by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Jan 20, 2013 | Photo Editing, Photo Workshops
My feelings regarding the update of Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 to Version 11
There is a major revision of the Organizer (look & functions) which for users of earlier versions comes with a bit of a learning curve. More automated categorizing of images. Has major tabs for People, Places, & Events. Under the “People” tab, you can use facial recognition to group images of individuals. Under “Places”, if your camera captures GPS info, the location of your images can be automatically marked on a map. You can manually note locations of images as well. As primarily a nature photographer, I don’t find the changes that useful.
Changes in the appearance of the program and the Editor are more significant.
The screen is visually easier to read with lighter color scheme. Tool options are larger, clearer, and now at the bottom of page.
The raw converter is improved with better results and new sliders. Becoming more similar to Lightroom’s raw converter but still not as effective.
Under Selections, “Refine edge” makes selection of fuzzy-edged items, such as hair, easier and more natural in appearance.
More guided edits & new filters such as sketch filters and a better blur filter to better separate subjects from their background with depth of field.
To keep up with the new versions drives me a bit crazy since they are released so often.
To learn what is new and old, attend my photo workshop on digital editing & Photoshop Elements at Norfolk Botanical Gardens starting 6 Feb. See my website for details. www.ospreyphoto.com/schedule
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Jan 4, 2013 | Digital Cameras, Lighting, Photo Editing, Photo Workshops
Intro to the Digital Darkroom (7, 8, & 10 Feb 13)
Norfolk Botanical Gardens
Instructor – Irene Hinke-Sacilotto
Limited class size for personalized instruction – maximum 10 students
Dates:
Thu & Fri, 7 AND 8 Feb 2013 (Time: 6:30-9:30 PM)
Sun, 10 Feb 2013 (Time: 1:00–4:00 PM)
Description:
In this class you will learn digital editing skills using Adobe Photoshop Elements 10/11, the basic computer editing program used by most non-pro photographers. It is designed as a refresher course for those who attended the previous photo editing class at NBG this summer and those who have rudimentary knowledge of the program but wish to learn more. Both the Organizer module used to load, tag, rate, & locate images and the Editor will be covered. Included is information on cropping, straightening, reducing noise, and sharpening images plus adjusting contrast, exposure, and color saturation. Tips include how to create and use selections; remove distractions; add text; alter file size for e-mail, web, and print applications; and utilize layers and masks. Instruction is based on Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 & 11 Software & PC Computers. Students should be familiar with rudimentary PC and digital camera operation.
Time has been set aside between Friday evening and Sunday afternoon to allow participants the opportunity to practice techniques discussed in class on their own and to bring questions to class. With the small class size, the instructor will be able to customize instruction for individual needs.
For details contact me at ospreyphot@aol.com or 410 679-2873
or Norfolk Botanical Gardens (sponsor) nofolkbotanicalgarden.org/programs-events/calendar 757 441-5830
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Dec 22, 2012 | Dawn, Lighting, Outer Banks, Photo Workshops, Sunrise
Weather forecasts on the barrier islands along the Mid-Atlantic coast seem to be wrong as often as they are correct, perhaps due to the influence of the ocean and surrounding water. This proved to be true this December when I was visiting the Outer Banks where I will be conducting a photo workshop next spring. The second week was initially supposed to be sunny but clouds covered the sun on most days. For the last day on the island, clouds were predicted again. But the eternal optimist, I rose early to checked conditions. To my surprise, a hint of color was appearing along the horizon. I dressed in a flash, grabbed my camera & tripod and headed to the beach. My effort was rewarded with great predawn colors before clouds again obscured the sun. The lesson is to never give up. The darkest clouds often reveal a silver lining. See the results.
For early morning photography, I try to be on site approximately 45 minutes before sunrise to plan the shot and capture the best color. For sunset, don’t give up too soon. It is often well after the sun drops below the horizon that the best colors appear.
Today apps for smart phones and IPADs provide you with info on sunrise/sunset times, position of the sun, phases of the moon, tides and more. Thank God for technology.
Visit me on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/OspreyPhotoWorkshops. Please click the “Like” button if you enjoy the images.
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Nov 17, 2012 | Digital Cameras, Lighting, Photo Workshops, Silhouettes, Wildlife
Effective uses of backlighting with digital photography. Samples follow: rim/hair lighting, emphasize translucence, & create a silhouette.
Rim/hair light – when light traces the outline of the subject.
Translucence – light passes through part of subject such as a bird’s feathers, fabric or water.
Silhouette – high contrast. Subject is black and is set against a colorful lit background. Is recognizable by its outline alone and is not superimposed on other objects so that it blends with them creating a single shape.
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Nov 16, 2012 | Outer Banks, Photo Tours, Photo Workshops, Travel, Wildlife
OUTER BANKS PHOTO WORKSHOP
5-9 December 2012
with Irene Hinke-Sacilotto
Sponsored by Norfolk Bottanical Gardens
This extended weekend photo workshop on the Outer Banks includes a variety of photographic opportunities with visits to local lighthouses, beaches, inland dunes, small boat harbors, historic sites, wildlife refuges, and parks intermixed with critiques of participant images. The Outer Bank’s miles of pristine shoreline and shifting dunes are some of the most beautiful in North America. Over the ocean, along the shore, and in the marshes, waterways, and forests, we will search for wildlife characteristic of the region, including pelicans, herons, shorebirds, warblers, pelagic seabirds, dolphins, and more. To photograph snow geese and other waterfowl, we will visit Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. For close-up bird photography, we will drive inland to Sylvan Heights Bird Park near Scotland Neck where over 1500 ducks, geese, swans, and other exotic birds reside in 18 acre facility which includes large walk through aviaries and natural habits for North Carolina’s native species. Other locations to be visited include Jockey’s Ridge; Bodie, Currituck Beach, & Cape Hatteras Lighthouses; Wanchese harbor; and Hatteras National Seashore. Field excursions will be mixed with critique sessions @ Outer Banks Beach Club II, Kill Devil Hills. (7:30 PM,Wed.5 Dec –2:30 PM, Sun. 9Dec.) For details, contact www.ospreyphoto.com or http://www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org/programs-events. Register with Norfolk Botanical Gardens. For additional information, please call (757) 441-5830, ext 338; Monday – Friday between 10AM – 2 PM or email:registrar@nbgs.org.
by Osprey Photo Workshops & Tours | Nov 16, 2012 | Assateague, Chicoteague, Photo Tours, Photo Workshops, Wildlife
Wildlife Photography Programs – free to public.
23 Nov 2012, 1:30 p.m. @ Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, Bateman Visitor Center
24 Nov 2012, 10:30 a.m. @ Assateague Isl National Seashore, Assateague Visitors Center
A Passion for Wildlife, the Stories Behind the Images
by Irene Hinke-Sacilotto
Based on the my more than 30 years’ experience photographing birds and other animals, this lecture covers the strategies, techniques, and equipment required to capture professional wildlife images. The program will include locating, attracting, and approaching wildlife along with prime locations for wildlife photography, the use of photographic blinds, and stalking techniques. Safety and ethical considerations will be included. Throughout the presentation, I will share my field experiences photographing in the U.S. & abroad.
