The Phottix Strato II Discover Something More Than a Simple Remote Flash Trigger

When you decide to shoot your flash remotely, one of the biggest headaches that most photographers have is to find a suitable remote trigger.

Some are very expensive, beyond the reach of most pockets or very cheap but unreliable. In this article I want to tell my experience with the Phottix Strato II a trigger that could be called the “Middle Class” comprehensive and affordable. You come with me?

Read:

• Space Nebula with Photoshop


• Space Wormhole

The Importance of Choosing Well

Find a remote trigger for your flash is not easy. It is possibly the accessory most expensive time the already more important to your team Strobist, as it will be responsible for communicating your camera with flash, hence must be a reliable item and you give top performance.

There is nothing more frustrating than working with a trigger that fails every few minutes, there is not enough reach or respond in difficult situations, and to all the effort of organization to obtain the desired picture is going to ruin all for not having chosen the right product.

On the other hand, if you do not dedicate to photography professionally, it is not necessary to make a large investment in a trigger high end, since, for just under 100 € Strato II has a kit consisting of a transmitter and a receiver which will give a magnificent performance.

Technical Specifications:

• Model Strato


• Frequency 2.4 GHz


• Channels 4 (1, 2, 3, 4)


• Groups 4 (A, B, C, D)


• Threaded tripod adapter ¼ “cold shoe


• Range 150m +


• Flash Clock Yes


• Max Sync (s) 1/250


• Wired Shutter Release Yes


• AAA Batteries


• Yes shoe transmitter, TTL pass-through


• Puerto receptor DC Yes


• 3.5mm transmitter input


• Output Receiver 3.5mm, 2.5mm


• Price on Amazon 95 € approx.

The Phottix Strato II Discover Something More Than a Simple Remote Flash Trigger

Space Wormhole

One effect that cannot miss in a scene related to space, as are the famous “space jump” or “wormholes” which way to save both space travelers from some TV series.

In this tutorial, learn how to make one.

Read: Space Nebula with Photoshop

Space Wormhole

1. Created a starry background, as explained in the Tutorial Area . Then select the default colors ( CTRL + D ) and create a new Layer on this fund.

2. We fill this new layer with 50% Gray ( Edit / Fill … ) and choose Use 50% Grey. Then go to Filter / Noise / AddNoise … and values:

• Amount: 30


• Distribution: Gaussian


• We mark Monochromatic


• Once we do this, let’s Filter /Distort/ Twirl and we apply that effect with a value of 360°.

3. To give a little more effect of “tunnel”, apply Filter / Blur / Radial Blur … first with:

• Amount: 12


• Blur Method: Spin


• Quality: Good


• And then we again apply the same effect just change the Blur Method to Spin to Zoom.

4. Spent mode Quick Mask (pressing Q) and select the tool Gradients. We gradient from the center of the “tunnel “almost one of the corners of the image.

We return a press Q to return to normal mode and see everything we have selected one circle to the center of the image is in. We press Delete and we should be something similar to the example.

5. Let’s give a little color. Let’s Image / Adjust / Hue / Saturation … (or CTRL + U ) and we mark the option that says Colorize , we enter the following values:

• Hue: 200


• Saturation: 50 .

Whether they want can also try other values of Hue.

6. Now, create a new Layer above the rest and re-fill it with 50% gray (as in step 2). We chose Filter / Render / Lens Flare … and use the same values as in the example.

Try to place the reflection somewhere in the image to display all or that remain uncut flash since then will move this layer.

7. Finally, we changed the way the last Layer of Normal to Hard Light and pressing the CTRL, we click on the Layer and move the flash we created in the previous step to the center of the wormhole . And ready.

Soon come a couple more tutorials covering the space.

Space Wormhole

Space Nebula with Photoshop

Second tutorial series dedicated to space. Here we will learn how to make a nebula we usually see in movies or images of the universe.

Tips:

How to create a planet with Photoshop?
How to create a CD with Photoshop?

Space Nebula with Photoshop

1. Started the tutorial where we left the last. If you have not seen it, check out the Tutorial on Space. We continue to create a new layer above the previous one.

2. Choose the default colors by pressing D we invest and then press X, that way we will have the black background color. Now chose the red face and let Filter / Render / Clouds.

Now, let’s filter / Render / Difference Clouds, and re-apply the same effect by pressing CTRL + F until you get some kind of image that we like for our nebula.

