I headed down to the pool on Fathers Day to try and snap a couple shots of my husband, Dadding. Throwing kids around in the pool is definitely a Dad thing.  These moments are fleeting, which is why I am grateful to be a photographer.  One day she is going to be way too cool to be thrown around the pool, it's going to be embarrassing for Dad to even be there.  While the children won't keep, the photographs will.

 I used one of our Free Actions, Photo Refresh on this image.  Here is the before and after:

Photo Refresh is everything you need to clean up an image, plus there is an optional warmth layer, to warm things up.  The hazy sunlight in the left of the image is something new I have up my sleeve for you.  More on that later this week/next week.

If you are a Dad, I hope you had a wonderful Fathers Day.  I hope you did all the Dad things, and I hope that someone snapped a few pics for you to remember this fleeting time.

P.S.  I know it's weird that my husbands face is hidden.  It's what we have to do.  Thank you for understanding.

Four months ago, our littlest farm boy made his arrival.  He was smaller than we imagined he would be, but so so so cute.  

​He has a beautiful disposition, and is already giving us glimpses of his little personality.  I took a couple of weeks off but have gotten back to work in the last few days.  He was born just after Valentine's Day and everything got put on hold these last few weeks.  I'm not putting too much pressure on myself but I promised myself this time that I wouldn't slow down and so far I have been able to strap him into a carrier and carry on with my responsibilities.  It helps that he is such a good baby, he is up for anything as long as he is snuggled up to me.

​I'm not saying that I'm getting things done quickly, it took me 5 weeks to take these pictures, and another week to sit down and edit them.  For me, these are the perfect newborn photos.  While posed newborn photos are beautiful to look at, and seem fun to style- I prefer real life, real moments...real memories.

I love the way he sleeps.  It's the best to me.  I just want to remember those little things, because it's easy to forget.  Really easy. ​

Edited using the Portrait Magic Collection:
​Bright & Even, Magic Skin Smoother, Highlight Luminosity, Sharpen

​

1. TIMING MIGHT BE EVERYTHING. Take your photos in the first week, babies are their sleepiest and most malleable in the first few days.
2. KEEP THEM WARM. they will be quieter and sleepier so you can position them as needed.  Turn on a space heater in the room 30 minutes before you start snapping pictures.
3. NAIL DOWN YOUR VISION.  Think about the colors you want ahead of time and gather your supplies.  I wanted these images to be really neutral and creamy with a little texture.  The light in our bedroom is so beautiful in the morning, and everything is already neutral.  I grabbed a woven blanket and folded him up in it.
4. CHOOSE THREE POSES.  Choose a couple of poses and then move around shooting from different angles.  Standing directly above the baby will produce different results than getting down on eye level.  You don't have to move the baby around to get a million pictures.
5. KEEP IT SIMPLE.  The best pictures you will get are not fussy and overly involved.  The point is to capture some real-life memories of your little one.  Difficult posing generally involves compositing in the editing process, which is better left to the pros and always involves helping hands.  
6. DON'T BE INTIMIDATED.  Whether you are a professional photographer or a Momtographer, little tiny baby pictures can be intimidating.  In my professional career, I did newborn portraits two times.  I was shaking the whole time, but I also didn't follow these tips.  There were too many poses, too many outfit changes, it was TOO MUCH.  Slow down.  Calm down.  Keep it simple.
7. PULL UP A CHAIR.  You may have to sit and wait.  I spent about two hours taking these pictures...much of that was waiting for him to fall asleep so that I could get the positions I wanted.  I spent a lot of time just standing there waiting.
8. BE PATIENT.  With yourself.  You may be snapping away and not getting the picture that you want.  Keep snapping.  These images came from the end of the roll (so to speak).  I had taken at least a hundred pictures before I got what I wanted.  The light may change slightly, you may discover a new angle, or think of a new idea.  Snap away, and worry about analyzing them later during the editing process.
9. TURN OFF YOUR FLASH.  Using a flash indoors can create really harsh shadows.  Set up near a window with soft diffused light.  If you need a flash, be sure to attach a Gary Fong Light Sphere, this will  help diffuse any harsh shadows.

