About Lark Books

The digital age isn't coming, it's here. With amateur and professional titles on such topics as lighting, digital photo art, nature, glamour, digital scrapbooking, wedding, the business of photography, and our great Magic Lantern series, Lark is at the heart of digital photography publishing.

Beginners who desire a great introduction to digital painting techniques need look no further! With this guide, photographers can go beyond the camera to turn image files into creative works that resemble traditional handmade art. Everything required to develop your personal vision is covered here, with a special focus on Corel Painter Essentials and Corel Painter. Find out about multiple softwares, available products and plug-ins, and methods for creating digital art outputting it to various papers and materials. In addition to the award-winning author, several internationally known photographers showcase their best pieces and offer tips and techniques. With more than 1.5 million new digital camera owners last year, this well-priced book has an audience that’s ready and waiting!

This first book in an exciting new series offers a lively and contemporary re-examination of a classic subject. It’s geared to young photographers who are having fun with their first digital SLR cameras, and want results that look like the stylish photos in hip magazines and ads. Filled with practical photographic advice and attractive, inspiring images, Baby Photography NOW! helps parents master the skills they need to get the most natural-looking shots of their baby. Learn about the essential equipment, lighting techniques, poses that work especially well, and the best ways to capture precious moments during naptime, bathtime, playtime, and special occasions. There are plenty of expert tips on post-production, polishing the image with Photoshop, designing an album, and creating gift mementoes, too!

Now, digital newcomers hoping to turn their ordinary photographs into eye-catching art finally have a book created just for them! It doesn’t matter if they have any previous artistic or computer software experience: this very accessible prequel to Airey’s more advanced Digital Photo Art expertly guides beginners through the wonders of digital image-making, and gives them a toolbox of creative possibilities. With plenty of visual examples to illustrate every technique from painting to printmaking, she explains how to transfer digital photos onto a variety of surfaces; craft a collage masterpiece using simple image-manipulation software; create custom scrapbooking backgrounds for a more personalized page; and convert color images into moody black and white studies or faux watercolor "paintings." It’s easy!

Even in the age of digital, we can have plenty of creative fun the low-tech (and low-cost) way: by building cool paper cameras and exploring the fascinating world of pinhole photography. Justin Quinell takes photography back to its roots by demonstrating how to create attractive pinhole cameras—that actually work. Instead of a lens, these cameras have a very tiny hole that "focuses" every point of light passing through it onto paper, thus imprinting the image permanently. A CD, included with the book, contains seven templates for making the cameras; the guide provides directions and advice on shooting successful, artistic pinhole photographs in many different conditions. Both beginning and experienced photographers will find these eye-opening!

Light is what photography is all about, but many photographers find that it poses their toughest technical and artistic challenge. Fortunately, this easy-to-grasp guide shows both new digital camera owners and those with more experience how to understand, modify, and control light to create more compelling images. Learn all about the color, direction, and quality of natural light and how to adjust lighting to flatter the subject. Find out about the best lighting strategies for portraits, close-ups, interiors, performances, and outdoor occasions. This illuminating book starts you off with the basics—but by the time you’re through, you’ll have the knowledge to become a true lighting master.

Photographers who need help getting in the mood and expanding their creative potential will find the guidance they’ve been seeking in this beautiful reference book. Using his most breathtaking work as examples, photographer Joseph Meehan demonstrates how to take photos that go beyond mere representation to make a statement, convey a feeling, or capture an emotional atmosphere. This is a must-have how-to for all photographers wishing to imbue their images with personal expression.

Capturing the effects of time and motion are two of the hottest topics in photography, and photographer Joseph Meehan provides the technical and aesthetic know-how for representing a three-dimensional world in a two-dimensional medium.Meehan explores the foundations of composition, light, and dimension that create the illusion of movement and passing time, and guides readers through a wide breadth of subjects, from shooting wildlife, sports, and moving backgrounds to creative digital techniques and panning.

