Books published by Rocky Nook

Designed for photographers who haven't memorized every button, dial, setting, and feature on their Sony a7 IV, Rocky Nook's handy andultra-portable quick reference Pocket Guide helps you get the shot whenyou're out and about.- Confirmthat your camera is set up properly with the pre-shoot checklist- Identifyevery button and dial on your camera- Learnthe essential modes and settings you need to know- Divedeeper with additional features of your camera- Executestep-by-step instructions for shooting multiple exposures, in-camera HDR, time-lapse movies, and more - Followtips and techniques for getting great shots in typical scenarios (portrait, landscape, freezing action, low light, etc.)

Celebrate your relationships and express your style with the ultimate guide to creating friendship bracelets!

The pitfalls of photographing at night are many. Autofocus and built-in light meters generally fail at night. Long exposures tend to make noisy or blurry photographs. Cameras set to automatic generally trigger the built-in flash in low light conditions, which results in unsatisfying images. Lack of understanding and inappropriate techniques often ruin the dramatic potential of nighttime images.In Digital Capture After Dark you will learn to overcome these and other obstacles. You will go beyond the many how-tos of capturing digital images at night to the why-tos of long exposure photography; including the importance of how we think and see at night compared to during the day.Also discussed are hands-on image editing techniques that will help you prepare your images for output. Detailed descriptions cover color balancing, expanding dynamic range, controlling flare, dealing with noise, converting to black-and-white, toning, and much more.

Guides the reader through Canon's Speedlite flash system to off-camera portable flash and professional studio lighting. This work begins with the fundamentals of flash metering technology, discusses key concepts, and documents the various features and functions available with EOS gear.

The book addresses "e;geeky"e; owners of Canon consumer cameras who would like to explore the possibilities of their cameras, and eventually tweak them to do things way beyond their original specifications, such as- RAW file (or DNG) support in addition to the camera's JPEG output- Manual control for aperture, shutter speed, and ISO- Expand shutter speeds way beyond the specification limits- Enable bracketingThe hacks are based on the Canon Hack Development Kit (CHDK), a free software maintained by a group of enthusiasts. Many scripts are already published on the web. The book teaches how to use existing scripts and how to write new ones.Canon cameras, especially their consumer lines of PowerShot/IXUS cameras, allow the user to temporarily upload so called add-ons into the camera through the memory card. The next time the camara is switched on, the add-on is active, when the camera is switched off, the camera returns to its original state, so there is no risk of loosing the manufacturers warranty.

A step-by-step guide that provides a workflow for editing photographs in Photoshop CS3. This book includes an introduction to the basic concepts and tools needed to edit photographs in Photoshop - and then walks through editing workflow.

This book provides enthusiastic photographers with a wealth of information about the unique features of the Sony SLT-A77, an interchangeable-lens camera with an electronic viewfinder and a fixed, translucent mirror. The A77 differs from the current crop of DSLRs in its ability to use a phase detection focusing system throughout the entire picture-taking process, for both still photographs and videos. This provides an immediacy and responsiveness when using burst shots and creating HD videos that is unavailable in any other camera. In this guide, authors Carol Roullard and Brian Matsumoto teach you how to obtain exceptional photographs and videos as they cover everything from the basics of using the camera's automatic modes, to the more advanced aperture-priority, shutter-priority, program, and manual exposure modes. You'll also learn how best to take advantage of features such as the built-in dynamic range adjustment, sweep panoramic, GPS, colorization modes, facial detection and recognition, multiple shot exposures, and HD video. The authors provide you with an opportunity to improve your skills even further by discussing how third-party software and accessories can improve Sony's standard commands. You'll also learn about how the electronic viewfinder, fixed mirror, and Sony's novel shutter design improve the camera's utility for scientific photography through the microscope and telescope.Additional topics include:Advantages of the electronic viewfinder for previewing your photographsUsing the accessory Sony shoe-mount flashAdvantages of using the JPEG file formatAdvantage of having a fixed mirror and electronic first curtain shutterSettings for using the camera on a microscope and telescopeUsing the older Minolta Maxxum lenses

Rocky Nook s Pocket Guides are handy, ultra-portable, and quick to reference to help you get the shot when you re out and about.

