This week’s photo challenge was all about looking at things from a new angle. The MCP Shot Me Group photography challenge for this week is to capture a photo from a new or different angle. Shoot high, shoot low, the choice is yours.
Join the photography challenge! It is a great way to grow as a photographer. You can be creative, try new things and shoot these images free from the pressure of perfection. You will also have the support of a large group of photographers who can assist you and provide you with feedback as you work on specific themes and skills.
We loved seeing your “angle” on this challenge. Here are a few of our favorites:
Submitted by Justin Borden
Submitted by Megan Griffeth Barrow
Submitted by Nichole Harpel
Submitted by Sharon Peters
Make sure to check the album on the group page for more creative takes on the photo challenge this week. We want to thank everyone who submitted a photo for the challenge. You have one more week on this theme, so come join our Facebook Group and participate now.
The editing challenge continued this week with more edits of Maria Arcement’s heartfelt photo. It is amazing how the different edits create a distinct feeling to the picture.
Several of members of the group have shared new edits this week. Here are a few of the favorites:
Edited by Amanda Holowaty
Edited by Erin Niehenke
Edited by Melissa Robinson Dickie
The photo challenges give you a chance to edit other photographer’s images, share them for critique, and see how others edit the same photographs. Participating allows you to practice editing, learn how to give constructive criticism, and watch what steps or Photoshop actions and Lightroom presets are used in various edits. Join us to edit the bi-weekly photos.
If you have an idea on how you’d edit the image below, or want to see and learn what others did, JOIN US HERE.
Again, thank you Maria Arcement for allowing us to use this photo. The current challenges are linked at the top of the group. Remember, you can also ask for critique on your edit.
We will have a new edit challenge starting Monday, so come back to see what image you can edit then.
We made the pin-able graphic for fun. But if you prefer read text on screen…. the below area is for you…
7 Tips for Your Next Outdoor Photography Newborn Session
1. TIMING
The best time of day to shoot a newborn session is one hour prior to sunset during the “golden hour.”
2. EXPOSURE/METERING
For proper exposure, shoot in manual mode. Set your ISO and aperture. Then get very close to the baby’s forehead and use center weight metering. Adjust your shutter speed while watching your in camera meter, and do not let it go below 1/125. If it does, increase your ISO.After setting your exposure, go to your shooting position.
3. HELPING HANDS
Be sure to have plenty of back up so that someone is always an arms reach away, spotting the baby.
4. WEATHER
Make sure you do not take a baby out unless it is at least 80F but no warmer then 90F. If you do decide to shoot in the middle of the day be sure to find shade or to make your own shade to protect the baby’s skin.
5. NOISE
Bring a portable white noise device (there are some great iphone apps for this) so that there is plenty of background noise.
6. COMFORT/SAFETY/FUN
Make sure that the baby has a full belly and is posed safely and comfortably before you begin. And have fun!
7. EDITING NEWBORN IMAGES
Whether your images just need a little boost or require more extensive retouching, MCP Newborn Necessities actions for Photoshop and Elements, make editing easier.
Need more help photographing newborns? Check out our Online Newborn Photography Workshop.
As a photographer, my personal style is bright and colorful so I love when spring rolls around and color starts to emerge! We’re starting to see the grass and trees turn green in Idaho and I use a few tools to really enhance that color.
My workflow is pretty simple and I keep it consistent so when clients view my site, they immediately see my style and whether or not we’re a fit.
Here’s a quick overview of my workflow with my outdoor sessions:
1. I shoot in RAW, so I make any necessary adjustments. I’m an obsessive gray carder, so I didn’t need to make any initial adjustments in my color balance.
2. With a curves layer, I do a very slight s-curve, raising my midtones and deepening my shadows.
3. I then use the Magic See Saw action from MCP’s Bag of Tricks to do a check on my color. My color values told me that I needed to lower my cyan a touch, so I made those adjustments.
4. Next, I use the Color Finder action from the same set of photoshop actions, MCP’s Bag of Tricks, to really enhance all the color in those trees! In this photo, the sun was behind my client and I was really able to bring out the yellows and oranges caused by the sun. I loved the effect of it because it really tied in the mustard yellow color in the little boy’s pants. I did just a tiny bit of color enhancement on the grass. Saturating the color too much made it look fake to me and I prefer a more natural look. I reduced my opacity to about 40-50%.
5. Finally, I use the free Photoshop action, MCP’s High Definition Sharpening, to sharpen the picture, erasing back the hair so it is not over-sharpened.
These simple steps really made this classic family portrait pop and enhanced the spring colors beginning to show!
Melissa Gephardt is a military wife and mom of 3 who specializes in children’s portraiture. Currently residing in Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, she looks forward to their next adventure in life as they move to another military base this summer! Her work can be found at www.melissagphotography.com or on Facebook at Melissa Gephardt Photography .
