Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Killer Tips

I’ve been a long time fan of the Adobe Exchange. I mention that site as a huge resource in just about every one of my Photoshop classes. Especially since I’m an actions nut and they’ve got the best resource out there for actions. But it’s not just actions - they’ve got everything when it comes to presets and cool downloadable “stuff” (free and not free) for every Adobe program out there. How does this relate to Lightroom though? Well, the folks over at the Adobe Exchange have finally included Lightroom in the mix. Now you can download Develop presets, export plug-ins, web galleries and who knows what else. Most of it is free but there is some paid stuff too. Plus, developers can place their downloads on the site which means I’ll probably be adding my presets soon. So… the moral of today’s post: Check out the Adobe exchange. Obviously for Lightroom stuff but also for lots of little gems that work with the other Adobe programs you use.

Here’s the link to the Adobe Exchange home page.

Here’s the link to the Lightroom section.

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Happy Friday again. Everyone seems to be enjoying the HDR video so I thought I’d include a whole post about HDR stuff. First off, let’s start with some software:

Software
There’s a few programs you can use for HDR.
1) Photoshop - I’m not a huge fan of Photoshop’s Merge to HDR
2) Photomatix - definitely my favorite. Oh yeah, NAPP members get a 20% discount. Here’s the link to the NAPP member website to get the code.
3) FDR Tools - Cool enough. I’ve tried it but I like Photomatix more. It just seems more intuitive to me personally.
4) Dynamic Photo HDR - This program looks like the best of all of them to me. The interface looks awesome. However, it’s PC only so I haven’t been able to try it out yet.

Learning
• I did a 2 part NAPP tutorial on the NAPP members website. One on Merge to HDR in Photoshop and another one on using Photomatix.
• I think HDR really shines for real estate and landscapes. Here’s a neat article on using HDR for real estate photography.
• Stuck in Customs has a cool tutorial
• Ben Willmore is teaching a class on it at the upcoming Photoshop World in Las Vegas
• Another HDR tutorial I found on Flickr

Inspiration
Finally, here’s some inspirational links to some great HDR photography.
• The mother lode of all HDR inspiration over at Flickr’s HDR group.
• Photomatix’s website has some really great examples of HDR. Check out Maciek Duczynski’s portfolio there for some amazing stuff.

As always, if you’ve got some related news, links, websites or tutorials let us know in the comments area. Have a great weekend!

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Here’s a quick gear update. I’m posting this because it was the topic of a lot of discussion during the workshop I taught last month and it’s always a topic whenever a bunch of photographers get together. Let me first say that I paid for the Boda bag I’m about to talk about. I got it at Photoshop World Orlando, so I got a show discount but I still paid for it just like everyone else. My review is based totally on the way I really feel about the bag.

The Back StoryI’ve been wanting a bag for a while now. I first saw the Boda bag being used by (the critically acclaimed) Jeff Revell from Photowalk Pro My travel system is pretty good. I use a smaller Tamrac Expedition backpack and it holds what I need it to hold while I’m traveling. Plus it frees up my hands while getting things out of the car, going through airport security or just walking somewhere with other things in my hands. The problem I’ve had with it is that it’s not that great for shooting. Why? Because it’s on my back. If you ever want to changes lenses or grab something from the bag you’ve got take it off your back and lay it on the ground. Then if you decide to quickly walk somewhere you’ve got to grab it and move it. Oh, and don’t forget to zip it up (I learned the hard way when I lens fell out). Anyway, so I’ve wanted something for when I go on the actual photo shoot out in the field. Something that was easy to keep my lenses, filters, batteries, a flash, and anything else I may need. The Boda bag has successfully filled those shoes.

What is it?
The Boda Bag is a lens bag. It comes in two sizes: small and large. I have the large one. So what is a lens bag? Well, it’s not a camera bag. It’s meant to hold lenses. You hold your camera and keep this bag slung around your shoulder to change lenses, filters, etc… really fast. Now, keep in mind, even though it’s not a camera bag, you can fit a camera body in it. Depending on the lens, you may have to disconnect it but I was able to fit my Nikon D300 (with battery grip) with a 70-200 lens attached. That’s all it fit in the main compartment though. But it is great for a quick trip.

How did it hold up?
I first got to use this bag on my trip to the Great Smokies last month. I checked the bag (with no gear in it) inside my luggage (I actually stored socks, some t-shirts, and my illegal drugs to save space ) and carried on my backpack with all the gear in it on the plane. The bag held up like a champ. Here’s what I put inside once I went out into the field to shoot:
- 70-200 VR lens
- 12-24 lens
- 50mm lens
- 1.4 extender
- 3 filters (polarizing, neutral density, and graduated neutral density)
- extra battery
- extra CF cards
- flashlight
- oh, and some snacks (you gotta have snacks!)

Everything fit perfectly and the best part is that everything had it’s own place. Nothing was stuffed and nothing bulged out of the bag. Every compartment zipped closed perfectly and from looking at it you’d never know if it was empty or full. It wasn’t too heavy and it stayed put. You can even zip open the top and it has a snap on the back side of it to keep the top open and out of your way if you’re digging in there often.