Create colorful, fun outfits inspired by the best looks from the 1970s, '80s, and '90s! If you've scrolled thorough the latest fashions on Instagram and TikTok lately you've noticed that nostalgia has taken over. Styles from the 1970s through the late '90s are hot, and crocheting vintage-inspired designs is taking off in a big way. Designer, model, and photographer Ashlee Elle has built up a passionate fanbase through her Dream Crochet shop and Instagram where she shares her colorful, one-of-a-kind throwback outfits. Now, with this book she guides the reader to learn how to create their own fun pieces.This comprehensive book features designs that will take you on a crafty journey from 1970s to the '90s. Bringing original and timeless crochet designs forward with a fashionable modern twist, this guide will show how to create handmade accessories and clothing that'll make you stand out in the crowd.

Learn to edit, organize, and present your best work-and become a better photographer in the process!Once a photographer has learned the fundamental techniques of photography-the basics of exposure, composition, and focus-their work often improves over the course of a few months or years. The world is full of wonders to photograph, and photographers can be pulled in many directions, excitedly chasing the light and the moment. This approach can certainly yield wonderful photographs, but over time the photographer's progress often begins to slow, and eventually, it can stop altogether.The reason for this is simple: creativity begins with image-making, but true progress comes with learning to edit and organize your work in ways that reflect your unique style and perspective, ways that offer you insight into how you can improve your work moving forward. In short, the key to becoming the best photographer you can be is to create an ongoing portfolio (or multiple portfolios) of your work.Based on an eight-week course taught by renowned photographer and author William Neill,The Photographer's Portfolio Development Workshopprovides the tools and skills you need in order to create a methodology that allows you to create a tightly edited portfolio of work, no matter your end goal: a box of prints, a book, an online presentation or website, or even a gallery exhibit.A portfolio is simply a collection of photographs with a consistent theme and consistent quality. In developing such a body of work, you will learn what your specific passions are, find focus for your work, and begin the iterative process of creating better and better photographs over time. By constantly working within a "e;feedback loop"e;-where you carefully assess and edit your images, note and learn from mistakes, then go out and create more photographs-you'll develop a portfolio that is constantly gaining in strength, quality, and impact. It's no surprise that you'll also become a much better photographer.No matter the photographic genre you work in, this book will teach you to objectively assess your work on both technical and aesthetic levels, establish a personal standard of quality, focus your efforts on new work, and become a better photographer. The book features eight lessons, along with assignments at the end of each lesson to propel you and your work forward. Throughout, Neill uses his own photographs to illustrate the process he has used for years to create multiple portfolios and books.TABLE OF CONTENTSLesson 1: Find Your FocusLesson 2: Thinking in ThemesLesson 3: Editing on a Technical and Aesthetic LevelLesson 4: Grouping by QualityLesson 5: Adding New WorkLesson 6: Improving Your PortfolioLesson 7: Where You Can Go From HereLesson 8: Putting It All Together

Own composition, use composition, and make composition your own in your photographs!Of all the magical elixirs that make up a successful photograph, composition is perhaps the most fundamental, and at the same time the most elusive. What makes a composition "e;good"e;? It's hard to define exactly, but we instinctively recognize good composition when we see it. There is an undeniable emotional response when a composition resonates with and complements the subject matter of an image.But traditional attempts to define "e;good composition"e; and to pass on rules for good compositional construction are often doomed to failure. The truth is, there are no hard and fast rules. Rules eliminate experimentation and spontaneity, which are crucial for creating compelling, dynamic, and exciting compositions. The best compositions contain an element of the unexpected. "e;Expect the unexpected!"e; is perhaps the only viable "e;rule"e; of composition. To create exciting compositions, you must have a willingness to embrace serendipity and change as part of your artistic practice. After all, composition is a process, not a result.In Composition & Photography, photographer and bestselling author Harold Davis teaches you how to perceive patterns and abstractions and incorporate them into your image-making process. If one of the goals of photography is to show viewers things that are new, or things they haven't seen before, or things they have seen many times but need to see anew, then it's with the thoughtful and considered use of composition that you do that.In this book, you'll learn how to reduce your subject matter to the fundamentals, and to show familiar subjects in unfamiliar, novel ways. Harold covers topics and themes such as: Lines and circles Rectangles Combinations Repetition Symmetry and asymmetry Abstraction Entering and exiting Vanishing points and perspective Emphasis Designing within a frame Creating order from chaosComposition & Photography will help you find the tools and visual vocabulary to creatively design your photographs. Regardless of the genre and kind of photography you practice, you'll learn to create powerful compositions that incorporate structure and form into your work in ways that best support your images. Along the way, Harold shows and discusses his own work relating to each compositional element or theme he's exploring. And featured throughout the book are exercises about flexibility and process, designed to spur your creativity and help you begin an internal creative discussion."e;My goal as a photography teacher and writer about photography is to inspire and to help you become the best and most creative photographer and image-maker that you can be."e;Harold Davis"e;Harold Davis is a force of naturea man of astonishing eclectic skills and accomplishments."e;Rangefinder Magazine

