Archive for December 2010
Graphic Design Book for Photoshop Users
It is true that some of the most evocative designs come out unexpectedly. Sometimes the best designs are a product of what seems to be a mistake. As the saying goes, designers should just let the art take them wherever it needs to go. But if that’s the case, what is the need for Photoshop tutorials?
Nobody is born a designer. It’s a skill developed through constant practice and experience whether from your own or from other people. There are several tutorials available on the internet for free but some of them couldn’t seem to tap on the fundamental and the technical. Books written on Photoshop and graphic design in general cover what was left behind by these articles. Here are a few that caught our attention.
Photoshop CS4 Quicksteps by Carole Matthews. This step-by-step instruction manual must be in every Photoshop user’s bookshelf. The compilation encompasses almost all that you really need to learn to create wonderful manipulation and designs. It showcases full-color illustrations that make it easier for novice users to appreciate the text. It is the ultimate reference book you need to have within reach while experimenting on Photoshop CS4.
The book shows us how to use the latest version of Photoshop in a quick and easily understood manner. One chapter teaches you how to edit and retouch photos while another explains how to use drawing and painting tools to their full potentials. These Photoshop tutorials are applicable to both beginner and intermediate users. Some of the tips found in the book are too basic that most advanced graphic designers tend to ignore them.
Practical instructions are always accompanied by screenshots to better explain the steps as you see them on the computer screen.
Photoshop Elements 2 Solutions. This concise book offers clear instructions and relevant examples that are useful to every graphic designer. It covers a considerable range of topics that are cross-referenced to other famous graphic design books and Photoshop tutorials.
Photoshop Studio with Bert Monroy. The author himself is the selling factor of the book. This famous graphic designer shares to us his own techniques in creating photo-realistic digital arts in Photoshop 7. Despite being a graphic design rockstar, Bert wrote the book in a comfortable and reassuring manner by employing a conversational tone from cover to cover. Even if the pages are filled with spectacular illustrations, readers aren’t intimidated. Instead, they are motivated and inspired to practice more. However, what the book lacks are step-by-step Photoshop tutorials but it sure did a great job by explaining to us graphic design concepts and principles.
Non-Designers Type Book by Robin Williams. Compared to the other three books we have already mentioned, this one tackles a more specialized concern every graphic designer has. In fact, the book is not just written for designers but for everyone who needs to deal with typesetting on a regular basis. The book explains well the basics of typography on layman’s terms by incorporating text with real-life examples. It defines the principles that govern type. It tries to explain the logic behind which type is readable and which does not seem to work. The instructions did a great job by balancing function and artistry in dealing with typography. The best thing about the book is its non-platform specific approach which means that what you get aren’t merely Photoshop tutorials. The techniques are applicable to any other graphic design software.
Photoshop Color Correct by Michael Kieran. This book also tackles a more specific technique in Photoshop. It discusses the theory behind color correction and how it should be applied in different types of photo editing tasks. The concepts are very comprehensive and well thought-out. It covers everything from using Levels and Curves to contrast and channel mixing. This book, however, is very technical and is not suitable for novice users. For intermediate graphic designers, this is yet another book worthy of your time.
The virtue of graphic design can be found on how you can control the medium you have chosen. Oil painters who want to learn watercolor must first unlearn oil. The same maxim governs digital art. One photo editing platform is a completely different skill from the other. Each has to be learned and unlearned so to speak.
Photography Business
Image : http://www.flickr.com
If your images are a very good standard and you are making a few quid from a few jobs on the side, maybe its time to consider taking the plunge of entering the world of the professional. Before you start you need to take a look at what is involved in running your own business and learn how to promote it properly.
If no one knows about you no one will give you work as a photographer and no one will buy your images. The following article is a guide to setting up a photography business and the promotion that will be needed to succeed.
For any individual or group setting up a photography business the first and most important area to cover is promotion and marketing. This is the key to success and the more marketing you do the higher the chance that you will succeed.
