Being focused on one primary model of printer will allow me to delve deep into the inner workings of the machines (they are virtually identical). Each attendee will leave with at least four prints output on an Epson 3800 or 3880 and matted to 11×14 inch 8-ply rag mats on the paper of his or her choice (from more than 20 fine-art paper options). It was important to me to make this a “Portfolio Workshop” in which attendees bring digital images and go home with completed and ready-to-frame works of art.

The Lightroom 4 training will be especially useful for people who are struggling to properly organize and back up their images. I will share the same workflow I use with my private consulting clients to help them get their photo collections in order so they can then start concentrating on making great images and prints.

SPECIAL OFFER

I would like to offer readers of imagingbuffet.com a $50 discount via the promo code “IBF5″ (no quotes) when you register by 4/15/2013, which you can enter in the bottom right of the registration section on either of the workshop pages. Please also note that in addition to the one hour private consulting offer that comes with registering for the Master Class, I am also offering an additional one hour follow-up private phone consultation to everyone who registers by Monday, 4/15/2013.

For more information about the Sat. 4/20/2013  Master Class, please visit this page: http://darlow42.eventbrite.com/

and for more information about the Sun. 4/21/2013 Master Class, please visit this page: http://darlow421.eventbrite.com/

If you have any questions about the Master Classes, feel free to send me a note here.

I hope to see you there!

-Andrew

Fast forward to late March, 2013. The company has just announced that it produced and sold its 12,000th GalleryPouch™ bag, and to help mark the milestone, Frame Destination has decided to make up to $12,000 in e-gift certificate promo codes available to new and existing customers. Below is a copy of the gift certificate followed by a link to the press release about the milestone and the giveaway.

GalleryPouch™ $5 Gift Certificate for GalleryPouch™ Products

If you have used a GalleryPouch™ product and would like to leave a note about it, please feel free to comment below. You can also read some client testimonials on GalleryPouch.com.

Link to the Press Release.
Link to the Product Page on FrameDestination.com to Order GalleryPouch bags 

Disclaimer: I am not an employee of Frame Destination, but I receive a royalty on sales of GalleryPouch™ products. I am also editor of GalleryPouch.com, a dedicated site for the product, with news, testimonials, videos, etc.

I forgot to mention in the video that even though the tripod kit comes with a ballhead, you can put any 3/8″ compatible ballhead or other head on the tripod part of the product.

If you’d like to check pricing, below is a link to many Benro MeFoto A0350Q tripod kits, as well as the larger Benro MeFoto A1350Q in various colors on Amazon.com (please note: the link below is an affiliate link, which helps to support my publishing efforts when a purchase is made. Your price will be exactly the same as if you had visited Amazon.com and entered the name of the tripod):

Benro MeFoto Tripods on Amazon.com

If you’d like to view the re-broadcast (a slightly edited version that runs just over an hour), you have two options:

1. It is available via the link below to purchase for $27 (you will then immediately be sent a link that will allow you to view it on virtually any device, and you will also be able to download an HD video file so that you can view it “offline”). You can also burn the file to a DVD or flash media device so that you can then view it on a TV or other device. I offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so if you feel as though you did not get value for your investment, just request a refund within 60 days (no questions asked).

2. Or, you can view the one hour video for free online (on virtually any internet-connected device that supports video), by signing up for my newsletter and entering the password you will receive via e-mail.

To sign up to receive my newsletter (includes 12 tips from my book, 301 Inkjet Tips and Techniques and a free PDF Resolution Chart for determining sizes for printing), enter your name and e-mail below (if you already receive it, the system will let you know right away). Please be sure to confirm your subscription (a confirmation e-mail will arrive in your in-box) after you subscribe. You will then receive an e-mail with the password, as well as a link to the page where you can view the video.

First Name:
Email:

We respect your privacy. Your e-mail will never be shared or sold.

I hope that you enjoy the content!

I would like to offer a $40 discount via the promo code “IMB4″ (no quotes), which you can enter in the bottom right of the registration section. Please also note that I’m offering a one hour follow-up private phone consultation to everyone who registers by Monday, 1/21.

For more information about the Sat. 1/26 workshop, please visit this page:
http://darlow126.eventbrite.com/

and for more information about the Sun. 1/27 workshop, please visit this page:
http://darlow127.eventbrite.com/

And in case you are interested in how I created the looping gallery of images on the workshop pages (and shown above), I created a Collection of the photos I wanted in Lightroom 4, then put them in the order I wanted (you can only do that if your photos are in a Collection). I then went into the Slideshow Module and set a number of options. I then Exported the slideshow as a movie (located in the bottom left of the left panel). I then imported it into my Vimeo.com account, set the options I wanted (including autoplay), got the embed code and entered it into the html section of the Eventbrite.com editor (workshop page) and the WordPress editor (ImagingBuffet.com site).

I hope to see you there!

A fallen tree in a park near my home in Piscataway, NJ, photographed a few days after Super Storm Sandy toppled it and countless other trees. Photo © Andrew Darlow

About a year ago, in March of 2011, many of Japan’s citizens were severely affected by a terrible tsunami (over 15,000 lost their lives and about a million buildings were damaged or destroyed*). Having lived in Japan with a family for a few months after high school, then for a year during college, and having traveled across Japan about 10 years later, it was very difficult to see the reports that would come in via TV and the internet.

For me and my family, 2012 was a good year and we have much to be thankful for. One of the highlights was a trip with about 20 family members to Orlando, Florida. It was pretty exhausting, but my son and his cousins had a great time, and my wife and I were able to return to one of our favorite places in the world: the World Showcase at Epcot (she even helped my son fill his “passport” with stamps from each country, which is no easy task!). We were also able to make quite a few day trips throughout the Spring, Summer and Fall of 2012 to the amusement and water parks along the Jersey shore, including Point Pleasant and Keansburg, NJ (heavily damaged during the storm, as you can see by this video).

