2023-02-27 MUGOO Zoom iMeeting

[AdminMan]

We still cannot have in-person meetings at the library, so the following Zoom details apply.

Date: Monday February 27, 2023
Time: 7:30 PM ET  You can join the Zoom meeting starting at 7:20.
Venue: A Zoom meeting that you can join on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Although Zoom works in many browsers we STRONGLY recommend using the dedicated app on your device with the largest screen for the best experience.
You do NOT need a Zoom account to join a meeting!
If you need instructions, go here: https://mugoo.com/index.php/Main/UsingZOOM

Agenda:

0 - Group chin-wag during log on                                                              7:20 - 7:30                                                                                         

1 - Topaz suite of image software             with Ross Slade                         7:30 - 8:15

2 - A slideshow plus photo insights           with Graham Fawcett                8:15 - 8:40

3 - Roundtable -  streaming services         group forum                             8:40 - 9:00

4 - Presidential Sign Off                             with Wally Kuzmicz                   0.5 minutes                                                                                                                       
         
Unfortunately, no after meeting wings or desserts at the Royal Oak, but feel free to prepare your own snacks and share them with us on screen!

Did you miss a meeting?
Sign up for emailed meeting notices! https://mugoo.com/index.php/Main/MeetingReminders

Don't forget the Ottawa Public Library!
Even though we are unable to meet in person at the library, the OPL still offers a wealth of services you can access online. Go to https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en

[DavidR]

1 - Topaz suite of image software - with Ross Slade
Ross provided an overview and demonstration of Topaz photo editing software.  The company originally started with plug-ins for Lightroom and Photoshop and has expanded their suite to include stand-alone products.  Ross stepped through three of these: DeNoise AI, Gigapixel AI, and Sharpen AI.  These products can dramatically improve the perceived image resolution, particularly if an image is being enlarged.  It can do all the changes automatically or allow you specific manual control over the sharpening changes.

https://www.topazlabs.com

Topaz Photo AI bundles the three into one program.  If you don't need all three you are probably best to buy individually. These plug-ins can improve sharpening for motion blur and out-of-focus as well as enlargement. They can also handle Nikon and Canon raw files, with a complete list on the website. 

ON1, which Ross has presented at prior MUGOO sessions, provides all of these capabilities to some degree and is a good way to go in general.  However, the Topaz stand-alone products deliver better results for specific instances.  Ross will sometimes run both and choose the best.

Marc also really likes the Topaz Video AI product.

You can view the presentation deck: https://mugoo.com/bigfiles/2023-02-27-Topaz_Products_for_Mugoo.pdf .

2 - A slideshow plus photo insights - with Graham Fawcett
Graham presented an extraordinary sequence of photos and anecdotes from his travels around the world, as executive VP of an international non-competitive sports federation.  The sports include swimming, cycling and mostly walking.  Since 2007 he has visited 22 countries in Europe, Asia, the Americas and Australia.

A number of the photos were taken with an iPhone 14 Pro Max camera, with excellent image resolution and remarkable performance in low light situations.  All of the iPhone photos were hand-held, no tripod.  Many would previously have not been possible with a hand-held camera.  You can download some iPhone 14 Pro Max samples from: https://mugoo.com/bigfiles/2023-02-28_Grahams_Sample_Photos_iPhone_14_Pro_Max.zip   Here are the captions:
Dawn_DominicanRepublic: "Early morning dawn, Samaná, DR"
Lunch_AshtonBrewPub: "Fish and chips at the Ashton Brew Pub, Ashton, ON"
Folkloric Dancers_SanAntonio: "Folkloric dancers at Magik Theatre, San Antonio, TX"
RiverWalk_Statue_SanAntonio: "Night along the Riverwalk, San Antonio, TX"
Into_the_Sun_DominicanRepublic: "Sunrise looking into the sun, Samaná, DR"
Magik_Theatre_SanAntonio: "Restored Community Theatre, San Antonio, TX"

3 - Roundtable -  streaming services - Group Forum
There was very brief discussion on Streaming Services.  LeRoy recently gave up his Netflix service after 13 years due to the new sharing charge; he couldn't justify the $40 per month.  Graham prefers Britbox, Acorn, and Showcase over Netflix ... each less than $10 per month.