Highlights : A Quick Fix!

2012 is upon us and I thought it was time for another quick post-processing tutorial ! Marianne and I are considering the possiblity of running either landscape workshops in the near future or running post-processing sessions. If we were to do the latter, we would have to have some sort of course material and think about how we would present it in an understandable manner. Hence, I’ve been trying to put into writing some aspects of our post-processing which has been developed through looking at many other people’s techniques before consolidating them into our own.

This entry describes how to ‘correct’ highlights very quickly and selectively. It requires only a very basic understanding of layer masks and blend modes. It is not a fix for badly taken images with half of the histogram bunched up on the far right hand side indicating that very little is recoverable. In fact, the example image today had no clipped highlights to begin with but I wanted to darken some areas of the image selectively without having to dance around artistically with a brush on a layer mask. If you want a term for it, it is a very basic ‘luminosity’ mask.

The starting image is shown below. It has already gone through most of the steps in post processing in my standard workflow which you can see here http://wp.me/prucx-e9

Before the mask is applied

The layers used to touch up the work are shown in the next image. I have turned off the eye dropper for the ‘multiply’ mode so that its effect is not visible yet. The ‘multiply’ mode is a blend mode which effectively darkens the image. If you imagine holding up one slide and looking at it through a light source, the effect is a simulation of holding up another exact copy of that slide in front of the light source ; light which gets through is diminished, hence the image appears darker. If you are applying this technique from scratch, simply duplicate the background layer and change the blend mode to ‘multiply’.

Focus on the Multiply layer for today

Next, switch to the ‘channels’ tab and you will see that by default, RGB and each individual R, G and B channels are all selected. Don’t change this. Press Ctrl-left click on the RGB (top) channel and you will see a selection appear on the image. The selection is what is ‘common’ to all of the channels and hence tends to be areas of highlight  or brightness (in rough terms).

In the Channels tab, Ctrl Left Click the RGB layer.

"Marching Ants" indicates your selection : the bright areas of the image

Next, switch back to the ‘layers’ tab (1) and you will see the marching ants persist on the image. Click on the eye dropper on the multiply layer (2) so that you can see the effect of the layer. The image should all of a sudden look unacceptably dark. Next, click on the layer mask button (3) and presto! The selected areas of brightness are the only parts affected by the multiply effect meaning that you have effectively dampened the bright areas of the image.I don’t usually let the computer do all my thinking for me and I end up modifying the mask a little. For instance, I did want some brightness retained on the glowing parts of the rock and waves and so I masked them out from the selection but it is the basic principle that’s important.

Follow the numbered steps

The image with brightness dampened

I have shown just one application of this simple tool but here are some other areas you might want to use this technique:

1. Wedding photography : we find it great for recovering highlights in the bride’s dress!

2. Exposure blending manually : applying this to the bright areas of the brightest exposure and inverting the mask will allow you to blend two images in a single step

3. Shadow recovery: A little more abstract, but try changing the blend mode to screen and inverting the mask (Ctrl-I) and you might see some interesting effects with shadows!

After a few tweaks for web presentation , this is the final image of the Westman Islands in Iceland with a lonely bird included. Say, don’t they look similar to the rocks of Port Elliot here in South Australia???

Westman Islands , Iceland

Port Elliot, South Australia

Happy New Year and happy post processing all!

-D

2011: A year in review

What a year 2011 has been for Marianne and me! If you were to ask us what the highlight of the year would be, of course the simple answer would have to be the birth of Charlotte.  Sure there were sleepless nights, bad days at work etc but why focus on negativity when the everyday little things she does makes us smile and proud. From her first toothless smile, gurgles, discovery of her fist and all things which fit into her mouth, her first triumphant roll. Milestones fly in unexpectedly and will continue to do so over the years . We hope to be as good a pair of parents to her as we can be ! What about photography? We’ve been a little slack in updating this blog post but I think somehow time has eluded us like never before and what used to be done in 10 minutes now takes 10 minutes spread over several hours! Nonetheless, it has been a big year for us and we look forward to 2012.