In 2012, I was also fortunate to meet many new people and connect with longtime friends at workshops, during private consultations, via e-mail, and in various forums/newsgroups. Consulting, teaching and writing are not just what I do for a living; all of those things give me great satisfaction, and the comments I receive from people about how I may have helped them in some way to reach their goals in the areas of photography, printing, etc. make it all worthwhile.

My wife, son and me at our hotel in Orlando, FL during a family trip.

From me and my family to you and yours, thank you for your interest in my comments, tips and thoughts over the years, and I wish you all the best for a very Happy New Year!

-Andrew Darlow

Digital Silver Imaging’s Eric Luden holding a mounted print on Dibond to demonstrate how they can attach a brace to the back of a mounted print for easy and secure hanging on a wall. One of the main reasons I go to the PhotoPlus Expo is to see things like this.  

My second day at the PhotoPlus Expo in New York City on Friday, 10/26 was, like the first day, filled with photo-related goodness at every turn. Below is a list of more booths that I highly recommend stopping by if you are planning to visit the show. If you can’t make it to the show, or if you are not visiting today, I’ve linked each company’s name to its website so that you can find out more about each company. There are, of course, many more great products and services on the show floor, and I will be adding content from the show in the upcoming weeks.

1. Canon: Canon’s booth at the show is always big, but this year, it’s MASSIVE. The gallery has outstanding print samples from various Canon printers, the demo areas allow you to test Canon gear, and the Expo Stage is always a fantastic place to learn from Pros who specialize in both stills and video. Just to give you some idea of how much you can learn on the show floor, I’ve inserted Canon’s Expo Stage schedule below:

2. Squarespace: Squarespace built an amazing booth inside of a black box on the show floor. You can speak with one of their reps and learn about many of the features available in it’s two plans. I was blown away by the quality of the newest templates that are available inside the system. They make it extremely simple for photographers and other artists to make a great-looking website, and the cost for one of the plans is just $8/month. They also have a 10% off coupon code printed on the small notebooks that they are giving out on the center table inside the demo area.

3. Synology: This company specializes in NAS  (Network Attached Storage) enclosures, and their products are very impressive. They showed a small unit about the size of a softball that can hold four “laptop” or SSD 2.5-inch drives, as well as a larger enclosure that can hold 8 laptop, SSD or 5.25-inch drives (the larger enclosure is expandable to 16 drives total).

4. Gura Gear: GuraGear makes camera bags with many features that set them apart from the competition. The split design, and unique handles are just two of the things that impressed me.

5. Digital Silver Imaging: This company, based in Massachusetts, does incredible printmaking for clients around the world. One of the things that sets them apart from others is that they can take a digital file and make real photo-based fiber and RC black and white and toned prints. They also print color or black and white using pigment inkjet printers, and they do mounting to materials like Dibond and aluminum.

Below are five companies who make plug-ins to help extend the functionality of Lightroom, Photoshop and other applications. Some also make phone and/or tablet apps that should definitely be seen. Each has a great booth with live demos worth stopping by to see. You can learn tips and tricks from people who know the software inside and out:

6. Nik Software 

7. OnOne Software

8. Athentech Imaging

9. Topaz Labs

10. Datacolor: Datacolor has many products made to help photographers get sharper images from their lenses and better color/consistent screen matches and prints. The company’s small but extremely useful SpyderCUBE is one of my favorite products for helping to get more accurate color in-camera under different lighting conditions. I highly recommend getting a demo of the products that you might want to add to your workflow.

11. Midwest Photo Exchange: This is a candy store for photographers inside of a larger candy store! Midwest Photo is a retailer who sells an amazing array of equipment during the show. You can demo gear and ask questions about the products they sell. They also have a stage with live presentations on each day.

12. Lowepro: Lowepro has an amazing selection of camera bags and related gear at the show, and they definitely encourage you to play with the many products on the show floor.

And below are five book and DVD/online content publishers who always have great titles to browse through:

13. Course Technology PTR/Cengage Learning

14. Focal Press

15. Peachpit

16. Rocky Nook

17. PhotoshopCAFE

18. Pexagon Technology: (Their booth graphics say “PhotoFlashDrives.com”): This company has a very large booth in the back of the exhibit hall. They do amazing laser engraving on photo boxes, flash drives, etc. They also have some very simple but elegant new paper folders in both black and white that can be used to hold prints.

At the Moab Paper booth, PhotoPlus Expo 2012, New York City. Photograph by Douglas Kirkland of Sophia Loren. Paper: Entrada Rag Natural 300.

1. CamRanger: A MUST SEE! This is an amazing wireless device that allows you to view DSLR video live and control many Canon or Nikon cameras from an iPad or iPhone. Plus, you can shoot RAW + JPEG and just have the jpeg’s transfer to an iPad or iPhone.

2. Nikon: As usual, Nikon has a huge booth, and highlights include a “mad scientist” actor with an amazing set, as well as some walls covered with impressive photos.

3. Moab: Moab’s booth is very open, which makes for easy navigation and print viewing. As usual, they have many print samples with the same image printed on many of their papers. There is a print by Douglas Kirkland of Sophia Loren from 1972 on Entrada Rag Natural that is truly stunning!

4. Graphistudio: INCREDIBLE BOOKS! There are not enough superlatives to describe the quality of the books in their booth. They also have free sample swatch books with actual print samples (about 4×5 inches). These are invaluable when trying to decide what papers to choose). The book cases/boxes are also incredible. They also have a number of very affordable book options for  under their Graphisenior program. For example, you can order sets of up to 30 tiny books that look amazing for under $100.

5. MetalMural: Really nice metal prints, in many different configurations. The booth is definitely worth a visit. Be sure to compare the different finishes they offer. Each is very distinct.

6. CamRanger: A MUST SEE! This is an amazing wireless device that allows you to view DSLR video live and control many Canon or Nikon cameras from an iPad or iPhone. Plus, you can shoot RAW + JPEG and just have the jpeg’s transfer to an iPad or iPhone.

7. SKB Industrial Cases: Gear is expensive, and this company’s hard cases really impressed me.

8. Canson-Infinity: Canson’s booth has a number of fantastic prints by Elliot Landy and others. Also, many of the prints in the gallery area were printed on Canson papers.

