February 18, 2010

Color Fantasies Lightroom Presets

Remember back in December when I gave out the Christmas freebies pack. I talked about tweaking with color and finding new ways to approach it. Well, I said then there would be more to come and the more is now here.

Color Fantasies is my new collection of over 45 brand new effects that will do beautiful things to color that you’ve only dreamed about. I won’t blather on, but suffice to say I’m thrilled with how they turned out. Here’s a link to the info page. I’ll also be posting a free sampler pack soon… Gav

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January 21, 2010

Update 10/2011. I made a new, much better quality video about managing presets. You can watch it here.

by Gavin Seim: If you searched around, you’ll might have stumbled across the article I wrote some time back on PPS about installing Lightroom Presets. We photographers tend to be such visual people however and I felt a video would make it easier. We’ll cover installing organizing and backing up pretty much any kind of Lightroom preset. Brush presets, develop presets, you name it. Here it is.

Or, direct download MP4 HD video. 146MB, Right click and “Save As”

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December 25, 2009

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

Download the PPS /Seim Effects Gift Pack

You can also join the Photo Couch mailing list below.

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December 23, 2009

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?

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September 20, 2009

Power Workflow 2 is our biggest seller here at Seim effects and for good reason. All our products are very effective and many users have the complete collection of products, but PW2 is at the core of the super fast yet creative editing workflow that we’re all about. Thank you all for spreading the word and making the Seim Effects such a popular product line.

Version 2.5 has made PW2 that much better with some great new presets and refinements to current ones. This new version something you’ll want in your kit.

It’s a FREE update for current Power Workflow2 owners. If you didn’t get the automatic upgrade email contact me and I’ll get you taken care of. If you’re still using the old V1 of Power Workflow you”re missing out. V1 users are still eligible for an upgrade discount so contact me if you need a code…. Gavin

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