Dopwn By Five Example

Down by five, I visited you're web site and was compelled to comment.I hope you dont mid me using you're photos as examples. I hope I can help you and others display better images at least on the web.
By way of introduction, I must tell you that 4 years ago, I was completly computer illiterate, and now I know very little.
O.K. Anyway, the first photo is the barn and road w/s curve, I didn't comment when you posted it, but others stated my feelings about it. It looked like a very nice photo, but it looked so very flat. I down loaded it and ran auto levels on it in elements 2.0 and it looked like a different exposure! It had so much more contrast and the colores were much better.When I went to yuo're web site, the first pic I clicked on was barn and old tractor. That too looked somwhat flat. I ran auto levels on it and it was improved, but looked too blue. So, I adjusted levels manualy, and used unsharp mask.
And here are the results.
1 the barn as you posted
2the barn after auto levels
3 barn/old tractor as you posted
4 barn/old tractor after auto levels
5 barn/old tractor after levels&usm
One thing that I have learned about digital imaging is that almost every image needs a healthy dose of usm. I know others can help more than I, but I thought you would like to know.
Mark.

I could only post 4 pics. Heres 3,4,5.
Mark.
BTW, you,re exposures are dead nut's right on accurate, it's just that every image needs it's own individual tweaking.
Mark.

To each their own I suppose. I happen to like the originals better, but that doesn't mean others will. As a suggestion, I'd send the original photographer a personal message or email to let him know that you've posted these. He probably won't mind, as you've done it in a very friendly and proper way, but you've set a new precedent here that may not be appreciated by certain folks.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the help and suggestions you're offering.

I agree with Trevor's comments and concerns. I did post in the new Guidelines at the top of the page that we would prefer that you post a link to another photographers images rather than the image itself. You may have missed that post and I understand that what you're doing is something different than simply posting someone else's shot.

I'd prefer that you had permission from the other photorapher before doing this, but do appreciate your interest in helping.

Thanks for your input. The only thing I'd like to mention is that you are using photos that have been downsized from being 5mb jpgs to 100k jpgs using Widows Picture Resizer...Both pics have been USM'd (I always do...), and IMO, the originals are pretty darn sharp, considering both pics were taken with a 70-300mm lens (that cost $120) handheld in a running car (hey, that's all I could do...). But I have a pretty limited amount of space for my website, and I don't feel like taking a lot of time to resize pics, so I just use WPR, and live with the crappy results.

Here's a 100% crop from one of the originals...

Trevor Ash, another veiw,
You are right. I should not have done this.
DownByFive,
Whatever camera/lens you are using, you're pictures are great! I really do like them.
I hope you will accept my appology.
Mark.