Beautiful, realistic color: cameras capture it, but it’s one of the most complicated and confusing aspects of the digital darkroom. With today’s advanced technology, photographers have entered a maze of endless possibility that is difficult to grasp and control. Luckily, they now have a guide: Ted Dillard, author of RAW Pipeline, has created a roadmap to color consistency that will help photographers create images that fulfill their artistic vision—whether they’re reproducing reality precisely or generating new and imagined worlds of color in their work. Dillard provides an overview of basic color theory, explains how the computer translates color, and devises several workflows for achieving the highest-quality image with the least amount of hassle. Using the flexibility of RAW files, the advanced color handling of Photoshop, and the power of Smart Objects in Adobe Camera RAW, he takes the reader on the best route from capturing the digital image to creating the fine print.

Michael Freeman, the author of more than 20 books on various aspects of photography, now helps digital photographers see (and understand) the light! Because good lighting is key to a picture’s success, it’s a topic of interest to anyone who picks up a digital camera... and Freeman’s comprehensive manual gives readers an essential toolbox of techniques and creative ideas. Find out how to create and manipulate lighting scenarios for professional-looking photos. Examine the many varieties of natural light, from blazing sunlight to gentle twilight, as well as incandescent and fluorescent lights. Make the most of your camera’s flash and lighting equipment, including diffusers, shades, and reflectors. From shooting techniques to imaging tricks, this provides photographers with a solid groundwork for producing top-quality pictures.

Aimed at serious photographers, this lavishly illustrated guide takes a close look at every detail of lowlight photography. Michael Freeman (The Complete Guide to Digital Photography, Mastering Digital Black & White Photography) offers in-depth analysis of the many techniques photographers must master for night and lowlight shooting. Point by point, he discusses how to keep the camera steady, what lenses and camera settings to use, and how to best apply flash, bracketing, image-stabilizing, vibration reduction, and noise reduction. He also outlines common lowlight situations, from stormy weather and deep shade to twilight, moonlight, city lights, and nightclubs. Finally, Freeman examines software programs and processes that will increase the quality of lowlight photographs.

For photographers, nothing’s more important than superior image quality. Thanks to advancing technology, and this exciting new resource from long-time professional Derek Doeffinger, that’s a goal any digital photographer can reach. Doeffinger has created the only book on the market that fully explains how to obtain maximum image quality at every step. In detail, he discusses how to achieve the ultimate result by choosing the right equipment, knowing the ideal camera settings for every situation, and intelligently adjusting exposure, focus, focal length, and shutter speed. Find out how to get the most out of digital software; color-correct, sharpen, and resize; or stitch numerous images together for maximum resolution. There are even tips for ensuring that the printed picture matches the quality of the original.

The very best, most complete guide to digital color enhancement techniques is now updated to reflect the newest developments in software—including Adobe Photoshop CS2! This revised volume brings a fresh perspective to common color problems, explaining exactly how we see color, the differences between human and camera perception, and how to work with a color wheel. Included is a full discussion of display issues, including monitor calibration and resolution, color palettes, and consistency across varying platforms, operating systems, and software. A skills "toolkit" provides a detailed look at both computer hardware and image-editing software, and a hands-on workshop provides lessons in adjusting skin tones, retouching and restoring archived photos, and dealing with landscapes, fashion, still lifes, and more.

The Complete Guide to Digital Photography has always been one of Sterling’s best-selling books on going digital—and, with over 600 illustrations, this completely updated edition contains all the information photographers need to create crisp images every time. Here are all the most exciting and up-to-date digital technologies, uncovered: larger-resolution sensors, built-in image stabilization, the latest improvements in cameras and lenses, printers and inks, and the newest versions of image-processing software such as Photoshop CS3. Other sections present the current developments in workflow managers like Lightroom, as well as analyses of raw-file development. A discussion of shooting and processing techniques offers advice on everything from portraits to still lifes. Written by one of the most bestselling and knowledgeable authors in the field, it’s an indispensable reference!

It’s the latest and hottest technique, made possible only through digital. High Dynamic Range photography is the process of taking several pictures of a scene at various exposures, then merging them into one file. So the entire photo can look crisp and detailed, from highlights to midtones to shadows—and photographers needn’t sacrifice any part of their image. And the best way to master this exciting technology is with this thorough, easy-to-follow, and visually spectacular guide. No other title does justice to these cutting-edge techniques, which actually take the viewer into worlds far beyond normal photography—sometimes even beyond normal human perception. Ferrell McCollough, a widely respected photographer, pushes the boundaries and inspires others to pursue their artistic vision, too. The amazing results simply can’t be achieved any other way.

