Category Archives: Adobe CS6

Gordes-Provence
Built on the foothills of the Monts of Vaucluse, facing the Luberon, Gordes is one of the most well known hilltop villages in the region, and one of the most beautiful in France. Its houses and buildings of white stone root themselves into the sharp cliff of the mountain, its labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets delights visitors and provide photographic opportunities.
The Luberon was one of my favorite shoots with W Stephen Johnson Gwyn Marschall Williams Jane Wilhelm Robert Parry Elizabeth Clasgens and Deborah Bondar bringing enthusiasm and laughter to the the hilltop villages and lavender fields.
Click here to get to my Links page for the 15% off discount code for any of the Topaz products
Like this:
Like Loading...
Leave a comment | tags: Digital Photographic Workshop, Italian Photographic Workshop, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Labs | posted in Aperture, Color Efex Pro 4, Focus Stacking, Gordes, Luberon, Nik Software, Paul Christopher James, Photographic Workshops, Photoshop CC, Provence Photo Workshop, Topaz Clarity, Topaz In Focus, Topaz Labs
“Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” -Charles Dickens

Charleston Lilies
Working on images of Charleston’s spring bloom has been a great way to warm me on the chilly winter mornings.
Charleston Photographic Workshop Tour
April 2 – April 6, 2017
Click here to get to my Links page for the 15% off discount code for any of the Topaz products
Like this:
Like Loading...
Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Clarity | posted in Adobe CS6, Azaleas, Charleston, Charleston Photographic Workshop, F-Stop, HDR, Mirror Lakes, Paul Christopher James, Time exposures, Topaz Clarity, Topaz labs
May 14, 2016 $75 Limit 8

Farmhouse Lilacs
Now that spring has arrived in Michigan there are a lot of photographers who want to dust off their cameras and spend a time honing their camera and processing skills, while capturing some great spring images. On May 14, 2016, I will be spending the day shooting and going over image processing in the countryside near my home in Chelsea, Michigan.
We will start the day at 9 a.m. with coffee, while going over camera functions, in Chelsea at the old farm house where I live and work. Then we will head out for some close up work. My neighbors raise horses and they have two Friesian foals that we will spend time with.
After a lunch break, we will go over image processing on the images we have shot, then head out for an afternoon shoot.
In the afternoon we will spend time at the Waterloo Farm Museum, where we will spend some of the afternoon shooting the buildings and some close up images. After a couple of hours at Waterloo, we will go back to work on image processing to wind down the day.
Click here to get to my Links page for the 15% off discount code for any of the Topaz products
Like this:
Like Loading...
Leave a comment | tags: Digital Photographic Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Labs | posted in Adobe CS6, Barns, Focus Stacking, Irises, Lightroom, Lilacs, Michigan Photo Workshop, Michigan photographic workshops, Paul Christopher James, Photographic Workshops, Poppies
Getting in and out of the Devil’s Fire was quite an experience. You have to travel on 30 miles of bad road before going off-road for another 20. There were a couple of spots when, although I did not say it, I was thinking “Oh Shit this could be a long walk back!”. My friend W. Steve Johnson and I made it in and out twice and we captured some spectacular images. I look forward to sharing this unique place with clients on our upcoming southwest trips.

Beggars Banquet – Nevada
Click here to get to my Links page for the 15% off discount code for any of the Topaz products
Like this:
Like Loading...
Leave a comment | tags: Paul Christopher James, Southwest Photo Workshop, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Labs | posted in Adobe CS6, Devil's Fire, Focus Stacking, Lightroom, Paul Christopher James, Photographic Workshops, Slot Canyon Photo Workshop, Southwest Photo Workshop, Southwest Photographic Workshop Tour, Topaz In Focus, Topaz Labs, Valley of Fire, Zion National Park
“Leaving on a Jet Plane” always runs in my mind the morning of a trip. This time I am on the way to our great southwest where I well to be spending time with good friends and family while capturing great images.

The Great White Throne – Zion National Park
Click here to receive $30 off Topaz DeNoise 6
Click here to get to my Links page for the 15% off discount code for any of the Topaz products
Like this:
Like Loading...
Leave a comment | tags: Paul Christopher James, Southwest Photo Workshop, Topaz Clarity, Topaz Labs | posted in Adobe CS6, Paul Christopher James, Southwest Photo Workshop, The Great White Throne, Topaz Clarity
Yesterday I was going through images to see what might work for the Art Fair jury process and the this early morning image of the Castle of Angels popped out. I had processed the image a while ago and it has been in the back of my mind for some time. I think the B&W version will make a nice jurying image.
The image has a little noise in it and used Topaz DeNoise 6 to eliminate the noise.

