A I R H E A D

iPhone HD Video

2010-07-07T20:01:00.001-04:00

iPhone 4 film - "Apple of My Eye" from Michael Koerbel on Vimeo.

I think my attraction to the "non" gear camera gear ie iPhone is the fact that we can finally break away from the need to "gear" everything out to make an image or tell a story.

WORLD CUP STANDINGS

2010-07-04T14:40:00.002-04:00

PENN CAMERA - HDR CLASS - JULY 18th

2010-07-04T13:06:00.004-04:00

details...

NEW Blurb Book on iPhone Photography

2010-06-12T16:33:00.003-04:00

Apple 3Gs by Chris Alvanas | Make Your Own Book

Masking with Photoshop

2010-06-08T09:13:00.002-04:00

Post here

HERE WE GO, ARE YOU READY FOR THE RIDE?

2010-05-10T17:45:00.002-04:00

House will show off the future with it's episode shot entirely with the Canon 5D Mark II

SUNDAY - MAY 2ND!!!

2010-05-01T18:47:00.003-04:00

CIPNE EVENT

2010-04-25T12:30:00.002-04:00

Details...

FINALLY! 3D

2010-04-08T22:58:00.007-04:00

In the following 2 tutorials I will show you one of many ways we can make an image 3D. I want to mention how this thing started because it is important. Friend, Kevin Good, showed off some fun 3D footage he was playing with that was show it 3D and was interesting but I did not bite. Mark Vohwinkel and Ali Black began showing me the versions of experimentation they were playing with, still not biting. Then Mark asked me for some advice on how I would filter an image for use with the cyan/red 3D glasses. OK now the challenge, I nibble...that evening when poking around the "rabbit hole" I got sucked in. I admit it, thanks to these 3 I am down the hole and right now not even looking for a way out. Thanks for the journey.
As we explore new ways to make images more and more compelling we discover things like this that hope to get people to think outside the box and explore...think about where HDR started and where it is now. It had its 15 minutes of super fame and then started to find a place in the subtle ways we make images more and more interesting. Enjoy and Experiment.

Send me your experiments and questions: chrisalvanas@me.com
See more 3D images here: lightyearimnaging

3D - stereoscopy???

2010-04-04T11:46:00.009-04:00

Image of a madman and a madwoman? Maybe. Mark and Allie stand responsible for my dive into the rabbit hole of 3D. I cannot and do not really want to come out right now. As a matter of fact with some of the CS5 previews I have seen, this may be a solid direction, who knows? At least for now it offers a number of very cool possibilities on what once was a 2D space. Where it stops - no one knows. I will be posting a video tutorial on the technique I am using for this effect. There are folks like Mark and Allie that are taking a more "traditional" approach in that they are experimenting with real stereoscopic photography. Me I just prefer to fake it - after all what is "real" anymore. (ha) More to come...
***by the way - all of this 3D stuff needs to be viewed with the magenta/green glasses.

You can see samples of my fakery here...3D

THE "D" IN 3D AND THE "D" IN HDR MEET

2010-03-30T23:09:00.003-04:00

Thought I might share some 3D fun with those out there watching that have the magenta/green glasses. Try this link for all of the recent tries but here is one for you now...

Go here for more...

BEEN A WHILE - I KNOW BUT...

2010-03-28T12:50:00.002-04:00

I know it has been a while since the last post but I will do my best to make it up to you with a cool new push to the world of 3D. Sounds odd I know but after some convincing it started to shoe some cool possibilities especially with the technique I have discovered. I will not only share this technique with you but will also provide a link to the newest 3D images I have been working on. Stay tuned for my next post and in the meantime you could get a pair of magent/grenn style 3D glasses, nothing fancy just the cardboard style will work. This way when I post the images and you are ready to embark and give the technique a try, you can see the results. After all if you cannot then what is the point.
Cheers

PHOTOSHOP FLIGHT CHECK

2010-03-09T16:59:00.003-05:00

This image comes to us all from Jim Hooper, a great friend that gave me the idea to create a check list for those times when killing your computer seems like a good idea when running Photoshop. Here are some things that may keep you from killing your machine... it was created in hopes that it would be saved and kept as a quick reference for those times of need, that is why it is business card size. Enjoy.

