Sabtu, 30 September 2006

Photoshop converts a Photo to a Pencil Sketch

I get regularly asked for any help using Photoshop to convert a photo into a sketch -- pencil, charcoal, conte, or other mediums. This is by far the very best tutorial I've seen to date -- bar none! When I saw this technique in the Photoshop Photo Effects Cookbook I knew at once I had to share it with you!



Tim Shelbourne writes...



"Ask any artist and they'll tell you that all the tubes of paint in the world cannot replace the simple pencil when it comes to artistic potential. Through the centuries, the litmus test of an artist's ability was demonstrated best through the medium of drawing. In days of yore, student painters spent years drawing with graphite to hone their skills.



The so-called "Sketch Filters" in Photoshop consistently yield very disappointing results; re-creating the quintessential sketch demands a little more inventiveness and an approach that mimics traditional techniques. Pencil sketches work especially well when very soft leaded pencils are used on a tinted paper, with a few touches of white chalk here and there to heighten the tones. This is what we'll produce here, digitally.



Don't worry if your drawing abilities aren't up to snuff, all that's required here is the ability to scribble."





Read Photo to Pencil Sketch



Sabtu, 23 September 2006

Does Pixel Size Matter

Digital Cameras: Does Pixel Size Matter?  Factors in Choosing a Digital Camera

Roger Clark has a technical write-up on digital camera pixels and pixel pitch, and why we should care.





"In today's Digital Camera market there is a bewildering array of models to choose from. I recently faced such a decision when I wanted to buy a small point and shoot digital camera. I wanted a small size, high megapixel count, fast response time (low shutter lag), and low noise camera. I did not get what I wanted because it did not exist at the time of my purchase. After a little research, I find I never will get what I wanted, unless someone comes up with a way to break the laws of physics.
...
The sensor in today's digital cameras uses a charge-coupled device, CMOS sensor or other similar device that is an array of pixels. Each pixel, is a semiconductor material that converts a photon into an electron. The electron is gathered and held in what is called a potential well, or voltage well that prevents the electron from drifting away."





Obviously, this artcile gets a little heavy on the physics and math side which is ok for some of us, but it's not for everyone.  Happy reading!



Fine Art Workflow Four Part Article

Ron Bigelow of ronbigelow.com has just posted the last article in his excellent fine art workflow series.





"Many books and articles have been written on various aspects of photography and Photoshop. Each of the topics covered in those books and articles has its place and is part of the whole process of making an image. However, understanding each of the components of photography does not guarantee that we understand how to put together the best combination of those components for a specific image. Sometimes, we need to look at the entire process from start to finish to understand how the various components fit together to produce a high quality image."





Other articles of Ron's can be found can be found at:
http://ronbigelow.com/articles/articles.htm



Senin, 18 September 2006

Olympus, Panasonic and Sigma launch FourThirds lens catalogue

Along with the launch of the latest Olympus Four Thirds Standard camera, the E-400, the catalogue showcases how cross-manufacturer compatibility of the standard enhances versatility for photographers.



Press Release: Olympus Corporation, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (Panasonic) and Sigma Corporation announce the publication of a joint product catalogue that features the full range of interchangeable lenses suitable for use by all Four Thirds Standard-based digital SLR cameras.

The joint lens catalogue is the first of its type in the industry. Based on the Four Thirds Standard, all featured lenses are expressly designed for the special demands of digital SLR photography. Because Four Thirds is an open standard which, among other things, regulates lens and body mount information, users are not bound to a single provider for their lens requirements. This means photographers have the freedom and flexibility to mix and match Four Thirds camera bodies and lenses supplied by the participating manufacturers – completely according to their needs.

A total of 24 interchangeable lenses are highlighted in the 40-page, full-colour catalogue. Each lens is presented in a clear manner, with a detailed analysis of all features together with numerous examples of photos.

Distribution of the catalogue will commence in time for photokina 2006, being held in Cologne, Germany, from 26 September to 1 October. The Olympus stand will be located in 2.2, booth B 030/040, where visitors can pick up a copy the new joint catalogue.

The official Four Thirds website has also been updated to coincide with the launch of the catalogue.

Consumers who would like this catalogue should call our brochure hotline on 0800 072 0070



Of Cameras and Art

Alain Briot of Luminous Landscape has a thoughtful post up about photography and art and assumptions people make about this craft.





"I hear it regularly at art shows: “Your photographs are beautiful.  You must have a very good camera.”  I also hear, “Your colors are beautiful, you must use filters.” And finally I also hear, “Your images are fantastic, you must use Photoshop.”  This statement comes in different variations, but the message is essentially the same: for a certain audience, the reason why my work is beautiful is not due to my artistic skills but to the equipment I use. 



At first I was dumfounded.  Later on I was insulted.  After talking to other photographers and learning that they received the same comments, I started wondering why people thought this.  I now believe I have an answer."





Read Reflections on Photography & Art - 4



Jumat, 15 September 2006

Photo sharing and the future of photography

An interesting read over at photodoto.com

"It’s an exciting time for photography. Traditional, professional photographers have seen their share of the photography market erode to legions of digital camera wielding amateurs. At the same time, many people who might never have considered calling themselves a photographer are doing just that. The entire photographic landscape is shifting—for the better, I think, despite the fact that, in the short term, some pros are feeling the pinch. As in other markets, increased competition and supply lead to lower prices. Of course, sites like Flickr, the rise of micro-stock, and the availability of low-cost, high-quality digital cameras aren’t going to destroy the traditional photography industry. But those pressures are creating a new kind of photographer and a new kind of market for photography."

Very true. I am an amateur yet I now sell to Stock Agencies online, and make good recurring money doing it.


Sell Photos Online

Senin, 11 September 2006

Panasonic Amateur Photo of the Year Contest

It's Panasonic Amateur Photo of the Year contest time!  Get your digital cameras ready.



Are you passionate about photography? Taking pictures of family, friends and places you've been? Maybe you've captured a magic moment, an unusual situation or some humorous, crazy slice of life? Whatever it is, if you have a photo you're really proud of, you should enter the Panasonic Amateur Photo of the Year contest.



First prize - A trip for two to New York
‘Sheer discovery’ is the central theme of the New York trip. The winner gets to stay at the magnificent, renowned Waldorf Astoria hotel.



To experience NY from different sides, Panasonic Batteries will offer the winner a city tour through the famous New York districts such as Chinatown, Rockefeller Center, Battery Park… but also a Big Apple Helicopter Sightseeing Tour. A night out to a Broadway show will add to the excitement.



The icing on the cake is a top-notch professional photo workshop with Mr. Luis CastaƱeda, in which the winner will participate. Luis CastaƱeda won in 1994 the award for being the best Latin American photographer.

Second prize
The runner-up will receive a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 8-Megapixel digital camera with the renowned Leica
lens, 12X optical & 4X digital zoom and Optimal Image Stabilizer for pin-sharp pictures every time.

Third Prize
The third prize consists of a powerful pocket-sized Lumix DMC-LZ3 5-Megapixel digital camera, with 6X optical and 4X digital zoom and Optical Image Stabilizer.

You can enter your photos until October 31st 2006.



For more details, please visit http://www.photo-award.com/



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