Photoshop CS6 Sneak Peek
2012 will see the release of a new version of Photoshop taking it to CS6 and already we’re starting to see snippets of what’s in store being posted online.

For those of you who maybe haven’t seen them yet here’s a couple of videos giving a taster of what’s coming in the next exciting release from Adobe:

Sneak Peek #1

Sneak Peek #2

Photoshop World – Early Bird
If you’ve been thinking of heading out to Photoshop World in Washington DC this coming March but haven’t yet purchased your ticket, the Early Bird discount finishes on February 17th which gives you $100 off the ticket price!!!

Also if you’re heading out and have yet to sort out your accommodation be sure to check out the NAPP UK site where my buddy Dave Clayton can put you in touch with other folks who are going with a view to sharing a room and so sharing the cost.

Photokina – Cologone, Germany
There’s nothing quite like being well organised so here’s a date for the diary: Photokina in Cologone, Germany between 18th and 23rd September 2012…the biggest photography and imaging event in the world!

Not just an event to get your hands on the latest and greatest kit, this is one heck of a networking event so if you’re looking at making a trip over, I’ll see you there

Competition Winners
Congratulations to Patricia McCabe and John Gadsby who were present during a talk and demo I gave to the Mercia Photography Club in Coventry last month, and have each won Lightroom and WordPress for Photographers DVD’s kindly donated by Kelby Training and NAPP UK.

Their names were picked by our high tech randomiser, ok I mean me with my eyes closed, and the DVD’s are now hot footing it to them them as we speak

Right that’s all for now folks so have a great weekend and I’ll catch up with you in a few days,

Enjoy

•     •     •

Keep up with Glyn ‘Day to Day’ and get more from ‘Behind the Scenes’…
Google+
Twitter
Facebook

Ok so today I’m posting about my soon to be released iPhone App Frizoo. We’re getting really close to a release date now, in fact so close we can smell it, but before it’s released into every App Store across the world I’m asking for your help…

I’m looking for a number of people who would like to test and review what should now be the final release version of Frizoo; an app which I believe has been designed to be used by anyone regardless of age, profession, etc…

So if you’d like to help out and get hold of a copy of Frizoo before it’s officially released all I ask is that you are active on social media, have your own blog (although that’s not entirely essential) but also that you head on over and ‘Like’ the official Frizoo Facebook Page. Drop me an email to: glyn@glyndewis.com and just let me know whereabouts you’re based in the world and any links you want to share.

I’m looking for 25 reviewers/testers in total so those who receive the app will do so in an email along with details about the App including the background, what it is, what it does etc…

Thanks for your help folks and I’ll catch you soon,
Enjoy

• • •

Keep up with Glyn ‘Day to Day’ and get more from ‘Behind the Scenes’…
Google+
Twitter
Facebook

Behind the Scenes Video: A Sneak Peek:

And there’s more:
Text added thanks to my Designer Buddy Dave Clayton; I don’t feel so bad making him dress up like that now

That’s all for now so have a great day and I’ll catch you later,
Enjoy

•     •     •

Keep up with Glyn ‘Day to Day’ and get more from ‘Behind the Scenes’…
Google+
Twitter
Facebook

Having made a great impact with attendees at the the last workshop back in December I just had to get my buddy Dave Clayton back in for a spot of modelling. Before the workshop I briefed Dave (who is fast becoming known as the man of many faces…a kind of a modern day Phil Cool for those of you who remember him) that the look I was after this time was Geeky and geez did he come up trumps; false teeth, glasses complete with plaster, shaving cuts and a dress sense any geek from the 70′s would have been proud of

Also this time in addition to Dave, model Steve Lewington kindly came along so that workshop attendees could try out some shots for compositing in addition to taking some Character Portraits.

This workshop is very much ‘hands on’ so once I’ve explained the lighting set ups and shown the kind of shots to aim for it’s then the attendees time to step in and start shooting. Having attended many workshops in the past I’m very conscious of how sometimes attendees can feel rushed to get their shots, feeling very aware that someone is waiting behind them and so not really getting what they want. Keeping numbers of attendees to no more than 12 and also having 2 models on 2 different sets works a treat so that no one feels rushed and gets plenty of time to get the shots they need and then to experiment and it’s this bit I love…seeing how each and every person gets completely different looks despite being on the same set.