Color Range_Masking.mov

2010-03-03T14:51:00.002-05:00

Simpler ways to use select by color range that make use of a better preview.

INSIGHTS

2010-02-28T09:56:00.001-05:00

I see no reason for recording the obvious.
Edward Weston

T-SHIRT WAR! BEHIND THE SCENES!

2010-02-26T11:02:00.003-05:00

Thanks Again Jefe

T-SHIRT WAR!! (stop-motion music video)

2010-02-26T11:01:00.002-05:00

Thanks Jefe...

HDR WORKSHOP - PENN CAMERA/CDIA

2010-02-14T19:09:00.004-05:00

Info...

Next one on April 18th... register

STITCHING THE APPLE 3Gs

2010-02-13T11:56:00.007-05:00

THE APPS...AUTOSTITCH, TILT SHIFT GENERATOR, MILL COLOUR

BEST CAMERA APP FILTERS

2010-02-11T13:33:00.001-05:00

MY BEST iPHONE APPS

2010-02-11T12:52:00.008-05:00

These are a few of the apps that get the images looking the way mine do.
PhotoForge -

TiltShift Generator -

CameraBag -

Mill Color -

Best Camera -

SUBTLE OR OVERBEARING???

2010-02-08T20:44:00.003-05:00

Can you say snow? She-yat!!!

Basic Processing 101

2010-02-08T11:40:00.005-05:00

In this movie Chris will discuss how to set up the RAW file and ready it for future processing.

SIMPLE

2010-02-06T12:06:00.005-05:00

It is an eye opening experience over and over again. iPhone, what would I do without you?
Check out more...here

PENN CAMERA SPONSORED HDR WORKSHOP

2010-01-31T16:05:00.003-05:00

Please see Penn Camera on the web to register for the next event...

RAW CONVERSIONS - SMART

2010-01-25T20:27:00.002-05:00

iPHONE CONTEST

2010-01-23T18:26:00.002-05:00

click here...

The APPOS iPhone App Awards

2010-01-23T18:22:00.001-05:00

The APPOS iPhone App Awards & Photo Contest

Posted using ShareThis

WHERE WILL 2010 TAKE US?

2009-12-31T17:32:00.001-05:00

Shout out to Chase Jarvis

Stargate Studios Virtual Backlot Demo from Stargate Studios on Vimeo.

INTRODUCING - ALEX UNCAPHER

2009-12-27T13:40:00.004-05:00

Alex Uncapher is a former student at CDIA and quite the visionary. Where most students struggle with coming up with creative insights or curious points of view, this is where Alex lives. Check out this months issue of After Capture magazine for the full scoop.

article...

DON'T TAKE YOURSELF TOO SERIOUSLY

2009-12-22T17:20:00.003-05:00

My recent posts have featured most of my images shot with my trusty iPhone (or my 3Gs Pro) as I call it. The new name is there only to move away from the stigma that iPhone photography has now. For me it was entirely about quieting the mind on the calculations we all make when approach in making an image. Which lens, ISO, shutter and depth of field to name the primary culprits of our distractions. The 3Gs Pro allows me to focus on composing and more composing. I leave the post processing elements where they belong - post. To keep things pure (or as pure as one can be) I try and keep the processing in camera (iPhone) and do as much as possible I can there. Some of the newest apps are quite outstanding. Where can you by an imaging app for 1.99 or a macro lens for 16.99? iTunes for one...I know...I know...I drank the kool-aid a long time ago and have probably gone back for seconds and even thirds. Watch out all you nay sayers because if you have not yet noticed the process is really evolving. A side note - another advantage is that no one and I mean no one ever bothers you when shooting with the 3Gs - no permits or "do you have permission?"...just like it should be - capturing what inspires.