Rocky Nook s Pocket Guides are handy, ultra-portable, and quick to reference to help you get the shot when you re out and about.

Journey into the soul of Cuba!

Go beyond lettering and learn to use your brush pen markers to create vibrant, colorful watercolor paintings! In this easy-to-follow guide, noted artist Jessica Mack teaches all the techniques you need to get started and practice through a series of fun projects. Markers are vibrant, inexpensive, and extremely versatile. They're also less messy than paints, and require less equipment to get started, making them the ideal tool for creating at home or on the go. And when you blend them with water you really unleash their magic! With over 35 projects you're bound to find something that suits your mood. From fashion illustration to florals, galaxies to food, each project will help you hone your painting skills, and you'll have a beautiful, finished piece of art at the end. Whether you're new to painting, or looking for another way to use your markers, these fun projects will provide you with a relaxing and enjoyable way to grow your skills.

Learn how cannabis can help spark your creativity!Cannabis has long been used and revered for its many benefits, from its widely acknowledged medical applications to its commonly accepted ability to help people relax. And now, with the list of states and countries legalizing marijuana usage for all purposes growing rapidly, we've finally reached a tipping point where cannabis is achieving a level of mainstream acceptance and usage, especially among artists. Many established and aspiring artists are looking to cannabis use to aid in their creativity-whether that's to expand the imagination, connect disparate ideas, take artistic risks, or myriad other ways to create and generate work.In Cannabis for Creatives, photographer and cannabis advocate Jordana Wright provides what you need to know to take full advantage of cannabis's potential in your creative work. She begins with the basics-how cannabis grows, how it is ingested, and the nuances of variety-then works through both the history of cannabis usage and all the pertinent details of the plant itself-lineage, strains, appearance, flavor, terpenes, and the types of high you can experience. Jordana also discusses the neuroscience of cannabis use, including how it affects the brain and how science measures creativity.Then, Jordana reveals her findings after conducting more than 30 interviews with artists, including photographers, writers, sculptors, painters, actors, comedians, and musicians as she investigates how these artists use cannabis in their work-including what strains work best for them-and how it has helped them become more creative, increase their artistic output, and have creative breakthroughs. The book also features a series of creative prompts that you can use as guided creative experiences in your own creative work.Table of ContentsIntroduction: Uncovering the Relationship Between Creativity and CannabisChapter 1: Cannabis Use Through HistoryChapter 2: Studying CreativityChapter 3: Cannabis and the BrainChapter 4: Understanding the PlantChapter 5: Cannabis and Creativity: The InterviewsChapter 6: Exploring Your Own Creativity with CannabisConclusionGlossary

A guide to choosing, completing, and sharing a 100-day creative project.There's a creative person inside every one of us! You don't have to consider yourself an artist to create and share fun or expressive work; sometimes all it takes is commitment. Enter the 100 Day Project, a global phenomenon in which people choose an artistic pursuit to practice every day for 100 days. The results of your project can be shared online with the rest of the #100dayproject community.There is an official 100 day project annually, but you can start your project any day that works for you. Your 100 day project can be anything that inspires you, from painting to writing to baking to embroidery. Even a small amount of time-5-10 minutes every day-will encourage and cultivate the creative spirit, and lead to explosive creative growth!This 100 Day Project workbook provides support and inspiration on your 100-day journey. Whether you're struggling with deciding on a project, starting your project, or successfully finishing and sharing your work, the information and exercises in this workbook will help you grow your creative habit, organize your thoughts, and use your imagination. With author Rich Armstrong, create your perfect 100 day project, and share your incredible results.