9. Kolo: I’m been a huge fan of Kolo ever since I first noticed their albums more than 15 years ago. They have a great service that includes photo printing and insertion into their albums at a very affordable cost. They even allow you to use their software to make proof books.

10. Woodsnap: Prints on wood! Amazing. Enough said. You should see these. I was told that the ink becomes part of the wood surface, and you have to see how they rout out the back for hanging with screws.

11. Innova Digital Art: In addition to showcasing many great paper options, the company sells inexpensive do-it-yourself art box kits that look like gallery-wrapped canvas prints called the “JetMaster Display System.” These should definitely be seen in person. They can used with a wide variety of different papers or canvas. I also learned about a direct printable option for flatbed printers.

12. Epson: The Epson booth is always impressive, especially because of the print samples on the walls. They have a new OBA (Optical Brightening Agent) free canvas in three finishes. They also have a new system for high volume printing called the SureLab D3000.

13. Moo: Moo has some amazing examples of their postcards, business cards and stickers at the show. They also have some great show specials that work by allowing you to purchase store credit at about a 20-30% discount.

14. Hahnemühle Fine Art: Hahnemule always shows incredible prints on the walls of their booth, and their sample books with large printed examples of different images are very helpful for narrowing down choices when selecting papers, canvas, etc.

15. UNDFIND: This company has great-looking and very functional camera bags with replaceable front covers. But what caught my eve first was their FISHBOMB. They are very strong, well-designed and functional cases that can attach to belts, straps, etc, and the newest version, the FISHBOMBV2, is a bit larger and has four special pockets designed for media cards.

A few days ago I had a chance to read through the newest edition of AfterCapture magazine. I was extremely impressed by the overall content and the many fantastic before and after images from their 2012 AfterCapture Digital Imaging Contest, sponsored by Wacom. It’s rare to have an opportunity to see how photographs go from “Raw” to a finished image, and I found the issue very inspiring. If you do any post-processing of your images, I highly recommend taking a look. It’s free to view online from this page.

These days, my favorite things to explore at the show are the booths that showcase different prints (inkjet or lab-produced prints). I always find a new paper, canvas or other material that blows me away. I also always enjoy seeing the many book options from many different companies (from oversize wedding albums to DIY (Do it Yourself) books). The exhibitions from different photo competitions throughout the show are another high point. Here’s an article I wrote from the 2009 show to give you a sense of some of the items I’ve highlighted in the past, and here is an article that I wrote covering 10 tips for navigating the show. All that being said, I think that the best part of the show is reconnecting with friends from the past and meeting new people from around the world–especially those whose work I’ve seen or whose articles/blog posts/Facebook posts I’ve read.

Below is a screen shot with an overview of some of the special events happening during the show (I’m looking forward to attending many of them). For more information about the special events, see this press release. And to register for seminars, special events or just for the trade show floor (registration is free for the trade show floor until 10/24), visit this page.

This year, I’ll be posting my thoughts and sharing photos from the show floor on Facebook and Twitter. You can keep updated by “Liking” my page here and/or by following me on Twitter here.

This is a screen shot of my original post that expressed my thoughts on the old Facebook Page format:

The previous Facebook Timeline layout would "hide" recent posts behind a small blue button that read "See More Recent Stories.".

This is important to me (and I would guess many others), because it was so easy to just skip over that little blue box, thus missing out on many stories, links, etc. from the recent past. In essence, the old approach made me feel as though I was wasting my time sharing information about which I was passionate.

Thanks Facebook. I’d like to think I was part of this decision, but it really doesn’t matter who gets credit for it (maybe Mark Zuckerberg has me on his “must read list.”) This may just inspire me to upgrade my personal page to the Timeline format. But wait, I may not have a choice, as per this Techcrunch article.

If you’d like to see what I’m seeing now on Facebook Fan/Business pages, feel free to visit my Page. My Facebook Photo and Printing Tips Page has over 1000 posts on the topics of Photo and Printing Tips, links to images that impress me, photos from events I attend, and more. You can find it here: http://facebook.com/andrewdarlow.

And if you’d like to receive 12 tips from my book, 301 Inkjet Tips and Techniques over the next 12 weeks, plus updates and information about workshops, exhibitions and more, sign up to receive my free newsletter below:

On Saturday, July 21, my friend, Jim Roselli and I will be conducting one-on-one private consulting sessions at ARTISTICEfex Studio in Hillsborough, NJ. We are also doing one-on-one private DSLR training sessions in the evening in Princeton, NJ, which should be a lot of fun (especially since the weather forecast looks perfect).

Jim Roselli will be working with clients who want to explore large-scale printing with the Epson Stylus Pro 9900, and I’ll be working with people who want to make prints on an Epson Stylus Pro 3880. We’re both “Lightroom Geeks,” so either of us can help you to understand the workflow from beginning to end. For more information or to register for a session (there are only six private sessions available during the day and four in the evening), please visit this page:
http://darlowroselli721.eventbrite.com/

If you are interested in working with me but are unable to attend any of the live sessions in Hillsborough, NJ, I’m also available for private instruction in your home, studio, via phone, or via remote desktop (with your permission, I can view your screen). All ImagingBuffet.com readers who mention that they read this post can take $50 off the first hour of consulting if reserved by 8/1/2012 and completed by 12/1/2012. To reserve a session, please send a note to me via this page, and if you have any questions about the upcoming sessions, feel free to contact me via my cell phone at 732-742-0123, or via this page.

Below are just a few of the topics that are covered in detail in Issue 7 with some of my comments below in quotes. You can see a full overview of the issue (and all of the issues printed to date) on the company’s website at http://www.ct-digiphoto.com, or in its entirety in low-res prior to purchase via its iPad app or on Zinio.com:

Portfolio: Martin Stranka: “An outstanding body of work by Martin Stranka, and a great Q&A with the artist.”

