Lightroom Tips

Are you wondering if Adobe Lightroom is right for you? Here are some great Lightroom tips from Bethany with Bethany Cleg Photography. These will help you get off to the right start with the program if you have never used it or will give you a refresher if you have used it in the past.  

Developers of Adobe Lightroom designed the program to streamline the modern photographer's capture, process, print and post workflow. Photoshop Lightroom makes each step of the chain as simple as possible. Lightroom uses a powerful image management system, and they offer a fantastic tool to provide quick and easy digital image enhancement. While Lightroom does not have all the features that the full Adobe Photoshop version offers, it lets users work much faster with the image enhancement system. When renting or hiring out camera gear or trying to cut costs on a shoot, many people don't realize that time and money can be saved in post processing as well. This is where Lightroom shines. If the right person is behind the mouse and keyboard they can accomplish more work in less time than their Photoshop using counterparts.

So how does Lightroom increase efficiency, convenience and also cut costs? And in what areas is it the most effective? Below are 10 Lightroom tips that are popular uses for the program. Just be sure to remember that this list by no means covers everything the program is capable of doing.

Here are 10 Lightroom tips of the program’s popular uses:

Accessing RAW Photos: Sorting through hundreds or thousands of photographs without using an application such as Lightroom becomes a tedious process. Lightroom links photographs to a catalog file and keeps them intact when stored.

Adding Keywords: When trying to locate a specific photo, keywords can be applied while importing photos, and they can be added to groups of selected imaged. Otherwise, photographers may apply them quickly using the Painter tool and keyboard shortcuts can be used for a set of keywords.

Geo-Tagging with Built-in Google Maps: Organized photos based on geographic location. Photographers with a GPS device in their camera will not have to do anything because their photos will automatically be placed on the map with the Map Module.

On-Image Editing: Users will find this tool under the Tone Curve and HSL panels. Select it to apply local adjustments to specific parts of the photo. The adjustments will be intuitive and effective. 

Before and After Views: Comparing changes with the original photo become a crucial step in the image editing process. In the Develop Module, users can access four different view options to see the difference between the original edited picture.

Filter the Catalog: Filtering and searching through photos has never been easier with the Library Module. Users may refine their search and add criteria to select the right pictures.

Virtual Copies: Lightroom does not change photos but records and amends them into a separate database. Save several different edits of the same photograph and save a plethora of space on the computer. Here you can play around with presets on the same image to see what might work best.

Editing Video Files: While developers intended for Lightroom to catalog and edit photos, users may also use the video editing features. However, do not expect advanced features like Adobe Premiere.

Create a Photo Book: With the photos imported to the catalog, create photo books and create an extra professional service with printed photo books.

Crop Overlay Tool: Changes regions for preservation after a crop. Adjust the areas with clicking and dragging. It makes changing the format of images quick and easy.

Common Workflows for Integrating Lightroom into the Shooting Process

Lightroom maintains the convenience for shooting pictures. The most important aspect that photographers use it for is importing and processing RAW files. The photo can be seamlessly shared with others or sent to a remote location as the shooting process occurs.

 

Problems Lightroom Can Fix

Lightroom can fix images before printing them. In addition, it can correct perspective, color correct photos and repair dust spots and scratches.

The aspect to keep in mind with Lightroom is that it does not offer the full package that Adobe Photoshop comes with. Lightroom does not give users the ability to work with layered changes such as Photoshop Elements. If an individual encounters a crash when using this software, be sure to submit the report and include an email address with the report.

Lightroom comes with numerous applications, but a few of the more innovative ideas include creating panoramas and fashion photographers using it to design new clothing. When looking at a company, consider an expert that has years of experience with Lightroom for the best results.

Want to learn more about how you can improve your Lightroom post processing? Eyevoyage has a 10 part video series to help... and we have a discount! Click here for more details and use code EYEVOYAGE40OFF at checkout for $40 off!

This Week's Top 5 - Things We Love for Photographers

 

Each week we search the internet and bring you our Top 5 photography deals, products, or services to help you grow your photography skill set and business!