My recent work can be scene at: www.lightyearimaging.com/airhead

3 TIMES A CHARM?

2009-12-18T18:31:00.003-05:00

Once again, I was honored for a third time on John Paul Caponigro's blog. This time showing my HDR style as was in the second post. In progress north this evening, ahead of the storm (I hope).

Happy Holidays to all that follow or peak at this blog and a toast to what will be coming in 2010.

Check this post out on JP's blog here.

IF IT ONLY WENT TO 11... ~ APPLE 3Gs

2009-12-15T16:37:00.005-05:00

Recently I attended an outstanding workshop with John Paul Caponigro at his home studio in Maine. It was a group of 10 participants and all were high level photographers and everyone contributed to the flow and delivery of information during the week. It is something I would HIGHLY recommend!!!

Skills in the craft as well as many creative aspects were in the mix which I found as the most unique part of the workshop. I was honored by a blog entry on JP's blog (www.johnpaulcaponigro/blog/) which has evolved the following link for a body of work presently under construction. The link is as follows and can be accessed through the blog as well: www.lightyearimaging.com/airhead/

Enjoy

BESIDE MYSELF...iPHONE STITCH

2009-12-10T23:17:00.007-05:00

Special thanks to John Paul for the recent post of the iPhone images on his blog. Attending this workshop has been nothing short of spectacular. It was my birthday week and one I will not soon forget. If anyone can here him speak or attend a workshop here in Maine, I would highly recommend it. The focus here has been as much on the craft as it has been on the vision. I have met a number of great photographers and now friends on this adventure and look forward to doing this with JP again soon. Here is a shot of the birthday cake that JP's wife made for me - yum!

BIRTHDAY BOY

2009-12-09T22:59:00.010-05:00

I am in Maine with John Paul Caponigro at the best workshop ever and have been really inspired to push this cell phone stuff even further. Thanks to all of my fellow workshoppers for their kind words and motivation. Yep - tomorrow is my birthday so...I thought I would share some of my favorite apprs for the iPhone. Some cost a few dollars but others are free. Try some - yum!
Cheers

CHRISTMAS WITH THE OZ

2009-11-25T20:15:00.002-05:00

What would the holidays be like without a little Ozzy?

Beginning or End?

2009-11-23T11:23:00.002-05:00

With all of the hooplah recently about placing blame on image manipulation I thought it necessary to show one side of the equation that most never talk about. Everything that happens to "control" the image even before things like photoshop. Anyone that has been around stock shoots on location or advertising shoots for clothing know what the image would look like from the angle the viewer never sees. Duct tape, clips, pins - you name it everything and anything to make the clothes and the image look perfect. And this is not limited to just the clothes - anyone or thing in the picture would be subject to this level of perfection.
This is not to let the retouchers of the world off the hook as far as being responsible - more a spread of the responsibility. Take a look...

HDR to PS Options2

2009-10-17T19:43:00.002-04:00

Here we talk about one way for us to use Photoshop after an image has been tone mapped.

OPTIONS - NOT ALWAYS BLACK AND WHITE!

2009-09-22T13:07:00.002-04:00

In this tutorial Chris will walk through a few of the more important things to think about and how they may effect your final conversion to Black and White - at the very least they will show how they effect your results.

IT'S COMING! - PHOTOPLUS 2009

2009-09-22T12:52:00.006-04:00

Huge Event with all the latest and greatest tools and toys for photographers as well as a lengthy list of excellent seminars and instruction - except for mine that is?! ha

• Conference

• Schedule

DOUBLE HEADER - POST PRODUCTION

2009-09-20T19:42:00.004-04:00

On October 4th, Chris Alvanas will host a double workshop/lecture at CDIA. 10-12 will be on Extending Dynamic Range and 2-4 will be on Glamour Retouching. Seating is limited so please RSVP to calvanas@cdiabu.com. This event is free and not limited to CDIA stiudents.

