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Step-by-step instructions on how to clean digital-SLR camera sensors
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Making the most of your Photoshop skills for animation and video
.*31 Lightroom Feature: What’s new in Lightroom 2 u Take advantage of the History and Snapshots panels u Working between Lightroom and Photoshop u
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PHOTOSHOP PROFESSIONALS VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT WWW.PHOTOSHOPUSER.COM
DISPLAY UNTIL OCTOBER 21, 2008
Feature 38 | Freelancing 101
You’ve found your passion, your medium, and your niche. Someone recommends that you should start freelancing to get your work out there. You agree. But now what? Start by reading this.—Lisa Sage
Departments
84 | Clean Your Digital SLR’s Sensor
Sometimes you can’t heed the manufacturer’s warnings about sending your camera out to the shop to have its sensor cleaned. This is how the pros do it when sending it out isn’t an option.—Laurie Excell
Reviews
10 | About Photoshop User Magazine
108 | ArtRage 2.5 Full Edition
12 | From the Managing Editor
109 | ColorMunki Photo
16 | Contributing Writers
110 | Better Beamer
18 | Photoshop News
110 | Path Styler Pro 1.5.2
20 | NAPP Member News
112 | FontAgent Pro 4
80 | From the Help Desk
113 | Noise Buster 6
116 | Photoshop Q&A
113 | imagePROGRAF iPF5100
118 | Photoshop Design Showcase
114 | Photoshop Book Reviews
September 2008 | www.photoshopuser.com
Contents
Columns 24 | Down & Dirty Tricks Learn how to create a killer ice effect that looks hyperrealistic; re-create the type treatment used on the Iron Man movie posters; and always have your jelly within reach with this cool brush technique.—Scott Kelby, Felix Nelson, Corey Barker
46 | Photoshop Mastery This issue, Ben shows us how to bypass eight dialogs and speed things up by using Adobe Camera Raw instead of Photoshop.—Ben Willmore
70 | Photoshop in Motion *NEW* Corey’s always finding cool stuff to do with Photoshop, so we had to make a new spot for his more-animated experiments.—Corey Barker
74 | Digital Photographer’s Notebook You’ve probably seen lots of uses for the Screen blend mode in Photoshop, but have you thought of Screen’s dark side?—Kevin Ames
76 | Classic Photoshop Effects 48 | From Bert’s Studio Focusing on the process and experimentation throughout is paramount to Bert’s art philosophy. Here’s a great example.—Bert Monroy
50 | Photoshop Speed Clinic Matt shows us how to create presets in Camera Raw and then tells us where NAPP members can download his presets!—Matt Kloskowski
54 | The Fine Art of Printing Have you ever considered scale when printing? John Paul asks us to consider what size can do for our prints.—John Paul Caponigro
56 | Creative Point of View Break classic rules of photography and exaggerate your shadows to create stronger and more dramatic images.—Katrin Eismann
A certain message is conveyed when you see an image with the viewfinder effect; it’s a must for any designer’s toolbox.—Corey Barker
82 | Beyond Photoshop Add some spice to seemingly sterile computer-aided design (CAD) drawings using artistic vision and layer styles.—Scott Onstott
120 | Photoshop Quick Tips Comb your images for meticulous dust removal; sharpen for output; and enjoy Photoshop World-themed shortcuts.—Sherry London
146 | Photoshop Beginners’ Tips Create cool black-and-white shots in Camera Raw; explore alternate ways of opening JPEGs in Camera Raw; and more.—Colin Smith
60 | Deke Space Have you ducked and dodged Lab color, stricken with fear? After reading this, you’ll never be afraid of Lab color again.—Deke McClelland
62 | Beginners’ Workshop If you’ve never heard of the “make-better key” before now, you’ll definitely want to read this article and find out what it’s all about!—Dave Cross
66 | Digital Camera Workshop Recently there’s been quite a surge in the use of selective-focus photography. Jim compares some of the ways to get this effect.—Jim DiVitale
118 68 | The WOW! Factor There’s always more to learn about making selections, but after reading this one you’ll be left saying, “Wow!”—Jack Davis and Linnea Dayton
But Wait—There’s More: Wherever you see the symbol at the end of an article, it means there’s additional material for NAPP members at www.photoshopuser.com.
Photoshop Lightroom Section
Feature
Contents
90 | The Revolution Continues: Lightroom 2 Has Arrived
Photoshop Lightroom 2 is here and this release feels like it was developed by photographers. Scott gives us a quick look at what’s new, how it evolved, what Adobe did right, and what still needs to be tweaked in “our program.”—Scott Kelby
94 | Lightroom News 96 | Featured Photographer Photographer/zoologist Ralph Clevenger shows us the natural world.
