Featured in Topaz Lab’s Pro Insights
I was recently interviewed by the fantastic folks over at Topaz Labs for their “Pro Insights” series!
If you’ve been following the blog very long, you probably already know that I’m a big fan of the Topaz Plugins like Adjust, BW Effects, Clarity and Restyle, so I am honoured that they wanted to interview me for their blog.
You can read the full interview over on the Topaz Labs Blog.
Today’s Photo: Bandon Beach
When I’m processing a group of photos I often like to change things up a bit with processing techniques to get different looks like HDR or black and white.
One of my favourite tools for creating black and white images is Topaz BW Effects. It comes with tons of presets for converting your images to black and white and you can simply choose the one that you like best. But I like to use the sliders and local adjustment tools to make finer adjustments and get exactly the look I am after.
For this image, I created a high contrast look by allowing the foreground sand to become quite dark. I have always liked images that contain good blacks!
Please click the image to view a larger version.
Really enjoyed the interview, Anne, and this image is beautiful!
Thank you so much Lisa, I appreciate that!
Excellent interview with the folk from Topaz, Anne. A super B&W shot today too.
Thank you very much Andy!
terrific shot! is this sky created by double exposure? thank you:))
Hi Betty, thank you for the compliment. No, this is a single exposure.
The image is stunning. You get a sense of timelessness. Also there is a quite motion here too.
Thank you so much Harvey!
This photo is stunning and amazing. Thank you so much for sharing. I always love a beautiful picture of nature. And, great job on the interview! Congrats!
Thank you Mary, I’m glad you enjoyed both the photo and the interview!
I love it when a B&W contains those deep blacks and clean greys.
How would you measure topaz effects to say lightroom?
Hi Devlin, thanks for the compliment! Lightroom and Topaz are totally different. I use Lightroom for organization and the basic processing you would do in Adobe Camera Raw (which is part of Lightroom). Only if I want to do something special do I then take into one of the topaz plugins to apply a filter. You need to do the Adobe Camera Raw processing first. I hope that helps!
Anne:
A question? We (Diane and I) started out in 2008 to do what you are doing. We sold out, bought a brand new motorhome and set sail. We got about 2000 miles on the unit and my knees just plain gave out and we stopped in Lancaster, Pa. Sold the RV on EBay. Got two new knees and here we are, still in Lancaster. How did you do it and we did not? What’s your secret? Your work is too shelf. Are you funding yourself just from the sale of those photos. Do you mind sharing with me what has gone on in your life? How you rose above? What your plans are now? We feel so “bound”. Do you know what I mean?
Blessings,
Dudley Danielson
Hi Dudley,
Thanks for your message. You can read all about my journey in the section on my blog called “I am changing my life” here:
http://annemckinnell.com/category/1i-am-changing-my-life/
If you go back to the beginning of that section, I wrote about how I made my decision, and how much it all cost etc. Basically, I sold my house and decided to use a good chunk of the money for a one year trip around North America. I used that time to improve my photography, do lots of writing on the blog, and build my audience. I wrote a couple of eBooks that I gave away for free. I decided that everything I did that year I would do for free to build my audience. I didn’t try to make an income from photography until after that. I think it made a big difference giving myself that time to grow as a photographer and create an audience. You can’t just flip the switch until you’ve invested in your own future.
It also makes a big difference to not have any debt and learn how to need less stuff. It’s amazing how little money you can live on when you don’t have to pay for a house or all the costs associated with living in a city.
I hope you get the chance to try it again. If you want to earn a living while you are on the road, you’ll need to do some business planning first. I hope that helps!
Anne:Really love the “Mood” of the Brandon Beach shot. All your pic’s are beautifully done. I am not a jealous person, but I am jealous of your travels! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your kind comments Greg. I hope you get a chance to do some travelling if that is your dream. It is wonderful to be able to see and experience so many beautiful places.