Omaha

Using Lightroom 4: Black and White Conversion

July 27, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Using Lightroom to Create Black & White Images

I am a person who sees in color and therefore my photographs are in color, but sometimes color is distracting and facial expressions and emotion get lost in the “clutter”. Black and white photography highlights the face, the eyes and expressive personalities. It doesn’t just work for people, but black and white photography works for animals as well.

Take for example this gorilla from the Omaha Zoo.

I’ve seen some amazing black and white photographs on the photography section of the WordPress blog. So, I thought I would try my hand at using Adobe Lightroom to see if I could achieve the same thing. I love Adobe Lightroom, it’s easy to learn and no matter how many times you edit your photo you can go back to the original without worrying about losing data.

Stand Alone Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6 Program | PC/Mac Disc $10/month Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan (Photoshop CC + Lightroom) subscription

It’s not as simple as clicking the black and white button. I also adjusted some of the underlying color tones and increased the clarity to bring out the details and shadows.

Black and White Lightroom Example — Click for bigger image and more detail

This is a time I wish my WordPress template was wider for images. If you click on the image you can see some of the changes in a bigger format.

The original black and white threw too many shadows around his eyes, but the adjustment lighten brush solved that problem. I also used the adjustment brush to sharpen his nose, darken highlights in the fur and increase the clarity in the creases. There really was a lot I did to this image, so much so I couldn’t list them all.

Many photographers learn by watching YouTube videos but sometimes there is nothing like settling down with a book for inspiration. If you have a friend who loves photography and is creative these make great Christmas or birthday gifts.

Black and White Photography: A Basic Manual Third Revised Edition The Art of Black and White Photography: Techniques for Creating Superb Images in a Digital Workflow

Photo info: This gorilla lives at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, it’s one of my favorite places to visit. I posted earlier about the Gorilla exhibit, give it a read, it’s pretty amazing. If anyone visits Omaha contact me and I’ll be more than glad to take you on a tour.

5 digital photography tips only the pros know

Black-and-white photography is a quick way to make a classy portrait photo or atmospheric cityscape. However, the black-and-white mode on your camera is not the way to do it. In that mode, the camera sensor only captures a fraction of the information …

Kim Komando: 5 digital photography tips from the pros

The major don’t of black-and-white photography. Black-and-white photography is a quick way to make a classy portrait photo or atmospheric cityscape. However, the black-and-white mode on your camera is not the way to do it. In that mode, the camera …

Black And White Photography Tips – The SITS Girls

Learn how to capture emotion, texture, light, shadows, and more with these black and white photography tips.

Black and white photography – Digital Camera World

In this black and white photography tutorial you’ll learn best camera settings, subjects and monochrome conversion methods for your photo editing software.

4 Tips to Help you Decide Between Black and White or Color

Half Color. There are many differing opinions when it comes to black and white photography. Some photographers love it, and shoot black and white exclusively, while other photographers absolutely shun the notion and shoot only in color.

U.S. Marine Upstages Huey Lewis

July 25, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Being a Mother of two U.S. Marines I’ve gotten to where I can spot a United States Marine in a crowd. Maybe it’s their presence, the way they stand as if at parade rest, but I really think it’s because of the distinctive haircut.

Earlier this month I had the pleasure of seeing Huey Lewis and the News in concert. However, for a time this Marine had all my attention. Reminded me of my Marines.

A Marine upstages Huey Lewis and the News

It’s not uncommon for Marines to act as security at public events, my son David has signed up in California for a few gigs. Although I don’t think he’s gotten any gigs like Huey Lewis yet.

I tried to get this security guards attention from a far, but he wouldn’t be distracted from his task and wouldn’t make eye contact. He just kept scanning the crowd. When he walked to the side I took off for the side rail.

After stopping him I asked “Excuse me, are you a Marine?”

“Why yes Mam I am” and he looked at me quizzically.

“I knew it, my two sons are Marines and I could just tell.”

Turns out he was last active in 1997 (? doesn’t look old enough) and after a little bit of chit chat he gave me a firm handshake and told me to tell my boys “Semper Fi”. I walked away with a smile on my face.

Now I can’t think of Huey Lewis without thinking about my Marines.

Music By Huey Lewis

Greatest Hits Sports (30th Anniversary Edition)

Learn More About Huey Lewis

Huey Lewis and The News to kick off RAGBRAI

The Sioux City RAGBRAI Committee announced Monday that Huey Lewis and The News will headline the concert lineup on Saturday, July 18, in the Tyson Event Center parking lots, the day before the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa begins …

Collection: Huey Lewis and the News videos

Official video of Huey Lewis and The News’s I Want A New Drug from the album Sports. Buy It Here: http://smarturl.it/3xyujuLike Huey Lewis and The News on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hueylewisandthenewsFollow Huey Lewis and The News on …

Other songs that have ‘Blurred Lines’

My lawyer! The 1980s rocker Huey Lewis accused Ray Parker Jr. of copying a “Ghostbusters” song riff from the 1984 hit “I Want a New Drug” by his band, Huey Lewis and the News. Reports at the time said they settled and signed a confidentiality agreement.

