Wednesday, 2 November 2011

Do you want to get together?

BetterPhoto.com

Hi ,

Want to get a group of photography enthusiasts together, but don't know how? Have you run one of our clubs before?

Hi, I'm Jim Miotke and I love photography. For over 15 years, we have been helping amazing photography enthusiasts like you come together to learn, grow, and share experiences with photography. At BetterPhoto, we're stepping it up to the next level!

On November 19, 2011, we're declaring a worldwide BetterPhoto Meetup Everywhere Day! This is a day for photographers to gather, shoot, share tips, and find experiences together.

Have you ever wanted to put a group together before? Are you involved in a camera group or club now and want to know how to make it better? What's been holding you back in the past?

We've got the answers that you need to put together a Meetup. However, we need your help to make the BetterPhoto Meetup Everywhere Day a global success.

Sign up now to learn more!

We're looking for local organizers for our BetterPhoto Meetup Everywhere Day. Whether you are a beginner in photography or are a lifelong photo veteran, or somewhere in between, you can be an organizer for an event.

We're giving away a 3-part video series that will show you how to put together a rocking Meetup for the Worldwide BetterPhoto Meetup Everywhere Day.

Already have a club or group? Let's take it to the next level! Here is your chance to become a BetterPhoto Emissary.

What do I mean by Emissary? An emissary is a messenger sent out on a mission. In diplomacy, they bring the message from the home territory to new foreign lands and they speak with the authority of the president. That message is bringing the fun of BetterPhoto to the local community. Only a select group of organizers will have the honor and privilege of being bestowed with the title of BetterPhoto Emissary.

Sign up now and receive video 1!

Here is the lineup:

Video 1: Why Meetup? How to get the word out. Video 2: How to make your Meetup a success. Video 3: How to take your group to the next level and become a BetterPhoto Emissary Video Bonus – Surprise Info!

We're only offering this video series for a limited time:

If you've ever considered organizing a camera club, photography group, or just wanted to share ideas, here is your chance.

Sign up now!




Jim Miotke
Founder and Owner, BetterPhoto.com

BetterPhoto.com is the worldwide leader in online photography education, offering an approachable resource for photographers who want to improve their skills, share their photos, and learn more about the art and technique of photography.

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Photo of the Day #2603 - Lover's Spat by Jack Nevitt

#2603

November, 2, 2011 
PHOTO OF THE DAY



Jim Miotke
President, BetterPhoto.com, Inc. ®
BetterphotoJim.com   Twitter   Blog

BetterPhoto.com
HAVE A PRO AT YOUR SIDE - ONLINE, ANYTIME!
Take your vacation photography from just OK to awesom e! Check out Denise Miotke's awesome new 4-week online course: Travel and Landscape Photography: Better Photos of Places. And read her thoughts on traveling and teaching.


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Digital Darkroom #102 - Photoshop Courses with Video! Layer Mask Article; Getting a Painterly Look; Correcting Perspective

The Digital Darkroom - Free Monthly Newsletter for Digital Photographers

Welcome to the 102nd issue of the Digital Darkroom

Hi

Let's kick off this new edition of Digital Darkroom by pointing out two excellent items from BetterPhoto instructors: Jim Zuckerman's "Featured Article: Layer Mask Technique in Photoshop" and Deborah Sandidge's "Featured Blog: Creating a Painterly Look with Photography". Check out the article and blog below!

Also, don't miss the Digital Before and After series in which member Gunther Allen shares his vision - and technique - for correcting architectural perspective. In addition, see the list of Photoshop and Lightroom cour ses that feature video lessons. And, as always, Digital Darkroom wraps up with another awesome collection of Photo Discussions.

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: Wednesday, November 02, 2011


 

Featured Photo: Orchids and Shadows III

Orchids and Shadows III
Orchids and Shadows III

Back view of two lovely orchids, with their shadows in profile.
Textures from Flypaper Textures plus other adjustments in CS5.

