tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48244063635052953802024-03-13T14:19:12.819-04:00Atsah ImagesPhotography New Hampshire New England and whatever I like to photograph.Atsah Imageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429345033204920252noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824406363505295380.post-69370911466166231202013-12-13T12:10:00.000-05:002013-12-13T19:37:12.983-05:00<span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;">WHY TAKE PHOTOS #4</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;">How do you make the transition from the most advanced technological camera device ever invented? The digital SLR camera with every feature from full automatic to full manual and imagination in-between... It’s what photographers have asked for since Ansel Adams days. Finally everyone has access to the dream camera photographers have always wanted, except one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Raymond Larose walks a different road. <a href="http://www.raylarose.com/">http://www.raylarose.com/</a> He gave up his Nikon 700 with all the lens and lights and accessories and other SLR cameras for a new path, his zendo.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The sound of one hand clapping or three pounds of flax all translate into the a Zen approach to photography... simple maybe.</span><br />
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Photography is my Zen. When the camera is in my hands, the world around me becomes my “zendo”. I become very centered and grounded and all my worries go away. Especially when I can escape up north into the mountains of New Hampshire and Vermont. There’s nothing like sitting at the edge of a mountain stream with a camera in your hands.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Simple does not always translate into less expensive. A Leica M-E with attached Summilux-M 1.4/50 ASPH lens is very pricey. I did get to try it and it is one amazing camera. Very heavy. The lens is glass and brass. No plastic parts here. Results are what you would expect from this level of engineering.</span><br />
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I decided to move to the Leica M-E to get back to the pure joy of photography. With a Nikon DSLR, I found it very easy to lose touch with the subject I was shooting, spray a handful of shots and hope for the best. Getting into a Rangefinder really changes your approach to making a photo. It slowed down my art to a point where the photography feels more pure. All manual controls and focus - no chip making decisions for me. Sure, you can set your DSLR to do that - but they are intelligently designed Also, there is no preview of how the depth of field will look - you have to use your head and imagination to “see” the image before you make it. The M-E brings be pure simplicity. No video. No distractions. 95% of the time, I don’t even look at the rear LCD to see if I got the shot. When you are this much in control - you know you got it when you click.<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">... </span><span style="font-size: large;">Without Satori there is no Zen</span><br />
It all has to do with that “Zen” state of mind. Photography is my only artistic outlet and is a major passion in my life.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">With digital you always have to be complex right? </span>
</span>Usually, I run only Photoshop CS6 without any plugins. My edits consist of converting the RAW in ACR and then a few layers of dodge/burn or levels and a color correction. It’s a really basic process. Lately, I have been using Lightroom 4 and a set of presets being customized by Rebecca Lily. It’s another step towards finding a very simple path in editing so more focus can be spent on being out and about with my camera.<br />
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;">Do you have any experience with film photography like Kodak or Fuji?</span>
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My photography began back in junior high school back in the early 1980’s. I worked with my father’s 35mm Minolta XD-7 and our class had full use of a darkroom. I finally got my own 35mm in college and the passion grew from there. Today, I shoot medium format film on a Rolleiflex and am looking to pick up a 1950’s Leica M3 for shooting 35mm. New to the collection is a Hasselblad 500C<br />
</span><span style="font-size: large;">If I took your photo right now what would you like the world to see?</span><br />
Honesty. I’d want it to reflect the way I shoot - somewhere out in nature doing my passion.<br />
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<span lang="EN">I do it to get out and to express my vision of the world around me. I love to capture images of nature, people, architecture and so on - but I do not want any of it to come off like a snapshot. I like to give my unique angle or perspective of the moment in time and use that to paint the story.<br />
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I do not shoot for glory, fame or money. It’s for myself - but with that - I like to share with the world. I love to share my passion and hold no secrets to the way I do this. I publicize all my tricks and tips on my blog as I think this makes everyone grow together. I guess one thing I am really hoping to achieve is to consistently see my vision through my style. I want someone to see a series of photos and know which one is mine. Again, not for fame, rather for having a unique style. I also want to continue to share my knowledge with everyone that wants to hear it. </span><br />
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<span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;">If I had not seen the original setting I would not have been able to understand the capability of the Leica. This image shot by Ray is an example of how The Leica/Summilux combo can separate the foreground from background without added noise or editing. You can find this image on Ray's Flickr stream. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenscrack/11295827845/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenscrack/11295827845/</a></span></span><br />
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</span><span style="font-size: large;">If you were unable to take pictures for the next 360 days how would you feel?</span><br />
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Probably very annoyed. Very few days pass where I do not take a photo - and to take that away would be crippling to my outlet.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ray has an eclectic approach to photography that is always changing and evolving. He recently started using custom made presets by Rebecca Lily that you can view on his Flick stream.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenscrack/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/lenscrack/</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What type of photography or photographer speaks to you the most?</span><br />
