Free Photo Editing Software

Taking snapshots on your own is great and even better when you can get the perfect photo without doing anything fancy with your camera. The perfect photo without even trying seems like it's the best you can do, right? Wrong. Even the best photo can use some brief editing to get it looking like a high quality photo.

There is plenty of photo editing programs on the market that with the right knowledge can do anything to your photographs. To the average person interested in taking photographs, the $500 version of any highend editing software is not ideal.

Luckily, there is a free photo editing software that is comparable with other lower priced matches. GIMP is a free download graphics editors that works wonders for photographs. I first downloaded GIMP to my netbook for quick editing when I am not able to sit down and spend time at my stationary laptop for in depth editing. Instantly, I was impressed with the ability to make more adjustments than the standard photo editor that comes on many laptops today. You are able to use painting features that are far more advanced than Windows Paint with a variety of brushes, patterns, and pallettes. Also, the advanced manipulation options include editing layers, transformation tools, and editable text layers. The options do not stop at what I have mentioned here this software offers amazing tools for Google to offer GIMP for free.

All of the photographs from my first photo shoot were edited with this software. Keep in mind that I was completely new at photo editing, but GIMP had wonderful tutorials to help me get my photographs looking great.


ORIGINAL                                                                EDITED

Here is a photo of Angela from my first photo shoot. The photo on the left is the original and the photo on the right is the edited copy. At first glance, the original looks like a good photograph. I was pleased with how it turned on with no editing; however, I used GIMP to polish the photo a little. For the edited photograph, I bumped up the contrast to deep some of the colors in the photo. Angela's hair deepened to its original chocolate color that was faded by the sun in the original color. Also, the greenery around her and the fence darkened to complement the darkening of the her features.

The final product look much more professional with a little touching up.

I highly recommend this free downloadable software for anyone that's looking to get into photography or editing any personal photos. This is the closest you'll get to professional quality without paying a lot of money for the well-known photo editors that are out there.

$5 off $5 Photo Gift at Walgreens

*THIS DEAL HAS EXPIRED*

Walgreens is currently running a special online for $5 off any $5 with coupon code 5OFFANY at checkout. Promotion ends on September 17th, so hurry!

As you can see, some restrictions do apply, but this would be perfect for some upcoming birthdays or even stocking up on Christmas presents.

Check out Walgreens Photo for a list of all of their photo gifts. I've done a little research and have found some of the better deals on using the $5 off with their products.

Items you can get for only their shipping cost:
- Photo Magnet 2x3
- Scrapbook pages
- Stickers
- Flipbooks

Items you can get for $4.99 + shipping:
- Planning Calendar
- Mouse Pad
- Collage Photo Cling
- Baby Bib
- Notebook
- Placemat
and so much more!

THE BEST DEAL (in my opinion) is the
MINI PHOTO BOOK

Priced at $5.99 you would be able to get a 24 page mini photo book for only $0.99 plus standard shipping of $1.99! A total of $2.98!

Grab up some of these great deals before they end on September 17th!

Check Shipping and Handling information for each item you purchase because it may differ based on item and location

Taking Photographs in the Backyard with Children and Tweens

Sometimes its just easier to shoot photographs of children and tweens in a space that is familiar to them. Most of the time you will get better results and less fuss.

My previous post about Taking Photographs in the Backyard focused on two adult models, Heather and Angela, and how to utilize things in your backyard to create backsplashes and unconventional props. This post will focus on Mackenzie and benefits of eclectic treasures that can be found in anyone's backyard, but more specifically in a country home's backyard.

Mackenzie's photo shoot wasn't as impromptu as Heather and Angela's. We had planned to utilize the space in her backyard and the yard of her wonderful next door neighbor.

Sometimes porch photographs can seem too boring or only for those old family photographs. Fortunately, the neighbor's porch had a fabulous wooden bench that was perfect for a few shots.

This vintage piece gave Mackenzie a place to lay down and do a fun shot, while still keeping it portrait-like.

