HELP! I need to hire a photographer who uses Lightroom to do some post processing. I give up! I don't seem to understand the ratio issue when cropping and then my photos are too soft for the printer.
I have wasted several months trying to post process clarity, color and cropping and I'm over it!
.75 a photo is what I am willing to pay. I have hundreds so if somebody needs the money or knows a college kid who does, please send them my way.
3. Post one of your images in the NPN Critique Gallery appropriate for it and ask pointed questions, such as; 'How do I use LightRoom to sharpen my image?' or, 'How do I adjust the cropping Light Room?'
4. See what's available for tutorials at Adobe, or elsewhere.
5. This maybe should be #1: Use the F1 key (Help)--a lot. You won't break anything, I promise.
The key to creating a technically successful image begins with exposure. If you have good exposures, then the next step is to learn, really learn, how to use your editing program and develop a standardized workflow.
So, rather than hang up the phone, set a goal to work through this challenge. You'll be less frustrated and more gratified in the end.
We're here to help, so let us know what you need, and we'll do our best.
If you have specific things you're looking to do (crop or sharpen or use curves, etc) there are probably a wealth of videos on You Tube as well. Or as Preston said, posting an image, and indicate what you would like to do or get out of it, may be a good way, and we'd be happy to help!
Renowned author and president of NAPP (National Assoc of Photoshop Professionals) Scott Kelby has a great book "The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5 book or Digital Photographers" available at Amazon.com. He walks you through the process with step-by-step procedures and screen saves showing exactly what you will see on your monitor. He has Lightroom killer tips and shortcuts, workflow techniques and much more. I use this to teach students in my photography workshops. More here: http://www.amazon.com/Photoshop-Lightroom-Digital-Photographers-Voices/dp/0321934318/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1402146443&sr=8-2&keywords=lightroom+5
Another alternative is to look at the amazing tutorials to be found at Lynda.com - an on-line training library with Unlimited access to all 1,587 courses incuding Lightroom, Photoshop Elements, Photoshop CS, Wordpress & more. Subscription required. USD $25 per month or annually for USD $250 http://movielibrary.lynda.com/
Joanne - Maybe I can offer you some help right here with understanding image ratios. In essence, image ratio deals with how long one side is (length) COMPARED to the width. Keeping the image ratio precise when you change sizes insures that your images will all look the same, regardless of overall size.
Most DSLR's today have a ratio of 2:3. We'll use this ratio for an example. First, what does that mean? It means that for every 2" in length that you want the SHORT side to be, you'll make the LONG side 3". Simple. Read that again and again. Be sure you understand that concept. 2" on the short side will equal 3" on the long side.
Math-wise, it's easier if you keep the short side in even inches (2, 4, 6, etc). Here's how you figure out a 2:3 ratio with math: Decide what length you want the SHORT side to be - say 8". Divide 8 by 2 = 4, multiply 4 x 3 = 12". So, the LONG side of your 2:3 ratio print will be 12", based on the SHORT side being 8".
If you're really math-challenged, here are some examples of 2:3 ratios that you can use - 4x6, 6x9, 8x12, 10x15, 12x18, 14x21, 16x24, 18x27, 20x30, 22x33, 24x36. By using sizes with the same ratios, your images will all look the same regardless of their size.
There can be any image ratio size you want if you are cropping (do not confuse cropping with sizing). Other popular ratios are -
1:1, which is square.
3:4, Easier here if you use a SHORT side that is divisible by 3. Decide what length you want the SHORT side to be - say 15". Divide 15 by 3 = 5, multiply 5 x 4 = 20". So, the LONG side of your 3:4 ratio print will be 20", based on the SHORT side being 15".
Again, if you're really math-challenged, here are some popular 3:4 sizes - 6x8, 9x12, 12x16, 15x20, 18x24, 21x28, 24x32, 30x40. Using this ratio, you will lose some image area from your original 2:3 DSLR image.
4:5 - Use the same formula as above, only substitute 4&5 for dividing and multiplying. Some examples of 4:5 sizes - 4x5, 8x10, 12x15, 16x20, 20x25, 24x30. This rectangle approaches square, but is quite lovely visually. You will lose even more of your original 2:3 ratio image by cropping 4:5.
Hope this helps. If you have any more questions, please ask.
