Jordan welcomed everyone to the meeting. Club meetings are held at the Highlands Ranch Library on the second Tuesday of every month. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to attend.
The Web site has been updated. Anyone not already receiving club e-mail can sign up at the home page. The new e-mail is feedback@hrphotoclub.com.
Jordan announced that August 10 would be a full moon. August 11 would be a good time to observe the Perseids meteor shower and for some great low light photography attempts.
Club member Jim Bennett will be the featured artist at the Highlands Ranch Library for the month of September. Everyone is encouraged to view his photographs while they are on display.
Five Quick Tricks for Better Pics Presented by Jordan McCullough
Jordan McCullough presented five tricks for better photographs. These tips used Photoshop or its baby brother Photoshop Elements. He illustrated the adjustments needed to accomplish these adjustments and showed photographs before and after adjustments were made.
1. Quick Trick Tonality used levels adjustment to make blacks look black and whites look white.
2. Quick Trick Instant Contrast used unsharp mask to achieve a smooth, sharper image. He recommended using a bigger radius for a smoother look – up to 45 percent maximum. When making adjustments for people or portraits, the radius needs to be kept big in order to avoid harsh lines and sharply defined wrinkles. Jordan explained that using the curves tool changes the tonality, while unsharp mask increases contrast.
3. Quick Trick Color Contrast Boost does contrast and saturation all at once. Using an overlay increases vividness (saturation). He suggested trying 25 to 30 percent opacity for the top layer.
4. Quick Trick High Pass Contrast works especially well with athletes or masculine portraits. As with previous tricks, this uses an overlay. Select Filter, then High Pass. A bigger number makes crisper detail and reduces problems with ISO noise.
5. Quick Trick Digital Facial uses layers to lighten facial wrinkles and unflattering shadows. He used a clone tool at 10 percent for this trick.
Show and Tell Event
August’s photo assignment of silhouettes proved to be a great deal of fun for club members, and challenged everyone to view objects and subject matter in an entirely different way.
Special Thanks
A special thanks to Nancy C. for note taking, meeting minutes, and the write up. Nancy, we appreciate everything you’ve done for the club and wish you the very best of luck whereever your photography, travels, and new home might be. Best of luck!
