If you didn’t receive yesterdays copy of the Photo Couch newsletter which included the PPS/Seim Effects Christmas gift pack, I figured I would post it here along with a big Merry Christmas to all you readers. It’s been great having you part of the community in 2009.
PPS has teamed up with Seim Effects again this year for our annual gift pack. This years download has a nice selection fresh photo editing goodness including some Lightroom presets and photo textures. The best part is their free. Hop over to the Seim Effects download page below to get your copy, then share the joy. Also check out the deals page for some the promo codes and specials we’ve worked out over the past year.
Here’s to a great new year. Lets keep out businesses, creativity and kindness alive and well in 2010. Merry Christmas and see you on the forums… Gav
by Gavin Seim: I’ve spent much of this Christmas Eve doing the final prep, but it’s ready. The Seim Effects/Pro Photo Show annual Christmas gift pack. Just my way of saying thanks for all your support and feedback over the past year. Theres good things in store for 2010 so stay tuned.
This years pack has four new presets based on tones inspired by film. This is something I’ve been working on lately and there’s more to come in the future. Next are four textures to add character to your photos. There’s also an action included to make overlaying and placing any texture really easy.
You can get more specific details with the info that’s included in the download and see a couple samples below. Mouse over the images to see the presets before and after. Also don’t forget the contest we’re hosting for the free Lensbaby Composer. Go here for entry info. Also stop by Pro Photo Show for the latest podcasts and join the community. There’s good things ins tore for 2010.
Download and enjoy. Here’s to a great 2010 and wishing you a Merry Christmas and New Year. I’m off to spend mine with the family. Hope you are too… Gavin Seim
by Gavin Seim: I find myself fascinated with film of late. I don’t use it anymore, but I realize that some are pretty passionate about it. I posted on Pro Photo Show recently with a few thoughts and a poll on the topic. Quite a few still use film it seems. Why? Is it the texture, grain, color, or is it just the reminiscence of really old photographers? Kidding, not that old. I used film when I started out. By the time I started getting good however I had moved to digital, so those romantic feelings some have towards film are not strong in me.
I’ve been taking notice though. Thinking about how film looks and how we edit these days. Don’t get me wrong I love a well processed photo, but I’ve started experimenting a little. Making effects that use classic tones and film inspiration. Here’s an article I found where Travis Easton compared a MK2 digital file to a Velvia image. What’s remarkable to me, is how even without editing it the film image looks great. Here’s another look at film vs digital over on Luminous landscape.
Now I don’t intend to start shooting film, I just don’t think it makes sense. But understanding what makes a great image is my livelihood. I want to know what it is about film and use that knowledge to make my photography and my effects better. We should always learn from the past, even if it’s grainy.
As a test I decided to try for the Velvia look, so I spent awhile very subtly tweaking a LR preset. If you mouse over you’ll see the before/after of what I’ve come up with so far. You’re also likely to see more in future updates of my effects. Bottom line though. I think what we’ll see over time are the good things from both mediums converging and becoming a better digital than ever. Neither film or digital will be the same as the other, but I think the future of digital will look and feel great. What say you?
After putting together my Lightroom Power workshop for conference style presentations I kept getting interest from people who couldn’t make it in person. So I got to thinking. Nearly everything I teach in the Lightroom Power session could be done as a live online workshop. So that’s what I did. Yes, the face to face version is still available and I may even take it on the road sometime, but this e-Workshop is now. Well almost, the first is coming in January.
Lightroom Power LIVE is about a four hour online workshop. It’s pretty simple, but very cool. You login to the conference from any computer with a good internet connection. I’ll be there speaking and broadcasting live what’s on my screen. Like a face to face workshop, attendees will be involved too. There will be a chatroom for everyone and you’ll even be able to ask live audio questions.
Best of all it’s not very expensive. Whether you use Lightroom all the time, or have never touched it you’ll walk away with learning. I’m looking forward to having you all on board. You’ll need to reserve your spot though so head over and check it out.
