The addition of Curves adjustment to Aperture 3 gives us powerful tonal and color correction. In this 9:00 minute video that's part of my Aperture 3 Essential Training on Lynda.com, I show you how to get started with Curves in Aperture 3.
More Aperture Tips and Techniques
To learn more about Aperture 3, check out my Aperture 3 Essential Training on Lynda.com. Also, take a look at our Aperture 3 Focus Section. Tons of free content about how to get the most out of Aperture.
The Apple Bluetooth keyboard can be paired to the iPad. By doing so, you open up a whole new world of input options for this device. In this video I show you how easy it is to navigate through a document, select text, copy, paste, and delete. You'll now love your iPad as much for productivity as you do for entertainment.
More About the iPad
"iPad for Photographers" - Digital Photography Podcast 219
Coolest iPad Apps for Photogs? Keynote and CameraBag
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Scene modes on your compact camera are useful shortcuts for dealing with difficult lighting conditions. In this free, 4-minute video tutorial from my Lynda.com title: Getting Pro Results from a Compact Camera, I show you the most important scene modes and how to use them.
If you haven't seen my course, Getting Pro Results from a Compact Camera , it's a combination of studio live action (as seen here), live action in the field showing actual shooting techniques, and screencasting where we review the results on a computer and discuss how the techniques worked. I think it's one of my most effective training titles. I hope you check it out.
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Want to see how pro shooter Matthew Jordan Smith gears up? Then watch this 3-minute video of him opening up his Lowepro Pro Roller x200 at the Sony booth during WPPI 2010.
Video by Derrick Story. Recorded with a Canon 5D Mark II and an Audio Technica lav mic.
WPPI 2010 Las Vegas: Have you ever wondered what goes on behind those closed expo hall doors right before showtime? Here's a peek at the activities at WPPI half an hour before the show floor opens.
Some vendors are already doing presentations for special invite audiences, while others are just trying to get their booth together. In this 2-minute video captured with a discreet Canon S90, you'll get a peek at WPPI that many never get to see.
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When Apple enabled video trimming in Aperture 3, my guess is they wanted to enhance the Slideshow module. And that they did. You can now combine still images, video, and separate audio tracks to create beautiful productions.
After playing with this module for a few hours, however, my message to Apple is that I would prefer even more video functionality (yeah, I know). But quite honestly, the task I often have at hand is to shoot video, cut it, then upload to YouTube -- as quickly as possible. Incorporating still images and soundtracks are fun, but not the normal project.
This short movie, "Mission St., SF" was captured with a Canon T1i, then imported directly into Aperture 3 for production and export. Click through to YouTube for the HD version.
So if you have your hopes up that there's a mini Final Cut Pro inside of Aperture, you might want to lower your expectations. The video tools are extremely basic. What you can do, however, is useful.
I know it seems odd to use the Slideshow module for your video editing. But I think that's due to Apple's original concept for video management in Aperture. I wouldn't be surprised if up the road we see a dedicated module for handling movies. In the meantime, however, this is a huge addition to Aperture 3. And it will make my life more efficient and productive.
More Aperture Tips and Techniques
To learn more about Aperture 3, check out my Aperture 3 Essential Training on Lynda.com. Also, take a look at our Aperture 3 Focus Section. Tons of free content about how to get the most out of Aperture.
Photo artist Stephanie Scheetz shows you how to take everyday, boring gift boxes and transform them into personalized works of art using your photographs. These boxes make great gifts, or they can be used for decorative organization around the house. Stephanie walks you through this process, step by step.
This tutorial is part 1 of a two-part series. In the next show, you'll learn how to create a box from scratch by simply folding paper, including stock that has your imagery printed on it. Stay tuned!
Other Creative Output Projects with Stephanie
Stephanie has many more creative output projects waiting for you. Just visit our Creative Output section, right here on The Digital Story. Some examples are:
Shrink Plastic Jewelry (Video Tutorial)
Stencil Art from Photos (Video Tutorial)
Make a Custom Notebook Using Your Images (Video Tutorial)
Make a Custom Photo Gift Bag (Video Tutorial)
The MoGo Talk Bluetooth headset fits in its iPhone protective case so you always have hands free with you. But it also allows you to pair with up to five devices. So I've tested it with Skype, and as in this movie, even using it for video recording. This movie introduces you to the MoGo Talk headset, which sells with iPhone protective case for about $130.
As a headset for the iPhone, it's fairly impressive. It's only 5mm thick and weighs 9 grams. The iPhone case that it's mounted in doesn't really feel any thicker than the case I was using before, yet the MoGo case contains a BT headset that is always there and ready to go. There's a pop up mini-USB port on the case that allows me to charge the MoGo Talk when I'm charging the phone. I give it some juice every other day. Talk time is between 3-4 hours.
People on the receiving end of my conversations say that they can tell I'm using a headset, but that the sound quality is good. It picks up a little ambient noise. On the receiving end, the ear piece is comfortable (you have a handful to choose from) and the sound is quite good. The MoGo talk adjusts the volume automatically based on environmental noise, but you can override it by adjusting the volume on the iPhone itself.
Overall, I think this is truly an innovative product. And the fact that I can use it for my Skype calls on the computer is a bonus.
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Often referred to as "shrinky dinks," shrink plastic artwork is easy to create using your own images, and inkjet printer, and a conventional oven. In this video tutorial, Stephanie Scheetz shows you how to print your pictures on the special plastic surface, then bake them into beautiful jewelry. You even get to peer inside the oven as the transformation happens before your eyes. This is episode 5 of the ongoing Creative Output series on The Digital Story.
If you want to find out more about the media Stephanie is using to create the shrink plastic jewelry, visit the Grafix web site. You can see more examples of this technique by checking out her post titled, Shrink Plastic Charms.
Other Creative Output Projects with Stephanie
Stephanie has many more creative output projects waiting for you. Just visit our Creative Output section, right here on The Digital Story. Some examples are:
Stencil Art from Photos (Video Tutorial)
Make a Custom Notebook Using Your Images (Video Tutorial)
Make a Custom Photo Gift Bag (Video Tutorial)
Buckle-Up Frame Present for Dad on Father's Day
A Time to Remember - Make Your Own Photo Clock
Technorati Tags: Derrick Story, digital photography, Digital Photography, technique, The Digital Story, Stencil Art, Creative Output, Stephanie Scheetz, Video Tutorial, YouTube
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Digital Photography Hacks by Derrick Story |
iPad for Digital Photographers by Derrick Story |