Titanic Museum - Pigeon Forge, TN

Took this image while we spent some time in Pigeon Forge, TN a few weeks ago. Decided to "Cook" it a little more than normal. Thanks for looking... Below is my workflow for it. Links are on the site for the exact products if you're interested. If you have any questions, feel free to ask! Thanks again!

WorkFlow

1. Used my typical HDR process with Photomatix Pro. 
2. Used a custom setting for the fusion instead of tone-mapping.  
3. Saved it as an 8bit tiff. 
4. Opened in PSE 10 to duplicate the layer 
5. Ran Topaz DeNoise
6. Duplicated a Layer 
7. Ran Topaz Adjust - Custom setting I created. 
8. Added a blank layer for my watermark
9. Saved as Med. size jpeg.

Give a Buck Challenge

With Lauren still looking for a job teaching, and Millie now here. The bills are adding up. Found this site a while back and thought it was a good idea. Didn't think I would be using it til now. It's a hub where people can get financial assistance with practically anything. So, I decided to see if anyone would be willing to donate to our cause...  The challenge, find 3,000 people to give just $1.00. Will see if it works! 

Thanks for looking, and if you can... Give a Buck, or at least share! Thanks again!

Gatlinburg, TN (OOB)

Another early morning HDR image I took this past weekend while in the Pigeon Forge, TN/ Gatlinburg, TN area(s). This is the Parkway going into Gatlinburg, TN. Nice little town! Wasn't "in love" with the image itself, so I decided to have a little fun with the "Out of Bounds" effect in Photoshop Elements 10. ( I will be posting more on this technique soon). I like the contrast of the color and black & white. Pretty cool effect with the flowers crawling through the photo too! 

Riverstone Resort and Spa - Pigeon Forge, TN

This is an HDR image of the Riverstone Resort & Spa that we had the privilege to stay in while shooting in the Pigeon Forge, TN / Gatlinburg, TN area(s). Was a great place to stay and the staff was very friendly and accommodating. Typical HDR workflow via Photmatix Pro and Topaz DeNoise. 

The Old Mill - Pigeon Forge, TN

I was able to spend some time shooting in Pigeon Forge, TN. this past weekend. This is one of the many High Dynamic Range (HDR) images I took. I captured this photo while out shooting with my father-in-law early one morning. It was way before the city started stirring with people/tourist. Will post more as soon as I get a chance to process... little time with a newborn as you can imagine! Thanks for looking!

WorkFlow
Photomatix Pro Tone-map 3 Exposures at -2, 0, +2. Save as an 8-bit tiff.
Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Open 8-bit tiff tone-mapped image and create a duplicate a layer. Topaz DeNoise (Jpeg Strong) to reduce "noise"/grainy appearance.
Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Duplicate the DeNoised layer.
Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Create a blank layer(s) and added my watermark/text. I then save it as a .psd to play with later, or a jpeg med. size to upload to the web.

PSE 10 - On Sale

I do almost everything in Photoshop Elements 10 (PSE10). That being said, adobe sent me an email informing me that PSE10 is on sale for just $50 today. Apparently it's today only. It's a great pick up for $50 if you have the money. It's normally $75-$100 depending on where you look. $50 is what I purchased it for a while back. Not sure when PSE11 will "drop" but if you've been on the fence or looking, now is the time to jump. Let me know if you have any questions!

Click here to go to Adobe to check it out and purchase if you desire.

B&W HDR - High Country Olive Oils

Got a chance to dig through some photos I took earlier this year. Decided to tinker with this (other) image of High Country Olive Oils. (Located in Aiken, SC.) Thanks for looking! 

WorkFlow

Photomatix Pro Tone-map 3 Exposures at -2, 0, +2.

Save as an 8-bit tiff.
Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Open 8-bit tiff tone-mapped image and create a duplicate a layer. Topaz DeNoise (Jpeg Strong) to reduce "noise"/grainy appearance.
Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Duplicate the DeNoised layer.
Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Create a blank layer and add my watermark. I then save it as a .psd to play with later, or a jpeg med. size to upload to the web.

Header Update

Decided to update my blog header image with my new watermark signature. Created this in PSE10 and will be posting how-to for those who are interested. Thanks for looking!

Millie - Newborn Portrait Prep

Millie - Newborn Portrait Prep

We had a friend come by to do some of our new daughters newborn portraits. And as she worked,  I decided it was finally time to pick up my "big camera" again. It was the first time I had picked it up since her birth almost two weeks ago. I mostly used my iPhone 4S the past two weeks to get photos because I  just wanted to soaking up all that I could in such a special moment. I popped on my 50mm lens and this is one of the images I captured as Millie was being posed/coaxed back to sleep.

