The Digital Photo Guy

Pin-Up Shoot – Sock Hop Theme, Jan 16

Photoshop Elements in 6 Weeks, starts Feb 16

Flash Photography in a Flash, Feb 26

Palomar College – Spring 2011

Spring Desert Wildflowers, late March 2011

Combining Tools and Techniques into a Process

Several months ago, while teaching a Photoshop Elements webinar, I discovered that some people don’t differentiate between tools, techniques and processes. Having been trained as an engineer, it seemed odd that non-engineers wouldn’t think the same way! (That’s a joke!) Today’s Video Monday Morning Tip (VMMT) is a look at how I might combine tools and techniques into a process to try to salvage a really bad photo.

Caveat – the best thing for this photo would be the round file followed by a reshoot. This photo has been further lightened from the Jan 3 version.

This two-frame panorama was posted on last week’s Monday Morning Tip (MMT). I was trying different ideas for capturing a scene that had previously eluded me. This attempt wasn’t any better so I was ready to trash these photos when I realized I could use this as a good example of combining Tools and Techniques in a Process. Follow the link to view the video.

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Wild Animal Park Workshop

Flash Photography in a Flash

Pin-Up Shoot – Sock Hop Theme

Palomar College – Spring 2011

Spring Desert Wildflowers, late March 2011

How to Wow with Adjust4 and ReMask3

If you missed the Topaz Labs webinar you can watch the video HERE. The actual webinar starts at minute 15:50. Here’s a pdf of the Video Controls to help you find the exact point you want on the video. Use the scrubber to fast forward or rewind.

Greg Rostami and Ashley Robinson of Topaz Labs presented a great webinar despite some glitches due to rain. Until Dec 25, Christmas, use the discount code “leeotsubo” to get $20 off the ReMask3 price of $69.99. For all other Topaz Labs plug-ins, use the code “digitalphotoguy” any time for a 15% discount. After watching this video, if you aren’t amazed and blown away by the power of Topaz Labs products, you need to check for a pulse!

The above images show what ReMask3 can do in less than 30 seconds. Just think of all those complex masks you’ve always wanted to create.

Workshops and Webinars

Wild Animal Park Workshop Rescheduled Due to Wild Weather

The WAP Photoshoot Workshop on Sat, Dec 18 has been rescheduled to Sat, Jan 8 from 9AM until 1PM. This is one of my most popular “hands-on” workshops. Learn how to get your camera under control by watching and listening to my demonstrations. Then, try it on your own camera with me by your side. Have a question? No problem, I’m right there to help. Register HERE. (You DO NOT need a PayPal account to pay via PayPal, just a credit card)

Flash in a Flash, Saturday, February 26, 2011, 10AM-1PM

If your flash baffles and scares you, this workshop is for you. Learn to take control of your external flash (aka, Speedlite, Speedlight, strobe, etc) and make great flash photos that don’t scream, “This deer-in-the-headlights look created with FLASH!” Learn what all the knobs, dials, switches and menus do on the back of your expensive flash. Register HERE.

Sock Hop Theme Pin-Up Shoot – Sun, Jan 16, 2011

On Sunday, January 16, 2011, I’ll be photographing 3 cute models for a Sock Hop Pin-Up shoot. There’s no formal instruction but you’ll have the opportunity to work with me and a few other experienced photographers. There are 3 spots left. If you’d like to join me, send me an e-mail. There will be a $25 fee plus an $8 entrance fee for the venue. The $25 goes to the models for their time, makeup and accessories.

Palomar College – Spring 2011 Schedule Posted

Palomar College has posted my Spring 2011 classes. I’ll be teaching both Digital SLR for New dSLR Owners (Feb 1 & 3) and Beginning Adobe Photoshop Elements (Mar 1 & 3) via webinar so you can learn from the comfort of your own home computer. Back by popular demand is the my popular Hands-On Photoshoot (Apr 2) at Kit Carson Park in Escondido.

Spring Desert Wildflower Workshop, late March 2011

One of my perennial favorites, spring is a magical time in the desert when everything comes to life. Get down low for amazing macros of flowers. Get up high for gorgeous sunsets and landscapes. Make beautiful photos from almost every vantage point in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. More details as conditions in the desert firm up and I can better predict the spring bloom.

If You Can’t Dazzle ’em With Your Brilliance

Baffle ’em with Photoshop Elements. Obviously, in-camera is the best way to make high-key photos but, you may have noticed, not all photos are made in studios. Some are made inside dark, cluttered places where it’s tough just to set up a backdrop, never mind controlling the light.

Technically, this isn’t a candidate for high-key based on some definitions. In true high-key, Tina would be wearing pastels or whites, no dark colors. OK, so much for technicalities. The following video shows how you can achieve this look with Photoshop Elements.

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How to Really Honor Our Vets

When our perils are past, shall our gratitude sleep?  George Canning

Every year, on one day out of 365 days, the United States pauses to drink beer, barbeque and carry on like any other weekend. Sure, there are still parades in some small towns and old geezers at VFW halls grumbling about “back in the day”. Somewhere, someone is reading Ragged Old Flag (see video below) at some public gathering.

But, along the way, we seem to have lost the meaning of Veterans Day. It’s not about those (like me) who served a tour, came home and picked up where they left off. It’s not about the dead although they certainly deserve our respect and gratitude. It’s not even about those currently serving in some God-forsaken hellhole though they should never be far from our hearts and minds.

For me, it’s about those who came home in pieces, mentally and/or physically. Those who struggle each and every day to piece together their shattered bodies, minds and lives. It’s for these survivors that I commemorate Veterans Day. It’s for John who, at age 17, watched his platoon sergeant die in his arms. It’s for Eric who, at age 19 had his arm torn off during a POW rescue mission. To all the men and women for whom their service has never ended, I salute you, today and every day.

Also, for me personally, I salute the memory of CMSgt John Altizer and Colonel Truman, men who helped shape me into the person I am today. Men who went out of their way to turn a 17 year old kid into an adult by entrusting him with adult responsibilities and decisions.
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This Video Monday Morning Tip (yeah, I know, it’s Thursday) was inspired by an e-mail exchange with a reader in Canada. I hope you find this interesting and useful. In the video, I mention that I set the feather to 2 pixels but don’t explain why. A feather blurs the edge of a selection so it blends better with the surrounding area.

[swfobj src=”http://www.thedigitalphotoguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/PseudoPatchTool.swf”]

If there’s enough interest in intermediate to advanced techniques like this, let me know and I’ll develop more resources including a full webinar class with support.