Once you have set up a business with your accountant, the first thing needed is to create business cards and promotional material. This material should have all your photography details and the services that you offer. Place as much promotional material as possible in local businesses.
Local businesses will nearly always help if you are not competing with them. This is a great form of free advertisement. Many supermarkets have notice boards and allow local businesses to use them. Libraries will always let you put up some type of advertisement. And, of course the web is an escalating place for self-promotion.
Most businesses have a website and your business will look more professional to have one. Website You do not need too big, five or six pages can be quite large but has the following pages, contact page, the page services, and portfolio pages.
Depending on the type of photography you do, I would suggest that you hold regular gallery if you sell a copy. This leads to the sales and also can provide you with free advertising in your local press.
Many new businesses now advertise their local newspaper. My adviceyou is that if you are using this medium be careful, as it is a costly means of marketing and you could spend a lot with very little in return.
It is very important to keep records of every thing you do. Try to find out from clients where they heard about you. This will help you to understand what type of marketing work best.
Don’t ever take on a job that you cannot do. This will give you a bad name and harm your business. Word of mouth will help your business and in some cases this could be the best means of getting work.
Every business needs to make a profit. One of the most important items to work out with a new photography business are the rates that you are going to charge. If you are too expensive you won’t get work. If you are too cheap your business may struggle. Before you do a job you must take everything into account, and make sure that you are charging enough to cover costs, have a wage, and make some profit.
Photoshop Action Scripts!
Using 3D animation to enhance the appearance of your design has become so easy with the use of Photoshop action scripts. The application of this software will make your design look as if it was made by a professional. And you avoid spending any amount of money with the use of this software. The software is easy enough to apply because it comes in a very understandable construction. The Photoshop action script contains different kind of tools intended to create unique and good looking design.
Why do you need to have design enhance by the application of Photoshop action script? If you’re planning to lunch a product on the internet, you want to make sure your product gets all the attention it can get. You want the on lookers to be curious enough to want to buy your product on impulse. You want to have a high volume of sales as soon as possible. The competition is fierce and you want your product to be on top.
You also want to employ the economy of scale. This means that you can produce so many designs for future use just using a single application. Well, you can only achieve these objectives if you use a Photoshop action script. There are numerous sites offering free instructions on how to use this software effectively with just a simple click of your mouse. So better search those sites right now and start experiencing the joy of being able to create your own best looking design!
Learn Photoshop Elements With conquering Layer
In my opinion, absolutely the best quality of the image changes to software programs such as Photoshop Elements is the color of the Layer palette. Working with layers offer much flexibility to use different elements in the design of your layout without accidentally damaging some other part of the digital graphics.
So if you only become familiar with the layers, here are the Ten Best Ideas to learn Photoshop Elements with the control layer.
1.At all times to create a copy of your first layer before changing it. Then if you do not really like how it ends until you can dispose of and easy to start again on another backup of the original.
2. To generate new muscle layer, click the New Layer symbol to the left of the top layer of the color palette. A new layer will be displayed directly above the current layer you have to go.
3. To copy a layer, initializedlayers by clicking in the color layers palette and drag the new image layer at the top left of the palette.
4. To view or hide your layer, simply click the eye icon beside the layer thumbnail in the layers palette. It is easy to use if you are trying to make a decision about the characteristics of different parts of your layout. You can toggle the visibility and invisibility so you can easily check the display rangechoice.
5. Making use of Layer Styles and Effects palette of colors, and usually located in the upper layer color scheme, and is the perfect tool to apply different styles, such as drop shadows or even special effects to the nature of photography to change the photo to sepia or you can even add color color).
. 6 To rotate the layer but not the entire chart be sure to use portion control layer below the image -Play menu.
7. Keep each individual element in separate layers. Every time you drag a new element in the layout of Photoshop Elements you immediately put it in a fresh layer. But when you add your own components (eg Using the Select tool to make a journal box that you can load your color before adding text content) make sure you do it with a new layer. That means you can move them around the page and resize itaffect other components.
