Saturday, April 27th from 12:15pm-1:15pm, I’ll be in the video theater with my seminar “Photoshop Video for Photographers,” a crash course in video and motion graphics in Photoshop CS6. I’ll walk you through creating shorts films, slide shows, and editing HDSLR footage. Sunday, April 28th from 12:15pm-1:15pm, I’ll be back in the Video Theater with my seminar “Video and Motion Graphics for Photographers.” This covers all the basics, including organizing footage, editing and color correcting, working with audio, and exporting your final project. Then we’ll get creative with timeline effects, time-lapse images and adding video into 2D and 3D environments. Also on Sunday, from 1:45pm-2:45pm, I’m hosting a workshop on “Multi Shot Mayhem: HDR, Panorama and Time-Lapse” as part of the Digital Artistry Workshop Series. I’ll kill some common myths about HDR and show you how to easily create strong, detailed photos for yourself. My three-step process of shooting, merging and tone mapping will help you get the results you want from your photography.

Be sure to come see me at Photo Video West. For more information about the event and a complete schedule of seminars, check out Photo Video West’s website at www.photovideowest.com. To receive real-time updates of information on the event, subscribe to Photo Video West’s Twitter channel @PhotoExpoWest and like Photo Video West’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PhotoVideoWest.

April 27th 10:00am – 5:00pm

April 28th 10:00am – 4:00pm

Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, CA

www.photovideowest.com

Did I just say that?

For someone who makes his living inside of Photoshop and Adobe’s creative tools, it seems like a contradiction, no?

I actually just found myself saying the aforementioned statement out loud this morning, and realized what I just said. Here is the thing, computers are so distracting. You have email beeping at you, reminders popping up (thanks Mountain Lion) and the every ready social networks, just begging for your attention. All of this creates confusion and anxiety. Not exactly the incubator for great ideas or inspiration. It’s because we live such busy lives. Technology has actually taken over and we don’t realize it.

There are several things I have found that cause creative block, but the biggest is anxiety, overwork and distraction.

Sometimes with the pressure of deadlines, we  find ourselves jumping into a project and inventing it as we go. Ok, this sort of works and can produce a decent result sometimes. The truth of the matter though, our best ideas don’t happen like this. I think about the times that I am most creative and have the best ideas, while I’m sitting on a plane with nothing to distract me from that isolated seat. Suddenly, the world isn’t pressurizing me, I can slow down on the inside and actually think.

A better approach is to walk away from the computer, and grab one of those ancient devices, a pen. Find a piece of paper and if you haven’t forgotten how to write, formulate your ideas on paper. You might find that it’s much easier to think conceptual at this point. Perhaps new and creative ideas will flow.

Tips for brainstorming

1. Don’t judge your ideas yet, this is brainstorming. No matter how stupid, get all your thoughts out. Because your creative pipes have been blocked up, sometimes the dirty water needs to come out of the faucet to allow room for the clean and refreshing water.

2. Don’t worry about the execution at this point, just be an idea incubator

3. Perhaps you need to get to a different environment entirely. Try a coffee shop, bookstore or sit under your favorite tree.

4. Turn your phone off, this isn’t the time to be interrupted

5. Avoid the temptation to think about all the things that you need to do for the day

Once you have formulated your ideas, you can now get back to the computer and build them out. You will notice that with a clear plan of what you are going, you will get there faster and with better results.

Here are more tips to overcome creative block

1. Look at other peoples work for inspiration. Don’t steal their ideas, but be inspired for your own. Look at industry magazines, source books and portfolios.

2. Fix the soundtrack. Try listening to some new music. All art is related and changing the tune can also change the way you look at things.

3. Read, yes, read a book. I am inspired by watching movies, but nothing recharges my inner “picture maker” like reading a book. This allows you to transfer words into pictures and allows your vision maker to get to work.

4. Get enough sleep, exercise and eat better. These 3, are the important things for good health. The brain doesn’t live only on stimulation, it needs to be healthy in order for your thoughts to be clear.

