There are many terms used in photography that can seem a little baffling. As there’s so many different terms used, I will begin here with part 1 of this tutorial to explain some of the most common terms you may come across.

Crop factor

In the days before digital cameras, most SLR’s (film cameras) had 35mm film, the equivalent on a DSLR today would be considered ‘full frame’. The image sensors on most of todays DSLR’s are smaller (except, of course the full frame DSLR).

When taking photos with a DSLR with a smaller sensor, it shows a smaller area of the scene than a full frame dslr and so appears ‘cropped’. Depending on what size sensor your dslr has, the crop factor could be cropped by: 1.3x, 1.5x or 1.6x.

The image above shows what the crop factor would look like assuming the whole image was taken on a full frame camera.If you took the same photo with a dslr which had a sensor with a crop factor of 1.3x then all you would see is the part of the image within the black frame; a sensor with a crop factor of 1.5x within the red frame, and a sensor with a crop factor of 1.6x within the yellow frame.

Bokeh

If you’ve looked at a photograph, lets say, of  a portrait of someone taken with a dslr with a telephoto lens, and the photographer has used a low F/stop (to get a shallow depth of field), the background and the foreground will appear blurry and out of focus; that blurry and out of focus area is called the bokeh; you may of heard photographers use the term of a particular lens as having a ‘nice creamy bokeh’.

Bokeh can be particularly flattering with portrait shots,where it lets the subject stand out, perhaps from a cluttered background such as a crowd of people.

© A Webber

The reeds in the background in the image above, give a pleasant bokeh

Pixels

The word ‘pixel’ is made up from the words picture element. They are basically dots which are used to display images on a screen, or on printed matter such as a photograph. The total number of pixels in an image is referred to as its resolution, the higher the resolution the more difficult it is to distinguish between individual pixels.

© A Webber

© A Webber

On the image above of the falcon, I zoomed in on the eye to about 1300% until the pixels could be easily seen,when zooming in on a dslr with a lot lower resolution the pixels would appear much sooner. One of the advantages of a dslr that has a high pixel count is that it’s more difficult to distinguish between individual pixels.

Raw

In photography, a raw image file contains minimally processed data from an image sensor of a digital camera. A RAW file (sometimes called a digital negative)  can be compared to undeveloped film.

RAW files  are stored with metadata information embedded in them; containing  info such as the time and date the photo was taken, the camera model used, lens, shutter speed, metering mode and more. this can be handy when you want to compare your more successful photographs with those that are not.

For more information on RAW in photography check out our other post: Beginners guide to shooting in RAW

Camera Deals

Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18

The new flagship of the EOS Rebel line, Canon EOS Rebel T2i brings professional EOS features into an easy to use, lightweight digital SLR that’s a joy to use. Featuring a class-leading 18.0-megapixel CMOS image sensor and increased light sensitivity for low light photography, the EOS Rebel T2i also has an advanced HD Movie mode for gorgeous Full HD movies. Able to capture up to 3.7 frames per second, it’s ready to go the minute it’s picked up.

Was : $599 Now: $499

Fujifilm FinePix F505

Following in the footsteps of the award-winning FinePix F200 EXR and F300 EXR models, this latest recruit to the range is the ideal camera for discerning point-and-shoot photographers or SLR users who want to travel light but don’t want to compromise image quality and picture-taking versatility.

Was : $399.95 Now: $149

Nikon Coolpix P7000

The Nikon Coolpix P7000 is a compact, high-performance digital camera offering superb image quality and precise imaging control. An ideal traveling companion to your DSLR, the Coolpix P7000 will be found in gadget bags of advanced amateurs and pro-shooters alike.

Was : $499 Now: $280

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR3

Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-ZR3 digital camera features powerful zoom within a remarkably slim and compact body. Newly added is an AVCHD Lite movie recording function to make the versatile camera even truly “hybrid”.

Was : $279.95 Now: $198.87

Nikon 1 V1

For your very mobile lifestyle comes a completely new imaging system designed with freedom—to create and express—in mind. Creativity without boundaries is yours with a balance of high performance, advanced features, portability and newly designed interchangeable lens system. Compact and highly portable, the Nikon 1 V1 goes everywhere you go. Amazing images captured with a highly responsive autofocus plus super fast shooting speed.