Maximize your creativity and unleash a new perspective on your photography with the lensball.

Rocky Nook s Pocket Guides are handy, ultra-portable, and quick to reference to help you get the shot when you re out and about.

Rocky Nook s Pocket Guides are handy, ultra-portable, and quick to reference to help you get the shot when you re out and about.

Rocky Nook s Pocket Guides are handy, ultra-portable, and quick to reference to help you get the shot when you re out and about.

Test your shutterbug knowledge with this fun deck of trivia cards!

Learn Scott Kelby s 7-Point System for developing photos to perfection in Adobe Lightroom!

Learn to create any color from a basic palette of just 11 colors!What if you could create any color you wanted, from a basic palette of just 11 colors? That is what the art of color mixing is all about. And once you master it, you will be able to create a broad range of all the colors you might need. Your options will be limited only by your imagination.In this color mixing book, Isabelle Roelofs and Fabien Petillion first walk you step by step through the basics of watercolor pigments, paper, and color mixing techniques. Using just 11 colors, you'll learn to bring more variety to your primary colors, create basic colors (such as Payne's Gray and Van Dyck Brown), and create your own secondary colors. This approach works no matter what brand of paints you use, as each of the 11 colors is identified by its universal pigment color (such as PY154).Once you're underway color mixing, you'll see how four artists interpret that basic palette to create thematic color palettes tailored to different subject matter, such as flowers, landscapes, portraits, and animals. Finally, you'll solidify your understanding of color mixing by analyzing five watercolor paintings to see how the color was achieved and how the painting was developed, layer by layer, to achieve the final result.

Skylum's Luminar AI is a great solution for both professional and amateur photographers who want to quickly create stunning photos. Luminar's advanced AI-based tools eliminate hours of traditional editing tasks, whether you're applying automatic tone and colour adjustments, replacing dreary skies with more dynamic ones, or retouching portraits to smooth skin, remove blemishes, and accentuate flattering facial features. For those who want to dig into editing, powerful tools give you full control over your RAW and JPEG images, including advanced features such as masks, blend modes, and lens correction. Luminar AI also works as a plug-in for other applications, such as Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, and Apple Photos, allowing round-trip editing and seamless integration with workflows you may already have in place. In this book you'll learn all about: AI editing: Luminar AI's many AI-based tools eliminate hours of traditional editing tasks. Improve overall tone and color using just one slider, and enhance a sky using another without building masks or layers. Realistically replace the entire sky in one step, even when objects like buildings or trees intrude. Luminar identifies faces in photos, allowing you to smooth skin, sharpen eyes, brighten faces, and perform other portrait retouching tasks in minutes. Expert editing: Take advantage of Luminar's many professional tools to bring out the best versions of your photos. Enhance the look using tone controls and curves, dodging and burning, and tools built for specific types of images, such as Landscape Enhancer, Adjustable Gradient, and B & W Conversion. The Erase and Clone & Stamp tools make it easy to remove unexpected objects and glitches such as lens dust spots. Luminar's RAW editing engine includes real-time noise reduction and advanced color processing and sharpening tools, all completely non-destructive and with the ability to step back through the history of edits. Advanced editing: Use masks, blend modes, and lens corrections to combine edits and effects. Creativity: Open your imagination with Luminar's creative tools, which range from adding glow, texture, and dramatic looks to incorporating sunrays and objects into augmented skies. Presets and LUTs (Lookup Tables): Learn how to use Luminar Looks presets and LUTs to bring the look of simulated film stocks and creative colour grades to your work. Luminar Library: Organise and manage your photos in a central library where your source images can reside where you want them, whether that's on your hard disk, a network volume, or in local cloud services folders such as Dropbox or Google Drive for remote backup. Luminar plug-ins: If you already use other applications to organise your library or for photo editing, such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom Classic, Luminar AI also works as a plug-in that allows round-trip editing and seamless integration with the workflows you may already have in place. Sharing images: Whether you're printing your images or sharing them online, learn how to make your photos look their best no matter what output solution you need.

