More on HDRExpose

Posted on Jul 29, 2010 | 0 comments

A result with the auto feature of HDRExpose.

I have been playing with the free trial of HDRExpose, as I posted a couple of days ago (scroll down for that post). Thom Hogan of byThom was quite complimentary on the program’s abilities, and my own limited assessment is that it probably is the best thing going right now for HDR. Above is the image I ended up with after combining seven shots from a small carnival in our area (click on the image for a larger view). Below is the middle (or ‘correct’ exposure I would have gotten without the HDR technique). HDRExpose did this one automatically for me, no tweaks or changes. And, I think it is pretty good.

The original, ‘correct’ exposure.

The sliders and controls take a little getting used to (every program has its own take on how to do things), but I picked up the main sliders quickly. There is a great deal of control offered, and the company offers a couple of getting-started videos on its website which make the learning curve a very short one. Overall, I am impressed. I have played with Photomatix and have tried my hand at the new features of Photoshop CS5. I think I am going with HDRExpose for HDR work, and make no mistake about it, the HDR process itself opens doors for our cameras that were previously closed.

Give HDRExpose a look by clicking here. You just may find it a must-have.

Join the Drawing

Posted on Jul 29, 2010 | 0 comments

Click here for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate from Simplicity Photography Design. Just leave a comment and you will be entered in the random drawing for your choice of any design pack (up to your $100 prize). What could be easier? So sign up now!

Pack up the babies and grab the old ladies ….

Posted on Jul 28, 2010 | 0 comments

My Reserve Champion in the 8×10 color class.

The Monroe County Fair is in full swing, and there is something in it for the photographer in you. Approximately 140 images were entered in the Open Class competition, and that makes for a nice gallery. Images range from small to medium size, from color to black-and-white, from almost untouched to the most creative use of Photoshop. The judging is complete and there are ribbons galore.

Congratulations go out to all the winners. Amanda Fields submitted the overall Grand Champion, a black-and-white print, that earned her a nice $100 gift certificate from framemakers here in Bloomington. Overall, there is much to see and admire, so get on out there and take in a local photo show.

And while you are there stroll over to the 4-H building and take a look at the youngsters’ efforts in the photography classes. It is great to see so much interest in photography from our young people … and there are some very nice images to boot. Looking things over last night I would say the future is in some pretty capable hands. Take a look and tell me if you agree.

More on those pesky tourists

Posted on Jul 27, 2010 | 0 comments

I posted previously on using the Median method to try to remove people from your photos when there is just no possibility of getting a shot without someone walking through (click here for a quick look at that post). Well, photographers all face the same problems and the Tip Squirrel (aka Michael Hoffman) has a nice addition to what I posted. His has some images to accompany his work flow and it is worth a look (click here to see his suggestions).

All of us are faced with trying to get a shot of some popular landmark or tourist destination without the darn tourists (whoops, that describes me on vacation!) getting in the way. This technique works and is pretty easy to do as long as you think ahead while shooting. Read the two posts today and give it a try next time you are out in the field. It just may get you the shot you want.

More, more HDR

Posted on Jul 26, 2010 | 0 comments

Solid advice byThom from Thom (that’s his picture, by the way).

If you have followed my posts for any time at all you know I admire Thom Hogan and his byThom website. He is a Nikon expert, but his advice translates into all type of camera-speak … that is, if you shoot with a Canon or other brand you will benefit from what he writes, also. Today he had a most apropos post on HDR software, giving his concise opinion on some new and old software to make HDR-work easy (and possible). I am including just a bit of his conclusion below:

A few years back programs started appearing to give photographers more control over melding an exposure bracket series into an “HDR image.” Probably the best known of those is Photomatix (that’s MATT-IX, not MAY-TRICKS as many mispronounce it). Photoshop itself now has a Merge-to-HDR function. And recently we’ve gotten some new players, most notably HDRExpose, which is what I used (quickly) to do the top picture. If you look closely you can see some halo-ing and other artifacts of the HDR process in that image. Still, I’ve found that HDRExpose gets me closer to what I want more quickly than the other alternatives I’ve tried. (To be fair, I should point out that the images I’m showing here are some of the toughest I can throw at converters. There’s smoke in the air, which is distorting colors. The red channel is blowing out, even in some of the foreground midtones. The pixel data is just all over the place and needs a lot of moving. This isn’t your everyday sunny shot at the equator.)

