Some Regularly-Used Photoshop Features

September 4, 2011

Some Regularly-Used Photoshop Features

     These are some features of Photoshop that I use more than others. For today's instalment, I thought that I would present them to you. Most of these features appear in Photoshop Elements, which is the much less-expensive version of Photoshop. Also, PaintShop Pro3 by Corel (only for PC with 32 bit capability) may also have these features, and this program is also very inexpensive.

1. Puppet Warp

Puppet warp allow you to correct distortion or to create distortion.

It's most likely called "puppet warp"  because when you activate the function,

a mesh appears all over the image. You then can add "pull points" and adjust the image

like a "puppet" by pulling on "strings" - in this case they're actually pushpins.

You first have to make a duplicate layer

You need to then create a duplicate layer

You then acticate the "puppet warp" command

You then add "pushpin points, by simply clicking your mouse.

Each click adds a point to which you can stretch or shrink the position.

Here's the final result.

You will be asked first to flatten the layers

2. Image > Adjust > Shadow/Highlights

This is 1 of my most-used Photoshop commands.

I use it to reduce "hot-spots" or highlights, while at the same time "bringing out detail in the shadows".

The above image is the opened untouched image.

You Command menus and sub-menus

Your adjustment menu after the initial command (shadows/highlights) is opened

The result.

Notice that you can now see much better into the dark areas or "shadows".

3. Another example of the Shadows/Highlights command

The wild goat in Hawaii was photographed on a cloudy day in my visit to Hawaii last year. This correspondingly resulted is a low contrast and poor detail in the shadow areas.

Contarst can be adjusted in your camera, but I prefer to do it in Photoshop.

Here is the command menu

Here I've added a value of 14 for added contrast

The result, with a bit of "highlight/shadow" thrown in.

4. Sharpen Command

When you photograph animals, you get so excited, that you forget certain to do certain things.

I should have increased my ISO and then used a faster shutter speed.

Because I didn't, there is some "softness" to the fine-looking bird.

I used the "sharpen" command to try and remove some of the "softness".

The above image shows you the adjustments that I did.

Here is the final result.

The wing and breast of this bird is now better-focussed than before.

5. Layering and Erasing

Normally, when you have a wide spread of highlights and shadows, you try and use the HDR (High Dynamic Range) command in Photoshop. Unfortunately, that doesn't always work, and you get too much noise!

What you can do is to photograph the scene or item using the same f-stop, but changing shutter speeds.

Also, you'll use a tripod, so that overlapping (layering) images will be identical, but for their exposures.

Image 1 of 3

You can also "purposely" use layering when you might have only 1 studio light, 

or if 1 studio light burns out when you are working with 2 lights.

Image 2 of 3

Image 3 of 3

This is the normal HDR menu and command

This is the final HDR result. 

Notice the blue discoloration in the left rear wooden rim.

Also, the background has plenty of distracting "noise" (undesirable detail resulting from bad underexposure or long exposures or HDR).

Here is the final result using layering, and carefully erasing 1 top image portions in order to present the details in the underlying layer or image.

There is not "noise", and the result is quite good!

The "Blogger" Site

September 2, 2011

The "Blogger" Site

     I thought for today that I'd write about this site itself- Blogger. Perhaps, this instalment might encourage some of you to start your own blog! The software on this site is quite simple, easy to use, and very user-friendly. Also, you're at your own pace. You can write 1 article each day, each week, each month or whatever interval that you would prefer.

Blogger starts when you go to their site

I already have 2 blogs, so I'll simply press "new post" in my "Antique Toys" Blog

That will bring me to a "start page" of the new blog or instalment.

Thatwill then start to design the layout.
Above is the selection menu for the colour of the text

This is the font size selection menu

 This page shows you some options that you can add to the blog page

This is the page design itself. 
It can be re-designed.

This is the "settings" page. Pressing on the title at the top of the page yields this.

You then can add these options to your blog.

This is the font type selection window.

The image above presents you with a sample page design

Here's a design for the background.

I find it too "busy". It detracts from the  main page 

Here's another background design.

I don't like the robin eggshell colour - it's too bright!

