Bob Crum

Photo editing? Ugh! Forget it! I'd rather be fishing, or playing Bunco, is a refrain I often hear. Besides, some say, I get it right in the camera. HA! Photos don't go straight through the lens directly to the memory card. A camera is a computer upon which you mount a lens. From the solid-state sensor, pixels are processed by the camera's computer run by program algorithms installed by the camera's engineers. Hence, no image straight out of the camera (SOOC) is as good as it can be.

Photographer Rick Berk wrote: "Post-processing is not a crutch. If I look at an image on the back of my camera and say "I'll fix it later," then it's already a bad image, and no amount of processing is going to correct it. I am a staunch proponent of shooting RAW, for many reasons. I know full well that the camera can have problems handling a scene with a lot of dynamic range, such as a sunset. I use optical filters on my lens to help with that, but there are still times when the image out of the camera fails to capture the image I saw with my eyes." Amen!

Post-Processing is an essential part of digital photography. Avoidance is futile! Internet search engines will present several 'free' photo editors. GIMP leads the pack. Though free often means editing limitations and skimpy options, most may be sufficient for "basic" photo editing. Compare features and check reviews!

Depending on your budget, several robust photo editing programs are available. Adobe Lightroom (LR) and Photoshop (PS) are the predominate photo editors but available only by a $9.99 a month subscription. Other editors include DxO Optics Pro 10, On1 Photo RAW, Capture One, Corel PaintShop Pro, Topaz Studio 2, Skylum Luminar and ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate to mention a few. Best one? Up to you. Select a program with preferred features and tickles your toes.

I subscribe to Adobe's Lightroom Classic and Photoshop, also have Photoshop Elements 14 (PSE), DxO Optics Pro 10, Topaz Studio 2 and On1 Photo RAW installed on my photo editing computer. I also have DxO NIK plugins installed in LR, PSE 14, and PS. Each program has distinctive attributes & benefits.

After a shoot, photos are uploaded on the computer. I then import to LR to begin post-processing. Remember, RAW editing is non-destructive-doesn't harm the original. Don't like how it's going, click reset and restart. From LR, I transfer the photos as a tiff image to PSE14 where Imagenomic Noiseware and NIK plugins reside. The first step, if necessary, is reduce image noise. Then I initiate the NIK magic sauce. Wonderful for my specialty: Mermaid boudoir photography. Color Efex Pro 4 (with custom recipes) and Viveza 2 are two plugins used extensively. NIK's UK-Lead technology rocks! Note, unless images are imported in PSE14 as a "smart object," editing alters pixels. Can't reset and begin anew. Resizing the photo according to the client's requirements is the last step.

Remember, RAW files are large. At a recent private event, I shot 576 RAW images which equals 13.9 gigabytes of data. Hence, a capable computer is essential. My custom-built dedicated editing computer has a 1TB SSD "C" drive, 32GBs of RAM and a 500MB SSD scratch drive. Less RAM and smaller "C" drive will suffice, it'll just make photo editing somewhat slower.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the dreaded learning curve that accompanies any new computer program. Did I hear a groan? Persevere! You'll relish the glorious rewards.

Photo of the week is Brush Creek's lower falls, north of Kernville.

Send comments, suggestions or questions to: focusonphotography@earthlink.net

At last night’s City Council meeting Rebecca Morales of Fillmore was appointed to the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council.

September 10, 2019

Agenda item 7-A
The City Engineer recommendation that City Council approve Final Map Tract No. 5520-3 for condominium purposes and Final Map Tract No. 5520-4 and authorize the Mayor to sign the maps and direct the City Clerk to record the maps with the County Recorder's office. It was unanimously approved.

7-B
The Planning Commission's recommendation that City Council 1.Adopt City Council Resolution 19-3737, approving a minor amendment to Conditions of Approval – Modification #1 to Development Permit 17-06- and finding of exemption from CEQA was approved.

7-C
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Fillmore finds that the above recitals are true and correct. SECTION 2. A new chapter 7.42, entitled “Short-term Vacation Rental Hosting Platform Responsibilities” is hereby added to Title 7 of the Fillmore Municipal Code to read, in its entirety, as follows:
The addition to Title 7 of the Fillmore Municipal Code was unanimously added to the Fillmore Municipal Code.

