Pixology Magazine June 2023

The June 2023 issue of Pixology magazine is now available, featuring the following articles:

  • Gradient Map Creativity: Learn how you can use a Gradient Map adjustment in Photoshop for creative effects such as black and white, duotone, split toning, and more.
  • Top Ten Keywording Tips: Get tips on making the most of keywords to help you find photos fast and get reminded of the contents of an image.
  • AI Noise Reduction: Discover the new feature of Camera Raw (for Photoshop) and Lightroom Classic that leverages artificial intelligence for noise reduction.
  • Extending the Frame: Learn techniques for extending the frame of a photo in Photoshop, such as when a subject is too close to the edge of the frame.
  • Photo Story: Shadows and Stairs: Get the story behind a somewhat abstract photo captured in a “hidden” corner of Rome, Italy, not too far from some of the most popular attractions.

Pixology magazine is included in the GreyLearning Ultimate Bundle, and is also available as a standalone subscription here:

https://www.greylearning.com/courses/pixology-magazine

GreyLearning Ultimate Event: Planning a Photo Trip

Registration is now open for the first in a series of live online GreyLearning Ultimate Events. The first event will be on the subject of “Planning a Photo Trip”, and will be presented live online on Wednesday, April 19th, from 1pm to 5pm Eastern Time.
What’s so “ultimate” about the “GreyLearning Ultimate Events”? Well, to start with they’re free to photographers who subscribe to my GreyLearning Ultimate Bundle (http://timgrey.me/atg99bundle). Recordings of all presentations will also available, so you can watch even if you can’t attend live, or review the presentations at any time. Importantly, these events leverage my extensive experience in photography, digital imaging, and more, to provide in-depth information to help you master the subject matter presented.
If you’re not a GreyLearning Ultimate Bundle subscriber, that’s OK! Non-subscribers can attend the live online event and access recordings of all presentations for just $20.
You can get all the details of this upcoming live online event here:
I look forward to helping photographers plan for fantastic photo trips with the first GreyLearning Ultimate Event, and I hope you’ll join me for this and future events.

Pixology Magazine May 2022

The May 2022 issue of Pixology magazine is now available, featuring the following articles:

  • Sunset Photo Tips
    Learn to improve photographs captured at one of the most popular times of day for photography.
  • Keyword List Synchronization
    Making your keywords list available in multiple Lightroom Classic catalogs.
  • Deleting Duplicates
    How to find and remove duplicate photos in Lightroom Classic.
  • Cloud Blur Effect
    Learn to create a motion blur effect for clouds in the sky.
  • Photo Story: Lightning Strike
    Pure luck resulted in a unique photo after careful planning made it possible.

Pixology magazine is included in the GreyLearning Ultimate Bundle, and is also available as a standalone subscription here:

https://www.greylearning.com/courses/pixology-magazine

Interview on the All Outdoors Photography Podcast

I was recently interviewed on the All Outdoors Photography Podcast, where I talked about my motivation in photography, some of the experiences and adventures that have impacted my photography, and more.

I greatly enjoyed the conversation with hosts Henry and Ryan, and I think you’ll enjoy listening to the conversation.

You can listen to the full episode here:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/preserving-memories-with-tim-grey/id1524158399?i=1000558062445

Pixology Magazine January 2022

The January 2022 issue of Pixology magazine is now available, featuring the following articles:

  • Finding Inspiration
    Get tips for finding inspiration in your photography.
  • Using Color Labels
    Learn ways you can use color labels to mark photos for various purposes to help streamline your workflow.
  • Dodge and Burn
    Learn to selectively lighten and darken areas of an image with great control in Photoshop.
  • Avoiding Noise
    Get tips for minimizing noise when capturing digital photos.
  • Photo Story: Fireworks Over Monaco
    Read about how a minor inconvenience turned into a fun photo opportunity during a visit to Monaco.

Pixology magazine is included in the GreyLearning Ultimate Bundle, and is also available as a standalone subscription here:

https://www.greylearning.com/courses/pixology-magazine

Pixology Magazine August 2021

The August 2021 issue of Pixology magazine is now available, featuring the following articles:

  • Exposure Rules of Thumb
    Get tips on estimating initial exposure settings for a scene with a series of helpful rules of thumb for specific lighting conditions.
  • Sharing by Synchronization
    Learn how Lightroom Classic makes it easy to share photos by synchronizing them to your other devices, even enabling you to browse selected photos through a web browser from virtually anywhere.
  • Curves for Tone
    Learn to understand the powerful Curves adjustment in Photoshop for applying sophisticated tonal adjustments to your photos.
  • Water Protection
    Find out about the various accessories you can use to keep your camera safe from water, whether you are just photographing in the rain or actually taking your camera underwater.
  • Photo Story: Echelon Formation
    You don’t always have to travel far for great photographic opportunities, as I was reminded of recently when I had the opportunity to photograph the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds at an air show nearby. The story of my favorite photo from the day is shared in this article.

