Today’s eye-opening Photoshop tutorial is super interesting for a couple reasons: First, you’ll learn how to use an unfamiliar tool that can deliver spectacular results. Then there’s our grumpy instructor who’s miffed because he didn’t know about this transformative technique until recently.

Stephen is a creative photo artist who prides himself in thinking outside the box and using unique shooting and editing techniques that really make his work stand out. This episode begins with an unexpected rant which we won’t describe because it’s amusing to watch. Let’s just say it has something to do with artificial intelligence—commonly referred to as AI.

The topic of this episode is a Photoshop technique called Style Transfer, and once Stephen calms down he explains everything you need to know. He illustrates the method with some very convincing imagery, and he introduces the process with some important notes on resampling—including how working at a lower resolution can prove to be beneficial.

The Style Transfer mode is activated by enabling a button in Photoshop’s Filters panel. Once you do that there are a couple of options—one known as “Image Styles” and the other called “Artist Styles.” There are a variety of effects within each category, and Stephen’s goal is to illustrate how the technique works so that you “can run with it and do a bit of creative experimentation.”

Once you choose a style that suits your fancy, Photoshop goes through a rendering process and there’s a status bar slider under the image for keeping track of the progress. He then takes a closer look at the various styles available so that you’ll have a better idea of which ones perform best for different types of photos and understand what to expect.

As you’ll see, there’s a dialog box with basic sliders that enables you to adjust and refine whatever style you choose. This post-processing method is not only remarkably effective, but it’s also a lot of fun to use. The only problem you’re likely to encounter is that Photoshop’s Style Transfer tools can be very addicting once you get started.

Be sure to visit Stephen’s instructional YouTube channel to find more tips and techniques for adding a unique flare to your images

We also suggest watching the tutorial we featured recently with another image-editing expert who demonstrates five pro techniques for avoiding blown-out highlights when shooting and editing outdoor photographs if challenging light is the name of the game.

Experienced Lightroom users frequently turn to the versatile and easy-to-use Lens Correction and Transform tools when processing their images. If you’re not up to speed we’ll fix that today day with this comprehensive beginners guide from the folks at Eastern Shore Photo Instruction.

As you’ll see, these two tools offer powerful features for correcting chromatic aberration and barrel distortion—two common problems that will easily spoil an otherwise great shot. You’ll also learn a few straightforward techniques for straightening photos and correcting color aberrations.

Instructor Mickey covers a lot of ground in this 13-minute primer, so we encourage you to jot down a few notes as you watch him demonstrate a bunch of powerful tips and techniques. Don’t be confused if Mickey’s Lightroom workspace looks different from yours because he explains how to customize the Develop Module panel so that your most-used tools are where they belong; namely, right at your fingertips for quick and easy access.

The episode kicks off by describing the many benefits of Lightroom’s Lens Correction tools, the first of which involves removing chromatic aberration. This problem occurs when there’s a misalignment of colors that results in “a green or red tinge around areas of high contrast— usually near the edges of the frame, rather than in the center.”

Fortunately, this unsightly distraction is very easy to correct. The automatic approach simply requires clicking on the appropriate button, and Mickey says doing so works great 99% of the time. For those rare instances when you’re displeased with the results, there’s a manual technique that will definitely save the day.

Next on the list is a tab identified as “Enable Profile Corrections” and Mickey explains when this adjustment is necessary and he walks you through how this works. In basic terms, this tool is helpful for correcting whatever unwanted effects a specific lens makes to an image. One example is the barrel distortion that occurs when shooting with a wide-angle lens.

And once again, there’s a Manual option if you don’t like what you see. You’ll also learn how manually select a specific lens profile. The second half of the video is all about using Lightroom’s Transform tools, with simple tips and techniques that will quickly and effectively accomplish a variety of common tasks.

After the video concludes take a look at the Eastern Shore Photo Instruction YouTube channel where there’s much more to learn.

We also suggest watching the tutorial we featured recently with another post-processing expert who demonstrates how to give landscape photographs an eye-catching glow effect with a single Radial mask in Lightroom.

You know a tool is hyper-useful when you recognize its potential with little or no explanation. Perception depends of frame of reference, and photographers are quick to imagine how certain items mesh with their image-making work habits. Foil windshield visors become ad hoc reflectors, for instance, wooden boxes become props and discarded sunglasses translate into creative filters.

Here’s a trio of photo accessories that you may find indispensable once you comprehend the logic that conceived them.

Benro SupaDupa Tilthead
Benro, founded in 1995, is part of the MAC Group, a photo powerhouse that includes such brands as Tenba, Sekonic, Shimoda, x-rite Pantone, Toyo-View, Broncolor, Heliopan, Novoflex and several other names quite familiar to photographers. Perhaps because one of the staples in Benro’s product assortment is a lineup of monopods, they have devised a gizmo that increases the usefulness and functionality of the one-legged family of camera supports. Works great on tripods, too, incidentally.

The Benro SupaDupa Tilthead (dumb name, awesome product) allows photographers and filmmakers to precisely align their capture device in relation to the subject. It enables 90º tilt in one direction, 60º in the other and full 360º smooth panning. It accommodates standard 3/8 or 1/4-20 threaded mounts and includes an Arca-compatible quick release plate.