Do you have tried and true tricks for newborn photography?  Have you tried the Portrait Magic Collection?  Connect with me in the comments below!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission of you click through and purchase (at no cost to you).  Thank you for connecting with me in this way, it allows me to continue running this website.

Friends!  I want to share some Magic and Light Collection plans with you and give you some lifestyle photography tips.  Just some simple tips on catching that every day magic!  

First, let's talk about this years plans for Magic and Light Collection.  My big word this year is THANK YOU!  All 5,000+ of you. You have been really patient with me in the last couple of years.   If you are reading this right now, I am giving you a big huge thank-you-hug.  It has been a great 8 years of Magic and Light Collection and I couldn't be more grateful for all of my friends, followers, subscribers, and customers.  Whether you are here for the video library, free stuff, or you are making a purchase, we get each other, you and I.  Photography is a universal language and I am so grateful to be a part of your journey for the last 8 years.

Going forward, I am taking a new approach.  In the past, I haven't had time to share all of my own work and I have turned to other resources, out of necessity.  Going forward, I am sharing real stuff from my own portfolio.  I'm issuing myself a challenge because of this reason:  I let life get in the way of my own fulfillment.  Basically, I do everything for my family and let my own passions fall by wayside.  Moms, you hear me!  Momming is hard.  It's rewarding, but IT.IS.HARD and you lose you a little. 

Over the last 8 years of Magic and Light Collection, I have had two sweet babies. I've moved around the world, spent three years in a country that did not allow photographers (they almost took my equipment once on a trip through customs), bought a small farm, and generally done life.  It's been a hard few years for me as a photographer.  The short of this is, I need to make more time on the side for what makes me happy, and that is photography.  

Often, on competitors websites I see fantastical images.  Children with unicorns, families in the forest, very, very, posed images.  I am all about that, and as a photographer I revel in those beautiful images.  BUT, I also think that the beginner needs some support and mom-tographers need realistic expectations.  I know I don't always have time to pose images perfectly and I totally don't have zebras ready and willing in my back yard for birthday photos.

​The bottom line is, I want Magic and Light Collection to reflect the needs of our customers, real people taking real life pictures.  Along with sharing original, every day images, I will let you know which Actions and Overlays I am using from the collection, and share whatever else I can learn, with you,  in my endless pursuit of photography.  I want Magic and Light Collection to be more about sharing and caring going forward.

This year, I would love to connect with you in some way on a regular basis, the comments section of the blog, Facebook, email are all great ways.  Are you interested in talking about your photography journey?  Would you like to write a guest post for this blog?  Email me, I would love to connect.

Boscobel Farm is my historic Virginia Farm

I thought that I might share a little bit about what I am thinking on how I can get my photography groove back.

I've been taking a walk every evening when my husband gets home.  NO KIDS ALLOWED.  Only me and my camera and always my farm cat, right around golden hour.  I disappear for an hour.  

Keep your camera close by and charged.  I have been keeping my camera in the kitchen vs. the office lately so that I can snap a picture when I see something interesting.  I also make it a point to keep my battery charger handy.  There is nothing that will squash a creative moment like a dead battery.

Is the light hitting your morning coffee just right?  Do you have a favorite peice of yellow furniture that brightens your day.  These are the moments of your life, ever how small.  Catching these moments is paramount.  It will mean a lot to you one day.  I recently found this out when my 18 year old dog died.  A story I will share with you soon.

A 365 project involves a photo theme every day.  This is a perfect way to get your photography groove back.  Plan on creating a photo book, and add to it each day.  By the end of the year, your book will be finished.  Here is a 365 resource.

Share your craft with the world.  Enter a photo contest, whether you win or not, you are working on getting yourself out there and your taking great pictures in the process.

