Thursday 28 November 2013

Guide to HDR (High Dynamic Range) Photography


If you’ve ever taken photos of a subject under sunny skies, where the brightness and contrast range are high, the chances are you either lost details in the subject or the sky is blown out. This is because the difference between the brightest and darkest areas, or Dynamic Range, is too wide that you can’t capture them both in a single shot. In this article, we will explain the HDR approach to overcome this problem.

 First of all, let’s start with understanding “Dynamic Range” in photography. Dynamic Range described the ratio between the brightest and darkest areas. Our eyes far surpass in distinguishing the brightness than the camera. The human eye can see a range of approximately 10,000:1, while a digital camera can capture about 1,000:1. Conventionally, one would expose for the object and the sky blown out, or expose for the sky and the subject is totally dark.

At the core concept of HDR is taking two or more bracketed photos – which is photos of the same subject with varying shutter speed or aperture combinations to cover a wide range of luminosity of the subject. Then, using a post-processing software such as PhotoDirector to blend the photos together and create a single image with the most lit and colors of the subject.



What you will need to create an HDR image:

For best results, here is what we recommend:


1.      A digital camera, with or without Auto Exposure Bracketing function. If it doesn’t, then a tripod is a must. Without Bracketing, you can manually change shutter speed and aperture settings between each shot. But, you have to make sure, your camera is still (no movement between frames) or the photos won’t line up in the editing software.

2.      A tripod or any other type of stabilizer. This is highly recommended for best results.  If your camera is equipped with Auto Exposure Bracketing, you can shoot without a tripod. Make sure you set the shutter to high speed continuous mode to minimize movement between frames. When you blend the photos, PhotoDirector comes with image alignment feature, which will only work to certain extend. The best plan is to take all measures for a stable sequence of shots.

3.      HDR photo-blending software (PhotoDirector). There are a number of different programs out there, in this tutorial, we will be using PhotoDirector. It sports six different photo-blending algorithms going from a more realistic to surrealistic look, you should be able to achieve the look you want.


Once you have all the equipment, it’s time to go out and take some pictures. Here are a few tips for getting good pictures:

  • For intense contrast, such as sunrise or sunset, take several photos of different exposures in manual mode to make sure you capture a wider range of light.
  • HDR and exposure bracketing is meant for still subject. You won’t be able to capture a moving subject easily. Choose a scene that isn’t going to move drastically for at most 10 second.
  • Choose a high speed memory card. Faster write speeds will help reduce the time your camera takes to store your shots
  • Shoot in RAW for better quality.
  • Take 3 or 9 photos of different exposure to make sure you cover all the light range. You don’t necessarily have to blend all of them in PhotoDirector, sometimes blending 2 or 3 photo will produce the optimal visual effect.
  • Experiment and play around with it. It takes time and patience, but once you get the feel, you can have lots of fun with the artistic effects.


How to blend photos using PhotoDirector

First of all import the bracketed shots to the library:
 

Select Edit and choose “HDR” on the left panel:
 

Drag and drop photos into the main panel. You can merge up to 5 bracketed shots. In this example, I will merge 3 photos: one underexposed to capture color of the sky, one for midtones and the last one for highlights.

 

Select a main photo and click on merge to process HDR.
 

You can further adjust HDR effect using the quick preset selection or manually adjust the Glow, Edge, Detail, and Tone to bring out the HDR effect you want. Don’t be afraid to try, nothing will be changed on your original images.

 
Once you are happy with the result, click on “Save”. When you return to the PhotoDirector main interface, the HDR photo will be automatically imported to your library.
 
