3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

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Photo Editing An Overcast Day in Lightroom

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For this edition of #FixitFriday photo editing I’m going to work on some of my favorite photos from last summer and in the process relive my Block Island dream trip.

My camera that year was a glorified point and shoot Fuji 1500S and I had not learned how to read histograms in camera.  I only had the option of JPS and can only dream of the possibilities if I had the RAW option. Most of the time the skies were overcast and cloudy, good when avoiding a sun burn, but I found it to be a photography challenge. The camera meter was reading the glare coming from the water and surrounding ocean. The result were photos that leaned toward the dark side, the cloudy skies were flat and drab. Although I reworked them a bit in Photoshop CS2 I still didn’t get good results.

Now that I use Adobe Lightroom  as my primary photo editing software program I have a much wider range of options with clarity, decreasing noise, saturation and tonal adjustments. I can instantly see before and after views and it is all non destructive to the original image. I love Lightroom, it is a wonderful photo editing program, every time I open an image I wasn’t quite happy with I find I can make it better even a jpg file. I can finally make a photo look like how I experienced the the scene in real life.

My goal with photo editing is realism. I’m not trying to create photo art, or make a photo look fake or something it wasn’t. The human eye can interpret a scene a the beach with so much more clarity and detail than a camera. Sometimes it takes some post production here and there with photography to return the photograph into an accurate depiction of reality.

Photo editing in Lightroom 4
Lightroom 4 screen shot (click for larger image)

I always shot on aperture priority and as a result many of my images were underexposed. These dark images took more editing than just increasing the exposure, I opened up the shadows, and eliminated the camera noise in the Lightroom detail option by moving the noise slider to the right.

On the left side of the Adobe Lightroom screen shot there are User Presets. Presets are saved adjustments you can use again for an image of the same type. For example overexposed images in bright sun is called “Dim the Summer  Sun” or “Bright and Sharp” for an underexposed image. Once a preset is saved it can adjusted and resaved under the same name. Presets save time when you have a batch of images under the same lighting that require the same adjustment.

Below is the straight out of camera shot and the resulting end photo in Lightroom.

SOOC (straight out of camera)
SOOC (straight out of camera)

Edited version, what do you think?

Edited Block Island photo in Lightroom 4
Edited Block Island photo in Lightroom 4

What is the Best Program For Editing Photos?

If you were to ask me what my favorite photo editing program is I would have to say Lightroom. There are many features I love about the program but my favorite is Lightrooms high dynamic range in opening up shadows and not blowing out my highlights. I also love the ability to edit a batch of photos in seconds with the settings from my previous photo.

But I still use Photoshop for my graphic designs involving text and layers. Adobe has a wonderful subscription program where for only $10 per month you can use both Photoshop and Lightroom creative Cloud all you want with no obligation.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan (Photoshop CC + Lightroom) [Digital Membership]Adobe Photoshop Elements 13The Photoshop Workbook: Professional Retouching and Compositing Tips, Tricks, and TechniquesPhotoshop Elements 13 For Dummies (For Dummies Series)

 

Related Photo Editing Articles

 

Photographing California Beaches, San Diego Style

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While we were in California, for my son’s Marine Boot Camp graduation,  we took in as much beach time as possible. I love the ocean and surf, and my photography bucket list was to take photos of the sunset over the Pacific and the sunrise over the Atlantic, and I have accomplished them both.

The ocean skies remind me of the midwest and big sky country. With the right lighting the sunsets are amazing and it feels as though you can see to the end of the earth.

Father and Daughter at the Beach
Father and Daughter at Coronado Beach

To achieve the golden oranges of the sky and clouds under expose a half a stop, your subject matter will be dark, but silhouettes against the sky can be very attractive. follow the rule of thirds by placing your horizon in the upper or lower third of the photograph, depending on what is more appealing, the surf or sky. Focal points such as people, a sunburst, or landscape try and place in the 2/3rds of the frame.

Sunset on the Pacific Ocean
Sunset on the Pacific Ocean

The San Diego Pier is one of the most famous photographic landmarks in Southern California. We didn’t have enough time for me to hike and get the photograph I really wanted, but this year I will have another opportunity when my step son graduates from Marine Corps boot camp.

My goal is to duplicate the below images.

Scripps Pier 2 (Giclee Art Print), Martha DeanPier in the ocean at sunset, Oceanside, San Diego County, California, USA by Panoramic Images

My daughter and I could both live at the beach very easily, something soothing about the consistency and rhythm of the waves. Although the water was very cold, my daughter just had to go swimming, hey she’s sixteen, she knows enough to come in when she’s cold. Next day she learned to body surf, and did a pretty good job of it too. She was so proud.

Swimming in the Pacific Ocean, in October
Swimming in the Pacific Ocean, in October, just a little bit chilly

San Diego is a popular location for photographers and there even tutorials and guides to photographing the California coast. I am starting to take trips specifically for photographic purposes and with that quest comes preparation. Such as knowing the time of the sunset and when the lighting is best for certain landmarks, buildings and iconic landscapes. If you take your photography seriously then utilizing such guides is highly recommended.

