January Numbers

January has been a whirlwind month here at Soup Questions and with The Photoshop & Photography Blogroll. And I'd like to thank all of you for making this blog a part of your daily routine.

The P&P Blogger Profile series has attracted a number of visitors and subjects from all over, both in the US and abroad. Yielding 13 additional profiles this month bringing the total to 15 and counting. I will be continuing this series over the coming months and I welcome any and all who would like to participate.

My new project, the P&P Workflow, has already generated interest and I would like to invite everyone who visits here to contribute to this new endeavor. The first entry will be up tomorrow - a shot of my nephew from last summer - and the second will be posted on Friday from Andy Smith over at Visual Realia. I also have a shot from inside Grand Central Station I took yesterday in NYC that I'll post once I have a chance to review and play with it.

To give you a taste for some of the amazing stats that have been generated, as of this posting, this month alone brought with it my highest day (202 unique visitors), week (670), and month (2108) since starting the blog and it has also translated into higher traffic over at my website as well making this month (28,000+ hits) one of my highest yet. And it's still growing!

I've been averaging between 60 and 70 unique visitors per day, many from other sites (over 400 from Scott Kelby, over 100 each from Kathleen Connally and Dave Cross, and a growing number from Michael Snell).

Let me know if you have any ideas for what you would like to see here, especially if you or someone you know would be interested in participating in any of the ongoing series.

Thank you all for your continued support and I look forward to seeing what the coming months will bring!

Thanks.

Using Multimedia In Your Local Church (2)

With the success of our last workshop in September, my dad, brother, and I are going to be leading a second session of "Using Multimedia and the Internet in Your Local Church" on Saturday March 23.

My dad will focus on video production, creative storytelling, and shooting good video. My brother will deal with some basic web design and computer networking. And I will be talking about PowerPoint, digital photography, and Photoshop Elements (most churches aren't willing to spend the money for the full version of Photoshop even though it is far superior and more flexible).

We had a good group of about 30-40, I think, last time and we expect an even more packed house this go 'round because it will be in a more central location.

If you live in Upstate NY and want to drive to the Syracuse area for a day of training, click here for details. We'd love to have you!

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 1.0

This Just In:
The word is being spread that Adobe just announced that they are accepting pre-orders of Photoshop Lightroom 1.0 for a mid-February release. Now until April 30th, Adobe is offering this awesome product for an introductory price of $199. After that point, the estimated street price will be $299. Click here for the press release.

Also, NAPP has updated their Photoshop Lightroom Learning Center which includes new videos and a first look at this new application.

Also, a number of Photoshop & Photography Blogroll members have posted their thoughts on this new release. So be sure to check out what they have to say.

P&P Weekly: #19

I've already received some interest in my new P&P Workflow project and have two photos all set and ready to go. I will be accepting submissions indefinitely so please join me in this new project. Click here for more details.

Also, as always, please let me know if you would like to be profiled in the P&P Blogger Profile series.

I am going to be in NYC until late Tuesday for work so I am publishing my Tuesday post today as well.

In the meantime, here’s what’s been happening this week in The Photoshop & Photography Blogroll:

• Paul of A Clean Well-Lighted Place has some intersesting shots this week, my favorites are "Gymnasium" and "Circular Window, Old Montreal"
• Kathleen of A Walk Through Durham Township, Pennsylvania has a couple of nice shots called "Just After a Snow Flurry" and "Snowy Tractor Path"
• Bruce of Bruce L. Snell Photography has a post about a new article he wrote for That's My Monkey about his camera gear and has some shots from a recent photo shoot with Cindi and Corey.
• Mike of Creative Outlet wrote about his setup for using an off-camera flash and his 4th Picture a Week.
• Dave at Dave Beckerman Photography: New York is posting about the ups and downs of maintaining an eBay store and has a nice shot: "View from the G.W. Bridge, 2000"
• Dave at Dave Cross Online wrote about episode 65 of Photoshop TV, the Pantone Color of the Year, his profile, and a cool palette generator.
• Richard from Europe in Black and White has a shot called "skateboard" and a nice portrait called "Tomas"
• Michael over at eyes on the road has two posts (1,2) from a trip to Ireland a couple of years ago.
• John of John Nack on Adobe always posts an interesting array of links from the world of photography, technology, and sometimes the unusual. Of note this week is a post he has on abstract photography made from smoke (I definitely want to try this), tips for working with type, and a gallery of photos taken just as lightbulbs are broken. He is currently traveling as he promotes CS3.
• Jim of PHOTOBLOG by Jim Larimer has a shot from his real job and another from his series of shots taken in his basement.
• Scott of Photoshop Insider posted about an interview and other cool Lightroom stuff, my profile of Dave Cross, photography workshops, Photoshop World, and three posts (1,2,3) from a recent photo shoot.
• Justin of Photoshop Quicktips posts a weekly podcast on handy tips and techniques in Photoshop. This week he has a video about aging your photographs.
• Jon at San Miguel Photo of the Day posts images of life in Mexico. My favorites this week are "Color with Cacti," "We aren't in Mexico," and "Cucharilla"
• Shooter at Serial Photographer has a number of great shots this week including "Sailing By," "Are you sure it's this way?," "Centrepoint," "Whitby Blues," and "Bookends #2"
• Eduardo & Timothy of the 100 Images Project have just posted their most recent additions to the series.
• Clayton of The C Spot wrote about a site called "Forests Forever" and the recent loss of a good friend. Condolences...
• Erik of The Journal: Life of a Persson has a couple of nice shots this week: "Night Air" and "Runner's High"
• Andy of Visual Realia continues his shots from the Grotto. My favorites are "January Moon" and "The Chance to Play"
• Aaron of What the Duck publishes a daily online photography comic strip. All of his comics this week have been hilarious, as usual.
• Martin of What the Heck Journal has two shots that I really like this week: "Out to Dry II" and "The Day After Tomorrow"
• Ben of Where is Ben? has a post about his time in Florida and an article about photographing moving vehicles.
• I posted P&P Blogger Profiles of Eduardo Angel and Timothy Campbell and Dave Cross. I also posted about Jonathan Yuen's site, Photoshop Limericks, and my current plans for Photoshop World.

