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Category Archives: photoshop actions for photographers

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Studio Lighting Naturally - last day!

December 11, 2009 – 7:22 am

I just wanted to let you all know, it’s the last day for the Studio Lighting Naturally sale below.  I’ve had the book out a few years, and this is the first sale I have ever done with it.   It’s selling out very quickly!   The sale will remain on until midnight Eastern Time tonight.  See below to place your order.  And yes, this does come with the DVD which includes a video, actions, a write up on pricing, etc.

On another note, I’ve also been asked about workshops.  Yes, I am still doing workshops.  I currently have the following times available.

January 21st (one day) - one more seat available

February 25th and 26th

March 11th and 12th

All other dates are full at this time.  I do make occasional exceptions for those who wish to have one-on-ones or want a time slot with just you and one or two of your friends.  If you are looking to do this and choose your own date, please contact me at jodieotte@verizon.net and we will discuss if this is a possibility.  Also, more details at www.jodieotte.com/mentoring.htm Workshops include everything from studio lighting naturally to natural light to working with newborns, kids, and pregnant clients.

 Thanks!  And have a great weekend!

Oh, let me post one picture while I am here ;)  I envisioned this late one night, and this is a first try.  It took a while to find an item shaped this way to use, but I’ve had that item for about six months, waiting for the right baby to come along.  To my surprise, this one-month-old was the right one!  I’m still not completely satisfied with this shot (I didn’t want to use the fluff, but we were having “sticking” problems), but I’ll play more and more with this setup as I have the chance to.  This is one of the images that is going up at the new studio.  Oops… did I say new studio?  YES!!!  More details on that later! That’s HUGE HUGE HUGE HUGE news!!!! ;) 

newborn photographer

 

By Jodie Otte | Also posted in The Studio and Monkton, natural lighting, photography workshop/seminar, studio lighting naturally | Tagged , , , | Comments (2)

Natural Light Photography Book | Just Lighting Naturally

August 21, 2009 – 8:30 am

While our first shipment of books went out, we have another shipment ready to go.  We also have another shipment that came in last week and are ready and waiting.  For more information (now posted) or to purchase, please go to http://www.jodieotte.com/books.htm

Here’s an inside peek…
child Photography Book

And as promised, more natural light images — this was on another very very bright day… this little boy was so sweet and so much fun to work with :)
natural light children photography
natural light children photography
natural light children photography
natural light children photography
natural light children photography

 

By Jodie Otte | Also posted in child photography, natural lighting, photography workshop/seminar | Tagged , , , | Comments (4)

Natural Light Child Photography | Baltimore Maryland

August 20, 2009 – 10:17 am

Let’s talk natural light.  As you may know, we now have available a Natural Lighting book for sale at www.jodieotte.com/books.htm  The book, Just Lighting Naturally, was designed by request after the huge success of Studio Lighting Naturally. I will discuss this book a little more in detail here shortly, so stay tuned…

While my business mainly revolves around studio lighting with babies and expecting moms, I do photograph children quite often in natural lighting, as obviously, children need to feel comfortable and not bored stuck in front of studio lights. For the next few days, I will share natural light images, as I also get a chance to prepare the book link above with more information about the latest Just Lighting Naturally book.

This was from a session several months ago that I hadn’t share on the blog - three absolutely gorgeous little girls…. and their ponies. Oh, and a note for the photographers - these images were taken at “high noon” a scarey bright day - you know those dreaded incredibly bright days where you know you have to REALLY work for that light ;)

child and horse
child and horse
child and horse
child and horse
child and horse
child and horse

By Jodie Otte | Also posted in baltimore child photography, equine photography, photography workshop/seminar | Tagged , , , , | Comments (10)

Just Lighting Naturally - the Book

June 26, 2009 – 9:00 am

So we had a hold put on production of the book

    Just Lighting Naturally

There was a reason behind that. I’ve been developing a slightly new way that I have been post processing natural light images, and wanted to be able to share that in the book, as well as expand some of the information also included. When originally designing this natural light book, I felt something was missing. I needed to add to it, so we placed a hold while I developed more information to share.

We are finally ready for preorders as the book went into production. Shipping of the preordered books will take place July 28th. For more information, please go to http://www.jodieotte.com/books.htm

In the meantime, another sweetie…

child photography
child photography
child photography
child photography

. 

