A Creative Adventure

Joe Overstreet Tree

denise — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:37:42 +0000

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Many folks visit Joe Overstreet in Central Florida every year to see Bald Eagles, hawks, wading birds and a variety of other birds. I went there this morning with my BLUBB (Big Lens Ultimate Bean Bag) that I use when shooting out of my car window. Armed with the Canon 800mm lens that I borrowed from Art Morris I found a pair of juvenile Bald Eagles perched on a beautiful natural perch-Whoohoo! Then a large truck towing a boat came flying by bringing up a huge dust bowl. I quickly brought in the lens and the bean bag and rolled up the window- when the dust cleared I found that so had the birds, ratzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Trying to make the best of the morning I continued my drive to the end of the road. The tree in the image above caught my eye so I created a 3 image HDR and processed it in Photomatix Pro (you can save 15% off the purchase price by using the code Birdsasart). I added a soft glow to the image as well. This morning turned out to be a good morning for Bald Eagle sightings. Along my journey I saw over a dozen adults, 4 nests, 2 juvenile.

______________________________________________________________ denise ippolito

Don’t forget to enter ~ THE BIRDS AS ART 1st International Bird Photography Competition

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Bloomin’ Ideas eBook

denise — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:09:56 +0000

“Bloomin’ Ideas” by Denise Ippolito

In “Bloomin’ Ideas” I present an overview of the in-the-field and post-processing techniques that I have used and developed over the past few years to make my flower images special. This eBook features 55 all-new photographs. Though some of the topics have been covered previously in either “The Softer Side of Macro” or “A Guide to Creative Filters and Effects,” this eBook represents the first time that they are available in a single package. Those who love photographing flowers as much as I do will want to get their copy as soon as possible. *Knowledge of Photoshop layers and layer masks is recommended.

This 105 page, 12,000 word eBook available only through A Creative Adventure for $24.00 is available as a PDF download here.

Here is what my colleagues have to say about Bloomin’ Ideas:

“From its beautiful cover image (KnockOut Rose with texture overlay and Fractalius) to the color wheel on page 102, Denise Ippolito’s latest offering is filled with her evocative flower images. Her work features uncommon perspectives, simple but powerful image designs, and soft colors–she is not at all afraid of being feminine. Denise uses a multitude of in-camera and post-processing techniques (including a variety of filters and effects) to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary and to turn almost any image into a piece of fine art. To do this she employs her incredible vision, her unbridled creativity, and her Photoshop skills. In Bloomin’ Ideas she will–in her informal, easy to read and easy to follow style–teach you to expand your creativity and greatly improve your flower photography skills. Whether behind the lens or sitting in front of a computer Denise Ippolito is the most consistently creative person I know.”

Arthur Morris Canon Explorer of Light Photographer, world renowned bird photographer, writer, educator, and a founding member of NANPA. Author of “The Art of Bird Photography”.

“Denise turns flower photography into a new realm of creativity. There are tons of flower images out there, but Denise’s PDF book Bloomin’ Ideas will help you stand out in this over crowded field. Bloomin’ Ideas is a must for anyone photographing flowers as it is Graphic, Creative, Beautiful, Insightful, Educational, and just a great learning experience.”

Darrell Gulin Canon Explorer of Light Photographer, past president of NANPA, and workshop leader for Joe Van Os Photo Safaris and Rocky Mountain School of Photography.

“Anyone who loves taking pictures of flowers and who is looking for some new ideas, is bound to be inspired by this book.!”

Ellen Anon Co-author of Photoshop CS5 for Nature Photographers. An active member of NANPA and an instructor for their high school scholarship program.

