In my previous blog I suggested that you didn’t need to own a $2,500 camera to get professional grade pictures. For that matter, with all the high-tech wizardry that’s available these days you don’t even need to have taken a photography class to snap prize-winning shots.
Today I’m continuing my series spotlighting some cheap(er) software programs that can turn ordinary photos into works of art. In this blog I’m focusing on fixing fast action shots that often result in little more than big blurs and getting that perfect panoramic shot.
NOISE NINJA by Picture Code
If you find it impossible to take sharp pictures of your child playing hockey or football (bad lighting and fast action) consider investing in the Noise Ninja. This photo software program helps fix the impossible situation of balancing shutter speed and light. (Your child is going to be a blur unless the camera uses a high shutter speed, but a high shutter speed doesn’t let in nearly enough light for proper exposure.)
While you could invest in a special sport lenses that lets in huge amounts of light, but doing so will set you back a few thousands dollars. It’s far cheaper to buy the Noise Ninja. It retails for a mere $34.95, for Windows and Mac. For less than $40 you get a program that analyzes your photo and “smoothes out” distorted areas. It’s not a complete cure all, but it can take a photo that features a blob-like subject and turn it into something that’ll you’ll want to print.
ADOBE PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS
So, you want to get a photo of the Grand Canyon in one shot, but your camera can’t possibly capture the entire scene at once. It’s a typical problem owners of modest-priced cameras face. After all, most pocket cameras have built-in lens, which can only snap little slices of an entire scene.
To alleviate this problem you could invest in a fisheye lenses, but that accessory will put a major dent in your wallet. A more affordable option is to purchase panoramic “stitching” software. Adobe Photoshop Elements (Windows and Mac) has this feature and for $99 it’s practically a steal. All you have to do is take a series of photos that “paint” the entire scene, one section at a time from left to right. When you get home, you hand the photos over to Photoshop Elements. The program analyzes the stack, automatically lays them atop each other and blends them together. The end result: a seamless panoramic image.
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