Totally Rad! | Photoshop Actions & Filters

Totally Rad! Tutorial: Customizing Your Filter Order in PicTapGo

jeremiah — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:25:22 +0000

Want to get even more out of PicTapGo? Then check out this mini-tutorial for customizing your filter order.

Customize Your PicTapGo Filter Order from Totally Rad! on Vimeo.

Lifeproof Giveaway!

jeremiah — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 19:10:51 +0000

Have you heard of Lifeproof? They make cases that take your mobile device from Tony Stark to Iron Man. Their products are water, snow, dirt and shock proof. If you’ve ever missed a photo because you were scared to bring your phone along, Lifeproof can make sure that never happens again.

To kick summer off a little early, We’ve teamed up with Lifeproof to give you the opportunity to win one of three incredible prize packs! Upload your best sunny-day photos to Instagram and tag them #PicTapGo_App, #Lifeproof and #Summerproof by midnight PST Sunday, June 23rd for your chance to win a Lifeproof iPhone case, accessory and a customizable skin. We’ll announce the winner on Monday, June 24th.

Photo by @sarahhayesphoto

Photo by @iheartkingston

Photo by @markerarts

Photo by @talledo86

PicTapGo Picks! 6/14/13

jeremiah — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:04:26 +0000

PicTapGo Picks! 6/14/13

Congratulations to this week’s PicTapGo Picks! featured photographers. Every week we watch the #PicTapGo_App hashtag for incredible images, and this week’s selection of photos is no exception. Thank you to everyone who shared their inspiring images this week.

Photo by @rikki_

Photo by @petroskaya

Photo by @jaime973

Photo by @amybphotography

Photo by @vimageryanddesign

Photo by @lexiwharem

Photo by @amolotovcocktail

Photo by @shampowpants

Instameet: #lajollacovemeet

jeremiah — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 01:13:02 +0000

This past weekend we sponsored the #LaJollaCove instameet, and it was INCREDIBLE. Thank you to all the inspiring members of the Instagram community who came out for a great afternoon of photography. It was an amazing chance to chat with our app users and get feedback on PicTapGo.

Here are a few behind the scenes images from Saturday’s photo shenanigans. Our snazzy mobile charging station even makes an appearance. To see the inspiring photos taken at the meet be sure to check out the #LaJollaCove meet hashtag on Instagram.

A special thank you to event hosts @tatum22, @diegoscott83 and @kylehahn. They worked hard to put together an awesome afternoon, and we seriously can’t thank them enough for it.

See you at the next Instameet!

I Am Hunter

admin — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:54:53 +0000

Hunter is a music photographer whose career has included creating portraits of Eric Clapton, Brad Paisley and Iron and Wine. He is a must follow on Instagram, where his feed gives an inside look into the exciting world of music photography, and showcases amazing imagery edited with PicTapGo.

“I picked up my first camera at 15, and started shooting bands right away. Photography and music have always been a strong passion for me. So, I figured out ways to combine them. Over the years I have shot for numerous magazines, record labels, and bands.”

What does mobile photography mean to you?

As a professional photographer utilizing mobile photography has become an important self-promotion tool. Being able to upload and share projects, as they are happening give an inside look to followers and future clients. People these days look for more then just the final product. They feel more connected when they can see the process in action. Being able to instantly update and show people what you are doing, where and with whom you are working has become important.

Another nice part of mobile photography is that it’s a moment, a moment in time, a moment to be shared. They are not always images that you would hang on your wall but they are a glimpse for others to see what you see and feel.

What is your favorite PicTapGo feature?

The first time that I got to use PicTapGo I instantly fell in love. The greatest feature is the ability to control the opacity of the filter and then stack the filters like layers in PS. [When] I got to the bottom where there was not one but many choices for B&W [it] brought a smile to my face. Finally, someone realized that there is more than one look for B&W.

This Beautiful World We Live In

admin — Thu, 30 May 2013 01:04:51 +0000

Sara Parsons is an incredible portrait photographer whose images are full of life. Follow her on Instagram, where her feed is a constant source of inspiration. As an added bonus, she just got 24 baby chicks, which adds up to a constant stream of cute.

“I’m a wife, a mother, a photographer, and just a girl who likes to find and capture the happy in this beautiful world we live in.”

What does mobile photography mean to you?

It means easy. I like easy. I love the simplicity of being able to quickly grab my phone, capture a moment, edit it with the amazing PicTapGo app and share it online. A moment that could have been lost and forgotten, has now been captured thanks to the easy accessibility of being mobile. That makes me happy.

