September 12, 2010 | Posted in Blog, Photography, Tutorials

Tips For Better Pet Photography

The number of people who have pets increase year after year. I became one of them. Many of us pet owners like to take photos of our beloved pets. I love to take photos of my dog “Rini”. I enjoy capturing her with my camera while she sleep or plays. I have taken ton of photos of her while I dabbling in photography as a hobby. Besides her, I also like take photos of other dogs I met.

However taking pictures of dogs is not always easy. It’s quite a challenge because unlike humans, pets usually can’t understand what we ask them to do. So I use these 5 simple tips that may help you get the most of your beloved pet. Also, be sure to also check out NY Bowtique, my cousin’s handcraft dog bows online store too.

1- Lighting
If possible use natural light when taking photo of them. Avoid flash if you can it cause red-eye in the photo.

2- Positioning
Let your pet feel comfortable and at ease. Don’t have them looking up at you or make them come to you. Try get down low on their level and see the world from their point of view.

3- Character
I know my dog more then anyone else so that makes it easier for me to convey her character. Try to take a photo of your pet in action performing his or her favorite thing. For me, it’s Rini’s cute little stare. Try this and you will capture a cute unforgettable snapshot.

4- The eyes
“Eyes are the window to the soul” and trust me their eyes are very expressive. So make sure you zoom in on their facial expression and keep the eyes sharp.

5- Composition
Try to shoot at different angles and background. From body shots to nice backgrounds. Ask your self if the background is too cluttered or not? How much of depth of field do you want from your pet and the background and then go out and shoot these photos.

(I shot Rini sitting sleeping on the sofa)

(I shot my dog Rini sitting outside the park looking at my mom)

(I shot my dog Rini sitting outside the park)

(Rini meeting other dog – shot by me)

(I shot this shiba outside the ice cream store in Boston)

(I shot this when I was in Montreal, Left)

Kissy wearing NY Bowtique dog bows. Photo provide by NY Bowtique, very beautiful hand crafted Dog Bows made by my cousin. Please check them out!

Evie & Kissy wearing NY Bowtique dog bows. Photo provide by NY Bowtique, be sure to check these beautiful blue dog bows out. They’ll look as cute as them in the picture.

Do you have a favorite photo of your pet? Let me know and I’ll love to see them.

July 20, 2010 | Posted in Blog, Tutorials

Cross-Processed Effect in Photoshop

Color has a profound effect on how I feel.Therefore, the use of color makes an impact on my photography. Before I process every photos, I’ll identify the mood first and adjust them. Occasionally, I like to use a blue tint to create a mood that feels tranquil and reminiscent of the ocean and sky colors.

I like to tried different methods when it comes to process the photos. Sometime I tweak the “Curves” parameters, other time I experiment with the adjustment layer. In this tutorial I will show you how to get the blue tint cross processed effect that I use a lot. Remember, to play with the adjustment layer by changing the color or the opacity as you wish. You’ll find a lot of different result as you experiment with them. Have fun!

Open up the original picture

Duplicate the original layer

Set the duplicate layer to “Screen” mode with 60% opacity.

Select the “Color Fill” adjustment layer and set the color to #06032c.

Set the blend mode to “Exclusion” with 50% opacity.

Select the “Color Fill” adjustment layer again and set the color to #093776.

Set the blend mode to “Soft Light” with 60% opacity.

In the layers palette click on the adjustment layer menu icon and select “Level”.

Set your level adjustment layer to 23,1.00, 249 as shown.

Final Result with a Blue tint over it.

Example 2 – Before

Example 2 – After

April 12, 2010 | Posted in Blog, Life, Tutorials

Vintage Photo Effect in Photoshop

This tutorial shows you one of my favorite techniques called cross processing, which I mentioned in my previous post. Cross processing is developing color print with the wrong chemicals. This causes a lot shift in color, which creates a very retro look. Now I can recreate this technique in Photoshop easy and fun. Take a look at more samples from my previous post before we start.

In the layers palette click on the adjustment layer menu icon and select “Hue/Saturation”.

Set the Saturation to 15.

Click on the adjustment layers menu icon again and select “Brightness/Contrast”. Set Contrast to 20.

Click on the Gradient Fill adjustment layer menu and set the gradient from transparency to black with style set to Radial. Set blend mode to overlay with 50% opacity.

Click on the Curves adjustment layer. Select the Red Channel drop down and change the curve line like shown in the image.

Select the Green Channel drop down and change the curve line like shown in the image.

Select the Blue Channel drop down and change the curve line like shown in the image.

Make a new “Hue/Saturation” adjustment layer. Set the Hue to 20 and Saturation to 15 with Colorize checked and opacity 50%.

Finally select the “Color Fill” adjustment layer and pick a color you like and set it to overlay with 10% opacity. Set blend mode to Screen with 10% opacity.

Final result

I hope this tutorial help you and feel free to experiment with the setting of these adjustment layers.