How The Kindness Of A Stranger Kept Me From Giving Up Photography

This post is going to need an extended introduction. Please bear with me as I bring you up to date on a story that I first reported on over two years ago.

Roughly eight years ago I was a highly frustrated wannabe bird photographer. I had invested in very expensive gear and joined Nature Photographer’s Network (NPN), a nature photography critique forum, in an effort to become a really good bird photographer. One of the first things I learned on NPN was that I needed to switch over from shooting jpeg to shooting RAW, which I did. But RAW files are inherently soft out of camera (jpegs are generally sharpened in camera but virtually all RAW files need sharpening) so I needed to learn how to skillfully process images and that included sharpening. So I purchased Photoshop and immediately hit a thick brick wall.

Photoshop is complicated and intimidating and I had no idea what I was doing. Eventually I thought I had figured out a basic work flow that was acceptable and began submitting images to NPN for critique that had been shot in RAW. I knew that some of those images had a lot of potential but they weren’t being received by NPN members as well as I hoped and I didn’t really know why. This went on for quite a while and I was very discouraged because I was trying so hard and getting nowhere. I remember seriously considering selling my gear and finding a new hobby.

Then out of the blue I received an email from NPN member Dave Sparks who suggested that my images weren’t living up to potential because they hadn’t been sharpened properly. Dave took a real chance when he sent that email – many photographers are notoriously thin-skinned when it comes to criticism of their images, even on a critique forum like NPN. Dave and I didn’t know each other and he had no idea how I’d react but he sent it anyway. During our extended email conversation Dave provided me with a sharpening “recipe” that improved my images dramatically. I’ve been using that recipe, with variations, ever since.

Since 2008 Dave and I have developed a long distance friendship but he lived in Florida so our paths never crossed (regular readers will likely recognize his name because he comments here fairly often). But recently Dave planned a winter photography trip to Yellowstone and he arranged to spend a day in Salt Lake City so that Mia and I could finally meet him. Our plan was to spend the day together and give him a tour of Antelope Island and Farmington Bay WMA as we visited. And three days ago that’s exactly what we did, even though the weather was uncooperative to the extreme. We endured a blizzard for most of the day and much of the time we had near whiteout conditions.

 

dave sparks 9400 ron dudley

This is Dave at Farmington three days ago. He had walked over to the edge of the road to photograph something and he didn’t know that I had my camera trained on him when he turned around. I hollered out to him to wave and he obliged. We had heavy snow and fog for most of the day so obviously shooting conditions were terrible but dang we had a good time together.

I often think about what I might have missed if Dave hadn’t sent that email. There was no way I’d continue to have that much money tied up in gear for a hobby that I was no good at so I’d likely have sold it all and developed other interests. I’d have missed all the joy of photography and the time spent in nature and with birds. There would have been no blogging “career” and I’d never have met the many photography friends that mean so much to me now.

So thank you, Dave. Your kind gesture continues to enrich my life.

And I hope you’re having a blast in Yellowstone!

Ron

 

Notes:

  • Dave is a highly skilled bird and nature photographer. He’s been all over the world for his photography and his portfolio is impressive. Some of his images can be seen here.
  • At the request of several readers I’ve included the “recipe” for my (Dave’s) original sharpening technique in my response to Dick Harlow’s comment below.
  • As an afterthought I decided to include the image below so you can see how my photos turned out that were taken in the whiteout at Farmington. The snow was so thick that my focus points could barely lock on to the kestrel and the fog and “thick air” muted everything. I deleted almost every image taken that day but I kept this one because I like those little vole paws sticking up out of the snow.

 

american kestrel 0793 ron dudley

 

 

 

59 Comments

  1. A BIG thank you to Dave for unselfishly providing a path to improvement which rescued a passion and which continues to inspire all who view your photographs, Ron.

