Terri Viltrakis' Photo Blogpage

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Cool New Stuff- Online

This is an online photo editor that is truly amazing. It has all the basics like layers and masking tools, rubber stamp, spot healing, etc. It also has a great range of filters and adjustments that mimic Photoshop better than much of the freeware out there.

The best part is that is it free and online- no hardware space needed for program install.
It will also upload from your computer OR online galleries like Facebook!

Edit from anywhere- maybe even your phone!

ALSO:
Here are some great links I happened upon while surfing around the web.

Tilt shift:
http://www.instantshift.com/2009/11/13/100-examples-of-brilliant-tilt-shift-photography/

HDR:
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/03/10/35-fantastic-hdr-pictures/

Forced Perspective:
http://www.instantshift.com/2010/08/24/88-brilliant-examples-of-forced-perspective-photography/

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Diagrams for basic photo instruction

The photographic triad. At the heart of these functions lies the light meter on your camera. A 'balanced' exposure needs to be appropriate for your subject matter.

This chart is a handy reference for times when you have to make quick, informed decisions with your settings.

A histogram is a chart that defines your exposure per pixel along a scale of grays. The wave shows you a pure vision of the exposure (no subject or meaning here- only pure technology- scientific facts). Too far to the right and you are overexposed; too far to the left and you have underexposure.

Shutter speeds.

These numbers represent fractions of seconds unless you see "- then you know you have reached full second exposures.

B stands for bulb- this is a timed exposure that you fully control.

Motion blur is devastating to a photograph. If you drop your shutter speed below 1/60 second, be sure to stabilize your camera! If you are anywhere around 1/30-1/20 you must think about using a tripod.

Blurry photos = ungood :)

Aperture- Fstop

The opening inside of the lens.

This controls the level of blur due to depth of field - SLR.

ISO- Film speed

The higher the film speed the higher the noise (digital) or grain (film).

Higher film speeds will react more quickly in low light but at the cost of noise.

By rule- use the lowest film speed necessary unless you are choosing noise as a stylistic element to your photo.

Special effects

Our set up and some recent portraits

This is our light set up!

With my help as the light, Nicholas achieves perfect loop shadows that accentuate, because flat light just doesn't look flattering!

We like to have a good time on our shoots!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

041710 Working with Lines (power lines that is)

Available light... Model- Kyle Whitehead

While we were shooting in Lebanon, OH the group was working with 2 reflectors- one on the ground and one above creating soft light.

There are times when it is impossible to avoid lines in the backgrounds of our photos. Where you choose to place your subject makes all of the difference.