024 RT Last One

2009-09-13T20:05:00.002-04:00

This video represents the last phase of a serious retouch. There is a need to get away from the screen to give your eyes a break and come back to finish up. When coming back there will almost always be final tweaks in finishing the image.

JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN...

2009-08-24T17:09:00.003-04:00

...does not always mean you should. The ethics of beauty retouching - how far is too far! This topic has perplexed me for sometime and I know it does not take much to freeze me into the headlights but I think it really requires a bit of thought(the ethics that is). The following video shows a normal speed (I wish) sample of a retouch job. Now for the sake of showing techniques I show what IS possible, but think for a moment about what you require for delivery to your client. A nip and tuck here and there never hurt anybody - maybe. I enjoy post production work. Truly I do!

But ask yourself what you are doing and better yet why you are doing it. It has never been intended to be there as a reason for poor photography - more about making great photography even greater. Taking it to places that excite ones imagination not to mention the workflow advantages and do overs. I am appearing at PhotoPlus 2009 and have 2 sessions, one on HDR and the other on Glamour Retouching. We'll dig in and show how we can solve problems as a retoucher and we may also ask a few questions about when and why? Enjoy

T Soft2 High End Skin Softening

2009-08-14T20:12:00.001-04:00

This is a repeat post of high end skin softening, but this time the audio works all the way through.
Cheers

Return Skin Texture

2009-08-09T18:21:00.001-04:00

Returning the texture to the skin is often times what makes or breaks the softening technique. Here is what is important.

BACK!

2009-08-06T11:17:00.001-04:00

Sorry to take a brief break in the action, but I recently moved - Wow, I thought Photoshop was difficult. Anyhow, I am back and ready for a few new trick and tips to show. Stay tuned as we will dive into some Skin Softening techniques in my next post. Thanks for standing by.
Cheers

HDR People

2009-07-26T21:43:00.001-04:00

Multiple tone mapping of the same image and getting better results in registration as well as skin tone.

LET'S NOT FORGET THE MUPPETS

2009-07-24T18:12:00.001-04:00

Alway having fun - the name of the game...

PHOTOPLUS EXPO 2009

2009-07-23T22:57:00.004-04:00

Hey there... wanted to share the video about this years show and let you know I will be there again this year teaching a seminar on HDR and on Beauty Retouching...hope to see you there. MORE

HDR Many Ways

2009-07-12T23:17:00.003-04:00

There are many ways to skin a cat and if your cat happens to be a bracketed or non-bracketed scene, there are in fact many ways to process.

DEKE'S MASKING ESSENTIALS

2009-07-10T15:20:00.004-04:00

HOW MANY MEGA-PIXELS???

2009-07-10T13:13:00.002-04:00

Got to thinking, which although not that frequent - can be dangerous, about the present state of camera wars and the megapixel battles that result. With rumors now out on the D4x and other super cameras, where does medium format start to fit in? As the cost of the systems starts to meet somewhere in the $10-$20K range it make some start to think about things like bit depth and sensor size. Now the 35mm cameras have not got to that price range yet, but that day is upon us. Hasselblad and Mamiya are both getting competitive with system pricing to make pros think twice about why they are making the investment in 35mm. I have shot both systems and find medium format quite nice when working with skin tone, fine detail and brilliant color. The 35mm groups are not shabby by any means in these areas either it's just that the climate seems to be changing, so keep your options open and your credit cards ready.

DO YOU SUCK AT PHOTOSHOP?

2009-07-08T16:05:00.003-04:00

Thought this might be a bit entertaining as I come back from holiday and get ready for some new stuff.

LATEST FROM JPC

2009-06-22T14:51:00.002-04:00

Is it Bad ASS Enough?