8. Try to make your own personal roots by placing two different sources on top of one another in the layer palette. Then on the menu, click on the blending mode pop-up (top left in the layers palette color) and play with different options in the menus. You can create some great effects in this way. Do not forget that you can reduce the opacity as well as to manage how many layers of dominatingoverall impact.
9. In case you plan to change the color and contrast or using Adjustment Layer. Open the layer you want to set (click on the layer palette), then click on the symbol of white and black circle beside the new layer icon in the upper layer of the color palette. Choose the type of adjustment you want to do (such as hue / saturation) and then make your adjustments in the adjustment layer. This will affect the bottom layer. Butimpressive part about making your configuration in this way is that your configuration settings are saved and you can easily replace it, even after you have saved your file and reloaded.
Basic Photoshop CS2 Tools
Ok well let’s start with the basic tools, first if you haven’t got a tools box then go Window then tick tools. In the box that will appear on the left of your screen will be all the tools you will need to make anything you won’t. At the top of the box is a feather, clicking this takes you to the Photoshop website incase you have any major problems, Under that we have 2 icons first icon is a rectangle box (m), with this box you can do things like highlight certain parts of what You do and move them about. Second is the icon Arrow (v), is used to move objects that you put onto the screen, and also to transfer the text after you add text. Then in the bottom two icons that we have a lasso tool (l), lasso tool is used to image a plume to the screen or paste careful to draw a picture round.
Next is the icon Magic Wand Tool (w). It is used to highlight the image of a fighter EG lap in the middle of your Magic Wand click on the bannertool and then click next to the picture, this will highlight all parts of what you pasted that has no part of the image then press delete this leave you with just the picture (Better used with a render). Next tool is the Crop Tool (c). This too allows you to crop thing such as an image used in the same way as a screen shot you’ve taken and posted in Microsoft Word. Next is the slice tool (k) the slice tool allows you to take what your doing part by part. Next is the spot healing tool (j), this tool allows you to mend a part of a broken picture. E.g. you accidentally removed part of a picture or color background select this tool and click on the part that is wrong and it will fix it. Brush tool (b) the brush tool is used for making good backgrounds and also on new layers they have different types so that you get a different effect with every brush you use.
Clone Stamp Tool (s), this is used for taking a certain part of what’s on the screen (what ever you click with this tool) and will clone what you click. History Brush Tool (y), this tool is used in the same way as undoing something on Microsoft E.g. you drew a bane out of place go over that line with this tool and it’ll undo it bit by bit ( does the opposite to the brush tool).Eraser tool (e), Used for rubbing out anything on the background. Gradient Tool (g) this allows you to click and drag a line on the banner. Select a color gradient at the top and click and dragon on the banner as this goes along the color will match the gradient type that you choose at the top. Blur Tool(r) this blurs what ever you blur with this tool. Right click the tool and you can also get the smudge and sharpen tool. Dodge Tool (o) This tool is used to change the background effect and any other layer, Right clicking this gives you a dodge, sponger and burn option. Path Selection Tool (a) Allows you select another path to what you’re looking for. Text Tool, This allows you to add text to your project, you can change the text style by clicking once on the Text tool selected style.
Pen Tool (P), allows you to create a line that changes color and shape of the project. Rectangle Tool (u), it is like another rectangle tool but when clicking and dragging the rectangle size is fill in the color selected above. Notes Tool (n), allows you to attach notes to your project. Eyedropper tool (I) This tool allows you to select a specific color by clicking the color that you do not project.Hand Tool (h), when zoomed in this tool allows you to move around the project E.g. if you need to move to one side and you’re in the middle using this tool lets you move the project over. Zoom Tool (z) this zooms in on anything your making, to zoom back out keep clicking the zoom tool. Color boxes, Foreground and Background the top color is Foreground this is anything you do say getting a brush what ever color is in this section will be brushed on, Background when starting a new project what ever is in this section will be the background color. Bottom picture in the tool bar will switch what you’re doing to Image Ready instead of Photoshop, and vise verse.