From bringing sunshine into cloudy day pictures to creating underwater effects, photographers can add realistic drama to their images with Photoshop. The techniques are all here, brilliantly illustrated and explained in this bestselling guide--now updated for the next version of Adobe Photoshop with new instructions and screen grabs. Find out about light sources; different types of light, such as candlelight and neon; manipulating light; and color temperature. Replicate classic studio lighting setups, and give portraits a touch of Hollywood glamour. Abundant information on shadows, projections, reflections, special effects, shortcuts for Mac and Windows, filters, and third-party plug-ins, make this is a must-have.

With over 70 illustrated tutorials, eleven new techniques, all-new screenshots, and step-by-step instructions with downloadable examples, this revised edition of Duncan Evans and Tim Shelbourne’s outstanding photo guide will help readers master the latest Photoshop software—and create distinctive photographed portraits. Photoshop can enhance even the well-shot image, and Evans and Shelbourne teach photographers of all levels how they can use it to generate mixed lighting effects that would otherwise require an expensive studio, produce high-key or low-key styles, retouch facial features and blemishes, isolate and emphasize the subject, optimize monochrome effects, and much more.

Joe Farace is an award-winning photographer with more than 30 books and 1,600 articles to his credit. So there’s no one better to take monochrome into the digital age. Whether you’re shooting digital black and white from your camera or converting color photographs to monochrome on the computer, you’ll discover an array of unique, innovative, and inspirational techniques suitable for shutterbugs of every level. Farace explains what kinds of software programs are best, and how to use them to manipulate your photos in diverse ways. He also discusses various in-camera effects including toning and soft focus. The detailed information and instruction cover everything from creating traditional looking black-and-white or sepia images, to adding color selectively for a one-of-a-kind, fine-art approach.

There's no limit to what the Photoshop enthusiast can achieve with the right knowledge at hand—it’s even possible to alter the landscape! Whether you want to convert a lackluster color shot of a distant forest into a monochrome masterpiece or imbue a photo with atmosphere by changing the weather, this invaluable companion to Creative Photoshop Lighting Techniques explains how. Along with a basic introduction to Photoshop’s most useful features, it presents easy-to-follow tutorials on adding realistic shadows and reflections, simulating rain or snow, inserting "natural" elements such as waterfalls and rivers, and turning day into night. From recreating fish-eye effects to manipulating depth of field, from using Photoshop filters and plug-ins to finding smart shortcuts, there are enough indispensable techniques to recreate the landscape you pictured in your mind, if not with your camera.

Photographer Nancy Brown is truly a genius of the digital world. A successful former model who moved behind the camera, she excels at connecting with people and capturing lifestyle, trends, and "the look" she wants. Her simple yet elegant photos show people living in the moment and enjoying life. How does she create such evocative shots? Nancy takes us on location and reveals how she makes the most of her subjects and their surroundings. From creating and selling stock photography, to working with people, to enhancing the images in the computer, it’s all here with advice you can apply to your own photography.

Digital technology has transformed the entire photographic workflow—and Adobe™ Lightroom, the latest application from the creators of Photoshop®, is at the forefront of the revolution. With this in-depth guide, photographers can make the most of the cutting-edge software and understand the entire image-making process. It’s filled with expert tips and techniques, and comprehensively covers both professional essentials (setting up photo libraries, white balance) and advanced topics like studio branding. You’ll learn how to have a photo shoot, whittle it down to the best shots, and fine-tune their tone, balance, and exposure. Zoom in, zoom out, crop, and undo, all without altering the original. Put the file on CD or the web for clients or friends, then make picture-perfect prints, in color, mono, or sepia. The possibilities are amazing!

Photoshop users who haven’t been working with plug-ins haven’t been taking full advantage of the program’s creative and technical potential, from advanced digital art and photo effects to support for varied file types. But finding the right ones online could be time-consuming... until now. For this handy reference, Jim Zuckerman has done the legwork, describing and test driving many plug-ins for a variety of functions, as well as recommending the very best options currently available on the market. New Photoshop owners, experienced digital artists, and pro photographers will all find recommendation to make their tasks in Photoshop quicker, easier, and more fun.

