Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Cool New Stuff- Online


http://pixlr.com/editor/


This is an online photo editor that is truly amazing. It has all the basics like layers and masking tools, rubber stamp, spot healing, etc. It also has a great range of filters and adjustments that mimic Photoshop better than much of the freeware out there.

The best part is that is it free and online- no hardware space needed for program install.
It will also upload from your computer OR online galleries like Facebook!

Edit from anywhere- maybe even your phone!


ALSO:
Here are some great links I happened upon while surfing around the web.

Tilt shift:
http://www.instantshift.com/2009/11/13/100-examples-of-brilliant-tilt-shift-photography/

HDR:
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/03/10/35-fantastic-hdr-pictures/

Forced Perspective:
http://www.instantshift.com/2010/08/24/88-brilliant-examples-of-forced-perspective-photography/

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Diagrams for basic photo instruction

The photographic triad. At the heart of these functions lies the light meter on your camera. A 'balanced' exposure needs to be appropriate for your subject matter.


This chart is a handy reference for times when you have to make quick, informed decisions with your settings.

A histogram is a chart that defines your exposure per pixel along a scale of grays. The wave shows you a pure vision of the exposure (no subject or meaning here- only pure technology- scientific facts). Too far to the right and you are overexposed; too far to the left and you have underexposure.


Shutter speeds.
These numbers represent fractions of seconds unless you see "- then you know you have reached full second exposures.
B stands for bulb- this is a timed exposure that you fully control.




Motion blur is devastating to a photograph. If you drop your shutter speed below 1/60 second, be sure to stabilize your camera! If you are anywhere around 1/30-1/20 you must think about using a tripod.
Blurry photos = ungood :)


Aperture- Fstop
The opening inside of the lens.
This controls the level of blur due to depth of field - SLR.









ISO- Film speed
The higher the film speed the higher the noise (digital) or grain (film).
Higher film speeds will react more quickly in low light but at the cost of noise.
By rule- use the lowest film speed necessary unless you are choosing noise as a stylistic element to your photo.


Special effects





Our set up and some recent portraits


This is our light set up!

With my help as the light, Nicholas achieves perfect loop shadows that accentuate, because flat light just doesn't look flattering!



We like to have a good time on our shoots!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

041710 Working with Lines (power lines that is)

Available light... Model- Kyle Whitehead

While we were shooting in Lebanon, OH the group was working with 2 reflectors- one on the ground and one above creating soft light.

There are times when it is impossible to avoid lines in the backgrounds of our photos. Where you choose to place your subject makes all of the difference.

Lines lead your eyes around a composition- in this case to his face... eyes.
Notice the horizontal lines do not come out of his eyes, but his forehead.

Follow the gaze.

The line - eye intersection here works because of the glasses.

Dynamic angled lines work with the energy of laughter.

I had to use the lines because there was an arm attached to that reflector (camera left) and the building ended behind Kyle.

This was fun.

041710 Shooting in Lebanon, OH


Nicholas and I spent the day with a lovely group shooting portraits around town on a beautiful spring day!

This most lovely young woman has such a unique presence and taught us a few things about posing!


Waiting for Joe...



Available light portraits of Emily...



Shooting in noon day sun!



While walking around we saw many sites for portraits but I prefer to wander a bit and I had time to take note of some details!




Thursday, April 8, 2010

040310 Mammoth Cave weekend!

We arrived early and were lucky enough to get out of the rain into the 830 historic tour.

The very first signs of Spring were everywhere around us.

The grand entrance to Mammoth Cave and it's elegant waterfall...

It was really dark and difficult to photograph but I am a fan of high contrast and available light and things worked out for me.
The trick is to know your settings and be quick on the draw taking many many many shots.



I love my husband, Nicholas... he took me here for my birthday!

STALACTITES!

I see things in these photos the way people look to fluffy clouds for inspiration.
I'll most likely use these as underlying layers in drawings for my students as a creativity challenges in their sketchbooks.

Nicholas took some amazing photos
Check them out!

Fat Man's Misery is a tight squeeze of a passage. It is keyhole shape and is less than a foot wide around the legs in spots.


This was the entrance to The Frozen Niagara.



CAVE BACON!

Diamond Caverns

This stalactite used to hold the world record as the largest. It was beaten recently by only 3 inches!