    I benefit each time I review your settings and think how I can apply them to similar situations. I marvel at the beauty of our natural world as seen through your lens. I devour new knowledge offered by a teacher who continues to educate. Even if my photography has not evolved since I found your website, I have.

    And I am not alone.

  2. How inspiring. There are good people in the world. I think many of them comment here.

  3. I’m so glad Dave contacted you. Look where you are now, and we are able to enjoy your photography. Looks like a cold day!

  4. Wow! Thanks for the blog devoted to an email I sent a long time ago. I would have responded sooner but did not have access to the web in Yellowstone Park. Our interaction has certainly been mutually beneficial. I am inspired by the photos I see on both your and Mia’s blogs and study carefully your camera settings and the comments you make about how you captured the images. Also, your blog is filled with information about the birds and their behavior that I don’t find in other sources.
    It was -6 deg F when we left for the photo outing in Yellowstone this morning, but the clothing I brought was effective and I stayed warm and my camera gear worked properly. I hope that is true for the remainder of the trip.

    • Doesn’t matter how long ago it was, Dave. You saved my bacon and I’ll be forever grateful.

      Glad you’re keeping warm. I was a little worried about that…

  5. Thank you for a lovely story and insightful result. I am a painter and have enjoyed the hobby on and off for decades. It sustains me in my down times and, although none of my work is sale worthy, I appreciate what it adds to my life, just as you describe your photography.

  6. Thank you Ron, thank you Dave, thank you Laura.
    Learning all the time. Which is a gift.

  7. I am no photo-techy, just a photo appreciator, but if you have a recipe for chocolate donuts, I’m interested……

  8. ❤️❤️❤️ I love it! Wow! It’s 45 F and I’m freezing! Talk about thin skinned!

  9. Thank you for sharing this personal story! PS is so filled with possibilities that I am often just bewildered and don’t do much except maybe adjust the levels. Masking has always seemed tedious to me, but now that you have shared the sharpening technique, I will practice! As usual, your shots – even in a blizzard – are wonderful! Thank you!!

    • Jane, Some of the relatively new selecting tools in PS make masking soooo much easier, especially with birds where the subject is sharp and the background out of focus. Sometimes I can mask a bird with a single click of the mouse – no foolin’!

  10. Dave Sorokwasz
    Ron, Thank’s so much for the “sharpening recipe”. Following that you made a reply to Wendy @ 6:49 AM that suggests a possible 2nd recipe. Am I correct? If so I’ll be sure to watch for it.

  11. Thanks for the post, Ron. It’s a great story and along with everyone else here, I’m glad you didn’t quit. Your images are generally terrific but what’s more is the knowledge you share with your informative posts by which we all benefit. And one more thing, “Sometimes I worry that I’m getting a little too personal with some of these types of posts…”, no need to worry. Please, keep up the good work.

