Action Sequence Photography is easy and a lot of fun. Check out this step-by-step Action Sequence tutorial from Pop Photo.

Once you’ve picked the best shots that don’t overlap, open them all in Adobe Photoshop. Then go to Window > Arrange > Tile Horizontally. Hold down the Space bar for temporary use of the Hand tool, and position each image so you can see what’s in it read more …

Use custom brushes and the smudge tool in Photoshop to create an interesting motion blur effect. This Motion Blur effect has been heavily used by Nike and many other Sport Brands and is usually achieved with multiple exposures while the subject is moving. In this video tutorial you will learn how to achieve the same effect from a single photo. (Video Tutorial by Corey Barker)

I stumbled upon these excellent Fresh Foliage Photoshop Brushes. You can download them for Free!

After seeing the movie 300 we were fascinated by the special effects and its very unique sepia look. We have decided to create a similar effect in Photoshop. Our new “300″ Photoshop Action is great for both Portraits and Landscapes. It also works exceptionally well on Wedding photographs. We recommend using the Blue version of “300″ for the darker images, while our Sepia and Natural actions will work on almost anything. After applying our “300″ Effect Photoshop Action you can adjust the Grain layer and the Color layer to you liking. Our “Sky Enhancer” Photoshop Action was added to this set for dramatic sky effects (don’t forget to try it!). If you’d like to apply the 300 effect to a specific area of your image you can paint with a black brush on the “Color Mask” layer created for you. There are 3 different variations of our “300″ action: Sepia, Blue and Natural to give you even more creative options. All 300 images used here are the property of Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

“300″ Effect Photoshop Action samples and original movie stills are included below for comparison. Please let us know what you think…

These are HDR images of a beautiful Ko-Olina resort. There are 4 beautiful man-made lagoons you have to visit. These photos were enhanced with (A2D) Halo and (A2D) Velviator.

I’ve used (A2D) Velviator on these HDRs for vivid color.

Founded in 1903, Soto Zen Temple Zenshuji has the distinction of being the oldest Soto Zen temple in the United States. Many temples were built in Hawaii around this time when Japanese workers were brought over to work the sugar cane fields, bringing their Buddhist beliefs and practices with them.

Waimea Canyon is the largest canyon in the Pacific and truly a dramatic sight to behold. The canyon measures 10 miles long, 1 mile wide, and more than 3,500-feet deep. It was carved thousands of years ago by rivers and floods that flowed from Mount Waialeale’s summit. The lines in the canyon walls depict different volcanic eruptions and lava flows that have occurred over the centuries. Even though smaller than the Grand Canyon of Arizona, Waimea Canyon rivals the beauty. Numerous lookouts and hikes offer terrific views of every aspect of this natural wonder. The canyon is protected by the Koke’e State Park which encompasses 4,345 acres of land and has 45 miles of trails that run through the canyon and the nearby Alakai Swamp. The Ranger’s Station is located at the Koke’e Museum has hiking maps of the area. There are no gas stations along the 40-mile Waimea Canyon Road so be sure to fill up before starting this trip. The main park area provides restrooms. The elevation makes the air 10-15 degrees cooler than in the valley and by afternoon many areas are often shrouded in clouds.

I found this beautiful waterfall just along highway 56 on Kauai, HI. (A2D) Halo was used to add color and punch.

Diamond Head lighthouse near Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii. (A2D) Velviator worked perfectly to maximize the color without “overblowing” it.

Kilauea Lighthouse is the northernmost point of the main Hawaiian Islands. Built in 1913, it was had the largest lens of it’s kind and guided ships heading to and from the Orient. In the 1970’s its light was turned off and this landmark was replaced by a low-maintenance light beacon. The lighthouse is located on a narrow peninsula and remains one of Kauai’s most popular attractions. Native vegetations and an informative visitor center attract thousands of tourists to this site to bird watch, view the sweeping cliff and ocean vistas, and revel in Kaua’s past. Nearby is the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, home to a diverse population of nesting seabirds and the only such sanctuary in the islands. Residents include the red-footed boobies, the Laysan albatross, and the great frigate bird with its 8-foot wingspan.

I’ve used (A2d) Velviator action for the color and Photoshop “Curves” on the sky.

This “Curved” bay was declared a protected marine life conservation area and underwater park in 1967. This is THE BEST protected cove if you are new to scuba diving or snorkeling with a diverse population of marine life and a large, rich coral reef. Advanced snorkelers and divers can also enjoy the beauty of this bay as the reef extends throughout the cove into deeper water. The bay floor is actually the crater of an ancient volcano that flooded when the exterior wall collapsed and the ocean rushed in.

I’ve adjusted the contrast and used (A2D) Halo action.

This beautiful Buddhist temple is a replica of the 900-year-old Byodo-In located in Uji, Japan. It is located in one of the most peaceful locations in O’ahu - the Valley of the Temples. The valley is situated against a back-drop of tall cliffs and is landscaped with traditional lush Japanese gardens and koi ponds. Inside the Byodo-In Temple is a nine-foot Lotus Buddha. Outside is a three-ton, brass Peace Bell.

I’ve used (A2D) Velviator action to enhance the color in this photo.

Great Success! We have developed a fast and easy way to get that rotoscoping effect found in a motion picture ”A Scanner Darkly”. Below is a sample of what could be achieved with our new “Scanner Darkly” Photoshop Action. The effect this action creates has a characteristic vector look, with vibrant colors and some outlines (outlines are optional). 4 actions are included: for large images with outlines, for large images without outlines, for smaller images with outlines and for smaller images without outlines. Just use the appropriate “Scanner Darkly” action depending on your image size and the look you are going for. So if you don’t want to spend hours (or in some cases days) rotoscoping please give our new action a shot.

(A2D) “Scanner Darkly” Large with Outlines Action applied.
Some outlines were masked out in Photoshop.

I am sure everybody is excited to try HDR (High Dynamic Range) Photography. The best part is that you probably have the technology to accomplish it, but do you have the technique? There are many in-depth articles you can find online, but I would like to break it down for you into a few simple steps.

// What you need for HDR Photography:

1. Digital Camera with Manual Mode or Auto Exposure Bracketing.
2. Tripod for proper image alignment and sharpness.
3. The Scene Must be Still. Differences will show as blurs.

Continue reading ‘Shoot Great HDR Images! (Step-by-Step Guide)’