One-Day Croton-on-Hudson Photo Tune-up on May 25: Photography, Photoshop & Plug-ins

I'm doing a one-day photo tune-up in my "backyard," Croton-On-Hudson, NY. It's a condensed version of my more intensive Croton Creative Workshop, listed on My Workshops page. It's kinda like playing speed chess. We'll get in as much as we can in several short sessions. You will be running around on this workshop, as opposed to the much more relaxed and personal feeling of my standard Croton workshops.

Here is the info (subject to change):
• May 25, 2014. Rain date June 1.
• 9  AM to 6 PM - later if you stay for the optional dinner.
• Only 8 participants.
• Cost $149 per photographer. (Plus small processing fee.)
• Bring your camera gear and laptops.
• Photograph at the Buddhist temple in Kent, New York 40 minutes away. One hour shoot. We shoot here for two hours during my Croton Creative Workshops - where there are fewer people around than on a weekend, which could get busy.
• Lunch (not included in price).
• Process your images in Photoshop (or Lightroom, but I can show you some Photoshop techniques) at local bed & breakfast.
• Short play with plug-ins sessions. You can download from my Save & Play with Plugs-ins page.
• Speedy speedlite session at bed & breakfast. A much longer session (with a model) on my Croton Creative Workshop.
• Early dinner (not included in price).
• Swing by the New Croton Dam for a quick shoot or a sunset walk along the Hudson River. We do both on my standard Croton workshop.

rick sammon for site.jpg

More images and places to stay.

Space is limited. Shoot me an email if you are interested in this learning experience.

Please note that we will be on a strict time schedule.

Explore the light,
Rick

This post sponsored by x-rite. For more information,  and to save up to $40, click the logo below.

My Photoshop World Plug-in Presentation: Before & After Images

I am getting ready for my Awaken The Artist Within presentation at Photoshop World in Atlanta, Georgia next week.

For those of you who are attending the session, here are the photographs that I will be using, the end-result images, and the plug-ins that I used.

All the plug-ins I use are listed on my Play & Save on Plug-ins page.

Freight Train, Gallup, New Mexico

• Photoshop: Select All >Edit > Transform > Perspective and Distort
• Nik Color Efex Pro: Detail Extractor > Tonal Contrast
• Nik Silver Efex Pro
• Topaz DeNoise
• Nik Color Efex Pro: Darken/Lighten Center
* Also used Camera Raw filter in Photoshop.

Route 66, Tucumcari, NM

• Topaz Simplify > BuzSim > Edge Strength > Transparency

Camargue Horses, Provence, France

• Topaz Simplify > BuzSim > Feature Boost > Edge Strength > Transparency

Route 66, Tucumcari, NM

• Photoshop: Select All >Edit > Transform > Perspective
• Photomatix
• Nik Gradual filter

Woman on the Sand Dunes, Death Valley, CA

• onOne Perfect Photo Suite > Perfect B&W

Cathedral, San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

• Topaz DeNoise

Motocross, Tampa, Florida

• Photoshop > Tight Crop
• Nik Silver Color Efex Pro > Infrared

Route 66, Tucumcari, NM

• Topaz Restyle > Street > Gray & Tail Light Red

Butterflies, Butterfly World, Coconut Creek, Florida

•  MacPhuh Focus 2

Myanmar

• Nik Color Efex Pro > Darken/Lighten Center
• MacPhun > Focus Pro 2

I also have sessions at Photoshop World on travel photography and shooting in chilly conditions. I hope to see you there, or on one of my workshops, where I teach it all.

I also save several on-line classes on KelbyOne. A great place to learn, too.

Explore the Light,
Rick

Cool Three-Day (April 8, 9 and 10) "FOR" Sale on Photoshop Artistry: Fine-Art Grunge Composition

Above: Image by Sebastian Michaels.

If you would like to explore the world of serious Photoshop artistry and learn how to create imaginative, artistic images fit for canvas, there is a fabulous course you will want to check out: Photoshop Artistry: Fine-Art Grunge Composition.

If you order the class on April 8th - 10th, 2014, you get the "FOR" (Friends of Rick) discount. You save 67% off the standard cost, making your cost only $97.

Here is what others have to say about the course:

     "I have never in my life done a workshop that was that as inspiring, as much fun and as engaging as yours Sebastian - and I have done HEAPS of workshops ... absolutely wonderful!" — Heide Hoffman

     "I have learned more and had more fun from this course than from ANY workshop/book/DVD etc that I have ever purchased for photography. I cannot thank you enough for putting it together and pricing it so reasonably.  This is the BEST educational photography experience I have ever had!” — Martin Howard

     “Sebastian, this course has literally changed my life! I had been struggling along on my own trying to figure this stuff out, until you came along. I am now creating some images that at least come close to some of what I have been visualizing in my head all my life but had no way to express!”  — Terry Fleckney

You can see examples of users art on the Photoshop Artistry facebook page.

Above: Image by Sebastian Michaels.

You can get access to the Photoshop training everyone is raving about for fully 67% OFF during this promotion.  You will have lifetime access to over 60 training videos (applicable to both Photoshop and Elements), over 5 gigabytes of pro-designed bonus content, and even opportunities to get your work included in live gallery events set up exclusively for students in the course.

If you are looking for an exciting new direction to take your photography and you would like to hone your talents as an artist, you don't want to miss this offer.

  Another FOR (Friends of Rick) Discount

Above: Image by Dave Cross.

As a further testimony to how impressive the Photoshop Artistry course is, legendary Photoshop instructor Dave Cross was so impressed by it that he took the time to create an expansion course specifically meant to supplement the training — layering in even more of the techniques the top professional Photoshop artists take when creating their finest compositions. His class is Photoshop Non-Destructive Creativity.

There is a FOR discount on Dave's course, too: 50% off!

The approach Dave Cross adds to the mix truly pushes the main course over the top.  If you are really, serious about mastering the world of Photoshop artistry, you may want to pick up this course as well.

This course by Dave Cross was designed as a supplement to the Photoshop Artistry course listed up above, but it can also stand on its own.  It is only viable for Photoshop users, however.  Where the Artistry course also encompasses Adobe Elements, this course by Dave Cross is only for Photoshop.

If you like learning on-line, I have a several on-line classes. Check 'em out!

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. Speaking of saving money, Topaz Detail is on sale for 50% off starting April 10 to the end of the month.


One and Two-Day "Rick's Backyard" Digital Photography Classes in Croton-On-Hudson, NY

If you like travel and outdoor photography, as well as Lightroom and Photoshop, I offer two ways to explore your creative vision in Croton-on-Hudson, NY - just about one hour north of New York City.

My one-day workshop on May 25 offers fast paced learning and fun.

My two-day workshops in June and October offer much more in-depth learning at a slower pace and with more time for personal attention – in the field and on your computer.

I hope you can come to Croton for what I call my "Rick's Backyard Workshops."

Explore the Light,
Rick