I’ve been a fan of OnOne products for awhile now. I did the review on V4 some time back and it nailed a 7/10. Plugin suite is a nice collection of tools in a single package. V5 is now available for order and the folks at OnOne have hooked readers up with a sweet deal. I’ll be getting hands on for a closer look at whats new in version 5 soon, but for now here’s some details.
The sale is for $200 off the complete suite. That’s over 30% off, making it $399. It ends Dec 5th 2009 however. Here’s the direct link, or you can just use coupon code PPS200 at checkout.
If you found this post after the sale ends you can still use code PRPHTPC for 15% off. You can also check for other specials over the the PPS Deals page. Have fun… Gav
Resize images using Genuine Fractals 6.
Remove unwanted backgrounds with Mask Pro 4.
Color correct photos with PhotoTune 3.
Put the focus where you want with FocalPoint 2.
Get the professional look with PhotoTools 2.5.
Add the perfect finishing touch with PhotoFrame 4.5.
by Gavin Seim. Updated 05/2012:
I enjoy quick bursts of information and chat frequently as @gavinseim on twitter. I’ve made this list of my favorite tips that I plan to update it going forward. You can add your favorite and tips in the comments with your twitter name. I might even RT them myself.
I give credit to the speaker when I can, using names in parenthesis. Many of these are my own musings from Twitter and I’ve indicated myself with an (S). If there’s no name then I probably don’t know the source. These are not always exact quotes, but ideas I’ve re-formed to fit in under 140 characters on Twitter
Random Things:
Every image needs a subject. Just one. If it has less or more, than that it’s probably time to reboot. (S)
Presentation is as much part of a photo as the image itself. An image on a disk means little to the world. A well presented wall piece does. (S)
Don’t wait for the photo establishment to show you how to stand out. Because if you do, you won’t (S)
The line between a snapshot and a quality photograph are lost when everyone is a “photographer” but have not actually learned to be one! (S)
I’m not afraid to change my opinion, but I am afraid of not having one. (S)
Competition. A powerful tool that makes you stronger. Complaints about it are often cop outs from photographers not motivated enough to excel (S)
In photography rules mean conformity, and to conform is the opposite of creativity. (Whitmire)
I want to take a moment to plug a few new products over at my Seim Effects store, since these are what help keep this all going. I just released Hollywood Effects 2, the follow up to my first special effects actions for Photoshop. Also in a separate collection a brand new set of cool actions called Portraitist.
HE2 is filled with some pretty amazing effects. I love Lightroom, but it’s not a solo runner. These are the effects that simply can’t be done in LR and really make my best images shine. When you get HE2, it includes the Portraitist actions, which are my new skin retouching tools that perform tasks similar to expensive plugins, but right from an action and for a lot less money. They even include skin smoothing that retains detail in critical areas like eyes.
Anyways I’m stoked about how good they work. It’s the best actions I’ve ever made and has been a very successful release thanks to many of you. Of course IÂ still love Lightroom. You can find my presets there as well. If you want to learn more head over to Seim Effects. Other than that, have a great weekend… Gavin Seim
Get the essentials: Thinking outside the box works, Just remember to get the MUST have's. Walking down the isle, standing at the alter, the first dance and many more. What's important to each couple can vary, so communication is important.
Where to start, how to get there, how to stay there. Secrets for professional and aspiring wedding photographers from Gavin & others.
by Gavin Seim:How do I handle my first wedding? How do I become a pro? I get these type of questions fairly often. Weddings aren’t for everyone but most aspiring and pro photographers will photograph a wedding sometime in their career. There’s much to be learned from what’s demanded of us at a wedding. While this article is aimed at those getting started, seasoned pro’s will get ideas too.
Today I’ll give some I’ll talk the basics of how I see and think when I photograph a wedding. Tips 1-6 will focus on getting great images. Then we’ll talk a bit about a post production and business (which is every bit as important). As we go thru them I’ll post some favorite images and share some thoughts.
The first wedding is daunting. Let me say that I won’t be talking about extreme photography basics in this article. If you’re at that stage there’s no shame in it, but you should gain some experience before tacking a wedding on your own. It’s a one time event and if you get it wrong you will be, at best, a sore spot in the eyes of your client. That’s not good for getting new clients and both you and your client deserve better.
If you can, second shoot aside an experienced photographer it’s a great way to learn, gain better portfolio and get more confidence. In my case that never happened. Though got serious about photography at age 12, my first wedding was cold turkey. I photographed for fun at a wedding and the couple loved them. That pushed me forward and my first paid wedding came awhile after. The rest is… Well the rest is below.
Try new things: This shot is the result of the first time I used off camera wireless flash (with Radio Poppers) at a wedding. I was just learning them, but made the choice to push myself to get great light in this scene. It paid off and my final image has a neat cinematic feel that fits my style.
Before my first wedding I absorbed the information in at least three wedding photography books. That helped me get a feel for what should happen. Without that study I would have missed a lot of important things. Resources like this are great (I wish I had had them) but a book can help you get perspective and have a reference to review. I’ll list few good books to get you rolling at the bottom of this post.
My first paid gig was back in the film days. I was about eighteen. Armed with my Canon EOS3, a cheap flash, a cheap zoom lens and an old monolight strobe handed down from Doug Miller, a real local pro, I became a wedding photographer. Was I good? No, but I was enthusiastic.
There’s some great photo tools and plugins out there and we all hate paying full price. To get you more bang for your buck Pro Photo Show has been arranging deals and discounts for you readers. We’re getting a nice collection of savings compiled in one place. I’ll keep
working on more deals and update this page with the latest. In the meantime you’re welcome to pass these along to your friends and help them save them some money too. PPS also gets credit when you buy using out codes. Know a company you think should be on the deals page. Email us, prophotoshow@gmail.com and we’ll see what we can work out.
PPS Discount Codes…
Seim Effect Tools. Save 15% Promo code: PPS Gavin’s simple and fast editing tools.
Topaz Labs. Save 15% Promo code: PROSHOW
DeNoise, Adjust, Enhance and more.
Imagenomics.Save 15% Promo code: PPSIMG Portraiture, Noiseware and more.
Photomatix Pro. Save 15% Promo code: PPS15 A favorite HDR processing software.