Beefy for sure, it supports equipment weighing up to 17.6 pounds (8kg), so heavy lenses and camera rigs are secure and safe. It also looks great, and weighs just 12.3 ounces (.35kg). I stopped believing in Santa Claus back when Pepsi Cola was still sold in 12-ounce glass bottles, but just to cover all the bases I’m asking the Jolly Old Elf to put a Benro SupaDupa Tilthead in my stocking this year.

Suggested price is $139.95. Here’s a link to find and Authorized Benro Dealer.

3 Legged Thing Pivot Magic Arms
3 Legged Thing  was founded about 15 years ago by Danny Lenihan in Stagsden, Bedfordshire, UK, a town north of London and a bit west of Box End. Their office is in one of the sheds that were once home to 30,000 chickens who produced 25,000 eggs per week whilst consuming 24 tons of chicken feed. True story—I’m not nearly clever enough to make stuff like this up.

3LT is best known for tripods, camera L-brackets, photo bags and a host of tripod accessories. They taught the world that tripods can be colorful and fun, just as long as they’re also brilliantly engineered, extraordinarily well made and realistically priced.

Which brings us to the 3 Legged Thing Pivot Magic Arms. Reminiscent of bionic joint implants, Pivot Magic Arms are designed to hold and attach lights, microphones, compact monitors, action cameras and other accessories to your tripod, L-bracket or mounting plate’s 1/4-20 thread. They’re available in two sizes: 5.9 inch (150mm) and 9.8 inch (250mm). They’re very sturdy; the Pivot 150 ($79.99) supports up to 11 pounds (2kg) and the Pivot 250 ($89.99) up to 6.6 pounds (3kg). Also, they come in two colorways, Lava (orange and black) and Darkness (matte black).

With these articulated marvels you can securely arrange the vital components of your camera set-up with precision and ease. Once constructed, you’re assured that your kit is configured the way you want it without mess or wasted time.

You can order Pivot Magic Arms today directly from 3 Legged Thing or click here to find an Authorized 3LT Dealer near you. Take a look at 3 Legged Thing’s complete line of tripods, L-brackets and other photo accessories, visit their website or check out the Official 3 Legged Thing Store at amazon.com.

GripTight GorillaPod Stand PRO
GripTight GorillaPod Stand PRO is from Joby, the company globally known for their widely loved (and extensively imitated) assortment of GorillaPod products. Joby is part of the Videndum Group, distributor of some of the most trusted photo accessories around, including Savage (seamless backgrounds), Lowepro, Manfrotto, Gitzo and others.

One look tells you that the GripTight GorillaPod Stand PRO is a smartphone holder that can be used as a tripod, or—by wrapping its knobby, octopus-like legs around a pole, fence, roof rack or other support of suitable size—a very sturdy freehand smartphone support. Made  from tough ABS plastic, TPE (thermoplastic elastomers) and stainless steel, this baby Gorilla adapts to nearly any situation. Order today from the Joby website; price is $69.95.

While on the Joby website, take a long look at their Outlet section. You may find the accessory you’ve been looking for, like maybe sneakers for your GorillaPod. Really.

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Experienced photographers typically set their camera’s Mode Dial to Manual or Aperture Priority for most of their work. But there’s another option that’s frequently overlooked and you’ll learn exactly how it works and when to use it in the quick tutorial below.

This “secret” mode is known as “Hybrid Manual” and in offers plenty of control while avoiding intricacies of the conventional Manual mode. In the next 10 minutes instructor Pierre T. Lambert explains everything you need to know, and why he says that combining Manual Mode with Auto ISO is the best way to unlock the power of this style of shooting.

Lambert earned an engineering degree before deciding to pursue his true passion as a professional travel photographer. He explains the hybrid shooting mode like this: “It allows you to combine the flexibility of adjusting various parameters with the advantages of a camera’s intelligence, and a lot of experienced photographers use it every day.”

The best way to follow Lambert’s expert advice is to grab your camera and a notepad before launching the video. Along the way you’ll learn how ISO impacts images when shooting in Hybrid Auto, as well as the best way to adjust aperture and  shutter speed accordingly to achieve the best possible results.

By letting the camera set ISO automatically, all you have to take care of is the other two variables of the familiar Exposure Triangle. Lambert admits that there are extreme situations in which the exposure may miss the mark, like with a subject against a very bright background or the reverse.

So what to do? Lambert recommends leaving the camera set to Auto ISO and using EV Compensation to balance out the tones. His starting point is to bump exposure up or down by a single stop and take things further as necessary.

There are a few other key considerations to understand, and one of the most important is a setting that prevents the camera from increasing or decreasing ISO beyond reasonable limits. You’ll may have to dig through your camera’s to locate this option, but it works the same regardless of the specific model you own.

Once you get the hang of shooting in Hybrid Auto (and it doesn’t take long) there’s a good chance that you’ll use this powerful approach more often than not. Lambert’s instructional YouTube channel includes other helpful lessons like this one. So be sure to check it out.

We also suggest watching the tutorial we featured earlier with another accomplished outdoor photographer who demonstrates five powerful techniques for shooting and editing impressive photographs of birds and other wildlife subjects.

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