Tag Archives: processing

News, Reviews

My Descent into Infrared, Part 2: Choosing a Conversion Type

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Afternoon clouds near Cañon City, Colorado. Super-color infrared image converted to monochrome using Silver Efex Pro 2.
Afternoon clouds near Cañon City, Colorado. Super-color infrared image converted to monochrome using Silver Efex Pro 2. If you have the right tools, a Super-Color infrared conversion is probably the most versatile choice for the creative photographer.

In my previous post, I mentioned that I selected a “Super Color” conversion for my Nikon 1 V1 camera. Today, I’ll dive a little deeper into my rationale for this conversion and provide some examples for why I think it was a good choice for what I do. Considering that most infrared conversions cost between $250-$325, you want to be sure you’re making a choice that you’ll be happy with. Your choice of conversion will determine what look or looks you’ll be able to get with your camera.

I based my rationale for choosing a “super color” conversion, which allows some visible light to reach the sensor, on two key points. First, I like the creative options afforded to me by having some color information. Second, I own Photoshop and Silver Efex Pro 2, and I’m fairly proficient with those products. Had I not owned those two programs, I may have chosen a different conversion style (likely standard IR). Continue reading My Descent into Infrared, Part 2: Choosing a Conversion Type →

Images, Tips and Tricks

Photo of the Day: Look to the East (with free Color Efex Pro Preset)

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Sunrise at Conata Basin, Badlands National Park, SD. HDR image captured with a Nikon D800e and processed with the Nik Collection.
Sunrise at Conata Basin, Badlands National Park, SD. HDR image captured with a Nikon D800e and processed with the Nik Collection.

This is a sunrise image from my recent trip to the South Dakota Badlands. It’s a typical scenario at sunrise: pretty clouds and a back-lit foreground. I captured a standard ±2EV bracketed exposure series with the Nikon D800e (5-shots), and then processed the image in the Nik Collection (discount here). Continue reading Photo of the Day: Look to the East (with free Color Efex Pro Preset) →

Books, Images, Tips and Tricks

Turning Day Into Night with Color Efex Pro 4

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Creepy! I created this image by using multiple filter effects in Nik Software’s Color Efex Pro 4. Read on to see the step by-step instructions. Click to see a larger image.

I created this image using multiple filters in Nik Software’s Color Efex Pro 4. The following article is an excerpt from The Photographer’s Guide to Color Efex Pro 4, where you can find many more recipes for creating unique image styles and 29 custom preset files. I’ve provided a download link at the end of this article if you want to try the “moonlight” recipe described in the text. Continue reading Turning Day Into Night with Color Efex Pro 4 →

Tips and Tricks

Get Out of Your Rut: Tips for Creative Photography

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Photography is a combination of technical and artistic techniques. The more techniques you master, the more opportunities you’ll have to create your vision.

Photography combines technical and artistic elements and allows me to express my creativity. Today, just about anyone with a cell phone has a camera on-hand. So how do you go beyond just taking pictures of your food and your cat?

As with all things, you should have a grasp of the basic fundamentals of exposure. Sure, you can put your camera into Program Auto or “Scene” mode, but doing so can sometimes restrict your creativity. Program Auto mode is great when you’re just looking to get snapshots, and it is well-suited for those just starting out to allow the user to concentrate on composition. But at some point, all your photos will start to look the same, and you’ll probably want to expand your horizons. Here are some techniques you can experiment with once you have the basics down. Continue reading Get Out of Your Rut: Tips for Creative Photography →

Images, Tips and Tricks

Photo of the Day: Fountain Motel

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Fountain Motel, Wall, South Dakota. Nikon 1 V1 with 10mm f/2.8 1-Nikkor lens. Processed in Color Efex Pro 4 and Flypaper Texture (Click for larger image).

Here’s a snapshot (literally) from my recent workshop in South Dakota. My students and I had returned from our early-morning shoot and were walking to town to grab some breakfast. This old motel was on the corner and had a vintage style, so I grabbed a quick shot with my Nikon 1 V1 camera and 10mm lens. Read on to see how I processed this file. Continue reading Photo of the Day: Fountain Motel →