7 Main Mistakes when Retouching Wedding ImagesIf there were one genre of photography that you could do without retouching then that genre would be – wedding. The union of two people for life is the most auspicious of moments and it is but understandable that they would want to look their best. As their wedding photographer it is but your responsibility... Read more »
Choosing Software for Post-Processing Your ImagesWhich application is best for post-processing your images? Several years ago, when I was first starting out in digital photography a friend of mine advised me – “You have to know how to use Photoshop for post-processing your images if you are going to be a photographer.” I was a purist back then, having shot... Read more »
How to Extend Background in PhotoshopLet’s imagine that you are standing in front of this beautiful sunset. You set up your camera, set your focus, set the camera on shutter delay and run back to your mark. The camera fires but at that exact instant another very-enthusiastic photographer walks into the frame. Ouch! The solution is to crop the guy... Read more »
Post-Processing an Image in Black and WhiteImagine photography sans color. It is unthinkable. Ever since we started our journey in photography we have always shot in color. When I say we, I mean of course, photographers who had picked up a camera in the last couple of decades. If you have a grandfather who was a photography enthusiast back in his days, he would probably resent the fact that everything is so dominated by color these days. I know mine would, if he’d been alive. Can’t argue with that. He is coming from a school of thought that is fast becoming a rarity these days. It is unthinkable in the world of instant photo filters, Instagram, Facebook and the instant post-processing bliss known as filters, that black and white images could still wow you. If you are a photography freak like myself we do. But we are exceptions and not the norm. Read more...
Double Exposure Effect in PhotoshopIf you live anywhere other than in a remote cave, you’ve probably seen those movie posters where the guy has the trees growing out of the top of his head and, if you’re in the creative community then no doubt you’ve caught the influx of tutorials showing you how you, too, can achieve this effect called Double Exposure. Despite it’s being the latest technique du jour, double exposure is actually a very old technique, dating from the dawn of photography, occurring both accidently and intentionally, even as a way to fool people into believing their eyes. Read more...
Extending a Background with PhotoshopOccasionally, when you’re working in photography, you’ll come upon an image that would be better on another background. Let’s say, when this happens and you have the perfect replacement background, you find to your disappointment that the new image isn’t the right size, even if you zoom and crop. Does this mean you have to start the search over again, spending time going through stock photo sites, or taking more images? Not necessarily. For instance, I needed a background image that was quite perfect for another tutorial, and I was not happy to have to give it up; so I didn’t. Instead of looking for an image to fit my needs, I just made it work! How? Read more...
How to Process your Images for the Cinematic Look?Before we start processing a sample image for the cinematic look let’s first try and understand what the cinematic look actually is. Images straight out of the camera (SOOC) carry the default factory settings. They are overtly bright and saturated. I am referring to the JPEGs here. This is one of the reasons why pros prefer to shoot in RAW with all the settings somewhat neutralised. Read more...