Great Photoshop Pen Tool Tutorial

I cannot stress enough just how important it is to learn the pen tool - whether in Photoshop, Illustrator, or any other program that contains one. It will open up a zillion other opportunities, ideas, and will greatly improve your current work. It's a must for both photography and videography.

PDSTUTS posted a Comprehensive Guide to the pen tool. Check it out if you feel that you need to increase your knowledge of that often 'feared' tool. TUTORIAL

Must Read Blog for Wedding Photographers

I only do about two weddings a year now. For years though my husband and I did 3-4 every month.

You should not get into wedding photography just for the money. You must have the desire and heart to record a couple's special event in the way THEY want. And nowadays, it's a must to incorporate video along with photos. Instead of trying to share what we've learned in wedding photography through the years, I'm giving you a link to one of the best in the biz, who still photographs weddings. Learn from him. Watch his videos. Listen to his advice.

You can find David's DigitalProTalk blog here: http://digitalprotalk.blogspot.com

Holiday Gift Idea

I could fill a dozen notebooks with the knowledge that I've learned from this group/magazine. It's the perfect gift for yourself, or the perfect gift to give the photographer in your life.

When you sign up with NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professionals - or as I'm always calling them National Association of Professional Photographers) you will get: personal advice on your own work via forums, tutorials, and your own portfolio, discounts to programs that you will purchase anyway, a magazine that will take you from 'good photographer/photoshoper' to 'great photographer/photoshoper' (or perhaps hobbyist to professional), and many new friends. (smile)

This is one of those costs that you reap more than you pay. (smile) You can only gain in knowledge, which will help your business (and abilities) grow.

End note: (And you can ask my husband on this one) I don't purchase anything unless I know that I will make back what I've paid, and then some. And, I'm one for checking our free issues and/or trials. You can check out a free issue of the magazine by going here: http://www.photoshopuser.com/zinio/index.html

Photographing Children

I love photographing children, juice stains and all. (smile) You just never know what you are going to get. The expressions, the looks, the curiosity.

Many parents schedule regular photo sessions to 'stop time' forever in photos. Some children are fine with being photographed in a studio, and then there are times when you need to meet them on their own 'stomping grounds.' If you find that the child is not completely cooperative in studio, suggest that maybe you take some time to play outside. One, this will run some of their energy out. Two, you'll connect with them and they'll want to please you. Three, you just might get a better shot outside then in the studio.

We're blessed with having a park, built for kids, across the street from us. Besides playground equipment it also has many shade trees. Both provide numerous opportunities to photograph the child, or children.

Usually after a time playing/photographing the child outside we can come back into the studio and get the 'other' pics Mom wanted within a very short amount of time - and with a cooperative subject. (smile) The other benefit to adding in some outdoor adventures is that you will be providing the parent with more pictures - and often it results in more sales as they just cannot pass up the outdoor photos of their child/children playing and laughing.

This shot was taken with my 9xi and 135mm lens and 100 slide film. I've just recently added a digital camera to my bag - picked up the Sony a350 as it allows me to use all my Minolta lenses and flash.

Photoshop Disasters - 10+ Reasons to learn your craft well

Check out this blog (and subscribe if you wish): http://photoshopdisasters.blogspot.com/

Some say the best way to learn is by seeing the mistakes of others.

The blog is fun, it'll make you laugh (unless your work is listed), but also brings out good points. Know your craft, and review your work. If you don't, someone else is going to make note of your mistakes. And with some of the photos shown, I'm sure it was an automatic pink slip for the artist. . . . . .

I'll be posting another picture later this evening.

Matanuska Glacier from 1996

Wow, two posts in one day. I'm on a roll! (smile) I had time tonight to upload another picture of the Mat-su glacier.

Matanuska Glacier from 1996

When I get the chance I've started to scan in slides (pre digital era) from my files. I started with these as I had a request for Alaskan glaciers for an upcoming book. We stopped to take a series of shots - this being what you first see when traveling down that old dirt road (which may be paved by now, I don't know). (smile) We will be traveling back up to Palmer in August of next year and we plan on stopping by the glacier again for more pics - to see the changes that have taken place.