Photoshop World iPhone App Updated!

Great news! The Photoshop World App for iPhones and iPads has been updated for Las Vegas.

So if you’ll be joining us in the Entertainment Capital of the World for three non-stop days of the world’s best photography, lighting and Photoshop training, then make sure to go to iTunes to update your current version of the PSW app or download it for FREE!

The PSW app features the following:

Customizable schedule –Choose by instructor, time, class name, or add an entire track.

Class reminder and map – Countdown to your next event and find it on the built-in map.

Maps – Expo Map with vendor list and bonus class sessions.

News Feed – Track the #PSW hashtag on Twitter and PSW blog feed.

Instructors – Learn more about the pros and their classes.

So make sure to get the latest edition of the FREE PSW app and start planning out your Photoshop World experience from beginning to end! With so much happening in such a short period of time, you’ll be glad you did!

Click here to download the PSW app.

Expo Alert! Box Office Champ…

If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to back up your photos, videos and music, maybe it’s time to think outside the box by investing in one of Drobo’s all-in-one-boxes for added storage capacity.

“Drobo’s award-winning data storage products provide an unprecedented combination of sophisticated data protection and management features, affordable capacity and ease-of-use,” asserts Kiley Fasano, Drobo‘s marketing coordinator.

Whether you’re a small business owner or an individual professional, Drobo’s storage solutions allow you to dynamically expand your storage capacity anytime.

“Unlike other storage options, Drobo lets users hot-swap drives, mix and match drives of different capacities, speeds, and types (SATA / SAS / SSD) and perform zero-support drive pack migration,” reports Fasano. “This means that customers can optimize storage economies without worrying about drive order, data loss, downtime or compatibility. They can even swap in drives as needed, while the Drobo is running.”

For the first time ever, Drobo will be showcasing and demonstrating several of the company’s data storage boxes at this year’s Photoshop World Expo, including the Drobo B800fs and Drobo FS.

“Drobo’s ability to deliver ‘big storage in a small box’ creates the best storage experience ever for small and medium businesses and hundreds of thousands of individual professionals worldwide,” professes Fasano. “We’re looking forward to connecting with our consumer audience to show them how to keep their files safe.”

So if you’re ready to back it up, back it up, make sure to stop by the Drobo booth (#440) at the PSW Expo.

Click here for a special video demonstration of Drobo’s products.

Click here to download your FREE Expo Pass. Please note: Registered Photoshop World attendees get instant admission to the PSW Expo with their conference badge.

Expo Alert: [Post]Work It Out!

If you’re looking to liven up your photography or graphic designs, there’s one source to help give your work some extra oomph quickly and easily… Xycod’s innovative image editing software, PostworkShop.

“The program combines over 400 pre-built artistic filters with a novel toolkit for painting, photo-cloning and retouching,” discloses John Stevenson, Xycod‘s director of business development. “A broad range of freehand digital painting and sketching options are presented, within a straightforward, easy to learn workflow.”

Whether you’re a graphic designer, artist or photographer, PostworkShop allows you to creatively reinterpret your images with your own personal touch.

“It’s all about transformation,” asserts Stevenson. “You are the artist. PostworkShop just makes it easy!”

During this year’s Photoshop World Expo, you’ll see firsthand just how easily PostworkShop can enhance your life. For the first time ever, Xycod will be exhibiting its lineup of programs, including PostworkShop 2.1, which now provides direct access to Fotolia‘s premium image marketplace.

“We have been able to use the API toolkit made available by Fotolia to create a supplementary front-end for our flagship product,” announces Bela Biro, Xycod’s CEO. “Specifically to allow the search, browsing, purchase, download and enhancement of any image in Fotolia’s catalog entirely within the application itself.”

So if you’re ready to simply create with maximum impact and without restriction, make sure to stop by Xycod’s booth (#241) at the PSW Expo for a live demonstration of PostworkShop 2.1. It will transform your life… or at least your life’s work!

Click here to check out a video tutorial of PostworkShop 2.1.

Click here to download your FREE Expo Pass. Please note: Registered Photoshop World attendees get instant admission to the PSW Expo with their conference badge.

Prepare For Battle, Photoshop-Style!

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to have just a couple of images at your disposal, a ticking clock and a captive audience anxiously anticipating what kind of masterpiece you can produce? Well, now’s your chance!

During this year’s Photoshop World Expo, you’ll have the opportunity to face off against some of the world’s best and brightest Photoshop stars to find out if you’ve got what it takes to defeat a Photoshop Guru!

The series of no holds barred “Photoshop Wars,” sponsored by iStockphoto, will take place at the iStockphoto booth (#133) throughout the day during regular Expo hours. An exact schedule will be available onsite.

Think you’ve got what it takes to challenge a Photoshop Guru? Then get ready to step into the ring and battle it out with one of the Photoshop Guys! If you come out victorious, you’ll take home some amazing prizes! If you’d rather sit on the sidelines, don’t worry! You’ll have a hand in picking the winner! Either way, it’ll still be a heart pounding experience in front of a live audience. We promise you won’t want to miss this epic battle!

