September 5-7, 2012 - Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino - Las Vegas
This was my first experience with Midnight Madness and I learned the following things:
The evening started with the Midnight Madness Security talking people into placing half an Oreo cookie on their foreheads, cream side down. They then needed to try to get the cookie off their heads and into their mouths by just using their face muscles. Then came the remote control car races and more Oreo eating including a valiant effort by Laurie Excell.
Finally it was time to go into the actual Midnight Madness room where we were greeted by Scott Kelby, Terry White and Rod Harlan, and a group of photoshop instructors, including Corey Barker, Matt K and RC and Felix Nelson. T-shirts were distributed and the games began. Then came Donuts and more games and prizes including an appearance of Matt’s Bucket of Uncertainty.
I am not going to go into details regarding the games, it was one of those “You had to be there” times.
If you go to a Photoshop World next year, make sure you check out Midnight Madness.
Posted in After hours, Fun, Guest PostThe iStock Dollhouse party was such a fun event that our video team cobbled together a quick edit of all the footage they shot, just to give you an idea of what it was like.
A great big thanks to RC and our awesome video crew… and of course, everyone at iStock for holding such an amazing event for our NAPP members at Photoshop World!
Posted in After hours, Events, FunSo I’m lost, I got turned around in the halls of Mandalay Bay or maybe I was in Excalibur. I’m here with my Nikon D40 and feeling a bit overwhlemed that only I can get lost in a Vegas casino. If you don’t believe me, just ask my husband who helped me navigate a hospital parking garage for over an hour last month. Have you noticed what adorns the neck of season pros walking around the halls of Mandalay Bay? I sure have and thank goodness. I just followed those Nikon D3x and D300′s to the registration area and I finally made it to PSW.
I don’t even know what the person who was wearing my dream camera looked like, because that didn’t seem important. I’m just glad they decided to showcase their craft and allow me to inconspicuously find my way to registration without anyone knowing how lost I was. Now my day was off to a great start and I’m ready to learn.
The classes have been inspiring and I often found my jaw open as I get excited about each new thing I learn. I text my instructors back in Utah every so often to remind them where I am and where they are.
During the Expo it came to a point where I was walking around and saw myself staring at brand new Nikons when the vendor asked me how I was doing. My simple reply, “I’m just drooling”
He laughed and said that was a first for him and we spent the next 5 minutes seeing how red my face was getting.
For me, seeing the bling, the pictures, other photogs in person is already making me a better photographer. It’s helping me look forward to getting on PS and playing with stuff I’ve just learned. It’s giving me goals to work my way up to a bigger and better camera. This weekend may be about Photoshop, but being in this environment is helping me open my creativity to take my photos to the next level.
I’ve met some amazing people and can’t wait to see what the next two days bring. At least now, I don’t have to worry about being lost when I can count on my favorite cameras to be spotted around the necks of various artists and all I have to do is say hi and know that I’m hopefully heading in the right direction.
Posted in Fun, Guest Post, Thoughts on PSWThis year at PSW We have given random attendees little hand held cameras and asked them to capture their experiences or conduct little interviews or just go bazonkers.
Here’s one of them:
What\'s Your Take on Photoshop World?
Posted in Fun, Thoughts on PSWWhat the heck is a Tweetup?
A Tweetup is an in-person gathering of people who follow each other on Twitter. The informal part of Photoshop kicked off on Wednesday night with the NAPP forums/Twitter party, at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay. Organized by Nancy Masse of NAPP and Kris Siam (@ksaim on Twitter), more than 150 people jammed the bar area to put names to faces, talk Photoshop, and just generally have a good time.
The discussions I was part of ranged from color calibration tools, to how bad the Buffalo Sabers are doing, to the networking benefits of a new iPhone app called BUMP that makes sharing contact information as easy as doing a fist bump. Gotta love technology!
At one point during the evening we were even trying to convince Nancy to get a tattoo of RC’s Twitter avatar (a picture of him when he was very young, with a Photoshop added mustache and goatee). She wasn’t going for it though. (There is a tattoo convention going on at the conference center along with Photoshop World, so the intermingling of the various participants at times is pretty funny.)