100 | Under the Loupe Take advantage of Before and After view modes and the History and Snapshots panels to aid you in developing your photos.—Rob Sylvan
102 | Under the Hood Matt explains the various file-format and color-setting choices you have when working between Lightroom and Photoshop.—Matt Kloskowski
104 | Working Creatively in Lightroom This issue, Angela shows us how to produce several different looks from one photo, using snapshots to keep track of our progress.—Angela Drury
106 | Lightroom Tips & Tricks 107 | Lightroom Q&A
96
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All in this issue and sooo much more…
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Recently, I had the pleasure of working with the Kelby Media Group’s video team—the folks who work behind the scenes to bring you Photoshop User TV and Layers TV—on The 48 Hour Film Project (www.48.tv) when it came through the Tampa/St. Pete area. Various Kelby Media departments converged on the studio (and Dave Cross’s home…poor Dave). What really took me by surprise was how much Photoshop fit into all this. While we were working the script and blocking the scenes, Corey Barker was staring deeply into his laptop. I asked him, “Wha’cha doin’ man? We’ve got less than 24 hours left to produce a film for this thing.” “I know,” he said. “I’m building the intro and putting the credits together.” A bit bewildered, I looked at his screen and sure enough, he had Photoshop CS3 Extended open, drawing an animated scene of rice falling behind the opening credits—everything from scratch. Incredible. Every day I see Photoshop being used in new and exciting ways and this was yet another fine example. (If you’d like to see what we submitted for the project, visit http://photoshopuser.blip.tv.) Speaking of Corey, beginning with this issue on page 70, he’s writing a new column that builds on his Kelby Training DVD, Photoshop in Motion. It’s a place where we can continue to experiment with the things Photoshop enables us to do in the worlds of animation and video. Our main feature for this issue, “Freelancing 101: How to Turn Your Passion into Profit,” by Lisa Sage, starts on page 38. At Photoshop World Orlando, I asked Lisa to keep track of the things laypeople would need to know if they received that fateful we-love-your-artwork-come-play-with-us-type email. Lisa is one of our many rock-star NAPP members who has been approached by some media juggernauts because of the work she uploaded to her online NAPP portfolio and the advice she gave in her posts on the NAPP forum. When companies such as Hysteria Productions and Oxford University Press ask you to freelance for them, you want to (at the very least) look like you know what you’re doing. But difficulties compound when you think about all the things—above and beyond the artwork itself—that are involved in running your own freelancing gig. This article will provide you with a solid learning foundation upon which the rest of your adventures in freelancing can be built. We have another feature beginning on page 84 by our photography equipment expert, Laurie Excell, on how to clean your digital SLR’s sensor. If you were ever afraid to really get in there and clean your camera’s sensor, you won’t be after reading this because it’s as thorough as it is accessible. In our Lightroom section, we have a great feature by our Editor-in-Chief, Scott Kelby, on what’s new in Lightroom 2. Scott just finished writing his most recent book, The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers, so we picketed his office until he wrote a feature that filled us in on all the latest and greatest with Lightroom 2. (It was so good we decided to publish it! J) It’s truly an exciting time to be a digital photographer, what with Adobe’s Lightroom Team listening to folks and incorporating their requests to the point that, as Scott says in his article, “It feels like it was crafted by the wants and needs of real users.” Our very own Lightroom Killer Tips dude, Matt Kloskowski, is aware that not everyone has incorporated Lightroom into their workflow, so he took his Lightroom presets and converted them to Adobe Camera Raw for us. Turn to his “Speed Clinic” column on page 50 to learn how to achieve some very cool effects in Camera Raw and then save them as presets to use later. Additionally, Matt has provided all the presets he’s created over the past year as a download to NAPP members! This is a fantastic issue that you’ll want to keep within arm’s reach for years. There’s never been a better time to be a pixel pusher, and we couldn’t be happier to be your go-to learning resource. Now let’s get out there and show our NAPP pride by capturing and conveying the beauty we so often see but forget to share. You never know who might come calling. All the best to you and yours,
Issac Stolzenbach Managing Editor
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$0-01)0/ Photoshop UserXBTQSPEVDFEVTJOH"EPCF1IPUPTIPQ$4 "EPCF*O%FTJHO$4 BOE"EPCF*MMVTUSBUPS$4"EPCF.ZSJBE1SP XBTVTFEGPSIFBEMJOFTBOEUFYU This seal indicates that all content provided herein is produced by Kelby Media, Inc. and follows the most stringent standards for educational resources. Kelby Media is the premier source for instructional books, DVDs, online classes, and live seminars for creative professionals.
