Appreciation Sunday

I don’t say it enough . . . thank you.

As shot - output from RAW capture, Nikon D200 with Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 Macro
As shot – output from RAW capture, Nikon D200 with Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 Macro

I am referring to regular readers of this blog. 

As I write this, the blog has 752 followers. The majority of them have done little beyond look at one or two posts and thrown a “like” my way. Many have done even less; they followed Disperser Tracks because they had something to sell.

Typical Disperser Processing. The original was a bit dark, so this is not to what I would likely present on the blog.
Typical Disperser Processing. The original was a bit dark, so this is not to what I would likely present on the blog.

But there is a small number of followers out there who not only read this blog, but also regularly contribute in the form of encouragement, feedback, and compliments. 

This has exposure, brightness, saturation, and a few other tweaks to make the photo jump out at the viewer.
This has exposure, brightness, saturation, and a few other tweaks to make the photo jump out at the viewer.

I would still have this blog even if no one contributed; even if no one read it. Indeed, that was the case for many posts during the first few years.

d11940_26JUN2010_1-Processed
If I don’t want to make it brighter and up the saturation, I can increase the impact of the photo by increasing the sharpness (perceived and actual) with slight HDR treatments, tweaks to the dynamic range and upping the edge sharpness.

But I can’t deny that encouragement helps. Even compliments, which I have yet to master gracefully accepting without feeling weird, help me by letting me know that somewhere someone gets something from what I do, be it writing or photography.

e11940_26JUN2010_1-Processed-3-4
There are other ways one can punch up a photo . . . a bit counterintuitive, but desaturating the image is one such way. Muting the colors lets other aspects of the photo take over the duties of engaging the viewer. In this case, the texture and geometry of the flowers.

Know that I also appreciate honesty. I do want to know if something does not work. Give an honest opinion, and I will welcome it. Not only welcome it, but I gladly hear it and fairly consider it. 

f11940_26JUN2010_1-Processed-3
One can overdo texture, but even then some people will find the results if not pleasing, at least interesting.

Yes, I do understand that just as I’m often uncomfortable accepting compliments, many people feel uncomfortable expressing negative reactions. That’s fine; know that if you ever want to, that option is there, and don’t worry about damaging what is an incredibly huge ego.

g11940_26JUN2010_1-Processed-2-2
Occasionally one can go out there a ways, both with color processing . . .
. . . and playing with textures. Occasionally, it's just fun to play.
. . . and playing with textures.
Occasionally, it’s just fun to play.

Anyway, I don’t want to drag this out, so here’s what I want to repeat:

As I approach the fifth anniversary of this blog, I look back at what is now a long association with a number of individuals who take amazing photographs, write amazing things, are a positive addition to the blogging community, and still find time to keep tabs on what I do.

For that, my sincere thanks.

That’s it. This post has ended . . . except for the stuff below.

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Note: if you are not reading this blog post at Disperser.Wordpress.com, know that it has been copied without permission, and likely is being used by someone with nefarious intention, like attracting you to a malware-infested website.  Could be they also torture small mammals.

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Please, if you are considering bestowing me recognition beyond commenting below, refrain from doing so.  I will decline blogger-to-blogger awards.   I appreciate the intent behind it, but I prefer a comment thanking me for turning you away from a life of crime, religion, or making you a better person in some other way.  That would mean something to me.

If you wish to know more, please read below.

About awards: Blogger Awards
About “likes”:   Of “Likes”, Subscriptions, and Stuff

Note: to those who may click on “like”, or rate the post; if you do not hear from me, know that I am sincerely appreciative, and I thank you for noticing what I do.

. . .  my FP ward  . . . chieken shit.

30 thoughts on “Appreciation Sunday”

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  1. EGAD,egad split infinitives!!!! That will never do dear boy:

    “But I can’t deny that encouragement helps. Even compliments, which I have yet to master gracefully accepting without feeling weird, help me by letting me know that somewhere someone gets something from what I do, be it writing or photography”.

    surely it should read, :- which I have yet to master accepting gracefully…. or perhaps gracefully accept mastering.

    I did read somewhere that writers should ever split infinitives so time to socks pull up; or some such nonsense, heres a smile 🙂 I know you love ’em really!

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    1. Ah . . . that old canard. Well, dear Lord, in an attempt to educate the proverbial old dog, I offer up these links:

      http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/split-infinitives
      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Split_infinitive
      http://grammarist.com/grammar/split-infinitives/

      I firmly believe my propensity for the practice comes from my Italian roots. You might surreptitiously notice peculiar sentence constructions in many of my stories. The understandable practice seems to largely originate from English being a second language for me.

