The new 2010 project

This year I am going to do something different for the blog. In the past I’ve put tut’s, interesting sites, and some of my photography on as posts. This year, at least once a week, I plan on posting black and white photos only. I know what your thinking, “ooooh…that sounds great. There’s only 1 million of those sites around.” But for me this kind of undertaking is a hard challenge.

You see, starting projects are easy for me but finishing them is another matter all together. Not only that but I want to improve my skills with black and white imagery and there is no better way than just doing it. So starting January 1, 2010 I challenge myself to a minimum of 52 black and white images (with stories behind the image) in 52 weeks.

In the end I hope to know the art of photography, myself, and my world better. Who knows, maybe along the journey you’ll understand me better as well.

Thanks to all of you for stopping in and commenting this past year. You have been encouraging and it’s been real fun to do this. I look forward to the new year. Happy New Year to all of you. May it be prosperous for all.

Sometimes not taking pictures helps

I found that sometimes not being behind the lens is helpful when your pictures are being a bit dull. Instead I turn to sketching and painting (digitally). It tends to free up your imagination and helps your mind to work through composition issues.

Doing sketches that involve shading helps you better understand the zone system used in black and white photography. If your sketches turn out flat and boring because of the flat shading then your mind will see this and correct its mistakes and produce  better picture next time.

Recently I’ve been practicing my skills painting in Photoshop and sketching in my book to help me get better both in art and b and w photography. Here’s what I’ve done so far:

It doesn’t matter how good you are at drawing. What really counts is getting your mind to get fresh ideas for new shots. Don’t let your mind get bored. The more it works the better your shots.

Just tri-toning around

I’ve had a wallpaper design on my desktop a little to long and wanted something different. So I decided to use the Duotone mode in photoshop to tone this flower.

The process is simple:

1. Make sure your color picker is black and white.

2. Go to image>adjustments>gradient map and select the first gradient. Now your image is black and white with a nice tonal range (better than just gray scale).

3. Now go to image>mode>gray scale and click flatten image (if you have any layers) and then discard color information. Your image will not change any from the black and white but this step is needed so that the duotone mode is available.

4. once again go to image>mode>duotone. Now this is where you’ll need to do a little hunting (but only once). In the dialog box click load then locate your adobe photoshop CS3 file, then presets, then duotones.  Now you’ll see three folders Duotones, Tritones, and Quadtones.

5. Select any folder, that will open to more subfolder selections. Click on any of those you feel like (it’s a cruel joke by PS developers I think). Now, finally, you have weird filenames on your screen select on one and click load.

6. There you are, your picture is now toned. The computer will remember the location of the duotone file from now on and you’ll be able to get to the tones much easier. I like using the quadtone folder for black and white pictures because it gives great richness to the scene. But if you want a nice color tone try the tritones.

Experiment with the different file presets and create your own. Have fun toning.

Happy Halloween!

Image from: pumpkingutter.com

This has got to be the best carving of pumpkins I have ever seen. Check out Scott Cummings work!

My 101st POST!

In celebration of my milestone of 101 posts I am entering into a competition this digital illustration. I would like to get your insights on how it looks and what could be improved. The competitors are professional artists and illustrators from around the world and I have my work cut out for me.

The first picture is just the illustration. The second is after I placed a crumpled paper background and displacement map to it.

I would really enjoy to hear your critiques on this illustration. Please let your friends know and have them visit also. Thanks so much for your help and I look forward to hearing from you all.

 

Holiday cards are available

I would like to announce that holiday cards are available in many different varieties from Mark Birks Photography. Please visit the site to see the options and styles available. Prices start at $1.00 per photo card and the folded cards come in a pack of 25 and start at $30.00 plus shipping and processing. Many templates are available, but if you don’t see what you like I can custom design one for you.

Do you have a favorite photo that you want to use? Not a problem, you can send me your photo and I’ll get it on the card (A $10.00 photo prep. charge will apply).

Please leave a comment if you have any questions. Thanks for stopping by.

Importance of Values in Your Pictures

When you paint, draw, or even take black and white photos you must have  good understanding of values. How light interacts with objects and shadows is very important to have knowledge of and without it your images are flat and boring. In this tutorial by Henning Ludvigsen will help you with exercises on doing value.

Making your sketches into paintings

Currently I’m working on getting my concept sketches transformed into digital illustrations, so naturally I’m scouring the internet for tutorials on this. I stopped at Imagine FX magazines site and found this tutorial by Michael Kutsche. It’s pretty good and doesn’t use any specific programs to create the illustration.

Click on the picture to go to the tutorial. Keep in mind that this tut uses Adobe reader to view it. If you don’t have it download the reader here.

Junk Tree Paradise a step by step

I personally love seeing the creative process of how an illustrator makes a painting. This step by step was made by Corey Loving and details how he made this illustration “Junk Tree Paradise”. His other works can be seen at his site Corey Loving.com.

Click on the header to see the tutorial.

I’m looking for a tattoo.

Pinoy7.com came through again with a way to place a tattoo on someone. Take a look.