In this video I share a very interesting Photoshop technique that lets you colorize an area of a photo - without making a selection! And it can also work on video clips in Photoshop. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-D6bUPwWNhU … [Read more...] about Colorize an area without making a selection
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Photography Activities for Kids — Point of View
Exploring photography with your kids? This is my second in a series of posts offering ideas you can use to help your young photographer get comfortable with fundamental concepts. Last time we walked through the very basics of photographic composition: reduce and simplify. With just those two words in mind, you and your child will both be taking better pictures. Today’s activity expands the concept of composition a bit further. The goal is to play with the idea that there’s more than one way to see an object. Equipment Keep it … [Read more...] about Photography Activities for Kids — Point of View
Photography Activities for Kids — Composition 101
EDITOR'S NOTE: We would like to welcome Scott Lawrence to our team of talented writers. I have vivid memories of my dad sharing his love of photography with me. The weight of this strange object in my hand the first time he brought out his old SLR is something I’ll never forget. It’s impossible to shake the smell of the chemicals when we set up a darkroom in a guest bathroom. Unfortunately, the bathroom was sorely lacking in ventilation. All great memories, if not flawless plans. Photography is amazingly complex. You can spend a lifetime … [Read more...] about Photography Activities for Kids — Composition 101
Little-known – and useful – Photoshop keyboard shortcuts
In a previous post I mentioned the importance of using keyboard shortcuts. Here are some of my favorite little-known Photoshop keyboard shortcuts that are very useful: Select next brush in brush picker= . (period) Select previous brush in brush picker= , (comma) Select first brush in brush picker=Shift-, (Shift-comma) Last brush in brush picker= Shift . (Shift-period) Activate Layer Mask= Command-\ (PC: Control-\) Activate Layer= Command-2 (PC: Control-2) Activate next layer down= Option-[ (PC: Alt-[) Activate next layer up= … [Read more...] about Little-known – and useful – Photoshop keyboard shortcuts
Hand-Painting Enhancements in Photoshop
The creative thinking required for photography often intersects with the creativity required for painting. When experimenting with your own style, it's often helpful to let yourself explore a bit. One thing I sometimes like to do is enhance my creative images with simple hand-painting in Photoshop. It's fun, and teaches me skills I can tuck away in my mental arsenal. It’s as simple as using Photoshop’s Brush tool, and doesn’t even require you to use a digital tablet (although it certainly helps). The technique we'll explore today is great … [Read more...] about Hand-Painting Enhancements in Photoshop
Fantasy Portrait: Alien Queen part 2
Part 1 of the Alien Queen tutorial showed how to mirror the thin part of her face and add two more closed eyes with fabulous lashes. No queen is complete without a crown and a golden background. Welcome to part 2. Extra alien-ness While the result from part 1 is alien, I decided to get rid of her ears and shoulders. I used a layer mask to hide them. Here's my starting point. ` Eliminating her shoulders lengthens her neck adds to the otherworldly look. More room to work... The current version doesn't have enough room around Arra for a … [Read more...] about Fantasy Portrait: Alien Queen part 2
Tips for Shooting Fireworks!
It's that time of year again. Independence Day is almost here. All over the U.S. there will be amazing displays of fireworks. Photographer's naturally want to make the best possible photos of these dazzling displays of burning light. Here's how I shoot them. Gear There are a few absolutely needed things and some accessories that are nice to have. First, the gotta-have-this-stuff list Necessities DSLR or mirrorless camera that can be set on manual. Wide to Medium zoom or normal lens Study tripod 8 by 10 inch piece of black … [Read more...] about Tips for Shooting Fireworks!
