STEWART
SCOTT -
AN INSIGHT INTO LIGHTROOM
Stewart says: “Since
becoming a photographer I have been spoilt for choice with software that helps
edit, manage and present my work. However, after having experimented with a
range of products I can confidently say that Lightroom is the most useful and
user friendly. I have been asked what is the difference between Photoshop and
Lightroom? The simple answer to this is that Lightroom has a similar RAW
conversion suite but thats it. Lightroom treats the RAW suite as a module
called Develop. Lightroom has six other modules which are all designed and
equipped with the necessary tools to help maintain and manage your
photographers from RAW to slideshow to web and everything in between.
Lightroom
Modules
Library I treat this as
stage one as it is where files are imported from your memory card or computer.
Specific files and folders can be created as well as keyword governed smart
folders. This module in a nutshell is where the management of your files takes
place. Everybody has there own way of sorting their photographs and Lightroom
caters for all. Keywords, titles and metadata
can all be accessed here. 
Develop Organised photos from the
library module can quickly and easily be taken into the develop mdule. Please
note that your pictures don’t move from module to module its the suite that
changes around your photos. Here you will have access to the typical RAW
conversion tools that you are perhaps familiar in Photoshop. You also have
access to many preset filters, all designed to help you create and ‘develop’
your perfect picture. Presets can also be imported and created using your own
settings. 
Map This is a new
module to Lightroom and one that has proven very useful to many photographers
but personally I am yet to share this fondness. It is another way to help
manage your photos, by location. Many new cameras save GPS coordinates which
allow images to be organised by location. You can still use the Map
module if your camera does not have this ability, placement will have to be
done manually. I suppose its a nice gimmick but when only you can see it I
don’t really see the point. Maybe if it had some sort of web integration or
live online feed maybe then I could warm to it.
Book I have recently
used this module to create my very first book. The book module is also a new
edition to Lightroom 4 and one that is certainly welcome by me. This module is
easy to use and offers a whole host of page layouts and formats. It even allows
you to auto layout your book which
means it will populate the pages of your book automatically with your chosen
photographs or if you are like and prefer to work on every page, photo and
description, then Lightroom allows you to create an original hardback book with
dust sleeve. What could be more satisfying? 
Slideshow This module has
been upgraded as well for Lightroom 4, we now have the option to export as a
video. This allows the user to export your slide show with a soundtrack. This
module is great for creating the perfect slideshow which can be uploaded to the
net or shared with friends. This is also a great way to increase your service range
as a professional photographer.
Print This module is
great for creating prints, professional prints or drafts for you and your
customer. Lightroom has many templates and styles that are customisable. In the Develop
module you now have a facility called Soft
Proofing this helps define colours that are perhaps out of
gamut for the printer you are using. By selecting soft proofing you can apply localised hue /saturation
alterations to ensure that your prints look as good as they possibly can with
the print profile you are using. 
Web Within this
module you can create a fully functioning gallery that can be uploaded to your
website via ftp. There are many templates and browser capabilities. This module
is perhaps the most tricky as you will have to have a good understanding of web
integration. I am sure you can incorporate a Lightroom gallery into an adobe
Dreamweaver build also.
Summary Understandably
these descriptions are brief but hopefully they give you a taster of what
Lightroom is all about. If you are a photographer who’s taking lots of images
then this is certainly for you. Especially if you are mixing business with
pleasure and need you images kept organised. It is
satisfying knowing that I have over 1500 images and I know exactly where they
all are and can reach any one within three clicks of the mouse.
Lightroom is
designed for speed as well as satisfaction and this is why it is such a great
piece of kit because it is so versatile because in my humble opinion it fits
any working photographer’s style.”
Useful links to
videos that may help you get started with Lightroom
KELVIN ILES - HDR USING ‘PHOTOMATIX’BY HDRSOFT
Kelvin says: “How many times have you taken photographs with fluffy clouds drifting over a marvellous landscape only to get home and look at the images on the computer you see a flat white sky or a dark foreground or both?
As wonderful as our cameras may be, the physical limitations of the technology that’s available will only reproduce a tiny subset of the hues and tones that were visible to the human eye within the scene.
The main reason for using HDR (
Many such scenes are prevalent in the real world, such as a brightly lit sky and shaded foreground in a landscape, building interiors with backlit windows and any backlit subject. In these cases a single exposure would render either the highlights or shadow areas, as grossly over or under exposed.
With HDR technology it’s possible to capture detail in all areas with multiple exposures so that the resulting image will appear much closer to the one that the human eye would see.
For my demonstration of the technology I will be using ‘Photomatix’software by HDRSoft.”
Here is a link to a 'youtube' video showing the software in use http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMgW7r4JgoY
PETER PHILLIPS - TOPAZ
ADJUST IN PHOTOSHOP CS5
Peter
will demonstrate how to use the ‘Topaz Adjust’ plug-in filter for Photoshop
which enables you to add impact and drama to your image by adjusting local
detail easily and quickly. See the ‘Bath_Rain’ ‘before’ and ‘after’ images.
Details of the all the Topaz plug-in filters can be found at http://www.topazlabs.com
MIKE
MARTIN – HOW TO BE CREATIVE
Mike likes
to play with his own backgrounds to add a creative twist to pictures. Mike will demonstrate how to use Snapseed, an
App designed for use on Mobile Phones, to create your own backgrounds and how
to apply these within Photoshop.
Mike offers
a ‘Teaser photo’ …
This
certainly looks as though it will be an informative and helpful evening, having
something for everyone so we hope to see you there.
Kingswood PS meets Fridays at 7.30pm at St Barnabas Church Hall, Warmley, Bristol BS30 5JJ. The cost for visitors is £3.00.
NEXT WEEK, David Lindham FRPS will be with us from the Gwynfa club in South Wales whose black and white photography is still all darkroom based. He is fascinated with Kodak HIE infrared film, Lith printing and the toning of prints. www.davidlingham.co.uk
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