Alien Skin Updates Exposure X3 Workflow


Exposure X3 Workflow update is out

 

Here’s what’s new in this update:

  • HSL tools to adjust hue, saturation, and luminance for each color
  • Targeted adjustment tools for detailed color adjustments
  • Kelvin-values for RAW images that record white balance
  • Printing
  • Expanded camera and lens support
  • Enhancements to watermarks, side-by-side view, keywords, and collections
  • New Fujifilm-inspired presets
  • And much more

 

 

Get Exposure X3 from Alien Skin with its new updated workflow

 

You can always try Alien Skin Software free for 30 days.

 

#alienskin #exposureX3 #update #affiliate


 

light tent

Review of the LimoStudio 16″ x 16″ Table Top Photo Photography Studio Lighting Light Tent Kit in a Box

The LimoStudio 16″ x 16″ Table Top Photo Photography Studio Lighting Light Tent Kit in a Box,  Model AGG349

 

I was looking for a way to photography items that I am posting on eBay and didn’t want to spend a lot of money to get a professional lightbox. This item fits the budget coming in at around $40.

 

The kit comes with everything you need for photographing smaller items.

 

This is what comes with this light tent:

  • Contents: 1 x Mini Stand Tripod / 1 x White Photo-shooting Tent, 16-inch Cubic with Color Backdrops / 2 x Table Top LED Light / 1 x Cellphone Clip Holder
  • Red, black, blue, white backdrop fabrics included
  • LED light stand specifications: 5500 Kelvin / 600 Lumen / 120° Beaming Angle / Maximum Height, 9.5-inch
  • Table Top Mini Camera Stand: Height adjustable with max 8-inch tall / 1/4-inch standard screw tip
  • Cellphone clip holder is compatible with any smartphones

 

The kit folds down flat

It as two pockets the outside in which you can store the lights and the tripod with the clip. The extra backdrops to not fit in the pockets, but you can put them under the straps or just carry them separately.

 

Light Tent Folded

 

Here is the light tent all set up on my table and ready to start.

It is easy to unfold and put together. The top is attached to the side with a velcro strip. Not really shown in this picture, but the side may not lay exactly flat against the surface you place this on but does not hinder taking pictures in any way.

Light Tent Setup

 

The two lights have built-in tripod legs that will folder up into the light base for storage. Each light has its own on/off switch and is easily movable to get the angle that you need

One note not on the description on Amazon, but indicated in the manual that came with the product is that you should not use the lights for more than an hour at a time.

The phone tripod and clip are very basic but work for most phones. You will likely have to tighten the adjustment screw a few times as it not the best at staying tight especially if you angle your phone. You don’t have to use the tripod setup as the scene will be bright enough for you to handhold your phone or camera to take the picture.

 

Here is a sample image

I took this with my iPod and is the item shown above in the light tent. This is straight out of the iPod before any adjustments that need to be made. But for the most part, no adjustments other than cropping and maybe a little shadow boosting.

Light Tent Sample image

 

Stock view of the panels included.

They are what I call fake felt panels that have velcro attached to one end so you can attach them to the back of the Light Tent. Due to the material, the one drawback of these panels is that they like to collect dust. So try to use this product in a dust free environment. If they do get dusty, your standard lint roller will clean the backdrops just fine.

Light tent stock view of panels

 

In summary:

For the price, I couldn’t ask for anything more. The lights are bright and you have a selection of the three colors as backgrounds that look good for most objects.

 

You can get this item from Amazon
 


#amazon #affiliate #lighttent #Review


Skylum updates announced

Skylum (aka MacPhun) releases major updates

 

Aurora HDR 2018 and Luminar 2018 for both Mac and Windows received a major update at the end of January for both the Mac and Windows version.

With these updates, here are the current version numbers for each and what was updated/added.

These are free updates for existing users of both Luminar 2018 and Aurora HDR 2018.

 

Luminar 2018 1.1.1 version for Windows:

Added support for the following languages:

  • English
  • German
  • Spanish
  • French
  • Portugal
  • Chinese
  • Korean
  • Russian

Added shift + scroll hotkey for brush size adjustment

Curves filter improved

Merge layers feature released

Saving cropped image to document issue fixed

Fixed several issues with Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom plugins usage

Sidebar UX improvements

 

Luminar 2018 version 1.1.1 for MAC:

Fixed issues with Photos Extension

RAW Develop support improved, added Leica Monochrome, DNG, HEIC formats, and fixed support for Hasselblad and several other cameras.

