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PHOTO MANIPULATION

1. WHY
MANIPULATE

Most photos can be improved by cropping. Some need to have the horizon leveled perhaps by checking vertical structures in the background. Many can be improved by judicious use of a Sharpen or noise reduction tool. The consequence of back lighting or a dull day can often be remedied by tuning tools.


Practice and experimentation will provide opportunities for developing a variety of combinations of the manipulation tools.

Remember that Shipspotting photos are not meant to be creative works of art, they should capture a realistic looking scene dominated by a ship.
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2. PREPARING
FOR MANIPULATING


Manipulation (sometimes described as Editing or Enhancement) is a routine process for most photographers. It is a follow on to judgments made while taking the shot; such as for focus, shutter speed and framing the shot. Many photographers believe that they can use their camera at one of the Auto settings because of the power of manipulation software.

If possible take 10 or more shots of everything - to allow for variations in focus, camera shake, and different views of the subject. Batteries can be recharged. It is advisable to carry a spare with the camera at all times.

Set up your computer so that you have separate folders for Images ex camera and for Images ex (manipulation program name)

As part of normal computer housekeeping, maintain separate folders for your selected images under category or other classification

Never submit photos to Shipspotting.com as they come from the camera. Shipspotting.com does not accept RAW format. Always review for possible enhancement, to meet site standards and personal satisfaction.

Before uploading, or before planning shots of a particular vessel, check to see if you already have a photo of the vessel on the site. Search for the vessel name, go to the result and use the link More from : This Ship This Photographer. Then try to get a different angle and/or background for uploading. If your new image is better than an earlier image with the same angle, delete the earlier one after uploading the new one.

Transfer images from your camera to an Images ex camera folder; say one for each vessel or shipspotting expedition. Use Copy not Move to keep images in camera for insurance – delete from camera later.
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3. PROGRAMMES
USED BY SHIPSPOTTING MEMBERS

Each member will support their own judgment by giving reasons for choosing a programme that is the best for them.

Seek opinions from friends. Internet search for reviews of available programmes. Check whether free or with a range of features and prices. Test one or more.

These are both popular but there are many others often with updated features

ADOBE PHOTOSHOP/LIGHTROOM. Possibly the best enhancing programme, but with many functions that you ma never use. Can obtained for a monthly fee, always guaranteeing that you have the latest version available.

IRFANVIEW, a free programme that can be dowloaded directly and provides the basic activities needed to enhance digital photos

ACDSee: A slightly less advanced programme than Lightroom, but much more useful than Irfanview. Several versions available, ranging from 30 to 150 US$.
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4. PREPARE
FOR SUBMITTING TO SHIPSPOTTING

Just make sure that your photo(s) have been processed properly, and is within the size range required.

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5. UPLOAD
IMAGE(S) SELECTED


Follow requirements on Upload a new photo page reached from Add Photo tab after clicking My Photos on the Home page,

On the page reached from the Support tab on the Home page, also see FAQs titled Uploading Photos (under the heading Using the site and FAQ feedback),and Uploading photos guidance
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6. TRANSLATE


To translate to and from English, see FAQ titled Languages on the page reached from the Support tab on the Home page.
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