Photographer Joe McNally Comes To Phoenix For Kelby Traning

Professional photography Joe McNally is coming to Phoenix for the Kelby Training seminar Location Lighting Techniques on Tuesday December 7th.  This full day workshop includes Off Camera Flash Essentials, Multiple Flash Steps, Great Portraits with Multiple Flash, Unleashing Power of Flash, and Bringing out the Big Guns. 

I’ve been to several Kelby Training workshops as they visit the desert (mostly in the Winter – hey they’re clever!) and have enjoyed every one.  As a NAPP member these are so worth the 79 bucks.  Not only do you get great training, the speakers are available for questions inbetween sessions, NAPP and on-site vendors provide discounts to their great products, and there are thousands of dollars in giveaways. 

I have Joe McNally’s book “The Moment It Clicks” and watched his many training videos on the Kelby Training website.  I am really looking forward to this seminar and expect to learn a lot.

http://kelbytraininglive.com/flash-photography-tour

Sports Portraiture Using The Canon EOS 7D and Canon EF 85mm f1.8 USM

Another sports portrait I'm very happy with.  I setup two cold lights, each one at about 45 degrees and three feet behind the subject.  Front lighting was just the ambient room light.  In front and left of camera was a large white reflector.  At each side of the subject I set up a single black 2x3 piece of black foam board about head height just off camera to reduce light spill from the back lighting.

Image was taken, hand-held using a Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF 85mm f1.8 USM AF Lens (my favorite for portraits).  Exposure was 1/60 @ f2.8 set at ISO 400.  Image was adjusted using Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3.2 and Adobe Photoshop CS5.  Hard to believe this is a nine year old boy.  He looks like a high school kid.

Another Image From Old Downtown Scottsdale

Here is another image from a recent walk around the old downtown Scottsdale shops on 5^th avenue.  Taken with a Canon EOS 7D using Canon EF-S 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 IS AF Lens at 35mm.  Exposure was 1/60 @ f5.6, ISO 400.  Image adjusted using Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3.2 and the new HDR Toning feature of Adobe Photoshop CS5.

I had originally taken three exposures of this bench to import into Photomatix Pro for HDR, but really didn't like the way the software rendered the final image.  However, I discovered that importing just a single exposure into the HDR Toning feature of Adobe Photoshop CS5 provided the look I wanted.  Sometimes you just have to try different tools to accomplish your goal.

Canon EOS 7D Takes a Walk Around Downtown Scottsdale

These shots are of  the 5^th Avenue fountain in downtown Scottsdale taken one June morning.   Both shots were hand-held using the fantastic Canon EOS 7D DSLR with the Canon EF-S 18-200mm f3.5-5.6 IS Lens.  Exposure of the left image is f3.5 @ 1/4000, 18mm, ISO 400.  The right image was captured at f16 @ 1/250, 32mm, ISO 400.  Both images were processed for HDR using Photomatix Pro, then adjusted with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3.0 and Photoshop CS5.  I decided to go ‘over-the-top’ with the HDR on these two images.  I just liked the comic book look to them.

More Images Captured Using Sony Alpha 300 DSLR

Here are a couple of other images taken with the Sony Alpha 300 DSLR and Sony 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DT lens.  The lighting was simple, a single tungsten hot light on either side of the camera about 45 degrees to the subject.  The left image was taken with a setting of F6.3 at 1/50 using ISO 800 and a focal length at the lens maximum of 250mm.

The right image was taken with a setting of F4 at 1/60 using ISO 400 and a focal length of 210mm.  Both images were hand held.  Gotta love Image Stabilization.  Both images were also adjusted using Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 and Adobe Photoshop CS5.

Shameless Plug For New Scott Kelby Lightroom and Photoshop CS5 Books

Scott Kelby’s “The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 Book for Digital Photographers” is now available online and in bookstores.  I believe Kelby Training is still offering a free CD of presets if you order now.   I’m already using Lightroom 3 and have the book and presets CD on the way.  His tips and tricks make using the application within my digital workflow that much more efficient.   If you’ve never used Lightroom or use it and never utilized Kelby’s previous books on the subject, I recommend it.  This new version includes his “7-Point System” for Lightroom which allows you to obtain quality, repeatable results quickly.

Another shameless plug is for his upcoming “Adobe Photoshop CS5 Book for Digital Photographers” due out soon.  You can pre-order on the Kelby Training site and receive a free “Photoshop CS5 7-Point System for Camera Raw” DVD.  Of course both books are cheaper if you are a NAPP member. 

Some new things to learn in CS5 include:

•               Processing HDR (High Dynamic Range) images using CS5’s new Merge to HDR Pro.

•               How to master CS5’s new Content-Aware Fill.

•               How to color correct any photo in just three clicks with the included gray card.

•               How to take advantage of all the new Camera Raw features to process RAW images like a pro.

