'Tis the Season to Get That Camera Out of Auto Mode

If you're like me and leave your camera in auto mode more often than not, now is a great time to do a little experimenting.  (Don't get me wrong.  I'm not knocking auto mode.  For the most part it does a great job, but there are definitely times to take advantage of some of your cameras other features.)

These shots were taken at night, hand held with only the tree lights and one table lamp on in the room.  Both shots are shown as they came straight out of the camera - no editing.  I can hold a camera pretty steady, but in the dim light with auto mode I came away with the shot on the left.  I then went to "Scene" mode and chose "Hand-held Twilight".  In this mode the shutter fires off quickly several times and then combines them into one shot.  You can definitely see the difference.  (My camera is a Sony Nex-5N, so yours may have the same or similar feature but call it something else.  My little point & shoot Canon has something called "Hand-held NightScene" which basically does the same thing.)

I included a snippet from the same area of the tree from each shot, so you can really see the difference close up.

So now with some minor editing (slight levels & brightness adjustments and lightened the shadows just a bit), I've got a shot I'm pretty happy with.

If you've got a photo of holiday lights you'd like to share, please feel free to leave a link in the comments. Your tips are also welcome.

Enjoy the season and capturing those special moments!

Using Poster Edges for Definition

Here's a quick tip using one of my favorite PSE filters...  and by favorite I mean I use it quite frequently - but only in moderation.  I haven't yet found a use for it in it's full blown 'go-for-it' mode, although please consider that a challenge if you like.  

On the left is a section of my original photograph as it came out of the camera.  On the right is an example showing the defined edges for a crisper look.  (We could debate as to whether or not that's a desirable look for this particular photo, but let's just assume that's the look we're going for.)  So find a good image of your own that feels like it might just need a little extra 'punch' and we'll go through the steps...

Obviously if you've been reading my previous posts, you are working from a copy and before you make any modifications to the copy, you've made a duplicate background layer.  No? Go ahead and refer back to the November posts.  I'm not going anywhere! ;)  Also please note that if your image needs any basic adjustments you'll probably want to take care of those first.  For instance you might want to do your levels adjustment.  Once you're happy with your adjustments go ahead and flatten the image ("Layer" - "Flatten Image") and then make a duplicate layer of your now enhanced image.  OK, let go...

This is super simple and can really add a lot to the right photograph.  Making sure you have your duplicate background layer highlighted (the one on top), go to "Filter" in the menu bar and then select "Filter Gallery".

Elements will open up a new screen for the "filter gallery".  You'll have lots of choices to play with here, but for now pick "Poster Edges" under "Artistic".

Once you select "Poster Edges" you'll see that it gives you some options off to the right. Even though I have "Edge Thickness" and "Edge Intensity" set at "0", it will still give me a bit of an edge.  Play around and move all 3 sliders back and forth to see what it does to your image.  Quite honestly, this "0-0-6" configuration is what I most often use, occasionally pushing out of my comfort zone with a big, scary "1" for either thickness or intensity. 

You have the eyeball icon here, just like on the layers panel.  Works the same way - click on, click off to see your image with or without the filter you've applied.

This would probably be a good time to mention that the size/resolution of your image will have a big impact on the effect your get when applying any of the artistic photo filters .  If you're working with a large file at 300 dpi, you're going to see far less impact than if you've working with a smaller file at 72 dpi.  I recommend that you make all of your adjustments on a larger file, which can then be sized down after you've tweaked it to your liking and flattened the file. (Let's say you start going crazy on a small file and then decide you've created a masterpiece, which you're now thinking might make kind of a cool poster size print... well guess again.)

So off my soapbox and back to the task at hand...  You've now tweaked the "Poster Edges" settings to your liking or something close.  Go ahead and hit "OK".  The gallery will close and put you back on your main PSE screen with your newly modified image.

Since your artistic filter has only been applied to your top layer, if you decide it's a little strong you can grab the "Opacity" bar (just like we did when adjusting levels).  Dial it down a bit and some of your original image will start to show through, lessening the effect of the "Poster Edges".