These are just a few lifestyle photography tips to get you started!  This is the list I am using to get myself back in the swing.  What are you working on right now?  Connect with me in the comments below!  -Amy

It's Spring!  Has anyone else been in a funk this winter?  Camera stowed, hiding out inside, wrapped up in blankets?  I have.  Besides being pregnant with a new bundle of joy all winter, I was really just over the weather.  Winter is a great time to work on my food photography but otherwise, I am not much of an indoor photographer.

I am definitely an outdoor, roll-around-in-the-grass lifestyle photographer. 

​Virginia winters are just too cold for me, and this winter was especially rainy.  I mean rain.  EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

Who wants to take their Mark III out in the cold rain?  
Not me.
Who would rather take pictures of dogs getting a bath next to the pool...
​Me.

I would like to celebrate Spring by offering you 20% off your total at checkout!

I have a brand new Photoshop Action for you all!  Photo Refresh© is a one-click wonder with six, easy to adjust layers.  Photo Refresh© is compatible with Photoshop CS4-6, Creative Cloud, and Photoshop Elements 11+.

This is a really great base Action to get started with.  Simply press play and let the six layers run through your photo, making automatic adjustments along the way.  Use the layer sliders to adjust the opacity of the entire layer, or use the layer mask to brush off/on effects selectively.

I finished the photo here with "Waterlily" from the Spring Tones set ($5) and used the Magic Eye Mini Action set to bring out the eye.

Do you love Actions?  Are you downloading Photo Refresh©?  Please leave us a comment below.  We LOVE hearing from our customers.
​

Hi Everyone!  It has been some time since I last posted, which have led many of you to ask me not to abandon the MLC blog.  Don't worry, I will not abandon the blog.  This year has been a whirlwind for me, moving back to the United States, adjusting, renovating a house.  Unfortunately all of these things have taken precious time away from the MLC blog.  As things even out here, on the farm, I will be back to posting on the blog.
Getting back on track, I thought it would be a good idea to reacquaint you to the Free Photoshop Actions and Free Photoshop Elements Actions we offer.

BEFORE

FREE ACTION: LIMERICK
Warmth turned off

BEFORE

FREE ACTION:  ANEW

BEFORE

FREE ACTION: COOL SUMMER

FREE ACTION: INSTANT BLACK AND WHITE

Thanks to all of our great customers for hanging in there with me!  I will have a new freebie soon!  Until then, you can download any of the Actions seen above on our Free Actions page.

Good morning!  It is Spring here, and I couldn't be more filled with joy.  The windows are open and the birds are singing, winter is something of the past.  Spring is such an inspiring season filled with once in a year opportunities.

As our time in the Middle East is coming to an end, we are struggling with a decision.  Whether to stay in our comfort zone, or buy a farm upon our return to the USA.  We are thinking, and praying, about what the right decision is for our family.  In my heart I think I know the decision we need to make, but I also think it will be hard.

Have you ever had to make a decision that leads to the path of most resistance?  I think our new path will have the most resistance but also be the most rewarding for our family.  Pray for us as we try to make the best, most rewarding decision.  Would we ever regret buying a farm?  Is it the right decision for our daughter?  Do we have time?  These are some of the decisions we are struggling with. 

Do you own a homestead?  A hobby farm? Please give us some insight and tell us your experience in the comments below!  We need to hear from you!

