Categories
Adobe Events Facebook Online Life Photo Manipulation Projects

Photoshop Fun with Skip

Happy Birthday Skip! (8/30/12)

I will not get into all the gory details about Skip (my Cuz), other than we share similar humor, and Facebook has helped to instigate some things.

The other day, Skip updated his profile to this…

Profile Picture - Skip (Original)
Profile Picture – Skip (Original)

and at that time, I commented that there should be a “Shark Fin” in the background.

Shortly there after, I was emailed the original cell-phone file above.

So the game is on now…

What could I do to make this image more interesting?

Normally, I stay away from Photoshop “trickery”, but every now and then, it is good to keep the skills sharp…

Shark Attack

So up to Google I go to find some images and ideas…

Skip with Shark 1
Skip with Shark 1

For my first try, I just added a shark to the background, trying to make sure the wakes and waves looked real.

Skip forwarded this image to his mother… Not sure if they are still talking…

Keeping with the Shark theme, and to make life a little easier, I created this…

Skip with Shark 2
Skip with Shark 2

Facebook comment:

Skip – “Yes, it was this exciting, and I may have pooped my pants, just a little!

and from here, borrowing from a classic internet image…

Skip with Shark 3
Skip with Shark 3

Reading the comments on the various pictures, with Skip narrating…

Skip – “What a day that was! Smooth piloting just saved his life in the nick of time!!”

Skip – “and my waverunner was 6′ in the air while I was holding the camera ever so smoothly! :)”

and so endeth “Shark Day”…

Where in the World is Skip?

Late in the afternoon, there was a change in the meme…

I received a file from Skip, which turned into this…

Skip - Where in the World? 01
Skip – Where in the World? 01

Since this is a new Adventure, and I’m sworn to secrecy…

I can not tell you where this might end…

Tee Hee!

History in the making with Skip

After some much-needed coffee, and catching up on the comments, it seems that Skip has now found a TARDIS…

[4-6 million years ago] – Skips First “Interns”

In the early days, Skip had some problems relating to some of the new Interns that had joined the Project…

Skip with Project Interns
Skip with Project Interns

[1495] – Not Skip’s Last Supper

Not Skip's Last Supper
Not Skip’s Last Supper

[1816] – Uncle Sam Skip

Uncle Sam Skip (circa 1816)
Uncle Sam Skip (circa 1816)

[1903 Dec 17] – First Flight – Wright brothers

First Flight - Wright bothers
First Flight – Wright bothers

[1912 – April 15] – RMS Titanic – sometime after 23:40 (ship’s time)

Skip - RMS Titanic (1912)
Skip – RMS Titanic (1912)

Judging by the various pictures that we have found, it seems pretty likely that Skip had tapped into something…

[1937 May 6 – 19:25] – Lakehurst Naval Air Station – German passenger airship LZ 129 Hindenburg

Skip with the Hindenburg (1937) [Dean H]
Skip with the Hindenburg (1937) [Dean H]
Then there were the World Wars…

[1943 February 4–11] – Yalta Conference

Skip at the Yalta Conference (1943)
Skip at the Yalta Conference (1943)

[1947 July 7] – The Skip-well Alien Autopsy

The Skipwell Alien Autopsy
The Skipwell Alien Autopsy

[1963 July 24] – Skip meets two Presidents!

Skip Meets Two Presidents!
Skip Meets Two Presidents!

[1963 August 28] – Washington, DC – “I Have a Dream” speech

Martin Luther King Jr. speech - "I have a Dream" (1963)
Martin Luther King Jr. speech – “I have a Dream” (1963)

Then there was that one day is Dallas…

[1963 November 22 12:30 CST] – Dealey Plaza, Dallas TX

Skip in  Dealey Plaza, Dallas (1963) [Dean H]
Skip in Dealey Plaza, Dallas (1963) [Dean H]
[1969 August 15-18] – Woodstock Music & Art Fair, Bethel, NY

Still to this day, Skip is heard to say to friends – “I don’t remember that!”