Capping off the evening, some of the NAPP personnel dropped in to join the festivities, including appearances by Terry White, RC, Larry Becker, Rod Harlan, Matt Kloskowski and Scott Kelby himself. Rumors abounded that NAPPS video guru Jason Scrivner was even spotted. And I would have to say that Scott Bourne summed it up well when he twittered that the evening felt more like a family reunion, than a conference. Completely agree! Great job Nancy and Kris!
- Ed Pflager is an IT Professional working in Business Intelligence, an MBA student, and an amateur photographer and Photoshop user. You can see more of his ramblings and some of his work at www.edpflager.com
Today marked the first of many photowalks taking place during the Photoshop World conference. I wasn’t sure how many people would show up since Wednesday was a day of pre-conference workshops for some and travel for many others. We started out with 8 photographers and picked up a few along the way. The weather was perfect and as with any great photowalk, it seemed like there was a lot more socializing and having fun than actual taking photos! Don’t get me wrong there, there was a whole lot of shooting going on too! I am also happy to report that no one was harassed for using tripods or long lens!! 
At the Start of the Photowalk
I’d like to thank Artistic Photo Canvas, HDRSoft, and PTGUI for sponsoring the photowalk and donating prizes to give out to attendees. Make sure to stop by Artistic Photo Canvas booth to see the cool stuff that they do!
Walking near Mandalay Bay
Taking Photos in front of New York, New York
Terry Reinert is a software engineer, photographer, and martial artist living in Melbourne, Florida. His engineering experience spans across the avionics and military sectors and he is currently focusing on portrait and high dynamic range photography. You can find him on twitter at @tkrphoto and on his blog Where Art & Engineering Collide.
Posted in Events, Fun, Guest PostNot shooting craps, mind you. You can do that most anywhere in Las Vegas. But if you have a few hours free, you might just want to shoot some photographs.
It’s Janine, and I have a few suggestions. But help me out here, guys. If you have a favorite shooting spot, please tell us in the comments.
Let’s start right at the Conference & Expo. Feel free to take a photo of your favorite instructor or fellow students in the classroom (no video of the entire class, though). Even better, head over to the Tech Expo. All of the instructors hang out here during the day, and they’re glad to stop for a handshake, book signing, or photo. But be understanding if they’re on their way to a class and can’t linger. Also, some of the vendors have lighting and models set up that you can shoot. I hope the trampoline comes back! You may be able to print out a photo at the printer vendors’ booths, it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Just south of the Resort is the famous “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign. It might be fun to get there around sunrise or sunset. A bit north of the Resort, at Tropicana Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard (a.k.a. The Strip) are a collection of hotels and airborne walkways–you should get some interesting shots here, especially at sunrise or sunset. Of course the Strip itself is great for people-watching.
For an old-style Las Vegas experience, check out downtown, especially Fremont Street. Historic hotels, casinos, and lots of vintage neon. Speaking of neon, there are tours of the Neon Boneyard and all its historic signs, at 10AM and 2PM, Tuesday through Saturday. There are restrictions on what gear you can bring, so read carefully. Reservations are required.
(By the way, I’ve heard Photoshop Extended has the ability to compare a number of photos and eliminate anything that isn’t in all of them. Theoretically, you could take a bunch of shots of the Strip and erase all the people and cars! If anyone does this, let me know and I’ll post it here.)
Further out of town (about 17 miles west) is Red Rock Canyon. This is a beautiful area in the Mojave Desert, with a scenic drive and hiking trails. Inside is Spring Mountain Ranch, a historical site that was a working ranch. At 3,800 feet, it should be 10-15 degrees cooler than Las Vegas.
35 miles away is Hoover Dam. It’s pretty amazing, and there’s some interesting construction going on there right now. There’s an observation deck that will give you panoramic views of the Colorado River and Lake Mead.
Drive 30 minutes to Bonnie Springs Ranch and Old Nevada park. Here’s a taste of the Old West. It’s meant for tourists, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find enough authenticity for some great shots.
At the Nevada/Arizona border is Chloride Mining Camp. Since 1870, there has been a working mine here. Another classic Old West town.
