New Content Aware Features

I know I am not the only one wishing and waiting for this – and it looks like Adobe Photoshop is finally coming through.  This is amazing stuff from the creators of Photoshop – with great advances in the area of content aware.

“ Adobe Creative Cloud will be available worldwide in the first half of 2012. While traditional licenses of CS software will still be offered, a membership to Creative Cloud provides more benefits than simply owning desktop software. You'll get all the CS tools, Adobe Touch Apps, and services, plus new features, products, and services as soon as they are released — meaning immediate access to the latest Adobe innovations at no extra cost.” (Adobe.com)

  Looking forward to seeing all the advances that Adobe has in store and whether the continued upgrades are worthwhile, or whether people will want to wait it out till the next upgrade.

Maybe it’s Maybelline!

Maybe it’s Maybelline?…Or Not!  Maybe it’s actually Photoshop – Today’s Beauty Secrets Revealed!

PS FS

Photoshop Collage

Here is a fun tutorial that you can do easily while learning more about layers and layer masks in Photoshop.  Try it out, and leave some feedback for the tutorial maker.  Would love to see your results!

 

Collage

Transform ~ by Zack Arias

Take a few moments to watch this short video Zack Arias made for Scott Kelby’s Blog.  For those of you who don’t know these two guys – two words – photographic genius’s !

Zack Arias

Photographers & Watermarks

Watermarks can be a Huge debate for photographers…and Sometimes, a huge hindrance for those who steal images off of the net.  I’m not really one to go for the huge markings on my images, I simply figure it’s not that difficult to alter an image and remove a copyright – so I’m not going to destroy the look by plastering marks all over it.  I do know of some photographers however, who’s logo’s actually add to the look of the image…and others, that basically made a great image look cheap by “protecting their image”.  At least one photographer I know of marks their images in a way that I like – Matt Nicolosi – he is creative and fun in how he does it.

There are of course two main reasons why photographers watermark their images 1: Advertising purposes  2: to keep others from copying their images off of the net and reposting it as their own.  Recently a fellow Canadian photographer became aware of one of her images being blatantly used online for advertising by another fauxtographer. 

The photographer who actually took the image was Vancouver Portrait Photographer | Cathy Empey Photographer, a well established and talented Photographer out of British Columbia, Canada.  The image was re posted however by a “fauxtographer” in Atlanta.  Now I’m quite sure the actions are prevalent among “want to be photographers” who simply do not have a portfolio due to lack of work, however – be sure – if you take this route, you will be found out.  In this case – the fauxtographer was actually foolish enough to steal from multiple photographers sites, and or flickr pages, and posted them as her own as advertising.

  In essence, it is almost impossible with today’s imaging tools to stop image theft even with a watermark – plain or elaborate.  (the more elaborate methods will stop those really poor at PS though)   That said however I would like to direct you to a post specifically dedicated to a variety of watermarking methods, as well as encourage you to be sure to set your metadata in your Lightroom or Photoshop settings (as again – those who really don’t know what they are doing, wouldn’t know to check metadata either).  Check out “Creating Safe and Effective Watermarks” at Photoshop Tutorials for more details. 

        

HDR Of The CN Tower

 

The CN Tower – an incredible build, and yet sadly it is no longer the highest structure in the world – China built not one, but two taller than it as of last year.  However, the Skypod - the upper ring, is supposedly still the highest man made look out in the world.  Our family recently went for a visit to this massive structure, so I figured what a great opportunity to practice some HDR.  The image to the left, is an HDR from the three images below.  After which, I used the content aware feature in CS5, along with some colour tweaking.  All three images were taken hand held standing at the base of the tower, which of course makes for a little more work, however using the “Difference” blending mode is quite helpful with this.  Many HDR tutorials can be found online on YouTube, and last week I took an online class as well.  In the end I found that using techniques from here and there (because every tutorial will be different using different tools and techniques) to make up my own blend was how I went.

HDR Photography

Every wanted to learn HDR photography?  Here is your chance, simply tune in with Creative Live on April 20th for the webinar (and be sure you have Adobe Photoshop on your computer) and learn how to create beautiful high dynamic range images.

White Balance Quick Trick

Lightenupandshoot.com

We often don’t have the benefit of having an 18% grey card with us on a shoot, but there are little tips and tricks to help you obtain the correct white balance.  Today I found this short video by Lighten Up and Shoot Photography.  It gives an easy method using Photoshop to obtain a very balanced look. 

Main Tip:  2 out of the 3 colors (RED, GREEN or BLUE) are close to 128.

I Shoot Raw by Fro Knows

Fro Knows - I found this site not to long ago filled with knowledge of photography and post processing skills.  Jared Polin has a very interesting story – he’s not simply an eccentric looking, wild hair guy on youtube.  Rather, he seriously has a desire to share his knowledge, and the best way to find out more about him, is to go to The Story Behind The Fro.  I would encourage you to check out the site, it’s filled with tips and tidbits, along with contests too.   Currently you can even win one of the amazing Black Rapid Straps!  Now Playing – Fro Knows – check it out by double clicking HERE!

Linked By www.CapturedInnocence.ca

Worth 1000

Worth1000.com is one of those sites where you can express your photoshop skills and creativity.  With regular contests on a variety of tops, you will be challenged to your creative limits, while at the same time, being able to view some extremely taleneted works!  Check it out here at Worth1000.com

Photoshop User TV

I have enjoyed the tips and tricks of this online program for probably a couple of years now.  It’s filled with great tutorials and insider information for Photoshop and Lightroom users on every level.  Each week the guys put together several tutorials, a contest, and of course, show off the latest Photoshop User Magazine.  What’s more…the cast includes Canadian, Dave Cross, who each week proudly wears his Canadian attire :D.  Episodes can be downloaded as well for review.  Check it out at PHOTOSHOPUSERTV.COM

Adobe Lightroom Special

The specials are on at Adobe!  Get $100 your favourite Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop Software.  Find the specials here at the Adobe Store!