The Making of Times Square by Bert Monroy: “I had a chance to see the 300 inch wide (7.62 meters) Times Square backlit print at PhotoPlus Expo in NYC in 2010 that took Bert Monroy four years to produce. It was output on an Epson Stylus Pro 9900 and Epson’s DisplayTrans film. Jaw-dropping is the description I would use for the amount of detail and clarity in the image, not to mention the scale of the piece. Many short video tutorials by Bert Monroy, showing examples of how different sections came together are also on the issue’s DVD.”

Gigapixel Images: “Just an incredible overview of gigapixel photography, from double-page spreads of amazing imagery, to techniques and equipment (some affordable, and some costing as much as a car!)”

Your iPad Assistant: “A very-well written overview of a very complex topic. I’ve used an iPad as a wireless “Polaroid” and it is amazing once you have the right SD card or other wireless transfer solution, once all the right apps are downloaded, and once all the settings are properly set on the iPad.”

Pseudo DRI and Pseudo HDR: “Another incredible article that digs deep into a complex topic. I was truly amazed at how much information was included on how to get amazing detail from a single exposure. Shooting tips and specific step-by-step tutorials for the Photomatix Lightroom Plug-in and tips for using Adobe Photoshop’s CS5/CS6′s HDR tool were also covered. They even included some presets for Photomatix on the DVD, which will be welcomed by anyone who owns the application.”

Light Art Performance Photography (LAPP): “This was over-the-top amazing. If you’ve ever wondered how people create spheres of light or other amazing effects with light on film or by using digital cameras, Joerg Miedza and JanLeonardo Woellert, co-authors of the book “Painting with Light” go into detail about how it’s done, including specific information about what lights work particularly well, and how to build a “Performance Stick.” Also, the imagery in the book and in the e-book is stunning; even if you have no interest in learning the techniques, you should take a look at the images.”

System Camera Test: “I’m sure that this in-depth review of high-end and mid-range mirrorless cameras took a lot of time and effort (when you see the charts full of specs you’ll see what I mean!). I think they did a fantastic job testing these five cameras: The Nikon 1 V1, Olympus PEN E-P3, Nikon Coolpix P7100, Sony SLT-A77V and the Sony NEX 5N.”

Free RAW Processing with RawTherapee: “This was an impressive overview and tutorial of a free piece of software for converting RAW images.”

The Lightroom Workflow: “An excellent guide to getting started in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, with many tips for importing, organizing, developing, exporting and presenting your images. Lightroom 3 is used since that was the shipping version when it was written, but the vast majority of the information will pertain to Lightroom 4.”

I found something of interest in every article, and thought that the e-book alone that is on the enclosed DVD for Issue 7 entitled Painting with Light (Rocky Nook, 2011) was worth the $14.99 cover price (US/CAN) or $9.99 per issue for the iPad version. The DVD download for each specific issue is also provided when you purchase the specific issues via the magazine’s iPad edition, and according to the information on Zinio.com, “As of Issue 8, the free DVD supplied with the print edition is available for download to purchasers of the Zinio edition.”

I highly recommend c’t Digital Photography magazine and will be subscribing soon (probably to the Zinio edition, but the printed edition looked so good that I might go for the ink on paper option instead). Decisions, decisions…

But many people who receive the newsletter also receive my blog updates via e-mail, so I’m adding a quick, but very powerful tip for Lightroom users. The tip is…

How to quickly increase and decrease thumbnail sizes in the Library Module of Lightroom without using the slider in the toolbar

Here’s how: Most people use the slider in the bottom-right corner of the Toolbar (circled in blue, above) to adjust thumbnail sizes. However, there’s an easier way to achieve the same result. When you are in the Library Module in Lightroom 1, 2, 3 or 4, just press the “-” or “=” key (located in the upper-right hand part of your keyboard, next to the “0″ number key). You will then magically see the thumbnails get larger “= key” or smaller “- key.” It took me more than a year of using Lightroom to discover this.

It’s especially useful when rating and viewing groups of images since you can hide the toolbar and get more room (press the T key to hide/show the toolbar).

And now for the “Top Five” recent newsletter content, which includes links to recent articles I’ve written, as well as some upcoming workshops I’m conducting in NJ, and that others are conducting in NY. If you’d like to receive the newsletter, published about once per month, you can sign up at the bottom of the page, or just send an e-mail to inkjettips01@aweber.com:

“Top 5 List of Photo Links Worth a Look,” for June 2012

by Andrew Darlow

#5: Getting Started in Lightroom Workshop in Iselin, New Jersey – June 20th from 10:30am-3:30pm, plus a special 50% off private consulting offer.

I’m very excited to announce an upcoming five hour Lightroom workshop being held at a very nice restaurant in Iselin, NJ on Wed. June 20, 2012. It is geared primarily toward those just starting out with Lightroom, but I think it’s ideal for even some intermediate to advanced users primarily because I will also cover, in a step-by-step fashion, the process that I’ve developed to download, organize, import and back up your images so that you’ll never see another question mark in your catalog again (and if you do, you’ll know how to fix it!).

Many of my clients have invested $500-1500 for me to work with them one-on-one to help them organize their collections and to teach them the tips that I will be sharing. The first 12 people to register will receive a $20 discount, as well as a 20 minute follow-up phone consultation with me (a $50 value). 

For those who are interested in the workshop but who can’t attend, I also added a ticket option for 50% off of your first hour of consulting with me via phone. I can also view your screen and control your mouse with your permission. The experience is almost as good as working together in person.

For more information or to register, visit the workshop page here.

#4: Recent Article with three Q&A’s on Lightroom in Rangefinder Magazine

I recently wrote an article covering 3 Q & A’s from my Lightroom Printing workshop at #WPPI 2012 in Las Vegas back in February. In one of the Q&A’s I go into great detail about how to make PDFs from the Print Module.

Visit this page to read the article.

#3: Article on Keeping Competitive in the Photo Business in Rangefinder Magazine

Visit this page to read the article.

#2: Upcoming Long Island Photo Workshops August 6-9, 2012

I just learned about this upcoming four day workshop being held in Hauppaugue, NY. The instructors are all outstanding, and you can choose from courses focusing on everything from fashion to weddings to sports and Lightroom. It’s definitely worth a look:

THE LINK to learn more about the Long Island Photo Workshops.