______________________________________________________________ denise ippolito

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Eastern State Penitentiary Meets Fractalius

denise — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:27:56 +0000

Image © 2012/Denise Ippolito Photography

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This is an image from one of my last Eastern State Penitentiary workshops. I posted it on my Facebook page and it received a lot of good comments. I used the Fractalius filter to add some interest and additional lines throughout the image. Then a touch of Glamour Glow by Nik Color Efex use code BAA for 15% savings. Using the Glamour Glow filter made the windows a little softer and brighter than the original three image HDR processed in Photomatix Pro15% savings by using the code Birdsasart but I liked the mood it added to the image.

Check out my workshop listings on Manfrotto’s News and Events page.

______________________________________________________________ denise ippolito

Don’t forget to enter ~ THE BIRDS AS ART 1st International Bird Photography Competition

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Reflection from Bosque

denise — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:00:57 +0000

Image © 2012/Denise Ippolito Photography

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This is a reflection from one of the Crane Pools in Bosque. While photographing birds during the down time I am always on the hunt for something interesting that catches my eye. I used On One Software to process this image and I added my favorite border. This image may not appeal to everyone but it appeals to me. Hey, I never said I was normal .

______________________________________________________________ denise ippolito

Don’t forget to enter ~ THE BIRDS AS ART 1st International Bird Photography Competition

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RainCoat by LensCoat

denise — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:27:13 +0000

The LensCoat RainCoat Pro, shown in Max4 camouflage pattern

Two years ago I co-lead a workshop for Arthur Morris at Nickerson Beach in August. Anyone familiar with the East Coast in August knows that it is close to hurricane season. There is still plenty of activity at Nickerson during the month of August but we did meet with plenty of rainy conditions. I was using a plastic bag that blew around like crazy in the wind; this is not a good option when you don’t want to scare your subjects away. That February I also co-lead an IPT (Instructional Photo Tour) for artie in Southwest Florida–it rained several times. My gear was taking a beating. Daniel Cadiuex from Bird Photographers.Net was also co-leading with me; his Canon 40D died from all the rain it took on. I was shooting with my 1D Mark III and though the pro bodies by Canon are supposed to be water resistant they do not guarantee or replace them due to water damage. Several clients had the LensCoat RainCoats, the RainCoats cover the entire lens and camera body. I checked into getting one after my return from Florida. Thanks to Scott Elowitz, the owner of LensCoat, for providing me with this great product. I use the Wimberley Version II Head and the RainCoat is designed to allow easy access to the camera controls. I recommend this product to anyone wishing to keep their lens and camera body dry or free from salt spray. The RainCoat is constructed from a lightweight waterproof, breathable poly tricot material. Available in Black, Green, Navy, and Max4 camouflage pattern. The seams are tape sealed for maximum protection. The next time I go out for multiple days you can bet I won’t leave home w/o my RainCoat.

LensCoat

______________________________________________________________ denise ippolito

Don’t forget to enter ~ THE BIRDS AS ART 1st International Bird Photography Competition

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Last Pier Post For Now…

denise — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:05:26 +0000

Image © 2012/Denise Ippolito Photography

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Ok, these will be my last pier images for awhile, thank you for your indulgence. I processed the top image with Nik Silver Efex and On One Perfect Effects 3. I liked the textured border and the old time feel it gave the image. Some slight tweaks in Photoshop. For the original capture I chose to shoot this with a slow shutter speed for the water and I purposely over-exposed it slightly for a high key look.

Image © 2012/Denise Ippolito Photography

For this image I created a blur effect using Topaz Lens Effect. The conversion was done in Topaz B&W Effects. I then added a border frame in On One Perfect Effects 3. All steps tweaked it in Photoshop. Cropped from the original.

______________________________________________________________ denise ippolito

Don’t forget to enter ~ THE BIRDS AS ART 1st International Bird Photography Competition

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Hot Air Balloon

denise — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:14:53 +0000

Image © 2012/Denise Ippolito Photography

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I went to a hot air balloon festival with Noreen Buckley this past summer. I never posted this image but I really liked the POV. The day was cloudy and overcast and the balloons were not able to go up without tethers. If you look closely you can see the shadow of the two people holding the balloon as it was being filled. Folks with paid access were able to walk around and talk to everyone that was working there and ask questions and of course photograph. I liked watching the balloons fill and the way they billowed was appealing to me. I used On One Software to process this image.

