One of my 10 Photography Goals for 2010 was to learn more about post production editing using Adobe Photoshop. A long time ago I worked for an Advertising Agency and I was trained to use Photoshop 4 (that shows how long ago it was!), Photoshop has moved on a lot since then and my knowledge is very rusty. I really need to brush up my skills so I can get the most out of my images.

I know there can be a lot of debate about post processing and how much we should or shouldn’t do with our photographs, should we get it right in the camera first or should we sort any problems out later, and at the end of the day it’s down to personal taste. But I don’t have a problem with post processing digital photographs, because a lot of the processes that digital post processing software uses are techniques that were used in the darkroom for printing, long before digital was even invented. They have just been transferred into the digital realm, like Dodge and Burn. I’ve never used the Dodge and Burn tools before so they seemed a good place to start improving my skills.

What are the Dodge and Burn Tools used for?

The Dodge and Burn tools are used to lighten or darken areas of an image rather than say Levels and Curves which affect the whole image. The Dodge tool lightens the pixels that are painted, and the Burn tool darkens the pixels that are painted.

The reason I chose these tools to learn more about from all the tools available in Photoshop was because of a botched shot! I was taking a food shot for a DPS Forum Assignment which just happened to be my husbands lunch…it’s not easy shooting food photography while trying to hold my hungry husband back at the same time! I just had time to quickly snap a couple of shots off before he ran off with his lunch (fair enough I suppose), but nobody told me food photography could be dangerous?

Anyway the lighting on the shot was awful and Levels could only do so much. So that’s when I turned to the Dodge tool. Take a look, this is the before shot:

See what I mean! I didn’t have time to use any reflectors as you can tell from the huge shadows.

What can I do to fix this?

Select the Dodge tool from the tools palette on the left and select which brush and size you want to use, I use a feathered brush as I don’t want any hard edges. The size of brush you use will change depending on the image, and that’s the same with the exposure setting which effect how hard or soft the pixels are altered.

Now before you do anything create a new layer, Layer – New – Layer and change the mode to Overlay then check the box that says ‘fill with overlay-neutral colour (50% gray)’. Make sure you paint in this layer and not on the background layer, then if you make a mistake or want to change the effect it’s dead easy – just trash the layer, or you could have two layers one for Dodging and one for Burning. Either way it’s better than messing around with undo and step backward to fix any problems. And it lets me have a play around with them and try out different effects, or make mistakes without any worry.

When it comes to Range there are 3 choices – Highlights, Midtones and Shadows, if you want to alter the highlights range use the Dodge tool, and if you want to alter the shadows range use the Burn tool, midtones can be adjusted with either tool.

This is the after shot and I’ve only edited it with the Dodge and Burn tools, as you can see I’ve regained the detail on the left side of the pancake and toned down that shadow, it’s all a matter of taste as to how far you go with it. I wanted to keep it quite natural just toned down.

I love these tools and I can see huge possibilities to enhance and use these tools in a more artistic way with my images, like using them to highlight the focal point of an image or part of a shot instead of correcting bad lighting and mistakes!

Do you have any examples of where you’ve used the Dodge and Burn tools, please post a link to them in the comments…

Mandy

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How to use the Dodge and Burn Tools in Photoshop

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My sister is an artist and she wanted to start a blog to let people know what she’s been up to and what’s new on the painting front. She did have a ‘proper’ website but had to rely on a friend if she wanted to change or update anything. Which isn’t the best way of working so she decided to start a blog, but had no experience of how to create one or how to use one. That’s where I came in, she wanted me to help her set one up. While doing this I realized that there may be others out there like my sister who were struggling to find the right information, or just didn’t have the time to look for it.

Why am I telling you this – Stay with me a little longer…

Anyway, that’s when I decided to write a series of posts for the absolute beginner blogger that wants to start a free blog with Wordpress.com, on my other blog that follows, you guessed it my blogging exploits – Build a Blog. I decided the best way to show her how to start a blog was to start one! So I started a blog of my own on Wordpress.com called Mandy Jones Photography (there’s also a link to it in the navigation bar at the top of this page).

I thought straight away of starting a Photoblog. You already have a blog I hear you say? Yes I do have this blog, but this is a blog about digital photography and my journey as a photographer and although it has lots of images on it, it’s not solely about the image there’s information that goes with it, and the image is there to enhance it. I wanted a blog where I could share the growing amount of images that are gathering digital dust on my hard drive and that nobody is getting to see, and let it just be about the image. And yes I have a Flickr page that I can do that with, and some of my images may end up on both the photoblog and Flickr.