Want to be added to The Photoshop & Photography Blogroll? Click here to find out how! Update your blogs often! I will only include links to posts added since the last P&P Weekly.

As always, if you have any suggestions or notice a discrepancy, please email me.

Photoshop World: Boston

If you haven't seen it yet, last week Scott Kelby posted a sneek peek at the photography side of the upcoming Photoshop World in Boston. There are just so many interesting classes being offered that I don't even know where to start!

The official list of sessions has been sent out and posted and, initially, here's is where you may be able to find me:

• Wednesday:
  - Opening Keynote/Guru Awards
  - As Easy As 1,2,3 - Ben Willmore
  - Photoshop Killer Tips for Photographers - Scott Kelby
  - Photoshop Visual Effects - Corey Barker
  - After-Hours Party at Jillian's (ProPass)
• Thursday:
  - Creating Digital Composites - Julieanne Kost
  - Lightroom to Photoshop to Lightroom for Printing - Jeff Schewe
  - Digital Photography for Serious Photographers - Rick Sammon
  - The Magic of LAB: Part I - Dan Margulis
  - Marketing 101 - David Ziser
  - Art of Digital Photography
  - Midnight Madness
• Friday:
  - It Ain't Over 'Till the Fat Pixel Screams - Moose Peterson
  - The Power of CS3's HDR and Extending the Dynamic Range - Jack Davis
  - Fine Art of Printing - John Paul Caponigro
  - The Pen Tool - Bert Monroy
  - Photoshop Wars
  - Closing Ceremony

I'm usually working behind the scenes making events like this run smoothly from a technical standpoint so it will be a welcome change to be a participant for once.

Photoshop Limericks

I was looking around the NAPP forums yesterday afternoon and came across this thread* that has a series of Limericks based on Photoshop. So I thought I'd give it a go.

My nephew once asked for a turn,
Of cameras he has much to learn.
The shots were off-kilter,
With nary a filter
To fix the incredible blur!

With textures of sandstone and chrome,
The gallery is the filter's home.
So many to choose,
Your mind you could lose.
There should be a smart guiding gnome!

There is a dynamic team,
Whose Photoshop skills are extreme.
Scott Kelby's the boss,
And then there's Dave Cross,
And Kloskowski loves him some steam!

If northward you direct your route
The Canadians will be such a hoot.
Now Dave's a Canuck
With lot's of photo luck
Even though they pronounce it "aboot!"

(This coming from the person who wrote his conclusions to one of his religious theory finals in haiku.)

Additions: (I just can't stop!)
There once was a man from Nantucket
Who liked to shoot pales and buckets.
As adjustments were made
Inspiration did fade
So he decided to give up and chuck it.

The warp tool is Corey's good friend.
He likes to make images bend.
His Wacom is cool
And Pixel Jockey's Rule!
When you have old photos to mend.

*Must be a NAPP member to view.

News of the Canadian "All Nude Clogging Champion"

Today, Scott Kelby posted a link to to Dave Cross' profile from the other day. First off, I'm grateful for the support and encouragement and I've certainly enjoyed learning more about these giants of the Photoshop world.

Also, I'd be interested in the interview Scott was reading that said Dave Cross spent time in a maximum security federal penitentiary, or that he once held the Canadian title for "All Nude Clogging Champion--Males 25-40 Division."

Thanks guys!

Amazing Site

I recently subscribed to Adobe's Edge Newsletter "a free publication that contains original content geared toward informing, enlightening, and inspiring Adobe customers."

In their article "The edge of Flash" they have selected a number of really cool sites that are pushing the boundaries of Flash-based web design. I looked at a couple of them and was certainly impressed with what I saw, but there was one that just blew me away.

For so many reasons, Jonathan Yuen's site left me with my mouth wide open and a silly, mesmerized look on my face as I looked at what he's come up with. The soft, calming music and seamless effects are amazing. It's simple yet complex. Playful yet elegant. Just plain awesome.

His goal is "to touch someone's heart with design" and I must say, I am truly inspired by what he's done. It's one of those sites that make you want to be a better designer. Bravo!

P&P Blogger Profile: Dave Cross

Dave Cross of Dave Cross Online

I am the Senior Developer, Education and Curriculum for the National Association of Photoshop Professionals and am involved in all aspects of the training that is provided to NAPP members, including the content of seminars, conferences and workbooks. I’m an Adobe Certified Instructor in Photoshop CS2 and Illustrator CS2 and a Certified Technical Trainer. I co-authored Illustrator CS2 Killer Tips wrote the Photoshop CS2 Help Desk Book and Photoshop Finishing Touches. I write for Photoshop User magazine, teach at the Photoshop World Conference & Expo and am the Lead Instructor for the Photoshop Seminar Tour, and with my buddies Scott Kelby and Matt Kloskowski, co-host Adobe Photoshop TV.

Why do you blog?
I set a goal for myself to add something to my blog every day, and it’s become both fun and challenging to try to do that. It keeps me on my toes and of course I’m always learning new things as I search out blog-worthy information to add.

If you only had time to read three blogs a day, which ones would they be?
Photoshop Insider (Scott Kelby)
John Nack
Strobist (http://strobist.blogspot.com/)

How long have you been using Photoshop/been a photographer?
I started using – and teaching – Photoshop back in its original version. In fact every application that I teach, I have used since version 1 (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop Elements, Adobe Lightroom)

What type of camera(s) do you shoot with?
Nikon D200

Mac or PC?
I use both but have always mostly used a Mac.

What is your favorite piece of photo or computer equipment (other than your camera)?
It’s going to sound strange, but probably the L bracket (Really Right Stuff) that lets me switch from portrait to landscape on my tripod in a flash. It’s great.

What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have?
A great big studio soft box or beauty dish. Or a ring flash. Or a macro lens….