Was : $899 Now: $849

Fujifilm FinePix F505

Following in the footsteps of the award-winning FinePix F200 EXR and F300 EXR models, this latest recruit to the range is the ideal camera for discerning point-and-shoot photographers or SLR users who want to travel light but don’t want to compromise image quality and picture-taking versatility. Superb results are assured with exciting new features including an innovative 16 megapixel EXR CMOS sensor, a 15x wide-angle zoom lens, Full HD video functionality and an improved user interface.

Was : $399.95 Now: $149

Kodak Easyshare M22

Share your fun simply. With its 4X wide-angle lens, this hot little camera from Kodak makes it simple to capture all the fun. Then press the Share button to upload your shots to your favorite sharing sites.

Was : $99.95 Now: $74.39

Lens Deals

Olympus 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 II AF

Olympus 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 II AF Zuiko Lens for Olympus Digital SLR Cameras

Was : $599 Now: $549

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM

Designed to deliver ultra-high quality images along with lightning fast operation, the new Canon EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS USM telephoto zoom lens brings a favorite zoom range to the celebrated Canon L-series of lenses. It features two Ultra Low Dispersion (UD) elements for improved image quality and reduced chromatic aberration, incorporates a floating focusing mechanism for sharpness from close up to infinity, plus an IS system that increases usability by approximately four stops.

Was : $2600 Now: $1449

Olympus 90-250mm f/2.8

Sports and nature photographers will love the versatility of this powerful yet easy to handle super-telephoto zoom lens, built specifically for digital photography. Its fast f2.8 aperture and impressive zoom range let you shoot moving subjects with confidence while its splashproof, dustproof design and all-metal barrel construction provide extreme durability in any environment.

Was : $6999.99 Now: $5999.99

Nikon 24mm f/3.5D ED PC-E Nikkor Ultra-Wide Angle Lens

The PC-E Nikkor 24mm f/3.5 ED ultra-wide, Perspective Control (PC) lens features tilt, shift and rotation capability which is perfect for architectural and nature photography. The lens gives a wide shifting range of plus or minus 11.5mm, with a tilting range of plus or minus 8.5-degrees.

Was : $2349 Now: $2199

Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM

This compact and lightweight EF 75-300mm telephoto zoom lens is ideal for shooting sports, portraits, and wildlife. The lens is distinguished by a newly developed micro ultra-sonic monitor (USM) that makes autofocusing quicker and quieter, along with an improved zoom mechanism that includes a silver ring on the front for a luxurious touch.

Was : $320 Now: $176

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens

Incorporating Canon’s Optical Image Stabilizer technology, this Canon 55-250mm telephoto zoom lens captures long distance, low-light shots far better than many comparable lenses, helping you photograph the far-off action of athletes or zoom in for an intimate portrait with a blurred background.

Was : $400 Now: $249

Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S VR

This high-power, high-performance 4.3x telephoto zoom with VR image stabilization lens allows better hand-held telephoto shooting ED glass.

Was : $669 Now: $589

Accessory Deals

Meade Standard Field Tripod

Was : $295 Now: $160.55

Benro C2580F Classic Tripod with Carbon Fiber Flip Lock Legs

Benro C2580F ultra-lightweight Carbon Fiber Tripod utilizes full magnesium alloy castings for greater performance, more stable vibration reduction and lighter weight than comparable aluminum alloys. Featuring the new BENRO twist lock and flip lever leg lock design, setup is faster and smoother than ever before.

Was : $502 Now: $339

You can pre-order the D800 from Amazon now.

From Nikon:

What does it take to render images perfectly? Sharp resolution? Subtle textures? Color fidelity? Tones so nuanced that the viewer wants to reach out and touch them? All of this is possible with the D800, Nikon’s newest FX-format D-SLR. Its groundbreaking 36.3 megapixels and the powerful EXPEED 3 image-processing engine offer imaging potential that rivals some of the best studio cameras, but with the agility and durability of a Nikon digital SLR body. Depict the slightest change in light or shadow, on a piece of jewelry or in the glow of human skin. Still images reach a completely new height with unprecedented depth and details, both indoors and out, and this is only the beginning. Nikon’s exclusive 91K-pixel RGB sensor enables the Advanced Scene Recognition System to detect human faces even when shooting through the optical viewfinder, adding even more of an edge to your AF, AE and i-TTL flash performance. If your workflow demands broadcast quality video with high-fidelity audio recording, D-Movie will satisfy even the most demanding clients. Moreover, the D800 shoots 1080p Full HD in both FX- and DX-based formats, offering cinematographers a liberating versatility. All of this works in conjunction with outstanding mechanical precision, as well as the exceptionally sharp and versatile NIKKOR lens lineup. Turn your imagination into stunning still images and spectacular video. Create something monumental. With the D800, you can.

