Our reflections always show more flaws than we would like to see. When all the ripples of that reflection are cleared away it is still us standing there as God sees us...the work of his divine hand.
I really enjoyed making this photo, after post processing the lily the idea came to mind to try it with no stem and as a reflection. I am happy with the way this turned out.
The Shot:
6 Shots manually blended with different focal points for clarity in the flower from side to side.
In this case Auto Align and Auto Blend didn't work very well.
F/4.0, ISO 100, 1/100 Second, 24-105L Lens @96mm, Tripod and shutter release cable used
Post Processing:
>Manual Blend of all 6 photo's, masking and brushing in only in focus areas into single main photo
>Adjustment Layer-Curves for contrast and darken stem
>Adjustment Layer-Black and white, totally remove stem and create Black and white image
>Adjustment Layer-Levels-Find white point
>Rotated image 90 Degrees Clockwise
>Manual Rotation for flower to lay flat
>Filters-plugin-Flaming Pear-Flood for reflection
>Adjustment Layer-Photo Filter-Slight Blue filter
>High Pass Sharpening (Used more than usual and masked for water droplets on flower)
>Cropped (Went through a few different crops until I found one I liked)
>Border, Drop Shadow, Sized for posting
http://en.flickeflu.com/photos/tony_d
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Whale of a Tale
My wife has Easter Lily's growing in the planter in the front yard. Every day I walk by them looking at the dew or sprinkler drops on them wondering how this or that would look in a photo. So yesterday I decided to go out and capture it and see what I could do.
This just happens to be one of the shots. First thing I thought of was it looked like a "Whales Tail". Sounded good enough for a title with a little twist on spelling. There really is no tail to go with this it just felt good for a catchy title.
The lighting is all natural light with some work done with an Orton Effect to make it glow more. The black background is just a black cloth that I bought a while back to use as a back drop on photo's like this. It worked really well and I was happy to have it. That with a ladder worked real well for a black back drop.
The Shot:
6 Photo's taken at different focal points for sharp image all the way through;
Combined in Photoshop /Auto Align/ Auto Blend
F/8.0, 1/100 Second, +1 EV, ISO 100, 24-105L lens with 25mm extension tube @90mm
Tripod, Ball Head and Shutter release used
Post Processing:
>All Photo's brought into photoshop-Each photo individually/Cmd A (Select All)/Cmd C (Copy)/Cmd W (Close)/Go to main photo file/ Cmd V (Paste)...repeat for all photos until one file holds all photo's as Layers
>Cmd Click on all photo's to select-/Edit Menu/Auto Align
>With all photo's still selected/Edit Menu/Auto Blend (Photo's blend with only the in focus parts of all files blended into one photo/Right Click/Flatten Image
>Adjustment Layer Curves for Contrast
>Adjustment Layer Hue/Sat for Yellows
>Orton Effect/Duplicate background twice (Layer 1 and Layer 1 Copy)/Select layer 1 Copy and change blending mode to Screen/With Layer 1 Copy still selected, right click and merge down/Select Layer 1/Filter/Gaussian Blur Radius 6-16/Right Click Blending Mode Multiply/Opacity to desired/Flatten Image
>High Pass Sharpen
>Cropped/Framed and sized for posting
http://en.flickeflu.com/photos/tony_d
This just happens to be one of the shots. First thing I thought of was it looked like a "Whales Tail". Sounded good enough for a title with a little twist on spelling. There really is no tail to go with this it just felt good for a catchy title.
The lighting is all natural light with some work done with an Orton Effect to make it glow more. The black background is just a black cloth that I bought a while back to use as a back drop on photo's like this. It worked really well and I was happy to have it. That with a ladder worked real well for a black back drop.
