Arkansas Trip: The Photos
Well I finally got around to deciding how I wanted to edit the photos from that trip a few weeks back to take my uncle home. From time to time I take photos that I just can't figure out how I want them to look. There good photos, but the right color or levels adjustment just drives me up the wall. Often it turns out they needed no adjustment, but in this case I had to go outside of my normal Idea of colors and levels. I must say I am quite happy with the end result.
Fried Foods, Delays, And Good Marketing
Ahh, I love a random title, that while seemingly utterly random, still completely gives the content of the post. Sorry, haven't slept much. Just wanted to update the few people who have been coming back with some news, and coming attractions.
First off, site news; the posting on Good-Tutorials drove traffic through the roof. Surprisingly more clicks then i expected, and while its slowly fallen off as the days have gone on, its still generating a pretty good amount each day. Not only that, but a few people have linked to this article through a few other websites, driving even more traffic. This has given me good incentive to get a new tutorial up as soon as possible. The next will more then likely be a video tutorial, so stay tuned.
Quick View: Photomatix Pro 3.1
For quite some time, I have had a love/hate relationship with HDR photography. I love the look of the photos, and especially tone mapped images where it adds a certain artistic quality that not even film could muster. But I have always hated the free programs I've had at my disposale, or the alternative; hand making HDR images through tedious work in photoshop, which sadly is the option I have been going with for quite some time (and might give a tutorial over given the inspiration). I have known about Photomatix Pro since i first saw a tone mapped image. But alas, I am a poor broke SOB, so getting my hands on it for the longest time seemed unlikely.
Well through some gratuitous begging, and some favors cashed in, I now have a copy of Photomatix Pro. This little article will follow me my first time through the program. A full write up of using the program, along with more then likely my first video tutorial should come shortly once I get more time with it.
My Camera Violated Me…
Ok, maybe I violated my camera, either way it was some akward stuff. A little lost? It's easier to explain I promise. For some reason here recently I've wanted to try my hand more with architecture photography. It's something I was never really good at, so I figure it will give me a new challenge. Tonight was my first try using the buildings in my home town.
Sudden Trip, Maybe Great Opportunity
Life can be quite random at times, and the best tip I can give to anyone, is find a way to take the random and often unwanted, and turn it into something you will enjoy. I am in one of those random situations; one of my uncles who at one point a few years back moved into our house for 8 months or so, mooching off us and sleeping in his 79yr old dad's bed.
He is back again, and instead of waiting for him to get money to get a bus ticket back home (map of where that is below) I am taking him home today. That is a 4 hour drive from my house, and that would mean at least 8 hours minimum to get him out of here. Am i mad? Hell no, because I am making it work to my advantage.
Key Word: Fail
I find more often then not my big ideas wind up looking and working like something destined for the likes of FailBlog. Today, sadly was one of those days. I would like to show photos from this shoot, or at least of the setup, but the fail was of such a large caliber that... yea were going to leave it at just fail.
I am once again in that phase of wanting to capture water drops. Now that I have a flash (albeit old and crappy) I wanted to try with my new camera again. Last weeks setup worked fairly well, and produced a decent shot. I was still looking for a tray that was black to try it with, so that the drop stands out. I found an old CD spinddle lid. I was doping i could get in close enough not to see the edges.
Well like last time, I set up a Zip-loc bag using (ready to laugh?) scotch tape hanging from the light in the dining room. I then setup my camera on its tripod, with the flash on it, pointed back, with a reflector (white cardboard) to bounce the light back onto the drop. Last time it had went fairly well, but this time... The tape holding the bag failed and dropped the bag into the lid (which i had painted black) which splashed the water on the camera. Needless to say i freaked.
Maybe this is Gods way of saying "You have done enough water drop shots, move on!" Oh well, camera is fine, and i tried my old method a bit just to make me feel a bit better. Let this be a lesson to everyone, be careful working with water and cameras!
Preservation: The Plight Of The EXIF Data
Recently I began to offer my help to artists newer then myself, to give them critique on any one of there favorite photos. While I by no means claim to be a great photographer, I do know a decent bit about the subject. Being someone who loves helping and passing on my knowledge, I gladly gave this advice out for free, simply for the asking.
One of the biggest aids to me in giving critique is the Exif data in most peoples photos. It allows me to see a photo, and if I see something off or I personally think needs changed, I can scour through the data in the photo and figure out what they might need to change to get a better result, giving them a much more detailed critique of there photo. As this thread wore on, more and more I found a large number of photos submitted without this data, or data that was corrupted.
At first I talked with each person individually, told them what it was if they did not know, and explained why I personally think it is a very useful bit of information to keep in your works. But when I began to see the large number of photo's sans Exif data, I figured I would try and write up a nice little article and spread the word to the masses.
Taking a Dip into Water Drop Photography
Ever since my first piece of water drop photography, I've been constantly bombarded by other photographers asking me how I have pulled it off. I have even had experienced photographers asking me tips on it. This has been quite a surprise to me as it has always been an easy thing for me. But being me I have tried to be as helpful as I could and help them start down the right path. Now I'm not complaining, it is nice having photographers a lot better then me asking me for tips, but I've said the same things hundreds of times now. So what better way to help them all out without having to become a broken record, then typing out a nice tutorial for everyone?
This tutorial is going to try and cover all the know how in drop photography I have, which is fairly extensive. Each section will deal with just one subject, so if it’s something you already know all about, or just don’t care to read, simply skip over it. As I only have one camera, I can’t exactly take pictures of me doing some drop photography, but I will try my best to work you through this.
*DRIP*DROP*WIND BLOWS* “Shh, I’m hunting a website, be wery wery quite. huhuhuhuhuhuh.”
Damn that is a long title... Anywhoo, welcome one and all! Ok there is the webmaster in me, not a damn person on this site other then myself. But i do need a placeholder post of some kind...
Well this site will host tutorials, articles, and random other crap of mine thats for photography. I know so much, and love sharing it, and i figure this is the best way.
So if you have somehow stumbled on this place, stick around for a bit. Or not... you know xD
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- Got the tutorial for Water Drops on Good Tutorials!! Hello traffic. Also got a quick write up on Photomatix Pro done.
- Finally got Photomatix Pro. Get ready for gratuitous HDR photos in large quantities...
- Editing photos. Loving the new DPP, wish i would have known it was out. Damn you canon, damn you...
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