Browsing all posts in Lightroom 3.

Is True SOOC Possible

One of the great things about photography is there are few absolutes. Even an image that’s overexposed or underexposed can be interesting and compelling to some people. What really makes a good photograph is whether the photographer thinks it is. It doesn’t make any difference if I like it or if the next person likes [...]

Curves Explained

In Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3, you can use the Tone Curve panel to adjust the tone and contrast of your photographs. In the Develop module, scroll down to the Tone Curve panel: When you shoot in RAW and import to Lightroom, Lightroom automatically applies a “medium” amount of contrast to your photo. To quickly adjust [...]

Noise Reduction in Lightroom

The technology contained within today’s DSLR cameras enable us to take startlingly clear photographs in near-darkness. Sensors are more sensitive, ISO’s go up to 12,000+, and lenses get faster and faster. However, that capability to take photos in low light costs us in the way of increased noise. Noise is that “grain” you see, which [...]

My Lightroom Workflow

A few folks have sent messages, asking for advice on how to manage a post-production workflow that includes hundreds of photographs. So I thought I would share with you all my personal workflow for post-processing, using Adobe Lightroom 3. Since my husband and I went off-roading last weekend, I have 171 photos to process of [...]

Sharpening De-Mystified

We all want absolutely tack-sharp photos. We all know that sharpness begins with the shot itself – there is no saving a blurry photo in post-production. We are somewhat familiar with sharpening techniques in Lightroom or Photoshop, but what is the best way to apply sharpening for landscapes? Portraits? Cars? Street scenes? When is the [...]

A Splash of Color in Lightroom

Here is how to add a splash of color to a black and white photo, using Lightroom 3. The original photo (SOOC): I want to make the entire photo black and white, with the exception of the red stairs. In the Develop module, click on the Adjustment Brush, and in the tool menu that appears, [...]

What Photoshop Product Should I Buy First?

Recently, a Beyond Megapixels reader emailed us the question, “I’m new to photography and was wondering what Photoshop I should buy first?” I responded to the email and got to thinking that this would make a good article. Comparing image processing software is a lot like comparing other things that are mostly opinion driven. – [...]

Eight Reasons Why I Love Photography

Recently I read, on another photography blog, an article entitled “10 Reasons Why I Hate Photography.” I’m pretty sure that the writer had his tongue firmly planted in his cheek when he wrote and posted the article but he did make a few good points. His article prompted me to list eight of the reasons [...]

John Shaw Nature and Digital Photography Seminars (cont.)

Last week I reviewed the first day of the John Shaw seminar I attended recently. Today, I’ll review the second day. The second day of the seminar was largely about workflow management using Adobe Lightroom 3. John stressed that what he was going to present was what works for him. It’s how he does it [...]