© Peggy Pfister
Canon EOS Digital ...

 

Featured Article: Layer Mask Technique in Photoshop
In this article, BetterPhoto instructor Jim Zuckerman shares his vision - and his creative Photoshop approach with a layer mask. Read this Photoshop article here...
 

Digital Before and After

Neues Rathaus (New City Hall)
Neues Rathaus (New City Hall)
This photo was originally skewed towards the center and I needed to correct the perspective...
What I did:
The Photo must be in 8bit mode.
Resize the photo that you have plenty of gray space surrounding it
Select all (CTRL+'A')
Menu: Edit->Transform->Perspective
Drag the upper left and right handles and move outward until the image looks good for you.
Marienplatz, Munich, Germany		 Rathause before perspective correction
Rathause before perspective correction

© Gunther Allen

 
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!


 

New Photoshop and Lightroom Courses Offer Video Lessons!

 
In the following online classes, videos explain - and SHOW - the techniques! Best yet, these courses are fully interactive.  See the complete list of BetterPhoto's Photoshop courses online...

 

Featured Blog: Creating a Painterly Look with Photography

 
"Creating a painterly look with a photo is easy," says BetterPhoto instructor Deborah Sandidge. Read her thoughts and technique, and see an eye-catching image in this blog.   See the photography blog here...

 

Announcing New Book on Creativity, Composition, Design, Color, and Light!

 
Announcing New Book on Creativity, Composition, Design, Color, and Light!Jim Miotke and Kerry Drager have teamed up for a new book in the popular BetterPhoto Guide series!

Read the photography blog on The BetterPhoto Guide to Creative Digital Photography ...  


 

New Photo Discussions

New Photo Discussion 1: Afternoon Delight

Afternoon Delight
Afternoon Delight
100mm macro lens hand held. post process with topaz b & w. selective color, border, and transparency slider used.

© Mary Iacofano
MARYIACOFANO.COM
Canon EOS 30D Digi...
Gorgeous, Mary - Congratulations on your Finalist award!
- Monnie Ryan

See Monnie's Basic BetterPholio™

Response 1:Congratulations on your beautiful finalist, Mary!
- Carol Eade

See Carol's Basic BetterPholio™

Visit southernexposuresbycarol.com - Carol's Deluxe BetterPholio™

Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion
 
New Photo Discussion 2: You Gave Me Wings

You Gave Me Wings
You Gave Me Wings
This is a four texture image from KK French Textures with one other I had.

© Bill Foxworthy
billfoxworthyphoto.com
Canon EOS 1D MarkI...
Beautiful Bill!
- Maria Capilupi

See Maria's Basic BetterPholio™

Response 1:Beautiful image, Bill... love the effects.
- Carol Flisak

Visit carolflisakphoto.com - Carol's Deluxe BetterPholio™

Response 2:Thanks Maria and Carol. This was a new one for me!
- Bill Foxworthy

See Bill's Basic BetterPholio™

Visit billfoxworthyphoto.com - Bill's Deluxe BetterPholio™

Response 3:The textures are lovely, and so is that old type-written font. The whole thing fits together very well.
- Katrina Diaz

See Katrina's Basic BetterPholio™

Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion
 
New Photo Discussion 3: Inspection

Inspection
Inspection
Photographed this sergeant while he was inspecting his Confederate troups - applied "A21" texture from Shadowhouse Creations

Canon 100-400 at 400, F10, 1/50th sec on tripod

© Robert Jensen
bobjensenphotography.com
Canon EOS 5D Mark ...

Once again you have delighted me with another fine work from your superb recreation series *Robert*!

While the clarity is so well defined by your modern machinery the theme, the mood, the toning and the total treatment present us with an image straight from antiquity.

Having been under the gaze of many an inspecting officer during my time in the military, I can tell you that you have caught the keen and penetrating eye of the sergeant extremely well.

Brilliant work man!