Fixed several issues with Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom plugins usage

Fixed issue with Dodge & Burn mask from documents created on windows

 

Aurora HDR 2018 1.1.3 version for Windows:

Improved sliders: You can now directly enter values into a slider with the keyboard.

Improved presets: Applying multiple presets are now handled correctly.

Cropping improvements: The cropped state of an image is now correctly captured in the native Aurora HDR file.

 

Aurora HDR 2018 1.1.3 version for MAC:

Batch process faster: We’ve fine-tuned our bracket-detecting algorithm to speed up batch processing.

Align brackets better: We’ve updated our alignment algorithm to improve hand-held HDR photography.

Adobe plug-in improvements: The plugins for Adobe products have been performance tuned.

Improved cross-platform files: We’ve fixed issue with cropped photos created on Windows.

Improved user experience: We’ve refined the software to make it easier to use based on user feedback and testing.

 

To get the updates:

In each application, For Mac choose the application menu (Luminar or Aurora HDR) and choose Check for Updates. For Windows in the top toolbar, go to Help and choose Check for updates

 

If you don’t have either Luminar 2018 or Aurora HDR 2018 you can download a free trial Here

Download a Free Trial of Luminar 2018 for Mac or Windows

Download a Free Trial of Aurora HDR 2018 for Mac or PC

 

#AuroraHDR2018 #Luminar2018 #updates #affiliate


 

Sony a7R III in stock at Adorama

If you have been looking to get a Sony a7R III, Adorama Camera now has them in stock

You can get the Sony a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body for $3198 with Free overnight shipping.

Place your order for the Sony a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera Body here

This is a great camera, but at the moment is out of my price range. As soon as I have the funds, this will be my next camera.

 

#adorama #sonya7r3 #Sonya7RIII #affiliate


 

My first Art Show Season

It’s the end of the calendar year and the end of my first Art show season.

 

Doing Art shows is something that I had thought about doing for some time, but it took the extra little nudge from my photography buddy Sean Simmons to get me out there.

 

It has been a fun learning experience for the ins and outs of finding art shows, traveling to them, and meeting the various other artists at the shows. It is definitely something that I plan to continue next year. Don’t get me wrong, there is a lot of work involved, but it has been great to get out and see all the folks who appreciate my photography in person.

 

So I want to thank everyone that came out to the various shows that I attended this year. It has been a pleasure to meet you all. Even those who came out during the downpour that was my first show of the year at Hampstead Day.

 

I wish you all a Happy New Year.

 

But just because I’m not at a show doesn’t mean you cannot get some of my photography work. If you live in the central Maryland area I can probably deliver any requested work in person, just send me an email at mark@americankiwiphoto.com or an Instant Message via Facebook (American Kiwi Photo) and I’d be glad to print and matte the requested photo. Also, if there are subjects you would like photos to take of in the Mid-Atlantic, please let me know, I”m always looking for additional subjects to photography.

 

Be sure to follow my American Kiwi Photo Facebook Page to find out what shows I will be attending in 2018. I only have one lined up so far and that is Hampstead Day, but there will be much more to come as the schedules and applications are posted.

 

And if you are looking for great photography editing apps to go with that new camera you got for Christmas, there are several that have year-end deals that are expiring today.

Please check out my blog at markdoddphotography.com or follow the below links.

 

The On1 Holiday Bundle

The Topaz end of Year Sale

Aurora HDR Holiday Offer

Luminar Holiday Offer

#happynewyear #affiliate #artshows


 

On1 photo Raw 2018

On1 Photo Raw 2018 is Here

On1 Photo Raw is here and ready to download

On1 Photo Raw 2018 is available for both Mac and Windows

 

Photo Editing
FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
In One App

ON1 Photo RAW 2018 includes the essential tools and features every photographer needs in their workflow. Our super fast, non-destructive, and state-of-the-art processing engine gives you an ultra smooth and efficient editing experience. ON1 Photo RAW is focused on allowing you to get the most out of every photo. Photographers now have a tool with fast photo management, hundreds of customizable photo effects, fast and beautiful HDR, panoramas, masking and selection tools, layers, and much more—in one app.

