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Welcome to the 60th issue of the Digital Darkroom
Hi {FirstName} {OPENEDEMAILMARKER}
Awesome times at BetterPhoto! We have an inspiring lineup of interactive courses for spring. For great feedback from a professional instructor, check out our online Photoshop and photography classes. See our school schedule... Incidentally, if you would like to really become a Photoshop or photography master, then our yearlong ClassTracks program may be the ideal educational strategy for you. Best yet, you receive a free Pro BetterPholio after enrolling in a ClassTrack, and upon completion, you qualify for an additional free 4-week course! Learn more about ClassTracks....
By the way, if you haven't checked them out already, consider these new BetterPhoto features:
- BetterPhoto Clubs, where you can interact with photo friends, share photos, exchange tips, and even get together for trips!
- BetterPhoto Cash Contest, in which you can win up to $1,000!
Lastly, in this issue of Digital Darkroom, don't miss instructor Jim Zuckerman's article ("Use Photoshop Blend Modes to Transform Photos"), plus a fine collection of photo discussions.
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, March 12, 2008
 Guitars Weave filter applied © Linda L. Ruiz Canon EOS 20D Digi... |
Featured Article: Use Photoshop Blend Modes to Transform Photos ... by Jim Zuckerman
In this article, pro instructor Jim Zuckerman shares his thoughts on making images with impact. Jim, by the way, teaches Photoshop: Creative Techniques and Photoshop: Advanced Creative Techniques here at BetterPhoto. See his article ...
Read more...
 Rats Bridge This is a fairly heavily edited version of the "Monet's Bridge" at Grounds for Sculpture, located behind Rats Restaurant, in Hamilton, NJ. If you can visit this sculpture garden, you won't regret it. I'll post the original and b&W versions. |  RatsBridge Original |  RatsBridge B&W |
| 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! |
Lensbabies: Get Creative with Selective Focus SLR Lenses!
 Lensbabies – the unique, fun, useful, and affordable tool for creative photography. The award-winning Lensbabies are selective focus SLR camera lenses that bring one area of your photo into sharp focus, with that "sweet spot" surrounded by graduated blur. You can move the sweet spot anywhere in the photo by bending the lens. Learn more... |
Turn Your Photos into Beautiful Cards!
 Photographer's Edge features a complete line of do-it-yourself Photo Frame Greeting Cards for all types of photographers and subjects. Learn more... |
New Photo Discussions
New Photo Discussion 1: Phantasmagorical Orton
- Kerri Gallagher Response 1:From the CC....lol...I am a sucker for the Orton! I like this one, but I REALLY liked the square crop and now I am torn between that and the effects here! I like them both!!!! Wonderful job! This shot really has turned out to be fun for you, huh? - Danielle Fuller See Danielle's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 2:Thanks, Kerri ... I'm glad that you like it! Danielle, yes, this shot turned out to be a lot of fun! I think the Orton on this one helps the moon. Since the moon wasn't in this shot I had to put a ring around it to hide the edges and in the other version, I think the ring is too much. Back to the drawing board for that one then! LOL! Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments! - Aimee C. Eisaman See Aimee's Premium BetterPholio™ Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
New Photo Discussion 2: Star
- Donna Pagakis See Donna's Premium BetterPholio™ Visit infinitivephoto.com - Donna's Deluxe BetterPholio™ Response 1:What's not to like ... so creative I wish I had thought of it! :O) - Les Rhoades See Les's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 2:Fun effects! Nice composite and result. - Richard Lynch See Richard Lynch's Premium BetterPholio™ Visit Richard Lynch's Web Site - hiddenelements.com Take an Online PhotoCourse™ with Richard Lynch: 4-Week Short Course: Photoshop 101: The Photoshop Essentials Primer 4-Week Short Course: From Monitor to Print: Photoshop Color Workflow 4-Week Short Course: Correct and Enhance Your Images Leveraging Layers: Photoshop's Most Powerful Tool 4-Week Short Course: Photoshop 101: The Photoshop Essentials Primer 4-Week Short Course: From Monitor to Print: Photoshop Color Workflow 4-Week Short Course: Correct and Enhance Your Images Leveraging Layers: Photoshop's Most Powerful Tool Response 3:You are so creative Susana - I LOVE this - crisp, clean and very nice subtle effects! - Michelle L. Frick See Michelle's Premium BetterPholio™ Visit michellefrick.com - Michelle's Deluxe BetterPholio™ Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
New Photo Discussion 3: Vulture Attack
- Isabel C. Rodriguez See Isabel's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 1:Thank you - I actually rendered the lighting effect in Photoshop to accent the vulture and darken the background. - Gunther Allen See Gunther's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 2:Wow for a vulture this looks like elegance. I like what you have done with your filters and lighting effects. Nice work. - The Judges at BetterPhoto.com Response 3:Thank you, judges! This is the first time I've received such a nice comment from you and I have to say that it made my day! The original photo, although good in composition, lacked the background dynamics that I wanted. I spent hours messing around with the filters, which taught me a lot about what I will do the next time. I've taken years of Photoshop classes, but rarely do I apply the things that I've learned. It seems that you get into a comfort zone with your work and then get caught doing the things that are most familiar. I thing that I've learned a lesson on getting out of that comfort zone a little to at least experiment more. Again, thank you so much for your comment! Gunther - Gunther Allen See Gunther's Premium BetterPholio™ Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
New Photo Discussion 4: Artful Hands
- Julie A. Abston See Julie's Premium BetterPholio™ Visit julieabstonphotography.com - Julie's Deluxe BetterPholio™ Response 1:Awesome effect, Nick. the composition and color is perfect for the effect. - Peter Appelbaum See Peter's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 2:It looks like a Renaissance fresco! Beautifully and artistically done. Excellent work, Nick! - Louise K See Louise's Premium BetterPholio™ Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
New Photo Discussion 5: Cowboy
- Gretchen J. Gilkey See Gretchen's Premium BetterPholio™ Visit gretchengilkeyphotos.com - Gretchen's Deluxe BetterPholio™ Response 1:Very cool, Sherry. I think this is your best yet with this filter. - Nikki McDonald See Nikki's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 2:Hi Gretchen. I'm glad you like this. This is actually a statue outside of the American Quarter Horse Association headquarters.The first thing I did was change the background to black. I then used a plug-in called Fractalius(redfieldplugins.com). That's what gives it the neat effects. I then took that layer and layered it over the original layer in 'Hard light' layer mode. I had to do some cloning in a few areas, and a lot of work on the face. I wanted a hint of the face, but I wanted to keep it obscure to draw your eyes to the rope, hands and hat. - Sherry K. Adkins See Sherry's Premium BetterPholio™ Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
New Photo Discussion 6: Keyboard Abstract Photo Ball
- SuSana E. Pindiyath See SuSana's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 1:Love the "spin" you gave this photo ball, Kerby!! Very nice work and abstract!! Much Aloha, Stan - Stan Contrades See Stan's Premium BetterPholio™ Response 2:Super abstract image, Kerby! The b/w keyboard really lends itself to this effect! - Terry L. Ellis See Terry's Premium BetterPholio™ Visit terryellisphotography.com - Terry's Deluxe BetterPholio™ Response 3:Thank you for your kind comments on Key Board abstract Photo ball. I love making these photo ball, and the keyboard series are some of my favorites. - Kerby L. Pfrangle See Kerby's Premium BetterPholio™ Read this discussion online Respond to this discussion | |
The Next Step: Where to Go From Here
