March 16, 2011

Setting up strobes outside, especially with an with an umbrella or softbox can quickly turn into a fiasco of tipping. Not ideal when your trying to get a job done before the light changes or subjects start calling you names. I put this together last summer while planning a family session with over forty people. One common method is to use sandbags, but I wanted something small, light and adaptable. Behold, my DIY quick release light stand cords.

I left these up all afternoon without reservation. They make even portable stands VERY stable and should handle heavy winds. Do some tests of your own and if in doubt just add a few extra cords to make it as strong as you need. I found three per stand was adequate. Obviously these are not the best choice for paved surfaces, but in most situations they’re fast and effective.

Cost in only $5-10 to make a set of three and they can also be used to tether other things as well. Here’s is a good video on how to tie the Tautline Hitch. Also here’s the tent spikes I like, here’s nylon cord and here are some S hooks (you can also get them at your local hardware store). Enjoy… Gav

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March 3, 2011

Lightflow for Aperture is an ultra refined presets toolkit for photographers that’s based on many years of digital editing experience. I like to give away freebies and samples from every full collection I release and LightFlow this is no exception. Below you can download the sampler pack that includes 6 great effects from LightFlow, including one of the new Super Series auto correction presets.

I’ve put loads of refinement into LightFlow and I think you’ll love them. I hope you’ll also check out the full version because with over 55 presets, it takes Aperture workflow and creativity to new levels. And like other Seim Effects tools, LightFlow is guaranteed to please.

The freebie pack includes the following presets. You can find a full description of each in the presets list on the main product page.

  • Super Hero.
  • Super Simple.
  • Color Dance.
  • Faded Glory.
  • Simply Silver.
  • Dusted Warm, Tone.

Download via the link below. No strings. Also if you’d like to keep up with my future releases and freebies, you can sign up for my newsletter right over there >> in the sidebar. Enjoy… Gav

– Download LightFlow Aperture Presets Sampler ZIP –

Check out the complete collection and see more samples

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February 6, 2011

Creative Essentials is my general use editing pack for Photoshop, but there’s some pretty advanced stuff inside it. Well I just did a major update and I mean more than just the snappy new header image. V1.6 includes three brand new actions including a new B&W called Silver Shimmers and two new color effects, Dynamic Snap and Shadow Twist. There also been updates, including a revamp of the Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate effects. They’re much more refined and versatile now, giving you a toned black and white that is powerful and more advances than what can be done in software like Lightroom.

There’s also a bunch of fresh before/after samples on the product page along with a brand new drop down list that gives details on every included effect, plus a link to the updated sampler pack.

This is a free update for existing users, so Check you inbox as you should have a fresh download email. If you’ve purchased CE, but don’t get your update feel free to give me a shout (effects@seimstudios.com) and I’ll get you taken care of. If you don’t yet have CE head over and check it out. Enjoy… Gav

NOTE: I also want to mention that some users have been getting marketing emails from a company that’s made another action pack and called it Creative Essentials. Watch out for it. I don’t know if it’s good or not, but just a heads up. Unless it’s from Gavin Seim, it’s not my Creative Essentials. I tried to talk to them about the fact that they copied the product name and they were uncooperative.

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January 27, 2011

Color Fantasies 1.5 Lightroom Presets

Color Fantasies came out nearly a year ago and color has not been the same since. The things we can do to subtly manipulate color in LR are amazing. CF has been one of my top selling collections. There’s been a few updates in along the way as I’ve used these effects in my own photography but during that time I’ve been tweaking, analyzing processes and working on new ideas. Today I wrapped up a bunch of loose ends and came to realize this update is loaded with freshness.

There’s six brand new presets in this set, but more than that there’s a large list of tweaks and refinements on existing effects, that make them look better and become more versatile. So on that note, v1.5 is now officially available.

If you already have CF, check your inbox for the free update email. If you don’t see it, shoot me an email, effects@seimstudios.com and I’ll hook you up. If you don’t have them what are you waiting for. Color Fantasies will change the way you look at color manipulation. Check them out here. There’s over 60 presets in this set, but here’s a quick look at a few of the new effects v1.5.

See the original here.

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January 11, 2011

This has been a long time in coming. With Apple’s Aperture finally getting presets in v3, Aperture users can now use develop presets and harness that power in their workflow. LightFlow has been in the works for awhile, but it’s nearly ready to release.

I’ve been making Lightroom presets for years and that knowledge crosses over. But it’s still different software and all new presets have to be designed. While I’m eager to release a defining collection of Aperture presets, I did not want to rush. I started by making a freebie pack called Light Study, to test the waters and see what Aperture users like. The feedback was positive and I went to work developing a complete set.

LightFlow is a collection of Aperture presets for every photographic situation. Essentially this set is to Aperture what Power Workflow has been to Lightroom.

It will feature more than 40 presets for batch corrections, subtle tweaks, silver conversions and color tones. It’s going to start as a simple well organized set that gives Aperture users quick control over a broad variety of refinements and processes that they can use as applied, or tweak for any specific need.

LightFlow is scheduled for release in Feb-Mar 2011. You can subscribe to the SE newsletter on the right to be updated when it launches, or watch the FB page.

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