I've been digging through Adobe Bridge today trying to find some interesting images to share with you.  I stumbled across this one, and although it isn't especially dramatic, it is one I really love.  I took this where I live, in the Middle East (only a couple more months!).  Falconry is very big in the region and this man is shown here with his hawk.
By the way, I always look for images in my Bridge that are dramatic and I usually only edit those.  I feel like I have to get away from that because I am missing a lot of everyday-experience type shots in favor of only perfect shots.   This one for example, is far from perfect.  I mean, I don't think Nat Geo is going to call me on this one.  The man isn't looking at the camera, the hawk isn't looking at the camera, his tank top is weirdly pulled to the left of the picture.  Gents, please don't wear tank tops under cotton shirts, or any other kind of shirts.  Short sleeve undershirts look much less "my cousin Vinny"-ish.
Undershirts aside, this is definitely a RAW image, and it's slightly underexposed.  The first thing I did, was look to my Actions palette to see what I had that might help me brighten the image.  I went straight for the Spring sets of Actions (5 for $5.00) that we released last year.  

I started with Bright & Creamy from Spring IV, and it brighten things right up while adding vibrance.  It only needed one click.  This looks good but lacks contrast.

Next, I chose Pastel-erator from Spring I, to give it a washed out pastel-look while adding contrast.

Next, I used Limerick.  Actually, next I tried a million different Actions before settling on Limerick.  Personally, I kind of wanted to have a vintage vibe, but finally landed on Limerick as a clean-ish example.  Limerick is our FREE ACTION that was released last March, and honestly one of my all time favorites!  I turned the Boost and Warmth layers off, and reduced the Tone layer to 51%.  The handlers face is still a little dark, but I wanted to hawk to stand out so I am okay with it.

This was a five minute edit, and not too in depth.  You can find the Spring Actions for only $5.00 on the 5for $5 page, and you can find Limerick here for free!

We have 5 gorgeous tones for you that emulate the beautiful winter colors and effects that we are all striving to capture this year.  Each tone was carefully crafted to help you achieve the greatest results in the quickest manner.  At the same time, we left room for total customization.  Each layer of each Action is ungrouped and includes a layer mask for ultimate flexibility.

​

1.  Deep Winter- includes three layers to shift, boost, and give you an optional winter haze.  The tone is a gorgeous, rich, royal blue.
2.  Icy Blast- includes four layers to shift, boost, add a touch of winter, and and includes a velvety smooth matte finish.
3.  Sweet Winter-  includes four layers to shift, boost, add sweet winter contrast, and pop with added richness.
4.  Lost & Found- is a deep moody edit that includes 3 layers to give gorgeous contrast, deep mood, and a moody low finish.
5.  Vintage Winter- includes four layers to boost, shift your image to a vintage film look, and finally give a subtle vignette.

These Actions play very smoothly on all of our test images, with minimal layer masking.  The option exists on each layer of each Action to use a layer mask.  This makes each Action fully customizable enabling you to achieve the greatest results!
​

The New Year is always a good time to reflect on changes we would like to make, or dreams that have yet to be realized.  You may find yourself thinking about either making a career change or adding a new stream of income to your already established photography business.  I would encourage you to consider Real Estate Photography.

When I started in photography, I had been a Real Estate Broker for around 7 years.  The market had tanked and I was struggling to continue selling homes.  After 7 years of trying to make it work, I started to turn my photography hobby into a business.  Shortly after, I decided to leave Real Estate behind.  It occurred to me that with a couple of new pieces of equipment, I could add a whole new level to what I could do and ultimately what I could earn.

I bought a wide angle lens and started pounding the pavement for business.  Soon, I had booked a dozen sessions a week (with agents around town) for around $100.00 each.  Then, the builders got word of what I was doing.  One large builder hired me to photograph every single house they built and soon, I had a full-time job doing what I loved.

My experience is proof that you can really start something out of nothing and be successful at it.  5 years ago, I started Magic and Light Collection as a way to connect with other photographers and offer some resources that had helped me.  At around the one year mark, the Estate Collection was born.  I had spent so many painstaking hours editing Real Estate Photography, that I knew I needed to streamline the process.

The Estate Collection is a set of 33 Actions and 3 Cloud Overlays geared solely toward interior and exterior Real Estate Photography.  In the last few years I have whittled the process down to one or two clicks with the Actions and can edit an entire session in less than 20-30 minutes.  When you limit the amount of time you spend editing and delivering files you gain time that you can use to take on more business.  More business=More money.