What advice do you have for a novice creative professional/photographer?
Be willing to experiment: digital photography gives us a wonderful opportunity to try things, knowing you can always delete and try again. Learn your camera well, including Manual mode, and think about how you can take advantage of your camera and Photoshop.

What inspires you to create?
Seeing the work of others of course, and often long plane rides give me a chance to sit and brainstorm on what would make a cool-looking image.

What would be your most important piece of advice about life?
Slow down a bit. We seem to move at a frantic pace sometimes and miss great opportunities such as enjoying the scenery or playing with our kids. So that’s it, just slow down a bit (oh, and use your turn indicator)

Where would you most like to live (other than where you live now)?
After 40-something years in Canada, I love it where I am now in Florida (if they could just do away with Hurricane Season).

What do you like to do in your spare time?
For many years I’ve sung in a Barbershop quartet and chorus, and that takes up a lot of my time. Any other time you can probably find me doing a photo shoot or hanging out with my family.

What talent would you most like to have?
Two things I can’t decide between: I wish I could play the piano and I’d like to be fluent in sign language.

From Inside the Actors Studio:
What is your favorite word? Daddy
What is your least favorite word? mortgage
What turns you on? Being surrounded by creative people
What turns you off? People who couldn’t care less
What sound or noise do you love? My childrens’ laughter, my wife’s voice
What sound or noise do you hate? Dentist’s drill
What is your favorite curse word? Frig!
What occupation other than your own would you like to attempt? Professional field goal kicker
What occupation would you not want to participate in? Anything involving blood, stitches etc.
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? Good Job

*Note: If you would like to participate in the P&P Blogger Profile series, please email Jason with your blog's URL and he will send you a profile to fill out. Also, be sure to check out the P&P Weekly every Monday for news about this site and a roundup of what other Photoshop & Photography Blogroll members are posting.

P&P Blogger Profile: Eduardo Angel/Timothy Campbell

Eduardo Angel & Timothy Campbell of The 100 Images Project

Every week, Timothy Campbell and Eduardo Angel add an original photo to the 100 Images web page where their photos sit side by side in serendipitous juxtaposition. Each adds his photo without seeing the other's submission. Timothy lives in Chicago, Illinois, while Eduardo lives in Brooklyn, New York. While using the same model camera and shooting in the same time frame, they will each add a new photo a week for 50 weeks to create an image battle between Chicago and New York. Some weeks Timothy’s photo will be on the right-hand side. Some week’s Eduardo’s photo will hold that position. It’s up to you to guess which photo was taken in Chicago and which photo was taken in New York. Note: all the photos in the first 25 weeks of this project were taken in Chicago, before Eduardo moved to Brooklyn. This project is generously sponsored in part by Canon. Timothy and Eduardo are both exclusively using Canon PowerShot cameras.

(Profile completed by Timothy Campbell)

How long have you been using Photoshop/been a photographer?
I can barely use Word. Eduardo has been using Photoshop for years though.

What type of camera(s) do you shoot with?
We both exclusively use Canon PowerShot SD500 cameras.

Mac or PC?
Mac

What is your favorite piece of photo or computer equipment (other than your camera)?
Public computers are cool.

What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have?
A smoke machine.

What advice do you have for a novice creative professional/photographer?
Have Fun.

What inspires you to create?
There is so much mystery and wonder in the world. We both feel a need to explore these topics.

What would be your most important piece of advice about life?
There’s not much time, so make the most of what you have.

Where would you most like to live (other than where you live now)?

Budapest

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Read about ruined empires.

What talent would you most like to have?

Fluency in ALL languages.

From Inside the Actors Studio:
What is your favorite word? Plenipotentiary
What is your least favorite word? Pimple
What turns you on? Airports. There’s something really sexy about women on the go.
What turns you off? Antiseptic smells

What sound or noise do you love? Cork coming out of the wine bottle.
What sound or noise do you hate? Zydeco music.
What is your favorite curse word? Dickhead.
What occupation other than your own would you like to attempt? Acrobat.

What occupation would you not want to participate in? Surgery.

f Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? Smoking or non?

*Note: If you would like to participate in the P&P Blogger Profile series, please email Jason with your blog's URL and he will send you a profile to fill out. Also, be sure to check out the P&P Weekly every Monday for news about this site and a roundup of what other Photoshop & Photography Blogroll members are posting.

79th Annual Academy Award Nominations

In a slight departure from my normal posts about Photoshop and photography, the nominations for the 79th Annual Academy Awards have been announced. I've done an initial look through the list but will write more later once I get home from work.

UPDATE:
After having a chance to review the nominees for the 79th Oscars, and having not yet seen a number of the films that received nods this year, I will only make my picks based on the performances I have seen. So for what it's worth...

Best Actor:
Leonardo DiCaprio - Blood Diamond
*Will Smith - The Pursuit of Happyness
Forest Whitaker - The Last King of Scotland (he'll probably win, though)

Best Supporting Actor:
Alan Arkin - Little Miss Sunshine
*Djimon Hounsou - Blood Diamond

Best Supporting Actress:
Abigail Breslin - Little Miss Sunshine
(I really liked her performance but I don't think she'll get it.)

Best Animated Feature:
*Cars
(Once again, Pixar hits one out of the park.)

Art Direction:
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Cinematography:
Children of Man
The Illusionist

Editing:
*Blood Diamond
Children of Men

Original Song:
*"Our Town" - Cars

Best Picture:
*Little Miss Sunshine
(I loved this film but I think it's certainly the underdog.)

Sound Editing/Sound Mixing:
Blood Diamond
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

Visual Effects:
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
*Superman Returns
(I didn't like it but the effects were pretty good.)

Adapted Screenplay:
Children of Men

Original Screenplay:
*Little Miss Sunshine
(Again, its an underdog. If it doesn't win Best Picture, it should definitely grab Original Screenplay.)

P&P Weekly: #18

This past Friday I announced the beginning of a new project called The P&P Workflow - taking images from the file produced in-camera through Photoshop/Lightroom to the final processed version. I am accepting submissions now for a February 1st start. I will be contributing my own as well but I would love to have you joining me in this new project. There is no limit on the number of submissions per photographer and no set end date, as of yet, so please send in your shots today! Click here for more details.

