Single Image HDR
Some friends here have asked about doing tone-mapping (HDR) with a single image. I found a tutorial online about how to do it, and now I often use it when I haven’t gotten two or more bracketed exposures.
The only way I know how to do it is with the Photomatix Pro software (there are other ways to do HDR, but I don’t know anything about how they work).
For this method, the first step …
Taking Stock, Becoming an Artist
I think I’ve been here at RB for 6 weeks or so, but I haven’t written anything since I frightened those shopkeepers, a while back. I don’t want to neglect the process of keeping an eye on where I’ve been, where I am now, and where I hope to go as a photographer… and as an artist (?).
I love the fact that at RB everyone is referred to as an “artist,” in a …
Frightening the Shopkeepers
I am having a blast, learning and practicing with layers. Have begun creating my own texture images for layering, because I want my images to be “my own” from start to finish. I’d like to have a group of effective images; it’s been a project of forcing my mind to think way outside the box. I see the great texture layers others have created and scratch my head in dismay; ho…
Learning By Bits and Pieces
I have been taking a scattergun approach (some tutorials, a book, and just poking around) to learning about post-processing, and especially about using textures; and at the same time, I’m taking a lot of photographs, and trying to figure out what works, and what doesn’t. I think that a significant portion of what I am learning is not really the sort of thing that can be articulated, o…
In Florida, With Camera
I’ve finally managed to get out with the camera a few times since I arrived back in Florida for a week-long work trip (renovating an old house). I re-discovered the fact that one of the places you most want a good camera, with a good long lens (i.e., out on the water, near the birds), is also one of the places it’s most inconvenient to have a good camera with a long lens. Out on a sma…
Insanely Busy
I astonished myself by coming down to the house in Florida, hoping and planning to do a lot of photography, and then being unable to pick up the camera for 3 days. Just too damned busy, and exhausted. I’m renovating my grandparents’ old house; it was abandoned for 6 years, and now it’s coming back to life. I come down here every few months and get as much as possible accomplishe…
Making Progress
I keep plugging away at this task of figuring out some of the basic techniques in using layers and texture. My latest effort is the first one that I think has some small merit on its own, not just as an example of my struggle:
A big step forward today, in terms of my own ability to practice these methods, is that I found a lovely person on Flickr (irisb477) who has some great background-texture …
The Bird Went onto the Barnwood!
I went out and got some texture shots yesterday; some stone wall, some barnwood. Also, went to an opening of a show one of my friends is involved in. He is a fantastic graphic artist, and has been supportive of my venture into photography. He told me about another wonderful training website: “lynda.com” that has a tremendous set of training videos for Photoshop and PSE (all versions)…
Layers, Composites, and Getting a Nice Background
I have been working through the Kelby & Kloskowski books, asking for advice (several people here have been very helpful and encouraging; thanks!), and just messing around. Here’s my latest effort:
It’s a rose, obviously, on a stock background that is included in the “levels” options within PSE. I haven’t figured out yet how to use my own background, although I d…
A sale! And a feature!
I’m truly astonished and thrilled! Somebody bought a matted print of one of my photos (Beach with Clouds), and another one was “featured” in Photo 101! This is incredibly cool!
I doubt that this sort of thing will happen much, because I am keenly aware that I have a long way to go. But – wow! – it’s nice to get some reinforcement along the way. A lot of folks h…