Month: November 2013

Topaz Black Friday Sale: November 27 through December 2nd.

This is a quick reminder to let you know that the Complete Collection sale starts tomorrow and runs through December 2nd. If you have been waiting for the Complete Collection to go on sale this is your chance. The Complete Collection will be on sale for $199.99 (normally it’s $379.99) with this promo code: blackfriday2013

Please use this link to order the Complete Collection:

http://www.topazlabs.com/705.html

THE TOPAZ LABS Image Enhancement Bundle is designed for photographers that want the look and feel of hours of photoshop work in less time and with more ease.

The action packed bundle enables photographers to enhance their photographic visions quickly and easily, with flexible adjustments that are easy to apply and customize. With simple solutions essential to the post processing workflow, Topaz Labs’ software makes it easy to achieve advanced corrective and creative Photoshop techniques – often in just a single click!

INNOVATIVE WORKFLOW INTEGRATION

Enjoy simple integration into your existing workflow. No host? No problem. The all new photoFXlab is your One-Stop Topaz workshop! With access to your Topaz plug-ins and extras like an intuitive layered workflow, built-in masking, advanced edge-aware brushes, unique toning ability, and support of select 3rd party plug-ins, your Topaz photo enhancement workflow is now easier and even more effective!  Learn more at:

http://www.topazlabs.com/705.html

Open Up a World of Unlimited Creative Photo Possibilities

Let’s face it, the image your digial camera captures isn’t always what you envisioned. When this happens we all just want a quick and easy way to bring our original vision to life, and give our photos that WOW factor! Topaz software is the most effective way to supercharge your post-processing workflow and get the looks that you want without spending all day on the computer – or breaking the bank. Whether you’re a photo enthu- siast, hobbyist, an advanced amateur or an experienced pro, you can benefit from the flexibility and convenience offered by this robust image enhancement toolset.

1. Browse & Apply presets for a quick 1-click workflow
2. Preview your original and adjusted image
3. Customize your image with intuitive adjustment sliders

Put the Topaz Labs programs to the test with your photos using a FREE fully- functional 30-day trial. Sign up today at: http://www.topazlabs.com/705.html to get started.

Make photos pop with creative exposure, detail and color tools.

Enhance detail and sharpen with no halos or artifacts.

High-quality noise reduction. Remove noise, preserve detail.

Simulate lenses, filters and specialty camera effects.

Masking is made easy with this fast and easy-to-use tool.

Control over unique smoothing, texturing and edge stylization.

Create traditional and stylized black and white images.

Quickly and effectively sharpen, refine and deblur images.

Instantly transform any photo into an artistic work of art.

Restore optimal JPEG image integrity and remove artifacts.

 

http://www.topazlabs.com/705.html

Building a Template

Untitled
 Building a Template

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Not much I can say about this HDR image of a tradesman at work on a template that will be used to guide steel columns when they are driven into the river bank. I liked the texture of his work clothes against the rusty steel and the way the scene composed itself for me. I merged a three frame bracket set of -2, 0 and +2 EV exposures in NIK HDR EFex Pro 2 and finished the image in Aperure 3.

 

 

Billy, David and David

Billy Baughman, David Figueroa and David Morse at Work Drilling a Pier.
Billy Baughman, David Figueroa and David Morse at Work Drilling a Pier.

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In the HDR image David Figueroa and Billy Baughman are monitoring the progress that David Morse is making on the drilling of this pier. They are close to the final depth and are clearing out the debris in the hole before taking measurements to determine if they are deep enough into the bedrock.

David Morse and David Figueroa Measure Their Progress.
David Morse and David Figueroa Measure Their Progress.

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In this HDR image David Morse is measuring the depth of the drill shaft as his assistant and Oiler, David Figueroa , looks on. David is using a tape measure fitted with a weight, known as a plumb bob, that allows him to probe the bottom of the hole to attain accurate measurements. Once they are satisfied that the depth is correct they will clear the rest of the mud and rocks from the drilled shaft and turn it over to the Ironworkers who will place a caisson in the shaft in preparation for filling it with concrete.

Bothe of these images are three frame bracket sets using -2, 0 and +2 EV exposures which were merged in NIK HDR Efex Pro 2 and finished in Aperture 3.

Rigging in Black and White

Rigging
Rigging

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Today’s post is a closeup os some of the rigging that is used to move large items with the cranes. This image was originally a three exposure bracket set using -2, 0 and +2 EV exposures which I merged in NIK HDR Efex Pro 2 before taking the merged image into NIK Silver Efex Pro 2 where I used the Antique Plate preset to convert it to B&W. After making a few adjustments to exposure, contrast and film type I returned it to Aperture 3 for sharpening.

November Sunset #2

Ohio River Bridges Project at Sunset #2
Ohio River Bridges Project at Sunset #2

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This HDR image was also taken from the Big Four Bridge approach ramp Wednesday evening. I was down in Waterfront Park to capture the sunset over the Walsh Construction Downtown Span section of the Ohio River Bridges Project when I saw that the few remaining clouds were picking up a gorgeous pink light. I stuck around and was lucky enough to get this image.

My processing was pretty straightforward using NIK HDR Efex Pro 2 to merge and align the bracket set and using the balanced preset to start my final processing in Aperture 3. It took a while to get the contrast and color to suit me but after a few minutes of experimenting I settled on this image.