Tribute to a Father

When times are tough and disappointments get me down, I can see your shadow next to me reaching out before I touch the ground. As a thank you is about to be said you disappear without a trace, you never look for glory or fame just a simple smile filling my face. You are my source of strength and your words of wisdom inspire, you have given me the gift of Life and a spirit filled with desire. As I  journey through Life thoughts of you are etched in my mind, special moments we have shared will live in me until the end of time. -Robert Louis Vanelli

Fixing a bad photograph

Objective: Using a combination of software and plugins, we will address common issues when we have to edit a really bad photograph.

Skills taught: Cropping, color cast, sharping, cloning, noise reduction and artistic interpretation.

Video Type Available : Novice to Advance-Speed Clinic and Beginner- In-depth (coming soon)

It all starts in the camera

While in Boston, a group of us went on a photo shoot of  the city. I saw a father and daughter standing on the subway holding hands. I quickly took a shot. Sounds simple?  Let’s explore the thought process and technical issues I had to face in a matter of seconds.

I was dealing with poor lighting, a moving platform, lots of people in the way and TIME. I calmly observed the situation and set the camera to ISO 1250, F/2.8  at 1/60 of a second using my 80-200 lens. Well if I were Joe McNally that’s what I would have done. Instead, BEFORE I entered the subway, Sandy Foster suggest I try a great feature found on most Nikon cameras, auto ISO. Now before you judge me, let me finish. On Pro and Pro/Consumer Nikon cameras you are able to dial in when to change the ISO. In my example, I programed the ISO to start at 200. If the shutter falls below 1/60 of a second, then the ISO changes but won’t go any higher than 1600. I kept the camera in Aperture Priority and steady myself against a pole. This feature is amazing. It let’s the photographer focus on composition while still allowing creativity by changing the aperture. A plus or minus EV (exposure value) can also be used.

You are probably wondering why not just keep the camera in the AUTO mode. Although you can, you are now letting the camera make ALL your creative choices for you. As a photographer, it’s always best if we can decide when to make a change to our settings. By using the method I just described, we would have come up with those setting IF we had an abundance of TIME.

This brings me to our tutorial, how to fix a really bad photograph. It’s always best to get the shot right in the camera. Under the difficult situation I was faced with, this was the best I could do. With a few tweeks in Photoshop, Lightroom and the help from a few plugins I was able to save this photograph.

Before the digital age, photographers were making incredible images. Don’t get caught up in the tools I’m using; Lightrrom, Photoshop, ect.., Try to focus on the concepts and work flow I’m demonstrating. Understanding these  concepts will enable us to work faster.

This tutorial will be available as a video and written instructions Monday, April 26, 2010.

SmugMug Spotlight: Niceville High School

This “East Coast” 2010 Photoshop World was held in Orlando Florida this year. I had the great pleasure of running into Shane and Christina Sauer again; along with their group of 26 9-12th grade kids. Yes, you read that right, 26 high school kids at Photoshop World! I met Shane and Christina Sauer at one of the Photoshop Worlds in Boston a few years back. Their dedication and love for kids made an impression on me.  As most know, kids always have a strong place in my heart along with people that unselfishly help them. It gives me great please to present to Niceville High School a year of SmugMug!

About their Program

The Choice program at Niceville High School gives young students the chance to get their feet wet in IT with a graphic design and digital cinema like no other k-12 program. The thing that separates the NHS Choice program is the experienced faculty and the rigorous curriculums. It’s more like a college environment and strives to find instructors from the industry rather than from the education field. Its that real world knowledge that keeps the students on the cutting edge. In addition the ultimate goal is for students to learn a lifelong skill while earning industry-standard certifications such as Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Final Cut Pro, Motion, CEO, Cisco, CIW, and many more.

Shane and Christina Sauer

Shane and Christina Sauer head up the Digital Media & Cinema program. They are a husband and wife team who honed their skills in New York City and decided to settle down in the Emerald Coast. The Sauer’s teach 9-12 grade students, and strive to expose them to things that most kids would never experience. This is the second year the Sauer’s brought students to Photoshop World. Last year, they took 9 students to PSW in Boston and it was such a motivating and enriching experience, they took 26 kids this year to the Orlando 3-day conference. Not only do students get exposed to the best in the industry, taking classes such as Photography, Lighting, Photoshop, and Motion Graphics, they walk away from PSW refreshed and inspired to make a career out of what they love.

