Big Changes to Lightroom and Camera Raw Presets and more....

Big Changes to Lightroom and Camera Raw Presets and more....

Adobe have just released a huge update to the Lightroom CC Classic develop module and Camera Raw.

The Camera Profile settings have moved from the calibration panel at the bottom of all the panels to the very top now in the Basic panel.

I believe this is where they always should have been as, for those of you who have attended my Post-Processing Bootcamps will know, the Camera Profile is one of the first things to adjust. It gives you a nice head start in the direction you wish to take the image. Always thought it was strange to have it almost hidden away at the bottom.

Now though, there is so much more available with a grid view available of many Profile options.

Simple click on the Grid icon and a new range of profile options will be available.

The other major change to the Lightroom Develop module apart from the usual bug fixes and new camera support is the relocation of the Dehaze slider.

 This new moves also makes a lot more sense than having it hidden down in the Effects panel.

You can read more about these and other changes on the Adobe website here. 

The new features are only available to Creative Cloud subscribers for Lightroom CC Classic and Camera Raw.

9 Day Orangutans, Wildlife and Dayaks Photo Expedition with Mark Rayner and David Metcalf 9 - 21 April 2018

9 Day Orangutans, Wildlife and Dayaks Photo Expedition with Mark Rayner and David Metcalf 9 - 17 April 2018 Hi Everyone, Please join professional photographers Mark Rayner and David Metcalf on the trip of a lifetime to exotic Borneo (Indonesian Kalimantan) to experience something simply unforgettable – an opportunity to photograph and learn about the fascinating, endangered Orangutans in their natural environment. Click to watch video What springs to mind when you hear the word Borneo? Prehistoric tribes living in the forest, orangutans in the wild, exotic wildlife, giant hornbill birds or maybe wild Indiana Jones type headhunters roaming the impenetrable jungle rainforest? Well its not quite like this these days, but if you long for an adventure into Central Borneo to photograph orangutans, large proboscis monkeys, unique birdlife and have the opportunity to meet the local traditional Dayak people whilst sailing along an ancient river in a house boat and going to sleep surrounded by pristine rainforests, then this is the trip for you. Mark Rayner (Buffalo Master) and (Dayak) Dave Metcalf will be leading this fascinating and unique photography adventure in April 2018. Borneo (in Indonesia, known as Kalimantan), the Amazon of Asia, has a rich array of birdlife and wonderful primates including orangutans, which we get to see at close quarters. This is simply an unforgettable experience and one that will remain with you forever. But this is not all you will see. The shutters will be in overdrive as you witness the huge proboscis monkeys literally flying through the trees at dusk, from the comfort of our comfortable boat, known as a Klotok, as we glide up the river surrounded by the jungle. The immense beauty of the night sky in this wild and pristine place will no doubt captivate and inspire the creative photo-artist within you. We venture into the Tanjung Puting National Park, which is the size of Bali, and visit Camp Leakey where we will meet the orangutans face to face and have the opportunity to see how they live in the forest and photograph them in the wild. We also visit the education centre and learn about the future for their survival as a species. Watch for the huge native hornbills as they soar with their massive bulk through the Borneo skies as we glide along the black water lakes of Central Kalimantan witnessing the stunning afternoon light and brilliant sunsets in this ancient land. We also visit a floating village and meet the Dayak people who have lived in this area for thousands of years. The Dayak people are renowned for their beauty and graceful artistic dance and we have a very special event planned. A traditional warrior dance will be performed, just for our group, on a private island. A great photographic moment where you will have the opportunity to capture the elaborate costumes, array of feathers, colour, culture and watch a captivating performance of song and dance honouring their ancient past. This evening allows for a sharing of stories with the Dayak elders and learn something of their ancient ways and spiritual beliefs in their natural environment. This is an adventure specifically for photographers who want to photograph unique wildlife and experience the beauty and ancient lands of Borneo with like-minded people. Mark and David have a wealth of experience in tour leading and please be assured your safety and comfort are paramount at all times. “Life is not remembered by the breaths you take but those moments that take your breath away”. Please join David and Mark for many breath-taking moments and improve your photography skills, as we take you into the heart of Borneo to connect intimately with the Dayaks, the orangutans and exotic wildlife. For more information call Mark on 0459 221678 or for a complete day to day itinerary, pricing and booking please check out all the details on the Trekabout website here.

Confused by Lightroom lately - Don’t worry you’re not alone.

Confused by Lightroom lately - Don’t worry you’re not alone.