This one I like.
The background blends with the blog page, and helps focus in on the content. 

The above is a "super" feature.

Every several minutes, the software "saves" your work.

It's great because if you're working with several softwares at once, 

things can get confusing at times, and you can easily make a mistake.

     At this point, you're now ready to start the blog. It's almost as simple as I've described it with the screen-captures and the text. So why not try it out?

Essential Camera Accessories

September 1, 2011

Essential Camera Accessories

    There are many items that one should have as a professional photographer to help you out. The "suggestions" that I'm discussing aren't for everyone, nor do I use them everyday. However, when needed they're always there.

 Lens Caps and Lens Shades

These are important for lens protection and keeping flare out. Lens flare is undesirable light that can enter the lens. If you face the camera and see small hot spots in the lens, then you have flare!

 Lens Caps and Lens Shades

 Lens Caps and Lens Shades

These come with your camera, but you can also buy "extras".

Extra Batteries and Rechargers

This is one of the best "extras"or accessories that I ever purchased.

Having the extra battery in the camera allows me to shoot almost endlessly.

Remote timer releases

These also are a necessity. Theres always is camera shake whether you think so or not.

By having the camera on a tripod and using the remote, you minimize any shake or vibration, and help to ensure big enlargements without camera shake showing.

The remote on the left is wireless (sends IR signals) , while the one on the right attaches to the camera.

I find that even this latter one creates some shake!

Normal Alkali Battery Holder (AAA)

This is an "extra" for unforeseen possibilities. 

I'd bring one of these wti a couple of dozen batteries if I was going to a remote place without electricity.

Ugh! Camera Shake.

Lens Cleaning Cloth

This is a good item to have to remove grease that might have touched your lens

Small Camera Levels

These are for when you're doing architecture.

In architecture, you have to have your verticals vertical, and your horizontals level.

These small accessories can be attached to your camera hot shoe either in the vertical or horizontal position.

Better-quality tripods have them. 

Canon Angle Finder

This is an extension that allows you to view the scene that you are looking at more comfortably.

It's great if your camera is 2 feet off the ground on a tripod, or 6 feet high.

It also rotates to different angles.

Anti-static Brush

This is an item needed should you ever have a speck of dust land on your CCD array sensor.

However, the key rule here is "be gentle and be comfortable (sit), whenever you touch the CCD array.

Extra Camera Battery Door

I purchased a couple of these as any camera parts that you use repetitively will eventually break from "stress". So far, I haven't had to replace the door!

The Delkin DC500D-P

This is a device that I use all the time. It fits over the image viewer on the back of the camera and shields the image from distracting unwanted light.  As you can see, it has the same features (through small buttons) that fit over the camera back.

Daylight shooting is still difficult, but this helps 100%.

In the studio, this device is fantastic!

The Delkin DC500D-P opened up.

The 3 flaps (left and right sides and the top) shield the digital screen.

    There are a few other accessories that I didn't photograph, and will do so in the  future.

1.  Blower Brush: This helps to remove dust form camera parts or lenses. When using it, keep the camera or lens pointed downwards, and shoot the wafts of air upwards. Any dust particles that dislodge, will fall due to gravity.

2.  Tripod:  I never leave home without it, and in the home, I always have it supporting my camera. I use it for portraits, tabletops, and landscapes.

3.  Camera Bag: I have a nice padded camera bag that I had made by someone whom I did a favour for. It had 4 padded compartments for lenses, my camera, and accessories. It's also less conspicuous, so it doesn't draw attention.

4. Motion Detector Alarm:  This devise is great. It attaches to your camera bag, and you can either attach it on the inside or the outside of the camera bag. ALthough I'm always trying to keep an eye on the camera bag, and will keep it under my tripod, sometimes you do forget. This is when I forget, and should that bag move, I'll be running faster than a speeding bullet (with apologies to Superman). 

5. Lens Cleaning Fluid:  This is great for cleaning your lens. Always add the fluid to a disposable lens-cleaning tissue so any excess doesn't get into the interior of the lens!

I'm sure that I'll think of a few other items as soon as I post this instalment. If also,you - the reader, has any additional items, please feel free to e-mail me.