If you have been looking for an Adobe Lightroom replacement this could be it for you, so give it a try

Comes with a way to catalog your images.

on1 photo raw 2018

 

Packed with all the adjustment tools you need.

on1 photo raw 2018

 

Get On1 Photo Raw 2018 or download a 30day trial today

 

3 Courses included with your purchase

  1. On1 Photo Raw 2018 HDR Course
  2. On1 Photo Raw 2018 Pano Course
  3. On1 Photo Raw 2018 Masking Course

 

Here are just some of the new features in On1 Photo Raw 2018

  • HDR Mode
  • Panorama
  • Versions – can create multiple different versions that are separate from the original file to try various options on one photo.
  • Improvements in adjustments.
    • paint with color brush
    • skin retouching, color
    • Selective noise removal and adding
  • New masking tools
    • Blur
    • Chisel
    • Color Range Mask
    • Luminosity Masking update
  • On1 for Photo Mobile – lets you sync photos to and from your phone.
  • Updated UI
  • Create folders with groups of photos
  • Additional Camera Support

 

 

Get On1 Photo Raw 2018 or download a 30day trial today

 

#on1 #windows #mac #on1photoraw2018 #trial #On1discount #affiliate


Come join American Kiwi Photo this weekend – Nov 4th

Come join me this weekend at one of my last Art Shows of the season.

 

I will be attending the

Art Market

Saturday, Nov 4th from 11am-3pm at

 

The Gallery

1101 Maiden Choice Lane, 2nd Fl

Baltimore, Md 21229

 

The event is open and free for all to attend

For more information on the event visit www.bcartsguild.org

 

Since this is getting to be the end of the season I will be offering some deals.

Such as buying 2 or more matted prints and save $5 off each.

So get 2, Save $10, Get 3 Save $15, and so on.

 

I might even have some of my recent New York trip photos such as this one of the Brooklyn Bridge.

Brooklyn Bridge

 

#americankiwiphoto #artshow


 

Getting something different, a sunset reflection

I was up in Hershey PA over the weekend at my high school’s homecoming activities so, of course, I had my camera with me.

After meeting up with all my fellow Milts, I wanted to get a sunset picture from Founders Hall on the school campus.  So I walking out onto the patio to get some shots of the sunset that was directly ahead of me. Things were not that impressive due to lack of clouds and started heading back inside, but then I saw this interesting look and had to take a picture.

 

Sunset reflection on the glass of a door and the chandelier from inside

Sunset reflection on glass and Chandelier

Yes, not the most impressive picture I know and it is far from a perfect edit yet, but it is more to the point of don’t forget to look around as the best picture might be behind you, or beside you and not where you thought it might be.

Edited this one in On1 Photo Raw 2017 using layers and the develope module and it is composed of 2 images so I could get the complete chandelier in this image. Each image had a different part of the chandelier showing due to the how the lights were cycling.

#sunset #hershey #MHS #On1PhotoRaw


 

Aurora HDR 2018 for Mac and Windows

Aurora HDR 2018 Now Available for Download

Aurora HDR 2018 is now available for immediate download for both Mac and Windows

 

If you missed out on the pre-order bundle or just wanted to wait until you can download a trial before buying, Aurora HDR 2018 is now available for download today.

Download a Free Trial of Aurora HDR 2018 for Mac or PC

Upgrade to Aurora HDR 2018

or

Get Aurora HDR 2018 for Mac or Windows

 

Although you may have missed out on getting the pre-order bundle, if you use my coupon code of

MARKDODD

at check out you can still get it for $89, a $10 discount off the retail price of on Aurora HDR 2018 for Mac or Windows of $99

 

Tutorials, New Presets, and Bundle

from Stuck in Customs

If you are looking for additional Presets, a complete tutorial, or a Bundle of both Aurora HDR 2018 and the extended length, step-by-step, 2 hour video tutorial ($39 value) that shows how to get the most out of Aurora HDR 2018 in a variety of different scenarios… from landscapes, indoors, single image files and much more. Check out Stuck in Customs

Get Aurora HDR 2018 tutorials, Presets and Bundles from Stuck in Customs

 

Be sure to use my Stuck in Customs discount code of MDP10 to save even more.

#aurorahdr #aurorahdr2018 #aurorahdrwindows #aurorahdrmac #aurorahdrpc #affilate


 

A quick multi-panel image of the eclipse

It is going to take me awhile to go through all my images as I have over a 1000 bracketed photos to go through to see which are the best, but here is a quick edit I did with the full eclipse in the background and the various stages in the foreground.

 

One note as I have to switch around the order of the images. Currently, the shadow timeline goes right to left instead of left to right. Meaning, the start of the eclipse is currently on the right and goes to the left.

 

This was just a quick piece together and my no means the final version.

Enjoy


Update: Here is the final version polished up and the order is now right to left.

 

A panel of the moon path across the Sun and the total eclipsed sun with corona and Bailye’s Beads during the Great American Eclipse of 2017