Adding Sky : Tutorial {Bridals} : For Photographers

Check out my previous post with Seth and Keli's Bridals HERE! I've added more pictures!

One of them I have reposted below to show you what you can do with a overblown sky. This pictures was taken about 45 minutes before sunset, out in the open obviously- direct sun- NO SHADE! It was also a pretty overcast day and the result of the sunlight against the overcast sky renders it completely white in this photograph.

Overall, I really liked everything else about this shot, so I decided that the sky was something I would remedy:)

I could give you all the specifics here, but there is another tutorial I really like. Super simple, by Morgan Kervin for Coffee Shop. Check it out HERE!

After making my sky addition, I just edited my photo further.

Brightening, Saturating, Smoothing, Noise Reduction and Sharpening {I will do a play-by-play of all these steps in an upcoming post!} When I was finished I added two different textures from SHADOW HOUSE CREATIONS!

CHECK OUT THE BEFORE AND AFTERS!

ACTIONS I LOVE!

Dear moms and fellow photographers-
If you're like me, and you got into photography (or would like to) to capture beautiful moments with your children, you will LOVE all the fun and FREE(as we all know that as job or a hobby, photography ain't cheap) photoshop actions from Ree Drummund, THE PIONEER WOMAN! Check her out HERE!



Since I despise a post without a photo, lets show some love for Jaquelyn by displaying another from her headshot session, sligtly enhanced with one of PW's actions. The shoots below with Hudson and Lincoln Polatis were also edited using some of PW's actions (vintage, color, and seventies!)

HAVE FUN in PS!!! (so addicting, you may not be able to stop!!!)
all my love and happing snapping!

Nikon 50mm f/1.4g prime lens- REVIEW

I was so excited to recieve my new lens in the mail. I haven't used it for a shoot yet, but upon recieving it I attatched it to my camera and snapped a few shots of Payton eating a snack. My initial impression of it was its BEAUTY! Truly- it is well made. Heavy, with an internal metal attatchment ring, rather than a plastic one like many of the kit lenses. That was a nice first impression! Beautiful GLASS!!! I drooled a little, I think.

My dining room was pretty low on light, aside from a small amount of sunshine coming in from the window behind me. This lens is FAST! The negative things I had heard about it were that you didn't want to shoot with the aperature wide open at 1.4 because you would get a softer image. Thats true. This middle shot wasn't as sharp as I would usually like a portrait, but not unpleasantly so. I wasn't displeased with the result.
Mostly though, the clarity of the lens is fantastic!

50mm is a prime lens, meaning that it has a fixed focal length, no capacity to zoom in or out. So, you have to do the zooming with your feet!!! That is really the only thing I am going to have to get used to.
I do love the bokeh (the out of focus areas or highlights) The out of focus areas have a shape that I think is pretty pleasing to the eye, making the background nice and soft.
I'M LIKING IT! Holler!

So, FYI for all you photographers out there, I think this is a must have addition to your lens collection. I think I will continue using my zoom lens for studio work, as it is easier and quicker to zoom in and out on babies and children, but this new 50mm will definitely be my lens of choice for outdoor shoots, indoor lowlight (non-studio lighting) sporting events, wedding receptions, etc.!!!)

Hope that helps!

Visit the link below for a compilation of resources and everything I have been learning along the way!!!

www.digitalphotography4mothers.blogspot.com

Digital Photography School

This is an assignment I completed from The Digital Photography school, online. The Assignement was "Streets," hence the above photo. I was driving to Idaho Falls and the way the light relected off the water on the road was quite beautiful! I was excited to capture it. I could have taken more of a long range view DOWN the street, but the mood and feeling I wanted to capture was right here on this small section.

The second photo was taken in conjunction with the first. The weekend project was called "BLUE."

Obviously, the idea was to go out and capture something blue...tada!!

ENJOY

(Check out the great online resources that THE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY SCHOOL has!) I highly recommend it to anyone interested in digital photography (dslr OR point and shoot!)