Drawing the line: Four famous copyright feuds

Not Huey Lewis, apparently. In 1984, the musician brought a court case against ‘Ghostbusters’ singer Ray Parker Jr for allegedly infringing on his song ‘I Want A New Drug.’ The settlement agreement included a confidentiality clause, which Parker later …

I Saw the Oscar Mayer Wiener Mobile

July 19, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

“I wish I were an Oscar Mayer Weiner, That is what I truly wish to be ..” now everybody sing!

It’s the Wiener Mobile!! I’ve heard about it, I’ve seen it on TV, but never seen it in person. Today at lunch it drove the front door and I yelled out, “Oh my look it’s the Wiener mobile!” The scheduled visit was at Walmart in Omaha Nebraska and to Walmart I went for lunch. (alas no hotdogs were available for eating outside)

The photo above is an official Oscar Mayer event photo taken on an iPad and automatically sent to my email with all sorts of social media possibilities. They are very well connected to Twitter, Facebook, blogging from the road and of course Kraft Foods has a very complete website.

It goes without saying I took photos of my own, in my own style and I’m going to post them next week. But I was so excited to see the Wiener Mobile I had to post it today!! I even got a Wiener Mobile whistle!

Until next week and the full story eat an Oscar Mayer hot dog and sing a happy song.

Huey Lewis and the News: Heart of Rock and Roll

July 12, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

My Adventure with Concert Photography

I love a good concert, especially if it’s free, and even more if it’s outside. Outdoor concerts are a hobby photographers dream, there are not “gate searches” or “bag inspections”, or at least not at the concert venues I’ve attended.

My favorite concert so far has been Huey Lewis and the News. I challenge anyone who grew up in the 1980’s to NOT like Huey Lewis and the News. Really, the songs from Back to the Future? “Heart of Rock and Roll”, “Power of Love“, and “Do You Believe in Love” are anthems of my generation. Ok, I might be exaggerating , but Huey Lewis songs take me back to my care free teenage days.

Huey is one of those rare performers that sound even better live than the recordings. Can’t say that about today’s artists that need a recording studio and a back-up of electronics to make a Top 10 song. He has real musicians, including saxophones, trumpets and he really rocks the harmonica! It was awesome!

Huey Lewis and the News — Huey Lewis rockin the harmonica (ISO 1600, f/5, 1/125 sec, 220 mm)

This concert was in part of the 4th of July Celebrate America free concert sponsored by Bank of the West in Omaha Nebraska. What’s better than Huey Lewis in concert, watching him for free. My friend Beth volunteered her son to set out blankets at 7 am to reserve a spot for that nights concert. So much of the time the singing idols of my youth have been disappointing as they look like aging rockers. Not Huey, he looks just as good and his voice is still pure and timely. He puts on a great show and everyone thoroughly looked like they enjoy what they do.

Huey Lewis and the News in concert Omaha Nebraska — Over 60,000 attended the Free Concert

We sat about 25 yards from the stage and below is a shot I took from our blanket. This is the closest I’ve ever been at a concert and it was very easy to go right up to the stage. The top two photos were from right up next to the stage. As I use my Canon Rebel XS more I’m learning how to tweak it to get great shots.

All Access: Your Backstage Pass to Concert Photography Concert Photograpy: How to Shoot and Sell Music Business Photographs

I have to say the top is my favorite, but I have many of the night. There are a couple I’ll post in the future. Scarlett Drive and Mockingbird Sun were the opening bands and they were very good. I took the opportunity that night to practice with my 75-300 mm lens and night photography. I’m becoming more pleased with the results all the time.

Night Photography Tips

This year I have upgraded to a Canon 7D camera, but you don’t need a fancy camera to get the great shots. All the photos here were taken with a low level Canon Rebel XS camera. The secret is knowing how to use all of your cameras resources.

Shoot on manual, seriously, you can make your camera take better pictures when you have more control.
Don’t be afraid to push your ISO to the highest level. If it’s grainy Lightroom has a great noise feature to fix in processing
Shoot RAW, you can get another 2 stops exposure steps in a really dark setting.
Shutter speed, the more you zoom in the faster your shutter speed will need to be to compensate for hand shake.
Use a tripod, or mono-pod, if that option is not possible, brace your hand/arm against an immovable object. This is NOT your friends shoulder as she jumps and dances around. Let out your breath as you click the shutter.
Push the aperture as low as you dare, most of mine were taken at f/5, it allows more light in and gives you a higher shutter speed in return.
Meter for the light. Most stages are well lit and you don’t want to blow out the lights. The dark backgrounds on the stage remains “pure” Push your shutter half way down and move your camera to the background and the lighted foreground. Notice how the red light on your meter moves.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and take LOTS of pictures. They can be deleted in Photoshop or Lightroom in editing and post production
Use your histogram on the back of the camera, to a point. It’s night time, it will push to the left, but aim to have a lot of the information in the midtones.

