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Messaggeria in lingua italianaPOTD 30 maggio 2023

30th May 2023 08:06 UTCMatteo Chinellato Expert

scusate ma se vi sembra una foto da mettere quella di oggi sgranata, con lo sporco del sensore nemmeno tolto, sfocata.....e non è il primo caso, decisamente chi fa la scelta è meglio se controlla prima la qualità di una foto https://www.mindat.org/photo-685131.html

30th May 2023 12:37 UTCAntoine Barthélemy Expert

It's funny to complain about people's photo quality, while you state on your page that they should not "write to me for ask informations on my photography techniques, its my work and I not speack of this, thanks".

30th May 2023 16:02 UTCMatteo Chinellato Expert

It's funny to complain about people's photo quality, while you state on your page that they should not "write to me for ask informations on my photography techniques, its my work and I not speack of this, thanks".
 
if you allow mine it's a job and I don't want to reveal the secrets of my job, if I were an amateur I could even understand it, but for my job in every sector I don't talk about anything at all, I don't see why I had to train from scratch, without asking anything, while I should reveal all the work of over 15 years  

30th May 2023 12:48 UTCDale Foster Manager

For some reason I was under the impression that the concept of the POTD was to show a photograph of something of interest.

Not that it would automatically be the best technical photograph of a given subject.

30th May 2023 16:06 UTCMatteo Chinellato Expert

persist in making similar selections, if only for me on mindat a good 40% of photos, including my fairies years ago, would have to be deleted due to the poor quality, both of the subject and of the photographic technique 

30th May 2023 16:21 UTCRolf Luetcke Expert

Matteo,
Here is something I wanted to mention.
I am definitely not a professional photographer and my whole set up to take all my photos is with a trinocular microscope and camera that cost under a thousand dollars.   I love to take the photos for the scientific value of location and what is there.  I have never competed for quality although I try my best to get the most out of my equipment.
There are professional photographers who do this for a living and their photos are often used in the expensive high end magazines, more power to them.
I have actually contacted a couple of people who do superb photos of specimens to ask for identification help but got comlaints that my photos were of poor quality. 
True, when you try and enlarge them, the clarity is just not there but it has never been my intent to produce magazine quality photos, just don't have the equipment for it.
Just thought I put in my personal view and I have always loved the variety of super useful photos mindat has to offer.

31st May 2023 15:51 UTCMatteo Chinellato Expert

Matteo,
Here is something I wanted to mention.
I am definitely not a professional photographer and my whole set up to take all my photos is with a trinocular microscope and camera that cost under a thousand dollars.   I love to take the photos for the scientific value of location and what is there.  I have never competed for quality although I try my best to get the most out of my equipment.
There are professional photographers who do this for a living and their photos are often used in the expensive high end magazines, more power to them.
I have actually contacted a couple of people who do superb photos of specimens to ask for identification help but got comlaints that my photos were of poor quality. 
True, when you try and enlarge them, the clarity is just not there but it has never been my intent to produce magazine quality photos, just don't have the equipment for it.
Just thought I put in my personal view and I have always loved the variety of super useful photos mindat has to offer.
 
Obviously those who do it for work look for the highest quality, while those who do it as an amateur are something else, but here we are talking about photographs treated in an extreme way in post-production, without any cleaning of the photo, contrasted to the maximum so that as soon as you enlarge it see all the noise of the file, in short, not even I in the early days I did similar photos.  

30th May 2023 16:56 UTCJason B. Smith Expert

Matteo, no one doubts your skill as a photographer and your photos enhance mindat quite a bit, but all I ever see you do is complain and it is disheartening. Not everyone here is a 'professional mineral photographer', whatever that means these days. The point of POTD is to educate users about minerals, not provide perfect examples of photographic execution. For years and years I also uploaded poor quality photographs here because I didn't have the resources to make better quality images.... but we are lucky that we are part of a site that allows us to share our specimens no matter how poor others may think the images are. I could nit-pick your photographs as well, but if I ever do so it is in my own mind. It's very hard for some people to realize that you don't have to express every thought that pops into your skull. It's also well within your rights to protect your work and your techniques, but to do so while refusing to help anyone else improve their own photography while simultaneously complaining about all the results you see hurting your eyes is the height of hypocrisy. I for one owe emormous debts to those in this community that have shared their secrets with me to help improve my work, and if anyone reading this ever needs help or advice to improve theirs, please feel free to reach out to me. 