Some general tips–you’re in the desert here, and it is HOT during the day. So if you get a chance to shoot early or late, take it. Some areas may not permit photography, or certain gear, so if you’re asked to stop, do so and be polite (especially if you’re wearing your Photoshop World badge!). You don’t want to get on the wrong side of casino security.
And these aren’t really great photography spots, but they’re worth a visit in town:
The Liberace Museum isn’t as funky as when it was in a strip mall, but it’s still a hoot. I particularly enjoy the items convicts made and sent to him. If you’re too young to remember Liberace, picture an older classical pianist in sequined hot pants, with a candelabra on the piano. Really. He was kind of Elton John’s uncle with a full head of hair. There’s a gift shop AND a cafe.
And you’ll find me at the Pinball Hall of Fame. Yes, 4,000 pinball machines in one place, and you can play them! Last time I was there, photography was permitted (though the light is lousy). I was too busy playing to shoot.
OK, your turn. Please comment below with your suggestions for great place to shoot in and around Las Vegas. And don’t forget our own Photowalks!
Janine Smith is a writer and photographer in Los Angeles. She is @JanineSmith on Twitter and http://janinesmith.com on the web.
Posted in After hours, Fun, Guest PostHi everyone! I’d like to thank NAPP for giving me this opportunity to be one of the guest
bloggers for Photoshop World Vegas. Hopefully I can share some interesting information for all of you. So let’s get started!
For first time Photoshop World attendees, I have some bad news: You will not be able to attend everything at Photoshop World. Painful to hear I know, but true. The folks at NAPP pack an incredible amount of events into three days, and trying to go to everything just isn’t possible. Sorry. ? (But the good news is that doesn’t mean you can’t do an awful lot!)
The best advice I can give you to have the best time possible is talk to people. Trust me, you’ve got a lot in common with the people at Photoshop World and there are more people attending by themselves than those who came with someone. But if you are open to meeting new folks and trying new things you will have a great time!
Here’s a few tips:
So there you have it. All kinds of fun stuff outside of the normal sessions where you can meet new people, have some great photo opportunities, and experience the other side of Photoshop World. Have a good time!
- Ed Pflager is an IT Professional working in Business Intelligence, an MBA student, and an amateur photographer and Photoshop user. You can see more of my ramblings and some of my work at www.edpflager.com
Posted in After hours, Events, Fun, Guest Post
Janine has shared some great tips from the seasoned veteran POV, but I wanted to share some thoughts about Photoshop World from a newbie’s perspective. I know there a lot of us that are attending Photoshop World for the first time and I want to be sure that we all arrive in Vegas with everything we need to ensure we have a FIRST CLASS Photoshop World experience.
First off, have you started packing yet? I am not suggesting that your suitcases be loaded up and sitting next to the door. Have you gathered up all your laptop travel gear and checked your camera bag to make sure you have all the lenses, batteries, memory cards, card readers, power cords, etc. While you won’t “need” your laptop to get the most out of your classes, chances are you will want to stay on top of email and upload all the great images you will capture while in Vegas. Quite honestly, I am more concerned about my gear than I am about the clothes I am bringing.
But you have to wear clothes, right? So start thinking about that too. Think about the items in your closet that are most versatile. If you are packing a lot of gear make sure you pack your clothes intelligently (airlines do charge now to check bags). Choose the right shoes, don’t pack several pairs, just pack the two that will work best for you. Don’t forget a lightweight jacket for the convention center rooms (I have been to plenty of Kelby Training Live sessions and they keep the rooms COLD).
You’ve got business cards? Don’t leave them at home and make sure you bring plenty. It’s not to late to place an order to ensure you have enough. There will be plenty of people you will want to share cards with, don’t miss out on the opportunity to keep in touch with the new friends you meet.
Have you checked out Dave Cross’s Photoshop World Planner? No newbie should head to Vegas without it. Dave has created something that everyone can benefit from. And yes, I think you should fill it out in it’s entirety. With Dave’s planner, you can rest assured that you won’t miss the classes that you want to check out; however, make SURE when you check in at registration, you write down the room numbers for your classes and you become somewhat familiar with the layout of the rooms — otherwise, Dave’s planner won’t work!
