by Gavin Seim: Those who listen to the podcast know that while I spend much of my time in Lightroom, I’m a fan on OnOne’s plugins for Photoshop and I look forward to getting my review copies to check out and tell you about. Well I learned that they’ve released FREE versions of their Photo Tools and Photo Frame plugins. Yep I said free. Of course the paid versions are still available, but this free sample model is cool. It’s something I’ve used successfully for my Seim Effects for some time and it’s always a winner.
What more is there to say. Obviously these are stripped down form the pro versions, but useful tools just the same. You can get the free downloads here. By the way we also have a PPS reader deal with OnOne so if you decide you want to pick up any of their paid products use code PRPHTPC at checkout and you’ll save 15%. Enjoy… Gav
by Gavin Seim updated 10.18.09:
I like quick bursts of information and chat frequently as @gavinseim
on twitter. I’ve made this list of my favorite tips and ideas. I plan to update it throughout the year. You can add your favorite photo tweets and tips in the comments with your twitter name. I might even RT them myself.
I give credit when I can, using names in parenthesis. Some of these are my own little musings based on what I’ve learned, so I’ve indicated myself with an (S). If there’s no name then I probably don’t know the source. Remember that these are not always exact quotes, but ideas I’ve re-formed to fit in under 140 characters. Feel free to tweet them yourself. You can RT @gavinseim or link to this post with http://bit.ly/phototip.
Things to think on:
- Don’t wait for the photography establishment to try and stand out, because if you do, you won’t (S)
- I’m not afraid to change my opinion, but I am afraid of not having one. (S)
- It seems that by giving away knowledge we only get more of it. (S)
- Competition. A powerful tool that makes you stronger. Complaints about it are often cop outs from photographers not motivated enough to excel (S)
- Art is not about money. But it really really helps. (S)
- In photography rules mean conformity, and to conform is the opposite of creativity. (Whitmire)
- I’m tired of the industry telling photographers what a standard size is. My print size will be what I decide to make it. (S)
- Photography is painting with light. So if light is paint, why do we spend more time pressing buttons than mixing our paint? (S)
- Be Positive. It’s not just a blood type. (S)
- Each time I think I’m really good, I learn that I’m not as great as I thought. Then I actually start getting really good (S)
- Always do the best you can with what you have, but always push yourself to the next level. (S)
- A unique style is no longer unique once everyone is using it. (S)
- As photographers we often overlook the power of just practicing. It’s like giving ourselves our own workshop for free. (S)
- If a “picture” is worth a thousand words. A “photograph” is worth ten thousand. (S)
- Photography is painting with light. So if light is paint, why do we spend more time pressing buttons than mixing our paint? (S)
- It’s not the location you take your photos in. It’s the photos you take in your location. Anything can be a good background. (S)
Posing n more:
- Portraits. Guys tilt the head towards the low shoulder = macho. Girls tilt head towards high shoulder = pretty (Celentano)
- Bridal Portraits, Hold that bouquet on the hip to look thinner. Hands (and bouquets) held in front from make the bride look bigger. (Celentano)
- Group portrait. Just before the shot have everyone lift up their shoulders and lean towards the center. (Celentano)
- Portrait Tip: Look for triangles in your group poses. Use bodies, sitting, head position etc to form triangles. (Celentano)
- If posture pose and light is correct it does not matter where the camera sits. The pose is still set. (Gardener)
- Posing tip: If it bends, bend it. Play around with joints, elbows, fingers, everything.
- Posing tip: Leave some open space between those bent elbows and the waist. Helps make your subject slim n trim. (S)
Continue reading ‘Teeny Tiny Photography Tips 2009:’
I want to take a moment to plug a few new products over at my Seim Effects store, since these are what help keep this all going. I just released Hollywood Effects 2, the follow up to my first special effects actions for Photoshop. Also in a separate collection a brand new set of cool actions called Portraitist.
HE2 is filled with some pretty amazing effects. I love Lightroom, but it’s not a solo runner. These are the effects that simply can’t be done in LR and really make my best images shine. When you get HE2, it includes the Portraitist actions, which are my new skin retouching tools that perform tasks similar to expensive plugins, but right from an action and for a lot less money. They even include skin smoothing that retains detail in critical areas like eyes.
