Changing the size of a photograph

We are going forward with more photoshop tips.
One of the most common errors people do is in changing the size of a photograph. In photoshop you will see a heading at the top that says IMAGE. Under this is a heading, IMAGE SIZE. You could think that all you need to do to change the size of your photo from a 4 x 5 to an 8 x 10 is to write in the larger number. Or change the resolution from 72 to 300. Not true. The correct way to do this so your images maintain their clarity is to do the following: By the way always take your photos at the highest setting your camera will allow.

Here is how to enlarge a photo:
1. Go to IMAGE at the top of photoshop
2. Go to image size.
3. Note there are 2 headings. Pixel dimensions and Document size:
4. You want to change the Document size. First check the Resolution. For good printing this should be 300 DPI. However don't do this without the following step.
5. Note the bar and link sign between width and height. Now check the box at the bottom that says. resample image. Now all three options are connected: width, height and resolution. Now you can change the resolution to 300. It will altar the width and height as well.
6. Now uncheck the box to seal the deal.
Did you see how the inches of your photograph changed when you put in 300 dpi? This is because there is a relationship to the size of the photograph to the resolution. If you were to just change the resolution the quality of the image would be affected. By linking them as you change the resolution your photo maintains it's quality.

Now you can print a quality image.

How to lighten or darken an image in photoshop

This is probably one of the most common procedures you will do. Often times when you take photos with your camera’s Automatic mode, the images might come out too dark or too bright.  Thanks to digital photography it’s pretty easy to learn how to lighten dark photos in Photoshop. The easiest way to adjust for dark and light is to use the tool. LEVELS.

You can find this in photoshop in 2 places.
1. Top bar: image/adjustments/levels
2. Bottom right under layers, Find the tools at the bottom of that heading, then find the circle in the middle with light and dark divide.
Under this circle are lots of options.  Click on LEVELS, you will see a little mountain, called a histogram. This is the distribution of light to dark. There are little arrow and sliders under the mountain. The ones we will be using are the arrows on the right (lighter) and left (darker). By just sliding these arrow toward the middle you will change the light and dark of your photo. To have a properly adjusted photo you want the foot of the mountain to go all the way to the left and right. If you move your slider into the actual black part of the mountain it can distort your balance. Sometimes this is ok especially if you have a bright white sky. Experiment with this see what you like.

In fact I suggest you pay with all the headings everywhere. Just play with them to see what they do.
A very fun place to play is on the top bar under filters. These options will make some pretty amazing things happen to your photo. Photoshop is like a big toy. Play.

Organizing Photographs

LET'S GET ORGANIZED
 I imagine many of you already have a mass of photographs all over your computer, no problem.

Here's is how to start. START TODAY.
 1. Make a folder on your computer called PHOTOGRAPHS. Then think of what you mostly take photos of, family, nature, trips, etc.
2. Make subfolders in the PHOTOGRAPHS folder with these headings. Make them very broad so you only have 5 or 6 subfolders at the most. Don't worry if you can't decide where something goes. Your photos can go in more then one folder. EX. You can put the photos of your son in his own folder and in the folder of the trip to Cancun.

HOW TO DEAL WITH ALL THE UNORGANIZED PHOTOS: In each of the 5 - 6 subfolders make another folder called "to Organize" put all your unorganized photos from that theme in that folder. You can just dump in all the photos of your trips, family, art photos etc in this folder. Then while you're watching TV or something little by little you can put them where they belong.

 NOW MOST IMPORTANT: Every time you download photos from you camera make subfolders under the main themes and put those new photos there. Here are two sample of a structures that will probably work for lots of people. This second one will seem daunting however this is what you're working towards.

 SAMPLE ONE : Simple start (do this today)

 PHOTOGRAPHS
 Travel
      to organize
 Family
      to organize
 Nature
      to organize

 SAMPLE TWO: This is your goal. Check my blog. http://charlottebell.com/blog-page/

Photoshop for digital photographers

We have covered many details for improving your photographs in this blog. You should have a pretty good idea by now how to approach photography so you are consistently taking great photographs. However you have to deal with them once they are out of your camera. How to you print, enlarge, edit, crop, alter, add filters, erase blemishes and a thousand other details you need to know to make you photos truly great. So I am going to shift the focus to editing your photographs. The program I am going to suggest is photoshop. You may say. That's really expensive. Well things have changed. Go to the adobe site and check it out. https://creative.adobe.com/plans?store_code=us. You can now just get the program for as little as 9.99 a month. So why not? Of course now you have to learn how to use it and that is what this blog will be about. We will start with the basics, organizing. You have got to have a system in your computer. I cannot emphasize this enough. Once you have a system in place you can always find that wonderful landscape you took in Italy in 2012. Or those family photos for Christmas last year. So stay tuned. This is going to be fun. Photoshop to me is like a big toy. Once you know how it's organized you will have countless hours of productive fun. We'll start tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Creating depth and shape in photography

I studied with Tony Corbell a couple of years ago. He teaches all over the country. Take some time an view this instructional video. It will change how you take photographs in the future.

Candid photographs

Many people hate having their photograph taken. They liken it to going to the dentist. So first I try to put people at ease especially if is a portrait or head shot. They have to look at the camera. I tell them this is the digital age we can take as many photos as we like, so relax. Then I start to talk to them about their family, kids, job or stuff they like to do. Suddenly they become relaxed. I may try to sneek a couple photos while their talking, this can work but the main idea is they have stopped thinking about “smiling” and they are just themselves. Now when I have them look at the camera again they are much more at ease. However for family, friends and wedding it’s great for people to be involved in activities they like. I will put on my long lens so they are not so aware of my presence. Then I just keep “catching the moment”. Usually the best photos are the ones were they are observing one another.

The unusual in photographs

Move your photographic subjects out of their comfort zone. Or how about encouraging people to get silly like in these wedding photography samples. Some people will think it's dumb but most folks like to ham it up and just need a little encouragement. These photographs sure make the wedding album more fun. This can be the back ground or having your subject do something entirely new and unexpected.