3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

Rhode island

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)

 

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Correcting Exposure Using the Histogram: Rowboat

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Using the Histogram on your Camera to get Better Photos

Now that I’ve improved my photography and editing skills I’m going through photographs from past years vacation and reworking them in Photoshop. This time I’m using the  histogram to set optimum exposure and getting much better prints. So here is a good example of editing a photo in Photoshop using the histogram, if you remember I took a trip to Block Island, Rhode Island and have hundreds of photos I absolutely love. Too bad I wasn’t shooting RAW then.

Using the histogram in Photoshop
Rowboat on Block Island, RI edited in Photoshop

First I straightened the image about 2 degrees clockwise. I was a little off kilter taking the picture.  The swimmers in the water were bothering me, so I cloned them out.

I’ve learned I cannot rely on my computer screen when it comes to the light balance in a photo. My computer screen is pretty bright and as a result I always misjudge the exposure in my edited photos. The best best is to use the histogram. The same is true when you take photos on your digital camera. Don’t rely on your camera LCD screen, especially during the summer. Use your histogram tool.

As you can see in the initial histogram below, the histogram is pushed to the darkside (left). In the levels adjustment tool I used the far right prompt and brought it to the edge of the curve to brighten up the whole photo. Much better.

Using the histogram in Photoshop
Example of initial histogram in the Photoshop Histogram

Even with my Canon Rebel camera and exposing to the right, I still throw my exposure off, but I am getting better. Although I try not to chimp (constantly look at the camera screen after each shot) I will occasionally check the histogram in camera to make sure I’m not clipping my blacks or whites. As you can see int he photo above the left side of the graph is barely touching, so I didn’t lose very much information in the dark regions.

Canon DSLR Photography Quick Reference Tip Cards & Cheat Sheets for Canon Rebel T5i T4i T3i T3 T2i T1i XSi XS XTi XT 60D 7D 6D 5D Mark III IIBuW OMES L-3 Photography Exposure Meter / Continuous Light Meter with LED Display

If you shoot in RAW then you can recover a lot of digital information in the lights and darks. But I prefer to get a photo properly exposed in the camera as best that I can to eliminate major digital darkroom edits.

Any of the below programs have a histogram function in the editing mode. If you are a beginner then Photoshop Elements is where I would start. That will give you the biggest flexibility as far as text, layers, cloning and photo manipulation. If you just want to edit your photos and not get really creative with layers then Lightroom is the way to go, I LOVE Lightroom. Many people choose to subscribe to the Adobe Cloud for the $10/month you have full usage of both Photoshop and Lightroom and never have to worry about outdated software.

Adobe Creative Cloud Photography plan (Photoshop CC +Editors Keys Dedicated Keyboard for Photoshop | PCAdobe Photoshop Lightroom 6 | PC DownloadNEW ADOBE PHOTOSHOP KEYBOARD STICKERS FOR DESKTOP, LAPTOP AND NOTEBOOK

 How to Use the Histogram to Get Better Photographs

Using the Histogram to Get Better Photos – Pentax Forums

Have you ever wondered what that graph-looking thing on your camera display or in Lightroom was? Or what you are supposed to do with it? If so, then read on to find out more about the mysterious histogram and what it can …

News Shooter | Blackmagic Design add histogram and …

Using the histogram scope, customers can now easily and rapidly set exposure in a shot as the histogram shows the the distribution of luminance in their images and if highlights or shadows are being clipped. Images with …

Histograms Explained: How a Simple Tool Can Help You …

There are a few drawbacks to using the histogram to judge exposure, however. Since it only gives you an overview of exposure by showing you the density of pixels, it can’t give you any specific information about which parts …

Lightroom Histogram Cheat sheet | Photographer Abroad

The contrast of the image can also be determined using the histogram. The more spread out the values are in the graph the more contrast is in the image. Conversely, an image with all the values concentrated in one zone is …

Blackmagic Camera 1.9

Using the histogram scope, customers can now easily and rapidly set exposure in a shot as the histogram shows the the distribution of luminance in their images and if highlights or shadows are being clipped. Images with clipped highlights or shadows …

 

Seaport Fence

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Seaport Fence with Buoys

One of the benefits of not doing a 365 Project this year is the flexibility to use one of the thousands (yes, thousands) of pictures that didn’t make last years cut. Or, I can pull up an image from years ago, a forgotten neglected image from years gone by.

This fence on Block Island just called me over with the buoys hanging all in a row above the sunflowers. It is so New England and the overcast weather is probably comparably to what it is now, minus the sunflowers.

Photoshop processing: Levels, shadows and highlights, an artist plastic wrap effect at a low opacity and then a final sharpen unmask.

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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.