Treat Your Laptop with TLC

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Yesterday, I posted the picture above on Google+, asking folks, "Any guesses?"

It's a cropped version of the image below. As you can see, it's a photo of my cracked laptop screen, which cracked on one of my workshops.


This happened more than 10 years ago, but I share this picture to illustrate the point: treat your laptop with tender loving care.

Explore the light,
Rick

A Snapseed a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

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© Rick Sammon
I was feeling kinda down today so I took a break, using Nik Software's Snapseed app on two of my images.

© Rick Sammon
After playing around for a bit on my iPad, I felt better. This cool app got the creative juices flowing again.

So take a break and create a one-of-a-kind image using Snapseed. Have fun and lift your spirits.

Okay . . .  back to work!

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. To see some more of my Snapseed images check out my Save on Creative Plug-ins page. Save while you are there.

Create a Cool Image with Nik's Color Efex Pro

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I'm running a fun contest for image-makers who live in the US. It's US only because I will ship an autographed copy of my book, Exploring the Light, to the winner.

I'll also feature the winning image here on my blog.

Use the two images below to create a cool composite, and then use Nik Software's Color Efex Pro as a finishing touch, as I did on the image above. My filter: Midnight. Be sure to tell me which filter/effect you used. A few folks have forgotten to add the filter.....

Try not to place the moon in the same position as I did.

© Rick Sammon
© Rick Sammon
You can simply drag the images to your desktop and start the Photoshop and Nik Software fun. Your file will be low res, and that is OK.

If you don't have Color Efex Pro, you can get a 15% discount by using this code – RSAMMON - when you order the plug-in from the Nik web site. While you are on the Nik site, check out the other plug-ins.

Post your image on your blog or site and let me know where it is by leaving a Comment here.

Deadline is January 16, 2012.

I took both of these images with my Canon 100-400mm IS lens on my Canon 7D.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. I teach stuff like this on my workshops. Shooting, too :-)

My Favorite 2011 YouTube Videos

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Need some photo information - and photo inspiration? Here are my favorite 2011 YouTube videos.

Photography at Google
My travel presentation

Mostly Photo
Some photo tips and a shoot with Catherine and Leo

Bosque del Apache
Just some nice nature and wildlife photographs

Quick People Photography Tip
Live from the Mara

Getting Started with Photomatix Pro
Jump start your HDR photography

Selective Sharpening in CS5 and CS5
Sharpen up your photographs

Around the World with Nik and Rick
Playing with Plug-ins

Explore the light,
Rick

So Psyched About Shooting With These Pros - and You!

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One-light lighting. Photograph by Rick Sammon.
One of the cool things about being a professional photographer is that you get to meet and shoot with other pros - and learn from them.

In the February and March I will be doing lighting workshops with two top pros – my friends Dave Cross and Parish Kohanim.

Dave Cross has cool sets in his studio.
Here's the info on my February Dave Cross studio workshop, which will be held in Oldsmar, FL. NAPP members save $100!

What's more, two participates will walk away with a Westcostt Apollo Softbox Kit. We'll do a random drawing for the kit at the end of the workshop.

Here's the info on my March Parish Kohanim workshop, which will be held in Atlanta, GA.

Parish's studio/gallery will be transformed into a full working studio. 
Dave, Parish and I will help you master your flash and understand continuous lighting - and more. We'll have critique sessions and group slide shows.


Want to learn how to enhance your pictures in Lightroom? We'll be there to help.

To enhance your portraits, check out my post on Plug-ins for Portraits.

Another cool Dave Cross set  where we'll shoot.
These workshops will be fun for me for another reason: I don't have a studio. I shoot in my office, pictured below.


So even if you don't have a studio, we'll show you how you can get studio-type shots in your home with affordable gear. I took the shot below in my office.

Photograph on right by Rick Sammon. Painting on left by Johannes Vermeer.
Below is one of my favorite Parish Kohanim photographs. We may not get get fine art images like this one on the workshops, but we'll give you the tech info and inspiration to get you started.

Photograph © Parish Kahanim
Explore the light - with Dave, Parish and yours truly. Space is limited on each workshop - for an intimate experience. So it's first come, first serve.

PLJ,
Rick

P.S. If you can't make the workshops, check out the Lighting Section of my Gear page to see which gear I use. In addition, I cover lighting techniques in two of my apps: Light It! and 24/7 Photo Buffet.