Skip at Woodstock (1969)
Skip at Woodstock (1969)

and at the same time, he is known to say – “Are you experienced?”

Skip with Jimi Hendrix (1969)
Skip with Jimi Hendrix (1969)

[1969 July 20] – Mare TranquillitatisSea of Tranquility“, MoonApollo 11

Skip with Apollo 11
Skip with Apollo 11

[1970 December 21] – The King and the Crook

The King and Crook
The King and Crook

[1987 September 25] – While on set for “The Princess Bride’s”, Skip was able to capture this classic scene

Skip on set with "The Princess Bride"
Skip on set with “The Princess Bride”

[2004 February 1] – Superbowl XXXVIII Oops!

Skip has an Oops!
Skip has an Oops!

[2006 October 11] – “In Saturn’s Shadow

Skip takes a look back
Skip takes a look back

[2012 May 17] – Is Skip the next Carl Bernstein? or Bob Woodward?
or the mysterious man in the shadows….

Skip at a private fundraiser (5/17/2012)
Skip at a private fundraiser (5/17/2012)

[2012 August 30] – Skip had heard via various sources, that there was a party in town… Even with a hurricane blowing into town, he was able to witness history in the making…

Skip At The Republican National Convention (08/30/2012)
Skip At The Republican National Convention (08/30/2012)

[2012 September 24] – So Skip… What is your call on this one…

Skip, what is your call on this one? (09/24/2012)
Skip, what is your call on this one? (09/24/2012)

[2012 October 14] – Once again Skip shows his desire to be at the edge of everything…

Skip - Space Jump
Skip – Space Jump

[2012 October 30] – As fate would have it, Skip was one of the last people able to fly into New York City, and Hurricane Sandy could be seen in the distance.

Skip & Hurricane Sandy
Skip & Hurricane Sandy

[2013 June 08] – 30th High School Reunion!

Check out some of the picture Skip took during his 30th High School Reunion weekend!

Carpe Diem!

[2013 July 21 02:02 AM] – Geraldo and Skip after Last-call

Geraldo and Skip after Last-call
Geraldo and Skip after Last-call

[2013 July] – Skip takes pictures of Weiner

Skip's Weiner pictures
Skip’s Weiner pictures

[2013 August 19] – Shark, Shark, Skip!

Shark, Shark, Skip!
Shark, Shark, Skip!

[2013 August 23] – The Royal Birth

Skip's New Cousin!
Skip’s New Cousin!

[2013 August 29] – An Early Birthday present

Happy 48th Skip!
Happy 48th Skip!

At one with Nature

During a recent trip, Skip was able to meetup with old friend, Bryan!

Skip with his friend Bryan
Skip with his friend Bryan

While checking on the ‘neighborhood’, Skip Middleton startled some of the local wildlife, some of whom where NOT happy with his kind of paparazzi…

Skip with Bigfoot
Skip with Bigfoot

Skip in Space

With the help of S.R. Hadden, of Hadden Industries, Skip was able to take a quick trip, and capture this Kodak moment (See Date-line entry above).

Not many people realized, Skip left the planet, for his real mission, which had begun many years before… He was eager to compare notes with Dr. David Bowman later on in the “day”.

Skip with Tycho Monolith Anomaly 1 (TMA-1)
Skip with Tycho Monolith Anomaly 1 (TMA-1)

In an email/text to his mother, Skip, said “You should meet HAL! It’s so cool to talk with a computer! Should be Home in a couple of days! L8ter! – Skip”

Skip with HAL9000
Skip with HAL9000

Snapshots of Life

[No GPS data available] – Skip on alert!

Skip on Alert!
Skip on Alert!

[Budapest] – During one of Skip’s many adventures, he ran into this timeless traveler.

Skip - Budapest
Skip – Budapest

[Justin Bieber] – Ever since Justin Bieber’s songs first appeared in 2008, Skip has been a big fan. Then there was the big night, where Justin invited Skip to one of his concerts, and gave him an “All Access Pass”! Needless to say, Skip was thrilled, and even managed to capture this image.

