Make a Landscape photo Brighter

     This weeks assignment I had Read an article about PhotoShop in one of the PhotoShop User magazines. Write a post about what I read and what I learned from reading it.Instead I am subcribed to https://www.photographyacademy.com/ and read an article that I found interesting.

To enhance your landscape photos, the key might be a bright jacket. Placing a person in the frame can add interest, but for them to stand out and be the focal point, a vibrant jacket is crucial. The photo should tell a story with a central figure, and in the example above, the bright jacket ensures the person stands out in the vast landscape, making them the photo's hero.

Sketch out your day!

      As you know each one of us was born a creative genius, however, most of us were taught/socialized to be non-creative. It has also shown that by doing activities daily, each of us can become better at generating more and better ideas on a consistent basis. This week's creative exercise was Sketching as it is one of the best tools a designer can have in their kit. You don’t have to have the ability to draw. A sketch is your outline. Sketching can help you get ideas into a visual format quickly and even communicate more clearly with others.

1. Grab a pencil and paper.
2. Sketch out three things that have impacted you today.
3. If you are struggling with sketching your day, pick three objects on your desk and sketch those instead.

So today I arrived in Las Vegas for a convention for my business. All i was able to sketch were Cars, Cars and more Cars........ All i can think about today.

Visit and Discover Lakeland

This week's project was You have been hired by the City of Lakeland to create a series of 5 postcards (5 in x 7 in), based on a single theme to promote the city. You are free to determine your own audience. The postcards should tie together with consistent theme, border, and typography. The emphasis of this assignment is on composition, controlling dynamic and tonal ranges, and your ability to tell a compelling story with a single image. I chose to do it on people with an active lifestyle.

 Discover the Thrill of Lakeland, Florida: A Haven for Active Souls

Lakeland, Florida, a city nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of Polk County, beckons adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts with its vibrant array of attractions. For those leading an active lifestyle, Lakeland is a treasure trove waiting to be explored. Here are four must-visit places for those craving outdoor escapades:

1. Bonnet Springs: Kickstart your Lakeland adventure at Bonnet Springs, an oasis of natural beauty and recreational bliss. Here, you can indulge in invigorating hikes, paddleboarding across serene lakes, and relish the sight of exotic flora. With its lush gardens and tranquil ambiance, Bonnet Springs is a paradise for nature enthusiasts.

2. Circle B Reserve: Nature lovers will find solace at Circle B Reserve, a haven for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts. Embark on scenic trails where you can witness the majesty of native birds, alligators, and other wildlife in their natural habitat. The reserve’s diverse ecosystem and breathtaking views offer an unparalleled experience for outdoor enthusiasts.

3. Hollis Garden: Hollis Garden, a botanical masterpiece nestled in the heart of Lakeland, provides a serene escape for those seeking tranquility amidst vibrant blooms. Explore meticulously manicured gardens, adorned with an array of colorful flowers and ornate fountains. It's the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll or a relaxing picnic amid nature’s wonders.

4. Florida Air Museum Lakeland Florida: For the adventurous souls fascinated by aviation, the Florida Air Museum in Lakeland is a dream destination. Immerse yourself in the rich history of flight, marvel at vintage aircraft, and even take flight in a thrilling simulator. This museum offers a captivating experience for aviation enthusiasts of all ages.

Swansnation in Lakeland, Florida: Lakeland's charm extends beyond its natural wonders. The city is renowned for its iconic swan population, residing gracefully in the heart of Lakeland's Lake Morton. Visitors can revel in the sight of these elegant creatures, symbolizing Lakeland's serene beauty and embodying the city's spirit of grace and elegance.

In Lakeland, every corner tells a story, and every experience is an adventure waiting to unfold. So, lace up your hiking boots, pack your binoculars, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable journey in Lakeland, Florida—a paradise for those with an active soul.

Creativity Excercise II

 As you know each one of us was born a creative genius, however, most of us were taught/socialized to be non-creative. It has also shown that by doing activities daily, each of us can become better at generating more and better ideas on a consistent basis. This week's creative exercise was draw 30 identical circles on a sheet of paper, and set a timer for three minutes. Fill in as many circles as possible in the three minute window. In other words, focus on quantity, not quality.