Tips on Photographing San Diego

PhotoSecrets San Diego: The Best Sights and How To Photograph ThemPhotoSecrets San Diego: A Photographer’s GuidePhotoSecrets San Francisco & Northern California: The Best Sights and How to Photograph ThemThe Photographer’s Guide to the California Coast: Where to Find Perfect Shots and How to

Day 242/365: Starfish Necklace from Block Island

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During the summer my thoughts go to the beach, even though I live in land locked Nebraska. I try and wear summer beach themed jewelry and my favorite is my starfish necklace I got on Block Island a few years ago. I try and buy a gift during vacation that reminds me of my trip and every time I put this on I think of my girls weekend at the beach. It never fails to get compliments. It’s my favorite necklace and I absolutely love it.

Pearls and Starfish
Pearls and Starfish

It just radiates summer. Perfect with a tan and summery clothes. I love the water I can stay at the beach all summer and  never been bored. It’s something about the waves, and surf that is just hypnotizing. When I was in high school I had gold starfish ear rings, but these below are more casual and go with my more casual wardrobe.

Seaside Memories Necklace Seashell Charms 18 inch Chain In Gift Box

My daughter likes trendy vintage jewelry and bracelets more than necklaces. Kinda a throw back to the 70’s style with cording and hemp rope. She is a lifeguard at the pool this summer and just a golden tan. I might just buy her one of these bracelets, the petite turquoise one would look so cute with her summery clothes, but then I remember wearing this retro sailors knot bracelet all summer.

Gold Tone Pave Crystal Starfish Aqua Cord Stretch Bracelet for Beach orSailor’s Knot Surfer Rope Bracelets (White)

I didn’t know this but starfish has quite a bit of symbolism and has been used to represent the Virgin Mary and salvation during trying times. It is also a symbol of healing and regeneration, probably because if a starfish looses an arm it will grow back.

Starfish Jewelry

I’ve had so many people comment about my necklace and it is my favorite summer accessory. Although I’ve looked all over the closest I could find was the silver starfish and pearl necklace below. With my skin tone, and a great summer tan, gold looks best on me during the summer. But if you’re fair skinned and are looking for a great summer gift you can’t go wrong with silver.

Bling Jewelry Sterling Silver Pave CZ Starfish Simulated Pearl Pendant 16 InchesSilver Tone Starfish and Pearls Necklace on a Fish Wire with MatchingImitation Pearl Fashion Bracelet with Crystal Starfish, Double Strand Imitation Pearl StretchSilver Starfish and Coral Sea Life Fashion Jewelry Necklace and Earring Set

Hopefully someday during retirement I will spend a season on the beach, maybe work part time at a little cafe, a gift shop, art gallery, photo studio and I can work from my laptop just about anywhere. until then I can always just dream about the beach and let it inspire me. I recently went to Chicago and they have beaches that remind me of the ocean. Soft sand and miles to walk, I could people watch for hours.

Do you have a favorite memory of the beach or a summer vacation?

Trivia and Information About Starfish

Starfish – Many Answers

Where can I find out information about Starfish? LEVEL: Primary. Starfish are also known as Sea Stars and are part of a group of animals called echinoderms. The National Geographic have a really good page packed with …

Chemical Secrets Of Starfish Stickiness | Chemical …

Starfish face a tricky challenge: They need to excrete adhesive from their tube feet to avoid getting swept away by currents, but the secretions’ stickiness must be reversible so the animal can move around to seek food.

Starfish Facts ~ Starfish FAQ – Orma – Ocean Facts & FAQ

What is the widest starfish? The Giant Sea Star is the widest, reaching up to 3 feet in diameter. What is the heaviest starfish? Thromidia gigas (only name for it) can reach 13 lbs, so it’s the heaviest starfish in.

Starfish Facts – Species of the Reef | Great Barrier Reef …

Starfish Facts – Species of the Reef. Plated Starfish on a Coral Bed. When people think of starfish they think of the typical five armed creature as pictured above and that is correct for the majority of species. But the species is very diverse and …

Starfish Facts for Kids – Buzzle

It is fun presenting facts on the starfish as children are always interested in knowing new things. The starfish is a kind of organism that can keep them interested and occupied for a long time, as there are at least 2,000 types of …

Day 238/365: Last Day on Block Island

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Sachem Pond, Block Island
Sachem Pond, Block Island

My last Block Island post, sad and reflective at the same time. Was the trip what I expected? Yes. Do I wish I had more time to sit and relax? Yes. Will I be back? Yes. Block Island is a mixture of personalities, the wild untamed Mohegan Cliffs to the calm water on Sachem Pond. It’s invigorating and calming at the same time.

I ate amazing food, took a moped around the island and found out that yes, mopeds can go 50 mph, laid in the sun and did absolutely nothing. There is nothing like salt air and open skies to cleanse the mind and rejuvenate the spirit.

Narragansett Inn
Narragansett Inn

When I return, and I will return, I will head back to the Narragansett Inn. It was the perfect place to stay on a perfect island.