I decided it was time for some fun. And I really did have fun with this. I say enough of ho hum screen casts explaining things we already know. It’s time to do something revolutionary with our photos. Lets get really ugly. Enjoy… Gav
Amaze your friends. Download the free Flickr HDR presets
- Download these ultra ugly presets -
- Look at Gavin’s real products -
by Gavin Seim: If you searched around, you’ll might have stumbled across the article I wrote some time back on PPS about installing Lightroom Presets. We photographers tend to be such visual people however and I felt a video would make it easier. We’ll cover installing organizing and backing up pretty much any kind of Lightroom preset. Brush presets, develop presets, you name it. Here it is.
Or, direct download MP4 HD video. 146MB, Right click and “Save As”
by Gavin Seim: I’ve spent much of this Christmas Eve doing the final prep, but it’s finally ready. The Seim Effects annual Christmas gift pack. Just my way of saying thanks for all your support and feedback over the past year. Theres good things in store for 2010 so stay tuned.
This years pack has four new presets based on tones inspired by film. This is something I’ve been working on lately and there’s more to come in the future. Next are four textures to add character to your photos. There’s also an action included to make overlaying and placing any texture really easy.
You can get more specific details with the info that’s included in the download and see a couple samples below. Mouse over the images to see the presets before and after. Also don’t forget the contest we’re hosting for the free Lensbaby Composer. Go here for entry info. Also stop by Pro Photo Show for the latest podcasts and join the community. There’s good things ins tore for 2010.
Download and enjoy. Here’s to a great 2010 and wishing you a Merry Christmas and New Year. I’m off to spend mine with the family. Hope you are too… Gavin Seim
- Download the FREE 2010 Gift Pack Zip -
by Gavin Seim: I find myself fascinated with film of late. I don’t use it anymore, but I realize that some are pretty passionate about it. I posted on Pro Photo Show recently with a few thoughts and a poll on the topic. Quite a few still use film it seems. Why? Is it the texture, grain, color, or is it just the reminiscence of really old photographers? Kidding, not that old. I used film when I started out. By the time I started getting good however I had moved to digital, so those romantic feelings some have towards film are not strong in me.
I’ve been taking notice though. Thinking about how film looks and how we edit these days. Don’t get me wrong I love a well processed photo, but I’ve started experimenting a little. Making effects that use classic tones and film inspiration. Here’s an article I found where Travis Easton compared a MK2 digital file to a Velvia image. What’s remarkable to me, is how even without editing it the film image looks great. Here’s another look at film vs digital over on Luminous landscape.
Now I don’t intend to start shooting film, I just don’t think it makes sense. But understanding what makes a great image is my livelihood. I want to know what it is about film and use that knowledge to make my photography and my effects better. We should always learn from the past, even if it’s grainy.
As a test I decided to try for the Velvia look, so I spent awhile very subtly tweaking a LR preset. If you mouse over you’ll see the before/after of what I’ve come up with so far. You’re also likely to see more in future updates of my effects. Bottom line though. I think what we’ll see over time are the good things from both mediums converging and becoming a better digital than ever. Neither film or digital will be the same as the other, but I think the future of digital will look and feel great. What say you?
This contest has ended. Thanks to all who entered. A winner will be posted shortly. For some quick photo goodies check out our freebies section.
Editing is a powerful thing. It’s how Seim Effects got started after all and it’s what we’ll be mastering in my LR Power LIVE workshop coming in Jan. But great effects start in camera too and part of the goal at Seim Effects is to expand the way we make images and help photographers be more creative. Valued at nearly $300, the Lensbaby Composer is a fun tilt shift style lens that gives a great effect and 
allows a spot focus controlled by how you set the lens. If you’ve never tried one, you’re missing out.
I carry one on most sessions. It’s not a lens to use for everything, but a great tool to bring out and get creativity flowing with. A good capture and a few Seim Effects get me great finished results like the one above.
The winner will receive a new Lensbaby Composer in any one of the mounts Lensbaby offers (see their site). Contest will close on Jan 14th 2010 at midnight pacific time. A winner will be announced shortly after. This is the first of hopefully many fun contests to come. Enter and enjoy.
Here’s how it works. This is a Twitter contest. Follow gavinseim on twitter, then post the exact phrase below on your Twitter. If you don’t have a twitter account you’ll need one to enter (it’s time anyways). Tweet exactly whats below or your entry may not be counted. Just copy and paste if you like.
Win a Lensbaby Composer from @gavinseim & LR Power LIVE Workshop. Follow & RT, details here – http://bit.ly/sfx01
Before you take a peek at my editing tools on the homepage. You won’t be sorry. You can also visit the FREEBIES section for some good stuff. Also join us on Facebook to get more freebies, goodies and updates. Good luck with the contest and you at the LR Power LIVE workshop… Gavin
_______
The tweet above is all there is to entering. There are a few rules however.
Only enter once. Multiple entries will not be counted and will just annoy people who follow you. Tweets will be gathered at contest end and a random entrant will be chosen. Tweets after the contest closing date will not be counted.
Your tweets must be visible in public search and cannot be private. If they are private your entry will not be counted. You must be 18 years of age or older to enter (sorry I know we have younger users, but laws make things complicated). Those associated with Seim Effects, Pro Photo Show, Seim Studios or their families are still eligible to enter.
Most countries can enter, the contest is void where prohibited however. You are responsible for following the laws in your own country state or province and winners may be subject to verification of local laws before prize is given. Quebec Canada for example is not eligible.
If you live outside the USA and win the contest it will be shipped to you. Seim Studios may not be held responsible for shipping, customs delays or damage outside of the USA. Seim Studios reserves the right the substitute a product of equal of greater value should the contest product be unavailable for any reason.
After putting together my Lightroom Power workshop for conference style presentations I kept getting interest from people who couldn’t make it in person. So I got to thinking. Nearly everything I teach in the Lightroom Power session could be done as a live online workshop. So that’s what I did. Yes, the face to face version is still available and I may even take it on the road sometime, but this e-Workshop is now. Well almost, the first is coming in January.
Lightroom Power LIVE is about a four hour online workshop. It’s pretty simple, but very cool. You login to the conference from any computer with a good internet connection. I’ll be there speaking and broadcasting live what’s on my screen. Like a face to face workshop, attendees will be involved too. There will be a chatroom for everyone and you’ll even be able to ask live audio questions.
Best of all it’s not very expensive. Whether you use Lightroom all the time, or have never touched it you’ll walk away with learning. I’m looking forward to having you all on board. You’ll need to reserve your spot though so head over and check it out.
by Gavin Seim: Now I’m a Lightroom fanatic, but I still love Photoshop and use actions all the time for that final polished beauty. Nearly all of my signature images (best of the best) are taken into PS for some action magic once I finish in LR.
Hollywood Effects2 is my latest set and I’m not afraid to say I’m really proud of it. It’s full of great effects that are really well refined. For those of you who don’t already own Hollywood 2, I’ve decided it’s time to post a free sample pack.
Below you can download the zip file with four free actions. Am I doing this so you’ll see how good they really are and buy the whole set? Of course I am. And some of the effects in the full version are better yet. But, if you just like freebies and don’t want to spend a dime, that’s OK too. Download and enjoy… Gav
See complete set & watch the video.
Download the Hollywood Effects 2 sampler.