What is your favorite PicTapGo feature?

My favorite features about this rad app are being able to adjust the opacity of each filter, and its ability to save your recipes. Genius I tell you.

I think my favorite filter would either have to be High Fives or Skinny Jeans. I will even use one of them when I’m creating a black and white image. It gives it that perfect faded feel, which I love.

Pick up PostalPix

jeremiah — Wed, 08 May 2013 00:32:27 +0000

Totally Rad! Review: Pick Up PostalPix

In today’s mobile world, we’re capturing an unfathomable number of images everyday. Not only are we taking more photos than ever before, but also photos are just as quickly being forgotten. Banished as a collection of ones and zeroes to a neglected hard drive. Luckily, PostalPix is here to help.

PostalPix is designed specifically to help you order prints of your photos from your iOS or Android device as quickly and easily as you take them. How to they pull off this modern marvel? By providing their services via a nifty app.

Pros

The PostalPix app is very user friendly and simple. You can order prints in just about the same amount of time it takes to post to Instagram. It is a great tool for capturing and printing life as it happens.

They provide a solid variety of size options in both square and 2:3 formats.

They offer neat additional products including aluminum prints, mouse pads and phone cases.

Their pricing is very competitive.

Cons

Honestly, PostalPix is great at what they do! I ordered the prints for the review, and when they arrived I ordered more for personal use.

Conclusion

Download the app, order prints, enjoy your memories. The good folks at PostalPix are even offering a 20% discount to the Totally Rad! Community to get you started. Just use the code totallyrad before the end of day Friday, 5/10.

Taming the Square

jeremiah — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 23:55:52 +0000

We shed a tear in 2002. That’s the year Hasselblad released their H System digital cameras, moving away from 1:1 square formatted cameras for the first time since 1948.

Why did we pour one out on such an important date in photography history? Because we love square format, and with the saturation of 35mm and 3:2 format digital, we saw it sliding into obscurity.

Luckily, we’ve seen a reversal in the past couple years, and square format is back on the scene, with a vengeance. Surprisingly enough, this change has been brought about because of the popularity of Instagram and toy cameras, but we’re not ones to look a gift horse in the mouth.

To help you re-master 1:1 formatting, we’ve put together a few handy tips for taming the square.

Know Where to Look

With the 3:2 format, the eye tends to go either side-to-side or left to right. All of this changes when you’re composing for a square. The eye tends to travel the 1:1 format in a circle. Keep this in mind when you’re composing your photograph. It will help you draw the viewer’s attention to where you want it.

Forget the Rule of Thirds

In every Photo 101 course, we’re taught the rule of thirds, and told, “When you master it, you can break it.” Well, if you’re shooting a square format, just forget it. Composition is radically different. Don’t be afraid to put your subject dead center. The frame has a nice balance, and you don’t need to worry about that extra horizontal or vertical space.

Fill the Frame

Remember that balance we mentioned in the last tip? Now we’re really going to drive it home. Unlike 3:2 where you have to worry about the uneven space around your subject, you can really fill the frame with a square. The format lends itself very neatly to tightly cropped portraits. One of our favorite examples of this is Irvine Penn’s portrait of Truman Capote.

Simplicity by Symmetry

Square format is elegant. There is no other way to put it. Aesthetically you can really play the balance by keeping your photos simple. You don’t need to worry about filling the extra space in a 3:2 format. Keep you photos simple, and it will give your images a masterful, timeless feel.

Shapes

The 1:1 format is very much a shape. You look at it and think, “square.” With 3:2 you never really recognize it as a rectangle, but the 1:1 truly shows off its shape. Don’t be afraid to play with this, and juxtapose other shapes within the square.

Bring Back That Loving Feeling

jeremiah — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 23:28:41 +0000

I’ve heard it that said the fastest way to get someone to give up a hobby is to pay him or her for it. I feel like this is a phrase every professional photographer can relate to well.

Just like every relationship, your love for photography takes work. It is hard to think of taking pictures as anything other than a job when your back is aching after 10 hours of shooting, or your eyes are bloodshot while editing at 3 a.m.

We have a few tips that will help you resist feeling burnt out with your art, and bring back that lovin’ feeling.

Take Mobile Photography Seriously

My iPhone helped me fall back in love with photography. Not only does it have a great camera, but also, more importantly, it is ALWAYS with me. In today’s culture, it is the social norm to document the day to day. If you’re feeling burnt out on photography, I would encourage you to get intentional with your snapshots. Whether you’re grabbing a photo of your kids or out with friends, think like a photographer when you whip out your smartphone. Remember all the little things you were learning when you first fell in love with photography without the pressure of an entire day of edits or anxious clients.