As I finished my creative excercie I was able to only create six Circles were I thought about the circles.

TAKING A PORTRAIT TO THE NEXT LEVEL USING THE ELLIPSE TOOL

     This week's assignment was to read an article about PhotoShop in one of the PhotoShop User magazines and post it on my Blog. In the Photoshop user book of the October 2021 Issue, I read Hot Tips Section from Gimar Smith on Taking a Portrait to the Next Level Using the Ellipse Tool. 

To elevate a portrait using shape tools in Photoshop, follow these steps:

1. Create Shapes:

   • Add a blank layer and select the Ellipse tool in the Toolbar.
   • Drag while holding Shift to create a circle. Resize and position using Shift and Command (Ctrl on PC).
   • Duplicate the shape layer twice, resizing and filling each shape with different colors.

2. Arrange Shapes:

   • Place all shapes in a layer group.

3. Layer Mask:

   • Duplicate the Background layer and place it above the shapes group in the Layers panel.
   • Select the subject using a selection tool and click the Add Layer Mask icon.
   • Use the Elliptical Marquee tool to draw a circle around the subject's head while holding Shift.
   • Press Shift-Delete, choose White in the Fill dialog, and click OK to reveal the background around the subject's head.
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The art of Balance in Design

The Art of Balance: Exploring Symmetrical, Asymmetrical, and Radial Harmony in Design

In the world of design, balance is the unsung hero that quietly underpins the harmony and coherence of a composition. This crucial principle can be harnessed in three distinct ways: symmetrical balance, asymmetrical balance, and radial balance. Each type of balance offers its own unique approach to creating stability and visual appeal within a design.

1. Symmetrical Balance: Symmetrical balance is like a mirror reflecting perfect equilibrium. In this approach, design elements are arranged identically on either side of a central axis. This symmetry exudes a sense of stability and order, making it a popular choice for formal and classical designs. Think of a butterfly's wings, a perfectly centered architectural facade, or a well-balanced book cover. Symmetrical balance embodies a timeless elegance that's visually soothing.

2. Asymmetrical Balance: Asymmetrical balance takes a more dynamic and creative path. It involves the strategic placement of different elements to achieve equilibrium without mirroring. It's about visual weight, not exact mirroring. By thoughtfully distributing elements, designers can achieve balance while infusing their compositions with energy and tension. Asymmetrical balance often lends itself to contemporary and artistic designs, allowing for experimentation and expression. A well-executed asymmetrical composition can convey movement, spontaneity, and a sense of surprise, making it a powerful choice for everything from magazine layouts to modern art pieces.

3. Radial Balance: Radial balance, on the other hand, emanates from a central focal point and radiates elements outward. Think of a flower with its petals, a sunburst, or the ripples on a pond when a stone is tossed into it. Radial balance has a natural, harmonious quality that draws the viewer's eye toward a central point of interest. It's often used to create designs with a circular or spiral layout and is particularly effective in conveying a sense of unity and movement. It's a great choice when you want to guide the viewer's attention from the periphery toward the center.

In practice, designers often combine these types of balance to create compelling and well-rounded compositions. They may use symmetrical elements for a solid foundation, add asymmetry for vitality, and introduce a central point of interest for a touch of radial balance. The key is to understand how these balance principles can complement each other to create visually appealing and harmonious designs. Whether you're crafting a logo, a website, or a work of art, the artful use of balance ensures that your designs are not only stable but also engaging and memorable.

HDR Photography

 Unlocking the Vibrant World of HDR Photography

HDR photography, an acronym for High Dynamic Range, is a technique that opens the door to a world of vibrant and striking images. It's a method that allows photographers to capture a wider range of luminosity than conventional photography, delivering pictures with unparalleled depth and detail. Exploring this technique has been a transformative journey, unveiling the nuances of light, color, and tone in a way that traditional photography seldom can. Here are some techniques:

1. Bracketing HDR: This method involves capturing multiple exposures of the same scene, usually three to five shots, at varying exposure levels. Typically, it includes an underexposed shot to capture highlights, a properly exposed shot for mid-tones, and an overexposed shot to capture shadows. These images are then merged using specialized software, blending the best parts of each exposure to create a final image with an extended dynamic range.

