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Welcome to the 31st issue of the Digital Darkroom
Hi
These are such thrilling times at BetterPhoto.com®! The Fall online class session has just started, but there's still time to sign up and many courses still have space. Another incentive: Prices will increase slightly in January. View our school schedule at:
http://www.betterphoto.com/online-photography-courses.asp
Also, be sure to check out the new "BetterWorkshops" page. Our lineup of workshops combines the best of two worlds: online critiques and on-location excitement. Workshop leaders include Peter Burian, Vik Orenstein, Kathleen Carr, Charlie Borland, Jim Zuckerman, and myself. For details, see:
http://www.betterphoto.com/on-location-photography-workshops.asp
In this issue of Digital Darkroom, instructor/author Jim Zuckerman discusses how he uses Photoshop to help market his travel images; check out his article below. In addition, don't miss our usual awesome photo discussions, as well as another excellent Before and After series.
To read the online version of the Digital Darkroom at our Web site, visit http://www.betterphoto.com/digitalpics/
Have a great month!
Jim Miotke
http://www.betterphoto.com/MG.asp?ID=124
In This Issue: Monday, October 10, 2005
Featured Photo: Sailboard, Moon and Sky
 Sailboard, Moon and Sky The sky was actually this color one stormy evening. The moon and sky were combined into one photo, and then I used the flood filter to get the reflection. I then inserted the sailboarder into the mix. © Neal D. Haines nealsphotoworks.com Canon EOS 20D Digi... |
Featured Article: Using Photoshop to Your Marketing Advantage ... by Jim Zuckerman
Long after instructor/author Jim Zuckerman returns from a trip – sometimes years later – he often uses Photoshop to come up with new images based on the original pictures taken during his travels. In a new article adapted from his BetterPhoto blog, Jim adds: "One of the best ways to market your work is to focus on the icons that represent a country or a city."
Read more...
 Painted Pineapple A juicy Eleuthera pineapple, - I used a white card for background, converted to a coloured sketch in PS7 using layer, then used a paint program for the effects. The model was delicious! |  Eleuthera Pinapple Original Photo taken with available window light, F/5.6, s1/10, iso200 |
| 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! |
There's Still Time to Sign Up for an Online Course!
| Kicking yourself for waiting too long? Don't fret, because you can still join one of BetterPhoto's online photography courses. Although the first lessons have already been sent out, the first assignments for our regular 8-week courses aren't even due until Sunday, October 16th! Enroll now, and we'll send you the first lesson pronto - and you'll still have plenty of time to complete that first assignment! Learn more... |
New Photo Discussions
New Photo Discussion 1: Butterfly Interpretation
- Dr Silly See Dr 's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 1:Really different interpretation of "the typical" butterfly picture. Nicely done, Ashley. - Diane M. Cosgrove See Diane's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 2:Thanks for the positive feedback on this image, everyone. I am a bit embarrassed to admit that when I "play" with filters and other features of Photoshop (improvisationally), most often I don't write down the many steps in the process. This is one of those pieces. I just love playing with all that Photoshop has to offer and I usually do it without knowing where I'm going. It's a mysterious kind of play and occasionally it pays off. I can tell you that I use Selective Color, Replace Color, Inverse and, at times, some minimal layering. Sorry if I can't be more specific. Perhaps I'll start writing down the sequence of manipulations, although I'm concerned this might stunt the "no thinking" approach to creating that I love to do. Thanks again, Dr., Diane, and Shelly. - Ashley Wilkes Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
New Photo Discussion 2: Insecure
- Deb Holmes See Deb's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 1:Wow, awesome effects, Amanda!!!! - Olivia Navarro See Olivia's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 2:Great work and beautiful portrait!! - Sandy Landon See Sandy's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 3:Nice portrait and effects! - Colette M. Metcalf See Colette's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 4:Beautiful portrait and effects, Amanda!!! - Rakesh Syal See Rakesh's Premium BetterPholio™ Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
New Photo Discussion 3: Zion National Park Evening on Sinawava Waterfall
- Mike Dawson See Mike's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 1:Nice, Did you punch up the saturation/greens via computer? - Dawn E. Fry See Dawn's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 2:Thank you, Mike and Dawn, for your comments. And, yes, Dawn I did do some selective color saturation to bring out the green in the grass and trees. I like the composition, but it needed a little punch of color. It was early spring in muted evening light from the sky and the color was there but it was too dark to see so I tried to bring it out. I hope I didn't overdo it. Thanks again! - Alton I. Vance See Alton's Premium BetterPholio™ Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
New Photo Discussion 4: Water Whirl