The key to starting a successful Real Estate Photography business is just to do a great job.  Make contact with a couple of Real Estate Agents/Brokers, gain their business, do a good job, and they will tell their friends about you.

One of the greatest things for me was hearing clients tell me that their listings were selling faster because of my great images.

The Estate Collection is currently on sale for 20% off (Use code: STARTNEW) the normally already low price of $49.00.  Click the button below and check out all of the great features of this time-saving, work-boosting set.

Don't miss our Cyber Monday Sale.  Starting today you can take 40% (!!!!) off your total at checkout!  This applies to all Actions, Overlays,  and 5 for $5.00 products.  Load up your cart, because we only do this once a year!

Sale ends December 6th, 2015

Hey Everyone!  Today I want to show you a 3 minute edit using the Harvest Collection.  First I ran "Moody Edit", and turned all of the layers off.  One by one, I brought them back and adjusted the opacity as needed.
Next, I used "Evening Shift", and finished with Pumpkin Boost (brushed off 30% over the flowers).

Moody Edit gives the final image a nice velvety matte finish with rich browns and deep colors.

These Actions are part of the Harvest Collection of Photoshop Actions we offer each fall.  This is a mini-set of Actions, offered at a great price.  They are tailored especially for the fall season and all of the beautiful colors and textures we see each year.   If you haven't checked them out you can find them on this page.  They will only be available until December 6th!

For more before and after's of our Fall Photoshop Actions, see yesterday's post or visit the Harvest Collection page.

Not sure about Actions or what they do?  Head over to our 5 for $5.00 page and test them out for just a couple of bucks!

I rarely get truly negative customer service trouble tickets, because you all are so awesome, but recently I had one.  In one comment the customer said that (because they were having trouble with the link) they weren't sure if they had made a "bad internet purchase".  At first, I was totally offended and really upset, after all, I have dedicated the last 5 years of my life building and running Magic And Light Collection.  Then, I thought some more.  In the first years of this company, I posted A LOT of my own work.  A lot about my daughter and my dogs and our life.  In recent years, I have let the personal side of MLC slide.  I think this is why some might get the impression that there isn't anyone busting their butt behind the curtain.

Here I am y'all.  I'm busting my butt.  I care about every single customer.  I care about every single problem.  I answer emails and tickets as soon as I receive them, and I am ALWAYS here to help.

Going forward, I am going to share more of myself and my personal photography.  I never want anyone to think that I am absent from this or that they sent their money out into the internet, never to get something in return.

With all of that said...check out my sweet 15 year old Cocker Spaniel, Copper!  My baby boy!

He is attached to my three year old, they are best friends.  She was in the pool swimming with her Dad and it was pretty hot outside (try 125°).  Copper doesn't enjoy the hot weather anymore but he still needs to keep an eye on his baby.  This is him, literally on the edge of his seat, waiting for anything to happen that might require his immediate attention.

I noticed the amazing backlighting and knew I had to run and grab my camera.  Backlighting is everything to me these days.  I can't tell you what Actions I used on this image because it was a month or so ago.

That's a little glimpse into what I am shooting these days.  I still dream of being at National Geographic photographer, but for now family life will do.  

I'm here y'all, working hard for MLC- whatever you need, I'm here to help.

Amy
​Founder

Autumn is quickly coming to an end and the Harvest Collection of Photoshop Actions will only be available until December 6th.  
The Harvest Collection is a small set of Actions designed especially for the Fall months to enhance your seasonal pictures.  Whether you are shooting in a pumpkin patch, middle of the woods, or a crazy corn maze, The Harvest Collection has you covered.

For this image we used Fall Orchid & Harvest Sun from the Harvest Collection of Photoshop Actions. Plus,  quick Edits from the Magic Eyes and Magic Skin Collections.