We hope that this tutorial will help all the new people using Photoshop,
Photography ISO
Image : http://www.flickr.com
ISO stands for International Standards Organisation, a governing body based in Europe that provides standards for a large variety of subjects. The initials are used for film speed or camera speed in photography which rates light sensitivity. In the past it was known as ASA.
Most good digital cameras have an interchangeable ISO rating system. A camera with an ISO setting of 100 is twice as light sensitive as a camera with an ISO of 50. The faster the film, the more sensitive it is to light. If you are taking a low light image with a digital camera use a slow ISO rating of 200 or upwards.
Most digital cameras have changeable ISO settings which should be used according to different types of photography. If you are shooting on a bright day a fast speed or low setting of ISO 50 or ISO 100 should do. On low light scenes an ISO of 400 or higher my be a better choice.
This is the same for photographic film you buy. Each film has an ISO rating and work with the same principles as your digital camera. A film speed of 400 is twice as fast as a film speed of 200, which means that it allows twice the amount of light.
Also note that if you use a high ISO number your image may appear to have noise. Noise will give your images a grain affect when enlarged. All photographers like to have noise free images so selective use of ISO is important.
If you are unsure which setting to use you should keep your camera set on ISO 100. With this setting you will have a good colourful image.
ISO settings can also be important when calculating exposure. As you know, the aperture and shutter in your camera control the amount of light entering you camera. The ISO of your camera or film will also help to calculate tricky exposures.
Lets explain using this example.
You are at a scene and you want to use an exposure of f/22 with the shutter set at 1/2 second and your camera is set at an ISO of 100. The scene you are about to shoot will give you a good shot but there is moving water in the scene and you want to give a steamy effect to the water.
A shutter speed of 1 second will do this but if you keep the aperture set at f/22 you will overexpose the shot. The easiest thing is to set the ISO of your camera to 50.
A setting of ISO 50, and f/22 at 1 second is the same as a setting of ISO 100, and f/22 at 1/2 a second. If you are shooting with a film camera you will need to change the film to ISO 50.
As mentioned earlier, a photography setting of ISO 100 is satisfactory for portraits, landscape and wildlife. Just remember if you are shooting on a very bright day change it to ISO 50 and on a dull day change it to ISO 200.
Outstanding Wedding Photo Ops
The photos from your wedding will be some of your most cherished mementos. Think beyond the standard posed shots, and explore some special and unique settings that will really make your photographs stunning. These are some ideas on outstanding wedding photo ops that are not to be missed.
What is special and unique about the place that you have chosen for your wedding? There may be a stand-out detail at the reception venue, an unbelievable view at your ceremony site, or perhaps there is something that is iconic about the city or town. Don’t be afraid to venture off-site to have photos taken. They may end being some of the most special ones in your entire wedding album.
When you are looking for the best backdrops for your photos, ask yourself what you love most about your location. For instance, if you are getting married in San Francisco, you really must have some photos taken riding a cable car. By the same token, no wedding in Paris would be complete without a few shots under the Eiffel Tower. They might not be original, but they will be fantastic pictures, all the same.
Often couples will share special memories about one or two places in their hometown. Maybe there is a wonderful classic wooden carousel in a park near your home. Imagine how lovely the newlyweds would look riding the horses in their fine attire and bridal jewelry? Perhaps there is an outdoor ice skating rink where the two of you have shared many a laugh; it could be a perfect site to take memorable wedding photos.
Other outstanding photos can be taken at a place that has sentimental meaning to the bride and groom. If your fiancé proposed to you in Central Park, then you surely will want to have some wedding pictures taken there in your bridal gown, veil, and pearl jewelry. If no place makes you happier than the porch swing at your parents’ home, then ask your photographer to take pictures of you snuggled into the swing with your new spouse. The idea of having photos taken in all of your wedding finery at your favorite everyday sorts of locations will result in fresh and interesting images.