Since I know you’re going to ask, I’d rate things this way for HDR, from weakest to strongest: Photoshop Merge-to-HDR, Photomatix, HDRExpose, do-it-yourself.

What I suggest is that you click here and go to Thom’s site. Scroll down to the commentary for July 26 and read the short comments of Software Week. If that article is not visible right away, click on the archives summary at the bottom of the page to find it there. HDR is the future of photography and you don’t want to be left out. Also, you can click here to take a look at HDRExpose, the program Thom was impressed with. Check it out, download a free 30-day trial. You too may be impressed. And, until July31, there is a $50 reduction in the price. So, check it out today!

Fair Warning

Posted on Jul 25, 2010 | 0 comments

At the Fair, but out of the competition.

I was gone for a couple of days and returned home to some pleasant news … and some bad. Let my bad experience be a learning opportunity for the future.

I entered photos in two classes at last year’s Monroe County Fair (and was pleased with the opportunity to exhibit and to garner a couple of blue ribbons). When I prepared images for this year’s fair I went back to the same place to have my prints matted and framed, per fair standards. Assuming my framers would follow last year’s instructions I didn’t pay enough attention to the overall frame size on one photo when I picked it up. It turned out to be a bit oversized when a friend turned it in for me, and, thusly, could not be considered by the judges. I was sorely disappointed to hear the bad news Saturday night as I had spent a lot of time considering how to get just the look the print called for.

The moral of the story? Check and double-check your work and the work you have done for you when entering images in any kind of competition. No matter how many times you or your framing service have done the task at hand, don’t take rules and regulations for granted. Remember the old saw in the building trade: measure twice; cut once. I didn’t this time and it cost me. My image, the one at the top of the post, is a personal favorite and it never had a chance for a prize.

If you attend the fair this week you can see my print, as the fairboard members were kind enough to hang it (but not judge it). When you see it, think of me and my mistake. And vow never to do the same.

Hot Cocoa Action

Posted on Jul 18, 2010 | 0 comments

Hot Cocoa 2 action

Original image.

If you tried and liked the Creamy B&W Chocolate action I recommended before for black-and-white photos you also may like Hot Cocoa 2 for colored prints. I think it gives some photos, especially close-up portraits, a very pleasing texture and color. Of course, I have become an enthusiastic fan of the Creamy Chocolate B&W action, so I may be biased. There is only one way for you to know … follow my lead, download the actions and try them on your images.

First, click on one of the above images to view both in a larger size. You may then go back and forth to compare the two. Then, click here to go back and read my post on the Creamy Chocolate action if you haven’t done so yet or have forgotten what it said. Once you do that you have an idea of what Hot Cocoa 2 may have in store. Third, click here to go to Coffeeshop Actions and find the Hot Cocoa 2 one I have illustrated (all directions for downloading and installing can be found on that website). The actions are free, and you may find more than the couple I am suggesting to be just what you have been looking for.

I liked the original portrait I had of the Dutch woman pictured above. It is a strong character study of a proud and attractive lady. But I like the second one a bit better, after it was run through the Hot Cocoa 2 action. It is warmer, somehow more inviting to me. Again, I like both images … I just like the second treatment a bit more. And it was done effortlessly, and to my exact taste, with Coffeeshop’s free action.

Try it for yourself. You may like it.

Snapshot or Fine Art?

Posted on Jul 16, 2010 | 0 comments

It’s vacation time, whether across town, across the country, or across the world. So, how do you prepare to photograph your much-awaited downtime? You could lug all your gear and spend all your time with your camera. Or you could travel light and take only the barest of necessities. In either case, as a dedicated photographer, you want to have a camera with you to capture what could be a once-in-a-lifetime moment.

Click here to get some advice from a photographer I admire a great deal — David Ziser. He travels a lot, goes to some of the usual (and unusual) vacation spots and packs accordingly. Take a look at some of what he does and what he advises, then perhaps reconsider how you pack for your summer trip.

