Taking your photos to the next level

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Keith Willette on July 26, 2008 at 1:38pm

I think we all are, what were your ideas concerning that?

Permalink Reply by Rory Mole on July 27, 2008 at 7:21am

Hi there Keith,

I thought that there are many of us here who use a certain method in our editing and there is a strong chance that the methods used are different. What I suggest is that we share our methods with one another and just we will be learning some new Photoshop Skills in editing and even how certain pictures are taken. What I mean is that it would be nice to post a photo up and than share how you actually got that picture. People could share the camera EXIF info, how they set their camera up, if there was one or more exposure, what kind of lense was used and then also the Photoshop process that was done on the photo. I know that I would be interested to know some things and learn from others.

Permalink Reply by Keith Willette on July 27, 2008 at 7:40am

Thats a good idea. Normally that type of info is required when ending high-end photo contests too.

Permalink Reply by vjekoslav antic on July 27, 2008 at 8:15am

I like that but I am curious how solve problem with difference between software and many members not have RAW format.

Permalink Reply by Rory Mole on July 29, 2008 at 12:17am

Unfortunately it is difficult to cater for all the different kinds of software, but if someone uses Paintshop Pro, then they can post up a picture that was edited in Paintshop pro for the Paintshop Pro users and likewise those who use Gimp can post up a process for Gimp. That way, lots of methods can be discussed and passed on.

Permalink Reply by vjekoslav antic on July 30, 2008 at 11:57pm

I agree.

Permalink Reply by Rory Mole on July 31, 2008 at 7:50am

Hi there Patricia,

Thanks so much for your contribution. This is moving along with what I thought could benefit others. I felt that perhaps a step by step procedure in your choice of software could help others to try out your method. Some people on this website will need a step by step guide in point form about how to achieve what you have done.

Permalink Reply by Rory Mole on July 31, 2008 at 12:21pm

Hi there Damien, Thanks for your thoughts. I certainly do agree with you about using film for a month, this would definitely help develop certain skills. One thing I do know though, is that because we have entered the digital age, the digital way of processing has changed things for the better. Photoshop is the darkroom now and there is a slightly different learning curve involved with photography, but the basics of camera skills are still the same, just the processing has developed in software. This is where people can help one another, especially those who are new to digital photography.

Permalink Reply by Rory Mole on July 31, 2008 at 12:28pm

What I thought would be a good idea is this.

Anyone who has a digital processing technique that they use on certain photos, can upload a step by step process of what they did to get their photos looking the way they do.

For instance, When I shoot landscape images, I always shoot in RAW mode. I then get back to my computer and upload the RAW images. I then look for an image that will potentially produce something that will later "speak to the viewer". I like drama in the skies, such as dark clouds and different kinds of lighting. I then enhance the lighting and dark skies through 2 different exposures of the same RAW image, but not always HDR. I then use layer masking to bring out the darks and the lights in an image in Photoshop CS3.

There have been quite a few people in the past year who have asked me how I get certain effects in my photos. I have emailed them a detailed explanation of how I achieved what I do. Not everyone wants to spend the time emailing someone with a detailed explanation. This is quite time consuming, but it can help people get started in their editing process.

Permalink Reply by Keith Willette on July 31, 2008 at 1:52pm

Damien,

I SOOOOO agree witht he film comment. I tell ya, I belong to a photo chat room on AOL w/ lots of photogs. Many pros and ametures and everything in between. What I've noticed is that since the diggi introductions lots of skills have been lost or not even learned by newcomers. My daughter just finished her highschool course and I was impressed with the teacher. He made them start w/ b&w fim. They had to learn to managerthier shots to really think about what they were doing and to double check all their metering. They were also only allowed to shoot with 400 ISO film with no flash ever. When the film semester was over and they moved to diggi most went to point and shoot cams. My daughter STOLE (LOL) my DSLR cuz she wanted to use something simular to the film camera (I let her use my F5). The point I'm trying to make is shooting film first w/ a lot of restrictions forced her to think about every shot. She couldnt look at the image after shooting and had to time to reshoot so she HAD to get it right. She HAD to meter correctly and understand DOF, composing and using the frame right.

Permalink Reply by Rory Mole on July 31, 2008 at 10:50pm

Hi there Keith, I fully agree that people tend to be more careful with their shots using a film camera and this would mean that they would have to get everything right in camera. Thanks so much for this point, it is noted.

Permalink Reply by Rory Mole on April 2, 2009 at 12:21pm

Hi there Zigman,

Thanks for the input and for sharing.

Just to share with you.... I've tried just about all the different image editing packages on the market.... These ones I do have.... Paintshop Pro Photo 11, Gimp, Photo Impact, Picasso, Photoshop Elements, Serif Photo Plus. These are a few of the well known image/photo editing packages on the market. I also do have Photoshop CS 3 and I must say, without a doubt, Photoshop is the best, most versatile one of the lot. There are more sites dedicated to tutorials and help for Photoshop than any other. There are more books on the bookshelf written by all sorts of authors which cover various design aspects of Photoshop and photography techniques.

The only ones in my opinion that come anyware close to Photoshop are :- Paintshop Pro and the open source package... Gimp. If you are willing to go into a tough, frustrating learning curve, then Gimp is the application of choice here. Paintshop pro has become quite automated as well. Another one to consider is Elements, but it is a little bit limiting in that it only edits 8 bit images, but you can do about 90% of the techniques that Photoshop can do. Photoshop can edit 16 bit images from RAW and it is fantastic.

Whatever way you choose to go, I am sure that you will do well. The aim here is that you master the program that you prefer. But if at all possible, my recommendation is that you get Photoshop CS3/4 if your pocket will allow.

Thanks once again for your contribution.