Anyways I’m stoked about how good they work. It’s the best actions I’ve ever made and has been a very successful release thanks to many of you. Of course I still love Lightroom. You can find my presets there as well. If you want to learn more head over to Seim Effects. Other than that, have a great weekend… Gavin Seim
by Gavin Seim: There’s some great photo tools and plugins out there, but they can be expensive and we all hate paying full price. To get you more bang for your buck I’ve been arranging vendor affiliate deals and discounts.
We’re getting a nice collection of savings and here they are compiled in one place. I’ll keep working on more deals and update this page with the latest deals. In the meantime you’re welcome to pass these along to your friends and save them some money too.
Current Special Sales…
Everyday Discount Codes…
- Seim Effect Tools. Save 15% Promo code: PPS
My own simple and FAST editing presets & actions
- NEW – Trey Ratfliffs Texture Packs. Save 15% Promo code: PPSH
I’m liking Trey’s textures. Great way to add spice. Comes with videos too.
- Topaz Labs. Save 15% Promo code: PROSHOW
DeNoise, Adjust, Enhance and more.
- Imagenomics. Save 15% Promo code: PPSIMG
Portraiture, Noiseware and more.
- Nik Software. Save 15% Promo code: PPS
Dfine, Viveza, Silver Effects and more.
- Photomatix Pro. Save 15% Promo code: PPS15
The all time favorite HDR software.
- OnOne Software. Save 15% Promo code: PRPHTPC
Genuine Fractals, Mask Pro, Focal Point and more.
The Product: OnOne Plug-in Suite 4 for Photoshop: Overall PPS Rating, 7/10
Includes Six plugins. We’ll review each separately below. Review by Gavin Seim
OnOne has given PPS a 15% off discount for readers. Use Promo Code PRPHTPC
The Hot:
- Product interfaces have become mostly unified making them easy to work with.
- When purchased as a suite, it’s a good value. You’ll have plenty to play with.
- Effects and tools are effective and generally simple to use and customize.
- Aperture & Lightroom* integration on certain apps
The Not:
- No auto update makes in version updates a hassle and easy to overlook.
- When purchased separately there’s STD/PRO options adding confusion and making the prices too high (not unlike many plugin companies. These so called Pro versions do not have enough extra features to warrant the cost. The full suite does include the pro versions where applicable however.
The Bottom Line:
This is a great collection of plugins. If you want to broaden your editing arsenal in one shot, Plugin Suite 4 is a great place to start. While the whole suite is the best value, all plugins can also be purchased separately.
*One thing to note is that Lightroom integration is little more than export plugins and not self contained integration in LR. This is probably due to limitation with Lightrooms support for plugins, but it’s still a disappointment.
Promo’s and discounts:
OnOne gives PPS some specials as well. Promo code PRPHTSHW is good everyday for 10% off any OnOne product. Also thru Dec 31st, here’s a promo page that will save you $100 on the suite. Note that OnOne has no say in this review, and it contains only my honest opinions.
Individual Product Reviews:
Genuine Fractals 6: Review 9/10
Genuine Fractals is a standard among many photographers when it comes up scaling image resolution. I use it whenever I make large prints. It can quickly take those pixels and make a 300DPI file for whatever print size I need. It can even add sharpening in the same pass (though I usually sharpen separately) GF just gives something more than built in Photoshop up-conversion methods and I really like it.
Continue reading ‘OnOne Plug-in Suite 4: Straight Dope Review’
Click To Listen>> Photography Roundtable Podcast PPS #53
Give us a present: Review in iTunes, or Vote on Podcast Alley
~Today’s topics. D3X, 5D MKII, Gadgets Galore, Marketing, Web~
The Panel:
Gavin Seim ~ Seim Studios
Kerry Garrison ~ Camera Dojo
Dennis Zerwas ~ DZ Photography
Scott & Adina Hayne ~ Hayne Photography
Kevin Swan ~ Kiss Books, New School, Weddings
Notable Time Indexes:
29:00 Gadget Guide
44:28 Kevin Swan joins the show. He has some great marketing tips.
1:57:30 After Show (Marketing and wedding talk)
Disclaimer: Do not use film cameras as fireplace fuel. They could cause hazardous fumes.
News & Info:
PPS deal page has various vendor discounts.
SeimEffects presets and actions SAVE 15% of all products with promo code PPS
Podcast #53 Forum Discussion:
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Continue reading ‘Pro Photo Roundtable. Podcast #53. Wild Christmas Party:’