•               A special bonus chapter with Scott’s own Ps CS5 workflow.

Visit Kelby Training to find out more about their available books, DVDs and on-line courses.  They have so much content it’s hard to find the time to learn it all.

Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk 2010, Successful and Fun

Saturday, July 24^th was the third annual Scott Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk.  While there were three walks taking place in Phoenix, and one in Tucson, it was the walk in Flagstaff that caught my attention.  Who wants to walk around Phoenix taking pictures in July, it’s 108 friggin’ degrees?  Not that I need a reason to go up North to the mountains and pine trees, but walking around downtown Flagstaff in 70 degree weather taking pictures with other photographers makes for a great one.

The people and the equipment were diverse as expected.  It was great talking with everyone about style, technique and gear.  Chris, the organizer seemed to be a gear-head like me and while he looked longingly at my Canon EOS 7D, I coveted his Canon EF 70-200mm F4 IS USM zoom lens.  The other payback is viewing everyone’s results.  While many of us took similar paths and photos of similar subjects, everyone saw things a little differently.  In some cases folks captured images of subjects I didn’t even notice.  There were definitely a few photos that generated an “I wish I had seen that” or “I wish I’d have taken that photo”.

The photos I took from this walk also gave me more opportunities to experiment with HDR.  I enjoy the look of HDR and believe in some cases it is a legitimate method of expression.  Not all images, and subjects, benefit from HDR but as they say “art is in the eye of the beholder”.  I have discovered that the HDR Toning Adjustment within Adobe Photoshop CS5 offers impressive creative control over single image HDR which can produce subtle results or ‘over the top’ effects.  However, I usually choose Photomatix Pro from HDRSoft when I want to exaggerate HDR.   I’m happy with many of the final results.

CTZ Photo Samples Gallery from Kelby Worldwide Photo Walk 2010 in Flagstaff, Arizona

Flickr Gallery from the Photowalk

AdoramaTV Provides Photography Training

Popular online camera and electronics store Adorama is now providing a new training service.  Called AdoramaTV this new service is hosted by Professional Photographer Mark Wallace, and offers basic photography tutorials, behind-the-scenes looks at how to conduct a photo shoot in a studio or in the field, interviews with professional photographers and videographers, and informative reviews of new cameras, lenses, accessories and even weekly reviews of mobile photography related apps for the iPad.

AdoramaTV Website

Using New Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3

I downloaded the 30-day trial version of the new Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3 application to give it a spin before I buy it.  I've been using Lightroom since the first version and have been playing with the 3 Beta for several months, so I'm ready to make the switch to the full retail version.  Even at only 99 bucks to upgrade, why not enjoy it free for a month?

I took some grab shots after the kids played in the backyard sprinkler, and ran 'em through Lightroom 3.  Using a couple of the built-in presets as a starting point I then incorporated some creative adjustments, and I'm happy with the results.

View RAW Files Using Windows 7 Explorer

I recently upgraded my PC to Windows 7 64-Bit and just realized today that I could no longer view my RAW files in Windows Explorer. This was easy to remedy as it’s just a quick download and install from the Microsoft Pro Photo website. They obviously haven’t updated this site in awhile as it still only references Windows XP and Vista, or no one’s bothered to test it on Windows 7 yet. Well, I just did and it works fine. Select the appropriate manufacturer, Sony in my case, click the provided download link, install and reboot. After the reboot native RAW files will be viewable in preview mode within Windows Explorer.

I still have Sony’s first foray into Digitial SLR, my trusty Alpha 100 (over four years and still shooting), and the 200 and 300 series are supported by this codec. But I’m not sure about the latest 500 series. I would assume they would be, but you’ll just have to try it yourself if using the A500 or A550.

Other codecs include Nikon, Canon, Pentax and even one for the .DNG format. If you’re not using software for organizing and editing photos such as Google’s free Picasa or the wonderful Photoshop Lightroom from Adobe, this provides a quick way to view your RAW files in their original folders. It will even open them for viewing using the legacy Windows Photo Viewer.

AdobeTV Is On The Air...Or At Least The Web

Damn, just when I thought I was already overwhelmed by training materials from the web, (Scott Kelby gets a lot of my free time) Adobe is providing hours and hours and hours and hours…(you get the point) of information covering its products. Calling this new evil incarnation AdobeTV they have set out to expend more of my limited free time with training episodes on everything from Creative Suite 4 to Photoshop Lightroom and Photoshop Elements. Add to the mix Channels covering Photo Editing, Print Design, Web Development, Photo Management and many more, my family may never see me again. The worst part of this plethora of information is that Adobe is providing it for free…SOB’s.

