We've all been there. We have the desire to capture a long exposure, only to forget our ND filters at home. Or we want to quickly switch back and forth from using an ND filter to not using one during a combined photo and video shoot, only to miss that perfect moment because we're switching or taking off our filters. Enter the Alter Rapid Filter System, and these problems are a thing of the past. In what seems like a simple device, the Alter RFS has quickly become a staple in my camera bag, whether I'm working with clients or traveling across … [Read more...] about Alter Rapid Filter System a must-have in any camera bag
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The evolution of an image begins at the camera
My husband (Photofocus contributor Steve Eilenberg) frequently chides me for not editing tightly enough, of hanging on to image files that I “will never use and never show”. There is some truth to this. I have no problem doing the first pass, throwing out clear mistakes and duplicates. After that, it gets a LOT tougher. Part of the problem is some files are building blocks for a future image and I can’t know what their full potential is until I play around with them and process them. Earlier this summer, we went to a nearby beach in the … [Read more...] about The evolution of an image begins at the camera
How To: Use Colored Filters in Luminar 2018 for Black and White Portraits
There's a simple tool for making your black and white portraits look great with little or no retouching. It's called a color filter. We often retouch things like pimples and redness or uneven skin tones, and these things can take a lot of time on each portrait. But when you make black and whites, you can use a color filter tool to remove uneven skin tones and sculpt beautifully contrasty portraits at the same time. What's more, you can do it in the camera and with software like Luminar. In-Camera Black and White I often recommend setting your … [Read more...] about How To: Use Colored Filters in Luminar 2018 for Black and White Portraits
Tech Corner: Infra Red Filtration for Digital Cameras
Infra-Red Filtration for Digital Cameras So far, in previous posts, I’ve covered the utility of Polarizers, neutral density, and soft effect filters as still quite useful in the digital realm. The last filter type I’ll cover in the Tech Corner (for now) is Infra-Red or IR for short. What We Can and Can’t See The visible spectrum contains all of the light we can, as humans, “see” and includes all of the colors of the rainbow. Outside of our retina’s response capability lies wavelengths both shorter, and longer than we can see. Ultraviolet (UV … [Read more...] about Tech Corner: Infra Red Filtration for Digital Cameras
How to Use Luminar’s Brushes, Filters and Masks – Part 2
Welcome to part two of this series. You can find Part 1 here. In this article, I'll show you two ways to use the Brush and Masking to apply the Dehaze Filter. These techniques can be applied to the other Filters as well. To follow along you will need Luminar 2018. Using the Brush with the Dehaze Filter This video is about one way you can use the Brush with the Dehaze filter. In this example, we are going to enhance a sky. Using the Brush by Painting on the Mask a Little at a Time This video is about another way to use the Brush with … [Read more...] about How to Use Luminar’s Brushes, Filters and Masks – Part 2
How to Use Luminar’s Brushes, Filters and Masks – Part 1
Filter masks in Luminar 2018 give you the ability to use the filters beyond just applying them to the entire image. This gives you flexibility and adds to your creativity. I have written a series of three articles. In Part 1 of the series, I talk about the basics of filter masks and brush and mask basics. In Part 2, I show you two ways to apply a mask using the Brush with the Dehaze Filter. In Part 3, I show you the basics of using the Gradient mask with the Dehaze Filter to enhance the sky, the basics of using the Luminosity mask with the … [Read more...] about How to Use Luminar’s Brushes, Filters and Masks – Part 1
Quick Tip: Locking the Attribute Filters
In some cases you may want to "lock" the filter criteria you've set in Lightroom when searching for a particular image, so the same filter criteria will remain in place even as you navigate among different folders. In this quick tip, you'll learn how easy it is to lock the criteria you've established when searching for photos in Lightroom. Want more tips like this? Check out my "Lightroom Quick Tips" course on GreyLearning, part of the "Mastering Lightroom" bundle of courses. … [Read more...] about Quick Tip: Locking the Attribute Filters
What the heck are LUTs?
