Photoshop World Day 1

Day 1 is here! Lots of folks waiting to get into the keynote…come join us LIVE via GSnap.

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!

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!

Time’s Running Out to Book Your PSW Hotel!

If you’re planning to attend the first ever Photoshop World in Washington, DC and will be needing lodging, you may want to act fast to lock in some of the lowest hotel rates available in Downtown DC during the conference dates!

We’ve set up special Photoshop World rates at several hotels in The District, but the blocks are filling up quickly! In fact, we’ve already completely booked up our block at the Four Points by Sheraton Washington D.C. Downtown.

In addition, the Grand Hyatt Washington ($249 per night + tax) and the Washington Marriott at Metro Center ($209 per night + tax) are filling up quickly… And, you only have until Thursday, March 1 to lock in the low rates! So make sure you don’t wait too long to book your hotel!

While the rates may be higher than what we’ve been able to secure in Orlando and Las Vegas, they’re much better than what you’d pay at those hotels without the special PSW rate. If you were to go online today to book a room at the Washington Grand Hyatt outside of our block you would pay $369 per night during conference week. So, you’re saving $120 per night by reserving a room using our link on the site or by calling the reservation desk. Just make sure to mention that you’re a Photoshop World attendee to secure the designated rate!

Cyber Tuesday!

Good news if you weren’t able to cash in on our special Cyber Monday deals for Photoshop World! Due to the high volume of calls Customer Service received on Monday, we’ve extended the incredible offers for one more day.

So if you’d like to “bring a buddy” for free or get a free t-shirt & book when you register for the world’s best photography, lighting and Photoshop conference, make sure to call Customer Service at 800-738-8513 before 7:00pm today!

Click here for a complete look at Cyber Monday deals.

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.

Breaking News! PSW App for Android Now Available…

Hey guys, Shawn Welch here. A lot of you know me as the app guy for Kelby Training and NAPP. Well today I am privileged to make an announcement that I think some of the readers of this blog will really enjoy.

The beloved Photoshop World app for the iPhone and iPad has just made its way to Android OS!

*Cheers!*

Yes, you read that correctly. I said Android OS. Last year at Photoshop World Vegas 2010, we launched a new iPhone/iPad app, Photoshop World for iOS, that put the conference in your hands. The app includes schedules, instructor names and bios, exhibitor listing, conference maps, breaking news — all at your finger tips. Today (and in the nick of time I might add…) we are happy to make available Photoshop World for Android.

Photoshop World for Android will help you plan and stay on top of your schedules at the conference. Complete with maps, exhibitors, instructor and class listings, if a room assignment changes or there is some important information that needs shared your apps will be notified and their content will be updated. This is just the first release of PS World for Android. As with PS World for iOS, the Android version will grow as people use it and more features will be added over time.

So rejoice, we have an Android app! Now it’s back to work for me — see you in Vegas!

Click here to download the Android version of the PSW app.

P.S. A big shout out to friend and colleague Scott “Fish” Fisher who made the app possible. Fish is the tech editor for both of my books on iOS development and I was thrilled when he told me he had Android experience as well. Android really isn’t my strong suit, but Fish really came through. Well done man!

Shawn Welch makes things for iOS and mobile. He is an author, designer and developer at Peachpit Press and Kelby Media Group. You can see his apps here and here or check out his books on Amazon.com. If you’re a designer who is interested in designing iOS apps, check out From Idea to App: Creating iOS UI, animations, and gestures. Follow Shawn on Twitter.

Expo Alert: Illuminate Your Work…

Some images deserve the Hollywood treatment… And, now there’s a new way to breathe new light into your work with help from Backlit Box.

“We’re bringing to the market a new product that allows everyone to afford a backlit image of impeccable quality,” explains Faxon Moulder, the owner of Backlit Box. “No longer just for movie posters and department store advertisements, now you can have the attention-grabbing power of a backlit image in your home.”

By simply throwing some light behind a great photo with Backlit Box’s affordable lightbox solutions, you’ll turn a great image into an extraordinary work of art.

“Backlit Box helps you illuminate your photo into a shimmering masterpiece,” professes Moulder. “The BackLit Box is the most dramatic custom printing method available in the market today. Once mounted on a BackLit Box, your image is lit from within by LEDs and will show the color, depth and detail just the way you intended.”

During this year’s Photoshop World Expo, you’ll get the chance to see firsthand just how radiant your photography can appear with a Backlit Box, which come in a variety of sizes.

“We’re super excited about getting our product in front of this many great photographers,” admits Moulder. “We have a difficult time displaying our products online. The magic just doesn’t come through over the Web. But in person, it’s fabulous!”

So make sure to stop by Backlit Box’s booth during the PSW Expo, where you may even get a steep discount! Now that’s a bright idea!

Click here to check out a special video by one of Backlit Box’s customers.

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.