I know everybody is totally annoyed with me that I only update this blog once every 7-8...ok, maybe 9 days or so. SORRY. I'm busy shooting and traveling, really, I promise! Anyway, I need that time to muster up content that is actually worth something, so this week, I want to post something that I think will help a few of my readers grow closer to actually nailing the shot they initially envisioned! Sound easy enough? Well, with some practice and some studying, its totally doable! In this post, I want my readers to consider the tools that help us do what we do! Before anybody gets started reading this post, I would like to give some tips that will help ANY photographer, regardless of skill level, reach the next level! Lets start with my toolbox. First off, we use Canon 5d's, L series Glass, off camera flash triggered by pocket wizards and we also use PHOTOSHOP. I want this post to feature a little Props to Adobe for engineering such an amazing piece of software...Before I get into the description of how we use PS, I would like everybody to know that we shoot JPG files on our 5d at the 1 step compression Large setting. Sol & I have been shooting weddings for 6 years now and combined, we haven't yet shot a RAW file for a client. I DO NOT want this to turn into a raw vs. jpg argument, because I really want this post to be about that topic... But what I do care about, is that you understand that we shoot JPG files and we think that shooting the correct color balance, exposure and composition is extremely important to get RIGHT when you squeeze the trigger. Raw has its benefits and I love the format however for us, it doesnt work for our production process. That said, for the sake of the following photos, I'd like to throw some props to some of the resources that we have found very helpful in the development of our creative vision. Anybody heard of NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professionals)? Well, if not, I recommend you rush and join their association and start sucking in all the excellent resources available through their network of professionals. Scott Kelby, Dave Cross, RC, Matt Kloskowski and you may want to check out PhotoshopuserTV. I have spent many a days logged into NAPP's website following video tutorials and studying techniques to better my imagery... If any of these sites are new to you, I'd recommend taking some time to indulge in them! I think its paid off. In the following example, I've got an image that showcase before and after techniques to emphasize how photoshop helps us make a prettier image :) We don't rely on PS 100% for our imagery, but sometimes, it sure helps us tweak our images into some super magic! This particular image wasnt shot with the best framing and exposure. PS was needed to "rescue" it. We were saved by the tools that PS offered us! I don't want to explain exactly what I did as it took me about 8 minutes or so to make this photo work and look seamless. Just understand that sometimes, PS can make the difference in a saved shot vs a shot that makes the cut, but isnt quite the "one". In this photo example, we used a slave snooted speedlight (nikon sb-28 triggered by PW) that was set to 1/8th power with a full CTO gel. This photo was cropped, and touched up in PS using curves, patch tool, cloning tool, and history brush with a few masks and some custom actions to achieve the end result. I've included the BEFORE & AFTER images for full impact. The results are subtle and more appealing to my eye. Canon 5d, ISO 50 2.8 1/160th with a 16-35 L at 16 mm. After a little Photoshop Help... To back up the usage of the CTO gel... I decided early on during this portrait session was shadowed by a setting sun with some very beautiful directional light that was very orange colored and replicating this look was something easy enough to do with the CTO. The following image is NOT a Flash Flavor image, but included here to emphasize the available light quality and color and back up the decision I made to use the CTO gel.

 

here is another one that was shot with a snooted speedlight, a tad blown out. Slave was set to 1/4 power and just TOO close to the subject. Canon 5d, ISO 200 2.8 1/160th As you can see, the color version is just a tad hot...its actually pretty blown out. BUT, contrast is ok, and with few custom PS actions and a B&W conversion, the contrast is sexy!

 

Anybody got PS or love it as much as I do... Isnt it a blast to use this software? Editing can get you down, but when you really know how to use the software, its a total BLAST! Thoughts? Cheers! Matt