That's it!  Sometimes you won't like the effect at all.  (Remember "Undo" is probably the most used tool in our 'Beginner's Toolbox'.)  There are times I find it does the trick, especially if my shot just isn't quite as sharp as I'd wanted.  In the image above I happen to like the way it adds to the detail of the tree bark and gives some definition to the leaves.

How or if you use it is all a matter of personal preference.  But it's an option and one you might find useful at times.

Photographing Food.. How to do it better...

Some of you know that I like snapping pictures of food, but I've only done it as a very quick & casual thing. I thought I'd share Brooke McLay's SmugMug site with some great examples of what a pro is capable of. She's a food photographer and recipe developer and I'm definitely going to be spending some time studying her photos.

 

One of my favorite shots from her page.  Talk about natural lighting!  How cool is this?

Outdoor shot, taken from below with the cucumbers floating on top.  Love it!!

And I thought I was being kind of professional, artsy-fartsy by keeping the kitchen clutter out of the shots and sometimes shooting at a bit of an angle. (Hey it smells good & I want to get on with eating it!) But I can definitely see that I've got room for improvement, particularly with the lighting. 

Here is a nice SmugMug tip sheet where Brooke fills us in on just how she gets these great shots of hers. While she is definitely a pro and goes to great lengths to setup her shoot, I'm lucky to whip together a dish that even looks worthy of a shot.  So I most likely won't be traipsing off to the lumberyard for just the right backdrop. Though perhaps I'll start putting forth a bit more effort, rather than simply clearing some counter space with a quick shove of my arm.  Thanks for the tips Brooke!

PSE Levels Adjustments

In the last post we're assuming we've had some beautiful results with the "Auto" levels tool. Now I'll show you what I do when I'm not so happy with "Auto".  (I should mention here: I had to pull up quite a few different shots before I could find a couple that "Auto" didn't do the trick on.  Pretty good indicator that Elements is getting smarter with each new version.)

So just for drill...  You've got an image up that is a COPY of your original and you've created a duplicate background layer.  If you're reading this and going "Huh?", please go back and look at the previous 2 posts.

This is my original untouched image.  Remembering to make sure your copy layer is selected, go to Enhance-Adjust Lighting-Levels or use the shortcut Ctrl-L.

This is the result I got with "Auto".  There is absolutely nothing wrong, if this vivid look was what I was going for, but I liked the softer feel of the original.  I just want to improve it by eliminating that gray hazy look. But I go ahead with "Auto" and say "OK".

Now look at the layers panel.  You can adjust the opacity of the layer that you just altered. Slide it back and forth and see how your image changes. Basically this layer is sitting on top of your original and the further you slide the percentage down, the more your original is showing through.

For this image I backed it off to 38%, retaining some of the softer look of the background layer, but giving it a bit of punch with the new adjusted layer.  So that's one way to adjust levels.

Now I've got an image of Betsy (one of our Buff Orpingtons) and it's pretty dark and dingy looking. I'm going to try "Auto" again because I pretty much always try "Auto" -- it just doesn't always do the trick.

Yikes!  It's no longer dingy, but it also blew all the warmth right out of the picture. When you absolutely hate what it does to your image, just hit "Reset" and we'll try it a different way.

Now instead of "Auto" just use your mouse to grab the little sliders on the left & right of the "Input Levels" chart.  General rule of thumb here is that you want to bring them in just to where your "mountain range" starts.  So for this image I barely moved the one on the left and then pulled the one from the right in to where the graph just starts to rise.  Voila!

Whether or not you agree with the outcome of my images, the point here is to show you the tools.  Obviously the final product is going to be a matter of personal preference.  That's what makes it unique and makes it yours.  Play around with it, go wild!!  After all, your original is stashed away someplace safe -preferably in 2 safe places.  No? Better see my post: BACK IT UP! 