Machu Picchu is a pre-Columbian 15th-century Inca site located 2,430 metres above sea level. Machu Picchu is located in the Cusco Region of Peru, South America. It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, which is 80 kilometres northwest of Cusco and through which the Urubamba River flows. Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti (1438–1472). Often referred to as the “Lost City of the Incas”, it is perhaps the most familiar icon of the Inca World.

Today I present you 25 breathtaking photos of Machu Picchu …

Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu, Peru by szeke

Entering Machu Picchu

Entering Machu Picchu by szeke

My little piece of land…

My little piece of land… by mtchm

Outside Machu Picchu

Outside Machu Picchu by szeke

Machu Picchu (The Lost City of the Incas)

Machu Picchu (The Lost City of the Incas) by Luke Redmond

Caracara part II

Caracara part II by wili_hybrid

Machu Picchu #1

Machu Picchu #1 by dachalan

Raining over the past

Raining over the past by Tati@

Admiring the view

Admiring the view by epicxero

The Caretaker’s Hut and Funeral Rock

The Caretaker’s Hut and Funeral Rock by Vincent Ma

|||

||| by lord the air smells good today

phuyupatamarca5

phuyupatamarca5 by Atle Brunvoll

Machu Picchu Overview

Machu Picchu Overview by magnusvk

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu by Tomer Arazy

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu by guillenperez

Sunrise

Sunrise by Julia Manzerova

Reconstructed Roof

Reconstructed Roof by nathangibbs

Machu Picchu SunRise

Machu Picchu SunRise by Felix_V

Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu, Peru by DaveAustria.com

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu by FranUlloa

First Light at Machu Picchu on the Winter Solstice

First Light at Machu Picchu on the Winter Solstice by Jessie Reeder

Condorigo

Condorigo by dirac3000

Like a paradise

Like a paradise by annais

MachuPicchu – muy temprano

MachuPicchu – muy temprano by ckmck

The Photographer

The Photographer by Guilherme Jófili

Antwerp, Belgium 105 – Het Steen (“The Stone”) castle

Antwerp, Belgium 105 – Het Steen (“The Stone”) castle by Claudio.Ar

Schloss Schwerin

Schloss Schwerin by saturn ♄

Daily Disney (Explored)

Daily Disney (Explored) by Express Monorail

Winter 2010 (Frontpage)

Winter 2010 (Frontpage) by Bert Kaufmann

Sunset over Castle Stalker ~ Loch Laich, Scotland

Sunset over Castle Stalker ~ Loch Laich, Scotland by Martin Sojka

St Vitus Cathedral, Prague

St Vitus Cathedral, Prague by szeke

WESTHOVE CASTLE

WESTHOVE CASTLE by Akbar Simonse

Cervena Lhota Chateau

Cervena Lhota Chateau by MarekP

The Dark Ruins of Dürnstein

The Dark Ruins of Dürnstein by TomOnTheRoof

Castillo de Butrón

Castillo de Butrón by Chodaboy

The Baroque Castle in Evening Snow

The Baroque Castle in Evening Snow by Stuck in Customs

Château de Chantilly – 24-12-2007 – 16h06

Château de Chantilly – 24-12-2007 – 16h06 by Panoramas

Toledo, el Alcazar de noche

Toledo, el Alcazar de noche by R.Duran

Fairy Tale …

Fairy Tale … by lapidim

Holsbeek, Belgium

Holsbeek, Belgium by fatboyke (Luc)

Sant’ Angelo

Sant’ Angelo by R.Duran

Bodium Castle Inside Out!

