View Full Version : Blurry photo on the ARRL website
Why does the ARRL publish blurry photos on their website?
See here:
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/08/08/2/DSC03992-lrg.jpg
Ever since I began paying attention to photos on QST and the website I have noticed that the ARRL's photographers don't take the most flattering of photos. In fact, some of them are downright awful.
ab8ma
08-09-2006, 05:18 PM
Not sure focus would improve this image.
Look at this one. It looks like it came from a camera phone!
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/08/07/2/NewTourguides-lrg.jpg
ve2nsm
08-09-2006, 05:19 PM
A tripod would have helped.
Quote[/b] (ab8ma @ Aug. 09 2006,12:18)]Not sure focus would improve this image.
I agree. The problem is slow shutter speed shooting handheld, i.e. the problem of taking photos in low light without a flash.
My point is if the ARRL wants to project a professional image, they should publish good quality material on their site and in QST.
kf4lne
08-09-2006, 06:46 PM
If the photo is blurry like that its harder to tell whos actually there. het a freaking tripod and some real photographers.
WA2ZDY
08-09-2006, 08:13 PM
Neither of those photos is of much interest to anyone. At least the second is focused and we can tell there have been certificates presented. But they sure don't pass on any interesting info.
The second is sure focused, but it's overexposed and the colors look like a photo from a camera phone.
Quote[/b] (AB2MH @ Aug. 08 2006,12:18)]Look at this one. #It looks like it came from a camera phone!
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/08/07/2/NewTourguides-lrg.jpg
The worst of it is that was taken an the Miss Universe finals!!
N5KRC
08-10-2006, 12:07 AM
I don't think the ARRL has employed dedicated photographers to take their pictures. The pictures are submitted by God-knows-who, or like in the second example, are "Hey you! Take our picture with my camera!" shots. If you want better pictures, my annual magazine subscription price will have to increase above it's already inflated prices.
Scott, N5KRC
WA2ZDY
08-10-2006, 02:15 AM
But Scott, surely there are better photos for the editors to choose from. Photography, boats and airplanes are the next hobbies most often chosen by hams.
Focused, properly exposed, or not, nothing can help a pic of a bunch of stiffs standing around looking at the camera. Qstreet editors couldn't find better pics? I just find that hard to believe. Print photos of hamshacks, goofy cars with a million antennas, ANYTHING else. But not static pics of guys (and gals) who've been told to say "cheese."
OH GREAT!!! Now the ARRL will be needing more money for better photos and ask for more donations http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
Quote[/b] (N5KRC @ Aug. 09 2006,19:07)]I don't think the ARRL has employed dedicated photographers to take their pictures. The pictures are submitted by God-knows-who, or like in the second example, are "Hey you! Take our picture with my camera!" shots. If you want better pictures, my annual magazine subscription price will have to increase above it's already inflated prices.
Scott, N5KRC
I don't think they have pro photogs either.
However there are a lot of talented amateur photographers who are also amateur radio operators.
I've just seen better work out there. I wonder why very little of it ends up on the ARRL website or ARRL publications.
Quote[/b] (WA2ZDY @ Aug. 09 2006,21:15)]But Scott, surely there are better photos for the editors to choose from. Photography, boats and airplanes are the next hobbies most often chosen by hams.
Focused, properly exposed, or not, nothing can help a pic of a bunch of stiffs standing around looking at the camera. Qstreet editors couldn't find better pics? I just find that hard to believe. Print photos of hamshacks, goofy cars with a million antennas, ANYTHING else. But not static pics of guys (and gals) who've been told to say "cheese."
I wholeheartedly agree.
With the prices of digital SLRs coming down (we own two - Canon 20D and rebel XT) many hams now have access to decent equipment at reasonable cost.
Heck, I even saw a ham taking pics at a hamfest with a Canon 1ds MarkII-n which is a full frame 10,000 dollar camera. He had a 70-200 F/2.8L lens on it which is over a thousand dollars.
Gear is not the end either - I've seen people take great photos with great composition, color saturation, contrast and sharpness with a $100 digital camera.
I think the ARRL needs to be a bit more picky in choosing photos, and also use photoshop a bit more. Photoshop won't make gold out of dog poop but it can make a good photo look great.