GB
D!
- Dennis Gay

See Dennis's Basic BetterPholio™

Response 1:You have really captured the essence of time with this image and post editing.. well done :)
- Helen Dittrich

See Helen's Basic BetterPholio™

Response 2:Beautiful portrait...the tones work very well for this subject. Good work!!!
- Anita J. Luellen

See Anita's Basic BetterPholio™

Response 3:Hi Robert;
Dennis has described your image perfectly. I agree completely. I'm lov'n this inspiring series of images.
;) CC
- Carla Capra

See Carla's Basic BetterPholio™

Visit carlacapra.com - Carla's Deluxe BetterPholio™

Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion

 
New Photo Discussion 4: Sunset at Cranes Roost Park

Sunset at Cranes Roost Park
Sunset at Cranes Roost Park
Taken at one of our more popular urban parks...post processing Nik Color Efex 4.......Camera settings: 1 sec, f4.5, ISO 320..taken on BULB setting.

© Kathy Urbach
Canon EOS 1D Mark ...
Awesome work, Kathy. Perfect exposure, and wonderful filter work. (I downloaded it immediately too)
- Michelle Alton

See Michelle's Basic BetterPholio™

Response 1:This is gorgeous. Very skillfully taken.
- Dayna Cain

See Dayna's Basic BetterPholio™

Response 2:Excellent twilight shot. Congratulations on your finalist selection Kathy!
- Dave Montero

See Dave's Basic BetterPholio™

Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion
 
New Photo Discussion 5: Wandering Flight

Wandering Flight
Wandering Flight

© Irene Colling
Miscellaneous Does...
Interesting, very creative and lovely Irene!
- Donna Pagakis

See Donna's Basic BetterPholio™

Response 1:Irene, This is absolutely my favorite of your recent works! Everything Phyllis said is exactly what I would say. This is stunning and I truly love the style. What dd technique did you use for the raised textures? I'm guessing it was a layer of a painting of yours? Bravo!
- Laura D. Greene

See Laura's Basic BetterPholio™

Visit greenehousephotographyal.com - Laura's Deluxe BetterPholio™

Response 2:I created this piece several years ago so I don't remember exactly what I did.
The background was a sunset. I cut and pasted some of the clouds on a new layer and applied the wave filter. Then I applied a bevel.
- Irene Colling

See Irene 's Basic BetterPholio™

Read this discussion online
Respond to this discussion
 
New Photo Discussion 6: Old Church on North Ridge

Old Church on North Ridge
Old Church on North Ridge
Canon EF 17-40mm
Texture layers applied

© Maria Capilupi
Canon EOS 40D Digi...
Beautifully worked, Maria. Great job.
- Michelle Alton

See Michelle's Basic BetterPholio™

Response 1:The textures really added to this photo. Looks kind of spooky with the bare trees.
- Patricia White

See Patricia's Basic BetterPholio™

Response 2:Beautiful work with this. Love the subject and the texture. That tree really gives this some drama feel.
- Mary Timman

See Mary'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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Copyright 2011 BetterPhoto.com - All Rights Reserved. No part of this newsletter may be copied or published without prior permission. BetterPhoto is a trademark of BetterPhoto.com, Inc.
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Tuesday, 1 November 2011

Photo of the Day #2602 - Souls by Stephen Zacker

#2602

November, 1, 2011 
PHOTO OF THE DAY



Jim Miotke
President, BetterPhoto.com, Inc. ®
BetterphotoJim.com   Twitter   Blog

BetterPhoto.com
HAVE A PRO AT YOUR SIDE - ONLINE, ANYTIME!


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Copyright © 2011 BetterPhoto.com® - All Rights Reserved.
No part of this newsletter may be copied or published without prior permission. BetterPhoto is a trademark of BetterPhoto.com, Inc. If you use a Challenge-Response system for email, please make certain that you can receive our email by adding www.betterphoto.com to your Allow List.
The sender of this email is the BetterPhoto.com®, Inc., 16544 NE 79th St., Redmond, WA 98052
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SnapShot #549 - November Courses! Fisheye Lenses! When to Delete Images! QnA

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The weekly newsletter on the art of photography from
 
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
IN THIS ISSUE
Featured Gallery
Welcome Note
This Week's Tip
Updates From BetterPhoto
Q&A: Portable Printe...

