Don't let your precious memories fade away! With every passing day, your old photographs continue to deteriorate due to exposure from sunlight, humidity in damp basements, storage in hot attics and pollutants in the air.

You can now repair your faded and damaged photos yourself with “PhotoGlory” – an affordable and easy-to-use photo retouching software! With it you can:

• Colorize B&W photos with 1-click
• Repair torn corners, cracks & tears
• Correct faded or washed-out colors
• Fix major defects & recreate missing parts
• Lifetime license
• FREE technical support and updates

Save over 30% on your purchase of PhotoGlory through this special link: www.photoglory.net/order-special-spectralight.php
Hurry… Offer expires soon

Now is the time to restore and share your priceless treasures with your children and grandchildren… and relive the sentimental memories that go with your photos.

If your photo is extremely faded or damaged to the point that PhotoGlory can’t provide a satisfactory result – it may still be recoverable! The photo restoration specialists at SpectraLight Photography combine today's digital technology with old-fashioned artistry to repair worn, stained, spotted, torn, cracked, bleached and faded photographs to their original luster.

See more samples of photos that SpectraLight Photography has completely restored AND get a FREE guide with tips for saving water or flood-damaged photos at www.SpectraLight.com/PhotoRestoration.

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NOTE: If you purchase anything through the links on this page – I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support allows me to research products and services to improve your life and mine… and I thank you!

For a no-cost, no-obligation appointment to examine your faded or damaged photographs and receive a free quote – contact us TODAY through this link or call 440.748.6300 (NOTE: This is a landline so text messages won't come through.)

The post Easy-to-Use and Affordable Photo Restoration Software – PhotoGlory appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

For years I've been bored with photographing fireworks. Fighting the crowds to get a good spot, dealing with hot and humid July weather, bugs, crying children… the list goes on. I'd rather stay home and chill-out with the Mrs. – UNTIL NOW!

A few years ago, I read an article by a photographer who captured some amazing fireworks photos. He gave the technical settings that he used for beautiful shots over a scenic lake. He inspired me to see if I could create images unlike any I've made before.

So I set out for the annual fireworks display in my town – North Ridgeville, Ohio. The weather was cool and comfortable for a July evening. I was able to stake out a spot by the lake where the fireworks would be launched. The bugs weren't annoying either (I think they preferred the taste of those around me.) And the crying children? It's amazing what ear plugs can mask out!

For 20+ minutes I shot photos with my Nikon camera mounted on a tripod with exposures ranging from one to four seconds at f/11 at ISO 100. If you don't have a clue about those settings – have no fear! It seems that anyone can get decent photos with just about any camera – even with smart phones. Even if you have firework photos from previous years that you wish to add some excitement to – read on!

Upon returning home, I loaded the photos onto my computer. Sadly, I was UNDERwhelmed by what I had captured. They looked similar to the old, boring fireworks photos I'd taken in the past.

Instead of using an expensive software program called Adobe Photoshop; I opened the photo, above, in an affordable program called “Studio“ by Topaz Labs. I've used this software to spice up photos from my previous travels with amazing results. The three variations of the original photo in this article were created with just a couple mouse clicks using Studio!

Pro tip: To achieve similar results in Topaz Studio, choose “Add Filter” > click the “STYLISTIC” tab > choose “Flare”. Then you can experiment with the various adjustments to make each star unique.

Topaz Labs is a company that has created several easy-to-use photo enhancement programs that can be used without even reading the instructions. It has a simple user interface that will have you creating photo masterpieces in minutes.

I found myself immersed in the software for hours as I created countless variations of each image.

See the rest of Topaz Labs photo enhancing software here: www.SpectraLight.com/TopazSoftware (NOTE: You won't see Topaz Studio on this page.)

Have fun!

NOTE: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, you'll help support this blog at no cost to you – allowing us to continue sharing information like this for your education and enjoyment. Win/Win! Thanks!

The post Fireworks photos with a unique twist… these aren’t your mamma’s snapshots! appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

360° Interactive PHOTO of Mars

You can interact with this photo by clicking anywhere on it and sliding your mouse (or finger if you're on a mobile device) in any direction!

This panorama of the Martian surface was taken with the Navigation Cameras, or Navcams, aboard NASA’s Rover – the Perseverance on Feb. 20, 2021. It was “stitched” together by NASA from several individual images after they were sent back to Earth.

I added the sky using a photo of Trumpler 14 – a glittering star cluster that contains a collection of some of the brightest stars seen in our Milky Way galaxy. It was captured by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. See the original photo here.