Pixology magazine is included in the GreyLearning Ultimate Bundle, and is also available as a standalone subscription here:

https://www.greylearning.com/courses/pixology-magazine

Planning Great Sun or Moon Photos

A little bit of planning can help you create better photographic images, and that is especially true when you want to employ the sun or moon in your photography. I’m pleased to announce a new course in the GreyLearning library that will help you plan great photos incorporating the sun and the moon, using a tool called The Photographer’s Ephemeris.

The Photographer’s Ephemeris is an app available through a web browser or mobile device, which enables you to plan photos based on the position of the sun and moon. Whether you want to include the sun or moon in a photograph, or you simply need to know the direction or availability of sunlight, The Photographer’s Ephemeris can help. And my new course will help you make the most of this helpful tool in your photography.

The lessons in my new course will guide you through the use of The Photographer’s Ephemeris, along with additional tools. Along the way you’ll learn how to plan photos based on the timing and position of the sun and moon.

Even better, you can use coupon code “moonlaunch” to get $5 off the course during our launch special. For more details (and to have the discount included automatically) follow this link to the GreyLearning Website:

https://www.greylearning.com/courses/tpe?coupon=moonlaunch

The Red Pod Bean Bag

I was recently on a trip where I was traveling extremely light, which among other things meant I didn’t bring a tripod. Then, after departing on this trip, I realized there was going to be a total lunar eclipse in a few days, and I certainly didn’t want to miss that. Fortunately I had my “Red Pod” bean bag camera support, which enabled me to get the shot.

Total lunar eclipse photographed in Honolulu, Hawaii, with the help of the “Red Pod” bean bag camera support.

One of the best features of the Red Pod is that it has a built-in 1/4″ camera mount. You literally screw the bean bag directly onto your camera using the same mount you would otherwise use for a plate for a tripod. This provides a secure platform for your camera that is pliable enough to adjust your camera to a variety of different positions.

The Red Pod in use supporting my DSLR on a railing, just as it was used to capture the lunar eclipse photo shown above.

I’ve found the Red Pod to be tremendously helpful in a variety of situations. In fact, I’ve now given my Red Pod a permanent spot in my camera bag, to make sure I always have it with me to provide good camera support even if I don’t have a tripod with me.

You can get more details about the Red Pod here:

https://timgrey.me/redpod

Photographing “Manhattanhenge”

Twice each year, the setting sun perfectly aligns with Manhattan’s grid of streets in New York City, providing a fun visual and photographic opportunity referred to as “Manhattanhenge”. The next opportunity to see this phenomenon will be in July of this year (2018), so I thought I would share a few tips on photographing Manhattanhenge.

 

The key to the best Manhattanhenge experience is location. First, you want to be on one of the wider streets, which includes 14th Street, 23rd Street, 34th Street, and 42nd Street. Second, you want to be as far east in Manhattan as possible, to help add more context to the position of the sun at the center of the street.

For 2018, the first set of Manhattanhenge dates was in May, so July is the next opportunity. The full effect will be visible on Thursday, July 12th. The sun sets at 8:20pm that day, so you’ll want to be in position by around 8:00pm. If the weather (or your schedule) doesn’t cooperate, the following day (July 13th) you can see a similar effect, but with the sun halfway below the horizon by the time it is aligned with the street.

Note that the sun will be hidden from view until just before sunset. That’s because the sun will follow an arc in the sky, entering the position between buildings lining the street from the left side. So as the sun is going down toward the horizon, it will appear from behind buildings on the left as it continues toward a position that aligns it with the center of the street.

In terms of exposure, you can treat Manhattanhenge as a “normal” sunset. I do recommend bracketing exposures to provide the option of creating a high dynamic range (HDR) image, so you can preserve more details in the foreground buildings, for example.

And don’t forget not to stare at the sun! Have fun, and be sure to share any photos you capture if you take in the unique experience of Manhattanhenge.