Cool Processing in Adobe Camera Raw

Hi Everyone,

If you shoot in Raw, you already know about optimizing images in Adobe Camera Raw (ACR). All Raw pics need a boost in contrast, color, etc.

But Deborah Sandidge likes ACR for its ability to not only optimizing photos, but to creatively enhance them as well. Check out her inspiring BetterPhoto Instructor Insights photography blog:

Cool Processing in Adobe Camera Raw

Kerry

Take Better Pictures: Carry Your Camera Everywhere!

Want to know what really separates casual picture takers from serious photographers? :-) Check out my photography blog that I just posted over at Team BetterPhoto:

Take Better Pictures: Carry Your Camera Everywhere!

Kerry

Adobe Lightroom Tutorial: Color Control Workflow

Hi All,
If you have Lightroom, you'll want to catch Rob Sheppard's BetterPhoto Instructor Insights blog on color control.

Rob draws from his many years with Outdoor Photographer magazine, as an author of many books (including ones on Lightroom and Camera Raw), and as a pro photographer. Read his blog here:

Adobe Lightroom Tutorial: Color Control Workflow

Enjoy!

Kerry

Pro Photography: 3 Keys to Success

Hi Everyone,

Vik Orenstein is a terrific photographer, studio owner and author who wrote a new article for BetterPhoto.com. In short, it's a response to this question that she routinely gets from her online photo students: "Do I have what it takes to become a professional photographer?"

But, she says, having what it takes doesn’t guarantee success ... you have to work at it."

There are things you can do to maximize your chances of realizing your dream. Check out her article here:

Pro Photography: 3 Keys to Success

Kerry

Street Photography: Work on Your Creative Vision

Hi All,

Check out what Ibarionex Perello has to say in his new BetterPhoto Instructor Insights blog:

One of the thrills of being a street photographer is discovering the beauty in objects and scenes that the world is walking by - completely oblivious. Oftentimes, it's the play of light and color that makes me stop and make a photograph.

Read more about developing your creative eye:

Street Photography: Work on Your Creative Vision

Kerry Drager

Infrared Digital Photography for a Unique Look!

Deborah Sandidge loves the beauty of trees - particularly when they are portrayed in infrared light. They become magical! "Taking on another dimension of reality" is how Deb puts it.

Read more in her BetterPhoto Instructor Insights photography blog:

Infrared Digital Photography for a Unique Look

Have fun checking it out!

Kerry

Multiple Exposures for Flower Photography

By Kerry Drager

Creating multiple exposures with your DSLR camera can sure produce some great and creative photos. Tony Sweet is a master of nature photography, and in a BetterPhoto Instructor Insights photo blog, he shares his techniques with a beautiful 10 multiple exposure image. Read more here:

Multiple Exposures for Flower Photog

Enjoy reading and being inspired!

Have Fun Photographing Nature - Anywhere!

By Kerry Drager

BetterPhoto has a new photography blog - Team BetterPhoto! My first post involves shooting nature wherever I can find it, and sometimes it's where I least expect it!

Check out my blog:
http://team.betterphoto.com/2010/03/photographing-nature.html

I cover many of the close-up and macro photography techniques for improving photos: backgrounds, depth of field, composition, low perspective.

Enjoy!

Kerry

Wide Angle Lens Tips for Photographing Wildflowers!

By Kerry Drager

For most flower close-ups, we want a shallow depth of field (via a low f/number). That's because background details so often detract from the main foreground subject unless they are turned into a total blur of colors. This is accomplished with a macro lens, macro accessory, or just a telephoto lens (see Tony Sweet's blog for the latter).

In addition, Rob Sheppard suggests a wide-angle strategy for those times when you have a great background. But don't stand back; rather, move in really tight on the flowers to make them very dominant in the foreground. Check out his BetterPhoto Instructors Insights blog:

Wide Angle Lens Tips for Photographing Wildflowers!

In fact, when it comes to being creative, virtually any lens can be used for capturing spring colors!

Have fun with your photography,

Kerry

Flower Close-ups: Try a Telephoto Lens!

By Kerry Drager

Here in Northern California, I'm getting a serious case of spring fever :-) ... with color starting to pop up almost everyone.

Tony Sweet - nature photographer extraordinaire - says he'll use anything he needs to get what he wants, when it comes to capturing flower close-ups. That includes a macro lens, extention tubes, diopters, tele-converters and even big telephoto lenses.

Check out Tony's BetterPhoto Instructor Insights blog:

Use a Telephoto Lens for Flower Close-ups!

Enjoy being inspired!

Kerry

Macro Photography Lighting - Window Light!

By Kerry Drager

Tony Sweet is one very creative nature photographer. Check out his photo and thoughts on shooting flowers:

Macro Photography Lighting - Window Light!

Enjoy your close-up photography!

Kerry

Photography Special Effects by Zooming

By Kerry Drager

A zoom lens is so versatile - enabling you to change the focal length quickly and easily between exposures. But zoom lenses also let you create some very cool in-camera special effects. One creative technique is done by zooming during an exposure.

Although you can shoot zoomed lens exposures during the daytime, writes Lynne Eodice in her BetterPhoto photography article,"this technique really produces exciting patterns of lights at night."

Lynne, by the way, is a top pro instructor for BetterPhoto's digital photography school online. Read her excellent article, filled with tips and techniques:

• Photography Special Effects by Zooming

Have fun reading this article and trying out this very creative technique!

Kerry