Also, as always, please let me know if you would like to be profiled in the P&P Blogger Profile series.

In the meantime, here’s what’s been happening this week in The Photoshop & Photography Blogroll:

• Paul of A Clean Well-Lighted Place has some intersesting shots this week, my favorites are "Hotel Place Des Armes, Montreal" and "Red Picnic Table."
• Kathleen of A Walk Through Durham Township, Pennsylvania has a couple of nice shots called "Pointing at Pennsylvania" and "Just After Sunset"
• Bruce of Bruce L. Snell Photography has a video tutorial on using an outdoor flash.
• Dave at Dave Beckerman Photography: New York has a great shot of sunlight filtering through trees, and congrats at the growing traffic through his eBay store.
• Dave at Dave Cross Online has a tip on creating a background with the single column marquee tool, and writes about the photography of Robert Trancho, and lets us know of a new build of Bridge CS3.
• Jason from Designfruit has a new look and has recently posted his new series of Photoshop brushes inspired by Japanese foliage.
• Richard from Europe in Black and White has some nice shots, my favorites are "tyre up," "wind in a window," "On the hill of a cemetary," and "circle."
• Michael over at eyes on the road posted a shot of his cat taking a nap on his wife's quilt, a shot through his frozen windshield, and talks about some of his shots taken on color infrared film, and a few nice winter scenes from the past couple of days.
• John of John Nack on Adobe always posts an interesting array of links from the world of photography, technology, and sometimes the unusual. Of note this week is a post he has on some of the legalities of the photo industry, a series of photographers with a different take on clouds, and a script for enhancing contact sheets in Photoshop.
• Jim of PHOTOBLOG by Jim Larimer has a couple of nice series from the last week.
• Scott of Photoshop Insider posted about the gallery of images from Bruce Fraser's tribute, a number of links to Joe McNally's work, and a photo retouching site.
• Justin of Photoshop Quicktips posts a weekly podcast on handy tips and techniques in Photoshop. This week he has a video about redeye reduction using Channels, the Lasso tool, and Apply Image.
• Jon at San Miguel Photo of the Day posts images of life in Mexico. My favorites this week are "Gooooaaaallllll!!!" and "Preparation"
• Shooter at Serial Photographer has a number of great shots including "Two thoughts," "Blowin' in the wind," and "Stranded."
• Eduardo & Timothy of the 100 Images Project have just posted their most recent additions to the series.
• Clayton of The C Spot wrote about the upcoming redesign of his website.
• Andy from The Global Photographer has a couple of posts about his photo safaris (1,2) and his first thoughts on the Epson 3800.
• Andy of Visual Realia has a great series on The Roddy Bridge in northern Maryland.
• Aaron of What the Duck publishes a daily online photography comic strip. My favorites of this week are "WTD 130" thru "WTD 133." He's really on a role.
• Martin of What the Heck Journal has an interesting B&W that I really like this week.
• I posted P&P Blogger Profiles of Michael Snell, Martin Andreasen, and Jim Larimer. I also posted a shot of my nephew, about a stock photo site that offers a free daily photo, my updated photo gallery, and the new P&P Workflow.

Want to be added to The Photoshop & Photography Blogroll? Click here to find out how! Update your blogs often! I will only include links to posts added since the last P&P Weekly.

As always, if you have any suggestions or notice a discrepancy, please email me.

Garrett - from July 2006

This is a shot of my nephew, Garrett, taken last summer over the 4th of July weekend (almost 4, at the time). I finally got around to playing with it and I'm fairly pleased with how it turned out. I'll use this photo, and any future shots I post, as part of the new P&P Workflow project starting next month.

P&P Blogger Profile: Jim Larimer

Jim Larimer of PHOTOBLOG by Jim Larimer

My interest in Photography began in the late 60's while in the Air Force. A barracks made pinhole camera led to a 35mm and lots of darkroom equipment. Then about 12 years later I graduated with a masters degree in art and my interests shifted toward painting. Up until this last year photography was just a tool that I used first in my furniture design business and as a means of collecting reference images for my painting and printmaking. Now I have returned to my first love: photography. Only now I shoot with a digital camera and "develop and print" using Photoshop.

Why do you blog?
I blog to stay in touch with other artists, photographers and those interested in such pursuits. I also see blogging as a way to start dialogues with those of similar interests and to receive constructive feedback on the work I do.

If you only had time to read three blogs a day, which ones would they be?
Conscientious
Usefilm Blog
Profotos Professional Photography Resource

How long have you been using Photoshop/been a photographer?
I have been taking pics since the late 60's and using Photoshop for the past 8 years. I have been seriously taking pics for the past 9 months.

What type of camera(s) do you shoot with?
Currently I take pictures with a Kodak P880

Mac or PC?
PC

What is your favorite piece of photo or computer equipment (other than your camera)?
It is not equipment per se but I would have to say Photoshop

What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have?
An upgraded camera and a wide format printer

What advice do you have for a novice creative professional/photographer?
Understand that what you are creating is 2 dimensional art and then learn the basics of 2-D design. Composition, composition and composition!

What inspires you to create?
I am inspired by the rich visual tapestry of life I encounter each and every moment. Most often it is the mundane, overlooked scenes and occurences that most people take for granted and never see.

What would be your most important piece of advice about life?
Live your dream!

Where would you most like to live (other than where you live now)?

Nowhere

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I am always in a creative mode in one form or another: painting, photographing, printmaking.... but when I need a diversion, I read.

What talent would you most like to have?

To play a musical instrument well....I have been a drummer, a poor banjo and fiddle player, lousy at guitar and even worse at the harmonica and flute! Being talented at any of the aforementioned would be welcomed!