Bodium Castle Inside Out! by antonychammond

Eltz Castle

Eltz Castle by robert.molinarius

Scotland

Scotland by Moyan_Brenn (BE BACK ON 23TH FEB)

Morning Love at the Castle

Morning Love at the Castle by Stuck in Customs

AND DAY TUNRNED INTO NIGHT

AND DAY TUNRNED INTO NIGHT by Martin Gommel

Château de Saumur, France

Château de Saumur, France by szeke

1890 Trube Castle

1890 Trube Castle by ניקולס

Château de Chillon II

Château de Chillon II by filip.farag

Osaka Castle

Osaka Castle by Christopher Chan

Most of us keep our digital photographs on our PC or mobile/cell phone, or as printed images  in our photo albums. But there are other ways to display our photographic images. Here’s a few examples:

Photos on canvas

Why not print your photographs on to canvas instead of framing them? it’s simple and easy to do with a  home inkjet canvas printing kit. You’ll be able to print up to A4 size. They can look really cool on your wall. A beautiful and easy way to display your favourite photos. Take a Photo, print directly onto the canvas using a standard home inkjet printer and frame it.  Printing and framing at home can be done in under 10 minutes. Lightweight construction.

DIY box canvas kits turn your digital photographs into stunning photo to canvas frames in minutes. Simply select a digital photograph and print on a standard home inkjet printer using the frame canvas provided. Create stunning original canvas art from your digital photo library. Canvas prints by PhotoWrap make great gifts. Don’t keep your photos hidden away. Simply print and frame at home to create stunning wall art. Multiple images make a great photo to canvas triptych. Easily done with a Photowrap photo to canvas kit.

Tee shirts

Show your team’s spirit with these T-shirt Transfers. Get free templates from avery.com or use your own digital photos to create custom T-shirts for any occasion. Unprinted iron-on transfer sheets feed easily through most inkjet printers, and a new Color Shieldformula ensures crisp, long-lasting image quality and the brightest colors. Perfect for company picnics, charity events or family reunions, tailor-made T-shirts will help your group show solidarity. Quality results for a professional, fashionable look Use to personalize your T-shirts, hats, aprons and even bags Designed for use on light-colored 100% cotton/poly cotton blend fabrics Color Shieldformula means colors stay bright, even after being washed Get downloadable free templates and clip art images from avery.com Personalize your clothing and accessories

Fridge magnets

This 8.5×11″” LD glossy inkjet photo paper has a magnet on the back. You can cut these into any shape you’d like or leave them letter size. Print family photos for your refrigerator, or make your own bumper stickers! With a magnet on one side, and the glossy side water resistant, this 20 pack of LD paper is a great choice of paper for a wide variety of activities. Glossy side water resistant, instant dry, and 98% whiteness. Works with all inkjet printers.

Digital frames

Another great way to display your photos is with a digital frame.The X08C Hu-Motion is a Digital Photo Frame from NIX for those who want a straightforward and easy to use frame that does not compromise on the integrity of a high quality, hi resolution SVGA LCD Screen with LED back lighting. Importantly the frame will also play your MPEG-4 / .AVI video, JPEG photos and MP3 music. Its highlight feature is a ‘Hu-Motion’ motion detection sensor. This means that the frame will automatically turn on and off when you enter or leave the room and resume playing your photos, videos or music. Additional features include an auto rotate sensor that flips your photos 90 degrees when you physically rotate the frame. This optimizes the use of the screen for your portrait (vertical) photos. Ideal for showing off that holiday you just got back from! Remember that connecting the frame to external speakers via the audio jack allows for an even richer sound experience.

absolute

absolute by paul (dex)

Tower Bridge Blue Hour

Tower Bridge Blue Hour by TheFella

New York Times Square at Night

New York Times Square at Night by Werner Kunz

Head On Vancouver

Head On Vancouver by ecstaticist

Odaiba Bridge

Odaiba Bridge by Sprengben [why not get a friend]

New York New York in Las Vegas

New York New York in Las Vegas by Werner Kunz

Renee’s View III, Central Park at Night, New York City

Renee’s View III, Central Park at Night, New York City by andrew c mace

Wed, Sep 22nd – Defense !

