Resizing for Print?

So, I hear so many different things concerning pixels....

~Right Click Image and Open In New Tab or Window for larger view~

This is how I resize for print with out changing the Pixel size of my image. You just change the dimension of the image and the distance between the pixels. For example, if your images load to you PC at 48"x72" and 72ppi, then you have a 18mp image (or very close to). Printing an image at this size could turn out grainy and unpleasant. You can change that, by Image>Resize>Image Size and un-check Resample Image In Photoshop and PS Elements. Now Here is where people get confused, How do you change the PPI with out adding or removing pixels?? The answer is both confusing and simple. We will take the simple route. You have a set number of pixels and the only thing you want to change is how close together they are, this also changes the dimensions of your image, but does not change your total number of pixels. Imagine you have an even # of M&M's, and you need to lay them out in a rectangle or square. The bigger your rectangle or square, the further away the m&m's are from each other. This will cause a grainy appearance, or what is called Noise. So we want to arrange these M&M's so that they are in closer relation to each other, the dimensions of the shape will change (so instead of an 8x10 rectangle, you may end up with a 5x7[just and example, most cameras today will make images capable of much bigger prints, so don't let this fool you]) but your M&M's are much closer together, giving you a smooth and beautiful print. You have not added or taken away from your original number, just placed them closer together. I hope this makes sense, and can help clear up some confusion. 

So Long Thanksgiving!

And hello Christmas=) I was just too excited about doing Christmas photos for my girls to put it off any longer. And after seeing Propinsanity's post on how to do a festive backdrop, I ran with it. So here is my version. Of course I don't own a backdrop stand, or backdrops and my living room is tiny, so I just worked with what I have, which is an off white sheet and a wall to tack it up on, colored lights and a down comforter for the floor. Oh, and lets not forget, my very first piece of lighting equipment! A Soft box with 1000 watt 5 bulb continuous light=)

Not only did this little photo shoot get me great images for my Christmas cards this year, but I also learned a little more about Bokeh. Bokeh is something that I struggled with in the beginning, but after getting my 50mm 1.8 canon lens, it was easy as pie. The Key is to have your subject closer to you than they are to the background and have your aperture wide open, as much as possible. It takes a few test shots to get it just right, but the results are so great. bokeh makes me happy, like big bubbles of joy; I can not get enough. I shot these at 50mm f/2 shutter speed varied, I also had a continuous light.

Oh Fall, How I love you.

Halloween 'Ghost' Photography

I wanted to do a spooky Halloween shoot this year and this is what I came up with. I found a weird cement planter in our backyard when we moved in and that is what I used for these images. The costumes are just old white sheets I had hanging around the house, Its amazing what you can do without all the props.

Creating a transparent image in Photoshop Elements

I threw this together pretty quickly, I hope it is understandable for everyone. If you cant see what is going on, right click on the image and open in a new window or tab, It will show up larger and easier to read. I know when I was just starting on in editing software tutorials like this were a huge help. Please do not forget to save your Transparent Image File as .png in a folder you can locate later. Every time you need to place your watermark, open up your .png and drag the image unto your photo and adjust to your liking.

P.S. This is how I created my simple logo you see at the top of this blog=)