Weather Forecast for Photoshop World DC – Hot and Beautiful!

Image courtesy of NAPP member, Jeff Tamagini @jtamagini

Welcome to DC everyone! I just landed an hour ago and let me tell you — it is BEAUTIFUL outside! Not only was the forecast wrong for this weekend (predicted rain), but it is sunny 80+. Even on the Metro ride in, you could see the cherry blossoms are in full bloom! If you live in the DC Metro area or close-by, stop what you are doing and come on down! Throughout the conference people are forming their own photo walks around the Mall, memorials and even out to the White House grounds. Not to mention the best collection of Photoshop and Photography instruction all in one place!

Be sure to check our twitter hashtag #PSW12 for photos and posts from attendees already shooting in DC and see the amazing shots. Hopefully we will see more posted here on our blog.

Also if you make it in tonight, don’t miss out on the Official Photoshop World Tweetup! The event is held at the Renaissance Hotel (directly across from the Convention Center) at 999 Ninth Street in the Ballroom Congressional AB. The party begins at 8pm.

Hope to see you all there and throughout the weekend!

Kevin

Preparing Yourself for Photoshop World

With Photoshop World only two days away, I thought these helpful tips and hints will help out attendees. Granted this is not the full-blown Vegas Insider, but it should prove useful for you.

As you may have heard, Photoshop World requires a lot of time on your feet walking to the Conference Center, walking to your sessions, walking on photo walks, and more. So first things first, wear comfortable shoes. This can really make or break your Photoshop World experience. My first year I wore new tennis shoes thinking “Oh tennis shoes will be great!”. Wrong. By the end of day one I was hobbling around on blistered feet and searching for band-aids for my aching feet. To go along with the clothing theme, if you find yourself easily chilled, bring a sweater or light jacket to the conference, as the temperatures in the rooms tend to be cooler.

Next, your PSW conference book is just slightly larger than the Washington, D.C. phone book so it is very heavy. Be sure to bring either a bag or rolling cart to haul your wares, especially if you plan on purchasing items at the expo hall. I usually find time to take my workbook back to my room during day one and carry a nice notebook and pen. I find the workbook is so flushed out and full of information, I don’t need to carry it everywhere. But be sure to tear out and bring your evaluation forms to the sessions.

Also I would advise you to not bring your laptop to sessions unless absolutely necessary. The sessions are very fast paced and you will learn more by paying attention to the instructors and not trying to work along with your laptop, also seating is tight. Be courteous of your neighbors and don’t use the seat next to you for your bag, laptop, etc.

If you are a first time attendee, two events are not to be missed. First is Larry Becker’s PSW First-Time Attendee Orientation. His tips and insights will help you get the most out of your first PSW! The second is Dinner With a Stranger. This uncommon event allows you to meet up with other attendees and share your experiences in a friendly and welcoming environment. The event is held Saturday, March 26 from 8-11 pm so if you have an After Hours ticket, you may have to miss out on this. Register for the event on opening day and sign up at the registration desk. Be sure to get your button!

Now about DC and things to do:

First, if you are flying into Reagan International Airport, getting to the Conference is very simple. DC Metro is your answer. You can take the Yellow Line (toward Fort Totten) to the Mt. Vernon Square/7th Street Convention Center station. It is a very short walk to the Convention Center from the station. It will run you around $2.50 – $2.75 depending on the time of day you take the Metro. Here is a PDF map of the Metro system. There is also a free Metro app available on the iTunes store. (Thanks to NAPP Member Jeff Tamagini for the tip!)

If you aren’t aware Photoshop World is taking place at the same time as the National Cherry Blossom Festival. This annual event celebrates the gift of the cherry blossom trees from the people of Japan. The trees are expected to be in peak bloom during PSW so have your cameras ready! Find out more about the event and maps here.

Finally if you are planning on going to see the sights, why not start your own photowalk? Sure it’s not a Scotty Kelby Annual Photowalk, but still the more the merrier. The National Mall and many memorials are about a 2 mile walk SW down New York Avenue from the Convention Center. New York Avenue will also take you to Pennsylvania Avenue and the most famous house in the country The White House. Unfortunately, White House Tours are only available via a request through your Congressional member and requests must be made 21 days in advance. You can’t just walk up and take a tour, but you can get amazing shots from outside the White House street side.

If you plan on shooting with a tripod — check with this site for contact numbers and the policy of the U.S. Capitol Police.

I hope you find these tips helpful and see you out in Washington in just a few days!

Download Your FREE Photoshop World Expo Pass

If you can’t attend Photoshop World all three days, don’t worry! You can still experience the excitement surrounding the world’s largest photography, lighting and Photoshop training conference!

If you live in Washington, DC or can make a day trip to the area, come join us at the Photoshop World Expo on Sunday, March 25 and Monday, March 26 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center!

The Photoshop World Expo is the ultimate showcase of the hottest photography, lighting and Photoshop-related products and services offered by the industry’s biggest and most influential retailers!

