Monthly Archives: February 2014
Most of the images that I display at the art fair are captured in the time between sunrise and sunset when the light is soft and has that ethereal feel to it. Often when the sun has crested the horizon just after the soft light in the morning or in the few minutes just before sunset the sun rays will create wonderful shadows and highlights. When the sun is creating this play between highlight and shadows is a great time to capture images.
Three Windows of Charleston processed with Topaz software
The image below is the Raw unprocessed image.
Three Windows of Charleston-Raw unprocessed image
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Italian Photographic Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Clarity | posted in 2012 Magnolia Plantation and Gardens Photo Contest winners, Azaleas, Capturing Highlights and Shadows, Charleston Doorways, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Crape Myrtle, Nik software, Photographic Workshops, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Simplify, Windows
It has been a long cold winter in Michigan and the Midwest and I am looking forward to teaching this Spring in Charleston. In late March and early April the Azaleas explode with color to make Charleston a photographers Paradise. Hope you are able to join me for a little spring shooting time in one of my favorite cities.
Charleston Spring Azaleas – Horizontal
It hard to think about composition when looking at a stunning scene but that is what keeps us at a location when others stop for a few seconds and wander off. Sitting with a location as the light changes helps slow us down and allows us to capture that moment and carry it with us.
Charleston Spring Azaleas – Vertical
Hope you join me in Charleston for the spring workshop to capture some wonderful images.
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Nik Software, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Clarity | posted in 2012 Magnolia Plantation and Gardens Photo Contest winners, Azaleas, Battery Park, Charleston, Charleston Churches, Charleston Doorways, Charleston Graveyards, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Crape Myrtle, Cypress Trees, Depth of field, Dogwood Tree, Nik Software, Nik software, Slave Cabins, Topaz Clarity, Wisteria
Carnival in Venice starts today and as a photographer I can’t stop thinking that I should be there to capture and share the wonderful images of the costumed characters.
Cast Your Shadow – Venice Carnival
The soft light at sunrise for this image was wonderful and the shadows of the costumed character along with the shadows of the columns and archway make this one of my favorite images from Carnival.
The image out of the camera was great but I did used Topaz Clarity to boost the color and contrast in this image.
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Spring Photo workshop, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Clarity, Venice Photo Workshop | posted in Charleston Photographic Workshop, Florian - San Marco, Paul Christopher James, Venice Carnival - Photographic Workshop Tour, Vernice Carnival
In five weeks I will be in Charleston teaching and enjoying a little southern hospitality. Charleston is one of our oldest cities and perhaps and most historic city in the United States. With all of Charleston’s rich history one of my favorite locations to capture an image is at Angel Oak. This wonderful Live Oak is the oldest living thing east of the Mississippi and every time I capture an image of it I am amazed at by its grandeur. Nature always Trumps anything man can build.
Angel Oak – Charleston
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Spring Photo workshop, Digital Photographic Workshop, Nik Software, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Clarity, Tuscany photo workshop | posted in 2012 Magnolia Plantation and Gardens Photo Contest winners, Azaleas, Battery Park, Charleston, Charleston Churches, Charleston Doorways, Charleston Graveyards, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Charleston South Carolina, Crape Myrtle, Cypress Trees, Depth of field, Dogwood Tree, Photographic Workshops, Seagulls, Slave Cabins, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Simplify
The Florida Rookeries in mid March become a birders paradise with everyone jockeying for the best nesting spots. I am looking forward to spending a few weeks capturing images between shows before heading north to teach a workshop in Charleston.
Nesting Egrets Florida Rookeries
Watching the aerial ballet of the nesting pairs is a treat is worth spending time with for any photographer.
To process this image I used Nik software Tonal Contrast and added a Vignette in Color Efex Pro 4
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Spring Photo workshop, Digital Photographic Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Clarity | posted in Charleston Photographic Workshop, Florida Rookeries, Nesting Egrets, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Simplify
The dome silver metal pay phone on the left side of the arch is one of the icons that says this is Venice!
Yesterday was Valentine’s day and if you called late some of you were not able to make a reservation for their favorite restaurant. If anyone is in the doghouse for this a perfect way to bring back the romance would be to reserve the last two spots for the Charleston workshop March 30 – April 3. Springtime in Charleston is Amazing!!
Call for Reservations – Venice Italy
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Spring Photo workshop, Digital Photographic Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Clarity | posted in 2012 Magnolia Plantation and Gardens Photo Contest winners, Azaleas, Battery Park, Charleston, Charleston Churches, Charleston Doorways, Charleston Graveyards, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Photographic Workshops, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Simplify, Venice Italy Photographic Workshop
There are some images that I capture that just say romance and on Valentine’s day want to share one on my favorite romantic images.
Table for Two Venice-Venice Italy
What could be more romantic that sharing a gondola ride with the one you love and then having a romantic dinner on a Venice Canal. Hope everyone has a little romance in their life.
I have started planning a 2015 spring workshop in Venice, Italy April 24-28
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Spring Photo workshop, Italian Photographic Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Clarity, Venice Photo Workshop | posted in Gondola, Topaz Labs, Topaz Labs Adjust 5, Vaporetto, Venice, Venice, Venice Cafe, Venice Carnival - Photographic Workshop Tour, Venice Italy Photographic Workshop, Wisteria
When I am out capturing images the mornings will often bring gifts and it is just you and the light. These mornings do not happen every time but often enough. This was one of my all time favorite morning not just because of the light but because I was able to share it with a few others who wanted to see what the morning would bring.
Hopi Point, Grand Canyon Panorama
This image was captured in 2005 and I have just reworked the image with Topaz in CS6. Watching the light dance across the Grand Canyon was an exhilarating experience.
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Digital Photographic Workshop, Nik Software, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Clarity, Tuscany photo workshop | posted in Antelope Canyon, Hopi Point, Slot Canyon Photo Workshop, Southwest Photo Workshop, Topaz Photo Software, Valley of Fire
Revisit locations where you are interested in capturing images. Not only does the lighting and foliage change the subject but with a little work over a period of time your perspective of the images you choose to capture will also change.
Over the years I have past by these old cabins and have tried many times to capture them and every time I have not been happy with the images. My exposure and depth of field have always been correct but there was always something missing.
Plantation Cabins – Charleston
On this wet overcast morning I had focused on a fallen Live Oak tree with wonderful roots and vines weaved around it. After I had finished with the fallen Live Oak I was heading back to my car to head out for a late breakfast when looked through the water and trees and saw these old cabins as I had always wanted to see them. It felt like I was looking at a composition from a different time and breakfast could wait a while longer.
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Digital Photographic Workshop, Nik Software, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Clarity | posted in Charleston, Charleston Graveyards, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Crape Myrtle, Depth of field, Live Oak, Magnolia Plantation, Slave Cabins, Topaz Clarity
In a little less than two months I will be teaching and Capturing images in Charleston one of Americas most historic cities. There are many photographic opportunities when walking the historic streets with its wrought iron gates and wonderful doors.
Charleston Doors
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Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Digital Photographic Workshop, Nik Software, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Clarity | posted in Battery Park, Charleston Churches, Charleston Doorways, Charleston Graveyards, Charleston Photographic Workshop