  12. Oh WOW, exponentialized (yeah, that’s not a real word, but I’m a writer and can do these things–do not try this at home–LOL!) You shared a huge wad of joy today! THANK YOU! And THANK YOU Dave Sparks for lending a needed hand, generously sharing your knowledge that unlocked Ron’s photographic genius! It’s often a little detail key or two that stymies our inherent creativity. Special blessings to both of you!
    A similar thing happened to me when I started my writing career. My first editor gifted me with the absolute best piece of writing advice I’ve ever encountered and I’ll happily pay it forward. Focus your attention on your verbs–use REAL ones, not the mamby, pamby versions of TO BE (is/are/was/were, etc.). While they’re necessary in a lot of instances, the overuse makes your writing dull. Verbs bring action, color and sound to your sentences.
    And when you find a TO BE verb paired with another verb ending in ING, yank that sucker out (it’s passive voice) and replace it with a vibrant verb that doesn’t end in ING. Example off the top of my pointy head, “He was going.” While sometimes it’s necessary to use forms of TO BE, use it sparingly as if it stinks like a rotten skunk that only a hungry vulture could appreciate.
    That, and remember you’re almost always writing in past tense–it happened. There you go!
    And OH the Kestrel shot!! What a beauty! And while y’all know I’m a fool for Kestrels (and redtails and Harris’ hawks, and oh never mind–the list goes on and on), what a special image. My heart delights at the image of a Kestrel surviving through harsh winter conditions. They’re such lovely, sparkly jewels. THANK YOU again!
    The mouse feet electrify this shot. For some reason that’s not ghoulish at all, I thoroughly enjoy watching raptors horking down feet and tails. Again, it’s about survival, and while the rodent lost its survival bid, its energy transferred to the falcon/hawk/raptor.
    And with the subject of Kestrels, let me climb up on my soapbox for a moment. In most of their range, Kestrel numbers have crashed. There’s no one reason for their decline, but instead, a perfect storm of factors. One of the primary elements is the use of poisons, both rodenticides and pesticides. Your target may be the little rodents/bugs, however there’s almost ALWAYS a secondary poisoning because birds like Kestrels feed on small rodents and larger bugs. A dying rodent looks like an easy kill, especially when they’re feeding a nest full of little ones. The poison kills them, too, often wiping out an entire family. Obviously, there are other factors like habitat destruction, which includes the destruction of old and/or dead trees which are often critter condos, robbing them of nesting opportunities, and the gamut of human obstacles (cars, electrical hazards, windows, etc.), but poison is a biggie. PLEASE don’t use poisons. OK, I’m rambled on enough.
    Ron, THANK YOU for all you do! You ROCK!

    • Thanks for the writing tips, Laura! I need all the help I can get.

      And I echo your advice to avoid using poisons. Birds and other critters have it tough enough without them.

      • I forgot to add that the editor in question, formerly of “Car & Driver” will soon be my falconry apprentice–of course, I met him when he was editor of “SportsCar magazine. ANYWAY, odd how life can circle around, isn’t it?

  13. Generosity certainly makes a difference! I love this story of how you were encouraged to stay with your hobby. We never know when any effort, no matter how small, will make a difference to someone else and it’s lovely to see you honor that effort here. And I’m glad you kept that image of the kestrel. It’s beautiful.

  14. Wonderful story, Ron! I’m from the other side of the hobby – I’m primarily a birder and mostly take pictures for documentation and at-home ID, and I really appreciate your beautifully sharp images for details of plumage I can’t see in the field. I have received the same kind of generosity from experienced birders, too, from help finding local rarities to the gift, recently, of a spotting scope from someone who upgraded. A share it forward world is a better one for all of us.

    • “A share it forward world is a better one for all of us”

      It surely is, Naomi. Another example of such generosity I could mention is when I was considering buying my very expensive lens 9 years ago. Another NPN’er named Tom Webster spent several days walking me through the advantages and disadvantages of different lenses. Without his advice I’d probably have made the wrong choice. He was also a stranger to me but he spent a significant amount of time helping me with my decision. I’ll be forever grateful for his input.

  15. Thank you Ron for sharing that recipe! Now I know where the Halo’s are coming from. I generally just use Smart Sharpen. BTW I am in the same boat as you were so many years ago. Purchase a big lens and find that no matter how steady I am I am getting soft photos. I always shoot in Raw. So frustrating! I thought it was the 7D or the lens.. Now I will try your techniques! I was also ready to give it up!

    • Leah, sharpening halos are a pain in the patoot! They really detract from an image but they can nearly always be avoided by selective rather than global sharpening.

      Don’t give up! I’m sure glad I didn’t…

  16. That is a wonderful story! How fun that you finally met! I just downloaded photoshop and feel the same way you did when you did the same. I am bound and determined to master it! Would there be any tips on the sharpening guidelines that you can share with us? Thank you.

    • “Would there be any tips on the sharpening guidelines that you can share with us?”

      Judy, Check out my response to Dick Harlow’s comment below. Good luck with PS!