2009-06-12T13:11:00.003-04:00

iPhone - iPhone - iPhone
production by Isaac Oboka

iPhone Jazz - Perspective and Processing

2009-06-11T17:03:00.003-04:00

Entire Collection

LAYERS TUTORIAL RE-DONE

2009-06-10T21:19:00.001-04:00

iPhone with Cup Cake

2009-06-08T16:14:00.002-04:00

Check out the entire collection here...

iPhone Jazz in B&W

2009-06-07T22:22:00.000-04:00

VECTORS IN CS4

2009-05-29T20:45:00.002-04:00

WINNERS OF THE 48HR FILM FESTIVAL IN DC

2009-05-22T16:20:00.004-04:00

My friend and fellow human, Kevin Good (shown here) with Barry Gribble produced this in an amazing 48hours check this out! Best Writing, Best Effects, Best Wardrobe, and Best Picture. You can check out the finished silliness (Gwedonlyn Dangerous and the Great Space Rescue) at: www.crisislab.com

MUSIC CORNER

2009-05-19T21:37:00.001-04:00

TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE

2009-05-13T20:38:00.002-04:00

My article on HDR has hit the stands and shows off with a special dedication to author Stephen King - much thanks to my friend Barry T. for the great writing. Pick it up!

iPhone Jazz

2009-05-11T20:01:00.001-04:00

Image _001

NEW WINDOWS IN CS4

2009-04-29T17:59:00.002-04:00

This is part of the new navigational advances in CS4. This upgrade seems mostly about better use of screen real estate and navigation along with a few other nice bonus features we'll talk about soon.

HI PASS SHARPENING

2009-04-17T20:05:00.002-04:00

There are so many ways to sharpen an image and it posses another question of when to sharpen as well. With all of the possibilities that Photoshop offers, the hi-pass sharpen has given me the most flexibility and success. Check it out...

PHOTOSHOP CS4 - NAVIGATION

2009-04-15T14:13:00.002-04:00

Again Adobe has produce another version of Photoshop. Like it or not - it is what it is. I will say a number of the new features are small but robust. The use of monitor space and navigational workflow is pretty nice as are a number of other features. Here are some of the navigation changes i CS4.

BRIDGE CS4 NAVIGATION

2009-04-15T10:55:00.002-04:00

I am finding the major boost in the upgrade to CS4 seems to be mostly about navigation. There are a number of other features in Photoshop proper that have a lot of value, but navigation and workflow would surely be one. By the way - stop calling me Shirley

DEKE MASKS...

2009-04-07T23:55:00.001-04:00

DEKE DOES IT AGAIN...

2009-04-07T23:54:00.001-04:00

DEKE AND GRAYSCALE

2009-04-07T23:43:00.000-04:00

RETOUCHING - ETHICS!?

2009-04-02T08:56:00.003-04:00

Recently, the New York Times aired a video on some ethical questions about Beauty retouching. You should check it out. It begs the question of how far is far enough when it comes down to how we influence our children about role models and "un-achievable" goals for the sake of advertising. As a father of an 18 year old daughter and a professional retoucher I am confronted with this question every time I pick up my mouse and begin to work on an image. After a while you come to the realization that first of all it is certainly not only the retouching of an image that creates this issue, but let's just focus on those aspect of it. At the end of the day it is YOU the retoucher that decides how far to go and wether or not you choose to use the bat to hit a softball or crush some ones skull. It is not the bat that is the problem.

I promised to keep this rant as short as possible, but we typically give the client what the client wants and don't really worry too much about the ethics and leave that to the client - maybe-maybe not. This video does mention one important thing (I think) along with the ethical questions it poses. Why don't retouchers get credit on images where retouching has taken place??? This brings me back to the change in times that digital has fueled in that retouching can be a large part of the image making process and perhaps by giving the retoucher credit it would not just give credit where it is deserved but also help readers understand that in some cases the image does not reflect reality - really! Check out the video and ponder this the next time a client asks you to piece together a fashion image from 4 separate photos of the same model to get the very best part of each and ask yourself - should I get any credit and does the reader dererve the right to know that something was done to retouch this image???