Recently Adobe launched another Lightroom and Photoshop update. If you are a Creative Cloud subscriber than the upgrade happens automatically and is part of your subscription fee.

Judging by the number of phone calls I have received this latest upgrade hasn’t been at all straightforward. 

At the same time as the upgrade Adobe released a completely new version of Lightroom and called it Lightroom CC. Yep, the old name we have all become accustomed to.

They also upgraded the old Lightroom CC and called it Lightroom Classic CC. Confused yet?

The naming protocol is a little strange and has, no doubt, caused a lot of confusion. Many people have inadvertently installed the new Lightroom CC and found themselves faced with something completely different. Collections gone, import completely different, folders gone etc. etc. Instant panic for many.

So to quickly set your mind at ease, if you have been using Lightroom CC you can continue quite happily on Lightroom Classic CC. Your catalogs will be updated and everything will be as it was before but with some new features.

So what is this NEW Lightroom CC. It is a fully mobile editing platform, quite powerful, but for most photographers who take and store large numbers of images the old / new Lightroom Classic CC will remain the standard editing go to.

The NEW Lightroom CC is a cloud based solution that stores your images on Adobe’s Cloud server. You receive 20gb included with your subscription but for most people that will be no where near enough. An upgrade of your subscription to 1tb will set you back around $10.00 month extra. If you run out of cloud space the images will be stored on your device until you run out of space or buy more Cloud space from Adobe. 

Lightroom CC is actually rather good. If you are used to using Lightroom on your computer you’ll be familiar with the tools available although they are arranged differently. However there is no plug-in support, no HDR, no Panorama stitching, no camera calibration, no file renaming, no print module, no mapping or geotagging, no sync settings and a number of others.

If you presently only use Snapseed, Pixomatic, Google Photos, Apple Photo or any of the myriad of editing apps available then Lightroom CC could suit you well. The icon has rounded corners.

If you presently use Lightroom on your desktop and love the ease of use, the powerful editing tools, multiple Hard Drives referenced in your catalog, the brilliant print module, integration with Photoshop etc. then you need to stay with Lightroom Classic CC. The icon has 90 degree corners.

Keep a lookout for my next Lightroom / Photoshop Post -Processing weekend in Caboolture, Melbourne or the Hunter Valley.

15 Day Eastern Sierras - California Photo Expedition - In the Footsteps of Ansel Adam - August 2018

15 Day Eastern Sierras - California Photo Expedition - In the Footsteps of Ansel Adam - with Mark Rayner

When : 27 August to 9 September 2018 

Check out the Trekabout Photography website here or call Mark on 0459 221 678 for a detailed itinerary and pricing.

California –  Yosemite National Park and the Sierras, A visual Journey,  In the footsteps of Ansel Adams

Please note this amazing trip is limited to maximum 7 photographers and already interest has been high.

14 Nights  15 Days
Starting in Los Angeles and finishing in Los Angeles

This photo safari with Mark Rayner will be an incredible experience for those interested in photographing some of the most beautiful landscape scenery in the world.


We will be following in the footsteps of Ansel Adams one of the most famous photographers in the world and learning from his techniques and vision.


Highlights include:

Photographing Death Valley, the lowest point in the U.S. Extraordinary colours, beautiful rock formations, dramatic cliffs, spectacular badlands vistas, high rugged peaks, soft textured sand dunes and contrasting salt flats.


Mammoth Mountain and river valley surrounds including several beautiful mountain lakes and dramatic canyons contrasting with the vibrant, spectacular fall (Autumn) colours. 

Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the United States (outside Alaska) and the surrounding Alabama Hills, a scenic treasure and magnet for landscape photographers.


Mono Lake, formed 760,000 years ago and home to millions of migrating birds, Mono Lake is a unique sight to see and photograph, producing different hues and colors at sunrise and sunset.


Bodie, the largest preserved (un-restored) ghost town of the west, dating back to 1877. We have special permission to photograph inside some of the old buildings. For those interested in the old west, it is fascinating wandering around the deserted, dusty streets with a wide-angle lens and soaking in the spirit of this historic wild-west town.

Tioga Pass, the highest pass in California and without doubt the most spectacular  with waterfalls, rivers, wildflowers, towering mountains and wildlife. We have allowed a full day to photograph the highlights of Tioga Pass, which ends in our highlight destination, Yosemite National Park and the place Ansel Adams spent 68 years of his life photographing. http://www.anseladams.com/ansel-adams-information/ansel-adams-biography/

Yosemite is a simply unforgettable experience – you experience nature at its finest. We will spend four days photographing the glacier carved valleys and mountains from many different angles - sunrise and sunset and at night under the full moon!