On this image, we used Pumpkin Patch from the Harvest Collection of Photoshop Actions and some quick edits from the Portrait Magic Collection.

Available until December 6, 2015 and only released again September 2016.

Today we are offering a gorgeous watercolor texture for FREE!  I love it when we have some free-ness going on in here for you.  This free Photoshop watercolor texture in Seafoam is perfect for anything.  Whether you want to make cards, do some digital scrapbooking, or use them as overlays on your photos.

ABOVE:  I used the free Photoshop watercolor texture in Seafoam on an image to give it a little nostalgia.  It is pictured using the Multiply Blending Mode, brushed off the subjects, with a lowered opacity.

The texture is sized to 4286 pixels  x 2744 pixels at 300 dpi. (13MB)

Have fun with it!  Post your after's on our Facebook page!

Hey Everyone!  I realize that I have been in and out lately, I apologize for that.  We are having some issues over at Foodie Foodster and some interesting things are happening.  In case you are wondering what I mean, you should know that we operate a food blog over at TheFoodieFoodster.com.  The blog has been with Weebly for awhile but we felt like we might be better served by using Wordpress.  We started an experiment last week that we like to call Weebly vs. Wordpress.
What is interesting is that, so far, Wordpress is winning the battle for SEO (Search Engine Optimization).  Switching to Wordpress means a lot of work on our end and that has taken some time away from MLC.  The good news is, that we will likely be switching MLC over to Wordpress as well in the coming months and we will undoubtedly reach more MLC friends, customers, and contributors.

But today, I have five script overlays for you!  There are three black script overlays and two white.  Each is sized to 12"x12" at 300dpi and set on a transparent background.  These are great for making cards, nostalgic prints, scrapbook pages, and so much more.

All you need to do is place them on your image and choose a blending mode that is right for your image.

Watch our video on How To Use Overlays (below)
Watch our video on How To Use Layer Masks (below) so that you can brush off the script where needed.
Change the blending mode as needed.
Raise and lower the opacity to effect the strength.
Have fun!

In my last post about my own photography, I told you all that I have spent the last year really focusing on seeing the light.  I set out to really watch where the light is coming from, where it is falling, how strong is it, what color is it...and many more questions.  Many, many, many times I just observed, without my camera.  I wanted to become a master of the light in the same way that we attempt to become masters of our equipment.  The equipment is only a piece of metal and plastic that allows us to capture the light.  Sometimes you have to sit back and drink it all in.  You have to watch without trying to capture the moment.  I feel like over the last year of truly focusing on the light I have nearly mastered it.

This year, I have decided to focus on perspective.  Sometimes, the best pictures are the ones where the subject is not looking directly at you and smiling.  For instance, my dogs look out the window every evening, waiting for my husband to come home.  With my eye newly trained on perspective, I would take a picture from behind them to capture what it looks like from their perspective.  Here is an example of a composite I did last week.

I took three separate images (because life just doesn't happen like this in my house) of these three looking out the window waiting for Daddy to get home.  I used the Absence Collection (Actions) and Light Bokeh (Overlays) for the lights.
This year I really want to focus on mastering perspective, it truly makes images much more interesting and ultimately better quality.
In the image above of my 14 year old cocker spaniel, I got down really low and photographed him on his level, head on, and centered.  You can see how I achieved the dark, moody, edit below in the video tutorial using the Absence Collection and Moveable Haze from Spring IV.

This post may contain affiliate links.  Please see the MLC Disclosure and Privacy Policy.

A couple of months ago, we released the Essential Food Photography Action Set.  This set is geared toward Food Bloggers and Food Photographers.  As Food Bloggers ourselves we use this set every day and it makes life incredibly more easy around here.  I am able to post on average 3-5 times per week and I attribute this is quick editing.

I thought it would be fun to take a look at some before and afters from the last couple months of using this new set.

