JT Spunk | Photography

Introduction To Photoshop

In the history of photography, there has never been a time that we can achieve such phenomenal results in editing as has happened in the digital age.  And while there are a myriad of tools that the computer and internet have made available to us to enhance and change the images that come from a photo shoot, none can top the popularity and power of Adobe Photoshop.  The program has become so synonymous with editing and creating effects that the term, “to Photoshop” has become a verb that means to enhance or alter an image.  

We can “Photoshop in” new outfits, accessories or even people to a shot where it was just not possible before.  So if you want a picture of you shaking hands with the president, you don’t have to go to Washington to get it, just “Photoshop” your image into the image of the president and it will look as real as if you had been there.

Similarly, we can “Photoshop” out things from a picture we don’t want to see there anymore.  So if you have a physical flaw, that can be removed.  You can even remove a distracting person from the background of the shot.  The program is so sophisticated that these images are possible and you really cannot tell the alteration has been made.

Photoshop has become such a de facto standard for photo processing that if you are setting up a photography studio or business, a copy of the software is as necessary as Microsoft word or PowerPoint.  The good thing about this software is that it is readily accessible and a lot of people know how to use it.  So if you feel insecure about learning yet another computer application, you can probably find a college student, someone at the high school or maybe the junior high that knows Photoshop in and out and can help you jump start your use of the software as well.

But Photoshop has not always dominated this genre.  The program was created in 1989 by two brothers, John Knoll and Thomas Knoll.  While the brothers developed Photoshop for custom uses they had at the time, it wasn’t long before the market potential of this software became evident.  So, being smart entrepreneurs, John and Thomas founded a little company called Adobe and began operations in 1990.  

Adobe has been a shining example of how to achieve success in the age of the internet.  Today few of us who use the internet are not aware of Adobe.  You probably cannot find a personal computer that uses the internet that does not have a free copy of the Adobe reader on it to read PDF files.  The PDF format is yet another example of how this little company has created and then taken over a particular market of online business.

To really become skilled at using Photoshop, the first thing to do is probably find a copy to play with.  Like most computer applications, you can probably find a copy on a friend’s computer just to tinker with it and get a feel for the controls.  Then if your friend is a wizard at Photoshop, let him or her show you some of the real “wiz-bang” things they can do with Photoshop using the same menus you were just tinkering with.  This little Saturday afternoon experiment could turn you into a Photoshop addict forever.

After that, you would do well to download a copy for yourself.  You can get an evaluation version that will give you most of the features.  But you really only need that if you are not sure if you are going to buy a copy.  Since Photoshop dominates this market, you almost certainly will buy a copy so you might save some frustration and purchase a licensed copy right away.  Now, you will probably find yourself playing with the software for long hours just having fun and that’s great.  But don’t overlook the value of taking some organized classes in photo editing using Adobe Photoshop.  These classes can show you the shortcuts and how to get the most out of the software.

From there on out, your imagination is the only limit to how you will use this tool to make your photographs better for your customers.  And you will be able to respond enthusiastically when someone says, “that’s ok, you can just Photoshop that and fix it right up.”

About the Author

Information on history of chlamydia can be found at the Health And Nutrition Tips site.

Hacking MySpace: Customizations and Mods to Make MySpace Your Space $3.98 Get noticed. Get discovered. It’s YourSpace There are over 90 million profiles on MySpace. How do you make "yours" stand out? You use these programming tricks and techniques to tweak the look, feel, and content of your profile. You get the inside scoop on hot design and photography. You maximize the effects of HTML and CSS. And, if you happen to be a musician, you check out Chapter 30 to see how MySpace can launch your career. It’s all in here. What are you waiting for? Make it all about you. Complete code and instructions for these and more MySpace hacks: Embedding graphics Creating animated images Developing your own background Building custom cursors Changing profile text styles Getting kinky with links Adding a comments box Altering your contact table Redesigning the navigation bar Making DIV overlays A companion Web site provides even more tricks and techniques. Visit www.myspaceismyplace.com to find all code from this book, links to software and featured profiles, a reader forum, and more.

Art Principles in Portrait Photography; Composition, Treatment of Backgrounds, and the Processes Involved in Manipulating the Plat $21.94 Publisher: Arno Press Publication date: 1907 Subjects: Photography, Artistic Portrait photography Portrait photography Photography / General Photography / Techniques / General Photography / General Photography / Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions Photography / Individual Photographer Photography / Photoessays

MySpace Marketing: Creating a Social Network to Boom Your Business $3.98 ""MySpace Marketing "is the quintessential low-down on guerilla marketing on the biggest social network on the planet. Marketers big and small need to learn how to connect with their target audiences via social media or get left in the dust. "MySpace Marketing "gives the grounding and the specific tips and traps essential for marketing success on MySpace." -Mark Brooks, Editor, SocialNetworkingWatch.com "An invaluable guide to the dos and don’ts of building and marketing to social networks-essential reading for the enterprise 2.0." -Niall Cook, Author, "Enterprise"" 2.0: How Social Software Will Change the Future of Work"" " "Social networking is the new PR and advertising-any business not starting to explore the online space will be left behind by the competition. "MySpace Marketing "gives a practical, step-by-step approach that any business can use for successful marketing on the popular site." -Colleen Coplick, BuzzNetworker.com "Social Networks like MySpace are critical to the future of marketing. With traditional tactics like advertising no longer effective, there is no better way to have prospects experience your brand." -Paul Dunay, Global Director of Integrated Marketing, BearingPoint; Author, Buzz Marketing for Technology blog ""MySpace Marketing "is a practical guide for anyone involved in brand building. From starting with strategy (‘Is your business right for MySpace marketing?’) to the ins and outs of profile creation and audience segmentation, this book is an essential primer for small business owners and large brands alike on one of the biggest social networks." -Scott Monty, The Social Media Marketing Blog, Global Digital & Multimedia Communications Manager, Ford MotorCompany ""MySpace Marketing "takes a respectful look at the rich community of MySpace and instructs marketers on how to successfully become a part of that community. Part field-guide and part how-to manual, "MySpace Marketing "delivers a great read and solid advice." -Kate Trgovac, Editor-in-Chief, OneDegree.ca "I have read a lot of books on marketing on MySpace, but what makes "MySpace Marketing "stand out are the examples (mini case studies) of what actually works on MySpace. The examples of what type of marketing campaigns have been successful and what you can do to replicate that campaign are really insightful and provide me with enough information that I feel I could go and launch a successful marketing campaign on MySpace today." -David Wilson, Social Media Blogger, http: //social-media-optimization.com "Social media marketing doesn’t have to be a series of trials and errors. "MySpace Marketing "is one of the only resources I’ve seen that takes the guesswork out of how to market in one of the largest social networks. Regardless of level of experience or resources, it gives step-b

Outdoor Photography $23.37 Outdoor portraiture can be one of the most rewarding–yet daunting–photographic endeavors. Here, Cathy Joseph provides the foundation for successful outdoor photography by defining and addressing the variables (such as backgrounds, subjects, and the different qualities of natural light) that can affect outdoor shots and that may result in lackluster photography, if left unchecked. In conjunction with over 150 images from top international photographers, Joseph discusses mood and setting, placement of the subject, and the various styles of outdoor portraits. Readers will learn how to manage changes in weather, the subject`s personality, and even the incorporation of themes such as irony into their shots.