Thursday, November 28, 2013

A Thanksgiving Day Prayer

From the Dakota Visions Photography family to yours, have a Happy Thanksgiving.  Today, we stop to give thanks and offer a Thanksgiving Day prayer...


From the Dakota Visions Photography family: A Thanksgiving Day Prayer by Scott Wesemann

A Thanksgiving Day Prayer

Lord, so often times, as any other day
When we sit down to our meal and pray

We hurry along and make fast the blessing
Thanks, amen. Now please pass the dressing

We’re slaves to the olfactory overload
We must rush our prayer before the food gets cold

But Lord, I’d like to take a few minute more
To really give thanks to what I’m thankful for

For my family, my health, a nice soft bed
My friends, my freedom, a roof over my head

I’m thankful right now to be surrounded by those
Whose lives touch me more than they’ll ever possibly know

Thankful Lord, that You’ve blessed me beyond measure
Thankful that in my heart lives life’s greatest treasure

That You, dear Jesus, reside in that place
And I’m ever so grateful for Your unending grace

So please, heavenly Father, bless this food You’ve provided
And bless each and every person invited

Amen!
-Scott Wesemann

May your day be filled with family, friends, and warm memories.  Don't forget to join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , Twitter, or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC. Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

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by Richard S - Dakota Visions Photography, LLC

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Perfect Photo Suite 8: It's Here!

onOne Software Announces Availability of Perfect Photo Suite 8



New Perfect Eraser for Content-Aware Fill, Enhance and Browse Modules, Perfect Batch Processor, and Re-imagined Effects Module Evolve Popular Plug-In Into a Complete Photo Editing Solution for Every Workflow


Portland, OR – November 26, 2013:
onOne Software, Inc., a leading developer of innovative digital photography solutions, today announced the availability of Perfect Photo Suite 8—the Photographer’s Choice for Photo Editing.  Perfect Photo Suite 8 is a full-featured, standalone photo editor that also integrates seamlessly with Adobe Photoshop CS6 , Lightroom, Photoshop Elements, and Apple Aperture. It includes all the best tools a photographer needs to create stunning images.

KEY FEATURES:

Key new features include the Perfect Eraser, with content-aware fill technology; the Perfect Enhance module for essential photo adjustments; a new Browser that streamlines direct access to images wherever they are located; the Perfect Batch engine that applies presets to multiple images with a single click; and a re-engineered Perfect Effects module, with twice as many adjustable filters, customizable presets, and integrated FocalPoint technology. These new tools and capabilities alongside Perfect Photo Suite 8’s eight modules, one-click presets, tools for automated enhancements, and powerful controls allow photographers to enhance, retouch, and stylize images in a layered workflow, replace backgrounds, create high-quality enlargements, and prepare images for output—giving them the ability to express their creativity and transform their photos quickly and easily.

onOne Software Releases Perfect Photo Suite 8: It's Here!

NEW PERFECT PHOTO SUITE 8 HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Eight integrated modules – Effects, Enhance, B&W, Portrait, Mask, Layers, Resize, and Browse. Each module is designed to target a specific image-processing task. Together, they help photographers enhance, retouch, and stylize images in a layered workflow, replace backgrounds, create high-quality enlargements, and prepare images for use in various capacities. 
  • New Module! Perfect Enhance provides essential tools for basic enhancements, such as brightness and contrast adjustments; colorcast, dust spot, and power line removal; and the addition of vignettes. It is an ideal module to start with when using Perfect Photo Suite 8 as a standalone application or when quick corrections are needed.
  • New Module! Browse provides convenient and direct access to image files wherever they are stored—whether they are on a computer, an external drive, a connected network, or on a cloud-based storage service like Dropbox, Google Drive, or Apple’s Photo Stream.
  • Reimagined! Perfect Effects – As a cornerstone of Perfect Photo Suite 8, the Effects module has been redesigned by adding adjustable filters and customizable presets, making it the most powerful and versatile image stylization tool available on the market today.
  • Twice as Many Adjustable Filters to create the most sought-after looks, including:
  • Dynamic Contrast – Adds stunning clarity to images and makes them pop by exaggerating the levels of contrast, without sacrificing highlight and shadow detail, creating halos, or affecting saturation. 
  • Lens Blur – Includes the best parts of FocalPoint technology to create bokeh, tilt-shift, and selective focus effects after the shot. 
  • HDR – Gives images the edgy look of high dynamic range. Settings are adjustable and create effects that range from subtle to surreal.
  • Vintage – Turns photos into a nostalgic memory with retro-style filters. 
  • Powerful brushes provide the right results for specific editing tasks:
  • Perfect Eraser removes objects with content-aware fill technology
  • Retouch Brush uses spot healing to remove small distractions
  • Clone Brush removes unwanted items by replicating and covering specified areas of an image 
  • Masking Brush reveals underlying layers or selectively applies effects
  • Perfect Brush delivers precise edge-detection masking
  • Hundreds of Customizable Presets are available throughout Perfect Photo Suite 8 that make it easy for any photographer to instantly create an image they love. Presets can also be used as starting points for creativity and efficiency. Presets are included in the Enhance, Effects, B&W, Portrait, and Resize modules. 
  • Improved Masking Bug in the Effects and Layers modules make mask creation easier and more intuitive.
  • Perfect Batch engine simultaneously applies presets from multiple modules and a watermark to a selected group of images.

AVAILABILITY AND PRICING:

The new Perfect Photo Suite 8 is now available by clicking here. Perfect Photo Suite 8 is available in three editions: Premium, Standard, and for Adobe Lightroom & Apple Aperture. 

