Drone Photography at Boscastle, Cornwall

• Weather Apps … ✅

• Tide Times … ✅

• Drone Assist and NOTAMS … ✅

• Kit Checked and Batteries Charged … ✅

With everything ready, a couple of evenings ago we popped down to Boscastle, Cornwall with the idea of grabbing dinner and taking some photographs in what can only be described as a stunning location.

As it happens, although I had intended to, I didn’t end up taking any photographs with my main camera BUT thankfully had brought along my drone (DJI Air 2S) and with conditions being perfect for some aerial photography, I couldn’t resist…

For the above image looking out from mouth of Boscastle Harbour across the sea, I set the drone up to take 5 photographs in quick succession with each a different exposure (AEB) and then blended them together in Lightroom to create a HDR (High Dynamic Range) image.

I love creating panoramic shots with my drone too; this one and the one below taken using the 180 pano setting in Raw, and then merging together in Lightroom to create the stitched together image.

And of course, I couldn’t resist a Top-Down …

All of the images were processed using both Lightroom Classic and Lightroom Cloud; using both together opens up so many more editing possibilities due to the cloud and Adobe’s A.I. which is a great way to edit fast and get inspired.

I’m thinking about covering this in an video over on my YouTube Channel so if you think it would be worth doing, I’d really appreciate a YEs or a NO in the comments section below.

Also I’m looking at putting together a video and post showing what I check (weather, no fly zones, NOTAMs etc), what I take with me and everything I do to ensure a safe (and legal) and successful flight with my drone when filming or taking photographs, so again if you think that would be something worth sharing, just let me know.

Thanks for looking in,
Glyn

GOODBYE WACOM and HELLO XENCELABS 👍 FINALLY a Pen Tablet that WORKS !!!

Is a Pen Tablet just a Pen Tablet?

I was recently sent a new Pen Tablet from Xencelabs (the Medium Bundle) to try out. Was it / is it better than my current Wacom? Heck Yes!

In this short video I explain the main points: Driver , Wireless Connection , Battery Life , Aspect Ratio and Quick Keys …

Check out the official Xencelabs website for more information…

*Affiliate Link

My Favourite Microphone: The Lewitt LCT 440 Pure

“If you want better video, then get better audio”

I can’t remember who it was said this but it’s something I’ve always remembered and has caused me to spend more money on microphones than I dare to think about.

Having purchased a few different makes and models, I finally (after a recommendation from Mike Russell over on YouTube) ended up with the Lewitt LCT 440 Pure and could not be happier!

So many times I get asked what microphone I’m using when doing LIVE broadcasts, Zoom presentations or my YouTube videos; this is THE best microphone I have ever owned!

Here’s a link (affiliate) to the Lewitt LCT 440 PURE on Amazon ( LINK )

I'm Presenting at Photoshop World 2022 (Online Conference)

VERY happy to announce that I’ll be one of the Instructors at the upcoming Photoshop World Virtual Conference…

Running from August 30th through September 1st, Photoshop World is a once-a-year Photoshop, Lightroom and Photography love fest bringing together 31 Instructors from all over the world teaching a whole host of subject matter and with the sole purpose of Educating and Inspiring!

As well as being a LIVE Online Event, ALL ticket holders have access to ALL of the content for 12 months after the event, so there’s plenty of time to take in all of the information, practice and put it to use.

Tickets are currently priced at the Early Bird Price of $299 (£248.53 approx) and you can grab one using the button below..

*Early Bird Price ends on Augut 30th at which point tickets are priced at $399 (£332.07 approx)

I’ll be presenting 2 classes; one on Printing and the other, an updated Selections Course following the success of last year’s event.

Cannot wait for this! Hope to see you there…online 😃

💡 This is how I ADD a BACKGROUND LIGHT or SPOTLIGHT into my pictures using PHOTOSHOP

So today (after having had a Direct Message and request come through Instagram) I have recorded and uploaded a new video showing how to add a Backlight / Spotlight into your pictures; a great technique if...

a) You didn't have the space to use other light during the photo shoot
b) You had a light but didn't use...and now wish you had
c) You didn't have another light at the time

In this technique I make use of a (very) quick selection and a Levels Adjustment Layer​, and the result is VERY effective.

Hope you like it,
Glyn

HOW TO CALIBRATE your Display for PHOTOGRAPHY and PRINTING

I LOVE printing…but it wasn’t always the case.

I wasted a lot of time and money in the past because when I thought my monitor / display was calibrated correctly…it wasn’t!

So, in this video I show you the settings that DO WORK so you get the best from your display AND the best possible results when printing!

I’ll be using a BenQ Display, BenQ Software and an X-Rite i1 Display Pro Plus BUT all the settings I go through translate perfectly to other monitors, software and devices!

You can check out all this kit over on my GEAR PAGE

Oh and if you look in the description part of the video on YouTube, I’ve also added in Chapter Markers so if you want to, you can jump to a particular part in the video.

Enjoy!

🎬 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎

00:00 - Introduction
01:00 - Display, Software and Calibration Hardware
02:14 - PME Software
03:28 - Workflow
04:06 - Display Settings
09:58 - Measurement
12:45 - Validation
15:52 - Wrap Up

📷 I REALLY WISH my SONY camera had this ... but NIKON DOES!!! 🤷‍♂️

It's not often I find myself wishing my camera could do something that it currently can't , but FOCUS SHIFT in Sony is definitely HIGH on my WISH LIST!

In this video I explain all about Focus Stacking, why it would be so good to have Nikon Focus Shift in my Sony Camera AND how to stack and blend images together in Photoshop to end up with a tack sharp image!

LIGHTROOM PRESETS and PROFILES: What is the difference???

One of the most common questions I get asked about Lightroom is “What’s the difference between the Presets and Profiles?”

In this video, I explain all 😃

Veteran Portrait Featured in National Geographic

Allow me this moment to feel a bit of personal pride…

This month, National Geographic have a full article, covering the story of the the Legendary Avro Lancaster…

A wonderful article covering the life of the Lancaster from its birth, those who designed it, those who built it, those who maintained it and those who flew it.

Of those who flew it, I had the utmost pleasure of spending time with and photographing World War 2 Veteran, Rusty Waughman DFC AFC Ld’H , RAF Flight Lieutenant, 101 ‘Special Duties’ Squadron, for my 3945 Portraits Project.

Over the years I’ve been fortunate to have my images appear in articles, magazines and as front covers, but to have a portrait feature in National Geographic, feels, well…extra special.

You can check out the full article as well as Rusty’s incredible story HERE

👁👁 EYES: BRIGHTEN , ADD CATCH LIGHTS + MAKE THEM POP: One Technique that does it ALL!

I love how we can use techniques in Photoshop to do more than one thing. In this video I show how a GREAT technique that I call the Never Ending Lighting Rig for adding in more lights to your picture can also be used to enhance eyes in portraits by brightening them, adding in fake catch lights and making them POP!