  17. I think a lot of us can identify with your frustration! I follow your blog daily, and enjoy learning from you. You are an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your stellar images.

  18. I recognized Dave’s name and wondered if it was the same guy…THANK YOU, DAVE…for being what I call a “passer-on”, someone who freely shares something that will help another…sadly, so many “artists”(and others) hold valuable tips and tricks to themselves (ex.They’re the ones who leave out an important ingredient or step in a “shared” recipe). I’ve worked with both kinds and will be forever grateful to those who share, like my treasured friend, and incredible artist, Katie Lee. I strive to be a passer-on myself and it has given me tremendous satisfaction.. As one of the beneficiaries of your generosity to Ron, thank you, again!

    • I hope Jorge has seen today’s blog. He’s getting close to his goal now and maybe this info will be helpful to him. I will try to send it to him…if the evill iPad will cooperate…..

    • I hope Jorge sees it too, Patty – just in case it might be helpful.

  19. Wow…..Thank you Dave!(and of course thank you Ron!)

  20. Wonderful story! 🙂 Photographers can be “funny” about sharing information of that nature – one of the many reasons I enjoy your blog is learning about the birds as well as what settings you are using. Photoshop Elements still has me going “huh?” at times which means I don’t use much of it. The Kestrel obviously doesn’t care about the weather and a warm meal no doubt helps. 🙂

  21. Yes I am at the stage in my photography life that I want to become better photographer! Last fall a I bought a mirrorless system and I am going to my first local camera club tomorrow night. I am pushing myself to go further. I still shoot in jpeg and I use Apple photo for processing. I need to gain more knowledge about Photoshop or Lightroom before i make that commitmant.. One step at a time.

    • “I am pushing myself to go further”

      That’s the only way to improve, Nancy. I’d suggest taking the plunge to RAW as soon as possible. That will give you even more motivation to learn processing.

  22. “…I like those little vole paws sticking out of the snow.” Ron, this made me laugh out loud! You have a scientists love for the facts of wildlife, even if a cute little vole has to bite the dust. And what a wonderful story about Dave. Tell him thanks for me. I get a lot of enjoyment from your photography.
    Cathryn

    • Cathryn, on a related note I’ve always found it interesting that many of us root for the bird instead of its victim when that victim is a mammal like us. We’re more closely related to the vole than we are to the bird.

      Yes, my mind goes strange places sometimes…

  23. Ah, Ron….this is a remarkable story. It’s amazing how one small gesture can entirely change our future. This is a perfect example. Photoshop is very, very difficult to learn; since I’m not a photographer, that’s something I can live with, but I’m so very, very glad that Dave sent that first email, and that in turn, you weren’t offended by it. Your photography is some of the best I’ve ever seen, (not that I’m an expert, I’ll admit). Combined with your ethics and kindness and storytelling, your blog is, in my humble opinion, just about as good as it gets. I can’t thank you enough for your gift of beautiful, awe-inspiring photography of wild things, but also for your ability to educate the public.

    • “I’m so very, very glad that Dave sent that first email, and that in turn, you weren’t offended by it”

      I was far from offended, Leslie. I was grateful. But I’ve sure seen many examples where photographers got all huffy when someone suggested that their image wasn’t perfect and that was on a critique forum where criticism is expected. Some folks are hard to figure out…

      Thanks so much for the very kind words.

  24. Hurrah for Dave, and you, and everyone who’s learned and practiced generosity of spirit—-It makes life so much richer for everyone–not only the
    recipient ( you, in this case )–but also Dave , who gained a fine friend for life and a day in northern Utah blizzard ( he’ll appreciate Florida even more ! )

  25. I love the snowy Kestrel! Eating a mouse, looks like.

    • Thank you, Sally. Actually the rodent is most likely a vole rather than a mouse. Most of them at Farmington are voles. Voles have shorter tails but we can’t see the tail here so I’m not positive.