TESTIMONIAL OF THE WEEK
"This was my first course with BetterPhoto and it was a great experience! I have learned a lot. Rob Sheppard provided great critiques as well as lots of additional knowledge. I am looking forward to taking more courses with Rob as instructor." -Katarzyna Lis, student in The Magic of F-stops: Choosing the Right Aperture




THIS WEEK'S TIP
Deleting Images: When to Do It
By Susan and Neil Silverman

Avoid deleting images from your camera with the trash can or delete button on the camera.
First of all, an image may look poor on the back of the LCD screen, but on the computer it may be just fine. So it is best to analyze the images on the computer screen.
Secondly and equally as important, the card manufacturers suggest NOT deleting in camera, inasmuch as once in a while it can cause a corruption in the card. We also want to remind everyone that the way to "clean" a card is to reformat it in the camera - after you are certain that the images are safely backed up on your computer or your hard drive and you do not need to access them anymore.

Another tip: Avoid using up the card completely. Instead, leave a tiny bit of space. For example, if your card will hold 500 images, perhaps only shoot to 495 - just as a safety precaution. There is no more sickening feeling than getting a message that the card is corrupt!!!


   
Featured Gallery
Church House
© - Michael M. Petrizzo

Welcome to the 549th issue of SnapShot!
Hello,

Kicking off this week's SnapShot is the excellent article "Fisheye Photography - When to Use It". It's written by top pro and BetterPhoto instructor Jim Zuckerman. Read it in the Updates section below.

Looking ahead: Our awesome online photography courses provide personal interaction with top pros - regardless of where you live. BetterPhoto's November school session is coming up next week, with a full slate of 4-week courses and 8-week courses. Classes begin on Nov. 9th, but if you enroll now, you can get started with an early lesson.

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

Kerry Drager
Newsletter Editor


Updates From BetterPhoto

In an excellent blog, BetterPhoto pro Jim Zuckerman shares his thoughts - and an eye-grabbing photo - on the subject of fisheye lenses. If you've been hitting a wall lately, then we have some great ways to get inspired! For example, check out the past contest winners of the BetterPhoto monthly photography contest.

Photo Q&A

Portable Printer

I am looking for a portable printer that will print good quality 4 x 6 prints, will run by battery or electricity, and will fit in a carry-on bag on an airplane. It is for a possible mission trip. I shoot with a Canon if that matters. Thanks for your help.
- Linda Buchanan

ANSWER 1:
Hi Linda,
I was looking for one a couple of years ago when I debated printing on site at a festival but decided I didn't want to bother with it at that time. I still may pick one up for future shoots and will search Amazon & B&H and read through the reviews to make a decision. Check out Canon SELPHY CP510 Compact Photo Printer at Amazon. This one is about the size of a cigar box.
Good luck and let me kn ow what you decided on,
Carlton

- Carlton Ward

ANSWER 2:
The Canon ip100 is also worth a look :)

- Carlton Ward

ANSWER 3:
Thanks Carlton. I will let you know. We have some friends who were missionaries in Tanzania and took a portable printer, they got really nice 5 x 7 prints out of it. I have emailed them to see what that was too. I want to take one to Haiti. When I was there last summer, I learned that nearly no one has any family photos. I would like to take the photos and give them to them right then. They also don't have addresses and a very unreliable post office so it is nearly impossible to mail them. It is a mission I am very serious about trying, and I need to see what I can find that will work with a battery when the power fails, will fit in a carry-on bag and will produce a quality print. I will keep you posted!

- Linda Buchanan
Read this Q&A at BetterPhoto.com

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No part of this newsletter may be copied or published without prior permission.
BetterPhoto is a trademark of BetterPhoto.com®, Inc.