From Inside the Actors Studio:
What is your favorite word? Can
What is your least favorite word? Can't
What turns you on? Creating
What turns you off? Closed mindedness

What sound or noise do you love? Mountain streams
What sound or noise do you hate? Traffic
What is your favorite curse word? Can't think of one
What occupation other than your own would you like to attempt? I have attempted most of them and nothing compares with what I do
What occupation would you not want to participate in? Most of the ones that I have already participated in!
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? (After opening a couple of beers..) OK, my friend, lets talk about what we are going to do next!

*Note: If you would like to participate in the P&P Blogger Profile series, please email Jason with your blog's URL and he will send you a profile to fill out. Also, be sure to check out the P&P Weekly every Monday for news about this site and a roundup of what other Photoshop & Photography Blogroll members are posting.

P&P Workflow: Contributer's Wanted

Starting February 1st I will be initiating the P&P Workflow series - step-by-step tutorials on how photos are transformed from the file produced in-camera to the finished product describing all the tweaks done in Photoshop and/or Lightroom along the way.

While I will be contributing some shots of my own here and there, I would like to invite YOU to take part and submit your own photos for this project.

If you would like to participate, email me with the following:

• A low res version of the original image (roughly 450-800px wide @ 72ppi is good)
• Info about the image (camera make & model, lens, tripod or handheld, metadata, location, time of day, thoughts that went into composition, what you are/were trying to express, etc.)
• The steps you took when processing the image (include settings and rationale)
• A low res version of the final image (same resolution as original are fine)

Be sure to include your name and a title for the image, if you have one, along with a link to your blog or website (if you aren't a member of the blogroll). If you are not a member of The Photoshop & Photography Blogroll I will add you to the list and send you a profile form, I will also include your blog in the P&P Weekly, my roundup of what members of the blogroll are posting.

I am not limiting the number of submissions from each photographer so please feel free to send in more than one (each in a separate email). I am accepting submissions now to start posting them on February 1st. There's also no set end date for this project so please continue to send in your shots.

If you know of anyone that you would like to see featured in this project, please send me a link to their site or their email address and I will contact them. Also, the P&P Blogger Profile series is ongoing and I welcome anyone who would like to participate.

Updated Photo Gallery

I've had a link to my NAPP Portfolio in my sidebar for awhile now, but since I am only allowed to have a limited number of photos there, I have just added a photo gallery (using Lightroom's web gallery function) and inserted it into my website's template. You can also reach this location through the Portfolio Section on my website.

P&P Blogger Profile: Martin Andreasen

Martin Andreasen of What the Heck Journal

My name is Martin Andreasen, and I am a 25-year old semi-professional photographer (soon to become a professional photo journalist) from Denmark.

Why do you blog?
I blog to get better at both the photographic techniques in ‘the field’ and of course the processing that follows when you come home with a CF-card full of fresh shots.

If you only had time to read three blogs a day, which ones would they be?
I don’t really read blogs as much as I visit photoblogs. One I do like and recently discovered is http://strobist.blogspot.com/ another one is http://journalofaphotographer.com/ and lastly I enjoy the daily blog on http://photoblogs.org/

How long have you been using Photoshop/been a photographer?
I have been using Photoshop and other Adobe applications for a longer time than I have been into photography. The first time I tried Photoshop was in the fall of 1999, when I took the first two semesters of the graphic designer-class we have here in Denmark. I got into serious photography in the end of 2003, where I bought my first DSLR and began shooting various projects and assignments for different clients.

What type of camera(s) do you shoot with?
At the moment I use Canon EOS-1D. I primarily use digital SLR because of the file-size, the ease of use and the possibility of expanding/experimenting with your kit almost endlessly. I like to have complete control of the equipment when shooting, so the next step is probably medium-format.

Mac or PC?
For now I am using my PC, but eventually I will definitely be switching to Mac.
Back in 1999, when I started to work with PS it was on an Apple, and now that the prizes and availability is here, I will not hesitate to go back to where I started when I'm finished with this PC.

What is your favorite piece of photo or computer equipment (other than your camera)?
That must be my homemade shift-lens made from an enlarger-lens, a body-cap, some black plastic from a garbage-bag and a rubber band.

What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have?
A sub-compact Mac laptop for on the road… but, sadly, they don’t make one. Until then, maybe an Epson P-5000? Or two.

What advice do you have for a novice creative professional/photographer?
That was a tough one… The best advice I can give is probably to get out there and shoot all that you can, and never be afraid to be different and do stuff that everybody else is not doing. This means both photography wise and post-processing wise. It can be great training to try to ‘copy’ the work of photographers you admire, but the best way to get noticed is to create your own style, which can take a while, but will gradually come natural when working a lot.

What inspires you to create?
I get a lot of inspiration from looking at other photographer’s work and to read interviews.
When I am out shooting I can get loads of inspiration from random subjects, the particular light or moods you encounter and observe as a photographer. Sometimes I also get a lot of inspiration from movies or simply listening to my favorite music. It all depends on my mood.

What would be your most important piece of advice about life?
“Life is like a box of chocolates…” No, I’m just kidding. Hmm – That was a tough one. My parents have always supported me, my brother and sisters no matter what we would throw ourselves into. And they have always said that you can do anything you want in life. If you work hard enough you will eventually reach you goals.

Where would you most like to live (other than where you live now)?

I haven’t really thought much about this before. I guess I would get a lot out of living in the U.S. regarding photography. But I guess I am happy with living here in the cold Scandinavia for now.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I enjoy spending time with my girlfriend and my friends. Listening to music. Play and create music. Draw and paint. And of course photographing and processing.

What talent would you most like to have?

That was an even tougher one! I guess it would be cool to be able to make a living of playing poker or something like that.

From Inside the Actors Studio:
What is your favorite word? Outsider
What is your least favorite word? Useless
What turns you on? Curves
What turns you off? The smell of onions

What sound or noise do you love? My cat purring
What sound or noise do you hate? Fingernails on a blackboard
What is your favorite curse word? Slut
What occupation other than your own would you like to attempt? Musician
What occupation would you not want to participate in? Factory worker
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? What took so long?

