Hi 

 

 

 

In case you haven’t heard, Adobe Photoshop CS6 is finally out. This is the full version and the upgrade, if you’re working with an older version. This is the 15th major release Photoshop, which Adobe introduced to the public back in 1990. I remember seeing a demo of v.2 at the a photography expo in 1991, and working on v.3 as assistant editor at Light Sources Stock in Boston. We can’t even begin to comprehend the impact that Photoshop has made in our world, even outside of the photography industry. Here’s a fun trip through Photoshop’s history and an interview with Thomas Knoll, the co-creator of what has become the world’s leading digital imaging software.

 

CS6 adds a host of new features and advancements, including a brand new interface, the Content-Aware Move tool, the Blur Gallery, the completely redesigned Crop tool, the Adaptive Wide Angle feature, and a redesigned Camera Raw program. 

 

The first CS6 books are out, including Scott Kelby’s updated The Adobe Photoshop CS6 Book for Digital Photographers. I haven’t seen it firsthand yet, but I’m quite familiar with the Kelby books and his style of teaching. His books are concise, step by step manuals that teach you the time tested techniques and workflows that the pros use. I’ve used his Lightroom books in the past and found them to be very useful.

 

Another good resource for learning Photoshop is the online course over at Steele Training. Phil Steele has a 13-part, 3 hour video series called Photoshop Basics for Photographers, as well as some free tutorials on his free lessons page. Although right now, his courses are shot using CS5, many of the steps and tricks he shows you apply to other versions as well.

 

 

I just got my hands on the new Lowepro Flipside Sport AW, and I have to say, I’m pretty impressed. Even with the smaller 10L version, I can still fit my Nikon D700 w/80-200mm f/2.8 lens, a second lens, a flash, sync cord, a couple of small accessories and a Lumiquest Softbox III inside. Zip it up, cinch it down and it’s ready to go!  Fast with light, that is. 

 

I’ll be testing it out and writing a full review soon, but I’ll just say this- This is the first camera bag I’ve ever owned that lets me comfortably run with my big 80-200 lens. Lowepro did a really good job with this one and I’m excited to put it through the rigors over the next few weeks and months. At some point, I’ll also write a comparison review between the Flipside Sport AW and the Photo Sport 200, which is currently my favorite photo pack. Stay tuned.

 

 

Unless you’ve been stuck in a tent with no 3G or 4G service for the past month, you probably know that Facebook bought Instragram for a gazillion billion dollars. Shorty after, the Instagram guys posted a funny video about how they spent all that money. 

 

Well, as it turns out, someone took them seriously and actually came up with a design for a real Instragram camera, with built in screen, printer, and Wi-fi/Bluetooth features. I wonder if Edwin Land is rolling over, laughing from his grave right now? Gotta love how technology and “retro” always seem to go together.

 

 

I’m still eagerly awaiting the design comps for my upcoming eBook, which I hope to release by the beginning of summer. In the meantime, there’s still time to pick up all three of my other ebooks for only $17. That’s not each, that’s total. That's less than what it costs to fill... um, half your tank with gas. Don’t wait, though, because this limited time deal won’t last forever.

 

 

 

I’d like to thank you for subscribing to my newsletter, I imagine that you’re as excited about photography as I am, and so I’m grateful that you’ve chosen to follow me and my work. Please let me know what you’d like to see me cover in future blog posts and newsletter issues and I’ll try to work your requests in throughout the year.

 

Best regards, happy shooting and enjoy last week’s blog posts, especially the two iPad related articles. I'm excited about the viability of the iPad as a legitimate and workable travel and location photography tool. Find out why below.

 

-Dan