Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Photoshop CS4 New Features: Interface (lynda.com)

Deke McClelland walks through one of the great new features in CS4, tabbed windows...

Monday, December 22, 2008

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Books and Things

For those of looking for something to put on your Christmas list,
here are a few items I would recommend for post production work
in the way of Retouching and HDR.



The "Edge" of HDR


High Dynamic Range imagery has gotten a bit of a bad rap of late.  Image makers have labelled it with this edgy, illustrative and non-photographic look.  Although it depends on your taste on whether or not this "look" appeals to you or not, it is certainly NOT was HDR is all about.

In fact it is so much more!  Expanding the dynamic range of any given scene has been something photographers have struggled with or some time and once you get a better understanding of what "real" HDR is, you will soon realize that the game has just changed.  That's right - the possibilities are virtually endless.  It has so many applications and creative options and is by no means "push button".  It requires an understanding of what is really going on to get those incredible images.  Images that have no "label", they are just wonderful to look at and are indescribably unique.

Here is a tutorial I recently published through After Capture magazine and even though my taste may not mirror you as a reader, hopefully you wil get a better understanding of what happens behind the scenes.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Events and Workshops

This section will show a listing of upcoming events relative to HDR and Retouching. They will not be limited to events I am doing but anything that may help you s a reader.

8/2/09 • HDR Workshop - Penn Camera - ReScheduled!

12.27.08 - HDR Workshop



HDR Workshop with
Chris Alvanas
for photographers interested in learning about 
"High Dynamic Range" imaging

High Dynamic Range has become increasing popular with fine art and architectural photographers this year. This workshop is for anyone who uses Photoshop to process his or her images.It will consist of a lecture, presentation and demonstration on HDR by fine art and commercial photographer Chris Alvanas. Chris will define the terms, and explain how they are used as well as samples of why photographers' seek out a higher dynamic range in their images. 

Mr. Alvanas will talk through the set up process on how to set up the camera to bracket and when to use a tripod or cable release.  He will also discuss things to consider when defining your exposures and how much is enough. 

Finally, Chris will look at a couple of different ways to generate an HDR image and then tone mapping it into something that can be processed later in photoshop.  He will also discus how to achieve different looks depending on client or personal desires. 

Questions are encouraged.

About Chris
Chris’s images have appeared in Nikon World Magazine, Popular Photography, Nikon Product Guide, Nikon Pro Website, and in the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Nikon Calendars. His clients include: Nikon, Kodak, Procter & Gamble, Safilo Eyewear-Italy, Reebok, Armadani Jewelers, Bob’s Store, Samsonite, Newport International Polo, American Photo Magazine, Popular Photography Magazine, Rubberball and Getty Images. As a retoucher, Chris is a regular contributor to Layers Magazine and is included in the 2008 and 2009 Layers Magazine Best of the Year compilation DVD.

Chris is the Director of Photography at the Center for Digital Imaging Arts at Boston University in Washington DC, and Past President of the Portsmouth Arts Guild. He is a member of the Nikon Mentor Series and has taught photo treks in NYC, Boston, Newport, & Arches National Park.  He has presented at Photo Plus Expo, New York and PMA in Las Vegas. 

His Photoshop DVD’s are available at  www.rickspixelmagic.com.  
His podcasts can be viewed on iTunes under “Photoshop Alley” or on his website at www.lightyearimaging.com


Saturday, December 27, 2008 from 9 to 12 
at 
2701 East Main Artists
(formerly Armor Photography)
2701 East main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871

Cost: $100

Please register by email 
at
or 
by phone at
401.864.2899 (cell)
by
Monday December 22nd
(In case of inclement weather the workshop will be cancelled)


Presented by Jan Armor • The Digital Learning Center at 2701 East Main Artists

Friday, December 12, 2008

Welcome

This blog is dedicated to the advancement and better understanding of all things HDR (High Dynamic Range) and the fine art of Retouching...it will provide information relative to and assist those readers interested in advanced techniques and information in these areas.
You have no doubt asked why airhead?  Well, it comes from a Thomas Dolby song that my best friend and listened to with fun and enjoyment before he passed away over 5 years ago, so in memory of Will we have "AIRHEAD"...

Sit back and enjoy the information as I hope to bring you (at the very least) help you understand more about HDR, how to achieve it and the options you have in generating your images as well as some of the finer points of retouching.  Essentially techniques in developing the skills needed to become a digital artist.
Cheers

Chris

HDR, it all started when...

Let's start with some HDR...
I was out photographing detailed landscapes in search of scenes that had a higher dynamic range than my camera could capture in one frame.  I was looking for scenes with a lot of detail and contrast.  I was out with 2 photographer friends of mine, Mark Nadeau and Lenny Rumpler when we rolled passed this barn that was falling down.  We got permission to shoot it and proceeded to do so.  Later that day I began processing and merging exposures to HDR.  A recent reader of Ben Wilmore and his techniques helped get me started.  I was using Photomatix as a trial and only needed to see the first image to realize how much potential this really had.  This image was one of the first I processed and remember just looking at my monitor and laughing.