Capture the Weather Winner

I was just informed by our local ABC affiliate, News Channel 6 (WJBF), that I was selected as the daily winner of their "Capture the Weather" contest. Won a free sandwich from Einstein Bro Bagels! Pretty stoked!

 (3 Exposure HDR)  RedCliffe Plantation in Aiken, SC. 

High Dynamic Range Photography

(Under Exposed) -2...-1...0...+1...+2 (Over Exposed)

High Dynamic Range - HDR

Quite often when people see my high dynamic range (HDR) photos they think it's a painting. When trying to explain it, many can get lost in the super technical definition along with the process behind it. I don't have time for super technical... as some of you don't. So, here is the watered down version!

An HDR photo is is basically a picture that has "high dynamic range" of luminance (light) between the lightest and darkest areas of an image (you can see into the shadows). A typical  HDR photo requires three or more different exposures. One exposure is under exposed (dark), one normal (typical photo), and one over exposed (too much light). These stages of photos are then combined and tone-mapped with software program e.g. Photomatix Pro (which I use). Once these images are combined and tone-mapped, you're left with the HDR image.

An HDR photo of an old tree on the grounds of a Southern Plantation 

Photo Ponie Project

Currently developing a new concept & a fresh new way for people to share their great photos with great odds of making a little extra money. It's still very much in the first stages but I'm excited to introduce what I'm calling "Photo Ponie"!

Be Great!
@Batteman87

SUPER EASY PSE 10 Watermark

Imagine someone making money off of something you created. This happens all the time with photos and art that simply gets stolen via copy and paste. Before you know it, you're flipping through a book and there is one of your photos with someone else's credit and cash in their pocket. To save face and prospective income... here is a SUPER EASY and SUPER QUICK method to watermark your work with Photoshop Elements 10.

Flickr Walk Weekend

Heavy Chevy - HDR

Completed a Flickr Walk this weekend with some great folks. (A Flickr Walk is basically a group of folks who like photography and get together to take photos. They shoot photos and collaborate sharing tips, tricks, and techniques.) I was able to take several pictures. Mostly 3 exposure High Dynamic Range (HDR) shots. Now the fun of post processing and sharing what I hope will be some good shots and techniques that I've learned. Below are two of the photos I was able to take and above another one I was able to capture this weekend.

The sun setting on the grounds of Redcliffe Plantation in Aiken, SC - HDR

Redcliffe Plantation House with the sun setting.  Aiken, SC - HDR

Intro to Photo 101

My solution in high school, CliffsNotes... My solution in college, CliffsNotes...My solution now... CliffsNotes. By now, you can discern a theme. While you can't always get by this way, it is a great alternative to those who might be strapped for time. My recent post (pseudo CliffsNotes version) of The Rules of Thirds has since inspired me to keep providing "Cliff-Notes" versions of photography tips and tricks to my blog. Like several of you, I'm a busy too!  Time is a precious and is much better spent with family instead of reading a dissertation on how to take a better picture. That being said, I would like you to join me in an installment I'm calling "Photo 101".  I will be providing Quick, to the point, photography tips, tricks, and tools to make us all better. I will even try provide links to those of you who might want the dissertation version, but as for me... I want the meat and the potatoes, then I want to try out what I've learned.

Keep pointing, shooting, & processing!
-Jimmy
#BeGreat

Photo 101: The Rule of Thirds

What is the rule of thirds? Well, it's not really a "rule" but more a "rule of thumb" or guideline, the Rule of Thirds applies to the process of composing visual images that are considered optimally appealing to the eye of the viewer.

The guideline proposes that an image should be divided visually (either through the view finder or during post processing) into nine equal parts. The division in separated by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines. It's thought that the important compositional elements  of the image should be placed along these lines or where they intersect.

It breaks down to an image split into thirds. These thirds are both vertical and horizontal. The idea is to put the subject of your photo 1/3 from any edge of the frame, and to line, say, a horizon 1/3 from the edge of the frame, too. Below is and example of the Rule of Thirds.

This photograph of a sunset taken in the Thousand Islands
region demonstrates the principles of the rule of thirds

As you can see, the horizon is on the bottom third of the photo. And the subject (tree) sits in the "crosshairs" of the bottom right thirds (Where the horizontal and vertical lines intersect at the bottom right of the photo).

Now...go out and rule the rule of thirds!