My Version of the "Basics of Editing" - Part II

So on the last post we got to the point where we have one (duplicated / non-original) image up on the screen and have created a duplicate background layer. 

For the purpose of this demonstration I've grabbed a different image that is a more typical landscape shot.

So the way I work is that I'm going to leave my background layer alone and do all of my editing with layers on the top of it.  This will make more sense as we go along, but for now just make sure you've clicked on the copy layer and that it's highlighted.

Probably 99.9% of the time the first edit I make (or at least look at) is "Levels".  Most digital images have a bit of a grayish haze in them.  It varies depending on the lighting conditions the photo was taken in and sometimes with perfect conditions you may not get it at all.  But most often it's there to some degree and you may not even realize it until you take a gander at the "Levels" tool...  So go to "Enhance", "Adjust Lighting" and "Levels".  As you can see from the screen shot above CTRL+L is the shortcut if you'd rather use that.

You'll then get the Levels box with lots of options, but for now we're going to keep it simple.  Just make sure the "Channel" has defaulted to "RGB" and that the "Preview" box is checked.

In some of the older versions of PSE  "Auto" would destroy the look of your photo more often than not.  However the later versions are smarter and I find that quite often "Auto" is bang on.  So give it a click and see what happens.  I'm quite happy with what it did for this image and for the sake of this exercise I'm going to hope that you had similar results.  It's a subtle difference but hopefully you can see that it has cleared, brightened and just given a bit more definition to the shot.  Regardless of the outcome of your photo, go ahead and click "OK" - just for the sake of the exercise.  You can always go to "Edit" - "Undo" later!

Now take a look at your layers panel.  You see the little eyeball is open on both layers in the first example.  If you click on the background copy's eyeball (example 2) it will shade the eyeball and draw a slash through it, making that layer invisible. So click on, click off --  easy quick way to compare the before and after of that particular edit.  You'll really see the value in this when we start building multiple layers.

This time I'm happy with "Auto", but there will be lots of times it just doesn't quite do the trick or doesn't even come close.  So surprise, surprise... next up we'll tackle "Levels Adjustments".

My Version of the "Basics of Editing" - Part I

To date, I do all of my editing with Photoshop Elements.  I'm currently on version 11, but if you're working with a previous or a newer version, this should all work pretty much the same.  In this post I'm going to cover the very first steps that I do each and every time.

Before we get started let me point out that I always work in "Expert" mode (across the top). Not because I'm an expert (by any means), but because "Quick" has only the very basics, which are also in "Expert" and I see no reason to waste time flipping from one to the other. (There are some fun things in the "Guided" section that we'll explore another time.)

So the very first thing I do once I open an image, is go to "File" and then "Duplicate".  The reason for this is you NEVER want to alter your original image. ALWAYS work from a copy and keep the original safe for future use if needed.

You'll then get a screen asking you to name the new image.  Once you've named it and hit "OK", you should close your original.  Yes, just get it off the screen before you confuse the two and end up altering them both (And yep, I learned this lesson the hard way!).

Next we're going to take it one step further.  From your layers panel (to the right of your screen & if it's not showing you may have to select it), take your mouse, grab your background layer and drag it up (or down in some of the previous versions) to the "create a new layer" symbol.  

You should now have a screen that looks something like this.  Only one image opened, with two identical layers in the panel.

It is now past my bedtime and I might turn into a toad.  Part II coming up - hopefully tomorrow.

BACK IT UP!!!

... and yes, I am screaming this or at least speaking in a very stern voice...

Some years back I had a brand spank'n new computer seize up on me only a couple of months out of the box.  I was able to ship it back to the factory and had it returned to me in tip-top shape, but I lost all the data - including my pictures.  Luckily all of my older photos were backed up on discs, but I lost everything I had taken for those 2 or 3 months.

(For those of you wondering... Yes, I would rather have a Mac but it's just

not in the budget.  Plus my newer HP is performing like a champ!)

Lesson learned.  Since that time I never clear my camera card until I have my images downloaded in 2 places.  After deleting the obvious 'flubs', I download to my computer and only after I pull those same files over to my external hard drive, do I format my SD card.