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I really appreciate all forms of photography. I love nature work. I love portraits. I love everything from natural light to a room full of strobes. I love clean edits to HDR. I like a photographer that is seeking a vision and going after it with a full heart. If you were to take a look at the people I follow on Flickr and Twitter, you’d see a wide arrange of styles. I only follow a handful of people - but they all inspire me to be better. One shoots only B&W street. One shoots crazy HDR in abandoned asylums. One does amazing portraits with strobes. Another with natural light. A few shoot natural nature. Another does amazing nature in HDR. It is really a wide array - but that’s what makes us different. And these differences are what also make us grow.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ray Larose does photography his way and is enjoying it. Its what photography should be fun. If you have a passion for photography and fun try his Flickr group </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/52week/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.flickr.com/groups/52week/</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">or maybe just click </span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.raylarose.com/">http://www.raylarose.com/</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This is "WHY RAY TAKES PHOTOS"</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thanks Ray for making my day great!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Cheers</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Dennis</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Atsah Images</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/atsahimages/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/atsahimages/</a></span><br />
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</span>Atsah Imageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429345033204920252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824406363505295380.post-14947515612055021012013-12-04T16:53:00.000-05:002013-12-08T11:44:22.577-05:00<span lang="EN" style="font-size: large;">WHY TAKE PHOTOS # 3</span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: large;">Being an amateur photographer I often wondered what it would be like to be a professional full time photographer. When the economy tanked in 2009 there was a huge increase in so called professional photographers. Many have since changed their careers once they realized it takes more than mega pixels and expensive gear to become a pro. Part 3 of “<span style="color: #0b5394;">Why Take Photos</span>” opens a different door. </span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: large;">This time I'm looking for new treasures. I asked Sid Ceaser if he would help. <br /><br /> Sid is a portrait photographer specializing in Music/Band photos for promos, press kits, publicity and album artwork. His focus is headshots. He also shoots headshot photography for business, corporate, actors and models. He also does fine art work displayed in galleries throughout the Northeast. Sid Ceaser is a professional.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://www.ceaserphotography.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">See for yourself.</span></a><br /><span style="font-size: large;">
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIl4olHUMHO7puO2wzwoUlgOd8L2NGAsveQmOUjRI9JdFjmNvaYkiCWsm7J5A_wP4XXmzFwJ2zpmd-yJOCwSy-UcQvE4C2ZfvXzKYQWTxat8rEXiYb6G4Hu05w_ykg1Mggv5FBqxTjH0o/s1600/Sid+office+A+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIl4olHUMHO7puO2wzwoUlgOd8L2NGAsveQmOUjRI9JdFjmNvaYkiCWsm7J5A_wP4XXmzFwJ2zpmd-yJOCwSy-UcQvE4C2ZfvXzKYQWTxat8rEXiYb6G4Hu05w_ykg1Mggv5FBqxTjH0o/s640/Sid+office+A+1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-size: large;">
</span><a href="http://www.ceaserphotography.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">www.ceaserphotography.com</span></a><br /><span style="font-size: large;">
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The CEO of Flickr & Yahoo Marissa Mayer made the ridiculous statement that “There’s really no such thing as professional photographers anymore.” Marissa doesn’t understand the difference between a Ford Escort and a Lamborghini. <br />
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Sid works at his profession every day. It's frustrating, stressful and demanding. Whoever said, "Do what you love and you will never work a day in your life," was never a professional photographer. Its takes very hard work.<br />
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Sid would rather hear the KER-SLAP sound of his Hasselblad 500CM then make cold calls and review spreadsheets and accounts payable, but that’s what a pro does. The Hippo magazine voted Sid “Visual Artist of the Year” in 2013 but he still has to reinvent himself each day and start all over again constantly selling his business. Without the business no photos! <br />
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It’s a very tough business but when you have creative talent and the ability to make anyone look like a star, there are possibilities. <br />
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Sid says everyone has the power to be a rock star in them. He likes working with people that have an idea of how they want to look and need his help getting there. “People want a sense of drama that they don’t get in every day life.” This is when Sid switches to Sid the serious. The camera becomes an extension of his arm. A Canon 5D Mark II is his work horse. He doesn’t think about the technical f stops and shutter speed when shooting, he’s on cognitive adrenaline and the right brain artist begins to make a client into the person they always wanted to be. He's a master of using lights, focusing all that light energy into visual art... a photograph. When I asked about his style he said plainly "Style? I have a style? Tell me what it is?" After so many years it just happens, like a personality. You can’t mistake Sid's so called style; for one thing he cuts off the tops of peoples head intentionally. I hit the delete button on those. His software is Photoshop CS3 and that’s it. He only works with about 20 edited proofs at a time. Actual processing is very little. “I shoot as if I was still shooting film so I’m getting as much in-camera as possible when it comes to lighting.” Every photo Sid creates is for himself as well as his client. He loves to create.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: large;">His true love is film 120 format, "I love grain!" "I was raised on film, Illford B&W, Kodak Portra, Fuji 3000-B Polaroid and 3200 ISO film.” As a kid he would set up his action figures and take pictures with a Polaroid. “I was creating a story with a single image. I love that. I still love it.” Line, tone, texture, shape, composition in one frame, one capture, one moment, one story for everyone to see.<br />