More to a Silhouette than Exposure
There are a few key elements that create a successful silhouette. I'll say it loud and proud. It is MORE than exposure. Yes, you meter for the sky, yes, that brings the blacks black, but there is so much more to it than that. I used to say, angle, separation, and exposure. But it is even more than that. You can nail the angle, shooting from down low, you can nail the exposure, and you can even get the separation, but if you aren't telling a story, or conveying an emotion, you're not getting it. There needs to be a story. There needs to … [Read more...] about More to a Silhouette than Exposure
How To Create a Realistic Backdrop In Photoshop
Recently I completed a set of studio headshots against a plain, black background. Afterwards in the editing stage, I decided I wanted my subjects to definitely pop more. After kicking myself for not utilizing more lights or a more engaging backdrop, I decided to create my own traditional-style backdrop in Photoshop that would help my clients stand out, and also give the photos more visual interest overall. I was surprised at how easy it was. In fact, Photoshop provides a very powerful tool that makes this possible, and surprisingly … [Read more...] about How To Create a Realistic Backdrop In Photoshop
3 Quick Ways to Spice Up Your Portraits With Angles
When you are taking a client or friend's portrait, your job is to make them look as good as possible. It’s also your job to infuse their portrait with a certain feeling that is appropriate to the person and the moment. Varying your angle is one way to quickly and easily transform a moderately interesting photo into an impactful shot. Let’s go over three quick ways to liven up your portraits with various angles. How to Liven Up Your Portraits With Angles 1. Standing above your subject is often flattering to their face. This … [Read more...] about 3 Quick Ways to Spice Up Your Portraits With Angles
Use Lightroom to Paint with Light
Our eyes are naturally drawn to the brightest part of an image. Knowing this, we can guide our viewer to focus on key elements of our photograph. This can be accomplished when we take the photo, or enhanced when we process the image. Either way, understanding the concept of how light draws a viewer in will help us develop better images. Enhancing Directional Light The subject, background and foreground were lit with one large light. This caused light to fall on unwanted areas, such as her foot and lower body. Using a light grid, flags or … [Read more...] about Use Lightroom to Paint with Light
“Guided Upright” New in Lightroom
The latest release of Lightroom CC 2015 includes a new more controllable version of Upright and a new Transform panel in the Develop module. Here's a Photofocus first look Upright has moved Upright, formerly found in the Lens Correction panel, has moved to the new Transform panel. All of the Upright modes you have grown to love-Auto, Level, Vertical and Full-are still there along with a new addition: Guided. My photograph of work being done to the town hall in Brussels' Grand Place is a great one to show how Guided Upright … [Read more...] about “Guided Upright” New in Lightroom
Canon Adds 7 New Online Classes
Canon has announced 7 new online classes priced between $19.99 and $59.99 are available on their online learning page. This marks a departure from Canon’s free Digital Learning Center or DLC. These courses contain multiple learning elements including: Video lessons, PDF guides, a user forum, quizzes, and photo assignments. Offerings Here’s a list of the first classes in the new online learning area of Canon. Understanding EOS Camera Operations Photo 101: How to Take Great Pictures Printing Basics & Beyond Great Landscapes … [Read more...] about Canon Adds 7 New Online Classes
Photoshop: Healing Brush Tips
Folks often "complain" about the results they get from the Healing and Spot Healing Brush tools. In this video Dave gives some tips on how to get the best results from the Healing and Spot Healing Brush tools. (Spoiler Alert: Often it comes down to using both tools together...with a little bit of Clone Stamp tool thrown in for good measure.) https://youtu.be/D2x0Hrs1Ua4 … [Read more...] about Photoshop: Healing Brush Tips
Looking for a Hiking Tripod? Platypod Max is It
I hike every week with my family, and I travel by air and shoot in other cities every month. You and I both know that using a tripod unlocks picture opportunities that just can't be made without one. I can use it for super long exposures to blur the sea and clouds, or reduce traffic to trails of light down the road, and make waterfalls that pour smoothly into eternity. However, carrying a tripod can be wearisome. Just thinking about carrying it on a seven-mile hike makes my shoulders and legs hurt. I know I need a tripod, and I know my … [Read more...] about Looking for a Hiking Tripod? Platypod Max is It
Experiment in Photoshop for Nine Seconds
I’m a huge believer in the power of experimenting in Photoshop to help discover what’s possible. One of the comments I hear a lot is “I’m too busy to experiment”. Believe me, I understand about deadlines and getting your work done, so here’s my idea: experiment for nine seconds. Generally, I think we're creatures of habit: we do things a certain way in Photoshop because that's the way we were shown at some point, or perhaps figured out for ourselves. So here's where the nine second idea comes in. If you always use the Gaussian Blur Filter, … [Read more...] about Experiment in Photoshop for Nine Seconds
Photoshop: The Make Better key
Many years ago I taught a student who had decided to come up with her own names for Photoshop tools – somehow that helped her remember what the tools did. One of her more interesting ideas was calling the Option key (PC: Alt key) the “make better” key. When asked why she simply said, “every time I hold down Option it makes things better”. Although the name might be odd, she was dead on with her evaluation of the importance of the Option key (PC: Alt key) [For the sake of the remainder of this article, let’s just called it Option/Alt.] Just … [Read more...] about Photoshop: The Make Better key
Do you love photography more than good food?
