How Will You Remember 9-11 Today?

This post is coming out of left field for most of you that know me, but I wanted to do something different today since it's 9-11. Something that might matter.

Then I got this email:

Dear Chris,

I think that this is probably the most difficult introduction that I’ve ever written. I have so much to say, yet I can’t seem to begin.

So, I’ll begin this way. Heroes walk among us every day. Some you’ll readily recognize: those in the Armed Forces (or who have served), firefighters, police officers. However, there are also heroes who make a profound and lasting difference, but do so quietly. These are the invisible heroes, and they are everywhere—especially in the photographic industry.

Bravery comes in many forms. I’m in constant awe of not only those who put themselves in harm’s way to protect others, but also those who willingly open their hearts to others, even when the circumstances cause their own hearts to break while they are helping.

In the midst of mourning, a group of heroes emerges to give families lasting images of their children who will never grow older. They are the photographers who volunteer for the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation. This week’s Vital Signs shares information about what they do—and how you can get involved.

These photographers are my heroes.

Now, I had heard of the Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep Foundation before and even thought about joining, but today it just seemed right...

Have a great weekend everyone.

See you on Monday,
Chris

25 Cool Digital Photography Tutorials, Techniques and Effects

Had a completely different idea for a post today, but got really busy (more soon) and lost track of time. So, I decided to share a group of cool tutorials I found recently.

The list of cool digital photography techniques and tutorials is endless, you can even find 10 completely different methods to achieve the same effect. Which is the best? It really depends on the photographer and there level of expertise. Which ever effect you use, your images are going to look cool and unique.

Check them out here.

See you tomorrow,
Chris

Fall Foliage Photography

So I'm sitting here working on my Fall Foliage Fotos special for the website and it hit me...

...THIS is today's blog post!

Autumn is right around the corner, bringing with it a seasonal change that inspires photographers across the nation: Fall foliage. There’s no question that autumn’s dramatic landscapes are stunning to behold; the real challenge is how to preserve the impact in a still photograph that captures the unique quality of this season. Here are a few tips that may help:

Closer is Better!

The temptation of wide shots, of entire forests or mountainsides may be hard to resist. However, variety is important. Shoot the panoramic landscapes, but also remember that beauty can be found in the details.

Out-of-focus backgrounds are a photographic effect you can heighten, or reduce, by controlling your aperture: Wider apertures (that is, lower f-numbers, such as f/4, f/2.8, etc.) will result in a shallower range of focus, and soft backgrounds. Smaller apertures, such as f/11, f/16, or f/22 will increase the range of focus, resulting in sharper backgrounds. Either effect may work; you just need to make the creative choice depending on what, and how much of the background you want to see in the image.

Think!

Instead of pointing and shooting, think about ways to artfully compose your shots for greater impact. Many beginners only pay attention to their main subject in the frame, and capture it in obvious ways (such as centered in the frame, or right in the foreground). Instead, take the time to consider the background, and experiment with more dynamic ways to make your main subject stand out:

• Try not to shoot everything from eye-level.
• Remember the Rule of Thirds.
  
• Look for patterns or repetition in the frame, such as reflections or groups of similar objects, which creates a pleasing effect in the composition.
• Remember that contrast can help colors to ‘pop’ – for example, the warm tones of autumn leaves will be enhanced with the subtle inclusion of something cool (blue, or blue-green) in the frame. For example, a vivid sliver of sky, or a blue-painted automobile or house strategically placed in the foreground.
• Don’t forget the power of wide-angle lenses. A standard zoom lens, such as an 18-55mm lens (or 28-90mm lens on a film camera) can produce some spectacular results – especially if you move in close at its widest setting and focus upon one object in the foreground. A low-hanging branch with leaves can suddenly become a broad burst of color and detail, if you move in and focus upon the nearest leaf.
• Shoot some back-lit pictures, with the sun coming toward the camera and shining through leaves. Back-lighting can really increase the rich color of fall foliage. Watch for glare or lens flare, however. Sometimes, moving the camera just a bit can cause other leaves to block the sun, shading the lens and reducing or eliminating lens flare.

Try to Use Natural Light

If possible, make a point of shooting during the ‘magic’, or golden, hours. This occurs generally during the first half-hour right after the sun rises in the morning, and the last half hour just before the sun sets at the end of the day. During these fleeting periods, the quality of light is ideal for autumn landscape photography:

• The sunlight is naturally warm, rich, and golden-hued - further enhancing the colorful leaves.


• The angle of the sunlight is lower and more directional. You can create enhanced textures and shapes if you shoot with it as side-light, or increased depth if used as a backlight.


• The quality of magic-hour sunlight is more diffuse, with a pleasing contrast that is less likely to overexpose in the highlights, or underexpose in the shadows.