#1: Many New Links Added to My Updated Facebook Fan Page

Since February of 2010, I’ve been adding links that I find interesting on a frequent basis to my Facebook Fan page (along with some personal comments). I’ve added over 1000 links so far, and many of the recent ones have covered the topics of Photoshop CS6, Lightroom 4 and new Nikon and Canon cameras. You can see my comments and links here:

THE LINK to visit my Facebook Photo and Printing Tips page.

BONUS: Receive a tip a week for 12 weeks from my book, 301 Inkjet Tips and Techniques, plus a Resolution Chart and info to help determine file sizes for printing:

The New York Photo Festival (NYPH ’12) officially starts today in DUMBO, Brooklyn, NYC. I’ve attended the event a few times over the last four years and have always enjoyed it. The sheer number of exhibitions in the area, live presentations on big and small screens, and opportunities to meet other artists is incredible. Whether you are a collector, aspiring or established fine-art photographer or just someone who just loves to see what people are creating with their imagery, I would recommend visiting. For more information and schedules, visit: http://nyph.at/explore

The powerHouse Arena is always an incredible place to browse books on many topics. In fact, it’s worth a trip to DUMBO any time in my opinion.

Here’s a link to a short article about a previous NYPH that I’ve covered.

In the upcoming weeks and months I will be teaching some Lightroom workshops in New Jersey. Here are some details and a link to more info on one of them. I will post information on some others as they get closer (my workshop/events page will generally have all of them listed):

Class Title: LIGHTROOM 4 WORKFLOWS: How to Organize, Retouch and Print Your Images

Location: duCret School of Art, Plainfield, NJ

Date: Sat. April 7, 2012
Time: 10AM-2PM

Fee: $50 ($39 for those who register by April 4)

A full description and online registration information is available here: http://lr47.eventbrite.com/

Andrew Darlow conducting a Lightroom workshop in Princeton, NJ

To show an example of what I’ll be covering, this particular image will be shown step-by-step from raw capture to the final edited image. I think it shows what’s possible when you use Lightroom’s Develop Module to recover highlight data and use the application’s selective adjustment options:

Nikon D800, 6400 ISO (Before Lightroom 4.1RC adjustments) photo © Andrew Darlow

Nikon D800, 6400 ISO (After Lightroom 4.1RC adjustments) photo © Andrew Darlow

Photoshop CS6 beta includes all the features in Photoshop CS6 and Photoshop CS6 Extended. Take this opportunity to try out the 3D image editing and quantitative image analysis capabilities of Photoshop Extended*, but note that—while these features will be included in the shipping version of Photoshop CS6 Extended—they will not be included in the shipping version of Photoshop CS6.

Until I have more time with the Beta, I thought I’d share some impressive videos and helpful links to more information about it. First, below is a fantastic 10 minute video by Russell Brown of Adobe, who covers six new features of PSCS6:

Next, is this page with great information (including videos and screen shots) on Photoshop CS6 Beta by Colin Smith of PhotoshopCAFE.

And last for now is NAPP’s excellent coverage of Photoshop CS6 Beta (free for members or non-members of NAPP):

What surprised me most about Photoshop CS6 Beta? The video capabilities. Russell Brown’s video shows a quick overview, and I’m guessing you’ll be surprised as well when you see what’s inside.

And while you’re learning more about Photoshop, I have a number of Lightroom 4-related workshops coming soon in New Jersey and New York City. Links for full descriptions and registration information can be found below:

Using Lightroom for Inkjet Printing and Color Management
Location: Calumet Photo, New York City – Date: Sat., March 31, 2012

Lightroom 4 Workflows: How to Organize, Retouch & Print Your Images
Location: du Cret School of the Arts (NJ) – Date: Sat., April 7, 2012

To visit the page on bhphotovideo.com with the $69.95 offer, Visit This Page.
(please note that this is an affiliate link. If you would prefer not to use the link above, just enter “Lightroom 3″ into the search box on bhphotovideo.com)

To go directly to the page on Adorama.com with the $79 offer, visit this Page.
(please note that this is an affiliate link. If you would prefer not to use my affiliate link, just enter “Lightroom 3″ into the search box on the site)

The first 12 people to register will also have a print prepped and printed by me on a fine art paper of your choice. Below are two testimonials from recent attendees of the same workshop at Calumet Photo:

“Andrew gave a clear and detailed overview of printers, inks and most importantly settings that control the final quality of the prints.  I love knowing that there is such a vast range of papers to choose from and how to get the best results from them. I stayed up quite late last night experimenting with the settings discussed in the class and I ended up with a print that I am pleased with! This is great, thanks so much for unlocking this mystery! The workshop more than exceeded my expectations.” – Polly W.

“I am a platinum printer with the need to make enlarged digital negatives and have been contracting this work out because even though I have followed the various blogs, I didn’t understand the requirements of what it means to be a digital printer.  Andrew’s class gave me the framework to understand the process.  He discussed the various options for hardware (equipment AND papers) and software from an unbiased, user viewpoint. This is VERY important.  The week before I took Andrew’s class I went to the NY PhotoPlus Expo hoping to get a handle on my digital printing questions by talking to the various company reps and came away even more confused!

Andrew clarified all the sales hype and in a very straight forward manner showed what is needed to make great digital prints.  Using participant’s digital files, he printed the images on various papers demonstrating the strengths of each and he also demonstrated the power of using Photoshop in such a clear manner that it is no longer a scary, black box, but a tool to be used. I highly recommend this class for anyone wishing to make digital photographs, and for experienced digital printers who wish to make better digital photographs.” -Lyle Allan

For more information or to register, visit this page.

I hope to see you there!

If you have any questions or if you’d like to inquire about one-on-one in-person, phone or online consulting, please send an e-mail through this page.

