Photoshop’s Top Tools For Image Repairs

Make any image like new—like magic!—with the help of the Clone Stamp, the Patch tool and the Spot Healing Brush

William Sawalich

New photographers may think that Photoshop works magic all by itself, particularly when they see it completely eliminate distracting elements from a photograph with just a few clicks of the mouse. It’s not magic, of course, and a lot depends on knowing how to use the powerful tools this software puts at our fingertips. That said, Photoshop really... Read more

Lightroom Classic Import Improvements

Making the most of Lightroom’s New Raw Default Options and ISO Adaptive Presets

William Sawalich

Last week, we touched on one tremendous new Lightroom tool, but the latest release of Adobe’s awesome image management and RAW processing application includes many new updates, and we want to highlight other favorites. So this week, it’s all about Lightroom Classic Import improvements made to some valuable tools: the RAW Default system and ISO Adaptive... Read more

Using Lightroom’s New Local Hue Adjustment

Selectively modify colors right from Lightroom’s Develop module

William Sawalich

Just a few weeks ago, Adobe introduced several new updates to Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw. One of the most powerful tools, particularly for photographers who relish selective control, is Local Hue adjustment. This allows photographers to make everything from subtle tweaks on a portrait subject’s skin tone to wholesale from one color to another—all... Read more

A Hard Drive For Every Need

Three drives for traveling photographers, video shooters and high-capacity backup

William Sawalich

As camera makers increase megapixels, file sizes also increase—as do photographers’ processing and storage needs. Add to that the fact that so many photographers are branching out into video and there’s never been more need for fast, high-capacity hard drives that are portable and permanent. But one drive can’t do it all; different needs require... Read more

Creating And Saving Transparent Files

How to save an image with a transparent background

William Sawalich

Sometimes we want to isolate a subject on a blank background. Whether it’s a portrait or an object, the process of cutting a subject out of the background is often called clipping or a cutout. Whatever you call it, the key is that for true transparency, the image needs to be saved in the correct file type with a truly transparent background. Here... Read more

Understanding Smart Collections In Lightroom

Take sorting and organizing image files to the next level with Smart Collections

William Sawalich

I’ve long been a fan of Lightroom for its unique ability to provide a one-stop solution for several digital imaging needs. Namely, I use the application to organize, sort and archive my many thousands of image files. In the short term, it’s the place I go to sort images immediately following a shoot. In the long term, it’s the portal through which... Read more

Window Light Still Life

Channel Renaissance masters with beautiful light from a window

William Sawalich

If the pandemic shutdown has you at home with more time on your hands, you might find yourself branching out to photograph things around the house. I’ve found myself photographing new things in new ways—tabletop objects, including food, toys and even impromptu still life images. And I’ve done it all, not with strobes or other special lighting... Read more

Macro Photography Adventures Close To Home

Discover a whole new world in your own backyard

William Sawalich

This coronavirus shutdown has got most folks staying close to home. As such, the outdoor photographer is somewhat limited in terms of his or her options. As an increasing number of photographers are surely discovering, one way to find a whole new world to photograph is to strap on a macro lens and explore the galaxy of close-up nature photography, all... Read more

Portrait Lighting And Posing Techniques

Use your downtime to get great at portrait posing and lighting

William Sawalich

If you’re at home and looking to improve your photography skills during your downtime, why not work on the portrait lighting and posing techniques you can put to use once life gets back to normal? This is a great way to capitalize on a captive audience you may have at home with you—a spouse and kids, for instance, or a hopefully willing roommate.... Read more

How To Use Photoshop’s History Brush

Selectively undo mistakes and fine-tune edits from long ago

William Sawalich

For years and years, professional photographers and digital artists in the know have promoted the idea of non-destructive image editing through the use of Photoshop tools, such as layers, masks and more. But just as many photographers prefer to go their own way by doing things such as capturing JPEGs instead of RAW and avoiding great tools, such as... Read more

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