      As you will certainly note from the above links, there is no such rule per se. The history of it is fascinating but ultimately only proves that people get worked up for the most insignificant of reasons.

      However, as you are of English origin, I am near-certain you will express unbounded disdain for those . . . colonial links.

      Because of that, I cautiously offer the following:
      http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/words/split-infinitives

      Notice they caution against their use only to facilitate avoiding confrontations with self-declared purists. Surely, you do no seriously consider yourself one? . . . you do live, after all, in Australia.

      Seriously, I place pacing and tone before suggested guidelines. Plus, I aim to single-handedly change the way the language is currently written into a form more palatable to my dubious taste.

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    1. Thanks, Norma. The anniversary is a few days away, but for the past week or so I’ve been (insert adjective here to create split infinitive) looking back at the path I’ve tortuously traveled. This post is to acknowledge those who accompanied and kept me company along that path.

      Liked by 1 person

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  3. I’m still learning to take compliments, too. So I understand.
    But, YOUR blogs are a joy! I look forward to reading and to seeing your photos…and often you make me laugh! 😀
    HUGS!!! 🙂

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    1. I think you are both very lucky to get compliments. I rarely or if ever do but it’s of no great moment; I don’t expect the rubbish I write about is of any interest to anybody but me, but there are a few bloggers who’s posts I enjoy reading and follow and I like to express my thanks and appreciation for the work that they put into writing and publishing stuff that is well worth reading and following and in egad’s case looking at, his photographic work never ceases to amaze and astound me, he writes some pretty good stuff too 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Well, L’BoB, you should get compliments. I, for one, do greatly enjoy your propensity for pronouncedly punctuationless posts replies. The content also often bring a smile to my lips, and that is a rare talent, indeed.

        Plus, whether you realize it or not, the thanks I offer are a compliment of sorts. So, you see, you do get compliments.

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      2. Well, you are very kind to share thanks and appreciation to those bloggers you read! Ha…my fingers typed “blobbers” and I had to correct it! 😀 😛
        Yes, I agree! He DOES have a very enjoyable blog! 🙂

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    2. Thanks, diem3; I do like finding out I make people laugh. Few people realize it, but with few exceptions, that is the primary purpose of nearly every post on this blog (or at least to raise a smile to one’s lips).

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    1. Thank you. You’re not that far behind, at least on the one blog; not sure about the other.

      As for the photos, depending on my mood I could easily pick any of them (after all, I processed them). The second one is my standard processing, but for the blog I normally would pick the third one. Mainly because WP tends to somewhat mute the photos, so I usually punch up the version I put on the blog versus the one I put on SmugMug.

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  5. This is the type of photo that lends itself to all kinds of manipulation and creative expression. I really like the fourth from the top.
    I’m impressed with 752 followers!!! That’s more than twice what 2clicks has but it still doesn’t seem to indicate how many folks actually visit the blog if you can believe WordPress stats. I’m not discouraged, though. As much as I enjoy sharing, the blogs are really for my own amusement.

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        1. We once had a Prime Misinister; and might I add the best PM Australia ever had who once discribed us as at “the arse end of the earth” is that what you meant? 😀

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        2. and for the ignorant of this world arse is the correct spelling and not to be mixed up with a donkey /mule or whatever the poor much maligned creature is 😛

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        4. if you think about it the northen hemisphere is whats really at the bottom, we’re sliding slowly towards the equator which means we are sliding down, therefore we must be on top. Think about it and write a short romantic novel on that>

          Liked by 1 person

    2. As I mentioned before, I think starting new blogs might have lost you a few followers. Most people are not all that diligent about keeping up with changes.

      As for the followers versus the visits . . . yeah; the numbers don’t mesh up well, and even less so if one checks the number of contributors (people who make the effort to comment). Those numbers don’t go very high in the teens; I’m not sure they even hit the low teens.

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  6. Wow, 5 years already? Where has the time gone?! Keep up the great work Emilio, even if I don’t comment frequently, or read everything you post…..

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  7. First, that photo sequence is brilliantly artistic and much appreciated. You know how MUCH I love texture and color so the above are exactly the kinds of photos that delight me to the very depths. Thank YOU for providing so many photos and processes for my enjoyment.

    And second, “Ben fatto, Emilio. Tanti auguri per i prossimi cinque!” (Sis & Ma)

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