In January , we photographed Katie & Trent at the botanical gardens of Adelaide and learned a thing or two about being prepared for 4 seasons in one day. An old image of Cape Huay also ended up on the front cover of Australian Photography Magazine.

Katie & Trent got married

Cover art: Australian Photography Magazine January edition

In February, we travlled to Longview winery and continued to evolve the way in which we handle weddings both at the scene and in post production. Bettina and Simon were particularly cooperative and even walked in the rain with us to take some images on a wet and blustery day. We found ways to catalogue files for two photographers such that merging the combined proofs would still result in a presentation of files in logical order.

Bettina & Simon got married

In March, Australian Photography Magazine featured Marianne’s image of Korpudalur on the front cover as well as a 8 page feature article on travelling Iceland. Our wedding forays also continued with Anh and Ty’s wedding at the beautiful Mount Lofty house. It was our last wedding for the 2010-2011 season.

Anh & Ty got married

Cover art : Australian Photography Magazine March edition

In April and early May, Marianne and I planned a 10 day trip over Easter to Tasmania. This trip was one where we travelled slightly more comfortably than previously as Marianne was 5 months pregnant. We still managed short walks to slightly  ‘out of the way’ places and managed to snag a few images which would later be published. Fortuitously, we also bumped into Ian Wallace and Tom Putt’s photography workshop at Cradle Mountain on many a dawn and dusk. From the brief encounter, I was introduced to his website. After becoming a regular contributor on the site, one thing led to another and the end result is my first contribution to a publication! (More on that later)

Tasmania's forests were magical

Bay of Fires and its striking lichen.

One could go into waterfall overload in Tasmania!

In June, we took our last chance to travel without children and travelled to Victoria for an extended long weekend. It coincided with a lunar eclipse which I managed to photograph over the CBD but unfortunately, it also coincided with a flu-like illness which affected me for most of the brief trip. We based ourselves in the Dandenongs while travelling out as far as Cape Woolamai on Phillip Island. With Marianne now in the third trimester, serious walking was quite limited and taken with caution given the  slippery wet conditions.

The end of the eclipse from Federation Square

Cape Woolamai and the wild weather!

The weather was mostly wet and slippery in the Dandenongs

In July, we had the first of several exhibitions for the year which taught us the value of picking locations for exhibiting our work. We felt that our canvas prints of images from our big trip in 2010 looked better than any other work we had produced, however, canvas printing meant that our costs were also significantly higher.  We achieved great exposure at Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre and sold some prints not related to the actual works exhibited. During this penultimate month of Marianne’s pregnancy, I felt as though I needed to get the photography bug out of me and travelled further from Adelaide on my weekend forays. One particularly memorable dawn occurred at a favourite location down at Port Willunga.

Old and new technologies to harvest wind near Burra

A most memorable dawn at Port Willunga

In August, we also managed to exhibit our works at the SANTOS conservation centre outside the Adelaide Zoo. In retrospect, we feel that our works aren’t suited to exhibiting at SALA ( South Australian Living Artist) . Photography as a medium seemed to be appreciated in a different manner to other more traditional or abstract mediums and as such, most of the questions directed at us were regarding the use of photoshop! An annoyance which has since given us much time to consider future responses. And of course, at the end of August, Charlotte came into the world!! Need I say any more than I already have!

Travels were limited in August for this reason!

One of our 40" prints to sell during the year

 

In September life was all about working out this thing called parenthood! Photography took a back seat but toward the end of the month, I started making some trips out on weekends again and we had to consider how to photograph a wedding with Marianne needing to express milk and training little Charlotte to be ‘babysittable’. As it turned out, she has given great joy to our grandparents while being cared for (with scattered moments of anxiety during prolonged fits of crying).

Daddy's little girl!

Our little lady!

