You’ve probably received the email and said something like, “Oh, something new for the digital darkroom” and then deleted the email. I’m here to tell you, that might was a BIG mistake because Luminar available today has at least ONE thing you need to own! My challenge is to explain all that Luminar from MacPhun is all about in a blog post, and I can’t. You’re going to want to head to here after reading this post to at the very least learn more but let me tell you why you’re going to do that. What is Luminar?
You might rightfully so think Luminar is a stand alone Raw file processor because it is. What you won’t understand until you start to work with it is that it’s a Raw file processor with layers, effects and so much more. And it not only works its magic on Raw files but you can use it on layered PSD files, that’s right, PSDs. To understand how all of that works, you need to watch the videos on the MacPhun site. The potential here alone is worth the price but I’m excited by another feature of Luminar!
With a simple click, you can make Luminar a plug-in that works within Photoshop. Why would you want to do that? Great Question, let me show you!
This one feature of Luminar is more than worth the price of the app, its Black & White engine! It is hands down the best B&W engine I’ve even used and I’m all over it! What you see here is just a HINT of all the controls you have to quickly and easily convert your images to B&W. You can create presets which I highly recommend cause with a simply click, you have a gorgeous B&W. And as you can see, they work with your Smart Objects.
I regret I have just this most cursory tease preview of Luminar to share with you because there is so much more. But I’ve always promised to share with you my advances in B&W processing and this is my current love. Luminar is available today, check it out!
I was looking up some trivia for a book I’m writing and the search engine took me to my own class on KelbyOne. Ya, it was a laugh out loud moment when I looked in my own class for my own answer! Now my first class on Landscape Photography was filmed way back in 2007, my section on a polarizer still holds true today. And while the lessons on the old Win box might use old software, the techniques and the reasons behind them are still valid. So during the long nights of winter fast approaching, here’s the offerings that might stir the imagination and get the juices flowing for the daylight hours. (from first to latest)
I’ve been shooting with the new 105f1.4 AFS a lot in situations you’d normally not think meant for the 105f1.4 like above. Most pigeon hole this lens for portraits but if you expand your definition of “portrait” you might find what I’m finding. Shooting with the 105mm at f1.4 is darn cool producing very unique results! But here’s the hitch, go out shooting at highnoon like I did this weekend at the Nut Tree Air Fair at f1.4. You’ll see 1/8000 blinking at first, then have little red flames around it and finally it just yells … OUCH! At ISO 100, even at 1/8000, the shutter speed isn’t fast enough for the right exposure when shooting at f/1.4 in this scenario. And if you dial in any exposure comp, you’re in more of a world of hurt (and going to L1 doesn’t help). What to do? The solution is actually real simple, just attach a polarizer! That instantly cuts down two stops of light, permits you to still see through the lens and the camera to autofocus with ease. It’s a simple solution that might just slip on by because, it is too simple.
At our last K&M AirAdventure a few weeks back, I had arranged with one of my favorite editors, Chris, to have a “little contest” amongst two of our very talented students. It was kinda simple, they just needed to take a photograph and write a 500 word news brief about the Soldier Tree Memorial dedication and the best would get published. Both “contestants” had an hour flight with the Texas Flying Legends Museum’s Spitfire MkIX and Harvard. From that and doing some homework on their own, they had to come up with the ONE photo (all I would permit to be submitted, talk about pressure) and text to submit to Chris at Flypast magazine. What you see here is the “winning” photograph though both were winners because they accepted the challenge at the risk of rejection. And while this was a contest I had arranged, it was really a real world lesson about the business of photography. Because it’s about craftsmanship, storytelling and so much more wrapped up in a single slice of time mounting up to a fraction of a second!
In following up to yesterday’s post and flood of ensuing emails, it would seem that understanding what a photograph must contain to build a business is quite the mystery. That could be a big issue! I’m using Eric’s photo as a simple example to illustrate my point. It’s a simple, clean photograph appealing to the magazine’s taste that tells a story (you might read that fifty times until it sinks in). It has very nice light, is tack sharp, communicates action well, a background that could be England (where the magazine is based) and puts one of that countries favorite aircraft up close and personal. That’s a lot wrapped up in one click but that’s what it’s all about, times a couple thousand. In the desire to become a “professional” or want to “make money from your photography,” do your images come up to this very basic standard? Then if you want to continue on and grow your photography business, do your images excel past this basic standard? There is an old saying in business, “You can’t sell from an empty cart.” So in business the question is not if you have ONE photograph that meets these standards, but that you have hundreds or thousands, enough inventory to keep a business moving forward. In asking the question if you should put your shingle out saying you’re in business, understand the principle cornerstone of the industry. The business is photography!
TFLM P-40e “Texas Warhawk” captured by D5 / 105f1.4 AFS
It is the greatest profession there is IMHO! But surviving the long term is not what you might think, certainly not what I’ve seen written by most. You have NO idea how many emails, Facebook Messages and other means folks contact me and say “look at my images, my website and tell me how I can make money.” Or my favorite is the email that says, “I want to be a professional photographer, can you tell me how” after I look at their Flicker account. My first reaction is, “Do you really understand what you’re asking?” I’ve been doing this photography thing since 1981 and I wouldn’t trade it for ANYTHING! At the same time, when our son Jake said he was going into the profession, mom & dad tried everything at the beginning to talk him out of it. If anyone knows the ups and down of this industry is Jake who, is doing great at the business of photography. But he had NINETEEN years of exposure to the business before starting out. I know he’s never emailed a stranger out of the blue and asked, “How do I become a professional photographer?” and that includes me. The ups and downs of this profession you have no clue about. The insecurity, the back stabbing and haters, how simple weather can totally destroy all plans. And yet, I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
First and foremost, if this is your desire, the last thing you do is send a stupid email to a working professional asking how to do it!!!!! There is no way in hell it can be answered in an email or Facebook Message so don’t look so stupid. And really, you think someone in a successful business is going to give away their “secrets” to a stranger for free? If you want to really, honest and truly get in the business, submit an article!!!! That’s right, compile the photographs, write the text and stick your neck on the cutting block!!! When I decided to go fully into aviation photography, I followed the same route I used for my wildlife, I did my research and submitted articles. My teachers have always been and remain to be the photo buyers who KNOW the business. I don’t care what aspect of photography you love, the editorial market place is where you LEARN and as a photographer, you MUST constantly LEARN your entire career or you fade away! So do yourself a HUGE favor and if you want to be a professional start by acting like one. And in photography that means you start with your photographs and move forward. That’s how you answer the simple question, so you want to be a professional. (If you see me in person and you want to have this discussion, I’m more than happy to do so!)
