The Digital Photo Guy

Learn Photoshop Elements in 4 Hours… Win Cool Prizes!

Just added a copy of 1-2-3 of Digital Imaging to the pile of goodies. Some lucky student will receive this for being among the first 20 to register if their number is drawn.

We’re also giving away a copy of the 1000 page Photoshop World workbook. PSW is in October so the information doesn’t get any fresher unless you shell out $1000 to attend PSW in person. Remember, you have be among the first 20 students to register to be entered into the drawing for these prizes.

If that’s not enough, the first 20 registrants have a choice of 3 terrific gifts to choose from just for being smart enough to be on the leading edge of webinars. When you register, you’ll receive an e-mail with a list of gifts to choose from so register now!

Click HERE to read how you can learn Photoshop Elements in just 4 hours from Rob Sheppard, editor of Outdoor Photographer magazine. Don’t let the magazine title scare you, the class covers all aspects of PSE, not just outdoor or nature photography. Most of what this class covers also applies to Photoshop CSx. Best of all, you get 60 days of e-mail support in case you have problems applying what Rob’s tricks, tips and shortcuts.

Freebie! Depth of Field Calculator

Normally, I don’t write about freebies until I have them in hand but this one is gonna take some effort on my part (I have to make them) so I’m asking first before I waste time on something no one wants.

How many people want a free (except for SASE) Depth of Field Calculator? If you don’t know what a DoF calculator is, go here. If you don’t know why you’d want a DoF calculator, you don’t need it. If you have difficulty using a ruler, you won’t be able to use this. If you don’t know what depth of field is or why it’s important, you need to take my dSLR class. If you want one, leave a comment here. That way, I’ll know how much time and effort I’m facing.

Monday Morning Tip

Today’s MMT covers the last lens most amateurs usually want, a macro. A macro is any lens that allows you to make photos that are 100% of actual size. In other words, if an object is 22.2mm across, a macro will fill the entire sensor of a Canon Digital Rebel from side-to-side with the object. There’s an image in the MMT that illustrates this concept. As always, all MMTs are in the MMT archives on the Tips & News page.

For those who have read all 3 MMTs dealing with lenses for new dSLR owners and amateur photographers, here’s a great article that basically says the same thing I said except in fewer words. See if your Canon lens kit matches what he writes.

Something Truly Amazing and Humbling

Most photographers have heard of Sergei Prokudin-Gorskii but, if you’re like me, you just thought he was a mad Russian scientist. It turns out Prokudin-Gorskii was really a photographer in his own right and produced hundreds of color photos long before any of us ever thought of color photography. The Smithsonian bought his collection and has been restoring the glass negatives. Here’s a small sample of his work. The man was truly an artist, a visionary and a scientist, well ahead of his time.

Sorry for the Wrong Date on MMT

Normally, I don’t correct minor typos on MMT posts because that causes everyone to receive a new notification e-mail but, in egregious cases like when the date is off by a month, I feel it’s important to correct it. Sorry for the double notice, everyone.

Serious Case of Writer’s Block Today

For some reason, I couldn’t organize my thoughts today. The MMT was written and I had ideas about photos I took at the Barona Indian Pow Wow in Lakeside, CA but my mind wouldn’t cooperate.

Few Spaces Left for the Photoshop Elements Webinar with Rob Sheppard

Click HERE to read how you can learn Photoshop Elements in just 4 hours from Rob Sheppard, editor of Outdoor Photographer magazine. Don’t let the magazine title scare you, the class covers all aspects of PSE, not just outdoor or nature photography. Most of what this class covers also applies to Photoshop CSx. Best of all, you get 60 days of e-mail support in case you have problems applying what Rob’s tricks, tips and shortcuts.

To sweeten the pot, I’ll be giving a copy of the 2009 Photoshop World Workbook (1000 pages) to one lucky student after the class. We’ll also give away, to a 2nd lucky student, a copy of 1-2-3 of Digital Imaging, the award-winning program that teaches you Photoshop and Photoshop Elements via DVD .

Monday Morning Tip

Today, we extend our previous discussion about lenses for new dSLR owners. We started with the Essential 3-Lens Kit (in the MMT archives) but owners quickly find that they want a longer lens. We have some good news and some bad news. First, the good news. Canon and Nikon have some really nice 400mm lenses but they’re in the US$1000 range. Others such as Sigma and Tamron have 400mm and 500mm lenses but they have severe limitations such as lack of autofocus. Now, the bad news, really good long lenses typically start at US$4000 and go up from there.

To read about your choices before you lay out your hard-earned cash, read this week’s MMT to understand your options. As always, MMTs are behind the password protected area on the Tips & News page.

Barona Indian Pow Wow

The Barona Pow Wow was this weekend and I went hoping to get more portraits of participants. Unlike the Pala Pow Wow, this one was held on a ball field and the background sucked (that’s a technical term). I had to practically lie on my back so I could shoot up high enough to miss the bleachers and fence.

I also got an object lesson in the term “Indian Time”. Unlike the Pala Pow Wow, much of the festivities started at 6PM. Since I was really interested in the Grand Entry, I took only my 17-40/4L and 70-200/4L. I didn’t take my 50/1.4 or 85/1.8 assuming the Grand Entry would be over before the light faded. Bad mistake. I was told about “Indian Time” at Pala but Barona practices that concept much more rigorously than Pala, probably because Pala was a smaller event. In short, “Indian Time” means nothing starts or stays on schedule.

