Need a photoshop specialist

[jennifercatron]

<p>I own and operate my own wedding photography business, but I have little to no experience in photoshop. Sure I can color correct, use the healing tool, do the simple stuff, but I want to turn my images into something much more... where do I find such masters of the art in photoshop?</p>

[david_schilling___chicago_]

<p>You might try Craiglist :-)</p>

<p>If you want to work on your own PS skills, consider joining NAPP: <a href="http://www.photoshopuser.com/">http://www.photoshopuser.com/</a> They've got several excellent training videos and offer day-long seminars across the country.</p>

[kelly_embry]

Moderator note: Website removed. Kelly is offering her assistance - Please click on her name for contact info

[savagesax]

<p>Go to the photoshop website and buy the learning DVD's from Julieanne Host, or google her. These teaching DVD's are geared for beginners and go through each step of Photoshop. It was the best money I ever paid. I actually review these DVD's when I've forgotten how to do something.</p>

<p><br /><a href="http://www.software-cinema.com/training/adobe-photoshop/julieanne-kost/1/comprehensive-photoshop-cs3?gclid=CIvUo439qJoCFRMUagodQkEI0w">Software Cinema | Photography and Photoshop Training - Training :: Adobe Photoshop :: Julieanne Kost :: Comprehensive Photosh...</a></p>

[david_schilling___chicago_]

<p>Note: She may be just looking to improve her final product and create an equitable division of labor in her studio.</p>

 

Mod Note: edited - Nothing wrong with this post - just took out references to a rude posting that assumed wrongly.

[William Michael]

On this thread: <a href="http://www.photo.net/wedding-photography-forum/00TGA5">http://www.photo.net/wedding-photography-forum/00TGA5</a> , I wrote "PS is one area where I am a novice - and have admitted that freely - my wedding files go to a women, who is a genius at it. I gotta learn more." <br>

<br>

And on this thread: <a href="http://www.photo.net/wedding-photography-forum/00TGUy">http://www.photo.net/wedding-photography-forum/00TGUy</a> , I wrote: "It is silly not to default to interpreting the written word <em><strong>literally, </strong></em>in circumstances, when the written word is the only means of communication. Some nuances or intentions are detected with symbols, like smiley faces, and others are noticed after consistently reading a particular person's writing style and understanding their phraseology or deviations from it."<br>

<br>

Both are applicable here.<br>

<br>

I actually know quite a bit about Photoshop, much more than many who hang a shingle and charge money for their work. But I do shoot Weddings on a contract basis for a Studio, and a woman is employed to PS the files – I work closely with her and I shoot to satisfy the final product – which is very high quality. So when I learnt something new about Digital and the PS treatment of it - I was (by my standards) a "novice" and I wrote that. I guess that because I am a bit verbose here, some would take my comment a bit tongue in cheek, which it was to some extent.<br>

[keithdunlop]

<p>I'm surprised no one else has mentioned this but . . . Photoshop is not the "right tool" for the simple stuff anymore. At least 90% of my primary post-processing tasks are now done in Lightroom 2.0 and the learning curve is much shallower than CS3. Download a trial of Lightroom and check it out. For the basic stuff like white balance, exposure, tone curve, B&W conversion, split toning, spot healing, etc., Lightroom is the bomb. I only use Photoshop anymore when I need to use layer masks and more complicated corrections, or when I want to apply certain plug-in filters.</p>

[markonestudios]

I do respect the fact that one can't be a jack of all trades. Just like in the film days, not every photographer was a master printer. I therefore identify with Jennifer's posting, in that she's looking to let the experts do their job. I am constantly developing my skills in photography and post-processing (Photoshop and Lightroom), but I would be fooling myself if I were to set up a photography business right now. I don't (yet) have the business-running skills in sufficient quantity to make it a success. So I would logically hire someone who has the business acumen while I stick to what I know best. Not that I would be totally clueless in the business aspects, just not as well-versed in them. I think it's a similar thing here...

<p>On a side note, I am using Lightroom more and more for my wedding photo post-processing, and Photoshop only for particular ones where I'm going after a very specific effect, or I need the pin-point control afforded by layers, etc...

