Celebration Contest Photo

Celebration Collage

Celebration Collage. 7/4/11'. 11:51pm Rexburg, ID. ƒ/3.5; 1.0; 50 ISO; Canon Powershot SD500.

Date Submitted: July 5th, 2011.

Edits: Crop each firework and patch them together on a black background. Each firework is on a different layer. No other edits were made.

Story: I decided to make a collage of the firework show. The Rexburg fireworks weren't as good as Idaho Falls so I thought of combining the fireworks together since each of them shot off 3-4 seconds after the other.  I didn't use levels, saturation, or any other enhancing tool, adjustment or effect. I thought I would just keep it as it was.

I chose the Celebration contest because of time and I like taking photos at night. It makes colors stand out and I love the colors and styles of fireworks. And this is the best way I could think of showing celebration. 

Contest Link: http://byuiphotographics.blogspot.com/.

Poster

Poster

Hotel Meade. 24x36. Canvas wrap. Bannack, MT. 5/25/2011. Canon SD500. See Bannack Best post for details.

Post 8: Fine Art Template

The top picture I used from Bannack trip. The second picture is from flora and fauna post. I used the tutorial #36 in book. I used clipping mask and inserted my own written signature that I scanned in.

Post 8: Night & Light

Night Graffiti

 

Light Painting

Blurred Lights

Camera Motion

Night Graffiti. 6/10/2011. 10:58pm. Rexburg, ID. ƒ/2.8; 8.0. Canon Powershot SD500.

Light Painting. 6/10/2011. 10:33pm. Rexburg, ID. ƒ/2.8; 15.0. Canon Powershot SD500.

Blurred Lights. 6/10/2011. 11:18pm. Rexburg, ID. ƒ/2.8; 4.0. Canon Powershot SD500.

Camera Motion. 6/10/2011. 11:41pm. Rexburg, ID. ƒ/2.8; 4.0. Canon Powershot SD500.

I was really excited to do this project but I never knew how hard it is to time everything right while using an external light source the right way. I had to try multiple times to get the look I was going for. Once I got the shot I wanted for each of these, I wanted to use Photomatix (single photo) option and I got really good results. A little better than Camera Raw. For the blurred lights, I photomerged multiple shots together. For the night graffiti, I used a cell phone for the light and combined two images together. One is a heart and the other is random. I used pin light to blend them together. For camera motion, I wasn't sure exactly what I was suppose to do or what it should look like. So this is what I ended up with. Kind of similar to the light painting but a bit more blurred from the motion of the camera, of course. I had fun with this.

Post 7: Scanography

Space and Aliens

Space and Aliens. I used vibrance, levels, and selective color on this original image and used clone stamp tool to remove haziness in middle of aliens. When i placed the planet, i used selective color on it also and cleaned it up with the clone stamp tool. Finally, as I placed the sun into the picture, I used gaussian blur on it and lowered it's opacity. That's why it has a nice smooth glow around it. And just for fun (didn't know if this was allowed), i used the brush tool with 10-15% opacity, 30% flow and drew some colored gas around the stars. I got the stars from placing this black cape-like gown on top of scanner and as the scanner went across, it capture all the tiny holes in the cape and that's how you see these little white specs. This was a lot of fun.

Space

Space. I used this green 3 prong handheld massager (aliens) along with my wedding ring as a wormhole device or solar eclipse (whatever you decide it to be).

Planet

Planet. I used a small candle light holder and placed it faced down on scanner and this is what I got. I used quick selection tool and placed it on the space picture I had already.

Sun

Sun. I shined a light on scanner and this is what I got. I then cropped it out and used a gaussian blur for it so it looked more like a sun with a smooth glow as you see in the final collage.

Decor Plant

Decor Plant. I used a little saturation and vibrance to bring out the colors a bit. That is all I did. I was pleased with the outcome.

Post 7: Edge Effects

Beads

Beads. I used a brush tool and lowered the opacity on brush. The picture is placed on white border.

Beads and Ribbon

Beads & Ribbon. I doubled the layer and added a stroke effect on the inside and lowered opacity.

Leafs

Leafs. I doubled the layer again and put a black border around outside with stroke effect.

Bannack Best

Macro Bokeh: Colorful Fungi

Colorful Fungi. Bannack, MT. 5/25/11'. 12:35pm. ƒ/7.1; 1/2000; -2. Canon Powershot SD500.

I thought the colorful fungi would be an interesting and original object to capture. I had some natural bokeh to the photo but added a little more and I'm not sure if I over did it or if there is a natural blend from the detail to the background bokeh. But I really love the detail in the wood and in the fungi or moss. I did use saturation, vibrance, gaussian blur, and a mask.

Bannister: Sepia

Bannister: Sepia. Bannack, MT. 5/25/11'. 12:52pm. ƒ/2.8; 1/200; -2. Canon Powershot SD500.

I had so many versions of this shot. One in color, one with just a vignette, and this one in sepia w/ a vignette. It really gives it that old antique feeling. I added a vignette to add more dark contrast to the highlights in the photo on the stairs and bannister. I love the composition of this photo. When you step back and squint, it almost looks like a musical note or maybe I'm just hallucinating. I don't know. haha.

