20120822 Custom BW mix with split tone

Goodbye newspaper gray, blah looking black and white conversions!  Learn how to QUICKLY and EASILY  convert your images to a pretty decent black and white mix, tweak the color channels for better contrast and skin tones, tweak your black levels or contrast, and then finally- add a custom split tone to warm it all up (works well for homes with earth tone decor as I discuss in the video).

Please take a moment and check out the podcast over on iTunes.  Did you know that iTunes is a FREE software download and that you DO NOT have to own an iPod, iPad, iPhone, or a Mac computer to use iTunes?  Yep!  You can download iTunes for FREE and use it on your PC computer and have access to tens of thousands of FREE audio and video podcasts on a wide variety of topics.  I'd love it if you would subscribe to our podcast over on iTunes so you don't miss out on any of our informative videos!  Also, if you have been watching the videos that we produce for a while now, stop by iTunes and look up "Best Lightroom Training" so you can give us a star rating or write a review.  We always strive for a "5 star" review because that not only tells us we're doing a good job but also helps us show up higher in the search results when photographers are searching for informative podcasts about Adobe Lightroom.

If you have any questions about these techniques or anything else Lightroom related, please feel free to contact me at bestlightroomtraining@gmail.com or pick up the phone and give me a call (USA eastern time zone) at 260-438-7246.  Yes, the phone lines are open!  I would love to get a phone call or testimonial from a podcast viewer or BLrT client!  

~Kris

P.S.- Stop by the online store and check out our products at www.bestlightroomtraining.com!

20120822 Local Adjustment Brush Auto Mask Tip

Ever wanted a background to "pop" but you didn't want to spend too much time carefully brushing or masking around your subjects?  Learn how to brush saturation and more with the local adjustment brush tool using the auto mask feature in Lightroom.  This tip can go all way back to LR2 when the local adjustment brush was introduced.  Sorry LR1 users!  You are way overdue for an upgrade so this tip won't work for you!

Would you like to view this video larger?  Check out the larger version over on our blog at http://bestlightroomtraining.blogspot.com!

20120728-BLRT-Maximize creative shots with multiple crops

Short on time during the family/creatives part of the day?  Maximize your images by getting good compression and shooting loose ON SITE and then pulling extra crops to multiply what you were able to capture once you get into your editing software.  Learn how in this episode of the Best Lightroom Training podcast.  And yeah, that straight out of camera did kinda stink.  I'm not afraid to say so.  I was rushed and just tried to not blow out the dress for editing later.  These things happen.  Any photographer that tells you that they nail EVERYTHING straight out of camera is either a liar or a superhero.  

OK, no time to chit chat.  I have more editing work to do from this week.  Here's the video:

INTERVIEW: Crime Scene Photographer, Nik Havert

Just this past weekend, I had Nik Havert in the studio for a portrait session. Nik is a close friend of my husband, Chad, and works as a police officer in the tiny little town of Nappanee, Indiana. During Nik's session, we struck up a conversation about his work as a crime scene photographer. As a small town police officer, Nik pulls triple duty as not only a patrol officer out on the back roads of Nappanee (watch out for those Amish horse and buggies!) but also as a crime scene technician and crime scene photographer.

While the background info may not be necessary to enjoy the interview, I thought I should elaborate on Nik's photo session as well as his other interests before getting to the video. Nik, in addition to being a police officer, is a fantastic writer. He's heavily involved in indie comics, graphic novels, and (oooh la la) some erotic fiction. If you would like more information on Nik's writing, please stop by the following links:

 www.picklepress.net

www.pickle-press.livejournal.com

You may also be wondering why Nik was in the studio for a portrait session... Well, Nik also hosts a local cable access show titled "Weird-o-rama." As the title suggests, Nik hosts all sorts of weird, creepy, and strange films. Most of these films are older and in the public domain. He also edits in a few bits of comic relief with old cartoons before the main attraction. However, Nik hosts the "Weird-o-rama" program as the character Victor Von Psychotron. The photo session was actually for promotional portraits of the character. I had a fantastic time coming up with ideas and then dragging Nik all over a local cemetery for the portrait session.

