Create a Painterly Quality Image

Photograph © Rick Sammon

For what ever reason, I find that I am playing with plug-ins more and more - with the goal of removing some of the reality from the scene, and with the hope of creating a more artist or painterly-quality.

Many of my friends are doing the same thing.

Here I used the Crisp filter in Topaz Clean to soft the image and to subdue the colors.

I added the frame in Photoshop's CS5's Actions.

Click here to see all the plug-ins that I use - and to save a few bucks.

I took this shot with my Canon 7D and Canon 100-400mm IS lens.

Explore the light,

Rick

You Save While I Shoot in NYC

I'm off to shoot and teach at Photo Plus in NYC this weekend.

While I am shooting, you can save a few bucks on plug-ins! 

Nik Software's Color Efex Pro & HDR Efex Pro - Save 15%

Save 15% if you use this code – RSAMMON – upon check-out on the Nik web site. Actually, you can save 15% on all Nik plug-ins - including Color Efex Pro! Just use the same code. Note: You must use the United States web site.

Photomatix - Save 15%

The image above was created with Photomatix. You can save 15% when you order Photomatix by using this code: ricksammon. Here is a short movie to get you started with Photomatix Pro.

Perfect Photo Suite - Save 10%
Save 10% on all the plug-ins in onOne's software's Photo Suite 6: Perfect Portrait, Perfect Layers, Perfect Effects, Perfect Masks, Photo Essentials4. Just use this code upon checkout: RSAMMON.

Topaz Adjust - save a bundle when you order a bundle

Topaz Adjust is just too cool. Above I used the Spicify Effect. Click here to order Topaz Adjust. Hey, save a bundle when you order a Topaz bundle.

Topaz B&W Effects - bundle it with Topaz Adjust
Click here to read about it!

Nik Silver Efex Pro - Save 15% 
Save 15% when you use this code - RSAMMON - upon check-out on the Nik web site. 

Explore the light,

Rick

"Awaken the Artist Within" Topaz Adjust Webinar. 4.11.11

Left Original. Right Topaz Adjust/Portrait Smooth

I truly believe that every photographer, and that includes you, has an artist within - an artist that can be awakened in the digital darkroom by using creative plug-ins. An artist that can make your time sitting at your computer, processing your images, more fun.

One of my favorite plug-ins is Topaz Adjust. With a click of your mouse and a swipe of a slider, you can transform your pictures into more creative - and professional looking - images.


In my Topaz Adjust Webinar on April 11 at 5 PM Easter Time, I'll share with you my favorite effects. I'll also take your questions.

Create a painterly look from a photograph. I'll show you how.

Topaz Adjust's Spicify Filter

I hope you can join me for the plug-in fun.

If you have never tried Topaz, click here for info. Also, you can $ave a bundle of $ when you order a Topaz Bundle. The Photoshop bundle is my favorite.

Click here to sign up! 

See you (okay, I really will not be able to see you, but I will get your questions) on the Webinar.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. You'll find more examples of how creative plug-ins can enhance your images in my latest iPad app, Rick Sammon's HDR Portfolio.

Back by Popular Demand: Topaz Adjust Webinar

After Topaz Adjust/Color Stretch

Before Topaz Adjust

Hi All -

Due to popular demand, I am redoing my Topaz Adjust Webinar (from two weeks ago) on April 11. I hope you can join the on-line training, learning and fun.

Click here to register. Space is limited. Sorry.

Explore the light,

Rick

P.S. For more examples of Topaz Adjust, as well as some of the other plug-ins that I use, see below:

Rick Sammon's HDR Portfolio
Soon to be renamed: iHDR.
User feedback suggested that this instructional app is all about . . . 
Images, Imagination and Innovation. Hence the i in iHDR.

My newest how-to app for the iPad is now available: Rick Sammon's HDR Portfolio (soon to be renamed - Rick Sammpn's iHDR). This app is packed with photos (my latest), info and movies. A great way to learn and experience HDR. Same great content, but when the new version is release, it will feature a Favorites section, which is very cool.

Give Topaz a Try

What a beautiful day in NY! Sixty degrees!

It was so nice in fact that I took a walk over the Bear Mountain Bridge, which stretches over part of the Hudson River.