One dawn took me to Lochiel and Lake Bumbunga

In October, we got back into the swing of wedding photography with our busiest season planned to date. A total of 7 weddings booked until March 2012.  Alice and Matt’s wedding was photographed at Clare and Bungaree Station. It was the first time we had offered to create an album for clients and we are awaiting the final result of the album. We as a family also survived Charlotte’s first prolonged absence! Later in October, Carina and Paul tied the knot at the picturesque Al-Ru Farm in the northern outskirts of Adelaide.  Also in that month, we squeezed in another cover and feature article in Australian Photography Magazine based on our travels in Tasmania earlier in the year.

Cover Art: Australian Photography Magazine

Alice & Matt got married

Carina & Paul got married

In November, the book production process was finally reaching its end. Starting from June, the 12 contributors were busy selecting , rating  and re-editing images for publication while Ian Wallace had the mammoth task of coordinating,  putting together the book and sorting the necessary technical requirements and authorship. As the months progressed and the various drafts of the book unfolded, all of us became even keener for the release date of the book. Personally, 15 of my images were chosen for publication including the back inset and back cover image. The book so far has been a great success , particularly for the Tasmanian contributors who rapidly recuperated their own costs. Thus far, of my 100 copies, 50 are either sold or consigned for retail which has been great considering the very little time I’ve contributed to promoting the book. The book would only arrive a few days before Christmas!

Tasmania : A Visual Journey (back cover)

The books finally arrived!!

December rounded off 2011 with our busiest month yet. Another image found its way on to the cover of Australian Photography Magazine and the editor Robert Keeley requested an article and cover(s) for early issues in 2012. We also managed two further weddings. Jane and Mike’s wedding was set in the beautiful vineyards of Bird in Hand Winery in the Adelaide hills. We are also in the process of creating an album for them. Our final wedding was photographed in the interiors of St Marks College in North Adelaide due to the inclement weather.  Over Christmas and New Year, I managed to take a few more images around South Australian sites in between managing Charlie’s disrupted routines from the various celebrations during this period.

Jane & Mike got married

Cover Art: Australian Photography Magazine December edition

In summary, we have much to be  thankful for in 2011 and here’s a short list :

• Black and White photographics who consistently print our work and bring reality to our digital visions
• All of the exhibition centres who have allowed us to display our works. Hampstead Rehabilitation centre, the Challinger Gallery, SANTOS conservation centre and Gallery M in Marion.
• The online community and photographic support we have received through : Facebook (thanks to the 1000 fans!) , Flickr , Australian Photography forum, Deviant Art and Google Plus. Thank you to all of the photographers on these sites who continue to inspire and critique images.
• All of our family friends who have been incredibly supportive throughout the years and particularly since Charlotte arrived in the world. She now has many playmates, friends and cousins to grow up with over the years.
• Ian Wallace and all of the other contributors from the book project : Tasmania, A Visual Journey.
• Robert Keeley and the editorial staff from Australian Photography magazine who continue to ask us for content and publish our work. We are only happy to deliver !
• Our brides and grooms for allowing us an intimate look in on their most personal and special days. We hope you have enjoyed our services!
• Mother nature and her fickle ways ; thanks for the beauty all around us waiting to be captured by would be artists.
• Lastly, a personal thanks to Marianne and Charlotte for being the base upon which anything in life has been achieved and will be achieved in the future !

Cheers to 2012 and for those around in South Australia, we hope to see you at Gallery M for our first engagement of the new year!

One final shoot on New Years Eve

-D&M

Amy & Dylan, December 17 2011

Our last wedding for 2011 was shot at the picturesque and classic grounds of St Marks College in North Adelaide. We had known Amy and Dylan for years which made photography all the more relaxed. On the day before the wedding, we had walked around the grounds and picked a few particular spots to photograph. The main problem being that most of the planned shots were outdoors and the weather forecast for the 17th was pretty much doom & gloom! We stayed positive though and imagined that the weather would hold up but still quickly discussed a few ‘plan B’ options should Mother Nature not cooperate.

