"Olivia" by Photographer David Baker.

"Italian Cafe" by Photographer David Baker.

"Bride" by Photographer David Baker.

"Patriot" by Photographer David Baker.

"Boris" by Photographer David Baker.

The Ojai Photography Club welcomes the return of Ojai based photographer David Baker to their February 16, 2016 meeting. The program begins at 7:00 PM, at Kent Hall, located at Help of Ojai’s Little House, 111 Santa Ana Street, in Ojai.

Baker will speak on “Luminosity Masks Using Photoshop.” This will be a richly in-formative mini-workshop for photographers interested in advancing their ability to bring out the very best in their images. Although designed primarily for intermediate to advanced Photoshop users, the presentation is sure to inspire anyone attending by showing how dramatically luminosity masks can transform images. Baker will be using his award-winning photographs to demonstrate his process before and after masking.

The basic function of luminosity masks is to isolate and manipulate tones in an image - lights, darks, and all the intermediate values. The masking process uses only the data in the photograph itself and blends the tones seamlessly. This powerful technique allows the photographer to select specific areas of an image to enhance, at the same time avoiding the hard edges of standard adjustments. From simple corrections for exposure problems, to complex personal expressions of beauty and color, luminosity masks provide photographers with a versatile tool kit for exploration and creativity.

Baker is internationally known for his creative website and graphic designs. He is best known in the United States for his web site design for the 1995 Academy Awards, Super Bowl XXX, Microsoft Windows NT site, and the California State Legislature.

In the early 1970s, after seven years as a deputy sheriff for the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, he worked as a professional contract photographer for the Monterey Park Progress newspaper.

He then left the photography profession to become a successful software engineer and graphic designer. He was founder of Beverly Hills Software, an internationally known website design firm as well as founder and President of Real Time Computer Science in Camarillo. He has served as Director of Development for Symantec/Peter Norton and as Computer Architecture Specialist at Intel Corporation.

In 1998 Baker relocated to Ojai, California, and rekindled his lifelong passion for photography. He currently serves as the chair of the Photography Branch at the Ojai Art Center and acts as the Ojai Art Center Staff Photographer and Website Architect. Active in the Ojai Photography Club, he recently became a core member of the club’s central team that oversees the organization. Visit his website for images and extended information: http://www.ojaiimages.com/

After his presentation, Baker will review images submitted by club members. Monthly presentations are part of the Ojai Photography Club’s community service outreach and visitors are welcome to attend.

The Ojai Photography Club, which is devoted to education, inspiration, and camaraderie, meets on the third Tuesday of each month, February – November. Only members may submit images for review. For additional information please visit: www.ojaiphotoclub.com/.