My original image, below, was kinda lackluster, so I spiced it up with the Spicfiy filter in Topaz Adjust.

Give Topaz a try. All it takes is one click You'll like it!

Here's the link.

Explore the light,

Rick

Cool Plug-in Can Expand Your Photographic Horizons

Nik Software's Color Efex Pro Midnight Filter (Right)

Plug-ins expand the capabilities of Photoshop, Lightroom, Aperture, etc. They also expand your creative horizons. 

Here are my favorite plug-ins, favorite plug-in images, and favorite plug-in tips.

Plug-ins are relatively inexpensive - and you can even save a few bucks by using my special code below.

 Photomatix

Photmatix combined with Topaz Adjust

The image above was created with Photomatix - with a touch of Topaz Adjust. You can save 15% when you order Photomatix by using this code: ricksammon. 



Photomatix tip: Adjust the White Point and Black Point sliders first. If your highlights are washed out with even with the White Point slider moved all the way to the left, you missed capturing the entire dynamic range of the scene with your original HDR sequence.

• • • • •

HDR Efex Pro

Nik HDR Efex Pro combined with Topaz Adjust

Nik's HDR Efex Pro

My latest, favorite plug-in: Nik Software’s HDR Efex Pro. Save 15% if you use this code: RSAMMON upon check-out on the Nik web site. Actually, you can save 15% on all Nik plug-ins - including Color Efex Pro! Just use the same code. I created the two images above with HDR Efex Pro – and then used a touch of Topaz Adjust on my Cuba car image.


HDR Efex Pro tip: Use the Control Points and Curves to fine-tune your image – and to save time touching up your images in Photoshop, Lightroom or Aperture.

• • • • •

Topaz Adjust

Topaz Adjust 

Topaz Adjust is just too cool. Above I used the Spicify Effect. Below I used the same effect, but greatly reduced the noise. Click here to order Topaz Adjust. Hey, save a bundle when you order a Topaz bundle.


Topaz Adjust tip:  Press the Reset tab each time you work on an image - unless you want your previous effect applied to your current image.

• • • • •

Topaz InFocus

Topaz InFocus

Topaz InFocus (Before and After)

Topaz InFocus is a relatively new plug-in from Topaz Labs. Click here to read about InFocus.


InFocus tip: Don't over-sharpen your images. The more you sharpen, the more noise you'll get in your images.

• • • • •

Bokeh

Original shot.

Check this out. Want to turn a picture like the one above into a picture like the one below?

Bokeh

It's fast and easy with Alien Skin's Bokeh 2. You can save 15% when you order any AlienSkin plug-in by using this code upon checkout: RSA0901.

Bokeh tip: Spend the time in Photoshop making a VERY careful selection.

 Aline Skin makes more cool plug-ins. Click here for info.

• • • • •   

Nik Silver Efex Pro

Nik Silver Efex Pro

Hands down, the coolest way to create a black and white digital images is with Nik Silver Efex Pro. Save 15% off if you use this code: RSAMMON upon check-out on the Nik web site.

Silver Efex Pro tip: Experiment with the different color filters to see how they can enhance the tones in your images.

For more on HDR photography, see my HDR book!

Florida Photo Caravan: South Beach Shoot #1

Photograph by Rick Sammon

We're on the last stop of my Florida Photo Caravan: South Beach.

We set out this morning to something a bit different from the past week: simply go out and shoot and have fun. We looked for cool colors, patters, reflection and of course subjects. We found 'em all.

I encouraged the students to work with reflections. Here's one of my favorites – enhanced with Topaz Adjust/Spicify.

Photograph by Rick Sammon

I also encouraged the students to use their cameras like a spaceship – tilting them up and down and left and right. Here's my example. Yes, another Topaz/Spicify effect.

More pix to come from our talented and dedicated team.

Oh yeah, after our fun shoot, we spent an hour on a flash class. More good fun.

For street shots like this, I use my Canon 17-40mm lens on my Canon 5D Mark II.

Camera info:

Canon EOS 5D Mark II 21.1MP Full Frame CMOS Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

Lens info:

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras

Explore the light,

Rick

P.S. For info on Topaz and the other plug-ins I use, click here.