You’ll have the chance to take advantage of illuminating bonus classes, exclusive product demos and special discounts on the latest books and DVDs at the Official Photoshop World/Peachpit Bookstore. You can even test your skills at a live photo shoot featuring various models, backdrops and themes-all professionally lit by Westcott.

Photoshop World Expo FREE Public Days

Sunday, March 25
1:00 – 6:00 pm

Monday, March 26
9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Click here to download your FREE Expo pass.

In addition, one-day conference passes are available. Simply stop by the Registration Counter at the Wal

Dave Cross’ Photoshop World DC 2012 Planning Assistant Available Now!

Photoshop World is just days away… And if you’re planning to experience the world’s best photography, lighting and Photoshop training but don’t know how to start devising your plan of attack, you’re in luck. Photoshop World instructor Dave Cross has once again created a helpful PDF that lets you pick your first and second choices.

How It Works:
Simply select a class from each pop-up menu to help you decide what class you want to attend for each time slot. Print out the page and once you get to the conference, check the signs for the room numbers and any last-minute changes.

Please note: While this doesn’t register you for the class (pre-registration is not required), it’ll help you plan out your days.

Click here to access Dave’s PSW DC 2012 Planner.

Don’t forget, you can also download our free PSW app. It not only lets you set up a schedule on your iPhone, iPad or Android phone, but offers pertinent information about the Photoshop World Expo and other PSW events.

Law Enforcement Training Day at Photoshop World Washington DC

If you work in law enforcement, you can now take part in a full day of training during Photoshop World Washington, DC…

Law Enforcement Training Day will be taking place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Friday, March 23 from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm, you’ll join Adobe and leading digital forensics experts for an in-depth look at the subjects that will help you become more effective in using Photoshop and other digital tools for forensic investigations.

You’ll learn about:

- Image Verification — telling real images from manipulated images.
- Advanced camera technologies
- Photographic techniques
- Video, still and audio workflows for investigations
- Accurate image color capture and calibration
- Forensic artist use of Photoshop and more
- Speakers will be announced closer to the date.

Fees include:

- Full day of education
- Continental breakfast
- Lunch
- Afternoon snacks

Click here for more information and to register.

FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING PHOTOSHOP WORLD DC IN ADDITION TO THE ADOBE LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING DAY, PLEASE CONTACT KARLA SANFORD AT KSANFORD@KELBYMEDIAGROUP.COM FOR SPECIAL PRICING

The PSW Hashcaster Site Returns!

Photoshop World DC is just around the corner, which means that the PSW Hashcaster site is about to go live to help you constantly find the latest news!

There have been some great improvements to Hashcaster this year, including the ability to add video so all you video buffs out there, be sure to tag any Photoshop World videos you share with #PSW12 on Twitter so we can add them for all to see. Here’s a helpful guide to show you what Hashcaster is all about.

What is Hashcaster?
Hashcaster is a real-time Twitter curation platform setup to help you find the best content tweeted at Photoshop World and to help you easily identify and connect with top influencers.

Why you should use Hashcaster?
Keeping up with a fast trending hashtag on Twitter can be like drinking from a fire hose. It’s almost impossible to keep up with all those tweets, links, photos and videos generated by the thousands of attendees and non-attendees at an event. Hashcaster solves this problem by curating all this content into organized channels that you can view at anytime through the event’s Hashcaster web site.

However, Hashcaster doesn’t stop there. The Hashcaster platform continually monitors the hashtag Twitter stream to identify top influencers and contributors at the event, making it easier for you to connect with the who’s who.

Finally, you can become a top influencer yourself; the Hashcaster system evaluates each and every tweet in real-time to identify nuggets of knowledge and diamonds in the rough at PSW. One of those diamonds in the rough could be you!

How can I access Hashcaster?
You can access the Photoshop World Hashcaster site through your web browser, smartphone or tablet by visiting http://psw.hashcaster.com/home

How do I get my tweets, links, photos & videos on Hashcaster?
Hashcaster does all the work. You simply include the hashtag, #PSW12, in your tweets and the Hashcaster system looks after the rest. It’s that simple. Please note, we are still tracking the #PSW hashtag but a lot of non-Photoshop World attendees have been using it lately, so #PSW12 will be the event-related hashtag this year.

How do I become a Top Influencer on Hashcaster?
The Hashcaster system is continually evaluating the Twitter stream to determine who are the top influencers at any given time. This list of top influencers is literally updated with every new tweet. Becoming a top influencer depends on a whole range of factors that help the system identify those people that have the most positive impact on the hashtag community. Although there is no way to guarantee that you’ll become a top influencer, the following do’s and don’ts can help increase the likelihood that you’ll make the list.

