Sanyo Xacti VPC-SH1

Recently, I bought a new camcorder. That's Sanyo Xacti VPC-SH1. Actually, as a DV newbie. This video camera is really a starting point of my filming life.

Attractive reason to buy

Price under $400, which is really a low price camcorder, including 30x zoom. 35mm wide angle. Weight is light enough and portable (about 210g-240g with/without battery). Full HD quality, Dual-cam, SDHC memory storage (which is a bit cheaper while comparing with Compact Flash. Support H.264 codec (Size are small enough). However, my computer seems not powerful enough to playback the Full-HD 60i (1920x1080 60fps) video ... Always get laggy screen. pity ... That's why I usually record as Full HD 30p (1920x1080 30fps). For a beginner like me, i think it's really a good starting point.

Don't expect too much 

Stabilizer - due to this camcorder is using digital stabilizer, do not expect too much on the image stabilizing. Even the video stabilizing seems really "stupid", it always lost the capture point within the screen. What I suggest is to turn it off and use other mechanic stabilizer. 

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Photoshop: soften skin effect 3

In order to make the skin looks very smooth and nature, I usually use the "Surface Blur" and "Patch Tool". But in some cases... These two tools might not able to fix the extremely terriable problem on the face ... like more than 50% are full of pimple, freckle and mole. Therefore, I will use another ways to fix this problems

After edited.	Originally her skin is not really good

Remeber to duplicate a layer from the original pic at the very beginning.


Step 1:
Select the area of face, you may use Lasso Tool, Quick Selection Tool or Pen Tool, whatever you like. Except the eyes and mouth.

Step 2:
Duplicate the selected area

Step 3:
Apply the Gaussian Blur to the "face" layer. For the Radius value, increase the pixels until you cannot see the pimples. (Do not assign the value too high, otherwise the skin shape and lighting will look fake.

Step 4:
Open the History panel and highlight the last step. Then use the History Brush Tools to select the Gaussian Blur step.

Step 5:
Go back to the face layer and brush the skin.

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Photoshop: Soften skin effect 2

In this tutorial, I would like to show you a simple steps to make the skin looks more white and bright.

Original Pic	After edited

Step 1: 

Duplicate a layer from the photo for retouching purpose

Step 2: 

Select the area of face, you may use Lasso Tool, Quick Selection Tool or Pen Tool, whatever you like. Except the eyes and mouth.

Step 3:

Apply the Surface Blur filter to the face layer.

For the Radius, and threshold value, it depends on how much surface blur do you want. Actually you can check the "Preview", then you will see the result instantly.

Step 4:

Apply the Curve layer to the "skin" layer. Then tune up the mid tune in the curve.

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Photoshop: soften skin effect 1

I would like to share a simple skin effect, for removing the mole and making the skin get soften.


Original Picture

After edited

Remove the mole/freckle
As my usual habit, duplicate a layer from the photo for retouching purpose.
Step 1:
Use the "Patch Tool" to select the mole.

Step 2: 
Drag the selected area and drop on the area with normal skin

Then you will find that the mole has been removed
Repeat Step 1 and 2, for the unwanted mole or freckle. Even Hair!


Soften the skin
Step 3:
Select the area of face, you may use Lasso Tool, Quick Selection Tool or Pen Tool, whatever you like. Except the eyes and mouth.

Step 4:
Duplicate the selected area


Step 5: 
Apply the Surface Blur filter to the face layer.
For the Radius, and threshold value, it depends on how much surface blur do you want. Actually you can check the "Preview", then you will see the result instantly.

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Portrait Tips: How to make the arms or legs will not look very duffel?

Firstly, it must be noted, that to put a correct posture can hide the defects. Basically, it is not recommended to let the arms and legs spread out straight, but to put the arms and legs in overlapping position.

If specified, the model has to put the arms behind the body or cross arms, while the legs are moving cross standing on it. Because the crossing / overlapping legs posture, often appears in fashion magazines. Thus, the model would not be surprised and very easy to put a good-looking stance. This posture also has the benefit of people with O-leg stand. It can help to hidden the O-leg shape instead of a beautiful effect of overlapping / crossing posture.

Sometimes using Tilt-shift lens and other auxiliary equipment, managed to look more uniform body proportion. If you adjust the lens optical asix  movement, the legs will look more slender.

Or you can use wide-angle lens when shooting from the bottom up, head looks small, and the model's legs look more slender.

Source images (top to bottom): Image, image2, image3, image4

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Portrait Tips: How to get a well communication in advance, when cooperate with a new amateur model?

