When we went out to Bannack Ghost Town, we had a photo contest in the cemetery close to sundown. We had five minutes to take pictures and then choose one to submit as we got back on the bus.
My camera was dead so I pulled out my phone and just focused on composing a good shot. Here is what I got and ended up winning with:
Oh the fun things you can do with light at night!
Noah's Ark
At the dollar star, I found some batter-powered glow sticks that I used to create this shot. In the absence of a tripod, I used the grill in our backyard as the designated camera holder. I used a timer as well to avoid any shaken image syndrome. In post production, I did lower the blacks a little which dropped out the silhouette of my legs in the background (For tracking information see below).
Main and Second
This picture was a lot of fun to create. I stood on the corner of Main and Second East in Rexburg. I turned up the shutter speed to four seconds, clicked shoot and started to dance.
Streaks and Stars
I used the top of my car to create the reflected streak on top of the car.
Chinese New Year
Again, I started on the corner of Second East and Main. If you look closely you can make out the Walgreen’s pharmacy logo. For this one, instead of focusing on the lights on the street level, I angled up, including more of the stoplights and signage (like McDonald’s in the far distance and the big red lights of Walgreen’s logo).
Benched
This scene and the following one were both taken in our backyard. I set the camera up to take a 15 second exposure. I had a flashlight in my hand to ‘paint’ what I wanted exposed. I simply used my hand to block direct light from catching the camera (it was easy to use content aware to take out the two instances that did happen).
Quixote's Bench
Noah’s Ark
June 11, 2011 at 10:57 p.m. Our backyard, Rexburg, Idaho
F/8.0 SHUTTER: 15 seconds ISO 200
Main and Second
June 10, 2011, 10:17 p.m. on the Southeast corner of Main Street and Second East in Rexburg, Idaho.
F/8.0 SHUTTER: 4 seconds ISO 100
Streaks and Stars
June 10, 2011, 10:01 p.m. South Second East, Rexburg, Idaho
F/8.0 SHUTTER: 2.5 seconds ISO 100
Chinese New Year
June 10, 2011, 10:18 p.m. at the South East Corner of Main Street and Second East, Rexburg, Idaho.
F/8.0 SHUTTER: 4 seconds ISO: 100
Benched
June 10, 2011, 10:50 p.m. in our backyard, Rexburg, Idaho
F/8.0 SHUTTER: 15 seconds ISO 100
Quixote’s Bench
June 10, 2011, 10:50 p.m. in our backyard, Rexburg, Idaho
F/8.0 SHUTTER: 15 seconds ISO 100
Bannack
May 25, 2011; 4:28 PM; Bannack, MT;
F/4.0 SHUTTER: 1/500 ISO: 80 Canon Powershot SX120 IS
Family Night
May 22, 2011; 7:22 PM Rexburg, Idaho
F/3.5 SHUTTER: 1/1600 ISO: 100 Canon Powershot SX120 IS
Eagle in Swan Valley
May 14, 2011; 9:16 AM, Swan Valley, Idaho
F/4.3 SHUTTER: 1/200 ISO: 200 Canon Powershot SX120 IS
Bannack One
Process:
I added a paint daub filter to the image before clearing the image and ‘history brushing’ hte image back in. I used mainly a 90 percent opacity on a heavily speckled brush. For the final black border I increased the canvas size by 5 percent while keeping the image centered.
Bannack Two
Process:
I cleared the image and using the history brush I brought back what you see. I used a small brush with only three or four dots and small strokes to create the lined effect. Add a little typography (‘Permanent Marker’ from Google’s Web Font Directory) and you got a Van Gough inspired effect.
Process:
I began with duplicating the pre-edited image. I used a multiply blend on that layer, getting the darker feel. I used a mask to bring back the family. To create the border, I increased the canvas side by 5 percent twice, each time using a different color to expand the canvas, giving it a double border.
Eagle One
Side note on the image:
As I preparing my panorama post a couple weeks back, we were out past Ririe collecting some potential shots. A Bald Eagle swooped in. His nest turned out to be just below the scenic overlook (on highway 26) where we were shooting. I had to commit the unpardonable sin of digital zoom to get this picture. The eagle in this shot is probably 150 yards away.
Process:
I applied the paint daub filter again which was particularly effective in negating some of the side-effects of using digital zoom. Using the marquee tool I selected the part of the image I wanted to use and after refining the edge with a feather effect, I created a new layer and discarded the rest. I applied a black border by expanding the canvas size by 5 percent and applied some text to finish ‘er off.
Eagle Two
Process:
Using the same paint-daub filtered image above, I cleared the image and used a history brush to bring back the image on a black backdrop.
Click photos for more details.
Click on an image below to see the details.
I used Dynamic Photo for all my HDR enhancements.
What do you get when you blend a desk, broken bottle and mossy stone together? I’ll show you . . .
