Astronomy

Perspective control lenses are as vital to the architectural photographer as their cameras, the ability to control converging verticals in this particular field of photography is a given. For most of us, however, a PC lens is way beyond what we can justify paying for a lens that may not see much action. There is however, a software solution, using plugins for programs like Aperture or Lightroom or using Photoshop’s own built in perspective control abilities, namely the Lens Correction filter. As with all software based techniques, it should be stated that the effect will never quite match that of using the “real deal” however for the most part it is a very useable alternative. Before we go any further, lets explain why we need perspective control. As you will know, very often, in order to get an entire structure in frame, you will need to tilt your camera upwards. This causes, what we call “converging parallels” or the effect that the two sides of the building you are photographing are coming together like railway tracks in the distance. Whilst this can be used for creative good, often we are trying to get a more natural feel to the image, as our eyes would see it. For this we can use perspective correction. Ugly converging parallels in the original image. Photo by the Odessa Files So lets open an image in Photoshop and get started. The image you wish to correct must have some space around it, top bottom and sides. This is because we are going to use that space to straighten the verticals. We also need an images that does not have too steep a converging vertical. So with the image open, from the Photoshop menu select Filter – Lens Correction. The image will open in a new window with a number of tools around it. Get Your Horizon Straight! The first thing we will do is make sure that the horizon is straight, there is no point in correcting the image if you have a wonky horizon. To do this we will use the straighten image tool, which is the second tool down on the top left of the window. What we do, is find a horizontal part of the image at around eye level and click and drag a line along it. This will bring the horizon straight. To aid us with this, make sure you have a Grid overlay switched on. This can be done from the bottom of the window by checking Show Grid. Straightening the image. Photo by the Odessa Files  Next from the tools on the right, click on the first tab called, Auto Correction. Underneath you can select your camera model and lens model. This will apply corrections for any distortion you lens may have. Auto-correcting lens distortion. Photo by the Odessa Files Now Move Onto the Verticals Now click on the second tab, Custom. Ignore the controls at the top, we are looking for the Transform controls at the bottom. The most important of these is the Vertical Perspective control. To use the tool click and drag it left or right. For the most part you will have verticals that are converging upwards, to correct this, slide the slider to the left until the main verticals in your image are upright. You may also have Horizontal Perspective issue, these occur when the camera is not parallel to the subject. Use the horizontal slider to correct this. Correcting the vertical perspective. Photo by the Odessa Files   You may now have found that important elements of your image have been cropped out. In our case the cross on the first dome. In the image we have spare space at the bottom, so to bring the cross back we will use the Scale tool. Sliding this left will zoom the image out returning our cross but as you can see there are now problems at the bottom. These we will simply crop out. So lets finish with the Lens Correction tool by clicking OK. This returns us to the main Photoshop window, where we can see, the canvas showing through at the bottom. To remove this, select the crop tool and resize the image as required. Image now needs cropping. Photo by the Odessa Files The final result is a perspective correcte

Western horizon as seen from Adelaide at 5:45 pm ACST on 24 May, when Venus and Mercury are closest. Similar views will be seen from the rest of the southern hemisphere at the equivalent local time. Click on any image to embiggenWestern horizon as seen from Adelaide at 5:45 pm ACST on 26 May, when all 3 planets are within a circle 3° across.Western horizon as seen from Adelaide at 5:45 pm ACST on 28 May, when Venus and Jupiter are closest.Western horizon as seen from Adelaide at 5:45 pm ACST on 31 May, when all the planets are in a straight line.Over the next week there will be a beautiful sight as the three planets Mercury, Venus and Jupiter dance around each other in the twilight.You don't need a telescope to see this, just your eyes. The conjunction is quite close to the western horizon though, you will need a level, clear horizon to see it at its best. Ocean or desert is best, or somewhere high.The planets will be between 4 finger-widths (4 degrees) and a bit over a hand span (7 degrees) above the horizon half an hour after Sunset. A hand-span is the with of your hand making a "stop" sign when your arm is held out straight in front of you.Although half an hour after Sunset is the best trade-off between visibility and hight above the horizon, I found I could see Venus and Jupiter at least 25 minutes after Sunset, you might like to try looking earlier too. Successful photography will have to wait until the sky is somewhat darker so the planets are not washed outMercury and Venus are closest on 24 May All 3 planets are within 3 degrees of each other on 26 and 27 May, then Jupiter and Mercury are closest on 27 May, Jupiter and Venus are closest on 28 May. Finally all 3 form a straight line on 31 May.The simulations exaggerate the size of the planets. This photo is more like what you will see only the planets are brighter and clearer with the unaided eye.Venus and Jupiter as seen from Adelaide on 17 May, 2013. Imaged with a Canon IXUS, 1/4 sec exposure, ASA 400 3x Zoom at 5:55 pm ACST. Jupiter is the dot at the top right, Venus is bottom left, indicated by the yellow lines. You will need to click on the image to embiggen to see Venus clearly.A video of the encounter is below:

