Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Confused...

Does anybody out there have a work flow they would be willing to share with me regarding photoshop's color space?  This is why I ask...I have decided to shoot raw, so that I have more flexibility while editing after I have taken my pictures.  But, as far as I can tell, I should be editing in ProPhoto 1998 in camera raw and the same after I import the picture to Photoshop for final adjustments.  Once I import the picture to Photoshop CS5, my color space is still set on ProPhoto 1998.  Then when I save my photo as a JPEG I leave it in ProPhoto 1998.  Is this correct so far? 

Now, I did a test print today at Costco using ProPhoto1998 color space and it was AWFUL!!!  I know that Costco has a site that you download their color space, which I did do.  However, when I tried to covert my working profile ( in photoshop  EDIT>CONVERT TO PROFILE  my "SOURCE SPACE" was PROPHOTO1998 and the "DESTINATION SPACE" was Costco's SRGB code).   I can't even upload the picture to Costco's site.  I am pretty perplexed here!!!

I also thought, maybe I should edit my RAW photo and then save it as a "RAW" file.  Then try to upload it to Costco.  I tried this and the file isn't even there when I look for it via Costco's upload dialog box.  Yes, the "RAW" file is saved on my hard drive, but I can't seem to get it to export over to Costco.  Maybe if I try to change the "DESTINATION SPACE" again to Costco's SRGB code.  NOPE.  And to top it off, when I opened the "RAW" file on my hard drive back into Photoshop, it looked NOTHING like what I had originally saved.  The file was black and white, stretched, and very pixelated.

I have also read to just leave all the images in SRGB through out all the edits via camera raw and photoshop, that way I can just send the picture straight to Costco.  Wouldn't that limit most of the colors?  Why bother shooting in RAW then?

In the past I had my color space set to Adobe 1998, maybe I should go back????

Any suggestions or good sites with information would be awesome!  Just comment away please! :)

......SUNDAY OCTOBER 3RD......

Here is some new information I have received from the very kind and generous Heather Armstrong of Heather Armstrong Photography.  Thank you soooo much Heather for all of your great information that you passed along to me!  She told me to try shooting in SRGB, set Photoshop in SRGB, and print SRGB.  That she has gotten great results doing this.  So, I tried and it so far has been successful.  I also want to try setting my camera to Adobe 1998, photoshop to Adobe 1998, and then print using the Costco SRGB code...once I figure out how to do that!  However, in the mean time...the results were very close to my calibrated screen.  Also, thank you Lisa for letting me borrow your calibrator!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Silhouetted Mommy and Baby

Shutter Sisters had a post on Silhouettes this morning, which is one of my favorite photography tricks at the moment.  Here is one that I took last night at the baby shoot. Thank you so much Rebecca for letting practice on you and your cutie pie baby girl. I also have a tutorial on silhouettes from an older post if you were interested on the data that I have collected on how to create a silhouette.  Here is another picture that I love, I can't take all the credit for this one...I had a tripod that day....her name was Erin. :)

Monday, September 27, 2010

Baby Turned One...

Here is a picture from tonight's photo shoot.  Does anybody out there know how to edit the flare that goes across her face?  I am wondering if the content award in CS5 might do it, just need to go research how that works.  I usually LOVE flare, but this one is very distracting right under her eyes.  Anyhow, there were several really cute ones of this little cutie pie...but I like to edit in order...  There will be more later, but I first have to finish the 3 sessions I have backlogged in editing before I do these.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Mother and Daughter Portraits

A few more shots I got around to editing today.

Back Lit Portraits of Mother and Daughter

I think these are my favorite types of pictures right now.  Here is one from Wednesday nights shoot...

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Mother and Daughter Portraits

Success!  Tonight was a great photo shoot, thanks to nice light and great people to photograph.  Here are a few of the first shots that were taken in the shade of the bridge.  I had a lot of fun taking these pictures and learning to edit them in CS5 is getting a little easier.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Shot of the Day...

Here is a shot from the family that was kind enough to let me practice on them last Friday night.  I really like this photo, it doesn't follow any of the typical compositional rules, but it makes me smile.  Such a genuine moment between a brother and sister, too cute.

Friday, September 17, 2010

So disappointed....

Before you read my downer of a post...take a look at this little girl.  Holy cow, she is so stinking cute.  I have to say that those little curls are PERFECT.
Well, tonight I had a photography shoot with the nicest family and I was a huge flop!  I had a great time taking shots at the Camden House near Whiskeytown, but was quite worried about how shady this spot is and to compound that...it was overcast today.  Well, most of my pictures were all blurred!!!!  How embarrassing!  This family spent time preparing for a photo shoot, not to mention I am sure they were excited...and more than half the photos are streaked.  Yes, I did check as I was taking the pictures at the histograms and quick glances at the display.  I of course cranked the ISO up, way up...however...still too dark!  So far, I have only studied natural light and not how to shoot with flash.  Hmmmm, what to do....I can tell you this....I am super disappointed, not to mention embarrassed.  AAUUUGGGHHH!!!

I am still trying to learn...but  I can only do one shoot a week.  I still have five more shoots scheduled this month, so I am sure I will learn with each shoot something new.  Which is good, but now I am insanely nervous to try and afraid I will totally suck again!  I hate failing!!!!



Okay on yet another note, post editing... My hubby has brought it to my attention several times that when I have been processing in CS5 that my images seem way too bright.  So, I read through a couple of tutorials and did a couple of modifications on this image.  Does anybody out there in Cyberland have a preference?  Can you see a difference?  Maybe tomorrow I will try the technique again and see if I can make it more noticeable, but noticeable in a good way! :)

Still trying to figure out CS5...

