Wednesday, 2 March 2011

Digital Darkroom #95 - Celebrating BetterPhoto's 15th Anniversary! Our First Video Course! Photoshop Articles!

The Digital Darkroom - Free Monthly Newsletter for Digital Photographers

Welcome to the 95th issue of the Digital Darkroom

Hi

March 2011 is a very special month at BetterPhoto! Fifteen years ago, BetterPhoto President and Founder Jim Miotke was inspired to explore Web publishing, when a friend created an online college thesis. Seeing this was all Jim needed to become totally inspired. However, Jim did not want to simply create another personal home page. Following the "write about what you love" wisdom, Jim published his Top Ten Photography Tips. That was March 1996. The rest, as they say, is history. Jim's article launched what is now the premier educational Web site on photography!

As part of the monthlong celebration, we are rolling out our very first interactive video course: Lewis Kemper's awesome The Photographer's Toolbox for Photoshop: Exposure and Color. This exciting 8-week course launches on March 9th, along with our other spring online classes.

In this edition of Digital Darkroom, don't miss Deborah Sandidge's Featured Article ("Add Texture to a Photograph for a Painterly Effect") and Jim Zuckerman's Featured Blog ("Revisiting an Old Picture with Photoshop".

That's it for now. Have fun with your photography!

Kerry Drager
Newsletter Editor

To read the online version of the Digital Darkroom at our Web site, visit http://www.betterphoto.com/digitalpics/

In This Issue: Tuesday, March 01, 2011


 

Featured Photo: Planet Manipulation

Planet Manipulation
Planet Manipulation
I took this road image at Valley of Fire near Las Vegas. Used PS brushes to add planets, stars & clouds. I also used the levels in color saturation for a more dramatic look.

© Rita Hill

ritahillphoto.com
Nikon D700 Digital...

 

Featured Article: Add Texture to a Photograph for a Painterly Effect
Layering textures with a photograph can create an expressive image reminiscent of a painting. BetterPhoto instructor Deborah Sandidge shares her tips and insights in an excellent article - accompanied by a beautiful photo! Read the Photoshop article here...
 

Digital Before and After

Harmony
Harmony
Hawaiian tree top close-up with +417 twirl effect added.

Tokina 400mm lens, ISO 250, F/5.6, 1/60 second, tripod.

Harmony (before)
Harmony (before)
Tokina 400mm lens, ISO 250, F/5.6, 1/60 second, tripod.



© David A. Dawson


Read about how this was done...

 
Each month, the best Before and After will be featured in the Digital Darkroom.

To participate, upload a Before (original) picture then start a discussion on it (using the Discuss This Photo link under the picture). After telling us how you did created the effect, select "1" or "2" from the Upload Image pull-down menu, and submit an optional intermediate image and a final (After) photo. Aim to educate and inspire by sharing a concise, detailed explanation of your technique. Enjoy!


 

Take Your Photography to the Next Level ... Classes Start March 9th!

 
Learn photography or Photoshop in a convenient, inspiring online class. Get feedback, answers, and genuine back-and-forth with pro photographers!  Learn more about our digital photography school...

 

Featured Blog: Revisiting an Old Picture with Photoshop

 
Check out Jim Zuckerman's BetterPhoto Instructor Insights blog on how he breathed new life into an old image - thanks to Photoshop!  Check out this creative Photoshop technique...

 

Get Your Photography Certification!

 
Receive credit and credentials from BetterPhoto - the Web's biggest, best and oldest photography school!  Find out how to get certified as a photographer...

 

New Photo Discussions

New Photo Discussion 1: Egret

Egret
Egret
1/250th sec@ f/5.6 with a Canon 400 f/5.6! Took this at The Alligator Farm, St. Augustine. Used an "Orton Effect" for a softer Portrait.

© Wayne T. Fisk

Canon EOS 7D Digit...
Congratulations on Editors Pick! The Alligator Farm always has the best bird opportunities as you've shown here! Great work, Wayne!
- Deborah Sandidge

See Deborah Sandidge's Basic BetterPholio™

Take an Online PhotoCourse™ with Deborah Sandidge:
4-Week Short Course: Digital Infrared Photography
4-Week Short Course: Photoshop: Enhancing Images and Creating Works of Art

Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion
 
New Photo Discussion 2: Fonthill Castle, Another View

Fonthill Castle, Another View
Fonthill Castle, Another View
I used Nik HDR Pro to process these images. The original captures were created using the Canon 15mm fish-eye lens. I used the new paste special feature in CS5 to merge the 2nd image into the window.

© denise ippolito

Canon EOS 1D Mark ...
Black and White, Bright Colors, Full Frame or Cropped, it does not matter. You're a winner! CONGRATULATIONS, Merna
- Merna L. Nobile

See Merna's Basic BetterPholio™

Response 1:Congrats on this fabulous finalist!
- Phyllis Burchett

See Phyllis's Basic BetterPholio™

Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion
 
New Photo Discussion 3: Electric Twisted NZ Flamingo

Electric Twisted NZ Flamingo
Electric Twisted NZ Flamingo
Modified with Photoshop Elements 9.0 and Fractalius plug-in software.

© Don C. Johnson

sunspotimages.com
Nikon D300 Digital...
Congratulations on your beautiful finalist. Love the effect. Good luck in the next round.
- Kay E. Mahoney

See Kay's Basic BetterPholio™

Response 1:One of your 'signature birds', looking super with the effects, Don! Congratulations!
- Christopher J. Budny

See Christopher's Basic BetterPholio™

Visit chrisbudny.com - Christopher's Deluxe BetterPholio™

Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion
 
New Photo Discussion 4: By the Sea

Treasures By the Sea
Treasures By the Sea
just being a boy, collecting "treasures" by the sea. I could have cloned out the water bottle, but it was part of his "treasures" found, so I left it.

PPW: Noise Reduction, HDR treatment, and a dab of orange/red/yellow luminance (+), reduced the aquas/blue luminance (-), a touch of black filter, and a spot more of contrast, and most importantly selective spotlighting.

© Donna M. Paul

Nikon D40x Digital...

I love the editing you did with this photograph!
- Maria Nault

See Maria's Basic BetterPholio™

Visit marianaultphotography.com - Maria's Deluxe BetterPholio™

Response 1:Hi Maria,
Thanks for taking the time to stop by, your compliments are much appreciated.
Regards,
- Donna M. Paul

See Donna's Basic BetterPholio™

Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion
 

 

The Next Step: Where to Go From Here

Until next time, thanks for reading and keep having fun with photography!
Jim Miotke
BetterPhoto.com, Inc.

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