We’re always on the lookout for post-processing techniques that imbue photos with a unique look that stands out from other images you’ve captured in the past. This quick Lightroom tutorial from the PHLOG Photography YouTube channel provides a quick and effective method for giving landscape photos a beautiful soft appearances that differs greatly from the more common sharp-and-vibrant approach.
German pro Christian Mohrle is one of our favorite landscape photographers and post-processing experts, and before you click the play button we suggest downloading his sample Raw file using the link beneath the video. This way you can follow along and make the changes yourself as the 11-minute lesson proceeds.
Mohrle’s goal today is to rehabilitate a contrasty and underexposed waterfall photo, but the process you’ll learn has broader applications for enhancing all sort of images captured in the field. He’s a firm believer in following a specific sequence when putting Lightroom’s tools to work. For him this means making a few basic adjustments to the image as a whole before turning to selective enhancements that really deliver the magic.
Today’s preliminary steps begin in Lightroom’s Basic panel where he changes the profile from Adobe Color to Adobe landscape which pushes saturation, slightly brightens the darkest areas in the frame, and helps create the soft look he’s after. Mohrle also tweaks Color Temperature, boosts exposure, opens the shadows for more detail, and adds Texture for a slightly sharper look. Other global modifications include decreasing Clarity and Dehaze.
Now the fun begins by heading into Lightroom’s Masking panel for selective enhancement to various areas in the scene, and he walks you through every step of the way as he adds a subtle glow to the upper right corner of the shot, introduces more structure to the foreground waterfall, and brightens up a smaller waterfall to separate it from the background.
The image is now significantly improved, but there’s a bit more work to do, beginning with careful color grading. He makes good use of the Luminance sliders in Lightroom’s Color Mixer to “add punch” by accentuating the green tones. Dropping yellow Saturation quickly enhances this effect, as does pumping up green Saturation. Mohrle also boosts blue Saturation in the water.
All that remains is a bit of judicious sharpening, and Mohrle’s impressive transformation is complete. Take a look at his before/after examples and your sure to like what you see. Then head over to the PHLOG Photography YouTube channel for more shooting and editing tips for outdoor photographers.
We also think you’ll appreciate another tutorial we posted recently, demonstrating how to capture spectacular sunrise photographs with gear advice, composition tips, and recommendations for the best camera settings to use.
All professional photographers understand the importance of evolving their skills by regularly experimenting with new shooting techniques, and oftentimes this results in capturing images with a fresh look. We recommend this process for amateurs as well, and by doing you may have to update your post-processing workflow to accommodate the new style of photos in your repertoire.
As you’ll see in this tutorial from the Louise Welcome Photography YouTube channel, this is exactly what happened to an accomplished British pro who spent considerable time searching for a new vision in the field. Her popular channel is all about passing on a passion for landscape photography and this episode reveals three transformational editing tools that became essential for enhancing Louise’s new style of imagery.
Louise puts it like: “After challenging myself to do things differently in the field, it was only when I backed up this practice with a few developments in post processing that I saw my images come to life.” The three new “power tools” that she discovered are what you’ll learn how to use today.
This new approach works wonders for what Louise calls “empathetic editing” and she drives her points home with clear instructions and plenty of inspirational images. Power Tool #1 is the Radial Filter, and Louise explains two very different ways to use it depending the specific task at hand. The first involves adding “atmosphere” to a shot, while the other is accomplished by selecting and emphasizing strong areas of contrast between light and dark portions within the frame.
Split-Toning is the second power tool that Louise recommends, and this one “enables you to introduce different colors to the highlights, midtones or shadow areas in an image while pure whites and blacks remain unaffected.” This is tool that deliver big results—even though it’s really easy to employ.
The lesson concludes with Power Tip #3; namely, a technique for using Exposure Blending to significantly improve the balance of a photo. Louise is passionate about waterfall photography, and she pulls up one of her shots to illustrate how this straightforward tool can be called upon to achieve an eye-catching transformation.
And don’t miss the tutorial we featured recently with another accomplished landscape photographer who explains why and how to use Exposure Bracketing to create outdoor photographs with perfectly balanced tones every time.
You stumble into your favorite Starbucks half-awake as you do every morning and WHAM! There’s Elvis standing at the end of the counter — fringed shirt, sequined guitar strap and all. You do a quick draw from your iPhone holster while The King patiently waits for his venti peanut butter banana flat white with an extra three pumps of funnel cake syrup, but — damn! — the battery is dead. What do you do? You’re missing your chance to join the annals of consumer photojournalism and a shot at certain Instagram history. That’s about a zillion Likes being blown to tarnation.
