Photoshop Tutorials, Tips, and News | Planet Photoshop

My 3D Feature in Photoshop User

January 31st, 2012 | Corey Barker

So if you are a NAPP member should have just recently received your latest issue of Photoshop User magazine! The official publication of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals. If not a member click here to learn more and see what NAPP members get in addition to a year’s subscription to Photoshop User. You can also pick it up at most bookstore newsstands. Anyway in this month’s issue I had the honor of writing the feature article on 3D in Photoshop. I discuss how you can use 3D in Photoshop in not so obvious ways by combining the power of 3D and the compositing power of Photoshop to create a very realistic scene. The cover art of the magazine is the example I discuss in the article. While the bottle appears to be exploding in a believable environment it is actually all composited with 2D images enhanced with 3D elements. Really gives you a sense of what you can do with 3D when combined when other Photoshop features! Be creative and enjoy!

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Photoshop World, it will get here fast!

January 27th, 2012 | Corey Barker

Are you planning on joining us for Photoshop World in Washington D.C. this March? If so, you better make sure you get registered soon! The early bird registration, which will save you $100 off the full-conference price, will be available through February 17, 2012. I know that seems like a ways off but we all know that will get here a lot quicker than we think. Not to mention you will want to get registered for other events you may be interested in that have a very high likelihood of filling up fast like the pre-cons and the after hours party! Always a blast! This event boasts the biggest names in Photoshop and photography and it is some of the most fun you will have learning guaranteed! Click here to find out more and get registered today, it will get here before you know it!

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Notable Movie Posters of 2011

December 16th, 2011 | Corey Barker

So it has been an interesting year in movies. There have certainly been a lot of good ones and even some severe disappointments. More so than usual it seems. However, even bad movies can have some impressive poster designs. So to wrap up the year I have put together a collection of some of the most interesting poster designs of 2011. They are in no particular order, I like them all for different reasons. So here we go:

SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS
This is the follow-up to the 2009 original starring Robert Downey Jr. and directed by Guy Ritchie. I loved the first film but I loved the poster designs more. Love the lighting and composition in both examples.

HUGO
This is the new fantasy film from famed director, Martin Scorsese. Have not seen the film yet but love seeing Scorsese exploring different genres other than those of the gangster flavor, even though I love those films. Posters for the film are beautiful!

THOR
Of all the comic book movies this year I would have to say I enjoyed Thor the most. Thought it was a great origin story to a promising franchise. Despite the difficulty they have in finding a new director for the sequel. Great photography in these posters combined with some great compositing work.

FINAL DESTINATION 5
I’ll admit it; I am not a fan of these films. Another horror franchise that has overstayed it’s welcome is how I see it. However, this most recent installment had some pretty cool poster concepts. While not great films, there’s some really clever design work demonstrated here.

SUPER 8
This was one of the films I most anticipated this past year, and for good reason. It was produced by Steven Spielberg and directed by JJ Abrams. I am fan of both of these guys. So the two of them working together was bound to be fun to watch…and it was. I rather enjoyed this film. Had a real nostalgic feel to the old Spielberg classics of the 80′s. Oh, and the posters are really cool too!

IMMORTALS
I was really intrigued when I saw the trailer for this film. I was even further intrigued by the style of the posters. They actually had a campaign of posters depicting main characters from the film. Ultimately the film was just Ok, but the posters are still awesome!

MiSSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL
I was only mildly interested in seeing the fourth installment of this series. That was before I found out that Tom Cruise actually hired Brad Bird to direct. Some of you may know, Brad Bird is most well known as an animator. In fact, he has written and directed two Pixar films: The Incredibles and Ratatouille. So for him to take on a big budget live-action film was an interesting move. Based on what I have seen in the trailers and the posters, my interest is peaked!

CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER
Here is another comic book movie I really enjoyed this year. Had no real expectations when I first saw it but was pretty impressed with it. This movie was another great origin story to add to the Marvel movie universe, as well as some great poster art. Really liked the one on the left with the composition and the particle effects.

HARRY POTTER and the DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1 & 2
Whoever designed the one sheets for this film just went crazy. I don’t think I have ever seen a movie campaign with this many variations of posters. Almost every character has a one sheet. Here are just a couple examples but the concept is pretty consistent throughout all of them.

WAR HORSE
I am intrigued to see this film just because of the fact that it’s Steven Spielberg. When it comes to his films all you need is his name and the title of the film like in the example on the left and I am sold.

So those are some of the more notable poster designs from the past year. I have here also a small collection of honorable mentions that I thought were quite interesting as well. It is often fun to really examine a poster and try to understand what the designer intentions might have been. Is how you are reacting to it the right reaction? Does the design work? Does it flow right? Does it raise good questions about the story? Is it selling the movie correctly? These are the same questions you could ask yourself about your own work. Think about it!

Oh and if there is a poster from 2011 that I have not mentioned here that you find remarkable then leave a comment and tell us what your favorite is!

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Sweet Holiday Deal over at KelbyTraining.com

December 12th, 2011 | Corey Barker

It’s Christmastime – and what do you get the person who loves Photoshop tips and tricks? More Photoshop tips and tricks!

So from now until December 31st, when you buy Corey Barker’s new book, Phototoshop Down & Dirty Tricks for Designers you’ll receive 3 free DVDs straight from the KelbyTraining.com workshop.

No codes and no special links necessary. Just purchase Photoshop Down & Dirty Tricks for Designers and our elves (aka shipping team) will select 3 DVDs to include in the box – no catches! Well, ok, there are a couple catches. We get to choose the DVDs, they will be from our sale-priced DVD selection and Santa’s watching so no returns, trade-ins, special requests or whining is allowed. But hey! That’s still a whole lot of extra training. Plus, if you already own one of the DVDs you get, you now have an instant re-gift!