All contents ©COPYRIGHT 2008 National Association of Photoshop Professionals. All rights reserved. Any use of the contents of this publication without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Photoshop User is an independent journal, not affiliated in any way with Adobe Systems, Inc. Adobe, the Adobe logo, Acrobat, Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom, and Photoshop are registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks mentioned belong to their respective owners. Some of the views expressed by contributors may not be the representative views of the publisher. ISSN 1535-4687
Photoshop’s Most Wanted
KEVIN AMES
creates evocative photographs for clients such as Westin Hotels, AT&T, and Coca-Cola. His fourth book, recently published by Peachpit Press, is The Digital Photographer’s Notebook: A Pro’s Guide to Photoshop CS3, Lightroom and Bridge. He teaches the digital arts worldwide. STEVE BACZEWSKI
is a freelance writer, professional photographer, graphic designer, and consultant. He also teaches classes in traditional and digital fine arts photography. His company, Sore Tooth Productions, is based in Albany, California. Steve can be reached at
[email protected]. PETER BAUER
is the Director of the NAPP Help Desk and a featured columnist at Planet Photoshop. As an Adobe Certified Expert, Pete does computer graphics consulting for a select group of corporate clients. His latest book is Photoshop CS3 for Dummies.
JOHN PAUL CAPONIGRO
an inductee to the Photoshop Hall of Fame and author of Adobe Photoshop Master Class, is an internationally renowned fine artist and authority on digital printing. Visit www.johnpaulcaponigro .com and receive a free subscription to his enews Insights. JACK DAVIS
Photoshop Hall-of-Famer and awardwinning designer, photographer, and writer, has contributed to more than 30 how-to books for creative professionals including his latest, How to Wow: Photoshop CS3 for Photography, published by Peachpit Press.
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LINNEA DAY TON
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has authored, co-authored, and edited many books, magazines, and newsletters for graphic designers, illustrators, and others who use computers in their art. Her most recent book with Cristen Gillespie is The Photoshop CS/CS2 Wow! Book, published by Peachpit Press. J IM D I VITALE
is an Atlanta-based photographer and instructor specializing in digital photography. His clients include IBM, Carter’s, Mizuno USA, Genuine Parts Company, Scientific Atlanta, TEC America, and Coca-Cola. Check out his website at www .divitalephotography.com.
ANGELA DRURY
is a photographer who specializes in floral, travel, kids, and stock images. Her work has received many awards and has been featured in numerous shows. Angela is working on several stock projects in addition to teaching workshops about Lightroom. To see her work, visit www.angeladrury.com. DANIEL EAST
is an author, freelance writer, presenter/ trainer, and consultant with more than 20 years’ experience in professional photography, pro-audio, and marketing. Daniel is also founder and president of The Apple Groups Team support network for user groups.
DEKE M C CLELLAND
is recipient of the Videographer Award for Excellence, the Omni Award (both 2007), and author of the full-color Adobe Photoshop CS3 One-on-One (Deke Press/ O’Reilly Media). He also hosts the online series, Photoshop Channels & Masks and Photoshop CS3 One-on-One (www.lynda.com/deke). BERT MONROY
is considered one of the pioneers of digital art. His work has been seen in countless magazines and scores of books. He has served on the faculty of many well-known institutions, written dozens of books, and appeared on hundreds of TV shows around the world.
KATRIN EISMANN
SCOTT ONSTOT T
is author of Photoshop Restoration & Retouching and Photoshop Masking & Compositing. Katrin is the co-founder and present Chair of the MPS in Digital Photography Department at the School of Visual Arts in NYC (www.sva.edu/digitalphoto). She was inducted into the Photoshop Hall of Fame in 2005.
author of Enhancing CAD Drawings with Photoshop, has written and edited dozens of books and videos on AutoCAD, Revit, 3ds Max, Illustrator, and Dreamweaver. Subscribe to his Digital Architect video podcast on iTunes and check out his website at www.scottonstott.com.
LAURIE EXCELL
has 28 years of photography and photographic equipment sales experience. Her images have been showcased in galleries, Audubon calendars, Camping Life Magazine, Amtrak publications, and BT Journal. Check out her website at www .excellnaturephotography.com. MARK FLEMING
is an award-winning photographer who completed coursework in the photojournalism program at R.I.T., then returned to his passion of editorial photography. His images have been featured in publications including Down East, GO Magazine, and Layers. More at www.markflemingphoto.com. DAVE HUSS
with more than 25 years’ experience as a photographer, has authored more than 18 books on digital photography and photo editing. His latest book is Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 1.1 for the Professional Photographer. Dave is a popular conference speaker in the U.S. and Europe.