5. Get away from work entirely. Many creatives pride themselves on the fact that they work 24/7. Try some hobby that is not related at all to what you do, and if you haven’t done it in a while, take a vacation.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this and any tips that have helped you overcome your creative block, add a comment.

PhotoshopCAFE CS6 Superguide

I’m very lucky to count among my friends some of the best and most influential Photoshop and Creative Suite users and instructors. Because of this, I’m able to pull in some favors and assemble an amazing team of writers. The CS6 guide has the best that we have ever had and the pages are jammed full of goodies. I’ve had people tell me that I should be charging for this because the information is better that what you find in a lot of paid publications. But if you know anything about me, I love to to make stuff free whenever I can. It’s a way to give back to the community that supports us and have helped build PhotoshopCAFE. So of course the magazine remains free of charge.

We have been doing new feature Photoshop launch sites (that are live within seconds of Adobe announcements) since I don’t remember when. As far as the super guides, this is our 3rd time. We did, CS4, CS5 and now CS6. We launch the companion website right on announcement and usually follow up pretty quickly with the downloadable magazine. (the companion website links are here)

I have just updated the information to include Creative Cloud and the latest features in the updated Creative Cloud version of Photoshop, CS6.1. These features are only available to CC subscribers. Anyway, rather than write about it all here, you should download the magazine and read it for yourself. We do require you to give us your email address, so we can let you know about updates new tutorials and exclusive CAFE only specials. So that means if you have already signed up as a CAFE member (free and takes 15 seconds) you don’t have to do anything, we will send it to you automatically.

So thanks for your support and making the CAFE a great destination on the web.

get the magazine here

International CES
Las Vegas
Jan 8-10, 2013

Photoshop Week
Creative Live
Feb 28th (10:45 am)

Adobe Seattle
Lightroom unleashed
Jan 15th

Adobe Create Now Camp
San Jose CA,
March 23, 2013

Photoshop World
Orlando FL
April 19th 2013

Photo Video West
April 27, 28 2013

If you would like to enquire about Colin Speaking at your event, Please contact us ASAP as things tend to book up quickly

The current topics Colin is Speaking on:

HDR the real and the surreal: More than a regular photograph, more depth, more detail. This dynamic session teaches you exactly what is and what isn’t true HDR You will learn Colin’s 3-step method including what he dubs the 32-Bit negative…

Photoshop Video For Photographers: You have shot video on your DSLR, now what? This session is a photographer’s crash course in video and motion graphics in Photoshop CS6…

A little HDR From Times Square

This question isn’t aimed at those who are creating videos all day long as professional videographers. I’m asking photographers, designers and hobbyists.

Sure, you’ve heard about the HDSLR revolution, the fact that just about any camera (including cell phone cameras) can now shoot HD video. Maybe it’s an unused feature for you. Maybe you have even fired off a few shots with mixed results. Maybe you have even edited a couple in iMovie. But why do you need to care about video?

What’s the fuss all about?

Let me tell you my thoughts on this by sharing a true story from my past.

During 1993 I was working as a print designer and photographer. I was doing alright, enjoying my work and then I started hearing about this internet thing. I just figured if I ignored it, it would go away. After all, this wasn’t new, I’d been on BBS boards and it’s only a handful of computer geeks like me. The average person won’t care.

Guess what? I quickly realized that it wasn’t going away and perhaps it would be a good idea to learn this stuff. I got a head start with HTML and started building web pages where there were few of them and the WC3 hadn’t even been formed yet.

As things progressed this gave me a huge leg up in the industry. I found myself landing jobs from the likes of Microsoft and Hollywood film and record studios. I was making really good money and in demand. Some of my friends who didn’t embrace the internet found their work drying up. People wanted a one-stop-shop that was able to give them a website as well as branding and design. I felt for my friends who were really good print designers, but just weren’t getting work anymore. Many of them took the plunge and learned web, those who didn’t are now working in another industry.

What has all this got to do with video?

I believe we are at that crossroad again. If you are photographer and think that you can just take photos forever and ignore video, you might be in for a nasty shock as more clients are demanding video interviews along with their corporate headshots. Brides and grooms are wanting a little video of their engagement sessions and wedding. People want a one-stop-shop

Designers don’t get off either, because more design is shifting to apps and interactive content that requires video. What about the ever upcoming e-paper? Don’t you think that movement and video will be in demand?