We just released an iPhone App called PicTapGo that can help with this tip. It puts the power of Totally Rad! in your pocket. Check out the details at PicTapGo.com or download it from the App Store. Also, make sure you follow our PicTapGo Facebook page and Instagram for updates and inspiring photos.

Dust Off Your Film Camera

Switch up your medium! A great way to mix-up your routine is to pick up your old film camera. It will help you remember the science of photography, and waiting for film to get back from the lab is more exciting than Christmas morning.

Start a Photo a Day Project

Photos courtesy of Melissa McMasters and Denise Mihalik. They were originally posted on our 365 project blog post in 2011.

Start a 365 project and take a photo every day. Not every photo will be a winner, but there will be some days where all the amazing things you love about photography will come rushing back. A 365 is a daily reminder about why your art is important.

Take a Photo Walk

Taken on a photo walk I took during my lunch hour. Edited with PicTapGo.

Stand up, grab your camera, and go for a walk. Take photos of whatever catches your eye. It is a great way to recharge, and use your camera in a no pressure situation.

Start a Big Personal Project

Bring back that PASSION by doing something just for you and photography, a great big romantic gesture. Go NUTS. This is the equivalent of flying to Italy to rekindle the flame. Start a portrait series that is going to take all year. Try a series of lighting setups bigger than anything you’ve ever tried. One example is how our very own Doug Boutwell is climbing 12 peaks in 12 months with his trusty Olympus and Capture Clip.

Photographer Feature: Corin Bishop

jeremiah — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 22:20:42 +0000

Corin Bishop Q&A

Ireland based photographer Corin Bishop has a true passion for the art of photography. His dedication shows in each of his stunning images. As a long time contributor to our Photoshop recipes site and advocate for Totally Rad! we couldn’t be happier to have him as this month’s feature photographer. We caught up with him for a few questions shortly after he won the Irish Professional Photographers Association (IPPA) 2013 awards for Best Children’s and Family Portfolio and Best Single image.

How did you edit the image above?
There is a quite a lot done to the images before editing in RADLAB mainly working on skin, hair, eyes and shading. Once the majority of the work was done in colour then I used RADLAB to enhance the image and make a Black & White. The competition images were being printed on Hannemulle Fine Art Pearl paper. I wanted to replicate the look of a toned BW print. So, I used RADLAB to enhance contrast then to reduce the dynamic range and then tone the image.

For contrast I used Obvious Glasses. For BW and partial toning I used Detroit BW, keeping the toning down low and working the midtone contrast and compression to get the overall ‘print’ look. A bit of EZ-Burn and then finally a bit of Warm It Up, Kris!. Playing with both the Detroit Tone and the Warm It Up, Kris! Allowed me to get an almost duo tone look. Once that was done I did a little more dodging and burning to suit.

What is your all time favorite genre of photography to shoot?
I love Child Portraiture. It’s deceptively hard to do but I enjoy the interaction with children and enjoy the challenge of getting them to engage (even if just for a split second!) with the viewer and me. Children have this wonderful ability to give you complete honesty in their portraits. They are not self-conscious like adults, they aren’t modifying their behavour for the photographer. Oh, they’re also soooo damn cute!

What about photography originally pulled you in? What keeps you shooting?
Seeing a photograph I took in a frame and on a wall. Lovely feeling. What keeps me shooting is pretty much the same thing. Seeing the end result being enjoyed and appreciated.

You’ve been a pro for a long time, what has been your favorite moment as a photographer?
[It’s] actually fairly recent favourite moment. It was winning the Canon Portrait Award in 2012 for an Irish charity called Happy Faces. It featured a little girl, Hannah, who was sick and had a feeding tube all her life. Through everything she’s always happy and smiling. I was so happy that her image won the competition. I can’t wait till she doesn’t have the feeding tube anymore and I can take her portrait again without it. Oh and we also raised €5000 for charity in the same event. (ps. the editing for that image was done with Totally RAD Actions too!).

If you could tell someone starting out just one thing, what would it be?
Learn about business. Professional photography is 95% business and 5% photography.

What is your favorite TR! product, and why?
RADLAB. I find it’s the perfect photography editing tool for the times we are in. It allows fast, creative and ‘out side of the box’ thinking. Everything it does can be done in Photoshop using curves, levels, blend modes etc. etc. but RADLAB saves you a lot of time. Most importantly it allows you to make that creative ‘jump’ to something new.