JPEG in Entry-Level Photography

Summary For many new photographers, the transition from “taking snapshots” to “pursuing photography” is often accompanied by the advice to shoot exclusively in RAW. The following report argues that beginners / novice photographers should prioritize high-quality JPEG files over the technically demanding RAW format and complex post-processing. Choosing high-quality JPEGs is a strategic decision that[…]

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Luminar Neo Spring Upgrade – AM

https://youtu.be/WvNtmEhLdP8 In the video, Anthony Morganti, video details an upcoming comprehensive software update for the Luminar Neo photo editor, highlighting significant advancements in artificial intelligence and selective editing. Key improvements include the expansion of Bokeh AI to recognise non-human subjects and the introduction of more natural portrait retouching tools that preserve skin texture. The upgraded Skin AI tool[…]

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Directional Light using Reflected Gradients – DK

https://youtu.be/-5crXx6GSHE This tutorial demonstrates how to use ON1 Photo RAW to create directional light using reflected gradients (the principles apply to most any app supporting such) to enhance dull images by creating directional lighting. The process begins with preliminary adjustments to tone and contrast, followed by a conversion to black and white to better focus the[…]

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LR Classic – Multiple masks in 1 click – JK

https://youtu.be/tVCV0VmoZnw Julieanne Kost uses custom Lightroom Classic presets to speed up photo editing by automating complex masking tasks using presets for masking. Rather than manually selecting individual elements, these tools allow photographers to generate sets of masks for landscape and portrait photography with a single click. She explains the technical process of importing the files and[…]

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ON 1 Restore – Update

ON1 are really going out of their way to set expectations about ON1 Restore (to be released late April 2026), which is a good thing really as too many companies hype the heck out of AI related apps, with outlandish claims. Visit https://www.on1.com/blog/restore-ai-great-or-grotesque-real-photo-restoration-results/ for their commentary. Meanwhile here’s our short[…]

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AIARTY Review

The Aiarty ecosystem represents a clear shift from traditional image upscaling toward AI-driven generative reconstruction, delivering stronger texture detail, faster batch processing, and lower long-term cost than many competitors. Across both internal evaluations and external review sources, Aiarty performs particularly well in restoring fine detail (hair, skin, fabric) while avoiding[…]

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Blend Modes – An Overview

Blend Modes Illustrated – pdf document. Blend modes are a cornerstone of non-destructive photo editing, allowing you to combine layers in complex ways by controlling how their pixels interact based on mathematical formulas . While most blend modes treat the Opacity and Fill sliders identically, a specific group known as the[…]

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Layer Masking in ON1 – AM

https://youtu.be/A4iFpVk1OGI This tutorial by Anthony Morganti (AM) provides a comprehensive guide to layer masking and compositing within ON1 Photo RAW 2026. AM emphasizes a workflow-first approach, suggesting that users establish their desired final orientation and background before introducing a subject. By utilising automated background removal alongside manual refinement tools, photographers can achieve a realistic blend between different[…]

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Scottish Clan Origins

Our sister site alnessphoto.com has just published a paper on the Origins of the various Clans in Scotland. Their research report explores the intricate evolution and diverse origins of the Scottish kinship (Clan) system, examining how geographic and political forces shaped both Highland and Lowland clans. This report illustrates a society essentially[…]

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Silver Efex 2016 to LUT (Updated)

“Perfect” Conversions of Silver Efex 2016 version. The LUMATIC LAB – Nik Silver Efex 2016 Converter, is a specialized web-based tool designed for high-quality black and white image NIK preset conversion. The software uses an absolute rendering pipeline to ensure non-destructive editing and prevent image degradation. Key technical features include skin-tone protection, a dual-canvas comparison slider[…]

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Seamless Composites: ON1 2026 – AM

https://youtu.be/A4iFpVk1OGI see also https://www.anthonymorganti.com/blog/the-new-layer-masking-in-on1-photo-raw 1. The “Orientation First” Rule The cornerstone of a professional workflow is establishing your canvas before a single mask is drawn. You must decide on your final format—horizontal or vertical—and open that background file first to set the project’s dimensions. Pro Tip: Always hold the Shift[…]

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Lumatic LAB – Gradient file Convertor (updated)

Is a specialized tool designed to convert Adobe Photoshop gradient files (.grd) or specifically formatted .txt and .csv files into standardized .cube LUTs. Protect YOUR preset library; don’t let it die with a canceled subscription. Beyond conversion, the software incorporates a Tonal Analysis Panel with real-time histograms and dynamic exposure controls to ensure visual integrity during the[…]

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Chilly Black Water @ Little Garve

The Black Water (An t-Alltan Dubh) is a river in the Highlands of Scotland. It begins at the confluence of the Glascarnoch River with the Abhainn Srath a’ Bhàthaich. It flows in a south-easterly direction past the village of Garve, then passing through Loch Garve and Loch na Cròic, and around Eilean nan Daraich. It flows over the Rogie Falls, past Contin, around Contin[…]

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Lumatic Lab – Style Matcher (Updated)

The Lumatic Lab Style Matcher is a sophisticated image processing utility designed for tonal and colour distribution transfers. It is a tonal remapper and should not be confused a basic pixel replacement or colour overlays, so often shown as ‘night scope’ colouring, this engine employs histogram matching and cumulative distribution function mapping to align the[…]

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ON 1 Editing – 2 Tips – AM

https://youtu.be/hpLJvxzefX0 Anthony Morganti details techniques for non-destructive photo editing using the ON1 Photo RAW 2026 software.He specifically highlights how Versions allow photographers to create multiple virtual copies of an image to explore alternative artistic directions without consuming extra disk space. Additionally, he explains how Snapshots function as internal bookmarks to capture incremental progress and specific milestones during a single editing session. That[…]

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Lumatic Lab Suite – Release 2

The Lumatic Lab Suite is a professional collection of modular software utilities designed to convert diverse design assets into industry-standard 3D LUTs. The Apps are FREE, run on modern web browsers and run entirely locally so your personal data is not at risk and your images will not be ‘scraped’ or used for AI training purposes.You do not need a login,[…]

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3 pillar workflow for Firefly

Prompting with Adobe Firefly – JK

https://youtu.be/x0fnDtu59QQ Julieanne Kost of Adobe outlines a structured framework she has developed for crafting precise AI prompts to improve image editing and animation. The methodology emphasizes a three-part system that combines overall creative direction with specific visual details and explicit restrictions to ensure predictable results. It highlights the value of iterative refinement, suggesting that users should prioritise essential[…]

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