Look for Subtle Differences in the Light

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Photographs © Rick Sammon. All rights reserved.
Canon 5D Mark II. Canon 24-105mm IS lens.

When it comes to photography, it's all about seeing the light - seeing the contrast range in the scene, seeing the quality of light, seeing the direction of light, and seeing the color of light.

Last week, I was leading a workshop to Guizhou, China. Mostly, our group was photographing the people in several remote villages.

These two photographs illustrate a subtle difference in the light.

Both of these pictures were taken in the same village – but in two different locations – in the shade on a bright, sunny day. We shot in the shad to avoid harsh shadows caused by direct sunlight.

The photograph on the left (my favorite because of the softer light) was taken in the second location, where the light was a bit softer than in the first location. Notice how the shadows are stronger in the picture on the right.

So the message here is: see the light!

Here is a behind-the-scenes shot of one of our portrait session. I just included this for fun!

Tomorrow, I'll start a week of Storytelling here on my blog - using pictures from the Sister's Meal Festival, which was one of the main reasons for going to China.

Explore the Light,
Rick

Grab a Code – Get a Free Copy of My App: 24/7 Photo Buffet

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To celebrate TGIF: Following are 10 codes that you can redeem on the iTunes App's store for a free copy of my iPhone app: Rick Sammon's 24/7 Photo Buffet.

Important: Here is a quick how-to on redeeming codes. Please read this FIRST . . . so you know how to use a code.

Also: Redeem is available on the mobile version of iTunes. Once in the "App Store" application on your iPhone, select "Featured" and scroll to the very bottom.

And... these codes only work in the US. This is an App store thing - as is the entire Redeem policy and procedure.

I hope you are able to grab a code, and I hope you enjoy the app!

9NKMR3PMNN4L
LJYXA4W4NKLF
LAE6XEJY4FMK
9RELWMF4T693
RXEET7NE4J67
J3RMJL4MKRNM
K69NPKH6XYR7
N76RAEJRLERR
9KTML3ENKYWR
TL9HXT4XYPJN

Below are two screen shots from the app. It's packed with how-to information - photos/text and movies. We also have a Search feature and a Notes feature.

Explore the light,
Rick

Quick HDR How-to Lesson

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The top image shows one of the many spectacular buildings in the Summer Palace, which is relatively close to Beijing.

It is one of my favorite HDR images from a recent trip to China. I created it in Photomatix from three exposures: 0EV, +2 EV and -2 EV. Those exposures captured the dynamic range of the image.

The middle exposure from my set of pictures is below. A tip here: don't take more exposures than you think you need. More exposures increase processing time, and worse still, noise.


Start with the White Point Slider in Photomatix,
Then Use the Black Point Slider

When working in Photomatix, my #1 suggestion is to start with the White Point slider. Move it all the way to the left and then gradually move it to the right - until you begin to lose details in the highlights. Then, move it back to the right until you can see the details in the highlights.

If you lose the details in the highlights, you defeat the purpose of HDR, which is designed to capture all the tones in the a scene. In the above image, you see that some of the detail is lost in the bright highlights.

After working with the White Point Slider, move the Black Point slider to the right until the shadows begin to get blocked up, and then move it back to the left until the details in the shadow areas are revealed.

That said: Light illuminates, shadows define. Some shadows can be good, as well as some bright highlights. So, create the image that you like, using the adjustments to your heart's content.

Photomatix creates true HDR images from several images. Below is an example of how to create a pseudo HDR image from a single image. All I did was to open my original file of the Great Wall of China in Topaz Adjust and then apply the Spicify filter. Kinda cool.





If you like HDR imaging, check out my latest book, HDR Secrets for Digital Photographers.

It's packed with more before/after examples and screen shots than most HDR book out there.

I cover:
Photomatix
Topaz Adjust
RAW Processing
Expanding the Dynamic Range in Photoshop
Plug-in
Creative Effect
. . . and More.

For a discount on Photomatix and some plug-ins, check out the Plug-in Experience.

Explore the Light - and explore HDR,
Rick

Beijing Tips: A Do and a Don't

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If you plan a trip to China, or anyplace where you don't speak the language, download iTranslate from the iTunes Store. It saved the day (s) when I was in Beijing and in remote China! It's an amazing app!

When taking a cab, DO NOT get in a VIP cab - it will cost much more than a regular cab. Also, only take metered cabs.

On my recent trip, four cab divers tried to rip off my workshop participants - on the same day.

Also... at the airport, one driver tried to charge 4 people 450 yuan for a 40 yuan ride.

Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing some China HDR shots, city scapes and people shots here on my blog.

Explore the light,
Rick