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How does an amateur Ford Escort photographer take pics of a Lamborghini pro? Appeal to the kid in Sid, that's how. I knew Sid loves toys, video games, puppets and Indiana Jones. He was good enough to step out of his serious character and become Indy in search of a new treasure just for a few shots. He opened a different door for me and I stepped in. I was looking for that sense of adventure in my pics so created the Indy treasure box and Sid Ceaser became Indiana Jones just for a moment. <br />
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That was my creative inspiration but does not compare to what he did back in 2010. Sid brought Sara, his now wife to The Red River Theater in Concord New Hampshire to see a movie. He had secretly created Muppet Sid and Muppet Sara then stared them in his home made movie to propose to Sara. Sara didn't know.You have to see this, it's genius.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFGWx1OTUCELLRkpbteypRJDJPvvfnw4Ey2Udk2vOxWn36JP1Ijsi-rMMmBUJUlL7qvQqSTMvmfFY1fJ1QAXpM316BBd4jrQjNdcFEO1q0ghl2VsJtBcdGPWuF500pEY4yuVd5yuNJPs/s1600/5744174865_4e6993890b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFGWx1OTUCELLRkpbteypRJDJPvvfnw4Ey2Udk2vOxWn36JP1Ijsi-rMMmBUJUlL7qvQqSTMvmfFY1fJ1QAXpM316BBd4jrQjNdcFEO1q0ghl2VsJtBcdGPWuF500pEY4yuVd5yuNJPs/s640/5744174865_4e6993890b_b.jpg" width="636" /></span></a></div>
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Thanks to Sid the big kid and Sid the serious I learned a lot. It takes more than a camera or pixels to make a pro. This is why I take photos and had a great time doing it. Thanks Sid.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: large;">Every story has a picture. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">BTW some of Sid's favorite photographers to learn from:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Gregory Heisler</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Zack Arias</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Mark Seliger</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Dave McKean</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Cheers</span><br />
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/atsahimages/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Atsah Images</span></a></span><br />
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</span>Atsah Imageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429345033204920252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824406363505295380.post-12952951476979636892013-11-18T18:08:00.000-05:002013-11-18T19:18:48.416-05:00<span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;">WHY TAKE PHOTOS Part 2</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This assignment is about how to use photography to document an artist in action. Reason for a camera is not always to produce art but to</span>
<span style="font-size: large;">document a moment in time.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Go to </span><span lang="EN"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqE2FvdfEow80UOsQYMyhU1q6QXPhh7B7yfT2qy_09DxGSMLXiQePWrMo8hTfgikLUhDVIENle15l_EN4r0ss13kN_BvMa2YIHCLG23m_a8D4oZGFiQe5sAhzpV-AsWd1Apxjk-yzRiQ/s1600/Hannah_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqE2FvdfEow80UOsQYMyhU1q6QXPhh7B7yfT2qy_09DxGSMLXiQePWrMo8hTfgikLUhDVIENle15l_EN4r0ss13kN_BvMa2YIHCLG23m_a8D4oZGFiQe5sAhzpV-AsWd1Apxjk-yzRiQ/s400/Hannah_.jpg" width="400" /></a></span><span lang="EN">
</span><a href="http://www.hannahphelps.com/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN">www.hannahphelps.com</span></span></span></u></a><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN"> see Hannah’s work with block printing. I never understood block printing until I walked down into a basement at the New Hampshire Art Institute and said “Hi Hannah.” The art form that Hannah uses to make her prints involves a level of dedication and discipline I had no appreciation of before. It's a long and exacting process taking months for final results. 50 plus hours to make just one small print but today she is making her largest print meaning it will take 50 plus hours. Ansel Adams would work on a print for sometimes 20 years but this is different. Once you start you have to finish. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUa6ynyqkRHl1Ot4RkBk30nSUMRhKtcr-d8JWNfXczo09oeYNmKsNJk20AHZoYq_zeJ8Tx549pDeJqmAwVTAKRyEf0XRkxzHdDXF8FpsB59Pb1PH02ChvNcYgpud6vuYNHQL9djGQvVVY/s1600/Hannah+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUa6ynyqkRHl1Ot4RkBk30nSUMRhKtcr-d8JWNfXczo09oeYNmKsNJk20AHZoYq_zeJ8Tx549pDeJqmAwVTAKRyEf0XRkxzHdDXF8FpsB59Pb1PH02ChvNcYgpud6vuYNHQL9djGQvVVY/s640/Hannah+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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The 3 puddles of ink you can see in the background took almost 2 hours to mix. The wood carving and cutting took 2 hours. That does not include the time to paint the original and make a drawing transfer to the wood. <br />
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Hannah is rolling each piece of wood with the first of what will become many layers of different color inks. Like adding layers in Photoshop she adds layers of color each time but has to wait sometimes a week between each layer to allow the previous layer to dry. Behind here you can see the American French Tool etching press and the individual wood cuts getting ready for printing.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XO3mt8EKkESM_dMAndaUsZz80EzGI1RauTA1jL51lsQzZcRlM_VV_WG1cziq2hy7FX_BEeeKR1quGdevqe6qYTTxjg9VQnwQKdK-tL4aM4dmK7dXh410ABJG-kj4iR6nUiuF1H13YmE/s1600/Hannah+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1XO3mt8EKkESM_dMAndaUsZz80EzGI1RauTA1jL51lsQzZcRlM_VV_WG1cziq2hy7FX_BEeeKR1quGdevqe6qYTTxjg9VQnwQKdK-tL4aM4dmK7dXh410ABJG-kj4iR6nUiuF1H13YmE/s400/Hannah+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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Carefully placing each wood piece in the press Hannah knows that there will be gaps between each wood cut and makes decisions of how to use that in her work. She enjoys the labor intense process that will produce 8-15 proofs before she can make the final. Wood block print is a language to Hannah. “I love it so much” “When I get an image I really like I want more than one of them.” “The end results of wood blocks end up being a language that is very conducive to what I want to say.” It's very simple for Hannah. “I like the way wood cuts look.”