I love the drama and impact a long exposure brings to a picture, but what if you didn't use a long exposure when you took the photograph? This video shows a super easy and effective technique I use in Photoshop to recreate the long exposure look afterwards, so a picture taken at an ordinary shutter speed can still get that same dramatic feel. It's quick to follow along with, and it works an absolute treat.
I often get comments about how my portraits seem to come forward of the screen, and even more so forward of the paper when they're printed. That effect is largely down to a particular technique I use in Photoshop, one that I call 20/10. This video shows exactly how I use it, and it also explains the principle behind it and why it works so well, so you understand what's happening rather than just following the steps.
If there's one thing that has made me a better photographer more than anything else, it's tethering. This video explains why, and then goes through how to do it, including how to tether into Lightroom using a Sony camera. There's also an extra tip at the end about how to help people become more confident in front of the camera, which is something I think about on every shoot where I'm photographing people.
In addition to the software and a cable, there’s lots of additional kit made by TetherTools that is designed to make tethering, either indoors or outdoors, as simple and as convenient as possible.
Over on my GEAR PAGE I’ve listed the kit that I use on a very regular basis; you can check that out using this LINK or just clicking on the GEAR link at the top of this page.
Cheers,
Glyn
On the first day with my new drone, the DJI Air 2S, I dared to fly it out over the Atlantic Ocean in Cornwall to photograph a lighthouse, a photograph that simply wouldn't have been possible without it. It was scary, but the results were incredible. This video takes you behind the scenes on the photo shoot, and then through the retouching steps in Lightroom for some of the coastal images I came away with.
Over the past few weeks I’ve been experimenting, doing more and more photography with my drone, which up until recently was the DJI Air 2.
I’ve had this drone for little while now but mainly used it for video footage that I use in my YouTube videos, but lately I’d been trying out for its stills capability.
Overall I was kind of happy.
Sure the quality wasn’t up there with my Sony A7RIV (especially in low light conditions) but the stills were pretty good. I was however curious about the upgrade to the Air 2S with its 1” sensor; could it really be that much better than my Air 2?
In short … YES!
I asked on YouTube if anyone had any thoughts and experience of the difference between the Air 2 and the Air 2S, and ALL comments were that the upgrade is definitely worth it … so I went for it.
The very first morning I had with the new drone, we had the most stunning light and conditions and the Air 2S worked an absolute treat.
Flying was definitely more responsive, but it was when looking at the Raw files back on the computer that the benefits of the upgrade was so obvious.
Later the same day I headed over to Cornwall, and one of my favourite locations, Trevose Head, to see what the drone could do over the sea.
I’ll admit to being a little nervous but despite the stronger than I would have wanted winds, and the more then inquisitive seagulls, the Air 2S handled the conditions with ease.
The ability to get compositions that just wouldn’t ordinarily be possible, excites the heck out of me; the creative possibilities are endless.
I ended up going for the “Fly More” combo which includes extra batteries, rotor blades, ND filters and a carry case, but what’s great is that the batteries from my Air 2 are compatible, so I now have 6 batteries giving plenty of flying time before I even think about recharging on the go.
Today I also got a Circular Polariser so I’m curious how that actually works on a drone as you have to manually rotate it to get the desired effect depending on where the lens is pointed.
So, lots of testing to be done and lots of photography to enjoy ahead that ordinarily wouldn’t be possible, but to say I’m happy with the quality of the images this thing produces, would be an understatement!
Oh and this weeks video on my YouTube Channel will be showing some Behind the Scenes from the first outings.
Cheers,
Glyn
A couple of weeks after very nearly smashing my camera, lens and a filter at Whiteford Lighthouse in South Wales, I headed back with a completely different game plan: leave the main camera at home and take only my DJI Air 2 drone. Ordinarily, to photograph the lighthouse at the right angle you have to be near it, and because it stands such a long way offshore, that means waiting for the tide to go out. I didn't want it stood on a flat, dry, rocky sea bed with no water around it, so the drone was the answer. The question was whether the quality would be good enough, and I'm very happy to say it was; I was blown away with the results. The video takes you on the photo shoot and then through the retouching steps in Lightroom and Photoshop for the final image.
All smiles now but could have been a very different story…
Got up early today for the 3.5 hour drive to Whiteford (Gower Peninsula, South Wales) to photograph the Victorian Lighthouse.
Having arrived at the nearest car park it was then just over a 3 mile walk across boggy wetland / marsh and forest to get to the beach…
Finally landed back in Devon at 12.30am after what has been a fantastic few days at The Photography Show NEC, Birmingham.
Hats off to the Team behind the show for everything they have put in place to bring it back but as safely as possible. I was genuinely surprised at the numbers despite all the whispers beforehand that attendance would be low; there were more than I expected and a great atmosphere.
A few years ago I attempted a landscape photography project, and me being me, that meant buying investing in some kit I’d had no call for until then as a portrait photographer, such as filters. The brand I opted for, and that everyone seemed to mention at the time, was Lee.
I purchased a number of Graduated Neutral Density (ND) Filters, Reverse ND Filters, Polarisers, Big Stopper, Little Stopper and so on, obviously in addition to the filter holding system, carry case and all.
The landscape photography venture didn’t really go much further than one photograph, but to be fair that was mainly because my 39-45 Portraits Project picked up a heck of a pace and took over.
Fast forward to March 2020 when circumstances dictated that I give the landscape stuff another try. I ventured out a few times taking along my Lee Filters but very soon they took a back seat, stayed on a shelf in my office and never saw the light of day.
This was going to be perfect for the look and feel I was after, ‘Freedom and the Open Road’ which seemed highly appropriate after the last 18 months or so that we’ve all been living with the pandemic.
I couldn’t have wished for a better location and with it being so close (just a 10 minute drive from Ian’s studio). So, once an exact spot had been decided on, and the position of the sun checked using the PhotoPills App to see where it would be , we were all set for 11am the following morning.
© Glyn Dewis 2026
