This interesting post-processing tutorial demonstrates how to use Photoshop’s Radial Blur filter with the option of Zoom to accentuate motion in a way that conveys a dynamic impression of speed. As instructor Pablo Garcia says, “this is a great choice for giving our photos a sense of movement towards the inside of the image.”
We regularly share Garcia’s tutorials that are valuable for beginners and more experienced shooters alike. As you’ll see, Photoshop’s Radial Zoom Blur filter is super effective in two situations; the first, alluded to above, is when the sense of motion we desire is toward the inside of the frame. The technique also works wonders when the motion in moving directly toward the camera.
There are a couple of minor issues that must be addressed to achieve realistic results, and Garcia demonstrates an easy step-by-step procedure for getting the job done to perfection. It’s all about understanding how to use the Radial Zoom Blur filter with Photoshop’s Content Aware Fill.
Garcia captured his demonstration image by the Rio Grande River with New Mexico’s snow-capped Sandia Mountains looming in the background. As you’ll see, there were four geese flying in his direction. He explains that “Photoshop’s Motion Blur filter didn’t give me the results I wanted, but I was able to use the Radial Zoom Blur filter instead.”
The first step is duplicating the background layer, then Garcia created a copy of the original shot and eliminated the geese. Doing this made it easy for him to convincingly apply the Zoom effect without the quartet of birds getting in the way.
The process of erasing the birds is both simple and precise thanks to the power of Photoshop’s Content Aware Fill, and Garcia explains the best settings to use. At this point is time to apply the eye-catching zoom effect, and Garcia demonstrates how it’s done—beginning with turning this layer into a Smart Object.
Once you select the Radial Blur option from Photoshop’s Neural Filters panel there are a few settings to make. Garcia quickly runs through the list and explains the specific values that he recommends for this particular effect.
At this point you’re only halfway through the lesson, and the remainder discusses a few other important considerations as well as how to put everything together for a very impressive final result. Once you’re done watching take a look at Garcia’s instructional YouTube channel where there are many more tips and techniques to be found.
And don’t miss the tutorial we featured recently with another top pro who demonstrates how to shoot and combine multiple photos to “cheat” the perfect moment when you can’t get it in a single shot.
Most experienced landscape photographers consider a bombproof tripod absolutely essential. But when you combine the considerable weight of this accessory with the heft of a full pack, you end up with a heavy and cumbersome load for a full day of shooting in the field.
If you’re looking to lighten the strain by traveling light, this tutorial from instructor Jim Schubert will set you free. He’s an accomplished landscape pro, specializing in basic shooting and editing tutorials that are designed to help all outdoor photographers quickly improve their skills.
Today’s episode kicks off with a surprising claim: “You don’t have to be chained to your tripod as a landscape photographer for the rest of your life—even when shooting in low light or when using a long telephoto lens.” He demonstrates several effective handheld techniques for mastering this approach, and your back and legs will thank you for following his advice.
This behind-the-scenes shoot takes place at beautful Beavertail State Part in Jamestown, RI, where Schubert begins by explaining the many advantages of handheld photography—not the least of which is that it enables you to be nimble and quickly move around as lighting, weather and framing requirements change.
Schubert emphasizes the importance of having a selection of lenses of varying focal lengths, and he prefers zooms because they enable you to swiftly experiment with different perspective of the same scene without taking time to switch out your glass.
The correct camera settings are a very important consideration when using this approach, and Schubert walks you through what they are. Here you’ll learn the why shooting in Raw and harnessing the power of Manual mode provides far more control. As he says, “determining the appropriate aperture and shutter speed depends upon the specific subject at hand and whatever effect you want to achieve.”
Schubert also discusses an oft-ignored factor; namely how a proper grip on your camera/lens combo will help minimize shake. Also contributing to this key goal are the image-stabilization techniques that he suggests.
The lesson concludes with a variety of composition tips—like shooting for different angles and focal points. He insists that these variations “will enhance the visual impact of your landscape photographs.” Individually these tricks may not seem like a big deal but putting them together will make your handheld imagery a big success.
Check out Schubert informative YouTube channel for more straightforward videos for photographers of all skill levels.
And don’t miss a related tutorial we featured with another accomplished pro who demonstrates how to give landscape photographs a soft, dreamy appearance with a simple Lightroom post-process trick.
Most photographers would agree that our craft is all about striving for a perfect shot. And many times that involves capturing what the great Henri Cartier-Besson referred to as “the decisive moment.” The ultimate goal is to get things right in the camera, but this Photoshop tutorial is all about what one pro describes as “cheating the perfect moment.”
The topic of conversation in this lesson from travel and landscape photographer Nikolas Warner is a Photoshop technique known as “Time Blending”—a process that involves shooting multiple images of the same scene over time and merging them together to create a single eye-catching image. Depending on your goal this may mean combining photos shot at different tie of day or using a quick sequence that occurs in a few moments.
Warner was motivated to create this tutorial after a recent trip to Arizona near the Grand Canyon during which breathtaking weather was changing almost as fast as he could trip the shutter. Upon returning home and viewing his files on the computer, Warner found that each one of his shots captured a different part of the dramatic show, but individually they were kind of boring.
Hence, “I got the idea to blend the best parts of that night into one single photo” that included lightning, a super dramatic sky, spectacular golden light, a small rainbow, and other epic moments that quickly passed by. He walks you through the step-by-step process for quickly getting the job done in a realistic way.
The first step involves a strategic approach to evaluating the sequence of images you captured and using the criteria Warner suggests for selecting those that are most appropriate for creating your time blend. In this case he selected eight photos—each conveying a different and powerful element.
With the images on the screen, Warner walks you through his method for using Layer Masks to combine these photos. He describes the various modes available, along with a specific tip for time blending waves in seascape scene.
There’s much more to learn about composition, exposure and other key considerati8ons, including a very helpful technique for aligning hand-held photographs. By the time this episode concludes you’ll understand how easy it is to create a single shot that includes several decisive moments.
There are many more shooting and editing how-to videos on Warner’s instructional YouTube channel, so be sure to take a look when you have time to explore.
And don’t miss the tutorial we featured recently with another post-processing expert who demonstrates a straightforward four-step b&w Lightroom technique that delivers amazing photographs every time.