CHRIS ORWIG
is a photographer, book and video author, and on the faculty at the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara. His publications include Adobe Photoshop CS3 How-Tos and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 Beta How-Tos (Peachpit Press). For more, visit www.chrisorwig.com. COLIN SMITH
is an award-winning designer, lecturer, and writer, who has authored or coauthored 12 books on Photoshop and has created a series of Photoshop training videos available from PhotoshopCD.com. Colin is also the founder of the online resource PhotoshopCAFE.com. ROB SYLVAN
a trainer and photographer, is the author of Photoshop Lighroom 2 for Dummies, a Help Desk Specialist for the NAPP, host of Peachpit’s Lightroom Reference Guide, and Site Director for iStockphoto. Check out his Lightroom tips and tutorials at http://lightroomers.com.
SHERRY LONDON
BEN WILLMORE
is author of Photoshop CS2 Gone Wild and has written a number of other books on Photoshop, Illustrator, and Painter. Sherry also writes tips and product reviews for Photoshop User and Layers magazines, as well as tutorials for Planet Photoshop.
is the author of Adobe Photoshop CS3 Studio Techniques and Up to Speed: Photoshop CS3, as well as coauthor of How to Wow: Photoshop for Photography. Currently, Ben is on tour with his hit seminar “Photoshop for Photographers.” Check out his website, www.digitalmastery.com.
Photoshop News
All the latest on Photoshop-related gear and software
By Mark Fleming
Latest | Photoshop-related gear and software
Broaden your horizon with the new Nikon D700 With the release of the D3 earlier this year, Nikon took bold steps into the world of the full-frame, digital SLR. Its newly engineered 23.9x36mm, 12.1 megapixel, FX-format CMOS sensor features not only striking clarity from edge to edge but also the ability to achieve outstanding results in low light. The problem with this sweet machine, though, is the $4999.99 price tag that puts it out of the reach of many of today’s digital shooters. Should Nikon owners who want to enjoy the benefits of the FX-format be left to suffer in the world of conversion factors? Of course not! Coming off the production line, the Nikon D700 not only boasts the same 12.1-megapixel, FX-format sensor as the D3 but also an impressive 5 fps (frames-per-second) continuous shooting at full resolution (up to 8 fps with the optional MB-D10 Multi-power Battery Pack.) Nikon engineers designed this body to incorporate some of the best features of their two top-selling digital SLRs. On the outside, the D700 more closely resembles the D300, using the same durable and lightweight magnesium-alloy chassis, while the inner workings are almost identical to those of the groundbreaking D3. This camera body certainly doesn’t leave you wanting: From the 51-point AF (auto-focus) system to its ability to apply Nikon’s Active D-Lighting, the D700 uses the latest in camera technology. It even boasts two Live View shooting modes—handheld or tripod—that include a virtual horizon indicator. The Nikon D700 has the full-frame functionality and low-light performance of the D3, combined with the size and speed of the D300. Author and photographer, Rob Galbraith (www.RobGalbraith.com) goes so far as to say, “Pictures shot with the D3 and D700 are expected to look the same in every respect.” Selling for around $3,000, this combination of power and speed should appeal to discriminating Nikon users.
Quick on the draw: Canon EOS Rebel XS Canon has announced the latest addition to the popular Rebel lineup: The EOS Rebel XS at 10.1 megapixels enters just below the Rebel XSi. The controls and features of the Rebel XS make the transition from a point-and-shoot to a digital SLR camera a breeze. And action shots are easier to capture with the 7-point, wide-area AF and quick 3-fps continuous shooting mode. The XS also takes advantage of Canon’s patented Auto Lighting Optimizer. It detects dark areas in your image and automatically adjusts brightness and contrast to improve the exposure of your images. The newly adapted Live View function allows users to compose their shots easily through the bright 3" LCD monitor. Paired with Canon’s EF-S18-55mm image stabilized zoom lens, the EOS Rebel XS is expected to ship at an estimated retail price of $699.99.
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Exhibition quality at an affordable price
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Replacing the popular Epson R2400, the new Epson Stylus Photo R2880 has taken desktop printing to a new level. Equipped with Epson’s UltraChrome K3 ink with Vivid Magenta Technology, this printer offers an exceptional color gamut. Keeping the 13" format, the R2880 speeds up the printing process through an optimization process that not only improves color constancy but also allows for a much smoother transition between colors. For black-and-white image enthusiasts, the Advanced Black-and-White Photo Mode gives users precise control of the tonality of each print. This new technology makes the R2880 one of the most precise black-and-white printers on the market today. Maintaining the same eight color channels as its predecessor, the R2880 has a new built-in sensor that monitors each nozzle individually and automatically cleans each print head as needed. With two USB 2 ports, Epson’s latest addition connects easily to any desktop or laptop computer separately or in tandem. The Epson Stylus Photo R2880 prints on all Epson glossy, luster, and matte papers and also supports thicker media, such as Epson’s Exhibition Fiber Paper. Like the R2400, the R2880 can handle roll media, even canvas, up to 13" wide. For more information, visit www.epson.com.
