Download the Photoshop World DC Brochure!

In March, Photoshop World will bring a new party to our nation’s capital to offer three non-stop days of informative, inspirational and invaluable photography, lighting and Photoshop training from seasoned professionals more than happy to share their tried-and-true tips and techniques.

From new and returning instructors like Greg Heisler, Jack Davis, Calvin Hollywood, Frank Doorhof and Jeremy Cowart to the addition of two new tracks, our first-ever Photoshop World in Washington DC is a can’t miss affair!

Click here to visit the landing page we’ve set up for easy downloading the official Photoshop World brochure, which will be arriving with the January issue of Photoshop User.

The brochure features descriptions of all training sessions and optional pre-conference workshops, a list of participating instructors and much more.

And don’t forget to register before Friday, February 17 to save an extra $100 off the registration rate.

So download the brochure today and start planning now for the ultimate educational experience!

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!

Expo Floor Excitement

Moving into the final day of Photoshop World and the Expo hall was THE place to be after the early morning classes. Excited photographers and creatives, using the free Expo passes, joined the attendees on the floor. Vendors appeared to have brisk sales and curious customers anxious to take advantage of discounted tradeshow specials.

As busy as the awesome Westcott shooting bays have been throughout the week, today most certainly brought the big crowds. As they’ve done all week, the Top Pros continued to lend advice and educate photographers on everything from posing to lighting. The beautiful and talented models remained patient and friendly while accommodating photographers with various poses. I ran into many of my new friends here and we caught up on our PSW adventures and stories of exhaustion. I mean, this IS Vegas after all!

Time to head into Terry White’s class about how to use the iPad in the photography workflow. As an iPad user myself, I know that he’ll have great apps to recommend!

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.

Pre-PSW Checklist

Hi all, long-time attendee, first-time blogger. Just kidding. With less than a week to go I thought a recap for resources and tips for Photoshop World might be helpful.

For those first-time attendees or for those who want the inside scoop on how to get the most out of your Photoshop World experience, do not miss Larry Becker’s “First-Time Attendee Orientation” held Tuesday during the Pre-Con sessions. This event is FREE and is held in two sessions: 3:15–4:15 pm and 5:15–6:15 pm.

If you cannot attend Larry’s event, or want more information about Photoshop World or getting around Vegas in general be sure to check out my “Insider’s Guide to PSW”. You can download it here.

To help plan your schedules two electronic options are available for you. First is the PSW App by Shaun Welch available for the iPhone. If you don’t have an iphone or iPod Touch,  don’t worry there is the ever-popular PSW Schedule PDF by Dave Cross which you can download here.

Next, if you are on Twitter, be sure to sign up for the NEW Photoshop World Hashcaster Site for the latest information and roundup of all the day’s PSW news and important Tweets. You can sign up here. Speaking of Twitter, the Photoshop World Tweetup will be held Tuesday night at 8 pm just outside the registration area on the patio (same location as last year). This is a great opportunity for you to meet and network with other Photoshop World attendees and the instructors (including Scott Kelby himself).

Last, here is a handy checklist of things to remember when coming to Photoshop World:

1. Your Badge. It is the “must-wear” accessory at this year’s “Project Photoshop”.  You need it to get into any event during the conference. If you forget it, expect to be asked by staff to go back and get it.
2. Comfy shoes. As in shoes you can walk around in all-day and not get blisters. Learn from my first-year mistake. Ouch!
3. A sweater or jacket. Vegas may be 110° F next week, but the conference rooms are air conditioned so be prepared if you tend to get chills.
4. Water. There is water available in the back of the session rooms. However, if you are going on a photo-safari or photo-walk, bring water. In Vegas, it may be a dry heat, but 100°+ temperatures can sneak up on you.
5. Writing utensils. It seems every year I am borrowing my pen to the person seated next to me so they can fill out their evaluation forms at the end of a session. Don’t forget you may also want to take notes during the sessions.
6. Money. Now I don’t mean bring cash for the table games, but be sure to have your credit cards or cash on hand for the expo hall. Many exhibitors will be selling as well as displaying their wares and also there is the Kelby Training Bookstore. It’s like Target – expect to spend a lot more than you planned for.

Hope this list and resources help you make the most of your PSW experience. See you all next week in Vegas.

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.

Expo Alert: Fit To Print With Bay Photo!

Sure, your images may look great on a computer screen… But why not print your greatest hits to get the attention they absolutely deserve? It’s easier than ever with expert help from Bay Photo.

“We offer exceptional pro lab services, blended with one-on-one support, to photographic professionals throughout the United States and around the world,” declares Glen Clark, Cr. Photog., F/S-PPC, photographer and staff member at Bay Photo. “Whether you specialize in wedding, portrait, sport, school, landscape or other styles of imaging, our approach is to provide you with a large variety of solutions to help you maximize your efficiency and excel at your business.”