In any case, enjoy the trip, enjoy the summer, and especially enjoy the coming weekend with camera in hand.

Enter the Monroe County Fair

Posted on Jul 15, 2010 | 0 comments

A blue ribbon winner from the 2009 fair.

Wednesday, July 21st, between 3PM and 7PM are the date and times to drop off photo entries for the 2010 Monroe County Fair. You didn’t know it was coming up so soon? Better hurry, because your photo has to be matted and framed to be accepted for judging and subsequent exhibiting during Fair Week (July 24-31). There is a spirited competition among county photographers for an overall grand prize of a $100 gift certificate from local favorite, Framemakers. But … just because there is only one overall champion doesn’t mean there isn’t a great deal of pride in winning a blue ribbon and showing your work to the throngs who visit the fair each July.

It’s not too late to get an image ready for consideration. To assist I am posting the official fair rules for photographs in the Open Class show below:

PHOTOGRAPHY GALLERY DIVISION
SUPERINTENDENT: Nola Donley 876-1095
ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT: Frances Walden 876-5545

All prints MUST be mounted in a sturdy frame with WIRE HANGER securely strung
across the back for hanging or exhibits will not be accepted. The superintendent reserves
the right to refuse any entries not complying with this rule. Maximum photo size to be 11” x
14”, overall size of the frame not to exceed 340 square inches. Photos must have been taken
since the entry date of last year’s fair.

A special Thank You to Framemakers Custom Picture Framing
Gift Certificate for Grand Champion

JUDGING CRITERIA – The judge is looking for the following:
1. Artistic effect of shapes, color, texture, design.
2. Skill in use of the media.
3. Originality/design
4. Frame and/or mat are appropriate for art subject.
5. Wire hanger for hanging.

BLACK AND WHITE – CLASS
Entry 1: One or more black and white
(or monochromatic, like
sepia) prints in one frame.

BLACK AND WHITE SALON – CLASS
Entry 2: One 8”x10” black and white
(or monochromatic, like
sepia) print, matted and
framed.

COLOR – CLASS
Entry 3: One or more prints in one
frame.

COLOR SALON – CLASS
Entry 4: One 8”x10” color print,
matted and framed.

BEYOND THE CAMERA – CLASS
Entry 5: One or more photographic
prints in a frame that have
been technically or digitally
manipulated so they no
longer resemble what the
camera saw…be creative.

ANY OTHER KIND NOT LISTED -
CLASS
Entry 6: A photo that does not meet
the criteria for the other
classes (e.g. a black and
white photo with watercolor
toning).

What? The Duck!

Posted on Jul 14, 2010 | 0 comments

You gotta check out the guest column on Scott Kelby’s blog today … I promise you it is a treat. Aaron Johnson draws a cartoon strip called What the Duck (no, I hadn’t seen it, either) that is hilarious. It is well-drawn and well-written and it sums up the photographic experience on so many levels that it could be me … or you … or any of us! Trust me and click here. It is a riot.

Horse Progress Days Slideshow

Posted on Jul 13, 2010 | 0 comments

Click on Slideshows at the top of the page and look for Horse Progress Days.

It took a bit to get the show on the road, but if you go up to Slideshows and click on Horse Progress Days 2010 there are images of a great event set to music that complements our down home values. As I have written in the past, it was a great event because of the great people who keep it alive. We owe all of them a debt of gratitude for continuing the traditions and practices of our past.

I hope you enjoy the slideshow as much as I enjoyed the Horse Progress Days.

2010 Horse Progress Days Photos

Posted on Jul 11, 2010 | 0 comments

Click on the team of American Creams to view images.

The 19th annual Horse Progress Days were held in Topeka, IN, on July 2nd and 3rd in 2010. These photos give you an idea of who was there and why they attended. There is a pride and joy that comes through in these images, images that reflect a way of life that is foreign to most of us these days. And that is a shame, for the connection between team and driver reflects a greater connection with our past and our country’s bedrock values. If that is lost or discounted we ourselves may be lost.

View the images by clicking on the team above or go up to Photo Collections and click on 2010 Horse Progress Days. The event was special; the people there are special. I hope you find the images as rewarding as I found the experience of taking them.