Photoshop News
The third dimension Latest | News
DAZ 3D, an industry leader in 3D content and software, teamed up with Adobe to allow Photoshop users to easily integrate 3D rendering into their workflow. The DAZ 3D Bridge plug-in for Photoshop allows users to seamlessly import and export files between Photoshop and DAZ Studio. Whether rendering, modeling, or animating, the importance of a clean and unencumbered workflow is paramount. Available for a free, 30-day download, the 3D Bridge for Photoshop could bring your next project to a new level. Says Dan Farr, President of DAZ 3D, “Photoshop artists of any level may now discover the power of 3D by easily posing characters and objects three-dimensionally within DAZ Studio, and work with them—in real-time—within Photoshop.”
Do you suck at Photoshop? COURTSEY OF BIG FAT BRAIN
We're sure that many of you have heard about the latest Photoshop phenomenon to hit the Web: You Suck at Photoshop. It may come as a surprise, however, to learn who created Donnie Hoyle, the neurotically depressive Photoshop genius who teaches people Photoshop techniques using bits of his broken life. The real brains behind this two-time Webby Award-winning series are two friends, Troy Hitch and Matt Bledsoe from Covington, Kentucky. This pixel-oriented parody about an overworked, cubicle-bound, disgruntled Photoshop fellow has certainly turned some heads. Time Magazine reported that the first video had more than 400,000 page views in five days. In a little less than a year, this sarcastic take on teaching Photoshop has turned into a commanding hit. Encouraged by the success of their first episode, Troy and Matt have continued the series, adding episodes about everything from the clone stamp to working with 3D layers. As of this writing, these southern gentlemen have collaborated on more than 12 episodes with 8+ million hits. If you’re looking for a unique and humorous way to improve your Photoshop skills, tune in to Donnie Hoyle in his latest episode of You Suck at Photoshop on YouTube.com.
Red Boot Design teams up with SilverBack Imaging In the spirit of helping digital photographers move from behind their computer screens and into the field behind the lens, Red Boot Design, a division of Kubota Photo Design, and SilverBack Imaging and Design have teamed up to create a solution for today’s working photographers. We’re all familiar with the stress of coordinating clients, locations, and dates; all the while knowing that hundreds of images are sitting on a hard drive waiting for processing from our last shoot. Think about relieving your stress with this new service. With custom-designed albums in high demand, photographers can now send images to SilverBack for postproduction, then seamlessly transfer them to Red Boot for album design. This collaboration provides a muchneeded, quick, and easy solution for today’s event photographers. Visit www.redbootdesign.com or www.silverbackimaging.com for all the details.
Here comes the latest addition to Nikon’s Creative Lighting System, the SB-900 AF Speedlight. Dethroning the SB-800 as Nikon’s flagship flash unit, the SB-900 takes its place atop the podium with a plethora of new features. Nikon engineers took the SB-800—already a great flash—and gave it a complete overhaul. So what’s changed since the SB-800? Just ask National Geographic photographer and the undisputed master of flash, Joe McNally: “If the SB-800 is a real nice Chevy, this baby’s a Cadillac.” The first thing any Nikon shooter will notice is the easily adjusted Rotary Select Dial, which has replaced that annoying selector button on the SB-800. Other physical changes include the relocation of the master/remote mode selection to the outside control panel. The major improvements to this unit are technical. For example, recycle time has been cut to a mere 2.3 seconds and the light output has increased zoom range to an impressive 17–200mm. Another important improvement is that you can now select from three separate light distribution patterns: Center-weighted, providing the highest possible light output, is intended for use when light falloff at the edge of the frame won’t be a problem; Standard, similar to the quality of light we’re used to seeing with the SB-800, is ideal for most circumstances; and Even provides the most consistent light, covering the entire frame from edge to edge. The true test of any flash unit, however, is to use it in the field. After running the SB-900 during a live shoot, McNally says, “It’s bigger, stronger, sturdier. It has crucial additional features that will go a long way to making Nikon’s Creative Lighting System a more complete system.” His favorite improvement seems to be the 360º swivel capability. He calls it “the Linda Blair of strobe units.” Because of the full 360º swivel, there’s no need to angle the unit to maximize sensor reception. This feature eliminates the potential for compromising the approach of the light to the subject. According to McNally, “This feature alone is worth the price of admission.” ■
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Nikon's new go-to-flash
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NAPP Member News
All the Latest on Membership and Benefits
By Mary Laurinaitis
ALL THE LATEST ON MEMBERSHIP AND BENEFITS
Member News
How to do the things you want to do on your Mac Scott Kelby, NAPP President, best-selling author, and the Editor and Publisher of Photoshop User magazine, has recently released The Mac OS X Leopard Book. Scott wrote the book in his signature casual style, without all the technical explanations and technobabble. It’s as though you brought your Mac over to his house and he’s giving you tips, advice, and sharing the secrets he’s learned over the years—just like he would with a friend. NAPP members will receive a discount on the book from KelbyTraining.com, our e-retail partner.
