All this week: I will be posting inspirational quotes - along with my photographs that I feel go with the quotes - here on my blog.
If you have a quote, please share.
We all need a little inspiration from time to time.
Explore the light,
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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Topaz InFocus
| Topaz InFocus |
| Topaz InFocus (Before and After) |
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.
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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!
Mt. Rainier Photo Workshop Announced
in Mt. Rainier
One of the best times to photograph in Mt. Rainier National Park is during the fall when majestic skies frame the beauty of the mountain, temperatures are moderate and the summer crowds have departed. The park provides a wealth of photographic opportunities including landscapes, wildlife subjects and colorful fall foliage.
Juan Pons and I will be leading this fun-filled workshop, providing the participants with lots of practical advice, techniques and tips to capture beautiful photographic images. We believe that taking pictures should be fun, and we will strive to teach in an entertaining manner with an eye toward creative results.
What’s included in the workshop: Photographic instruction, both on site and during digital darkroom sessions. The small group setting allows participants to shoot side-by-side with us and get some individual instruction when processing images.
What’s not included: Participants make all their own travel arrangements. A group lodge will be selected and the group will meet there to carpool into the park and participate in digital darkroom sessions.
Group size: Limited to 10 participants per workshop.
Dates: September 21 to 24, 2011.
Cost for instructional workshop: $600.00 per person
As always, trip cancellation insurance and fully refundable tickers are recommended.
For an application and more information, email Susan Sammon: susansammon@me.com.
"Master Your Flash" Session at Unique Photo. That's a Wrap!
| Photograph by Kathie Austin |
I'm just back from my Master Your Flash photo session at Unique Photo in Fairfield, NJ. Good photos – and good fun. Thanks to Unique Photo for setting up the event, and thanks to Westcott and Westcott's Dave Piazza for supply the gear and added lighting know-how. And of course, thanks to all the attendees. You were a great crowd!
My idea for these Master Your Flash sessions: I offer lighting tips and suggestions, and then I let the attendees shoot. Sure, I take a few shots, but mostly I hand over my camera to the photographers who show up – and who really want to learn.
I also offer basic lighting tips:
• The larger the light, the softer the light.
• The closer the light, the softer the light.
• Take the darn flash off the camera.
• Remember, shadows can be your friend.
I also offer basic lighting tips:
• The larger the light, the softer the light.
• The closer the light, the softer the light.
• Take the darn flash off the camera.
• Remember, shadows can be your friend.
I also supply the camera gear: Canon 5D Mark II and Canon 7D, Canon 24-105mm IS lens, Canon 580EX II flashes, and Canon ST-E2 wireless transmitter. The concept is to use only two camera flashes and a few accessories to learn the basics of studio lighting - without spending a small fortune on gear.
When Dave is not available, I supply the Westcott gear: reflectors, diffusers, and soft boxes.
So my friends, if you attend one of my Master Your Flash sessions, you may get a chance to shoot. My next Master Your Flash session will be at Photoshop World in Orlando, Florida in March.
In this post I'd like to share a few shots from the event. Read on! Please keep in mind that we were shooting in a lecture space and not a pro studio. And, the focus was on lighting the model, not the background.
| Photo by Ellen Denuto |
Above: Attendee Kathie Austin suggests positioning a large Westcott soft box directly above our model, Mercedes Padilla-Register. That's Kathie shooting on the floor in the foreground, and the photo she took opens this blog post.
Above: The main light source (single flash bounced into a reflector) was positioned to camera left. The exercise here was to see how facing away (left) and toward the light affected the end result. Tip: see the light . . . especially the direction of light.
| Photograph by Eric Brown |
| Photograph by Eric Brown |
Above (two images): In this pair of pictures, you see what happens when we added a hair light and reflector (bottom image).
Yes! We know we did not have a background/separation light. We did not get there yet. We were building on the basics.
Yes! We know we did not have a background/separation light. We did not get there yet. We were building on the basics.
| Photograph by Ellen Denuto |
Above: I am the voice-activated flash stand in this picture. I am holding a Canon 580EX II flash for the hair light. Our main flash is off to camera left in a large soft box, and my friend Andre is holding a reflector, directly opposite the main light, to fill in the shadows.
| Photograph by Bill Dreitlein |
Above: Here's what happened when I accidentally pointed the hair-light flash a bit toward the camera. Usually, we try to avoid this type of lens flare, but in this case, the attendees liked it. I think it's kinda cool.
| Photograph by Andre |
At my Master Your Flash sessions, I shoot tethered, hooking up my Canon 5D Mark II to my MacBook Pro. To view the pictures, I use Canon Digital Photo Professional, the program that comes free on the CD that comes with Canon digital SLR cameras.
I hope to see you at one of my Master Your Flash sessions. Until then . . .
Check out my app, Light It Light! for the iPhone, and Light It! for the iPad.
Hey, if you have a great studio lightin shot, post it on my You Light It! flickr group.
One more thank you goes to Ellen Dunuto for taking some of the behind-the-scenes shot at the Unique Photo Event.
Explore the light,
Rick
| Photograph by Rick Sammon |
P.S. Above is a shot from the the lighting book I co-authored with Vered. Here you see the same basic lighting techniques that we used at Unique Photo, but with a background/separation light added. One light on the background can make a big difference.
Below is a shot using one flash in a soft box. Talk about the importance of the background! :-)
| Photograph by Rick Sammon |
| Photograph by Rick Sammon |
"Battle of the HDR Photo Tips" Coming in March Plus "Battle of the Sunset Photo Tips" Now!
Photograph by Rick Sammon
It's coming in March: The battle of the HDR photo tips, with Trey Ratcliff and yours truly.
I can't wait. Trey, if he is not stuck in customs, and I will keep you posted as to the date of the "battle."
Each day for one week, we will post one of our favorite HDR image along with a tip.
Note: I have done battle before! Check out the battle of the sunset photo tips.
All in good fun - and good photo learning.
Explore the light,
RickP.S. Check out Trey's HDR book:
Here's a link to mine: