Simple Click – Land of Rocks
I fear it’s just me, but I love these shapes in the canyon walls. Just a play of light and color.
Photoshop for Shooters May Dates
We are pleased to announce our next Photoshop for Shooters 5-6 May, 2012 held in Mammoth Lakes, CA. The title for this workshop might not be the best at describing what the weekend is all about, but it’s short and sweet. It we had to come up with a workshop name that described the workshop, it would be something like this. Learn to get the most from yourself every time you put that incredible tool to your eye to get the most from it and then finish that with the knowledge of the digital darkroom workshop. See, that workshop name just doesn’t sing. Here it is plain and simple, I want to help folks with their photography and the vehicle we’re going to use in this class is Photoshop to help improve your captures! Did you know you can use Curves in Photoshop to learn about Exposure Compensation in the camera? If not, then you might wanna attend. The camera and the computer, they go hand in hand and knowledge of both is so important I feel to get what you see and feel reaching the heartstrings you’re sharing your photography with. And that’s the end game to all of this, grabbing heartstrings.
Wanna learn more, you might wanna read what those who have attended have to say….click here…or simply call WRP @760.924.8632 or 661.204.1506 to register. We are very honored to be sponsored by NAPP, Nik Software and OnOne Software and we have more dates coming in 2012.
Shutterbug Expert Photo Techniques
I was very fortunate to get a whole bunch of page space in the latest Shutterbug Expert Photo Techniques issue. I have two special pieces, one on cloud photography and one on aviation. The clouds has everything from taking to finishing and the aviation is all about the taking and excitement. And there is a lot more great information in this special issue from other shooters. It’s on the newstand now, check ‘er out!
Great Blog on Printing
Image Wizards – Better than Christmas!
Sending off an image to Image Wizards and then seeing their box being delivered is just like Christmas! The quality of their workmanship is such that when I send images out for printing for clients (like this image) and I have it drop shipped right to the client. I don’t need to check the prints, never have and have had nothing but rave reviews from those who have received them. To make this all happen there are a few steps that I do to assure this level of quality I want to share with you.
The most important step happens when you go click. Maximum quality starts when you click the camera and then you need to continue that through the finishing. What you see here is the basics that I do for all my printing. After I do all my finishing, the file is saved and put in a folder far away from where I can goof it up in the printing process. I want to protect my original file with all its layer for the future so I have those layers to make subtle changes to reflect new technology. So with a copy of that file, the first thing I do is flatten it. I then Sharpen for Content then Size for Output and then Sharpen for Output. Last thing I do is Soft Proof it. Going on metal I use the Epson 4900 Premium Luster Profile for soft proofing. In this case, a simple Vibrance Layer and Darkening Layer of the sky was all that was required to get the image really close to the profile. I have really made this very simplistic, there is a little more to it then that but you can easily search the rest out with simple web searches. Well excuse me, I have to upload the file because I can’t wait for the delivery. I’m having a print made for me!
The Art of Learning …
We just finished another of our Photoshop for Shooters this weekend. Great group, great time! It’s fourteen hours of really talking light in all its complications and implications from the viewfinder to computer. The experience and level skill of the class filled the spectrum as you might expect. I like that challenge, makes me push myself to elaborate on some aspects I personally take for granted for those just starting out while putting out “cutting edge” concepts for those pushing their craft to keep all entertained. And the whole time, try to keep it entertaining and instructive. It tires me out after a couple days but I do love the challenge.
And while I’m challenged as the instructor, the student is challenged even more. Since I am often on the opposite side of the podium as I’m being taught new features of this piece of gear or software, I can totally relate to the frustration of having information thrown at you that goes flying over your head. Or in a Photoshop class where a recipe is being provided and you attempt to take notes but you know you’ve missed that one step that is probably the most critical. In a short time, the frustration sets in and the learning experience is no longer a challenge, it’s a disaster. But you so want the information, you want to improve, you want to grow. How do you get past this wall?
Having just gone through some training again, all I can recommend is what I do myself. The vast majority of the classes I go to, I’m after techniques I’ve not explored. I’m looking for those little treasures that might land in my imagination that I can then go chase down after the class. I know personally I’m simply not smart enough to sit in a class for eight hours and learn all that’s coming at me, that’s just not what I can do as I hit overload typically after the teacher introduces themselves (I am just horrible with names). Knowing my own short far, I have mastered the four word note.
With the web and its vast resources, I know that the majority of the time I can with a couple of clicks find enough information to fill in the gap of my knowledge permitting me to take the next step forward. When it comes to pushing my photography when learning from others then, I look at the before and after photos, the before and after technique concepts and if I see a problem solver in what was just presented, then I simply right down a four word description of that new idea and continue to listen as the presenter keeps moving forward. Quite often those lessons that resonate are ones that solve an immediate problem I’m facing so that night after class, I look and my notes and then take time to write down my problem, expand on what I learned that I think might solve it and then get a good night’s sleep (my head usually hurts after days like this).
Then, once back in the safety of my office where no one can see me fail, I go searching on the web for all the pieces of the lesson I think will help me and start creating my own recipe. By having to teach myself the steps, I not only get to “customize” them to my own style, but they start taking hold in my head and picture taking process. Now quite often the new ideas go down in flames but then there will be that one gem that works and that’s the one that makes the whole class worth while taking. If you’ve ever sat in my class, you’ll hear me say I learned this from Scott Kelby or Russell Brown or Julianne Kost or RC. Those are the classes I sat in and took away that little nugget that I then pass on to others.
It’s way too easy in this day and age to get overloaded in the learning process. That’s when the fun and excitement of learning becomes a chore and we all know how we feel about chores. I absolutely love learning and the capturing of new knowledge because it all at some points improves my photography which is why I’m pushing the learning curve even harder! Head into that classroom with an open mind and open heart and look for that one pearl of wisdom, just that one that will propel your photography forward then you will know the art of learning!