Like a piece of chocolate cake, how do they expect me to resist free online training and information? The simple answer is…I can’t. They even let you customize the homepage, save your favorite episodes in a personal library and provide RSS feeds to your favorite content. After I post this article I’m off to check out the Photo Management Channel. The kids can tuck themselves in can’t they? Can you be an absentee father while still being in the house? AdobeTV is chock full of tasty photo editing and manipulation goodness. So dig in.

http://tv.adobe.com/

Minimalist Lighting: Professional Techniques for Location Photography

Recent Photography Book:
Packed with incredible images and step-by-step techniques, this book is a must have for commercial, wedding, and portrait photographers working on location who want to maximize their time behind the camera and minimize their time spent hauling cumbersome lighting equipment. The tips show how to select easily portable and versatile equipment for location shoots, cutting down on the packing and porting of expensive equipment.

With techniques and information on the latest technology—including battery-powered flashes and accessories—this reference shows photographers how to work with smaller and lighter-weight lighting equipment without sacrificing quality. Whether shooting portraits, landscapes, or interiors, whether indoors or out, photographers will embrace the portable approach offered in this valuable resource. Find out more.

The New Low-Light Photography

Sharp, clean images lit by just a burning candle. Smooth, natural skin tones in dim, mixed lighting. Blur-free scenes shot handheld at 1/8 sec. Action frozen without a flash. Details in shadows without compromising color. Autofocus that locks on in the dark. Welcome to today's low-light photography.

Read the entire article on popphoto.com

NAPP Lightroom 2.0 Learning Center

Speaking of the Lightroom community that has developed over the last year, NAPP (Nation Association of Photoshop Professionals) has been one of the leading proponents of Adobe’s non-destructive photo editing and digital photography workflow application. Their new site includes a wealth of information including an overview of the application’s new features, FAQ, videos, on-line training, and links to several other Lightroom on-line sources.

Check out the NAPP Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.0 Learning Center website for yourself.

Adobe TV Launched As New Training Resource

Adobe has launched a new online video resource. Adobe TV offers channels for photographers, designers, developers, and video professionals, each of which makes a wide selection of video tutorials available for free viewing. While some of the tutorials are produced by Adobe itself, others come from a variety of well-established professional training companies and publishers, including xTrain, Lynda, and Total Training. Adobe TV has launched with over 200 videos, and plans to add new segments each week.

The training videos can also be watched via the Adobe TV channel on Adobe's new Media Player software. In addition to Adobe TV, the player offers access to a broad range of programs from television networks and other content publishers. You can download the player for free from Adobe's Web site.

Popphoto.com - Cool Cameras for HDR Photography

Pretty much every DSLR out there can be used to make High Dynamic Range images, but some make it easier than others.

Briefly, HDRI involves capturing the same scene at different exposures, then merging and processing these bracketed shots through a specialized workflow to pull as much detail out of the image -- from the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights.

Read the entire online article.

Terry White Introduction To New Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 For Macintosh

Terry White takes a first look at the new Photoshop Elements 6 from Adobe for Macintosh on the Adobe Creative Suite Video Podcast.

New Photoshop CS3 Video Podcast From Terry White

Terry White has added a new post to his Adobe Creative Suite Video Podcast covering how to add a spotlight to your images using Photoshop CS3. Find the link to this new post in the Podcasts section below, along with new casts from the Digital Photography Show, LightSource and Photoshop User TV.

New Book - The Creative Digital Darkroom

Wondering what to buy with that holiday gift card? Another photography related book that will be available in a couple of days is The Creative Digital Darkroom from O'Reilly Media.

Co-authored by photographer and teacher Sean Duggan, The Creative Digital Darkroom translates skills, concepts, and nomenclature of the traditional darkroom into digital solutions for photographers who sense that, despite the newness of the technologies at hand, there remains a timeless method for learning and practicing photography the right way. This is not a Photoshop book per se, but it does focus on the photographic aspects of Photoshop, something other books claim to do but rarely have the discipline to accomplish. The Creative Digital Darkroom includes:

- Four sections that cover the black & white darkroom, the color darkroom, creative techniques, and production essentials
- Chapters that begin with a thorough foundation followed by numerous tutorial examples that apply the theory to real-world examples
- Examples and a layout that enables readers to find, understand, and apply the featured techniques quickly and easily
- The authors are both renowned photographers and Photoshop experts

The Creative Digital Darkroom

PeachPit Provides Online Lightroom Resource Center

Peachpit publishing now offers an online resource of their own for Abobe Photoshop Lightroom. Here is their invitation - If you’re a serious photographer who works with a lot of images every day, Adobe’s Photoshop Lightroom software can help streamline your workflow, enabling you to get more done, faster. Whether you’re just learning Lightroom for the first time or looking for pro-level tips to help you do more, better, we’ve got the resources to help. On this page, you’ll find excerpts from our latest books as well as free articles, interviews, podcasts, and downloads from today’s leading Photoshop and Lightroom instructors.

Check out the Peachpit Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Resource Center for yourself.