What are LUTs? Do you know what a LUT is? You may not unless you have worked with video editing and color grading. LUT stands for Look Up Table. A LUT is a file that transforms one range of colors in an image to another range of colors. Traditionally they have been used in the film industry to give films a unique look and feel. Terms like Blockbuster look or 3 Stripe look are often used to describe them. More recently though, LUTs are being used in photography. I think of LUTs as a filter. For me, they are another creative tool I can use to … [Read more...] about What the heck are LUTs?
Gear Review: NiSi Medium GND 100x150mm Filter
Editor's note: This is a guest Post by Ugo Cei. See his work right here. In recent times I haven’t been making much use of filters in my photography. I would occasionally use a polarizer and that’s all. As a consequence, when faced with landscape scenes with a lot of contrast, like when the sky is bright, but the ground is in shade, I would normally resort to bracketing and then merging the resulting shots to HDR or doing some kind of blending. Graduated Neutral Density (GND) Filters When creating HDR photos, I always strive to produce … [Read more...] about Gear Review: NiSi Medium GND 100x150mm Filter
Tech Corner: Neutral Density Filters
Neutral Density Filters There are times when there’s just too much light! Sometimes it’s too much for our eyes, and we need sunglasses. Sometimes, it’s too much for our photography or cinematography. For these times, we can employ neutral density filtration, which is like sunglasses for cameras. Filtration normally suggests allowing some things to pass, and some others to be turned away or eliminated. Color filtration does this by allowing one or more colors to pass (the filter being transparent to those frequencies of light) and blocking … [Read more...] about Tech Corner: Neutral Density Filters
Your First Phantom Drone: Part 3 – Settings and beginner drone photography
You have flown in beginner mode using GPS a few times and are getting comfortable with the controls. You can launch it yourself and bring it back home. You should be able to fly forward, backward and sideways. It is time to spread your wings and break out from the beginner mode. Using the DJI Go App, set the maximal altitude to no more than 120 meters or 400’ as required by the FAA. Micro SD cards It’s also time to take some photos. Make sure you have a micro SD card installed in the drone (hint: it goes in upside down). Through the DJI Go … [Read more...] about Your First Phantom Drone: Part 3 – Settings and beginner drone photography
Tech Corner: Photographic Filters for the Digital Age
It was not that long ago when I, or anyone who photographed commercially, stacked quite a few filters in front of the lens to guarantee control over color and exposure in our photography. Well, we were shooting on…film! There was some remedial balancing with a color negative film-to-print capture, but there was no post-production correction at all for color transparency film. If you were shooting on Kodachrome in a 3400˚ K tungsten light environment, out came the 80A filter to make things right. CC (color correction filters) of every color in … [Read more...] about Tech Corner: Photographic Filters for the Digital Age
Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Olympus’s New f/1.2 Pro Lenses
Olympus have announced three pro-level lenses, and they all boast a wide aperture of f/1.2. Let's take a brief look at each and check out sample pictures from Olympus Visionary Tracie Maglosky. M.Zuiko ED 45mm f/1.2 Pro This new 45mm f/1.2 lens is the most interesting to me. As a medium telephoto length, it should be terrific for portraits and landscapes. It focuses closer than 16 inches, so it's a respectable close-up lens, as well. The very wide f/1.2 aperture is attractive for both low light performance and soft bokeh in the backgrounds of … [Read more...] about Mirrorless Camera Maniac: Olympus’s New f/1.2 Pro Lenses
Tech Corner: Photographing the 2017 Total Eclipse
(Editor's note: Photofocus author Steve Inglima premieres his Tech Corner column by explaining how to choose the right focal length lens to photograph this month's eclipse along with a great set of tips on how to do it. Read Steve's story of his first total eclipse of the sun experience in July of 1991.) Focal length by the numbers I’ve been asked what focal length or lengths would be appropriate for imaging the upcoming eclipse. In part, it depends on the camera and format size. Most of us will be shooting on a digital sensor rather than … [Read more...] about Tech Corner: Photographing the 2017 Total Eclipse
The Quick Tip: How to use a Polarizer