______________________________________________________________ denise ippolito

Don’t forget to enter ~ THE BIRDS AS ART 1st International Bird Photography Competition

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Chanticleer and Longwood Gardens in PA

denise — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:38:17 +0000

Join me for a fun weekend of flower photography. We will meet Friday evening at Chanticleer Gardens at 4:00 pm and we will shoot till closing at 8:00pm. Then we will then head out for a pizza party and Photoshop session in a relaxed atmosphere. Group participation and sharing will be encouraged. Saturday morning we will meet at Longwood Gardens at 8:45am and photograph in the conservatory until 12:00 noon, then we will enjoy a nice lunch together with image review and critiques. Your admission ticket is good all day and you can re-enter the gardens to photograph till closing if you like.
I recommend that you bring as many different lenses as you can for a variety of shots: macro lens, zoom lens, lens baby, wide angle, and medium telephoto lens. Tripods are always recommended and encouraged. We will be working with natural light, diffusers, reflectors. We will explore creative compositions, work on proper exposure and effective use of DOF.
Date: Friday May 18th and Saturday May 19th
Time: 4:00pm, we will meet in the parking lot at Chanticleer at 3:45sharp. We should be finished up around 2:00pm on Saturday.
Place: Chanticleer Gardens and Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania (approx. 30 minutes apart)
Cost: $399.00
Rain or shine. I reserve the right to change the schedule for the benefit of the group.
All admission fees, pizza party, and lunch Saturday included.
*Clients with season passes to either gardens will be reimbursed
A detailed info PDF will be sent to you suggesting lodging (if needed), additional information on what to expect, directions, etc..

Chanticleer and Longwood Gardens

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Eastern State Penitentiary & The Graffiti Underground Workshop

denise — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:17:24 +0000

Join me for a fun day of HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography. We will visit the Graffiti Underground early in the morning spending 2 hours capturing all of the interesting and graphic images that we can. We will break for one hour for breakfast at Mugsy’s which is included. Then we will enter the Eastern State Penitentiary where we will explore many creative and unique perspectives of the prison as well as some private areas. This workshop needs a minimum of 6 participants.
Rain or Shine

Date: Saturday March 24th, 2012
Time: 7:00am- 9:00am Graffiti shoot ~ 1 hour break ~ 10:00am-1:00pm Eastern State Penitentiary
Cost: $250.00
Admission fees, tripod fees, private area fees and breakfast included in the price.

ESP & Graffiti Underground

Image © 2011/Denise Ippolito Photography

Image © 2011/Denise Ippolito Photography

Image © 2011/Denise Ippolito Photography

Image © 2011/Denise Ippolito Photography

Image © 2011/Denise Ippolito Photography

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______________________________________________________________ denise ippolito

Don’t forget to enter ~ THE BIRDS AS ART 1st International Bird Photography Competition

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Back Out To The Pier

denise — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:47:37 +0000

Image © 2012/Denise Ippolito Photography

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Here is my second attempt at the Fishing Pier, still not what I had envisioned but I will get lucky one day with the colors . Three image HDR capture processed in Photomatix Pro15% savings by using the code Birdsasart and Nik Color Efex use code BAA for 15% savings.

Image © 2012/Denise Ippolito Photography

I converted this to B&W in Photoshop and then added a few of the Nik Color Efex filters including Glamour Glow and Low Key.

Image © 2012/Denise Ippolito Photography

Here I went in tight for a different look. I converted this in Photoshop and added a slight tint. I have an idea for a different shot but will have to wait till I go out and brave the cold again .

______________________________________________________________ denise ippolito

Don’t forget to enter ~ THE BIRDS AS ART 1st International Bird Photography Competition

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