This trip has been planned to take in the beauty of the fall colours , just when the first snows of winter are arriving.
 

San Francisco – Next we're off to San Francisco where we spend two days to photograph the Golden Gate Bridge, the redwood trees and the wild windswept coastal scenery.
The more adventurous will have the opportunity to take a helicopter flight which actually flies under the Golden Gate Bridge.
Departing San Francisco we head south and take in the Big Sur. Fabulous coastal scenery with an abundance of wildlife and sea-birds will make this a fitting finale to our grand adventure.
We will be staying in comfortable accommodation including mountain cabins and travelling in our own private bus with ample time factored in to upload photos and learn from the review sessions with your professional photographer guide, Mark Rayner.This workshop is suitable for the beginner to advanced photographer.  Partners are welcome. Small group size (maximum 7 photographers) will ensure you have access to one-on-one tuition and guidance.

If photographing glacier carved valleys, crystal clear lakes, waterfalls, mountain wildflowers, authentic old west towns, one of the most unusual geological regions on the planet, Yosemite, vibrant fall colours with the backdrop of 14,000 foot mountains, abundant wildlife and birdlife interests you, then this is an experience you should be part of.  Please join us.

2018 - 9 Day Java - Volcanos and Ancient Kingdoms

9 Day Java - Volcanos and Ancient Kingdoms  Photography Tour and Workshop presented by David Metcalf and Mark Rayner 26 May - 3 June 2018 Take advantage of the stronger AUD and book now to secure your spot on this amazing photography workshop and tour.  Hi Everyone, Dayak Dave (David Metcalf) and Buffalo Master (myself) are pleased to announce our amazing adventure photography workshop and tour in Java is on again for 2018. The workshop is planned to show you the real culture and landscapes on the Island of volcanos. This workshop is designed to challenge you as a photographer, teach you new skills and techniques under the watchful guidance of Mark and Dave, capture some amazing Images and give you a great insight into culture of the mountain people of Java. This is a workshop not to be missed. Java is truly extraordinary. It is described as the most habitable and the most hospitable place in all of Asia, a veritable tropical paradise with stunning landscapes, soaring volcanoes featuring balding cones on top, forests in the middle and rice terraces below. Truly luxurious accommodation  We'll fly you to the historic town of Malang in East Java, one of Java’s hidden treasures, a large town of around one million people and a great base for exploring the area. Malang is a very well planned city with many parks, tree lined streets and old Dutch architecture. You'll be staying at the beautiful historic Tugu Hotel. We will start our photography adventure in the nearby bird and flower market and mix with the local friendly Javanese. We will catch the late afternoon light and do some street photography around the canals and small kampongs of this wonderful city. The Tugu is one of the most beautiful historic hotels in Indonesia and a photography project in its own right. Volcanos and Wild Horsemen Travelling in modified four wheel drives we'll visit Mt Bromo where you can catch a horse ride ( or walk ) to the top of the crater and photograph a live active Volcano. You'll see the Tengger horseman as they gallop across the sand sea, like a scene out of Lawrence of Arabia. We'll take you to visit the charming Tengger Villages in the area. The tengger are hobbit like and the last remaining group of Hindu’s in Muslim dominated Java. Very friendly they will invite us into their homes and we can get some charming portraits. . Temples from the Past Built in the 9th century during the reign of the Sailendra Dynasty, Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple in the world, is a spectacular sight and we will be there to photograph the star trails over this amazing monument, then the sunrise as the first light hits the many stupas. To the north and east, a majestic procession of Volcanoes soars to heights of more than 3000 meters, making for an unforgettable sight. David Metcalf, now living in Indonesia, has travelled extensively in Bali and Indonesia for the last thirteen years. In his younger days Dave and his wife Stephanie travelled 20,000 kms by bicycle through 12 different countries. Dayak Dave as he is known in Indonesia, due to his love and interest of the Dayak tribe of Kalimantan, has a great interest and passion for everything Indonesian and Bali in particular. Keep an eye out for Dave's book, Looking for Borneo, about his travels throughout Indonesia. Have a look here and order on line and help assist the children of Indonesia as 100% of all profits go to charity. The price for your Java adventure is USD $4900.00 (sole occupancy) Which includes: * All accommodation * All meals * All ground transport * All domestic airfares * Park fees A USD $500.00 deposit will secure your position. To find out more about this incredible photographic adventure and learning experience click on the link -> here To book, simply complete the form at the bottom of the page -> here or call Mark on 0459 221678. We'd love to have you along. Cheers, Mark