Door Handle

Door Handle. Bannack, MT. 5/25/11'. 12:50pm. ƒ/2.8; 1/500; -2. Canon Powershot SD500.

Nothing that original but I liked the texture on the door and decided to take a photo of the door handle along with it. Kind of a plain object but I like the contrast of detail in the handle with the bokeh in the background.

Bannack Haunted Hotel

Bannack Haunted Hotel. Bannack, MT. 5/25/11'. 12:47pm. ƒ/7.1; 1/2000; -2. Canon Powershot SD500.


I added that same texture photo that I used for the doorknob in the Macro Abstract post. That's why you see what seems to be shadows of tree branches on front of the hotel as if there was full moon out. Plus adding the light in the window on the top adds more mysteriousness to the photo and hotel since it is...... haunted! Just joking.

Bannack Hotel Meade

Bannack Hotel Meade. Bannack, MT. 5/25/11'. 12:47pm. ƒ/7.1; 1/2000; -2. Canon Powershot SD500.


Same photo but in color and used vignette, saturation, vibrance, and levels. I also used spot brushing to lighten parts of the clouds in sky. I really liked this photo. I never imagined it would turn out like this. I like the angle I took of it with the wagon wheel in front. It really gives it that old western look. I also like the stormy sky. It really gives a nice contrast of colors in the photo.

Bannack HDR

One Shot HDR

One Shot HDR. Bannack, MT. 5/25/11'. 1:42pm. ƒ/8.0; 1/2000; -1. Canon Powershot SD500.


I had three shots of different exposures but they didn't line up right. So I was stuck with this one shot HDR taht was -1 exposure. I'm not thrilled with it but I'm satisfied with it. It isn't the best I've done but it does have lots of color partly due to using saturation and other tools using high dynamic range software.  I am really pleased with how the clouds came out. Lots of definition and contrast. It wasn't exactly how I saw it that day but it comes close.

Bannack Macro Abstract

Macro Abstract

Macro Abstract. Bannack, MT. 5/25/11'. 5:55pm. ƒ/2.8; 1/320; 0. Canon Powershot SD500.

Well, the photo isn't really abstract but the doorknob could be interpreted as abstract. I used saturation, levels, masks, opacity changes, and blending changes and the marque tool to sahpe out the texture to match the shape of the doorknob and used masks to keep it form showing anywhere else as it seems unnecessary to do so. All I wanted was for the texture to show up on the doorknob as a old cracked porcelain doorknob. I love how it turned out. I liek the detail and bokeh in the background with all the grungy colors and texture.

Macro Bokeh

This is the original photo. It's ok but not what I visioned it to be.

Macro Texture

Bannack Reverse Shallow Depth

Focus on Depth

Focus on Depth: Desk. Bannack, MT. 5/25/11'. 12:04pm. ƒ/2.8; 1/25; -0.67. Canon Powershot SD500.

I couldn't quite get the focus on the close up on this so I was stuck on the focus in the background instead. I guess my settings were right or I just couldn't figure out how to get foreground focus on my point and shoot. It's an interesting perspective to say the least but I wish I had a matching shot to go with it.

Post: Bannack Portraits

Portrait: Arianne Chambers

With so many people around I couldn't get a good enough distance to get good bokeh with my point and shoot. I used gaussian blur, a vignette, saturation, vibrance, a little air brushing, healing tool and clone stamp tool to remove misplaced hair around neck. I thought this portrait come out quite nice compared to my other portrait photos. I only wish I had a little more selective lighting.

Portrait: Kris Fryer

I used levels to brighten up his face but by doing that, his skin became pixelated a bit so I used luminance in CR to smooth it out a bit along with the healing tool in Photoshop. I also used a vignette and gaussian blur to cause depth and mood for the photo. Not exactly what I wanted or visioned in my mind but I just need more practice.

Post 5: Edits

Detail: Necklace

Detail: Necklace. Rexburg, ID. 5/17/2011. 12:49pm. ƒ/4.9; 1/500; +0.33. Canon Powershot SD500.

Used white vignette and vibrance, saturation and contrast in Camera Raw. Used gaussian blur in Photoshop with mask. Used brush tool to reveal clarity and detail on the necklace and part of clothing.

Full body: Pose

Full body: Pose. Rexburg, ID. 5/17/2011. 12:38pm. ƒ/4.9; 1/320; +0.33. Canon Powershot SD500.

Used vibrance, saturation, and levels in Photoshop. That is it.

Post 5: Portraits/ Enhancements

Individual: Shoulder and Head

Individual: Head and Shoulders. Rexburg, ID. 5/17/2011. 1:34pm. ƒ/3.5; 1/200; -0.33. Canon Powershot SD500.

In CR, I used vibrance and saturation, lessen exposure but used a little brightness & contrast. Used a touch of vignette for edges to make subject's face pop and her shoulder's blend in the surrounding light or darkness. In Photoshop, I used vibrance once again, mask to darken background and foreground but keep subject lighted (multiply blending option), selective color and marque tool to lighten eyes (tip used in class), and used healing brush on skin. I also used the brush tool to airbrush skin in some areas.