Moving around to an old shed in the yard, Mackenzie was finally able to put on her pink Fedora. She'd been excited about wearing it for photos. I loved her outfit because it seemed so edgy with the vibrant colors and the pink hat really set it off. Plus, she accessorized with really down-to-earth bracelets and she wore shorts with Chuck Taylors on her feet. The shed with the netting backdrop was perfect to give the photograph an edgy look without taking away from Mackenzie's awesome look.

Don't be afraid to have your subject stand in front of a trash heap, if you think it'll be a cool feature for the photograph. This shed was shabby but was perfect!

There was also a rundown fence that provided a similar backdrop.

If you don't have any buildings or other wooden structures in your backyard, then don't shun the flowers and other greenery. Again these photos may seem boring, but if done creatively you can really get some beautiful photographs.

Nothing in your backyard is off limits. I cannot stress this enough to other photographers. I grabbed some unedited shots of Mackenzie with an old door propped up by the basement door in her backyard. You never know what you'll find, so be sure to take a look at everything.

Going back to the comforts of the subject being in their own backyard. We began Mackenzie's photo shoot in her backyard, which was a great icebreaker. She warmed up to me taking her photos and experimenting with poses that she felt comfortable doing. Plus, she didn't have to worry about anyone seeing her poses for photos like she would have if we started in a public place. Taking photos at home also eliminates any fear that other people will be watching in a strange place.

Mackenzie did great and we got some great shots in her backyard. You can get some awesome shots in yours too if you just take the time to experiment!

Penny Prints Deal at Snapfish

**THIS DEAL HAS EXPIRED**

Snapfish.com is another great photo printing site that I'm sure that I will mention often on this blog. Just by signing up for an account you will get some free 4x6 prints. I say some because I have seen it vary from 20-50 prints depending on what kind of promotion they are running.

Right now, with a Snapfish account you can use coupon code PENNY094U to get 500 prints for .01 each. You have to order 500 prints and any print over that will be charged at full cost.

Here's the fine print straight from the Snapfish website:

Conditions of the Penny Prints offer:
1. Must use code PENNY094U at checkout to receive 4" x 6" prints for 1 cent each, up to a maximum of 500. Offer applies only to the first 500 prints. Additional prints will be charged at regular prices.
2. Due to increased order volume, you may experience delays in upload and delivery times.
3. Offer expires September 10, 2011, while supplies last.
4. Offer applies to mail-order purchases only and cannot be used for in-store pick up. All taxes and shipping fees apply.
5. Coupon may be used up to five times per customer. May not be used in conjunction with any other offer.
6. Offer valid for U.S. customers only.

You've only got until 09/10/11 so hurry up and get your photos uploaded and your order sent! This is a great deal to catch up on all those graduation, summer, holiday, and back-to-school photos you've been meaning to print!

How to Take a Good Photo

Taking a good photograph isn't as hard as you think. It's not about the subject or the kind of camera you own. It consists of three major components: Shutter Speed, Aperture, and Film Speed (ISO). These three components make a properly exposed photograph.


Component One

Shutter Speed (Tv) is how fast the shutter opens and closes to snap a photo. The faster the shutter speed the less light that enters the camera. A slower shutter speed allows more light to enter.

Fast shutter speeds are perfect for sports photos.

Tyler running down the field for a catch used a shutter speed of 1/1000 second.

Slow shutter speeds produce smooth water photos.

Shutter speed is measured in whole seconds and fractions of a second. Commonly, you will see it scaled like this:

1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000

Depending on the type of camera you own, you may also see it only written in whole numbers:

1, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60, 125, 250, 500, 1000

In this case 1 will be equal to one second and everything to the right of it equals a fraction, i.e., 1/2, 1/4 ... 1/1000.

Component Two

Aperture (Av) is a set of blades inside the camera's lens that adjust to let more or less light in. Consider it comparable to the iris of a human eyeball. In a well light area, the iris constricts letting less light in to the eye. On the other hand, in a dark room the iris opens to allow more like to enter the eye.

Aperture is represented by a number scale referred to as f-stops:

f-1, f-1.4, f-2, f-2.8, f-4, f-5.6, f-8, f-11, f-16, f-22, f-32

It is important to remember that the larger the f-stop the smaller the aperture. The smaller the aperture results in less light entering the lens. The smaller the f-stop the more light that enters the lens.