Secrets of Successful Event Photography This course teaches you the techniques used by professionals to get the best shots - every time - even in the most difficult conditions. view DEAL detailS   THIS WEEK ONLY! Save 33%

Online Photography Courses from NYIP Want to take better photos? The New York Institute of Photography offers nine great online photography courses that will help you take your skills to the next level. Enroll online at www.nyip.edu. view DEAL detaiLS   Before Feb. 25th 15% OFF ALL NYIP Courses

Customized Flash Drives & Packaging Purchase a voucher for $50 worth of Custom Packaging & USB Flash Drives at Photoflashdrive.com for $25. Also includes free standard shipping! Act Now - limited amount of discounted vouchers available! view DEAL detailS   LIMITED QUANTITY $50 vouchers for $25. Don't miss out!

Learn Photoshop FREE Learn exciting new ways to transform your work and create images that stand out from the masses, all for FREE! view detailS   CHECK IT OUT RSVP Today To Reserve Your Spot

"Trust Me, I'm a Photographer" T-shirt Limited quantity available - get it while supplies last! Different colors available too. view detailS   LOVE IT? Get This Shirt

Photography Gear Day

Gear Day

with SUE BRYCE, JARED PLATT, DPREVIEW STAFF

the latest gear and photo products.

CreativeLive Gear Day is their version of the trade show minus the endless walking and pointless schwag. You’ll get all the latest info on the hottest releases from gear manufacturers and software developers – all without leaving the comfort of home.

In this installment of Gear Day, you'll see in-depth gear and software demos and take a close-up look at the features, functions, and benefits of the hottest gear and software to hit the market in 2015.

CreativeLive instructors will be on hand to talk about the products they are using and how these tools measure up.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FREE FOR GEAR DAY

Free Photoshop Classes

For six days, the world’s most inspiring photographers and retouchers will show you how they work their magic in Photoshop and Lightroom. You’ll learn exciting new ways to transform your work and create images that stand out from the masses, all for FREE!

You’ll learn new approaches to enhancing your images from professionals working in every genre of photography.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FREE

Whether you are a Photoshop beginner or advanced user, there will still be a class for you. An all-star lineup of 13 different world-class instructors and 48 classes spread across 6 days will teach you approaches to enhancing your images no matter what genre of photography you specialize in.

DON'T MISS OUT...RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY

Resources and Tax Tips for Photographers

It is that time again… tax time! As a small business owner, it is easy to get stressed this time of year but it is so very important to be prepared. We have put together some tax tips for photographers that will help you as a small business owner to be ready to get your taxes done easily on by that April 15th deadline. We have also included a few resources that may be beneficial to you as well.

Here are some tax tips for photographers and small business owners to help you ease the burden of preparing your taxes:

Make sure to have a copy of all your records and deductions.

Make sure you have all the paperwork you will need to back up everything you need for your deductions and other company profit records. Do you work from your home office and will be writing off some of your work space and other various items such as equipment, phone and internet? Keep a copy of each monthly bill handy because you must have proof of those items. Also, has your business donated money in 2014? Be sure to have copies of those donations as well.

Be sure to avoid common audit traps.

There are a few red flags that auditors are looking for with taxes from small business that you want to make sure you avoid.

• Employees VS. Independent Contractors - Do you have any employees or independent contractors working for you? Make sure you know the difference of both because you do not want the IRS to flag you as misclassification in an attempt to avoid payroll taxes.

• Deductions for a Home Office - Not every home business qualifies for these deductions so it is important to determine if you are eligible and the various types of business expenses that are able to be deducted.

• Keep Your Business Separate - Make sure you keep a separate bank account and credit card account for your business. Even be sure to keep company vehicles separate.

Do you know if you qualify for the health care tax credit?

As a small business owner, you could qualify for a 2014 health care tax credit of 50% if your business meets criteria that includes: if your annual wages are less than $50,000 per person, your business employees fewer than 25 full-time employees, your business contributes at least 50% to the employees’ self-only health premiums, or if your business health insurance is purchased through the Small Business Health Options Program Marketplaces.

Make sure your business is actually qualified as a business and not just a hobby.

If you have recently started a photography business, the IRS expects that you intend to make money at it. If not, your business is simply a hobby. The IRS looks at many factors to determine if your business is just a hobby including:

• Do you put in the necessary time and profit to turn over a profit?

