Processing Artistry – PhotographyBB Magazine

90% of all the images I publish have very basic post processing. My workflow is often simply running through the Lightroom development panel from bottom to top adjusting color, contrast and taking full advantage of the histogram before exporting for web. However, on occasion, the image is still missing something but shows potential. And that’s when I send the file to Photoshop to start experimenting.

The December issue of PhotographyBB Magazine is out and I was kindly asked by Dave Seeram to contribute a guest post-processing article describing this very situation. The image I decided to use was of an abandoned pier on the North Shore of Prince Edward Island.

Get the free December 2011 Issue of PhotographyBB Magazine

If you would like to attempt the steps on your own as practice, I’m making the original raw DNG file for your own personal use available for download. (Lightroom’s “Zeroed” preset applied)

And I feel it’s necessary to note that while some editing should be expected, several changes were made to the copy using the first-person context which left me scratching my head. I’ve never been fond of the word “punch” to describe an image but the editor decided I should say it twice…. ah well.

Today’s Image – Abandoned Pier

Located near the St. Peters Lighthouse at N 46 26.555 W 62 44.495, several rows of posts remain at the entrance to St Peters Harbour.

An Artistic Look at Prince Edward Island

For what feels like forever, I have listed a book on www.stephendesroches.com as coming soon and to check back in late 2011. While I did receive my artist’s proof previews, I decided to keep them for Christmas Gifts and not tell anyone. Well, by now the books have been opened which means I can now talk about it.

The following 9 photos are a preview of a trial run limited edition 12×12 160 page hard cover book. (details to order will come in a few weeks)

Prince Edward Island Photography Book

Today’s Image – My Prince Edward Island Book

I’m pleased with the results and will move forward with a final release after a couple edits. The images in this book are exclusively created on Prince Edward Island over the past 3 or 4 years. While I do include the locations of each image, I decided to lay this book out as a portfolio that only focuses on the images. You’ll not find any stories or additional information of each photograph.

An excerpt from the introduction:

Keeping photography fun is an exciting task. Endless resources of information and much to learn without any pressure or expectations. The idea of recording the world onto single frames is an exercise that forces a closer look at light, colors and shapes. Either it be at home on quiet Prince Edward Island or the occasional travel to much larger cities, a camera in hand has become as common as carrying identification. The desire to become better is stronger then ever but at the end of each day; it’s still all for fun.

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Happy Holidays

It has been mostly a non-white December but here on the eve of Christmas, we may have just received enough snow for it to stay. Where ever you may be reading this – seasons greetings on this holiday weekend.

Today’s Image – Enjoying the Snow

A quick photo of our girl during a break from playing in the new snow.

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Bryce Canyon National Park

What a busy month. After returning on Nov 15th, it has been three weeks of little to no photography. My days, evenings, sometimes nights have been mostly occupied with design and post processing behind a desk. Add the quickly approaching holiday season and if feels like time has completely disappeared.

In fact, the only time the camera has left the house was for a college football championship that I was asked to cover – which I gladly did. Next to landscapes and nature – sports photography is just as exciting and challenging. Both styles has that feel of a hunt for a perfect frame with no second chances. Here are 55 images from the game on Facebook. Congrats to our local team.

Today’s Image – Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon is a land of hoodoos – several tall, thin spire rock formations. While preparing for this trip, I was warned several times that not only was I heading towards top tourist destinations but also top destinations for photographers. While prepared for the typical everyone has a camera in today’s world situation, I was still shocked at the numbers. I am use to being alone until 7am or later and even this close to winter, it felt like every hiker in Zion National Park was carrying a tripod. In Bryce, the trails were lined with tripods all pointing in the same direction. When I arrived about an hour before sunrise, it felt like I was late to some party. I had also stumbled into several workshops on 3 different days.

I have now shared 26 images from my American Southwest trip but still only scratching the survace of what might be good enough to share. There will be many more to come. See them all at 365.focusedonlight.com or on Facebook.