“Where everyone learns Photoshop” ads spotlight members Our marketing challenge this year was to find the best way to show the value of a NAPP membership to an ever-growing audience of Photoshop users. The answer came like a bolt from the blue: Because NAPP is “where everyone learns Photoshop” (which ended up becoming the campaign tagline), the best way to communicate that to others is to showcase the truly exceptional Photoshop skills of NAPP members. Our creative marketing team selected stunning artwork and photography from the winning entries from past Photoshop World Guru and Photoshop User Award programs, plus NAPP member portfolios. You can see our campaign running in this magazine, as well as Layers, Communication Arts, Outdoor Photographer, Digital Photo Pro, HOW, Print, and Shutterbug. A special thank you to the following NAPP members who graciously shared their creative work with us to be part of our marketing efforts. Carol Rossi Greg Carter Ciro Marchetti Doug Landreth
Rich Nortnik John Doogan Adam Daniels Jared Martin
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Job Bank caters to creative types just like you
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If you find yourself on the hunt for a new job, don’t overlook the NAPP Job Bank—it’s free and a great member benefit. You’ll find it linked on the members-only website under Member Services. We’re working with CreativeHeads .net, an online placement service specializing in creative content companies, as well as companies in the video game, animation, and special effects industries, to bring you the best possible job opportunities. Even if you’re just curious about what jobs are open in your field, you can post a confidential profile showcasing your work experience that thousands of potential employers can access. You never know when and how that next big career break will happen!
Peter Christoph Brad Buttry Greg Sims James Quantz Jr.
Bobby Goodrich Kaycee Kennedy Rice Jackson Stephanie Thibaudeau
Refer-a-friend program launches for NAPP members
Two new DVDs by women who rock at Photoshop NAPP members get a special discount on all training DVDs offered at KelbyTraining.com (NAPP’s e-retail partner). A Celebration of Art! Weddings, Portraits and Faces (2-disc set) by Fay Sirkis Join masterful portrait artist Fay Sirkis as she takes you to the next level of photo painting by revealing her secrets for creating beautiful portrait paintings in detail. Using Photoshop CS3 and Painter X, you’ll learn how to transform your photos of brides, grooms, and children into beautiful watercolor and oil paintings. You’ll learn techniques that will have you painting like the masters in no time! Exclusive to this DVD set are eleven new brush categories created by Fay, including the da Vinci, Vermeer, Cezanne, Backgrounds, Five O’Clock Shadow, and many more. This two-disc set is only $179.99 for NAPP members. Color to Black and White Artistry by Katrin Eismann Join artist, author, and educator Katrin Eismann as she guides you through this step-by-step class that demonstrates the many options for transforming your images from color to black and white. Katrin also gives you an overview of the Advanced Black and White print option for Epson inkjet printers to ensure your finished images are as beautiful in print as they appear on your computer screen. It’s only $54.99 for NAPP members. Visit the NAPP member website (www.photoshopuser.com) for more info regarding any item on these pages or anything concerning your membership. If you have suggestions or ideas for enhancing your NAPP membership, please send them to the NAPP Executive Director, Larry Becker, at
[email protected].
Recent NAPP Discounts To take advantage of these discounts, NAPP members should go to the Discounts section at www.photoshopuser.com. Tatung—Buy televisions, monitors, and open-framed displays at a discount when you work with the NAPP liaison at Tatung. Check the discounts, product specs, and contact information in the Discount section of the site. Photomatix—If you’re into HDR photography, you can save 20% on the hot new HDR production tool— Photomatix. A unique discount code is required at checkout—get it from the Discount section of our website before you buy online. Glass and Gear—Now you can rent high-quality Canon and Nikon lenses, camera bodies, and accessories, plus get a 10% discount on all rentals. The gear is shipped to you in Pelican cases and orders placed before 3 p.m. can ship on the same day. Apple—You get a 0% lease for 24 months on a new Mac system and software (some restrictions apply). The special leasing offer to NAPP members will expire this November, so take advantage of this great offer soon. B&H—B&H offers free 3–5 business day UPS shipping to NAPP members (within the contiguous U.S.) when ordering online. Need it quicker than that? As a NAPP member, you get a discount on next-day and secondday shipping, too. SiteGrinder—NAPP members enjoy 15% savings on this “must-have” Photoshop plug-in. SiteGrinder turns you into an instant Web expert, allowing you to generate powerful, professional websites right from Photoshop using the Photoshop skills you already have. iStockphoto—Save 10% off your first purchase of $50 or more, and get 30 images for free just because you’re a member of NAPP. iStockphoto has one of the best royalty-free stock collections available anywhere. ■
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NAPP is growing by leaps and bounds due to the wonderful recommendations members make to family, friends, and co-workers about the Association. With so many new members joining every day, we’re excited to kick off a new NAPP Referral Program that’s designed to give back to our members. If you get a friend to join, we’ll add two months to your NAPP membership. And, if you get as many as 11 friends, family, or co-workers to join, you’ll receive a complimentary pass to the Photoshop World Conference & Expo! There are different referral rewards available for three, five, seven, and nine members, too. To get all of the details on how you can participate, stop by the NAPP Referral Program page on the members-only website.