If I were to summarize what the app does, it helps to expand one’s ideas for what to photograph by suggesting a variety of specific criteria, such as a place, as well as other content, such as one or more feelings (energetic is one feeling that you’ll see in the screen shots below). Paul Pierson explains the app in more detail: “By incorporating just the right amount of randomness, CSA’s goal was to help photographers evolve and expand their ideas. If you’re stuck, the app can generate billions of unique image concepts from scratch in just two taps. We think this tool will help today’s photographers, who are now expected to conceive ideas, not just execute. It’s a serious tool in a fun and distinctive package.”

During a hands-on demo, I was impressed by the way in which the app guides you through the criteria, resulting in a beautiful graphic using black and red text, as well as some graphics. Now that I look more closely at the screen shots and other materials, I realize that the inspiration for the graphics came from Canon’s L-series lenses, which is very cool (almost as inventive as those Canon L-series lens mugs!).

I’m not sure when the app will be available for download, but I’ll announce it on my Facebook page and my Twitter feed when I find out.

Related Links:
PDF Press Release for the Canon Idea Mine App
Article on Pixiq.com with some great ideas and insights from Damien Franco

The first 12 people to register will also have a print prepped and printed by me on a fine art paper of your choice. One of the printers I’ll be using for the workshop is the Epson Stylus Pro 3880. For more information or to register, visit this page.

If you are not planning to attend the workshop, you may still want to stop by on Saturday 11/5 or Sunday 11/6. Ron Wyatt will be answering questions and doing free 30 minute tours of the current show on exhibit at 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm (no registration is necessary). There are 31 prints total in the show, including 11 framed prints from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

I hope to see you there!

Last year I wrote an article entitled: 10 Tips for Navigating the PhotoPlus Expo in New York City, which you can find here. With the exception of some specific events that I mentioned from last year’s show (and booth numbers from last year), the information still applies.

I’m also very happy to be speaking again at the PhotoPlus Expo 2011. My seminar, entitled Lightroom Power Printing: Tips for Getting the Most from Lightroom’s Printing Capabilities, is on Thursday, October 27 from 3:30-5:30PM. During the seminar, I’ll be sharing a lot of the techniques I use to prepare, proof and make final prints using Lightroom, whether outputting to inkjet printers or photo labs. A two-and-a-half minute video promo of my seminar can be seen here, and to go directly to the registration page and a full description of the seminar, visit this page.

I hope to see some ImagingBuffet readers there! If you see me on the show floor, drooling over the latest lighting gear, lenses, etc., please say hi!

Andrew Darlow: Your upcoming City Project focuses on New York Diners. What are a few things people can do to prepare themselves (mentally, physically and equipment-wise) for the City Project workshop, a similar workshop, or even a “Photo Walk”?

Jez Coulson: Well I think anyone attending a photography workshop…….  but especially one led by me, should be ready to have fun………  but also be ready to work really hard……… it’s a chance to try to do something really “lifted” and come away exhilarated by having made fantastic pictures. Consequently it’s good to be in a place where you are feeling energized and ready to roll. It’s also good to be feeling ready to interact with others…….  as reportage photography often needs a little rapport with the general public.

You will need a reasonable digital camera. I myself always use two SLR’s when I am shooting……….  one with a long zoom one with a shorter zoom…………. this in my view is the best way to work……. but it’s by no means essential…….. one camera ideally with a couple of lenses or just one reasonable zoom would be fine…… someone was asking if they could do it with their iPhone camera…….. it could be done…… you would still learn and have fun  ……….  but I feel you will probably get more out of it …….  if you have a slightly better rig…….  ideally something you can control a little……  like a classic SLR.

It is also good to have a good number of digital camera cards……. so that you can really shoot and not be constrained by the amount of digital information you can write to your cards.  If I am shooting all day, it is not unusual for me to shoot 3 or 4 thousand pictures…….. or more. I often emphasize the importance of good clothing when out shooting ……. for me reasonable rain protection is part of my essential equipment………  If it rains I want to carry on shooting…….. I know I have often shot fantastic pictures in the rain when I know most people would have  gone home )

But equally, you do not want to be bulked down with things to carry………  so it’s essential to remain mobile without stuff to carry in hand bags……….  as your hands must be free…… and you must be able to move about freely. I have, as part of my shooting kit, small umbrellas and rain jackets that I wear in a belt bag/ fanny-pack/bum-bag arrangement………  so if it does not rain you don’t need to hold coats or wear them if it’s too hot………. I have rain covers for my cameras too……. for me they are essential………..  in torrential rain I always want to shoot………  these covers are great things……..  but entirely optional on this workshop (certainly not a requirement).

Screenshot from Jez Coulson's Inspiration Gallery on worldphoto.org. Photo © Jez Coulson, All Rights Reserved

AD: I was especially drawn to the photos in which you’ve employed the use of shallow depth of field and motion techniques (located in the inspiration gallery for the workshop, as well as your photos on insight-visual.com). Is there a specific way in which you like to teach either of these concepts?

JC: I do a lot of things that a classic photography text book will tell you not to do. I will make sure everyone understands what are more normally accepted parameters as a starter. But as I shoot totally wide open (aperture at widest setting, often f/2.8), I also often shoot hand held at very slow shutter speeds (Shutter speeds of say 1/8th sec., for example) . I will talk to people in the workshop about the risks of this and the potential pit falls…….. but also the sometimes amazing images that can be achieved by doing this……. I will be showing them how I do it……… there are useful tricks to some of this……….  and I will encourage attendees to be brave…..  to attempt things that may not work…… but equally might be amazing…… I will get people to aim to be successful at things they may not have attempted before in low light with movement, etc. This will be done through demonstration, and people trying the suggested methods.

In diners, there is often not tons of light as in many other urban situations ……. and I will not be emphasizing the use of photographic lights or strobe……… so we will be exploring how to see and use the ambient light to best effect …….. and combine that with raised ISO, wide aperture and low shutter speeds (all hand held). I will also cover how to steady a camera using supports like tables and chairs, and the stances to adopt, etc. …….. these things are not rocket science………  but need a little instruction with practice and confidence in real situations to master them.

AD: Can you talk a bit about the content of the 3-4 hour Masterclass on the first day?