Usually in the HDR result image, dust spots become more obvious. So, make sure to clean up the spots using the the Clone/Heal tool:

 

And now here is the final image:
 



 


Wednesday 27 November 2013

Eight Ways to Capture Your Best Holiday Memories on Video

 
Let’s face it: most holiday home movies are dreadful no matter how hard we try to make them entertaining. Usually the scenes are too dark, the audio is inaudible and shots of endless holiday decorations, table settings, presents and stockings without explanation or proper context are…well…boring. Your home videos should focus more on actual moments – the look on your son’s face when he meets Santa for the first time, your daughter making snow angels and your cousins drinking and laughing by the fire. Below are eight tips that will help you create holiday videos that are entertaining, poignant and fun – memories that loves ones will want to watch and share for a lifetime.
Tip One: Focus on People, Not Scenes
  • Most people make the mistake of filming several minutes of specific scenes: the perfectly set holiday table, the flickering fire, the blinking lights on the Christmas tree. Truth is, too much scenery is boring and generic – it lacks the personal connection and pizzazz of real moments. The rule of thumb is only keep 3-5 seconds of scenery in your videos juxtaposed with real moments that are either meaningful or hilarious. Go ahead: capture your grandmother singing “Santa Baby” after a few too many eggnogs. Film the dog struggling to take the faux reindeer antlers off his head or your brother proposing to his girlfriend by the tree. These moments matter way more than scenery.
Tip Two: Turn off the Zoom
  • To get better sound and video quality, turn off the zoom. If you shoot zoom across the room, you will end up with an unprofessional looking video. So walk over and get your close-up instead.
Tip Three: Engage Your Subjects
  • Get your subjects to open up and share their thoughts and comments – nothing is more entertaining than friends and family sharing spontaneously. When filming, ask them open-ended questions that encourage deeper responses such as “Dad, what was your favorite Hanukah gift of all time?” or “Aunt Bea, where did you get the Christmas wreath?” 
Tip Four: Play with Different Angles
  • To get a varied, beautifully shot video, play with different camera angles – rather than just holding the camera at chest height all the time. For example, if you are filming a holiday dinner, hold the camera high over your head so that you can capture the table full of guests. When opening presents with the kids, film while sitting on the floor with them so you can capture their facial expressions and moments of joy.
Tip Five: Capture the Quirky, Not-so-Perfect Moments
  • Be on the lookout for the not-so-perfect moments – the dishes piled up in the sink after a hearty meal, the dog sniffing the tinsel on the tree, a crying toddler on Santa’s lap. People die of boredom while watching the perfect pristine scenes in most holiday videos. The best family moments and “remember when” memories usually start with quirky or awkward-at-the-time experiences that will have everyone laughing – in a good way of course!
Tip Six: Time for Close-Ups
  • Your family and friends have unique personalities which typically show in their faces – expressive eyes, crinkled foreheads and loopy grins capture the right moment at the right time. So don’t forget to get close-ups of people’s faces in your video when they are reacting to something. This may be the only time you can capture the priceless look on your daughter’s face when she gets her first Barbie Dream House. 
Tip Seven: Don’t Forget to Edit
  • Most likely you will end up taking way too much footage and a good chunk of it will be useless. That is why you need to edit your videos before showing them. This will give you a chance to really make the memories come alive by cutting out footage that is out-of-context or too boring to engage your audience.
Tip Eight: Video Editing Software is Your Friend
  • You don’t have to be a professional videographer or a technical wizard to edit videos. Nowadays, video editing software is made for regular people who want to take and share professional quality videos. Look for PowerDirector at www.cyberlink.com. This software is easy-to-use, affordable and turns dull home movies into memory masterpieces with just a few quick minutes of editing. 
Don’t have PowerDirector yet? Download a FREE 30-day trial here.
Disclaimer: CyberLink software is provided “AS IS”. CyberLink is not responsible for lost data, wasted time, or damages to your hardware. CyberLink reserves the right to share your personal information with our marketing partners. By using CyberLink software, you waive your rights as a consumer. You further agree to allow CyberLink software to collect data from your computer, including, but not limited to: browsing history, e-mail addresses, and personal media files.

Saturday 23 November 2013

FRIDAY FUN - Fall Foliage

The changing foliage never fails to delight us. Take some photos of fall before all the leaves are gone.

Wednesday 20 November 2013

Eight Tips for Better Holiday Photos





The holidays offer plenty of photo opportunities for all. Even if you aren’t an experienced photographer, you can capture beautiful Christmas and Hanukkah memories by following these eight simple tips and techniques.


