Photo Editing

So I’ve always loved photography and have been playing around with it most of my life. I’ve also been playing around with Photoshop for just about as long. I am no expert and still am amazed at how other people in such a short time have, what I feel, surpassed me in so many ways. I guess I’m a slow learner. lol. Seriously I still don’t think I know what I’m doing, but I am getting more comfortable in trying to achieve what I like. Maybe there is just no end to the learning process so I’ll never master it. I really love how filters and editing photos can create feeling and a look that can not be achieved by just a snap shot. Yes, it’s best to get a photo near perfection when taking the photo, but post processing is so amazing and fun. Sometimes filters help with an image where I had low light and I could not get a clear shot. Photoshop can help with that and filters can also help create a look that helps the photo or saves the photo where normally I would just have to trash it if were on it’s own.

My daughter recently wanted a photo shoot for her 16th birthday. I hope I was able to create they type of feeling and photos that she was wanting. I was able to be a little more creative than usual. I have a long ways to go, but each time I practice i learn new things.

Here are a few from that session in the forest.

Again, Not perfect and probably sloppy, but it’s fun. What more can I say. I enjoy doing it and I get sucked in. Some people might not like photos that are edited or filtered, but I do. It’s being even more creative after the shot has been taken. I have never done any creative photography for anyone besides myself or family, but I’m always willing to give it a try. If you like my style then let’s get creative.

Photography and the joy of editing

I’ve always loved photography. I remember taking a photography class in high school with my sister and cousin. We enjoyed that class so much. We even all continue to do photography today. As much as I love it, I also love post editing my photos. I like to edit each one individually because I feel each photo has a certain feel and look. Each one needs that extra care to make it work best. I know I can improve a lot, but do what I can for the time I have. Here are a few family shots I recently did of my daughter.

I loved the lighting that day on the beach. I know lighting is so important. I struggle with light on most of my attempts at taking photos. There is either too much light in one area or not enough. I think I struggle with not enough light on most cases. I did buy some more lighting a few years ago and that helps a lot. I just don’t like having to always bring a load of equipment around with me. I try to use natural lighting as much as possible. It’s just easier.

I at times do photography for others. It’s always a joy to work with others and to see what we can come up with for great shots. It doesn’t always turn out, but there are always a few that come out just fine by the time everyone is exhausted. I say just go with the flow. It does not have to be perfect.

I will continue to take photographs of the things I like and I’ll try and share them more often. If you ever would like me to take some photographs for you then just let me know and we can work it out. I sometimes am willing to just do the editing of photograph that you have taken. Just another thought.

As time goes on we all continue growing at our own pace. Photography is one of those things that never gets old and I feel that I am always growing with each new project. I hope you too can enjoy taking photos and try and take them to the next level. We can all improve on paying attention to detail. Getting that extra hair out of the face, a better pose, or shooting at an angle that hides unwanted objects in the image. All these things can help the photo become just a little better and the more we practice these small improvements the better we get at it. The better our family pictures will be. Just face it, most of our photos are of us and our families. It is great to sit down and share photos with family and even better when the images are of a higher quality and a joy to look at artistically too. Everyone keep on shooting with a purpose. take care till the next blog post. :)

My Photography Development

Photography is one of those areas that I love and have always tried to improve on. I’ve always had the low end equipment so I’ve only been able to go so far. I’ll admit I get jealous when I see nice lenses or even a high end camera. I like to imaging what I could accomplish with one of those things. Enough dreamland… I do feel I can have decent results with my what I have. Better than the average, but nothing compared to a pro. I have recently, for the first time, bought a soft box with a flash. I always used natural lighting only before this. I have been practicing and wow it’s a whole new area to learn and to improve my shots with. There is no time like now (and that time is when ever you are able, when the opportunity is there). I have not tried any outdoor shots yet, just indoor for now. I didn’t realize how much lighting is so very important. Finally I have some clear shots instead of always being on the verge of blurry photos that need editing to get them ok. My mind is going all over the place thinking of all the improved photos I can now take. So fun. Here are a few shots of fun I had just testing the lights with my kids. Now it’s time to start finding a mood or feel for my photos by experimenting a lot. Wish me luck. If I get on a schedule and try and at least once a week set up and force myself to put in the time, I’ll learn a lot faster. Then I’ll know when I want harsh shadows vs soft shadows vs no shadows, etc. I don’t want to have the model wait patiently as I try and figure things out so once I get it all down it should be a fun smooth process to take portrait shots. I actually like taking shots of just still life, but people are harder and something I would like to learn. I love portraits so that is probably where I’d focus my learning. Group shots are not what I like doing either.

So for the equipment I’m using is a Canon Rebel ts6 and either my 28-135mm lens or my 50mm cannon lenses. The dome lights I’m using are the some cheaper gear “Neewer” from amazon. They do the trick and I love them as I don’t know anything else and anything is much better than what I had which is nothing. They are battery powered so I can bring them outside easily if needed.

As I learn and feel I’m good enough to share, maybe I’ll share my experience of what I learned along the way. I’m just happy that I have some photos that are sharp and not fuzzy from low lighting. That alone makes me really happy. :)