Shooting Outside Gallery

Merry Christmas everyone

Blown out exposure happens. How do we prevent them? For those blown out exposures which have already happened & you have failed to resurrect in Photoshop, it is time to move on and see what we can do to prevent these in the future. As all photographers have to admit at some point, good as Photoshop is, it is far better to get it right before we shoot, than to have to spend the extra time later. So what is it about a blown out skies that we could solve before we press the shutter release? Clearly the settings on the camera are asking it to remain open too long, or too wide for the available light. So take the time before you click to check your settings. This is not a fail-safe, but a common sense precaution. I generally use the axom that "If I have to squint my eyes or can't see detail", I stop the lens down a step or two, or I lower the ISO. Or I check the simple knob on top & turn it to sunny as opposed perhaps to cloudy. Any of these actions will help. Other th

Mass Daisies by Rich Collins Mass Daisies by Rich Collins — View Larger From 7x10" up to 20x30" this print is available at my Gallery. Just click on Mass Daisies. Prices for Mass Daisies begin at $12.74, subject to change. Tags: Rich Collins , Mass Daisies , Imagekind ,

Rich Collins Printing out our own photos is something we all do. But getting results that we are happy with is another matter. While t his article is not going to tell us how to do this, (I will deal with this in another Post), we should all have an unde rstanding as to what helps us accomplish this. The famed ICC Profile, which hopeful ly we've all heard of and most of us are at least minimally familiar with, is a key component in the mix. Here to answer a few critical questions is Ethan Hansen of Dry Creek Photo. Dry Creek Photo provides printer profiles for the Commercial end of print processors, or Lab, that we, as photographers, use for our enlargements. They have been at this for nearly 6 years and have progressed from providing these free for photographers, which is no longer available, up to the Commercial end where they build profiles for high end commercial clients. But we can still learn a lot from this exclusive Company. Ethan Hansen has given answers to some of the mos

This week's featured art is YellowTulips by Rich Collins YellowTulips by Rich Collins — View Larger As a Christmas gift this year, consider this Spring flush of color Tulips. It will bring cheer to your loved one's favorite room. Give a gift that lasts throughout the year and I'll include a Signed Greeting Card to match. The first 10 to order will receive this added Bonus. Prices for YellowTulips begin at $12.74, subject to change. Tags: Rich Collins , YellowTulips , Imagekind ,

This is the place to pick out an article here from any month, read it, try it out and reply with whatever you think. Feel free to moan and groan, or kick it up a notch and wail and waller. Or if it was just what you wished for or even better you learned something, give us a major kudo: Donate to keep this blog healthy. Or at least a Hat's Off to yah!!!! Don't be shy, let us have it. We can take it. If you're new here, click to subscribe to the latest post.

Photojojo is not your ordinary house of photo horrors. It is indeed just the opposite. A Fun House of photography. Don't miss it. You won't be able to keep up with all the activities and reads. It is chock full of photo stuff. Some of which contain only an alliteration to reality, while others are side-splitting humor and yet you might find yourself spending more time there scrolling through the new articles like a list of movies you haven't seen, than you might at a oceanside bonfire in the midst of winter. Come on take a chance. But do us a favor here too and let us know what you think. Without feedback we can't know if we are giving you what you want.

Just so you know what Better Photo offers take a look at my Free Gallery there. Their details on their Free Better Pholio are as follows: under the heading Website/Miscellaneous > How can I get a free Better Pholio ? You'll find member threads on images which make the grade as far as BP staff designates. And as well others may comment on any other members galleries or individual photos. Mostly members are very kind & supportive and once in awhile a Staff Member steps in to add their comments for a learning experience. Contests on-site are always available according to differing criteria or by subjects. And as Jim Miotke likes to mention, If you have a question about your digital camera, exposure, composition, lighting, or Photoshop, feel free to ask Jim during the BetterPhoto Radio show, airing 1-2pm Pacific time each Friday afternoon. Call 1-877-474-3302. Think about this as a personal guide to better photography, complimentary.

Ooh Too Bad you missed the deadline. But thanks to those who did and saved on shipping. Let me alert you to Imagekind's Free Shipping tomorrow & Tuesday only. Check it out at IK and save if you had planned on buying some Fine Art Photography anyway. This is another great deal at Imagekind & trust when I tell you that my clients have given IK nothing but the highest compliments when it comes to Communication, the actual Print Quality & the Shipping packaging. They do a really professional job at all three. They are second to none. You have 2 days, so don't miss this. Is this a plug for myself also? Hmmm, maybe.