So do I really need a Photoblog?

No, I don’t NEED a Photoblog. But I do think it could be an advantage to have one…

I know one thing for sure it’s not going to be a portfolio site, it’s just going to be more of a photodump for my images, sharing them and letting them get some air. A more specific portfolio collection of my images is on its way but more of that to come… I also like being able to show my growth as a photographer, I think that’s an important part of sharing my journey, so the opportunity arose at just the right time.

Starting a Blog on Wordpress.com

It’s a bit like running a blog with one hand tied behind my back at the moment after being used to this blog running on Wordpress.org. But it’s given me a different view of blogging as well as taking me back to my early blogging days that may have grown a little dim in the old memory. Going back to basics is not always a bad thing because it makes me keep things simple, and focus on what is the most important thing that I’m wanting to get over to my readers. In this photoblogs case it’s the image. So it will be interesting to see how this blog develops.

I chose one of their photoblog themes for the blog, the Duotone theme. They don’t have many photoblog themes at the moment, but one of the features that I really liked about this one was that it automatically publishes the EXIF data for the image with every post I make.

Do you have a photoblog? If so which service do you use? Please let me know in the comments…

Mandy

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How I’ve Started a New Photoblog

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A Beginners DSLR – Canon Rebel XSi/450D Review

That’s a big question and will change depending on who you are and what you like. But what I can do is tell you my experience as a beginner DSLR user, and hopefully that will help in your own decision making process.

I bought a Canon Rebel XSi /450D in August 2008, it was my first DSLR, and I’m still as happy with it’s performance today as I was when I bought it. I think that speaks volumes about it’s build quality and performance as its an entry level DSLR. Since it was launched Canon has released the 500D, and the 550D will be available from April this year. Although the XSi/450D is not Canon’s latest model in the entry level range I won’t be rushing out to change it. I’m not even tempted by the HD video on the newer models, I want to explore my photography, video can wait. Of course that’s one of the questions I asked myself before I bought it, will it last me for a while or will I want to move on quickly and upgrade? I’m happy to say I haven’t felt that, I’m learning more and more about my camera and still have some way to go. It is an entry level camera but it has lasting features that keep me busy.

After deciding I wanted a Canon DSLR camera the next question was which one, and a huge influence on my decision was budget. Lets face it digital photography is a very expensive hobby and as much as I lusted after a 40D or even a 5D I just didn’t have the spare cash that those cameras demand.

That doesn’t mean I don’t have options for the future, I can buy a new Canon body and my exisitng lens’ will fit it. So I can happily save up for a 5D Mark II (aaaahh…dreaming…) and keep my XSi/450D as a spare body, because of its compact size compared to the larger higher end bodies like the 5D.

The Camera

The XSi/450D has got a 12.2 megapixel CMOS sensor which is well enough to enable me to print poster sized pictures, and it includes the EOS integrated sensor cleaning system.

I bought the body with the Canon’s EF-S 18-55mm, f3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens. I’ve read a lot of talk about kit lens’ being poor quality, but I came from point and shoot land so to me its fantastic my images are sharp and full of rich colours. Ok it’s plastic, and I agree when you look at the kit lens compared to other Canon lens’ then it’s not the best lens in the world, but its not meant to be.

It has a Digic III processor so its fast and can shoot up to 3.5 frames per second and thats fun to try out.

One of the first Canons to use SD or SDHC cards instead of Compact Flash

The body is constructed in plastic instead of metal and is small in size, the 3″ LCD screen is great and I can see images well and zoom in nicely while still in camera to check what I’ve just taken.

I still need to try out the Spot Metering and Live View modes as I haven’t got that far yet. The XSi/450D has got a lot in common with the 40D that came out at the same time, and although its been out a while it’s still no slouch.

In Conclusion

If you are on a tight budget and you want a DSLR that delivers and has great features, but can’t afford (or bring yourself to afford) the 500D or the newly announced 550D. And you want some money left over for an extra lens or tripod then the Canon Rebel XSi/450D is the right camera for you.

Mandy

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Which is the Best Entry Level DSLR For a Beginner?

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As one of my 10 photography goals for 2010 I’m doing a photowalk each month this year, here is January’s. It seems like a lot of people have had snow to contend with this year and I was no exception we had the worse snow fall here for 30 years, I only just remember the last time (shows her age).  I took these on the way to school to pick the kids up with my Canon 450D/XSi :

This is my old Christmas tree that’s still in the yard, the snow gave it some life again!

