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Welcome to the 27th issue of the Digital Darkroom
Hi
Exciting times at BetterPhoto! Our contest judging team is now offering quick critiques on select images. Thanks to all for the nice feedback ... but although we don't have time to reply to everyone, we appreciate the input. By the way, we realize that some contest critiques will produce responses - pro and con - from other members. Still, we don't want anyone to feel discouraged. Our goal is to balance out the friendly praise with insightful advice to improve your photography, while giving a taste of what happens regularly in our courses. Read the critiques at:
http://www.betterphoto.com/DiscCat.asp?catID=121
Also, check out our cool new Premium BetterPholios™. With your Member Center, it's easy to convert to a Premium BetterPholio™ that puts your images in the spotlight. Take a tour at:
http://www.betterphoto.com/tour-photo-sharing-1.asp
In addition, signups for our Summer online courses are going strong. See our schedule at:
http://www.betterphoto.com/online-photography-courses.asp
Photo sharing is here! Email friends and family a link to your pictures directly from your Member Center (access via "Sign In" button on any BP page). Just click the "Your Photos" link in your Member Center; a "Share this photo" link appears under each image.
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: Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Featured Photo: Freeway Nightmare
 Freeway Nightmare Close up shot of scale model car display Motion Blur added in PS for speed effect © Rick Ricozzi Nikon D70 Digital ... |
Featured Article: Dodging and Burning in Photoshop ... by Lewis Kemper
You may have used Photoshop’s Dodge and Burn tools in the past. But, points out BetterPhoto instructor Lewis Kemper, these tools are very pixel destructive and can damage an image beyond repair. Fortunately, writes Lewis in his new article, "Exposure: Dodging and Burning in Photoshop", there is a far better method for applying Dodge and Burn. Lewis, by the way, writes a popular column for PCPhoto magazine and teaches the awesome "Photographer's Toolbox for Photoshop" series of awesome online courses here at BetterPhoto.
Read more...
 ...weekend fun... ...at the Iron Rock Raceway... ...shot midday,...cropped out minor clutter on the left, replaced the airport buildings in the background and applied the rgb-lighting... |  ...weekend fun... ...original... |  ...weekend fun... ...cloned out the buildings... |
| 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! |
BetterPhoto Summit: Ben Willmore on New Essentials of Photoshop ... and More
| Learn tips and techniques from the best of the best at the BetterPhoto Summit! Instructor, author, and Photoshop expert Ben Willmore will be on board with his keynote presentation titled "The New Essentials of Photoshop". Many other BetterPhoto instructors will speak too, including Bryan Peterson ("Digital Exposure") and Jim Zuckerman ("What You Can Do to Immediately Put Drama in Your Photos"). This first annual Summit takes place September 10th and 11th, 2005, near the Seattle airport ... two days of instruction and inspiration for just $297! See all the details at: http://www.betterphoto.com/summit.asp Also, Ben teaches an awesome online course at BetterPhoto: "Photoshop Mastery: The Essentials". This popular class has been updated to cover changes made in Photoshop CS2 (however, the new version is not required). Learn more... |
New Photo Discussions
New Photo Discussion 1: The Lonely Bench
- Susan L. Vasquez See Susan's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 1:Thanks, Susan. Sorry, I should have noted that I used the Buzz filter. There was quite a bit of cloning after the Buzz, as there was a bin next to the bench and a car that you could see through the trees! If you don't already have the Buzz filter, it is available to download (you get 20 free goes). Simplify 2 is the one I always use on Buzz. - Rachel Scott-Renouf See Rachel's Premium BetterPholio™ Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
New Photo Discussion 2: Magical Abstract
- Charlene Bayerle Visit PictureThisbyChar.com - Charlene's Deluxe BetterPholio™ Response 1:Wild result Anita, so colorful! - Claudia Kuhn See Claudia's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 2:It looks like there is a face smack dab in the middle! Great abstract! Love it! - Laura Clay-Ballard See Laura 's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 3:Brava, brava, Anita. This is an excellent image. My compliments to the Chef!!! - Paul Michko See Paul's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 4:Thank you Charlene, Claudia, Laura and Paul. I know this is a little wild for me, but I had fun with it. I thought it looked like a wonderful hair day. - Anita N. Hogue See Anita's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 5:This is TOTALLY cool, and a real eye-catcher. The thumbnail just leaps off the page, and then when you open it up - it knocks you off the chair! Well done, Anita. - Mary-Ella Keith See Mary-Ella's Premium BetterPholio™ Visit MEBKphotoart.com - Mary-Ella's Deluxe BetterPholio™ Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
New Photo Discussion 3: I'll Be Watching You ...