Take a rather ordinary shot of a landscape and by using a Plug-in called Virtual Photographer by OpticVerveLabs and you can create a simulated HDR effect such as the one I have done below. It does help to use a photo which has some strong contrast to it, but you can use ones without. You just won't get quite the same 3D effect. But try anyone you like just to learn it. This is the first time I've used this so the effects are not fully realized. The effect I chose are harsh & sharp by utilizing 'Clear' as the effect, then did a Layer Adjustment and filled with a dark gray to overcompensate for a overexposed background and some too bright highlites in the grasses. Within this plug-in are 24 Color effects and 30 B&W effects with sliders for strengths. For the soft effect without using any layer adjustments see this one. Even the Soft one has more Pop than the original. Focus on the grain of the bark and the individual grass blades. It is a fun program to use, but

Christmas Cards are always fun to send but making them special can sometimes be a real challenge. Here's a very simple technique to use. Out my back deck is a neighbor who already has all the lights up. You can enhance the look merely by rolling the telephoto while holding down the shutter button. The darkness will force the lens to stay open longer & the finished product will display a much more spectacular Christmas lights look. Add some text & voila. Share yours by adding a link to your favorite photo site. Merry Christmas.

Wormhole Storm -09162007 by Randall Klopping Wormhole Storm -09162007 by Randall Klopping — View Larger Gorgeous piece of digital work. And amazingly affordable. Prices for Wormhole Storm -09162007 begin at $9.34, subject to change. Tags: Randall Klopping , Wormhole Storm -09162007 , Imagekind

A HEADS UP -- Exclusively here at Shooting Outside: An Interview with Ethan Hansen of Dry Creek Photo coming up as an addendum to this soon. Keep your eyes open & you will learn a lot more than you know now about ICC Profiles. ___________________________________________________________________________ Every printer manufacturer out of necessity includes a color print profile to enable their printer to print a reasonably good photograph. Some are much, much better, than others. Still no matter how good a manufacturer's profile, it will never compare to custom ICC profiles. ICC Profiles are simply put, color space tables for a printer to interpret for printing. They must always include the Manufacturer's printer model or series and the paper type one might choose, such as Glossy or Matte. And for those of you who print directly from your printer you should have few problems using these standard included profiles. Just choose the paper type & print using the software inclu

Share them with us all here at Shooting Outside. While we'd prefer outdoor photos from your Thanksgiving Day feast, Party, Suaree', Festivities, Get-Together or Solitare Celebration, you can share them with us if you Comment & leave us a link to your photos. Food shots usually don't shine well, but if you think you've one well exposed, T-Bird or No, add a link to your photo sharing site & we can all take a look Here's one to get started of My Son, my Mother & my Self from last year. As you can see, no one was left hungry.

I like this tutorial less for following the guidelines exactly as they explain them, but more for what it teaches you to get to where you want. Pleasing Skin Tones is a Digital Photoshop Class unto itself, written by Dan Margulis, who also offers his book at Amazon called Professional Photoshop: The Classic Guide to Color Correction for around $13 at my check (no I'm not making any money recommending his book). I checked a photo I had taken yesterday at a Portrait shoot with a client who had done her makeup to perfection for a Real Estate business card and asked me to lighten the blush on her cheek. I did only that. It looked fine. Then I followed the tutorial every step exactly as explained and what occurred was a general toning down, a good thing, but also a cast which the client was not happy with. Fortunately I printed out both as proofs. She chose mine with, under CMYK restraints, at 24-Yellow, 25-Magenta & 8-Cyan. The tutorial's instructions were to adjust to 30-Yello

Possibly the shortest, easiest tutorial ever written, dealing with one of the most mis-understood features within the Adobe Photoshop world, Channels. Yet it is such a quick tutorial there is only the most rudimentary use of it here. But if you feel like creating the texture of a rock, perhaps for a business card or a logo, or lettering, you can transfer what you learn here at photoshopcafe within just a few minutes. Good luck and let us know what you think. I am always most appreciative of any tips concerning chinks in the armor of tutorials.

Ever had a photo you wanted to add a little pizzaz to? I have one of rain on leaves I really am fond of. I have printed it and have it hanging so people who visit can see it. However one day a client was visiting and asked if I had one just like it but with flowers in it. I said I'd have to check and I'd get back with her. After searching all of Bridge I had to admit I had a few but wasn't able to find what she wanted. Then I came across one which had everything she wanted but the water drops. I did a search in my OutsideShooter's Photoshop Tutorial Search engine on this page below About Me, and came up with this. The photo above is from the tutorial. It's relatively simple and adds a subtle splash to your image. Give it a try, then bring back your Comment.

