MASTERCLASS in using LAYERS , BRUSHES and LAYER STYLES in PHOTOSHOP with Bert Monroy

This is the recording of a live broadcast where, by popular demand, we welcome back the incredible talent that is Bert Monroy. Bert takes us step by step through how to get the most out of layers, brushes, layer styles and more in Photoshop, and it really is a masterclass. Seeing how someone with his experience approaches these everyday tools is a great way to understand them better, and to see just how much they can do.

links mentioned in the video

Bert Monroy’s Website: bertmonroy.com

Bert Monroy’s YouTube Channel: youtube.com/bertmonroy

SERIOUSLY ??? You took that with your MOBILE PHONE ??? - Russell Preston Brown

There's mobile photography, and then there's Russell Preston Brown. This is the recording of a live broadcast where I chat with the one and only Russell Preston Brown, aka Doctor Brown from Adobe, as he takes us behind the scenes of how he captures such stunningly creative imagery using his mobile phone. He shares his kit, tips and techniques, including apps for long exposure and night photography such as Slow Shutter and Even Longer.

mentioned in the video

Russell Preston Brown on Instagram: @dr_brown

Russell Brown Website: russellbrown.com

Long Exposure / Night Photogrtaphy iPhone Apps:

• Slow Shutter

• Even Longer

BEASTGRIP PRO Universal Smartphone Camera Rig: https://geni.us/AYAcEsV

ShiftCam Pro Grip: https://geni.us/qd5f

Portrait using a 55mm Prime and LED Lighting

I’m currently trying out a new portrait style for me using a different lens focal length than what I’ve used for a while now, and also adding in an additonal light to my usual one-light set up.

For some time I’ve used the Sony 85mm G Master lens with my Sony A7RIV and have and still do love it for the quality and sharpness of the files it produces. However I’m now going to be using a 55mm focal length … my Zeiss f/1.8 Prime Lens.

It’s hard to put into words what I’m really liking about the look the lens gives … it’s just different. Some would say that it gives a much more realistic ‘as the eyes see it’ look but I guess that also depends on how close to the subject you position yourself.

I also like how the focal length means you’re much closer to the subject, making the portraits much more intimate and revealing of the person being photographed ... if that makes sense.

I’m also, like I said, using an additional light with this new look I’m working on; both of which are LED Constant lights.

I’ve been using the 60W Westcott L60-B COB LED for a while now but a few days ago I received the new 120W L120-B COB LED; a slightly bigger unit with the advnatage that no adaptor is needed to fit any of my light modifiers.

So the portrait of my friend Anthony above, I took using one of the grey walls in my office as the background; here’s the set up showing the positon of the lights …

LIGHTING

Westcott L60-B COB LED fitted with a square Westcott Pocket Box Softbox rear and camera right and positioned so that it added both a bit of light onto the background but also a hint of light onto the camera right side of Anthony’s head.

Westcott L120-B COB LED fitted with the 24” Rapid Box Switch Softbox

Westcott 2-in-1 Reflector (silver and White) with silver side uppermost

*NOTE: If you’re looking to invest in Westcott Kit, then give me a shout and I’ll pass on a Discount Code

Westcott L120-B COB LED

Westcott 24” Rapid Box Switch Beauty Dish

Westcott Pocket Box Speedlight Softbox Kit

camera settings

• Aperture: f/5.6

• Shutter Speed: 1/60sec

• ISO: 1250

When taking Anthony’s portrait I was experimenting with different apertures to see hat I prefered for this new look; f/2.0 , f,4.0 , f/5.6 and actually liked the look of f/40 as with the 55m lens it gave a great depth of field with the tip of the nose in foucs and then from the ears losing focus.

However, I mistakenly left the camera in f/5.6 so during the retouching in Lightroom I used the Lens Blur to convincingly fake the depth of the field.

retouching in lightroom

The portrait I retouched using only Lightroom and I’ve added it into my Lightroom Community Profile Page …

When you go to my Lightroom Community Profile Page, click on the portrait and this will then take you to where you can see all of the retouching steps I did to the ‘out of camera’ file. You can also save the settings as a preset to use on your own images and even click on Remix to get access to a Smart Preview of my original file and have a go at retouching it yourself.