 If you're interested in checking out Weird-o-rama, then stop by the following link: https://www.facebook.com/WeirdORama

You can also stop by the Weird-o-rama YouTube channel here:
http://www.youtube.com/user/VictorVonPsychotron

So enough rambling on... I thought the discussion about crime scene photography was fascinating. I hope you do too!  (Please excuse the sound quality.  I'm a photographer, not a videographer.  This is why you don't use the preamps on a Canon T3i for your audio.  The original audio was super noisy so I stripped it, scrubbed it in Audacity, and then resynced the audio.  The results were only moderately better.  Next time, I'll use dual system sound for better audio.  Hey- you do what you have to do when you're under a deadline for your guest to leave and drive across the state to go to work!)  Keep scrolling WAY down to get to the interview after all the photos!

 Here is the interview:

Canon 7D camera body gets firmware update in August 2012

Canon's 7D camera body to receive firmware update in August 2012... What do you think? Normally, I would not post from another blog, but many photographers are familiar with the CanonRumors blog so I thought I would redirect my blog followers to their site to read the content rather than do a rewrite of my own. I highly recommend following this blog if you are a Canon shooter. Reposted from another blog: http://www.canonrumors.com/2012/06/canon-eos-7d-firmware-v2-official/

Syncing and labeling multiple cameras in Adobe Lightroom software

Have you ever wanted to mesh files together from multiple cameras but you weren't sure how to do it?  Do you have a second shooter or assistant in training that would benefit from viewing an entire folder of their straight out of camera originals versus their edited proofs?  In this easy to follow video, I discuss why you would want to use these techniques, how to do it step by step in the Adobe Lightroom software, and some various reasons why these techniques could benefit your business. To view the video in full screen mode, click the four arrows next to the HD icon. To exit full screen mode, press your ESC key.

Tiffen introduces new filter software

Tiffen introduces some new filter software.  Thoughts?

http://www.lasplash.com/publish/Software_Reviews_and_News_130/tiffen-dfx-3.0-software-review-magic-in-the-making.php

Canon introduces new mirrorless camera body & another STM video lens

So Canon introduced a new mirrorless camera body with interchangeable lenses...  To whom do you think they are marketing this tiny wonder of technology?  Pros that want great family photos on the go but don't want to lug out the big guns?  With pricing higher than some entry level DSLR's, I have to think that's the marketing they're going for with this model.  Any thoughts?

Here's a quick overview of the new camera model from our friends at Dury's in Nashville, Tennessee:
https://www.durys.com/product/13724/Canon-EOS-M-Body-with-22mm-f2-STM-Kit/

Easy Geotagging for Google SEO

Learn how to geotag your images easily for dramatically improved Google SEO (search engine optimization) in this easy to follow video demonstration in which Kris Gay of Bella Vita Studios and Best Lightroom Training shows you how to use a cell phone photo with location info (GPS coordinates) embedded to sync metadata on all your website example images.

Don't forget to rename your web sized images upon export from Adobe Lightroom with keywords separated by hyphens as well because Google treats all words separated by hyphens as individual words (makes for a stronger keyword match and therefore higher SEO rankings)

You can also watch this video in a larger format by holding down CTRL or CMD and clicking this link to view the video in another window in HD resolution:
https://vimeo.com/46074695

20120228-BLRT-SOLO MODE

SOLO MODE:  I love it and you should too.  Save time, eliminate visual clutter and work more efficiently with solo mode!


To learn more about our online classes for Adobe Lightroom as well as our presets, templates, etc. including the Workflow Engine presets system with over 350 presets to turbo charge your workflow, stop by the online store at www.bestlightroomtraining.com!


To view the video below in full screen mode, hover over the bottom of the video and then click on the four arrows in the bottom right corner of the video.  To exit full screen mode, just press the ESC key.

20120227-BLRT-CULLING TECHNIQUES

Learn how to cull super fast, learn which keys to use and why, and when the X reject key can be a time waster in this episode of Best Lightroom Training with Kris Gay.