The Shot:
6 Photo's taken at different focal points for sharp image all the way through;
Combined in Photoshop /Auto Align/ Auto Blend
F/8.0, 1/100 Second, +1 EV, ISO 100, 24-105L lens with 25mm extension tube @90mm
Tripod, Ball Head and Shutter release used
Post Processing:
>All Photo's brought into photoshop-Each photo individually/Cmd A (Select All)/Cmd C (Copy)/Cmd W (Close)/Go to main photo file/ Cmd V (Paste)...repeat for all photos until one file holds all photo's as Layers
>Cmd Click on all photo's to select-/Edit Menu/Auto Align
>With all photo's still selected/Edit Menu/Auto Blend (Photo's blend with only the in focus parts of all files blended into one photo/Right Click/Flatten Image
>Adjustment Layer Curves for Contrast
>Adjustment Layer Hue/Sat for Yellows
>Orton Effect/Duplicate background twice (Layer 1 and Layer 1 Copy)/Select layer 1 Copy and change blending mode to Screen/With Layer 1 Copy still selected, right click and merge down/Select Layer 1/Filter/Gaussian Blur Radius 6-16/Right Click Blending Mode Multiply/Opacity to desired/Flatten Image
>High Pass Sharpen
>Cropped/Framed and sized for posting
http://en.flickeflu.com/photos/tony_d
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Rock and a Hard Place
Dana Point, California. This is a pretty awesome place to shoot. The sunset is pretty far north at this time of year and if you get caught in the wrong spot the cliffs will hide all the light shining from the sunset on to the rocks and you will end up with way to much black cliffs and not enough light. In order to get a decent comp I had to jump out onto a few boulders to get around the cliffs. This turned out fine because:
A. The rocks weren't slippery
B. I didn't fall into the ocean with all of my camera gear.
C. The tide was coming in but I managed a few shots and got back to shore without getting wet
D. I didn't break any legs or ankles hopping around ocean rocks like a teenager.
No HDR
No GND
Black Card Technique
The Shot:
Single Exposure, F/8.0, 47 Seconds, ISO 250, 24-105L @24mm
Post Processing:
Processed in Color
>Adobe Raw-WB-Warmed up
>Saved image as Tiff and opened in CS-5
>Color Efex Pro 3.0-Pro Contrast-Sky cooled (Blue) for contrast in Black and white
>Silver Efex 2.0-Black and White conversion
>Adjustment Layers-Curves-Water areas brightened
>Adjustment Layers-Curves-Edges of Water darkened
>Adjustment Layer-Curves-Clouds darkened
>Topaz Denoise-Noise removal in sky and softer look for water
>High Pass Sharpening
>Cropped, Framed and sized for posting
http://en.flickeflu.com/photos/tony_d
A. The rocks weren't slippery
B. I didn't fall into the ocean with all of my camera gear.
C. The tide was coming in but I managed a few shots and got back to shore without getting wet
D. I didn't break any legs or ankles hopping around ocean rocks like a teenager.
No HDR
No GND
Black Card Technique
The Shot:
Single Exposure, F/8.0, 47 Seconds, ISO 250, 24-105L @24mm
Post Processing:
Processed in Color
>Adobe Raw-WB-Warmed up
>Saved image as Tiff and opened in CS-5
>Color Efex Pro 3.0-Pro Contrast-Sky cooled (Blue) for contrast in Black and white
>Silver Efex 2.0-Black and White conversion
>Adjustment Layers-Curves-Water areas brightened
>Adjustment Layers-Curves-Edges of Water darkened
>Adjustment Layer-Curves-Clouds darkened
>Topaz Denoise-Noise removal in sky and softer look for water
>High Pass Sharpening
>Cropped, Framed and sized for posting
http://en.flickeflu.com/photos/tony_d
Friday, March 11, 2011
Sunset DP
Another sunset in Dana Point, can you get enough? Well lets see. I live in Southern California, its 70 degrees at sunset, clouds are shaping up nice for some texture in the sky, waves are crashing all around....nope can't get enough!!
The Shot:
Single Exposure, Black Card Technique, F/8.0, ISO 100, 9.1 seconds, 24-105L Lens 35mm
Post Processing:
>Color Efex Pro 3.0-Pro Contrast
>Topaz adjust-enhance color and detail
>Adjustment Layer Levels-Blue in sky
>Adjustment Layer Levels-Yellow in sky
>Adjustment Layer Curves-Brighten water
>Noise Ninja-Reduce Noise in sky
>High Pass Sharpening
>Sized and Framed for posting
http://en.flickeflu.com/photos/tony_d
The Shot:
Single Exposure, Black Card Technique, F/8.0, ISO 100, 9.1 seconds, 24-105L Lens 35mm
Post Processing:
>Color Efex Pro 3.0-Pro Contrast
>Topaz adjust-enhance color and detail
>Adjustment Layer Levels-Blue in sky
>Adjustment Layer Levels-Yellow in sky
>Adjustment Layer Curves-Brighten water
>Noise Ninja-Reduce Noise in sky
>High Pass Sharpening
>Sized and Framed for posting
http://en.flickeflu.com/photos/tony_d
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Gothic Black & White
Black and White version of the previous post. So what is the verdict? Of course as the photographer of both I like them both. There are not to many of the photo's that I do that I like in both B & W and Color, but this subject I is one. I also enjoyed processing both of these photo's. Now the question will be which one do I print for the wall?