Digital users: are you puzzled by white balance settings? Unsure which ISO is appropriate? Baffled about how to transfer, file, and edit images? Finally, here’s a manual that clears up the confusion! This updated reprint of Digital Photography Q&A has a unique question-and-answer format that provides quickly accessible, cut-to-the chase advice on topics ranging from image capture to computer processing to printing. Photographers who have this guide by their side will be in the know, feeling confident, and ready to take great pictures with their digital cameras.

Digital technology has revolutionized photography—nowhere more dramatically than with black-and-white. Interest in the subject has reached an all-time high, and this guide by an esteemed photographer and editor of Shutterbug magazine is the only complete foundation course on monochrome digital landscape photography. It explains all the basics of the highly popular subject: how to meter and expose scenes so they convert well to grayscale, control how colors are rendered as gray tones, expose for highlights and develop (in the computer) for the lowlights, manage contrast, and create a magical print.

Most amateurs dream of taking professional-quality portraits; Steve Sint can show them how. After shooting over a million portraits, he has a wealth of knowledge to share, on everything from the basics of good composition to the fine details of advanced lighting techniques. Sint simply delivers a complete course in digital portrait photography: he discusses set-ups and backdrops; the most flattering ways to pose both individuals and groups; tips on making the sessions fun and comfortable for everyone; and insider info on using electronic flash, both indoors and out. For those hoping to go pro, an entire chapter offers all the nuts and bolts information needed to turn your passion into a career!

This updated, up-to-the minute manual on Photoshop Elements includes information on the fourth and latest version of this extremely popular software program—just released this very season. All the new features are thoroughly covered with visuals such as brand-new screenshots and toolboxes. With hundreds of images and hands-on projects, the guide walks digital camera enthusiasts through all the ins and outs of the hardware and software, including cameras, computers, storage, printers, and scanners. Find out about image film formats, and how to save pictures on the Web and improve the composition and quality of a photo by cropping, rotating, flipping, or resizing the image. Even simulate traditional darkroom procedures. Every digital photographer who owns Photoshop Elements will want this.

This is exactly what photographers venturing into the digital world for the first time have been looking for: an easy-to-follow, well-illustrated manual that shows them how to take great photographs. PCPhoto founding editor Rob Sheppard is the perfect guide, and this revised and updated volume is the beginner’s must-have book. In simple language, Sheppard explains the advantages of digital and covers the most important new technology (such as smile and blink recognition, image stabilization, higher megapixel sensors, and more). He offers invaluable information on shooting techniques, cameras, printers, and accessories; and expertly unravels the confusion over formats and file sizes, lens conversion factors, media cards, downloading pictures, and the basics of getting a good print. This is simply indispensable for any digital camera or inkjet printer owner.

George DeWolfe is a master of the fine print: he studied with photographic geniuses Ansel Adams and Minor White, and worked as a consultant to the most significant companies in the digital photography world. Now, he passes on his considerable expertise to all, in a breathtaking new DIGITAL MASTERS guide that combines artistic concepts for taking beautiful photographs with an array of practical techniques. With interest in black-and-white exploding, digital photographers will rush to take advantage of the knowledge he imparts.

As we travel to new places, digital camera in hand, we all feel the desire to capture them forever in images: the scenic vistas, the unique architecture, the people who inhabit that landscape. With this magnificent new study, award-winning National Geographic photographer Bob Krist can help us achieve our goal. It’s distinguished from other digital how-tos by its comprehensive scope, easy-to-grasp explanations, inspirational attitude, and upscale aesthetics. Krist examines the technological aspects of shooting digitally on location, and explains how to select the right equipment, from cameras and lenses to flashes and tripods. He offers tips for saving, backing up, and sending images on the road, and gets to the heart of what it takes to portray the true spirit of your subject. He poses such questions as: What makes a truly great photograph? How can you create a well-rounded portrait of a place through its geography, people, and culture? The answers are all illustrated with the author’s collection of stunning travel photography to inspire us along the way.

An exotic landscape does not necessary equal a stunning photograph—but knowing the secrets of the professionals helps. This sumptuously photographed guide shows both accomplished amateurs and snapshot-taking tourists how to hone their skills so they can get a good picture no matter where in the world they are. In fabulous detail, it explores the wide variety of available equipment, from batteries and lenses to flashes and filters; offers lessons in photographing people on location, including such issues as whether or not to pay locals for posing; discusses the etiquette of photographing religious and sacred places; and reveals how to capture the essence of a locale. Most of all, the dazzling images—from sites across the globe—are absolutely inspirational.

Jeff Wignall—author of the bestselling Joy of Photography—knows how to encourage photographers of all skill levels: his easy-to-grasp explanations of technique and equipment, and his inspirational attitude have distinguished The Joy of Digital Photography from any other digital manual. And now the best book on the subject is getting an update, to include all the newest technology and software. Everything is covered and illustrated with top-of-the-line images: digital vision; digital tools (cameras, lenses, accessories); common problems and solutions; exposure and flash; working with light; handling weather seasons and mood; travel and landscape photography; portraiture; sports photography; post-production, including seeing, sharing, and storing digital images; basic desktop printing; the digital darkroom; a Photoshop primer; sharing the image; and much, much more.

For the very first time, renowned international photographer and bestselling author Michael Freeman reveals all the insider secrets that professionals keep for themselves alone. Everyone from enthusiastic amateurs to seasoned experts will learn plenty of the tried-and-true, field-tested techniques Freeman has discovered through years of experience. He helps you think and shoot like an expert, providing advice on everything from shooting in poor weather conditions to simulating complex lighting setups, from enhancing depth of field to fixing damaged files and organizing your photos effectively. His easily digestible nuggets of information explain how to make the most of your digital camera... even if you have limited resources. And that’s important, because to get a great photo, you must fully exploit your camera’s capabilities—and this guide shows you how.

For anyone who has waited for just the right moment to capture a blazing sunset or tried to catch the stark and simple beauty of bare tree limbs in winter, this manual will prove irresistible. Rather than simply providing ideas of what to photograph, Outdoor Photographer and PCPhoto magazine editor Rob Sheppard presents invaluable insider techniques and insights: use a histogram to get the ideal exposure, or white balance to create atmospheric images. Find out how to shoot crisp close-ups or awe-inspiring panoramic shots, and how to enhance pictures by using filters such as grads and polarizers. See how computer and image-editing software can turn ordinary images into extraordinary photos. Each section offers a listing of 10 Quick Tips for handling common outdoor photography challenges.

What makes a great photo? An image that opens your eyes to something you might never have noticed before. That’s why photographers have always loved to go close up. And digital cameras—with their reticulating LCD panels that fold out and make it possible to see a subject from odd angles—make it easier than ever to go where other cameras never could before. Expert photographer Joseph Meehan explains every aspect of the art of close-up digital photography, with comprehensive information on cameras, accessories, and lighting; tactical approaches for different subjects; in-depth discussions of black and white; and ideas for enhancing the image with a computer. And he presents image-rich gallery sections of the works of well-known photographers.

Black and white has an enduring appeal that just keeps on growing. Above all, it's a medium for the fine print--one that benefits immeasurably from digital technology and inkjet printers. Written by a photographer well-known for his ability to explain complex digital concepts to a variety of audiences, this essential guide on the art of black and white is packed with information, hints, and tips, along with a plethora of stunning images. Discover how our colorful world translates into black and white and how to create a stunning monotone image. See how to render colors as gray tones and how to manipulate the tonality for dramatic effect. Experiment with high contrast, infrared, and pseudo non-silver looks. You won't believe the wonderful results you'll achieve.

Digital cameras and powerful image-editing software applications provide today's photographer with all the tools needed to control the world of color. Renowned photographer and author Michael Freeman provides a thorough look at the essential ways of dealing with color that will help traditional photographers enter the world of digital photography with confidence and excitement. Using helpful tips and exercises, he covers everything from capture and calibration to workflow management and output. Photographers will find expert guidance on sensitivity, color temperature, and exposure, and invaluable advice on making the most of color as a design element. Examine subjective and cultural response to individual colors and combinations, the many ways of digitally altering a photo's tones, and how to capture and reproduce color precisely.