Don't say I didn't warn you!

Nature Photography Tips

Just discovered this nifty little site full of tips for nature photography:

National Wildlife Federation's "Photozone"

Definitely worth taking a look at.  I'll be going back to read more, but what I've seen so far has been quality stuff.  It includes some of the basics you'd expect to see, but other tips as well - like how to photograph in wet weather.  Could come in handy in this Pacific NW climate.

Easier Said Than Done

I'm trying to follow my own advice, but this is tough.  I just bit off a very small chunk of the vast quantity of photos currently on my SD card. I grabbed the 83 photos I took while walking the Cedar River trail last weekend.  I've only managed to eliminate 11 on the first go 'round, leaving me with 72.  I've got to get better at this!  After all, how many photos does one need of spawning salmon and yellow leaves??   And I haven't even begun to touch the following day at the Pumpkin Patch with my grandson -- or the week long camping trip back in September! Ahhhhhhh!!!  OK, back to see if I can whittle away a few more...

Photoshop Elements Software

A few weeks ago I got an email from Adobe allowing me to upgrade to PSE 11 at a good discount.  I've been on version 9 for quite a while now and it seemed like a good deal (of course I did a bit of research first, not being one to part with my hard-earned $'s easily).  So I snagged it, only to have them announce a week or so later that version 12 is available.  Now they tell me!  Well after being mildly perturbed, I did more research and other than 12 having a new "pet-eye fix" I didn't see much to be disappointed about.  Some of the upgrades are enhancements for those of you who want to integrate your Elements photos with your smarty-pants cell phones.  I don't have one - a smart one that is, so I'm happily sticking with version 11 for the foreseeable future.

If you're thinking about upgrading or purchasing your very first copy, here is a link that compares some of the latest versions:

Adobe Photoshop Elements Buying Guide

If you're planning to buy, be sure and check out pricing at Amazon.com before purchasing elsewhere. They usually have at least a $10 discount, even on the latest version.  Also if you're going for your very first copy, I would definitely recommend version 12.  There isn't that much of a price difference and you might as well start with the latest & greatest.

Now that I'm armed with my new software, I'll start playing around with the included "Element's Organizer". Got to get these massive amounts of images under control!  I have a feeling that this very intensive exercise will teach me to be a little more selective with the amount of picture taking I do in the future. 

Where to Put All Those Photos?

So guess what I've been doing for the last week?  Well lots of things involving life in general and totally unrelated to photography, BUT...  I've actually spent a bit of time deleting some of my oodles of photos (per my last blog post).  Now it's just a fraction of what needs to be done, but the point is I'm trying!!!

I've also come to realize that my tidy, little mind (with OCD tendencies) had not been using the best system for organizing my excessive collection of images.  Here's what my "Pictures" folder looks like.  As you can see, I'd oh-so-neatly dumped everything into it's corresponding year, with a few specialized folders for miscellaneous type items.

I'd then broke it down further (as any obsessive organizer would), so that within each year we have (of course!) the 12 months of the year.

Yes, it's worked adequately for a time, but here's the deal.  If I want to find pictures of my grandson's 3rd birthday, I can pretty quickly find what I'm looking for.  March is March and always will be - just get the year right.  But what if I want to find all the pictures I've ever taken of yellow roses?  Or pictures of my dog?  Holy cow!  Now we're getting into some major time issues!  

Obviously I should have taken advantage of key words and some type of organizer.  So that's my next task.  I've never really explored the organizer that comes with Photoshop Elements. Stupid, I know - been right under my nose all this time.  So does anyone have any advice?  Has anyone used the PSE organizer or have any other program to suggest?  

