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Another iPad Application for Photographers

by Dave Warner on September 2, 2010

One of the interesting things that is happening out in Apple land is the proliferation of ‘applications’ for photographers. No, I don’t mean the program that will manipulate the image on your iPhone or iPad, but content. In the old days, we called it eLearning, computer based training, computer assisted instruction – you get the idea. But now, it’s call an ‘app’. Seems like every photographer out there is racing to get their slice of knowledge out to the world through this mechanism. The first ones I’ve looked at are pretty lame, but when you spend 99 cents on it, you can’t get too angry about it. Odds are, you’ll look at it once and then never mess with it again.

However, they are starting to get better, and I got a press release (below) from San Francisco Bay Area photographer Kim Binfield. She was also kind enough to give me a code to unlock the program for free (saved me $1.99) and test it out.

This is one of the first ones that is starting to ‘get it’ when it comes to putting some educational content on the iPad. They’ve got a menu that allows you to navigate to the tutorials, a glossary of terms, resources, contact and an about page.  Each of the tutorials has text, sample images and they give you the equipment and settings that were used. Not too bad. So, my recommendation? Worth the $1.99 if you are new to photography and interested in portrait shooting. What should these types of programs have that they’re missing? Well, when we get to branching, using some instructional design concepts, voice over and a quiz to test how much you’ve retained after you finish – we’ll be there.

Announcing the launch of “Portrait Classroom” – a brand new iPad App for aspiring photographers!

Owners of digital SLR (DSLR) cameras, many of them new parents, often ask: “Why aren’t my photos any better than the ones I took with my point and shoot camera” and, “Why don’t they look like the photos taken by professionals?”

Now, in a series of 10 tutorials, the all new ‘Portrait Classroom: Baby and Child Photography Tutorials’ App (currently available exclusively for the iPad) teaches camera owners how to take portraits of babies and children like a professional photographer!

PORTRAIT CLASSROOM: Baby and Child Photography Tutorials has been created by San Francisco Bay Area photographer Kim Binfield, to help anyone improve their photography. Available now from the iTunes App Store, for just $1.99, the App expertly describes from start to finish how to create stunning, keepsake portraits. Ten example portraits with detailed tutorial text and ‘before and after’ images describe how users can create similar portraits using their own digital SLR camera. Users of the App will learn about techniques and resources that will enable them to capture the images they’ve always wanted!

EACH TUTORIAL:

- Describes, in simple language, the set up for the portraits (including notes on composition and interacting with the subjects)

- Provides essential details on the camera, lens, ISO, shutter speed and aperture settings used

- Describes the portrait’s natural light and how to replicate it (no external flash systems or lighting are used for the portraits allowing amateur users ease of replication)

- Presents a full range of ‘before and after’ shots showing how the final image was obtained including shots straight out of the camera and through to post processing

- Details the editing steps taken in Adobe Photoshop that will often also apply to Photoshop Elements and similar editing programs

PORTRAIT CLASSROOM has been created for parents, hobbyists, and aspiring semi-pro photographers who want a hands-on guide to taking better pictures of babies and children. For those who have bought a DSLR camera but can’t get photos any better than their point-and-shoot camera, or if they are using their DSLR on ‘green’ auto mode, then this App is for them!

Users of PORTRAIT CLASSROOM will learn how to get professional looking results with their existing camera equipment and learn about additional photography gear, software and resources, much of it inexpensive, that can further enhance their portraits. Many of the tips included in the App can be applied to point-and-shoot cameras as well, though the App is geared more towards DSLR cameras.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Download the Portrait Classroom iPad App at the iTunes store or via: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/portrait-classroom-baby-child/id385486822?mt=8#

Read the Portrait Classroom Blog: http://www.portraitclassroom.wordpress.com

View the Portrait Classroom Demo video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6BKhuo_EZM

Join the Portrait Classroom Facebook Group: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Portrait-Classroom/148498991834270

Join the Portrait Classroom Flickr Group (users of the App can upload images they have taken using tips from the App): http://www.flickr.com/photos/portraitclassroom/

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Photographer Kim Binfield provides premier, custom portraiture within the San Francisco Bay Area. She formed her portrait photography business in 2005 after nearly two decades of enjoying the craft. She is a mother of two young children, a ‘mompreneur’ and is available for interviews at: portraitclassroom@gmail.com.

CONTACT: portraitclassroom@gmail.com for further screenshots, promotional codes to review the App, or additional information about the App (which is available now, for just $1.99 from the App Store)

QUOTES FROM USERS OF THE BETA VERSION:

“Provides as much information as a detailed series of magazine articles, but for a fraction of the cost.” — Paul Blair, Edinburgh

“The Before and After shots were particularly useful alongside the text. I will use many of these tips next time I’m taking photos of my kids.” — Carrie Gallison, California

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Craft & Vision Releases Another e-Book: The Magic of Black & White – Part III, Nine Photos by Andrew S. Gibson.

by Dave Warner on August 19, 2010

The Magic of Black & White – Part III, Nine Photos, takes us through nine gorgeous black and white images with the goal of teaching more advanced techniques to give our images more subtlety and power. Clearly taught in Photoshop, and 5 of the lessons in Photoshop Elements, Andrew takes us through Toning, Split Toning, Exposure Blending, Textures, and the creation of Diptyches and Triptyches, all without losing sight of the idea that our work should be driven by intent with the goal of creating photographs that honor the Artist’s need for expression and the Geek’s need for excellence of craft. And all that without getting mired down – the examples and the illustrations Andrew provides compliment his clear teaching style and make this book a pleasure to read.