Rather than bring the standard parents as chaperons, the Sauer’s decided to bring former students from last years trip. The PSW alumni have the knowledge of how the conference is organized as well as get a chance to take classes and continue learning themselves. They get much more out of the conference than a parent would. Last year one of the many things that learned at PSW was to create amazing panoramas. The 180 degree shot shows the NHS Digital Media Mac lab, and the 360 degree shot shows the adjoining studio where they film, shoot photography, and have equipment checkout. This year they also built a website where students could send live photos from their mobile devices, and friends and family could watch as NHS CHOICE rocked their way through PSW 2010. Niceville thanks the NAPP & ADOBE for making PSW so much fun and can’t wait for next year!

How they are going to use SmugMug Pro

They are planning on using Smug Mug as an online portfolio for students and as a fundraiser. Students could upload their work and share it with one another, friends and family, other teachers, etc….In addition, they could use this as a fundraiser. Parents and family members would be able to purchase the students artwork. They also think this would be useful for students to share work with one another, it would help with brainstorming, feedback, and improve the overall quality of work that’s produced.

Eyes still twinkle after 53 years

Kevin, a buddy of mine asked if I could help him photograph a Civil Air Patrol Wing command banquet. I figured sure, why not he’s a great guy. You’ll meet him at Photoshop World in Orlando in a few weeks and I’m sure you’ll agree. The only problem, I didn’t realize the event was the night before Vacation with Vanelli in North Carolina!

I rushed to get most of my projects done throughout the week. After packing for both events, I high tailed it to Orlando for the banquet that started at 6pm.. My mind was going a mile a minute thinking of the unfinished projects I had. I also dreaded t he 13.5 hour drive ahead of me that was going to start at 2am. I forced my mind to be still and focused on the event and how I wanted to compose the shots.

I set my lighting, dealt with on location dilemmas and made a few last minute flexible changes. I was feeling a bit like Joe McNally! The point I’m making; lots of chaos!
In the mist of all this turmoil, I spotted this couple looking at each other as if they were on their first date. When he spoke, she just smiled and held his arm tight. He was so proud to introduce her to anyone passing by. The banquet was about to start in 30 minutes so the staff didn’t have time to stop and chat. I was rushing myself. Then I thought of a favorite saying I have hanging on my wall.

“There is always music in the forest, but your heart must be quiet to hear it.”

I smiled at the adoring couple and asked his permission to lead his lovely bride of 52 years to my camera. His face gleamed like a little schoolboy. They stayed with me and posed for several shots as I tweaked my lighting. This was my favorite shot of the night.

When I finished the shoot, I torn down my lighting equipment and took the 1 hour drive back to Melbourne to get ready for my trip to North Carolina. Smiling all the way home, I thanked the big guy for giving me the opportunity to capture a moment in time that will live in my memory and now on my wall.

A good deed and a mystery woman

This is an interesting story I just had to share. It’s all about a good deed and a mystery woman. Why am I including this in a blog post? I’m from the school of thought, everything happens for a reason and the reason results in teachable moments.

On my way home from work, I picked Alec up from youth group where he attends with his girlfriend Cindy. He asked what we were gonna eat. Told him it was up to him to pick and off we drove.

The conversation went back and forth on where we should go and then Mike Kubeisy called. I took the call and without realizing it, ended up at a Chinese restaurant.  Finishing up the conversation in a the parking lot with Mike, Alec said dad you can’t eat here your still sick. I gave him the “just one more minute” look and told Kubeisy I’d call him later tonight. I apologized to Alec for taking the call and interrupting our conversation. Alec said no problem besides he wasn’t really that hungry he was just trying to figure out what I should eat. He took care of me all weekend when I was sick. He said he can make something at home for us. We drove to Publix, our local grocery store.

Heading into the store I noticed a sushi place. I said hey Alec do you see what I see. The smile on his face told me, “Hey I’m not that hungry but I always have room for sushi!“. He’s been eating it since he was 3 years old. Now here’s where the repayment of the good deed comes in. I said lets go!

I figured this would be a good place we can sit and talk; father son bonding time. Plus I’d be gone for a week teaching a workshop. Now the mystery woman enters the story. We see a woman rushing to the sushi door, we jokingly speed up trying to beat her to the door. She’s there way before us. Standing in line we could see she was stressed out. We both joked with her on how fast she sprinted to the door and she deserves to be seated ahead of us. She looked at us, but no comment. She said to the hostess she has been driving back and forth looking for this place and she was a little flustered.  The hostess turns to us and goes to seat us. Walking  to our table, I said to the hostess she was here before us and she needs to be attended to first. Not really understanding, she motioned the woman and she headed back with us. Alec joked and said sure you can eat with us. The woman said I’m sorry I’ve been driving all night and headed back to the front. It was then we realized she was there for take out.