Original
Texture One: Mossy Stone
Texture Two: Desk Lines
I applied a black and white filter to Desk Lines and the Original. I also used a mask and opacity levels to balance out the textures (especially the moss). The result is a rugged rustic photograph:
Finished Product
Photography Notes:
Original
Bannack, MT; May 25, 2011, 3:40 p.m.
F/3.5 SHUTTER: 1/1250 ISO: 400 Canon Powershot SX120IS
Texture One”: Moss
Bannack, MT; May 25, 2011, 3:43 p.m.
F/4.0 SHUTTER: 1/1600 ISO:100 Canon Powershot SX120IS
Texture Two: Desk Lines
Bannack, MT; May 25, 2011, 12:05 p.m.
F/4.0 SHUTTER: 1/60 EXPOSURE: -1 ISO: 160 PowerShot SX120IS
For this exercise. I used spot metering to first focus on a subject in the foreground and then in the second shot focus on a subject in the distance.
Foreground
Background
Reverse Depth
Bannack, MT; May 25, 2011; 1:10 p.m.
F/5.0 (F/6.3) Shutter: 1/1600 ISO:400 Canon Powershot SX120IS
*These shots were taken in shutter priority mode, which is why there is two different apertures.
Ghost Blur
Jump
Splash Down
Ghost Blur
Bannack, MT; May 25, 2011, 12:59 p.m.
F/8.0 SHUTTER: 2″ ISO: 80 Canon Powershot SX120IS
Jump
Bannack, MT; May 25, 2011, 12:36 p.m.
F/3.5 SHUTTER: 1/1600 ISO: 80 Canon Powershot SX120IS
Splash Down
Bannack, MT; May 25, 2011, 12:37 p.m.
F/3.5 SHUTTER: 1/1600 ISO: 80 Canon Powershot SX120IS
Each of these pictures were taken in Manual Mode to create the effect, it was a matter of primarily adjusting the shutter speed to catch (or blur) the action I wanted. Then, I adjusted the aperture to ensure I captured the image in good light. Slight lighting adjustments of exposure and vibrance were made in Camera Raw.
At the Window
Bannack, MT; May 25, 2011 12:13 p.m.
F/3.5 SHUTTER: 1/400 ISO: 400 Canon Powershot SX120IS
Minor adjustments: Using Camera Raw I increased the ‘Blacks’ level slightly. I also applied some filters to the window to bring back some color that was lost in the original shot.
Barbershop Reading
Bannack, MT; May 25, 2011; 12:16 p.m.
F/3.5 SHUTTER: 1/80 ISO: 250 Canon Powershot SX120IS
Minor adjustments: Using Camera Raw I increased the ‘blacks’ level slightly for added contrast.
Laughter
Bannack, Mt; May 25, 2011, 12:12 p.m.
F/4.0 SHUTTER: 1/30 ISO: 200 Canon Powershot SX120IS
Reading with Hat
Bannack, Mt; May 25, 2011, 12:01 p.m.
F/3.5 SHUTTER: 1/125 ISO: 320 Canon Powershot SX120IS
Reading with Cup
Bannack, Mt; May 25, 2011, 12:21 p.m.
F/4.0 SHUTTER: 1/125 ISO: 400 Canon Powershot SX120IS
Elizabeth
Mia
Deliberation
Flower Power
Stance
Discovery
Elizabeth
Front Yard at 35 S. 2nd E, Rexburg, Idaho; May 22, 2011, 7:57 p.m.
[Manual] F/3.5 SHUTTER: 1/100 ISO 100 Canon Powershot SX120 IS
Using spot metering and manual settings, I captured the original image. In Camera Raw I increased brought back some of brightness and vibrancy that was there when I took the shot. I also softened some of the lighting on Elizabeth’s face and balanced out the evening shadows that were falling across her face.
In Photoshop I proceeded to spot heal minor blemishes and apply a simple airbursh (30 percent opacity/38 flow) to further soften and even facial colors and features. To adjust specific areas of contrast, I applied a separate layer of black and white paint set with a soft light blending mode. There was also a tooth on the right-hand side of the face that for whatever reason caught a really crazy yellow light and was rather discolored. Using clone stamp and the soft light layer mentioned above, I made some adjustments.
Mia: Head & Shoulders
Front Yard at 35 S. 2nd E, Rexburg, Idaho; May 22, 2011, 7:17 p.m.
[Manual] F/3.5 SHUTTER: 1/1250 ISO 100 Canon Powershot SX120 IS
Being that Mia is ridiculously cute, it didn’t take much by way of adjustments to arrive at it’s current state. Using Camera Raw, I increased the vibrancy and saturation slightly. In photoshop I applied a slight airbursh to smooth features.
Deliberation: Full Body
Front Yard at 35 S. 2nd E, Rexburg, Idaho; May 22, 2011, 7:15 p.m.
[Manual] F/3.5 SHUTTER: 1/640 ISO 100 Canon Powershot SX120 IS
I only made minor adjustments to this photo in Camera Raw. I focused my efforts on getting the right balance of Gaussian blur in Photoshop.
