Get Better Photos Using Our Exclusive Tips and Techniques
Better
DIgital Photos & Scrapbooking
SPECIAL ISSUE
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293
expert ideas for Digital Photography and Scrapbooking
Easy ďż˝ Artistic
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Digital Scrapbooks
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21 Secrets to
Photo Editing
www.creatingkeepsakes.com
plus! Simple ways to take
creative photos in a flash!
Editors
NOTE
What was the first camera you owned? I clearly remember holding a Kodak Instamatic camera in my teenage hands, pressing the button down firmly to take a photo, and hearing the twirl of the flash on top that shifted with each use. If you’re like me, chances are your first camera was a film camera, which meant you needed to be very careful about the number of photos you took. Digital technology has made taking and sharing photos so much easier now that we take more photos during one vacation than the average person took in a year with a film camera. And in the time it used to take you to wait for a roll of 24 prints to develop, you can share literally hundreds of photos via e-mail, social media, blogs, community sites, and more. This issue is full of ideas to help you make the most of digital technology for taking, editing, enhancing, sharing, and scrapbooking photos. In the pages of this special issue, you’ll find informative and inspiring tips and ideas, such as
★ g uides to shop smart for digital cameras (see page 12), digital scrapbooking software (see page 99), and more; ★ f un ways to take creative photos with fun backgrounds, props, and more (see page 48); ★ c ool tricks for digitally scrapbooking your photos using different types of programs and services (see page 102); ★ e asy how-tos to edit (see page 59) and enhance (see page 75) your photos; and ★h ighlights of cool apps and actions for your photos and layouts (see page 92).
Whether you’re just starting out taking photos or digital scrapbooking or have been doing one or both for years, you’ll find useful and inspiring ideas throughout this special issue that you’ll turn to again and again. Enjoy!
JENNAFER MARTIN Editor-in-Chief Creating Keepsakes magazine Share your photos and layouts with us on social media! Visit facebook.com/creatingkeepsakes and post your digital photos and layouts to our wall. Each week we choose one to highlight as our Facebook profile picture, and we’d love to have the chance to highlight yours!
Better Digital Photos & Scrapbooking 5
Issue
IN THIS
EDITOR’S NOTE | 5
Section 1
Section 3
Introduction to Taking Better Photos | 9
Introduction to Better Digital Scrapbooking | 95
Chapter 1
Chapter 6
Good-bye Auto, Hello Gorgeous! | 16
Chapter 2
Techniques for Taking Better Photos | 33
Chapter 3 Taking Better Artistic Photos | 48
Section 2
Clever Artistic Effects for Digital Scrapbooking | 102
Chapter 7 Finish It! | 123 10-MINUTE TRICKS Digital scrapbooking in 10 minutes or less! | 130
Introduction to Editing for Better Photos | 59
Chapter 4 Editing Techniques for Creating Better Photos | 64
Chapter 5 Photo Enhancements for Creating Better Photos | 75
Quick-Start Guide NLINE CONTENT O Downloads and online extras
ON THE COVER
Totally Cute by Julie DeGuia. Digital Supplies: Software: Adobe; Patterned paper: Maplebrook Studios; Fastener, frames, and letters: Katie Pertiet; Sentiment strips: Ali Edwards; Fonts: Biondi and CK Man’s Print.
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Better PHOTOS
INTRODUCTION
TAKING
p
Whether you’re a basic beginner or a picture-snapping pro, you’ve probably experienced that magical moment when everything aligns and you capture that perfect photograph. While some aspects of photography do seem reliant on fate (or at least on your child’s willingness to look at the camera), there are also countless ways to take your photography skills into your own hands and get that perfect shot time after time. To help you take charge of your photography, this section includes both a chapter on understanding camera modes and a chapter on techniques for taking popular and artistic photos. Of course, you can’t take pictures without the proper equipment, which is why we’ve filled the next few pages with information on cameras, lenses, and other standard equipment to help you stock your camera bag with everything you’ll need for picture-perfect photography. It’s our hope that, armed with the right tools, a better understanding of your camera, and a ton of artistic tips, you’ll leave this section a more confident photographer than ever before.
