Plug Into Creativity with Perfect Photo Suite 8

I love using all the plug-ins and stand-alone image editing programs that are available for creative photographers. They can help to awaken the artist within. That is why I teach this stuff on my workshops - as well, of course, how to get the best possible in-camera image.

The latest release in the world of stand-alone programs/plug-ins in onOne Software's Perfect Photo Suite 8, which includes Enhance, Portrait, Effects, B&W and Resize - along with Layers and Masks.

You can download this cool software from the onOne Software site.

Here's a quick look at my first go-around with Perfect Photo Suite 8.

For the opening image in this post I selected Perfect Enhance and used the Cool Light effect, after which I added a custom border. What's cool about Enhance is that you can control the Brightness, Contrast, Vibrance, Temperature, Detail and Vignette – to name just few of the creative controls.

When you remove the true color and sharpness from a scene, you remove some of the reality. when you remove some of the reality, a picture can look more artistic and creative. Plug-ins and digital imaging editing programs let you do just that, quickly and easily.

I like creating new color images, but I am also having fun with Perfect B&W. Here's a tip when using Perfect Black&W: Experiment with the color filters - first - to see how they change the tones in your image. Start with filters and then play with the other creative controls.

Back to Perfect Enhance: I used it to enhance this image of the interior of a lounge car at the South East Railway Museum near Atlanta, GA.

Sometimes, even subtle enhancements can create a more compelling image.

A while back I wrote an article here on my blog, Goodbye HDR, Hello EDR. In the article I talked about the data we can pull out of RAW files.

Check out the two images above. I created the image with more detail using the HDR Look effect in Perfect Effects.

Have fun with Perfect Photo Suite 8. Again, you can download the stand-alone program/plug-in from the onOne Software site.

I am teaching plug-ins (and travel photography) at Photoshop World 2014 in Atlanta. I hope to see you there!

All of the plug-ins I use are listed on my Play & Save on Creative Plug-ins page.

Explore the light,
Rick

Hey: Looking for some great prices on some great gear - for you or a loved one for the holidays? Click here.

Today's Guest Blogger: Chris Klapheke

Photograph by Chris Klapheke

Thanks Rick for inviting me to share a blog post this week!

Rick  - I am posting this from one of my favorite places, Bosque del Apache in New Mexico.  It snowed yesterday, and that reminded me of our last trip here with Juan Pons – 75 degrees one day and snow the next.  Bosque is a great place to photograph birds, and to have one of our favorite guilty pleasures: a yummy green chile cheeseburger.  I had one today in your honor!

The Holiday Season is upon us, starting with this weekend.  At Outdoor Photo Gear, we renamed Black Friday as “Camo Friday” to go along with all the outdoor gear we sell for photographers.

I thought I would post some of my favorite gear to give your readers some ideas on what to give and to what get this year.

This time of year you can’t shoot at Bosque without a good pair of gloves, and my favorites are the AquaTech Sensory Gloves. They have push-through holes for your finger and thumb, so you can operate your camera and your smart phone without taking your gloves off.  A flap covers the finger hole when not in use.

If you are shooting in rain or other inclement weather, a great new product is the Kwik Camo All Weather Photo Blind. Kwik Camo has been around for awhile, but now they have released a waterproof portable blind. This poncho-style blind covers you and your gear, so you can get close for the shot.

A cool item we just picked up is the MeFoto Walkabout. It’s a monopod that doubles as a walking stick, with a colorful detachable ball complete with a compass. I’m giving these as presents, as every photographer can put these to use!

Tethered shooting is all the rage now, both indoors and out in nature.  The CamRanger lets you control your camera from your smart phone or pad.  I don’t mean just shutter control—the CamRanger lets you bracket, pick your focus point, stack multiple images and a bunch of other stuff.  It’s an amazing addition to your gear arsenal, whether in the studio or outside shooting flowers.

Some of our Camo Friday deals have already started and some will continue through the Holiday Season.  One of the best deals we have going is 25% off of Induro carbon fiber tripods. Induro makes a heck of a tripod, and this is a heck of a deal.  We carry 4 sizes of Induro’s carbon fiber tripods so you’re bound to find your right fit with them.

That’s about it for now.  I have to get up at 5 am in the cold to try and get some bird photos!

Speaking of birds, if you’d like to see OPG’s famous Troy the Turkey and find out about some of our Camo Friday deals, you can see a great video here.

Happy Holidays!

Chris
Outdoor Photo Gear

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Hey Chris - great post. Wish I were in Bosque with you - for the photos and the burgers. Here's a shot of me from our trip. Great fun!

Learn From Hal "Bull" Schmitt On Our 2014 Alaska Adventure

Hal "Bull" Schmitt is one of my favorite digital photography instructors - which is one of the reasons why I am looking forward to our Alaska Digital Photography Workshop in 2014.

Schmitt reminds us of important things to consider when it comes to our photography:

S - Situational awareness – be aware of everything that is going on around you.
C - Create a checklist. (Check out Hal's checklist for you.)
H - The Histogram is your camera's built-in light meter. Use it. Always.
M - Master the Manual mode. It is the best way to learn about exposure.
I - Import into Lightroom carefully. Always know where you photos "live."
T - A good tripod is one of your best photo investments.
T - Learn technology, but don't let it get in your way of having fun. If you are not having fun, you are doing something wrong.

The idea of compiling photo concepts from the letters in Hal's last name was generate by Peary Spagth, one of my Iceland photo workshop participants. Peary put together the following piece on my Iceland workshop. As Perry says . . .

Rick reminds us of......

Being Aware of the Quality of the Light - The "AQ" of Light.
 
When we are about to photograph a scene or a subject, we remember to slip our favorite CD into our mind's CD player. 
 
Our favorite CD, of course, is "CD-RICK".
 
"CD" reminds us of the two most important elements of light:
CONTRAST and DIRECTION
 
And "RICK" reminds us of the other important elements of light:
Reflection
Intensity
Color
Kinetics (Movement)

Speaking of light, you can learn more about light, and composition, on my two Kelby Training classes: Light - the main element in every photograph, and Composition - the strongest way of seeing.

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If you can not join us in Alaska, all my workshops are listed on my 2014 Workshops page.

This post is made possible by my sponsors. Please visit their web sites.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. When I asked Hal to send me his best photograph of an eagle, he sent me two: the one that opens this post and the one below. Both great shots!

Give the Gift of a Photography Workshop

Is there a better way to say "I love you" and "I support your photography" than to give a photography workshop to a love one? What's more, if you are a non-shooter, you can attend certain workshops (Tampa, Florida Photo Caravan, Atlanta and Croton) at no charge.

All my 2014 digital photography workshops are listed on my Workshops page. While you are on that page, scroll down and read some of my posts on getting the most out of a workshop.

I hope to see you in 2014.

Explore the light,
Rick

We Make Pictures on My Workshops

Interested in making pictures rather than just taking pictures? Then I hope you can join one of my 2014 digital photography workshops. I can help you with composition and exposure and processing. What's more, we shoot in great locations and have a ton of fun. 

I made the images in this post on my 2013 Oregon Coast Photo Caravan workshop.

Seems as though horses running on the beach is becoming a regular on my workshops. :-)

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. Never miss another sunrise/sunset again. Check out my Photo Sundial app!