Recently I wrote an in depth article on circular polarizers, where and how they come in handy. To use a polarizer, screw the filter onto the front of your lens (using the right filter size, of course!). Once it is on, the front part of the filter opposite the threads will still be able to rotate freely. This is what you use to adjust the effect of the polarizer on your image. The best way to judge where the filter should be rotated to is to eyeball it. Look through the viewfinder and slowly spin the filter until you see a change in your … [Read more...] about The Quick Tip: How to use a Polarizer
Gear Review: Formatt Hitech Firecrest Patrick Di Fruscia Essentials Kit
The folks at B&H recently sent me a great filter kit to put through its paces. The Formatt Hitech Firecrest Patrick Di Fruscia 100mm Signature Edition Pro Essentials Kit was a perfect companion on my recent trip to photograph the Valley of Fire in Las Vegas. I used it to shoot stills, HDR photos, and time-lapse sequences. While I shot on a Sony A7RII and a ZEISS Batis 2.8/18, the filter is designed to work with almost any kit. What's in the Box This kit is a B&H exclusive, and its very well thought out. Everything I needed, plus … [Read more...] about Gear Review: Formatt Hitech Firecrest Patrick Di Fruscia Essentials Kit
Creating Long Exposure Photography with Expanded Dynamic Range
People are often mesmerized by long exposures. Smooth water, the movement in clouds...it creates an artistic look in photographs that many people desire. About a year ago, I started to take my long exposures to the next level, by using neutral-density (ND) filters during the day. It allowed me to create photographs that had significantly longer exposures than I would have otherwise been able to take. But sometimes, even using ND filters aren't enough. Recently, I started playing around with using bracketing alongside my ND filters, to create … [Read more...] about Creating Long Exposure Photography with Expanded Dynamic Range
Got A New Camera? Get Luminar Pluto, Too
Luminar, by Macphun, is a photo finishing tool for Mac computers, and I'm really impressed. It's simple and intuitive to use. I think if you're a new photographer that this is probably the best photo software for you. As a new photographer, it's important to remember that software doesn't make your pictures better, it can only put the finishing touches on them. Practicing composition and mastering all your camera's controls and their effects will make your pictures better, and then Luminar will help you refine your pictures so they convey the … [Read more...] about Got A New Camera? Get Luminar Pluto, Too
Instant Replay: Local Adjustment Tools with Glyn Dewis
Glyn Dewis joined Rob Sylvan and Levi Sim help you learn to master local adjustments. Global adjustments (changes that affect the entire photograph) in Lightroom are terrific, but learning the local tools will take your photography to the next level, and give you the polished look that master photographers have used for decades. If you've not learned from Glyn before, you're in for a real treat. He's a not only a masterful image maker, but also a joy to learn from. Hosted by: Rob Sylvan and Levi Sim Produced by: Rich Harrington and … [Read more...] about Instant Replay: Local Adjustment Tools with Glyn Dewis
The 411 on Lens Hoods
I often see photographers misusing an important piece of gear, and it's one of the simplest tools in your bag. Many lenses come with a lens hood, and right now I'll show you why you have it and why you should be using it. What's It Do? The lens hood is intended to keep the sun from shining into the front of your lens, and ruining your pictures. Not that it'll keep the sun from shining in if you point it at the sun, but it keeps the sun from shining across the front of the lens and reducing contrast. These two pictures are taken straight … [Read more...] about The 411 on Lens Hoods
Easily Remove People from a Photo
While I was in London, Richard Harrington took me to the National Gallery. The art was amazing! I asked permission to take photos and was told I could, as long as I didn't use flash. I set up for my shot and waited for people to move. At first I thought I could take several shots over a period of time and let Photoshop analyze them and only keep what was consistent which, of course, was the painting. The only problem: we didn't have that much time. I thought for a moment as I watched Harrington set up his shot. 10-Stop Neutral Density Filter … [Read more...] about Easily Remove People from a Photo
The Oil Paint filter is back in Photoshop!
The Oil Paint filter is back in Photoshop! Why was it removed? Your guess is as good as mine, but it's back! In this tutorial, I take a look at two examples of how it can be used. … [Read more...] about The Oil Paint filter is back in Photoshop!