My footprints on the way to the Christmas tree.

Looking across the road at Central Park.

Some snow covered trees as I walked through the park.

A close up of the snow covered trees, do you think they look a bit like coral?

Snow balanced on a twig.

The snow turned the park into a winter wonderland and made everything look enhanced and beautiful in a way only snow can!

Mandy

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January Photowalk – Snow

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So the title’s self explantary really! Here are my 10 favourite shots of 2009 – that I took…

1. Last July we had the chance to visit the D-Day beaches in Normandy France, somewhere I’ve always wanted to go. This shot was taken in the B&B where we stayed.

2. We stayed in a Bed and Breakfast in Arromanches called the Normandy Beach B&B, they did a great breakfast! This is a shot of one of the bedrooms, a typically rustic French place.

It used to be the last working farm in the village before it was turned into a B&B, and is only 150 yards from the beach so it was very central and easy to explore the bars and restaurants in the village… We really enjoyed staying there.

Arromanches was part of Gold beach, which was one of the code names for the beaches on D-Day. And is roughly in the middle of the D-Day beaches with Omaha on one side and Juno on the other side.

3. We walked along the beach one night and took this shot. It’s looking towards Omaha beach and the sun was just setting nicely behind the cliffs.

On the right you can just see the remains of the Mulberry Harbour that was constructed after D-Day to help bring troops and supplies onto the beaches quickly to support the troops that had already landed. It was only supposed to be temporary but there’s still quite a bit of it left – 65 years later!

4. One of the reasons I wanted to visit the D-Day beaches was that my Grandad was there on D-Day, he served in the Durham Light Infantry and this is his badge.

I took it with me because I thought it might be nice for it to see the place again in happier times. A fairly large part of the Mulberry Harbour has broke away and been swept up onto the beach, and this shot is taken just at the foot of it.

You may have guessed already but this subject is something very close to my heart, and something I’d like to learn more about as I feel it’s important to pass this on to my children so it can be remembered.

5. This is a shot of the ‘front door’ at Alnwick Castle in Northunberland, we visited it last summer. It’s the home of the Duke and Duchess of Northumberland and was used as Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter films, so it’s a busy place.

When I look at this shot I remember how I had to really think about the composition of the shot. There were people, billboards and ticket desks all around, and I wanted it to be empty and inviting. So by just moving a little and changing from the obvious position I came up with this, I should have taken the wide shot as well to compare the two! Don’t forget to move those feet…

6. I love Chester, it’s full of history and architecture that spans thousands of years.

This is a shot of some rowing boats on the River Dee. I had to creep out on a very shaky jetty to get this angle so I could get the danger sign in the background (there’s a weir just past it).

But I really like the muted colours and the dark water. They make a nice contrast to the rows of colourful pedalos that were behind me.

7. This is one of the images that I used in my Single Photo Book in a Month (SoFoBoMo 09) project last year.

I created an electronic photo book called Food Glorious Food that can be found here. It was the first photo book I’ve ever created and also my first real try at food photography.

I based it around the food at a local organic farm shop, Church Farm. I went with no more than my Canon 450D so it was a good job that the shop was full of natural light. It was a great experience and I’ve learned a lot about shooting food and about shooting on location.

8. Since I enjoyed my first venture into food photography so much I thought I’d try and learn some more about it. I came across Still Life With which is a brilliant food photography blog written by Lara Ferroni who is a food and lifestyle photographer.

She also has a Flickr group – SLW Photo Remakes where every month she posts a different challenge to remake. This was my effort for the fruit ice cream cups remake. It was challenging to shoot because the ice cream melts in double quick time, and with food lighting is so important to pick up the texture of the food, and this is an area I’m still learning in. You could use any fruit but this was a close remake to what Lara posted (as in I used a lemon!).

9. This was a lucky coincidence, I had actually just come out of the Organic Farm Shop where I had been shooting for my SoFoBoMo project and I was walking down a country lane. I walked past these flowers (sorry don’t know anything about flowers let alone their name) that were just growing at the side of the lane.

So I thoutght I’d try out some depth of field while I was there with my new Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens. I love the purple with the green they contrast nicely. It just shows always keep your eyes open…

10. This was taken in the walled garden at Lindisfarne Castle Holy Island. The walled garden was designed by Gertrude Jekyll an influential garden designer in 1911, and the National Trust has restored it to as near as possible to the original.

I found these daisy’s and thought I’d try a new angle, although I’m sure I looked a little strange to the other visitors in the garden as I was laid on the floor trying to twist myself under the camera to see what I was doing! It was worth it though I think?