See you in Vegas for an all out Photoshop war!

Click here to download your FREE Expo Pass. Please note: Registered Photoshop World attendees get instant admission to the PSW Expo with their conference badge.

You Got The Write Stuff?

Have you registered to attend Photoshop World Las Vegas already? If you have or plan to sign up, why not become one of the voices of reason, of sorts, at this year’s conference by sharing your PSW experiences with the world.

Much like this year’s “Magnificent Seven” at PSW Orlando, we’ll be selecting a diverse group of attendees to blog about all the Photoshop World happenings, including written and/or video/photo posts about sessions, instructors, special events and overall conference atmosphere, etc.

Whether you’ll be attending Photoshop World for the very first time or are a die-hard alum, we’d love to hear why you believe you just-have-to serve as an onsite blogger! So if you think you’ve got what it takes, send an email to tomc@kelbymediagroup.com that highlights your writing experience via writing samples, etc. Make sure to tell us why you believe you have the write stuff!

Deadline for submissions is Friday, August 12, 2011.

We’ll review submissions in the coming weeks and email the folks we’d like to join us in the PSW blogosphere!

See you in Vegas!

*Must be registered to attend PSW to be selected as a blogger.

Get Your Insider’s Guide to Photoshop World!

If you’ve attended Photoshop World, you’ve probably heard all about the 4+ alumni in attendance. If you haven’t attended, our 4+ alumni are the die-hard PSW attendees who come to the conference year-after-year. Some of them (I won’t mention any names!) even attend the West Coast AND East Coast editions in the same year. Well, one of those oh-so-awesome members of the elite 4+ Club—NAPP member Kevin Stohlmeyer—has created a super-duper guide to the conference that can be used by first-time attendees, as well as return attendees! Thank you Kevin for sharing your insight into the must-attend photography, lighting and Photoshop conference!

“An Insider’s Guide to Photoshop® World”

This year will be my fifth overall Photoshop® World conference (fourth in a row at Vegas) and each year, I meet new folks who have a lot of questions about the conference and Las Vegas in general. They want the “inside scoop” on where to go, how to get around, etc. So I started thinking about this project last year and here is the result – “An Insider’s Guide to Photoshop® World” with helpful tips, hints, and insights not only for the conference itself but also getting around the hotel and Las Vegas. I’ve even included a section on “Eats” featuring some great bargains and my picks for the best restaurants (that I’ve been to) in Las Vegas. I hope you find this helpful and that it makes your Photoshop® World experience the best it can possibly be!

Click here to review “An Insider’s Guide to Photoshop® World” and start preparing for “Project Photoshop!”

NAPP member, Kevin Stohlmeyer is an Adobe Certified Instructor, User Group Manager and Adobe Community Professional for Photoshop. A graphic designer specializing in digital illustration with more than 15 years experience in the field, Kevin has also been teaching the Creative Suite since 2000. Check out his blog posts at c2gps.com/blog.

How Photoshop World Helped Grow My Graphics Business…

During last year’s Photoshop World Las Vegas I had the great pleasure of meeting Escondido, California-based graphic designer & photographer Theresa Jackson, who happened to be attending her first PSW. And she struck gold during the Opening Keynote, when one of her images was awarded the Guru Award in the Artistic category her first time at the big dance, so to speak! To say that Theresa is a huge fan of Photoshop World would be an understatement! She even reached out to me about writing a guest post on the PSW blog about her experience in Sin City and how it changed her life…

Here’s Theresa in her own words (and awe-inspiring images)!

I’m a graphic artist, the sole proprietor of Orchard View Color. Photoshop is the bread and butter of my business. I use it every day. I work in Illustrator and InDesign too, but Photoshop is the app I depend on most.

For several years I considered going to Photoshop World in Las Vegas. I wanted to go but struggled to justify the cost and time away from work. Self employment has some great perks, like the freedom to take time off whenever, but time off means no pay. Each year came and went as I sat on the fence trying to talk myself into attending Photoshop World.

Last year I finally made it to my first PSW, after participating in my first Worldwide Photowalk. Alan Hess was our walk leader in San Diego. Alan convinced me to go to PSW. That was exactly one year ago this month.

Before the walk, I learned that Alan taught at Photoshop World. I planned to ask Alan about PSW in hopes that he could convince me to go. I introduced myself as a freelance graphic artist, fine art photographer, and skilled Photoshop artist. I said, “It’s difficult for me to justify the cost of PSW. Tell me why I should go.”

Alan’s eyes lit up and he said, “Theresa, you HAVE to go to Photoshop World because you will be inspired. You will meet great people and you might just learn a few things.”

That was it. There was no better possible answer. I jumped down off that fence and registered for the event.

There is no debating it this year. I can’t wait to go back for my second PSW.

Attending PSW was a great decision for myself and for my business. I have many new clients and am busier now than ever. I believe PSW deserves the credit for my growing business. Here’s why:

I am inspired
Creative people inspire me. I didn’t realize how much I missed that until I went to PSW. I came back inspired to create more and to meet more creative people.