Is it a shoulder bag or a waist bag?
It’s actually both. I opted to keep it as an over the shoulder bag over the optional waist belt. It goes over your opposite shoulder and hangs diagonal across you so it doesn’t go anywhere. I just felt like too much of a dork with a big fanny pack on - Sorry

Pros
- Small
- Easy to get to your stuff
- Perfect for those few-hour photo walks or short outings
- Weatherproof (and we did get rained on)
- made very sturdy
- lots of compartments to store stuff

Cons
The main con is also one of the pros. It’s size. It really depends on how much gear you need when you’re out there. But anything bigger and it would be hard to lug around. It’s meant for a minimal amount of gear. I did wish I could fit my camera body, 70-200 lens, and maybe one more in there but I’m ok with keeping it the size that it is.

The large size that I have rings in at $195 and the smaller version at $165. NAPP members get a discount if you go to the discounts area on the NAPP member website. Here’s their website in case you want to find out more info or see photos of the bag.

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It’s another gorgeous 80 degree day here in Tampa, FL and it reminds just why I love to live in Florida. Anyway, here’s a quick roundup of some Lightroom stuff I’ve found recently.

• I found an interesting read about utilizing Facebook when it comes to our photography. While Lightroom doesn’t really have hooks directly to it, Photoshop Express does. Either way, it’s kind of neat to see where things may be heading.

• Chris Orwig has a sweet article on some workflow features for Lightroom over at Layers Magazine’s website. While you’re there make sure you check out RC’s daily blog. Lots of great things for photographers and designers alike.

• Lightroom Galleries has an update to their wide range of galleries with the Lightroom Contact Form gallery. You can find it here.

• At Photoshop World in Orlando last month, my publisher (Peachpit press) asked us to film some videos based around Joe McNally’s book, The Moment it Clicks. They asked us to share a “click” moment with the audience. Here’s a link to mine as well as a few others who participated.

• (Blatant self-promotion alert!!!) The Digital Photography School created a list of 9 Hot Photoshop Books. I’m extremely proud to say that 2 of my books (Layers and the Photoshop Elements 6 Book for Digital Photographers I co-authored with Scott) made the list. (FYI… I’m still signing books if you order from Kelby Training)

• In other book news, Scott Kelby is currently entrenched in his Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers. I’ve seen a glimpse of some stuff he’s putting in there and let me tell ya’, no one is out there teaching Lightroom like this. I’ll put it to you this way. There’s not another author/trainer in the world that has personally come across as many Lightroom users as Scott has. So he knows first hand exactly what everyone wants to know. Obviously, the book is available for pre-order so if you want to be the first to get the book when Lightroom 2 ships (beta expires in August so you be the judge) you can pre-order here.

That’s it for today folks. If you’ve got any cool links or Lightroom/Digital Photography/Workflow related links please post ‘em in the comments area. Thanks and I hope you have a great Wednesday.
(photo credit: Chris Orwig)

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Hey folks, here’s a quick news update since I just finished teaching a workshop primarily on Lightroom and I figured I’d let you know where I’ll be teaching for the rest of the year. There’s another post today (another free preset) so feel free to scroll to the next post if you’re not interested in this.

Thank youI just wanted to say a great big huge thank you to everyone that came to my Great Smoky Mountains workshop this past weekend. We had a fantastic time and I made some really friends along the way. It was great getting to know all of you and the laughs we shared will stick with me for some time to come.

I also wanted to thank my friend Alessandro, from the workshop, for leaving such a nice comment here on the site. Here’s a peak if you’re interested. He totally made my day I can’t tell you how cool it is to see that I’ve helped people out like that. Thanks Alessandro (your pay off check is in the mail ) and thanks to the whole class for a great weekend!

Coming Up
OK, here’s where I’ll be for the rest of 2008 in case you’re thinking of coming out to a workshop or conference.

• May 5-6 - New York City: I’ll be teaching some Lightroom sessions at B&H photo on these two days. They’re totally free and you can find out more as well as register right here.

• Tuesday June 3 - Philadelphia, PA: I’m not sure about the details yet but I’m teaching a session for a CDW event (that is open to the public) that morning. I’ll update with details as they become available but I’ll definitely be there.

• August 9-16 - Hawaii Cruise: I’m teaching along side Dave Cross, Moose Peterson and Laurie Excel on a week long cruise through Hawaii. Folks, if you can make it out to this (I know it’s a stretch) it will be one amazing week.

• September 3-6 - Photoshop World Las Vegas: This is my favorite event of the year. It’s a 3-day Photoshop Love-Fest and hosts the best instructors in the world all in one place.

• October 15-18 - Bar Harbor/Acadia Natl. Park, Maine: This is another workshop for the Great American Photography Workshops (just like the one I taught in the Great Smokies last weekend). I’ve been to Bar Harbor before and I liked it so much that I’m going back. Sign up soon though. This is a hot spot for workshops and this one will definitely fill up.

That’s about it for now. I know there’s some more Lightroom training that I’ll be doing toward the end of the year but I don’t have the specifics yet. I’ll update here on the website as soon as I know. Thanks and I hope to see you out.

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