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Select subject and edit in Lightroom

Lightroom mask

Using the 'mask' function in Lightroom, it becomes very easy to select a subject in your photo and then edit it. The program can even automatically recognize and select subjects quite accurately, which saves a lot of time in manual selection. In this item we give you some tips on how to use this feature and all its tools.

 

Tips on masking in Lightroom

  • To keep an overview when using different masks, it is useful to give each mask a name. Right-clicking on the mask title will bring up the option to rename it.
  • As mentioned earlier, it is therefore possible for Lightroom to select the subject itself. Of course it remains possible to make the necessary adjustments yourself with the 'add' and 'remove' functions. This can be done with different tools, such as a brush, linear or radial gradient. The area you select and adjust will turn red.
  • Selecting the sky can now also be done automatically, which is ideal for landscape photography. This is also done very accurately, but this can also be adjusted manually. If you want to assign a different color to the editing area, click on the color box and choose your desired color. You can also turn off the editing area by unchecking 'Show overlay'. With the hotkey 'O' you can easily turn it on and off.
  • With the brush you have a lot of freedom to edit specific parts of the photo. Selecting the brush already brings up a whole menu of settings and effects to choose from. The keyboard shortcut for the brush is the 'K' on the keyboard. With the feather you can choose how soft the transition will be. The larger the feather, the softer the transition.
  • The linear gradient, formerly known as a graduated filter, works as follows. While holding down the 'shift' key, use the left mouse button to draw a line from top to bottom so that the linear gradient appears. The radial gradient works much the same, where you work with a circle to select a certain area.
  • If you scroll down in the mask menu, you will arrive at the color range. If you click on this you will get the option to click on a color in the photo with an eyedropper. The adjustment now only takes place over similar colors in the photo. With 'HSL color' you adjust all color tones across the entire photo, here you have more control over the editing area.
  • Finally, the option to hide masks is also available in Lightroom. That way you don't have to permanently remove a mask, but you can temporarily hide it. Right-clicking on the mask brings up the 'hide' option.

 

Want to learn to photograph or gain experience?

Would you like to participate in one of the many workshops to learn more about your camera or image editing? Then sign up for one of our workshops. Would you rather join a multi-day photography trip? Then there is plenty of choice from our photo trips. It is also possible to order the ebook Lightroom Classic so you can get started yourself.

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News

The most useful apps for travelling

Prepared for travel

Travel and photography enthusiasts know that proper preparation and planning is essential. There are countless apps that can help you with that, both during the preparations and during the trip. In this news item we give you a tip on a number of useful apps that should not be missed during your trip.

 

The most useful apps for travelling

Camera app

If you have a camera that is compatible with an app, it can be downloaded for free. SnapBridge from Nikon or Camera Connect from Canon are examples of this. The app gives you the option of remote shooting, viewing and downloading photos directly.

Astro photography

There are a few factors to take into account when photographing the (starry) sky. First of all, the Golden Hour app is highly recommended so that you know exactly when twilight takes place. The Stellarium app helps you with an accurate overview of all the stars and planets. There is also an app for photographing the northern lights, which is called Aurora and lets you know exactly when and how big the chance is to see the northern lights. With the Light Pollution Map app you can check how much light pollution there is, so you know whether the phenomenon can be captured properly with the camera.

Weather conditions

One of the most important factors to consider when traveling and when shooting. By having different weather apps on your phone you can compare them with each other for an even more accurate weather forecast. The AccuWeather, Clear Outside and Weer Online app are quite accurate and therefore a good option.

Maps

The Google Maps app is already known to many, but the Maps.me app is a good alternative for offline use. You can also download different maps as long as you still have internet and use them when you no longer have access to WiFi. The Google Earth app is very useful if you want a more detailed map.

Government

The government also has some useful apps. The Reisapp contains a lot of important and useful information, for example about the safety of the country you want to go to and other travel advice. The CoronaCheck app is also one of them, on which you will find an overview of all your vaccinations.

Airlines

Are you traveling by plane and has the flight already been booked? With an app from the airline itself, you can often already check in online via the app, which saves time at the airport. In addition, you immediately have your boarding pass in the app and you cannot lose it. The Skyscanner app is a good option for comparing flights, so you can see at a glance what the options are.

