PhotoTools 2 Lite

PhotoTools 2 Lite | PhotographyBLOG

onOne Software has announced a free, Lite version of PhotoTools 2 Standard Edition. Based on the exact same feature set as PhotoTools 2 Standard Edition, PhotoTools 2 Lite includes 14 of the most popular effects found in both PhotoTools 2 Standard Edition and PhotoTools 2 Professional Edition. The 14 effects available in PhotoTools 2 Lite range from reproducing classic photographic effects like Bleach Bypass and Cross Process, to reproducing film stock such as Kodachrome® and Velvia®, to modern effects, including automatic skin smoothing. PhotoTools 2 Lite is offered at no cost and is only available as an electronic download direct from onOne Software.

Mastering Digital SLR Photography

A free online version of Mastering Digital SLR Photography can be read here. Sadly this link no longer works.

The book contains the following sections;

  1. Digital SLR Photography Now and in the Future
  2. Digital SLR Technology Made Easy
  3. Mastering Your dSLR’s Controls
  4. dSLR Quirks and Strengths
  5. Working RAW
  6. Working with Lenses
  7. Close-Up Photography
  8. Capturing Action
  9. Composition and dSLRs
  10. Mastering dSLR Special Features

Soul of Stellenbosch Competion

WIN R25,000
worth of prizes

Capture and celebrate the unique, quirky, historical, social, fun, environmental and beautiful soul of Stellenbosch, to win great prizes!

We are looking for pictures of family fun, outdoor adventure, coffee shop culture, gourmet delights, as well as wine and cultural experiences.

Entry is free – load your picture onto the website before 30 June 2009. For more info, rules and regulations, contact:

Tel: (021) 886 4310, or visit http://www.wineroute.co.za.

Enroll for a course now at last year’s prices

Vega (including the National College of Photography) are offering their courses at last year’s prices. Althought their new prices come into effect on 1 June, you have until 22 June to register at the old prices. Below is a reduced size image of the advert they e-mailed. It’s hard to read so click here to see the advert on their own site.

HPS Meeting Wed. 13th May 2009

We were happy to welcome guests, as well as several new members who signed up during the evening.  It was good to see Johan Beyers once again – we have missed him.  Thomas Niemeyer is another member who travels from far, so it was good to hear about the progress of the PSSA Congress/Av Convention he is organising for October in Hermanus.  Please check the PSSA and/or Hermanus websites (www.pssa.co.za and www.hermanusphoto.co.za) for details which will be updated regularly (put them under your ‘favourites’), and seriously consider attending the Congress, even if you can manage only one or two days.  The speakers are excellent and there is a full program which will re-charge your batteries!

Appropo Thomas’s visit, I await (with huge interest) the result of his ‘Mexican wave’ request – if I know Thomas, it will be different.

The competition ‘City Life’ drew about 40 prints and images, whilst the projected images numbered at least 50.  All members are encouraged to make the effort to take part – don’t be discouraged at what you might think is a low awarded mark – be assured that every image is judged and evaluated with respect.  Judges are not perfect – they have their opinions – and in the end if you are happy with your image that’s all that matters.  Being a member of a club and having your images evaluated may lead you to making images you never thought you could make!

Remember, Interclub (Sat. 31st october) will be on us soon, and we would like to be able to choose the 12 prints and 12 projected images which will represent the Club, from the widest base possible – so please join in!

After tea, Steve showed a technical audio-visual presentation on RAW workflow which informed me of aspects I did not even know about, but am assured that the more experienced photographers understood!

We were once again treated to apples from Andre du Toit’s farm – thanks Andre!

Our meeting in June promises to be a special one – watch this space.  Suffice to say that entering your best landscapes in the Open Section (Set Subject ‘Vertical Lines’), will be a recommendation!

Burning & Dodging With Adjustment Layers And Masks

Burning & Dodging With Adjustment Layers And Masks

Non-destructive burning & dodging is most often done with a 50% gray fill layer. Although using this method has worked for me in the past, I’ve found it difficult to predict what sort of result I would ultimately attain when finished. Lately, I’ve been using adjustment layers with a mask to do my burning & dodging and I’ve found that I have more control over image tone and contrast.

The benefit of using this method is that once the layer mask is applied, you can easily re-open the layer adjustment dialogue box and change the amount of brightness or darkness given to particular areas.