Don't just record an image, create one!
Tip #1 Maintain a visual hierarchy. Ask yourself what the main visual element is, the thing you most want your audience to concentrate on. Then use all your technical and compositional skills to draw attention to that element.​

Layering images really is very easy when you know how and the possibilities are endless.

Using layers and the layer blending modes is pretty much all it took. 

I offer one to one tutorials in house. Here's a little information on both:

So much of this medium is confusing, including the language used, it is my aim to de-mystify the technical jargon and introduce you to more meaningful photography principles and techniques. 

We’ll get to know your particular camera by exploring the menu’s, the features and functions. We’ll look at creative exposure, lighting and compositional techniques, and gain an understanding of how changing various settings will produce more effective images, more in line with what you visualised.

By the end of the course you’ll be creating stunning images rather than merely recording the world around you. 

I’m a see and do learner so that’s how I teach, the course is practical and hands-on, we shoot as we go. You’ll take home a straightforward guidebook containing explanations and directions for the common controls and techniques.


Just a few of the things we'll cover:

A great opportunity to explore your own photo editing programs at home or in the workplace. I teach a wide range of editing software but specialise in Adobe Photoshop & Adobe Photoshop Elements. 

Content includes:

• Navigation and explanation of the windows, tools, palettes and layers
• Resolution - Getting the size and quality right
• Cropping and straightening images
• Tone & contrast enhancement - Fixing under or over-exposure
• Colour correction
• Converting to black and white and then toning (monochrome)
• Correcting faded images
• Removing dust and scratches
• Dodging & burning - Lightening or darkening specific areas of the print
• Selection tools - Isolating areas of the image to manipulate or enhance
• Layout, scanning and output options
• File formats and an overview of the RAW converter
• Automated processes - Actions / Scripts
  

By the end of the session you’ll have a better understanding of how to enhance that ‘not so great’ image and make great images look fantastic! 

We’ll cover the subjects of your choice at a pace and time that best suits you. You’ll have the confidence to navigate around your software with ease and reduce the time spent editing your images. 

A no nonsense guidebook will be supplied containing explanations and step-by-step instructions for the common commands and enhancements.

I also run Photoshop courses through Waimea College. A six week programme Tuesday nights from 6.30-8.30pm. Contact them directly for enrolments.

I'm having so much fun layering my portraits with found imagery. 

Pregnancy shots are fleshy by nature and can be quite confrontational as a result. Layering these photos with texture, type and symbolism can help take the heat off.

Having your partner at your pregnancy shoot is a great idea, apart from the obvious growing bond between a father and his child there's the visual contrast that works so well too. Including contrasting elements accentuates those features you want to draw attention to. For instance masculine and feminine, rough with the smooth, angular and curvaceous, large and small, physical strength with maternal protection even rough textured skin or tattoos highlight the softness, roundness and fragility of the bump. Having your children in the photo with you can also create a little magic, the promise of something wonderful in the making.

Playing around with images and combining them with graphic elements is one of my favourite things to do. Often the simpler the effect the better the result.

Photoshop has a number of  ways to do one thing but for me I prefer the Camera RAW processor. I simply dial down the saturation slider to 60% and bump up the contrast slider to 80%, reduce the clarity a little and you're done! The best thing about the RAW processor is you can batch process all or some of the images in one hit without having to create and  run an action. 
If you're more comfortable with Photoshop itself the 'old style' preset in the Hue / Saturation adjustment is another easy way to get a similar effect.

A wedding is such a momentous event but we put such lot of effort into planning the minute details and it's those small things that can often be the big memory triggers.

A picture paints a thousand words but a few pictures together can paint an even better story.