Accommodations

Looking for a place to stay? There are also apps that offer endless possibilities for this. Booking.com is a well-known platform that compares different providers. Airbnb is a popular alternative, and you can often find more unique accommodations there. For those who prefer to stay in a hostel, the Hostelworld app is recommended. Would you rather go out with the camper and are you looking for a place to camp wild? Park4night is an app that shows you all these places.

Transport

Those looking for transport during their trip can use the Uber or Grab app to request a ride. When using public transport, apps such as Rome2rio, Omio and Moovit are very useful to plan your journey. These apps show you your route step by step and you will be immediately redirected to buy a ticket.

Relaxation

Some entertainment during the trip cannot be missed, especially during a long drive, flight or evening off. With apps such as Spotify and Netflix, it is possible to download music, films and series so that you can still enjoy them without internet. It is only possible if you have a subscription.

Inspiration and entertainment

Some apps for entertainment during the trip are Tripadvisor and GetYourGuide. Not only reviews can be found there, but also activities and tours. GetYourGuide is mainly aimed at attractions, museums, activities and tours that can be booked directly via the app. For more inspiration or sharing your own journey, Polarsteps is a well-known app. You can record your trip and route per day with photos or plan a trip with the help of other people's guides and tips.

 

Photography workshops and trips

Would you like to learn more about photography and your camera yourself? Or gain more experience during one of our photography trips? All Travelmarks workshops and trips are in small groups and accompanied by a professional photographer. For more information, take a look at the many workshops and photo trips and sign up.

 

Till clicks!

News

Shooting with slow shutter speeds and filters

Shooting with slow shutter speeds and filters

For those who want to photograph with long shutter speeds, different types of filters will quickly come into consideration. In this item we give you some useful tips for shooting with a slow shutter speed and using filters. This way you can get started yourself!

 

Capturing water and air

When do you use a slow shutter speed? For example, when capturing a certain movement, such as water and air. Think of a smoothly ironed lake or sea, or even a waterfall. The sky also makes for beautiful pictures, the movement of the clouds is captured by the long shutter speed. This effect makes the clouds appear long and stretched out, sometimes even more dramatic.

 

Useful photography tips

  • As with any kind of photography, planning and preparation is very important. Make sure you are in the right location with the right lighting conditions. By starting on time you can prepare everything calmly and practice if necessary.
  • Use a tripod to avoid motion blur as much as possible. Make sure you have a stable surface.
  • If you don't use filters, you will have to go out sooner or later, depending on the time of year. Before sunrise or after sunset gives the best light, during the day there is too much (bright) light.
  • If you do use filters you could shoot all day long. For example with gray (gradient) filters, ND filters and polarization filters.
  • Gray filters come in different types of transitions and densities. For example, a 0.9 blocks more light than a 0.3. Gray filters and ND filters can also be combined together. The higher the number, the more light it blocks. A filter with 6 stops could be used around sunrise and sunset, for the daytime one with 10 stops. More information about the types of filters can be read in the item photographing with filters.
  • Does your composition have a straight horizon? Then it is best to use a hard filter. For example, if you have a mountainous landscape, a soft filter is recommended. A soft filter has a soft gradient and thus gradually changes in density, while a hard filter has a tighter transition.
  • When buying filters, it is best to choose a filter kit with a holder instead of filtering for a specific size of the lens. With such a system, you can easily change filters. When purchasing, also pay attention to the quality of the filters. The lower the price, the more chance of color casts in the filter, something you don't want in your photos. The filter should show true-to-life colors.
  • Composition is an important part of taking a good photo. Placing elements in the foreground prevents a flat image. A good starting point for the photo would be a piece of rock or land coming into the frame from the side.

 

Want to learn to photograph or gain experience?

Shooting with slow shutter speeds and using filters is discussed in various workshops of Travelmarks-Photography. Would you like to participate in it? Then take a look at the many workshops. For the travel lovers there are also some cool photo trips where you can improve your photography skills. If you are interested, sign up quickly and till clicks!

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