The Shot:
Single Exposure, F/22, 151 Seconds, ISO 100, Sigma 10-20mm Lens @ 11mm.
Post Processing:
>Adobe Raw with minor adjustments to exposure, Contrast, Black
CS-5:
Process Done in Color:
>Nik Color Efex Pro 3.0-Pro Contrast
>Topaz Adjust-Enhance Color and Detail
>Duplicate Background Layer-Clone out most spots or dirt in photo
>Silver Efex Pro 2.0-Black and White Conversion
>Adjustment Layer Curves-Deeper contrast in sky
>Adjustment Layers Curves-Darken Roof
>Adjustment Layer Curves-Remove dark shadows in building
>Adjustment Layer Curves-Darken lower trim
>Adjustment Layer Curves-Darken street
>Fill Layer Black for Vignette
>Noise Ninja-Reduction in noise sky
>High Pass sharpening-Overall photo
>Cropped, Sized and Framed for posting
http://en.flickeflu.com/photos/tony_d
The Shot:
Single Exposure, F/22, 151 Seconds, ISO 100, Sigma 10-20mm Lens @ 11mm.
Post Processing:
>Adobe Raw with minor adjustments to exposure, Contrast, Black
CS-5:
Process Done in Color:
>Nik Color Efex Pro 3.0-Pro Contrast
>Topaz Adjust-Enhance Color and Detail
>Duplicate Background Layer-Clone out most spots or dirt in photo
>Silver Efex Pro 2.0-Black and White Conversion
>Adjustment Layer Curves-Deeper contrast in sky
>Adjustment Layers Curves-Darken Roof
>Adjustment Layer Curves-Remove dark shadows in building
>Adjustment Layer Curves-Darken lower trim
>Adjustment Layer Curves-Darken street
>Fill Layer Black for Vignette
>Noise Ninja-Reduction in noise sky
>High Pass sharpening-Overall photo
>Cropped, Sized and Framed for posting
http://en.flickeflu.com/photos/tony_d
Saturday, March 5, 2011
The Villa Riviera
The Villa Riviera, originally uploaded by Tony DeSantis Photography.
Located at 800 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, California, the Villa Riviera Hotel was constructed in 1929. At the time, it was the second-tallest building in Southern California after Los Angeles City Hall.
Built in 1928 as homage to Gothic revivalism, the Villa Riviera has survived as a symbol of world-class living—from “own-your-own” cooperatives and fine hotel luxury, to the condominium association of today—and, after more than 80 years, remains a beacon of the West.
Prestige, however, is nothing without recognition: in 1996, the Villa Riviera earned its rightful place on the National Register of Historic Places, ensuring it as one of the most important landmarks in California.
The Shot:
Standard 3 shot HDR (+2, 0, -2), F/19, ISO 100, Sigma 10-20mm @10mm, Tripod mounted
Post Processing:
>Adobe Raw-White Balance warming, Slight Noise Reduction, Saved as Tiffs
>Photomatix 4.0 (Detail Enhancer)
CS-5:
>Color Efex Pro 3.0-Pro Contrast
>Topaz Adjust-Overall Enhance of Color and Detail
>Color Efex Pro 3.0-Tonal Contrast-More Controlled Detail
>Adjustment Layer Curves-Increase Brightness in Selective areas of building
>Adjustment Layer Curves-Increase Brightness in building behind Riviera
>Adjustment Layer Hue/Sat-Green in Roof
>Noise Ninja-Selective areas throughout entire photo with Layer Mask for more in some areas and less in others
>Slight image rotation
>High Pass Sharpening
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Morning Shower
I was putting out the trash this morning and I walked passed the planter in the front of my house. I noticed all of the water droplets from the sprinklers. So I went in and grabbed the camera for a few comps. The colors and contrasts really caught my eye. I have tried to shoot macro objects like this before but they really never seemed to come out like I wanted whether the focus or colors. But after reading a few articles on the subject and watching a few post processing videos I decided to give it another shot. Here is the way this one was shot and maybe my experiences can help you the next time you want to branch out.