JC: The Master Class will really look at my philosophy and practice as a photojournalist and reportage artist ……..  and the kind of stories that I am drawn to. This will take the form of looking at examples of my work, running through the stories and my approach. The human aspects of making the images. Both in terms of the concepts I am trying to illustrate and the emotions and physical realities involved for both the subjects and myself during the actual shooting process. I will talk at some length about the human aspects of interacting with others in a public space, plus being accepted with your cameras. I will run through the way I talked with and won the confidence of the subjects in certain pictures.

We will be looking at the resulting images in terms of the reaction of viewers at the end stage, and the how pictures can be displayed and used. I will help the photographers who take the course produce a range of images that would properly constitute a story submission for a magazine or other editorial outlet.

Putting to one side the vitally important human skills and approach required by photojournalists, I will also run through the images in terms of how they are achieved in the camera. The camera techniques…….the settings……. the forethought……  I will analyze images in terms of why they work…… normally emphasizing the primacy of the composition ….. even in images that appear to be working by depicting all action or by demanding an emotional response. I will talk about how composition and ambient light are, for me, normally the primary consideration in approaching most photography (if you put aside human interaction considerations). Action and movement can be essential, but even then you cannot put aside considerations of light and composition, so these need to become almost second nature. We will discuss how to read and understand the composition and light that can be seen to work in existing images………  and how you can apply that knowledge of controlling composition and understanding light in photographs you are about to shoot.

We will also be looking at how photography meets the World Wide Web…… How photographers can be involved with social media and blogging to gain exposure and to be in contact with others for support and learning……….. and for those wishing to take it further, how to reach potential clients through digital projection and networking.

There will be a relatively small section on how one might become a freelance photojournalist and reportage artist in terms of the type of work a professional in these fields might undertake. The kind of clients and the type of jobs one might expect, especially given the demise of some of the classic photojournalism outlets.

AD: If one of your students had 10 minutes of time with a news magazine editor (in person or via e-mail/online), is there a specific way in which you would recommend he or she present a specific body of work for each situation?

JC: If someone is approaching a news magazine editor………… The most important thing is to make sure the work you are showing is specific to what the magazine is actually running………….. Picture Editors will be polite (normally) without waking up about images that are not specific to them. They will say nice things and you will never hear from them again……. they will have forgotten your name by the time you are in the elevator………. you must show them stuff specific to them……… ideally you must show them stuff they actually want right now……… if by the end they are ringing the features editor to say they have a fantastic set in that she must see, and is then introducing you, they have registered your presence………

I know that sounds obvious…….. but I have been asked to look at other photographers’ work by the picture editor of certain magazines…….  because after 30 seconds he knows his time is being wasted…… and the picture editor knows I will say nice positive things about where that folio should be shown……..  or how a change could be introduced. If the magazine is unrelentingly positive and ‘up beat,’ they do not want depressing stories…….. If they only run color, they don’t want B&W…….. If they only run women’s issues, why are they looking at a set of men’s wrestling instead of a set of women’s wresting? ……. Again totally obvious but its amazing how this can be overlooked by some. If you do not have a set of pictures that could be bought by the magazine immediately……. you must at least have an idea for one…….. “Well you know you always run those engineering stories on the back 2 pages”……. “I have access to the new dam project on the Hudson if you are interested in commissioning it I could….blah blah” ………..  If you leave it to the Picture Editor to think of the stories……..  he will give them to other photographers…… people who have already established a relationship with him……. they will only give you a chance because you have already shot it ….. or you have an inside track on a story that is your idea.

AD: Can you share a favorite quote that might apply in some way to the workshop, or photography in general?

JC: My favorite quote is from Nelson Mandela. It’s not directly about photography……. but it is indirectly ……. because it’s about a philosophy for living that suits me and my photography )

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” -Nelson Mandela

One of my favorite photography related quotes comes from Richard Avedon …….. it applies to this “Diner on the Edge of America” workshop, and to my whole life:

“If a day goes by without my doing something related to photography, it’s as though I’ve neglected something essential to my existence, as though I had forgotten to wake up.” -Richard Avedon

AD: Do you have any additional comments to share about the upcoming City Project workshops in New York ?

JC: I am really excited about leading the WPO “Diners on the Edge of America” workshop. I enjoy so many aspects of New York City………. and the classic Diners are one small, but fascinating aspect……… I like to just be in them to grab breakfast ……… or sometimes lunch…..  or more often, a coffee and a meal in the middle of the night, having been out shooting on an assignment ……. and I never go in one of those places without taking a camera and shooting something …….. either of the Diner and its staff and customers, or the scenes of the streets from inside………. it’s a bit of an obsession……… so I am looking forward to introducing others to the joy of this passion )

JC: I am totally delighted with the news that the buzz around this “Diner on the Edge of America” 3-day “City Project” workshop in New York City has been so great that the WPO have asked me to do another one in Chicago ……… of course I am thrilled……… and it’s good news for a few friends of mine from that neck of the woods that follow my blog at www.jezblog.com too ……. they will be able to attend now……. Having said they could not afford the travel costs to NYC from Chicago …….. they had been asking if I was going to be doing one in Chicago……… well now I am ) …… Yes, for me it’s fantastic news!! …….. I have shot pictures in the diners of Chicago in the past ……. they are also just perfect for this ……. but I don’t go there everyday myself……….  so it’s great to get more time to hang out and shoot in Chicago……….  and have all the fun and excitement of another WPO Festival, and of leading another workshop.

For me, looking through a viewfinder is like entering another world, my world, and I would love others to come to these workshops and join me in my enthusiasm for a life in photography.

Cheers,

Jez XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

AD: I’d like to sincerely thank Jez Coulson for sharing so much great information with our audience! For a direct link to Jez Coulson’s New York “City Project,” visit this page, and for his Chicago “City Project,” visit this page. And to see more of Jez Coulson’s work, visit jezblog.com and insight-visual.com.

