Monday, December 30, 2013

Top 9 Amazing Stories List from 2013 (Dakota Visions Style)

It's year end, and we are all looking back to what occurred in 2013.  Here, at Dakota Visions Photography, LLC we are reminiscing about what went well, and what we can do better for 2014.  One of the items we are looking at is what posts from the See You Behind the Lens... blog did well with our readership so we can continue to build on those types of articles for 2014.

We hope you enjoy this look back at the best stories from See You Behind the Lens...

Top 9 Amazing Stories List from 2013 #DakotaVisionsStyle #Goodbye2013


And the Top 9 Amazing Stories List from Dakota Visions Photography, LLC go to.....

Drum roll, please...

9.  Sleek, Sexy, Shiny Lines: Counts Car Show 2013


What else do you look for when a car show like this comes to town?

Read more...

Top 9 Amazing Stories List from 2013 (Dakota Visions Style) - Sleek, Sexy, Shiny Lines: Counts Car Show 2013


8.  Angel's Snow


It was like the angels were placing each snowflake into place...  


Top 9 Amazing Stories List from 2013 (Dakota Visions Style) - Angel's Snow


7.  2013 Kool Deadwood Nites Car Show Images


For this post, we are just going to cut it short on talking, and we'll just let the drool begin...  


Top 9 Amazing Stories List from 2013 (Dakota Visions Style) - 2013 Kool Deadwood Nites Car Show Images


6.  Images from Sturgis Motorcycle Rally 2013: Part I


The best way to sum up the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is to quote the infamous "Gunny" R Lee Ermey in the Victory Motorcycle TV commercial. 
"When we brought the Victory Challenge to the streets, we were not going to do it at some freaking poser parade. No way! This, is Sturgis! Let's ride."
Read more... 
Top 9 Amazing Stories List from 2013 (Dakota Visions Style) - Images from Sturgis Motorcycle Rally 2013: Part I


5.  In My Own Words: Baby Tatanka, Part II


There is a lot of activity on the prairie, and we tried to capture some of the essence of what it is like to be in Custer State Park during this wonderful time of spring, rejuvenation, and new life.


Top 9 Amazing Stories List from 2013 (Dakota Visions Style) - In My Own Words: Baby Tatanka, Part II


4.  Top 10 Amazing Photography Apps To Buy With That Holiday iTunes Gift Card


We all know those iTunes gift cards are going to start flowing.  But you are wondering what amazing photography apps you should purchase for your iPad or iPhone from the App Store?  Well look no further, here is the ultimate list of photography apps to download! 




3.  In My Own Words:  Baby Tatanka, Part I


"Hey there everyone, my name is Baby Tatanka!  I am an American Bison born in Custer State Park in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota, but most people just call me a buffalo.  I was just born maybe a day or two ago.  This is all new to me, so I think I'm saying that right.  Well, here - this is me."
Read more...

Top 9 Amazing Stories List from 2013 (Dakota Visions Style) - In My Own Words: Baby Tatanka, Part I



Abstract art can be one of the many uses of the 'Distort' filter in Photoshop.  Creating and making graphics with swirls to add to image backgrounds or to use as stand-alone works of art can be accomplished in just about any version of the program.  We will be using Adobe Photoshop CS6 for this beginner's tutorial.

Read more...

Top 9 Amazing Stories List from 2013 (Dakota Visions Style) - Abstract Art in Photoshop Tutorial: Swirls with Distort



And the #1 Amazing Story from 2013 on See You Behind the Lens... 

Drum Roll...


Exposure is one of the primary building blocks of photography, but seldom is it so clearly explained as in this infographic.  Each portion of this infographic explains the three basic components of exposure: shutter speed, ISO, and aperture.

Read more...



We are excited to begin our journey into 2014 to begin creating a new list of favorite stories and tutorials from 2014!  Happy New Year!

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...