<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyF2mk89GoMu3xmGx6FCctbs9LdoIhGqK_RaUkAKXta9KPuuSL2bBhUHqFBi3yd9a7ewR7M4uO9MgY7eM8HDnVetvu0gg70Cakjym2vaQG5LZ7hXB_TosXSy_2_Q3JLt26HcXQKJMuZ48/s1600/Hannah+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyF2mk89GoMu3xmGx6FCctbs9LdoIhGqK_RaUkAKXta9KPuuSL2bBhUHqFBi3yd9a7ewR7M4uO9MgY7eM8HDnVetvu0gg70Cakjym2vaQG5LZ7hXB_TosXSy_2_Q3JLt26HcXQKJMuZ48/s400/Hannah+1.jpg" width="400" /></a>The process is not forgiving. You can’t click UNDO, there are no do over's. Once you start you are committed with no going back to fix things. It's an art of determination. You get to see the artist’s hand in the work as the wood grain defines the textures and Hannah's next step. This print was inspired by a painting made on Appledore Island at the Isle of Sholes. Today is Hannah's first time making a large print on Mulberry paper an extra added challenge. <br />
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Soosen Dunholter has a different approach to printing. Completely eclectic and experimental. What ever happens is the end result. Two skilled printers working side by side in the same room with such contrasting opposite philosophies and we get results... what an interesting idea!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRO3ri8U3AbiCACuH_gEO_dQIMDMOU3lvS6R7AVpGF5K7LB54mda0NHTNbcqyifdTdgIXle3S12YenFspq0M0xTegwqeEP12eBsmI69RTg0ywZSWbnKVCUZ0E-k0jHXZQj_CoiVwBEyo4/s1600/Soosen+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRO3ri8U3AbiCACuH_gEO_dQIMDMOU3lvS6R7AVpGF5K7LB54mda0NHTNbcqyifdTdgIXle3S12YenFspq0M0xTegwqeEP12eBsmI69RTg0ywZSWbnKVCUZ0E-k0jHXZQj_CoiVwBEyo4/s640/Soosen+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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Soosen was working with leaves today and if you visit her web site<br />
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<a href="http://soosendunholterfineart.com/">http://soosendunholterfineart.com/</a> </span><span style="font-size: large;">you can see her </span><span style="color: #333300; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #333300; font-size: large;"><strong><span style="color: white;">Laundry Lines</span></strong> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;">work that was inspired from birch leaves hanging down during fall with their bright whites and yellow colors. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchpOaTvp6IuTrq7OFElamBD5wFugYs9oJ0S58zWVdW3-h0JTOzBYU1-tOb3VfVUn1biMdTNwgonJ4dBrg2zLFDackBCiNnEAD6btFdy4c37-DCTtWlY15PVianJrOc05qUnu5HdWQje4/s1600/Soosen+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchpOaTvp6IuTrq7OFElamBD5wFugYs9oJ0S58zWVdW3-h0JTOzBYU1-tOb3VfVUn1biMdTNwgonJ4dBrg2zLFDackBCiNnEAD6btFdy4c37-DCTtWlY15PVianJrOc05qUnu5HdWQje4/s320/Soosen+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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Making my photographs took time to consider these artists and their work. How do I tell their story with my process and tools? Hope you enjoy the adventure, I know I have.<br />
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I used Lightroom and Photoshop and made my own filters to create a mix of tones to match what Hannah and Soosen were trying to say. This is why I take photos.<br />
Cheers<br />
Atsah Images<br />
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</span>Atsah Imageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429345033204920252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824406363505295380.post-56459192956882347012013-11-10T15:17:00.000-05:002013-11-10T21:17:55.843-05:00<span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;">WHY TAKE PHOTOS<br />
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Because I spent all this money now its time to produce! Every amateur photographer reaches this point with their photographic inspirations and some even sell off their equipment on Ebay. Others who have the photo DNA genes switch on the inspiration RNA’s and start something new. This is my start of a new photo project to get my photos genes active again. The plan is to get inspired by other photographers and artists by taking photos of photographers and artists. Interviewing other artist and taking a few pics of them, I hope to inspire creative photographs and a blog that will tell their story. Their story of why they take photos or paint or just create! Why spend the money, the time, the hassles, and the thrill just for one photo. One that you might be the only person on the planet who will ever see it? So here it starts a new photo adventure to tell someone else’s story with my photos. <br />
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsEk2XKtSeeLhdGX6qYHLmim1tynnUFYZZThQ2CkL24LDMR4UjnV2du7K1XG-_AlTtk95aU0I5qYk9Py_dlyg0YoCnwG0jbqILPLUL7p_txfsPrIXLqKhk5LrHZ0DiJcz87O6_pMKHyE/s1600/Leaves+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQsEk2XKtSeeLhdGX6qYHLmim1tynnUFYZZThQ2CkL24LDMR4UjnV2du7K1XG-_AlTtk95aU0I5qYk9Py_dlyg0YoCnwG0jbqILPLUL7p_txfsPrIXLqKhk5LrHZ0DiJcz87O6_pMKHyE/s320/Leaves+b.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-size: large;">
This first photo is of an artist hands in the process of creating. The hand belong to Judy Palfrey of Epson New Hampshire. Judy creates in water colors and her popular subject is leaves. I didn’t have time to collect much information about her process at our first meeting but hope to meet up with her again in the future to add to this blog. Hey I’m new at this. Don’t worry I have other people lined up. You can see more of Judy’s work at </span><a href="http://www.judypalfrey.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">www.judypalfrey.com</span></a><br /><span style="font-size: large;">