3. Finally, change the mode of this layer, from Normal to Screen and voila, we have created our nebula. If you think there are too nebulous, always can change the transparency of the last layer until the desired results are.

Space Nebula with Photoshop

Solar Eclipse in Photoshop

This effect caught my attention since I installed Win2000 at home. It brings a wallpaper of an eclipse and since I saw it, I looked for a way to play it. The technique explained in this tutorial achieves a similar effect and can be used not only for an eclipse, but also for text.

Tips:

How to create a planet with Photoshop?
How to create a CD with Photoshop?

Solar Eclipse in Photoshop

1. Created a starry background, as explained in the Tutorial Area . Then select the default colors ( CTRL + D ) and create a new Layer on this fund.

2. Believe in this new Layer and fill it circle color white and deselect. Then apply Filter / Distort / Ripple…

• Amount: 100%


• Size: Large.


• Then apply Filter / Blur / Radial Blur …


• Amount: 12


• Blur Method: Spin


• Quality: Good.

3. We hide this Layer by clicking on the eye out beside it. Create a new Layer and holding down CTRL , we click on the hidden layer to select the transparency of that layer.

Now take the tool Freehand Selection, and pressing the SHIFT (to add to the current selection) make a sharp figure slightly larger than the previous circle.

It should be something similar to the example.

4. Apply a Filter / Blur / Gaussian Blur … this layer so that it is not very diffuse, but no one can say that it was made by sharp parts.

Then activate the Layer was hidden and the other grouped Layer. To do this, we are positioned on the top Layer and press CTRL + E .

5. We again create a new Layer above the previous one, and create a circle that covers most of the white. We can give you a small Blur to smooth the edges.

6. Finally, create another Layer and fill it with black. We changed the mode Normal to Screen and go to Filter / Render / Lens Flare … and apply the following settings:

• Brightness: 90%


• Lens Type: 105mm Prime.

If we need, we run this layer to any of the areas that have more brightness.

Solar Eclipse in Photoshop

How Photographing Insects: Discover All Your Secrets

There was a time when we were very close to them, when he got up just one meter above the ground. Now, years later, it’s time to return to earth to smell up close and re-discover the exciting world of insects.

The wildlife photography is not an easy discipline. We, photographers, we become mere spectators in a theater of incessant behaviors and processes that, if we succeed, it is essential requirement to remain as inconspicuous as possible. In this article we will give quotes some tips that will help when facing a session with insects, joining us?

Tips:

How to create a planet with Photoshop?
How to create a CD with Photoshop?

Knowing a Insect

With approximately one million described species, insects are the most diverse group of living beings on the planet representing almost 90% of life forms that inhabit the earth. However, the data is perhaps most important is that they have colonized most available habitats, what does that mean? You can find them wherever we go!

Important: The Security and Distance from Focus Features of Our Objectives.

We have gotten bogged down in routine, developed a good position to photograph but still we are not satisfied or just want more approach, careful! Varies by species to photograph but, as a rule, there is a safety distance of being exceeded disturb our lead actor. My advice? I usually organize my approach as follows:

• Gradually the subject approach : Since relatively long distances and at large apertures diaphragm (remember that the farther from the smaller insect background blur, hence the start working with large apertures in order to achieve a correct blur) allow us to make “photographs atmosphere “without major approximations.


• Start the session from a safe distance, getting closer proceeds to increasingly close flat.


• When the distance to the subject is uncomfortable, too short, probably leave the area although they can sometimes surprise!


• When we set a subject is advisable to start making “photographs atmosphere” from a safe distance, our complete report providing variety of plans and, in turn, will our hero giving confidence to proceed with older approaches.

In this sense there is a characteristic of our objectives is crucial for photographing insects: The minimum focusing distance. What does this mean? It’s simple; two goals can achieve exactly the same expansion ratio (eg 1:1) from very different distances, sometimes even several tens of centimeters that can creep up on us very well!

Lenses with magnification ratios of 1:1

• Sigma 150mm f/2.8 – Minimum focusing distance 38 cms


• Canon 100mm f/2.8 – Minimum focus distance 20 cm


• Nikkor 60mm f / 2,8 – Minimum Focus Distance 18.5 cms

The technical data are clear: the higher the ratio the same focal length and magnification have a distance of farthest approach, that is, convenience when photographing insects.

Hours and Locations What Are Appropriate?

If we have come this far and we should have a global concept on how to address the bugs in our field sessions but, undoubtedly, there are certain weather and atmospheric conditions can play for us, did we look?