In the first meeting with an amateur model, you can start to chat with some interest topic. That can slowly know more about the model's character and style. Or ... in the middle of the photo shooting, usually it is very difficult to buy snacks and drinks. Therefore, you can ask the model what you want, then talk about food, clothing or favorite music. You will discover that the topic has been expended. Also, you had a better knowing about the new amateur model. Or you can play some small tricks, give the model a surprise, in order to observe the responses, you can identify a person's character as well.


Image: source

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Swimsuit photography: Shooting 45 degree

Model put her right hand slightly on the right leg. By this action, it can help the pose looks better, and also gain an extra tension.

For the swimsuit photography, the focus point should start form the side into the central theme. The side is about 45 degree of front body. That helps the breast shape and waist lines will look more beautiful.  

When only shooting the upper body shot, it is better to shoot below the chest and above the waist in order to get the balance. The composition is also important

By using the surronding environment of the reflective elements, to achieve the fill light. The color looks better than use of reflectors, and more natural.


Image sources: image1, image2, image3, image4

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Adobe released Creative Suite 5!

Because of NDA restrictions, the product has been launched on today! CS5 package, a total of 15 software, which we are most concerned about, of course  "Photoshop", let us look at new super amazing "Content Aware Fill" and "Puppet Warp" how kind of change can do, what else has changed! 


Adobe Photoshop can be said that the most enduring products, has been published since 1990, just 20 years old this year. Such a mature product in the end what can make a change? Adobe has already released 2 videos prior to sale and to illustrate the two main functions: the first is the ability to automatically detect the contents of the picture and to fill the blank part by using the Content Aware Fill; The second is from the Flash, the ability to select the range set free transformation under the axial point of Puppet Warp. Of course there are many large and small change, let us tell you what a difference
Photoshop CS5's codenamed - White Rabbit


Content Aware Fill super filling machine, so you do not see signs of scar
Photoshop in the past, if you want to remove the unwanted part of the picture, the background will remain difficult to fill the gaps, at most only use stamp tool to copy the way to deal with similar material. Add the contents of the sensor (Content Aware) feature can automatically surrounded by the material to be filled, of course, performance can not be 100% natural, but if not carefully observed, it is not easy to see this is automatically repair results

However, when using Content Aware fill the function of the time, sometimes it may get sampling error, resulting in the incorrect calculation, then you can repair with the tainted brush tool (Spot Healing Brush Tool), is also able to use Content Aware to be repaired. The use of this tool is closely related to the direction of your brush, if ineffective after brush-off, you may try to reverse it, it will sample the content to the right to fill. Of course not used to modify the image lines, such as wire, will have a good effect.
With Content Aware stain blessing substantial progress Repair Tool, it is hard to see a trace of modification


Puppet Warp makes the people moving up in photo
Puppet Warp layer can be selected to join the free transformation of the key points to make changes

The second main feature is the Puppet Warp, literally means "puppet transformation", by definition, will be able to join the joint point of selected layers to the free transformation. With Content Aware Fill can do all kinds of changes. Adobe officially provides case is taken by adding nodes rose cascading from a variety of changes later.

Refine Edge: edge to go back to a more precise cut-off
In Photoshop CS5, adds new joined brush tool that allows you to adjust the parameters, but also be able to select the object using the edge of precision brush for hair and other objects which the edge of discontinuous around the position can be accurately selected. After completion of the selection, it can be output directly into the mask of the selected area, layer, layer a mask, a new file, etc

3D-Repossé 
In addition to these super-enhanced features, PS CS5 basic functions, also has considerable progress. Like the previous generation of CS4's 3D modeling functions added to this generation can also use the new 3D-Repossé transferred directly to the text layer into a 3D object, although the quality is not transferred out of objects such as the construction of more direct use of 3D beautiful. But for graphic designers, Photoshop can be used to establish 3D, it is more convenient for them.


Noise Reduction
In dealing with photos of the most basic functions, listed as PS CS5, Adobe used to process RAW files Adobe Camera RAW Plug-in is also updated to the sixth edition. In addition to increased support for the camera type, the treatment is more effective when the RAW file to remove high ISO noise when, also joined the film's grainy texture for enhanced coherence. Also through the Lens Correction Tool to correct the lens barrel distortion with the pillow.

HDR PRO
The synthesis of Bracketing Photo HDR Pro tools, but also by fine tuning to achieve more variable results.

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Posture of lying

When doing the outdoor photograph, lying posture is not an easy stuff. Because this is a difficult challenge while lying on the "Cold" floor, also the model's facial expression has to be in natural. 

Besides, trying to lay on the field of grass or falling leafs can get a better result. Be aware if the model afraid of the bugs climb up on their body or skin, resolve it by using the anti-mosquito spray. Therefore, in order to take a great picture, do not concern other parties thinking, just bravely lying on the ground, try different lying posture and take a few shot!

