Welcome to the 95th issue of the Digital Darkroom

Hi {FirstName} {OPENEDEMAILMARKER}

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/

Have a great month!
Jim Miotke
http://www.betterphoto.com/MG.asp?ID=124

In This Issue: Wednesday, March 02, 2011

• Featured Photo: Planet Manipulation
• Featured Article: Add Texture to a Photograph for a Painterly Effect
• Digital Before and After
• New Photo Discussion 1: Egret
• New Photo Discussion 2: Fonthill Castle, Another View
• New Photo Discussion 3: Electric Twisted NZ Flamingo
• New Photo Discussion 4: By the Sea
• The Next Step: Where to Go From Here

Featured Photo: 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 more...
 

Digital Before and After

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

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

Featured Blog: Revisiting an Old Picture with Photoshop

Get Your Photography Certification!

New Photo Discussions

New Photo Discussion 1: 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 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 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 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

• Browse more photo discussions at BetterPhoto.com
• Start your own discussion on any photo in the Galleries
• Read archived issues of the Digital Darkroom