Inspired by Paul Butzi's theater images
With a lot of work-related things cloudy-ing up my schedule, haven’t been as active. But I have been reading a lot (the book I discussed last post, and other sources of information on the net). Today’s image came from the walk I did in North Park while home, and also after reading a discussion about toning black and white images on Paul Butzi’s blog. I learned a lot. But every time I dig down into Photoshop, I admit I get a little unnerved by how much there is to learn and how many different ways there are to do any of those things. Sigh. But I am getting the hang of how much to sharpen (I think) which is a big one for me.
Tonight I am doing a rough layout for my SoFoBoMo book, mainly to see how large a PDF file it will generate.
Wonderful Picture Chris. Shadows are great on this wonderful image. May I ask how you meter here? I always have a rough time metering trees. Don’t know why, just is…
Did you do something to your blog? Looks great.
Really nice depth.
Don’t let PhotoShop overwhelm you, find your path. My friend Kevin and I shared an office for a few years and it was always interesting how we would go about achieving the same or similar results using entirely different tools.
Have fun with the app. Break a few things, actually try to make an image bad, just to experiment with the tools and free up the process.
For every aspect you want to tune in a picture, there are numerous ways to do it with Photoshop. I use curves for pretty much all my work, apart from the b/w blender tool. That, together with a few ways to make selections fulfil most my needs.
Very nice image of that tree, indeed. Lovely toning, too.
When I first tackled Photoshop, I thought I would go mad. I don’t learn software quickly and easily. I have finally reached a level of comfortability with the program (thanks to probably hundreds of online tutorials studied), but it was a long time coming. I would say take it a step at a time. As Ove suggests, if you can get a handle on selections and curves, you will begin to have fun from that point forward.
For me, it’s the beautiful way the branches frame so symmetrically the two tree trunks in the background that makes this even more a delight to view.
…I get a little unnerved by how much there is to learn….
Lesseee…I feel that way about photograhy, Photoshop, lighting….my wife….you name it. I’m unnerved at how little I know. ALOT!
But that’s just it folks. I’m the biggest knucklehead of them all. Thank goodness. We will never (or should never) stop learning. I’m 49, back in school for the first time in many a year and it’s amazing.
What I don’t know is SO scary…. but I really, really love the journey. Embrace it and have fun.
Chris – I am not a photoshop expert, but I’ve got Kevin to help me with the business related photoshopping. When it comes to my personal work, I just copy the image I shot and play, I find that playing with all the goodies actually helps me when I am shooting, as I sometimes shoot with a post production effect in mind.
I do love this shot, I once had a yoga student who’s skin looked just like this tree’s bark. When I worked with her, I saw so much beauty, texture, depth. the lines, the scars, the life – how different each element appeared in light and shadow. Interesting how a young tree and an ancient being share such similar characteristics.
Umm, I shot this on digital, so I usually shoot using Av and then chimp, then adjust. But I only have one exposure here, so I didn’t do that. My usual routine is prefocus on a specific point (the f-stop here was 1.4, I know that) and then expose using the normal center-weighted Canon way. Tom, let me see what the RAW file’s histogram looks like, and then I’ll give you more detail. When shooting film, I meter on the shadows, expose for them, then develop for the highlights. I usually shoot 1/3 to 1/2 overexposed for the standard film speed (ISO 80 for 125 film, ISO 320 for 400 film). Digital is the opposite, I ten to underexpose to protect the highlights from blowing out. Tonight I’ll check the metadata and let you know more.
Hi Chris. That’s what I do, expose for the shadows. I never did understand “Develop for the Highlights” Care to help?
Picked up my 6′ SS sink today. $175. OMG! It’s perfect. Neigbour is a tradesman and shoot E6 so I get a break and he can develop…..
Hit me via email when you have a moment.
Best,
T