Things that make you a positive contributor on Hashcaster.
• Tweet unique tweets with relevant content frequently.
• Get a story published on Hashcaster by tweeting high quality links to topical articles and blogs.
• Contribute photos or videos to Hashcaster.
• Retweet interesting and relevant tweets form other community members.
• Have a high Klout score.
• Have lots of followers in the hashtag community.

Things that make you a negative contributor on Hashcaster.
• Do not tweet out the same tweet over and over again.
• Do not tweet promotional links with little or no story content.
• Do not retweet every tweet in an attempt to increase you ranking.
• Do not use auto tweeting services that replicate your message across many user accounts. (this will get you blocked)
• Do not include profanity in your tweets (this will get you blocked)

Some final tips?
We have learned that people who share important event announcements and who tweet their experience (like quick tips that they learn in classes) not only become ranked contributors, but make lots of new friends along the way in the #PSW12 Twitterverse. Engage in the conversation (don’t be shy), don’t tweet anything you wouldn’t say in public, and support fellow Tweeps with generosity and good will.

Have fun!

Photoshop World 2012 DC Live Blog

Hi all Kevin here!

Photoshop World will again have a live blog running during the conference via guest bloggers.

This time we will be having two bloggers bringing you the best news, information and inside scoop direct from PSW DC! I’m pleased to be joined by Melissa Reyes-Abbey, PSW Alum and photographer. Melissa was a guest blogger for PSW Vegas and we are pleased to have her back for more!

Between the two of us, we will be posting interviews, photos, news and more – sharing all the fun and excitement live from the conference.

We look forward to sharing our insights and personal experiences while at Photoshop World and hope you enjoy our intimate look at this huge event!

Original image courtesy of Julie Ray. 

So You Want To Be In Pictures?

If you’re looking to expand your creativity by shooting video, don’t miss our FREE “Fundamentals of DSLR Filmmaking” workshop at this year’s Photoshop World in Washington, DC.

Taking place on Friday, March 23 from 6:30 – 10:00 pm, the class will teach you the principles of filmmaking and how to capitalize on what humans crave when they watch films—stories. Taught by Jeff Medford and Ross Hockrow, you’ll learn how to tap into the minds and hearts of people everywhere and satisfy their innate desire to hear stories.

This session, part of Get In Motion Tour, will teach you the building blocks of stories, the structure of stories, different storytelling techniques, and how to build stories on a timeline by editing it all with Adobe Premiere Pro.

In the process, you’ll master fundamental filmmaking techniques, including finding the right gear and learning how to use it to make successful, profitable films that will launch you into new and untapped income streams.

See you in DC!

Please note: This seminar is free to all current NAPP members and registered Photoshop World attendees. No registration or reservation is required to participate.

Celebrate “Moonlight Madness” at Photoshop World…

Haven’t registered for Photoshop World yet? If the answer is no, you may not want to wait too much longer!

If you sign up for Photoshop World before Friday, March 9, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in an exclusive Night Photo Tour of DC* (a $100 value). Taking place from 6:30 – 9:30 pm, the “Moonlight Madness” Night Photo Tour of DC, led by Cindi Hobgood of Scout Photo Expeditions, will take you by bus through The District to many of DC’s iconic sites and give you the chance to absorb, embrace and capture the beauty of Washington D.C.

The bus tour will include stops at the following iconic site: the Martin Luther King Memorial, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the The Iwo Jima Memorial and the Air Force Memorial. Click here for complete details on the tour.

To take advantage of this special offer, simply use this special code–PE12-NIGHTSHOTS–when registering online or by calling NAPP at 800-738-8513, M-F, 8:30 am – 7:00 pm EST.

So make sure to register today to get inspired education that will change your life and an expert-led night photo tour of Washington, DC!

* Limited to 50 participants. New registrations only. Not valid with other discounts/promotions, except the Alumni Discount.

Last Two Days to Save $100!

Excitement is building for Photoshop World, especially since we’ll be taking the nation’s capital by storm for the first time ever to provide the world’s best photography, lighting and Photoshop training anywhere!

So if you’d like to get the most complete training anywhere- including some of the first Lightroom® 4 education available-make sure to sign up fast to save $100 off the registration rate. But remember, the Early Bird Deadline is this Friday, February 17!

As if getting top-notch training for less isn’t reason enough to sign up now, this year’s conference includes some great new additions, including:

NEW TRACKS
Along with tracks dedicated to Photoshop, Lightroom and photography, this year’s schedule includes two new tracks in DC: Tips & Tricks and Production. Both tracks will give you a chance to learn even more expert-tested techniques from seasoned pros like Russell Brown, Lesa Snider, Joe Glyda and John Paul Caponigro.

NEW INSTRUCTORS
NAPP is pleased to announce the addition of world-renowned photographer Douglas Sonders and noted fashion photographer Lindsay Adler to the Photoshop World instructor lineup.

So if you’re ready to get insightful, inspirational and invaluable photography, lighting and Photoshop training from the industry’s best and brightest talents, make sure to sign up today!

See you in DC!