Photoshop Product Managers Zorana Gee Bryan O’Neil Hughes

Adobe released a public beta of Adobe Photoshop CS6 just in time for Photoshop World and I was fortunate to be able to ask two of the people behind Photoshop, Product Managers Bryan O’Neil Hughes and Zorana Gee about the release.

So thank you for the great public beta! Why release it publicly?
Zorana explains, ” a lot of people like Photoshop and we wanted to give them a chance to play with it. We want them to use it and give us feedback.” I then asked about their favorite feature in Photoshop. “Can I give you two?” she asks, “In Photoshop CS6 my favorite feature is the Blur Gallery in Filters. Not so much because of what the effects actually do to an image, but mainly the cool and fun way you can interact with the blur effects the on-screen widgets, the in-canvas usability of it. For Photoshop CS6 extended, my favorite feature is with 3D the fact that we consolidated fourteen 3D tools into one single tool, the Move Tool that everyone is familiar with. So now you don’t have finagle with the Camera Tool, Mesh Tool, the Light Tool, etc. it’s just one tool the Move Tool. You can click on at object and it moves that object!”


Next up was Bryan’s favorite feature. “For me it’s video.” Bryan explains, “I was heavily involved in six waves of research going all the way back to looking at what we offered in CS3 extended and seeing how that was relevant To a large group of people that between Premiere Elements and Premiere Pro that are struggling to figure out what to do with all this video content on their IPhone and DSLR. So we really wanted to introduce something that has ease-of-use with Photoshop power. So that is very close to my heart and I think it’s one of the most misunderstood parts of CS6 but for the people who use it and get it, it’s very exciting.”

I then asked Bryan where he sees the product’s future in our industry. “As far as where I see the product going, in our 22 years into this thing it’s only the second time we’ve done a public beta. When we do a public beta and everyone can suddenly use Photoshop for free, it makes the whole thing moot about ‘I can’t afford it’, it’s much more than just a trial. People can download, they play around and work with it. A lot has changed between the CS3 and CS6 public beta. CS3 was the first time we went into verticals like architecture, video, and 3D. We’ve gone so far beyond that now. In that time suddenly everyone has a camera in their pocket, so Photoshop means something to everyone in one way or another. So my real hope with it is that more new users find it. People who have played around with the tablet application or the consumer app and decide to go further with the pro app because for the first time they can just download and use it.”

A huge thank you to both Bryan and Zorana for taking some time out of entire busy Photoshop World schedule to share some insights with us!

Taking A Look at the Wacom Intuous 5

One of the many big names on the expo floor is Wacom. This year they released their Intuous 5 Touch tablet and I talked with Joe Sliger, field application specialist about the device.

“What we learned from the buttons was that people did not know what they did. So on the Intuous 4, we introduced the lit buttons but you had to look at the tablet to see them. With the Touch, we created a HUD so you can keep your eyes on your work.” The buttons even support “chords” allowing multiple buttons at the same time.

“The best thing we did not ship in the box is a mouse. The mouse is a crutch we go back to if available. With the touch you not only have standard one- and two-fingered gestures, but we’ve introduced Wacom gestures which support three, four and five- fingered gestures that you can customize.”

Another amazing feature about the Intuous 5 Touch is each tablet has wireless capabilities with the purchase on an add-on RF accessory kit, making the tablet not only touch sensitive, but now mobile. “Imagine you are a teacher in a classroom or lab , walking around, controlling the screen by touch gestures.”

Overall, I can’t wait to try this out and you can too by stopping by the Wacom booth during the Expo hours today and tomorrow.

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

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.

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!

The Tie’s The Limit! PSW Shootout Contest Winners Revealed…

If you attended this year’s Photoshop World Conference in Las Vegas, you’ll probably remember Westcott‘s oh-so-fabulous photo shoot area, complete with live models, backgrounds and props, costumes, lighting and in some cases a whole lot of body paint! No matter what time you showed up at the Photoshop World Expo, the space was crowded with people trying to get a contest-winning shot as part of Westcott’s Photoshop World Shootout Contest.

By the time the deadline to submit images for the contest had come and gone, Westcott had received more than 800 images! After some tough deliberations, Westcott’s panel of judges was able to narrow down the field and pick the contest winners… For the first time ever, the contest resulted in a tie for First Place, and ironically, the images were both taken by the same photographer!

Congratulations to NAPP member Jeff Tamagini for not one, but two, exceptional images!

Again, congrats to Tamagini and the other contest winners, who will receive some great prizes from Westcott.

Click here to see the rest of the PSW Shootout Contest winning images.

Photoshop World Las Vegas: Shoot It First MVP!

It’s official! There’s a new Shoot It First MVP in town!

Congratulations to NAPP Member Mike Reeves of Oklahoma. He outshone the competition during this year’s “Shoot It First” contest, sponsored by NAPP and Westcott, at Photoshop World Las Vegas.

Here’s a look at his eye-catching image:

After receiving exclusive access to the day’s four models/scenes at the Westcott Live Photo Booth an entire hour before the PSW Expo opened on Wednesday, September 7, all participants had the chance to submit their best photo to the dedicated contest page on Flickr. After reviewing all entries, Reeves’ work was deemed prize-worthy!

As this year’s contest MVP, Reeves will receive Westcott’s “Perfect Portrait Kit,” valued at $1,695.

Again, Congratulations Mike!

Photoshop World: Bring On Day Two!

Well, Day 1 of Photoshop World has officially ended and Day 2 is underway!

Starting off yesterday with the amazing “Project Photoshop” Opening Keynote was a blast (those guys at NAPP sure know how to have fun). Not only was the keynote fun, but it was a unique event in that Adobe had a special announcement for us: Carousel, a new product that acts as a multiple device photography solution. The Adobe team that created it was there to join in the announcement, which was so great to see all of those people that work so hard on great product experiences for us.
The keynote is also where the Guru award winners and Photoshop Hall of Fame recipients are awarded. It is so amazing to see the work that NAPP members create… All awards were well deserved!

After the keynote the sessions got into full swing. I attended Small Flash Basics with Joe McNally to kick off the morning… And what a way to start it off! Joe always has a fun and informative session, and really just to watch him work is awe inspiring. His audience can really bask in his passion for all things photography. I look forward to more lighting with him tomorrow!

My next session was Portrait Retouching for Photographers with the man, the myth, the legend– Scott Kelby. Talk about awe inspiring…He can retouch in Photoshop in about 30 seconds, whereas it would take me 3 hours! Which is of course why I’m attending PSW… to learn from the best.

After roaming the grandiose Expo floor and catching some short demonstrations from RC Concepcion and Moose Peterson, it was time for my final session, Making a Difference with Your Camera by Jeremy Cowart. This session was thought provoking and truly a great way to finish up the first day of PSW.

I look forward to more great sessions tomorrow and finishing up the day with Midnight Madness fun!

Portfolio Reviews

Portfolio reviews were held this afternoon for the fortunate Photoshop World attendees who signed up early enough to get a spot. Industry professionals spent one on one time reviewing and critiquing portfolios.

Portfolio Reviews

Many of us nervously sweated the details of our portfolio review before hand. We wondered what images to show and hoped our reviewers would find something nice to say.

My review was with Jim DiVitale. In a short amount of time Jim shared a great deal of knowledge and encouragement that left me full of new ideas to explore. There was nothing scary or intimidating about it at all, and I’m so glad I made the decision to participate in the Portfolio Review this year.