Individual: Body

Individual: Body. Rexburg, ID. 5/17/2011. 1:12pm. ƒ/4.5; 1/640; +0.33. Canon Powershot SD500.

In CR, I lowered the exposure, increased fill light and brightness. Used adjustment brush to darken shirt a bit and a little vignette to darken edges. That is all I really did for this one. Didn't really need Photoshop.

Group: Pose

Group: Pose. Rexburg, ID. 5/19/2011. 10:16am. ƒ/7.1; 1/200; -0.67. Canon Powershot SD500.

In CR, I lowered the exposure, increased the brightness & contrast, used some vibrance and saturation and topped it off with a vignette (dark edges). In Photoshop, I used gaussian blur and masked it to reveal detail and light on their faces and upper body. The lighting conditions weren't the best (cloudy day) so I had to brush tool in photoshop to brighten their faces as if light was hitting their faces.

Group: Activity/Action

Group: Activity/Action. Rexburg, ID. 5/19/2011. 10:19am. ƒ/7.1; 1/250; -0.67. Canon Powershot SD500.

This shot looked way better as a black and white. In CR, I only increased the exposure and contrast. In Photoshop, I used gaussian blur and then used a mask to reveal the detail on their faces with 30% opacity, 30% flow with the brush tool. I also used the healing brush and clone stamp tools for skin and other details on the heads and faces. I only wish that he was smiling and that would have made this picture perfect! But how often does a 2 year old smile for you when you ask? I still like the photo a lot!

Environment: Up Close

Environment: Up Close. Rexburg, ID. 5/19/2011. ƒ/4.9; 1/500; -0.67. Canon Powershot SD500.

It was really tough to get a clear and detailed shot of this boy becasue he was moving so quickly, hence the slight blur on face or eyes. He does have dark brown eyes. So in CR, I increased the contrast a bit, used a little luminance to smooth skin a bit and vignette to -73 and feather it to 100. I also converted it to grayscale because I thought this photo also looked better in black and white. Let me know what you think. In Photoshop, I did the same regular steps I usually do. Gaussian blur and mask. Brush tool set at 20-30% to reveal the detail on head and shoulder. This is an environment shot of the subject because he is playing on a playground, in case you were wondering where this boy is at or is doing.

Environment: Original

Environment Extra

Post 4: Panoramic Photos

Storm: 1

Storm: 2

Storm: 3

Storm Panorama: Before

Storm. 5/14/2011. 2:56pm. Rexburg, ID. ƒ/7.1; 1/1600; -2; Canon SD500.

Storm Panorama: After

Storm. 5/14/2011. 2:56pm. Rexburg, ID. ƒ/7.1; 1/1600; -2; Canon SD500.

For this photo in Camera Raw, I used brightness and contrast, clarity, a little bit of saturation, vibrance,  selective color, and adjustment brush to lighten or darken some spots in the clouds. The ground was so black, I had to use brightness and fill light to brighten it up a bit. I also took the sign out to the left with content aware fill. I'm not sure whether I like the clouds in the original or the edited photo. You tell me whether I should have left them alone or not.

Post 4: Edits/Camera Raw

Valley Panorama: Before

Valley Panorama: Before. 5/14/2011. 2:16pm. R Mountain. ƒ/7.1; 1/1600; -2. Canon SD500.

Valley Panorama: After

Valley Panorama: After. 5/14/2011. 2:16pm. R Mountain. ƒ/7.1; 1/1600; -2. Canon SD500.


I used a range of adjustments in Camera Raw like clarity, luminance (blur), adjustment brush, saturation, vibrance, selective color, levels, brightness and contrast. I tried not to spruce it up too much bit just enough that it captures your interest. I blurred the clouds a bit so they were softer on the eyes and kept detail on some of the ground.

Rexburg Panorama: Before

Rexburg Panorama: Before. 5/14/2011. 2:53pm. Rexburg, ID. ƒ/7.1; 1/1000; -2. Canon SD500.

Rexburg Panorama: After

Rexburg Panorama: Before. 5/14/2011. 2:53pm. Rexburg, ID. ƒ/7.1; 1/1000; -2. Canon SD500.

Just like the Valley Panorama, I used a range of adjustments in Camera Raw like clarity, luminance (blur), adjustment brush, saturation, vibrance, selective color, levels, brightness and contrast. This time tried to dramatize the clouds a bit and create some more contrast or dark and light spots in the clouds to give depth to them.

Post 3: Flexible Edits

Blue Sky

Blue Sky. 5/8/2011. 7:12pm. Rexburg, ID. f/6.9 1/200.

I used two masks. One on original image and a duplicate of that image which was placed on top layer. I darkened the darks and reveled the lightness and colors underneath that layer whcih had saturation, color balance, and level adjustments.

Branch Silhouette

Branch Silhouette. 5/6/2011. 7:00pm. Rexburg, ID. f/4.9 1/250.

I used a mask of original image and placed it on top with different adjustment layers beneath it so the colors would stand out with the darkened edges. I used virbrance, saturation, levels, and color balance adjustment layers beneath the mask and revealed them by using the brush.