Electronic flash not only brings light to a photograph, it can be an important artistic tool—if you’ve acquired the knowledge to use it creatively. To master those skills, digital photographers need only turn to this complete reference. Packed with inspirational photos, it takes the mystery out of flash, covering every type of equipment and explaining such essentials as guide numbers, sync speeds, white balance, and more. Photographers will see how fill flash can decrease contrast and shadows in outdoor portrait photography, understand how to control the light using bounce and multiple flash techniques, and expertly employ high-speed and rear curtain synchronization to create impressive motion-blur images. Everything you need to know is here—including a section on studio flash and computer processing.

Epson is the company at the cutting edge of quality digital photo printing, and their superb equipment makes it possible for everyone to print sparkling photographs at home. With the help of Rob Sheppard, editor of Outdoor Photographer and PCPhoto magazines, amateurs can enter Epson’s brave new world with all the latest information. This latest edition of the Epson guide reflects the increasing sophistication of ink jet printing, with its faster speed and better tonal and color reproduction. It helps today’s photographers select a model that has the right features, choose from the new options of quality papers and inks, and succeed in creating excellent prints—and have fun while doing it. Sheppard passes on valuable knowledge on developing a consistent workflow, sizing and sharpening images properly, making black-and-white and panoramic prints, and much more. To complete the picture: the guide includes gallery sections from well-known photographers who are all Epson spokespeople and users.

For animal lovers, a pet is a member of the family—but one that is much harder to photograph. Capturing an animal’s charm and personality can be an incredibly challenging (even frustrating) exercise, but Pet Photography NOW! makes the job easier. It shows professionals and amateurs alike how to get the best from their subject, whether it comes wrapped in fur, feathers, or scales. Noted expert Paul Walker is an excellent source of practical advice on locations, viewpoints, and posing; how to make your pet behave for the camera; and which camera settings will give you the best results. A chapter devoted to post-production, including step-by-step Photoshop workthroughs, helps you optimize your images to produce stunning prints of your most successful portraits.

Photoshop Elements is the number-one imaging tool for aspiring amateurs—and this guide is an essential reference for adventurous digital artists who want to go beyond just retouching and enhancing their work. It teaches the very best lighting techniques, develops image manipulation skills, and shows how to add pizzazz to any photograph with beautifully practical projects. Create spectacular effects, quickly and easily—everything from digitally duplicating classic film noir style to recreating expensive studio setups on the desktop to changing the weather conditions in holiday pictures. An examination of the differences between Elements and Photoshop, workarounds, and shortcuts will help photographers achieve professional results.

These creative tutorials will have Elements-savvy photographers jubilantly producing wildly imaginative, out-of-this-world pictures—and expanding their knowledge of digital technologies, too. Even the most advanced users will benefit from the ingenious image manipulation and compositing techniques contained here. Most of the lessons concentrate on turning human figures into fantastic beings, including aliens, zombies, ghosts, and stone statues. But there’s also advice on transforming existing scenery into fabulous environments: simulate a flying saucer attack on a contemporary city; fashion a fanciful landscape floating on clouds; or create an undersea world, complete with marine life. An introductory project even pays homage to the great surrealist artist Magritte! The instructions show how to do it all, with tricks, hints, and expert tips along the way.

A brand-new companion to the bestselling Digital Photographer's Guide to Photoshop Elements provides photographers with the practical, technical information they need to take full advantage of the most popular image-processing software on the market.

Photoshop Elements is a powerful image-processing package that enables users to produce sophisticated enhancements to their digital image files and photographs. With this comprehensive, practical, and illustrated handbook, newcomers to the technology can quickly learn the most effective, efficient ways to avail themselves of all its creative possibilities. Page by page, the guide bursts with authoritative tips and techniques for performing specific edits and adjustments to original digital photos. All the fundamental enhancements receive extensive explanation, including exposure correction, contrast adjustment, tonal alteration, and color balance modification. Go further, and use the software to mimic traditional photographic processes such as hand-tinting, create lighting effects, or build complex multilayered montages. The many easy-to-follow explanations and well-chosen examples make every step of the process wonderfully clear.