By the time the Grand Entry started, light was fading fast and I was 150 yards from my RV where my fast lenses were. I had to crank up ISO and hope for the best. Here’s an example of what could have been a “money shot” if I had’t been at ISO 1600.

It’s OK as a snapshot but certainly won’t make the cut as a  high quality print. Bottom line, when you need a fast lens, nothing else will do. Don’t depend on high ISO to bail you out of a situation like this. Had I used my Canon 50/1.8, I could have regained 2 1/2 stops over my 70-200/4. Those 2 1/2 stops would have let me drop to ISO 400 and bumped up shutter speed from 125 to 180.

On a positive note, I got some really cool cloud formations for my cloud collection. In case you don’t do this, always try to capture nice clouds so you can replace a bland sky in an otherwise great photo.

Lots to Report Today

First, be sure to check out the details of the 4-hour Photoshop Elements class. This class is for those who don’t want to waste time. In 4 hours, in the comfort of your own home, Rob Sheppard will teach you everything you need to know to immediately start doing useful, creative, fun projects with Photoshop Elements. Take advantages of the Early Bird Special pricing before Sept 30.

Second, Photoshop World in Las Vegas is just around the corner. On Oct 3, 4 and 5, three million crazed PS users will descend on Las Vegas for 72 hours of ’round-the-clock Photoshop (OK, so it’s only 3000). If you’re an old hand, you know how much learning can be crammed into 72 hours. If you’re a noob, you’ll be blown away by how much you learn in 72 hours. If you’d like to connect at PSW, let me know.

Third, for San Diego locals, great news. Deer Park Winery in Escondido has reopened after a hiatus of several years. The winery boasts one of the most complete antique American car collections in the US. Over the next few weeks I’ll be scouting the site for photoshoot classes so if you’d like to join me, send an e-mail. Entry is just $5 and there’s a nice deli on the grounds. The winery is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10AM until 5PM and is located on Old Highway 395 between Welk Resort and Old Castle Road.

Fourth, in case you missed my earlier announcement, 2 more videos have been uploaded to the video area. I’m finding videos easier to produce and pack more information than MMTs so I’ll be doing more videos over the next few months. For the moment, low resolution versions will be on YouTube and high rez versions will be on this site. As I get more proficient, I’ll start differentiating by putting more complete videos on this site and using YouTube for teasers and trailers.

Fifth, I’ve posted a bunch of SoCal events on the Tips & News page so check out what’s happening from Native American Pow Wows to Bates Nut Farm to Art Tours to Canon Events. If you know of any photo ops that may be of interest to others, send me the link and I’ll post them here. Also check out the Fall Photoshoot schedule. Wild Animal Park photoshoots are back starting on September 19.

Sixth, you may recall my post where I mentioned Benjamin Kanarek, a Paris-based fashion photographer. He must have followed my link from my post on his site. The guy actually posted a reply on this site. I was surprised that he took the time to review and comment on my post. Now, if I can only figure out a way to get him to hire me as an assistant on one of his shoots!

Finally, Canon has agreed to give away 1D Mark III dSLRs to my readers (kidding, just checking to see if you’re still awake). This is the year I finally get off my duff and photograph some burrowing owls at Salton Sea. If you’re interested in joining me, let me know and we’ll coordinate. Since I can probably get away easier than most of you, I plan to go out to Salton Sea on a Wed or Thu and have prime locations scouted by the time you arrive on the weekend. This is tentatively scheduled for November.

Rob Sheppard to Teach Photoshop Elements

On Saturday, November 14 from 9AM until 1PM, Rob Sheppard will teach a 4-hour Photoshop Elements class jam-packed with tricks, tips and shortcuts used by professional photographers. Whether you are a complete newbie or an experienced PSE user, you will learn more about Photoshop Elements than you ever imagined possible. After this class you will be able to enhance and edit digital photos faster, easier and more precisely than ever before. Most of the material from this class also applies to Photoshop CSx.

If that’s not enough, you’ll receive 60 days of e-mail support after the class. That’s right, for 60 days, if you encounter a problem and just can’t figure out how to apply Rob’s tips, send me an e-mail and I’ll get you an answer. What class have you ever taken that offers that kind of help?

Anyone with the slightest interest in photography knows the name Rob Sheppard. He’s the editor of Outdoor Photographer magazine and editor/founder of PCPhoto as well as author of over a dozen books on photography. Obviously, it’s not easy to book someone as much in demand as Rob.

The cost is just $59.95 ($49.95 early bird special until Sept 30). Rob’s classes typically range from $150 to $950 so this is a screaming deal. Click HERE to register today. Seating is limited.

Monday Morning Tip

Until I started teaching digital photography, I didn’t realize there are just as many female gearheads as there are male gearheads. (A gearhead lusts for shiny new toys regardless of whether they know how to use it or will ever need it.)  One of the regular questions I see on forums is, “What lens should I buy?” This is usually from someone who hasn’t even learned how to use the current lens(es) they own. Somehow, digital photography has become enamored of the idea that buying a new lens will improve one’s photography. I think this is an extension of the first era of digital photography when everyone was convinced that buying more megapixels would improve one’s photos. Allow me to disabuse you of such silly notions. Buying more lenses means you have less money in your wallet.

Today’s MMT is for the more rational among us who are interested in the art of photography and not in being a one person economic stimulus program for camera companies. As always, the full MMT is in the password protected area of Tips & News.