Before and After Faux Finish

A minor remodel job I did a while back.


Some cabinets were new install, some were existing.


Finished the facings out to a crackle faux finish.


Before:

After:

Proper prep work is essential. (I still don't know what the home owner is going to do about the old back splash.) Faux finishes are great way to add some pizzazz to a remodel. Crackle is just one of the finishes available. E-mail for free estimates.

One Shot HDR (not really)

HDR, or High Dynamic Range, is all the rage now. Many of the new higher end DSLRs, and even some advanced P&S style cameras have an HDR setting built in.

The basic thought of HDR is you take two, three, or more exposures of the same (static) image (preferably on a tripod). One shot, the exposure is optimised for shadow detail, another for highlight detail, and maybe some in between. Then, in your photo editing program (ACDSee, Lightroom, CS, etc...) you sandwich the exposures together. The end result is an image that looks almost odd if done for that effect, or an image that has detail like no regular photo will have. Usually, if you go with the "regular" exposure, you will have details obscured in either the highlight area, the shadows, or a little bit of both. Do a web search for gamma, curve, toe, shoulder for an explanation. A lot was printed in the 70s and 80s concerning film, same things happen in digital.

So, how is it that some software or camera companies advertise "One Shot HDR"?

Well, if you shoot in raw instead of a jpeg file, you get more info in the image file. Remember, even the highest resolution jpeg image file is still a compressed file. That's what jpeg is. But, if you shoot uncompressed, in whatever raw format your camera uses, you get a lot more image detail in the file. This will include detail in the highlight and shadow areas. Then, use your  photo editing software to adjust those details to different levels. You can get an image with higher than normal highlight and shadow detail.

True HDR? No. Impressive final images? Yes, if you take your time to learn the photo program you have.

Two examples of my own:

Photographic Instruction Available

Steve's Fine Finish will instruct on how to get the most out of your DSLR.

Classes Available in Artesia, NM:

Photography Introduction (1 session, about 90 minutes) 

$35.00

Prerequisite: Your own SLR or DSLR

1. Basics of Photography
2. Camera Controls
3. Steady as a rock
4. Observe the viewfinder
5. When to over-ride automatic
6. Flash
7. Basic Composition
8. Taking snapshots vs making photos

The Next Level (More advanced sessions, about 1 hr to 90 minutes each) 

$35.00 per session

Prerequisite: Photography Introduction course listed above or a thorough and advanced knowledge of your own camera and photographic basics.

Topics available:

1. The Art of Composition
2. People, Indoors or Out
3. Tricks & Secrets (that aren't really tricky or secretive)
4. Interactive Critique

Or personalize with continuing discussion or instruction on aspects of the art that especially intrigues you. Pre-session assignments with hints and ideas available (based on your special interests). 

E-mail me at stevesfinefinish@gmail.com

OVAC- NEW MEMBER!

Ooh, look at that!

I am now an artist member of the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition.

Check out my listing on OVAC! (click here)

Being recognized as an Oklahoma artist is a great honor and it puts me right in the middle of a very busy and well supported local art scene. Look for announcements here about local art shows and even some in Tulsa, Ardmore,  Bartlesville, or other Oklahoma towns. I'll be posting not just the ones I'll be participating in, but any show that I think my readers may find interesting.

Thank you for your continued support.

Available Photo Art Samples

Here are some samples of Photo Art available:

Eureka Springs Panorama

This is seven vertical pics stitched together. 

Field of view about 140 degrees.

The ink is black - The page is white

Together we learn 
To read and write.

(thanks to Three Dog Night)

We are firmly in the time of digital photography, 

but that doesn't mean that we have to give up on 

some of our favorite old things.

Such as Black and White photography. (B&W) 

Your camera may have a setting for B&W, but I like

to use a photo editing program. Why? Because, just 

like I did with B&W film, I want creative control.

In B&W film photography, we chose the film, the chemicals

for processing, the filters both for shooting and printing,

and often used the Zone System to keep it all in line.

In digital B&W, you want to be able to control how the colors

turn into B&W. PhotoShop and ACDSee allow you to saturate or

desaturate the intensity, contrast, filtering, etc... to end up 

with a final image that matches your mind's eye preconception.

Example:

 Came from this:

Left to the camera's B&W program, the green leaves and the red 

in the ground and the stump would have different contrast values.

I choose my own values and get the pic I previsualized. 

More examples:

Be sure to look up your program's help center online

to know how to use all the tools.

Happy B&W photography!