Most venues have some terrific features that can be highlighted as well. Let’s say that you are having your reception at a graceful antebellum mansion; you can’t go wrong with wedding photos taken by the porch columns. Perhaps there is an old stone wall that you can sit on. To make the photos more dynamic, your photographer can try taking them from unusual angles or unique vantage points. Many of these types of images will be especially captivating in black and white.
Don’t overlook the natural beauty of your wedding site when you are looking for great pictures. Is there an ancient oak tree in a field or a babbling brook? These would make excellent photo opportunities. Sometimes the photos can be taken through the veil of nature for an interesting effect. The newlyweds can stand behind a field of wildflowers, for instance, or even in the fog or mist, for one-of-a-kind shots. It helps to have a photographer with a creative eye.
Your wedding photos are so special; you deserve to have a collection that is beautiful and that really captures the spirit of your wedding. By thinking beyond the standard shots, you will be able to create a true visual record of your wedding day that reveals the character of the newlyweds. These are the types of images that you will enjoy revisiting for a lifetime.
Using Photoshop to Whiten Teeth and Eyes
Photoshop is the dream machine for all photo enhancers and designers. Not only can you make any portrait look perfect, you can do it easily and convincingly… once you know how.
This article will show you, for example, how to whiten teeth and eyes using Photoshop. Some of the more complicated techniques will be over the head for the novice, but you’ll be able to follow most of it. So drag a portrait into whatever Photoshop program you have, and let’s get Start:
It is always a good idea to create a new layer, duplicate the right, your photos before you even start the repair process. That way, if you decide you need to cancel a few steps, you will always be able to quickly undo.
Click on "Layer" in the horizontal menu bar, click "Duplicate Layer," then click "Ok." Move the tooth-bleaching.
The easiest way to make teeth whiter in the picture with your Dodge Tool. (Includes your tool icon, it's the 7th down on the rightcolumn. If you don’t see it there, right click on the icon and you’ll find two hidden choices; one will be your Dodge Tool.)
On the horizontal Tool Options Bar under the Menu, choose “Midtones” for Range, and 40% for Exposure. Also on the Tool Options Bar, choose the appropriate brush for this particular retouching job.
Use your Magnifying Glass Icon in Tools to zoom in to the area you want to affect. Then run your brush over the teeth you want to whiten several times, slowly, without removing the mouse.
If you find that too many white Dodge tool, you can click "Edit," then "Step Backward," (to start again), or "Edit", then "Fade Dodge Tool," which will allow you to fade an increase of bleach to your preferences You are right.
Dodge tool can also be used to whiten the whites of the eyes, and, in general to whatever you want to lighten. Use with discretion, pretty useful tool.
In Photoshop, there is always somemethods to accomplish the same thing. Another way to whiten teeth would be the following:
Select the teet with your Lasso tool icon, (second down on the left in your Tools). Then click on Image in your Menu, Adjustments, and Curves. Make sure the Channel box says RGB. Then, with your mouse, pick up the top right-hand corner of the box and drag the line over to the left. You will be able to watch the whitening process as you go.
You can use the Curves tool to change color on any given selection, too.
Photoshop is such a powerful program that it behooves any serious photographer to get familiar with at least the basics.
Happy enhancing!
Discount Photo Printers
Discount photo printers are the right choice for budget-conscious people who wish to print their digital photos. Photo printers are specially designed to print photos on photo paper. These are used by professionals for printing quality images. Photo printers have memory cards, which are used for creating high quality pictures with and without a computer.
Photo printers are manufactured by many top companies like Canon, Epson, HP, Kodak, Lexmark, and Sony. Some models of photo printers manufactured by the company Epson Stylus C84, HP Photo Smart 7960, Canon i560, Canon i70, HP Photo Smart 245, and Canon CP-300. Most important photo printer, and cost an average of more than $ 150 each. Photo printer prices vary from one brand to another. Those who want branded photo printer with a reasonable price from the sale of discount is the ideal choice. Alltop brands of photo printers can be bought availing attractive discounts from local shops or the Internet.
