Kinda Busy

Someone asked earlier today how I do all I do. Well, I work hard in my over-packed office.

Only kidding - not about working hard, but about the office. Had a new carpet installed today (by the guys on the right). Had to move everything into my office. What a mess - but at least I still have internet and phones!

Be neat,
Rick

Combine Plug-ins for Some Real Photo Fun

Wanna have some real post-processing photo fun? Try combining several plug-ins.

I created the top image here using, in order of enhancements: Photomatix (from HDR soft), Topaz (from Topaz labs) and finally Photo Frame 4 Professional (ononesoftware.com).

The straight-out-of-the-camera shot is on the bottom.

What fun!

You can learn more about plug-ins, and get some discounts on select plug-in at the Plugin Experience.

See the light,
Rick
P.S. When making HDR images, remove chromatic aberrations as a first step.

Shootin' In the City Has Its Ups and Downs :-)

Ya know, shootin' in the city has its ups and downs. Meaning... that you should always look up and always look down (as well as back) for photo ops.

For the picture on the left, I looked up, and noticed this colorful balcony. For the picture on the right, I looked down, into the interior of the car.

These are simple tips, but they come in handy when shootin' in a city... and even in a forest.

See the light,
Rick

Good Question, Simple Answer

This questing came in via email this AM. Good question! I answer it at the bottom of this post.

The photo here (taken with my 15m lens on my Canon 5D Mark II and created with Photomatix and Topaz Adjust) has noting to do with the question... but it illustrates my answer.

• • •

Hi Rick,

I'm a fan and follower of your work and hoping to get into one of your seminars or workshops one day. I see all that you do, and I wonder how it's possible.

I realize the inspirational advice is a common response to that question, such as "Work hard, be motivated, have fun, and take risks...." But what I'm wondering is how you are able to get all this done: write books, take pictures, do videos, do podcasts, write articles, teach, maintain a website, travel, submit photos to magazines and websites, etc.

Seriously, could you shed a little light on how you are able to accomplish so much? I mean, you published 3 books in 2008!!! I love this kind of lifestyle you live. What's a typical day/week for you.

NY Times tech writer David Pogue wrote a piece answering the same kind of question for his readers who wanted to know the same thing I'm asking you.

Would you mind sharing a few logistics? I'd like to see what it takes to do what you do. Thank you, Rick

Jerry Shankin
Commerce, Michigan

• • •

ANSWER: Jerry, that's easy! I love what I do: taking and making pictures.What could be more fun? Well, maybe being a rock star :-)

Also, time moves at a different pace for me. Seriously. I am very aware of time and time management - and what is important and what is not.

I'll add to your list: I walk for one hour a day and take a nap after lunch. Hey, maybe those are the keys!

Shooting in the City: Make Pictures

One I first saw this ’57 Chevy, it was parked on a different street in harsh sunlight on a street in Old Havana, Cuba. To make this picture, I simply asked the owner to drive his car onto a different street, to a spot I had picked out before I asked him to move. I asked him to pop the hood and truck. I snapped off a shot, making one of my favorite city photographs. After I made the picture, I enhanced the image with Topaz Adjust, one of my favorite plug-ins.

Check out Topaz and some of my other favorite plug-ins at the Plugin Experience.

See the light,
Rick