Better Digital Photos & Scrapbooking 9
Point-and-Shoot Cameras Amazingly small and light, point-and-shoot cameras nevertheless come packed with powerful features that let you affordably capture beautiful photos. Whether you’re looking for your go-to camera or for a lighter companion to your DSLR, these four cameras are great options. CAMERA
PANASONIC LUMIX DMC-SZ1 shop.panasonic.com Retail price: $179.99
SAMSUNG WB150F samsung.com Retail price: $229
OLYMPUS TG-610 TOUGH olympusamerica.com Retail price: $279
CANON POWERSHOT S100 canon.com Retail price: $429.99
THIS CAMERA IS FOR YOU IF
You’re looking for a camera that takes great pictures for under $200
You want to instantly upload photos online from your camera
You want a durable camera you can take anywhere
You’re looking for a small camera that takes close to DSLRquality images
MEGAPIXELS
16.1
14.2
14
12.1
ISO RANGE*
Auto: 100–1600; High Sensitivity mode: 1600–6400
Auto: 80–3200
Auto, High Auto, Fixed: 80–1600
Auto: 80–6400
SHUTTER SPEED
Auto: 8–1/1600 sec.
Smart Auto: 1/8–1/2000 sec.; Program: 1–1/2000 sec.; Night: 8–1/2000 sec.; Manual: 16–1/2000 sec.
1/4–1/2000 sec.; Night
1–1/2000 sec.
Scene mode: up to 4 sec.
HD VIDEO
720p; MPEG-4
720p; MPEG-4
720p; Motion JPG
1080p; MOV
FEATURES TO KNOW ABOUT
Intelligent Auto mode (iA) helps you effortlessly capture spectacular photos
Wi-Fi compatible, so you can instantly upload photos and control your camera remotely
Shockproof to 5 ft., waterproof to 16 ft., and freeze proof to 14°F
Offers full manual exposure adjustment controls and support for RAW files
* ISO affects the shutter speed and aperture combinations you can use to get the right exposure for your photos. The higher the ISO, the less light you need to take your photo (see page 24).
Visit creatingkeepsakes.com/BD12-point to download this chart. 10 creatingkeepsakes.com
Landscape Mode By choosing the Landscape setting you tell your camera to do the opposite of what it does on the Portrait setting—instead of blurring the background it ensures that both the foreground and the background of the photo are in crisp, clear focus. And instead of adjusting color for skin tones, the camera will adjust color to bring out the blues and greens in the photograph. In the set of example photos below, the second photo appears to have had its color saturation boosted using photo-editing software, but the brighter colors are due solely to shooting in Landscape mode.
TRY IT OUT! Capture some scenic views in your own area using both Auto and Landscape mode, and then compare the results. When shooting using the Landscape setting, remember the following:
↑ Photo by Elisha Snow MODE: Auto
★Y our camera ensures good focus in both close and faraway parts of the scene by using a small aperture, which limits the amount of light coming into the camera. To compensate, the shutter speed will likely be a little slow, so use a tripod or brace yourself to minimize camera shake. ★U sing your camera’s self timer is another way to minimize camera shake when you don’t have a tripod. Set the timer and then brace yourself or set the camera down on a rock, stump, or wall, and wait for the shutter to fire. Since you won’t be pressing down the shutter button when the picture is actually being taken, you’ll be less likely to shake the camera.
↑ Photo by Elisha Snow MODE: Landscape
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TAKE MORE CONTROL OF YOUR CAMERA USING PROGRAM MODE In Program mode, your camera still manages the aperture and shutter speed for you, while you get to control the flash, the ISO, and the white balance.
Activate Your Flash The only time you really want to use your camera’s flash is the one time it will never activate on its own—when your subject is strongly lit from the side or back. Without a flash, you’ll end up with harsh shadows on part or all of your subject’s face, but with a flash you’ll get more even lighting and brighter eyes. While in Program mode, simply push the button with the lightning bolt icon on it to activate your flash (usually located on the left side of the lens), or check your camera’s manual for instructions on how to do this. If you can’t find your camera manual, check out creatingkeepsakes.com /BD12manuals for links to manuals for the most common cameras. ↑ Photo by Autumn Baldwin MODE: Auto
TRY IT OUT! Next time you’re shooting outside on a bright day, ask your subject to face the sun, then turn 90 degrees away from the sun, then all the way away from the sun. Notice which position produces the harshest shadows, then practice using your flash to fill these shadows with light. Remember that your on-camera flash isn’t terribly strong, so be sure your subject isn’t more than a few feet away from you for best results. ↑ Photo by Autumn Baldwin MODE: Program | FLASH: On Better Digital Photos & Scrapbooking 23
TAKE BETTER LOW-LIGHT PHOTOS
← USE THE LIGHT YOU HAVE
You may be tempted to switch on your flash when shooting indoors or in other low-light situations but think twice before giving in to the urge. Sometimes, the feeling of a scene can be lost completely in a flashbulb’s harsh glare. Keep your flash off and use natural light to capture a beam of sunlight and the tones and shadows it casts naturally.