*Note: If you would like to participate in the P&P Blogger Profile series, please email Jason with your blog's URL and he will send you a profile to fill out. Also, be sure to check out the P&P Weekly every Monday for news about this site and a roundup of what other Photoshop & Photography Blogroll members are posting.

Ford Edge Commercial

Have you seen this? It's the one where the SUV is driving on the edge of balconies, curbs, and other ledges with only two of its wheels. It's silly, has a decent soundtrack, and is a pretty good use of CGI. Notice, though, the caption at the botom. It doesn't have the usual "Professional Driver. Closed Course. Do Not Attempt" disclaimer. It actually says, and I quote:

Yes, this is a fantasy. Vehicles can't really drive on buildings.

Wow. Do they really need to tell people that? Probably because there's someone out there who would actually try it. It reminds me of a joke about a guy in Greenland who sued a medicated ointment company for his severe frostbite because he read on the label that it was for "external use only." (I just brought down the credibility of this site, didn't I?)

Free Daily Stock Images

Last week I received an email from Crestock.com - an online stock image resource - which said:

...in collaboration with some of our most talented photographers, Crestock is giving away one free, high quality stock image every single day. We have even added an RSS feed, so you can just plunk the address directly into your favorite RSS reader to stay up-to-date - or put the feed on your own site or blog if you like.

Check it out here.

P&P Blogger Profile: Michael Snell

Michael Snell of eyes on the road

I’m a freelance travel photographer (stock and assignment) and graphic designer specializing in book design.

Why do you blog?
To supplement a web site my brother and I started to provides digital photography tips and tools called thatsmymonkey.com. We each have a blog on our particular specialty — mine being travel and his being weddings and portraits. The blogs allow us to put information out to our readers much more quickly than updating the core website.

If you only had time to read three blogs a day, which ones would they be?
My brother’s blog - http://blsphoto.blogspot.com/
John Nack - http://blogs.adobe.com/jnack/
Strobist - http://strobist.blogspot.com/

How long have you been using Photoshop/been a photographer?
I think I’ve always been a photographer, starting with box cameras and Kodak Instamatics as a kid, graduating to 35mm when I was around 12. I began using a Mac in 1986 and used Digital Darkroom software before switching to Photoshop – possibly even with version 1.

What type of camera(s) do you shoot with?
Currently a Nikon D200 but I keep a Panasonic LX-1 in my pocket most of the time, too.

Mac or PC?
Definitely Mac although I do also own a Sony Vaio (don’t tell anyone!)

What is your favorite piece of photo or computer equipment (other than your camera)?
My Mac and Cinema Display. For photo equipment, probably my 80-200 Nikkor zoom. Typically my favorite shots come from it.

What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have?
A sub-compact Mac laptop for on the road… but, sadly, they don’t make one. Until then, maybe an Epson P-5000? Or two.

What advice do you have for a novice creative professional/photographer?
If you want to go pro, take some business classes.

What inspires you to create?
It’s pretty much something I just have to do. Just about anything can inspire me.

What would be your most important piece of advice about life?
Travel. See the world and realize that there are many ways to live a good life. We don’t all need to be the same.

Where would you most like to live (other than where you live now)?
I really like both Canadian coasts. Maybe somewhere around Vancouver? With a vacation home in the Cyclades?

What do you like to do in your spare time?
Travel is my favorite thing to do. Period. For work or pleasure -- and it’s often hard to separate the two. I also read a lot.

What talent would you most like to have?
I’d like to be able to fly. Is that a talent? Maybe that’s an ability…

From Inside the Actors Studio:
What is your favorite word? Yes
What is your least favorite word? Can’t
What turns you on? A cold beer on a warm veranda overlooking something scenic.
What turns you off? Anger

What sound or noise do you love? The sound of my car starting on a cold, dark, lonely road after I’ve stopped to take a photo.
What sound or noise do you hate? The sound of my car not starting.
What is your favorite curse word? Shliznat (any Farscape fans out there?)
What occupation other than your own would you like to attempt? Architect
What occupation would you not want to participate in? Prison guard
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? You’re late.

*Note: If you would like to participate in the P&P Blogger Profile series, please email Jason with your blog's URL and he will send you a profile to fill out. Also, be sure to check out the P&P Weekly every Monday for news about this site and a roundup of what other Photoshop & Photography Blogroll members are posting.

P&P Weekly: #17

I am still working on developing the ideas I mentioned last week and will post more about them once I know how I would like to proceed. I will be continuing my profile series at least until the end of the month. I am always open to input as to what you would like to see featured here and, as always, if you have any ideas for who to profile in the future, or if you would like to be profiled and added to the blogroll, please email me today!

In the meantime, here’s what’s been happening this week in The Photoshop & Photography Blogroll:

• Paul of A Clean Well-Lighted Place has some intersesting shots this week, including "Window Still Life" and "Pigeon Hole"
• Kathleen of A Walk Through Durham Township, Pennsylvania has a great shot called "Snow Squalls!"
• Bruce of Bruce L. Snell Photography has a post about using artistic enhancements in his wedding photography.
• Dave at Dave Beckerman Photography: New York has been continuing to post shots of trips out to Coney Island and about his eBay store.
• Richard from Europe in Black and White has some nice shots called "Dawn on the other side," "summer clouds," and "bike's bell"
• Michael over at eyes on the road posted a shot of frozen leaves, and posted about experimenting with a new Photoshop style. Also, congratulations are in order for one of the shots in his new NAPP portfolio being selected as an "Editor's Choice."
• John of John Nack on Adobe has been posting about his time at Macworld as well as his continued impressions on what's happening out there in the world of design.
• Jim of PHOTOBLOG by Jim Larimer has posted the first of a few shots taken in his basement
• Scott of Photoshop Insider posted a nice shot of a tiger, the rationale behind the name of Darkroom Magazine, a notice about the new Lightroom seminar tour, a couple of posts (1,2) about his live photo shoots at Macworld, and the tribute to Bruce Fraser. Also, this just in on Monday morning, Scott just posted a nice piece about his profile featured here last week. Thanks Scott!
• Jon at San Miguel Photo of the Day posts images of life in Mexico. My favorites this week are "Walking Around," "In the Pasture," and "Celebration at Cardo"
• Shooter at Serial Photographer has a number of great shots including "Untitled #26," "Quiet contemplation," "The hungry Caterpillar," "Footsteps," and "High and Dry"
• Eduardo & Timothy of The 100 Images Project post two images a week - one from NYC and one from Chicago.
• Andy from The Global Photographer recenly posted shots from his Arches and Canyonlands workshop, and an update on his Nabibia portfolio. Andy is currently headed to Africa for a 3 week photo safari.
• Andy of Visual Realia has been posted a number of shots from a visit to the National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes. And, if I may say, I've seen a great improvement in his work over the last couple of weeks. Keep it up!
• Aaron of What the Duck publishes a daily online photography comic strip. My favorites of this week are "WTD 124" thru "WTD 126"
• Martin of What the Heck Journal has a number of great shots including "Trasher" and "Trasher II"
• I posted P&P Blogger Profiles of Paul Politis, Bruce L. Snell, Scott Kelby, and Richard Vanek. I've also posted tutorials on my gallery frame and CS3 b&w conversions, and about the rationale for the naming of Darkroom Magazine.

