Check out ePHOTOzine's inspirational photo month calendar! Each day click on a window to unveil new photography tips, treats and techniques.
View August's Photo Month Calendar
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
ePHOTOzine's Photo Month
Check out ePHOTOzine's inspirational photo month calendar! Each day click on a window to unveil new photography tips, treats and techniques.
View August's Photo Month Calendar
Thursday, September 15, 2011
ePHOTOzine's Photo Month
Check out ePHOTOzine's inspirational photo month calendar! Each day click on a window to unveil new photography tips, treats and techniques.
View August's Photo Month Calendar
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
What I learned in Germany & Holland…
…and In Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto..and last year in London….and two weeks ago in Orlando…is that: photographers and Photoshop users everywhere are struggling with the exact same things. The same issues. The same hurdles. The same things that stump photographers in San Francisco, are stumping photographers in Germany.
(Above: Brad took this shot of my seminar in Amsterdam, just hours before his 27th birthday. Happy Birthday Braddo!)
So what is it?
It’s not just one thing—it’s lots of things. Here’s five common themes:
(1) Power They Didn’t Know They Had
A lot of people don’t realize that the things they want to do are actually in Photoshop or already in Lightroom, but since they’re kind of “hidden beneath the surface” (maybe it takes a hidden three-key shortcut, or its buried under a menu they never go under), they think they need to buy some other piece of software to get them where they want to go. I love to be able to show them that shortcut or hidden place. You can see them light up when they realize it’s already there. It’s one of the best parts of my job.
(2) Light Meters Terrify Them
Frank Doorhof (my guest speaker) did a fantastic demo about using light meters during my seminar in Amsterdam, and that’s probably why I’ve never had more comments about them. Apparently a lot of people already have them, but very few are actually using them, and they told me they’re very confused about using meters in general.
(3) Off Camera, Hot-shoe Flash.
A lot of people at my seminars already have an off-camera hot-shoe flash or two, but they are really struggling with getting the results they want. A lot are complaining about triggering problems (with line of sight triggering and TTL), and that their images look too “flashy” and obvious that flash is being used.
(4) Over Thinking Everything
When it comes to lighting, I talked with so many people who are over-thinking everything and they’re just plain overwhelmed. I blame the Internet. They read one person saying one thing, and then at the next site, somebody says something entirely different, and they have no idea which one is right (usually, they both are—because in all of this—there’s not just one way to get to the end result), so basically they’re paralyzed. I think these folks are making a lot of the process of lighting and correcting photos more complicated in their minds than it really is. They’re all tied up in Watt seconds, and the Inverse Square Law, and the physics of lighting, and it has their head already spinning before they even walk thru the door.
(5) They’re Not Sure What To Use
Because so many pros are using so many different tools, they just want some guidance. They don’t want to buy the wrong thing (the wrong softbox, the wrong lights), and they don’t know if they want to continue down the path of hot-shoe flash, or studio strobes, or continuous lights, or a mixture of both or whatever. They want to be smart with their time and their money, and I don’t blame them.
(6) They have business concerns
They’re struggling with either (a) making a living as a photographer, or (b) they’re planing on quitting their current job to become a full-time photographer (I hear that a lot), or (c) they just came out of school trained as a photographer, but they don’t have a job and they’re all looking for some tips to help them make it.
Here’s what nobody ever asks about:
(1) Composition
(2) Creativity
(3) Art
It’s all about sync speeds and settings. I also hear a lot about “Rules” as in “I read your never supposed to do [insert anything about lighting here].”
Oh yeah, more one thing. Most everybody, in every city is already using Lightroom (at least at my seminars). The few that are still on the Bridge/Camera Raw don’t know why they should be using Lightroom at all. They think it’s just another version of the Bridge and Camera Raw, and they already have those, so why switch? Sigh.
What I’m doing about it
I’ll pick up with that right here tomorrow. 
ePHOTOzine's Photo Month
Check out ePHOTOzine's inspirational photo month calendar! Each day click on a window to unveil new photography tips, treats and techniques.
View August's Photo Month Calendar
Monday, September 12, 2011
Video Pimpy Thursday!
Hey everyone, RC here back for another Pimpy Thursday! Enjoy!
(update: By popular demand, I went in and gave you the gist of it, in linkable text form. – RC )
Worldwide Photo Walk
The Worldwide Photo Walk has over 500 cities signed up already. If you want to make sure you take part in this great event in october – Make sure you register for the walk!
Kelby Training App Update
As mentioned a couple of days ago, if you haven’t updated your Kelby Training App – make sure that you download the new version of the app. With some server changes, and some new features.. this is going to be important for you to get!
Extending the Photoshop World Early Bird discount
The Photoshop World Early Bird discount has been extended!! Here’s the link with details and/or to sign-up. Jump on it today! If you want to snag a room at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, the same hotel all the instructors stay at , at the special Photoshop World rate of $129, there are only a few rooms left in our block, so go to the Photoshop World travel page and grab your room now. They’re also offering $149 at “The Hotel” at Mandalay Bay (a trendy boutique hotel attached to the Mandalay Bay). See you in Vegas!
Two New Courses for the iPad and iPhone!
My new App that teaches you how to shoot and process HDR like a pro just hit the App store and right now it’s only $9.95 (sweet!). Here’s the link (or get it from the App store on your IOS device).
Corey Barker also has an app called the Photoshop CS5 3D Crash Course. If you’ve ever been interested in exploring the world of 3D in Photoshop, Corey Barker is just the guy to take you through it. Here’s the link!
Matts New Compositing Book
We’re excited that Matt Kloskowski’s book on compositing is here! The Photoshop Compositing Secrets book is out, and if judged by the promo video, this is going to be a smash! Make sure you check it out by clicking on this link
Check out the Kelby Training Tour Dates!
Dave Cross and Scott Kelby have some great tours going out there.. make sure you check them out at the Kelby Training Live page
Scott Kelby’s Light Shoot It, Retouch it Book Available for preorder
Im totally excited about this one. If you’re into checking out just how to light, shoot, retouch amazing images – you are going to LOVE Scott’s new book! Make sure you check it out on the Amazon Website!
Ben Wilmore in Africa
Ben’s teaching a workshop in Africa – and it should be an awesome time. Make sure you check out the tour details over at Ben’s site – Digital Mastery
Rob Sylvan – Lightroomers
Our buddy Rob Sylvan has some great tours and resources on his website. Make sure you go to Lightroomers to check it all out!
Trip Report: Germany Rocks!!!!
Hi gang: We had an absolutely fantastic seminar in Cologne, Germany on Wednesday. We had nearly 300 photographers there with me for the day, and I met some of the nicest, most gracious folks anywhere. What a warm welcome for my first tour in Europe—thanks to everyone who came out!!!
Here’s a few shots from the day, including one of my special guest retoucher, the amazing Calvin Hollywood (if you haven’t caught his classes on Kelby Training Online yet, this guy is insane!!!). Of course, the crowd loved Calvin, and I loved having him there (that’s Calvin above hanging out in the back before his retouching session—photos by Brad Moore).
(That’s Calvin above during his session where he shared his latest high contrast “freaky stuff.” Very cool techniques–I took notes the whole time he was on stage).
By the time you read this, I’m already teaching my seminar in Amsterdam, and my special guest instructor is none other than Frank Doorhof, and I cannot wait to see what Frank has up his sleeve!!!
My wife and son flew over here to spend a few days with me here in Amsterdam, so I am just totally psyched for the weekend, and I might even have a shot or two to share next week.
Have a great weekend everybody, and we’ll talk again soon.
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