I am now very involved in a local PhotoArts Group. I exhibit with this group nearly every month. My photography hobby also provides content for my business website. The photo group connections and my website articles have both brought me new clients.

I made new friends
Last year I went to PSW alone. This year will be so different. I can’t wait to meet all my new NAPP friends in person. (If the list wasn’t so long I would name everyone here. You know who you are).

More friends means more resources. With Facebook and Twitter, help is almost instant. All I have to do is ask. That kind of resource is invaluable.

I gained confidence
Disclaimer alert: I won a Guru Award at my first ever Photoshop World. The Guru Award was for my Trippy Self Portrait (image below), which made me easily recognizable as a Guru winner. The Guru Award certainly boosted my confidence and gave me some instant credibility, which I recognize can’t happen for everyone. I still believe PSW would have boosted my confidence with or without the guru award.

Inspiration plus friendship is a great recipe for confidence building. Confidence helps me bid on new projects and negotiate with existing clients. It allows me to take on projects I might have passed on a year ago. Without a doubt my increased confidence equates to an increase in my business.

You HAVE to go to Photoshop World

I owe a big thank you to Alan Hess for getting me off the fence one year ago. I wrote this blog to pay it forward. Now is the time to invest in yourself and your business. Next year you can thank me by convincing someone else to do the same.

Theresa has worked in the graphics and printing industry for 26 years. She currently runs her own freelance graphics business specializing in all things print, including wide format banners and vehicle wraps. In her spare time she pursues her love of fine art photography, which usually involves lots of Photoshop editing.

Expo Alert! Lend Me Your (G)ear!

If you’re looking to take your photography to the next level but really can’t afford the hefty price tag for new equipment—or just can’t decide which gadgets and gizmos you’d prefer to buy—don’t despair! BorrowLenses.com is ready to help get you in gear.

“We offer a huge selection of photography gear from Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Olympus, Leica and Panasonic,” proclaims Josh Norem, the marketing director at BorrowLenses, one of the nation’s largest photography equipment rental companies. “In addition, we have studio lighting equipment, video gear, accessories and more.”

Whether you’re a budding amateur or seasoned professional, BorrowLenses.com has the high-quality equipment you need to elevate your craft. And they test and clean every piece before it’s shipped out, so you can start shooting as soon as your gear arrives.

“We’re photographers ourselves and want nothing more than to make sure you have the gear you need, when you need it,” asserts Norem. “We ship to all 50 states, no deposits are required and we accept reservations and will do everything we can to make your rental experience go as smoothly as possible.”

For the first time ever, BorrowLenses.com will be exhibiting at this year’s Photoshop World Expo to give attendees a chance to learn more about the California-based company’s extensive line of equipment and even test a few lenses!

“We’ll offer super-telephoto lens demonstrations at our booth,” discloses Norem. “So drop by if you want some trigger time with a 600mm f/4 lens!”

Along with testing product, PSW Expo attendees will have access to an exclusive special discount on their next reservation, as well as get a chance to win a free rental! So if you’re ready to get the perfect shot—without breaking the bank—make sure to stop by the BorrowLenses.com booth.

Click here to learn more about how the rental process works with BorrowLenses.com.

How’d You Like To Shoot It First?

It’s becoming a great tradition at the Photoshop World Expo! This year’s trade show will once again feature a LIVE photo shoot booth—professionally lit by F.J. Westcott—featuring several live model and product scenarios.

In speaking with the person responsible for Westcott’s interactive station and Photoshop World Shootout Contest, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed with this year’s awe-inspiring scenes!

To celebrate the return of the LIVE photo booth, NAPP and Westcott have created a special promotion entitled, “Shoot It First!” Starting today, the first 50 people who register using our special promo code will get VIP access to the Westcott booth before anyone else.

Simply register for Photoshop World by Tuesday, July 19 using this promo code – PW11-SHOOTFIRST – and you’ll be one of our Shoot It First! VIPs at Photoshop World. (Participants will be selected in order of registration, while space is available.)

Click here to see what you’ll get as a Shoot It First! VIP.

So if you’re ready to become a better photographer with exclusive access to the Westcott live photo booth, register today!

*Offer expires on Tuesday, July 19 at 11:59 pm or when all 50 spots are filled. Offer valid with new PSW registrations only.

The Networking Starts Now!

Hey Everyone!

Remember how in my previous post I mentioned that networking at Photoshop World is a big thing?
Well that doesn’t start at PSW… It starts right now.

Something I would majorly suggest is, get yourself on Twitter. Not only is it a great way to get connected with fellow attendees before and during PSW, it’s also a fun way to keep track of the #PSW hashtag.

So go out and set yourself up with a Twitter account, and happy tweeting!

Brandon Jacoby is currently the World’s Youngest ACE (Adobe Certified Expert), an award-winning photographer, graphic designer, web developer, and guest tutorial author for the NAPP. Follow him on Twitter.