My kids say that I’m OCD. Isn’t that ridiculous? Well, I do like things done a certain way and everything has to be in its proper place, but that’s just because I like to be organized (right TBM?). So, when I have a to-do list, I like to try and finish one item before I move on to the next. Take my blog screw-up for instance. When I first started this blog, I had no idea what I was doing, and I certainly didn’t think about re-sizing photos for the internet. Within no time I had pretty much used up my media quota on WordPress because my pictures were so huge, and I began to panic, but my wonderful blogging friend, Gary, came to the rescue and taught me how to properly size the photos for my blog.
During my last couple of days of Christmas holidays this year I went on a photo re-sizing spree and am happy to announce that I am finally done!! I know what you are saying – I could have just re-sized a few at a time as I needed space, but my OCD demanded that I complete the job, and I love the feeling of accomplishment :).
Now to move on to the next item on my to-do list, but I also need to get back to more regular blogging because I have been sorely neglecting it over the holidays. I’m really not a winter person so I haven’t been out much with my camera, but with the thousands of photos on my computer, I’m sure I won’t have any problem finding special ones to share. This photo is one of those captures where I can’t really pinpoint why I like it so much, but while I was reviewing my photos it just really popped out at me. I think it’s the way the composition draws your eyes into the photo and makes you want to travel past the rocks and explore down the river. This is part of a water hazard trail used to train the horses at Tralee where my sister-in-law works.
photos from the loonybin 
i love this as well Cindy. i love walking in the woods and exploring, so this really would intrigue me to go further. also, as i like to look for unusual wildflowers for my garden (as you well know) this is one place i would have o problem putting on my hipwaders for!!
You would love it there Irene – it’s so peaceful and beautiful :).
Beautifully composed Cindy.
Thanks Edith! It’s a beautiful location for photography.
Nice post….and piccie 🙂
Thanks – I’m glad you enjoyed them :).
A little OCD never hurt anyone 😛 Mine takes the form of having a little panic set in whenever I’m ready to leave a place I was just photographing. Even though I KNOW everything is back in the car, as I start to leave I have to put the car back in park, get out and check. Every single time! And I’ve never actually forgotten to put anything in the car either. Oddly enough, I don’t get the same feeling about leaving something behind while I’m leaving the actual scene, like the summit of a mountain like where I was this past weekend, only at the car.
I remember you freaking out a little about running out of space 😀 Another plus about resizing that has nothing to do with space, image theft. Uploading full res. files makes it easy for someone who may want one without paying for it. That’s why I always resize and watermark 😀
I never thought about resizing to protect against image theft. It’s a shame that we have to think about that, but it does happen doesn’t it? As for your checking and rechecking, it’s nice to know I’m not the only one who does things like that :). I don’t blame you because you probably have a lot of expensive equipment that you would hate to find out you had left behind!!
Yes it is a shame, but in there are many who feel that if it’s shared on the web it should be free. I don’t mind if, in fact I encourage people to share my photos. I’ve also had several requests from people asking if they mind if they use one of my photos for their Facebook cover photo. I always say yes. Even if they position it so as the watermark is hidden, if someone clicks on it to get the full view it’s there so they know where to get it. But you won’t ever see a full resolution, un-watermarked image of mine on the web, ever. I’m interested in making my photography a career, and giving them away is not a very good business model
😀
I also don’t necessarily think the “theft” is all that malicious, more along the lines of, “I really like this photo, nobody will mind if I just print an 8×10.” They probably don’t even think of it a stealing. Which I guess is a shame, because that’s exactly what it is.
Oh, as for the gear loss, it is comical the steps I go through, EVERY SINGLE TIME! And I’ve never left anything, not my tripod on the roof of the car, the camera bag on the snow bank at the parking area, nothing. I always take one last look before I close the rear hatch, and yet every time, start to move, stop, back in park, get out and walk around the car, open the hatch, “just to make sure.”
