Progress Report...

A few months ago I committed myself to becoming a better photographer and in the process learn how to post process pictures with Photoshop. This is a progress report.

The latest things I've learned:
*How to make eyes sparkle in post processing
*Popping Color
*Sharpening

Anyway here is my Straight out of the camera shot

And here is my edited shot.

Clouds, Clouds, Clouds...

One more from today...aren't these clouds fantastic?

The First Rose of the Season

Mike has a tradition of picking the first rose of the season from our yard for me...

Isn't it beautiful? Well in real life it is, but on the screen who knows. See my monitor is not synced color wise with Photoshop so apparently what I see and what is really there is quite different. 3 weeks ago I printed out a picture I spent a LONG time editing and it looked TERRIBLE. I haven't opened Photoshop up since because I was so discouraged. I guess I'm going to have to get a device that fixes that problem. *Sigh* Anyway, I hope this picture looks sorta, kinda good because its incredible from my vantage point.

Thanks Mike!

My books arrived!

In my continuing educational pursuit of better photography, I, on a whim last week, ordered (2) photography books (I bought them in a set) and (1) photoshop book. They are all authored by Scott Kelby who is a photography/photoshop professional trainer dude.

I have a feeling that Scott would like that description of him. Why you ask? Have you ever read a funny photography book? I hadn't either...until now. He is hilarious...and smart and he doesn't make you feel like photography is for the elite uppity ups that have money for all the fancy doodads. He talks to you like you are his best friend and the two of you are on a photoshoot together. How refreshing. I have to admit that I spent the good part of 2 hours yesterday devouring the first photography book and I am eager for more. Luckily the books help you along the learning process and you can use them as references not just sit down and read straight through books. He even inspired me to dig out my camera's user manual and actually figure out how to do some things that have been bugging me for the last 2 1/2 years. I tell you those user manual people could learn a trick or two about not boring your readers half out of their minds.

So while I am still only beginning this photography journey, I am once again psyched about it. I hope to have something new to share with you soon. :)

Photoshop Progress Report Glen Canyon Dam

Here is the bridge that passes over the Glen Canyon Dam.

Straight out of the camera

Photoshopped

Alright, tell me what you think? Did I overdo the colors? I struggle with making the pictures look authentic, but also capturing the majesty of the moment. My eyes saw rich deep colors when I took the picture, but that doesn't show up in the image straight from the camera.

To adjust this picture, I used the smart brush tool. Looks like a paint brush with a gear next to it. And boy was it smart. I created a copy layer then chose the 'blue skies' setting and did a couple of brushes in the sky. It automatically picked out all the sky and darkened the blues. I redid it on a different layer with the cloud contrast setting. I then on a third layer enhanced the color saturation for blues and reds. However, that was too bright so I changed the opacity to about 75%.

Alright, now I need some critiquing. :) I can't wait until my book shows up. It 'has left the warehouse!' :)

Photoshop Progress Report BHITG

This is for Jana. :)

Here is the Straight out of the camera shot

The light was flat and it seemed a little hazy.

I was able to enhance it by increasing the color saturation and adjusting the lighting. It actually looks MORE like the Grand Canyon than the first I think. I still wish I could have had a really awesome blue sky behind it. I have another picture of the watchtower that I will post soon that did have blue sky and the contrast between the red rock and blue sky is incredible. Still learning. :)