Finding the “Goodies” in Photoshop CS4

       As we move from earlier versions of Photoshop to new ones, we learn new tools and techniques to build on what we already know. Photoshop CS4 and CS4 Extended are no exception. Eventually, some of the older tools and filters will fade away as they make way for the newer streamlined workflows and effects. As we learn and get comfortable with the newer tools and interface, you my find that you sometimes miss the way you did a task in the past. I first noticed it in CS4 when I would stitch images together, I noticed there was a dialog box we had in earlier versions that was not there anymore that allowed individual control of the elements being stitched. I liked that extra step for complex compositing of images. After talking to the folks at Adobe, I found out that it was there and could be put back in…. It was there on my install disc all along with a bunch of other cool stuff that puts some the PS CS3 bells and whistles back into your PS CS4.       These plug-ins can be found on your PS CS4 install disk in the English folder. Inside of that folder is a “Goodies” folder containing lots of fun stuff to put back in your PS CS4. Besides the Photomerge extension, there is the older version of the Photo Web Gallery. I like the new procedure through the Adobe Bridge CS4, but I also like the older Photoshop version of Web Gallery as well. In the Goodies folder you have the older Web gallery can install and access from both the Tools/Photoshop Menu in Bridge CS4, or the File/Automate Menu in Photoshop CS4.       Other items you can install include the Extract Filter, the Pattern Maker and the Contact Sheet Plug-in. If you don’t have the install disc due to the original software being a downloaded version, you can find them on the Adobe Software Download site as well. You can’t just drag the whole thing into the PS CS4 Plug-in folder. There is an important read me file that comes with the plug-ins it that will tell you where to put each file. You really have to follow it to a letter. Directions are easy to follow for each plug-in. A few minutes of drag and drop files and you are ready to go….

Photoshop World Boston 2009

        Helene and I are back from Photoshop World #20. Hard to believe we have had 20 of them already. Attendance was a little down from others due to the tight economy, but it still was a busy show. I had all new programs this year and some that I had never done on stage before. Since I didn’t have a pre-con class this show, I helped Kevin Ames with his class running the computer for the live shoot everyone enjoyed seeing how make-up, prop-styling, and fashion photography all comes together at once. The theme this year is football, and we had some great moments of football fun at the opening keynote. Things moved pretty smoothly through the entire show. I taught a class on Photo Illustration for Advertising, Still Life Live Shoot, Creating the Perfect Panoramic Image, and Working with your Digital Photographer. Helene ran the portfolio review and taught a live shooting class on digital portraits. Then she taught her creativity class to a packed house in the trade show theater. On Thursday night I hosted the Art of Digital Photography panel where I share the stage with Jay Maisel, John Paul Caponigro, Joe Glyda and others to show a 15-minute presentation of my artwork. Always a lot of fun!

        Spent a bunch of time in the three story Apple store across the street from the conference center. They had the coolest glass spiral staircase… Took lots of pictures with my little Canon 870 to make some new montage abstract images.

         On Saturday Mark Maio and I had our first day long seminar under our new flag of The Digital Imaging Institute for Science and Medicine. We made or presentation to Boston area attendees at the Joslin Diabetes Center. We felt it went very well and got lots of great feedback to make each one we do better and better. Our next presentation will be in Atlanta at the Emory Eye Center on April 18th. Please feel free to pass along this info to any of your friends that have anything to do in the medical or scientific side of digital imaging.

        I had my first print competition at the state convention as a new member of the Professional Photographers of California this past month. I haven’t done one in a long time. Judging was pretty tough as they have very good photographers across the state. I was pleased to find in my returned case that I won EI Commercial Photographer of the Year and EI Illustrative Photographer of the Year. I have several different competitions I am working on now both for photography, and for the design of my new 20-page studio brochure that designer Mile Leidel of Steem created for me. (see the side bar link if you would like to download a copy of it) I am finally getting caught up at the studio so I can have time now to get another tutorial up...  I am working on new articles for Photoshop User and Professional Photographer magazine. Watch for those soon....