By Jodie Otte | Also posted in photography workshop/seminar | Tagged , , | Comments (2)

Studio Lighting Naturally | Photography Instructional Book

December 18, 2008 – 7:46 am

I have had a lot of questions regarding my Studio Lighting Naturally book and availability. We just received another shipment of them in last week, but I am down to only four TWO books remaining for Christmas delivery (within the continental US). Another shipment will arrive a week after Christmas. If you wish to have yours by Christmas, the last day for ordering is Friday, December 18th. See photographers link above for more detail. If you have any questions, please email at theblackhorsestudio@verizon.net. Thanks :)

Studio Lighting Photography, newborn photography book, baby photography book

Studio Lighting Photography, newborn photography book, baby photography book

Studio Lighting Photography, newborn photography book, baby photography book

By Jodie Otte | Also posted in baby photography, photography workshop/seminar | Tagged , | Comments (2)

Step back to Halloween… and…secret to PhotoShop? PhotoShop magic.

November 29, 2008 – 11:51 am

Oh my, have I been busy busy busy with the holiday season!  I haven’t had time to share some of my personal stuff at all…

I promised I would show my kids’ horses at the Muddy Creek Meadows Halloween Party.  I’ll start with Erynn and Stormy…  I took the time with the kids early October to make some costumes with them.  Erynn and I did most of it as obviously Barrett isn’t all into this… he’s in that transitioning kid to teen stage - poor guy, that’s a rough time :)

Stormy was to be a Leprechaun and Willow was to be a Native American Pony.  Erynn dressed up with Stormy, Barrett did not dress up, but he did paint Willow up.

Stormy and Erynn won first place in the contest… here they are… Stormy stepped so proudly with all her ribbons in her hair.  Take note of the black leg warmers with gold buckles on the front, as well as the pot of gold hanging around her neck.  That horse will tolerate nearly anything Erynn does to her…

horses costumes halloween
 
Stormy wore her hat proudly… Dean couldn’t stop laughing at her in the hat… it’s just so bizarre to see that ;)

horses costumes halloween

As I show Barrett’s horse, Willow, I wanted to talk about PhotoShop. A lot of people ask me if I use a lot of photoshop. Actually, I don’t. When I shoot for clients, I shoot on all manual and make sure I get it right in camera - white balance, etc. correct in camera as well as possible. I shoot so many images for my clients that I have to take the time to get it right in camera, so my workflow runs smoothly and efficiently. When I photoshop, I use basic things - contrast, curves, color balance, dodging, burning, but when it is right in camera, I barely have to use these tools. There’s no magic button, it’s not rocket science - it honestly is about getting it right in camera - that is the secret.

However, when I shoot my family snapshots, sometimes, well… honestly, most of the time, I am lazy. I simply set my camera to Aperture Priority, and shoot away. I just performed PhotoShop magic on this snapshot. Yes, it took time. There is no easy quick fix to a shot this bad. And the horrors, this shot came from my amazing Nikon D3!!!! at ISO 5,000 and shutter of 1/40 handheld. That’s bad news as any photographer knows…. but alas, laziness, rushing around, this is what you get…

horses costumes halloween

but with taking the time to color balance, tweak curves, contrast, etc., this is the result - a better snapshot! ;) If I took the time in PhotoShop with every picture that I shoot for my clients, I would NEVER get the hundreds and thousands of images finished. That is why it is so important to shoot it right the first time, getting it right in camera.

horses costumes halloween

By Jodie Otte | Also posted in personal/family, photography workshop/seminar | Tagged , , , , | Comments (4)

Maryland Photography Workshop Followup

September 20, 2008 – 9:42 am

Closing this chapter.  We completed the last workshop for now.  I don’t forsee doing more in the future; however, I can’t say never.

A big thank you to all the attendees, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all of you!  I’m always humbled by how sweet and kind everyone is and how far you all travel!  wow! :)

Another HUMONGOUS thank you to Tracey for helping out - she is such a great friend to be there for me and I appreciate it so much!  Wish her a Happy Birthday today!  Yes, it’s her birthday! :)

Thanks to the models - we couldn’t have asked for sweeter models.  Here are a few images (although I don’t have my regular monitors hooked back up, so the color/contrast could look off here —>

child baby photography workshop

child baby photography workshop

child baby photography workshop

child baby photography workshop

child baby photography workshop

child baby photography workshop

A note to clients and anyone else trying to contact the studio — the phone I do business from needed to be replaced yesterday, so I am setting up the new situation and will be contacting you ASAP — you can also email me at theblackhorsestudio@verizon.net

 

By admin | Also posted in photography workshop/seminar | Tagged , , , , | Comments (3)

Studio is now OPEN

August 27, 2008 – 9:51 am

As you probably have seen over and over again, the studio was closed down for vacation and has been reopened today, August 27th.  If you are waiting for a return call or email, you will receive it today. 

For the photographers, if you ordered a Studio Lighting Naturally book while the studio was closed, it has shipped out this morning.

Speaking of the Studio Lighting Naturally book, there are THREE currently in stock and ready to ship immediately.  If you are interested in purchasing this book, please click here.