Assuming you are using Photoshop, you want to create a better looking image than your camera settings have delivered, you can open this file and make adjustments without harming your photo and losing information captured in your original Since many use the standard JPG format, a lossy configuration, they find that each time their image is altered, data is lost, meaning that accurate sensor information is gone forever. If your image file is nothing special then you have nothing to worry about. However if you are shooting to sell any of your images, or are particularly fond of your photo then following this brief tutorial will give you an advantage. Open your JPG image in Photoshop. If you choose Image> Adjustments> then choose an option you'll be changing pixels within the original file. Not a good thing if you make a mistake and then save in original JPG format, because you have now forever altered the photo and lost data. You can of course avoid pixel damage by using a diffe

This is found at http://blog.imagekind.com/2007/10/17/5-simple-tips-for-decorating-with-art/ Choosing art can be a difficult process. Not only are there millions of pieces out there for you to sift through, look at, dismiss and decide upon, you must also have a good understanding of what it is you are trying to accomplish when decorating with art . Below are five simple tips that can make selecting artwork easier and ultimately more enjoyable. Connect with it: Art is many things to many people, but when choosing how to decorate with it, it needs to be yours and yours alone. Whether the piece inspires you, calms you, excites you or just generally makes you happy, that is where you need to start. Blend it: Not only should the artwork affect you internally and emotionally, it must help create a space that surrounds you externally. Whether it is furnishings, accessories or the people who occupy the space, the art you choose should be a reflection of that and be able to pull it

Twelve Essential Photographic Rules From Sunny 16 to Moony 11, 8, and 5.6, these facts, formulas, and photographic rules can get you out of a jam and help you get good shots when nothing else will. By Jason Schneider September 2007 What happens when your systems go belly-up, when all of that cutting-edge technology dies and you must rely on (gasp!) your own knowledge? It pays to have these basics in your head. They can get you out of a jam and help you get good shots when nothing else will. 1. Sunny 16 Rule The basic exposure for an average scene taken on a bright, sunny day is f/16 at a shutter speed equivalent to one over the ISO setting—that is, f/16 at 1/100 sec at ISO 100. From this you can interpolate, and try f/22 at the beach, f/11 on a cloudy-bright day, etc. 2. Moony 11, 8, and 5.6 Rules There are many different rules that work well when shooting the moon. One favorite for a proper exposure of a full moon is f/11 at one over the ISO setting. For pictures of a half moon, use t

Some time ago I discovered a web site for Photoshop Tutorials which offers both beginner and advanced videos. It's called the Radiant Vista. http://www.radiantvista.com/ The one I just finished watching was on retouching portraits for those of you who want a change from outside shooting. Here's the link: http://www.radiantvista.com/tutorials/a-photoshop-reference-portrait-retouching The movie by Mark Johnson was informative and fairly easy to follow, though I'll warn you you may want to listen for a step or two, then pause & do the steps yourself before restarting the video. This would be one of those occasions where having a second monitor really helps. Watch the tute on one, work on the other but for most of us we'll get through on our single flat panel LCD. It begins by explaining the Liquify Filter & how you can adjust facial elements, the eyes, the nose and the mouth. It's a fun tool but its also an efficient tool. It even addresses adding catch lights

Tim Grey, if you haven't heard of him, is one of the upcoming premier experts using Photoshop today. Don't be fooled by his lack of material and comments as this is a brand new blog for Tim. I promise you this will build to become a valuable source for not only using Photoshop, whether CS3, CS2 or Elements, but in learning much of the digital world of photography. Tim also answers questions for you for a fee at his regular site http://www.timgrey.com/ddq/, where you can register to receive answers from other's questions without having to pay the fee. You just won't be able to ask questions yourself. Tim also writes books and does appearances. A wealth of information and guidance can be had through his resources. He is an employee of Microsoft but has an in-exhaustable energy. http://timgrey.com/blog/

We are looking for your favorite Photoshop or Digital Art Tutorial web site. Don't worry if your favorite shows tutes for CS or CS2. Not everyone one of us has CS3 yet. And even if your site has only tutorials for Elements. Some will have tutorials in written form, while others will have videos. Just copy & paste the url for your favorite site(s). And by the way, tell us why you like your site if you have spent much time there, otherwise a simple Comment & url will do. Your Comment will help many others.

Here's another challenge perhaps some of you will be up to. We've all been in the position of looking through our photographs only to find that the one we really wanted to turn out special, even after taking the time to get the camera settings right, just didn't. Either it has blown out highlights, shadows that even gollum couldn't find his way around in, or the contrast is too soft, too muddy. Where do you go for help in resurrecting your photos? There are many tutorials available online & in books. But I want to know where you call Home when it comes to getting help. Maybe you read about sharpening or masks, maybe you look up Photoshop tutorials. Whatever & wherever you go, post them here so we can all gain from you feedback.

 Can you remember the first time you picked up a camera and started shooting?   It was like a breath of fresh air when the film was developed. You created some photographs. Never mind that most of them were ordinary or even not-so-good. But for some of us we recognized in us an innate ability to frame or compose an occasional photo which really grabbed us and others who viewed it too. My first memorable one was of a wagon wheel, or an angle of a wagon wheel when I was a youngster. I recall most everyone who saw it just stared for a time before saying, (everyone said this) "What is it?" But an Uncle of mine looked and right away recognized it. He later went on to become the family photographer. I always enjoyed it when he looked at my photography. He could see what I could see. I am now the family photographer, and I do produce and sell photos at my website where I have the Galleries at  Pixels Can you recall your first impressive photo? Here's your chance to