2. Exposure Blending: Exposure blending is a manual technique where the photographer blends different exposures of a scene using image editing software like Photoshop. This method offers precise control over the blending process, allowing the photographer to selectively blend specific areas of each exposure for a seamless and natural-looking final image.

3. Tone Mapping: Tone mapping is a process used after merging multiple exposures. It involves compressing the tonal range of the image to fit within the limitations of a standard display, such as a computer screen or print. Tone mapping techniques vary widely, from subtle enhancements that maintain a realistic look to more artistic and surreal approaches that emphasize dramatic contrasts and vibrant colors.

4. Exposure Fusion: Exposure fusion is a technique that combines different exposures of an image by selecting the best-exposed pixels from each exposure. Unlike traditional HDR, exposure fusion aims for a more natural look, avoiding the exaggerated contrast often associated with HDR photography. This method is excellent for capturing interior shots with mixed lighting conditions, creating a balanced and realistic image.

5. Single Shot HDR: Some advanced cameras and smartphones have a built-in HDR mode that captures a high dynamic range in a single shot. These devices use advanced algorithms to analyze the scene's contrast and adjust the exposure settings in real-time, producing an image that retains details in both highlights and shadows. While not as flexible as bracketing HDR, this method is convenient for quick and spontaneous HDR photography. THIS IS THE METHOD I USED WITH MY CAMERA THEN EDITED IT WITH LIGHTROOM.

Each HDR technique offers a different approach to achieving a high dynamic range, catering to various shooting scenarios and artistic preferences. Photographers often choose the method that best suits the scene they want to capture and the level of creative control they desire over the final image.

The essence of HDR photography lies in its ability to blend multiple exposures of the same scene, capturing various levels of brightness, and merging them into a single image. This process captures the brilliance of highlights, the richness of shadows, and the multitude of tones in between. The result is an image that mirrors the scene as our eyes perceive it, brimming with life and texture.

Understanding the nuances of HDR involves mastering the art of balancing exposure. It's not merely about taking bracketed shots; it's about selecting the right exposures to merge, ensuring a seamless transition from the brightest highlights to the darkest shadows. This delicate balance is the cornerstone of compelling HDR imagery, enabling photographers to evoke emotions and create a visual narrative with everyone.

Moreover, HDR photography taught me the importance of subtlety. While the technique allows for dramatic and surreal effects, the best HDR images often maintain a sense of realism. It’s about enhancing the natural beauty of a scene rather than overpowering it with excessive editing. Learning to use HDR judiciously, enhancing the image while preserving its authenticity, became a valuable skill.

HDR photography also sharpened my eye for light. I learned to observe how light interacts with different surfaces, how it dances across water, and how it plays with textures. This heightened awareness of light has not only transformed my HDR photography but also influenced how I perceive and capture light in all forms of photography.

In essence, HDR photography is a powerful tool that extends beyond technicalities. It’s a creative endeavor that invites photographers to explore the full spectrum of visual possibilities.

Cars (Creativity Exercise)

 This week's Creativity Excercise is to go to an antique car show and go wild. Try low-angle shots with a wide-angle lens or close-ups of cool wheels, chromed engines or manufacturer emblems.

Photography Specialty (Macro Photography)

Exploring Macro Photography

Macro photography, the art of capturing extreme close-ups of tiny subjects, is an enchanting journey into the hidden world around us. It's not merely about taking pictures; it's about unraveling the intricate details that our eyes often miss. Armed with specialized lenses and a keen eye for detail, macro photographers dive into a universe where a dewdrop becomes a crystal ball, and an ant’s face transforms into a landscape of textures.

One of the key nuances of macro photography lies in its demand for patience and precision. Unlike regular photography, where subjects are more cooperative, capturing tiny creatures or delicate flowers requires a different level of dedication. Waiting for the right moment when a butterfly lands on a flower or when a raindrop settles on a leaf requires not just technical skill but also a profound understanding of the subject’s behavior and natural habitat.

