JT Spunk | Photography

Is it worth buying a soft focus filter for portrait photography?

Does a soft focus filter really work where it softens the over all pictures? or is it just as good using photoshop ? If the filter is worth while having. I would like to use that instead so it would cut down my time using photoshop

Not really …

While there are times when a “misty” look is wanted, most of the time, something in the image frame has to be sharp or the whole image looks soft.

Kodak publishes a product called “GEM airbrush” which is a plug-in for Photoshop CS. It works very well and you can fine tune it as necessary.

http://www.kodak.com/global/en/professional/products/software/imgEnhancePlugIns/main.jhtml?id=0.2.26.24.3&lc=en

ExpoImaging ExpoDisc 77mm Digital White Balance Filter – Neutral $96.95 The ExpoDisc Professional Digital White Balance Filter (patent pending) is a custom white balance filter that allows digital photographers to quickly and easily set an accurate custom white balance. Consistently producing excellent results in natural, artificial, and studio lighting, the versatile ExpoDisc even excels in difficult mixed lighting environments….

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Nik Software Captured: The Complete Guide to Using Nik Software’s Photographic Tools $21.07 Sample Photos from the Authors: Yosemite, California Color Version(Click on photo to zoom) Black and White Version(Click on photo to zoom) This recent image taken in is a good example of how an understanding of techniques within the digital workflow can change the outcome of your image in the most positive ways. Here is a color image which based on the tonality w…

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Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2: Streamlining Your Digital Photography Process $30.19 Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is the primary software-of-choice for today’s digital photographer. As a new tool, using Lightroom requires mastering new skills–not always an easy task. Compounding the challenge, many photographers don’t have fundamental knowledge of digital image processing. "Lightroom 2: Streamlining your Digital Photography Process" offers you the digital imaging fundamentals and the Lightroom-specific skills you need to quickly learn and retain a mastery of Lightroom. Written and designed by a professional photographer, designer, fine art printmaker and instructor, this book is designed to simplify and accelerate the learning process and is unique in both content and presentation. Nat Coalson is an Adobe Certified Expert in Lightroom and Photoshop, and has taught photography and imaging classes and workshops for many years. The approach taken by "Lightroom 2: Streamlining your Digital Photography Process" is based on over 20 years of professional experience in photography, printing, and imaging, and the methods of instruction were developed through the author’s work with students and clients. At 400 pages, this book clearly explains how to use all of Lightroom’s controls, and much more. Beginning with the original image capture, all the way through importing, editing, processing and presenting photos, the text also explains fundamental imaging concepts every modern photographer needs to know. Not just the "how" but also the "why." Not just recipes, but core skills you will use again and again. And by developing stronger technical skills, you will be able to focus more on creative expression. The content of "Lightroom 2: Streamlining your Digital Photography Process" also demonstrates a simple, practical workflow. You will learn real-world, professional-level production techniques through straightforward examples and easy-to-follow instructions. The book is divided into nine chapters: Chapter 1. Digital Imaging Foundations: resolution, bit depth, color spaces, etc. Chapter 2. Digital Photography Workflow: step-by-step outline of the processing pipeline Chapter 3. The Lightroom Workspace: modules, panels, tools, view modes, etc. Chapter 4. Digital Image Capture: benefits of raw, using histograms, critical exposure settings, capturing the most possible data, etc. Chapter 5. Import Photos into Lightroom: creating efficient file systems, automation and batch processing, using presets, etc. Chapter 6. Organize your Photos in Library: identifying selects, using filters and collections, working with metadata, keywording strategies, etc. Chapter 7. Process your Photos in Develop: evaluating the photo, adjusting global tone, contrast and color; local adjustment brushes and graduated filters, retouching, etc. Chapter 8. Export Images from Lightroom: choosing the right file formats, post-processing actions, using export plug-ins, etc. Chapter 9. Presenting your Work: working in

Best Photoshop Filters (Paperback) $59.54 Photoshop filters give digital painters and illustrators an alchemical array of creative effects quickly and easily. Filters can transform a standard photograph to give it the look of an oil painting, pencil drawing, or old film still, for example. They can be used to smudge an image, tear  its edges, infuse it with a neon glow–in fact, the range of effects extends way beyond the standard settings as filters can be configured and combined in any number of ways.This beautifully designed visual reference opens with a brief introduction for beginners on how to set up smart filters, use the filter gallery, adjust the blend modes for different filters, and identify the effect of each blend mode.   The bulk of the book, however, serves as a visual reference to the many, many, many types of filters within Photoshop, including artistic, brush stroke, distort, pixelate, sketch, stylize, texture filters, and more. For each group of filters, the book provides an overview that broadly explains the effects of each group of filters and how different settings affect them. The book then goes into greater detail showing swatches of photographs with the filters applied so readers can see the affects of the filters–used with their default settings, as well as with incremental changes made to their setttings. The swatches create an invaluable reference, saving the reader from experimenting by having a ready-made, look-it-up guide to the possible effects of each filter.

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Combining Images with Photoshop Elements: Selecting, Layering, Masking, and Compositing $29.95 Used – “Combining Images with Photoshop Elements uses great photography and expert design sense to show how you can accomplish beautiful composites in Elements–from simpler tasks such as replacing an image background to more advanced ones such as creating a photomontage. Topics include making selections, working with layers, masking, and applying filters, effects, and layers styles. The book’ s tone is informative but loose and playful, as veteran designer Ted LoCascio mixes narrative ins

Combining Images with Photoshop Elements: Selecting, Layering, Masking, and Compositing $118.95 New – “Combining Images with Photoshop Elements uses great photography and expert design sense to show how you can accomplish beautiful composites in Elements–from simpler tasks such as replacing an image background to more advanced ones such as creating a photomontage. Topics include making selections, working with layers, masking, and applying filters, effects, and layers styles. The book’ s tone is informative but loose and playful, as veteran designer Ted LoCascio mixes narrative inst

Combining Images with Photoshop Elements: Selecting, Layering, Masking, and Compositing $71.32 New – Combining Images with Photoshop Elements uses great photography and expert design sense to show how you can accomplish beautiful composites in Elements–from simpler tasks such as replacing an image background to more advanced ones such as creating a photomontage. Topics include making selections, working with layers, masking, and applying filters, effects, and layers styles. The book’s tone is informative but loose and playful, as veteran designer Ted LoCascio mixes narrative instruction

Complete Guide to Filters for Digital Photography $38.98 New – Today’s photographer is faced with an overwhelming number of choices when it comes to using digital-camera and computer-based filtration. Help is here in this comprehensive overview. It provides the lowdown on how digital cameras respond to traditional photographic filters and which filters are the most useful to own. Photoshop filters and third-party plug-ins are explored. Learn to improve color rendition, create traditional filter effects, and more in the computer. Filters have always be

Complete Guide to Filters for Digital Photography $3.21 Used – Today’s photographer is faced with an overwhelming number of choices when it comes to using digital-camera and computer-based filtration. Help is here in this comprehensive overview. It provides the lowdown on how digital cameras respond to traditional photographic filters and which filters are the most useful to own. Photoshop filters and third-party plug-ins are explored. Learn to improve color rendition, create traditional filter effects, and more in the computer. Filters have always b