Andrew and Heather Rozell » Our Lives

As I mentioned last post, I created vector images for the header Heather created. I thought it would be interesting to share with you what a vector image is all about.

The most popular image type that we use is raster images; more commonly called bitmaps. Simply put, a raster images has millions of different pixels that create an image. They are permanent pieces of the images. If you enlarge the image the pixels simply enlarge too. That is why you can only blow up your photographs so big before the become pixelated.

Then there is vector images. Vector images are not built upon pixels but rather complex formulas. Depending on the size of the image the formula is one way. Suppose you enlarged the image by 100%, the formula would simply double as well. Because of the formulas, images cannot become pixelated.

Take a look at my signature:

They look similar at 100%, but if we were to look closer we would find that the raster image begins to pixelate:

It is a subtle detail in this example, but apparent none the less. The main use of vectors is the ability to scale. Most billboard designs are vector as well as most people in the marketing industry are familiar with Adobe Illustrator, an entire program dedicated to making vector images, like logos. Example:

Now, if you apply vectoring to photographs you get an entirely more drastic final product. By vectoring a photograph you are removing pixels and placing formulas. The end product looks more like a painting than a photograph. Take a look at this photo I took of a pigeon at the Circus Maximus:

And then vectorized:

Now I can take this image and blow it up as big as I want or need.

Though you may create vector photographs in programs like Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop, one of the easiest ways to try this out is Vector Magic. This website will allow you try their service twice for free. If you do go to over to Vector Magic, send me the end product. I would love to see what you were able to create.

As you can plainly see I made the decision to shake up the blog and Heather did an awesome job designing the new header using some vector images I created of the entire Rozell family.

The new design’s sole purpose is to display bigger pictures. (When you scroll down you can see the new size of the images I will be posting.) I can’t speak for everyone but I know I like posting pictures and I know, from other sites I frequent, I like them bigger than Blogger could do. So I have made the move to Wordpress. So far, I am pretty impressed with what Wordpress offers, but I do feel like a traitor to leave any part of Google.

I would suggest that if you have bookmarked my blog as http://therozellfamily.blogspot.com that you update it to the new one www.andrewandheatherrozell.com. Although, the old one should forward you here none the less.

I received positive feedback to the HDR post, so I think I will post either later today or tomorrow a little bit more about vector images. What they are, why they exist and how to make them.

I am absolutely fascinated by HDR photos. If you haven’t seen HDR photos, take a look at this website: Smashing Magazine.

I thought in this post I would not only show you my latest HDR photo, but let you in on the secret of what HDR is and how to do it.

The basic element of HDR photography is bracketing your shots. Which, for non-photographers, simply means you take several shots in which the exposure changes to over and under expose the same image. While camping over the weekend, I took a series photos of the small lake there. For the images below; the first shot is more or less the “correct” exposure, the second images is under exposed by 2 full stops and the third is over exposed by 2 full stops. You can easily tell that the sky looks more dramatic under exposed (2nd) but darkens the trees while the over exposure (3rd) details the trees but blows out the sky.

HDR simply takes the three images merges them so that the “good” parts of each photo are used. In the final image, below, you can see that the water is from the 1st shot, the sky is from the 2nd and the trees are from the 3rd (more or less).

Ultimately, HDR photos show an exaggerated depiction of what my eye really saw that day. Hope you like.

Zach invited me to go camping with him, my dad and my nephews Bo and Abe over the long holiday weekend. Zach recently bought a new trailer, so we were commissioned for it’s maiden voyage.

We made the 2 1/2 hour drive to Tyler state park. Zach chose that location so that we all could visit my dad’s dad (my Pawpaw) on the way home.

Saturday night we went for a short hike and hung out around the campfire, ate dinner and of course, s’mores. Bo and Abe loved throwing pine needles and leaves into the fire.

On our way home we stopped by the fire station, Clay was on shift, and got a tour from our brother.