To learn more about our online Adobe Lightroom classes or our presets, templates, etc., stop by the store at www.bestlightroomtraining.com!


(To view the video in full screen mode, hover over the bottom of the video and then click on the four arrows in the bottom right corner.  To exit full screen mode, click the ESC key.)

20120227-BLRT-SILHOUETTES-GRADUATED FILTERS

In this episode of Best Lightroom training, I teach you how to create dramatic color silhouettes with the graduated filter tool by first converting the image to black and white and enhancing contrast before applying the color effect.  I also discuss typical wedding photographer scenarios and tips for dealing with less than stellar sunsets or twilight situations.

To learn more about Best Lightroom Training's online class offerings or the many different presets, templates, etc. that are available, please stop by the website at www.bestlightroomtraining.com!

20120215-BLRT-Creating or editing a metadata preset

Learn how to create or edit a metadata preset in Lightroom with a very cool Facebook twist in this episode of Best Lightroom Training.  Watch Kris demonstrate not only how to create or edit a metadata preset but also how to get that preset to embed your web site's domain name in every image so when the images are uploaded to Facebook, each individual image has an active web link to your web site in the description field to the right of each photo. 


To contact Best Lightroom Training with questions, comments, or feedback, please email us at bestlightroomtraining <at> gmail.com or give us a call at 260-440-3889 (eastern time zone, USA, business hours).  You can also stop by the online store at www.bestlightroomtraining.com and fill out the "contact us" form.

Hello.  Hello?   Is this thing on?!  Is anyone reading the blog and watching the tutorial videos?  Post a comment so I know someone's checking this stuff out.  I want to hear from you!  :-)  ~Kris

Share this blog with a friend!  If you are enjoying watching the tutorial videos and reading the posts on this blog, please take a moment to share it with a friend.  You can click SHARE ON FACEBOOK, +1 on Google+, or just copy/paste the link to it into an email and share it with your photographer friends that way!

http://bestlightroomtraining.blogspot.com

Help us spread the word and we'll continue putting our a lot of content for you to enjoy!  Thanks!

20120201-BLRT-Split toning a portrait

Learn how to apply split toning to a portrait with this informative and easy to follow video tutorial from Best Lightroom Training!


Kris Gay
Bella Vita Studios & Best Lightroom Training
260-440-3889 studio/office
260-438-7246 cell
www.bestlightroomtraining.com
bestlightroomtraining@gmail.com

20120131-BLRT-Facial retouching in LR

Learn how and why to use certain facial retouching tools in Adobe Lightroom in this easy to follow video tutorial from Best Lightroom Training!

To view the video in full screen mode, hover over the bottom of the video where the progress bar and volume controls are and then click on the FOUR ARROWS just to the right of the blue HD symbol.  To exit full screen mode, just press your ESC key.  You can even download the video to watch later by clicking the download link on the video's page.
Kris Gay
Bella Vita Studios & Best Lightroom Training.com
260-440-3889 studio/office
260-438-7246 cell
www.bestlightroomtraining.com
bestlightroomtraining@gmail.com

20120130-BLRT-Enhance blue skies-gradients-chain link fence-power plant

Here is another video in our "Blue Sky Portrait Editing" series. In this video, we discuss using the local adjustment brush in Adobe Lightroom as well as the auto mask feature. You will find this technique particularly helpful in blue sky, sunset, and twilight portraits although it can be used in a wide variety of situations in which you do not want your adjustment brush work to go over the subject or another important area of the image. 


 To view the video in full screen mode, hover over the bottom of the video where the progress bar and volume controls are and then click on the FOUR ARROWS just to the right of the blue HD symbol. To exit full screen mode, just press your ESC key. 


You can even download the video to watch later by clicking the download link on the video's page.


To download practice images used in this and other "blue sky" related video tutorials, please go to:  http://www.4shared.com/folder/CyNdCfev/_online.html  (These practice images are full size and have been sharpened already in Lightroom so you can just practice the blue sky techniques that we have been teaching in the video tutorials.)