Skip & Justin Bieber
Skip & Justin Bieber

Skip in the Movies

Skip does not always talk about his screen, but when he does, it is sure to be epic!

[1953 – “War of the Worlds“] – Scouting

Can Skip Survive?
Can Skip Survive?

[1968 – “Planet of the Apes“] – Scouting

Planet of the Skip
Planet of the Skip

With one sci-fi movie under his belt, and a couple of years of makeup, Skip reappeared on in another classic…

[1975 – “Rocky ‘Skip’ Horror Picture Show” – Behind the Scenes]

Rocky Skip Horror (1975)
Rocky Skip Horror (1975)

[1975 – “Jaws“] – Skip on set

What is it with Skip and sharks?

Skip's Jaws
Skip’s Jaws

[1977 – “Star Wars IV: A New Hope” – TEST SCENES]

Skip Wars
Skip Wars

From that Space-Time, he travel to another dimension on the small screen for a quick role…

For his next role, Skip added some weight, and was forced to strip down for his next part…

[1999 – Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me – TEST SCENES]

Skip Bastard
Skip Bastard

In his latest role, he had to squeeze into a metal suit… Not sure how he did it, but pictures very lie!

[2013 May – Iron Man 3 – TEST SCENES]

Iron Skip
Iron Skip

[2366 – Locutus of Borg: aka Startfleet Captain Jean-Luc Picard – TEST SCENES]

Skip-cutus
Skip-cutus

Skip in Music

Not everyone has a record album, and even few have a Greatest Hits!

Skip's Greatest Hits
Skip’s Greatest Hits

Various projects

Some of Skip’s adventures have even been known to be glamorous!

Skip Klum Carson
Skip Klum Carson
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Categories
Barn Lancaster County Photo Journal Photography Tone Mapping

Abandoned Barn – Colerain

During my GPS Drive in South-Eastern Lancaster, I crossed over Octoraro Lake bridge on Rt. 472, and when I neared Colerain on Kirkwood Pike, I decided to turn around in one of the new developments being built.

My GPS indicated that I could easily do a loop and end back on Rt. 472, and as I did, I found this wonderful abandoned barn in the ravine of the development.

After parking and grabbing my camera, I just started to walk around the barn, looking to capture some of the aged beauty of this building.

Hinge and Window
Hinge and Window
Hinge and Weeds
Hinge and Weeds
Window Tetris
Window Tetris
Weathered Silo
Weathered Silo
Empty Basketball Frame
Empty Basketball Frame

Looking at the rest of the development, I am not sure how long this barn will remain…

– Andrew
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Categories
Blogging Camera Equipment Gadgets Photography Tech Talk Thoughts Utilities

Searching for the Remote

No, I am not searching for the TV Remote, this time…

But a for a new Remote for my photography work.

Back when I first purchased my Canon XTi in 2007, I also purchased both the
Remote Switch RS-60E3 and Wireless Remote Controller RC-1, and have used them various times over the years, but after seeing a couple of recent Posts on Facebook and Google+, the thoughts of looking for something new has begun.

In reading the Posts, I was also left with what kind? A dedicated stand-alone unit or connected to my iPod Touch, and did I want to be able to program the unit?

Dedicated Stand-alone

The first article that I read was on Stand-alone units, “6 top remote releases tested and rated” on photozz.com that got me thinking about upgrading my old Canon Remote Switch RS-60E3.

In reading the article, the Hähnel Giga T Pro II Remote Control is the top pick, and has a video on YouTube showing one the various features, and runs about $100 USD form various outlets.

Mobile connectivity

In my daily reading, I also spotted a Google+ post in which the author announced that they had just received their TriggerHappy, and was excited to try it out.

In following the thread, I was also made aware of the Triggertrap Mobile combination, so my researching began.

Making the Connection

In the case of the Hähnel Giga T Pro II, there are two parts, the wireless transmitter and the receiver that sits on the camera. The unit easily does remote triggering, interval, and long exposures, but does lack any direct HDR functionality.