Take Better Family Portraits and Group Photos
  • Take a lot of these photos to increase your odds of capturing the perfect one. Usually someone blinks or sneers or moves at the wrong time – making the final photo look awkward. Most people hate getting their picture taken in group or forced settings so the onus will be on you to make this a fun experience for all. If everyone is relaxed and happy, chances are, they will look their best.

Capture Spontaneous Moments
  • Within a split second, a scene can change – a toddler can go from joyful one moment to a crying mess the next. So make sure you are prepared to capture the best stolen and magic moments. Do be sure that your camera is on hand and that your battery is fully charged. And don’t be afraid to be appropriately assertive with your photo-taking endeavors: shoot quickly and often.

Know When to Use Flash
  • The best rule of thumb for using flash for holiday photos is this: don’t use it for indoor photos but do use it for outdoor photos. Indoors, the light from flash units can produce harsh, cold light, making your subjects look older and mottled in photos. If you are shooting indoors during the day, ask your subjects to stand near a window or a door with natural light streaming through. If you are shooting indoors at night, make sure you have as much light as possible – turn on available lights and lamps. This will help avoid unflattering photos and reduce other problems like red-eye.

  • Using flash outside can result in breathtaking photos. The bright day flash can bring a stunning illumination while filling in the shadows and harsh contrasts.

Capture Reflections
  • Holiday photo opportunities bring new ways to capture the reflections of Christmas lights and candles. Look for interesting splashes of color, shadows and other graphic elements. You will be surprised at where you can find beauty when you least expect it.

Make the Lights Really Shine
  • When taking photos of Christmas lights, if you intentionally blur them, you can end up by taking a fabulous looking photo. Simply set your camera to a slower shutter speed – like 2-4 seconds – then move the camera while taking the picture. 

Invest in Photo Editing Software
  • Photo editing software is now easier to use than ever – you don’t have to be a professional or the technical wizard to use it. By investing in the right software, like PhotoDirector you can brush to perfection, eliminate red eyes and stray hairs, crop unwanted subjects – the possibilities are endless.  Don't have PhotoDirector yet, you can download a 30-day free trial version.
 
Make it a Gift
  • Holiday photos make beautiful, sentimental gifts that are often cherished for a lifetime. Why not pick out some beautiful frames, get some quality inkjet paper if you shoot digital and get ready to give some of the best gifts of the holiday season.




Saturday 16 November 2013

CyberLink PowerDirector 12 Wins International CES Innovations 2014 Design and Engineering Award

At CyberLink, we are extremely excited to share this great news:  PowerDirector 12 has been awarded with the prestigious CES Innovations 2014 Design and Engineering Awards in the Software and Mobile Apps category.


With the emerging wave of photos and videos that are becoming self-expression and storytelling tools in the new form factor, consumers and prosumers are looking for a new breed of software that can deliver creativity and enjoyment from traditional desktop PCs to portable devices such as notebooks, convertible devices and tablets. PowerDirector 12 is the first video editing solution that provides the best experience of the both worlds. PowerDirector 12 provides users with intuitive, powerful and professional video creation tools to enjoy cross-platform video editing experience. Moreover, with PowerDirector Mobile, a Windows 8 app for touch-friendly Modern UI, users can complete their video editing and sharing on-the-go, or further editing videos on desktop mode.

What can we say? We are extremely honored!

The complete news:
CyberLink PowerDirector 12 Wins International CES Innovations 2014 Design and Engineering Award



FRIDAY FUN - Take a photo of your pet

Pets are adorable in every way and they have expressions too. Take a photo of that special family member at home.

