Be My Guest Monday 2.7.11: David Leveen

It's "Be My Guest Monday," the day of the week that's turned over to a talented guest blogger for a quick tip.

Today's guest: David Leveen


Why and What? That should be your video project mantra. “Why” am I making this video and “What” do I want my audience to walk away with.

Keeping the two W’s always in mind while brainstorming, creating, and distributing your project will make for a success for both you and your intended audience.
The picture included here is from a promotional video and DVD done for a popular local restaurant, Umami Cafe in Croton on Hudson, NY. Click the picture to see the video snippet!

The “Why” for this video was strictly promotional. For the Christmas season the owners and executive chef of the restaurant wanted to make a “how-to” video of 4 of their most popular dishes and thus extend Umami’s brand outside of the restaurant.

The “What” they wanted their audience to take away was how to make the restaurants signature dishes in their home. The feedback was great as people mentioned how much fun and easy the recipes were to make at home every time they came into the restaurant.

So the two W’s are there to help and begin the process of making a successful video.

Hey! Visit my site when you get a chance.

Cool Plug-in Can Expand Your Photographic Horizons

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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.
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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.
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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.

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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.
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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.

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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

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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.