Image Forensics

Found this site on how to check if a picture has been altered – very cool – check it out at: errorlevelanalysis.com

Never Stop Learning

Cameras are always changing, and the field of photography is always diversifying.  As a result, if you are wanting to be in the field of photography you can Never Stop Learning.  Personally I try to take a course at least once every other month – sometimes it just means repeating a course to get something new out of it, other times it is something totally new that the industry has to offer.  It doesn’t matter, as long as I am challenging myself.   The average full day class with a world class photographer works out to almost $1000 CAD/day, and I understand that this is simply not feasible for most (myself included-though I would absolutely love to attend an MJ2 Day Workshop)…but alas, there are many other ways to learn, even though the “experience” of shooting  side by side, and the interaction you would like with your photographer mentor is not available. But there are ways to  keep up with the latest in what you can offer your clients and take advantage of what your equipment can do for you.  To begin, DVD training, it may not give you live interaction, however, you will have the advantage of reviewing it over and over.  Next,  E-Classes, many of these classes that you take will come with the option of purchase as well, so if you do find the information too much to take in all at once, you can review it later.  Webinars are another option, and you are able to have an interaction with the speaker on these, either through voice or typed questions and comments.  And of course, there is YouTube!  If you ever want to know how to do something, chances are, someone has posted a video on it on YouTube.  Below I have posted a screen captured for the site Creative Live – an incredible teaching tool which recently completed a week long class of epic proportions – putting them on the map for all time by having Jasmine Star teach for 5 Days, including shooting a wedding live! There are so many training resources out there; what are your favourites?

Kutota Introduces…

 

I received this email yesterday from Kubota Image Tools who are now introducing a series of Artist Series Style Books.  The books will “feature a collection of Style Books and DVD Tutorials that expose, step-by-step, the signature style of renowned professional photographers.  You can find out more HERE.

Amazing Features With CS5

Photoshop is an absolutely amazing piece of software, and really a must for any serious photographer today.  I have really enjoyed Photohsop’s CS3 over the last few years, and when CS4 came out, I chose not to upgrade.  Later CS5 came out, again, I did not upgrade…until now.  Well, if you have not done so yet, it is well worth it – the main feature I knew of of course was the famous “content aware” feature.  WoW – there is sooo much much more!  The new masking features, reminiscent of the OnOne Software again makes the change well worth it.  The video below (by a very excited photoshop enthusiast) really shows off some of the upgrades available, enjoy!

Lightroom e:class with Kevin Kubota

I just received this in my inbox today and really want to pass it along.  Kevin Kubota is a master at Lightroom and Photoshop, and really, the name when it comes to professional add-ons etc for your Lightroom and  Photoshop software.  This 90 minute e:class is only $39, which includes the final 30min for Q&A.  If you are interested in seeing the latest from Lightroom 3, or simply checking out how you can improve your workflow, I’d encourage you to catch this live online class.

JOIN US JULY 21, 10AM PDT AND MASTER THE NEW FEATURES OF LIGHTROOM^® 3

Adobe has updated another one of their fine products that may have an even greater impact than Photoshop CS5 on your busy life as a photographer — Lightroom 3.

We know you’re a smart photographer who cares about staying competitive and efficient, and you may be asking yourself: “Should I bother upgrading? What’s new in LR3 that will save me more time? Which features will help me
take my business and my creativity to the next level? How did Kubota get my email address?”

Get your questions answered at our LIVE 90-minute interactive e:CLASS with Kevin Kubota.

Who better to teach you these time-saving gems than the guy who produced the Hot One award-winning Workflow Tutorial for Lightroom?
Kevin has been testing (heck, spelunking!) LR3 and has noted the features that will impact your workflow the most,
and you should know about them! More than just a feature overview, this e:CLASS will explain how to best use and incorporate these tools into your workflow.

Get the elite edge on Lightroom 3 workflow for only $39! And if that isn’t enough, enrolled students will take away a recorded video copy AND receive a coupon code good for $20 toward the purchase of any single Kubota Lightroom product through the end of 2010!
Do we love you, or what?!

Mark July 21st at 10:00AM PDT on your calendar for an e:CLASS experience with Kevin Kubota you cannot afford to miss!

Reserve your seat for our LIVE 90-minute e:CLASS

Click here to view more info.

Making A PS Action Accessible To Lightroom

I found this last night at the Totally Rad site, put out by The Lightroom Lab have yet to completely go through it – but am excited to see if I can really get some of my Rad Actions to work in Lightroom.  I’ll let you know how things go :D

Using Photoshop Actions as Droplets in Lightroom from Scott Rouse on Vimeo.

Textures Project

I really appreciate the look of textures on an image – not all images – but the right texture on the right image can make a difference between a good shot, and a piece of art. Lately I have been working on putting together a series of textures, so thought I would share a little sneak peek.

  Before

With 2 Textures Stacked On Top Of The Image

Photoshop Class

Today is the day we delve into Photoshop in Arkona!  Below are just a few of the examples of the practical projects we will be working on as we go through the interfaces of Adobe Photoshop. 

 Layers

Opacity & Fill

Selection Tools

Using FX

Textures

Transform

Blending Modes

Layers

History Brush

Brushes

Image Adjustments

Layer Masks

Layers

Text

Clippings Masks

FX

Cropping