Want to be added to The Photoshop & Photography Blogroll? Click here to find out how! Update your blogs often! I will only include links to posts added since the last P&P Weekly.

As always, if you have any suggestions or notice a discrepancy, please email me.

Tutorial: B&W Conversion in CS3

New in Photoshop CS3 is an adjustment layer that allows you to convert your color images into black & white with a great deal of control and in a more user-friendly way than ever before.

With your photo of choice open, simply click on the "Create New Adjustment Layer" icon at the bottom of the Layers Palette and select "Black & White." This will open the Black and White dialog box which will allow you to adjust the influence of the reds, yellows, greens, cyans, blues, and magentas in the resulting b&w image and to set the hue and saturation of an optional tint.

However, this process can be filled with a lot of trial and error as you adjust the individual sliders. It's not always clear which areas of the image will be affected by a given slider. One of the options I particularly enjoy in Lightroom is the ability to view a before and after of my photo so I can see where the blues are located and I'll have a better idea of how I need to mix the levels of each color.

In CS3 - or in earlier versions of PS if you use the Channel Mixer to convert to b&w - a good first step is to make a duplicate of your image ("Image>Duplicate" and click "OK") to have open alongside the one you will be adjusting. That way, you will have a similar before and after view of your photo and will be able to work through your conversion process with more precision and more quickly.

Note: Under "Image>Adjustments" you will also find the "Black & White" adjustment. However, as with all adjustments, flexibility and being non-destructive are key. So in order to preserve your original and to continually be able to tweak your settings, try to use an adjustment layer whenever possible when working with your images.

P&P Blogger Profile: Richard Vanek

Richard Vanek of Europe in Black and White

I will be soon 40 years old. I am living in The Netherlands where I moved from Czechoslovakia (from part which is now Slovak Republic) more than seven years ago. Photographing from childhood, you can read more about me at www.piskoftak.com/about.phtml

Why do you blog?
Years ago I was active on modem based BBS scene where I enjoy publishing whatever I had in my mind and communicating with people. This blogging is continuation of that. On other hand is for me also very handy as I have kind of log of what, when and how I did. I also wanted to make my web site little more dynamic and share my thought with people.

If you only had time to read three blogs a day, which ones would they be?
Some time ago I have finished with reading all technical mailing lists and blogs as I didn't have time and all where just the same. RSS saved me I use it as quick filter, overview. So three you said:
Alec Soth (http://alecsoth.com/blog/)

LensWork podcast (http://lenswork.com/podcast.xml)

Lens Culture (http://www.lensculture.com/)

How long have you been using Photoshop/been a photographer?
I am photographing from about time when I was eight years. I had some breaks. And I do not use photoshop, I use Picture Window Pro http://www.dl-c.com/ as it fits more my approach as a photographer and it is cheaper :-)

What type of camera(s) do you shoot with?
I use rangefinders and some old 6x6 when I was young. In a last few years I am using Nikon F100

Mac or PC?
PC

What is your favorite piece of photo or computer equipment (other than your camera)?
My printer Epson 2100 with carbon pigment inks.

What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have?
Currently I really need new computer :-)

What advice do you have for a novice creative professional/photographer?
Forget about technique, use your eye and brain for creativity.

What inspires you to create?
The death.

What would be your most important piece of advice about life?
There is no such a thing.

Where would you most like to live (other than where you live now)?
In a quiet place with kind people.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to read books

What talent would you most like to have?
Be able to play music...

From Inside the Actors Studio:
What is your favorite word? Laska moja!
What is your least favorite word? Odpal!
What turns you on? My wife :-)
What turns you off? Lie and Masquerade from people.

What sound or noise do you love? Breeze in the trees.
What sound or noise do you hate? Door clapping
What is your favorite curse word? Kua!
What occupation other than your own would you like to attempt? Gardener
What occupation would you not want to participate in? Manager in big company.
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? So you didn't belive it!

*Note: If you would like to participate in the P&P Blogger Profile series, please email Jason with your blog's URL and he will send you a profile to fill out. Also, be sure to check out the P&P Weekly every Monday for news about this site and a roundup of what other Photoshop & Photography Blogroll members are posting.

P&P Blogger Profile: Scott Kelby

Scott Kelby of Photoshop Insider

I’m Editor and Publisher of Photoshop User magazine, President of the National Assn. of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP), I’m publisher of Layers magazine (the how-to magazine for everything Adobe), and for the past two years I’ve been named the world's #1 bestselling author of computer and technology books across all categories.

Why do you blog?
I blog as a personal way of reaching NAPP members and personal friends. I felt like I needed a way to talk to them one-and-one and my blog really helps me do that. Someday’s it’s a challenge, and other days it’s a savior.