Quote[/b] (W6GQ @ Aug. 09 2006,15:09)]OH GREAT!!! Now the ARRL will be needing more money for better photos and ask for more donations http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
The next thing you know they will be selling rings that have Amateur Radio Operator engraved on them!
N5KRC
08-10-2006, 01:48 PM
Quote[/b] (n0iu @ Aug. 09 2006,15:00)]Quote[/b] (W6GQ @ Aug. 09 2006,15:09)]OH GREAT!!! Now the ARRL will be needing more money for better photos and ask for more donations http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
The next thing you know they will be selling rings that have Amateur Radio Operator engraved on them!
What, like these (http://www.mastercraftawards.com/arrl/)? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Scott, N5KRC
N5PVL
08-10-2006, 02:11 PM
Is that a morse code decoder ring? - I coundn't make it out from those tiny photos.
Quote[/b] (N5PVL @ Aug. 10 2006,07:11)]Is that a morse code decoder ring? - I coundn't make it out from those tiny photos.
They were "IN FOCUS" though. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
AB1FV
08-10-2006, 04:11 PM
Quote[/b] (N5PVL @ Aug. 09 2006,09:11)]Is that a morse code decoder ring? - I coundn't make it out from those tiny photos.
Ha! good one!
"Drink...Your...Ovaltine!"
KF0RT
08-10-2006, 05:58 PM
Quote[/b] (AB2MH @ Aug. 09 2006,21:19)]Heck, I even saw a ham taking pics at a hamfest with a Canon 1ds MarkII-n which is a full frame 10,000 dollar camera. He had a 70-200 F/2.8L lens on it which is over a thousand dollars.
Eh... you can get those new for under $7,000 these days...
73, Rob
W5HTW
08-11-2006, 03:39 AM
Quote[/b] (n0iu @ Aug. 10 2006,01:00)]Quote[/b] (W6GQ @ Aug. 09 2006,15:09)]OH GREAT!!! Now the ARRL will be needing more money for better photos and ask for more donations :(
The next thing you know they will be selling rings that have Amateur Radio Operator engraved on them!
And some of them thar old cop badges whut sez "I is a ham radio operator" in tiny print beneath thet thar ole shield what says "I is a cop." And in tiny, tiny letters, the word "wannbe."
And them good old boy light bars, too. There's a whole market out there just waiting for an ARRL sales pitch. Git ur uniform rite cheer, and git all ur badges and rings, and REACT pins, and yaller helmets with little rubber duckies already mounted right on them.
Yup, an untouched market. Go git 'em, ARRL Sic 'em."Here, boy, take this badge. Gimme dat credit card."
Ed
kb2vxa
08-11-2006, 12:36 PM
Hi all,
I have seen better on Hamsexy, says something about the ARRL being out of focus eh wot?
KI4ITV
08-11-2006, 01:24 PM
Quote[/b] (WA2ZDY @ Aug. 09 2006,14:15)]But Scott, surely there are better photos for the editors to choose from. Photography, boats and airplanes are the next hobbies most often chosen by hams.
<snip>
I noticed this immediately when I first got my license, and thought it interesting.
Locally the pilots are the most visible group of hams, followed by the photographers, and the boaters. Later, I noticed a small portion of the pilot chatter was actually radio control stuff. (pilot's crash and survival rate was way too high, so I asked.)
The ambulance, fire and emcom types will pass us soon locally as the major group hams. They are growing steadily as a group here.
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
KI4ITV
08-11-2006, 01:29 PM
Quote[/b] (kb2vxa @ Aug. 11 2006,00:36)]Hi all,
I have seen better on Hamsexy, says something about the ARRL being out of focus eh wot?
What? Are you saying the ARRL has lost it's focus on amateur radio??? I guess the true test would be how well any email is reproduced in QST. Agenda??? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif
KG4RUL
08-11-2006, 06:18 PM
Quote[/b] (N5KRC @ Aug. 10 2006,02:48)]Quote[/b] (n0iu @ Aug. 09 2006,15:00)]Quote[/b] (W6GQ @ Aug. 09 2006,15:09)]OH GREAT!!! Now the ARRL will be needing more money for better photos and ask for more donations http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif
The next thing you know they will be selling rings that have Amateur Radio Operator engraved on them!
What, like these (http://www.mastercraftawards.com/arrl/)? http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Scott, N5KRC
I want one of those Shiny Gold Badges you used to see in the banner ads on this site! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif