In my next 3 videos, I introduce some of my favorite tips and editing tools, such as how I use the Orton effect, adjusting contrast locally, and sharpening images for the web and for print. In my Orton video, How I Use the Orton Effect I explain my method for creating the Orton Effect, and do it as an action. You can follow along and have the action all made and ready to go by the time the video is finished. I explain how I use it, as well as some alternative Orton Effects that I sometimes use. I also explain how to use these in combination with luminosity masks. I explain how to sharpen for web as an action as well in Sharpening Images For the Web and For Print. In Local Contrast and Brilliance I demonstrate 3 different ways that I adjust the micro-contrast, or localized contrast in my images. 

In my final video, Raw Preparation, Hand Blending Mulitiple Exposures Using Luminosity Masks, and Depth of Field Blending, I take you through a complete edit of two of my images from the RAW stage to finish, putting most of the techniques described in the previous videos to the test. We start with the easier blend of the two, “Winter Morning Palouse”. First, I talk about the “in field” technique I use for shooting multiple exposures. Then, I demonstrate various RAW adjustments I make to the images before the blend, and then take you through my hand blending procedure using luminosity masks. From there we move on to Photoshop for some finishing touches and artistic effects. With the second of the two images, “Palouse Lupine Rays”, we go through the entire process of blending an image for both depth of field and dynamic range. With this last example, I start by going over my “in field” technique for capturing the different exposures needed for both the depth of field blend and the dynamic range blend. From there, I talk about RAW adjustments, and then I demonstrate how to blend multiple exposures for depth of field in both Photoshop and Helicon Focus. Next, we work on the dynamic range, blending multiple exposures by hand with luminosity masks. From there, we move on to blending our final image, and then work on the final image in Photoshop, making adjustments for contrast, color, and applying some of my favorite tools for artistic effect.