With both TriggerHappy and Triggertrap, you need cable from the camera to the Control device (iOS (or Android)), and there is a significant range in price for cables.

Cables

To connect my iPod Touch, the cables from TriggerHappy (E3) would cost $49.95, while the Triggertrap’s would require two different cables, a Triggertrap Mobile Dongle ($9.99) and a CL-E3 Camera Cable ($9.99). The easy price winner is Triggertrap.

Software

The Trigger Happy Remote App on iTunes is Free, and is currently at v 1.0.2 (8/8/12), while the Triggertrap (v 1.2.0 (8/2/12)) is available in two versions: Free (limited to 3 trigger modes (Cable Release, vibration sensor and time-lapse) and the Full Premium version at $9.99 on iTunes. The winner here is Trigger Happy, how do you beat Free!

Interface

Both software applications seem to be able to perform Remote trigger, Bulb, time-lapse, plus HDR captures, which is something that I am very interested in.

When looking at the HDR controls, the TriggerHappy app seems to allow 1/3 step increments, which allows for finer control, while the Triggertrap seems limited to full stops, so the Edge here seems to be TriggerHappy.

The real separation between the two applications seems to be the various triggers that are available, and the edge in this case seems to be Triggertrap with 5 sensors (Sound, Shock/Vibration, Metal/Magnetic), 4 modes (HDR Time-lapse, Distance-lapse, Motion detection, Cable release and Star Trail), as well as Facial Recognition.

Conclusion

I like the wireless concept of the Hähnel Giga T Pro II, but the price and lack of HDR capabilities takes it out of consideration.

A big concern of mine, when looking at both these systems, is having to carry and connect my iPod Touch, which my not seem like allot, but when you are standing in 2-3 of water in a rushing stream/river, it could be an issue. I also have to wonder what to do during the winter, when the iPod might be exposed to colder temperatures.

Update – (8/10/12 @ 23:18) – In a response to my original Post, I have received info on the “RAP-B-121-UN7U The RAM Universal X-Grip Cell Phone Holder and Clamp” by TripodClamps.com, which looks like a very promising attachment for hold the iPod to my tripod. Thanks Marty Cohen!

The TriggerHappy does seem to support finer exposure controls, with the 1/3 stop settings, but basic HDR exposures should be able to compensate for that, if correctly bracketed.

With all that has been written above, it seems that at this point, the Triggertrap system would be the most versatile and cost efficient purchase, and will be purchased shortly after the posting of this blog entry.

As always, questions and comments are welcome and encouraged!

– Andrew
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Categories
Chester County Covered Bridges Filters HDR Long Exposure Nature Photo Journal Photography Rivers Streams Water

Looking for water

It has been very dry in Chester County for a while now, and when it did rain last night, I had thoughts of where to find some water to finally take pictures of in the area.

Early in the morning, I put my photography gear in the car, along with drinks and snacks and I was off.

By the time I finished my quick errands around town, it was overcast, 85°F+ with slightly high humidity, and I knew I really wanted to play with my new 10-stop neutral density filter, and I knew my first stop.

Downingtown Dam

The Downingtown Dam, which is just west of the center of town, along Rt. 282/Creek Road was my first stop.

I parked in the little spot near the road, packed up my vest, grabbed my tripod, and was off along the little path through the woods.

120727 Downingtown Damn HDR 06
120727 Downingtown Damn HDR 06

Tech Note – The Downingtown Dam image is a HDR collection of (3) three images taken at 180 sec, 120 sec and 60 sec (f22 ISO100), combined in Photoshop, with Tone Mapping done with Nik Software HDR Efex 2.

I had been there a day or two earlier with my kids, when we took advantage of the swimming area just above the damn, and I also knew I could get a good measurement of what to expect further up-stream for possible later shoots.

The water level was definitely higher, my guest 2-3 inches, and most of the concrete on the damn was cover, with places blocked by small branches.

On the downside of the damn, it was still easy to cross the river with all the bare rocks still visible, and I quickly situated myself on the one large concrete slab near the middle.

