The Digital Photo Guy

Keeping Up With the Joneses (aka Nikon)

I’ve never been one to fret over features in other cameras but there was one Nikon dSLR feature that caused me a ”Jimmy Carter moment” (I’ve looked on other cameras with lust). Commander Mode, available as far down the Nikon product line as the D70, is an integrated wireless flash controller. This feature allows the dSLR to wirelessly control a compatible, off-camera flash. Canon, on the other hand, has never previously implemented this feature. Canon shooters needed a Canon ST-E2, a $230 gizmo, an extra Canon 580EX II flash for $445 or 3rd party wireless remotes.

Well, citizens, I’m here to tell you that Canon has finally seen the light (Get it? “seen the light” har-har) and added an integrated wireless flash controller to the 7D. So, what’s the big deal you ask? Well, step right up and read today’s article to learn all the cool stuff that this one feature brings to the table.

The illustration above (courtesy Canon) shows one cool application for this feature. In this scenario, the pop-up flash on the 7D can be enabled or disabled depending on what you’re trying to do. If disabled, only the three external flashes are fired by the wireless flash controller. If you want a little extra front fill on the subject, the pop-up flash can be enabled.
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The Eyes Are the Windows to the Soul

Today, we’ll post Part 1 of 2 posts about retouching eyes to add intensity and “pop” to any portrait including those where the photographer messed up! Here’s a photo of my favorite model, Tylor. I made this photo at the beach on one of those days when everything seemed to go wrong. Tylor’s eyes were lost in the shadows and her smile seemed lifeless (below left). After bit of Photoshop Elements magic, I brought back her eyes and the photo is almost acceptable. I think you’ll agree the retouched photo is better because Tylor’s eyes are alive with sparkle.

My technique is a distillation of several classes and workshops. Some were overly convoluted while others were too simplified. I’ve tried to walk a line between complexity and finesse so the end result is convincing but achievable.

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Lessons from a Pin-Up Shoot

These are the best from a “pin-up-style” photoshoot with Tylor yesterday. My personal favorite is the first one in the ’57 T-bird with the red interior (all cars courtesy of Deer Park Winery and Auto Museum). A blue 1950 Studebaker is featured in the 2nd and 3rd photos.

All were lit with 3 strobes. The key light was on a stand and bounced off a Westcott 32″ umbrella. A fill light was set low to emphasize her hair in the T-bird and her legs in the Studebaker. The third strobe was used to add “pop” to the interior of the cars.

All 3 photos were touched up with Topaz Labs Adjust 4 to smooth the skin (not like she needed it) and add “pop”. Readers can try Topaz Labs plug-ins for free and, if they decide to buy, use the discount code “digitalphotoguy” for 15% off.

(I have no financial ties to Topaz Labs, they extend this discount to my readers because I am a recognized Photoshop Elements instructor)

I plan to offer a Pin-Up Shoot Workshop in the Fall. If you’re interested in a 4-hour posing and lighting class for $99, post a comment or send me an e-mail to be notified when it’s ready. I need a minimum of 8 students to schedule the class and book the venue.
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Fireworks and Indian Pow Wow

Mary, Alf and I spent the weekend at Pechanga Casino and Resort for the pow wow and fireworks display. The fireworks were OK but I guess I’m burned out on “bombs bursting in air”. We had staked out a spot on the top floor of the parking structure with our car, thinking others would respect that. How foolish of us! When we got there, kids had literally crawled over our car to climb up on the 3 foot retaining wall. These are the same kids whose parents would sue for millions if they fell off the wall.

Anyway, I suddenly realized that fireworks are pretty repetitous. If you’ve seen the basic patterns, it’s just more of the same without some context. I tried framing the Pechanga Hotel to add context but there wasn’t much there. The following is a composite of a red peony and a green peony.
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E-Mail Notifications Not Working

I just discovered that my e-mail notification system hasn’t been working since around April 20, a month ago. I haven’t made any changes to the system so either my host has made changes or something else is intefering with the e-mail system.

If you’ve been receiving e-mail updates over the past month, please let me know. Obviously, if you haven’t been receiving updates, you’d only know that if you happen to drop in today.

Temecula Western Days

I was in Temecula, CA on Sunday, May 17 for the 2010 Western Days and Chili Cook Off. My intent was to photograph some of the High Noon Shoot Outs and sample the chili but, in photography, flexibility is imperative.
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