After images are added to the database they are cataloged to provide metadata. Note that the number of records returned by the link will be less than the number of newly cataloged photographs if some of those cataloged photographs have no digital image available.

Images are added to the database prior to being cataloged for metadata. This makes them available for viewing while the catalog process is in work.

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It’s been a really exciting week in the world of photography and Toad Hollow Photography has been searching everywhere for the very best links to share here.  This week’s comprehensive list contains some terrific tutorials, reviews, collections, special features, great photography and interesting blogs, enough to keep the avid enthusiast busy for quite some time!  The Toad hopes you dive right in and enjoy this list as much as he did in bringing it to you. Caznaeux Tree Flinders Ranges South Australia by Jacqui Barker, on Flickr TUTORIALS How to fix skin tone in Photoshop: Video tutorial – this 10 minute video tutorial takes the viewer through the process of using a curves adjustment layer and its associated making layer.  Lee Brown’s comprehensive tutorial shares techniques that can be used in many other ways during post-processing, expanding the horizons of those who view this presentation. Posing Tips: Expressions & Hats – a great article by Joe Farace that discusses the how’s and why’s of the importance of facial expression and props like hats for portrait photography.  This brief post shares some great insights into the topic, with the points being useful for a wide range of work. How to Get the Perfect Photo of a Steaming Cup of Coffee – this 5 ½ minute video tutorial shows the viewer how to stage, light, compose and capture that quintessential steamy cup of coffee shot.  Commercial photographer Robert Grant takes you on a detailed and entertaining journey through the entire process, with phenomenal results. Camera Settings for HDR Photography – this ten minute video presentation takes the viewer through the basic steps to get into HDR photography.  Richard Harrington and Abba Shapiro host this feature, both of them leaders in the field. REVIEWS Gitzo Series 1 Traveler 6x Carbon Fiber Tripod & Markins Q-Ball Q3 Traveler Ballhead – Edith Levy writes and delivers a completely comprehensive review of this tripod and ballhead combination, sharing some great insight into how versatile and stable these units are.  Use cases and features are discussed here, producing a well-rounded article that covers the topic. SPECIAL FEATURES The Body in Nature: Unusually Beautiful Photographs – the human body has been used as an art subject since the beginning of art itself, so it’s highly unusual to come across a body of work that takes on an entirely different perspective of how the body imitates the natural world through a composition focusing on the abstract.  The black-and-white photographs by Arno Rafael Minkkinen are just this, with many of the pieces leaving the viewer with many questions left unanswered. Silhouettes in a Giant Moonrise, Captured Using a 1200mm Lens – the compression effects introduced by lenses with super-long focal lengths are exploited in the creation of this picture.  As a full moon crests over a hill, Philipp Schmidli positions himself almost a mile away and has a bicycle and rider ride in front, producing a striking result.  This is an absolute must-see post in this week’s list. Camaro cruise in Cary – Jason Knight brings us along on an incredible adventure where we get to take in all the wonder and character of a car show dedicated to the notorious Chevrolet Camaro.  Jason’s incredibly large collection of photographs features broad views of the cars as they sit as well as a terrific series of detail shots focusing on some of the finer personal elements of the cars. The Wonder Stuff – Islington Academy – Mark Blundell works his magic behind the lens at a rock show in the UK.  Mark does a terrific job in creating this set of photographs, showcasing the musicians in their natural habitats and their incredible personalities as they go about the business of entertaining a energetic throng. Incredible High Speed Video of Lightning Captured at 11,000 Frames Per Second – super high frame rates produce incredible slow mo

Basket Weave by Jeff Burton captures the intricate weave of a handmade basket. #photo #photography #art #photog

<p><a href="http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap130518.html"><img src="http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/calendar/S_130518.jpg" align="left" alt="Once the famous" border="0" /></a> Once the famous</p><br clear="all"/>