Although they may not all be the best I’ve taken photographically, they are the best because of why or where I took them. Or how they make me feel when I look at them and that’s a huge part of why I take photographs. And that’s why I’ve given a little background on each of them, so you can see them through my eyes.

Mandy

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My 10 Favourite Shots of 2009

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I was reading the Digital Photography School the other day and came across one of their writers blogs called Mostly Lisa. I really like her blog, and one of her posts really stood out and grabbed me – 10 New Year’s Resolutions every Photographer should make. I ‘d been thinking a little bit about what I wanted to achieve in 2010 with my photography, although I hadn’t made any decisive plans I just had a few ideas. So it was really handy that I came acroos this post at just the right time, as it really inspired me to make those plans more definite and not just procrastinate about them.

So taking her lead I’ve decided to write my own 10 goals for 2010. Because her post has really got me moving and got my ideas together, and also because as she says if you put it down in black and white (and want to be taken seriously) then you have to see it through. It’s going to keep me honest and I can’t shirk away from what I’ve said without looking useless…

So here are my 10 goals:

1. Start a Photoblog

Although I have a Flickr page I’ve wanted to start a photoblog for a while, as a more individual place to display my images and hopefully make them easier to look through. Also my sister wants help starting a blog, and this seems a good example and an easy way to show her how to do it by starting my photoblog. I’m going to write about how to do it on my other blog, Build a Blog.

2. Make a Photobook

Last year I participated in SoFoBoMo and made an e-photobook about food, it was the first time I’ve created anything like that and I really enjoyed doing it. So the next step is to create a real photobook. Last year I went on a trip to France to visit the Normandy D-Day  beaches as it was the 65th anniversary of D-Day, I’ve always wanted to go as my Grandad was there on D-Day. So I’d like to use the images I took to create my photobook using Blurb.

3. Start stock photography

I’ve been interested in starting a stock portfolio using food as my main subject for a while, and I’ve been learning more about stock in the process. But now it’s time to stop thinking and start doing. I want to start and build stock photography portfolios at 123rf, Dreamstime and Fotolia agencies.

4. Learn more about post production editing with Photoshop

I want to find the time to learn more about Photoshop. I was trained on Photoshop a long time ago (Ok about 10 years ago). I think it was Photoshop 4 that I used, but it’s moved on a lot since then (understatement) and I’ve fallen well behind with the new features so I need to brush up!

5. Learn more about lighting

I really know very little about lighting, how to use it and get the most out of it. The more images I take the more experimenting I get to do and there are plenty of uselful sites out there to help me. So if I’m serious about improving my photography then I need to get a better grasp on it.

6. Write an ebook

Well I may as well have one pie in the sky idea! I’d love to write an ebook. The interent is a great place to find photography tips and tutorials that solve a photography problem or question. I’d like to take one of my popular questions off the blog and address it thoroughly so all the answers you need are in one place. Like my Camera Obscura post for example.

7. Get to know more photographers and build relationships

There’s no point in being a blogger and photographer on the internet without interacting with like minded people, it’s one of the great benefits of the internet, breaking down the barriers of time and miles between us down to nothing. I’ve found a lot of great photographers online through Digital Photography School and Your Photo Tips and I want to interact with those and other photographers more and build those relationships.

8. 12 photowalks – one a month for the year

Every month this year I’m going on a photowalk around my area and I’ll post about them here on the blog. I’ve actually done January’s photowalk already when we had the worst snow here for 30 years. This is a more scheduled way of making sure I get out their with my camera, my last photowalk was in Liverpool last year. But if I don’t organise it, it’s easy to let it slide and I need new images to practice my new lighting and photoshop skills on!

9. Guest post on other blogs

I’ve never guest posted on another blog and I’ve always wanted to, I’ve just never been able to decide what to write about. Because I was trying to be too much of a perfectionist, so I just ended up doing nothing. But that’s going to change and I’m stepping outside of my comfort box and giving it a go.

10. Get to know my camera better

Last but certainly not least is getting to know my camera better. Last year I did shoot a bit in aperture priority or AV mode, but it was a bit hit and miss. I also shot in RAW once but I need to get to grips with how you view and edit them in the RAW software that came with my camera. The only reason I put off trying these things is because I don’t know what I’m doing, so instead of ignoring it lets give it a go…

The Photographr Blog, this blog follows my journey with photography and going on this little lot it’s going to be one heck of a journey and an interesting year in 2010!

