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

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