BuyEventPhotos.com - Blog http://myfasthost.com/blog Ideas & Technique Gatherings Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:15:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 en hourly 1 “The Harvest” at Mission Inn http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=76 http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=76#comments Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:15:25 +0000 jknox http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=76

We had a wonderful time shooting this for these fine folks, in spite of the terrible weather we had.

Thank you again for all those who came. A DVD of this Video is available for purchase. Please contact our office for more details 423-746-8900.

]]> http://myfasthost.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=76 0 Light Depth with Layer Blending http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=71 http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=71#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:07:14 +0000 jknox http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=71 Studio lighting can be quickly and easily dramatized by blending multiple layers.

Duplicate a layer with a subject by pressing Command – J (PC: Ctrl-J).
Desaturate the new layer, then adjust the Levels dialog (Command – L [PC: Ctrl-L]) to create a strong contrast.
Now, apply a Gaussian Blur (Filter>Blur>Gaussian Blur) to the new layer and set its blend mode to Overlay, which amplifies the saturation of the base colors, while retaining the tonal contrast of the new layer.

This effect can provide a strikingly more provocative sense of depth with very little effort.

]]> http://myfasthost.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=71 0 Folder Watch (enhanced auto-import for tethered shooting) http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=68 http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=68#comments Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:19:55 +0000 jknox http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=68  

This plugin attempts to fill deficiencies in Lightroom’s built-in Auto-Import facilities, allowing you to auto-import images in place, in a folder or a whole tree of folders. It’s likely of most use to those who shoot tethered.

Download

]]> http://myfasthost.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=68 0 Create a “Rule-of-Thirds” Grid http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=65 http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=65#comments Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:26:14 +0000 jknox http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=65 Don’t use the grid view very often? Then turn it into a rule-of-thirds grid. In Photo-shop, press Command – K (PC: Ctrl-K) to open your Preferences. Click on Guides, Grid & Slices from the list on the left and change the settings for the Grid section as follows: Gridline every 100 percent, Subdivisions 3, and click OK. This creates a grid that divides the image into thirds both horizontally and vertically. When you turn on the grid by pressing Command – ‘ (PC: Ctrl – ‘(apostrophe)), a rule-of-thirds grid will be superimposed over the image. Don’t use the grid view very often? Then turn it into a rule-of-thirds grid. In Photo-shop, press Command – K (PC: Ctrl-K) to open your Preferences. Click on Guides, Grid & Slices from the list on the left and change the settings for the Grid section as follows: Gridline every 100 percent, Subdivisions 3, and click OK. This creates a grid that divides the image into thirds both horizontally and vertically. When you turn on the grid by pressing Command – ‘ (PC: Ctrl – ‘(apostrophe)), a rule-of-thirds grid will be superimposed over the image.

Provided by NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professionals)

]]> http://myfasthost.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=65 0 Beads of Sweat Effect http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=40 http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=40#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:36:38 +0000 jknox http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=40 Creating a beaded sweat effect.

Click to View Video

Corey Barker

Corey Barker is Executive Producer of PlanetPhotoshop.com and is an Education and Curriculum Developer for the National Association of Photoshop Professionals. Corey has also made numerous appearances on the highly rated podcast, PhotoshopUser TV, and is co-host of Layers TV.

]]> http://myfasthost.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=40 0 Lightening an Underexposed Image, Method 2 http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=38 http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=38#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:24:20 +0000 jknox http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=38 Another way to lighten an image uses the Overlay screen mode. Here’s how: Open the image and click on the Create a New Layer icon at the bottom of the Layers panel. Press D to set the Foreground/Background colors to their default black/white, respectively, and then press Command-Delete (PC: Ctrl-Backspace) to fill the new layer with solid white. Change this layer’s blend mode to Overlay and you can then adjust the brightness of the image by changing the layer’s Opacity until it looks right to you.

-Planetphotoshop.com

]]> http://myfasthost.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=38 0 Lightening an Underexposed Image, Method 1 http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=36 http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=36#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2009 11:21:52 +0000 jknox http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=36 When I’m shooting concert images, the lighting often changes quickly, and I end up with an image that’s just a little too dark. One of the simplest and most effective tricks to lighten an image is to use the Screen layer blend mode. Open the image, duplicate the Background layer by pressing Command-J (PC: Ctrl-J), and then change the blend mode of the new layer to Screen. Then simply adjust the Opacity of the new layer until it suits your needs.

-Planetphotoshop.com

]]> http://myfasthost.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=36 0 Upload from Picasa to Facebook http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=32 http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=32#comments Sat, 13 Jun 2009 11:14:59 +0000 jknox http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=32 After uploading a few pictures to Facebook today, I remembered how handy having the Facebook Button in Picasa was and I thought everyone might not know abou it, so here it is!

Having the Facebook Button for Picasa makes uploading a one step process.  Well, one step if you use Internet Explorer.  If you’re scared of the security, or lack thereof, in IE (like me) and use Firefox or Chrome you’ll have to enter your password each time.

Hint: To avoid having to approve your uploaded photos each time, just click the Enable Extended Access link at the bottom of the screen where you choose what album to put them in.  From that point forword you’ll no longer have to log in to Facebook and approve the photos.

Frames First, Images Second

Posted by jknox in InDesign, Quick Tip on June 13th, 2009

When you have to place a number of images into your layout, save yourself some effort and first set up the graphic frame with particular specifications (Fit Proportionally, fit content to frame, fit frame to content, etc.). That way you won’t have to fidget as much to make the fit.