I like Julieanne Kost's LR video tutorials. They are great for explaining how the tools work plus they are free.
http://www.jkost.com/lightroom.html
Posted by Bill Chambers on June 19, 2014 at 12:59 PM
I don't personally use LR as I don't care for it so I can't help you directly, but I've heard Mark Metternich (an NPN member) is an excellent instructor. You might want to contact him - Mark Metternich
PS - I don't know Mark except through NPN and I do not get paid for referrals.
Discussion
7 repliesI have wasted several months trying to post process clarity, color and cropping and I'm over it!
.75 a photo is what I am willing to pay. I have hundreds so if somebody needs the money or knows a college kid who does, please send them my way.
Thank you.
Joanne Richardson
coroinv@gmail.com
There has to be less expensive and time consuming way for you to get satisfactory images. So, I have some suggestions...
1. See if you can find a knowledgeable person near you who can sit with you and teach you how to use LightRoom.
2. Look at NPN's Instructional DVD's page to see if there is one that fits your needs.
3. Post one of your images in the NPN Critique Gallery appropriate for it and ask pointed questions, such as; 'How do I use LightRoom to sharpen my image?' or, 'How do I adjust the cropping Light Room?'
4. See what's available for tutorials at Adobe, or elsewhere.
5. This maybe should be #1: Use the F1 key (Help)--a lot. You won't break anything, I promise.
The key to creating a technically successful image begins with exposure. If you have good exposures, then the next step is to learn, really learn, how to use your editing program and develop a standardized workflow.
So, rather than hang up the phone, set a goal to work through this challenge. You'll be less frustrated and more gratified in the end.
We're here to help, so let us know what you need, and we'll do our best.
--P
http://www.amazon.com/Photoshop-Lightroom-Digital-Photographers-Voices/dp/0321934318/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1402146443&sr=8-2&keywords=lightroom+5
Another alternative is to look at the amazing tutorials to be found at Lynda.com - an on-line training library with Unlimited access to all 1,587 courses incuding Lightroom, Photoshop Elements, Photoshop CS, Wordpress & more. Subscription required. USD $25 per month or annually for USD $250 http://movielibrary.lynda.com/
Hope this helps!
Frederic in Montreal
Most DSLR's today have a ratio of 2:3. We'll use this ratio for an example. First, what does that mean? It means that for every 2" in length that you want the SHORT side to be, you'll make the LONG side 3". Simple. Read that again and again. Be sure you understand that concept. 2" on the short side will equal 3" on the long side.
Math-wise, it's easier if you keep the short side in even inches (2, 4, 6, etc). Here's how you figure out a 2:3 ratio with math: Decide what length you want the SHORT side to be - say 8". Divide 8 by 2 = 4, multiply 4 x 3 = 12". So, the LONG side of your 2:3 ratio print will be 12", based on the SHORT side being 8".
If you're really math-challenged, here are some examples of 2:3 ratios that you can use - 4x6, 6x9, 8x12, 10x15, 12x18, 14x21, 16x24, 18x27, 20x30, 22x33, 24x36. By using sizes with the same ratios, your images will all look the same regardless of their size.
There can be any image ratio size you want if you are cropping (do not confuse cropping with sizing). Other popular ratios are -
1:1, which is square.
3:4, Easier here if you use a SHORT side that is divisible by 3. Decide what length you want the SHORT side to be - say 15". Divide 15 by 3 = 5, multiply 5 x 4 = 20". So, the LONG side of your 3:4 ratio print will be 20", based on the SHORT side being 15".
Again, if you're really math-challenged, here are some popular 3:4 sizes - 6x8, 9x12, 12x16, 15x20, 18x24, 21x28, 24x32, 30x40. Using this ratio, you will lose some image area from your original 2:3 DSLR image.
4:5 - Use the same formula as above, only substitute 4&5 for dividing and multiplying. Some examples of 4:5 sizes - 4x5, 8x10, 12x15, 16x20, 20x25, 24x30. This rectangle approaches square, but is quite lovely visually. You will lose even more of your original 2:3 ratio image by cropping 4:5.
Hope this helps. If you have any more questions, please ask.
Nice explanation, Michael. I am sure Joanne will appreciate it.
Joanne,
What did you decide to do? We've given some good info for you to pursue, if you choose, but I'm just following up.
--P
http://www.jkost.com/lightroom.html
PS - I don't know Mark except through NPN and I do not get paid for referrals.