7-D
The recommendation that the City Council approve (i) amendments to the contracts with Rincon Consultants, Jensen Design & Survey, Tom Figg consulting and RRM with extended terms and updated scopes of work in a form approved by the City Manager and City Attorney and authorize the Mayor to sign these contracts, and (ii) an appropriation in the amount of $60,742 from General Fund Reserves to General Fund 101-4528- 0021-298, NF Specific Plan. This recommendation was approved unanimously.

7-E
The Staff request that the City Council open the public hearing on this item and vote to continue the public hearing until September 24, 2019 was unanimously approved.

7-F
The recommendation to appoint Rebecca Morales to the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council was unanimously approved. Ms. Morales was recognized in person at the meeting.
The City of Fillmore has two vacant seats on the VCAAA Advisory Council. After receiving her application to be appointed to one of these seats, the City Council Interview/Selection Committee interviewed Morales and is recommending her for appointment to the VCAAA Advisory Council. VCAAA’s Advisory Council is a community-based body of advocates for persons aged 60 and over with a mission to involve the community in creating and sustaining programs that impact senior living and family caregivers. Members represent the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, Service Providers & Focus Populations, and local cities. The Advisory Council meets six times a year; much of the work is done in committees such as Transportation, Housing and Health Issues, Senior Nutrition, and Optimal Aging, and through participation in outreach, grantee site visits, task force groups and issues of County concern.

Eduardo Morales, 18, Fillmore.

A Fillmore man was arrested after threatening his girlfriend with a firearm. The investigation led to the recovery a loaded handgun and narcotics.

On 08/30/19, the victim reported she was being threatened by her ex-boyfriend via text messages and through phone calls. The suspect, Eduardo Morales, harassed her by showing her images of a handgun and ammunition. He also stated that he would go to her place of employment, located in Fillmore, and do harm. The dispute was over alleged money the victim paid to Morales.

Once the threats were reported to Fillmore patrol deputies, station detectives immediately conducted follow up investigation and contacted Morales at the Fillmore Police Station. Investigators also conducted a search of his residence and located suspected cocaine, Xanax and a loaded 9mm semi-automatic firearm. The serial number on the handgun was illegally altered.

Morales was arrested and booked at the Pre-Trail Detention Facility for the following charges:
PC 422 Criminal threats
HS 11370.1 (a) Possession of cocaine while armed with a firearm
PC 29800 (a)(1) Possession of a firearm by a drug addict
PC 23900 Change/ alter a serial number on a firearm
HS 11375 (b)(2) Possession of Xanax
Morales remains in custody with his bail set at $60,000.

Nature of Incident:Threats and Firearm Arrest
Report Number: 19-136506
Location: 400 Block of Fillmore Street, Fillmore
Date & Time: n08/30/19 9:00 pm
Unit(s) Responsible:
Fillmore Patrol, Fillmore Investigations
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Eduardo Morales, 18, Fillmore
Prepared by: Sergeant Vince Alvarez
Approved by: Captain Eric Tennessen

Fillmore Unified School District

Board meeting highlights for the Fillmore Unified School District

2018-2019 Unaudited Actuals
The Governing Board received a presentation on the 2018-2019 Unaudited Actuals. Presentation was delivered by Assistant Superintendent, Andrea McNeill and Director of Fiscal Services, Martha Corona.

Approve Change Order #I for Fillmore High School Electrical Yard Upgrade at Fillmore High School. 555 Central Avenue. Fillmore. CA 93015. Project 2019-035
Added and deleted trenching, asphalt patching, conduits, boxes, wiring, and equipment per the electrical plan sheets.

Approve Change Order #3 for Gymnasium Roof Restoration Project at Fillmore High School, 555 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA 93015, Project 2019-025
Overtime for Saturday, July 27,2019, to complete project.

Personnel Recommendations
The Board approved all personnel recommendations including new hires, promotions, resignations, and leaves.

Jeff Dye, Fillmore Search & Rescue.

A fun filled day is planned for the first annual “Seize the Day” Dye Scholarship Foundation Fundraiser, to be held at Arroyo Verde Park in Ventura on Sunday, October 13th. Activities include a BBQ lunch, cornhole competition and games with prizes.

The Mission of the Dye Scholarship Foundation is to provide scholarships to Ventura County adults requiring financial assistance to advance their careers through vocational training, trade school programs or professional certifications.

Jeffrey Lee Dye was struck and killed by a vehicle while assisting with an automobile accident on the Interstate 5 on February 2, 2019, in route to a training exercise with the Fillmore Search and Rescue Team.