How to create snow in Photoshop
In today's Photoshop tip, learn how to create snow using a custom brush, filters, and an adjustment layer. Similar techniques can be used to create rain, as well! … [Read more...] about How to create snow in Photoshop
Why Christmas is the perfect time to take that protective filter off!
We all have been in that situation at the camera store where the salesman asked us if we want to add a protective filter to protect the front element of the expensive lens that we have just bought. And the argument of the salesperson sounds plausible at first. The front element is exposed the most to the elements and most at risk to be damaged. But here are a few points from my experience that should have you think twice about buying and adding one to your lens: Do you really want to put an inferior piece of glass in front of you top grade … [Read more...] about Why Christmas is the perfect time to take that protective filter off!
My Favorite New Photoshop CC Features (Late 2015 Release)
There are a ton of updates in the latest version of Photoshop CC. In this video, I show off a few of my favorites from artboard improvements, font filtering, the return of the Oil Paint filter, and more! … [Read more...] about My Favorite New Photoshop CC Features (Late 2015 Release)
Reverse Lens Macro – Exploring Life at Full-Scale
As with any specialized area of photography, the art of macro photography - that is, making images of objects at a very close range - is in a creative world unto it's own. This is true not only in terms of the specialized gear required to tell a story at a true 1:1 scale, but even more so in regard to the patience and practice needed to produce a clear and consistent result. In this article, we'll explore a technique known as reverse lens macro and consider one economical approach to producing amazing close-up images by using a simple reverse … [Read more...] about Reverse Lens Macro – Exploring Life at Full-Scale
Lightroom Hangout: Brushable Gradients and Other Local Magic with Colin Smith
You gotta join us live for our next Google+ Hangout, totally free of charge. Not only will you learn terrific techniques, but if you tune in live, you can be entered to win excellent prizes to help you in your work. (Note: MUST BE TUNED IN LIVE TO WIN). We kick off Tuesday 6/23, 5:00pm Eastern, 4:00pm Central, 3:00pm Mountain, and 2:00pm Pacific. 5:30pm in Newfoundland. RSVP here and it'll show your local time. I've been so jealous of Photoshop for the last year: it got brushes added to the gradient tools in ACR, but since Lightroom wasn't … [Read more...] about Lightroom Hangout: Brushable Gradients and Other Local Magic with Colin Smith
Photoshop Elements’ Graphic Novel Filter
Theres a few times that Im using Photoshop Elements that I think I wish this was in Photoshop!. The Graphic Novel filter is one these. The Graphic Novel Filter With an image loaded head to the Filter menu. Under the Sketch menu theres a few filters, one of these is the Graphic Novel filter; Choose Your Starting Point When you first open the Graphic Novel filter it can be a little disappointing, a fuzzy monotone oddness, but its worth clicking on the four presets here to get an understanding of what its doing and to pick something that looks … [Read more...] about Photoshop Elements’ Graphic Novel Filter
Lightroom’s Hidden Gems: The Radial Filter
When I started digital photography, I thought Lightroom 2s Vignette tool was the greatest thing. It allowed me to darken the edges of my images and draw attention toward my subject in the center. Trouble was, my subject wasn't always in the center, and I wanted to be able to place the bright center of the vignette over my subject. Lightroom 5 came along, and finally enabled me to do this with the new Radial Filter. Lets do a vignette, and lets do some other tricks, too. This article is adapted from our book, Develop Great Images Adobe … [Read more...] about Lightroom’s Hidden Gems: The Radial Filter
A Few Reasons to Switch to Photoshop from Lightroom
Lightroom's task I imported the images in Lightroom and applied my usual enhancements. I cropped the photo, adjusted the highlights and shadows and applied sharpening. Basically the same edits I would have done in a traditional darkroom. Lightroom's task is to enhance my photos, not manipulate them. That's a job for Photoshop. Photoshop's task Once our image is inside Photoshop, we can start to create art and manipulate to our heart's content. Using the same composite techniques from the Color Matching: How I Got the Shot article I … [Read more...] about A Few Reasons to Switch to Photoshop from Lightroom