ALL HDR - NO!

2009-03-15T12:32:00.002-04:00

I know this blog has been a bit heavy on the HDR "thing" but be assured that more is to come. Beauty Retouching that is. That's right - if you are interested in high end beauty retouching techniques and topics then stay tuned. There will also be a future blending of the two - HDR/Beauty or something like that. Also stay tuned on the new blog by Rob Van Petten if this topic tickles your fancy as this one proves to be about all you can handle on lighting, fashion and digital print making. Oh yea - I may be contributing some Photoshop Tips from time to time - shameless - I know.

Cheers

HDR STEP BY STEP2

2009-03-02T16:02:00.006-05:00

This is the second (obviously) of 2 movies regarding step by step processing for HDR. Chris has a 28 movie DVD due out later this month on the topic .

Here is a small taste...

HDR WORKSHOPS - PENN CAMERA

2009-03-01T18:27:00.001-05:00

Penn Camera is sponsoring 2 events here at CDIA. Each will be a full day event with everything HDR. We will go from the overview of process and what is HDR through capture-merge-tone mapping and final enhancement in Photoshop. Go to the Workshops and Events tab for more info...

HERE WE GO - HDR STEP 1

2009-02-25T22:41:00.002-05:00

I have posted the first movie in a series of overviews dealing with my techniques in HDR. Please stay tuned for the full DVD on the topic of HDR due to be released in March 2009.

HDR Full Day Workshops

2009-02-21T18:32:00.003-05:00

These events are put on by Penn Camera and hosted at CDIA (1055 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW)

The dates are:

3/29/09 - SOLD OUT!

4/19/09 - SOLD OUT!

5/31/09 - SOLD OUT!

6/28/09 - SOLD OUT!

8/2/09 - OPEN

Contact Penn Camera to reserve your place today. The day will be as follows:

AM - HDR Overview and Capture SetUp

PM1 - Shooting Session

PM2 - Running HDR Merging and Tone Mapping on images from shooting session.

Will take place in a fully functional Macintosh lab with Lightroom, Photoshop and Photomatix all loaded. Participants need to bring their camera as well as a HD to put all images on as the machine get re-images every day.

MISSING YOU ALL!

2009-02-11T17:41:00.002-05:00

Sorry it has been so long since my last post. I have been busy finishing the latest DVD on HDR. It will be going to press very shortly and be available by the end of this month. Remember, I have 2 workshops on HDR scheduled. 2/24 at CDIA is a Photoshop User Group (PUG) meeting at CDIA and I will be lecturing on HDR and hope to have the DVD's available. I am also scheduled to do a full day event through Penn Camera also here at CDIA on March 29th. This will be a paid event through Penn Camera and hands on for all those participating. Should be a blast!

I will try and post some snips from the DVD to give you all a taste.

THOSE WACKY BLEND MODES!

2009-01-26T19:54:00.002-05:00

I was thinking about who or how I could explain in logical or not so logical terms, the 25 blend modes in Photoshop. They are frequently used when working at an advanced level of Photoshop and warrant some understanding to grasp how and when to put them in play. Deke McClelland just posted this video that really does a wonderful job in explaining those frustrating but very necessary blend modes. Enjoy!

HDR Teaser (part2b)

2009-01-21T20:12:00.001-05:00

In this clip, Chris talks about how exporting through Lightroom get additional option when interfacing with Photomatix. Sometimes they are not useful but it is always good to have more option.

HDR - Teaser (part 2)

2009-01-20T15:47:00.003-05:00

In this part 2 of the HDR teaser series, Chris Alvanas walks through the details of working with Lightroom as an application that can export to Photomatix for generating an HDR image and ultimately providing tone mapping.

Deke Does It Again.

2009-01-19T15:44:00.002-05:00

In his own wacky way Dele McClelland shows off the power of channel masking difficult items like hair in CS4. Deke is always entertaining and one of the most informative teachers I know. Although I don't really know him, you get the idea.