So, here I am trying edit another portrait in CS5.  I am thinking my sister's face looks a little red...hmmmm.  I still like her picture.  I tried messing around with the dodge/burn tools without looking them up in my book or online.  So, that is something I am going to research tomorrow. This program is so much more intensive than Elements, which is good.  I am so looking forward to figuring it all out. :)



On a different note...I went to a photography gathering tonight.  It was very interesting, the material covered was about HDR images.  These images are amazing, such vivid colors.  One day I will have to try it, once I figure out CS5.  I also heard    about another photography club in town, I think I am going to go and try that one out as well. :)  You know me, always trying to gain some sort of knowledge about photography.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Still messing with CS5...

Just another couple of pictures of my cutie pie sister.  If anybody wants to critique the processing or composititon...please do!!!  I would love to hear what others think I could improve on.  I am one of the crazy people that likes to hear the negative, that way I can improve!!! 
On a different note, any locals in the Redding Area!!!!  Crown Camera is hosting a photo/gear even tonight at Maxwell's downtown.  Hope to see you there...LISA! :)

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Playing with Photoshop CS5...

Here is a picture of my sister that I took the other night and one of me.  Processed solely in CS5, still much much more learning/practice ahead of me. I think the picture of me is overprocessed, but I am still learning. I do have to say that CS5 seems much easier than Elements, as far as normal exposure adjustments. Instead of having to take multiple steps, it is literally a slider and a couple of adjustments!!! Now, it is just figuring out what is too much/too little and learning MORE!  I also shot in RAW, which gives me more power with my adjustments in Photoshop.

Monday, September 13, 2010

100 Posts!!!

Holy cow!  100 posts!!!  Here is a picture I took tonight down by the "crick", oh I mean "creek".  I have to say I have a real issue with the word "crick".  It just doesn't sound right to me.  Well, I digress for now about the "crick vs creek" issue.

So, this is my first photo edited solely in Photoshop CS5...
I put a couple of textures on it for interest.  There is a pretty big difference between Elements and CS5 as far as moving files onto one and another.  It is going to take some getting used to or finding a better way to do it.  All and all, I can not wait to become a master photoshop girl!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Shot of the Day by Northern California Photographer

Here is a picture of me and my hubby kissing at the coast last weekend.  I have been doing a lot of editing and realizing that I need to REALLY learn Photoshop CS5 that I just got.  I read through my guide on CS5 and there are so many different ways to save time with editing.  I can't wait to be proficient with it.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Shot of the Day by Northern California Photographer

Here is another photograph from the session I had on Wednesday night.  What a beautiful young lady, and another plus was she liked to pose for the camera.  Lately, my oldest has been practically running from the camera.  So, it was really nice to have somebody sit still and not have the typical "Kya Dead Eye Look" :)  Thank you again Kristi!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Northern California Family Portrait Session

Here is an image of a family that I was lucky enough to have let me experiment on them.  They were full of energy and spontaneous!  We had crazy weather today, and I really thought the whole thing was going to be called off.  There were dark clouds, big time rain storms, lighting and thunder...I am telling you insane weather.  However, this family rocked and we went for it, despite the weather!  We did have to change location, since the original location was possibly still in the mist of the storm.  So, we went to the Monolith here in town and gave it a go!  Thanks again for all of your guys help!!!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Shot of the Day by Northern California Photographer

Here is my shot of the day.  I went out with my family to the park that I have set for my next photo session tomorrow.  We had a blast and I can't wait to see what shots I get tomorrow.

Boring....

Boring...that is what my husband says about my blog! :)  He thinks I should start posting a shot a day again, and I have to say that I do agree with him...this time.  So, starting tonight I am going to try and post a photograph each and every day.  Maybe I should post this great shot my sister took of my cutie pie husband with his shorts rolled up to his mid-thighs on the beach.  Pretty hot!  :) 

A shot a day is a great idea for several reasons:

1. blogs are more interesting if update on a regular basis
2. it is crazy good for me to practice, practice, practice
3. makes my hubby happy
4. why not
5. hopefully my friend Lisa will join me
6. hmmm, having a hard time finding really astounding reasons of why!

This photo of me was taken by my very beautiful, talented, and crazy sister Erin.  This weekend my family and hers went to the coast for a day and had an absolute blast.  She was having fun playing around with my camera and this is one of the many images she took that I liked.  Thanks Erin!!!

Friday, September 3, 2010

Menu Buttons!!!!!

Just thought I would share my exciting news with you!!!!  My menu buttons are working!!!!  Some might think, what is the big deal?  Well, let me tell you...I am a total html code rookie and it took me this morning to do this, so to me it is an accomplishment!!!! :)  Go check them out, I dare you!!!! :)

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Photographer in the making in Redding, California...

Okay, I am shocked by how many of my friends like my photography, that or they are good liars!!!!  Anyhow, I am doing it for free for experience, but am getting pretty busy with shoots and editing.  So, I am going to have to limit the number of sessions each week to just one. So, it is a win win situation...I get  you to model for me and you get some nice shots together. Yeah!  Super exciting for me!!!

Later this week I am going to add some more info to my blog via the blog buttons under my header.  I am thinking of doing a "What to Expect from a Photography Session from Jamie Solorio" type of thing.  There I will list ideas of what to wear, how long the session takes, how long before you get your CD or prints, locations, and whatever else pops into my head.

And if I get a little more time, I want to research another topic on Natural Lighting in Photography.