World Photography Events and Opening Reception in New York City

The World Photography Events will be taking place in New York from October 13-November 6, 2011. The events include an exhibition of photographs from the 2011 Sony World Photography Awards, a free Student Focus program, and other events. Opening night for the World Photography Events is Thursday, 10/13/2011 from 6-9 pm at the Chelsea Art Museum, 556 W. 22nd St., NY NY. The event is free, but an RSVP is required for entry. To RSVP, send an e-mail to giulia@worldphoto.org.

“City Project” Workshops

As I mentioned earlier, a series of three-day workshops will be offered in New York City under the title “City Projects.” This text from the WPO offers a good overview of the City Projects.

The City Projects are the most exciting events on our New York programme, for budding and established photographers alike. These workshops will enable you to improve on your photographic skills and connect with other equally passionate photographers. You will also be given the unique opportunity to display and promote your work to a global audience.

The global theme is ‘Portraits of a City’, which over the year will see City Projects taking place in London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, San Francisco, Chicago, São Paulo, with plenty others to be announced throughout the year, see our City Projects page to see if your City will be involved.

All the projects will culminate in an exciting exhibition of all participants work, ‘Portraits of a City, a Mirror of the World’, exhibited in London, April-May, 2012.

City Projects Workshop Itinerary

Day 1: Introductory Seminar and Workshop – the technical bit!
In a 3-4 hour masterclass, the workshop leader will deliver the brief to the participants. The workshop leader will then discuss technical and creative approaches, exploring lighting and composition, location scouting and subject matter.

Day 2: Independent Shooting – the creative bit!
The participants will go solo and use the knowledge gained from the masterclass to execute their assignments on the streets. The workshop leader will be at “base camp” for part of the day, should participants wish to return to get further advice and feedback.

Day 3: Editing and Critique – the post-production bit!
Each participant will have a two-on-one, 90 minute editing session with a professional editor on Adobe Lightroom software, teaching you how to get the most out of your photography in post-production.

Additional information re: Day 3: Before arriving at their 90 minute editing session, participants will need to narrow down their work to no more than 30 images. During editing, 10 images will be selected as their “shortlist” of best images, and then one single image will be selected and showcased throughout various WPO platforms, including for display and review during a group discussion led by the workshop leader.

Contest for ImagingBuffet.com Readers

The WPO has generously made available four spaces in the 3-Day “City Project” workshops in New York City for four ImagingBuffet.com readers. Please see the details below to be entered into a drawing to win:

Contest Overview: Win a complimentary 3-day workshop (value up to $300) at the Chelsea Art Museum organized by the World Photography Organization:

Prizes:
- 1 place to attend a “City Project” 3-day workshop with Steve Pyke – November 11th – 13th (visit this page for a full description)
- 1 place to attend a “City Project” 3-day workshop with Cheryl Dunn - November 11th – 13th (visit this page for a full description)
- 1 place to attend a “City Project” 3-day workshop with Nick Turpin – October 21st – 23rd (visit this page for a full description)
- 1 place to attend a “City Project” 3-day workshop with Jez Coulson – October 21st – 23rd (visit this page for a full description)

How to enter:

To enter, simply send an email to info@worldphoto.org
In the subject line enter: ImagingBuffet.com 3-day workshop “City Projects”
In the body of the email, enter your WPO username. If you don’t have an username, please create a free account (standard membership) here:
http://www.worldphoto.org/become-a-member/individual/

Deadline: October 15, 2011 at 8:59pm PST (11:59PM EST – New York City time)

Note from Andrew Darlow: Please only enter if you are reasonably sure that you will be able to attend one of the workshops.

A few rules and information regarding the announcement of winners:

1. Residents of any country are eligible (except where prohibited by law).
2. This contest covers only the cost of a 3-day “City Project” workshop. Winners are responsible for all lodging, travel and other expenses.
3. Winners will be informed which City Project they have won, and are required to confirm via e-mail whether or not they will attend.
4. Prizes are not transferrable to another individual.
5. Winners will be contacted privately via e-mail by October 17, 2011.

For more information about the next City Project in Chicago, IL, visit:

http://www.worldphoto.org/festivals-events/buy-tickets/city-project-chicago/

In 2006 at the Macworld Expo San Francisco (just after his Keynote address, which was quite an experience), I had the opportunity to speak with Steve Jobs for a few moments. To paraphrase, I thanked him and let him know that Apple had a major impact on my career. That was the year Apple moved to Intel chips, which must have been a difficult decision. It seems to have been the right decision based on the products that have come out since that announcement, and if you listen to Steve Jobs and Intel’s CEO’s Paul Otellini onstage at the 2006 Macworld Expo, you can get a sense of how much work went into creating the new product line using Intel processors. Below is a video of that segment:

In case you have not heard seen this video of Steve giving a speech at Stanford University, I think it is worth watching if you are interested in learning more about Steve Jobs:

And below is a photo that I took at the 2006 Macworld Expo Keynote of Steve Jobs onstage, showing him and Steve Wozniak in a photo from 1976, the year the Apple Computer Company was founded. The photo was shown to mark the 30 year anniversary of Apple:

I’d like to extend Steve Jobs’ family and the Apple organization my sincere condolences. Thank you Steve and the people at Apple for the work you’ve done to make a difference and “Think Different.”

A section of the show, GRANDmarks - NYC, photographed during the setup of the show. Photo by Ron Wyatt

Andrew Darlow answering questions about his prints on canvas during the opening exhibition of GRANDmarks NYC at The Calumet Gallery, 7/14/2011. photo by Ron Wyatt

For more information or to reserve a space, please visit this page:

http://grandmarks3.eventbrite.com/

All the best!

Andrew

If you are not able to register online due to the fact that the workshop is this Saturday, you can register in person on Saturday morning starting at 9:30am.

I hope to see you there!

Hello! I’d like to invite all readers of The Imaging Buffet to an opening of an exhibition of my photography at Calumet Gallery in New York City on Thursday, July 14, 2011 from 6-9pm. The exhibition includes large-scale pigment inkjet canvas prints as well as pigment inkjet prints on paper. For more information or to RSVP, please visit this page:

http://grandmarks2.eventbrite.com

All the best, and I hope to see you there!

Andrew