Castle of Angels – Rome

Castle of Angels – Rome
Click here to receive $30 off Topaz DeNoise 6
Click here to get to my Links page for the 15% off discount code for any of the Topaz products
Topaz DeNoise is designed to let you shoot anywhere in any light and still get crisp, clear and noise-free images. Specializing in extremely noisy high ISO images, DeNoise removes distracting image noise while preserving image detail, giving you the image you wanted without the noise you don�t.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Leave a comment | tags: Paul Christopher James, Rome photo workshop, Topaz Labs | posted in Adobe CS6, Castle of Angels, Italy, Lightroom, Rome, Rome photo workshop, Topaz BW effects 2, Topaz Clarity, Topaz DeNoise 6
Angel Oak is one of my favorite Charleston locations and I am looking forward to seeing her again.
In the morning I am flying to Charleston to start shooting and do a little image scouting before the workshop starts.

Angel Oak- The Oldest tree east of the Mississippi
For a list of upcoming Workshops click here
$20 off Topaz B&W Effects allows for stunning black and white conversion and contains unique features like authentic grain and darkroom inspired effects. The discount will reducing the price to $39.99 for the month of March. The coupon code is: MARBW click here
To Save 15% on any of the Topaz product Click Here
Like this:
Like Loading...
Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Spring Photo workshop, Italian Photographic Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Topaz Labs | posted in Adobe CS6, Angel Oak, Charleston Churches, Charleston Doorways, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Topaz BW effects 2
Wondering the side streets of Rome you will find wonderful shops and cafes where you can spend a few minutes to have a bottle of water and enjoy the beauty of Ancient Rome with your fellow travelers.

Rome Cafe processed with Topaz B&W Effects
All of these cafes in Europe will allow you to rest and use their facilities for the price of a bottle of water.
For a list of upcoming Workshops click here
$20 off Topaz B&W Effects allows for stunning black and white conversion and contains unique features like authentic grain and darkroom inspired effects. The discount will reducing the price to $39.99 for the month of March. The coupon code is: MARBW click here
To Save 15% on any of the Topaz product Click Here
Like this:
Like Loading...
Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Rome photo workshop, Topaz Labs, Tuscany photo workshop | posted in Adobe CS6, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Lightroom, Photographic Workshops, Rome photo workshop, Topaz B&W Effects 2, Tuscan Photo Workkshop, Venice Italy Photographic Workshop
When shooting in close for macro or close up images it is often difficult bringing everything into focus even at f/22 or f/32. The depth of field of an image will often come up short and leave parts of the image out of focus. This is when focus stacking becomes useful. This image was focused manually starting at the point closest to the lense and work my way into the image taking 4 exposures at different focus points. After taking the four exposure I blended them in Photoshop bringing the whole image into focus.

Focus Stacking in Photoshop CS6
The image below focuses on the flower pistil closest to the lens. I took 4 exposures at different focus points leaving the corners at the top soft to help draw your eye into the image.

1st of four focus exposure
For a list of upcoming Workshops click here
To Save 15% on any of the Topaz product Click Here
Topaz ReStyle is $20 off its original price of $59.99 (reducing the price to $39.99) coupon code ‘FEBRESTYLE’ click here
Like this:
Like Loading...
Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Matthaei Botanical Gardens, Paul Christopher James, Rome photo workshop, Smokey Mountain Photo Workshop, Topaz Clarity, Tuscany photo workshop, Venice Photo Workshop | posted in Adobe CS6, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Focus Stacking, Michigan Photo Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Photographic Workshops, Rome photo workshop, Smokey Mountain Photo Workshop, Tuscan Photo Workshop
The streams and waterfalls in the Smoky Mountains are great to photograph any time of year but when the Mountains are in their fall colors it is magical.

Fall in the Smoky Mountains
When working along the rivers I usually want to create a fluid movement and sharp focus through the image. When the light is a little brighter light a Neutral Density filter will give me a longer exposure. In low light conditions I can usually create this effect with a 3 or 4 second exposure without having to use the Neutral Density filters.

Man and Nature
For me watching the clients capturing images and having fun is the best part of teaching at any of the location. When capturing images whether you shooting a candid portrait or landscape timing is everything. You can see the enthusiasm in Steve’s face for the image he has just taken.

Having fun along the River
To Save 15% on any of the Topaz product Click Here
Like this:
Like Loading...
Leave a comment | tags: Charleston Photographic Workshop, Italian Photographic Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Rome photo workshop, Smoky Mountain Photo Workshop, Southwest Photo Workshop, Topaz Clarity, Tuscany photo workshop | posted in Adobe CS6, Cades Cove, Charleston Photographic Workshop, Fall Colors, Fall Smoky Mountain photo workshop, Greenbrier, Gregg Cabin, Gregg-Cable house, Lake Michigan Lighthouse photo workshop, Little River Road, Michigan Photo Workshop, Paul Christopher James, Photographic Workshops, River time exposure, Rome Photo Workshop, Slot Canyon Workshops, Smoky Mountain Photo Workshop, Southwest Photographic Workshop Tour, Spring Smoky Mountain Workshop, Topaz Clarity, Tuscan Photo Workkshop, Venice Photographic Workshop Tour