Alec and I had our usual comedy chat about the events of the day. How he thinks it’s funny the waitress hands us a warm wash cloth with tongs. About 10 minutes later the mystery woman walks back in the door. She walks over to us and apoligied for being rude. She explained she just drove in from Texas and was rushing back to bring her son food. Driving away she said she felt bad so she came back. We assured her she wasn’t rude at all and we understood. She gave me a hug and left.

A man sitting alone in the restaurant (yes we offered him to eat with us too) looked over and said unbelievable, how did you do that! Alec chimed back and said yeah he makes it look easy. Then another woman comes in and sits with the guy. He looks and me and said stay away and laughs. As he’s telling his date the story, Alec said what the heck every has girls coming in for them. I know he was wishing Cindy was coming in the door next!

This was a perfect teachable moment! I was able to share with Alec my favorite quote from Stephen Grellet. I read this when I was his age when my mother was sick with cancer. These are the words I wake up to everyday.

I shall pass through this world but once. Any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.

Alec witness me apologize to him for what I felt was rude taking a phone during our conversation and now he witness a mystery woman doing the same. Teachable moments are always around us!

Lightroom Work-flow Enhancing eyes

Part 2 of 4 Lightroom Work-flow, enhancing the eyes. Part 3 will cover  skin soften.

Model Acknowledgment
Dina Pezzimenti
Melbourne, Florida

Model Mayhem # 1040336

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Lightroom Work-flow Removing blemishes

Part 1 of 4 Lightroom Work-flow, how to remove blemishes. Part 2 will cover enhancing the eyes, Part 3 will soften the skin and  the final segment will teach face sculpturing.

Model Acknowledgment
Dina Pezzimenti
Melbourne, Florida

Model Mayhem # 1040336

Read more

Perspective Crop

Perspectives can become distorted when you point a camera upwards to get the whole building in or if you are not quite square on – this is known as keystone distortion. This is a very simple tutorial explaining how to do a perspective crop in Photoshop. I was reminded of this from Trey Ratcliff when he gave a seminar on HDR in Tampa. Keep in mind, the best way to fix perspective distortion is to get it right in the camera. The second best is using Photoshop.

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Photo Walk

Join the Exposure Photographic Art Team on January 9th, 2010  for a free Photo Walk event along the beautiful ocean front area of Indialantic Beach, Florida. We will meet at 4:00 p.m. in the parking lot next to Bizarro’s Pizza on 4th Ave and walk down the beach and through some of the shopping areas along the way. Bring a few dollars in quarters as the parking area does have parking meters. Space is limited, so please sign up in advance.

Get your FREE Photo Walk Ticket by registering today at eventbrite.com.

January 9th, 2010
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Indialantic Beach, Florida

Extra Benefits from Photoshop World

After reading comments from the Roast Scott Kelby gave me, I was reminded why I love going to Photoshop World.

I’ve met many people over the years and have made Lifelong friends.

The very first friend was Scott Kelby himself.  We met when Scott, Rob Kerr, Jim Workman  and a few others were giving a special one day “Money Back Guarantee” seminar on Photoshop. I took the class because I just opened my own Karate studio and the budget was too tight to hire a graphic artist. I remember sitting in a class with about 30 people memorized by Kelby and Kerr. I instinctively kept raising my hand asking questions. They were very patient and answered them. The second one day seminar they made an announcement to hold all questions until the break and then come see the instructor. I was the first one there. After awhile people would ask me to ask questions for them; they were too embarrassed to ask.  Scott started to recognize my face and I could tell it was bittersweet. Happy to see a devoted fan, but dreaded the questions. During one of the breaks Scott and I started talking and the martial arts came up. He mention he helped a martial arts client; who later became his instructor, launch a magazine called NAPMA – National Association of Professional Martial Artists. Not sure how it happen, but the  next one day seminar, Scott said he didn’t realize I was a martial arts master. I told him I hated that term (there is only one master I know). I was glad Scott befriended me as Robert Vanelli not Mr. Vanelli the former champion. It was always hard knowing who your true friends are when you are in the spotlight. He was excited to announce the first Photoshop World. I’ve been attending them ever since.

A connection that landed an unexpected job.