The Premium Edition works with Adobe Photoshop CS6 , Lightroom, Photoshop Elements, Apple Aperture, and as a standalone application. It is priced at $179.95. Owners of previous versions of Perfect Photo Suite Premium Edition can upgrade for $99.95. 

For a limited time, orders of Perfect Photo Suite 8 Premium Edition will include a special collection of Professional Presets and The Essential Video Guide to Perfect Photo Suite 8, which provides a comprehensive collection of getting started training videos for Perfect Photo Suite 8—for free ($80 value). This offer ends on December 3, 2013.

Perfect Photo Suite 8 for Adobe Lightroom & Apple Aperture works with Lightroom, Aperture, Photoshop Elements, and as a standalone application. It is available for $129.95; upgrades are $79.95. The Standard Edition works as a complete standalone photo editor and is available for $79.95. 

For more information on Perfect Photo Suite 8, please visit http://www.ononesoftware.com. A 30-day Money Back Guarantee backs all onOne Software products. 


We not only use this product, but we are willing to become an affiliate with onOne Software to help sell the product.  That's how much we believe in the work coming from onOne Software!  Don't miss out on this giant leap forward in post-processing software.  This affordable alternative to Adobe Photoshop CS6 and Creative Suite is the best on the market.  Join us by buying your copy of Perfect Photo Suite 8 today!

Saturday, November 23, 2013

Using Photomerge in Adobe Photoshop CS6 - A Beginner's Guide

We are going to take a look today at how easy it is to create a Photomerge panorama using 26 photographs we took in Custer State Park.  We are going to go with just some simple, easy to follow tips.  We will expand this tutorial in the future which will encourage you to begin experimenting, but for now - let's just stick to the basics.  Our example will be how to create this Photomerge directly out of Adobe Photoshop CS6 .

Import your files into Photomerge:
  1. Choose File > Automate > Photomerge.
  2. Under Source Files in the Photomerge dialog box, choose one of the following from the Use menu:
    1. Files: Generates the Photomerge composition using individual files.
    2. Folders: Uses all the images stored in a folder to create the Photomerge composition.
  3. Specify which images to use by doing one of the following:
    1. To select image files or a folder of images, click the Browse button and navigate to the files or folder.
    2. To use the images currently open in Photoshop, click Add Open Files.
  4. To remove images from the Source File list, select the file and click the Remove button.
Using Photomerge in Adobe Photoshop CS6 - Photomerge dialog box

Select a Layout option:
  • Auto: Photoshop analyzes the source images and applies either a Perspective, Cylindrical, and Spherical layout, depending on which produces a better photomerge.
    • For now, let's just stick with the Auto option - this will allow you to learn and play with the Photomerge tool while learning the different functionality.
  • Perspective: Creates a consistent composition by designating one of the source images (by default, the middle image) as the reference image. The other images are then transformed so that overlapping content across layers is matched.
  • Cylindrical: Reduces the “bow‑tie” distortion that can occur with the Perspective layout by displaying individual images as on an unfolded cylinder. Overlapping content across files is still matched. The reference image is placed at the center. Best suited for creating wide panoramas.
  • Spherical: Aligns and transforms the images as if they were for mapping the inside of a sphere. If you have taken a set of images that cover 360 degrees, use this for 360 degree panoramas. 
  • Collage: Aligns the layers and matches overlapping content and transforms (rotate or scale) any of the source layers.
  • Reposition: Aligns the layers and matches overlapping content, but does not transform (stretch or skew) any of the source layers.

Select any of the following options:
  • Blend Images Together: Finds the optimal borders between the images and create seams based on those borders, and to color match the images. With Blend Images Together turned off, a simple rectangular blend is performed. This may be preferable if you intend to retouch the blending masks by hand.
  • Vignette Removal: Removes and performs exposure compensation in images that have darkened edges caused by lens flaws or improper lens shading.
  • Geometric Distortion Correction: Compensates for barrel, pincushion, or fish-eye distortion.
Let the Magic begin:

      5.  Click OK.

Photoshop creates one multi‑layer image from the source images, adding layer masks as needed to create optimal blending where the images overlap. You can edit the layer masks or add adjustment layers to further fine tune the different areas of the panorama.

Using Photomerge in Adobe Photoshop CS6 - 26 Photographs in Multilayer

And here you go - final image!  We dive deeper into these concepts as we expand this tutorial in the future, but for now - get our there and have some fun!  We hope you enjoyed.

Dakota Visions Photography: Custer State Park Panorama using Adobe Photoshop CS6 Photomerge








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by Richard S - Dakota Visions Photography, LLC

Source: Adobe Photoshop Help

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Veteran's Day 2013: Honoring Those Who Served

Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices. - President Harry S. Truman

Thank you for your service, your dedication, and your sacrifice.

Veteran's Day 2013: Thank you for your service. In honor of all who have served.  From Dakota Visions Photography, LLC

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Photo of the Day: November 5 - Black Hills Photo Shootout

Throughout the next few weeks, stay tuned as we post some Photo of the Day selections from our time at the Black Hills Photo Shootout.  This selection was from an afternoon session at the Spirit of the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in Spearfish, SD.

Dakota Visions Photography #POTD Black Hills Photo Shootout - Spirit of the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

Join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ , Twitter, or sneak a peek at our photography on Dakota Visions Photography, LLC. Until next time, we'll see you behind the lens...

Subscribe to See You Behind the Lens...
by Richard S - Dakota Visions Photography, LLC