December 15, 2016

For our Christmas Photo Craft I wanted to do something special, so I made you all a mini set of  cinema-inspired Photoshop actions for free.

Just download’em and load into your PS! The Ice and Fire action is a highly adjustable combination of warm and cool tones and the bonus action adds a classy understated glow effect that can be used in any image. This tool focuses on complementary colors and you’ll find its vert versatile. Merry Christmas.

NOTE: There was a glitch that caused the action problems on Windows. This should be fixed in the current version (162) so just re-download if you have problems.

— Download Actions —

  • There are three more cinema themed actions in this month’s Photokit.
  • Also, check out our Alchemist Action Collection a complete retouching collection.

ice-and-fire-action

ice-fire-2

ice-fire-5

 

Read More

October 19, 2010

Firehole Spring sparkles like a sky of deep blue turquoise, it’s inviting crystal clear water set flush to the earth like a giant hot tub. But beware, this is no swimming pool. The docile looking waters are nearly boiling, so enjoy it’s unearthly beauty, but let it bathe alone.

Firehole has nearly constant activity roiling under it’s surface, as  thermal bursts appear like small white explosions. Sometimes it’s subtle while at other times water may spit into the air as thermal bubbles reach the surface. On this day in early September it seems unusually calm affording me this unique crystal like view into it’s depths.

Set amid a rather barren patch of land, backed by shrill trees and sparse grasses, The pool sits just off Firehole Lake Drive, nearly unmarked and easily passed by. It seems plain, but when you get out and stand near, it’s impossibly clear water mesmerizes the eyes.

I took this in the early morning as bold clouds drifted overhead and I gave it some time, carefully planning the composition and working to use the land and the light as best I could.

For photographers. How it was made…

Read More

October 17, 2010

Welcome to my living room. We’re back home and while I still have more from our trip coming, I decided to take a short sidetrack. This image is quite different from the serene landscapes I generally do. It was really an experiment of light and shadow. It’s late Saturday night. We went to a  local square dance earlier and someone gave Cyrus a couple of those stringy glow sticks. A few hours later, home and family asleep, the sticks are still glowing. I pick them up and start playing, soon considering how I could paint with their light.

The end result after quite a bit of work is this self portrait taken in a darkened room. I’ll confess that I was a tad creeped out as I made this image, childrens toys around the dark room, something happening in the space behind and empty floor occupied by a faceless fire winged man. It may not be creepy in the light of day, but I had fun making it.

For Photographers. How it was made…

Read More

July 13, 2010

What kid doesn’t love a holiday where exploding things is OK. I guess I’m still a kid in that sense, because 4th of July is still a favorite of mine. The independence of our nation celebrated by family, fireworks and banners. Once every few years my family pitches in and we have a big get together with a great DIY fireworks show. This was one not one of those years however, so I decided to help out on the crew of Orion Pyrotechnics for a show they were doing in Ephrata. It was neat to work on a professional show, and something that’s been on my todo list.

Technique: This image was a favorite because it’s different than most. It was made using a sigma 15mm fisheye, making it appear even lower to the ground and subtly showing the surrounding area. I applied a slight color tone from one of my presets and then did a few manual tweaks. The exposure was —-

Read More