Category Archives: Software and Post-Processing

Software and Post-Processing, Tips and Tricks

Shoot Raw? You can ignore these In-Camera Settings

7 Comments

Some camera settings just don’t matter if you shoot in raw format

Tulips, photographed with my Nikon D850 in RAW format and processed with Lightroom Classic CC.

I see a lot of the same questions over and over on the online discussion groups. You’ve just gotten a new DSLR and you want to set it up. There are so many customizations in today’s digital cameras, so you want to do it right. As it turns out, many settings that are applied in-camera will have no meaning if you capture in RAW format and use a 3rd-party raw converter (Lightroom, Capture One, Luminar, Photos) to edit your images.

Continue reading Shoot Raw? You can ignore these In-Camera Settings →
Software and Post-Processing, Tips and Tricks, Videos

Pro Tip: Removing Dust Spots with Lightroom

Leave a comment

Zap Dust Spots on Your Photos with Lightroom Classic CC

2019 is upon us, and so here’s my first tip of the new year: How to remove dust spots from photos using Adobe Lightroom. I’m using Lightroom Classic CC, and removing dust spots from photos is relatively easy. However, you may or may not know about some of the hidden features that Lightroom Classic CC has to make dust spot removal quick and easy.

In the video below, I’ll not only demonstrate how to remove dust spots using the healing brush tool in Adobe Lightroom Classic CC, but I’ll also show you how to easily detect even faint dust specks with the spot visualizer tool. I’ll also show you a cool trick for methodically navigating your image when viewed at 100% so that you don’t miss any dust spots.

Learn how to remove dust spots from your photos with Lightroom Classic CC

Get More Photo Tips Here

News, Software and Post-Processing

Luminar 2018 Updated

1 Comment

Luminar 2018 Jupiter Released by Skylum

Luminar 2018 Jupiter
Luminar 2018 “Jupiter” is a free update to Luminar 2018 users, and boasts significant performance enhancements.

Skylum Software (formerly Macphun) have announced the immediate release of Luminar 2018 “Jupiter.”  I’ve updated to this version and it is much faster and more responsive, especially when I’m working with large files from my Nikon D850. I strongly recommend that current users upgrade to Luminar 2018 Jupiter.

Luminar Jupiter is a free update for existing Luminar 2018 users.

Read my review of Luminar and download my free Luminar Workspaces   Continue reading Luminar 2018 Updated →

News, Software and Post-Processing, Tips and Tricks

Texture Blending 101

Leave a comment

Texture Blending 101

texture blending 101
Texture blending isn’t hard if you know how to work with Layers.

Step-by-Step Guide to Texture Blending

Texture blending is a fun way to get creative with your photos and transform them into something new and unique. In a nutshell, all you need to add textures is an image editor that supports layers, such as Adobe Photoshop. Some other editors, such as Luminar, have a built-in texture blending feature. Here are the basic steps to get you started, aka “Texture Blending 101.”

  • Open a photograph in your image editor, such as Adobe Photoshop
  • Drag a texture image file from a browser window (I use Photo Mechanic) onto the image editor, or use the “Place Embedded” command in Photoshop and choose a texture file. Note that high-resolution texture images work best, as they won’t produce artifacts during resizing.
  • Size the image to fit over your original photo and press Enter on your keyboard
  • In the Layers panel, blend the texture by changing the blending mode to something other than Normal. Try Multiply, Overlay, Screen, or Hard Light modes for starters. Then adjust the layer opacity to blend in the texture and reveal the photo underneath it.
  • You can also use Layer Masks to blend the texture in. Use brushes to “paint” out the texture from areas of your photo you wish to reveal.
  • Don’t stop there! Try using multiple texture layers, too!
  • Once you’re finished, adjust contrast and color on the final image. You can also finish your images in Lightroom after saving them.

Get Textures!

I’m pleased to offer four different royalty-free texture packs.

  • Luminescent Painterly Textures
  • Abstract Painterly Textures
  • Digital Painterly Textures
  • Digital Painterly Expansion Set

Each set of textures includes high-resolution (24 megapixel) royalty-free images and a PDF quick-start guide.