31st May 2023 13:45 UTCAdam Kelly

Well said Jason,
BTW I can often recognize your photos immediately when scrolling through the new photos. They are usually very good quality, and often they are lesser known species so I get to learn something. Thanks for what you do.
Adam

31st May 2023 15:55 UTCMatteo Chinellato Expert

Matteo, no one doubts your skill as a photographer and your photos enhance mindat quite a bit, but all I ever see you do is complain and it is disheartening. Not everyone here is a 'professional mineral photographer', whatever that means these days. The point of POTD is to educate users about minerals, not provide perfect examples of photographic execution. For years and years I also uploaded poor quality photographs here because I didn't have the resources to make better quality images.... but we are lucky that we are part of a site that allows us to share our specimens no matter how poor others may think the images are. I could nit-pick your photographs as well, but if I ever do so it is in my own mind. It's very hard for some people to realize that you don't have to express every thought that pops into your skull. It's also well within your rights to protect your work and your techniques, but to do so while refusing to help anyone else improve their own photography while simultaneously complaining about all the results you see hurting your eyes is the height of hypocrisy. I for one owe emormous debts to those in this community that have shared their secrets with me to help improve my work, and if anyone reading this ever needs help or advice to improve theirs, please feel free to reach out to me. 
 
I, on the other hand, don't reveal anything, I don't see why I trained alone and without anyone's help I have to reveal years and years of my work to people who don't want to invest time, mistakes, and above all money and want everything right away. The only time I did it, making suggestions and helping, I ended up with the character who stole my customers, from that moment on I don't say anything anymore and I don't help anyone.  

16th Apr 2024 18:31 UTCfsq (Mia Lane)

Apologies for replying to an older post but since this thread has been brought to my view, I thought I would pop in and say what needs to be said. Matteo, may I ask you, who are you to assess and tell who is willing to spend time and effort and who is not. You cannot know that, you do not know that, you never will.

 Whether you learned through "trial and error" over 15 years means absolutely nothing to anyone because all you do is exert utmost hypocrisy criticising things you provide zero valuable feedback to. I feel personally upset and disgraced as a photogrpher myself ever having to read some of the things you have said here and the absolutely unpleasant, pejorative and degrading to everyone else excuses that you find to act like a pretentious and sole owner of the craft of photography. 

Please reassess your behaviour. Please reassess your judgement and do better next time. 

Cheers, Mia.

31st May 2023 07:50 UTCKeith Compton 🌟 Manager

Matteo

I for one don't mind the few microscopic specs on the photo.
The crystal itself is only roughly 1mm x 1.5mm in size. If I could even take a photo of a crystal that small I would be exceedingly pleased.

The photo is of a mineral that I have had little, if any, exposure too and find it very interesting.
Yes, if it was for a publication of some sort I would recommend that it be "edited" to remove the micro specs. 

POTDs need not be "professional images". They just need to be items of interest, unusual items, examples of great crystals, mine sites, mining memorabilia, minerals from unusual localities, etc. In fact there are no rules - simply something that one of the various "experts" considers of interest. 


31st May 2023 15:08 UTCDaniel Levesque

Matteo, I have this feeling of Deja Vu.  I'm not going to take the time for a lengthy reply.  I'm just going to repost the one from November 2, 2021 on a similar topic:

"As a contributor to Mindat since 2005, I have always hoped that the POTD would not evolve into being judged simply by a photographer's expertise.  Contributors from all levels should be allowed that privilege as an encouragement to improve their skills at taking decent photos.  Not everyone has the means to own the finest equipment or aptitude to deliver the greatest photos.  We must remember the POTD is NOT a photo contest but an example of the beauty of minerals and their form with some redeeming educational value.    My interest in Mindat started as a means to educate interested individuals on what can be found in my small part of this world.  If it came with some recognition (twice), that's great, but not the driving force.  None of my photos are taken with expensive cameras or equipment and have no interest in purchasing said equipment for the sake of chasing the carrot.  Lastly, I appreciate the diversity of talent displayed of all levels and am in hopes it continues for a long time. "

But, I do appreciate and admire your work.

Dan L.