• Best in spring: It is well known that during spring an explosion of life occurs.


• Central Hours: During the middle of the day insects have such high activity that will be difficult to approach them with good results, please take advantage of it in your exercise to photograph subjects in flight!


• Sunset and sunrise: Lower their activity and thereby increase our chances of “static hunt” in a branch or flower. Maybe, if I had to keep one of these two moments would dawn, and provide an aesthetic plus to find certain insects bathed in dew. In addition, during the morning still have not warmed up fully and remain static until the first rays of sun get activate.


• Where there are flowers, there is life.


• Where there is water, there is life.


• Avoid direct sunlight midday, create unsightly contrasts.


• To 10:00 am and from 19:00 pm the lighting conditions will be favorable to direct sunlight.


• Enjoy cloudy days! Is there anything better than having a natural diffuser sized cloud? Volumes thank you.


• Best work individually: A single individual will have a greater chance of success in a group, remember that we are altering their daily lives. If my group would be wise to keep some distance.

Spring and their corresponding floral explosion provide plenty of subjects.

How Photographing Insects: Discover All Your Secrets

Explosions in Photoshop

Continuing the series of tutorials dedicated to space, now let’s see how to make a credible blast using some Layers modes and as always, the standard filters that come with Photoshop.

Explosions in Photoshop

1. Started the tutorial where we left the last. If you have not seen it, check out the Tutorial on Space. We continue to create a new layer above the previous one.

2. Using the tool selection link, I created a selection of mismatched features like the example image. Then take the red as foreground color and background color yellow and apply Filter / Render / Clouds.

3. Going to Filter / Blur / Gaussian Blur and we give a value of 12 pixels for this size about image. As always recommend they do their work in higher resolution you can and then if you need a smaller version, to reduce the size (Image / Image Size).

4. Created a new layer on the front and select the default colors by pressing D. Now we go to Filter / Render / Clouds. We should have something similar to what the example.

5. Now change the mode of the last layer of Normal to Color Dodge. We should have something similar to the example image. As you can see, it is very common that some areas of the “explosion” remain overexposed.

6. To fix this just take some brush very soft (double click on the brush and choosing Hardness to 0% or brush options choose Opacity to 10% or 15%) and the color black in front, let painting on overexposed areas. The result should be similar to the example.

7. The last step is completed only to prevent the layer mode is Color Dodge; also enlighten us too much to the stars that are in the background. We just have to position ourselves on that layer and go to Layers / Merge Down (Ctrl + E). Then change the mode of this layer is left of Normal to Screen.

There are some points to consider.

1. If we do not like the first type explosion that creates us the layer in black and white, we can continue to apply the Filter / Render / Clouds pressing CTRL + F until an explosion that we like.

2. You can also play with the level of Gaussian Blur on the 3rd step, since most Blur, the smaller the explosion, but the effect obtained is interesting.

3. Instead of changing the mode of the last layer to Color Dodge, also try to change it to Screen or Hard Light. Interesting effects are obtained.

Explosions in Photoshop

How to: Create Disco Ball with Photoshop?

Here is another tutorial showing how to do things in Photoshop that we cannot always scan or at least scan a picture of that. One such famous ball is those 70′s or 80′s, even longer because they are not very often.

Tips:

How to create a planet with Photoshop?
How to create a CD with Photoshop?

How to: Create Disco Ball with Photoshop?

1. Created a new document of approx. 100×100 pixels in size and having selected the default colors ( D pressed ) will Filter> Render> Clouds.

Then let’s Filter> Pixilated> Mosaic and we apply the filter with a value of 7-9 pixels.

2. Took the tool selection Circular and starting at the top left corner, make a selection that takes almost the entire document, while the SHIFT key pressed, to make it a perfect circle and not an ellipse.

3. Now let Filter> Distort> Spherize and we apply this filter to the 100% value. Invert the selection (SHIFT + CTRL + I) and having the color white as background, we press DELETE.

Then deselect everything by pressing CTRL + D.

4. Created a new layer and painted it all black (if we have the black foreground color by pressing ALT + Backspace). Go to Filter> Render> Lens Flare and we apply this filter two or three times.

5. Changed the mode of this layer from Normal to Screen , you go down a little the level of transparency and see how the effect is done. From now on the only thing left to add is a good DJ and go.

How to: Create Disco Ball with Photoshop?