• Have you made a profit in the past with this activity, or do you expect to make one in the future?

• Do you have the knowledge you need to succeed in this business?

• Do you depend on the income you make?

• Are the losses you have beyond your control?

Are you a sole proprietor with your business?

If you are a sole proprietor, and as far as taxes are concerned, you and your business are a single entity. You will have additional taxes (like the self-employment tax) and reporting requirements but you can also be eligible for other tax deductions for your business (such as health insurance deduction and various business expenses). Also, as a sole proprietor, the IRS pays special attention to make sure the lines are not blurred between your business and personal expenses… so be sure to keep your business expenses separate!

Wondering what you may be able to deduct?

As a business owner, you want to make sure you take every single deduction you can, but you need to make sure it is legit. You do not want to get yourself into an audit with the IRS. Here are things you may be able to deduct when doing your taxes: home office, office supplies, furniture, other equipment, software and subscriptions, mileage, travel/meals/entertainment and gifts, insurance premiums, retirement contribution, social security, phone charges and any child labor (in case your child under 17 helps out with your business)!

Having a business is such a great thing. You are doing what you love, you can be your own boss, but you also have to deal with taxes… which can be a very stressful time of year for many. We hope these tax tips for photographers will help you when it comes time to file!

Here are a few additional resources if you have other tax questions:

• U.S. Small Business Administration

• IRS

Also, we recommend you ditch the photography accounting software and get simplified and organized with this accounting spreadsheet for photographers from The Law Tog. These spreadsheets went through a multi-level process between photographers, lawyers and CPAs to get it right.

Click here and save $10 with code $nap%not10

How To Save More On Your Photography Equipment

Today we wanted to take a moment to let you know how to save the most on photography equipment by leveraging sale prices PLUS easy cash-back rebates that you can earn on top of already discounted products. How you might ask?

Well look no further than Ebates, which offers nice cash back bonuses on purchases at TON of major retailers as well as photography specific retailers such as Adorama and Canon. So if you’re looking to buy ANYTHING online (including cameras or camera equipment), you should ALWAYS go through Ebates to get extra cash back on whatever you order.

It’s pure brilliance!

Ok, so now you're probably wondering how it works, right?

Well here are some quick instructions for you:

Create a free Ebates account by clicking here.

Once logged in, search for your retailer of choice, and if the rebate is tempting, click on it to be redirected to the retailer’s site.

Shop as usual and when you check out, pay with your credit card, and then in a day or two look out for a cash back credit on your Ebates statement.  

Ebates will then send you a check in the mail once every 3 months as long as your cash back total is at least $5.01. If you are under $5.00 during any given 3 month period then your earned cash back simply rolls over to the next period until it hits $5.01.

The best part is that the Ebates cash back bonus you receive is in addition to any discounts retailers are offering through various sales, coupon or promo codes – so be sure to check your email and regular mail, and you can double dip on your savings.

SCORE!!

Here's an example of how you can save extra cash on that camera you've been dreaming of.

Let's say you go to Adorama and find a new Canon 5D Mark III listed for $2499. It will look something like this:

Now, BEFORE YOU MAKE THE PURCHASE you should check Ebates to see if there is a cashback rebate option. 

If you're in luck, you'll see at least 1% cash back from Adorama, and you'll land on a screen that looks like the shot below. And THIS is where the magic happens...all you have to do is click on the "SHOP NOW" link! That link will redirect you back to Adorama where you can make your purchase, and then when you do you'll get 1% of your purchase credited back to your Ebates account!  

And that's IT!

In this example you would save 1% of $2499, which comes out to an extra $24.99 for doing practically nothing!

As soon as you have at least $5 in rebates built up in your account, Ebates will literally send you a check in the mail that you can deposit in your bank account. It's LITERALLY FREE MONEY!

And the best part is that you don't have to use Ebates just for photography equipment...they have hundreds of online retailers listed (some with MUCH higher cash back amounts), so practically avery time you shop online you can get cash back into your pocket by following these simple steps.

Note: We are part of the Ebates affiliate program because we love finding ways to help you save, win win!