As I setup, and looked around, I knew I was not going to get much, but I pushed on with the session.

During my time, I did finally get an exposure into the 4 minute range with the sun nearly right over head, but still not slow enough for somethings I want to do.

After about 45 minutes of shooting, I headed back to the car, and headed further upstream.

I stopped at several more places along Creek Road, checking the water levels. On several occasions, I had to deliberate, if it was worth the walk through thick poison ivy and oak, for a mediocre shoot.

When I reached the west side of Glenmoore, I turned around, and headed back on a GPS drive to my next adventure.

Sheeder-Hall Covered Bridge

I first photographed the Sheeder-Hall Covered Bridge back in 2010, and lately, I have been reviewing my images, with a desire to try again.

In Chester County, there are many wonderful, scenic roads, and Pughtown Road, off of Rt 100 (Pottstown Pike) is one of them, and along the way, one will find Hollow Road, on which Sheeder-Hall Covered Bridge can be found. The best place to park, in the little area on French Creek Road.

Sheeder-Hall (1850) - Looking Downstream
Sheeder-Hall (1850) – Looking Downstream

Tech Note – A series of (5) shots ranging from 1/15th to 1 second (f25 ISO100), combined in Photoshop, with Tone Mapping done with Nik Software HDR Efex 2.

Once again, I got my vest and tripod out, and headed down one of the little paths that lead to the downstream side of the bridge.

I waded into the water, and took some more documentary style images, looking upstream, and then headed back to capture some more interior shoots.

Eventually, I crossed the bridge, took some more shoots and headed back, and as I did, I turned, and saw this view. The traffic was lite, so doing the required multiple exposures for HDR work was easy, and then I was done for this session.

Rapps Dam Covered Bridge

Rapps Dam Covered Bridge in Phoenixville was another bridge that I photographed back in 2010, and since that time, Rapps has been restored, and I finally got a chance to visit to see the new construction!

120727 Rapps Covered Bridge hdr 12 - Under the Bridge
Rapps Covered Bridge hdr 12 – Under the Bridge

Tech Note – The Underneath shoot was another series of (7) HDR shoots, taken between 1 second and 60 seconds at f22 ISO100. Combined in Photoshop and tweaked with Nik Software HDR Efex 2.

When one is walking near the bridge, you can still smell the fresh new wood, combined with a pitch smell as you walk underneath.

120727 Rapps Covered Bridge hdr 18
Rapps Dam Covered Bridge hdr 18 – Looking Upstream

Tech Note – The Underneath shoot was another series of (6) HDR shoots, taken between 8 seconds and 180 seconds at f22 ISO100. Combined in Photoshop and tweaked with Nik Software HDR Efex 2.

It is very easy to see that the renovations that started on January 17 2011, were a success when the bridge reopened on Monday, November 21, 2011.

PennDOT took 10 months to replace the 4 steel support beams, remove and replace the cedar roof and redwood timber and siding, along the 106-foot span. The project cost $1,527,257, which was paid for by state funds, and was managed by Bi-State Construction of Easton, PA. The last time the bridge was reconstructed was in 1978.

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Updates

2014 April 29

Apparently, an 18-wheeler decided to take on Rapps Dam… Guess who won…

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/gallery?section=news/local&id=9520568&photo=1

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Categories
Blogging How to(s)? Photo Journal Photo Restoration Photography Projects Tech Talk Tips

Restoration of Michael Moran

Michael Moran Restoration - In Frame
Michael Moran Restoration – In Frame

Over the past couple of days, I have been exchanging phone calls with a potential Photo Restoration client, and today I finally got to met Eleanor and my new project, Michael Moran.

From what Eleanor had told me on the phone, was the original was 16×20 inches, mounted into a new wooden frame some years ago.

When Eleanor arrived, the picture was packaged in bubble wrap and a white garbage bag, being especially careful, since it had rained lightly earlier in the day.

As we sat and talked, I reiterated that it was not very common for people to get pictures done because of the expense and time involved, let alone an immigrant of the 1800s, and especially at a large size!

