Tag Archives: Photoshop

Fooling around with Infrared

Ever since the day I switched over to digital, I’ve been jonesing to do some IR photography. For the longest time I relied upon external filters to help block out the visible light leaving me with very long and noisy exposures. Disappointed with the results and hassle I pretty much gave it up. Then there were small, enterprising companies that made cameras specific to IR and/or modified existing cameras to read the full spectrum -but these cameras were either too expensive or the megapixels were far too low to make it worth while.  Last Christmas, on a lark, I decided to take another look at the array of IR cameras on eBay. Much to my surprise, there were a plethora of makes and models out there for under $200.

After doing some research I settled upon a modified Panasonic Lumix DMC-FH27 by Kolari Vision.  It is a 16 megapixel camera with a Zeiss lens and is small enough to fit into the side pocket of my camera bag. Kolari Vision specializes in IR camera conversions. They have cameras in 590nm, 665nm, 720nm, 800nm, 850nm, and full spectrum filters. They take used but good condition cameras and remove the Hot Mirror and replace it with an IR pass filter. I chose a 720nm filter for the widest range of results. Because you not putting a huge light block on the front end of the camera you can shoot many shots without a tripod. You do however have to make sure you set your white balance before shooting -they recommend a grass field as it’s closest to an 18% grey card.

Kolari Vision does a great job and provides a CD with tips about IR photography as well as some great false color Photoshop actions. This has become one of the more satisfying additions to the kit in quite a while. I can hardly wait until spring time!

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DPA Workshop: Advanced Photoshop – Photoshop for Photographers

Saturday Nov. 19th, 9am-5pm ~ DPA Instructor Eric Sahlin $150 per person

At Adobe Systems as a contractor in 2007 – 2008, I  had the privilege of working on Photoshop and Bridge. Photoshop is the most ubiquitous and powerful imaging software in the world and a must for every photographer. Eric will cover advanced techniques to improve your workflow. The course will cover:

  • Photoshop Bridge Management
  • The new features of Adobe Camera Raw
  • Work space customization
  • Color fundamentals, neutralization and local adaptation
  • Blending, image distortion and luminance controls
  • Cloning and healing techniques, Noise reduction and output sharpening for print and web

Photo ©Eric Sahlin Photography

I will do a deep dive into these features and how they will improve you output. Please bring your own images to work on for the second half of the class.

This course is meant for intermediate and above users of the program. Please bring your Mac or PC Laptop, loaded with Photoshop CS4 or CS5 to the studio (a free trial is available at Adobe).

Photo ©Eric Sahlin Photography

The studio is located at 309 4th Street #108 Oakland, CA

Register online at: www.digitalphotoacademy.com, or via email: info@digitalphotoacademy.com, or Toll Free: 877.372.2231  877.372.2231 

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DPA Photoshop/NIK Workshop

Saturday October 8th 9am-5pm – $150

In my opinion the NIK suite of plug-ins represent the greatest additions to Photoshop, Lightroom and Aperture that are available at this time. Their algorithms are so well thought out that it makes a lot of corrections effortlessly and perfectly. They also extend the creative possibilities into the realm of infinity –no small feat for a photoshop plug-in. From absolutely remarkable, 16 bit, HDR to truly stunning digital noise abatement, these tools are essential to the best digital processing workflow.

I will present the introduction and deep dive into all the suite products:

  • Dfine® 2.0 – Best-in-class noise reduction
  • VIVEZA® 2 – The most powerful tool available to selectively control light and color in photographs.
  • HDR EFEX PRO™ – The new professional standard for powerful realistic and artistic HDR imaging.
  • SILVER EFEX PRO™ 2 – The world’s leading black and white imaging software.
  • Color Efex Pro™ 3.0 – 52 photographic filters with over 250 effects for professional quality images.
  • Sharpener Pro™ 3.0 – The most advanced, powerful, and complete sharpening solution for photographers.

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Please bring your laptops (Mac or PC) and some images you’d like to work on. This class is for all who wish to learn the products but some knowledge of Photoshop is desirable.

You can download the trial versions of the software at http://www.niksoftware.com/downloads/usa/entry.php?view=software

Nik has generously donated an electronic version of any one  product to one lucky attendee to be determined by draw at the end of the workshop ($99.95 value)

Every attendee gets a free BlackRapid RS-4 strap –a $54 value and very cool!

Eric’s Studio is at:

309 4th Street #108 – Oakland, CA 94607
510.332.4511

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Register online at: www.digitalphotoacademy.com, or via email: info@digitalphotoacademy.com, or Toll Free: 877.372.2231.

