Rick Sammon’s Evolution of an Image illustrates the creative photographic process from start to finish. In this book, Canon Explorer of Light Rick Sammon pulls back the curtain to prove that creating amazing photographs is a well-thought-out process that involves several stages.
Comprising 50 case studies that examine photographs taken by Rick around the world in a wide variety of shooting situations, Evolution of an Image shows the power of creative thinking, getting it right in the camera, and the careful use of image processing using Lightroom.
By including his outtakes— and the reasons that he considers them outtakes— Rick suggests the steps that every photographer should take in order to improve their images. Combining technical advice with tips on lighting, composition and using Lightroom, this book will motivate and encourage those looking to evolve as creative photographers and digital darkroom artists.
Key features include:
• More than 200 before-and-after photographs
• Fully illustrated sections on wildlife, seascape, landscape, scenic, action and people photography
• Screen grabs showing Rick’s Lightroom adjustments
• Suggestions on working in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom as well as Adobe Photoshop
• Special section on Rick’s "Sammonisms," or quick tips on getting the best in-camera image
• Advice on evolving as a photographer
• Inspirational photographs from Provence, the Palouse, Kenya, Antarctica, Iceland, Alaska, Mongolia, Myanmar, Colorado and more
Table of Contents:
A Few Words About Rick
Preface – My Sammonisms
Introduction – The Evolution of an Image
Using this Book
Part 1 Examples
Wildlife
All in the Family
From snapshot to great shot
Pride of the Mara
Capture animal behavior
A Mother’s Love
Backlight is nice light
Two Brothers
Make out-of-Africa pictures at wildlife centers
On the Run
Storytelling in a single photograph
The Lion King
Making Images with Impact
Call of the Wild
Days in the Life of a Travel Photographer
People
Memory of Myanmar
Making a photograph
Finding Frida
Steal like an artist
Simple Beauty
Portrait retouching made easy
Rendezvous at the Wonder Bar
Play with plug-ins
Abandon Dreams
Analyze a scene and a photograph
Seascapes
Jewels of the Sea
Create an image with impact
Go With the Flow
The mood matters most
Sea Sculpture
Composition – the strongest way of seeing
Golden Light in the Glacier Lagoon
Creative Visualization is the key
Landscapes
Autumn Leaves
Begin with the basics
Dancing Aspens
Focus on the intimate landscape
May The Force Be With You
Your histogram is your friend
I’ve Looked at Clouds from Both Sides Now
Looking versus Seeing
The View
Master Panoramic Photography
Scenic
Picture Perfect Palouse
Complementary colors are cool
After Midnight
Remove reality with black-and-white processing
As Time Goes By
A Quick Look at Lightroom’s HDR
Action
Here Comes the Sun
Turn flat colors into fabulous colors
Morning Run
Gesture, get it right in camera and process with purpose
The Wrath of Khan
What makes a good photograph?
Part II
The Photoshop Advantage
My Sweet Lord
Love Those Adjustment Layers
Eye-to-Eye with the Killing Machine
Convert for Smart Filters
Epilog
Follow Your Heart - Evolving as a Photographer and Digital Darkroom Artist
Acknowledgments
Index
About the Author :
Canon Explorer of Light and award-winning photographer/author/educator Rick Sammon is a tireless, prolific and inspirational image-maker. He divides his photography time between creating images (for his 37 books and 13 online classes), leading photo workshops (five or six a year) and making personal appearances (more than a dozen a year). In his personal time, Rick plays guitar and piano daily.
Rick’s enthusiasm for digital imaging and teaching is contagious. He is a man on a mission – a mission to make digital photography fun, creative, exciting and rewarding for others.
Visit with Rick at www.ricksammon.com.