[suzyq]

<p>Jennifer,<br>

You might try the Virginia Community College System. I found that a few courses in Digital Photo and Graphics helped me to make the transition from Film and Darkroom to Sesor and Softwear. I am over the mountains in the Valley but the state system is excellent and compares favorably to the upper level graduate courses I have taken.<br>

Susan</p>

[jennifercatron]

<p>Lightroom is what I use for 90% of my post processing, but I spend a lot more time on the portrait sessions that I do both the day of the wedding and the ones that I do before the wedding. For these I go a little more in depth, cleaning up the images, using layers to combine images etc. It's that 5% of my business that I realize I could be doing a better job on. Thanks for all your help out there, but I did find someone willing to teach me a little more than I know now. Especially when it comes to shooting in RAW.</p>

[luis_g]

<p> Some extremely successful photographers who generate sufficient income, and whose work allows for it, do not do their own post-processing.</p>

[Dave Luttmann]

<p>Odd Jennifer,</p>

<p>In one post you say you have little to no experience with Photoshop, and then right after you claim to know more than most and would put other photographers to shame. Rather than getting defensive, why don't you accept the fact that you don't know anything about photoshop, and simply hire an assistant that can handle the post processing for you....like others have suggested.</p>

<p>Of course, if what you do know about Photoshop would put many of us to shame.....then your problem is solved......do it yourself and don't attack others when you post threads that are contradictory.</p>

<p>Nice photography you have by the way.</p>

<p>Regards,</p>

[think27]

<p>MODERATOR NOTE: For those of you that have been following this thread... You will notice that it has been edited/cleaned up.</p>

<p>What I saw happen here was EXACTLY - why - we - don't want uncivil comments that are not at all helpful and attack a poster. Especially - when they don't have all the info. Furthermore - the person who started this should realize as has been pointed out that...</p>

<p>1) There are some fabulous photographers that don't have PS or have low PS skills</p>

<p>2) Next time it might be a good idea to ask or to look at the photographer's portfolio or website before jumpting to conclusions.</p>

<p>Civility please! We're here for newcomers and pros... Jennifer is not a newcomer - but even if she had - you can still caution people without being arrogant and uncivil. Honest - yes! Rude - NO</p>

[bill_clark___minnetonka_mi]

<p>During the film days, I could have others do the developing (processing) or do it in-house, with the printing done in-house or with a lab, usually the lab that developed the film. When the film was/is developed there isn't, in my humble opinion, a lot of creativity going on. Sure there are many types of film and developers, cross-processing that goes on but it's quite different with digital.<br /> The process stage of photography with digital I find can offer a stamp of creativity for the images I captured. I find that PS is a vital and integral part of my workflow. I'm constantly learning and amazed at some of the creativeness I see. In conjunction with PS are actions that can be bought, some are free and some can be written. <br /> My recommendation is to study PS. Use it to further enhance your creativity, offering images the average person can't/doesn't want to learn or take the time to make. <br /> Check out NAPP. Consider becoming a member. Attend workshops on PS. <br /> Competition is fierce with photography, especially if you want to make it your primary way of earning an income. Photoshop can help your brand and allow you to make images that distinguishes your work from the herd. This business is a moving target and what people wanted yesterday may not work today.</p>

<p>Hope this helps you!</p>

<p> </p>

[cathy_and_david_bock]

<p>PhotoDotEdit and Appointed Design, nuff said. :)</p>

[bobcossar]

<p>Rude? Nothing rude was said by me. Just an honest appraisal of the post and its implications.</p>

[cathy_and_david_bock]

<p>Also --- Though we do everything ourselves as far as editing is concerned, we only do as such because we're extremely fast and much faster than it would be to send it to someone else and have it back. I honestly believe that if someone takes more than 8-10 hours to edit a wedding they should be farming it out. Not because they can't but so that they can have their lives back and at the same time, get their product to their clients in a timely fashion. Many outsourcing companies will build their editing around the style you use. Most of the big names do it simply because they don't have time with all the seminars they do, etc. Don't be afraid OR ashamed if you need to outsource your work to someone. There IS NOTHING wrong with it.</p>