Month: December 2009
Quick Tip: Photoshop Shortcuts
Yesterday I taught you how to assign F Keys to your actions. But another cool thing you can do is assign those same Keys to other stuff. As you may know, Photoshop has numerous shortcuts built in. Everything from bracket keys (increase/decrease brush size) to D and X (to set colors to default and swap…
Quick Tip: Editing Faster in Photoshop
Have you ever wished you could click a button and have Photoshop do your work for you? If you own Photoshop Actions and a Keyboard, it is almost that easy. You can assign your actions to “F” keys on your keyboard. Most keyboards have 12 F Keys. Some have 15 or more. You can also…
MCP’s Answers to the December FAQs
A while back, when my email box was overrun and I was unsure how to answer every question, I decided I would do monthly FAQ posts. I have spent the last few months compiling a comprehensive list of FAQs for my new website so I thought I would share these with you first. These are…
Blueprint {Sort Of}: Too Beautiful Not to Share
Kelly Moore Clark sent me these before and after shots using the MCP Bag of Tricks. Normally for a Blueprint, I like to share the exact steps taken. Unfortunately she did not tell me all the details of her step by step. Since I know she used the Bag of Tricks, I can make some…
Tips for Photographing Christmas Lights
Thank you to Julie McCullough for these great tips on taking snapshots of kids in front of the light of the Christmas Tree this holiday season. Tips for Photographing Christmas Lights To me the beauty of the Christmas Tree shines through in pictures when the tree’s lights are on and that requires some dim or…
FREE Photoshop Actions Holiday Gift From MCP
FREE Photoshop textures and a FREE texture photoshop action: Thank you to all my loyal Blog readers, friends and fans. I appreciate each and every one of you. To show my appreciation, I love making a FREE Photoshop action to share every year at the holidays. This year my Free action set is called Texture…
Introducing MCP’s New Website
MCP Actions is proud to announce our NEW Website. Our new blog should be here in the next few days to two weeks too. YAY! New MCP Website features include: * Instant downloads of actions and workshop information (on purchases made after Dec. 17, 2009) * Easy-to-navigate site design * Wish list and compare product…
6 Tips on Using Natural Window Light Creatively
Thank you to MCP Guest Blogger Sharon Gartrell for this post teaching how to feather window light. This should come in handy as the temperatures drop. Using Natural Window Light Creatively Winter is now upon us and many of my fellow natural light photographers are bemoaning the loss of the beautiful scenery and warm weather.…
Blueprint: Add Drama to Your Edits
Sometimes I like to have a bit of drama in my edits. I would say that I add drama by bringing out details and adding contrast simultaneously. For this Blueprint, I wanted to create a really moody effect. Cropped 1st – yes – often you will hear that you should crop last. But rules are…
1000’s of Free Photoshop Textures
Textures can turn an ordinary photo into an extraordinary one when you use the right texture on the right image. Learn where to find thousands of free textures and also how to apply them to your photographs.
Are you doing what you love?
I am sitting here waiting on word that the credit card system is integrated and that I can test my site and go live. I know I said you might not hear from me until then. But I missed you. And I was just thinking… I love what I do. I am grateful that I…
The Countdown Begins…
The countdown begins… I wish I could tell you exactly when I will “launch.” While I am uncertain, I can tell you that my NEW Website is anywhere from hours to a few days away. I would say at the earliest tomorrow and the latest next week. The sooner the better – but I do…
6 Tips on Photographing Hanukkah Candles
To all those who celebrate Hanukkah, Happy Holidays! Today, Sarah Ra’anan , a portrait photographer in Israel, is teaching you how to capture beautiful candle light from a menorah as well as other candle light. I absolutely love photographing our Hanukkah candles, and over the years I have experimented with different methods. Here are some…
Back Up Your Photos & Your Actions Too!
My daughter came home from school the other day and had lost her gloves. Wonder if I can go back to Target and ask them for a new pair? I left a phone charger in a hotel room. Maybe AT&T can “give” me a replacement? A hula hoop got left in the snow and cracked,…
MCP Blueprint: A Cowboy Before and After
Here is another edit I did for my role as a contributor at I Heart Faces. This photo was submitted by Jenna Thomas. She felt the photo was a little bright and needed to be toned down a bit and she wished the colors were more vibrant. She also felt like it might be overexposed.…
Tips for Shooting in Low Light, No Flash
Thank you to Julie McCullough of M Studios Photography for this Guest Post on Shooting in Low Light without a Flash. Images by M Studios Photography, Julie McCullough | Karen Drake. Shooting in Low Light, No Flash Have you ever been asked to shoot an event or any photograph and cringed because the lack of…
How to Price Wedding Photography {A Free Guide}
If you shoot weddings or want to get into wedding photography, this free pricing guide will teach you how to make money doing what you “love.” Learn how to sell, market and price your images, albums and time.
FREE Holiday Cards & Referral Cards
Thank you to Elena from EW Couture Collection for this incredible selection of FREE Holiday Cards and Referral Cards for MCP Readers. There are three separate downloads and many exciting designs. To download the cards click on each corresponding image. These files are HUGE so it may take a few minutes for the downloads.
Fixing Roots & Hair Color in Photoshop
Fixing Roots & Hair Color in Photoshop: Have you ever wondered how to easily adjust the color of roots or even the color of hair in Photoshop? This tutorial will help you out. Thank you to Melissa Papaj for this super easy Photoshop tutorial teaching how to do a Quick Dye job in Photoshop. Once…
Blueprint – Subtle Edits for a BIG Impact
Some photos take a lot of editing, while others just need a few quick clicks of the mouse. Here is an edit that was done in about 30 seconds or less. Started by cropping. Then used “All in the Details” Tinted action. Masked detail layer completely off skin. Then used “All in the Details” Flashlight…
Working with Nonprofit Organizations to Promote Yourself
Thank you to Shuva Rahim, our guest blogger today, who is the owner of Accent Photographics. Shuva focuses on lifestyle images of children, families and weddings in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. She has worked with the March of Dimes, American Heart Association, and is currently doing a photo charity in partnership with the Children’s…
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