Bay Photo’s list of professional printing and photo finishing services is virtually endless. So whether you’re looking to get individual digital photo prints, photo books of your work or canvas prints of your most awe-inspiring works (or anything else really), Bay Photo will help you impress your clients.

“We’re pleased to offer a large selection of features, digital photographic print sizes, photo templates, mounting and photo finishing services, as well as specialty photo products,” proclaims Clark. “And, they’re all available through our state-of-the-art online ordering software, Bay ROES.”

During this year’s Photoshop World Expo, Bay Photo will be displaying and presenting the company’s wide variety of high quality products and services, including MetalPrints, canvas prints and wall clusters. So make sure to stop by the Bay Photo booth to get a firsthand look at the superstar ways to showcase your work.

“Bring your creative and open mind,” encourages Clark. “Be willing to consider many new ways to present, display and offer your images as both art pieces and professional quality photo products.”

So if you’re ready to have your work truly stand out, make sure to check out Bay Photo’s standout products and top-notch services at the PSW Expo!

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.

Introducing Your PSW Las Vegas Onsite Bloggers!

In less than two weeks, Photoshop World will bring the world’s best photography, lighting and Photoshop training to the Las Vegas strip.

For three jam-packed days, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center will be all abuzz as photographers, artists and graphic designers from all over the world come together to learn from some of the industry’s best & brightest pro-structors (seasoned pros who can teach like nobody’s business).

Whether you’re attending this year’s conference or tracking the activity from afar, we don’t want you to miss a single moment. So we’ve compiled a great team of bloggers to give you complete round-the-clock coverage of all the goings-on at Photoshop World. Some are seasoned PSW alumni; others are first-timers. They’re photographers, graphic designers and artists from various backgrounds and skill levels… And they’re ready to share their Photoshop World experiences with you!

Meet this year’s all-star bloggers!

David Hodgins

Living in British Columbia, Canada, almost all his life, David Hodgins is an avid amateur with professional aspirations. Picking up his first DLSR in 2009, he wanted more from his images. That’s where Kelby Media came in. There is still a long road ahead, and Photoshop World is another stop on that path. He has a recent addiction to lighting. David is an adult educator and training developer in emergency communications. This will be David’s first PSW.

Kristina Jacob

Kristina Jacob is an avid photographer who loves to blend her geographic background with photography. The Los Angeles-based photographer moves from macro shots of flowers to broad landscape shots as she rebuilds a unique view of the world around her. Since picking up her first SLR years ago, she hasn’t stopped exploring life, nature and architecture through her lens. She builds on her love of photography through learning from great organizations like NAPP. Click here to read blog posts about her photography and experiences. This will be Kristina’s second PSW.

Theresa Jackson

Theresa Jackson is the owner of Orchard View Color, a graphic design business in Escondido, California. With 25 years experience in the print/graphics industry, her major focus is print design, including wide-format printing. Theresa also writes a bi-monthly technical column for Signs Of The Times magazine covering Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator tips for the signs industry. Her real passion though, is for fine art photography and Photoshop. She is an active member of the PhotoArts Group in San Diego and shows new work almost every month in local galleries. This will be Theresa’s second PSW.

Jim Patterson

Jim Patterson is professor of Business/IT at Paradise Valley Community College and an avid photographer in Phoenix. He specializes in travel, outdoors and portraits. Jim administers the NAPP-Arizona Facebook page and has led three NAPP photo walks in the Phoenix area, too. Click here to see more of Jim’s work. This will be Jim’s third PSW.

Melissa Reyes-Abbey

Melissa (Mel) Reyes-Abbey is a super busy mom, wife, coach, photo meetup organizer and photographer from St. Johns, FL (a suburb of Jacksonville). She’s an action photographer who loves portraiture and believes that ESPN will beg for her photos. She strives to learn as much as she can about how to create her vision and shape light. Being a social-media junkie, She’s found a ton of resources through books and the internet to educate herself. That’s how she found NAPP. SnapshotArtistry.com has been her business for almost two years. She loves happy clients and sharing what she’s learned with her fellow photographers. This will be Mel’s second PSW.

Kevin Stohlmeyer

NAPP member Kevin Stohlmeyer is an Adobe Certified Instructor, User Group Manager and Adobe Freelance Professional for Photoshop. The Milwaukee-based graphic designer specializes in digital illustration. Kevin has more than 15 years of experience in the field and has been teaching Adobe’s Creative Suite since 2000. Check out his blog posts at c2gps.com/blog. This will be Kevin’s fifth PSW.

So make sure to check back often from Tuesday, September 6 – Friday, September 9, 2011 to check out their blog posts, photos and videos from this year’s PSW and get a taste of this year’s must-attend photography, lighting and Photoshop training conference!

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.