← Photo by James Newman Photography information not available.
→ GO FOR A SILHOUETTE
Low light can be optimal for shooting lovely silhouettes for your scrapbooks. To shoot silhouette photos, use the Aperture Priority mode. In this photo, the photographer chose a low aperture in order to get a bit of a blur in the background. Since the camera is set to Aperture Priority mode, the camera will choose the shutter speed, and the results should render a stunning silhouette.
→ Photo by Elisha Snow MODE: Aperture Priority (AV) | F-STOP: 2.8 | SHUTTER SPEED: 1/8000 sec. | ISO: 400 46 creatingkeepsakes.com
↑ Photo by Elisha Snow MODE: Manual | F-STOP: 18.0 | SHUTTER SPEED: 1/250 sec. | ISO: 400
↑ USE AN OFF-CAMERA FLASH
Use an external flash to get this dramatic lighting effect. You’ll also get different effects with your light by placing the off-camera flash closer or farther away from your subject, so experiment with varying distances until you get the look you’re after.
→ CHOOSE A LONG
EXPOSURE TIME To capture the beautiful colors of fireworks, choose a long exposure time (30 seconds), and use a tripod to steady the camera. Having the shutter of the camera open for an extended period allows you to capture the full essence of a fireworks display. By using a mid-level ISO (800), the light from the fireworks has time to reach the camera without adding any additional noise to the photo, allowing the crisp beauty of the firework to shine. For the best results when photographing fireworks, don’t use a flash.
↑ Photo by Cory Suggs MODE: Manual | F-STOP: 10.0 | SHUTTER SPEED: 30 sec. | ISO: 800 | FLASH: Off
When to Use a Fill Flash
Even when the natural light is bright, there will be times when you want to use your flash to fill in the shadows that bright light may cast to get the best photo possible. Your flash only reaches 15 feet, so you’ll want to make sure that your subject is in range to maximize the photo quality. Better Digital Photos & Scrapbooking 47
← FASHION PHOTOS USING PROPS
Don’t limit the prop fun to things you can hold in your hand. Look for wearable items (hats, sunglasses, jewelry, etc.) that will make a statement and add color to your photo. This is an especially fun technique to use when photographing young girls because they’re all about getting dolled up for the camera.
← Photo by Suzy Plantamura MODE: Aperture Priority (AV) | F-STOP: 6.3 | SHUTTER SPEED: 1/250 sec. | ISO: 640
→ BRING ON THE BALLOONS
Balloons can really make a photo . . . ahem, pop! They add a burst of color and energy, they’re whimsical, and they’re great for children of all ages. The next time you’re having a family get-together, make a quick balloon run, then grab your camera and see what kind of photo ops fill the air.
→ Photo by Stephanie Hekker MODE: Portrait | F-STOP: 4.2 | SHUTTER SPEED: 1/125 sec. | ISO: 200
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MAKE A STATEMENT WITH CLOSE-UPS Close-up images get right in on a subject or item, which adds an artistic element to a photo. Use close-up photos to scrapbook the details of a story or when you want a specific item to stand out on your layout.
→ FOCUS ON ACTION
Focus in on an action to add life and energy to your subject. In this shot, for example, the eye is really drawn to the cheerful boy behind the bubbles—a look that can be achieved by focusing your camera on the item or action in a shot, instead of the person. This perspective, coupled with the interesting angle, adds youthful exuberance to the image, which is the kind of picture-perfect result you want when photographing children.
→ Photo by Susan Weinroth MODE: Aperture Priority (AV) | F-STOP: 3.5 | SHUTTER SPEED: 1/320 sec. | ISO: 250
← EMPHASIZE DELICATE DETAILS
The smallest details can make the most impressive statements, so be sure to capture them. The difference between the textures and sizes of the feet and hands in this photo makes a powerful point about the journey of life. Seek out subtle details when scrapbooking life’s journey, such as the changing seasons and other natural developments.
← Photo by Laura Vanderbeek MODE: Portrait | F-STOP: 4.2 | SHUTTER SPEED: 1/125 sec. | ISO: 200
Better Digital Photos & Scrapbooking 55
Editing BETTER
INTRODUCTION
FOR
PHOTOS
Sometimes, no matter how hard we try, our photographs just don’t turn out quite like we want them to. Luckily, there are plenty of computer programs today that let us easily and affordably edit our pictures to achieve the look we want. This section focuses on both some of these editing techniques and on photo enhancement techniques to help you produce better photos. The next couple pages also explore some of the most popular photoediting software and apps, so you can decide what will best fulfill your photo-editing needs.