This also makes a great gift for the photographer in your life. Gift certificates are available from DPA.

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DPA Special Class: Landscapes at Point Lobos

Saturday and Sunday, September 24th & 25th  – $150

Point Lobos State Reserve is just south of Carmel, California. It is what famed landscape artist Francis McComas’s called “The greatest meeting of land and water in the world.” When going there you are travelling on the same paths that enticed Ansel Adams and Andrew and Brett Weston. It has the best vistas per foot walked than any other park in California –and it’s small enough to make a complete subject within a day.

I will lead a small group of digital landscape photographers through the park over a 2 day period.  Everyone will assemble at the Sea Lion Point Parking area in Point Lobos at 1pm on Saturday for a brief overview and shoot until sunset –and perhaps a little after that. Warning – the park does have a car limit and if you don’t get there early you may be waiting until someone exits or walk in from the road.

The next day we will meet at Katy’s Place (Mission Street between 5th and 6th) for Breakfast in Carmel at 7am or at Sea Lion Point Parking at 8:30am and shoot until noon. This will give you the full range of light in the park.

Subjects covered include:

Research and pre-planning
Mapping shots and going over the kit
Interpretation and composition
Composition techniques

This is open to all levels but a working knowledge of your camera is required. Please bring your standard kit including some long lenses like 200mm or longer. But please only bring the kit you are prepared to carry. Although this is a small park, there will be a fair amount of walking. Please bring comfortable shoes, water, hiking snacks and a light Jacket.

Accommodation can be readily found in Monterey and Carmel –here is a list of recommended places:

Carmel Mission Inn
Carmel Lodge
Carmel Wayfarer Inn
Bay Park Hotel
Hotel Abrego
Hotel Pacific

The accommodation, travel, meals and park entrance fees are not included in the pricing and are up to you to make the arrangements.

Register online at: www.digitalphotoacademy.com, or via email: info@digitalphotoacademy.com, or Toll Free: 877.372.2231.
This also makes a great gift for the photographer in your life. Gift certificates are available from DPA.

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Special Advanced Workshop: Architectural Photography in the Digital Age with DPA Instructor Eric Sahlin

Saturday April 9th  9:00am – 5:00pm

Eric will assemble the participants at his studio at 309 4th Street #108 Oakland, CA. He will begin with a brief overview of the equipment and techniques used in the digital architectural photography. Then, the group will walk a couple of blocks to Old Oakland to take some shots of this historic district. The class will return to the studio at approximately 3pm to go over the day’s results and make the digital adjustments in Lightroom and Photoshop.

©Eric Sahlin

The Old Oakland district was the “original” downtown Oakland during the 1860s after the Central Pacific Railroad constructed a terminus on 7th Street. By the 1870s, elegant brick Victorian hotels were being built in the blocks surrounding the railroad station to accommodate travelers. The ground floors of the hotels were designed as series of narrow shops so that pedestrians would pass by many of them just walking down the block. The architectural styles of the time featured tall, cast-iron columns and large plate-glass windows.

©Eric Sahlin

The downtown began its decline after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, when the shopping district began moving to the blocks north of 14th. In the 1980s, developers carefully rehabilitated and restored a block along 9th Street between Washington Street and Broadway, known as “Victorian Row”. Notable structures on Victorian Row include the 1878 Nicholl Block building.

©Eric Sahlin

This course will concentrate on exteriors only. It’s quite frequent to be given an assignment to shoot the exterior of buildings in a crowded location without shutting down the block.

It is possible in the digital age to come away with images that fulfill the client’s expectations even when conditions are not optimal – which is, of course, more often than not the norm.

Compare the image above and below…..

©Eric Sahlin

The instruction will cover architectural compositional basics, HDR for controlling the contrast ratios, digital distortion and perspective control, use of Shadow Highlight or Fill controls, White Balance, and digital dodging and burning. It will also cover other types of photography that you can get while you are waiting for that darn rotation of the planet.

©Eric Sahlin

Please bring your cameras with all the lenses you have. Please also feel free to bring your laptop to work on your images.

Eric’s studio is located at: 309 4th Street #108 Oakland, CA

This 9 hour class costs $150.00. If you would like to learn more or to register for this fun-filled workshop, please call our toll-free line at 1.877.372.2231 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1.877.372.2231 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or log on to www.DigitalPhotoAcademy.com.

Eric teaches many classes for DPA. Be sure to touch base with him or visit the DPA site to learn more about them.

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