Drag out the frame to the desired size and proportion. Select Object > Fitting > Frame Fitting Options. Define the Crop Amount or the Reference Point (the point from which your sizes will emanate), and select Fitting > Fit Content Proportionally. Once you define one frame, Option/Alt-drag it to make a duplicate with the same parameters. Now when you Place (Command/Ctrl-D) an image, it will come into the frame with the predefined sizing.

This tip applies to InDesign CS3 and CS4.

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Find the Right Font

Posted by jknox in Fonts, Quick Tip on June 13th, 2009

When you’re having trouble deciding on the best typeface or combination of typefaces for a particular project, try these sources:

* The Type Library section of the Adobe Web site lets you search for fonts by use.

* Each typeface on the Font Bureau Web site includes a list of comparable and compatible fonts.

* Independent blogs such as Typophile are populated with type-savvy folks who will give advice on font usage, identify orphaned fonts, and steer you toward little-known fonts that may have escaped your attention.

* Blogs associated with type foundries that don’t just promote their own products are great resources, as well. For example, a wonderful post on FontFeed, the blog affiliated with FontShop, explored alternatives to Helvetica with helpful background about the suggested typefaces and detailed characteristics that distinguish them from Helvetica.

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Create a Smart Object Photo Template

Posted by jknox in Photoshop, Quick Tip on June 13th, 2009

The late (great!) sci-fi author Douglas Adams once said, “I love deadlines. I like the whooshing noise they make as they go by.” Sadly, that “whooshing noise” is far too familiar, and in today’s economically stressed world deadlines are mission critical. After all, to get money in your pocket you have to get projects out the door! Unfortunately for most creatives, the sun rises each day only to illuminate a mile-long to-do list and mountains of email. Heck, it’s a wonder we’re able to get out of bed at all!

Thankfully, Photoshop’s Smart Objects make it easy for you to work smarter instead of harder, saving tons of time. In this tutorial you’ll learn what a Smart Object is, why they’re useful, and how you can use them to make some of the slickest photo templates you’ve ever seen. Then use what you’ve learned to create limitless smart effects of your own! Read the rest of this entry »

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Grunge Warning Stripes text effect using only layer styles!

Posted by jknox in Photoshop, Styles on June 13th, 2009

Grunge Warning Stripes text effect using only layer styles!

Author URL: http://tutorials.mysitemyway.com

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Facebook Button for Picasa

Posted by jknox in Picasa, Quick Tip on June 13th, 2009

After uploading a few pictures to Facebook today, I remembered how handy having the Facebook Button in Picasa was and I thought everyone might not know abou it, so here it is!

Having the Facebook Button for Picasa makes uploading a one step process.  Well, one step if you use Internet Explorer.  If you’re scared of the security, or lack thereof, in IE (like me) and use Firefox or Chrome you’ll have to enter your password each time.

]]> http://myfasthost.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=32 0 Photoshop and the Lost Undersea Channel http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=20 http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=20#comments Sun, 17 May 2009 14:00:51 +0000 jknox http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=20

dekePod Episode 015: Imagine yourself on a once-in-a-lifetime underwater adventure. Adift in a world of wonder. Watch as if in a dream as you ignore the souvenir stand, bypass the lounge chair, even avoid the swim-up bar. Your only intention is to grab the gear, strap on the fins, and plunge into the astonishing azure alure.

Or more simply put: Mix with the fish.

Such destinations have names as to make the heart sigh: Fiji. Kealakekua Bay. Ningaloo. The Red Sea.

If you’ve never been to these lands, welcome to the club, neither have I. But I have spent much time roaming the Caribbean. Things being what they are (and me being what I am), I’ve gone underwater many a time with camera in hand. Only to be excited by what I shot! And disappointed by the results(!). Because the sad truth of the matter is, sea colors are different from land colors. Here’s the official marketing description:

The ocean is a different world. Where else can you cavort with colorful animals a thousand feet or more above the Earth’s surface? But the romance of the sea comes at a price. Just as the watery depths rob our lungs of air, they rob our eyes of color. It’s not uncommon for an underwater photo to lack any information in the Red channel. Which is where coral, clown fish, and our very own skin tones live. Fortunately, Deke knows how to summon a Red channel back from the dead. Watch this dekePod and learn how to create underwater images that will satisfy your inner Jacques Cousteau.

Summary: Use a Channel Mixer adjustment layer to blend a new Red channel from the existing Green and Blue. Use Levels, Color Balance, and Vibrance to finesse the results. And then apply some diliberate hand painting to bring out the coral and other warm details.

Need to watch it again? Why not save it for later by exploring one of these links:

  • For a high-quality QuickTime movie, right-click here and choose Save Target or Download Link or the equivalent.
  • For an M4V file that you can play on an iPod, right-click here and choose one of those same commands.
  • Or you can subscribe to dekePod via RSS or iTunes.

You can also check out the page at my book publisher O’Reilly Media.

And don’t forget, you can explore this very technique in exquisite, painstaking detail in Chapter 16, “Adjustment Layers,” of my comprehensive video series “Photoshop CS4 One-on-One: Advanced,” due out any day from lynda.com.

]]> http://myfasthost.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=20 0 Grunge Warning Striped Text Effect and Icon http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=15 http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=15#comments Sun, 17 May 2009 05:10:57 +0000 jknox http://myfasthost.com/blog/?p=15 Grunge Warning Striped Text Effect and Icon preview
Grunge Warning Stripes text effect using only layer styles!

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