Filter Forge - an advanced Photoshop plugin


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by Richard S - Dakota Visions Photography, LLC

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Text Effect Photoshop Tutorial: Glossy Glass Typography

This mid-level text effect tutorial in Adobe Photoshop and the matching print screens were created in Photoshop CS6/CC.  This effect is commonly used in typography design projects.  It contains step-by-step instructions on how to create a glossy glass text, which can be saved as a PSD file and used at any time for future projects.

The finished product you will be creating from this tutorial:

Text Effect Photoshop Tutorial: Glossy Glass Text #typography

Filter Forge - an advanced Photoshop plugin


Glossy Glass Text Effect

Step 1:
Create your text in a new Photoshop file.  In this example, we use Tahoma - Bold.

Step 1 - Text Effect Photoshop Tutorial: Glossy Glass Text | Tahoma #typography

Step 2:
Open a new Layer Style for Bevel & Emboss.

Within the Structure section, choose the Inner Bevel with the Smooth Technique.  The depth should be set around 70% - we used 72% in this example.  The direction should be Up in a size of roughly 3px.
Note: Some items in this tutorial depend on the final size of your typography and can be adjusted as needed. 

Within the Shading portion of Bevel & Emboss, the Angle is set to 120 degrees.  The altitude is set at 65% and the Gloss Contour is set to a custom Chrome setting that we use.  We call it Glossy Shine/Chrome. make sure the Anti-aliased box is checked.  (Note: By clicking on your Gloss Contour box display photo, not the drop down arrow, you will be able to create your own glossy contour settings.)

The Highlight Mode is set at 100% pure white in Screen mode.  The Shadow Mode is set to Multiply pure black at 70%. 

Step 2 - Text Effect Photoshop Tutorial: Glossy Glass Text #typography #bevelemboss

Step 3:
Continue in the Layer Style/Bevel & Emboss by checking the Contour style.  We have created our own Custom Preset for this as seen below.  Make sure to have your Anti-aliased setting on and the Range around 20-25%.

Step 3 - Text Effect Photoshop Tutorial: Glossy Glass Text #typography #contour

Step 4:
Open the Layer Style/Stroke.  The Stroke Structure should be roughly 1px, centered in Normal Blend Mode with an Opacity of 100%.

We have created a Darker Gloss Gradient Preset to Align with Layer in a Shape Burst Style.  The angle on this should be 0 degrees at a Scale of 100%.

Step 4 - Text Effect Photoshop Tutorial: Glossy Glass Text #typography #strokelayer

Step 5:
Open the Layer Style/Inner Glow to a Normal Blend Mode set at 15% Opacity with 0% Noise.  Use a white gradient as shown below.  

The Element Technique should be changed to Precise Edge with a Choke of 0% and Size of 3px.  

The Quality is set to a Conical Contour with the Anti-aliased setting selected.  The Range is set to 90% with Jitter at 0%.

Step 5 - Text Effect Photoshop Tutorial: Glossy Glass Text #typography #innerglow

Step 6:  
Open the Layer Style/Drop Shadow set at Multiply Blend Mode.  The Opacity should be set at 90% at an angle of 140 degrees.  (This is not a mistake from the earlier 120 degree setting in the Bevel & Emboss Layer Style.  This offset helps provide the glass refraction feel.)

Again, depending upon the size of your text, you may need to vary the Distance, Spread, and Size shown in the reference print screen below.  Use these numbers as a rough guide.  

The Quality Contour should be set as noted below, Anti-aliased with 0% Noise.  When using this with other layers in your project, make note to have the Layer Knocks Out Drop Shadow selected.

Step 6 - Text Effect Photoshop Tutorial: Glossy Glass Text #typography #dropshadow



At this time, your Glossy Glass Text Effect is complete.  If you save this as a PSD file at this time, you can recreate this text for any design project in the future.  All you have to do is add in your other layers as needed!  

