My Workflow Using Aperture and Nik Software Plugins

My Workflow Using Aperture and Nik Software Plugins from Edmond Terakopian on Vimeo.

A free online webinar workshop hosted by Nik Software. I’ll show how I use Apple’s Aperture in combination with my favourite plugins from Nik Software; Viveza 2, Silver Efex Pro 2 and Sharpener Pro 3. I’ll also demonstrate how the same plugins work within a Photoshop environment. Regardless of which platform you’re on, you should find something of interest as the plugin interfaces and use are practically the same. This is the recording from the webinar on June 7, 2011.

For those who missed the live webinar on June 7th, 2011, here is a recording of the event. Due to it’s format, sadly we’ve had to cut out the Q&A session, so do keep your eyes on this blog and Nik Software’s pages to find out when the next webinar will be.

English Countryside

English countryside, around Royston, Hertfordshire. June 13,2011. Processed using Nik Software's Silver Efex Pro 2. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

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English Countryside, a set on Flickr.

The beauty that is the English countryside.

Most landscape photographers would probably cringe at shooting at anything but f8 or even smaller apertures. I spotted this scene from a dual carriageway and thankfully there was a side road which let me come off and explore it. I wanted to convey it in a softer, almost painterly manor and so shot the entire set on my Leica M9 using the 50mm f0.95 Noctilux wide open. As there was too much light, I had to use a B&W ND filter to allow me to shoot at f0.95.

These images are available on my Photoshelter site in the Places section.

World Trade Centre – NY

World Trade Centre, New York. A US flag is draped over a fence. New York, NY. May 19, 2011. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

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World Trade Centre – NY, a set on Flickr.

World Trade Centre Memorial Plaza, consisting of two pools with waterfalls set within the footprints of the Twin Towers. Image shows the partially completed One World Trade Centre (Freedom Tower - towards the left of the image). Construction work at the World Trade Centre, New York. May 21, 2011. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

As the tenth anniversary of the inhumanity carried out at the World Trade Centre approaches, construction workers work to finish building the various skyscrapers, including One World Trade Centre (also known as the Freedom Tower). Alongside these huge new buildings are two pools with waterfalls, placed within the footprints of the original Twin Towers. This and the memorial museum will make up the memorial plaza.

World Trade Centre, New York. New York, NY. May 19, 2011. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

This was a return visit the area; what once used the be literally awesome, where one could not see the tops of the towers from ground level and where taxi cabs were the size of ants when viewed from the roof, had now become the sad and depressing site of ground zero. The site of such inhumanity and sorrow.

World Trade Centre, New York. A pickup truck carries a 9/11 sticker as the World Trade Centre site is reflected in its rear screen. New York, NY. May 19, 2011. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

US President Barack Obama’s State Visit

State visit to Britain by US President Barack Obama. US President Barack Obama leaving 10 Downing Street. May 25 2011. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

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State visit to Britain by US President Barack Obama. Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron greets the US President Barack Obama, welcoming him to 10 Downing Street. May 25 2011. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

The ‘Beast’ (the nickname given to the Presidential limousine), the Secret Service, huge American cars and a red carpet.

President Barack Obama makes a State visit to England in May 2011. I spent two days in Downing Street photographing the meeting of the President and our Prime Minister David Cameron, as well lots of goings on as far as Hilary Clinton, security, demos and car polishing.

As enjoyable as these assignments are, a big part of the enjoyment is being there with colleagues, several of which are close friends. I’m estimating that there must have been around 60 photographer covering just Downing Street. Lots of catching up but mainly, lots of standing around and very early starts. Many many hours of waiting for a minute’s worth (if that!) of photography. To add to that, we had terrible harsh light to contend with.

Colleagues setting up their remote cameras which are triggered by Pocket Wizards. Photo: ©Edmond Terakopian

It’s all great fun though and I personally wouldn’t change a thing.

L-R: photographers Lefteris Pitarakis, Jess Hurd and Edmond Terakopian covering the State visit by US President Barack Obama. Downing Street, London. May 25, 2011. Photo: Sang Tan

On a technical note, I worked with a Canon 7D and 300mm f2.8L IS, a Canon 5D MkII with a 16-35mm f2.8L II or 70-200mm f2.8L IS and a Leica M9 with a 50mm f0.95 Noctilux.

Photographer Edmond Terakopian on assignment for Polaris Images covering the State visit by President Obama. Downing Street, London. ©Photo.

My Workflow Using Nik Software

Workflow Webinar

I’ll be holding a free webinar hosted by the lovely folks at Nik Software.

Colour processing done usng Viveza 2. Sunset, London. April 03, 2011. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

June 7th, 2011 at 7pm GMT.

TO SIGN UP, USE THIS LINK.

 

Black and white processing done using Silver Efex Pro 2. British street party on the occasion of the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

I’ll show how I use Apple’s Aperture in combination with my favourite plugins from Nik Software. I’ll also demonstrate how the same plugins work within a Photoshop environment. Regardless of which platform you’re on, you should find something of interest as the plugin interfaces and use are practically the same.

Colour processing done using Viveza 2. Glasgow skyline, comprised of industrial plants and residential blocks. February 12, 2010. Photo: Edmond Terakopian

So, do sign up and hope to see you online 🙂

Battle of the Bokeh

Leica 50mm f0.95 Noctilux Vs Canon 50mm f1.2L

An interesting look at how the currently in production fastest lenses compare in look, specifically the way they render out of focus (or bokeh) areas. Still no idea what the correct way to pronounce this word is, but it’s an interesting little video by the Digital Rev folks.