For example, f-32 is the equivalent of standing outside on a sunny day; therefore, not a lot of light is entering the eye (or lens) because of the abundant light surrounding the camera.

The Train Depot in Salisbury, NC was shot with an aperture of f-25.

However, f-1 would be exactly like standing in a pitch black room and your iris opening in order to let more light into your eye. An aperture f-stop this small would let a lot of light so that when the photo is taken in a dark area it will not be too black.

This image of Boots was shot in a basement at night. Aperture = f-4.5

Component Three

Film Speed (ISO) is the ability of the camera's sensor to accurately read the quality of the scene and producing pixels to match the available light. Photographs that have little light can often show noise or grain that results from too many pixels.

When shooting an action scene (sports) or outside where the sun is lighting up your shooting area, then adjust your camera to ISO 400 or ISO 800. This will limit the amount of noise you get and also ensure a smooth photograph.

If you're shooting indoors or in an area with minimal light, then shoot at a higher ISO such as ISO 1600.

How to get a good photograph (if you're shooting in Manual)

1)In most cases you want to go ahead and set your ISO to an appropriate level based on your lighting and setting. Noise reduction is key.

2)Depending on the level of action in your photograph, you will want to go ahead and make sure that your shutter speed is adjusted appropriately.

3)Finally, adjust your aperture based on the amount of light you have available to brighten or darken your image.

Take a few test shots to see the lighting and quality of the photo. If your photo is too dark but you still need to shoot at a faster shutter speed (sports), consider bumping the aperture level down one f-stop. This will allow more light to enter the lens, thus producing a better lit image.

Or, if shutter speed wasn't a priority for you, you could have lowered your shutter speed by another fraction. Lowering the shutter speed allows more time for light to enter the lens and produces brighter images.

If this is something that completely blows your mind, then please do not worry because controlling every aspect of taking the photograph in this manner is usually only done in Manual shooting mode. Most cameras come with other shooting modes that allow you to adjust one of these components and the camera will automatically adjust the rest.

Aperture (Av) Mode allows you to adjust the aperture, while the camera automatically adjusts the ISO and shutter speed.

Shutter Speed (Tv) Mode allows you to adjust the shutter speed, and the camera adjusts the aperture and ISO.

Or, if you're not interested in adjusting anything on your own, then rely on your camera's Automatic Shooting Mode that will adjust everything for you to get a properly exposed photo. Just remember that shooting in this mode does not 100% guarantee the best image that you could produce in a single shot. So, don't be afraid to experiment and take photos with your own adjustments because you can't get a truly unique image until you've adjusted some of the camera's settings to get the look you are going for.

Free Photo Wall Calendar

Vistaprint is your source for a lot of cheap photo items that can cost you an arm and a leg other places.

*THIS DEAL HAS EXPIRED*

They are offering customers one FREE PHOTO WALL CALENDAR. The only catch is that you will have to pay shipping and handling, which starts at $5.62. Still a great gift idea or perfect for your home/work office!

Welcome Back!

After an always not long enough summer, Photo Venue is back and ready to post more locations and photography tips for readers. You can look forward to venues from the Northeast United States, Tennessee, and more from the Blog's target areas in North Carolina.

Also, this blog will partner with my freelance photography blog and social networking site in order to provide you with additional services and information. This partnership will bring opportunities for free shoots, modeling, and paid photography services. A Facebook page for Photo Venue and Melanie Mishue Photography will go live within the next week.

I am excited to offer blog posts on online and in-store photo prints with blog posts to help you find current deals on getting your photos printed for distribution and any photo creations that can be made cheap. Making your own prints can be pricey, but there is no need to pay full price every time when many labs offer regular discounts.

There will be nothing that I will not consider posting if it helps my readers with photography, so look forward to new and refreshing ideas and venues.

Questions, comments, suggestions? Send them to: melaniemishue@gmail.com

Thank you for viewing my blog, and I can't wait to get the blog posts rolling!