Category: Photography

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PhotoShop Saves the Day

The photo processing utility PhotoShop often gets a bad rap because scam artists and hucksters use it to create fake photos that mislead or cheat people. But it’s just a tool and shouldn’t be blamed because some people misuse it. It can be a life saver in some circumstances. Like the time my nephew, Keith, needed new head shots for a film role he was auditioning for and asked if I would do them. I agreed, but since all my photo gear was destroyed when our house burned in March 2021, and I’ve only just begun to repurchase equipment, all I had was my DSLR camera, a few filters, and two lenses. He recently moved, and his lights, backdrops and other gear needed to do proper head shots was still in storage, we decided to make do with a large piece of brown cardboard and my camera’s internal flash. Most of the photos (especially those we took outdoors) came out okay, but some of the closeups had a harsh shadow and the texture of the cardboard glaringly apparent. To make sure the photos would pass muster, I decided that it was time to invest in some proper post processing software, so I bought and installed PhotoShop. A few hours of practice to get the feel of it, and then I tackled the offending shots. Below, see before and after shots to show just what this amazing software can do.

Not a bad photo but the shadow behind the head is distracting.
Using PhotoShop, the shadow is removed and a lighter more even background put in. Cropping put more focus on the model, higher contrast brought out the colors, and the flesh tones were softened. Overall, a much better photograph.
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Photographing the Elusive Hummingbird

The hummingbird, a member of the trochilidae family, is a fast, aggressive, and elusive avian specimen. The only bird that can fly backwards, it has an acute sense of hearing, is very territorial and aggressive, and is extremely shy. This makes them difficult but fascinating photographic subjects.

At my daughter’s house in rural Howard County, Maryland, there is a hummingbird feeder in a maple tree just outside a room with a large bay window. It is frequented by a hummingbird that has become a challenge for me. I have, since moving in with them in April of this year, become determined to photographically document this agonizingly frustrating little bird.

Catching one in focus is difficult, but I’m getting there. With a digital camera, I tried auto setting, but the camera’s just too slow to focus, so I set it to manual focus, and on the ‘action’ setting for shutter speed. I then pre-focused on the feeder and then did what you have to do when taking pictures of any animal–waited, and waited. Whenever it shows up, I turn the camera (which I have hanging around my neck) on and slowly raise it to my eye. As soon as it’s generally aimed at the bird, I press the shutter release. On the action setting, it will take pictures continuously as long as the button’s pressed. With luck, I’ve managed to get a few that you see below, and each day I refine my skills.

My next challenge is to get photos of two that I’ve seen doing inflight fighting–a rare sight indeed.

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Little Things

I love strapping my camera around my neck and prowling the forests and parks of Maryland, especially during butterfly season. Here are some of the small creatures I’ve captured in my lens. From the Swarm X cicadas to to hummingbirds to swallowtail butterflies – I shoot them all.

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My new Photography Web Site

I’ve been a member of View Bug, a photo site for photographers of all skill levels, for several years now. This  year, I decided to upgrade my membership to pro level, and one of the perks of that is that they host a free custom web site from which I can feature and sell my best photos.  Please check it out and let me know what you think: at Uhuru Press Photography.