31st May 2023 16:02 UTCPaul Brandes 🌟 Manager

Just like everyday on Mindat; if someone doesn't like the POTD, wait 24 hours and it'll change.

31st May 2023 16:40 UTCGerhard Brandstetter Expert

I'm always happy to see interesting pictures of unusual minerals. Therefore this photo is also very important for me and rightly so for POTD.
Of course, you almost always show almost perfect shots that really deserve the highest respect.

From a human point of view, however, I have to refuse you this respect! Facebook had a great page "mineral photography" (or something like that). The idea was not only to show beautiful pictures, but above all to learn how to make them. The members were very dedicated and extremely helpful. My knowledge has improved enormously as a result - even if it is of course not at your high level.

Unfortunately, the moderator of this great site then left and you were the new boss. You immediately forbade the rest of us from discussing photographic techniques. Help and learning were also forbidden by you. When me and other friends protested, you threw us out on end.

If you are now complaining here about poor photo quality, that is an absolute cheek - scolding and at the same time refusing help would actually be a reason to at least warn you here on Mindat.

Well - your pictures are your property and you can do what you want with them. If you can make a living from it, then I should be fine too. However, I would never want to shake hands with such a cheeky and cocky person.

3rd Jun 2023 06:56 UTCMatteo Chinellato Expert

I'm always happy to see interesting pictures of unusual minerals. Therefore this photo is also very important for me and rightly so for POTD.
Of course, you almost always show almost perfect shots that really deserve the highest respect.

From a human point of view, however, I have to refuse you this respect! Facebook had a great page "mineral photography" (or something like that). The idea was not only to show beautiful pictures, but above all to learn how to make them. The members were very dedicated and extremely helpful. My knowledge has improved enormously as a result - even if it is of course not at your high level.

Unfortunately, the moderator of this great site then left and you were the new boss. You immediately forbade the rest of us from discussing photographic techniques. Help and learning were also forbidden by you. When me and other friends protested, you threw us out on end.

If you are now complaining here about poor photo quality, that is an absolute cheek - scolding and at the same time refusing help would actually be a reason to at least warn you here on Mindat.

Well - your pictures are your property and you can do what you want with them. If you can make a living from it, then I should be fine too. However, I would never want to shake hands with such a cheeky and cocky person.
 
The group is still very active with its 17,305 members, and I am not the head of the group but only an administrator, the others are Peter Berg, Albert Russ, Gail Copus Spann, Tobi Weise and Zbyněk Buřival so the decisions are up to all administrators, above all to enforce the rules, given that it is clearly written that this is a group to ONLY show photos of minerals, not to discuss techniques etc.. therefore after various warnings that are not respected it is normal that you are removed from the group, as it happens with many others who do not respect the well-written rules of the group, such as those who spam with tons of photos a day, when there must be only two a day, they sell minerals etc ... as I said, mine is a job, so I don't it's up to me to reveal my photographic techniques or something else, usually when one does it, or maybe does workshops on similar topics, it means that he has nothing more to say about it and therefore he sells out like that.

"However, I would never want to shake hands with such a cheeky and cocky person."

no problem, three years of pandemic have shown me what mankind is like on the other side of the coin, even with people I considered friends, so I got used to how to behave ;-) 

31st May 2023 17:49 UTCDoug Daniels

I remember when there were several amateur photo magazines, where often amateurs would submit photos.  Often the pros would offer suggestions on how to improve, or even publish articles on how they did things.  Back when I dabbled in taking photos, I'd give suggestions to others if asked.  Should take it as a compliment that they are asking about your techniques, etc.; they will never completely replicate your work.  My two cents.

31st May 2023 19:02 UTCEd Clopton 🌟 Expert

There is something to be said for exploring and learning on one's own; a lesson learned by one's own discovery often makes a bigger impression than merely being shown something.  However, requiring everyone grope about in the dark and make the same mistakes everyone else has already made is a very inefficient way for society to progress.  Guiding the explorations of others with the benefit of one's own experience generally is more satisfying and more productive for both student and teacher.  Who knows--if you set this example as a teacher, your student may discover something truly new and share it with you some day.

A rising tide lifts all boats.