Ok, here is the good news. If you are able to deliver video, this skill-set will open the door for up-selling and just maybe, the opportunity to work with bigger and better clients. You could land bigger and more jobs, because you have an in-demand skill. This is the opportunity for you to get in on the ground floor of the digital video revolution.

Now let me ask you the same question again. Why would you want to create video? Or better still why not?

I think I know the why not. Because it’s too complicated and difficult to learn.
This doesn’t have to be the case. In fact you could be shooting and editing video by the weekend!

I have a couple of resources that I want to share with you. It’s ok, don’t feel like I’m selling you, because I still think you should learn this stuff wherever you choose to learn it. its important.

First of all, you may be aware that I haven’t written a book in a few years. It’s so much easier for me to make videos, and the market is so flooded with Photoshop books, who needs yet another Photoshop book?

New Book

Then the opportunity came for me to write the type of book that would actually help people. What about a straight-to-the-point book for people who know nothing about video. Meet photographers and designers exactly where they are at today. Then using plain English and building on the knowledge they already acquired, show them exactly what to do, to edit and deliver pro quality video using nothing but Adobe Photoshop, a program that is already used by everyone.

I did exactly that, and I’m proud to present my newest book,

“Video In Photoshop for Photographers and Designers”

Check it out here, read a free chapter and save 35%

Download a free chapter and see an example of a video you’ll create.
Video in Photoshop for Photographers and Designers

Video based learning

For those who prefer to learn by video, I did an entire class on video in Photoshop and it was a surprise hit on my recent 15 city USA tour. (Route CS6). See what people said about the video portion.

“… I really was not interested in the video or the 3D part of the workshop, but I am now. Amazing how much I learned in one day! Thank-you.” Bobbi Feasel

“The information and lessons were very informative. The range of topics covered were vast. Colin’s knowledge is fantastic, he could not be stumped by any question. I would like more tutorials on making videos and animation in Photoshop.” Angie Baxter

You can download a digital copy right now, or we can ship you a DVD. Both are the same material, come with a beautiful interface to play the 5+ hours of video, and include a 150 page digital workbook.

The best part.

These are usually $79.99, but I’m making it $49.99 for one week only. (That’s a $30 saving)

Click here to see more on the Video.

We also have some other resources at PhotoshopCAFE such as the wonderful video by Rick Sammon and Juan Pons.

This video will teach you the basics of shooting digital video on your camera, no matter what it is. (I know it says 5D MkII, but the focus is on principles and applies to any camera.
We are doing this for half off at $24.99 (Save $24.99)

These resources will help get you jump started into video!
Good luck on your exciting adventure!

Design Challenge 13 winners and Finalists announced

I’ve been busy this morning (and this weekend), going through all the great entries we just received for our contest. There were so many good ones, it was hard to choose only 30 finalists. Every year we have our big design challenge and the entries are always great. This year was no different. People from all over the world submit their designs in the hope to win Adobe Creative Suite, Wacom Tablets and training from PhotoshopCAFE. I want to express a big thanks to our sponsors. It wouldn’t be possible without you, and it keeps the contest free to enter. Not just the prizes, but it has become somewhat of a “feather in the cap” to win the PSC Design Challenge. This is our 13th year and the challenges attract the best designers from around the world because the bar is high and it’s a tough challenge. We don’t just allow anything that people have created throughout the year, they have to specifically design a new piece for the contest and it’s always a real-world challenge. This year it was mobile phone cases, and the creative juices were running! The hard part is ahead as we will be announcing the winners soon. It’s hard to judge! I love some of the clever ideas and excellent Photoshop skills demonstrated in these Photoshop Smartphone case designs. It’s worth looking at the finalists work.

As always, it was free to enter and 3 lucky winners will nab some awesome prizes from Adobe, Wacom PhotoshopCAFE and more.

UPDATE, we had Bert Monroy as this years special guest judge.

Winners are announced. see them all here