Rocky Nook‿s Pocket Guides are handy, ultra-portable, and quick to reference to help you get the shot when you‿re out and about. These pocket guides are designed for photographers who haven‿t memorized every button, dial, setting, and feature on their Canon EOS R6. With a pre-shoot checklist and color coded tabs for easy reference to exactly what information you‿re looking for, this pocket guide will act as your backup brain. Customize your pre-shoot checklist so that you‿ve got your preferred settings handy, and don‿t worry if you switch them up, you can always access the pocket guide to correct or reset them.

Want to create but don't know where to start? Need a shot of inspiration?Let's Create! is the ultimate guide to fueling your artistic journey, from your first steps to the expression of your own style. Overcome creative blockages with the 35 inspiring challenges in this book as engineer-turned-artist Marie Boudon guides you in developing your art. Whatever your level (beginner or advanced) and your mode of artistic expression (drawing, painting, collage, photography, etc.), this is the ultimate guide to boosting your creativity and making beautiful art! This colorful book includes: . Advice on how to "let go". Exercises to awaken your imagination and inspire. Techniques to forge your own creative process and avoid dead ends. Inspirational testimonies from beloved artists and creators And much, much more!

Learn to harness the full power of layers and selections in Photoshop-and let your creativity soar!Learning the basics of Photoshop is an admirable feat. Unfortunately, that's exactly where most people end their Photoshop journey-with a fundamental appreciation of the program and the ability to execute a few helpful techniques. But without a full understanding of and capability with layers and selections-arguably Photoshop's most powerful tools-you're leaving the vast majority of Photoshop's power and potential untapped.Photographer and author Glyn Dewis's new book, The Photoshop Layers and Selections Workshop, is here to change all that. The author of the bestselling The Photoshop Toolbox, Photograph Like a Thief, and The Photoshop Workbook, Glyn focuses on layers and selections in this book, knowing that if you can learn and master these two features, you'll have everything you need to maximize Photoshop's potential, bring out the best in your work, and harness your full creativity.In this book, you will: Start off with a detailed breakdown of the Photoshop workspace and how best to set it up for your workflow Learn everything you need to know to work like a pro with layers Conquer selections and cutouts, whether you're working with the Magic Wand Tool, Quick Selection Tool, Pen Tool, Select Subject feature, Color Range feature, or Vector Masks Dive into additional techniques to improve your skillset: color correction, composite blending, removing reddening in portraits, using Content Aware Fill to perfection, and moreFinally, in the last chapter, Glyn works through a start-to-finish project that brings all of the concepts together to show how they work in a real-world scenario.TABLE OF CONTENTSIntroductionChapter 1: The Photoshop WorkspaceChapter 2: LayersChapter 3: Selections and Cut OutsChapter 4: Additional Tips, Tricks, and TechniquesChapter 5: Complete Project

The ultimate guide to the hottest new crafting trend!Colorful, creative, and totally addictive, diamond painting has taken the crafting world by storm. Now, with The Diamond Painting Guide and Logbook readers can get expert advice and inspiration on how to take their artwork to the next level. Inspired by cross stitch and paint-by-number, diamond painting involves carefully placing colorful jeweled "e;diamond"e; resin pieces on a canvas to create gorgeous works of art. This book is the first ever guide to the best practices for making flawless, stunning paintings, including: Best tools and uses Easy tips, tricks, and techniques Designing customized paintings Finishing, framing, and displaying artwork Maximizing therapeutic benefits Logging pages for tracking favorite projects And much, much more! Whether you're a beginner interested in learning a fun new skill, or an experienced diamond painter ready to take your work to the next level, this book will give you everything you need to create show-stopping paintings.