Canon EOS 7D Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-55mm IS II Lens and Canon EF 75-300mm III Lens + 16GB Green’s Camera Package

Night and Low-Light Photography Photo Workshop Night Photography and Light Painting: Finding Your Way in the Dark

My Favorite Huey Lewis Songs and Videos

The Power Of Love (2006 Digital Remaster)Huey Lewis and the News Songbook

Information and Facts About Huey Lewis

The Classical Beat: Tanglewood Defines Summer Music in the Berkshires

Sunday, June 28, 2:30 p.m. in the Shed: Huey Lewis and the News 2015 Tour: Featuring special guest artist Jamie Kent. • Monday, June 29, 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 8 p.m.: Tanglewood presents their traditional String Quartet Marathon featuring string TMC …

Have A Question For Huey Lewis and the News? Go To …

Ironically, for important news on Huey Lewis and the News, the “Ask Huey” section of his website might not be the best place to go. … Latest Galleries · 2015 Summer Blast Off – Seaside Heights, NJ. Radio.com; Music News.

The 5Cast: Top 5 Huey Lewis and The News Songs …

In this week’s episode, Tyler and Ben rank the Top 5 songs of one of their favorite bands, Huey Lewis and The News. This is what pop music used to sound like, before these damned kids turned it into bleep blorping computer …

{outfit} Romping Around with Huey Lewis and the News …

We got to see Huey Lewis and the News, who were amazing! They did one of my favorites songs, … new post: http://melodyjacob1.blogspot.com/2015/06/summer-style-kimono-inspiration.html. ReplyDelete · Rachel Dinh June …

How Back to the Future II Got 2015 Surprisingly Right

Marty inadvertently stumbles upon a Huey Lewis and the News concert, but realizes in short time that the band isn’t actually there. Instead, it’s a realistic hologram on a theater stage, eternally preserving his idols in their best …

Huey Lewis Talks ‘Frightening’ New Song | Billboard

Huey Lewis & the News are starting to think about new music — and even have something in their pocket already. … Hot Rock Songs Jan 10, 2015 8 With A Little Help Fro… Classic Joe Cocker: The Universal Masters …

Homemade Pizza, I’m In Heaven

July 10, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Pizza night at our house may never be the same. Although I grew up on homemade pizza I have yet to be able to master the dough. That was the sticky point. The solution, Rotellas Frozen Dough. I don’t know if you can buy it in the standard grocery stores, I am fortunate enough that the Omaha plant has a retail bread store at the plant and anyone can buy bread (0.75) or frozen “blobs” of uncooked dough for a dollar.

How to Make Homemade Pizza

Rolled Pizza Dough — Step1: Roll Pizza Dough (this is already rolled and baked)

Homemade pizza recipe — Step 3: Mushrooms and Peppers

Mozzarella Cheese on Pizza — Step 4: Mozzarella Cheese

Home made Pizza, hot out the oven — Hot out the oven

Home made Pizza, ready to eat — Step 6: Eat and Enjoy!

I love my pizza stone, it cooks more evenly than a metal pan and even though I don’t have a stone oven to cook my pizza pies the stone does seem to give the same results. Although for a brief time I did work at an Italian restaurant, who made their own dough from starter, I never got good at hand tossing. So I use my wooden pastry roller from Pampered Chef instead.

I’ve never had good success with pizza dough mixes, maybe I over mix, don’t know. Prepared frozen pizza dough from Rotellas is my favorite, but if you don’t have a local source your can order Della Suprema’s pizza dough balls and keep them in your freezer.

Norpro 3077 Wooden Pastry Roller Rich Della Suprema Pizza Dough Ball, 23 Ounce — 24 per case.Wilton 2105-0244 Perfect Results Ceramic Stone, 15-inch Pizza Cutter Wheel – Pizza: Award-Winning Pies for the Home Kitchen Mama Leone’s Pizza Crust Mix With Rosemary & Basil

What is Your Favorite Pizza Recipe?

Do you have a favorite pizza pie recipe, dough or even a favorite place to order direct? Share your pizzeria secrets, ok, not your family secret, but tips and suggestions to make the best pizza ever.

More Recipes for Homemade Pizza

Homemade pizza makes for family fun time

Despite all the noise out there in the gluten-free and paleo worlds, pizza night is still sacrosanct at our house. Once a month or so, we make a batch of dough, crank up the oven and put out all the components for pizza-making. The toppings are a mix …

Delicious Homemade Pizza With Veggie Crust

Warm pizza with a delicious, crispy crust is a guilty pleasure for many people. However, it’s no secret that delivery pizza is pretty low on nutrients and contains a lot of empty calories. If you’re trying to eat healthy, there’s a way that you can get …

Pizza rolls, homemade

There is no food that sums up the college quite like the pizza roll. It’s quick, it’s easy, tasty and cheap. However, frozen rolls can get old. So what’s a poor hungry student to do? Fortunately for you, we’ve got delicious recipes to fill the void …