LOL – it’s so nice to know other “ocd” people!! I always check and re-check everything too, but if it gives us peace of mind and possibly averts a catastrophe, then what’s the harm right? 🙂
Um, how can you hate winter when it’s so pretty out. Nice photo. And, um, no comment about the OCD thing. No comment whatsoever. I’m still hoping for a Christmas gift this year.
Oh, go ahead TBM, give me your best shot. I will still get you that Christmas gift LOL :). As for winter, it’s pretty to look at through the window, but I can’t stand the cold. The hotter the better, that’s my motto :).
I’m the opposite. I hate the heat. Actually my body hates the heat. It makes me ill. We joke that I’ll retire to Alaska.
Well, I guess we won’t be retiring together then because I’ll be on a tropical island LOL!!!
And I am still waiting for my chocolate. Why does our Looney friend keep picking on you about being organized? OCD or what? Just kidding Cindy–love the pic.
Thanks LouAnn, and TBM and I make fun of each other, so it’s all good LOL. Still waiting for your address by the way :).
I sent it once – will have to try again — I know you guys just kid around or I would never had said anything — you are a gentle lady and I know that
Awww thanks LouAnn 🙂
Hahaha… I also call it organized!!! – – – I’m like that as well!!! 🙂 **
Yayyyy, a kindred spirit!!! What would the world be like without us amazing organizers?? It would be a complete disaster wouldn’t it? LOL 🙂
I love my OCD (-: One + side effect is I research the heck out of any possible major purpose. Works the same, for instance, when I went out and purchase my 1st DSLR camera. Ultilized the heck out the local libraries for learning materials. When that dried up, hit the Internet for webinars and photo forums.
It’s funny you should talk about researching because I always call myself the Queen of Google. I can always find information that other people can’t because they don’t have the “ocd” patience and determination LOL!! I wish I had a job in research – that would be amazing :).
I thought it was normal to make a list and check mark the item when done. 🙂
I think it is too, and doesn’t it feel good when you get to check something off? 🙂
Yes! A great sense of satisfaction 🙂
Interesting…I’m OCD too!
I knew there was another reason why I like you :).
I paid for more storage on WordPress rather than resize the first year of photos. I do resize now and have for a while.
I like that photo too – the monochromatic colors are striking. Not everything has to be vivid. I have a few from last weekend that are mostly browns and I can’t wait to share them.
Nancy
Yayyy, I’m not the only one who didn’t know about resizing their photos!! That makes me feel so much better :). Looking forward to your shades of brown.
I had no idea either, although their support forum has a good article about it. It’s just part of the learning curve. I started slow and learned as I went, versus learning it upfront and never doing it.
I agree! If I had waited to learn all about WordPress first, I probably wouldn’t have my blog up and running yet :).
I cant be bothered re-sizing. You can upload to some hosting sites and set the settings and they will resize as you upload. You can then take those photos and link them to whatever you post on WordPress….. its rather seamless and does not take the time to resize… Did you keep originals?
Now that I know how to do it, I find resizing really quick and easy. I do it in Photoshop after I finish any basic editing, and then I save it with “web” at the end of the file name. I always have three versions of my photos that I have used on my blog – the original, the edited version, and the web version. I never save over my originals :).
I’m delighted to have been able to be of some help, Cindy. You’re right about the wanting to jump in and follow that stream–how inviting!
I need to go back there again in the Spring or Summer and do some more exploring. When you go from exploring to exploring with a camera, it just makes it even more fun doesn’t it?
Out of curiosity, how DO you resize photo’s for on here? Or is it strictly ‘need to know?’ 😛
I’m sure there are many ways to resize photos, but I use Photoshop (I have Elements 11 and CS5) for editing, so I just do my resizing in Photoshop too. In Photoshop you can use the shortcut Ctrl+Alt+I to make size adjustments, and then I always save the smaller image with “web” at the end of the filename, so I know that’s the one to use on my blog. I use 600 x 400 for my web images, and I think that’s in pixels. I’m just not at home right now to doublecheck that. I hope that helps :).