Peeved by Megan Lorenz

Peeved by Megan Lorenz

Earth Shots – Photo of the Day Contest

Photoshop Tips for Great Tropical Photos

Hawaii is known for idyllic landscapes and pristine beaches, but sometimes your photos don’t capture what’s right in front of you.  This photo was taken with a less than desirable camera (an iPhone and a Panoramic app), so it obviously needs a little help.

Ideally, you’ll take the perfect photo and not need any post-production work, but for those of you that didn’t quite get that shot, here are some tips.

- Clear up any dust particles or marks you may have on your sensor or lens.  I use the clone stamp or healing brush to quickly get rid of those spots.

- Up the saturation of the cyan just a touch.  Do this only if there’s some ocean in the shot.  If you have a polarizer, you won’t need to do this.  Be careful not to make the ocean look radioactive.  The color of the water seen in the following images accurately shows the true color of our ocean in Maui, which the crap camera missed out on.

- Crop and straighten the horizon.  If you need to crop outside of the photo in order to do this, do it anyway.  With the content-aware fill, you can usually add the missing slivers at the edge back into the newly cropped image.

- Get rid of the crowd!  This image really isn’t that crowded, but we’re looking for the most desirable scenario.  I use the lasso tool (with 0 feather) along with the content-aware fill to get rid of people.  Sometimes it doesn’t work perfectly, and I’ll have to go back in to clean things up with the clone stamp.

- Clean up the very last bits and pieces.  Here I’ve smoothed some of the sand out, gotten rid of some of the whitewater chop out further in the ocean, and of course branded it with our URL for web use.

If you’re smart, you’ll do all of your work with masks and effect layers in order to make changes later.  You can see more examples of finished Maui photos at Maui Maps.

Chris Norberg is project manager at Hawaii Web Group working to promote the island of Maui, Hawaii via intriguing websites and interacting heavily with visitors on social networks.  He can be found on Twitter at @Maui.

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

Photoshop Tips for Great Tropical Photos

Digital Photography School

MAC Group USA Announces $25 PocketWizard

North White Plains, NY (PRWEB) April 02, 2012

MAC Group, a leading manufacturer and distributor of professional photographic equipment, announces today a $ 25 mail-in rebate for U.S. customers that purchase a new PocketWizard MiniTT1 and/or FlexTT5 radio for use with Canon or Nikon DSLR camera systems from April 1, 2012 to May 31, 2012. Via mail-in rebate, purchasers will receive $ 25 for each unit purchased from an Authorized PocketWizard Dealer in the U.S.

MAC Group, PocketWizard’s USA distributor, is happy to provide Canon and Nikon shooters in the U.S. with a special opportunity to experience the amazing capabilities of PocketWizard ControlTL radios, said Phil Bradon, MAC Group’s PocketWizard Marketing Manager. This limited time $ 25 rebate is available on every MiniTT1 or FlexTT5 for Canon and Nikon purchased. ControlTL is the perfect complement and a must-have accessory to Canon and Nikon digital SLR systems, providing amazing flash and camera triggering capabilities.

For more information on this rebate visit: http://www.pocketwizard.com/25rebate

About MiniTT1 and FlexTT5

The PocketWizard MiniTT1 Transmitter and FlexTT5 Transceiver for Canon and Nikon DSLR camera systems allow photographers to enjoy the ease of TTL exposure automation with the simplicity of PocketWizards ControlTL system. These TTL capable radio slaves make taking off-camera flash as effortless as slide-in, turn-on and shoot.

Combining TTL automation with the reliability of PocketWizard radio technology results in perfect off-camera flash photography in any environment around corners, out-of-sight and even outdoors in bright sunlight. The MiniTT1 Transmitter and FlexTT5 Transceiver can be used to control single or multiple off-camera TTL flash units

and provide unique features such as HyperSync, which allows photographers to go beyond their normal x-sync speed. Thanks to upgradeable firmware, these units will remain current even as camera technology changes.

About PocketWizard

Incorporating the latest radio technology, PocketWizard (http://www.PocketWizard.com/) products exceed the demands of the working pro and photo enthusiast with durability, ease of use, advanced capabilities and legendary PocketWizard reliability.