Raising MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS through Photography - Nigel Thomas

This is the recording of a very open, honest and inspiring live chat with military veteran turned landscape photographer Nigel Thomas, as he shares his incredible story and how landscape photography has quite literally saved his life. From struggling with the anxiety of going out in public to hosting his first public photography exhibition, Nigel shares his experience with the sole purpose of raising awareness of mental health and ultimately helping others who may also be suffering.

links mentioned in the video:

Nigel Thomas on Facebook: @nigelthomasphotos ( LINK )

Nigel Thomas on Instagram: @nigelthomas17 ( LINK )

Book: Finding Calm in the Chaos: ( LINK ) (All proceeds to M.I.N.D.)

The Photography and Video Show Podcast - Episode 14 (Adobe Terms of Service, Subscriptions and the 39-45 Portraits Project)

Episode 14 of The Photography Show Podcast is NOW available to stream / download https://www.photographyshow.com/podcast and in this episode I was invited in to speak with host David McClelland (Technology Reporter and TV Presenter regularly seen on the BBC OneShow, Watchdog, Crimewatch and Rip-Off Britain) about the recent Adobe Terms of Use / Service and also the Lawsuit in the USA regarding Subscriptions.

Preparing for this I did A LOT of research and reading other Software Providers Terms of Use / Service made VERY interesting reading

In the latter part of the podcast episode we also discussed my 39-45 World War 2 Veterans Portraits Project and how / why it was the BIGGEST learning ground for me as a Photographer.

TRY THIS 🔥 Create a COLOURED LIGHTING EFFECT in LIGHTROOM

How to QUICKLY and EASILY create the Coloured / Gel Lighting Effect in Lightroom using Masks …

CREATING ARTISTIC MASTERPIECES using PHOTOSHOP and NO A.I. with Bert Monroy

This is the recording of a live broadcast where I chat with Photoshop legend and artist Bert Monroy about how he creates his incredibly detailed masterpieces of art using Photoshop. Bert also gives us a look at how he uses traditional Photoshop techniques, with no AI at all, to create life-like realism and effects. Watching him work, you get a real sense of the skill behind every piece, and just how much is possible with traditional techniques alone.

•Watch on YouTube to see the LIVE chat as it happened ( LINK )

links mentioned in the video

Bert Monroy Website: bertmonroy.com ( LINK )

Bert Monroy YouTube Channel: ( LINK )

The Making of Times Square (Full Length Tutorial - 14 hours)

• Part 1: ( LINK )

• Part 2: ( LINK )

• Part 3: ( LINK )

Adobe SIMPLIFIED Terms of Service - June 18th 2024

Following the uproar over Adobe's updated Terms of Service, on Tuesday 18th June 2024 Adobe released a simplified version, written to explain what all of the legal terminology actually means. In this video I go through that simplified wording to help make sense of it, and of what it means in plain terms for anyone using Adobe's apps for their creative work.

RELEVANT LINKS:

Simplified Terms of Service: ( LINK )

Terry White Video: ( LINK )

Jason Levine on X: ( LINK )

Paul Trani on Instagram: ( LINK )

* Note: For the video released prior to this CLICK HERE

The HONEST REALITY of being a WORKING PHOTOGRAPHER in 2024 | Bert Stephani

This is the recording of a live broadcast where I chat with commercial and editorial photographer and filmmaker Bert Stephani, an official Fujifilm X Photographer. We start with his process, his lighting, developing your own style and the importance of personal artistic projects, and then get into the honest reality of being a working photographer and still loving it. It's a refreshingly candid conversation for anyone who earns a living from photography, or hopes to.

links mentioned in the video:

Bert’s Website: ( LINK )

Bert YouTube Channel: ( LINK )

Bert’s Newsletter Sign Up: ( LINK )

Instagram: @bertstephani ( LINK )

Facebook: ( LINK )

Raising Mental Health Awareness - Through Photography

This past weekend I had the absolute homnour of having been asked to officially open a Landscape Photography Exhibition by Photographer Nigel Thomas in Kidwelly, West Wales ; an exhibtion that Nigel has worked on to help raise awareness of Mental Health …

“I am so grateful that photography, landscape photography in particualr, has become such an important element in my life. I have found a profound sense of peace and purpose. My journey into landscape photography qas not just a creative pursuit, but a therapeutic escape from the depths of severe depression and anxiety”

— Nigel Thomas

I can honestly say that I’ll NEVER forget this!

Throughout my career in this creative industry I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have presented at functions around the world. I’ve had some amazing experiences and made some amazing friends … and today I add to that!

A stunning body of work that has been instrumental in his recovery and my god, what a story he has to tell and is just so damn brave to do so.

It was an emotional rollercoaster of a day but it’s a ride I wouldn’t have missed.

Truly honoured. Truly blessed.