Flower Power:Group Activity
Front Yard at 35 S. 2nd E, Rexburg, Idaho; May 22, 2011, 7:22 p.m.
[Manual] F/3.5 SHUTTER: 1/1600 ISO 100 Canon Powershot SX120 IS
In Camera Raw I increased vibrance and blacks for greater contrast, and made some initial adjustments with the adjustment brush to smooth out some harsh shadows.
In Photoshop, I used a stronger airbrush (50 opacity/38 flow) to further soften hard shadows. I added a gaussian blur to increase Bokeh, which I masked out on the family. I left the some parts of the parents slightly blurred, intending to create a dreamy, ideal feel. It helps keep the focus on the faces and Mia’s joy.
Stance: Group Posed
Front Yard at 35 S. 2nd E, Rexburg, Idaho; May 22, 2011, 7:23 p.m.
[Manual] F/3.5 SHUTTER: 1/1600 ISO 100 Canon Powershot SX120 IS
In Camera Raw I increased the vibrance, blacks and exposure so that when I ran a black and white smart filter over it in Photoshop, it gave me a high contrast. With a light brush, I masked back in some color in most of the picture. I brought Mia’s dress back in full, helping to keep the eyes on the family.
Discovery:Enviromental
Front Yard at 35 S. 2nd E, Rexburg, Idaho; May 22, 2011, 7:21 p.m.
[Manual] F/3.5 SHUTTER: 1/500 ISO 100 Canon Powershot SX120 IS
In Camera Raw I increased contrast and color through increasing vibrancy and blacks. In Photoshop, I airbrushed some of the shadows on Daniel and Mia’s faces. I finished with a Gaussian blur .
Before: Teton River
After- Teton River
Archer Highway crossing the Snake River, Idaho
May 15, 2011 9:05 a.m. F/3.5 SHUTTER: 1/500 ISO: 100 Canon Powershot SX120 IS
Before-Bird
After-Bird
Scenery Lookout Highway 26 between Ririe and Swan Valley, Idaho
May 15, 2011 9:05 a.m. F/4.3 SHUTTER: 1/400 ISO: 200 Canon Powershot SX120 IS
Both of these pictures were edited in Camera Raw. Most of the adjustments I made involved improving the clarity, enhancing contrast through adjusting vibrancy. In making adjustments to the bird, I used an adjustment brush to add lighting to the bird and increased the shadows in the background trees and river.
Before-1
After-2
Specs & Process: S 2nd East and Main Street, Rexburg, Idaho; April 24, 2011 4:30 pm f/2.8 Shutter: 1/800 Cannon Powershot SX120 IS
It took me about 10 minutes to enhance this shot. I seperated my subject, Elizabeth, on a seperate layer and applied a black and white adjustment to the background. I used the sponge tool to desaturate some of the nooks & cranies in her hair to match the background. With a simple star brush I painted the stars in on their own layer and applied a title overlay on the top. The font is Moonlight Shadow and is available on Dafont.com.
In this exercise, I will take two photographs I took and blend them together in Adobe Photoshop.
Before-2A
Before-2B
After-2
Specs & Process:
A: Ricks Building South Wall; May 1, 2011, 12:31 p.m. f/2.8 Shutter: 1/640 Canon Powershot SX120 IS
B:Manwaring Center Street Parking, May 1, 2011; 12:17 p.m. f/8.0 Shutter: 1/200 Canon Powershot SX120 IS
I chose a black and white adjustment that really accented the steel and chrome of the truck to give it maximum contrast. I then took the brick texture, laid in over top with an overlay blending mode. I used a mask and a textured brush to take out the brick. I finished it off with the burn tool to add a sort of custom drop-shadow behind the brick.
One
Two.
Three
Four
One. Ricks Gardens, May 1, 2011 F/ 2.8 Shutter: 1/250 ISO 80 Canon Powershot SX120 IS
Using the burn tool I added a little contrast around the pot. I also added a little saturation to bring some of the red out in the pot.
Two. First West, First South, Rexburg, ID, May 1, 2011 F/ 8.0 Shutter: 1/125 ISO 100 Canon Powershot SX120IS
Using the clone tool I removed a power line that stretched from a poll (hidden by the stop sign) off-camera in the upper right hand corner. The setting sun helped bring out a lot of the colors.
Three. Ricks Building, BYU-Idaho, May 1, 2011 F/2.8 Shutter: 1/400 ISO 80 Canon Powershot SX120 IS
I think fire hydrants are some of the most photogenic inanimate, ordinary objects there are. I used a curves adjustment to darken the shadows, increasing contrast.
Four. Manwaring Center Catering Parking Lot, May 1, 2011 F/8.0 Shutter: 1/160 ISO 80 Canon Powershot SX120IS
There was a weird line across the hood near the wiper blades that I smudged out (it looked like a bad layer cut). I also played with the contrast by adjusting the levels pallet. The goal was to enhance the red but not lose the darker feel of the shot.
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