3rd Jun 2023 07:00 UTCMatteo Chinellato Expert

There is something to be said for exploring and learning on one's own; a lesson learned by one's own discovery often makes a bigger impression than merely being shown something.  However, requiring everyone grope about in the dark and make the same mistakes everyone else has already made is a very inefficient way for society to progress.  Guiding the explorations of others with the benefit of one's own experience generally is more satisfying and more productive for both student and teacher.  Who knows--if you set this example as a teacher, your student may discover something truly new and share it with you some day.

A rising tide lifts all boats.
 
Here we have a saying

You learn by making mistakes

I did it like this, by myself  

6th Apr 2024 07:52 UTCMatteo Chinellato Expert

devo ancora capire chi seleziona le POTD, misteri, sopratutto sul fatto che le mie non vengano più selezionate quando ho messo foto di minerali rari etc...e sopratutto quando tempo fa ne avevo a centinaia ogni anno....forse chi dirige la cosa gli ho pestato i piedi e se le legata al dito?

6th Apr 2024 11:23 UTCEd Clopton 🌟 Expert

devo ancora capire chi seleziona le POTD, misteri, sopratutto sul fatto che le mie non vengano più selezionate quando ho messo foto di minerali rari etc...e sopratutto quando tempo fa ne avevo a centinaia ogni anno....forse chi dirige la cosa gli ho pestato i piedi e se le legata al dito?
Per Google Translate (I take no responsibility for its accuracy or its content):

"I still have to understand who selects the POTDs, mysteries, especially about the fact that mine are no longer selected when I put photos of rare minerals etc... and especially when some time ago I had hundreds of them every year.... perhaps whoever manages the what did I step on his toes and tie them to his finger?"

6th Apr 2024 15:13 UTCRalph S Bottrill 🌟 Manager

Matteo your photos are beautiful but sadly usually too low in resolution to be POTD. They need to be >2.8MP.

6th Apr 2024 16:47 UTCMatteo Chinellato Expert

I enlarge them without any problem since they have a 1500 long side and I easily print 13x18 cm. without problems  

6th Apr 2024 20:23 UTCElmar Lackner Expert

Your pictures are usually in the 1,5 mpix range (e.g. 1500*1000 pix). This really don't qualify for a quality print of 13*18cm, because a minimal print resolution of 600 dpi should be reached today for a satisfactory result !

When it comes to POTD : Maybe you downsize the resolution of your pictures too much for the upload on mindat.org. 

6th Apr 2024 21:09 UTCKevin Conroy Manager

Ralph S Bottrill 🌟 Manager  ✉️

They need to be >2.8MP.
This value is programmed into the POTD nomination process.  If a photo doesn't exceed 2.8 MP the nomination link doesn't appear, so there's no way to nominate the photo.

8th Apr 2024 15:48 UTCMatteo Chinellato Expert

I print them easily at 300 dpi 13x18 at 1500 long side, besides online I don't post them for copyright reasons since I found several photos taken from mindat without consent and I wouldn't want to cause legal trouble later through my lawyers who have my archive under check. already if I don't add the watermark yet  

8th Apr 2024 20:30 UTCElmar Lackner Expert

Looks lika a Catch-22 situation. Lowering the resolution of your pictures for protection of your work disqualify your pictures for POTD.

15th Apr 2024 15:14 UTCMatteo Chinellato Expert

Looks lika a Catch-22 situation. Lowering the resolution of your pictures for protection of your work disqualify your pictures for POTD.
 
Let's say that many of my current photos have a better resolution than some I've seen in POTD when only at the first zoom they start to grain and show exaggerated postproduction with burnt pixels. When there is a system of not copying images on Mindat then I will start uploading larger photos  

15th Apr 2024 15:18 UTCMatteo Chinellato Expert

08481780017131942962639.jpg
I don't think there is this great loss of definition for an area of 0.2 mm  

16th Apr 2024 00:08 UTCA. A. Faller

Beautiful photo. Thanks...

16th Apr 2024 21:31 UTCRalph S Bottrill 🌟 Manager

Yes it’s a wonderful photo and would make a great Potd if only it was a bit larger. Only Jolyon and you can change that.

19th Apr 2024 12:01 UTCMatteo Chinellato Expert

Never mind I won't have the POTD, on all the sites I put the photos in this format and with the watermark inserted, here it's already a lot if I don't put it  
 
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