Photoshop

Enhance detail and atmosphere with the Orton effect

Cwm Idwal waterfall, in Snowdonia North Wales, at sunset in winter edited with the Orton effect

Discover an advanced method of applying the Orton effect that keeps file sizes small and image quality at its best. I developed this refined technique myself in response to upgrading to a higher resolution camera, which meant the original technique created huge file sizes when saving layered images as TIFFs. And also, to deal with the problem of crushed shadows. This version solves both of these issues for the best results possible, and the tutorial works for Both Photoshop and Affinity Photo.

Read moreEnhance detail and atmosphere with the Orton effect

Shoot sharper landscape images

Crummock Water Long Exposure Stack

Capturing pin-sharpness throughout a scene – from the foreground to the distant background – is often the photographer’s aim when shooting landscapes. For wider scenes where the foreground interested is a few metres away from the camera you can usually get away with shooting a single image at f/11 – f/16 on a full-frame camera, or f/8 – f/11 on APS-C. With these settings and correct focusing front to back sharpness is possible in a single shot, but what about when the foreground interest is closer to the camera and you need both this and the background in sharp focus? The simple answer is to use focus stacking to achieve sharper landscape images.

Read moreShoot sharper landscape images

Frequency separation retouching tutorial

Frequency separation retouching in Photoshop tutorial

There’s always more than one way to achieve an effect in Photoshop, but why use anything but the best? And for portrait and fashion retouching, that’s frequency separation retouching to maintain skin texture. Check out the video and written tutorials below…

Read moreFrequency separation retouching tutorial

Moody landscape photography

The lone Buttermere tree at sunrise on a moody morning

Moody landscape photography is equally as popular as bright and colourful landscapes because let’s face it, the weather doesn’t always play ball when you’re out shooting. In this short guide we’ll take a look at some of the key elements of shooting moody landscapes, as well as an editing technique that’s guaranteed to make your moody landscapes more dramatic than ever before.

Read moreMoody landscape photography

How to create a hazy desaturated matte effect in Photoshop

How to create a desaturated matte effect in Photoshop

How to create a hazy desaturated matte effect in Photoshop. Learn two techniques to add a matte effect and haze – the effects can be used individually or together, and work well with all images. Portraits and landscapes in particular benefit from these awesome techniques. We’ll also take a quick look at one of the most effective desaturation techniques because it works perfectly with a hazy matte style.

Read moreHow to create a hazy desaturated matte effect in Photoshop