Wed, Sep 22nd – Defense ! by Sylvain_Latouche

Landscape from kuwait city

Landscape from kuwait city by khalid almasoud

Amstel

Amstel by MorBCN

Parc Güell – Barcelona

Parc Güell – Barcelona by MorBCN

San Francisco Flyby

San Francisco Flyby by Stuck in Customs

Chicago Loop

Chicago Loop by doug.siefken

Boston in Red

Boston in Red by Werner Kunz

The Prudential Center at Night

The Prudential Center at Night by Werner Kunz

Just Before You Guys Rocked Up

Just Before You Guys Rocked Up by Matthew Stewart | Photographer

Tokyo – Magic Water City [Explored]

Tokyo – Magic Water City [Explored] by Sprengben [why not get a friend]

This Is Hong Kong

This Is Hong Kong by Sprengben [why not get a friend]

Underneath The Brooklyn Bridge

Underneath The Brooklyn Bridge by Rares M. Dutu

Downtown Vancouver Sunset

Downtown Vancouver Sunset by MagnusL3D

London from the Stone Gallery

London from the Stone Gallery by otrocalpe

Hong Kong from the peak on a summer’s night

Hong Kong from the peak on a summer’s night by Stuck in Customs

Tribute in Light

Tribute in Light by Barry Yanowitz

Madrid

Madrid by cuellar

Panoramic Elevation

Panoramic Elevation by ecstaticist

Camera Deals

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G3

Panasonic’s LUMIX DMC-G3 offers the benefits of a DSLR interchangeable lens system camera with a point-and-shoot camera’s compactness, light weight and simplicity. This reduction in size and weight is thanks to advancements in mirror-free viewfinder technology, and large DSLR format sensors that are more compatible with a new class of compact Micro Four Thirds (MFT) System lenses. This new class of Compact System Cameras (CSC) offers a weight and compactness not seen in traditional DSLRs, for greater portability and creative control. The DMC-G3 image resolution has been upgraded to 16.0-megapixels from its predecessor, the DMC-G2.

Was : $699 Now: $599.85

Sony Alpha NEX-C3

The NEX-C3 fits between Cyber-shot point & shoot cameras and α full-sized DSLRs.  Sony’s affordable compact interchangeable lens camera, the NEX-C3 is a step below the NEX-5 in video quality, but does have more MP @ 16.2MP vs 14.2MP of the NEX-3 and 5. Its easy to use interface provides powerful creative control for customers stepping up from compact cameras intimidated by DSLR complexity.

Was : $649 Now: $549

Olympus PEN E-P2

The new PEN, like the E-P1, is the world’s smallest 12.3-megapixel interchangeable lens system with In-body Image Stabilization. It blends the high-quality still images like that of a DSLR with High Definition (HD) video, stereo Linear PCM audio recording and In-Camera Creativity inside an ultra-portable body. Along with several new features, and eight in-camera Art Filters that can be applied to still images and HD videos, the result is mighty powerful and creative.

Was : $1099 Now: $479

Lens Deals

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6

Incorporating Canon’s Optical Image Stabilizer technology, this Canon 55-250mm telephoto zoom lens captures long distance, low-light shots far better than many comparable lenses, helping you photograph the far-off action of athletes or zoom in for an intimate portrait with a blurred background.

Was : $400 Now: $255

Rokinon 35mm f/1.4 Lens for Sony Cameras

The new Rokinon 35mm F/1.4 Aspherical UMC Wide Angle Lens is the most recent addition to Rokinon’s professional line of lenses, and it’s a beauty!  It is superbly constructed with spectacular sharpness and high contrast.  The Rokinon 35mm F/1.4 is the least expensive 35mm F1.4 lens in the market!

Was : $599 Now: $469

Panasonic 8mm f/3.5 ED Fisheye Lens

The Panasonic Lumix G Fisheye 8mm/F3.5 lens (H-F008) is a 35mm camera equivalent 16mm lens, and the world’s smallest and lightest* digital interchangeable fisheye lens compatible with the Lumix G Series, DSL Micro (DSLM) cameras.

