Finally....something in Ps

I have been quite busy with CBT's baseball team.  Somehow I became the team photographer and have taken well over 1,000 photos with almost that many posted on a "team photo website."

Today I finally figured out how to do anything something in Photoshop.  It took me a long time, but I was determined to figure it out because I had seen it as part of an ad for the software.  I took the team photo today right before the tournament started.  Me Ra would cringe because it was about 11:30am and horribly bright.  You guessed it.  Out of the three shots I took (why did I just take three??), none had everyone with their eyes open.

After a very long time, I figured out how to layer two of the pictures of get everyone with their eyes open.  Unfortunately, not everyone had a least one "good" in one of the three, but I did get eyes (even if squinty.)

First shot - the two coaches on the right...closed eyes.

Next shot, virtually everyone else with their eyes closed.  But, those two coaches with their eyes open.

Go to Scott Kelby's Photoshop book, turn to page 295.  Tada...everyone's eyes are open.

Of course, if I had remembered his Digital Photography tip before I got back home I might not have to had to go through the 3 easy steps.  Oh, well.  Good learning experience.

It's Baseball

I have been so remiss.  Travel, crazy sports schedules and just being tired.  

Here's my favorite from the past couple of week of almost a thousand posted baseball pictures.  If you're really bored, you could check out the All Stars and All Stars Part II at www.norcrossamericanallstars.shutterfly.com.  Part III was more of a bust - I was tired of carrying around the 70-200 so I stuck with the 24-70.  Those distance shots just aren't as good.

Fast Fingers

I was taking a picture of the big group at the reunion and heard something like a very large bumble bee.  I looked around and saw two hummingbirds dive-bombing each other trying to protect the feeder.  Had camera in hand (only the 24-70, wished I had the 70-200).

Most were blurry - no suprise given how fast they move - but I did get one where one was still.  Wish it were more crisp, but I was happy to just to get it.

Tunnel Vision

Yes...it's been roughly a month since I've been here.  Travel, sickness, a wacky wireless home network, and more have all contributed to my absence.  

Admittedly, today's post is a little weak.  Another photographer told me about moving your lens, ie, zoom in or out, while you're taking a picture.  It is supposed to give you a sense of motion.

I tried it with my 24-70mm and got an interesting effect - I obviously need more practice, but it is kind of neat in its own way.

Unrelated note, Traci....can you send me what you told Molly about the focus not holding when you hold the shutter button halfway?  I have noticed that I am having the same issue.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY, Y'ALL!!

CBT Pre-race

So....I've gotten a little behind on my once per week commitment.  I'll try to make up for it some with a bunch of pictures today.  Going to number then - curious in any comments.  These were pre-race yesterday between 10:30 and 11 am.  Used the 24-70mm L.  All the adjustment are in Lightroom.  I finally bought a book so I can figure out Photoshop.

#1  I applied Matt's Auto Adjustment (from Killer Lightroom tips) for portraits.   This is such a typical face for CBT.

#2  Used same preset.  It put a little more richness in the green of the grass and softened his face just a bit.

#3  Used Matt's Soft Focus Level I along with a slight exposure adjustment and some vignetting.

#4  Same soft focus preset as before.  He had definitely gone into "posing" mode.

#5  Christopher liked this one a lot.  "I've seen pictures like this before where the person isn't in the middle."  I think that was his way of saying it is slightly more artistic than mom usually is.  Used the Matt's Auto Adjustment again.

Maybe I can get back on track now - there are so many beautiful things around!

Easter Flowers

While we were out doing our Easter egg hunt, I tried to take a few other pictures.  I was contrasting taking flowers in sunlight versus shade.

These pink azaleas were awfully pretty.  I did find that I kept forgetting to adjust for the different light as I moved back and forth between shade and light. 

I definitely prefer the shade.  The color here is a little more washed out than the actual picture.  On this one, I kept going back forth on the aperture - between 2.8 and 3.5.  This one was with 2.8, ISO 200.

Tuscaloosa Flowers

I'm trying to take advantage of any opportunities I see.  I got these shots right after JST's race at Lake Lurleen outside Tuscaloosa.  This wisteria smelled wonderful.  I used one of Matt's presets (from Killer Lightroom Tips).

Love dogwoods.  The blooms are on trees so it was hard to get as close I wanted.  Using a 2.8 really blurred out the background so it didn't matter as much.

I find the underside just as compelling a flower as the topside.  When I have a more time, I'll crop them to see if they get any more interesting.