QuickTakes:
Free & Focused Photography Tutorials
Looking for a quick way to enhance your photography? My QuickTakes are free, bite-sized video demonstrations, typically 10-15 minutes long, designed to help you master specific techniques.
Whether you're curious about mastering Luminance/Color Range Masks, focusing attention with Lens Blur, or re-composing elements using Photoshop Layers, you can easily pick up a valuable new skill whenever you have a moment. We even include some inspiring photo slideshows to spark your creativity!
Ready to learn? Simply click any QuickTake title or badge to start watching in a new window.
For our post-processing demonstrations, we primarily use Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, and Topaz PhotoAI. Our camera handling examples are broad, covering bridge cameras, mirrorless systems, DSLRs, and even modern smartphones.
Make Nature's Grandeur Pop
Ready to take your nature photography to the next level? Learn how easily you can make your images, like these Trumpeter Swans, truly extraordinary.
This 9-minute video demonstrates the magic of Lightroom's AI remove tool and an advanced 3-part mask. We'll demystify how one powerful mask -- combining a Background selection, a Brush subtraction, plus a Luminosity Range -- empowers you to precisely control your edits while letting Lightroom handle the intricate pixel-level work.
[9 minutes]
Tighten a Composition: Photoshop Layers & AI Selection
I was drawn to the beautiful textures and tones of the driftwood in this wetlands shot. However, the original spread out arrangement of scattered small pieces and a large pile detracted from its impact. I loved the ripples in the background for their texture, but not the surrounding clutter. This was a perfect opportunity to leverage Photoshop's layers and the latest powerful AI selection tools.
This demonstration will show you compositing basics and introduce you to Photoshop if you're new.
[10 minutes]
Control Depth-of-Focus Like Never Before in Post
Ever wish you could adjust the focus of your photos after you've taken them? Now you can! Learn how to harness Adobe's powerful Lens Blur capability to precisely control depth-of-focus in post-production. This class will show you how to reduce depth of field, shift focus to a new point, or even apply selective blur for stunning artistic effects. The AI creates a depth map from your 2D image, so you add realistic low f-stop blur rather than just evenly blurring the whole background.
[11 minutes]
Unlock Precision: Master Range Masks for Tough Edits
Struggling with complex local adjustments? Discover how Range Masks can give you precise control, often providing the easiest—or even the only practical—way to create accurate masks for challenging scenarios. While they have a unique setup, the demos will quickly get you comfortable with the process. Elevate your local adjustments and perfect your images.
[16 minutes]
Capturing the artistry and craftsmanship of the vehicles displayed at the 2022 Edmonds Car Show.
[2 minutes]
Intentional Black & White Slideshow
Award-winning gallery of images from my project to revisit B&W as a unique artform, not just a fallback when color doesn't work. Getting back to my Ansel Adams roots but with 21st century tools.
[4 minutes]​
To learn more click here for Black & White on Purpose
You will see how shooting B&W with impact is fundamentally different than color. It starts before you click the shutter and continues right through the post-processing workflow.
The marina at Seabeck WA is a fine place to shoot birds. Here is a sample of the best ones.
[3 minutes]
For a Masterclass in Bird Photography click here.
Birds as Subjects, Getting the Shot and Post-processing.
Malheur Wildlife Refuge in Eastern Oregon is especially productive during the Spring migration season. The range is large, 50 miles long, with a variety of habitats from wet to dry. The show is a guided tour from mid-May 2021.
[5 minutes]