A classic reference enters the digital age! The long anticipated update of Steve Meltzer’s Photographing Your Craftwork is here—and finally artists have a guide that helps them produce high quality images of their work. Cutting through the jargon and hype around digital photography, Meltzer explains in plain language how digital cameras operate, and explores specific techniques for lighting and photographing jewelry, pottery, glass, installed art, stamps, coins, dolls, and other collectibles. Because a great portfolio and smart use of the internet are so important for professional success, there’s also advice on using such photo editing programs as Adobe™ Photoshop® and CorelPHOTO-PAINT Pro® to turn images into great photographic prints, exciting websites, eye-catching marketing materials, and submissions for exhibition jurying. A Selection of the Crafter's Choice Book Club.

Digital photography has changed the visual world, bringing an onslaught of new tools, techniques, and technology—a daunting challenge for photographers trying to keep up with the latest innovations. Fortunately, that task has just gotten a little easier. RAW Pipeline is the solution to mastering the biggest, most important innovation in digital photography: the RAW image file. It explains exactly what a RAW file is, and how to process and efficiently control it. Discover new ways to "think RAW" while shooting and new methods for effectively handling RAW’s time-demanding processing requirements in the computer. Learn how to harness the power of Photoshop’s layers and masks—and then break the boundaries of image control by combining these with Adobe’s ingenious Smart Object technology. Finally, you’ll see how to navigate the RAW workflow process—with the end result being a fine-art quality print. RAW Pipeline will truly revolutionize how you work on your images in Photoshop.

With easy-to-follow instructions and detailed photo sequences showing how to arrange lights and lighting accessories, this carefully structured course teaches all the fundamentals of portraiture, as well as a host of other creative techniques. It sets out everything the amateur needs to know to create a wide range of styles, from choosing the right equipment to composing the background to placing and positioning the subject for maximum effect. The basics of color and black and white, digital capture and film, and studio and location shooting all receive detailed attention, and helpful tips on mood-enhancing lighting will help raise novices’ skills to professional levels.

Professional photographers trying to refine their skills, serious amateurs hoping to break into this lucrative field, and everyday shooters who just want to take better pictures will find this second edition of Steve Sint's information-packed guide invaluable. Sint, who has photographed more than 3,500 weddings, has updated his classic work to include discussions of photojournalistic and formal shooting styles, the advantages and disadvantages of digital, and shooting special family occasions. And he still includes all the basics and time-tested secrets, from a complete wedding day shooting repertoire to tips on posing the wedding party, from establishing prices and presenting proofs to creating packages for customers. Above all, there are hundreds of outstanding and imaginative wedding photos to look through, with Sint's illuminating comments on what makes them distinctive.

Today’s brides and grooms know exactly how they want their nuptials photographed—spontaneous and fun, rather than demure and posed. This huge demand has led to a new style of cutting-edge wedding photojournalism, a twist on tradition that requires lensers with a keen eye for stylish composition and an ability to anticipate the significant and emotion-filled moment. Packed with practical advice on techniques, this contemporary re-examination of a classic subject teaches those crucial skills including how to use angles, lighting, and location to create uniquely personal photos for the modern marrying couple. It takes you through all the essential stages for creating a one-of-a-kind and meaningful wedding photo album, from private portraits to risqué shots of the bride getting dressed on the big day.

Digital photo contests are hot, hot, HOT—and this savvy guide reveals the inside secrets and technical advice photographers need to find—and win—the best competitions. Jeff Wignall covers all aspects of this rising phenomenon, from finding safe and trustworthy contests to taking visually impressive and emotionally powerful photos that will catch the judges’ eyes. In addition to prizes, these contests provide digital photographers with a unique and unprecedented opportunity to showcase their work, and Wignall maps out how to take advantage of this exciting trend. He also includes one-on-one interviews with key contest owners and judges to get the behind-the-scenes scoop on why a particular photo won. The features contests include: Digital Image Cafe, National Wildlife Federation, Kodak, Steve’s Digicams, Popular Photography, Smithsonian Magazine, Wet Pixel, and many more. Well over 100 original contest-winning images appear throughout the book, with commentary from the contributing photographers on their specific style and shooting techniques.