However, if the weather is not cooperating (magic hour light is most pronounced on days with clear, sunny forecasts) – don’t get discouraged. Fall showers can inspire beautiful photo opportunities, as well: Fall colors can look even more saturated during or right after a rainstorm, and moody skies can offer that perfect contrast to a fiery-hued tree. Or, get out your macro lens and look for details such as raindrops clinging to the leaves.

Summary

Autum photos are a big hit - everyone likes them. Take advantage of this short time period: Go out with your camera and shoot! Remember to look for different ways to shoot familiar subjects, whether it's up-close, down low, with filters, after dawn, or during a storm -- and you will find it pay off in many wonderful, dynamic shots that capture the spirit of the season.

See you tomorrow,
Chris

Tip Tuesday - Adding Canvas Using the Crop Tool

OK, so I forgot Monday was a holiday and I chose to spend it with family - hope you will forgive me! But, now we're on to Tuesday which means Tip Tuesday!

To use the Crop tool to add canvas to your image, drag out a crop and release the mouse. Then, drag the crop handles outside of the image area and apply the crop. The area outside of the image will be added to the canvas. To keep the same aspect ratio, add in the shift key as you drag a corner. To add area to all four sides, hold the ALT key, to add the same amount all around the image while keeping the aspect ration, add in the SHIFT and ALT keys!

Note: to add transparency around the image (instead of filling the added space with the background color) convert the Background into a layer by selecting Layer > New > Layer From Background (or by double clicking on the word Background in the Layers panel).

See you tomorrow,
Chris

My Favorite Things...

First let me apologize for the lack of post yesterday - and yes, I'm depressed about the outcome, but mercifully, most games will be on Saturday when I don't blog anyway....

So on to My Favorite Things...

No not in life silly, it's the favorite things that help me do whatever it is that I do here. (In no particular order)

Adobe Photoshop
I fell out of love with photography in college because I couldn't afford the film and processing. I fell back in love with it when I mastered Photoshop 5.5 (thanks to Scott Kelby - see below). I've been in love with both (photography and photoshop - not Scott, because that would just be weird) ever since.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
What Photoshop did to rekindle my passion for photography, Lightroom came along and stole! I now do 85% of my image processing in Lightroom, and most images never see Photoshop. Now Photoshop still has a loving place in my heart and I still use it daily, but the routine processing I do on my images is all done in Lightroom now.

And I've noticed this strange phenomenon, if you tell someone you ran an image through Photoshop to clean it up - they immediately assume you "created" and "fabricated" your way into a nice image. For whatever reason, if people see a nice image now they assume it was "Photoshopped." I hear things like, "You must have Photoshopped that picture," or "wow that's beautiful, did you use Photoshop?" But tell them you processed that image in Lightroom without going into Photoshop at all, and they stare in disbelief and say things like, "That's a really nice image," or "You're a really good photographer." It really cracks me up.

Canon "L" series Glass
Particularly the 85mm, the 70-200mm, the 16-35mm, and the 24-70mm - L-O-V-E them!

PocketWizards
They're more expensive than other options, but world-class leaders in my book. Would buy them everyday of the week and twice on Sunday.

Scott Kelby
Wow. How do you sum up what this man has done for my career and abilities. I'm an Adobe Certified Instructor, Photographer, NAPP member, pretty decent Photoshop'er, blogger, Photowalker, trainer, and even help orphans in Kenya - all directly because of this man. He's a legend, a master, and from all accounts of speaking with his friends - a darn nice guy to boot, and one day I sincerely hope to call him "friend" as well.

David Hobby
No one has done more for lighting in photography than Mr. Hobby. An inspiration on so many levels.

and finally, NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professionals)
I'm a fiercely loyal member - recommend them to all my students, take my students to every workshop that comes near us, and strongly encourage everyone I know in the biz to join. Most do - have you?!?

Mpix
You guys and gals have heard me rave about them before. Still can't recommend them enough!

I'll see you on Monday,
Chris

Gone Fishin'

I am, ummmm, otherwise occupied today!

See you tomorrow,
Chris

P.S. Go Pack!

9 Seconds to Better Photoshop

Dave Cross posted a neat article the other day that really caught my attention. It's something that I stress to my students all the time, and rarely practice myself. It's the idea to experiment so that you can learn. As he says, "Easy to say, but with our busy schedules, often very difficult to do."

Here's more:

Generally, I think we're creatures of habit: we do things a certain way in Photoshop because that's the way we were shown at some point, or perhaps figured out for ourselves. So here's where the 9 second idea comes in. If you always use the Gaussian Blur Filter, try that Filter, then Undo and try a different blur filter, just for comparison. You may end up going back to Gaussian Blur, but by trying that quick experiment you see the effects of another filter - even if it's to store that idea away for another project. Each time you do another 9 second experiment you pick up another idea. Try this with Filters, blend modes, adjustment layers, selection tools...

I'm suggesting experimenting for 9 seconds here and there, while you still get the job done.

So what you waiting for?!?

See you tomorrow,
Chris