Been trying to improve my PS Skillz lately. Wanted to try incorporate some texture into some of the wedding pictures. I guess I was just trying to be too arty-farty. As expected, the attempt was rather unsuccessful. It isn't that bad but did turn the picture into some sort of painting.

I'm not really into all this extreme photoediting but since I've got some time on my hands I thought it would make it nicer in the album if there were a couple of special effect shots. Since I do go through with the clients first before I send to print, I don't think it'll do any harm.

My biggest problem is actually getting the right colour for a particular effect. I've seen textures done superbly by Jesh de Rox (Oh how I envy his PS skills). This guy is an absolute genius in creating what he calls 'Experiential Photography'. I think this is a whole workflow, from the point of shooting to the post-processing. I thought doing this sort of thing just wouldn't work, but the first time I saw Jesh's site, I was gobsmacked. If ever I got married again, and I had the dosh, I'd fly him here to Malaysia to shoot my wedding.

Anyway, because of this dude, I've actually started to learn PSCS2 for once. Before this, 90% of my work was in Bridge. I'm a workflow freak. Trying to do as much as possible as easily as possible as fast as possible. Never really entered PS unless I really needed to clone off some unwanted stuff in the picture. Other than that, everything was done from Bridge. I just set up actions for almost everything. Sharpening, B&W effects, Printing Preparation, etc. Now, I'd like to delve in deeper into PS to try and figure the various tools they have in there. It'll take a bit of time to learn the stuff but since my new job in the govt. I've found I have a bit more time for this sorta thing.

So, if any Photoshop expert actually reads this blog (I don't think anyone actually ever visits this blog...HAHAHA)...please do email me any tips on actions or plug-ins or whatever that you think might be useful for weddings and portraits in general. I'd really like to learn more on what works and what doesn't. I'll give it a go myself but any help would be appreciated.

Until the next post.

Lata.