Photographing lightning...

Summer is the perfect time to capture storms in Florida. In June, July and August, beautiful clouds form throughout the day resulting in some very intense weather throughout the state. The rolling clouds and bolts of lighting above were captured in St. Petersburg, Florida. This summer I'll be trying out a new device for capturing lightning called a Lightning Bug by MK Controls. I can't wait for some intense lightning to come my way, and I hope to capture some interesting storms later this month in Kenya and Tanzania as well! This device has adjustable sensitivity, and allows for a frames per second adjustment.  You can also capture lightning as I did with this photo in St. Petersburg, by using a long exposure. However a lightning trigger such as the Lightning Bug will trigger the shutter for you, while you are in safe shelter. Be safe shooting! ~ Deb

PS - Students can email me for a code for free ground shipping on the Lightning Bug.

Create a Watery Reflection with your Photos...

I love to photograph silhouettes, and I also like to create them in Photoshop. Here is a silhouette that I put together for a tutorial for Photoshop Creative magazine a few years ago. You can create this look easily in Photoshop by using a few tools in Photoshop, and also by using a really fun filter called the Flood Filter from Flaming Pear. This filter lets you create s a watery reflection is customizable for a unique and beautiful look with your photos. You can adjust the horizon, the waviness of the water, and the look of how the ripples will be rendered in the composition. It's a great filter, that is relatively inexpensive and easy to use. I teach a few creative techniques on using the Flood Filter, and more in my Photoshop - Enhancing Images course at BetterPhoto.com! I'll be traveling this June, but classes will start again in July, I hope to see you there!

Classic Car Photography

I've always loved old cars, Cuba has quite a few of them! This is one of the places on earth that makes you feel like you've stepped back in time. Literally, you have arrived in the 1950's! This image was photographed from behind the windshield of a beautifully maintained Buick 8. To see the old cars on the road is like living an old movie.

The photo above was taken with a 50mm lens using a wide aperture to softly blur the graffiti background. The Nikon 50mm is one of my favorite lenses, great for creating a painterly look. You don't need to go to Cuba to get great pictures of classic cars, you can photograph beautiful vintage cars at car shows. I like to start by photographing the entire car, and then move in for the detail shots.

The Chevy above was photographed at a car show (you can see my self portrait in the bumper)! The graffiti background was photographed separately to create a fun composite. When photographing cars, a polarizer helps to cut down glare and reflections. To create the glossy look in the image above, try using Topaz Adjust Portrait Smooth, a quick and easy wax job! Have fun shooting!

Travel Photography in Cuba, Santiago at night...

In Santiago de Cuba there is a beautiful old cathedral that you can't miss, built in 1522, and restored in the 1920's. This is a wonderful location to experience night or day! I love the night view, so dramatic with all the tiny lights. This was photographed from a great little rooftop bar (complete with delicious mojito's) that provided just the vantage point I hoped for!

This image was converted to black and white for a timeless look. Removing color allows light, shadow, texture and tonality to become more important throughout the composition without the connotations or impact of color. Black and white conversion can create a traditional classic look that is enduring.

Here is a link to a recent article I wrote on Creative Nightscapes for Topaz Labs Pro Insights, and also a little more specifically on how to shoot at night. Contact me for a workshop on night photography, or personalized instruction individual/group. You can also visit my website for more ideas, the Nightscapes portfolio has some of my photos from twilight and beyond. I'm a big fan of photographing at night, everything seems magical. Have fun shooting!

Create a classic B&W look with HDR...

This old building is one of the many crumbling structures in Havana, Cuba. It's been locked behind closed doors for the last few years, however the guard is always kind enough to allow visitors in for a few photos. It used to be a wonderful hotel in it's day. It's easy to see the attraction of the beautiful Cuban Colonial architecture in the graceful arched doorways. Buildings fall at an estimated rate of 300 a year in Havana, very noticeable near the salty seawall of the Malecon. With this image, I used Nik HDR Efex Pro to merge several images to create a single exposure including a sunburst for lost glamour. HDR allows the flexibility to shoot in harsh light conditions, and creates an expressive memory of this fascinating place. For a classic look, the image was converted to black and white using Nik Silver Efex Pro.

We are covering some of the ways Nik Software can work with your imagery during my BetterPhoto.com classes that just started. Nik HDR Efex and Nik Silver Efex both work well with color and infrared photography. You can save 15% with code DSANDIDGE, or use a trial version to see how you like it. Have fun shooting! ~Deb

Happy Mother's Day...

I call my mom "momsie." It's very informal, but through the years we have established a greater relationship that crosses the boundaries of just mother/daughter. My mother is awesome! She let me explore the big wide world in my favorite red sneakers, reeling me in when need be. She encouraged me throughout my childhood, teen years, and adulthood, whatever that is! My mom even edited my first published book, making sure I dotted the i's, and crossed the t's. She recently saved my dad... I can't even begin to quantify that in mere words. She was able to give my dad CPR after his heart stopped in such a terrifying situation, until the ambulance crew arrived and took over. I call her my hero. She doesn't like that, but she is, and always will be. I love you Momsie. Thank you for everything...

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful Mother's in the world!

Perfect Photo Suite 6.1 Sale...

Happy Friday! Celebrate!  

Perfect Photo Suite 6.1 on Sale Now! Save $100!

onOne Software currently has a sale available on Perfect Photo Suite 6.1. You will be able to purchase the software for $199.95 (normally $299.95) until May 16.

Perfect Photo Suite 6.1 - Everything You Need to Realize Your Photographic Vision!

Seven integrated products for your photography workflow

- Perfect Effects: Create images with impact

- Perfect Portrait: Simply powerful retouching

- Perfect Resize: Enlarge your images for print

- Perfect Layers: The power of layers without Photoshop

- Perfect Mask: The essential cut-out tool

- FocalPoint: Put the focus where you want 

- PhotoFrame: Borders, backgrounds, textures and adornments

- Works as a plug-in for Lightroom, Aperture, and Photoshop! The program also works as a stand alone application.

I'm a big fan of Perfect Effects and PhotoFrame. If you like the idea of creating a Lensbaby look with selective focus, then FocalPoint is for you, easy and fast. The Suite gives you everything you need to create compelling imagery from masking, resizing, working with portraits and even the opportunity to work with layers in Lightroom.

Get creative this weekend with Perfect Photo Suite!

Want to learn more about creativity in Photoshop and working with photo enhancing tools and plug-ins? Join me for my BetterPhoto.com online courses, starting this week! Save $20 with COURSE20 coupon code. Hope to see you there! ~ Deb