Photoscout

• Adjusting Your Picture’s Levels

  Since everyone else is into digital photography, it would be a very useful skill if you would learn how to manipulate your images since a traditional darkroom for your JPEGs would simply be out of the question. Learning how to adjust the levels of your image in Adobe Photoshop is one of the best things that you will learn. The levels of an image simply affects the shadows and the highlights of your picture. By using the levels command and adjusting the different sliders found in that particular Levels window, you’ll be able to give your photographs better contrast or a darker overall tone. It will be quite a feat to simply explain the whole process of the Levels command in Adobe Photoshop but this could be one of the ways that you could probably get a crash course in this very useful command.
  One of the things that you should remember is to switch to the 16-bit mode by going to Image->Mode->16-bits/Channel.
  Then you’ll want to set this picture to Adobe RGB color space if you’re not there yet. You go there by navigating to Choose Image->Mode->Convert To Profile and choose the Adobe RGB.
  When you access the Levels command by pressing Ctrl + L in the PC, you’ll immediately see the histogram which, more or less, should look something like an up and down slope of black which has three different sliders at the bottom.
  You can adjust the different shadows and highlights that are found in your picture by adjusting these sliders accordingly. It would be a very good if you tried experimenting on your own first so you’d know what sliders affect a particular tone. Once you know what slider to adjust, you could try adjusting them very slowly so that you won’t get an overexposed or underexposed type of shot. The key to it is being patient enough to know what combination of slider positions will work best for your picture.
  Another thing to remember is that you should adjust the levels setting for each of your channels. (i.e red, green and blue) These are the separate channels that you will find below the option RGB when you pull down that drop-down menu. It would be a very good thing for you to isolate each channel and adjust the levels so that you won’t “accidentally” adjust the other colors in that channel. The secret is to take small, detailed steps instead of pull the slider in extreme directions. Slow and steady is the pace for a good level combination.

  Posted in Digital Photography

  September 26th, 2007 / No Comments

• Three Tips for B&W Photography

  Ever since the arrival of the “digital” SLR, people have been joining the photography bandwagon at a blinding rate. Now, you are able to switch between color and black and white photography. Here are just three important tips on black and white photography that you can immediately use when you’re doing your shooting.
  Shoot In RAW
  Most DSLRs right now are able to shoot in the RAW mode. This is probably one of the things that you need to get used to as a digital photographer. If your camera allows you to shoot in RAW mode, you should always shoot your black and white images in this particular mode simply because it allows for the most adjustments that you can do when you’re post-processing. Of course, you can still shoot the same type of shot even while using a JPEG but don’t be surprised if you find yourself being limited to the different tones and shadows that your JPEG picture offers you. It is really the best option for you to shoot in RAW however if you seriously just don’t want to have anything to do with the RAW file format, don’t whine about how good someone else’s photograph is even though it’s of the same subject. He might have post-processed it in RAW.
  Low ISO
  Because noise in black and white photographs are much, much more obvious, you might want to simply lower your ISO level even more. You should always think about whether you’re after this particular film-grain type of noise or not. However, in post-processing you would be able to add noise much easier than take it out. So, keep the noise down low by setting a low ISO speed.
  Shoot during cloudy days
  Because most of us have been used to shooting in color, we tend to complain about “bad weather” when the sun is not out. However, this is exactly the type of weather that one needs in order to shoot black and white photography. It is better for you to shoot during overcast, cloudy, no-sun-in-sight days rather than go on shutterclicking while the sun is out. So the next time that you find yourself looking at grey skies, whip out your camera and start shooting! You’ll be surprised at the type of image tones and hues you’ll be able to capture when shooting in this subdued light.
  So there you have it: some excellent suggestions that will definitely improve your black and white photography. You will be able to get more out the different black and white shots that you will be shooting and you’ll improve the quality of your images as a whole. Try your hand in black and white photography for a change and be sure to follow these suggestions.

  Posted in Black and White Photography

  September 19th, 2007 / No Comments

• Advice For The Outdoors

  Just about everyone who looks into a photograph which has an awesome landscape backdrop goes, “Wow”. It’s an instant reaction as they see the beauty and wonder of the outdoors. However, for those aspiring photographers, replicating that reaction when people see your photographs isn’t as hard. You just need to remember to use the proper, equipment, get the right settings and prepare to have some fun.
  Protect your lenses
  One of the tips that you could immediately follow is to always use a UV filter. This is not only for blocking the ultraviolet rays that the sun emits but is also a very nice way to protect your lenses from scratches or breakage. When you have a UV filter on, it protects the lenses from taking a scratch or two. You also won’t have any problems if you have any prescription glasses because it won’t mess up with your grade.
  Good lenses
  One of the best things that you can do is to invest in good quality lenses. There’s really no problem with using third-party lenses but it would be better if you stick with your manufacturer’s primary lenses. It’s not that the third-party lenses are necessarily inferior but these types of lenses don’t have the technology that the manufacturers have put in them. Always remember that in the world of photography, you get what you pay for.
  Use filters sparingly
  Whenever you’re using filters, try not to depend on them too much. A filter is just another optical device that is between the subject and the lens. If you introduce too many devices, you might just be more likely to introduce distortion into the final picture.
  Use a tripod
  Be sure to use a tripod for virtually ever landscape shot that you’ll be taking. It’s important to do that because you’ll need every type of steadiness that  you can have granted that you’ll be taking photographs with a very small aperture opening for landscapes.
  Infinite focus
  Whenever you’re shooting skyscapes, be sure that you’re always on the infinity setting on your lens.
  Lock up your mirror
  If you’re using a shutter speed that is between 1/30th of a second and 1 second, it would be best to be able to lock up your mirror in a 35mm SLR before you even start exposing. In this particular range, you will be able to be free from the shock that the mirror has when it flips up during an exposure, ensuring a sharp and reliably focused picture.
  Long lens equals less contrast
  Whenever you are using a long telephoto lens to bring up objects closer, you will normally experience a loss of contrast because of the intervening distance. It would be better to come closer and essentially use a shorter lens to veer away from a desaturated-looking image.
  There you have it: some essentials for you to remember when trying out photography in the outdoors. Try to remember to follow these steps and you’ll end up having great pictures. Also practice, practice, practice until you get the shot that you want.

  Posted in Outdoor Photography

  September 12th, 2007 / No Comments