I’d love to know what yours goals are for 2010?

Mandy

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My 10 Photography Goals for 2010

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So I completed the project of making a photobook in a month – SoFoBoMo 09 and I enjoyed it that much that I am looking forward to participating in SoFoBoMo 10.

I used Adobe Indesign for creating the photobook last year, but this year I want to do it a little differently and use an online service with software to do it. I’ve decided this for 2 reasons

1. Not everyone has access to expensive editing software, and if you don’t then what are the options for you?
2. Blurb, Lulu, Snapfish, AdoramaPix etc.. are free services to use, and also gives you the opportunity to have the photobook printed, for you or sold to either family and friends or to anyone!

I’m planning on making another Photobook this year, although this time the subject is going to be the trip I took to the D-Day Beaches in  Normandy, France last July. Look out for more about this soon.

If you’re going to put the effort in to make a photobook then you want to share it, don’t you? I want to here about your photobooks! Please feel free to leave a link to them in the comments, and I’ll put them into a post to share with everybody…

Mandy

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How to Create a Photo Book Part 4

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I went to the Manchester Calumet tradeshow last thursday to celebrate 70 years of Calumet Photographic. I really enjoyed the day not least for the goody bag that I received for being one of the first 100 visitors through the door, or for the free sensor cleaning that they were offering. But also for the range of support that they could offer. I liked the sound of the seminars and workshops that they run, which appeal not only because of the subjects available, but also because of the hands on experience and the chance to meet like minded photographers.

I also enjoyed the day because it reminded me how good it is to go to a proper photography shop and not just shop online all the time. Shopping online is convenient and quick when I know what I want, but there is nothing like going along to my local photography shop to have a good look around and try out what I’m looking at buying. Not to mention the chance to chat face to face with the staff as opposed to the rather more inpersonal chat via email online.

Obviously Calumet had their staff on hand during the day to help give advice and answer any questions. But there were also reps from Nikon, Canon, Sony, Lowepro, The Societies, Bowen, Hasselblad and Epson to name but a few. This was a great opportunity to pick their brains a little and try out the new gear. For me The Societies, which is a growing worldwide association for the professional photographer was the most interesting of the trade stands, because I’d never heard of them before and what they can offer their members. And in this current climate it’s good to know that there’s a dedicated society to helping the professional photographer get the most out of their business.

So don’t forget your local photography store next time you’re looking for something, they may have more to offer than you think!

Mandy

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Calumet Going Strong After 70 Years!

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I only heard about SoFoBoMo 09 a solo photo book in a month, when it was already half way through the month. So I had a bit of a rush on to get mine finished in time and that involved a very steep learning curve, but I finished on time and the challenge was worth it. I’ll be ready for next year though…

In previous posts in this series I looked at how I planned for my photo book and also how I laid out my photo book. Now I’m at the easy part, creating a pdf of my photo book and uploading it to, in this case the SoFoBoMo site so it can be easily viewed and downloaded.

And it really is that simple because a lot of the layout programs available have an option to export to pdf. For me I used Adobe Indesign for designing my photo book, and that has an option to create a pdf and it also allowed me to choose the quality of the pdf.

So all I had to do then was to upload the pdf to my page on the SoFoBoMo site and now it’s available for anybody to view or download. Please follow the link and see the finished product and let me know what you think?

I really enjoyed this project and the challenge and will definitely be participating next year – I hope you will too…

Mandy

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How to Create a Photo Book Part3

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Calumet Photographic is celebrating 70 years in Photography

And to celebrate this anniversary they have been putting on mini tradeshows at their Manchester and London stores, with a wide range of  product demonstrations from major manufacturers. I will be going to Manchester Calumet who are having their anniversary tradeshow on Thursday 8th October from 10am – 8pm.

I have used Calumet online before while looking for wedding and portrait albums and found exactly what I wanted, but I have never been to one of their stores. If I’m looking at buying photographic equipment then I obviously look for a store with a wide range of cameras and accessories, which Calumet obviously have including a rental option. But also as an amateur photographer I look for a store with good photographic knowledge and who are willing to give advice. That’s sometimes easier said than done!

But I’ve seen online that Calumet stores have experts running calendars of seminars and workshops that they make available to everyone. So I’m really looking forward to the tradeshow and checking out their Manchester store, and what they have on offer. I’ll report back what I find…

I know this post has gone out with a little bit shorter notice than I had hoped, but maybe I’ll see you at the tradeshow?

Mandy

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Calumet Celebrates 70 Years

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