  26. What a wonderful story and Kestrel shot! You are certainly paying it forward.

    Charlotte

  27. Yup, I’m another that would love to look in on the sharpening recipe!

    What a great story. Sounds like many of us when we first started out. I got so frustrated with photoshop and lightroom that I stuck them in a draw in the garage.
    I’m sure all of us are delighted you stuck with the hobby and became friends with Dave. Whether he realizes it or not he has become our friend too.

    Compared to last winter when we were below freezing and a ton of snow we are today sunny bare ground and in the 40’s! I guess you can thank El Nino for your weather this year!

    • Thank you, Dick. Ok, here’s the “recipe”. I’ve simply copied and pasted this from a comment I made on an older post:

      In response to some inquiries in comments below about sharpening, here’s the technique I typically use (basically the one I learned from Dave years ago). This technique presumes processing in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements which should be similar to full PS (I haven’t processed in Elements for quite some time but I used to). I have no experience with processing in other programs.

      First I crop the RAW file and make any minor exposure adjustments, all in ACR (Adobe Camera Raw – it comes with Photoshop).

      Then I convert to jpeg and pull the image into PS for resizing and sharpening (usually I do no other processing). Typically if I’m preparing the image for the web I resize anywhere between 720 and 1200 pixels on the long side. My blog post images are 900 pixels on the long side.

      I always sharpen the bird selectively by carefully masking it first. This has several advantages over global sharpening – it will prevent “sharpening halos” and it also prevents an increase in noise in the background which sharpening can cause. Masking can be tedious but it’s worth it. Once you’ve learned to use the many selection tools in PS, the process of masking becomes much easier and quicker.

      I use the “Unsharp Mask” tool for sharpening with the settings at: Amount 125%, Radius .3, Threshold 0. Photoshop has other sharpening tools but this is the one I prefer. Typically I apply 1-1.5 rounds at that setting but the amount can be adjusted by going to edit, fade unsharp mask and moving the slider back by percentage until the sharpening looks “right” to my eye. An average amount of sharpening for me at these settings is probably about 1 round but the amount really depends on the image (when I’m sharpening an image for printing I sharpen more than I do for web presentation)

      Too much sharpening will make the image look “crinkly”. Practice and experience will he helpful in spotting oversharpening. It’s important to note that no amount of sharpening will “cure” an image that came out of the camera significantly soft.

      If I have whites within the mask that show very little detail and are already quite bright I remove those whites from the mask before sharpening because: a, there’s no detail there to sharpen anyway and b, sharpening will make the already bright whites even brighter.

      All this presumes that in-camera sharpening settings have been turned off. I want to have control over the amount of sharpening. I’m of the opinion that all images in that situation can benefit from at least some sharpening.

      That’s what I do. Others use different techniques and settings that also work well.

      One more thing – unless my image has been taken in very low light I avoid increasing saturation or contrast while processing. In my opinion, oversaturation is the most common way folks ruin their nature images. Some of them actually hurt my eyes…

      • Many thanks Ron! It is now copied and in my folder. I guess I need to go to the garage and open the draw! G!

  28. Wonderful Story. I have meant three people via photography that are among my dearest friends now. Dave looks like a great guy. And, feel free to share that sharpening recipe!

    • He is a great guy, Wendy.

      I’ll share the recipe here but it may take me a while to post it. If the clouds cooperate I hope to go shooting soon and if so it’ll have to wait until I return. If I don’t go I’ll post it as soon as possible.

  29. When your blogs pop up in my email, I get a snippet of what’s in the blog. Today I saw “I was a highly frustrated wannabe bird photographer”. I immediately thought…hey, that’s me!! Like all your other blogs, I quickly dove in and devoured words of wisdom and pics 🙂 I appreciate you doing what it is you do and sharing your journey and adventures.

    • Thanks very much, Zaphir. Sometimes I worry that I’m getting a little too personal with some of these types of posts so I appreciate your positive feedback.

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