Keep Only What You'll Use

Something I very much need to drill into my own routine.  If I come away with nothing in the next year but manage to accomplish this, I will feel like a huge success.  I don't even know how many thousands of digital images I have stashed away on my computer (since 1999 so you can imagine).  It's not so much about space these days, now that computers have more than ample hard drive capacity.  It's the simple matter of being organized and saving yourself time in the long run.  Months or years from now, who wants to sort through that extra 50%, 75%, or whatever, looking for that certain something?  So I will probably die without ever making this happen with everything from 1999, but starting NOW, here is the plan:

• Each and every time I go to load pictures from my camera, I will (at a minimum) quickly cycle through them on the big screen and delete any shots that are an obvious waste of time - the out of focus, the wrong angle, that gal who normally has such a nice smile but now managed to look as if she's ready to puke, etc.

• Then I will cycle through again, more carefully and decide things like this:  Of those 10 nearly identical shots, let's just see if we can't narrow it down to 2 or 3 keepers - or even 6 would be an improvement.  Discard the rest.  Why would you ever need them?   (Follow this advice if you like, but I'm really speaking sternly to myself here.  I can literally spend hours scrutinizing things to pieces and what a waste of time!  I could be out shooting more pictures or taking care of some worthwhile task that would otherwise suffer - like laundry!  So pick the first 3 or 4 that initially grab ya and be done with it!)

Now that we've got our keepers, we'll need to talk about how to best organize them, but that's for another day.

Groupon Deal for Metal Prints

I haven't tried doing any metal prints yet, but I just came across a very affordable way to give it a whirl.  For the next 5 days Groupon is offering an 8x10 metal print for only $5.  Of course there is shipping on top of it, which happens to be $14.95.  Still for $20 you're getting what is normally $30 plus shipping @ RitzPix.  Could make for a nice gift with the holidays coming.

Groupon Link

I just purchased two.  Now the hard part... How to narrow down which 2 images I want to use!

Back in the Saddle (so to speak)

Well obviously I wasn't quite ready to "get crack'n" as I'd mentioned in a previous post.  It's been a beautiful, busy summer (lots of photo taking) and I've also spent some time creating my photo website.  I'm still working on adding more to the galleries, but other than that it's up and running.

www.images-byramona.com

Back to this blogging thing.  I'm excited to get going, but I also want to be realistic.  As much as I'd love to do more, I'm setting the hopefully, obtainable goal of a weekly post or the equivalent of at least 52 posts by this time next year.  That may not sound like a lot, but since it's my intention of learning something with each one, there could be a fair amount of time spent behind the scenes.  The quick snippet on the blog is simply a recap and something for me (us) to refer back to. 

If only the day job didn't get in the way of the things I'd really like to be doing!  Ah well...

First up...

So one of the first things I found online, that I've gone back to multiple times and will continue to do so, is a great website by this fella, Rick Peterson.   He is giving away his knowledge of Photoshop Elements in easy to understand tutorials.  Be sure and sign up for his email newsletter.  He immediately starts sending you tips, the first few including videos, complete with printable cheat sheets for some simple commands.

Yes, some I'd already figured out.  However after years of using Elements, I'm only now using "shift-tab" to remove everything from the screen except the top menus & toolbar, giving me my whole screen to work on a large image.  Who knew?!  Well no doubt lots of folks, but not I.  Thank you Mr. Peterson!!!  

Check it out:  http://www.essential-photoshop-elements.com/index.html

Getting Started

As I ponder where to start, I realize I'm about to expose my ignorance.  Why - when there are so many wonderful books, web articles and how-to videos - have I spent years fumbling around trying to teach myself PS Elements?  Why - when my camera has so many settings - do I primarily leave it on "auto"?

This is not a new hobby of mine. I've been interested in photography for as long as I can remember.  I latched onto digital as soon as it became available.  The instant gratification along with the ability to manipulate my own images was something this control freak just couldn't resist!  So why it has taken me this long to get to the point where I'm ready to reach out and learn more, I really can't say.  I just know I'm excited to step out of my comfort zone, set some goals and get crack'n!

I'm Feeling Lucky...

So today I decided to start a blog.  And today I was also treated to this double rainbow.  I'm choosing to take this as a very good sign.