First I chose a very low angle on this. Laying my tripod flat on the ground and using the 90 degree angle on the tripod to lower the camera all the way to the ground. I grabbed a towel from the house and got down on my knees to see through the view finder.
Camera Equipment Used:
>Camera Body and lens (No Macro Lens Used)
>25mm Extension Tube
>Tripod
>Remote Shutter Release
The Shot:
12 Shots: F/2.8, ISO 250, 1/100 second, 70-200L Lens @ 175mm
>Each shot taken using different focal points of subject until all focal points are covered of entire subject (This subject just happened to be 12 shots)
Post Processing: Using MacBook for processing
>Opened all Raw photo's in CS-5 as tiffs
>First tiff was my main subject (Doesn't matter which shot you use)
>One at a time I -Selected All (Command A) / Copied (Command C) / went to main subject Pasted (Command V) / Closed file, REPEATED FOR ALL FILES.
>Now you should have X number of Layers all in your Main Subject Layers Menu
>Because you had different focal points your subject will not be perfectly aligned so you will need to align all of your layers. To do this you highlight your background layer and shift/click on your last layer you copied into your Layers menu. This should highlight all layers. Go to Edit/Align All Layers and wait, and wait, and wait.
>After all layers are aligned you will need to blend all layers. Keep all layers highlighted and go to Edit/Blend All-Layers/Choose Stack Images and wait and wait and wait.
This process will align all layers and stack all layers taking the sharpest and clearest parts of all pictures and move them into one image.
>Flatten Image and proceed to process
CS-5 Final Image Process:
>Adjustment Layer Levels-Global Contrast
>Color Efex Pro-Tonal Contrast 60% opacity
>Adjustment Layer-Hue/Sat-Yellows for greens in entire image
>Adjustment Layer-Hue/Sat-Yellows for deeper yellows in flower
>Adjustment Layer-Curves-Brighten pedals on flowers
>Noise Ninja-Adjustment in Background only
>High Pass Sharpening/Sized/Framed for posting
http://en.flickeflu.com/photos/tony_d
First I chose a very low angle on this. Laying my tripod flat on the ground and using the 90 degree angle on the tripod to lower the camera all the way to the ground. I grabbed a towel from the house and got down on my knees to see through the view finder.
Camera Equipment Used:
>Camera Body and lens (No Macro Lens Used)
>25mm Extension Tube
>Tripod
>Remote Shutter Release
The Shot:
12 Shots: F/2.8, ISO 250, 1/100 second, 70-200L Lens @ 175mm
>Each shot taken using different focal points of subject until all focal points are covered of entire subject (This subject just happened to be 12 shots)
Post Processing: Using MacBook for processing
>Opened all Raw photo's in CS-5 as tiffs
>First tiff was my main subject (Doesn't matter which shot you use)
>One at a time I -Selected All (Command A) / Copied (Command C) / went to main subject Pasted (Command V) / Closed file, REPEATED FOR ALL FILES.
>Now you should have X number of Layers all in your Main Subject Layers Menu
>Because you had different focal points your subject will not be perfectly aligned so you will need to align all of your layers. To do this you highlight your background layer and shift/click on your last layer you copied into your Layers menu. This should highlight all layers. Go to Edit/Align All Layers and wait, and wait, and wait.
>After all layers are aligned you will need to blend all layers. Keep all layers highlighted and go to Edit/Blend All-Layers/Choose Stack Images and wait and wait and wait.
This process will align all layers and stack all layers taking the sharpest and clearest parts of all pictures and move them into one image.
>Flatten Image and proceed to process
CS-5 Final Image Process:
>Adjustment Layer Levels-Global Contrast
>Color Efex Pro-Tonal Contrast 60% opacity
>Adjustment Layer-Hue/Sat-Yellows for greens in entire image
>Adjustment Layer-Hue/Sat-Yellows for deeper yellows in flower
>Adjustment Layer-Curves-Brighten pedals on flowers
>Noise Ninja-Adjustment in Background only
>High Pass Sharpening/Sized/Framed for posting
http://en.flickeflu.com/photos/tony_d
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