Discount photo printers can be bought from local shops during peak seasons or when they hold clearance sales. During these sales, you can buy all top brands and also local brands at discount rates. Other than these, one can buy quality photo printers during promotional sales and from sales exhibitions. If you are looking for a particular brand of photo printer promotional sales are the best option. Discount sales are limited to particular time periods.
You can buy all kinds of photo printers at attractive discount rates on line. Internet is full of online directories and shopping sites which provide numerous options for buying discount photo printers. Womanht.com and 123rank.com are some of the sites which have lists of discount photo printers.
Photography attract About Doors and Windows
Image : http://www.flickr.com
There is something about doors and windows. Doors and windows tell us so much about the streets, about history, about culture and they are everywhere. Doors and windows are big, small, plain, colorful, old, new, modern, antique, they come in all shapes and forms. Sometimes you will find open doors and windows, sometimes closed, with or without people, and even some times the door or the window are gone, but you know where they were suppose to be.
Doors and windows beg us to be open. You must open the door and walk through them. You must open the window and let the wind inside. Doors and windows are attractive and fascinating.
Doors and Windows has and they are filled with pattern, texture and design. They called us to be photographed. They come in all shapes, sizes and materials. There is a large and some are threatening, some are small and only there. Some of the doors and windows are also popular and some forms of art. These andmore certainly bring the fascination of capturing images of doors and windows.
Capturing an image of a door or a window might seem like an easy task. What can be so difficult about it, they are flat, so nothing to worry about ‘Depth of Field’. They do not move, so nothing to worry about ‘Shutter Speed’. But wait, doors and windows too have their challenges.
Most of the times doors and windows try to avoid the sun, they are patiently waiting under awnings, doorways, trees… oh, shadows. Sun might be hitting them, so there is reflection, that you might not like or that you might want to take advantage of. Doors and windows in the shade tend to have a cool, low, blue tone light, so sometimes the use of warming filters come into place.
As with most photographs, early morning and late afternoon is the best time to shoot doors and windows, not only due to the warmth of the light but also because porches, awnings, doorways, are out of the light path and no shadows are present. Side lighting is also interesting it will enhance the texture of the door or the window as well as its details.
The use of the tripod is usually required to capture the details of doors and windows, since you will be shooting in medium to slow shutter speed. Usually natural light is adequate but if you are not using a tripod then you might need a flash to fill in.
When you find a door or a window that you want to capture. First thing is to remember your first impression, Think about it and evaluate. What attracts your attention? The color of the doors or windows, views of the whole, the surrounding walls, doors or windows itself, door handles, structural, or window curtains. What ever it is, make sure you get the details, without these images can lose the wonder.
Another important thing to focus is to move close enough to remove all distractions and isolate the main point of your focus, one that interests you. Watchlightings and keep the back of your camera parallel to the door or window to keep everything sharp and in focus, maximizing the depth of field as well.
If what caught your attention was the texture, rusting, peeling paint, the carvings, then move in closer and consider using a macro lens, you really want to capture as much detail as possible. Side lighting can accentuate those details, use the shadows to add depth to the texture, capture an image in two dimensions.
Doorknobs are interesting details to capture. Depth of Field plays an important part in your image composition. If you want to capture the whole knob then use a smaller aperture so that everything is in focus, is you want to capture only the end of the knob and blur the back of it, then use a larger aperture. Think about other distracting elements involved in doorknobs, like keyholes and other highlights, make sure you know what you want your image to look like.
After capturing what caught your attention, switch back and study the rest of door or window. Change your position, your corner, get down, get high and look around. You can see that there are more, different perspectives capture your choice of interest.
When taking pictures of doors and windows take your time, remember the doors and windows everywhere.
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