Camera Settings

Exposure	0.04 sec (1/25)
Aperture	f/2.5
Focal Length	50 mm
ISO Speed	100
Exposure Bias	0 EV
Flash	Off, Did not fire
Photoshop Elements 10	Post processing & added my watermark

Some of you might note my watermark has changed some. I am tinkering with a new look, and this one is the latest "rough draft" version. Let me know what you think! 

Thanks for looking!

Jimmy Batte

@Batteman87 

First Baby Portrait Attempt (iPhone 4S)

First attempt at a newborn portrait: iPhone 4S photo & PSE 10 processing 

Got a chance to work on one of the several photos I took of our new daughter (Millie Grace Batte) last night/this morning ~3am. I've only used my iPhone 4S to take any pictures the past two weeks because I'm trying to "take it all in". I didn't want to get caught up in the camera, settings, lighting, etc. There will be plenty of time for that :-).
Thanks for looking!  

HDR Starter Recipe

Ever hear of a "dough starter" for bread maker recipe? That's what I want to offer you with this post. I know when I first began dabbling in High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography, I didn't know which way was up. After sifting, tweaking, clicking, and saving, I discovered that I was using the same starter method with a majority of my HDR images. So what I thought would be helpful to others, is to share what I find to be a great "base" or foundation to start with. Like breads and other recipes, there are several out there. This is one that works for me. Below I have my "Foundation HDR WorkFlow". In it I have included links to all of the tools/software that I use as well. Enjoy!

Foundation WorkFlow Example
(HDR Image of High Country Olive Oils located in Aiken, SC.) 

My Foundation HDR WorkFlow aka HDR Starter Recipe 

1. Photomatix Pro Tone-map 3 Exposures at -2, 0, +2. Save as an 8-bit tiff.
2. Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Open 8-bit tiff tone-mapped image and create a duplicate a layer.
3. Topaz DeNoise (PSE10 Plug-in) Apply "Jpeg Strong" to reduce any noise/grainy appearance.
4. Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Duplicate the DeNoise layer.
5. Topaz Adjust 5  (PSE10 Plug-in) Depending on the image & look I want, I apply this plug-in.
6. Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Create a blank layer and add my watermark.
7. I then save it as a .psd to play with later, or a jpeg (medium size) to upload to the web.

Hope this helps some of you! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
@Batteman87

SRNS HDR

This is another High Dynamic Range (HDR) Image of what once was the Old Aiken Post Office.  It's now the Savannah River Nuclear Solutions office located in downtown Aiken, SC.

WorkFlow
Photomatix Pro (3 Multiple exposure images combined at -2, 0, +2)
Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Duplicate layer created
Topaz DeNoise (Jpeg Strong)
Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Duplicate layer made
Topaz Adjust 5 (Custom Setting)
Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Duplicate layer made
Topaz Clean 3  (Cartoon)
Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Decreased Cartoon layer to 42% Opacity
Adobe Photoshop Elements 10  Created a blank layer to add my watermark.

Greenville SC, Falls Print Available

Greenville, SC Falls  (Swamp Rabbit bridge) (HDR)

Just made available my HDR print of my Greenville, SC Falls picture. Took this image earlier this spring (2012) while in beautiful Greenville, SC. This is the Swamp Rabbit Bridge that crosses one of the falls. This scene is right across the street from Falls Park. It's ideal for those looking for that unique piece of art to hang on their wall of this great area. Each print is made to order and I hand sign each one to give it that extra "touch".

Greenville SC, Falls

20"H x 16"W$15.00 USD 10"H x 8"W$7.00 USD 12"H x 8"W$8.00 USD 14" x 11"W$10.00 USD 18"H x 12"W$13.00 USD 30"H x 20"W$18.00 USD

Because I don't advertise, and do a majority of the labor myself,  I am able to keep my prices down. I only offer high quality images, and high quality prints. If you're not satisfied, I will refund your money. If you have any questions, please contact me. Batteman87@hotmail.com or Twitter: @Batteman87

Welcome Millie Grace Batte!

My wife and I are happy to announce the new addition to our family. Millie Grace Batte arrived a week ago today on 5/29/12 at 10:27 PM. She weighed 7 lbs. 12 oz. and 21inches in length. She's already the joy of our lives!

You can guess there will be some baby portraits on the way! But, for a week it was nice to put the "big camera" down and just use my iPhone 4S for the shots that I got. I wanted to enjoy and soak up every minute without thinking of settings etc... There's time for that later.  I look forward to bringing that too, as I learn and grow in a new aspect of photography outside of HDR.

Workflow

1. Verizon Apple iPhone 4S  Original Photo - iMac via iCloud to PSE10
2. Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Duplicate Layer
3. Topaz DeNoise (Jpeg Strong)
4. Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Duplicate Layer
5. Topaz Adjust 5 (Clarity) 
6. Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Added a Layer Mask to kept the softer face
7. Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Added Water Mark
8. Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 Saved as Jpeg