To Register for this event: https://dyescholarshipfoundation.givingfuel.com/dye

Bob Crum

Considering the deluge of emails, were I to charge $10.00 each to use the email addy, I could almost buy a new Chevy Colorado long-bed diesel pickup. Well, OK, at least apply $60 towards the $7,500 down payment.

Photographer Ricky W. is so intrigued by the concept of photo styles previously discussed that he wants to know what programs I use to create/apply it to my photographs. Before answering Ricky's question, it's important to understand the underlying rationale for photo styles.

Besides compelling subjects and composure, it's essential to begin with a properly exposed photo. Style is an attribute applied to a digital image, not to correct or compensate for an improperly exposed photo. Let's presume that you have an image with all the correct attributes - composition, exposure and tack-sharp focus. What is the format of the image - jpeg or RAW? If it's a jpeg image, you're doomed! As I've said in the past, attempting to apply a style to a jpeg image is like putting lipstick on a hippo. Go back and resume crocheting the sweater you're making for the coming autumn chill. Just kidding. But I must qualify two different applications of photo styles.

First, many present-day cameras provide "picture style" options in the camera's programming. You can even download a custom style if so inclined. So, if processing RAW files don't interest you, simply apply one of your camera's picture styles. Furthermore, selecting an in-camera picture style maintains consistency throughout a photo shoot and almost eliminates post-processing work.

If you have a Canon camera, Canon’s Picture Style Editor is on the Canon EOS Solutions CD that came with your camera. If you lost the CD, it's available to download at Canon's website. The same for Nikon shooters. Nikon’s Picture Control Utility 2 is available via Nikon’s Download Center.

Many camera manufacturers provide numerous picture styles. And often there are more on the company's website. To personalize your photos further, create your own 'style' and upload to your camera. I did this to have a particular 'look' for my specialty: Mermaid boudoir photography.

Nikon’s Picture Control Utility is considerably limiting but provides reasonable control to create new image styles. But sooner or later, you're going to grow tired of in-camera picture styles. You'll want something better. You'll want pizazz! Besides jpegs, if you're recording RAW images, hooray! Now you can massage the photo in many more distinctive ways. But to accomplish this, you'll have to post-process the RAW photos.

Why bother with post-processing? Creating standard photos, i.e., photos the camera produces are generic and look like everybody else's photos. Ho-hum. Stylizing your photos differentiates them from the gazillion other photos in the wild. But applying an in-camera photo style is limiting your photo style to the camera's programming. Blah!

A RAW image is not a photo. Not yet. It's only a digital file similar to a film negative. Unlike a camera's heavily compressed jpeg, a RAW file is a record of the unprocessed sensor data. Raw files contain the image pixels themselves, and the image metadata. Metadata, which means “data about data,” is generated in the camera for each capture. Metadata records shooting data such as the camera model, serial number, the shutter speed, aperture, the focal length, and more. Raw files also include some additional metadata that raw converters need to process the raw capture into an RGB image.

There are many software programs available for editing RAW image files. In addition, I'll discuss the programs I use in the near future. Stay tuned.

Send comments, suggestions or questions to: focusonphotography@earthlink.net

On August 29, 2019 the City of Fillmore released the following: The City of Fillmore is requesting proposals from arts and performance organizations and individuals interested in acquiring the Fillmore Towne Theatre located at 338 Central Avenue in Fillmore CA. A complete copy of the Request for Proposals can be viewed and downloaded from the City’s website at, http://www.fillmoreca.com/business/request-for-proposal/). Three copies of the proposal must be submitted in sealed envelopes and addressed to: David Rowlands, City Manager at City of Fillmore, 250 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA 93015. All proposals must be submitted at or before 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25, 2019. Please mark the outside of the envelopes (and express shipment envelope, if applicable) as follows: “PURCHASE OF THE HISTORIC TOWNE THEATRE IN FILLMORE, CALIFORIA” Questions may be directed to David Rowlands, City Manager at drowlands@ci.fillmore.ca.us or 805-312-9746.

Looking to stay cool in the hot weather, the Cooling Center is open at the Fillmore Active Adult Center, 533 Santa Clara Street, Fillmore (805) 524-3030, and Fillmore Library, 502 Second Street, Fillmore (805) 524-3355.

Bob Crum

Some readers are charmingly curious. Larry M. suspected that there's more to photographic style than camera settings as discussed in the previous column. He asked: Besides camera settings, how is "style" implemented? The question presents a conundrum: Photographic style is as elusive to describe as balance, gravity and the taste of lasagna.

