Red River Paper Blog

By Tim Grey–    Today’s Question: In Photoshop you can easily juggle image size and canvas size to obtain a print with the image size and border combination you desire. In Lightroom 5 I cannot find a similar set of functions in the print module where I can do the Photoshop equivalent. The presets in...read more

Many great photo locations require perservance, and sometimes even hardship, to capture engaging images. But if you’d like to combine vacation relaxation with photo opportunity, a visit to Maui can satisfy both. In addition to bringing your favorite camera for scenics, invest in rugged camera that you can take underwater for snorkeling or exploring waterfalls....read more

By Arthur H. Bleich–  For those of you who are not professionals and take pictures for the love of it, technology is your most formidable opponent. Digital cameras have far too many features for you to become comfortable with, especially if you don’t (and I know you don’t) shoot a couple of hundred pictures a day....read more

 By Scott Wyden Kivowitz– Here’s  how photographers can go about selling their photographs and printing the orders on their own. After making the photographs and processing them, it is time to get them onto a website where you can sell them. You could easily create a SmugMug or Zenfolio site which is designed to sell your...read more

by Arthur H. Bleich– “I’m forever blowing bubbles, Pretty bubbles in the air.” From the hit song Life In A Bubble, 1919.     Backpacking in Ireland in 2006, Tom Storm, 32, remembers being part of the crowd at the Galway Festival when bubbles from a nearby vendor floated by him.   “I’ve always been...read more

By Charles MacPherson–  So what in the world is a “crop sensor” anyway? There are two kinds of sensors in DSLRs – full frame and crop. Full-frame sensors are exactly the size of 35mm film (24mm X 36mm) Crop sensors are smaller and come in different sizes. The reason that the sensor size is important...read more

 By Harald Johnson–      A few years ago, I asked myself a simple question: What and where is the oldest photograph in the world? It took some research and bit of travelling, but in the end I found it. Along with its story.   First, some definitions are in order. Like: What’s a photograph?...read more

By Charles MacPherson– Exposure Modes Part 2 Last month, we talked about the different exposure modes available on your camera, and after explaining the different modes, I said that I use only one mode over 90% of the time.  And I challenged you to guess which it was. Sue Abrahamsen was the only one to get...read more

By Charles MacPherson–    Exposure Modes Part 1 Beginner’s Corner – Exposure Modes I’ve been asked to explain something about the different exposure modes.  I’ll go more into depth on these next month. Here are the modes that most cameras have: Green Box or Full Auto.  The camera controls all exposure and autofocus (AF) settings. ...read more

By Charles MacPherson–  Managing Your Shutter Speeds Managing your camera’s shutter speed is absolutely critical to making sharp images – or to create motion blur when you want to.  This Beginner’s Corner article will give you a solid handle on how to eliminate or make motion blur. Think of the camera’s shutter as a window shade. ...read more

  by Derrick Story–  One of the areas that mirrorless cameras need to perform well to gain the trust of enthusiast photographers is in their ability to make high quality prints. During my testing of the Olympus OM-D E-M5 and the Samsung NX300, I’ve been pleased with the output from each. Here’s a look at...read more

by Arthur H. Bleich– Have a file you can’t open because you don’t have the right software?  Or one you want converted to a different file type? Then look into these two free online services that will convert files and media from one format to another.   http://www.zamzar.com/ Zamzar is a U.K. Web site named...read more

In this edition, Red River Paper Pro Ron Wolfe covers the iconic Mesa Verde in Colorado My most recent trip to Mesa Verde was on the first day of November. Going to a National Park offseason has the advantage of fewer visitors. On the flip side, some attractions may be closed. In this case, several...read more

By Arthur H. Bleich–     Recently, a former shipmate on Coast Guard icebreaker sent me a print of an image taken more than 50 years ago in the Antarctic. He told me he was going to trash the photo but then thought that maybe I could salvage a black and white print from it....read more

by Arthur H. Bleich– A few years ago, I had an assignment from a power company to illustrate an article about causes of power-outs. Many disruptions are caused, I learned, by animals (and even bugs) during their daily rambles. I had just received a Pentax K100D to review for a magazine so I decided to...read more

  See-your-toes-ocean along mile-long powder sand, it’s easy to see how Lanikai means “heavenly sea” in the Hawaiian language. Tucked away on the Windward side of the island of Oahu, 21 miles from Waikiki, Lanikai is one of the hidden jewels of beach resort Kailua. Locals and tourists call Lanikai “one of the best swimming...read more

  by Derrick Story–  Do you have a box of  gloss photo paper or metallic photo paper that you’re just dying to use? A great subject for colorful, saturated printing is a hot air balloon festival. These events combine interesting people with vibrant imagery. I’m a frequent visitor to the Sonoma County Hot Air Balloon...read more

Today’s Question: I’m looking for information about the best way to enlarge digital files for printing. While I have an Epson 3880, I can “only” print on 17” x 22” paper, which is usually good enough but I’m looking at a couple of images for larger printing, hence my questions. I have Photoshop CS6, Lightroom...read more