Although NASA made the original Mars image available for all to see on their website – it is not viewable in the 360° interactive format I created here.

360° Interactive VIDEO of Mars

Below, is a video featuring the 360° view of the surface of Mars before I added the sky from Trumpler 14. You may also interact with the video in the same way as the photo, above. NOTE: If you're viewing the video with a smartphone – you'll need to watch it on the YouTube app to be able to move all around the image as it plays.

Enhancing the original NASA images

The software I utilized to enhance this photo is Topaz Labs Photo Ai – an easy-to-use photo editing software that instantly sharpens out-of-focus images, increases the file size of low-resolution photos, and dramatically reduces noise (grain) in as little as one-click! See my video review of Topaz Labs Photo Ai here: www.SpectraLight.com/PhotoAiDemo

If you purchase this software through my affiliate link (https://topazlabs.com/topaz-photo-ai/ref/118/) – I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you – allowing me to continue sharing content like this for your education and enjoyment. Thank you!

See 360° photos I created of Cleveland area tourist attractions here and 360° virtual tours promoting local businesses here.

Are you fascinated by space travel? Would you like to travel to Mars or live there some day? Please share your thoughts with a comment, here!

The post NASA Perseverance 360° Panorama of Mars Surface appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

This video shows before-and-after photos that were blurry and then fixed with Topaz Sharpen Ai. It does not show how to fix them with the software but only the final results. If you wish to see how Sharpen Ai works since the creation of this post and video – check out my latest review of Topaz Photo Ai here: www.SpectraLight.com/PhotoAiDemo

Create tack-sharp images with no artifacts or halos. Sharpen Ai is the only Ai-powered image sharpening software currently available, and it can create some truly magical results. Fix blurry images in just a few clicks and rescue previously impossible-to-correct shots.

There’s nothing worse than the feeling of taking the perfect photo, rushing home, opening it up on your computer… and realizing that it’s blurry. When this happens, it’s usually caused by one of three problems: camera shake, focus issues, or general softness. Sharpen Ai can handle each one!

Stabilize: Natural shake reduction…

Even the steadiest hands don’t compare to a tripod when it comes to image sharpness. Unlike a tripod, though, you always have your hands with you! Sharpen Ai’s Stabilize module has been trained to reverse motion blur and make handheld images look like they were taken from a tripod.

Focus: Better focus correction…

Focus correction is a notoriously difficult problem that’s easy to get wrong, but Sharpen Ai’s Focus module excels at correct up to ten pixels of focus blur. This is perfect for sharpening out-of-focus eyes or correct issues caused by incorrect in-camera focus. Tip: use selective adjustments for best results!

Sharpen: General input sharpening…

Even with no motion blur or focus issues, images generally come out of the camera soft. Sharpen Ai includes the Sharpen module that specializes in correcting small amounts of general softness without any artifacts or halos. It’s the most natural-looking sharpening tool that you will ever use.

Learn more about here: Topaz Labs “Sharpen Ai” software  (SAVE $40 until June 16, 2023 !!!)

See the rest of Topaz Labs photo enhancing software here: https://spectralight.com/TopazSoftware

If you purchase the software through the above links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This allows us to continue creating and sharing content like this for your education and enjoyment. Thank you!

Do you have blurry photos that you wish you had saved had you known about Topaz Sharpen Ai? Please share your comments here.

See more product reviews at www.SuperProductReview.info

The post How to Fix Out-of-Focus Pictures and Blurry Photos with Topaz Sharpen Ai – Easier Than Photoshop appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

Maria’s Field of Hope was first planted by the Prayers from Maria Foundation in Avon, Ohio in 2013, to draw attention to the lack of funding for childhood cancer. The field was inspired by the memory and spirit of Maria McNamara, who died at age seven on July 14, 2007 from a glioma – the second highest cause of cancer deaths in young people. The field is a way to love and honor the courageous children who are battling cancer and those we have lost.

Maria’s parents, Ed and Megan, said, “We did everything humanly possible to save our daughter, but in the end, we could only helplessly stand by as she endured the unimaginable. Through it all, Maria showed tremendous character and dignity. Her strength, her courage and, most of all, her faith, left marks on our souls that have changed us forever. She never thought of herself. Instead, she chose to pray for all children suffering from cancer and their families. She prayed that the doctors would find a way to help them. She is our hero and her fight became our inspiration. Her prayers became our mission.”