By Jodie Otte | Also posted in photography workshop/seminar | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Baby Photography - Do you recognize these babies?

July 21, 2008 – 10:05 am

These were two newborns that I photographed during two of my photography seminars / workshops. Yes, we will be in need of a newborn model for September. Also, we have three seats remaining for the September 2008 photography workshop. If you are interested, please go to Photography Workshop Link and an update on the Studio Lighting Naturally books - we have two books currently available in stock and ready to ship immediately - for more information, please go to Photography Book Link.

baby photography

baby photography

baby photography

baby photography

baby photography

By admin | Also posted in baby photography, photography workshop/seminar | Tagged , | Comments (3)

Seminar for Fall

June 18, 2008 – 9:19 am

Wow…. I’m quite shocked, everything fell into place for another seminar/workshop date in September. This will be a two-day event! For details, go HERE.

We have 10 seats left 6 seats left 4 seats left

By admin | Also posted in baby photography, child photography, photography workshop/seminar, pregnancy, maternity photography | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

The Book has Shipped.

April 29, 2008 – 6:46 pm

If you are currently waiting on your Studio Lighting Naturally book, it has shipped! If you are wanting to purchase, you may do so at the above link… we will have another shipment ready to go out within the next three weeks.

Child and Baby Photography Book

By admin | Also posted in baby photography, child photography, photography workshop/seminar | Comments (1)

Studio Lighting Naturally…

April 15, 2008 – 11:00 am

For the photographers out there who want to know exactly how I shoot using studio lighting, my Studio Lighting Naturally book is for sale. We have a batch coming in with an estimated shipping date of April 27th. This is the earliest shipment to be sent out. We have 4 extra books in this shipment. If you wish to receive one of these 4 books, please go here and order now. Otherwise, there will be more of a wait for the next shipment. Thanks! :) photography book

By admin | Also posted in baby photography, child photography, photography workshop/seminar, pregnancy, maternity photography, twin, triplet photography | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (4)

The Workshop BOOK….

March 5, 2008 – 12:43 pm

We’ve been incredibly busy preparing for the first workshop coming up at the beginning of April.  The books (no, not workbooks, but real books - 70-80 pages) are going to print this week.  Here is one of the spreads….

 Child and Baby Photography book

All of the attendees will be receiving a copy of this book to take home.  It includes lighting diagrams, a few “pullback” views of lighting, how to work with newborns, tips on working with children in studio, how to photograph pregnancy in an artistic way, and explanations of everything I do to achieve soft natural-looking lighting but using studio flash as well as my simple post processing tips - with screen shots.

By admin | Also posted in The Studio and Monkton, baby photography, child photography, photography workshop/seminar, twin, triplet photography | Comments (23)

New Actions… Color - Natural Light & Studio

January 20, 2008 – 6:20 pm

We have more actions coming.  Here’s an example of one… check the action link for all of them.

Before…

 Photoshop action color for photographers

After….

 Photoshop action for photographers

and on studio lighting

photoshop action on studio

photoshop action portrait

By admin | Comments (1)

Catching up on business - Action sales

December 28, 2007 – 3:41 pm

The studio is closed; however, I have found that I had a couple action sales go to my spam folder.  I am sending actions along right now - if you have not received your actions, please email me immediately.

By admin | Comments (0)

Tricky Black and White Conversion

September 8, 2007 – 8:21 am

Okay, how about some tricky black and white conversions using this action….

First up - light hair, light eyes, and white dress, and the second up is an old image of mine, but I thought it illustrates well the difficulties of converting darker skin, dark hair with white dress (image underexposed for dress) without leaving the image muddy.

These images may not even be "bright" or "contrasty" enough for some taste, but that is totally controllable… my personal taste tends to stay on the "safe" side… :)  I don’t like to blow out whole sides of faces, etc., that I see some do.  I like to keep tones of black and white and grey throughout the skin, keeping it closer to resembling the color image.

Ston1ab Undere1a Wei2  

By admin | Also posted in baby photography, child photography | Comments (0)

Black and White Action on Natural Light

September 8, 2007 – 8:01 am

I had some requests to show my black and white action on natural light images… here goes…

Rin1a Rin1 

By admin | Also posted in child photography | Comments (0)

Black and white action for photographers

September 6, 2007 – 8:08 am

I have had an overwhelming amount of requests for my black and white action for PhotoShop 7 or higher (that allows you to control how bright/dark you wish your black and whites to be).  I will now be selling it to those who are interested.  Here is an example.. (I’m including a simplistic toning action that will allow toning to be fully controlled as far as color and amount.)

************************************************ To purchase, please click on ACTIONS

Act2af_2Act2agh_2 

Toning_2

By admin | Comments (3)
AJAXed with AWP