Final Step - Layers - Text Effect Photoshop Tutorial: Glossy Glass Text #typography

We hope you have enjoyed this typography text effect tutorial, and feel free to share via the social share buttons below.  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

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Thoughtful Thursday Photography Quote: December 19, 2013

"The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera."  - Dorothea Lange

DakotaVisions Photography Quote by Dorothea Lange - Camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see


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...


Filter Forge - an advanced Photoshop plugin


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by Richard S - Dakota Visions Photography, LLC


Saturday, December 14, 2013

Picture of the Day: Painted Buffalo

Sometimes, a photograph really does look like it should have been a painting.  Here is our try at "Painted Buffalo". 

Painted Buffalo by Dakota Visions Photography #filterforge #CusterStatePark


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


Filter Forge - an advanced Photoshop plugin

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Thoughtful Thursday Photography Quote: December 12, 2013

"I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure in the landscape - the loneliness of it - the dead feeling of winter.  Something waits beneath it - the whole story doesn't show."
- Andrew Wyeth

DVP Thoughtful Thursday Photography Quote - Andrew Wyeth


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


Saturday, December 7, 2013

Pinterest Promotes Embeded Boards

Is your photography business on Pinterest, but you have customers that aren't yet?  Let Pinners explore your Pinterest Boards without ever having to leave your site.

With the new widgets from Business on Pinterest, Pinners can scroll through the most recent Pins on your profile or board, just like they would on Pinterest. They can also add a Pin directly from the widget on your blog by clicking on the Pin. Of course, readers of your blog can always click your name or “See on Pinterest,” to be whisked right to your Pinterest account.

Make sure that you are using the most current Pinterest tools to continue to drive traffic to your website and create that ease of doing business with you.  Now stay calm, and Pin on!

For your business Pinterest account, the widget builder can be found here: Business on Pinterest - Widget Builder.  Just choose the embed style you are looking for: Pin, Profile, or Board. 


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

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Perfect Photo Suite 8: Getting Started Video

Have you checked out Perfect Photo Suite 8 yet?  If not, get the lowdown by reading, "Perfect Photo Suite 8: It's Here".  If you've already purchased it, you may be totally stoked about using it - but it's still a pain in the butt to learn new software.

onOne Software and Liz LePage have come to the rescue by creating a great beginner's tutorial video on YouTube called "Getting Started in Perfect Photo Suite 8 with Liz LePage".  For those of you that have used Perfect Photo Suite before, you may find it a little light on content, but it is great for those that are just getting started with the software - or want to look at it in use, before making your own purchase.

If you are having problems accessing the video, please use this link:


Take the time, watch the video.  If you haven't bought your copy of Perfect Photo Suite 8 yet, just press on the banner below to begin your adventure with one of the easiest and robust photography editing software packages on the market!


We not only use this product, but we were willing to become an affiliate with onOne Software to help sell the product.  That's how much we believe in the products and customer service 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 Adobe Creative Suite is the best on the market.  Join us by buying your copy of Perfect Photo Suite 8 today!

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

Thoughtful Thursday Photography Quote: December 5, 2013

The Preface to The Picture of Dorian Gray 

The artist is the creator of beautiful things. To reveal art and conceal the artist is art’s aim.  ... 
Those who find ugly meanings in beautiful things are corrupt without being charming. This is a fault. 
Those who find beautiful meaning in beautiful things are the cultivated.  For these there is hope. They are the elect to whom beautiful things mean only Beauty.  ...
It is the spectator, and not life, that art really mirrors. Diversity of opinion about a work of art shows that the work is new, complex, and vital. 

Picture of Dorian Gray Thoughtful Thursday Quote from Oscar Wilde


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, December 3, 2013

Top 10 Amazing Photography Apps To Buy With That Holiday iTunes Gift Card

We all know those iTunes gift cards are going to start flowing.  But you are wondering what amazing photography apps you should purchase for your iPad or iPhone from the App Store?  Well look no further, here is the ultimate list of photography apps to download!

            



            















BONUS FREE APPS:  HAVE TO-HAVES

            

            



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