This morning I woke up and had to share this with you right away. If you love photography more than you love good food then you're going to love this. There's a FREE 3-part photography training series that starts today, May24th, 2016 and ends the day after Labor Day. It's not every day we get to learn something valuable and free without putting in a lot of time and effort. I've personally been to five different seminars and workshops this year already and for each one, I had to fly, stay in a hotel, and eat out for every meal. The FREE … [Read more...] about Do you love photography more than good food?
Blurred Las Vegas Cityscape – Slight HDR Effect with Photomatix Pro
This past March, I found myself in Las Vegas for WPPI. On Monday night, the Photofocus crew led a photo walk. It was a perfect opportunity to practice blurring the vehicle lights as they drove past us. Setting Up the Shot When I spot a vantage point that interests me, I tend to have trouble staying with the group. Such was the case that evening when I crossed an overpass bridge, and found a lovely location that allowed me a clear view of the traffic flowing along the street below me, surrounded by lit buildings. The angle and height seemed … [Read more...] about Blurred Las Vegas Cityscape – Slight HDR Effect with Photomatix Pro
Lightroom Added a neat Hidden Brush
Adobe’s added a brush to Lightroom's graduated and radial filters, giving us more control. We can now paint the filters' effect in or out, allowing us to be more creative. This may not seem like a big deal at first; but when you start using the brush option, you’ll wonder why it wasn’t included since the beginning! Lightroom’s Vignette Effect I like adding a small amount of vignetting to a portrait, but sometimes I don’t like how the effect darkens parts of the image – especially skin. There wasn’t much of a workaround; I either had to … [Read more...] about Lightroom Added a neat Hidden Brush
Smart Flow not Workflow
(PUBLISHER'S NOTE: We welcome Dave Cross as a new contributor to the Photofocus team.) In this video I show an example of what I mean by Smart Flow: how using non-destructive methods can save you time. In this example I show how to create a printing template that allows you to quickly print a series of photos, including adding a stroke border and sharpening the photo for output. This works in part because of the use of Camera Raw Smart Objects and Smart Filters. https://youtu.be/Vq7fSindFNk … [Read more...] about Smart Flow not Workflow
Simplest Way to Get a Great Background Anywhere
Anytime there is good light, I try to make a portrait. It keeps me sharp, and it’s fun. I often approach strangers when there’s good light and say, “Hi, I’m practicing my photography, and there’s some great light right here, would you help me make a portrait?” I’ve met hundreds of wonderful people this way, and made some fun pictures, too. Great light with a great subject makes it easy to make a great picture. But getting a great background can make all the difference in the world. Let me show you how to get a good background almost anywhere … [Read more...] about Simplest Way to Get a Great Background Anywhere
Exploring A Port Huron Scene With Photomatix
For a while now, I’ve been itching to begin experimenting with incorporating the Photomatix software into my workflow. One bright sunny Michigan morning, I had the opportunity to do just that. I found myself driving through downtown Port Huron after a networking event, my Canon 70D camera, 18-35mm F1.8 Sigma Lens, and tripod conveniently nestled in the passenger seat next to me. As I crossed over the downtown bridge, I decided that it was the perfect time to take some bracketed shots. The morning was clear and the sun was bright. No better time … [Read more...] about Exploring A Port Huron Scene With Photomatix
Proper Long Lens Technique with Scott Bourne
I met up with Photofocus founder and wildlife photography expert Scott Bourne this past week at the Viera Wetlands in Melbourne, Florida to photograph birds in flight. The weather was absolutely gorgeous (even at 6:30am in the morning). But getting up early was really worth it to photograph the birds at first light. Hey - Vanelli came too. While we were there, Scott wanted to share a video about the proper long lens technique when shooting a long lens on a tripod. Believe it or not, properly supporting the lens practically guarantees … [Read more...] about Proper Long Lens Technique with Scott Bourne
