Actually, what I have in mind will cover both newbies and old-hands.
There is a huge set of little things that add up to a lot. For example, the old favourite of "Dodging and Burning" is easy for a newbie to understand... and as any seasoned PS user knows there are many ways of accomplishing it - but I have some techniques that are genuinely new (at least I've never found 'em printed or online )

Additionally, I forgot to say that most of the techniques will be Photoshop Elements compatible too

But then if the majority want complex PS stuff then I can do that too


(Yes, it'll have to be after holiday season...)
Matt

I'd agree with George too about the "indefinable something". It's for that reason I prefer the 24-90 over the 16-45. The 16-45 is sharper, but there's something I can't quite define about the rendition that makes the 24-90 much more pleasing.

Although a beautiful lens, for me, it's not worth the extra dosh
Matt

Hi all,
This seems to be getting some interest, so I thought I'd start a new thread for it

I'm thinking of putting together an afternoon or day (probably Saturday) where I can demonstrate some Photoshop techniques and workflow. Maybe you want to know about colour management, or some specific type of digital manipulation (compositing, adjustments, cut-outs, pen tool etc, etc).

Either drop me a PM with things you'd definitely like to know more about, and whether you could make it down to somewhere in Sussex.

Time is a bit short at the moment, but I'm sure something could be set up - I just need to work out numbers, a venue, and what the possible cost might be.

Let me know
Matt

I had the opportunity to borrow a 31 Ltd & 77 Ltd during an ePhotozine meet.
They are incredibly beautiful to hold and use. The quality is superb, as you'd expect.

However, the surprising thing (to me at least) was in comparison to the SMC-FA 24-90. The 24-90 held its own against the legendary 31! Unfortunately I didn't check bokeh & 3D rendering, but certainly in detail there was little between them - even with pixel-peeping.

So, yes, they are lovely, lovely lenses... but that little experiment saved me a LOT of money
Matt

Please don't double post!

Other thread is: https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8535&highlight=

(This one locked!)

Unfortunately you've removed the EXIF information on your uploaded shots.

I would also guess that you've flicked the metering mode to centre or spot. It's caught me out before
Opening the original JPG/PEF/DNG in Pentax Browser will show you what metering mode you used for these shots.

The other way of telling is to take a shot of a very evenly lit wall. My guess is that would be exposed correctly (remembering that it's metered to around 18%).

Hope that helps you find the problem!
Matt

Hi Hyram,
Just need to find: (a) a place to host it that's large enough, (b) some time, (c) enough people to fund such an event.
I'm mulling things over and trying to come up with a plan

If anyone's interested, please PM me with a list of topics you'd like covered
I'll see what I can do!
Matt

It's not just the halos, John
It's the lighting... I would've added the following step:
* Add a new layer
* Change blend mode to Multiply
* Pick a small, soft black brush on 10% opacity
* Carefully paint near the edges to effectively change the lighting source.
(Or you could use Overlay blend mode and paint black/white to do both darken & brighten).

Just a thought
Matt

Looks like the sky's been removed John
There's a lorra lorra halos round them thar chimenies
Matt

Both of them: You can use optical zoom only before recording. Can use digital zoom during recording and playback too. (page 109 for both manuals)

So, no, you can't zoom while videoing. (I haven't yet seen a pocket digicam that can - the noise of zooming would overpower the mic!).

(TBH, if you want real video with decent sound then get a video camera. The pocket digicams take great snap shots, and the video is useful for "snap" videos more as a reminder of a holiday etc.)

Matt