RSS
twitter
Newsletter Sign Up
Ageing a Photo with Texture – Photo Help Desk #2
I chose today’s photo help desk picture because it was something a bit different. Instead of asking me to fix something, the photographer asked me to distress it. I love the look of this old tricycle, and I’m wondering what techniques you would use to give the photo an “antique” feeling. – A.B.
Keukenhof Gardens 2009 Photos Video
Here’s a fun little bit of eye-candy for you for the weekend. I’ve put together a video of my favourite shots from Keukenhof Gardens this year. I hope you enjoy it.
Colour to Black and White Photos in Photoshop – Control Your Camera #2
A few days ago, a friend asked me about the Black and White setting on her digital camera. Did I think using it and other settings, like sepia, was a good idea. Or was it better to take a colour image and change it later in Photoshop. My simple answer was “Don’t use your black … more
My 22 Favourite Photoshop Shortcuts
I use Photoshop just about every day. However, I’m not someone who has every single shortcut memorised. In fact, in many cases I find it faster to keep my hand on my Wacom tablet, than move back and forth to the keyboard. That said, there are a few Photoshop keyboard shortcuts that I can’t live … more
Photo Help Desk Episode 1
Many of you have had questions about what kind of photos to send in to the Help Desk. Several people told me they don’t have any old photos that need to be restored. However your Help Desk photo doesn’t have to be old. What I’m looking for is any photo that you think could be better, but … more
Depth of Field – Control Your Camera Series #1
I remember chatting with a professional photographer, who admitted she rarely changed her camera from the automatic settings. She said she didn’t have the time or inclination to learn about depth of field, apertures and shutter speeds, when the camera would do it all for her. I was pretty shocked. How could a creative person … more
“Ice Cream” Tulip – Double Late
I never cease to be amazed by the endless varieties of tulips that are available. Every year when I visit Keukenhof, I see tulips that are new and surprising in their size, shape or colour. This year, one of my favourite discoveries was the Double-Late variety “Ice Cream.” It really does look like its name-sake!
15 Second Photoshop Tip for Adding Contrast
Here is a really quick Photoshop tip to give your photos a little added contrast boost. This tip is highly flexible and can easily be made into an action. Once you see the difference this quick tip can make to your photos, I’m sure you will use it again and again.
Photos Help Your Website Sell
Last week I was doing some on-line research that took me to several different gardening websites. Although I found the information I was looking for, one thing I noticed really shocked me – there were no photos. Of course, as a photographer this is a disturbing thing to see, but moreover I honestly believe a … more
Warm Glow Photoshop Technique
Lets face it. Sometimes we need to photograph a scene when it’s not ‘”golden hour” and the light is flat and boring. There is a quick fix in Photoshop that I sometimes apply to save a photo from the lighting blahs. There are many variations on the warm glow technique so feel free to experiment … more
Hallerbos – Belgium’s Blue Forest
The Hallerbos (Dutch for Forest of Halle) is a public forest in Belgium, mostly situated in the municipality of Halle, in Flemish Brabant. It is located about 15 Kms south of Brussels. The forest is a beautiful place for a walk at any time of the year, but for a few weeks in spring, it is something … more
In Defence of Photoshop
I have a complaint. When did Photoshop become a dirty word? Lately it seems that everywhere I look people are hating on Photoshop. I see groups on Flikr and Redbubble that proclaim “No Photoshop allowed.” I notice people boasting in their comments – “I didn’t touch this image in Photoshop.” I have to ask… Why … more
Groot-Bijgaarden Castle, Belgium – Forgotten Postcard
It’s been quite a while since I created a new Forgotten Postcard. I realized (well my husband pointed out) that I hadn’t done a Belgian one yet. So I present the Forgotten Groot-Bijgaarden. The Flemish architecture really seems to lend itself to the aging treatment. This image consists of 12 layers (give or take). If … more
Submit Your Problem Photo to the Photo Help Desk
We all have piles of them – problem photos. They clutter up our hard-drives and fill up shoe boxes. They aren’t good enough to hang on the wall or even put in a photo album, but they are meaningful to us. Sometimes, a favourite photo has a problem that bugs us – a tear, a … more
Garden Photography at the Groot-Bijgaarden
Two weekends ago, I went to photograph the gardens of the Groot-Bijgaarden Castle (Chateau de Grand-Bigard in French), which is located just outside of Brussels, Belgium. I decided to use the shoot as a warm-up to Keukenhof and I wasn’t disappointed. The park is only open to the general public for one month in the spring. … more
Garden Photography Tips for Avoiding Crowds
I’ve just returned from four days of photographing gardens and I’m currently editing hundreds of flower and garden images. This has made me think of some of the issues that arise in garden photography. Photographing a public garden always has challenges. For me, the biggest challenge is usually the crowds of other photographers and visitors … more
My Passion for the Garden
Spring is a busy time of year for me and my camera. Garden photography has been a passion of mine since I first picked up a macro lens. The ability to get in close with the macro and see all of the tiny details that you pass over when you stroll through the garden excites me. … more
Transform – Zack Arias, Photographer
I just finished watching a truly inspirational video by photographer Zack Arias over on Scott Kelby’s blog. Riding on the coattails of my last inspiration post, this one is much more uplifting. Not only does Zack remind us that we are not alone when we question our abilities, and confront our fears, but he even addresses the … more
Get Lost – ACM Photography Travel Images
This is my first attempt at putting together a slide-show as a Youtube video. I’m a bit disappointed at the quality once it was uploaded. It looks much nicer on my computer than on Youtube. If you have any suggestions for improving the quality or for good slideshow/video software, I’m all ears!
Ireland Photo Gallery
This is a collection of images of Ireland and Northern Ireland that I made on two separate trips in 2006. Click the thumbnail to view the full image with captions.
Great Exuma, Bahamas Photos
The crystal-clear, turquoise waters and soft, white sand beaches make Great Exuma Island in The Bahamas a magical place to vacation and relax. Click the thumbnails below for the full images with captions.
ACM Photography Favourite Photo Websites
Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom Adobe Lightroom Killer Tips – Matt Kloskowski’s excellent blog about all things Lightroom. includes videos, downloadable presets and loads of information. Dave Cross On-line – Links to interesting sites and information about all things Adobe. Photoshop Insider – Scott Kelby’s Adobe blog. Jonathan Penney – Not exactly a Photoshop blog exactly … more
Inspiration and Fear
I wanted to post one of the most inspirational (and terrifying) articles I’ve read on photography recently. It’s inspirational because it cuts to the heart of what we all want to do as artists – follow our inner voice and create what that voice dictates, not what outside forces tell us we need to do.
French Vineyard – Forgotten Postcard
Despite my recent busy spurt, I decided to create a new Forgotten Postcard. This one was inspired by the Jurancon wine vineyards of Monein, in the Béarn region of southwest France. If you like this image please pay a visit to my Forgotten Postcards Gallery for all of the works in this series.
Alison Cornford-Matheson is a Canadian photographer living and working in Brussels, Belgium. She specialises in garden and travel lifestyle stock photography. In addition, she is a Photoshop professional and produces digital artwork as fine art prints. Alison is available for assignment work and commissions on request. 