Solve Your Juice Problem
You could run and plug your now-bricked smartphone into your Yugo’s dashboard cigar lighter and wait 15 minutes for the LiPo battery to rejuvenate, but you’d run the risk that the God of Graceland might slip out the side door with that blond babe who vaguely resembles Marilyn Monroe after intense eyebrow therapy. Or you could franticly search for your seldom-used DSLR which simply must be somewhere in your trunk, last you remember.
A Better Solution
Do what I do. Carry a BioLite Charge 100 Max, a 100W USB-C Powerbank, in a pocket on your government-issued M65 field jacket. It’s not much larger than a long tuna salad sandwich and packs a lot more power—like 25,000 mAh, enough to fully charge a smartphone at least five times (up to seven times, depending on model) before needing a refresh. It weighs about 20 ounces and it’s FAA compliant.
Capacity
These numbers are approximate because devices vary widely in their power requirements. I did not push the BioLite Charge 100 Max to its absolute limits, but I was able to charge everything I connected, and fast, too.
With summer storms gaining intensity annually, and winter blackouts always a threat on the East Coast where I live, I sleep better with a BioLite battery bank in the cupboard.
Other Specifications
Battery: 25,000 mAh (91.3 Wh) Lithium Ion
Inputs: USB-C PD, up to 65W
Outputs: 120W total output simultaneous
2X USB-C PD: 100W. 5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/3A, 15V/3Z, 20V/5A
1X USB-C: 15W. 5V/3A
1X USB-A: 15W. 5V/3A
Charge Time: 1.5 hours via 65W USB-C PD
Wireless Pad: Up to 15W. MagSafe compatible
Durable rubberized case construction; drop tested from 1 meter
FAA Carry-on compliant
Dimensions: 5.5 x 4.4 x 1.4 inches (140 x 112 x 35mm)
Weight: 20.5 ounces (580g)
Included Cable: 100W USB-C PD cable
2-Year USA Limited Warranty
USB-C PD (Power Delivery) is a fast charging technology that provides higher levels of power than standard charging. USB-C PD outlets can charge laptops, tablets, etc., via the USB-C PD cable that is included with the BioLite Charge 100 Max.
In the Field
Pretty amazing, to be honest. It charges devices quickly and easily. I found it remarkably convenient as a cordless charging dock for my iPhone, proving that its usefulness extends well beyond emergencies.
At a pound-and-a-quarter, it’s a tad too heavy to tote in a shirt pocket, but it stows in a backpack or shoulder bag with no problem.
Conclusion
I can quickly name three reasons why you should consider dropping a buck-and-a-half ($149) on this gray and yellow slice of security.
First, it’s powerful, a full 25,000 mAh, so it keeps on charging electronic devices long after other battery bricks have pooped out. Second, it provides exceptional peace of mind, even just sitting there, waiting for the next power outage. Third, it’s an everyday tool if you have an iPhone or other Apple device with MagSafe.
On top of those key reasons, the BioLite Charge 100 Max is manufactured and backed by a leading company with years of experience in the outdoor/portable power marketplace and a dedication to environmental conservancy.
Price & Availability
Price of the BioLite Charge 100 Max is $149.95 (MSRP). Order directly from BioLite or use the BioLite Store Locator to find an Authorized Dealer in your area. Shop local if you can; it helps everyone in the long run. Alternatively, you can visit the official BioLite Amazon Store.
More About BioLite
BioLite is a past winner of the prestigious National Design Award from Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, in the Product Design category.
BioLite offers dozens of items of interest to folks who partake in a wide range of activities. In addition to the BioLite Charge 100 Max, they offer other batteries, portable stoves, solar generator kits, way-cool headlamps, lighting of various sorts and even fire pits. Visit the BioLite website and click on their Store Locator. Cool stuff you’ll want.
Report Elvis Sightings
If you snap a great shot of The King of Rock and Roll, post it here on Shutterbug in our Photo of the Day gallery. AI not acceptable. Sincerity assumed. Sobriety optional.
Want to Become a Better Photographer?