Let's make lasagna. I carefully layer the noodles, sauce, meat, minced garlic, whole milk ricotta and sliced mozzarella. After baking at 400º for 40 minutes, and cooled, I anxiously take the first bite. Ah! Now, let me describe the scrumptious flavor. HA! My brain tells me it tastes good, but it's impossible to articulate what my tongue's sensory taste buds tell my brain!

Lasagna and photography have much in common. To make a photo, we layer ISO, lens aperture and shutter speed in the camera. However, instead of an oven, we bake (post-process) the photo in the computer with photo editing software programs. Afterward, ah, a scrumptious photo emerges. But I can no more describe the magnificence my eyes see as I can describe the taste of lasagna. But oh how I enjoy both. The photo highlights so delicate. The background bokeh indescribable. Texture, detail and dynamic range so splendid words cannot describe the eye candy I see.

I realize that for many, post-processing, aka photo editing, is something to be avoided like sunbathing in a hail storm. I get it! But make no mistake; photo editing is essential if you desire to improve your photos. There isn't an alternative. No shortcuts. You edit, or you have to accept whatever your camera gives you.

Lest readers perceive that photo editing is a superficial exercise, a few words from George D. Lepp, an Outdoor Photographer magazine columnist. "Post-processing images is an essential element of digital photography. RAW capture (you're shooting in RAW format, aren't you?) [his words] is only the beginning of the process, not yet as good as the image can be - that's why it's called RAW. If you're shooting in JPEG format, you're letting the camera decide a lot about how your image will look."

Lepp added, "Now don't get me wrong: it's not just about 'fixing it' on the computer. I prefer the term 'optimizing.' When you sit down to edit, you still need to start with an image file that has good content and composition and is technically excellent."

A timely note from photographer Kevin Landwer-Johan on contrastly.com: "Know your camera so well you don’t have to think about it every moment you are using it. This will make you a better photographer." Excellent advice, however, that's merely one-half of the requisite for developing a photographic "style." Style is best accomplished in the digital darkroom. Photo editing software, the magic sauce, provides adjustment options for exposure, color and contrast to produce a photo like the scene as seen by the photographer. More importantly, the editing program also empowers the photographer to, ahem, embellish the photo to taste, which if applied consistently, combined with consistent camera settings, becomes the photographers photographic "style!" But perhaps you think photo editing is boring! Or worse, tedious? Au contraire, mon ami! 'Tis creative enjoyment beyond description.

The previous photo of the week of a sea lion was not stylized. Being a jpeg from my Panasonic P&S camera, attempting to apply a style to a jpeg with any photo editor is as useless as applying lipstick on a hippopotamus.

Photo of the week is Baldwin #14 steam engine's tender getting water at the Loose Caboose in Santa Paula Labor Day weekend.

Send comments, questions or suggestions to: focusonphotography@earthlink.net

Ventura County Deputy Agriculture Commissioner Andy Calderwood gave a presentation on Ventura's now legal industrial hemp, approved in 2018. He mentioned that George Washington grew hemp on his farm for cordage. The county has approved about 4,000 acres for the production of hemp. Three of four crops can be produced in hot house environments. They can produce 5000 pounds per acre. It has an odor similar to marijuana. Certain oils such as CBD can be derived from this plant.

8-B Planning Commission's recommendations were accepted by the City Council, to wit: 1.Submit comments about amending the Downtown Specific Plan. 2.Direct City Staff to develop a Request Proposal and budget for City Council approval to select a consultant to update the Downtown Specific Plan.

8-C Council concluded that electric and natural gas technologies are available to achieve the climate goals and "we should be able to maintain local control and not be forced to use one source of energy over another". Staff's recommendation was approved to maintain local control of energy solutions.

8-D Staff recommended that the City Council: 1. Adopt the attached Resolution 19-3734 authorizing the City Manager to file a claim with the Ventura County Transportation Commission for the allocation of Transportation Development Act Funds for Fiscal Year 2019-20; and2. Approve the attached Budget Adjustment to recognize the actual TDA funding to be received for the FY 2019-20 budget. Council approved Staff's recommendation.

8-E REQUEST FOR DIRECTION REGARDING BILLING ISSUES. This lengthy agenda issue is available on the city's website. It concerns the method city should use to bill different groups for activities.

8-F TOWNE THEATRE. City Council, acting as the Successor Agency Board of Directors, providing comments and direction regarding the RFP for the Towne Theatre. City Council/Successor Agency Board authorized staff to solicit offers from private parties to purchase the Towne Theatre.