Twoffer Tip…
Really I have no idea how to spell that word. It is “two” and “for” shoved together. Hopefully you’ll read it and understand. Basically, this week’s Tip of the Week is a double whammy. Tye wrote us up two tips for the price of one! They are both awesome tips and I’m super excited to put my kids to bed and play around with Photoshop tonight (only 8 more hours to go; I don’t think putting them to bed at noon would really fly that well…). I want to try out both of these processes very much.
I realized the other day that I really need to learn Photoshop much better. I am just limping along using my actions and a few things I know (that I have learned from Tye’s Tip of the Week tutorials) but I have a long way to go. I see so many photographers and I often think that their post processing skills are what makes them great. There is usually a little more to it than that, but I think if I had better post processing skills my photos would look a bit more professional. So I need to practice that. Just like I am practicing my photography skills, I need to focus on post processing as well.
So I will. Practice that is. Tonight after I put the kids in bed, I will try to get some practice in on these two Tips. I’m excited!!!
So… you read the post where I got a new camera? I still am limping along. I have really been struggling to find time to read the manual. I took it with me to the gym yesterday and read it while I was on the stationary bike, but this morning I decided to sleep in instead. Tomorrow!
I guess I have the Auto mode fully figured out. And the preset modes aren’t that hard to understand either. I am just having a hard time figuring out how to use the manual modes. I mean, I can’t figure out how to adjust the aperture. Strange. It’s a pretty automated camera and that’s cool. It’s kind of a cross between automated and manual. I just haven’t figured out how to use the manual yet. I will.
More practice. And reading. And then practice.
I thought my learning curve would be a little less steep. I thought I’d pick it up and be as comfortable with it as I was on my old Nikon D100. I know I will in a week or two but it’s just taking more time than I thought it would. Plus, I have felt really busy and haven’t actually been able to set time aside for playing with it. I grab it when I’m cooking dinner or when I am waiting for something. I haven’t really given it my full attention.
Ok, I should sign off. Mag just unrolled a full roll of paper towels and is playing in it. He’s wrapping paper towels around himself like a cute little mummy baby. Insert imaginary picture here -> <-
On last thing… Don’t forget to think about what you would like to learn to be able to scrapbook your photos. We got some great ideas yesterday but would love some more. Let us know what is on your mind.
October 23rd, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Love the new post! Keep the ideas comin’! I think it is Two’fer
October 23rd, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Wandered over here from BlokThoughts. This is a great site!
October 25th, 2008 at 9:13 am
I apologize in advance if I am sending you to sites you already know about but if not here are a couple off the top of my head that make excellent use of post processing and happen to offer up tips. I love backstage tips!
I also think it is important to note though that IMO if a photog can only improve in one area it is more important that they spend time becoming a stronger photographer than Photoshop wiz. (This is not directed at you Jess, as I think you have an amazing eye and talent–but just in general) I feel like post-processing just *accentuates*, so it can take a great picture to the next level or it can just draw attention to the flaws in a less than perfect shot.
http://www.chromasia.com/ –David Nightengale is easily on of my favorites. His signature look is super processed but to amazing ends. He offers details about each shot he posts in the comments but he also offers downloadable tutorials for a reasonable charge.
http://mylifeindigital.livejournal.com –Kelly Brewer is just a young local photographer that happened to do a session for my sister (You may recognise the suject matter lol) but I was really impressed. She takes good clean, interesting photos (lots of texture and depth, and good backgrounds like you talked about in a earlier post). Then the processing just makes all that pop out. She also offers a few tips here and there, just read for the links down the left side.
Enjoy!
October 25th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Thanks Summer! Those are great sites. Mike and Ashli look adorable. They are such a cute couple!!!
I totally agree with you about the necessity of learning to capture the images in camera first and then be able to enhance them. It’s the skills behind the camera that makes the difference. I think it’s a whole package of skills that need to be learned, most importantly what makes a good composition and interesting photograph. After you understand those kinds of basics then you can move onto the more advanced things like post processing.
Hmmm… I think I need to put some thought into the basics and make a post about that.
Thanks so much for the post, links and thoughts Summer!!!!!!!
Jessica
http://www.momshots.com
October 27th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Summer~ I totally agree with you on the photo taking skills. It is a must to understand the underworkings of how to take a great photo BEFORE you can make it an awesome photo with minimal digital enhancements.
Photoshop is definately just another tool to help strengthen, accentuate, enhance, artistically alter, restore, OR rescue. (or on the downside totally screw things up!)
And though it may be sad to admit, the two go hand in hand (even the top seasoned PROs use photshop for post processing, they just get better results because it starts with great photo taking skills). The good thing about it though is that if you can take great photos, the post-process results will be that much more fantastic! The best outcome any of us can hope for is that when rescuing or retouching our photos, you won’t immediately say “WOW, it’s been photoshop’ed”, you will look at it and see a great photo.
I love reading the toughts of the MomShots followers, it gives me even more insight into what knowledge people are after! ThanX for adding up great links to sites too!