Here's Deke...

HDR - Teaser (part 1)

2009-01-13T21:57:00.003-05:00

In this tutorial Chris Alvanas walk us through the basics of how and why HDR works, when to se it and overview what the basic purpose and effect HDR has on digital photography.

Deke McClelland and Masking Basic #2

2009-01-04T20:01:00.000-05:00

Lightroom - Selective!

2009-01-03T15:37:00.009-05:00

I know, I know... CS4 and only CS4, but I need to acknowledge the photographers out there using Lightroom, right? I just don't feel right ignoring their very fiber - whatever that means?

I felt that it was important to make mention of the brush tool now available in the newest version of Lightroom. In fact it has been out for some time, but it seems some are just getting around to using it or just discovering its potential. Even though it falls quite short of masking in the wonderful world of Photoshop it does bring more flexibility to those using Lightroom. Well enough of my psycho-babble, here we go...

Happy Freekin' New Year

2009-01-03T00:03:00.003-05:00

Adobe TV

2009-01-01T17:03:00.004-05:00

In this episode Jullieanne Kost takes an in depth look at Adobe Camera RAW in CS4. You will also find other episode dealing with a variety of topics from Lightroom through Photoshop here at Adobe TV

enjoy!

Photoshop CS4 New Features: Interface (lynda.com)

2008-12-31T22:33:00.002-05:00

Deke McClelland walks through one of the great new features in CS4, tabbed windows...

Happy Holidays

2008-12-22T19:18:00.000-05:00

Rudolph?

Photoshop CS4 New Features: Content Aware Scaling (lynda.com)

2008-12-19T19:25:00.001-05:00

Books and Things

2008-12-18T20:28:00.015-05:00

For those of looking for something to put on your Christmas list,

here are a few items I would recommend for post production work

in the way of Retouching and HDR.

The "Edge" of HDR

2008-12-18T17:32:00.005-05:00

High Dynamic Range imagery has gotten a bit of a bad rap of late. Image makers have labelled it with this edgy, illustrative and non-photographic look. Although it depends on your taste on whether or not this "look" appeals to you or not, it is certainly NOT was HDR is all about.

In fact it is so much more! Expanding the dynamic range of any given scene has been something photographers have struggled with or some time and once you get a better understanding of what "real" HDR is, you will soon realize that the game has just changed. That's right - the possibilities are virtually endless. It has so many applications and creative options and is by no means "push button". It requires an understanding of what is really going on to get those incredible images. Images that have no "label", they are just wonderful to look at and are indescribably unique.

Here is a tutorial I recently published through After Capture magazine and even though my taste may not mirror you as a reader, hopefully you wil get a better understanding of what happens behind the scenes.

Events and Workshops

2008-12-14T13:38:00.015-05:00

This section will show a listing of upcoming events relative to HDR and Retouching. They will not be limited to events I am doing but anything that may help you s a reader.

12/27/08 • HDR Workshop • Portsmouth, RI • Chris Alvanas

2/24/09 • PUG Meeting & HDR Demo • Chris Alvanas

3/29/09 • HDR Workshop - Penn Camera - SOLD OUT!

4/19/09 • HDR Workshop - Penn Camera - SOLD OUT!

5/31/09 • HDR Workshop - Penn Camera - SOLD OUT!

6/28/09 • HDR Workshop - Penn Camera - SOLD OUT!

8/2/09 • HDR Workshop - Penn Camera - ReScheduled!

9/20/09 • HDR Workshop - Penn Camera - SOLD OUT!

10/04/09 • Double Header - CDIA - HDR (10-12) and Glamour Retouching (2-4) rsvp

10/22/09 • PhotoPlus NYC 3:30-5:30 - Extending Dynamic Range

10/24/09 • PhotoPlus NYC 3:30-5:30 - Glamour Retouching

2/21/10 • HDR Workshop - Penn Camera/CDIA - SOLD OUT!

