ELITE VIDEO NEWSLETTER/BLOG

Here are links of things for avid camera people.  Worth checking out. 

http://www.cameraporn.net/2008/05/12/60-photography-links-you-cant-live-without/

Using external Flash for weddings

Bob answers a question on using external flash for weddings.  Mainly for Canon users but much of the letter applies to all.
  Dave- This is Bob Nagy…and I use the 40D in weddings all the time.   You are correct, the internal flash won’t work at 25 feet - unless you are at 800 ISO and above -and then not very well.   Here is the set-up you need for weddings:   I would get the 430EX. I have both the 580 and 430. The 430 is totally fine for weddings. I’ve gone to using it and having the 580 as backup. This is because it is plenty bright enough and it weighs less than then 580.   You should shoot at 500 ISO for almost all shots except the Altar Returns (set-ups portraits). I seriously suggest fixed studio strobes and umbrellas for this. If you are shooting these outside, you can use natural light plus the 430EX. 500 ISO gives very low noise and lots of range for the flash. In large blow-ups, I never see noise at 500.   You will also need a Lumiquest diffuser or Stofen diffuser.- inexpensive and give great results. Using the diffuser, set the big flash for flash compensation of +1 stop and aim it towards the ceiling. The bounce lighting will look stunningly natural. Do a test shot at that location and adjust the +stop on the big flash for a good histogram…well exposed.  Different settings require different compensation. +1 is good for 12 feet away….+3 for lighting a room. When using the 430 for outside fill-flash, use it without the diffuser- straight on.   Use Auto white balance for all candids…bounce flash…and for studio strobes go to the lightening bolt symbol..flash setting WB. Studio strobes and umbrellas are a good investment.  Photography is all about lighting… Studio strobe sets are 20% of the price they were 10 years ago. The first time you shoot with one, you’ll know why people use them. I always use them for Wedding set-up shots. (and use ISO 200)  Oh, also, I’d use P mode…which is full auto, but let’s you adjust things.   Take care- Bob Nagy -Elite Video

Photo cutout and 44 other tutorials

45 photoshop tutorials, I especially like the photo cutout one. I have always wanted to know how to do that.  At the bottom of the page it looks like they have a link to 50 more tutorials.  With this amount of training, who needs to take a course in this stuff?

http://vandelaydesign.com/blog/design/photo-editing-tutorials/

21 ways to shoot better photographs

The title says it all  

http://www.10e20.com/blog/2007/07/27/21-ways-to-shoot-better-photographs/

Become a plastic surgeon on your photographs

A webpage of some great tutorials (33 in all!) to makeover a body or face with some photoshop enhancements.

link

Want to take great sunset or twilight shots?

 One secret is to talk the shots soon after the sun has set. 

Makes no sense until you read the article   Alot more good tips too.

Link 

Pro Sharpening your photos in PHotoshop CS3 using smart filters.

This is  a good tutuorial on sharpening techniques.  At the end of the tutorial are more links to other techniques you can do.

Link 

Surprise Your Parents With Restored Old Photographs

This article has some useful information on restoring old pictures. 

Link 

Taking macro shots with your camera using binoculars

This is a cool way of taking old binoculars and using them for close up lens photography using your camera or camcorder

Link

Getting High Dynamic Range (HDR) photos using Adobe Photoshop.

If you take three pictures of a great scene or object at different exposure levels on a tripod, you can then combine them to get a full range of color and light levels, giving you dramatic results in one picture . Here is perhaps the best tutorial that takes you step by step using photoshop

Link