Yesterday’s post created a little controversy and I take full blame.  I had no intentions of suggesting Photoshop was merely a tool for fixing problems.  In fact, I believe it’s just the opposite.   Thanks to digital technology and Photoshop, photographers have the most creative tools in the 170+ year history of photography.  It’s an incredible tool, but my point was the number of photographers who know too little about photography and too much about Photoshop!  We need to get back to a balance and at least understand the basics of photography first.

Jazzmatazz

Paul Brace said it best, “Photoshop is an empowerment that allows extra dimensions into the world. Creatively, it is somewhat like suddenly having the vision of an eagle and your brain gets the wasabi rush instead of your nasal passage!”   (And for you non-sushi eaters who just don’t understand, meet me for sushi one of these days and we can do a live demonstration.)    Paul’s image above, ”Jazzmatazz” says it all and it’s a great demonstration of the limits of Photoshop – there aren’t any!

waiting_painted - marilyn

 

There’s lots more creativity out there,  thanks to Corel and photographers like Helen Yancy, Marilyn Sholin and Jeremy Sutton.  

 

 

 

 

 

“Waiting” by Marilyn Sholin

 Then there are the icons of Photoshop education themselves like Eddie Tapp, John Paul Caponigro, Jim DiVitale and Jane Conner-Ziser, just to name a few.   And let’s not forget the Queen of Photoshop education at Adobe, Julieanne Kost.    Interested in learning more?  Check out Software Cinema’s line up of Photoshop icons!

JaneCzPainting
“This image taken by me and Clay Blackmore, is one of my favorites for two reasons: one, it is so simple – only 90 minutes to create, and the other is that it represents how knowledge of the classics plus technology enables you to make the right choices to get you where you need to go with style and finesse. I saw the after image in my mind’s eye the moment I viewed the out-take from a session we did together. ” Jane Conner-ziser
 
MauiJay
 
 
 
 
Eddie Tapp had a great line about the passion he has for his work.  I asked him if he’d send me an image to include in this blog.  His reply?  “Images are like chips – you can’t send just one!” 
 
MauiJohn2
 
Every one of these industry icons and dozens more are teaching all over the country, giving you an opportunity to bring the very best Photoshop has to offer literally right to your fingertips! 
 
I met Thomas Knoll at a Microsoft conference several years ago.  He’s one of the most unassuming people I’ve ever met.  I wonder if he had any idea at the time he created Photoshop, along with his brother John,  that he would change the face of imaging forever.  Photoshop is an amazing tool and you have to take advantage of those opportunities to understand the craft and utilize it to create,  more than “clean up”. 
 
And, if your thirst for more is as insatiable as the rest of us, check out Scott Kelby’s world.  I love the gift Scott and the NAPP crew have given us with Photoshop World.  They’ve created a venue giving us access to the greatest artists in the world and the opportunity to learn from and adapt their techniques.  If you’re not receiving NAPP’s monthly magazine, it’s time to check it out!
 
So many photographers are worried about competing with “Uncle Harry”, just because he has the same gear they do.  Well, Uncle Harry doesn’t have access to people like the photographers and artists I’ve mentioned today or hundreds of other instructors who are there to help you develop your skills.  Uncle Harry doesn’t have access to the network you can build with groups like DWF, WPPI or PPA.  And last but not least – Uncle Harry doesn’t have your access to great labs, frame companies, album and book companies or slide presentations!
 
Let’s go back to where I started…there are more tools at your disposal to be creative than at any time in the history of imaging.  How many of them are you taking advantage of today?  What an incredible time to be a photographer!