4/18/10 • HDR Workshop - Penn Camera/CDIA

12.27.08 - HDR Workshop

2008-12-14T10:49:00.002-05:00

HDR Workshop with

Chris Alvanas

for photographers interested in learning about

"High Dynamic Range" imaging

High Dynamic Range has become increasing popular with fine art and architectural photographers this year. This workshop is for anyone who uses Photoshop to process his or her images.It will consist of a lecture, presentation and demonstration on HDR by fine art and commercial photographer Chris Alvanas. Chris will define the terms, and explain how they are used as well as samples of why photographers' seek out a higher dynamic range in their images.

Mr. Alvanas will talk through the set up process on how to set up the camera to bracket and when to use a tripod or cable release. He will also discuss things to consider when defining your exposures and how much is enough.

Finally, Chris will look at a couple of different ways to generate an HDR image and then tone mapping it into something that can be processed later in photoshop. He will also discus how to achieve different looks depending on client or personal desires.

Questions are encouraged.

About Chris

Chris’s images have appeared in Nikon World Magazine, Popular Photography, Nikon Product Guide, Nikon Pro Website, and in the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Nikon Calendars. His clients include: Nikon, Kodak, Procter & Gamble, Safilo Eyewear-Italy, Reebok, Armadani Jewelers, Bob’s Store, Samsonite, Newport International Polo, American Photo Magazine, Popular Photography Magazine, Rubberball and Getty Images. As a retoucher, Chris is a regular contributor to Layers Magazine and is included in the 2008 and 2009 Layers Magazine Best of the Year compilation DVD.

Chris is the Director of Photography at the Center for Digital Imaging Arts at Boston University in Washington DC, and Past President of the Portsmouth Arts Guild. He is a member of the Nikon Mentor Series and has taught photo treks in NYC, Boston, Newport, & Arches National Park. He has presented at Photo Plus Expo, New York and PMA in Las Vegas.

His Photoshop DVD’s are available at www.rickspixelmagic.com.

His podcasts can be viewed on iTunes under “Photoshop Alley” or on his website at www.lightyearimaging.com

Saturday, December 27, 2008 from 9 to 12

2701 East Main Artists

(formerly Armor Photography)

2701 East main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871

Cost: $100

Please register by email

calvanas@cdiabu.com

by phone at

401.864.2899 (cell)

Monday December 22nd

(In case of inclement weather the workshop will be cancelled)

Presented by Jan Armor • The Digital Learning Center at 2701 East Main Artists

(401) 253 4237 • jandarmor@fctvplus.net • www.armorphoto.com

Welcome

2008-12-12T22:49:00.000-05:00

This blog is dedicated to the advancement and better understanding of all things HDR (High Dynamic Range) and the fine art of Retouching...it will provide information relative to and assist those readers interested in advanced techniques and information in these areas.

You have no doubt asked why airhead? Well, it comes from a Thomas Dolby song that my best friend and listened to with fun and enjoyment before he passed away over 5 years ago, so in memory of Will we have "AIRHEAD"...

Sit back and enjoy the information as I hope to bring you (at the very least) help you understand more about HDR, how to achieve it and the options you have in generating your images as well as some of the finer points of retouching. Essentially techniques in developing the skills needed to become a digital artist.

Cheers

Chris

HDR, it all started when...

2008-12-12T20:17:00.000-05:00

Let's start with some HDR...
I was out photographing detailed landscapes in search of scenes that had a higher dynamic range than my camera could capture in one frame. I was looking for scenes with a lot of detail and contrast. I was out with 2 photographer friends of mine, Mark Nadeau and Lenny Rumpler when we rolled passed this barn that was falling down. We got permission to shoot it and proceeded to do so. Later that day I began processing and merging exposures to HDR. A recent reader of Ben Wilmore and his techniques helped get me started. I was using Photomatix as a trial and only needed to see the first image to realize how much potential this really had. This image was one of the first I processed and remember just looking at my monitor and laughing.