Once everyone had got all the shots they wanted we then turned over to Photoshop and began working through some retouching; starting first with the shots of Steve. Now I’ve not quite finished my own edit of Steve’s picture yet where in the final image he’ll look as if he’s hiding behind a brick wall ready to take out the guy walking up the street towards him but I’ll be sure to post that here once it’s done. I’ll also be giving the full Photoshop file to attendees so they can see every single step that goes into making the final picture.

This was to give a taster as to what is covered during my Creative Compositing Workshop where having a clear idea of what the final image is going to look like even before you’ve shot it is vital if the lighting is going to be right and if the final picture is to work.

Having shown some compositing techniques we then worked through the character portrait of Dave and it was fantastic to see the variety of images being created by everyone; again so many different looks from the same model and lighting set up…fantastic!

And of course the obligatory visit to a local curry house followed with the majority of attendees coming along for a bite to eat and to carry on the chat:

So a HUGE thanks to everyone who came along and made it such great fun; I had a blast and can’t wait for the next Workshop, Creative Compositing which is on Sunday 26th February:

I’m really looking forward to going through everything that’s planned for the day working through everything from the lighting, the shooting and the retouching to make some exciting, atmospheric composited images.

There’s a few spaces available at the time of writing this but don’t delay…BOOK NOW to come and join me at the studio for a workshop packed with Photography & Photoshop and start making your own Creative Composites!

See you there

•     •     •

Keep up with Glyn ‘Day to Day’ and get more from ‘Behind the Scenes’…
Google+
Twitter
Facebook

If you’ve followed this blog for a while you’ll recall Alan’s Guest Post [Link] where he not only shared some incredible insights and information but also samples of his stunning live concert photography. Well now Alan has put down his experience, his knowledge, tips, techniques, the how and how not to; this new book covers everything from requesting a photo pass, shooting the show, dealing with equipment, post production and pro tips from other concert photographers, musicians, publicists and more…everything you could possibly need!

I’ll be posting a full review of the book in the near future but before then I’ll say one thing…this book isn’t just for Concert Photographers. If you photograph events of any kind and if you ever find yourself photographing in locations where the lighting is challenging (to say the least) then get this book!

ALL ACCESS: Your Backstage Pass to Concert Photography has definitely set the standard for 2012!

Pre Order your copy at Amazon here [Link]

Catch you later

• • •

Keep up with Glyn ‘Day to Day’ and get more from ‘Behind the Scenes’…
Google+
Twitter
Facebook

Last night I literally was sent to Coventry; well actually to give a talk in Coventry to the Mercia Group having been booked by Jaguar…

I was asked specifically to give a talk on how I first started in Photography and as those who know me will be aware it came from first of all being introduced to Photoshop by one of my Uncles who was always the family photographer and pointing a lens in your direction if you stood still long enough. As a child it always felt uncomfortable but I always kind of knew that it was important to take photos and lots of them irrespective of them being technically correct or not…it was the memory that was most important.

Anyway aside from how I started, I was asked to talk through the story behind some of my images and how I go about putting them together..from the lighting and through the editing stage. I love this part and you know what’s funny and I’m sure it’s the same for you…I can remember taking each and everyone of the photographs and of course what happened during the process; which in my case when shooting on location does tend to involve managing to find the only dog mess in the area and getting at least some part of me covered in it…as happened here:

The talk lasted just over two hours with a short break half way through for refreshments and included a couple of videos, a photography demo where I went through the Invisible Black Backdrop technique and finished off by showing some fast and easy retouching using Photoshop.

Huge thanks to the Mercia Group and to Jaguar for being such a wonderful group of people, making me feel so incredibly welcome and even laughing at my jokes; Great times!

•     •    •

Keep up with Glyn ‘Day to Day’ and get more from ‘Behind the Scenes’…
Google+
Twitter
Facebook

Now I say ‘Amazing Jessi’ for a number of reasons…all of which make her an incredible model to work with. Calvin told me I’d be impressed and man was I. We’d booked out the whole of Tuesday last week to photograph Jessi in the studio in a number of set ups and themes and what was so fantastic was how well prepared she was…so many different items of clothing and props…and what’s more all for ideas she brought to the table.

Finding models like Jessi is no easy thing; sure there are models who look great, there are models who know how to ‘work’ infront of the camera and there are models who have lots of ideas but to get all of that in one package is something special. So I guess this is more of a shout out to Jessi to say thanks for being so great to shoot and such fun to hang out with; I had a blast!