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LG:FD@E>JStyles), you’ll see your Jelly style—it should be the last one in the panel.
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And there you have the technique to create a brush and effect; now it’s up to you what you do with it. Here’s our PB&J sandwich. ■
©ISTOCKPHOTO/OBSCURE PHOTO & BLUESTOCKING
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STEP TEN: All we need before we use our custom brush is to choose a color—this effect will work with any color. Just click your Foreground swatch in the Toolbox, choose a color in the Color Picker (we chose raspberry for our jelly—R:113, G:7, and B:7), and click OK. Just choose your new jelly brush and start painting in the document. To get an effect that’s a bit more realistic, release the mouse and paint over the area again. You can also narrow the Scatter setting in the Brushes panel to achieve a more refined line—useful for drawing text.
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e n it came time to mak he w , er ev w ho ; ns io r good decis ow the research od research makes fo tter teacher. Someh be e I’ve always believed go th be to ed ov ce, experience pr visiting my research, Re . es nc rie pe ex y m my decision to freelan t of sync with til they were safely g always seemed ou un d te ai w ho w ts tis I found on freelancin ritten by ar of what I read was w nces. As a newcomer rie pe ex r ei th n w I realized that most do writing e freelancers before the things they often tly ac ex e er w ow kn employed as full-tim wanted to ancing, the things I writings. to the world of freel ipped entirely in their sk or n, te ot rg fo d an rned glossed over, already lea
By Lisa Sage
Human memory, being fallible and subject to change over time, isn’t always the most reliable resource. So when Photoshop User asked me to keep notes along the way on those foreheadsmacking, ah-ha moments, I jumped at the chance. While this is by no means everything I’ve learned, it’s my sincere hope to help you get started on your own freelancing adventure— before I too forget what’s important for the novice to know. If the thought of starting your own business doesn’t bring the word “lawsuit” to mind, you’re indeed a rare, and far-tootrusting bird. For my own peace of mind I wanted a measure of legal distance between my personal property and my business. As with anything else there are a number of different ways to do this depending on the business structure you choose. (Your state’s website is a great source of information.) I chose to form a Limited Liability Company (LLC), which is an easy process. In general, the steps are:
!AHHL>:G:O:BE:;E>;NLBG>LLG:F>MA:M LPBMARHNKLM:M>`L**!KNE>L $BE>?HKF:EI:I>KPHKD NLN:EER= :KMB<E>LH?HK@:GBS:MBHG :G=I:RMA>?BE BG@?>>K:G@BG@?KHF:;HNMMH =>I>G=BG@HGRHNKLM:M>`LKNE>L !K>:M>:G**!HI>K:MBG@:@K>>F>GM MA:ML>MLHNMMA>KB@AML:G=K>LIHGLB ;BEBMB>LH?MA>**!F>F;>KL .N;EBLA:GHMBH?RHNKBGM>GMMH?HKF :G**!K>JNBK>=BGHGER:?>PLM:M>L -;M:BGEBGL>L:G=I>KFBMLMA:MF:R;> K>JNBK>=;RRHNKLM:M>
The third item in the list is the key to protecting your limited liability status. By creating an operating agreement and adhering to it, you help ensure that courts will respect your limited personal liability for business debts. You’ll also need to fund your LLC adequately, behave fairly and responsibly, and be very careful never to co-mingle business and family assets to ensure the legal separation between your business and your family. As always, if you’re not comfortable reading or creating legal documents, you should consult with a lawyer and get your business off to a good start.
