Anyone with a SLR camera will be familiar with the term …. lens.  As far as any SLR camera owners are concerned, the lens is the most important part of the camera (….funny how most compact camera users don’t even think about it…).  Well, knowing what a lens is and how it works will go a long way for any amateur photographer…. and I found a great article for this very purpose:

All About Lenses

As I get ready to purchase a polarizing filter, I thought I should share this post in which the author discusses the benefits of having one:

How To Use and Buy Polarizing Filters

If you are an amateur photographer like me, then there is a chance that you would be taking lots of portrait photos of loved ones.  For me, snapping happy photos of family and friends is what brings the biggest joy.  Imagine how delighted I was this morning when I came across two posts providing tips on portrait photography.  I hope you will find them useful too:

10 Ways To Take Stunning Portraits
10 More Tips For Stunning Portrait Photography

I discovered something new today and I am very excited!!  What is it?  FREE Photoshop plug-ins!!  You see, at the moment, apart from the trial version of Corel’s Paint Shop Pro (which expires in a couple of weeks), I use Photoshop Elements 4.0  as my regular photo editing tool.  If you are familiar with this software, then you will know that it is rather low in the functionality department. 

Recently, I was very disappointed to notice that the ever popular ‘curves’ functionality was no where to be found within Elements 4.0.  But to my delight, this afternoon I discovered that there is a free plug-in that is available!! 

If you are keen on finding some great plug-ins, just Google “free photoshop plug-ins” and see what happens……..  

If you are anything like me, you might be wondering… why would anyone want to “manual-focus” when all cameras these days have the auto-focus function?  Well, apparently, there are good reasons!!!  This post found on the blog-site of Digital Photography School has some excellent explanations.  Please do read it if you get a chance  .

This is my old trusty piano.  My mum bought it when I was about 12 years old.  Like me, it has now migrated to Melbourne, Australia and sits at a corner of our home.  My kids love this piano and every so often will sit at it and make up a tune.  Always music to my ears …..

I tried to add the vignette effect, but it hasn’t turned out too obvious.  Also, I desaturated the photo – thus for the missing colour except for the middle.  I think it works well for this shot,.. but probably could have done better….

This is a very rough step-by-step guide for creating the vignette effect on a photo using Photoshop Elements 4.0.  (I apologise for the simplicity of the instructions). 

1.  Open a photo

2.  On the Layers Palette, create adj layer (click Icon) > choose Gradient

3.  In the Gradient Fill Box, do the following:

a)  Stle drop-down menu > Radial

b)  Select the Reverse box

c)  Click on the gradiant colour box. A new screen will appear.  Adjust the Opacity Stop using the slider.

d)  Click OK.

4.  Click OK on the Gradient Fill box.

5.  Right click on the Layer thumbnail > Simplify Layer

6.  While the Gradient Fill Layer is still selected > Image > Transform > Free Transform

7.  While holding on to the alt key, move the corner to adjust the gradient fill on the photo.

8.  When happy with the results, select the green tick.

9.  Layers Palette > In the blending mode box, select Soft Light

10.  Select the Move Tool icon from the toolbar > Layers Palette> Right click the gradient layer > duplicate layer

This is a great post that I found this morning.  Aloha of Digital Photography School spells out 6 wonderful techniques (with photos too ) on how to manage this common problem.  Do check it out….

How To Reduce Camera Shake

I was browsing the net when I came across a forum post, where a small list of web links on the subject of photo composition was published.  These links are now posted below:

If you know of any other good sites, please do recommend them and I will share them here. 

We had a lazy Sunday afternoon today.  It was pouring outside and very cold (… naturally,… being winter and all ).  After lunch, V (my youngest son) said he wanted to play chess. And so he did, with my hubby.  I was feeling trigger happy,.. and decided to take this photo.