Achieving Better Focus and Sharpness in Your Images Twice a month we revisit some of our reader favorite posts from throughout the history of Phototuts+. This tutorial was first published in October, 2009. The most common complaints I hear from most photographers of any experience level is "my images aren't sharp", and "I can't get my focus to lock". 1. My what? You can adjust the eyepiece to a fairly large degree, but if you need more eyesight correction, there are replacement diopters available for DSLR/SLR's from many of the major manufacturers in a range from -5 to +4 as needed. 2. What the heck are all those things in there anyway? There are two types of focus points, single plane and cross point. Cross point focus points will work with lines of contrast that align either way. Each focus point also has a particular sensitivity. So if you are working in a low light situation, you may obtain better AF using the centre focus point. 3. An advantage that higher end lenses have is full manual operation even when AF is locked. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Understanding Histograms Possibly the most useful tool available in digital photography is the histogram. It could also well be the least understood. In this article we will look at what a camera histogram tells the photographer and how best to utilize that information. Virtually every digital camera, from the simplest point-and-shoot to the most sophisticated digital SLR has the ability to display a histogram directly, or more usually superimposed upon the image just taken. The 21st Century Light Meter When I teach my landscape and wildlife field workshops and am using a DSLR (which I usually am these days) I am frequently asked why I frequently look at the LCD after taking a shot. In Bloom. Canon EOS 1Ds with 16-35mm f/2.8L lens @ 24mm. This histogram shows an almost perfect distribution of tones covering about a 4 stop dynamic range — from deep shadows on the left to just short of bright highlights on the right. This setting, like every other that you or your automated camera makes, is a compromise. Examples
The 4 Best Types of Natural Light for Your Photography | MCP Photoshop Actions and Tutorials Blog for Photographers You are here: Blog Home » Guest Bloggers » The 4 Best Types of Natural Light for Your Photography The 4 Best Types of Natural Light for Your Photography I’m very particular about light. If my shooting conditions aren’t open shade, overcast, or back light,….I don’t shoot. However, as a photographer I’m always trying to learn new things and grow creatively as well as technically. It’s good to get out of your comfort zone at times and try shooting in all kinds of lighting conditions, like high noon, subject facing the sun, and mixed lighting. Here are some of my favorite lighting conditions to shoot in. OPEN SHADE: Shooting in open shade seems to be the safest lighting situation. OVERCAST: What can I say, I delight in overcast days! BACK LIGHT: Shooting back light is so much fun, yet does not always produce desirable results. AFTER SUNDOWN: Have I mentioned my new favorite time of day to shoot? I always notice light.
Get Photo-News with the PhotoVerse App Last week, the developers of an iPhone/iPad app contacted me about using my RSS feed to pull content for their new application. It’s a pretty cool idea, so I said “go for it!” PhotoVerse collects photography related news and blog posts like any RSS reader, and makes it handy for anybody interested in photography to keep up on their reading while also allowing them to share the articles on social media networks. The developers also asked me if I would like to test out the application… but I’m on Android, so no luck. I have 5 coupon codes for a free copy of the app.
The Art of Black and White Photography by David J. Nightingale Learn to create absolutely haunting black & white photos — shooting tips, Photoshop secrets, MORE “I’m no longer intimidated by B&W photography.” “David systematically takes you through each group of techniques showing you all methods and suggesting his preferences. BEST COURSE CHOICE for anyone with a camera and a desire to create STUNNING black and white photos Here’s the best course choice for anybody who wants to create haunting, striking, remarkably dramatic black and white photographs. Learn a rare and beautiful style of photography What’s so special about black and white photography? Learn to snap better pics, then how to enhance them with Photoshop “The Art of Black and White Photography” is an excellent, easy-to-follow course for anyone who wants to learn both sides of creating stunning black and white photos: “The definitive guide to black and white Photoshop conversion” “This is the definitive guide to black and white Photoshop conversion. — Filipe Martins Photoshop made simple
