The Digital Photo Guy

Easy-Peasy, Lemon Squeezy

Learning Phooshop and Photoshop Elements isn’t rocket science but it’s not quite like falling off a log either. There are definite steps you need to master before you can advance to more complex techniques. Today’s Video MMT tackles the Dodge, Burn and Sponge Tools, a trio of useful but klutzy tools that require a delicate touch. A lot of people say the Dodge and Burn Tools in PSE are lame but it’s really a matter of what you’re trying to do. The power of PS and PSE lies in the fact that there are many ways to do the same thing and which tool you use depends on the photo, what you’re trying to accomplish and your skill level.

Like many MMT and VMMT ideas, this was triggered by a student question after a recent Wild Animal Park Photoshoot Workshop. After the workshop, he e-mailed a photo (left, below) and asked for my critique.

I quickly hit it with Topaz Labs Adjust 3 (center, above) and explained how I toned down the bright highlights and pumped up the saturation of the meerkat to increase contrast from the background. He then wanted to know how to do the same in PSE so I edited the 3rd photo (right, above) using just tools in PSE. Today’s VMMT explains how I did that.
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Topaz Labs to Present FREE Webinar

Readers who attended the last Topaz Labs webinar will remember how much fun we had and all the great info presented by Eric Yang. Well, Eric has gone back to school so, this time, we’re shooting for Ashely Robinson. Eric may have been the Marketing Manager but everyone knows Ashley is the one who actually does all the work.
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No More Exciting Landscapes or Flowers

Now, we’re into the druge, hard work part of the California Photo Festival. This is hard work but someone has to do it. We’re stuck in small studios for hours at a time, trying to wring the best photos we can from subjects that are selected for us. We don’t even have a say in subject matter.

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Adding Catchlights to Eyes

When we left off last week, Tylor’s pupils had been darkened and the iris lightened with color restored. But, as anyone can see (below), there’s still something missing. That “something” is catchlights, those sparkles in the eyes that add life to otherwise dull photos.

In this video, we’ll add not one but two catchlights in each eye. When you see how this works, you’ll agree that it’s much better than a single catchlight.

[swfobj src=”http://www.thedigitalphotoguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/tylor_retouchEyes_Pt2.swf” align=”none”]

Sadly, Tylor, my favorite pin-up model, has moved to Washington DC to live with her Dad so I won’t have anymore opportunities to work with her. Best wishes to you, Tylor. I know you’ll do well wherever you are and whatever you do.

Anyone wanting to contact her for paid modeling work, shoot me an e-mail. Click to read more

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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