Photography Software Techniques
Move beyond the basics with advanced photography software techniques from our experts. Covering much more than how to use photo software, topics include color choice, file formats and hundreds of other subjects.
Thursday, June 28, 2007Masking Essentials IMastering the art of the mask will empower you to control your images with precision The ability to work in specific areas of an image with unparalleled precision and repeatable results, along with the ability to combine multiple exposures seamlessly and flexibly, are two key advances that are propelling the current revolution in photographic practice. Still, selection and masking are topics that plague many longtime Photoshop users. This whirlwind tour will demystify the process and set you well on your way to mastering these essential skills. |
Wednesday, June 27, 2007Masking Essentials IIA number of key concepts and strategies make selection and masking more efficient and precise The ability to work in specific areas of an image with unparalleled precision and repeatable results, along with the ability to combine multiple exposures seamlessly and flexibly, are two key advances that are propelling the current (R)evolution in photographic practice. |
Wednesday, June 27, 2007Double-Processing White BalanceWhether your goal is perfect neutrality or creating an effect, you can use this technique to refine the colors in your images Not all white lights are the same. Differences in white light are commonly described by their color temperatures (rated in Kelvin). The lower the number, the warmer the light; the higher the number, the cooler the light. Light temperature has a significant effect on exposure, calibration, printing and display. |
Wednesday, June 27, 2007Digital Autopilot - How To Use Photoshop ActionsUse Photoshop Actions to delegate the drudgery I'm a digital photographer, not so much because of the digital part, more for the photography. I prefer shooting, but I don't mind the challenges of digital imaging that can take a photograph from good to great. The problem is that shooting and retouching are only part of the equation. So much time is spent managing files—downloading, archiving, proofing, processing—that repeating these tasks on a daily basis is bound to drive any photographer to a realization: automation is essential. |
Tuesday, June 26, 2007Extending Depth Of FieldUsing multiple exposures and sound camera and software technique, you can defy the laws of physics The ability to reproduce detail is one of the essential characteristics that defines the photographic medium. While there are many similarities between the camera eye and the human eye, there are also significant differences between the two. One of the most significant differences is that the camera eye can achieve a much greater area of focus than the human eye can at one time. This has never been more true than today. |
Tuesday, June 19, 2007Processing The RAWPhotographers in the digital age are inundated with software so Digital Photo Pro talked to the experts to get the ins and outs on two of the most popular RAW processing packages on the market We discuss RAW workflow a lot in the pages of Digital Photo Pro. Having the ability to work smoothly and quickly with RAW files is key to getting the most out of them. It's a simple fact—if you can't make RAW files work efficiently, you'll end up wasting a lot of time or just switch back to JPEG. If we assume you want the power of the RAW file, then JPEGs simply aren't acceptable. |
Tuesday, June 19, 2007Mysteries Of (Color) SpaceWe've covered it before and we'll cover it again because the ins and outs of color management begin with a firm grasp of how devices handle color space Technical terms are frequently tossed around like a Frisbee in a park on Sunday. In digital imaging, three such terms are color space, color gamut and profiles. “Use this color space—you'll get better results.” “Is this color within the color gamut?” “What profile are you using?” All are valid questions, but what do they actually mean? |
Monday, June 18, 2007Working Within Color SpacesMyth: Color space has the most important effect on color Do you use Adobe RGB? Is sRGB a pro format? Should pros really start using ColorMatch RGB? Or is there some other new color space permutation that will give even better results? The problem with this discussion on color space is that it assumes the digital camera has captured the correct colors in the first place and that all you need is the right color space to get the most from those colors. Digital cameras don't quite work that way, unfortunately. |
Wednesday, May 30, 2007The Bit-Depth Decision8-bit versus 16-bit workflow is among the least understood aspects of photography for most professionals. This primer will get you up to speed quickly. Within the field of photography and digital imaging, a number of debates are argued by users and experts: Nikon versus Canon, Mac versus Windows, zoom versus prime lens, RAW versus JPEG—the list goes on and on. Add to that 8-bit versus 16-bit. What's the difference? Is the controversy useful or viable? After reading our primer, you'll have a better idea about where to stand on the issue. |
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