This photo was taken at Maria's Field of Hope and is available for purchase for your home or office. (It will NOT have the logos seen here.) It was enhanced with Topaz Labs “Studio” software. If you make a purchase through this affiliate link (Topaz Labs “Studio” software) – you'll help support this blog at no cost to you – allowing me to continue sharing information like this for your education and enjoyment. Win/Win! Thanks. [Photo: Mark Madere | SpectraLight Photography]

Ed and Megan are dedicated to funding global research into the cause, prevention, treatments and cure for childhood brain tumors. The foundation has an impressive Medical Board that consists of some of the best doctors in the country for this disease.

Because childhood gliomas are grossly underfunded, the McNamara family is diligently working to make a difference by raising public awareness and bringing hope to children and their families who live with this disease. The Foundation has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants for desperately needed research.

A second field was planted in Sandusky, Ohio in 2019. The sunflowers draw thousands of visitors from across the country.

Discover more about this worthy cause at www.PrayersFromMaria.org and donate to support cancer research in Maria’s memory at www.PrayersFromMaria.org/donate.

Have you been to Maria's Field of Hope? Do you know a child who has cancer? How has that affected you? Please comment below.

Please subscribe to our YouTube channel and then click the bell icon to get instant notifications when we upload a new video: www.SpectraLight.com/YouTubeSubscribe

See more photos and videos highlighting what is great about CLEveland and Northeast Ohio on our HOTonCLE website: www.HOTonCLE.com

Please subscribe to our HOTonCLE YouTube channel and then click the bell icon to get instant notifications when we upload a new video: www.HOTonCLE.com/YouTubeSubscribe

See the gear and software we use to create our videos and photos: www.SpectraLight.com/Gear

The post Maria’s Field of Hope – Prayers from Maria – Sunflowers | Avon and Sandusky appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

This video highlights photos taken at Schoepfle Gardens – a park in Birmingham, Ohio in the Lorain County Metro Parks system.

Schoepfle Gardens is truly beautiful – 70 acres of botanical gardens and natural woodland bordered on one side by the Vermilion River. The gardens feature collections of rhododendrons, roses, cannas, hosta, shade plants, and a variety of shrubs, topiaries and trees.

My wife and I and a couple of friends enjoyed the natural beauty of the garden as we walked along the well-maintained walkways on a sunny spring morning in May. We're visiting different Lorain County Metro Parks as part of their “Hiking Stick” program.

You can earn a stick and a pin after completing 10 hikes at 6 different Lorain County Metro Parks locations by June 30th.

Have you visited Schoepfle Gardens or any other park in the Lorain County Metro Parks system? Which one did you like best and why? Please click here to share your thoughts.

Please subscribe to our YouTube channel and then click the bell icon to get instant notifications when we upload a new video: www.SpectraLight.com/YouTubeSubscribe

See more photos and videos highlighting what is great about CLEveland and Northeast Ohio on our HOTonCLE website: www.HOTonCLE.com

Please subscribe to our HOTonCLE YouTube channel and then click the bell icon to get instant notifications when we upload a new video: www.HOTonCLE.com/YouTubeSubscribe

See the gear and software we use to create our videos and photos: www.SpectraLight.com/Gear

The post Schoepfle Gardens – Lorain County Metro Parks appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

Total Solar Eclipse 2017: A Guide to Viewing and Photographing it — Hudson Henry Photography

Here's a great video with tips and tricks to view the August 21st, 2017 total solar eclipse. The sun will cross the U.S. from Oregon to South Carolina. This rare event is a great opportunity for photographers – both amateur and professional.

The last time a total solar eclipse was visible in the U.S. was in 1979 in the Pacific Northwest. Here is ABC News coverage from that day with an amazing view from Helena, Montana.

In the video at the top of this post, Hudson Henry explains why the August 21st, 2017 total solar eclipse is special, shares some online maps and electronic scouting tools to help you plan where and how to photograph it, covers what gear you will need to get the best eclipse photos possible and reviews camera settings and technical strategies to capture those images.

When the eclipse reaches totality, you can view it with your naked eyes and stars will be visible. However, during the partial phase leading up to and following totality, you need to protect your eyes and your camera’s sensor. Be sure to view the eclipse using “Live View” on your camera instead of looking directly through the lens using your viewfinder.

WARNING! There is a high risk of PERMANENT EYE DAMAGE when watching the solar eclipse. Learn more at 10:44 of this video: CBC Special: Solar Eclipse Over Winnipeg.

Have fun in your quest to capture some images of a lifetime!

Here are some links to the tools and products recommended in Hudson Henry's video.

The post How to Photograph the Total Solar Eclipse on 8/21/17 appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

However, a cool and affordable software program I discovered has changed all that! It can take ANY drab photo and make it a work of art.