Kris Gay, Bella Vita Studios & Best Lightroom Training
http://www.bestlightroomtraining.com
bestlightroomtraining@gmail.com
260-440-3889 studio/office
260-438-7246 cell

20120130-BLRT-Enhance blue sky-adj brush-auto mask-RR TRACKS twilight

Here is another video in our "Blue Sky Portrait Editing" series. In this video, we discuss using the local adjustment brush in Adobe Lightroom as well as the auto mask feature. You will find this technique particularly helpful in blue sky, sunset, and twilight portraits although it can be used in a wide variety of situations in which you do not want your adjustment brush work to go over the subject or another important area of the image. 


 To view the video in full screen mode, hover over the bottom of the video where the progress bar and volume controls are and then click on the FOUR ARROWS just to the right of the blue HD symbol. To exit full screen mode, just press your ESC key. 


You can even download the video to watch later by clicking the download link on the video's page.


To download practice images used in this and other "blue sky" related video tutorials, please go to:  http://www.4shared.com/folder/CyNdCfev/_online.html  (These practice images are full size and have been sharpened already in Lightroom so you can just practice the blue sky techniques that we have been teaching in the video tutorials.)


 

Kris Gay, Bella Vita Studios & Best Lightroom Training
http://www.bestlightroomtraining.com
bestlightroomtraining@gmail.com
260-440-3889 studio/office
260-438-7246 cell

20120130-BLRT-Enhance blue sky-gradients-RR tracks-leading lines

Here is another video in our "Blue Sky Portrait Editing" series.  In this video, we discuss using the local adjustment brush in Adobe Lightroom as well as the auto mask feature.  You will find this technique particularly helpful in blue sky, sunset, and twilight portraits although it can be used in a wide variety of situations in which you do not want your adjustment brush work to go over the subject or another important area of the image.

To view the video in full screen mode, hover over the bottom of the video where the progress bar and volume controls are and then click on the FOUR ARROWS just to the right of the blue HD symbol.  To exit full screen mode, just press your ESC key.


You can even download the video to watch later by clicking the download link on the video's page.


To download practice images used in this and other "blue sky" related video tutorials, please go to:  http://www.4shared.com/folder/CyNdCfev/_online.html  (These practice images are full size and have been sharpened already in Lightroom so you can just practice the blue sky techniques that we have been teaching in the video tutorials.)

20120129-BLRT-Enhance blue sky portrait (adj brush & auto mask)

Here is another video in our "Blue Sky Portrait Editing" series.  In this video, we discuss using the local adjustment brush in Adobe Lightroom as well as the auto mask feature.  You will find this technique particularly helpful in blue sky, sunset, and twilight portraits although it can be used in a wide variety of situations in which you do not want your adjustment brush work to go over the subject or another important area of the image.

To view the video in full screen mode, hover over the bottom of the video where the progress bar and volume controls are and then click on the FOUR ARROWS just to the right of the blue HD symbol.  To exit full screen mode, just press your ESC key.


You can even download the video to watch later by clicking the download link on the video's page.

http://vimeo.com/35854302

To download practice images used in this and other "blue sky" related video tutorials, please go to:  http://www.4shared.com/folder/CyNdCfev/_online.html  (These practice images are full size and have been sharpened already in Lightroom so you can just practice the blue sky techniques that we have been teaching in the video tutorials.)

20120126-BLRT-Enhance blue skies portrait (sat/lum/noise reduction)

To view the video in full screen mode, hover over the bottom of the video where the progress bar and volume controls are and then click on the FOUR ARROWS just to the right of the blue HD symbol.  To exit full screen mode, just press the ESC key.

To download practice images used in this and other "blue sky" related video tutorials, please go to:  http://www.4shared.com/folder/CyNdCfev/_online.html  (These practice images are full size and have been sharpened already in Lightroom so you can just practice the blue sky techniques that we have been teaching in the video tutorials.)

Welcome to BestLightroomTraining.com!

New podcast on the way!

Best Lightroom Training is taking a huge step forward to gain more fans and bring you even more educational content for Adobe Lightroom software!

Look for information regarding viewing our podcast in iTunes very soon!