PocketWizard products, including the PLUS

Sony NEX-F3 Preview

Replacing the popular NEX-C3, Sony has announced the α NEX-F3 entry-level interchangeable lens camera system. The NEX-F3 includes many of the same features of the α37 — a 16.1 megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS image sensor, full HD video recording, Superior Auto Mode, Auto Portrait Framing, etc. — but does so in a much more compact body. In fact, without one of Sony’s E-Mount series lenses, the NEX-F3 is nearly pocket-sized.The two biggest improvements over the C3 are an 18% improvement in battery life as well as a new 3.0-inch180° Tiltable LCD — great for taking self portraits as well as low and high angle photographs. There’s also a handy built-in flash, which remains hidden most of the time and pops up when required. Some might enjoy the Clear Image Zoom function, which effectively doubles your lens’ zoom capabilities, but digital zooming is never recommended to ensure the best image quality in your photos. Auto Portrait Framing is a nifty feature, which takes any photo you’ve taken and, using the classic “rule of thirds” framing, crops your image to create a portrait of any human subject.Sony α NEX-F3 Features include:16.1-megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS Image SensorFull HD video recording (1080/60i, 1080/24p)3.0-inch 180° Tiltable LCDBuilt-in Flash (it pops up)Superior Auto ModeAuto Portrait FramingClear Image Zoom with Pixel Super Resolution TechnologyBattery life of 470 shots (an 18% improvement over the NEX-C3)Compatible with all of Sony’s E-Mount lensesSony’s α NEX-F3 wil hit stores this June (2012) in black, silver, or white in a $ 600 kit that includes
SDC-Camera-Reviews

Classic Lighting: Weekly Photography Challenge

Your challenge this weekend is to practice a classic lighting pattern.

Yesterday we published a post here on dPS highlighting 6 Portrait Lighting Patterns which got a lot of positive feedback. So today I thought it might be good to challenge readers to choose one and to go away and practice it. Theory is good – but unless you USE that theory it won’t have any lasting impact upon your photography.

So choose either split lighting, loop lighting, rembrandt lighting, butterfly lighting, short lighting or broad lighting and have a go for yourself (explanations of each are here).

Keep in mind that you don’t need artificial light for these lighting patterns if you don’t have it (in fact all of the shots in the images above were shot with natural light).

If you’d like more teaching on any of the lighting patterns also check out:

• 5 Classic Lighting Positions for Portrait Photography
• Using Popular Television to Boost your Knowledge of Classic Lighting

Once you’ve selected the ‘Lighting Pattern’ image that you’d like to share – upload it to your favourite photo sharing site or blog and either share a link to it or – embed them in the comments using the our new tool to do so.

If you tag your photos on Flickr, Instagram, Twitter or other sites with Tagging tag them as #DPSCLASSICLIGHTING to help others find them. Linking back to this page might also help others know what you’re doing so that they can share in the fun.

Also – don’t forget to check out some of the great shots posted in last weeks challenge – Mothers challenge where there were some great shots submitted.

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

Classic Lighting: Weekly Photography Challenge

Digital Photography School

Spring Fling by Adam Baker

Spring Fling by Adam Baker

Earth Shots – Photo of the Day Contest

Spectral Instruments 112 Megapixel Digital Camera

Check out this amazing camera – it has a 112 megapixel sensor that literally dwarfs any sensor you or I have in our cameras! It’s also a black and white only camera – but I’m betting it leaves the Leica M Monochrom for dead in terms of quality and price!

Want to see it made? Zeke makes a call for people to let them know if you want to see it made and then tested by photographers – it would certainly be pretty cool.

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

Spectral Instruments 112 Megapixel Digital Camera

Digital Photography School

300 by Marcin

300 by Marcin

Earth Shots – Photo of the Day Contest

Boston Area Craft Gallery Presents Digital Illustrations by Convergent Artist Marshall

Sommerville, MA (PRWEB) May 01, 2012

Nestled in the heart of Ball Square, Somerville, Blue Cloud Gallery displays the markedly unique creations of artists that hail from the Metro-Boston area. Over 100 local artists showcase an array of media ranging from ceramics and jewelry to graphics and glass. Owner and photographer Betsy Lenora presents the vibrant digital renderings of Marshall, exhibiting over 50 pieces of his original work.