Wednesday 13 November 2013

Tips on Making a Holiday Family Home Movie

 
Making a holiday family home movie can be an incredibly rewarding experience that will ultimately yield a cherished keepsake for generations to come. For beginners and other non-professionals, the filmmaking experience can be frustrating if proper planning and core techniques are not followed. To that end, here are some simple tips that will not only help create vivid professional-quality videos but also guarantee a fun time for the whole family:
Create a Basic Storyline
  • To make sure your holiday home movie is cohesive and entertaining, create a basic story that will set the framework for your movie. You don’t want to be left with random shots of Christmas trees, Aunt Edna’s fruitcake and melting snowman all mixed together without any context. Creating a basic story does not require the talent of a Hollywood writer. You just need to determine an overall theme, a beginning, middle and end to give your movie some structure. Consider adding voiceovers if you want a more specific narrative to accompany your film.
  Plan Some Scenes In Advance
  • Once you decide what the structure will look like, think about specific scenes that fit into your framework. You could open up your movie with taking the kids to buy the Christmas tree. The middle part could consist of wrapping gifts, attending Christmas pageants and Midnight Mass and staying up late to wait for Santa. Cap off the end with a fun holiday dinner as the children play with their toys. Of course, you will want to weave in spontaneous scenes too but planning in advance will add more of a storytelling component and make it more enjoyable and memorable for others.
 Play “Roving Reporter”
  • Talk to people in your video and get their thoughts on what is going on around them. If your husband is making a snowman for the kids, ask him if he is having fun. Or if you daughter is sitting on Santa’s lap, ask her what she wants for Christmas. Try to get some shots beforehand while she is waiting in line for Santa at the mall. Many years from now, you will look back on these days as some of the best times of your life – so capture the little snippets that make it so memorable.
 Shoot Beautiful Background Scenes
  • Don’t forget to capture beautiful scenes – the lighting of a Christmas tree, the snow-covered yard, a church choir singing lustily and the bounty of a holiday meal. People love watching meaningful visuals so think of this like taking pictures. Take a few set-up shots of an event before the actual event – for example, film a festive holiday table before people sit down to eat or film people heading into Midnight Mass before it begins. Take footage that captures the feeling of where you are and sets the right scene and tone.
 Don’t be too Intrusive
  • Remember that not everyone loves having a camcorder in their face. Try not to film people eating or having an intense private conversation. Remember to be subtle and respectful about personal boundaries during your film adventure.
 Get the Right Tools
  • Using a tripod makes a tremendous difference in the quality of your film output. Sometimes breathing or subtle body movements can result in a shaky final video. So consider using a tripod when filming holiday plays or concerts, falling snow and the opening of gifts on Christmas morning.
 Editing Is Key
  • Don’t forget to edit your video. Proper editing makes all the difference and can turn a boring, long-winded film into a highly entertaining and sought-after keepsake that people watch every year. Chances are you have taken way too much footage already – some of it may not be particularly watchable. Edit out sections that aren’t core to your central story. Today, video editing is easier than ever with the right software so don’t be intimidated to use it even if you are not overly technical. CyberLink makes easy-to-use, affordable video editing software so using PowerDirector would be a good place to start. 
Don’t have PowerDirector yet? Download a FREE 30-day trial here.
Disclaimer: By using CyberLink software, you agree to allow representatives from CyberLink Corp to access all files on your PC, tablet, and mobile phone. CyberLink reserves the right to share your files and personal information with our marketing partners.  

Friday 8 November 2013

FRIDAY FUN - Make some miniature shots

No need for expensive lenses. All you need is PhotoDirector.
Simply follow the steps in this article to create your miniature pictures:
http://create-n-play.blogspot.ca/search/label/Photo%20Editing

Thursday 7 November 2013

Come Join "I Love to Play" Video Contest

There is a child in every heart that is crying out to play. Whether it’s bungee jumping, ice skiing, driving in the fast lane or partying with friends. These stories and experiences are as individual and personal as the people who share them. With that in mind, CyberLink launches a new video contest named “I Love to Play”, calling out to millions of creative users to pick up their cameras and capture the life they love for a chance to win great prizes, including a GoPro HERO3 action camera, Amazon Giftcards, a solid state drive sponsored by Plextor, and many more.



Create your PLAY video with PowerDirector and submit your video here.
 
 
 
 

Wednesday 6 November 2013

CyberLink Celebrates 17th Anniversary

CyberLink is 17. We are celebrating 17 years of innovation, growth and bringing new technologies to digital multimedia for the consumers.

And a million thanks to your MVPs and users who are as passionate in digital multimedia as we are.
Come celebrate with us, click here.




The complete news:
CyberLink Launches the 17th Anniversary Celebration Campaign