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Down & Dirty Book Sold Out on Amazon!

December 5th, 2011 | Corey Barker

Well after the weekend I can see that my new book Photoshop Down & Dirty Tricks for Designers has sold out over at Amazon.com. Thanks to al of those who ordered the book I really hope you enjoy it. I certainly had a fantastic time writing the book so I know you will enjoy learning from it! Now even though it may be a while until Amazon gets more we have some here in stock at KelbyTraining.com The best part about buying from Kelby Training, aside form the the fact that it is awesome, is that I will be personally signing each copy that leaves here until for the rest of the month. Don’t wait, be the first one in your office who people walk up to and say, “How did you do that?” Click here to learn more and to watch the Hollywood style video promo we put together as well. Gives you some insight as to why I wrote the book and what you can expect! Click here to see and learn more.

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Retouching Week with The Photoshop Guys!

December 2nd, 2011 | Corey Barker

Next week myself and the rest of the Photoshop Guys will be presenting Retouching Week. Along with some special guests we will be having a live retouching show every night starting Monday December 5, 2011 at 6:00 pm EST. Each show will cover a different topic with different hosts each night. Here is the schedule at-a-glance:

Monday 6:00PM EST, December 5, 2011:
Wedding Retouching with Matt Kloskowski and Pete Collins

Tuesday 6:00PM EST, December 6, 2011:
Digital Makeup with Corey Barker and Shelley Giard

Wednesday 6:00PM EST, December 7, 2011:
The Next Level of Retouching with Scott Kelby and Matt Kloskowski

Thursday 6:00PM EST, December 8, 2011:
Audience Q&A Live with the Photoshop Guys

Friday 6:00PM EST, December 9, 2011:
Tips From the Industry with RC Concepcion, Calvin Hollywood, and Evangeline Cooper

These show are free and live so be sure to join us for the fun! Click here to learn more.

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Help-Portrait 2011

December 1st, 2011 | Corey Barker

It’s that time of year. The one time where most stop and be thankful for what they have and to perhaps give back. Last year I participated in the Help-Portrait project, founded by famed photographer Jeremy Cowart, along with many of my friends here at Kelby Media Group. Since I am not a photographer I lent a hand as a retoucher. Adjusting and retouching the photos for final output. We really had a great time putting joy into the lives of so many. Most have never even had professional photos taken of them and they were just having great time. The Help-Portrait projects continues to inspire many to give back and this year you can too. This year’s Help-Portrait day is December 10, 2011 and you can go to the Help-Portrait site here and see if there is an event in your area or perhaps even start your own if there is not. Hope you will check it out!

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World Premiere Live Event: A Day with Joe McNally!

November 14th, 2011 | Corey Barker

On November 16, 2011 at 6pm EST KelbyTraining.com will be presenting a spectacular live event: A Day with Joe McNally. Watch the premiere of this special KelbyTraining.com class along with Scott and Joe, in its entirety. In between segments, Joe will answer your questions live via the liveblog or on Twitter with the #AskJoeM hashtag. Don’t miss your chance to spend the day with someone who American Photo magazine lists as one of the 100 Most Important People in Photography and described as “perhaps the most versatile photojournalist working today”. This is a rare opportunity to learn the photography secrets and insights from one of the world’s premier photographers

This is a one time only event! Once it ends, A Day with Joe McNally will only be available to KelbyTraining.com subscribers. There will be a very special deal available only during this broadcast so you can subscribe (or renew your subscription) to KelbyTraining.com and watch Joe’s classes and hundreds more any time. Register today and don’t miss this amazing event!

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Photoshop Painting Webinar for NAPP Members!

November 4th, 2011 | Corey Barker

Join digital painter Fay Sirkis as she hosts a NAPP member exclusive webinar called Painting with your Camera on November 14, 2011. From capture to output, discover the magic of transforming your photographs into paintings, using the power of the Adobe Photoshop CS5 Brush Engine.

Using Photoshop’s Mixer Brushes, Bristle Brushes, Wet Brushes, and other new features in CS5 (plus some existing tools from previous versions), Fay will show you how to create amazing masterpieces. Be it a watercolor or oil, the styles that you can replicate with the painting tools in Photoshop are exciting and amazing! Plus, you’ll make colors sing with Fay’s special recipe using the power of the new HDR toning palette to create amazing contemporary effects.

You’ll take your photography talents to a new level and learn how to use your camera as a “sketch pad” to transform every pixel into an artistic brushstroke, and discover how to look through your camera lens and see a painting.

This webinar is exclusively for NAPP members! If you are not a NAPP member then go here to find out more.

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Adobe Launches Carousel!

October 27th, 2011 | Corey Barker

Adobe has just launched a new product called Adobe Carousel! This slick new online tool allows you to basically access and edit your images from anywhere. Whether it’s a laptop, desktop or a mobile device like a smart phone or a tablet you can upload your images to a cloud type server for a negligible monthly or annual fee which allows you unlimited uploads.

Here’s a great thing about it. So the Carousel service allows you unlimited JPG uploads – but your iOS device isn’t limited. If you own a 32GB iPad, theres only so much space you have on your iPad to dedicate to images. Because these uploads are in the cloud, only the images that you are looking at and editing are available to you. The images you have stored on the cloud are available to you on demand, freeing the space that you have on your iOS or desktop device – a boon to consumers that take a lot of pictures.

The software is currently only available for MAC OS and iOS. If you are using Windows or Android you can click here to be notified when those versions will be available.

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