Marshall’s eye for aesthetic detail began developing through his initial career as a medical photography specialist, but his drive for more creative expression quickly accelerated. He began tinkering with the infusion of synthetic color into digital images. This practice evolved to center around photographs of Boston’s cityscapes and suburban scenery.

A seeker of the romantic, Marshall endeavors to evoke the energy of urban scenes that straight photography may miss. “This ‘city vibe’ can be elusive to the camera lens alone,” he laments. “An ordinary photograph often falls short on communicating the vibrancy of the metro area.” Armed with a “digital paint brush,” he enhances color, tones and lighting effects, or modifies compositions to convey a deeper, more compelling story.

One particular image highlights the railroad car-styled Rosebud Bar and Grill in Somerville. Edward Hopper’s 1942 painting, Nighthawks, comes to mind, as Marshall similarly captures the live action of a city diner after dark. The canvas catches an American flag in mid-wave, a scooter artistically parked on the sidewalk, and a deliberating customer leans against the outside menu. Marshall’s signature style brings a striking layer of stimulus to the scene.

After Marshall completes his transformation, he stretches his rendered image over a canvas, then hand applies a protective coat of varnish. The canvases hanging in Blue Cloud Gallery are often mistaken for original oil paintings. Owner Betsy Lenora encourages Boston residents to come explore Marshall’s repertoire of unique digital renderings that emphasize the charm of Boston. An expanded selection will be available during Somerville’s Open Studios May 6th & 7th. Marshall’s art work is collected by clients all over the world.

About the company:

Blue Cloud Gallery, located in the heart of Ball Square, Somerville, invites the public to explore the many interesting handcrafted gifts created by local artisans. This unique store owned and operated by fine art photograher Betsy Lenora, supports local artists and helps the community discover fine artwork. Come and be inspired by the ever-expanding array of fun and functional items designed, created and produced to delight every visitor. As a premier provider of art for sale in the Boston area, Betsy takes pride in her products and local crafts and local art she represents. For more information visit her website at http://www.bluecloudgallery.com.

Sony SLT-A37 Preview

Today Sony announced the new SLT-A37 (aka α37) Translucent Mirror Technology camera, which allows full time autofocus and continuous live image preview while taking still shots or capturing full high definition video at 60i/24p. This continuous focus, when combined with the 7 frames-per-second high-speed shooting and the 3-cross 15-point AF system, means you’re able to capture incredibly detailed and sharp photographs in action-packed situations.The α37 also features a 16.1 megapixel APS HD CMOS image sensor, Sony’s proprietary BIONZ Image Processor, an ISO range of 100-16000, SteadyShot INSIDE Stabilization, and Superior Auto Mode to ensure shutterbugs of all skill levels are able to capture professional quality imagery. Another nice feature are the two viewfinder options. T 2.7″ Clear Photo LCD may not be the biggest you’ve ever seen, but its ability to tilt will aid in the taking of high or low angle shots. And, in place of the optical viewfinder on traditional DSLRs, the α37 has a 1440k high-resolution “Tru-Finder” electronic viewfinder.Sony SLT-A37 Features include:16.1-megapixel APS HD CMOS image sensor1440k high-resolution Tru-Finder electronic viewfinder2.7-inch tilt-angle Clear Photo LCD3-cross 15-point AF (Auto Focus) SystemHD Video Recording (1080/60i, 1080/24p)7 frames-per-second shootingBIONZ Image ProcessorISO 100-16000 rangeSteadyShot INSIDE StabilizationSuperior Auto ModeAuto Portrait Framing Mode with Pixel Super Resolution TechnologyCompatible with all A-mount lensesThe α37, from Sony, will be available in kit form (with the SEL1855 18-55mm zoom lens) this June (2012) for around $ 600. Additionally, Sony is debuting a brand new 18-135mm telephoto lens (SAL18135) this summer. Pick it up in July as a stand-alone lens for $ 500, or in a kit with the α37
SDC-Camera-Reviews

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