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Photo-Editing Software: An Introduction Photo-editing software may, at first, seem like a confusion of expensive options full of mystifying tools and settings. In reality, there is software available for all skill levels, from beginner to advanced, and all price ranges, from hundreds of dollars to free. At its most basic level, photo-editing software allows you to make simple adjustments to your photos, while at its most advanced level it allows you to completely transform them. Follow these guidelines to decide which category of software is right for you, then take a look at the software chart on the next page for some commonly used programs.
BASIC PHOTO-EDITING SOFTWARE is for you if
ADVANCED PHOTO-EDITING SOFTWARE is for you if
★ y ou are just starting to edit photos and feel overwhelmed by some of the more advanced software; ★ y ou only have need for simple alterations, like resizing, rotating, cropping, and color adjustments; or ★ y ou want to make basic photo edits quickly and easily.
★ y ou need a range of fine-tuning filters or custom actions that are not met by basic or intermediate programs or ★ y ou already have a good understanding of the ins and outs of photo-editing software.
INTERMEDIATE PHOTO-EDITING SOFTWARE is for you if
When choosing your software, you’ll also want to consider cost, computer compatibility, and what other features you need or want from your editing software, such as photo organization tools or geotagging.
★ y ou want more editing control than what’s offered by basic software, but are not ready for or have no need for all the options offered by more advanced software; ★ y ou are interested in having a wide variety of photo filters at your fingertips; or ★ y ou’re willing to put a little time into discovering what the program can do for you.
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SETTING THE TONE USING TYPOGRAPHY Adding typography to an image is an easy yet powerful design technique that can quickly transform a blah image into beautiful art. With thoughtful font choice and careful placement, you can enhance a photo by creating a mood or emphasizing a moment. Adding meaningful words to an image not only communicates a message, it adds an element of design that further enhances the photo. Here are a few typography ideas to get you started with this technique: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Transform a teenager’s photo into an album cover. Add a love poem to a wedding photo. Incorporate a holiday message over a family photo. Include a child’s handwriting on a playful photo. Create your own magazine cover. Clip digital photos to the title of a scrapbook page.
The next few pages contain simple, fun ways to enhance photos using typography.
Add Emphasis Using Typography Creatively adding descriptive words in fun fonts, like Mou Saha did, is a fabulous way to emphasize feelings and relationships between the subjects in a photo.
↑ Photo by Mou Saha
BEFORE 76 creatingkeepsakes.com
↑ AFTER
How to Add Typography to a Photo USING PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 5
1. S et foreground color to white.
2. S elect Crop tool. Set cropping ratio to 4" x 6". Extend cropping frame slightly larger than photo.
3. S elect Text tool. Add text using various fonts, colors, and sizes.
4. S elect Custom Shape tool. Select shape from fly-out menu, and apply to photo.
Better Digital Photos & Scrapbooking 77
Digital
INTRODUCTION
SCRAPBOOKING
In the last few years, thousands of scrapbookers have traded their scissors for software and their trimmers for tablets. What’s so tempting about going digital? Flexibility. Digital scrapbooking is as versatile and open to experimentation as digital photography. Make a layout in less than an hour or spend a weekend perfecting a masterpiece. There’s no such thing as a mistake with the Undo command at your fingertips. Portability. Digital scrapbooking offers go-anywhere convenience. Scrapbook in your living room or at the beach with equal ease. All-digital supplies mean no setup time and no mess to clean up later. Shareability. Create a digital layout and print it for your album, e-mail it to your mom, and post it for your friends to enjoy on Facebook—all in a matter of minutes. Whatever benefits you want to take advantage of, check out our expert tips and guidance to help you better test the waters . . . or make the plunge.
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Digital Scrapbooking Software At the core of every digital scrapbooker’s tool kit is a photo-editing program. Whether you’re creating a completely digital page or editing photos to print and use in paper scrapbooking, you’ll need powerful, flexible software to tackle the job. Just as no one hand tool is right for every home improvement project, not every piece of software will meet every scrapbooker’s needs. Consider these factors when deciding which program is worth your investment of time and money.
HOW FLEXIBLE IS IT? Many scrapbooking-specific programs offer great ease of use and plenty of included digital content. These can be a great option for beginning scrapbookers, but they’re tough to use for projects beyond scrapbooking and card making.