:-) - Jordi Delgado See Jordi's Premium BetterPholio™ Visit jordidelgado.com - Jordi's Deluxe BetterPholio™ Response 1:Well-composed and thought-out shot, Kerby. Very good - so nice and refreshing and I love her reflection in the water. I really do like this one! - Janet Williams See Janet's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 2:Beautiful effect on this beautiful image, Kerby!!! - Dan J. Holm See Dan's Premium BetterPholio™ Visit theholmpage.com - Dan's Deluxe BetterPholio™ Response 3:Kerby, I also really like the buzz effect on this; great composition. - Janine Russell See Janine's Premium BetterPholio™ Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
New Photo Discussion 5: A Bastet Poser
- Jill Flynn See Jill's Premium BetterPholio™ Visit visualharmonyphotography.com - Jill's Deluxe BetterPholio™ Response 1:Jill, a comment from you means alot to me! Your portraits of dogs, cats, horses are wonderful and I appreciate your comments on little Nicki. Thanks so much! Eti - Eti Swinford See Eti's Premium BetterPholio™ Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
New Photo Discussion 6: A Street in Bath
- Evy Johansen See Evy's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 1:Fantastic image, Janet!! You've captured the look and feel of a vintage line drawing!! - Dan J. Holm See Dan's Premium BetterPholio™ Visit theholmpage.com - Dan's Deluxe BetterPholio™ Response 2:Charles Dickens would've love this, Janet!!! Terrific work!! :-)
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New Photo Discussion 7: Rainbow Swirl
ccc - Candice C. Calhoun See Candice's Premium BetterPholio™ Visit cccphotoart.com - Candice's Deluxe BetterPholio™ Response 1:WOW. this is a beautiful abstract! I LOVE IT!!! Gf, you amaze me! The coloring is perfect. My sister just paid big bucks for abstracts for her new media room, and it wasn't even as colorful as this. - Kaye Burazin See Kaye's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 2:Thanks, Kaye ... I have not done much abstract work lately, so a little insecure about posting them! Your comment made me feel MUCH better, I sure appreciate that! ccc - Candice C. Calhoun See Candice's Premium BetterPholio™ Visit cccphotoart.com - Candice's Deluxe BetterPholio™ Response 3:Very nice Candice! I have had so much fun with Flaming Pear filters myself. Beautiful abstract! - John Rivera See John 's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 4:Super colorful abstract, Candice, and it's always a lot of fun "mixing things up" isn't it?? Job nicely done, and keep 'em coming :-)!! Much Aloha, Stan - Stan Contrades See Stan's Premium BetterPholio™ Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
New Photo Discussion 8: Bold & Beautiful
- Alisha L. Ekstrom See Alisha's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 1:Thanks! She is a friends daughter, and we spent the entire day photographing her! She is a PERFECT model! The last name .. well, it has been mine for a tad over 20 years now (LOL) - Shelline Watts See Shelline's Premium BetterPholio™ Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
New Photo Discussion 9: Pieces of Metal
- Robert M. Nicholson See Robert's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 1:Thanks, Robert. It was actually 3 separate pieces of metal displayed at a local a park. I took a shot at an angle to gather all 3 views. I then merged everything together with Photoshop CS2 ... and ended up with this. I really like the depth. Thanks again! - Tracy Reehal See Tracy's Premium BetterPholio™ Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
New Photo Discussion 10: Sunset Glow
- Lorri A. Shank See Lorri's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 1:Paul, Great shot!! Congrats!!! How did you take her out of the original backdrop? Every time I try, I can't get the hair right. Please let me know the proceedure you use to replace the background without losing the details. Thank You Very Much, Jeff - Jeff Dadey See Jeff's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 2:Thanks, Well ... As far as adding in the new backdrop, it takes more time than most care to spend. I use the background eraser tool set very low (10%) and do the majority of the space around the hair that way. Then between the rest of the hairs is done by hand with the standard eraser too. A very time-consuming and tedious process. I'd say I spent 3 hours on this one image changing from the white backdrop to my sunset image. Then you have to match the lighting in both layers so it doesn't appear too altered. - Paul A. Schneider Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
New Photo Discussion 11: Head For The Lightning, Buoys
- Paul Michko See Paul's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 1:Good job, Allan!!! - Carolyn Fletcher See Carolyn's Premium BetterPholio™ Visit PickYourShots.com - Carolyn's Deluxe BetterPholio™ Response 2:fanteastic presentation - Joy Rector See Joy's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 3:Excellent work and capture, Allan!! - Shirley L. Carpenter See Shirley's Premium BetterPholio™ Visit scarpenterphotos.com - Shirley's Deluxe BetterPholio™ Response 4:Thanks you all so very much (Paul, Carolyn, Joy, and Shirley), for the great comments and very kind words. They're all, as usual, very truly appreciated, my very dear friends - your friend, Allan - Allan L. Whitehead See Allan's Premium BetterPholio™ Visit ArrowheadFotos.com - Allan's Deluxe BetterPholio™ Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
The Next Step: Where to Go From Here