%>MMBG@RHNK?HHMBGMA>=HHK The art world has its own hierarchy and it helps to understand it if you want to get your foot in the door. I had to ask a lot of questions before finding out that the art director is the person to send samples of my work to. Some art directors will accept samples by email, others prefer snail mail; always find out which they prefer before sending anything. In monthly publications, the art director’s name can be found listed in the masthead (usually a box on one of the pages near the Contents’ page). Don’t overlook trade magazines and regional publications: These may not be as glamorous as national consumer magazines but most pay fairly well and the competition isn’t nearly as fierce. As an artist, if you’re more interested in targeting a particular industry, such as banking or healthcare, start by researching which departments within that organization use graphic art services, and then follow up with direct mailings. Even if your contact accepts samples by email, it’s never a good idea to assume someone in the art world is tech-savvy. The first time I emailed samples of my paintings, I was so excited. I sorted and separated my favorite paintings into folders and promptly ZIP’ed and attached them. Two weeks later, I received an email simply stating, “I can’t view .zip, can you send .jpg?”
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Large projects, such as those with textbook publishers, usually have an art buyer who actively searches for artists who use the particular style agreed to for the project. This is where that highly visible NAPP portfolio really pays off. It provides easy access to a multitude of artists and is much more likely to be found by search engines. (I’ve been contacted this way a number of times.)
5A>GRHN`K>?BG:EERHG;H:K= Once you’re contacted and accepted for the project, your direct contact will be one of several image editors. They function as go-betweens for the art director and a group of artists. These projects are also controlled by art directors who have absolute say over what type of images they want, what colors and tones can be used, and what the composition of each image will be. Don’t be surprised if you’re given a spec sheet that spells out in excruciating detail what each image needs to be. Read the description and be ready to produce it. In the end, the project has to look like one collection of very coordinated artwork. On any project, large or small, try to remember that your job is to help bring the art director’s idea(s) to life. After all, it’s her project; the artists have only been brought in to help. You’ll have plenty of time to work on your own personal projects after the paying gigs are done. One of the nice things about a large project is that the payment and delivery schedule is figured out for you, as part of the contract. The downside of this is that it’s very typical for a contract to hold the freelancer legally responsible for any/all claims of invasion of privacy or infringement brought against the artist’s work. (It’s been in every contract I’ve signed so far; the wording may vary but it’s always there.) Even though every
state approaches privacy issues differently, the general result is the same: public and private individuals have the right to prevent unauthorized commercial use of their name, likeness, or other recognizable aspects of their persona. To protect yourself, you either need to obtain a signed model release or negotiate a licensing fee for the intended use. If you’ll be using stock images, be sure your intended use is allowed by the licensing agreement. If there are terms to be met, comply with them (see “Copyright and Trademark [Briefly]” below).
5:MOpen and select your image, but don’t click Open just yet. Change the Format to Camera Raw and then open your file. The JPEG or TIFF will open in Camera Raw ready for all the cool tools. From Bridge, it’s even easier: Control-click (PC: Right-click) on the image thumbnail and choose Open in Camera Raw from the contextual menu.
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Use document presets Do you find that you’re creating the same type of document a lot? Perhaps you feel as if you’re spending too much time filling out dialogs. Why not save custom document presets? Choose File>New and in the New dialog, enter your settings—even the color profile—then click on the Save Preset button and choose a name for your new document preset. Make sure to check all the relevant boxes and click OK to save the preset. From now on, any time you create a new document, just click on the Preset menu, choose your preset from the list, and avoid all that typing. Easy sizing When you’re creating a Web banner, it can be quite a challenge to get the file size just right. Although many websites will tell
you maximum file size allowed, stop wasting your time experimenting. When you’re ready to export your Web graphic, choose Save for Web & Devices from the File menu. In the dialog, click on the little arrow to the right of Preset and choose Optimize to File Size from the menu.
Then in the dialog that appears, enter the desired size and choose either Current Settings or Auto Select GIF/JPEG for the file format. Tip: Use Current Settings and GIF if you’re creating an animated banner, because JPEG doesn’t support animation. Trash all unwanted layers Quickly delete any unwanted layers by turning off their display: In the Layers panel, click the Eye icon to the left of the layer. Then press the right-facing arrow at top right of the Layers panel and choose Delete Hidden Layers. (If this option is grayed out, select a visible layer as your working layer and try again.) You could also Command-click (PC: Ctrl-click) all of the layers to select them first and then delete, but I think you’ll find the first method is faster. Nesting layers Photoshop allows nested layer groups? A nested layer group is a group within a group and it’s very useful when working on a complex image. Start by grouping all the related layers together: Select the first group of layers in the Layers panel, then click on the arrow at the top of the panel and choose New Group from Layers, give it a name, and click OK. Do this for the other layer groups, then take all the related groups and group them together. Drag one group onto another group’s name to “nest” it. You can nest layer groups up to five levels deep. This is especially useful if you’re going to import Photoshop documents into Flash CS3, as a closed group will render as a single symbol. ■
Colin Smith, an award-winning designer, lecturer, and writer, has authored or co-authored several books on Photoshop, and has created a series of Photoshop training videos available from PhotoshopCD.com. Colin is also the founder of PhotoshopCAFE.com.