Begin by taking more pictures. Carry a camera everywhere you go and shoot even when you’re 100% sure the picture won’t turn out. Review all of your images with a critical eye and share them with others – and that includes posting the best on our Gallery. Subscribe to our newsletter (see sign-up form on our homepage) and bookmark Shutterbug as a Favorite on your browser so you can check back often. We’re in this for the same reason as you – we love photography, and we’re learning more about it every day.
—Jon Sienkiewicz
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Imagine a photograph where time and space seem to bend and warp, creating surreal, elongated images that defy reality. This is the world of slit scan photography, a fascinating technique that has captivated artists, filmmakers, and scientists for decades.
Slit scan photography is a unique method that captures motion over time, resulting in images that appear stretched or distorted. This technique first gained prominence in the nineteen sixties, most notably in Stanley Kubrick’s iconic film two thousand and one A Space Odyssey. The mesmerizing Stargate sequence in that film was created using slit scan photography, introducing audiences to its mind-bending visual effects.
Slit scan photography is a captivating and unconventional technique that produces striking, abstract images that defy traditional photography. This method involves capturing a scene or subject through a narrow slit, which moves across the image sensor or film, creating a unique, distorted representation of reality.
History
Slit scan photography has a rich and fascinating history that spans over a century, with roots in early scientific and astronomical photography. From its humble beginnings to its modern applications, slit scan photography has evolved through the contributions of pioneers, scientists, and artists.
Early Beginnings (1850s-1900s)
The concept of slit scan photography dates back to the 1850s, when French physicist Louis Fizeau used a rotating wheel with a narrow slit to measure the speed of light. This early experiment laid the foundation for the development of slit scan photography.
Louis Fizeau
In the late 19th century, astronomers like Pierre Janssen and Warren de la Rue used slit cameras to capture solar eclipses and celestial events. These early slit cameras were designed to record the passage of time, allowing astronomers to study celestial phenomena in unprecedented detail.
The Pioneers (1900s-1940s)
In the early 20th century, scientists and photographers began to experiment with slit scan photography as a means to capture high-speed events. Harold Edgerton, a pioneer in high-speed photography, developed a slit camera in the 1930s to capture rapid events like bullet trajectories and explosions.
Frank G. Rudy, an American photographer, is credited with creating the first slit scan camera for artistic purposes in the 1930s. Rudy’s camera used a rotating drum with a narrow slit to capture abstract, distorted images.
The Artistic Era (1950s-1980s)
In the 1950s and 1960s, slit scan photography began to gain popularity among artists and photographers. John Stehura, an American photographer, created striking slit scan images that explored the relationship between time and space.
Andrew Davidhazy, a Hungarian-American photographer, is known for his innovative slit scan work, which pushed the boundaries of traditional photography. Davidhazy’s images often featured abstract, distorted representations of everyday scenes.
Digital Era (1990s-Present)
The advent of digital technology has greatly simplified the slit scan photography process, making it more accessible to photographers and artists. Stephen Wilkes, an American photographer, has used slit scan photography to create stunning, large-scale images that blend multiple moments in time.
Notable modern artists and photographers who have worked with slit scan photography include:
Alex Reben: Known for his innovative use of slit scan photography in art and advertising.
Cristina De Middel: A Spanish photographer who has used slit scan photography to create surreal, abstract images.
Julian Beever: A British artist who has used slit scan photography to create mind-bending, 3D-like images.
Applications
The applications of slit scan photography extend far beyond cinematic special effects. In the world of sports, it has been used to capture photo finishes in races, precisely recording the order in which competitors cross the finish line.
Scientists have also employed this technique to study motion and time in various phenomena, from fluid dynamics to animal locomotion.
With the advent of digital technology, slit scan photography has evolved and become more accessible. Digital cameras and software now allow photographers to experiment with this technique without the need for specialized equipment. This has opened up new creative possibilities, enabling artists to push the boundaries of visual representation and challenge our perception of time and space.
The artistic potential of slit scan photography is vast. Photographers have used it to create dreamlike landscapes, abstract portraits, and surreal cityscapes. By manipulating the speed and direction of the slit movement, artists can produce a wide range of effects, from subtle distortions to completely abstract compositions.
Slit scan photography continues to intrigue and inspire, bridging the gap between art, science, and technology. Its ability to visualize time and motion in unique ways offers a fresh perspective on our world, reminding us that there are always new ways to see and interpret reality.
