PhotoShop Elements™ is the baby sister of PhotoShop™. It costs $99 instead of $600 and has a MUCH flatter learning curve. I will be offering three workshops on consecutive Saturdays in October.

October 16. Introduction to Elements Tools
October 23. Basic Photo Editing
October 30. Two Photo Projects for the Holidays.

Lewiston High School Senior, Jordan Handy, is working toward a future as a chef. So we included photos in his senior pictures that reflect that dream.

Don’t be embarrassed. You’re not alone. Many, many, many people go around snapping photos like crazy without having the any idea as to the capabilities of their camera.

I will help you take that next BIG step!

You will leave the class knowing much more about YOUR camera and having taken many practice photos.

Saturday, October 2
9:00-12:00
Androscoggin Chamber of Commerce
415 Lisbon St., Lewiston
$25

This class is limited to 20 people! So contact me quickly to reserve your space.

You MUST have:

• your camera
• freshly charged battery

It will be helpful if you have:

• your camera manuel
• an empty storage card

• Special event
• Too many years without a family photo
• Business
• Something Fun

I recently did a multi-need session for a client (who happens to be my daughter) opening a new business.

• Headshots
• Web Photos
• Something Fun!

What would that organizational structure look like?

How would that organization support itself?

Do you know of such organizations in Maine or other pats of the world?

Is such an organization needed?

All balloon launches will go up successfully!

Preparation have been underway for weeks. I personally have appreciated the grounds keeping efforts alone the river to clear tall grass and weeds so that we can all see the balloons touch down. (Shiloh appreciates it on our morning walks for other reasons.)

There are many activities all weekend, but the favorite is always the morning and evening balloon launches. We expect many to join the fun on the river in their canoes and kayaks.

Bring your cameras. The photo contest is always VERY popular. I like to snap the balloons, but as usual, the people are my favorite subjects.

Come Enjoy!!!

Mark your calendar!!
Photoshop Elements Webinar Series.

Tuesdays, September 26 – November 16. 9:00PM Eastern.
1 hour sessions. $10 per session or $50 for the series.

Every time I speak to a group about photography, I am asked if I teach Photoshop classes. The answer is always the same. NO!

I live in Photoshop! I use Photoshop everyday and can not imagine my life without Photoshop. But for the majority of digital photo enthusiasts, Photoshop is NOT your application. Why?

1. It is too expensive for most hobbyists. ($699 Photoshop CS5)
2. The learning curve is very steep.

So what should you use if you want to dive into editing your digital photos and creating scrap book pages or greeting cards? Adobe Photoshop Elements.

1. It is easily affordable. ($99 Photoshop Elements 8 )
2. It is easy to learn.

Webinars are a TERRIFIC way to learn and reinforce your new skills.

• You do not have to leave home.
• You will have an opportunity to ask questions (by email).
• You will have fun getting useful information that you want.

More details are coming. So check back soon or email to get on the list.

I am working on a series of community activity photos in the style of Norman Rockwell.

The Rockwell Saturday Evening Post magazine covers are fascinating as both art work and a look into the small community that Rockwell called home. I am working to create a series about my community in Auburn-Lewiston, Maine. Like Rockwell, I am starting with photographs of people and events that will be part of my story. Unlike Rockwell, I am not a painter or illustrator. I am a photographer who wants my images to look more like illustrations.

Rockwell-like photo illustration by Mainely Portrait Photography.

This gets into the “to Photoshop or not to Photoshop” debate (using Photoshop as a verb).

I LOVE PHOTOSHOP!!

It has opened a whole new world of creativity for me. I do not mean the world of running one action or filter to create an illustration effect. The process that I am learning and trying to perfect is very time consuming and teaching me many of the skills that “traditional” artists learn in art school.

Mixing colors. Using different brushes for different effects. The texture of the medium that you paint on. Layering different media. Creating realistic shadows. And on and on. One of the reasons that I am so fascinated by Photoshop is that I can experiment until my heart’s content and always undo my mistakes. In many, many ways it is easier than painting in the traditional sense that my good friend Gloria does. In other ways it is just as complex and certainly takes as much time and commitment to learn.

So I do not have an image from the series that I am ready to show you. But I will show you part of an image that I created this spring. It is my interpretation of Rockwell’s Gossip. I call it Gossip, Jr.

I should have enough of Paddling finished next week to give you a glimpse. Until then:

the best camera to use is the one closest at hand.

We have more than 30 people signed up for the LA Photowalk AND the weather predictions are in our favor!! (Last year we walked in pouring rain.)

This is such a great event. We get to meet a lot of photographers to share tips, ask questions, and see each others photos. And it isn’t over that day. Within a week thousands of photos are posted to the World Wide Photowalk site. And there are so many truly amazing photos from all over the world. I will be posting a link so that those who do not walk with us will be able to see the photos of downtown Auburn that are taken Saturday morning.

Thank you Holly for opening early for us Saturday morning! (She will be open at 7:30 for those who want an early coffee and bite to eat.)

If you want to join us Saturday, there is still time to sign up.

One of the most frequently asked questions is “Do you use Photoshop?” YES! I love Photoshop!!

It’s a toss up as to where I want to spend my time: behind the camera or in front of the computer. I so enjoy the artistic possibilities that Photoshop has opened for me and have invested thousands of hours learning and playing with the software. I still don’t feel that I’ve learned enough. That’s part of the draw for me…always finding something new to learn.

A follow up question is often “Do you teach Photoshop classes?” NO! Photoshop is not a software package for most people. It’s too complex and too expensive for anyone but the professional or advanced hobbiest who has lots of time to devote to learning.

PhotoElements is the software that I always recommend. Another Adobe product, PhotoElements has all of the features that scrap bookers, family photographers, bloggers, and new digital artists will want. And it is usually under $99.

I’ve taught many classes using PhotoElements and never had a disappointed student. You can change the size of photos, crop, create layers, change colors, correct under exposed images and color aberrations, make cards, brochures, scrapbook pages and in general have a wonderful time exploring the wonder of digital photo manipulation. If you get really serious about your photography and digital art, then you can take the plunge into Photoshop and your learning curve will not be nearly so steep.

Another often overlooked alternative for photo correction and manipulation is the software that comes with your digital camera. Too many people overlook that CD that’s packed with the camera (or the info to a free download). This is software specific to your camera. Entry level. Easy to use. Basics like resizing and color correction. Sometimes more.

Read and explore everything that comes in your camera box. You will be pleasantly surprised by the world that is opened to you.

What software are you using to edit and manipulate your digital images?