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</span>Atsah Imageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429345033204920252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824406363505295380.post-47124246024344298192011-11-22T20:10:00.000-05:002011-11-22T20:10:31.224-05:00How to make a Photograph<span lang="EN"><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"></span></span><span lang="EN"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I started working on this image that I took from the now closed Memorial Bridge in Portsmouth New Hampshire. Working with an ultra wide lens Tokina 11-16mm gave me great views of the river. The large freighter in mid screen was being tugged out to sea and was my center point. There is a problem here my center point is too small too far back and I don’t have a long lens.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2lNh2XovvWBBKpmgWk6EuRem5DU7C4PajlF8msI1X9U4axPaveHyCTyhYf79A1QTNjlp3pToPiJq_Z6dLu7Ik6cXNvgiy7qIyn2Ubskk0-e1EMDYi9Gdck1qlZg1O3rp9nJ67Gl3Xac/s1600/Portsmouth+Harbor+S1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2lNh2XovvWBBKpmgWk6EuRem5DU7C4PajlF8msI1X9U4axPaveHyCTyhYf79A1QTNjlp3pToPiJq_Z6dLu7Ik6cXNvgiy7qIyn2Ubskk0-e1EMDYi9Gdck1qlZg1O3rp9nJ67Gl3Xac/s400/Portsmouth+Harbor+S1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"> Option is make the wide angle view work which it does by itself or change it. The shot was made at F/13 & 1/320sec 16mm with ISO 200. My histogram tells me I have plenty of pixels to work with. I op for the change. The first thing I do is apply a dash of Topaz Adjust 5. I select <span style="color: orange;">HDR collection</span> on the left hand menu and pick <span style="color: orange;">Dynamic Brightness</span>. This gives me the effect of using multiple images to make an HDR with just one click and just one image file. It’s better but still is not a photograph. It just doesn’t tell the story I want. Its time to crop. The crop is substantial. I know that I will be dealing with increased grain, noise and distortion by cropping this much. Lets go for it anyway. Now I have to work this much smaller image using multiple layers in PS. The goal now becomes much more clear. Focus on the ship and make the surroundings dramatic. I add a new layer each time I try something new. First curves than levels and then Topaz Adjust 5 to kick it up a notch. Its at this point I notice that I am loosing detail and creating noise but I do have the dramatic effect that I want. New layer and time for Topaz Denoise and then another layer and Smart Sharpening. Now add a layer mask and selective sharpen just the ship and the tugs. Now it all works by creating a new layer for each new idea. Get an idea create a new layer. Don't like it... turn off just that layer not all your other ideas. Now I have my photograph.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/atsahimages/">www.flickr.com/photos/atsahimages/</a></span><br />
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</span>Atsah Imageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429345033204920252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824406363505295380.post-36003387728902482312011-11-17T21:25:00.005-05:002013-12-03T14:58:35.928-05:00Topaz Adjust 5<span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;">Start here.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">First I process the RAW image file in Lightroom. You do not have to use Lightroom there are many RAW file editors out there such as Photoshop or Adobe Elements and more. Pick what works for you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This image needs to be cropped to get ride of the distracting elements on the left side to start.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Edit the RAW file for temperature first, better known as white balance. Look over on the right side it’s adjusted to 5400 degrees K nice and warm. I’m looking for a warm feeling so go for higher temperature in the white balance. It's not what the camera wants to make happen it's about what you as a photographer wants to make happen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The histogram at the top right tells me all the information of this image is in the shadows. Now use the brush tool on the right side to over-expose the really dark areas selectively to bring them back. See the <b>Results</b> image for details. Note how selected dark areas are lighter but the over all image is still dull.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Add a little clarity and vibrance using the right hand sliders to perk it up and save file as a TIF file. You now have a master file to work with. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What if I can’t edit in RAW? No problem just take your JPEG file and do a SAVE AS in TIF format. This will stop the JPEG compression and give you a stable file to work with. You now have a master file to work with in any program you like.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Time for Topaz Adjust 5</span> </span></b><span style="font-size: large;">and the fun stuff. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have to open <b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Photoshop</span> </b>first because <b>Topaz</b> is a plug-in program not a stand alone. You can use <b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Photoshop</span></b> or <b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Adobe Elements</span> </b>or <b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Lightroom</span></b> as your host program. I always create a duplicate layer first and then apply Topaz filters. Why....? Because I can then go back and adjust the opacity of that layer to the desired results with precision later.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In this case I start on the left side of the Topaz Adjust menus and choose my effects, <b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Vibrant Collection</span> </b>this time. Next moving down to <b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Presets</span>: </b>I choose <b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Crisp</span>. </b>Start at the top and work your way down, its designed that way. Why did you choose <b><span style="color: #f6b26b;">Vibrant</span></b> and <span style="color: #f6b26b;"><b>Crisp</b> </span>? .... because I like it, there are no rules here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next move over to the right hand menus and get into the details. Same set up here start at the top and work your way down. Find the adjustments that work for you. The great part about Topaz Adjust is you are not tied down anywhere in the process. I never accept a preset as is. You can always work your way back and try again or just hit reset.</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let's go over to the right side menu screen and start making the fine adjustments in <b><span style="color: #e69138;">Global Adjustment</span>.</b> It can become over whelming I know but start at the top slider and work your way down. That’s how all the menus are set up just like Lightroom. There are no rules; the only way to learn is to play. Push every button and slide every slider till you get what you want. Topaz is creative fun. You make the rules.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Look at the <span style="color: #f6b26b;">Before/After</span> file. On the left is the before and on the right is the after Topaz Adjust 5 processing. Notice the punch to the image. It only took seconds to do this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately here come some rules. When you save your last edited file make sure you save it as a TIF so you can go back later and edit if needed. Once you're done you might want to upload your image to <b>FLICKR. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">How to get it into FLICKR....? Uploaded files to FLICKR do not always appear like they do on your screen. That's because they need to be JPEG format to fit. Many times I have noticed blurry and out of focus images on FLICKR but they looked great on my monitor before I uploaded. When you edit image files you introduce noise and FLICKR introduces even more. Just changing from the TIF file to the JPEG file for uploads will require sharpening and maybe noise reduction. Topaz Adjust has a denoise app built in on the right side menu under Global Adjustments. After converting to JPEG I sometime run denoise before sharpening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Topaz Adjust is a great plug-in product. It's easy to use and it will be come intuitive if you just remember start on the left work your way down then move over to the right and work your way down again to adjust the details. It really is that simple.</span><br />
</span><span style="font-size: large;">Here is a link that will give you more detailed information on what Topaz Adjust 5 can do.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.topazlabs.com/tutorials/adjust.html#1">http://www.topazlabs.com/tutorials/adjust.html#1</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Click on the Sneak Peek Adjust 5 button.</span>Atsah Imageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429345033204920252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824406363505295380.post-71444567500492167672011-10-26T13:36:00.003-04:002011-10-26T14:34:48.992-04:00Adventures of a Clicker<span lang="EN"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RZSUylRSn2xFeuOl7jGd_8DFdDIszC1c346bVEmRt_lNa9EW8p-cTRrTsRSzEaFIJQ4pZe4Gjr-NQyMENh6rb6hYWeuui2Uqh0OK4U89FcS8wftFzDy_bTg1bLd06EvYUIUg7RJuArA/s1600/Go+Fish+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RZSUylRSn2xFeuOl7jGd_8DFdDIszC1c346bVEmRt_lNa9EW8p-cTRrTsRSzEaFIJQ4pZe4Gjr-NQyMENh6rb6hYWeuui2Uqh0OK4U89FcS8wftFzDy_bTg1bLd06EvYUIUg7RJuArA/s320/Go+Fish+A.jpg" width="300" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">This has been a more than challenging year for fall foliage color. My original plains just did work out with the rainy weather and warm days I just was not able to get the colors I remember from years before. Okay so what does a clicker do. The clicker gets creative. The most useful tool that I have is Topaz... it always works. Time is important to me so I need software that works and responds to my needs and is not complicated. Topaz filters works. I am not a purist... out of the camera photographer. Ansel Adams was certainly not so I work to create as he did an most others. “Last Catch” was taken on a dark gray morning that the weather man said was going to be sunny. Change of plains again. Needed to focus the story that is before me and the man in the boat fast before the light changed. Next was the light on the subject. How to get it focused on the action. Used exposure adjustments for that. Last was the over all tone values. That is were Topaz B&W came in. That nice tonal quality of black and white worked out great. What is it that he is really catching in the lake?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">“Halloween New Hampshire” now this was something that I wanted to work on to bring out the details. I shot this at F/25 but even at ISO 100 the noise was too high. The picture looks great on my computer but when I upload to Flickr the results sucks. I needed to find a way around this so I used Topaz Clean. It’s a very under utilized tool and does need some patience but can save the noise created by Flickr uploads. Some times detail can be a curse to a clicker. Soft and smooth can make for a better image but when you need detail its all about noise reduction. When I finished the image it looks great on this side but uploaded it is a big challenge to get it to look great for you on Flickr. Still working on it. You can view "Last Catch" and "Halloween New Hampshire" on my Flickr page.</span><br />
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</div><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span>Atsah Imageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429345033204920252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824406363505295380.post-88004891547293155422011-10-11T14:48:00.003-04:002011-10-11T15:01:13.405-04:00The Color is here!<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN">It has been a very different year for taking autumn pictures in New Hampshire this year. The colors are late and when they do come they are in pockets of intenseness on one side and green on the other. Took a trip up to Campton NH last week hoping for color but it produced nothing at all. There was just no colors. Like a switch then it came... bam! Today someone turned the lights on. The difference this year is the vibrancy of color seems to be below what we normally see. I noticed a lot of fungus on the leaves this year. It may be because of the high temperatures we had this fall. We even broke all time records this year for temperatures in the high 80’s. I did manage to get some pictures just recently but had to use the lemonade principle. (When nature gives you lemons to deal with you make lemonade). So that’s what I did.<br />
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I worked out a technique for creating an abstract interpretation of a early morning picture that was based on the fact that I missed a beautiful red sunrise this morning. It was one of the best red sunrise’s I seen for some time. I was not prepared for it, bummer! So now onto the lemonade. The colors are coming very fast and won't last much longer so get out there and shoot!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEs7Qh6Y5v64xxuF6T9fhDuQkdAKABMQOWKcJPUfceqC2hP3XpKavDDug9-yITXuOMObNj-E7vu3gm7XhnCNX9iicryew_Q19xi4vNJVFzijHgFF9vQtzCkVguY2xn8P9D2qes70R8MKM/s1600/L+Massabesic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEs7Qh6Y5v64xxuF6T9fhDuQkdAKABMQOWKcJPUfceqC2hP3XpKavDDug9-yITXuOMObNj-E7vu3gm7XhnCNX9iicryew_Q19xi4vNJVFzijHgFF9vQtzCkVguY2xn8P9D2qes70R8MKM/s320/L+Massabesic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>This was Lake Massabesic this morning.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/atsahimages/"><span style="color: #dd7700; font-size: medium;">www.flickr.com/photos/atsahimages/</span></a><br />