I met Ross Bushong while attending the L.A. Photoshop World in 2002. As usual, I was lost finding the convention. I heard a voice say, “hey the convention is over here, follow me.” From that day on, Ross and I became great friends. Although Ross lives in Washington State, we manage to talk several times a week. We room together when he attends Photoshop Worlds. In 2006 our families finally met as we flew to Washington State to celebrate Thanksgiving together. A few years later Ross asked me if I was interested in working with him on a web site project for a company he worked for; Cadwell Labs. It was a rewarding experience working along side him!

Hanging out with HOLLYWOOD on the set of N.C.I.S.

For those who know Mike Kubeisy knows he is HOLLYWOOD. The number of shows Mike photographs for is too long to post. Just looking at his photo gallery will give you an idea how this man shoots Hollywood! I’ve met Mike over the years at Photoshop World and didn’t realize the extent of his skills. Mike doesn’t brag or rub his success in your face. Watching the gag C.S.I. Photoshop World opening video I commented how the set looked so real. Mike said they actually shot on the set of C.S.I.. I asked how did Kelby manage to pull that off. Mike just smiled and said Scott has friends. Later Scott told me it was Mike’s connections that enabled them to shoot on the set. Mike’s character and core spiritual values make it easy to call him a great friend. His sense of humor and practical jokes makes it easy to call him my brother! Mike phoned one day and asked if I heard what Terry White did for Scott’s birthday. Being the tech gadget-man Terry is, he flew to Scott’s home and spent the weekend connecting gadgets to more gadgets. Mike said his birthday was coming up soon and asked me what I was planning on getting him. He said if I didn’t get him anything yet, how about doing what Terry did for Scott and fly out here. We both laughed and I was on a plane to L.A. the following week. Mike paid for the trip and I had a blast setting up his web site and connecting all of his gadgets. Mike took his boys and me on the set of N.C.I.S.. Watching Mike work was an eye opener for me. The way the man’s mind thinks about the shot and waste no time getting it was a valuable lesson for me. I was just setting up the shot in my head and Mike was already done!  On that trip we also connected with Ben Willmore and did shoot with him. I also was able to meet up with the ever inspiring Vincent Versace. Mike told me after he dropped me off at the airport he text Larry Becker and told him he loved hanging with me but it’s exhausting. He later texted he was rested but he missed Vanelli!

Meet inspirational mentors at the Portfolio Review & The Art of Digital Photography.

The Who’s Who of Photoshop and Photography are the seminar instructors. The best part, they are available for you to talk to for free! Years ago, Scott introduced me to my inspirational mentor, Vincent Versace. Vinny took me aside and reviewed my projects. He was harsh. He looked at my projects and ripped them apart. He said the photography was terrible. I made the mistake of saying I wasn’t a photographer. Back then, I would hire a photographer and I would do the ad layouts. Vinny looked at me with that stern stare and said why are you wasting your time and  mine!  I didn’t know what to do. On the plane ride home, I realized he was telling me to become a photographer! So I did. The next Photoshop World, I approached him and before  I could speak he asked what are you. I replied, “I’m a photographer“. He smiled and said, great show me your stuff. The past Photoshop Worlds not everyone had the unforgettable opportunity to meet their inspirational mentor like I did. Now at Photoshop World you can attend a free portfolio review. Helene Glassman helps organize the portfolio review. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get one-on-one instructive feedback as your portfolio is reviewed by some of the most highly acclaimed professional photographers in the industry today. If you did not register ahead for the portfolio review, you can still attend The Art of Digital Photography. This is a night of pure magic. It’s where some of the world’s leading digital photographers come together, on one stage, for an evening that you’ll be talking about for years.

The Expo and Bonus Classes saved me from a costly mistake.

I love walking around the Expo seeing what’s new in the industry. Chatting with vendors and getting their advice. Many years ago; before desktop publishing became popular, I almost spent a small fortune on a printer that created printing plates. I came across a vendor that told me that technology will soon to be outdated. I thought he was just trying to sell me on his product. I asked around and found he was right. I purchased my first large format printer, an Encad, instead. I saved over $1,500.00 and the embarrassment  of making a financial blunder. Years later, I talked with Epson and HP at the Expo. I compared the two products side by side and was able to make an informative decision on which new large format printer I wanted. Also at the Expo are the bonus classes. These are free classes you can attend in between the seminar classes.

There are many extra benefits from attending Photoshop World, but I will leave you with these for now. I do want to say thank you to Scott Kelby. He has been at the heart of all the opportunities I’ve had. Scott’s unselfishness to share made it possible for me to meet with these talented people.

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