Whether used for artistic expression, scientific analysis, or simply to create captivating images, slit scan photography remains a powerful tool in the visual arts, inviting us to explore the boundaries of perception and imagination.
Principle and Process
In traditional photography, the entire image sensor or film is exposed to light simultaneously, capturing a two-dimensional representation of the scene. In contrast, slit scan photography uses a narrow slit, typically 1-10 mm wide, to expose the image sensor or film. This slit is moved across the sensor or film, scanning the scene horizontally or vertically, to capture a single, continuous image.
Traditional 2 dimensional representation of scene
The process can be broken down into the following:
Step 1: Camera Setup
Slit creation: Create a narrow slit, typically 1-10 mm wide, using a razor blade, a piece of cardboard, or a specialized slit scan camera. The slit can be horizontal or vertical, depending on the desired effect.
Camera modification: Modify a camera to accommodate the slit. This can involve attaching the slit to the camera lens, creating a custom camera body, or using a specialized slit scan camera.
Image sensor or film: Use a digital image sensor or film to capture the image.
Step 2: Scene Preparation
Subject selection: Choose a subject or scene that will benefit from the slit scan effect. This can include moving objects, stationary scenes, or abstract compositions.
Lighting: Control the lighting to achieve the desired effect. Slit scan photography often requires careful management of light and shadow.
Composition: Compose the scene, taking into account the slit’s movement and the desired distortion.
Step 3: Exposure
Shutter speed: Set the shutter speed to a slow value, typically between 1-30 seconds, depending on the desired effect.
Slit movement: Move the slit across the image sensor or film, exposing it to light. The slit can move horizontally, vertically, or at an angle, depending on the desired effect.
Exposure control: Control the exposure to achieve the desired level of brightness and contrast.
Step 4: Image Capture
Image formation: As the slit moves across the image sensor or film, it captures a continuous, distorted image.
Data capture: In digital cameras, the image data is captured and stored. In film cameras, the film is exposed and developed later.
Step 5: Image Processing
Digital processing: In digital cameras, the captured image data is processed and corrected for distortion, color, and brightness.
Film development: In film cameras, the exposed film is developed and scanned or digitized for further processing.
Post-processing: Apply post-processing techniques, such as color grading, contrast adjustment, and cropping, to enhance the image.
Step 6: Image Review and Refining
Image review: Review the captured image, evaluating its composition, distortion, and overall effect.
Refining the process: Refine the slit scan process, adjusting the slit width, shutter speed, and composition to achieve the desired effect.
Tips and Variations
Experiment with slit widths: Vary the slit width to achieve different levels of distortion and abstraction.
Use different shutter speeds: Adjust the shutter speed to control the level of motion blur and distortion.
Try different slit movements: Experiment with horizontal, vertical, or angled slit movements to create unique effects.
Combine with other techniques: Combine slit scan photography with other techniques, such as multiple exposures or panoramic photography, to create complex, abstract images.
Characteristics and Effects
Slit scan photography produces images with distinct characteristics, including:
Distortion: The image is stretched and distorted, with objects appearing elongated or curved.
Time compression: The slit scan process captures a period of time, compressing it into a single image.
Slit scan photography has been used in various fields, including:
Art and fine art photography: Slit scan photography has been used to create striking, abstract images that challenge traditional representations of reality.
Scientific and technical applications: Slit scan photography has been used in fields like astronomy, medicine, and materials science to capture unique, high-speed phenomena.
Advertising and commercial photography: Slit scan photography has been used to create eye-catching, attention-grabbing images for advertising and commercial purposes.
Challenges and Limitations
Slit scan photography presents several challenges and limitations, including:
Camera setup and calibration: The slit must be precisely calibrated and aligned to ensure proper image capture.
Lighting and exposure: The slow shutter speed and narrow slit require careful control of lighting and exposure.
Subject movement: Moving subjects can create unwanted blur or distortion, making it challenging to capture sharp images.
Examples
Here are some stunning examples of slit scan photography, showcasing the creative possibilities of this unique technique:
These examples showcase the creative possibilities of slit scan photography, from capturing motion and distortion to creating surreal, abstract images.
Conclusion
Slit scan photography is a unique and fascinating technique that offers a fresh perspective on traditional photography. By understanding the principles, process, and characteristics of slit scan photography, photographers and artists can unlock new creative possibilities and produce striking, abstract images that push the boundaries of visual representation.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and learning about slit scan photography. Click on the following link to learn about motion blur photography.