Art History in Sherlock Holmes: Vincent Van Gogh and J.M.W. Turner « Art History Ramblings Amazing the art history references one can find in both the original stories and various adaptations. If you want to read about art history and the Mona Lisa subplot in the Granada adaptation of The Final Problem, I recommend Three Pipe Problem’s highly informative take on the story. Cut for spoilers Leviathan Despite the skeptical feelings people had, I think Elementary captured the spirit of the original stories. I wonder, out of all the Van Gogh paintings the writers chose, they chose that one. Or am I reading too much into it? I do find it amusing that they picked a Van Gogh, especially since Sherlock actor Benedict Cumberbatch played Van Gogh in a documentary. The Reichenbach Fall Magnificent painting, yes? “It is indeed, a fearful place. Now, back to the BBC episode: I finally watched it. The use of J.M.W. Not only acting as a reference to The Final Problem, the painting itself acted as a portent to Moriarty destroying Mycroft’s and Sherlock’s arrogance and influence. Like this:
Vincent van Gogh Vincent Willem van Gogh (Dutch: [ˈvɪnsɛnt ˈʋɪləm vɑn ˈɣɔx] ( );[note 1] 30 March 1853 – 29 July 1890) was a Post-Impressionist painter of Dutch origin whose work—notable for its rough beauty, emotional honesty, and bold color—had a far-reaching influence on 20th-century art. After years of painful anxiety and frequent bouts of mental illness,[1][2] he died aged 37 from a gunshot wound, generally accepted to be self-inflicted (although no gun was ever found).[3][note 2] Letters Vincent c. 1873 aged 19. This photograph was taken at the time when he was working at the branch of Goupil & Cie's gallery in The Hague.[5][6] Although many are undated, art historians have generally been able to put them in chronological order. Biography Early life Vincent c. 1866, approx. age 13 As a child, Vincent was serious, silent, and thoughtful. The house "Holme Court" in Isleworth, where Van Gogh stayed in 1876 [23][24] Van Gogh's religious zeal grew until he felt he had found his true vocation. Emerging artist
27 Science Fictions That Became Science Facts In 2012 We may never have our flying cars, but the future is here. From creating fully functioning artificial leaves to hacking the human brain, science made a lot of breakthroughs this year. 1. Quadriplegic Uses Her Mind to Control Her Robotic Arm At the University of Pittsburgh, the neurobiology department worked with 52-year-old Jan Scheuermann over the course of 13 weeks to create a robotic arm controlled only by the power of Scheuermann’s mind. 2. Once the robot figures out how to do that without all the wires, humanity is doomed. 3. Photo Courtesy of Indigo Moon Yarns. At the University of Wyoming, scientists modified a group of silkworms to produce silk that is, weight for weight, stronger than steel. 4. Using an electron microscope, Enzo di Fabrizio and his team at the Italian Institute of Technology in Genoa snapped the first photos of the famous double helix.Source: newscientist.com / via: davi296 5. 6. ReCell by Avita Medical is a medical breakthrough for severe-burn victims. 7. 8. 10.
Sassy Water Looking for a way to perk up those 8 glasses of water that you should be drinking every day? Look no further…I present to you Sassy Water! Not only is it tasty, but sassy water is touted as a way to help you shed some extra pounds around your midsection by eliminating a buildup of contaminants, fat, and excess water weight. You Will Need:{8 ½} cups water {1} teaspoon grated ginger {1} medium cucumber, sliced thin {1} large lemon, sliced thin {12} mint leaves Mix all ingredients together in a pitcher and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, strain (if not using an infusion pitcher) and drink all 8 ½ cups throughout the day. Repeat for 4 days in a row...trying your best avoid any other beverages (coffee, soda, alcohol, etc.) Why it works: Cucumber is natural diuretic, and helps the body release stored excess water.
Scientists Officially Link Processed Foods To Autoimmune Disease Image Credit: Wikipedia The modern diet of processed foods, takeaways and microwave meals could be to blame for a sharp increase in autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, including alopecia, asthma and eczema. A team of scientists from Yale University in the U.S and the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, in Germany, say junk food diets could be partly to blame. ‘This study is the first to indicate that excess refined and processed salt may be one of the environmental factors driving the increased incidence of autoimmune diseases,’ they said. Junk foods at fast food restaurants as well as processed foods at grocery retailers represent the largest sources of sodium intake from refined salts. The Canadian Medical Association Journal sent out an international team of researchers to compare the salt content of 2,124 items from fast food establishments such as Burger King, Domino’s Pizza, Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonald’s, Pizza Hut and Subway. How Refined Salt Causes Autoimmune Disease
Into the surreal Into the surreal Posted by Morrison Conway on November 10, 2011 · 22 Comments Moscow-based artist Philipp Igumnov has created these fun illustrations and collages. His artistic style walks a fine line between a melancholy dream world and ridiculous humour with each photograph containing a retro element that works to defamiliarize our notions of the past. Melancholy is not Enough – Surrealistic PhotographySTORYTELLER – Surrealistic Photography of WomenSalvador Dali Paints a Real Wonderland – Dali Paintings Inspired by Alice in WonderlandAre You a Dreamer? Like this: Like Loading...