Finally, make sure you check out all Vegas has to offer. Sure, you are attending Photoshop World for all the photography and Photoshop information any human can possibly handle in three days, but don’t forget that Vegas is open all night long. Hit the Tweet-up to mingle with your Twitter friends, sign up for a photowalk (there are several happening in Vegas), and get out of the hotel. The Mandalay Bay has the BEST pool in Vegas, check it out!
Hopefully, you found my thoughts of some value. This can be the trip of a lifetime, but you’ve got to do some planning to get the most out it.
Kristopher Saim is an Experiential Marketing Executive and Photographer in Kansas City, MO. On the interwebs you can find Kristopher on Twitter @ksaim and check out his blog The Kansas City Wedding Photographer.
Posted in Classes, Fun, Guest Post, Pre-PSW Planning, Thoughts on PSWHi, I’m Janine Smith, a writer and photographer in Los Angeles. I’m one of the guest bloggers helping Nancy out this year on the Photoshop World Blog. This is my third year attending Photoshop World, so I’ll be giving you some tips from an attendee’s point of view.
It’s coming up soon, and there are a few things you can do now to make your experience most enjoyable. Robert Vanelli has written an excellent guide to enjoying the conference, so there’s one place to start. Here are my tips.
1. CHECK YOUR GEAR
This is the time to make sure you have (or buy) everything you’ll need. You don’t have to use a camera at all while you’re in Vegas, but most of us will at some point. If you’re attending a preconference or photowalk or something else where you’ll be shooting, make sure you have all the photography gear you’ll need. Extra batteries, memory cards–all the usual stuff.
Also start thinking about your clothing. Comfortable shoes are a must. The Mandalay Bay Resort is huge, it’s a long walk just from your room to the conference center. We’re indoors in the air conditioning all the time, but you might want to take a stroll by the pool. Also, the conference rooms vary in temperature throughout the day. So dress in layers or bring a light jacket to tuck in your bag.
2. GET YOUR CONTACTS READY
Often overheard at Photoshop World (sometimes the first day!): “I ran out of business cards.” You’re going to meet several thousand people with the same interests you have–this is a fantastic time to make new friends. I’ll be handing out my MOO minicards–these are half-size business cards with your contact information on one side, and your images on the other. Yes, I said your images, because you can upload up to 100 different images, and have a different one on every card. What better way to show off your photos? MOO minicards are $19.99/100 and they come in a nice little white plastic box. Of course you can buy or print your own cards, just be sure to bring a lot. One tip: when you get a card from someone, write on the back where you met them and anything else you want to remember about them.
3. START THINKING OUTSIDE THE CONFERENCE
You’re going to be so busy, you might never leave the hotel. But if you booked a little extra time, or you’re travelling with someone who won’t be attending, you might want to plan some other entertainment. While we’re at the Mandalay Bay, the Lion King and the giant tattoo show are playing there. Get there a few days early, and you can see Britney Spears. But, of course, there’s a lot to do elsewhere in town. The Cirque du Soleil shows are very popular. I absolutely loved learning to fly at the Indoor Skydiving School. Check out Las Vegas Events and order your tickets now.
4. START THINKING ABOUT YOUR CLASSES
One thing I promise you–you won’t get to do everything you want at Photoshop World. There’s just too much at the Conference, and then there’s the Expo, which is bigger and better this year. It will help you if you have a plan to get the classes/events you want most. I recommend Dave Cross’ excellent PDF planner. You can pick your first and second choice classes for each time slot. You’ll probably change your mind later, but at least you’ll have a plan to start with. If you find two classes at the same time you absolutely have to take, hop on over to Kelby Training. Some of the Photoshop World instructors also have classes up at Kelby Training–you might be able to avoid a conflict and take one class online later. This is also a great place to see the instructors in action. Kelby Training costs only $24.95/month ($17.95 for NAPP members) for unlimited classes.
4. RELAX AND GET READY FOR AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE
Once you get there, you’ll have the time of your life. The staff works very hard to make your experience wonderful. You’ll make friends, have fun, and learn as much as you can cram into your brain. I look forward to seeing you there!
Janine Smith is a writer and photographer in Los Angeles. She is @JanineSmith on Twitter and http://janinesmith.com on the web.
Posted in Fun, Guest Post, Pre-PSW Planning, Uncategorized
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