Ashanali

Yep, skin softening brush is good but I still prefer the finer control that I can get using one of my photoshop actions. I'll use the LR for the basics.

You always add useful stuff.

and more http://coffeeteaphotography.blogspot.com/2...s-by-theme.html

Every now and then I stumble across free photoshop actions on the net. I thought it might be a good thing to share some of these. This is the latest set that I've found. http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/200...-and-2-updated/

I wanna go to the tennis I love the tennis. I'm jealous.

oooh... I like that! *adds it to the list*

That pretty much what the treasure hunt included. People were encouraged to think outside the square with the topic they had to hunt for. I think I might do the treasure hunt for February again. It's a nice lead in to the more serious stuff.

as I said, if there was a month for working on processing, spot colouring techniques would be included. Yes, it has it's functions as a technique and it's a good introduction to layer masks.

hmmm... processing yes, but I just couldn't bring myself to devote a month to spot colour/selective colour. I hate spot colour with a passion. It's hard to enjoy a thread that I know a few people who participate in the threads won't even go into. I know that lots of people love spot colour when they first discover it, but it has it's place... in the late 90's/early 00's. I'll be fair though - if there is a month of processing, I will also include a couple of spot colour techniques in the thread.

nope not silly. I'll work on that and expand it a bit. If it was just green I think it would run it's course pretty quickly and people would drop out.

As the topic states, what would you like to see in 2010. I plan on going over a few of the basics again for people who have just joined. during those challenges I will be encouraging the old hands to shoot on full manual. However are there any challenges that you might like to see introduced or repeated? I think the treasure hunt and the alphabet challenges were popular. I am also considering a couple of new 'fun' ones to test people out. sooo... if you have some ideas, add them here!

Ams - "bokeh" is the blurred background caused by using a shallow depth of field. (wide open apeture = smaller number). If you had a 50mm 1.4 lens, you could shoot with your aperture set on 1.4 and you would have some wicked bokeh. This would mean that the lens is wide open allowing lots of light in and gives a faster shutter speed. The fast shutter speed means the sensor doesn't have enough time to create detail in the background/foreground hence why it's blurry. Hmm... I've babbled.

Why would you want to?! I'm betting you earned them and that (at least) some of them add some character :p I personally detest the overly smoothed, air-brushed all to hell faces so many photographers seem to crave outputting. I say wear your face with pride! so true - I've earned each and every one of them! And to be honest, I've got to that age where I look at young women with their smooth faces, and well, they all look the same.......... I have to agree with kja. I can do it, but I don't. I love smiley eyes. Just to go off topic, but is anyone else loving that Kathleen Turner (currently in 'Californication', is now rough as guts, sounds like a gagged mower) has rejected surgery and remained natural? LOVE LOVE LOVE her. ;)

Actually, there is.

I can make almost anyone look like a supermodel using photoshop. To be honest, I have removed bags under my eyes and skin blemishes and I have smoothed the skin. If I was being really vain, I would have reduced the size of my nose, plumped the lips and put on make-up. But that might be going just a little bit far for an iphone photo... maybe. edited to take out the need for a brow lift. The angle actually worked well in that photo. So true. You did some amazing things with my pregnancy photos. Stretch marks, skin, boobs, arms, thighs.... Except I don't usually let people see the 'before' photos.

I can make almost anyone look like a supermodel using photoshop. To be honest, I have removed bags under my eyes and skin blemishes and I have smoothed the skin. If I was being really vain, I would have reduced the size of my nose, plumped the lips and put on make-up. But that might be going just a little bit far for an iphone photo... maybe. edited to take out the need for a brow lift. The angle actually worked well in that photo.

I'm slack, I'll admit it. This was taken about 30 minutes ago on my iphone. I figured I'd better add one for the month.

6.45 is perfect. Your sunset isn't until about 8pm anyway. You will have great light tones at this time of day. I rarely use reflectors but you can include them if you want to. Also check out one of my favourite flickr groups for some backlighting inspiration (late afternoon is perfect for backlighting) http://www.flickr.com/groups/1144501@N20/

My boys learnt a new word when we were on holiday last week. We were camped on a river and the ducks kept coming to visit. "Duck! Duck!" was popular.

You think it needs a break? No... a working holiday.

Actually, you haven't disagreed. You simply stated the difference between 'practice' and 'portfolio building'. Although there is a point in time when the line between the two can be a bit blurry.

kja - I think you need to send that camera to Qld for a holiday...

Moo cards are good and a perfect option for photographers... you can let a potential client choose the photo that appeals to them most. The other option (that we use) is to have no photo at all. This is because as soon as you put a photo on a card, it becomes a representation of EVERYTHING about you and your style. People will look at it and judge you by that single image. (and yes, we have been there and done that and it's true.) So either go the 'moo' option with lots of different choices OR don't have an image at all. Also - when you are portfolio building NEVER EVER charge $0. Even if you charge $10 for your time and simply charge cost for your products, ALWAYS put a price on it. People don't value your work and your effort if YOU don't value your work and your effort. If you are very serious about starting out with child/animal photography, send me a PM and I can direct you to a private Flickr group that is all for people who are starting a child photography business in Australia. It covers all the nitty gritty including the ins and outs of portfolio building.

and now you're back in Brisbane... we have a studio opening in the next few months and will be holding workshops for all levels of skill. (just keep that at the back of your mind for future reference. )

I don't know how possible it is with the position of that derelict car, but if you go back and shoot it on dusk, get another car in front of it so they are facing each other and turn the head lights on (on the car that works, obviously). It will light up the derelict car and should also give the appearance that the old car has it's lights turned on. You may need to reposition the working car once or twice to get the right angle (and depending on how much you weigh, if you can climb onto the bonnet of your car it gives you another angle to shoot from). As I said, don't know if it's possible but if you're wanting to try something different you could give it a go.