Just Married

Reception hall decorations

When we arrived, preparations were in full swing and the groomsmen were initially ‘dressed’ for the humid conditions. Wearing ties presented some occasional ‘difficulties’… Once dressing was complete, Dylan was given a surprise gift from Amy ; a watch which he had being eying but which had also suspiciously disappeared from the shelf a couple of days later. Fortunately, it has ended up on his wrist. After a few photos with the blue gasser , we found a spot with classic Chesterfields and a nightmare sized pool table where Dylan showed off his skills by pocketing a few on the break without hitting the photographer!

Dressed for the conditions!

Suiting up Dylan

An unexpected gift!

Blue gasser featured

Chilling out before the moment

Pool table adventures

Marianne also arrived with time to spare and snapped a few details before proceeding to the ballroom where Amy and the bridesmaids were getting prepared. Amy wanted many detail shots and this suited Marianne since these are her favourite photographs. The ballroom was difficult to shoot as the decor was overwhelmingly green, meaning that any bounceflash gave off a cast of the same colour, but was redeemed by the wooden floorboards and a huge character cupboard.

Dresses for wear

The Shoes!

Preparations

Final Touches

Ready for the aisle!

Almost time

Finally, it was time for the ceremony. Guests arrived to bright sunshine but more than a few had their iphones tuned in to the weather as the wind began to pick up. Bride & Groom remained unfazed and the ceremony went to perfection culminating in the joy that we have so learned to appreciate on each of these special days we record for our clients (or in this case, our friends). No sooner had the ceremony concluded when I was tapped on the shoulder by a guest informing me that the inclement weather was due in 10-15 minutes. With the formal photos due to be taken, we had to be quick!  For the last three weddings we had developed a routine whereby Marianne could duck off to express milk while I was dealing with the family portraits, so it was fortunate that I was aided by very decisive family members who were able to muster the required people in a very timely fashion. In fact, as soon as the portraits were complete, the rain began to pelt down. It was time for plan B!

The weather threatened

Presenting the bride!

A touching service

Happy folks!

Rings and gifts

Sealed with a kiss!

Officialdom complete!

Celebrations begin

We found the libary difficult to shoot because of its narrow confines and the size of the bridal party. We opted instead to focus on Amy & Dylan with only some members of the bridal party. Next up, the Chesterfields yet again made an appearance as we waited for the weather to pass. Unfortunately , the rain continued but to everyone’s credit, it did not dampen spirits. From photographing landscapes, we have our fair share of wet weather gear and ended up putting this to good use as we took a few images of the bridal party from the gardens looking towards the classic buildings. It was as close to an ‘outdoor’ shot as we could manage that afternoon. The rain however, did give rise to an opportunity for a different kind of ring/bouquet shot.

In the library

Fitting everyone in

The chesterfields

As outdoors as we could manage!

A wet setup

A wetter photographer

The reception was one of the best ones we have attended as photographers because we were also allowed to be guests! The formalities were all out of the way within the first hour or so of the reception by which time, the weather finally cleared. We asked Amy & Dylan if they wanted some more shots of the outdoors but after a few images for the thank you cards, we were all more intent on celebrating the moment rather than recording it. Marianne and I called it a night fairly early as the photography always tires us out. We came home to a settled baby knowing that it was our last photographic commitment for the year Congratulations again Amy & Dylan – we loved sharing your day in such an intimate manner and may all your happiness continue throughout your ‘happily ever after’ !

A triumphant entry

Happily waltzing

Weather was a theme for the day

Humorous speeches and reactions

A funny moment

Clear weather for an evening of celebration!

-D

Jane & Mike, December 10 2011

Our third wedding of this season brought us to the beautiful Bird in Hand winery for Jane & Mike’s special day. This month would be a challenge for us since it was the first time in three years that we had weddings booked on consecutive weekends. The unpredictable nature of our four month old baby Charlotte also played on our minds as we wondered how well she would cope with grandparents all day! As often happens, nearly all of the worry was unwarranted as we enjoyed ourselves throughout the day and I’m told, Charlotte gave plenty of smiles

Marianne photographed Jane in a beautiful stately home in Toorak Gardens. All involved were absolutely stunning no matter the apparel ; from bridal tracksuits to the formal wear for the remainder of the day. There were plenty of onlookers from outside of the house sneaking a peak and throwing in some good wishes from afar.

