Digital Photography

Super iPad, iPhone and Mac App Sale!

Hey all.

In celebration of my creativeLive class, I am running a super apps sale. This sale ends Oct 23, 2011.

  • Rick Sammon's 24/7 Photo Buffet for iPhone: reduced from $1.99 to 99¢
  • Rick Sammon's 24/7 Photo Buffet for iPad: reduced from $4.99 to $1.99
  • Rick Sammon's iHDR for iPad: reduced from $4.99 to $1.99.
  • Rick Sammon's Light It! is reduced from $4.99 to $2.99.
 

Click here to order from my app page.

I hope you enjoy my apps!

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. Apps now updated for latest OS systems.

Next Kelby Training Class Coming Soon: Composition - The Strongest Way of Seeing


This past July, I was down in Oldsmar, Florida recording my next class for Kelby Training: Composition - the strongest way of  seeing. The class is being edited and should be available this fall.


The class, which is more than one hour in length, features some of my best photographs (over 100) and covers all the rules of composition - and info on when to break the rules. In addition, I included many good/bad examples so you can see how to turn a snapshot into a great shot.


I think the most important thing about composition is that it is very subjective. My advice is to check out the rules, look at the work of other photographers, and then follow your heart.


Composition played an important role in the above photograph, which I took in the Royal Kingdom of Bhutan. See how the young monk-in-training is positioned off to the side of the frame and how he is looking into the frame - and not at the camera. Notice how the dzong in the background is "facing" the young monk. Notice the good depth of filed. Check out the cropping.

When you think about composition, you will have a stronger way of seeing.

I'll let you know when the class is up and running.

Explore the light,
Rick

Just Released: Rick Sammon's HDR Portfolio iPad App - A great way to master HDR photography.

 
My latest how-to iPad app - Rick Sammon's HDR Portfolio - is here!

And speaking of "here," the "Battle of the HDR Photo Tips, Ratcliff vs. Sammon," starts here on my blog, as well as on Trey Ratcliff's site, any day now. Join us ringside for the HDR photo fun.

Developed my Dr. Dave Wilson, who also developed my iPhone and iPad apps, Rick Sammon's 24/7 Photo Buffet, the interactive app features solid how-to information (tips, tricks and techniques) and more 300 images, including 30 of my latest HDR images. Several movies, including a clip me shooting an HDR sequence, are also included.

What's more, the app offers one of the coolest features I have seen when it comes to teaching and illustrating HDR: HDR Dissolve™.


To activate HDR Dissolve™ Simply touch the photo to see it magically transform into the final HDR image. Normal images dissolve into great HDR images - just by touching them! In some cases, a set of three original photos are provided, followed by one or more processed HDR images. Nice work Dr. Dave!


The app is divided into four major sections, making it easy to access the photographs and how-to information.

• Introduction – Dr. Dave and I cover the basics of HDR image making. Photographs, text and movies are provided for fast learning.

• Inside – Learn how to shoot in extreme contrast situations, and learn how to see the light and exposure for the dynamic range of a scene.

 • Outside – Travel with me around the world and see how he captures cityscapes, landscapes, and interior scenes, during the day and at night.

 • Nature – Learn how to capture the beauty of nature without being limited by the existing lighting conditions.  

This is not an app to process or take pictures. Please do not buy this app to edit your photos – it doesn’t so that! It is an educational app for digital SLR and compact camera photographers.


For each HDR image, I provides the location, number of exposures, processing program used, and tips about HDR and/or standard photography. EXIF camera and exposure info is also included for many images. A quick e-mail feature lets you share any image with family and friends.

Size: This app contains more than 100 MB of movies and photos. It’s self-contained, so you don’t need an Internet connection to use it.


To order the app and start the HDR learning and fun, click here.

$ave a Few Buck$: If you are new to HDR image-making and need an HDR plug-in (Nik Software's HDR Efex Pro) or program (HDR's Photomatix), click here to get the program/plug-in . . . and a discount (if you use the appropriate discount codes). While you are there, check out Topaz Adjust, which also helps expand the dynamic range of an image.

To see all my apps, click here.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. If you don't have an iPad, check out my book on HDR photography. It's pack with info and photo, too!

Scott Kelby - The Photographer – on the DPE Podcast

As my son used to say, "You're the man now, dog." Well, that's what I am saying today about my friend Scott Kelby – who shares some thoughts on his own photography during my 1/2 hour interview with him on today's Digital Photo Experience podcast.

Scott is just as passionate about his photography as he is about his Photoshop and Lightroom work. I think you'll really enjoy his photo philosophies and his photography tips.

Last time I saw the dude was when he photographed me for his Sessions project - a project in which Scott is photographing photographers who play an instrument. Cool idea, Scott.

Look closely at the guitar case in the photo below! I also made a few bucks during the photo session.

I'll be teaching at Photoshop World in Orlando, Florida in March 2011. I hope you can join the photography and Photoshop fun. If not, here is a link to my classes on Kelby Training.

Click here for Scott's blog.

Mark Fuccio from Drobo is also on the podcast today. Naturally, Mark talks about data storage. But he also talks about the type of pictures that he likes to take, as well as wine making. Another good chat.

Of course, we also answer some listener questions on the podcast - which is always fun.

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. For a list of all the DPE interviews that Juan Pons and I have conducted, click here.

For more on "You're the man now, dog" (YTMND), click here.

The Year in Review - 22 and Thank You!

Wow! What a Year. I want to thank everyone who attended one of my 22 seminars/workshops over the past year. You made the events fun for me – and I tired to make the events fun for you. What's more, I leaned a lot by you guys asking questions.

I am actually home for rest of the year. Ahhhhhh - no airport security lines!!!!!

Here's a quick back look at my 2010 events.

Las Vegas, NV
St. Augustine, FL
Miami, FL
Orlando, FL
San Francisco, CA
New York City
Turners Falls, MA
Palm Springs, CA
Atlanta, GA
China
Sand Diego, CA
Utah
Redding, PA
Japan
Fairfield, NJ
Maui
Los Osos, CA
Fort Worth, TX
Laos, Cambodia, Thailand
Pembroke, FL
Plymouth, MA
Providence, RI

The image above, taken in Laos, is one of my favorite 2010 images. The image below, taken in China, is another.

Click the Seminars and Photo Tours tabs here on my blog for a look at what's cookin' for 2011 - so far! Many more events are being planned.

Explore the light my friends – and I do feel as though I have many new photographer friends.

Happy Holidays!
Rick Sammon - Canon Explorer of Light

P.S. I also want to thank Canon USA for sponsoring many of my talks.