid I've had a dose of 'man flu' for the last couple of weeks. I cannot vouch for this company but check out http://www.advancedcameraservices.co.uk/ For a Canon 10D conversion they are quoting £250 + vat (which you should get returned so long as you have a New Zealand passport) with a 10 - 15 day turnaround. They are based in Norfolk which is a little distant from London for the short time you are here. Best to drop them a line or call them before you commit. I'll be in touch again very shortly. ttfn, Gordon _________________ If at first you don't succeed then skydiving is not for you. |