Tag Archives: Tips + Tutorials

SAME LIGHT. DIFFERENT LOOKS.
Manipulating Natural Light to Achieve Different Styles

These photos were captured in the same location, shot with the exact same lens and  settings only seconds apart. They were edited the exact same way as well. So why do they look so different? It’s all about the light – in the case, the quantity of light.  In the first image, I asked Basia […]

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May 14, 2013 - 9:08 am

Erica L. - Great tips! I will definitely try and practice this affect.

May 14, 2013 - 10:39 am

Camila Faria - She looks absolutely stunning in both pictures. But I I tend to favor images that pop too.

May 14, 2013 - 10:46 am

Life with Kaishon - You are a good teacher Maddylicious.
I am at work today and feeling a little overwhelmed. Coming over here was a breath of fresh air.
: )
Happy Tuesday.

May 15, 2013 - 4:57 pm

Gloria - This lighting is just beautiful!

May 19, 2013 - 7:57 am

The Guilty Hyena - Nifty photography tips for outdoor shooting, all hail the sun too! : )

SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST
Tip for Getting Better Candid Photos

The beginning of a session is always a bit awkward for everyone involved. The photographer is busy trying to get into a shooting rhythm and clients are trying to get accustomed to having a camera aimed at them. I know going in that the first couple of shots are probably not going to be my […]

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April 18, 2013 - 8:54 am

Keeley @ My Life on a Plate - This is beautiful (and great advice). I’m not a pro by any means, but it’s hard for me to capture candid shots of my family (hubby and baby always cooperate, extended family not so much).

I also think it’s awesome that your parents are so happy and in love after all these years. Believe me, it’s rare. :)

April 18, 2013 - 9:35 am

Maddy {Mad Hearts Photography} - The key to my candids is that they’re not really candids. That’s not to say I don’t capture genuine emotions, however, I try to set the stage first. Instruct them to do something that will yield those “candid” results. I have a few tricks I use, but I’ll have to elaborate on that in a future post :)

April 18, 2013 - 2:12 pm

Camila Faria - Oh, WOW! You can really see the difference between the two shots! Amazing Maddy!

April 18, 2013 - 3:52 pm

Life with Kaishon - I like how you make people laugh and smile.
You are my favorite.
So proud of you for being a WINNER at I heart faces this week.
You know, you are a winner in my book every day Mad.
I can’t wait to see you this weekend.
Happy Thursday to beautiful YOU!

April 18, 2013 - 4:20 pm

Katherine Vargas - Wow!! this are beautiful Mad..

MY SECRET FOR NATURAL SKIN RETOUCHING
Using the Mixer Brush in Photoshop for Retouching

I’m going to share with you my little secret for skin retouching in Photoshop that doesn’t involve Gaussian blur, special actions or expensive products. It’s a little tool that already comes within Photoshop CS5 and it works wonders. It’s called the Mixer Brush. It’s used to recreate the look of a painting within Photoshop, but […]

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April 8, 2013 - 8:34 am

Charisma Moran - Great tutorial! Thanks for sharing!

April 8, 2013 - 8:44 am

Scarlett - thanks for sharing your little secret Maddy! i really like this natural look : )

April 8, 2013 - 8:49 am

Adrion - Thanks for posting this! I’ve been wondering how you used the mixer brush for your edits! I am excited to try it out!

April 8, 2013 - 10:36 am

mindy - ahhh, I love little secrets like this. I wonder if CS4 has a mixer brush, or if I will have to upgrade…

April 8, 2013 - 1:37 pm

Camila Faria - Maddy, you’re a Photoshop wizard! Love everything you do!

April 8, 2013 - 1:44 pm

Maddy {Mad Hearts Photography} - I think it was just introduced in CS5. But if you’re already considering an upgrade, it’s definitely worth it!

April 8, 2013 - 3:11 pm

Hannah - I love this! So going to give this a try for retouching! Thanks for a peek behind your editing curtain! ;)

April 8, 2013 - 9:52 pm

Katherine Vargas - I’m newbie to the whole skin retouching and this help tons thanks a lot for sharing your way of doing it.

April 9, 2013 - 7:44 am

Amy - Ooh, lovely! I need to get over my fear of layers. One mention of the word, and I’m done . . . :)

April 9, 2013 - 10:32 pm

elle sees - i need photoshop after seeing this!! so natural!!!