Mastering the art of macro photography involves understanding light in a unique way. The play of light and shadows on a minuscule scale can dramatically alter the mood and tone of the photograph. Manipulating natural light, using diffusers, or incorporating artificial lighting setups are essential skills that macro photographers need to develop.

Composition is another critical aspect. In macro photography, a slight shift in angle can change the entire narrative of the image. Finding the right balance between the subject and its surroundings, ensuring the background doesn’t distract but complements the subject, is a constant challenge.

Moreover, macro photography taught me the beauty of patience and observation. I learned that every tiny insect or plant has a story to tell, a unique feature waiting to be highlighted. It taught me to slow down, to appreciate the world in a different way. Each click of the camera became an exploration, a chance to discover something new, something astonishing in the seemingly mundane.

In conclusion, macro photography is not just a genre; it’s a doorway to a magical world waiting to be explored. It's about celebrating the marvels of nature, delving into the details that often go unnoticed. Through this fascinating journey, I’ve not just honed my photography skills but also gained a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the small and the subtle, a lesson that extends far beyond the lens.

Exploring Texture in photography

During this project, I had to take a series of photographs to explore texture and explain what I learned about seeing texture in the world around me and how it can improve a photograph.

Texture in photography adds depth and tactile quality to images, transforming the two-dimensional into a multi-sensory experience. Whether capturing the rough, weathered bark of a tree, the soft, velvety petals of a flower, or the gritty, uneven surface of a cobblestone street, texture invites viewers to connect with the photograph on a visceral level. It engages their sense of touch and imagination. Texture can be accentuated through lighting, emphasizing shadows and highlights to make surfaces pop. In photography, texture becomes a language, allowing photographers to convey the physical and emotional aspects of the subjects they capture. I learned that adding black deepens the shadows giving the object the appearance of more texture.

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 4

Photo 5

The Power of Unity in Design: Achieving Cohesion through Core Principles

 Unity, often referred to as harmony, is a pivotal principle in design. It takes a seemingly disparate array of elements and orchestrates them into a cohesive and harmonious composition. Achieving unity is a multifaceted process, and it relies on several core principles that emphasize the importance of consistency and connection in design. These principles, when harnessed, result in a visually appealing and impactful whole.

1. Proximity:

Proximity is about grouping related elements together. By placing objects or information with a close spatial relationship, you naturally create a sense of connection and coherence in your design. This helps the viewer identify relationships and hierarchy within the content, ensuring a smooth and intuitive visual experience.

2. Similarity: Similarity refers to the use of consistent colors, shapes, or other visual attributes to link related elements. When elements share common characteristics, it signifies their connection and reinforces the overall unity of the design.

3. Continuation: Continuation involves using lines or patterns to guide the viewer's eye through the design. This principle allows for the seamless flow of information and maintains a sense of connectedness, even when dealing with complex compositions.

4. Repetition: Repetition is a powerful tool in design. Consistently repeating elements such as colors, fonts, or icons reinforces the unity of a design. It provides a rhythm and predictability that aids in the comprehension and retention of information.

5. Rhythm: Rhythm in design is akin to the rhythm in music; it sets a pace and guides the viewer's experience. By using a consistent and repeating pattern, you create a visual beat. This rhythm can be regular, irregular, or alternating, depending on your design goals. It adds structure and predictability to the design, enhancing unity.

6. Theme Consistency: Unity also benefits from maintaining thematic consistency. Whether you're designing a brand identity or an editorial layout, the theme serves as the overarching narrative that ties all elements together. A consistent theme sets the mood and reinforces the message, ensuring that every aspect of the design complements and enhances the others.

In summary, unity in design is a multi-faceted concept that relies on core principles such as proximity, similarity, continuation, repetition, and rhythm. By skillfully applying these principles and maintaining thematic consistency, designers can create compositions that are not only visually appealing but also coherent and harmonious. Achieving unity ensures that every element works together, resulting in a design that is not just a collection of parts but a meaningful and impactful whole.