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</span></span>Atsah Imageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429345033204920252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824406363505295380.post-30611205773056412172011-10-01T15:43:00.005-04:002011-10-04T10:38:24.988-04:00Interpretation<span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;">When the weather does not want to cooperate with fall picture taking its time to get creative. “Interpretation” is something I tried with the help of Topaz B&W Effects plug-in. I want to give the original image file a different color, contrast and texture without using any textures. I started with a picture that I took on a rainy day ( like today again) of the Sudbury Mill in Sudbury Massachusetts. It took a while to figure out how to get the lighting just right but in the end it worked. As always I create a layer copy in Photoshop first then apply the topaz filter. </span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;">In this case I started with the preset Stylized Collections and from there moved on to Painterly. After that I used the customerized features on the right hand menu to achieve the final results.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0b0Bkknfi1vxeVhSrnX-JJlgRG7m8KAWgT6SktGgyUtL5Ehw11FDHHAWVLgL4d_H88dlqW6ZPjlCVFVZzN8cGhY-iUgXT_nP8hHYljRnJt94nXocHsyZj215EC-8e2R9VTX8TuLW2q7o/s1600/Sudberry+Mill+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0b0Bkknfi1vxeVhSrnX-JJlgRG7m8KAWgT6SktGgyUtL5Ehw11FDHHAWVLgL4d_H88dlqW6ZPjlCVFVZzN8cGhY-iUgXT_nP8hHYljRnJt94nXocHsyZj215EC-8e2R9VTX8TuLW2q7o/s400/Sudberry+Mill+A.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This is the after.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/atsahimages/">www.flickr.com/photos/atsahimages/</a></span><br />
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</span>Atsah Imageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429345033204920252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824406363505295380.post-46703183564764010402011-09-27T08:05:00.000-04:002011-09-27T08:05:59.724-04:00Wrong Trail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvc4EME_SIwGVSErRqKn6HB0BModYUiui-9QkhfjmlzNCjH8QWWDMl0CxTNpEM-jZ7oRWlNoWXzRauA7cuZS9T7MiUVJEDLq9SFqvYR3JdZTHgiZ7bS13im1n2wTvJbwLRRmR26tu1G0/s1600/Wrong+trail+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvc4EME_SIwGVSErRqKn6HB0BModYUiui-9QkhfjmlzNCjH8QWWDMl0CxTNpEM-jZ7oRWlNoWXzRauA7cuZS9T7MiUVJEDLq9SFqvYR3JdZTHgiZ7bS13im1n2wTvJbwLRRmR26tu1G0/s400/Wrong+trail+2.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;">The image of the Wrong Trail started out with an un-processed RAW file. The exposure was all wrong from shooting into the rising sun on a September morning. There is a distraction to the lower left and just too much washed out sky. I wanted the focus to be on the boot and the spider webs. The second point of interest the wooden walkway. First step is to crop out what is not necessary. Shooting in RAW means no processing not even sharpening so the challenge is to get the boot and spider webs looking good. This was done using layers in Photoshop CS5. Using curves and levels the lighting and contrast was adjusted to bring out some detail. This also helped with making a sharper image. Next I needed to accentuate the details in the boot and spider webs, for this I used Topaz Adjust to fix the exposure. The Image was almost were I wanted it but now I needed to make the wooden walkway part of the story also. This is were Topaz B&W Effects comes in. Using a layer mask for just those areas I choose Selenium V black white preset. This created just the right amount of contrast and highlights to make this photo work. The last step was to finish it off with a layer of Smart Sharpen, save as a jpeg and post on Flickr Spetember 27 2011.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/atsahimages/">www.flickr.com/photos/atsahimages/</a></span><br />
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</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYoU2Goc-D6v3_QbcB0HFZ5dl7sQTooRtk-vzFU8UdufbxEx9_-KWzXWdWVt6eMBiK2HsERoBIDsk3jh08lP6145uXJgJFypmYhvrZ5dJdi60KPAIxgfn61uoHFOR1vsM6APgZCv9zEM/s1600/Long+Walk+B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYoU2Goc-D6v3_QbcB0HFZ5dl7sQTooRtk-vzFU8UdufbxEx9_-KWzXWdWVt6eMBiK2HsERoBIDsk3jh08lP6145uXJgJFypmYhvrZ5dJdi60KPAIxgfn61uoHFOR1vsM6APgZCv9zEM/s640/Long+Walk+B.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>Atsah Imageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429345033204920252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824406363505295380.post-82058183096327804382011-09-21T15:05:00.002-04:002011-09-27T08:18:02.258-04:00Warren New Hampshire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtoa7RhY1WrtPG2e0XczH_i9A-WX128OppRXGUqWP501p6HP1sb0rCvIuwkhpd3aHosxa0NnedHfCetr1rpjcpuQ4pr-Yrgeda9OQng_heuEWir8rju0nBSbkCtQoVA6dRFnCBfIXgPw/s1600/Warren+NH+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtoa7RhY1WrtPG2e0XczH_i9A-WX128OppRXGUqWP501p6HP1sb0rCvIuwkhpd3aHosxa0NnedHfCetr1rpjcpuQ4pr-Yrgeda9OQng_heuEWir8rju0nBSbkCtQoVA6dRFnCBfIXgPw/s320/Warren+NH+b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;">The great thing about photography is that it is and art form. That means it only has one rule... you make the rule. I like taking pictures and then creating photographs. One of my rules is do not try to get everything in super sharp focus. Trying to get everything super sharp can drastically reduce the overall artistic quality of a photograph. It’s all about right place, right time, and right proportion. Capturing the inspiration of the scene is more important to me than the technical details. This is a shot I took on October 11, 2009. The place is Warren New Hampshire. It’s at about the same latitude as Waterville Valley and is just south of Mount Moosilauke. That should give you a good perspective of the color changes in the trees for that time period. Just do a Google search on Warren New Hampshire and you will see what I mean. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Warren NH is a must drive for me in the fall. The drive is about 1 1/2 hours one way up RT 25 the MT. Moosilauke Highway to RT 118 on to Baker Floodwater Reservoir. The focus here is, of course, the colors. I wanted to downplay over sharpening the entire image. That is why I selected just sharpening the farmhouse in the center and actually reducing the sharpness of everything else in the photograph. This way I’m able to preserve the brilliant colors of the surrounding landscape and still keep focus on the farmhouse at the center. This is my way of transforming a picture into a photograph. Important point to remember is composition when shooting landscape or any out door work. I learned a lot from my friends and fellow photographers on Flickr</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The latest reports indicate that the areas of most color right now is up in the Dixville Notch area and the Zealand Valley, certainly not at peak but nevertheless, some color. That is a good 3 1/2 to 4 Hour Drive for me just one way. I think I am going to skip this one and wait till the change of color moves a little further south. I won’t be shooting from higher elevations so have to make good use of my time and gas money. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This photo shot at F/25 and 1/25sec ISO 100 with zoom lens. Used Photoshop RAW edit to work the final Tiff file. Next used Topaz Adjust to get the balance of color just right. Finished off with selective sharpening on the farm house and de-sharpen everything else. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/phots/atsahimages/">www.flickr.com/phots/atsahimages/</a></span></span>Atsah Imageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429345033204920252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824406363505295380.post-13144580120772742762011-09-19T10:45:00.002-04:002011-09-19T11:06:42.627-04:00Chasing the Light<span lang="EN"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcW4EbT1dur8hK3UlikHKV39VCNqmVmtS-1sbx58wy3TO4aZcl0zDx5613Anofwx81QR1qEBOKNUKW1jsmieemoLQghDVe2eq0QDK4rEkXR6s9xFQTzBQl0GpD7GdsQv9rQ7VbTaZEN4/s1600/Chasing+the+Light+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcW4EbT1dur8hK3UlikHKV39VCNqmVmtS-1sbx58wy3TO4aZcl0zDx5613Anofwx81QR1qEBOKNUKW1jsmieemoLQghDVe2eq0QDK4rEkXR6s9xFQTzBQl0GpD7GdsQv9rQ7VbTaZEN4/s320/Chasing+the+Light+A.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">The swamp maples are turning in my area. This usually means that up north around Franconia, this type of tree may have already peaked and has dropped its leaves. These are the first trees to start turning color and they do not last long. I estimate that I may have another week around here before the swamp maples will start dropping their leaves. Once these trees drop their leaves it takes a while for the rest of the hardwoods to develop their colors. With just a small window of opportunity before these bright red leaves move on, chase the morning light for best result. It's too bad that we can't have the best of both worlds, combining swamp maples and all the rest of the hardwoods for a complete color gamut at the same time.</span><br />
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<span style="color: yellow; font-size: large;">PHOTO</span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-size: large;">I <span style="color: #cccccc;">shot this photo at about 7:00am today at f/8.0 1/250 sec. Adjustments to the RAW file were made with some fine tuning from Topaz Adjust. The idea here was to capture as much colors as possible. That is why the morning light is so important because you just can't get that type of light with the setting sun.</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-2yczAXz5RFT9K_sA4WhyphenhyphendyQEAEO_m9cKhWIKYahlJcy_ev1IePmKyipoJiNVuUKSplEvZL2fesd3_uns8WguMr8B1zPvNygwT5ghBwEcIFfbYRAYG0bEif7QAx-aU3kEgrFDVBmk5w/s1600/5116904173_b303a322b7_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-2yczAXz5RFT9K_sA4WhyphenhyphendyQEAEO_m9cKhWIKYahlJcy_ev1IePmKyipoJiNVuUKSplEvZL2fesd3_uns8WguMr8B1zPvNygwT5ghBwEcIFfbYRAYG0bEif7QAx-aU3kEgrFDVBmk5w/s320/5116904173_b303a322b7_b.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Now this is the color gamut that we are after. It should be coming very soon. As always</span> check out more photos at</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/atsahimages/">www.flickr.com/photos/atsahimages/</a></span></span>Atsah Imageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429345033204920252noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4824406363505295380.post-90105950141757310222011-09-16T19:45:00.004-04:002011-09-17T08:26:47.144-04:00Fall Kick Off 1, 2 and 3<span lang="EN"></span><br />
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<span lang="EN"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhjy_3WE2Z0Z2exrTY6Sv0kbNQlBt49WH1aG47T3nhKkEoD5XtbJgLhkvjWJiy1HSdGtwE8t5BUSiAtOr5Y_rDNRj0nIM10ReBaKayMRvAQSU9jfpPlbPewCihBYSMruH7OSKM7soa_U/s1600/Fall+Kick+Off+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhjy_3WE2Z0Z2exrTY6Sv0kbNQlBt49WH1aG47T3nhKkEoD5XtbJgLhkvjWJiy1HSdGtwE8t5BUSiAtOr5Y_rDNRj0nIM10ReBaKayMRvAQSU9jfpPlbPewCihBYSMruH7OSKM7soa_U/s320/Fall+Kick+Off+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> </span><span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;">The leaves are still green in southern New Hampshire but the swamp maple is starting to turn. Reports are that the upper elevation around 4000 feet in the Mount Washington Valley is at peak. Color is coming! In order to kick off the season a photographer has to take advantage of as much light as possible. The days are shorter and the golden hours really accentuate the autumn colors but it’s a very short window to work in. I am trying to focus as much attention as possible on high impact colors right now, like yellow and orange and red. That means sunrise. This is when these colors work best for me. When sunset comes around these same colors become much darker and higher in contrast and noisy, not what I am looking for right now. Until the trees start to produce I have to play it loose.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The adventure this early in the season starts at the local nursery and apple orchards. Shady Hill Greenhouse & Nursery in Londonderry New Hampshire is a great place to start. Just up the street from them is Mack’s Apples orchard with p.y.o. apple and pumpkins. Just around the corner at the traffic light, left turn you can come to Sunnycrest Farms for more fresh apples. All of these places offer great photo opportunities. Use your imagination before you get there and you will find a great photo opp.<br />
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<span style="color: yellow;">PHOTO</span> <br />
All three photos for the "Fall Kick Off" were shot in RAW. I like to work as much of the color, highlights and shadows as I can in the RAW before converting it to a TIFF file. Next, I worked the final results in Photoshop. This is where you have to use a touch of creativity. It's at this point where I like to start applying Topaz for the fine detail work. The work is very subtle. Just a small adjustment makes for dramatic results. Focusing on the histogram while photo editing tells me if I have gone to far even when I didn’t notice. The most important thing start with a good composition.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN"><span style="font-size: large;">Find all 3 photos on Flickr.</span></span><br />
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Used Topaz B&W Effect to make this work<br />
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<span style="color: white;"> </span></span>Atsah Imageshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429345033204920252noreply@blogger.com0