Category Archives: Lightroom

David Julian on Adobe Lightroom technique, process, workshops, tutorials, classes and learning.

Photographing Color and Composition in the Palouse Region of Washington

By | | , , , , , ,
4 Comments

Springtime and Summer Harvest brings color to The Palouse, an outstandingly photogenic region crossing the borders of Eastern Washington and Idaho. I travel there each Spring and Summer for my Palouse photography workshops when varied hues of wheat, canola and legumes blanket the vast rolling landscape. Ribbons of rural roads and tractor trails add leading lines to the patchwork quilt of this agricultural gem. Dazzling blue skies and vast open spaces set the stage for … more >> →

A preview of “The Beautiful Reverence of Mexican Altars”.

By | | , ,
1 Comment

While touring the countryside, I became fascinated by the reverent shrines within small Mexican cemeteries. The shooting conditions were difficult at best, and I thought it would make a great blog post to illuminate how I approached the work shot in midday sun, through dusty glass and with very limited time. I’m still editing the work, and finishing several concurrent projects.

more >> →

Photographing Rural Industrial Abstracts in B&W

By | | , , , ,
Leave a comment

I recently led a full workshop in Washington’s Palouse region, where landscapes are most people’s major focus. But when traveling in the countryside, I love the meditation of photographing graphic abstracts in abandoned and industrial spaces. Such details provide an opportunity for me to get close, and provide a mental balance to photographing grand landscapes, local people and rural life. I believe those shapes, rivets and splinters have stories to tell me. I try to seek out graphic compositions where various materials overlap … more >> →

Why I Went Mirrorless With the Fuji X-T1

By | | , ,
6 Comments
Fuji X-T1 system

In 2014 I decided to refresh my approach to photography. I was heading to Cuba to collaborate on a historical photography project. I wanted a greater connection to subjects than I’d been having with my face obscured behind my big beloved Canon dSLR. I needed a camera that could also frame subjects if held high, held low or when shooting from the hip. I wanted a lighter and smaller system for greater agility and spontaneity. Image quality had to be excellent, with great low-light performance … more >> →

Photography, Lightroom and Lobsters, oh my!

By | | , ,
Leave a comment

New in this post:

• Seattle workshop “Creative Photography With Any Camera”
• Maine workshop “Autumn Photography and Creativity in Lightroom”
• Download a much-requested image from my collection

There’s more good stuff to share…

more >> →

Season’s Greetings!

By | | , , , , ,
Leave a comment

Season’s Greetings to all of you, and thanks for following “Notes From a Creative Soul”. I look forward to a year of growth, creativity and adventures. Hope to see you at an upcoming Meetup, presentation or workshop! If  enough of you would like to know how this greeting card was made using Photoshop, comment below and I’ll schedule it as an upcoming post.

Adventures and Tips From a Weekend Photo Safari

By | | , , ,
Leave a comment
Cal Academy African Antelope

There I was, finally alone in the wilds on a photo safari.  Barely off the plane, I met the others in my group and we drove through the busy streets and markets to find some photogenic wildlife. Two hours into our tour, we huddled together, checked our cameras and stared across steamy African wetlands and grasslands. Suddenly, a territorial bull Antelope surprised me on the grassy hillock, staring me down from just yards away. My heart … more >> →

Announcing Three New Creative Photoshop Workshops in Seattle!

By | | , ,
2 Comments

After many requests, I am excited to be leading three new Creative Photoshop day-long workshops in downtown Seattle. Learn the creative potential of Photoshop by attending one (or all) of my three new workshops tailored to fit any artist or photographer’s abilities and goals. Creative Photoshop workshops are held in small groups of up to 10, so they’re more content-efficient and personalized than the larger classes at conferences and touring workshops. The day consists of on-screen … more >> →

The Creative Photographer: Composition and Design

By | | , ,
2 Comments

Composition and Design are as important in a successful photograph as are light, subject, story and timing. Looking for inspiration outside of your medium is often the key to learning something new. I believe that crossing mediums helps strengthen the random access of ideas that is key to our natural creative process. It’s a bit like loading your conceptual quiver the way a painter loads the palette.