I’ll be popping back and forth to Germany as often as I can now to hang out with Calvin, Gabor and everyone else and I’m sure we’ll be getting Jessi infront of the camera again but in the mean time there’s a few more images I need to work through from our time together…the Dark Angel and a take on the cover of Columbiana which we’re calling GerLondonia…or something

Oh and I guess if I was trying to say anything in particular here it would to make a point to shoot for yourself and your portfolio as often as you can but also when you do, make it count…and that starts by finding the right model.

Enjoy

•     •     •

 Keep up with Glyn ‘Day to Day’ and get more from ‘Behind the Scenes’…
Google+
Twitter
Facebook

Character Portrait Retouch
Last year I was asked to speak at a few camera clubs around the country giving an insight into what I do and how I started plus I would talk through the story behind a few of my pictures…most of which when I was talking about shooting on location ended up in me saying “…and then it started raining” or more of than not “…and I rolled right over it”…if you know what I mean.

Plus I’d also give a quick photography and retouch demonstration to give folks a look into how I go about putting some of my images together. I’m really excited that already this year I’ve been booked to talk at several more clubs and so because of that I thought I’d put together a few videos to add in; I got the idea from having read a great book recently recommended by my buddy Calvin Hollywood (more of that in another post)

Anyway here’s one of the videos I’ve put together to use at a talk later this week; a speed retouch showing what I do in Photoshop to make a Character Portrait; originally about a 15 minute edit but in the video down to 1 minute and 40 seconds…

Focus on Imaging – NEC
The yearly Focus on Imaging Expo at Birmingham’s NEC this year runs from Sunday 4th through to Wednesday 7th of March and it looks like there’s some fantastic exhibitors set to be there. It’s always great to take a look around and to get a ‘hands on’ with some of the latest and greatest kit to hit the market. Word of warning thought The Force is strong so coming out at the end of the day without having purchased atleast one item you never knew you needed is quite a challenge .

Focus is also a great social event and a great place to catch up with folks you maybe haven’t seen for a while. I’ll be heading there on the Tuesday 6th and I know that my Buddy Dave Clayton (N.A.P.P. UK Evangelist) is heading along that day too, so if you’re going to be there let’s meet up for a coffee.

Audible.com
Finally I just want to quickly mention about Audible. NowI love to read but I think I’d stand a pretty good chance of winning the ‘Worlds Slowest Reader’ Competition so I’ve started now listening to audiobooks when I’m on the move.

There’s lots of places to get audiobooks but I was put onto Audible the other day and I have to say not only do they have an incredible amount of audio books available but their pricing is superb at £3.99 ($7.49) each month which includes a book download of your choice and a discount on another.

You can check them out here [Link]

Ok that’s all for now so as always if you have any questions or comments please feel free to make use of the comments section below but in the mean time,
Enjoy

•     •     •

Keep up with Glyn ‘Day to Day’ and get more from ‘Behind the Scenes’…
Google+
Twitter
Facebook

Grunge in 8 Simple Steps
Just incase you’re new to the blog and hadn’t seen this post, back in 2010 I did a speed retouch and walk-through of a portrait I shot whilst down in Brighton and here it is.

You can catch the walk through which covers all the steps you see in the video here [Link]

Social Event in Brighton
Talking of Brighton I’m looking at planning a photo walk type of event down there in the next few weeks; maybe second week in February or around then. Anyway it’ll be open to anyone and everyone with a camera to come along have some fun and take some photos. Hey we may even have some competitions and prizes on the day so if at this stage this is something that might interest you then just leave a message in the comments section below or send me a message via email, Facebook, Twitter etc…

Right that’s all from me so have a great weekend and I’ll catch you back here in a couple of days,
Enjoy

•     •     •

Keep up with Glyn ‘Day to Day’ and get more from ‘Behind the Scenes’…
Google+
Twitter
Facebook

Photoshop World is the largest Photoshop and Photography Training convention of it’s kind in the world and this coming March is being held in Washington DC. Having had the call from Scott Kelby I’m now one of the Official Instructors and am so excited to be teaching a class on Sunday 25th March at 3.45pm which I’m calling ‘Photoshop Fast & Furious‘.

I can’t wait to share what I have planned; a class packed with exciting and fun compositing and retouching techniques that as the class description says: Will leave you spending less time being corrective and more time being creative!

If you’re going to be there be sure to say hi; you’ll recognise me from the Union Jack Boxer Shorts, Bowler Hat and Cup of Tea in hand…oh and with my little finger extended of course.

Enjoy

•     •     •

Keep up with Glyn ‘Day to Day’ and get more from ‘Behind the Scenes’…
Google+
Twitter
Facebook