- Paul Michko See Paul's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 1:Hey, that's not fair.. you framed this lovely person ... lol Clever idea to frame this wonderful portrait. Donnarae - Donna W. Neal See Donna's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 2:So cute!!! Holly looks like she's giving you the evil eye! But you framed her, so you got even! - Carolyn Fletcher See Carolyn's Premium BetterPholio™ Visit PickYourShots.com - Carolyn's Deluxe BetterPholio™ Response 3:Creative framing. Interesting expression. This portrait works great in B&W. - Guy Biechele See Guy's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 4:Thanks Guy. I think the image was beautiful in color, but I thought that I'd try something different because of the way I shot it. I really appreciate your comments about the color conversion. - Donnarae ~ See Donnarae's Premium BetterPholio™ Visit DonnaraePhotography.com - Donnarae's Deluxe BetterPholio™ Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
New Photo Discussion 4: Simply Irresistible
- Cynthia Gallo Clemens See Cynthia's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 1:Lovely and soft Laura, beautiful! - Claudia Kuhn See Claudia's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 2:Laura, you've outdone yourself with this beauty! Wow ... irresistible is right on! - Cindy Paquette See Cindy's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 3:Nice soft effects, Laura. - Wally Graziano See Wally's Premium BetterPholio™ Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
New Photo Discussion 5: First-Born Love
- Susan L. Vasquez See Susan's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 1:Lisa, this is just beautiful!! What a capture for you--and what a moment!!! - Wren J. Hendrick Response 2:This is just AWESOME, Lisa! I like everything about it, from the interaction between father and baby, the lighting to the B&W. Well done! - Lori S. Aschbrenner See Lori's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 3:This would make such a wonderful First Father's Day gift! It really is perfect composition and lighting! Beautiful capture, Lisa! - Laura E. OConnor See Laura's Premium BetterPholio™ Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
New Photo Discussion 6: Awesome
- Cathy Stancil See Cathy's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 1:Fantastic shot!!!! - Olivia Navarro See Olivia's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 2:Thank you for your comment on my photo "Awesome". This composition was shot as a result of not having positioned myself early along the fountain's terraces to get a "good" spot. So I step back behind the other viewers and included them, and this is what it turned out. I'm happy of the result and am glad you like it too. Thanks again. - Jose B. Jison Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
New Photo Discussion 7: Texas Capitol Bride
- Nick I. Hull Response 1:I did it in Photoshop Elements 3.0. With your picture open, you select Filter>Blur>Radial Blur Under Blur method, select: Zoom To the right, you have "blur center". You just move that around until it's over the part of the picture that you want in focus. You can increase/decrease your zoom as you like with the slide bar at the top. Pretty fun! - Susan Bohanon Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
New Photo Discussion 8: The Fairytale Tree
- Jenny Bosmans See Jenny's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 1:Really nice. Was the impressionist feel the result from a filter or a Photoshop filter? - Jill M. Flusemann Response 2:Wow, thank you everyone for such kind comments on my photo! Jill, I used photoshop and applied Gaussian blur overall to get the dreamy effect. This tree is across the road from my house, I've taken several shots of it, but I think this one is the most successful by far. Powerlines run right across the top of the tree so composing the shot was very limited. I am so glad all of you like it! - Karen J. McDowell Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
New Photo Discussion 9: Me & My Best Friend
- Susan L. Vasquez See Susan's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 1:Thank you for your nice comment Susan. ACC means Auto Color Correction from Adobe CS program. The process took me approx. 2 hours to fix it. I had to go through a lot of layers to fix every aspect of this picture. I know this photo was fixable but didn't know how to until I took Mr. Kemper's course. I'm sure you'll have fun taking the Photoshop course with Mr. Kemper. Take Care, Elizabeth Editor's Note: Thanks for the plug for Lewis Kemper! For anyone interested, here's a rundown of Lewis's online courses right here at BetterPhoto.com:
- Elizabeth Stiles See Elizabeth's Premium BetterPholio™ Visit ElizabethStilesPhotos.com - Elizabeth's Deluxe BetterPholio™ Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
New Photo Discussion 10: Raskus
- Aaron Reyes Response 1:Photoshop tweak: Even though I used fill flash, Raskus's face was still a little dark. I used two separate Camera Raw exposures as smart objects and blended them so that his face was a little brighter. I also used a couple of layer masks so that I could adjust the saturations and curves of his body separately from the rest of the picture. The blues in the sky got the most saturation. - Howie Nordström See Howie's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 2:Clarification: two separate Camera Raw exposures of the same RAW file. - Howie Nordström See Howie's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 3:Nice! I like to use the history brush. Change the picture, go back and then history brush just the parts I want to be affected. I'll have to start using the layer mask as well and see how that goes. It's probably easier if you have a lot of stuff to change. Thanks! great pic! - Aaron Reyes Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
The Next Step: Where to Go From Here