There’s a special offer (of course):

For the first four days only, fans/followers/friends/and readers of this blog can use the promotional code WHITE4 when you checkout and can have The Magic of Black & White (Part 3) for only $4 OR you can use the code WHITE20 to get 20% off when you buy 5 or more eBooks from the Craft & Vision collection. These codes expire at 11:59pm PST August 22, 2010. So, if you’d like to purchase ANY of these eBooks, please click here!

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Craft & Vision Releases Another eBook – Chasing Reflections – The Print & Process Series by Eli Reinholdtsen

by Dave Warner on July 29, 2010

Chasing Reflections is the third in the series The Print & The Process. Eli Reinholdtsen is a creative photographer who, through her unique and skillful approach to reflections, captures moments and juxtapositions that are truly an art form at its finest. Reinholdtsen digs deep and shares tangible ways to scout, setup, and shoot complex and magical photographs that push the envelope of visual poetry. Her playful descriptions aren’t shy of digging deep into the techniques required to capture movement, timing, and contrast.

Chasing Reflections is an inspiring collection of 37 photographs that stand on their own a pieces of pure art (The Print) followed by a discussion of the creation of those visual moments (The Process). Chasing Reflections is a available now for $5.

And, like you didn’t know… OF COURSE there’s a special offer

For the first four days only, if you use the promotional code REFLECT4 when you checkout, you can have Chasing Reflections for only $4 OR use the code REFLECT20 to get 20% off when you buy 5 or more books from the Craft & Vision collection. These codes expire at 11:59pm PST August 1, 2010. So, if you’d like to purchase ANY of these eBooks, please click here!

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David DuChemin Releases Another eBook – Safari! Second in the Series “The Print & The Process”

by Dave Warner on July 8, 2010

SAFARI, A Monograph is the second in the series The Print & The Process. David duChemin unpacks the images from a 10-day safari in Kenya, first letting the images speak for themselves then diving deep into the process behind the photographs. This eBook offers an honest discussion about the issues connected to the creation of duChemin’s SAFARI monograph, including the gear used, the techniques employed, and the lessons learned. It’s a 62-page PDF eBook that will provide you with inspiration amidst the details of the Why and the How. This is not so much about how to photograph your first safari, though you’ll learn that too; it’s a look at the lessons learned, and re-learned, by a photographer who is now 25 years into his craft. Also included are the Adobe Lightroom settings used for Serengeti Chocolate, the duo-tone look in which much of his SAFARI monograph has been styled, and a downloadable Lightroom Preset. SAFARI, A Monograph is a available now for $5.

And, like you didn’t know… OF COURSE there’s a special offer!

For the first four days only, if you use the promotional code SAFARI4 when you checkout, you can have SAFARI, A Monograph for only $4 OR use the code SAFARI20 to get 20% off when you buy 5 or more books from the Craft & Vision collection. These codes expire at 11:59pm PST JULY 11, 2010. So, if you’d like to purchase ANY of these eBooks, please click here!

Editors Note: These books are really great! You have fantastic imagery, a great narrative about how the images were shot, equipment and the ‘why’ behind the trip. On top of that, David includes his presets to get the ‘look’ you see in the above photograph! A great value at just $5 and the promotion with a dollar off? Heck of a deal!

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Craft & Vision Releases Another e-Book: Vision in Motion by Trevor Meier

by Dave Warner on June 24, 2010

Vision In Motion is an introduction to digital video for stills photographers. Written by Trevor Meier, both a professional stills photographer and film-maker, this eBook discusses the core issues of motion storytelling.

No doubt about it, video is an entirely different medium than stills photography. It’s a different language spoken with different technology and created with different processes. For digital still photographers there is often a great deal of cross-over, but without some help things can easily get lost in translation. Join Trevor as he takes you through the core issues and sets you on the right path to beginning to put your vision in motion.

And, like you didn’t know… OF COURSE there’s a special offer:

For the first few days only, if buyers use the promotional code MOTION4 when they checkout, they can have the latest eBook for only $4 OR they can use the code MOTION20 to get 20% off when they buy 5 or more books from the Craft & Vision collection. These codes expire at 11:59pm PST June 27, 2010. So, if you’d like to purchase ANY of these eBooks, please click here!

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Alien Skin Software Announces Exposure 3 Plug-in for Adobe Photoshop CS5 Software

June 22, 2010

Adobe Photoshop CS5 64-bit support on Mac and Windows.  Tight Adobe Lightroom integration.  Hundreds of new presets including aged film and funky toy camera effects. Raleigh, North Carolina – June 22, 2010 – Alien Skin Software today announces the immediate availability of Exposure® 3, the new version of its photography effects plug-in for Adobe® Photoshop®.  [...]

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New eBook Released – VENICE, A Monograph The Print & Process by David DuChemin

June 10, 2010

VENICE, A Monograph is the first in The Print & Process series, a series created to give the photograph a place to stand on its own within a small body of work (The Print) followed by a discussion of the creation of those images (The Process). It’s a more intimate look into the process of [...]

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