Bridal Tracksuits

Getting dressed

Bridal Shoes

Getting ready

Not the most commonest street sight!

Leaving for a new life

Near by at their home, Mike and the Groomsmen prepared with a few beers and the cricket in the background to calm the nerves. After suits, ties, cufflinks and shoes were donned, they looked 100% the part. Knowing four of the five groomsmen from work made the atmosphere all the more relaxed and enabled us some time to try some different types of shots.

A beer in hand for the nerves

Waiting to be worn!

Contemplations

Life passes by Greenhill Road

Men in black

Bird in Hand winery is tucked away in the Adelaide Hills near the town of Woodside. Its setting is all about rustic charm and the beautiful weather for the afternoon certainly brought out the best in the lush landscapes and classic buildings. A classic ceremony, an air of emotion, heartfelt vows and seemingly moments later, husband and wife were pronounced ; much to the joy of all those in witness.

Arrival

Father & Daughter

Anticipation and joy!

Husband & Wife

Formalities are complete

After a brief period of mingling with guests, we had a little time to explore the grounds with the bridal party capturing the festive mood and of course, the ‘love in the air’.

Gazing

Classic Cars

Private whispers

Encore celebrations!

Winery scenes

More gazes

Mates

Maids

Among the wine

The barn of Bird in Hand winery makes for a delightful reception venue. Beautiful lit amongst rows of barrels, it was the perfect setting to end the day with formalities followed by unbridled celebration. The speeches were touching and humorous, the food impeccable and the couple – perfect!

A celebrated entrance

Wit and wisdom shared

A toast

Cutting the cake

The talk was talked, the walk well and truly walked!

When we left, the night was still only young

We thank you Jane and Mike for giving us the opportunity to share in your special day and wish you all the very best for your future! Our next wedding will be at St Mark’s to capture Amy & Dylan’s special day.

-D

May your future be bright as your special day !

Carina & Paul, October 29 2011

Apologies for the lateness of this post! On October 29, we had the opportunity to photograph Carina and Paul’s special day at the beautiful Al Ru farm 45 minutes north of Adelaide. The entire bridal party was very willing to have their picture taken and were all having a great time which made things that much easier for us to photograph.

Paul’s preparation occurred at their home. Groomsmen were all given a token of appreciation and the lovable dog Echo even got in on the pictures!

Gifts for the groomsmen

The groomsmen featuring Echo!

5 men & 1 car

Carina’s preparation occurred in one of the cottages at Al Ru farm which was a beautifully bright setting. Meanwhile, the groomsmen were helping with preparations for the ceremony.

Bridesmaid preparation

Ready for wear!

The beautiful bride

Guests arrive

Meanwhile , during preparation

After tears , smiles and ceremony featuring the sharing of wine, husband and wife were presented to the world!

Emotions run high

The rings await

The sharing of wine

Sealed with a kiss !

Leaving the scene

The location shoot was a great deal of fun as the bridal party were willing to pose spontaneously and formally with tireless energy

Rose Garden

The Bouquet

Rose Garden

Colonnades

Petals in the air

Walking to you

A well timed 5 jumps!

Reflections of the day

Colour coordinated sore feet at the end of the day!

The reception in the barn was filled with touching speeches and festive sentiment. There was even a guest appearance by royalty!

Welcome to the reception!

Guest of honour all the way from England?

'Harry' & 'Charles'

Bridal Waltz

Tossing the Bouquet

Skills with teeth!

Afterward, we returned home to a very tired Charlotte who had spent the day at Marianne’s parents no doubt keeping them at least as occupied as we were during this fantastic day. Thank you Carina and Paul for being such a great couple and we wish you all the very best in your future together ! Our next wedding is at Bird in Hand winery December 10. Until then, cheers!

Thank you Carina and Paul!