diamond ring for my wife

[Noel_Carboni]

No problem, Bill. It was about 9 PM.

I fooled with your images a little after I sent the upsampled versions to you... I feel running noise reduction (my own tools) on the originals then upsampling is effective. Have a look at these...

"Comp 1" noise reduced and upsampled

"Comp 2" noise reduced and upsampled

-Noel

[billsstills]

well, the files have been sent both the big files and the originals (both through noise software first along with some contrast in levels)

The person whom called me originally to tell me that I'd been entered into the finals... I spoke to him on the phone again, he is the media rep at Willowbank Dragway in Queensland which is not far from the Gallery where they'll be displayed.

The media rep told me that the shot with the smoke was rather popular with all who have seen it to date.

I'm busy managing a growing drag racing team and find less time to shoot while at the track. I will be up in sunny Queensland during the Winter Nationals in a few weeks and I'll be able to see them displayed with my entire team present.

Final judging will be around the 6th of June. Got my fingers crossed.

[billsstills]

Originally Posted by Terry Zorich

I like both shots. Nice work.

Are you asking for help with the resizing?

Good luck winning that rock!

Thanks Terry,

[billsstills]

It's Sunday night for me I've started drinking beer... listening to Janis Joplin's myspace...

My photos were placed on display yesterday 26th May 2007 in the Queensland National Art Gallery 30x40 inches framed.
From twenty photos in total within the finals I have two in the Pro field. I'm the only photographer at any level who has two photos on display.
So if I don't win... I reckon I'm twice the loser!

I've worked out that the first prize is... a half carat fifty point diamond valued at $AU 20thousand dollars.

If I win... maybe I won't be a hack any more?

I'll know in a week.

[DigiCamPix]

Good Luck! and please let us know when you hear something.

[Noel_Carboni]

I hope you win, Bill.

Just curious, how did you get the smoke shot to fit in 30 x 40? It was kind of wide and short to fit that aspect ratio.

Also, how does the fractal upsampling look at that size?

-Noel

[billsstills]

Hi Noel,

I really didn't do much at all... the competition people asked me to send the two photofiles on CD to a particular address.
I spoke to them just a little, tried to find out as much as I could but they didn't know anything... they said that the shots would be printed at 30x40, it's in their hands now and I'm going to the gallery in less than two weeks to see it for myself... it's about a comfortable twelve hour drive from where I live.

I ultimately sent them the original files with some colour noise filtering along with and as well as the files you worked on. Two of each of both.

I sent them your files after me and my printer had a close look where he (Chris my printer) decided that your effort looked the best out of a few attempts... the fractal upsizing seemed to work well in his mind.
At first he didn't think there was any difference between just resizing in photoshop but he did like your fractals.

this is a crop from the 30x40 file you lent me... it's noisy but I'd stand back if I was a customer

http://www.prophotohome.com/forum/ph...php?photo=1310

this is a 6x9 inch crop from within the 30x40 frame... it's very honest to say the least.

it could be less noisy but there's another thread for Nikon Noise...