Each week we compile the best articles posted to Light Stalking, weekly photo contests, notable forum topics and great shots uploaded by our rapidly growing community of photographers.  When you consider all of this activity on Light Stalking these days, as well as our rather huge audience each month, it’s easy to see how important and helpful content can be missed.  So, here is the best of Light Stalking this week: Photo of the Week Congratulations to Takeuchi Kuu for this dramatic and amazingly composed photo of the week, ‘Startrails of Mt. Shimen’!  You can comment on this photo here. The Most Popular Stories from the Last 7 Days •10 Ways to Change Lives Through Photography (And Where You Can Start Today)  – Photographers, as people, are a diverse lot and we all have our reasons for engaging in this particular art form.  Some of us are interested in documenting our family life.  Some of us are photographers because it grants us a much needed hobby or diversion.  Some of us earn our living taking photos.  Some photographers are immersed in many visual art forms and photography is only part of their artistic puzzle.  Whatever your reasons for taking photographs, you can use your skills to help others.  The ideas in this article are a great place to start if you are interested in practicing some photographic philanthropy.  Your skill level doesn’t really matter here since everyone can find ways to make a positive impact via their art.  Also, there are many ways to be of service to our fellow man that don’t involve the exchange of money.  Perhaps, giving of our time and talents is actually more challenging and therefore more meaningful. •Rural Photography – The Road to the Forgotten: 16 Gorgeous Photographs – The saying “One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Treasure” is certainly true for photography.  While there are many people happily nestled into their rural homesteads, there can something of an underbelly to rural areas.  Many long-ago abandoned homes and barns can be found if you are paying attention.  Photographing these sites, if you are really brave, can be a very exhilarating experience.  Just be careful not to get arrested or die under a collapsed structure! •Review: Shooting Stars – How to Photograph the Moon and Stars With Your DSLR by Phil Hart – If you’ve ever wanted to take amazing photos of the night sky, but weren’t sure where to start, or even if you are already practicing this form of photography but want to learn more, then this book is for you.  Chock full of gorgeous example photos and easy to understand charts and diagrams , this book takes the intimidation factor out of learning a new form of photography.  Photographers are visual people and the author of this book really caters to the visual learning style. •Case Study: An Example of One Photographer’s Workflow – Most of us probably have thousands of photos sitting on our computers.  If we aren’t careful, chaos and disorder can quickly take over and make our workflow much more complicated and frustrating than it needs to be.  You can always, through trial and error, establish your own workflow.  Likewise, you can just continue to wade through the photographic clutter on your computer and feel frustrated as a result.  If you do find yourself to be currently in the chaos camp with your photography workflow, perhaps it will pay off to learn from someone else’s experience and practice a little bit of emulation.  This article walks you through the process of downloading, organizing, selecting, processing and backing up your photos. What You Missed in the Light Stalking Community Submit your photo to this week’s photography challenge – Light!  You can hardly get more open-ended than this when it comes to photography.  Light , or the lack of it, can be used and interpreted countless ways.  Do you have any photos to share with us that demonstrate what light can do? We have had some great responses

There is a minor geomagnetic storm on NOW (yes, it's still daytime) from a glancing blow from a coronla mass ejection. If the activity lasts until nightfall, then Tasmania and Southern New Zealand may see aurora. However, the light of the waxing Moon will make seeing aurora difficult, and you will need to be in a dark sky site to have a chance of seeing aurora. Look to the south, looking for unusual colours or breams of light.A second coronal mass ejection will impact us sometime after midday on Sunday May 19, quoting the Australian IPS space weather:SUBJ: IPS GEOMAGNETIC DISTURBANCE WARNING 13/07ISSUED AT 0300UT/18 MAY 2013AST CENTRE. A full halo earthward direcBY THE AUSTRALIAN SPACE FORECted CME was observed on 17-May withy. This may increase geomagnetic activity to Minor Storm levels, withestimated arrival midway through 19-Maperiods at Major storm level from mid 19-May and into early 20-May. The magnitude of the storm will depend on the orientation of the magnetic field in the CME. INCREASED GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITYEXPECTED DUE TO CORONAL MASS EJECTION FROM 19-20 MAY 2013 ___________________________________________________________ GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY FORECAST19 May: Minor Storm20 May: Active to Minor StormAurora could potentially be seen as far north as southern Victoria and Northern New Zealand. Again, aurora could occur at anytime during these storm periods, Moonlight will interfere until Moonset in the early hours of the 20th. Dark sky sites are best, and you should be looking south for unusual colours or beams of light.