What is so amazing about the software is that once you load a photo into the program – you can make dramatic changes to it with a couple simple clicks! Yeah, I was skeptical about that until I tried it. Two of the three photos in this story were instantly created with this software. The original, black-and-white photo was taken in Wakeman, Ohio in Lorain County.

Happy creating!

NOTE: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, you'll help support this blog at no cost to you – allowing me to continue sharing information like this for your education and enjoyment. Win/Win! Thanks!

Please subscribe to our YouTube channel and then click the bell icon to get instant notifications when we upload a new video: www.SpectraLight.com/YouTubeSubscribe

See more photos and videos highlighting what is great about CLEveland and Northeast Ohio on our HOTonCLE website: www.HOTonCLE.com

Please subscribe to our HOTonCLE YouTube channel and then click the bell icon to get instant notifications when we upload a new video: www.HOTonCLE.com/YouTubeSubscribe

See the gear and software we use to create our videos and photos: www.SpectraLight.com/Gear

The post Amazing software makes Winter in Northeast Ohio come to LIFE appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

“Cancel the trip – terrorists have attacked New York!” Those were the words I heard my wife utter over the telephone from work the morning of September 11, 2001.

There weren't any more attacks on the U.S. after that, so just 10 weeks later,  my wife, two young daughters and I spent Thanksgiving weekend in New York City. There was a somber mood cast over the city with the huge loss of life when the Twin Towers fell.

Through it all, the terrorists failed to take away our freedom. Seeing “Lady Liberty” keeping watch over New York Harbor gave us comfort and a sense of pride for our country. It is those feelings that inspired the creation of the above photo.

If you would like to have a commemorative print of the Statue of Liberty as seen in this story, please click here.

The software I utilized to enhance this photo is Topaz Labs Photo Ai – an easy-to-use photo editing software that instantly sharpens out-of-focus images, increases the file size of low-resolution photos, and dramatically reduces noise (grain) in as little as one-click! See my video review of Topaz Labs Photo Ai here: www.SpectraLight.com/PhotoAiDemo

I then adjusted the color and contrast with Topaz Studio 2 to create the first image at the top of this page.

NOTE: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, you'll help support this blog at no cost to you – allowing me to continue sharing information like this for your education and enjoyment. Thank you!

Where were you and what were you doing on 9/11? What emotions did you feel when you saw the video of the jets hitting the Twin Towers? Please share them with a comment here.

The post A commemorative photo of the Statue of Liberty remembering 9/11 appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

Shooting pictures under low light has always been a choice between getting a photo that looks too dark (underexposed) or using a fast camera ISO so the photo exposure looks just right. The only problem with either choice is the photo looks “grainy” compared to one taken with adequate light.

Fortunately, there is a company that has created a solution to those grainy images. Topaz Labs offers a software called Topaz Photo Ai that will allow you to:

•  Raise your ISO without any fear

  Recover up to the equivalent of 4 stops of light. Photo Ai can make ISO 1600 look like ISO 100. Use that extra light to get shots you otherwise couldn't.

•  Recover image detail hidden in noise

  Unlike other tools, Photo Ai uses information from the whole image to remove noise and recover detail. This is far more effective than other methods.

•  Shoot faster and clearer in less light

  It's like buying a new lens or camera. You can now freeze action better (with a faster shutter speed) or get a wider depth of field (with a narrower aperture).

•  Gain peace of mind about image quality

  Make sure your image quality is as good as it can possibly be in all areas. Handle edge cases like debanding, shadow tone restoration, and color casts.

•  Use it wherever you edit photos

  Topaz Photo Ai works as a stand-alone software or as a plugin for Photoshop, Lightroom, and many more existing photo editing products.

•  Get answers to questions at any time

  We're as dedicated to you as you are to your photography. Get dedicated support and free product upgrades for life.

For even more creative possibilities, check out Topaz “Studio 2” software which includes Star Effects (now called “Flare” in the Stylistic Filters menu): www.SpectraLight.com/TopazStudio.

Do you have photos that look grainy from underexposure or from using a high ISO when you took the picture? Please comment on your experience with Topaz Labs DeNoise AI.

NOTE: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, you'll help support this blog at no cost to you – allowing us to continue sharing information like this for your education and enjoyment. Win/Win! Thanks!

Please subscribe to our YouTube channel and then click the bell icon to get instant notifications when we upload a new video: www.SpectraLight.com/YouTubeSubscribe

See the gear and software we use to create our videos and photos: www.SpectraLight.com/Gear

The post Fix grainy photos with amazingly affordable software appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.