Florida Photo Caravan: Finale

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© Rick Sammon
I'm kinda down tonight . . . already missing my newfound friends (as well as old friends) on my Florida Photo Caravan.

Today we had out last shoot.... model on the beach. Above is my favorite shot from our last shoot, below is another "Behind the Scenes by Susan" shot.


I enhanced my image with the Midnight filter in Nik's Color Efex Pro.  More on my plug-ins here.

I will miss you all! Hope to see you again real soon.

Scroll down to see previous posts from the road.

Catch you later,
Rick

Florida Photo Caravan 12th Shoot: South Beach

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© Rick Sammon
We're still in South Beach - making pictures after sunset.

The idea here was to use a wide-angle lens to get the entire scene in focus, and to choose an aperture of f/22 to create the starburst effect on points of light.

Choosing a low shooting angle added to the impact of this photograph.

I used my Canon 5D Mark II and Canon 17mm lens for this shot. To see all my gear, click here.

Scroll down to see previous posts from the road.

I hope to see you on a future workshop.

Explore the light,
Rick

Florida Photo Caravan 11th Shoot: South Beach Sunrise

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© Rick Sammon
This morning I helped the workshop participants makes pictures. I used a hose from the Avalon hotel to wet down the street to create some nice reflections. I also suggested using Topaz Adjust/ Spicify to make the images pop.

© Rick Sammon
Above is my original image.

For info on Topaz, check out my plug-ins page. Save a bundle on a Topaz Bundle while you are there.

© Rick Sammon
Speaking of Topaz Ajdust, I also suggested using some of the effects on some of our sunrise shots. Above I used the Venice Painting effect.

© Rick Sammon
Above: Exposure Correction effect.

© Rick Sammon
Above: original lack-luster image.

I hope to see you on one of my workshops... maybe in Florida in 2013.

Explore the light,
Rick






Death Valley Photography Workshop: Feb 23- 26, 2012

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Photograph © Randy Van Duinen
If you like landscape, travel and HDR photography, my Death Valley Workshop is for you!

I'll be teaching with Randy Van Duinen and Jeff Leimbach – the guys who head up The Digital Photo Workshops - in one of the harshest places on earth . . .  which is also an incredible location for photography.

If you have been to Photoshop World, you know Randy and Jeff. And if you have been to PSW, you are probably a NAPP member - so you get $100 off the cost of the workshop.

What's more, all workshop participants will get onOne's Perfect Effects 3 for free! That's a $99 value.
Photograph © Randy Van Duinen
Randy, Jeff and I will be there to help you get great landscape photographs. We'll also help you improve your HDR, Photoshop and Lightroom skills. What could be more fun!

Speaking of HDR, I will be using Nik Software's HDR Efex Pro. If you don't have this cool plug-in, you can get a 15 discount on the Nik web site by using this code: RSAMMON.
Photographs © Randy Van Duinen
Click here for more info on the workshop. If you join the workshop, I recommend these two filters.

For now, here are my top landscape photography tips:
1) Try to get the entire scene in focus. Use a wide-angle lens, small aperture and focus 1/3 into the scene.
2) Use a polarizing filter to darken the sky and brighten white clouds.
3) Use a tripod. It will slow you down.
4) Keep the horizon line level.
5) Shoot from low angles - as Randy did in the first two shots here.
6) Remember that shadows add a sense of depth and dimension to your photographs.
7) Use a lens hood or shade your lens - watch for lens flare, which can ruin a picture.
8) Don't place the horizon line in the center of the frame.

We hope to see you in the desert!
Explore the light,
Rick