Create a Storybook Image
As I was browsing a few of my favorite Facebook groups, I came across images from Australian photographer Kira Likhterova. Her images and post-processing skills amazed me. I love how she is able to take a simple photo and turn it into a work of art. I quickly reached out to her and asked her to share a few of her secrets. Here’s her tutorial on how to turn a simple photo into a scene from a storybook: First of all – here is a behind-the-scenes image taken by one of the Mums. It shows where I was shooting, and at what angle. That was just a … [Read more...] about Create a Storybook Image
Utilizing the Crop Tool Overlay
The crop tool in Lightroom is a well-known tool, yet there is more to it than there may seem. Here I will show you how using overlays will make the crop tool more effective and useful. Once in Lightroom, navigate to the Develop panel and select the crop tool [keyboard shortcut R.] 1. Setting Up Your Overlays First, you'll want to set up the overlays to cycle through that best suit your needs. From the Menu bar, go to Tools > Crop Guide Overlay > Choose Overlays to Cycle. A pop up box will appear that will allow different overlays … [Read more...] about Utilizing the Crop Tool Overlay
Setting Up Two Windows for One Image in Photoshop
Have you ever been zoomed in while editing in Photoshop, only to zoom out and realize your adjustments were not at all what you wanted? Here is a quick solution I like to use to avoid that situation. 1. Opening a New Window With your image open in Photoshop, from the menu bar, navigate to Window > Arrange > New Window for (filename). A second tab will appear containing a duplicate version of the image. 2. Arranging the Windows From the menu bar, navigate to Window > Arrange > 2-up Vertical (or whichever orientation works for the … [Read more...] about Setting Up Two Windows for One Image in Photoshop
Using Smart Objects Before Transforming [UP22]
![Using Smart Objects Before Transforming [UP22]](https://photofocus.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/uap_22-384x216.jpg)
Understanding Photoshop is a biweekly column that takes an in-depth look at how digital photographs are built and manipulated. It is a college-level course in plain English for free at Photofocus. To learn more see this article. Don't Skip Column 21 Smart Objects are a bit of under the hood Photoshop magic. Essentially, this powerful command allows you to embed raster or vector data into a layer. The layer can then be transformed indefinitely because the embedded data remains editable and scalable. You can convert one or more layers into a … [Read more...] about Using Smart Objects Before Transforming [UP22]
Transforming Objects with Puppet Warp [UP21]
![Transforming Objects with Puppet Warp [UP21]](https://photofocus.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/uap_21-384x216.jpg)
Understanding Photoshop is a biweekly column that takes an in-depth look at how digital photographs are built and manipulated. It is a college-level course in plain English for free at Photofocus. To learn more see this article. Don't Skip Column 20The Puppet Warp command is similar to the Free Transform command in that it allows for selective warping of a layer. The technology works by creating a geometric mesh that lets you dramatically warp specific regions of an image. The command takes a little getting used to in order to create natural … [Read more...] about Transforming Objects with Puppet Warp [UP21]
Resizing a Photo with Content-Aware Scaling [UP20]
![Resizing a Photo with Content-Aware Scaling [UP20]](https://photofocus.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/uap_20-384x216.jpg)
Understanding Photoshop is a biweekly column that takes an in-depth look at how digital photographs are built and manipulated. It is a college-level course in plain English for free at Photofocus. To learn more see this article. Don't Skip Column 19The Content-Aware scaling feature is a way to intelligently scale an image that allows for certain details to be preserved while others are distorted. It can be used to recompose an image. When used correctly, the image will automatically adapt to preserve vital areas during the scale. 1. Open … [Read more...] about Resizing a Photo with Content-Aware Scaling [UP20]
