What’s In A Name

So a lot of people see me doing crazy stuff with filters in Photoshop and I often ask people if they ever use filters. I was surprised to find out that very few actually do. The ones they do use are common ones like Blur or Sharpen, but there are dozens of other filters in Photoshop that no one ever really bothers with because they either didn’t know they were there or were put off by the name. Don’t let that throw you off. Just because a filters bears a certain name that doesn’t mean it cannot contribute to a really cool effect. A while back I did a tutorial on creating water droplets on a bottle. The effect was achieved by using the Stained Glass and the Plaster filters. Going strictly by the names I would never have considered they would create such an effect but they did. So my point here is to experiment. Don’t pay attention to what a filter is called. Try it out.! Play with the settings on different images. Try a filter you have never used before. You just might find that one effect you’ve been looking for. The gems are already there in Photoshop, you just have to dig them up. Enjoy!!!

September 26th, 2008 | Corey Barker | Blog | Comments (3)

So What Do You Think?

Well it’s just been a couple days since Adobe announced the new Creative Suite 4 and it certainly has generated a lot of buzz and I want hear what you think. I would for love everyone to comment on this post and tell me and others what you think of this new version. Especially with Photoshop. I have to admit, I am very excited about some of these new features. I am especially psyched about the new 3D features. No, I am not necessarily a 3D expert but the cool thing is you don’t have to be. It’s really easy to implement this features into your design work even if you never really used 3D before. I will definitely have some new tutorials here on Planet demonstrating how you can take advantage of these.

Also be sure over and check out the Layers CS4 Learning Center for videos on all the other apps in the Creative Suite. RC has also posted a Photoshop CS4 video demonstrating the Flash panel configurator. Which allows you to create customized toolbars and panels.

September 25th, 2008 | Corey Barker | Blog | Comments (7)

New Photoshop CS4 Learning Center

The wait is over…well sort of. Today is the day we all get to see what Adobe has in store for the next installment of the Creative Suite. If you haven’t registered yet for the special Adobe presentation go here. Although if you miss it, not to worry. All of us here at the NAPP have put together a slick new Photoshop CS4 Learning Center. Get an inside look at the newest features in Photoshop CS4 and Photoshop CS4 Extended. With exclusive content by Scott Kelby, Matt Kloskowski, Dave Cross, RC and Corey Barker; there is no better place to get up to speed fast. The learning center is free with extra content exclusively for NAPP members. I gotta admit. I am really excited about the new 3D features, I see real possibilities here. I will have some exciting new CS4 content right here on Planet very soon. So stay tuned.

What about the rest of the Creative Suite. Well we also put together a slick Creative Suite 4 Learning Center over at the Layers Magazine website. We have a host of guest instructors covering all the creative suite apps like Illustrator, InDesign, Flash, Dreamweaver, and even a little Photoshop. Check it out here.

September 23rd, 2008 | Corey Barker | Blog | Comments (3)

New Video Tutorial

This week we are talking about vector masks. Perhaps one of the most underrated tools in Photoshop, vector masks allow you to mask objects with clean vector lines. Unlike layer masks, you can modify the vector lines after the mask is created using the many path tools. Vector masks are also resolution-independent meaning they can be scaled to virtually any size. Click here to view this tutorial.

September 21st, 2008 | Corey Barker | Blog | Comments (0)

Camera Raw Update Available

The new Camera Raw 4.6 release candidate is available for download over at the Adobe Labs website. As usual, this update adds new camera models and minor fixes. As mentioned, this is a release candidate. This basically means that it is almost a finished version. Adobe is just looking for some feedback form the user community. Information about the release and a link to download can be found here.

So if you didn’t make to Photoshop World you can get taste of what it was like out in Vegas by going to the Photoshop World website. There is a new video clip that the video guys put together that really hits the high point of the conference and gives you an idea of how much fun it really is. Check it out here.

September 18th, 2008 | Corey Barker | Blog | Comments (0)

The Floating Head Guy

A while back I mentioned a blog I found about movie poster design called PosterWire.com. Now this site isn’t updated often but when they do, it usually is something really interesting. Just recently they posted a video interview with poster designer Gavin Berliner. Whose is famous for the floating head design so commonly seen in movie posters. It’s a funny but interesting conversation where he talks a little bit about the thought process that goes into a poster design and how the actor and his or her level of fame influences the overall design. Here’s the link.

Also our very own Bert Monroy has a cool video tour of his Berkeley Hills Studio. I know that he recently did a complete remodel of his studio and it’s cool to see it finished. It’s neat to see an artist’s domain.

September 17th, 2008 | Corey Barker | Blog | Comments (1)

Where did you get that photo?

A lot of people have been commenting lately as to the nature of the images that I use. On occasion I do manage pry myself away from my desk and actually shoot stuff myself. However, that does tend to require some real effort and sometimes I just can’t (Just kidding.) No really, I do enjoy shooting although I don’t always have the shot I need for the effect I want. That’s the beauty of stock photography. Nothing makes your work day easier than letting someone else do the leg work for you. Did I just write that out loud? At any rate, I often use iStockphoto.com for my stock image needs. They have a pretty impressive collection of images. They also have illustrated graphics and even video clips, all at extremely affordable rates. You can search around for free before even purchasing. Check it out here.

September 15th, 2008 | Corey Barker | Blog | Comments (5)

It’s Coming…

Ok, so this isn’t breaking news but in case you haven’t heard. Adobe will be hosting a web-only presentation of the new features in CS4 on September 23. You can be among the first to see the newest features of all the applications. This is an invitation-only event sort of. All you need to do is go here and sign up.

Also I would like to send out a big congrats to RC, my fellow Layers TV co-host whose lovely wife Jennifer delivered their first child yesterday morning. Sabine Annibel Concepcion was born on September 11 at 2:30 am. She was 7lbs, 12oz. and 21″ long.

September 12th, 2008 | Corey Barker | Blog | Comments (4)

Wednesday Already?

I don’t know what that is supposed to mean, but hey!! Anyway, so I am going to keep it short today because I am still traveling. I decided since I was already flying everywhere that I would stop over in Mississippi and visit some family. At this point I am just ready to get home. Agh!!!

I did want to call out a little industry bit today. Scott Kelby’s newest book: The Lightroom 2.0 Book for Digital Photograhers is available now. They hit the shelves at Photoshop World and and are goin out like crazy. The cool part there was that Scott was signing them right there in the expo, but if you couldn’t make it to Photoshop World then you can order yours here today. Also Matt Kloskowski’s newest dvd: Lightroom 2.0 Power Session is also available. Check it out here.

September 10th, 2008 | Corey Barker | Blog | Comments (0)

Coming Attractions

So during my sessions at Photoshop World I showed some new stuff that I had been working on. I was asked by so many if I would be posting them as tutorials on this site or anywhere else. The answer is yes. I will be, over the next few weeks, posting tutorials both here and over at the NAPP members site. So keep checking back here for the updates, and for those of you who are not yet NAPP members you can find out more here.

Also I want to thank everyone who attended Photoshop World, especially my sessions. I really had a great time and I hope you all did to. The best part of my job is meeting the members face-to-face and learning how our teaching has helped and what we can do to make it better. Hope to see you all in Boston next year!!

September 8th, 2008 | Corey Barker | Blog | Comments (3)