Lying on the grass, can get the feeling of natural environment.

While doing a slightly lying posture, be aware the legs do not get stiff

Lying on the rock besides the pond may come up a stylish feeling.

Lying on old style piano can get another classic feeling

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6 essential requirements of a model

Model must be the main character in portrait, if you want to be photograph in good-looking, not only to quickly integrate into the atmosphere of photography scene, but also need to be confident. If lack of confidence, the face can easily become stiff, and leads to bad image.

1. Do no afraid to face the camera

Most people will feel uncomfortable and strained expression while standing in front of camera. Especially when cooperate with the photographer who has never worked with. Then the fear will be more intense. Even more opportunities to take pictures, and the fear going less, but they still don't have enough confidence on their posture and expression.

How to avoid the stereotyped posture and facial expressions? The answer is "Confident", During the photography shooting, always keep in mind -  "I am the most beautiful!" If you feel a bit strange or not satisfied on the posture, it is recommend to see more postures and expressions from other people when taking photos.

2. Take more "self shot"

General self shot comes with a good result, because there is no other people around you, that is why we are able to comfortably shoot randomly. In addition, we are more understand which part is the beautiful of our own, which part is no perfect. Therefore, always play around with self shot, not only digging our own rich, or it can also take to eliminate the fear of the camera.

3. Do something more with clothing and make-up

Wear the clothes that aligns with the atmosphere of the photography venue, spend some time on make-up, it will make the model be more confident. In most of the portrait. The proportion of models is more than 70%, we can know that how important on model's clothing and make-up. Before taking pictures, try to carefully prepared for the themes on the clothing and make-up as a good practice.

4. Flexible combination of available props

If a model is standing motionless, the posture inevitably tend to become stiff. At this moment, if it is possible to use some props, the hands and feet will become easier to place. Even if only one umbrella, but also changes in many different kinds of postures: holding an umbrella with good standing posture; open the umbrella and walking. And so on. Of course, if there are too many propels in a photo, it will look very messy. Therefore, it depends on different scenarios and use the appropriate props.

5. Use the facilities around the place

If taking pictures indoors, mostly you will find tables, chairs, ladder or bed. Furniture is just like the props as a decorative effect, it can help model to create more posture and expression. If taking pictures outdoors, you can try to use like a park bench or swing as the facilities for the shooting. It can come up with different theme change. 

6. Pay more attention to other people's posture

"Why my pose are always the same?" Want to show some different pose, but often lose control of the hands and feet while standing in front of the camera. If you want to be a qualified model, a full preparation must be done before the photography. Then, the photos will be more natural.

Try to get more reference from the fashion magazine, you can find may different model's posture. Moreover, to seriously figure out other people's gestures and facial expressions. 

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Portrait tips - Another stylish composition skill

Most of the photos, if it is not horizontal, then it should be vertical. If this picture style can be overcome, then the picture will look very differet. Nowadays, more popular portrait style, is to turn a small angle of the camera, so that the characters are presented in diagonal direction. This technique should be very easy, you only have to adjust angle of camera to left or right turn, then press the shuttler. You may need to try a several pictures, in order to identify the most suitable composition. Although the technique have been in existence for many years, recently it become popular again.

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Travel photography tips: Shooting the famous landmarks

When shooting the famous landmarks, you must be very clear that, many people has already taken the same picture with no less than millions of times. It almost hard to shoot a pictures with any new ideas (Although it is possible, but it must be very difficult). There are several ways for you  to interpret a new perspective on shooting the well-known landmarks:

1. Avoid the landmark to be the subject in the photos. For example, if you want to take a picture in London, the theme of that picture can be a couple, and they are holding hands, walking in the streets. And the London tower bridge is clearly visible in the background. Even if you can clearly see the well-known places. but it was not the subject in the photo. 


2. Try to use reflection to capture the famous landmarks, such as window or water. For example, find a London coffee shop, and then take a picture to the coffee shop's window, that reflect the London Tower Bridge, or to use a car's windshield to take the reflective image of the object.


3. Only take part of the details of the famous landmark, and is able to represent the whole part of the landmark.

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Portrait Tips: Do not leave too much space above the head

Most people will commit a fault while taking pictures for others, it is leaving too much unnecessary space above the head. This is a very common mistake of amateur photographers, but forunately, this is not difficult to solve.


How to solve it? Do not take picture like that!


As long as the subject's eyes are located at the picture, that about one-third from the top, then you will naturally do not leave too much head space, of course, the problem will be resolved

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