“I have a call into my brother to confirm that Michael Moran was from Ireland. He married Mary Hughes here in the States. Four children were born and 3 survived to adulthood (one of which was my grandmother). He became the Head Farmer for the Cassatt estate until he died of pneumonia.” – Eleanor

We chatted some more, and when Eleanor left, I knew I was in for a really good adventure with this Restoration project!

The first thing that I wanted to do, was document what I was doing, just encase I was confronted with some issue as I progressed.

Inspection

So, how was I going to get this thing apart?

Turing it over, I inspected how the internal frame was connected to the external picture, and I was able to find five (5) small nails holding the picture to the frame.

Restore Michael Moran - Connection Nails
Connection Nails

Thankfully, these nails were easily removed with a pair of needle-nose pliers and some careful tugs.

Once the exterior frame was separated from the interior one, the next element to be aware of was the large pane of glass, and when it was removed, and inspected more carefully, had several ripples as a sign of age.

It was also now possible to closely inspect the surface tears and map them to the backside of the frame.

Toward the middle of the image, there was this pair of tears, one going all the way through to the fiber of the cloth backing, and a strange blue mark:

Restore Michael Moran - Tears (Middle)
Restore Michael Moran – Tears (Middle)

and near the bottom of the image, there was this tear:

Restore Michael Moran Tears (Bottom)
Restore Michael Moran Tears (Bottom)

Note – You can double-click on the pictures to get a larger view of the damage.

Michael Moran Restoration - Surface Cracks and Water Stains
Additional Surface Cracks and Water Stains

Some of the damage appears to be simple cracks to the surface, along with other water stains.

Michael Moran Restoration - Top Edge Damage Detail
Top Edge Damage Detail

When looking at the edges, there is noticeable damage to the cloth used to connect the images to the frame.

Scanning

I always have a concern when I am faced with a large print, especially of this size!

What also makes this digitization more challenging, is the fixed wood frame that the image is suspended on.

Most of the time, I encounter loose original prints that are not mounted, and with the condition of the cloth material, there was no way that I was going to remove this image from the frame for scanning.

The scanner I use, is an old Epson Perfection 4490 Photo, which I bought numerous years ago, and has a scanning bed of approximately 9×13 inches.

Another requirement of this project, was to scan the original to be Printed at 100%, which I knew was going to make for some very BIG files, but I had a plan, and hoped that my scanner was up for the task.

My solution, like many times before, was to break up the scan into four (4) sections: upper-left, upper-right, lower-left, and lower right, and then combine them into one image using Adobe Photoshop layers.

The final concern, and the most important, the scanners depth-of-field, which is exactly the same concept as with cameras, but with desktop scanners, the depth-of-field is very shallow, and the beveled lip on the edge of the scanner was not going to help, even if it was only 2-3 mm above the glass surface.

I lined up the first corner, leaving just a little break between the scanners capture edge and the edge of the print.

Once aligned, I placed a soft folded cloth on top, and then added some weights to gently and evenly press as much of the picture surface to the glass bed of the scanner as possible, and repeated three more times.

Photoshop

Once I had the four (4) quadrants scanned into 16-bit TIFF files, my next step was to combine the scans into one image, making absolutely sure that the images overlapped enough to mask out any softness that might have occurred during the scanning stage.

Restore Michael Moran - Quadrants pre-combined
Restore Michael Moran – Quadrants pre-combined

Thankfully, and once again, my Epson did not let me down!

Once combined, the final image is beginning to take shape.

Restore Michael Moran Working Proof - Before
Restore Michael Moran Working Proof – Before

From here, it is just taking the time to use the various tools within Photoshop to clean-up the various issues caused by cracks, rips, tears and water. For more information on how to handle these issues, please consult the various reference materials that are available on the internet.

Proof Image

After several hours of clean-up and tweaking, the proof image looks like this:

Restore Michael Moran - Proof 01
Restore Michael Moran – Proof 01

but remember, it is always the Client that has the final say!

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