If you only had time to read three blogs a day, which ones would they be?
The Online Photographer (http://theonlinephotographer.blogspot.com/)
John Nack on Adobe (http://blogs.adobe.com/jnack/)
Terry’s Tech Blog (http://web.mac.com/terrywhite/iWeb/terrywhite/Tech-Blog/Tech-Blog.html)

How long have you been using Photoshop/been a photographer?
Started using Photoshop at version 2.0, and I was a traditional film photographer for years before that.

What type of camera(s) do you shoot with?
I shoot with a Nikon D2Xs as my main camera, with a Nikon D200 as my backup body (but I use that D200 more than I would admit---I love that camera).

Mac or PC?
I’ve always been a Mac guy. I have two Dell laptops, and they’re great, but I’m still a Mac guy at heart.

What is your favorite piece of photo or computer equipment (other than your camera)?
OK, you knew I was going to say Photoshop right? However, right behind that is Lightroom, and behind that is iPhoto (it’s better than you’d think).

What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have?
I would love a Nikon 200mm F/2 lens. It’s glorious!!!!!

What advice do you have for a novice creative professional/photographer?
When you realize that photography is all about shooting in great light, whether you’re outdoors or in a studio, using natural light or flash, it changes everything. I would focus on learning that by looking at how the best in the industry use light. The best outdoor photographers only shoot at dawn and dusk. The best portrait photographers only shoot their subjects in perfect natural light (not direct sunlight). In the end, it’s all about the light, and most photographers haven’t realized that yet. So, my advice---become a light snob, and either only shoot in great light, or learn to use strobes to create great light.

What inspires you to create?
Looking at other photographers' or graphic designers' work.

What would be your most important piece of advice about life?
If you don’t have faith in God, you’re pretty much on your own, and life can be tough enough without having to go it alone.

Where would you most like to live (other than where you live now)?
I would love to retire to Maui, Hawaii, but before that I’d love a have 4 to 6 month assignments to get a chance to live/work in my favorite cities; Paris, New York, Stockholm, Barcelona and Brussels.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I love to just hang out with my family (going to Disney, or traveling together anywhere); and I love have dinner with friends and just talk and laugh.

What talent would you most like to have?
I would love to speak a few foreign languages.

From Inside the Actors Studio:
What is your favorite word? Opportunity
What is your least favorite word? Problem
What turns you on? Fixing or tweaking something that I think is broken.
What turns you off? Things that are broken (I’m not talking about appliances—I’m talking about processes, or businesses, or Web sites, etc.)
What sound or noise do you love? I absolutely love the sound of my wife’s voice, my son’s voice, and my daughter’s voice. It is just music to my ears.
What sound or noise do you hate? The sound of an alarm clock.
What is your favorite curse word? Crap! (well, that’s the PG version, but my 10-year-old son totally considers that a curse word.)
What occupation other than your own would you like to attempt? I’d love to be a television producer/director, or produce a Broadway play.
What occupation would you not want to participate in? I couldn’t be a pediatrician or anyone that deals with abused kids. I have such a heart for children that it overwhelms me when I hear about a sick or abused child. May God bless those people who have the gift of being able to deal with that kind of pain on a daily basis.
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? Thanks for helping me spread the Word---and come right on in.

*Note: If you would like to participate in the P&P Blogger Profile series, please email Jason with your blog's URL and he will send you a profile to fill out. Also, be sure to check out the P&P Weekly every Monday for news about this site and a roundup of what other Photoshop & Photography Blogroll members are posting.

P&P Blogger Profile: Bruce L. Snell

Bruce L. Snell of Bruce L. Snell Photography

I’ve been a portrait and wedding photographer since the mid 80’s. During the late 80’s and early 90’s I owned and operated a portrait studio specializing in high school senior portraits. Since then I’ve been shooting primarily weddings in a documentary or photojournalistic style. In early 2006 my brother and I launched a web based business called “That’s My Monkey” at http://www.thatsmymonkey.com/ which offers tips and techniques to digital photographers. My photography website and blog are located at http://www.blsphoto.com/.

Why do you blog?
I really enjoy seeing how other photographers work. The blogs I tend to visit are technical and/or artistic in nature and a fantastic source of inspiration for me.

If you only had time to read three blogs a day, which ones would they be?
http://strobist.blogspot.com/
http://www.jcsphoto.com/blog
http://www.thatsmymonkey.com/blog

How long have you been using Photoshop/been a photographer?
Photographer since 1984
Photoshop user since late 1980’s

What type of camera(s) do you shoot with?
Canon 5D and 30D
Canon EF 28mm f1.8
Canon EF 50mm f1.4
Canon EF 85mm f1.8
Canon 580EX (x2)
Canon ST-E2

Mac or PC?
Macintosh dual 1.8 G5 with two 20” cinema displays.
Macintosh TiBook.

What is your favorite piece of photo or computer equipment (other than your camera)?
My Expodisc.

What piece of equipment would you most like to get but don’t have?
Canon EF 200mm f1.8

What advice do you have for a novice creative professional/photographer?
Don’t work cheap. Develop your skills, have a business plan and hit the ground running.

What inspires you to create?
Seeing other photographer’s images.

What would be your most important piece of advice about life?
Have as much fun as you possibly can.

Where would you most like to live (other than where you live now)?
A tropical island.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
What’s spare time?

What talent would you most like to have?
I would like to be able to speak numerous languages fluently.

From Inside the Actors Studio:
What is your favorite word? Free
What is your least favorite word? Taxes
What turns you on? Creativity
What turns you off? People with closed minds.
What sound or noise do you love? Laughing children.
What sound or noise do you hate? Screaming children.
What is your favorite curse word? Dagnabbit
What occupation other than your own would you like to attempt? Documentary filmmaker.
What occupation would you not want to participate in? The guy who changes light bulbs at the top of radio towers.
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? I’m so glad to see you, come on in!

*Note: If you would like to participate in the P&P Blogger Profile series, please email Jason with your blog's URL and he will send you a profile to fill out. Also, be sure to check out the P&P Weekly every Monday for news about this site and a roundup of what other Photoshop & Photography Blogroll members are posting.