Mouse over images to view the “before effect” version.

A little something for you Apple Aperture users today. Aperture 3 released and they FINALLY added support for presets. I was stoked. It’s not perfect and while I still prefer Lightroom myself (no need for you Lighroom users to worry. I won’t be forgetting you) it does have real presets functionality that works well..

Anyways I jumped right in and started playing with presets and seeing what I could do if I got under the hood in the Adjustments panel. It’s not the same as Lightroom, but there’s some powerful tools. I made this pack of 6 presets that cover a variety of looks including B&W, basic enhancement and color tones. There even a preset that boosts dynamic range for a mild HDR like effect.

I plan to keep looking in Aperture and if I see enough interest I may consider a complete workflow collection of presets like I offer for Lightroom, so if you’re interested let me know. Download an enjoy. I’ll paste some basic usage instructions below as well… Gav

- Download FREE Aperture Light Study1 Presets -

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Installation and usage.
Start by unzipping the file you downloaded. You’ll save it to your desktop or other location that’s easy for you to find. Installing presets in Aperture is quite simple. You can select the presets file (the one file contains the whole set) and drag it onto Aperture in the Dock. The presets will appear in the “Presets” dropdown of the “Adjustments” tab. Alternately you can also import the presets from the edit presets menu (accessible from the “Presets” dropdown) and browse to the presets file to import.

Usage: With a photo selected you can select the “Presets” menu and browse to the desired effects. Aperture will show a preview of what the effect will look like. Clicking the preset will apply it to the photo. You can select another preset and apply it over the top of the previous. Settings from the previous effect will be left alone unless the new preset defines a change in a given parameter. Alternately you can hold the “Option” key while you apply a preset and it will clear previous settings and only apply that preset.

Color Fantasies is my latest collection of Lightroom Presets that focuses entirely on color. It doesn’t mess around about it either. CF gets under the hood in Lightroom and transforms images into beautiful color tones that can be applied instantly with a click. Wow I sound like my own PR guy (oh wait, I am).

In tradition with my other collections, here’s a FREE sampler pack that includes 5 presets from Color Fantasies. There’s more image samples and a video on the product page so feel free to take a peek. The complete set come with more than 45 presets, plus an action. So when you like what you see, go check out the complete collection

- Watch the video and check out the whole set -

- Download the FREE CF sampler pack -

Included sampler effects are…

• Dynamica.
• 1975.
• Lemon Drops.
• Criss Cross.
• Morning Coffee.

Remember back in December when I gave out the Christmas freebies pack. I talked about tweaking with color and finding new ways to approach it. Well, I said then there would be more to come and the more is now here.

Color Fantasies is my new collection of over 45 brand new effects that will do beautiful things to color that you’ve only dreamed about. I won’t blather on, but suffice to say I’m thrilled with how they turned out. Here’s a link to the info page. I’ll also be posting a free sampler pack soon… Gav

Amaze your friends. Download the free Flickr HDR presets

- Download these ultra ugly presets -

- Look at Gavin’s real products -

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 ready. The Seim Effects/Pro Photo Show 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 -

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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?