If you are a Food Blogger and you find yourself just sitting and staring at your RAW images in Photoshop, wondering where to start, this is a great tool.  Included are 3 Storyboard Templates and 33 Actions designed to help your food photography reach a professional level.

If you are a Food Blogger or thinking of becoming one, you should know that it is essential for you to have to best possible images.  There are a million food blogs out there and most of them are on point.  If you want to be competitive online then your images need to stand out.  Sites like Foodgawker.com and TasteSpotting.com have very strict guidelines but are essential to the growth of your blog .  We are consistently accepted on those sites (with the exception of three submissions [boo]) and have seen tremendous growth on the food blog as a result.  Three months in we are sitting at 10,576 pageviews for the last 30 days.  Much of this traffic is coming from Foodgawker.com and TasteSpotting.com.

I am a professional photographer and my images still need to be edited.  If you shoot in RAW (which you should be doing) then you need a basic clean up of your image.  This can be accomplished with the Image Cleaner Action.  It mimics the camera RAW filter but allows you to make selective adjustments on each layer, giving you more control.   This is the most powerful Action in the set.

You can find more specific information about this set, including all of the Actions included, by clicking on the button below!  

Happy Food Blogging!

I can't believe it has been 4 years.  I started Magic And Light Collection 4 years ago not knowing what the future would hold, and really not know much about digital design.  It took nearly 60 days to make the first sale and that moment has catapulted us into the most rewarding experience.

Our first customer from that sale was Steph Barber from Steph Bee Photography.  The only product we had available at that time was the Gypsy Collection.  From then on, Steph and I have been great friends.  She has offered so much encouragement to me in times where I was ready to give up on MLC.  The greatest thing about Magic And Light Collection is that I have had the opportunity to meet customers that have turned into friends.  Did I tell you she lives in Hawaii?  Did I tell you her florals are amazing!?!   

Another example of this is Hayley Warren of Hayley Warren Photography.  We met through MLC and became instant friends.  She is always around to talk, not only about photography, but about life in general.  She has done testing for me, contributed images when I needed new material, given me feedback, and generally been awesome.
That is what I love the most about MLC.  The people.  Hearing from customers, helping, and getting to know you all has been the most rewarding experience for me.

Going forward, in the years to come, I would love nothing more than to get to know more of you.  We of course offer products, but also friendly advice.  Please don't hesitate to post on our Facebook page, send us a message, or send us an email.  It makes my day to hear from you.

Going forward, we are considering a few new things like bringing on additional designers and offering an affiliate program (where you post our products on your website and get a large percentage of the sale).  Please keep an eye out for these new programs this year.

In honor of how much I have loved the last four years, we are offering all of our products at 30% off!  When you checkout, use the discount code BIRTHDAY4.  This includes all of our 5 for $5.00 products (which end up being only $3.50 each)!!!!!  Grab them all up for that price y'all!

Here's to another great year!

-Amy
  Founder
  Magic And Light Collection

As I mentioned in my 5 for $5.00 post about Spring V, I have been a little absent from my usual daily blogging here at MLC.  My sweet girl is back in preschool and so I am finding a little more time to get back to work.

Today I have a video for you on how to remove a common lens distortion called vignetting.  We all know about vignetting because at times we add it to our images to draw focus toward our subject.  While this kind of vignetting is a creative license we all take from time to time, there is a darker side (no pun intended...hardy har har) to vignetting.

Generally this kind of distortion occurs with lower level lenses, but that isn't always the case.  Take my image for example, it was taken using a Canon 5d Mark III and a mid-range 85mm  prime lens.  You can see the edges are considerably darkened.

While it wasn't immediately apparent to me, once I ran the new (free) Correct Camera Distortion Action I am releasing today, I noticed a big improvement.  I rarely notice the vignetting problem unless it is overcast outside and I am underexposing the image.

Available for Adobe® Photoshop® Creative Cloud®, Elements® 12, & Elements® 13
*note:  Leave a comment and let us know if it works in CS 4-6 and Elements 11!

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