Complete Day to Day Itinerary Day One     May 26      The group gathers in Bali for the first night where we stay at the beautiful Segara Village Hotel in Sanur. Dinner will be on the beach and a few cocktails to start the trip. Please note if the Volcano in Bali is causing some concerns the tour can start in Jakarta. We then fly direct from Jakarta to Malang, and finish in Jakarta. Day Two May 27    Fly to the historic town of Malang in East Java. Malang is one of Java’s hidden treasures, a large town of around one million people and a great base for exploring the area. Malang is a very well planned city with many parks, tree lined streets and old Dutch architecture. After checking into the beautiful historic Tugu Hotel we will start our photography adventure in the nearby bird and flower market and mix with the local friendly Javanese. We will catch the late afternoon light and do some street photography around the canals and small kampongs of this wonderful city. The Tugu is one of the most beautiful historic hotels in Indonesia and a photography project in its own right. We will dine in a special historic part of the hotel this night.  Day Three May 28    We will leave early in the morning and traverse by four-wheel drive up the western slope to the Mount Bromo area stopping to photograph in the villages on the way. With the surrounding Volcanoes as a backdrop this is one of the most spectacular landscapes on the planet. In fact there is no other volcanic terrain in the world that can compare to the spectacular Tengger region. We will stay that night at the Lava Lodge and catch the late afternoon sun as it casts its rays on the famous sand sea crater. An early night as we have a very early start in the morning. Day Four May 29  Up at 4 am and we will travel by jeep to catch the sunrise way up high above the crater below and photograph Mt Semeru Java’s highest peak at 3,676 meters. But there are many other Volcanoes in this area, it’s a sight that has to be seen to be believed. Dave has been to this area on five previous occasions (he loves it so much) and knows other different angles to photograph this amazing landscape. We will then head down to Mt Bromo itself and catch horses ( or walk ) to the top of the crater and photograph a live active Volcano and the Tengger horseman as they gallop across the sand sea, like a scene out of Lawrence of Arabia. Back to the hotel for lunch and a rest and then a visit to the charming Tengger Villages in the area. The tengger are hobbit like and the last remaining group of Hindu’s in Muslim dominated Java. Very friendly they will invite us into their homes and we can get some charming portraits. Late in the afternoon we will head back to the Tugu for a well deserved to rest and opportunity to download thousands of photographs! Day Five May 30   Early start to photograph the sunrise over the Volcanoes surrounding Malang and a visit to the Tea plantations and the workers in the fields. Back to the hotel for late breakfast and rest.  We then board the 4 pm train to Jogjakarta passing through some beautiful green countryside and relaxing until we arrive at 11 pm in this historical city. We then check into another beautiful, historical Hotel, the Phoenix, where we will stay the next four nights. Day Six   May 31  Yogya is one of the only two traditional court centers remaining in Java’s ancient hinterland. A small busy town Yogya is home to many educational centers and some fascinating street art. We will visit the Keraton, royal palace by becak and some good opportunities for more street photography, especially in the main street named Jalan Malioboro and we will visit the central market. The local market is a fantastic place for photography as the people are very friendly, and happy to have their photos taken. The colorful scene is amazing. Back to the hotel for rest and dinner as we will be leaving around 3 am to get to the largest Buddhist temple in the world. Day Seven    June 1st     Borobudur is a spectacular sight and we will be there to photograph the star trails over this amazing monument, then the sunrise as the first light hits the many stupas. To the north and east, a majestic procession of Volcanoes soars to heights of more than 3000 meters, making for an unforgettable sight. We will wander around the foundations photographing from different angles, so a wide-angle lens will be very useful. We will slowly make our way back to Yogya stopping for lunch at the magnificent grounds of the Mesastila resort, another wonderful place to photograph.  If the weather is clear (June is the best time of the year for good weather), we will see mighty Mt Merapi, the most active Volcano in the world and the spiritual heart of Java. There will be plenty to photograph on the way back as we pass through lush green valleys with waterfalls, and rivers flanked by steep hillsides.  Early night after such a long rewarding day. Day Eight    June  2nd   A full rest day, editing photographs, reviewing with Mark and Dave, some light room tips from Mark. In the afternoon we visit the visually stunning Prambanan, historical temples. In the evening we will photograph and catch the Ramayana ballet, a spectacular dance performance and very colorful.  Day Nine  June 3rd    Fly back to Bali or Jakarta direct from Yogya in the morning arriving back in Bali around 12 noon.