HOW POPULAR IS IT? Just as in high school, popularity is no guarantee of quality––but the more widely used a program is, the more likely you’ll be able to find extensive support resources to help you master your new software.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? Some open-source programs are free to use, while many pro-level options can cost $500 or more. If you’re just starting out, expect to spend about $100 for one of the most popular and user-friendly options.
HOW COMPATIBLE IS IT WITH OTHER DIGITAL SUPPLIES? Not all programs allow you to use brushes, actions, or other add-ons originally designed for other software packages.
HOW EASY IS IT TO USE? Some software may promise to get you up and running right away. Other programs demand a considerable investment of time and energy to conquer a steep learning curve.
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DOES IT WORK WITH YOUR EXISTING COMPUTER? Most big-name programs are available for both Mac and PCs, but some options are available for only one operating system.
Pick It Up and Play by April Anderton. Digital Supplies: Software: Adobe; Fonts: Angelic War and Corbel.
Artistic Effect: Textured Dimension Looking for a way to add almost-touchable texture to a digital layout? A trip through her own closet inspired April Anderton to add rich fabric textures to this project. She used a drop shadow technique to give added dimension to a page overlay element, replicating the look of burnout velvet. For a finishing touch, she took a close-up photo of a cotton T-shirt and used it to add dimension to her page background.
Get the Look: Fashion-Conscious Layouts Try these additional ideas for including wardrobeinspired elements on your page: ★ S can notions such as ribbon, zippers, and buttons for use as page accents. ★T ie a layout together using faux stitching lines.
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How to Create a Burnout Fabric Texture USING PHOTOSHOP 10
1. P lace patterned paper or overlay element in layout. Select desired part of pattern using Magic Wand tool; adjust Tolerance setting as needed. Copy and paste selection to place on own layer.
2. S elect Drop Shadow layer style in Effects palette. Adjust settings for subtle or dramatic look.
3. Deselect. Repeat Step 2 if necessary to increase or decrease shadow effect.
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Sweet Baby, Sweet Boy by Laura Vanderbeek. Digital Supplies: Software: Adobe; Paper, accents, and brushes: Laura Vanderbeek; Font: Santa’s Sleigh Full.
Artistic Effect: Template Transformation Transform a ready-to-use page template with a little brushwork. Laura Vanderbeek softened the polka dots of her background paper by dabbing them with the Impressionist brush. This tool gives hard-lined images a soft, painted effect, making them appear to have been created with stylized brush strokes. Adjust the Impressionist brush size, opacity, and blending mode as you would with any other brush.
Software Tip: Apply large strokes of the Impressionist brush to an entire photo and use it as a page background for a vintage-style, dreamy look.
Get the Look: See page 90 for instructions on Laura’s photo blending technique. 108 creatingkeepsakes.com
Artistic Effect: Curved Corners Break up a layout’s strong rectangular lines with a few curved corners. Photoshop's Shape tool’s Rounded Rectangle setting lets you specify how sharp or soft you’d like your shape’s edges to be. In the Options toolbar at the top of the screen, enter a value for the radius of each corner, then click and drag to stretch rectangle into shape.
Time-saving Tip: To make photo cutouts in seconds, first draw desired shape. Position shape layer just under photo layer in Layers palette, then select photo layer and press Ctrl+G (PC) or Cmd+G (Mac). Design Tip: Integrate your title into your page design by substituting part of a photo for one or more title letters. Try a peaked rooftop for an “A,” a standing figure for an “I,” or a sleeping pet for an “O.”
Pow by Deena Boese. Digital Supplies: Software: Adobe; Patterned paper and overlay: Anna Aspnes; Fonts: Avant Garde, Impact, and Trashed.
Artistic Effect: Color Pop Who says rainy days are gloomy affairs? Laura Charko’s colorful layout spotlights her original photo’s blue and yellow hues while getting rid of its distracting colors. The result: a pictureperfect match to the digital supplies she used. Laura achieved this high-contrast look in minutes using free photoediting software from Google+ Creative Kit (formerly Picnik). Accessible via any web browser or Android device, Creative Kit offers both basic photo fixes and fun artsy effects like this one. Software Tip: Since Creative Kit works with Flash, it won’t run on iPhones or iPads. Check out free or low-cost editing options in the App Store instead (see page 63 for a few great choices).
Vicki & Captain by Laura Charko. Photo by Christopher Sinal. Digital Supplies: Software: Creative Memories and Google; Patterned paper: Rhonna Farrer. Better Digital Photos & Scrapbooking 111