Was : $799 Now: $629

Accessory Deals

Joby GM2 Gorillamobile Flexible Tripod

Was : $44.95 Now: $20.72

Patriot Signature 32 GB microSDHC Class 4 Flash Memory Card

Was : $84.99 Now: $41.95

Zeikos ZE-UV72 72mm Multi-Coated UV Filter

Was : $24.95 Now: $3.99

If you’re interested in getting into underwater photography, check out this beginners guide. If you’d rather just look at what other people have captured, then we present to you 25 Stunning & Beautifull Underwater Photographs …

Oceanic

Oceanic by Έλενα Λαγαρία

Coral abstract

Coral abstract by dachalan

Deep Blue Dolphin Love

Deep Blue Dolphin Love by LaPrimaDonna

Toni Frissell: Weeki Wachee spring, Florida, 1947

Toni Frissell: Weeki Wachee spring, Florida, 1947 by trialsanderrors

sunova-surfboards

sunova-surfboards by Sunova Surfboards

Star Attraction

Star Attraction by laszlo-photo

Spotted Eagle Ray formation, Keauhou Bay, Big Island, Hawaii.

Spotted Eagle Ray formation, Keauhou Bay, Big Island, Hawaii. by SteveD.

Cangrejo de Porcelana

Cangrejo de Porcelana by festeban

In The Blue

In The Blue by sharkbait

reef fish

reef fish by MPBecker

Black coral crab (Quadrella maculosa)

Black coral crab (Quadrella maculosa) by Erwin Kodiat

sea pen

sea pen by doug.deep

cathedral cave

cathedral cave by doug.deep

sunova-surfboards

sunova-surfboards by Sunova Surfboards

Hello There

Hello There by josh-n

starfish abstract

starfish abstract by doug.deep

Barracudas de Metal

Barracudas de Metal by festeban

Islas del Rosario

Islas del Rosario by sicoactiva

Happy Polar Bear

Happy Polar Bear by Jeff Kubina

les dents de l’amère

les dents de l’amère by Pixelicus

cuttlefish pair

cuttlefish pair by doug.deep

Silver moony / Monodactylus argenteus / ヒメツバメウオ

Silver moony / Monodactylus argenteus / ヒメツバメウオ by TANAKA Juuyoh (田中十洋)

Pez Payaso Timido

Pez Payaso Timido by festeban

Cave

Cave by N Gomes

“Pick me …. Pick me .. !”

“Pick me …. Pick me .. !” by Mr eNil

When photographing a scene such as a sunset or landscape, the sky can end up far brighter than the foreground. If  you don’t use (or forgot to use ) a neutral density gradient filter, then you could add  a neutral density gradient filter to your image with Photoshop elements.

Here I’ve used Elements 9, but this effect will also work with earlier Elements.

step 1

First open the photo (probably a landscape) in the elements editor, then press D to set your foreground colour to black.

step 1

step 2

From the layers palette choose gradient (it’s the half black/ half white circle icon).

step 2

step 3

In the gradient fill dialog box that appears, click on the downward facing arrow next to the gradient thumbnail. This will bring up the gradient picker, (shown below). Now double click on the second gradient from the left on the top, don’t click OK yet.

,

step 3

step 4

This puts the dark area on the bottom half of the image by default, so click on the reverse checkbox, this will reverse the gradient and darken the sky at the top of the photo and gradually fade towards the bottom.

At this point you can try clicking on the scale in the same dialog box and adjust the slider; this will effect how much the darkening will graduate down; from a smooth transition to a hard step transition. Also, if your horizon is not perfectly straight, then click on the line in the angle control circle and drag it round slowly in the direction of your horizon.

If your happy the way it is click OK. Your photo won’t look too good at the moment but stay with it.

step 4

step 5

Go to the layers palette and change the blend mode of this adjustment layer from normal to overlay.

step 5

step 6

Your photo should look something like this (below).

step 6

step 7

Unfortunately, the gradient will go right down to the bottom of the photo (where you don’t want it darkened), to correct this, go to the layers palette and double click on the thumbnail for the gradient adjustment layer to bring up the gradient fill dialog once more.

step 7

step 8

To control how far down the darkening will extend from the top of the photo, click once on the gradient thumbnail at the top of the diolog box, this brings up the gradient editor (shown below). Click on the top white opacity stop, (just below and to the right of where it says smoothness) and drag it to the left; the darkening effect will begin to move up your photo, stop when only the sky is effected, then click ok.

step 8

step 9

If the image still looks a little dark, go to the layers palette and click on the downward facing white triangle where it says opacity and drag the slider to the left to lighten it a little.

step 9

 Before editing……

© A Webber

….and after editing

© A Webber