Image editng is about take on a whole new dimension. Adobe Photoshop CS5 is likely to be incorporating the sort of image manipulation facilities you could only dream of. Reports have the release date for this software pegged at some time in April. You can get all adobe info and products here: Adobe

If you are used to the Clone & Patch tools or even the Transform facility, on occaision, you will have had to spend a lot of time tidying up the joins and distortions you inadvertently create. In the video, you will see the answer to your prayers!

Hopefully, these functions will be incorporated into the latest and greatest version of the king of image editing software – Adobe Photoshop CS5. With Photoshop Talk, you will always find the latest on image editing, photo enhancements & digital photography.

Photoshop is evolving to a new level with the latest image enhancement and brush controls. Adobe Photoshop CS5 is likely to be incorporating the sort of paint facilities and manipulation resources you could only dream of. Reports have the release date for this software pegged at some time in April. You can get all adobe info and products here: Adobe

If you are used to the Clone & Patch tools or even the Transform facility, on occaision, you will have had to spend a lot of time tidying up the joins and distortions you inadvertently create. In the video, you will see the answer to your prayers!

The Adobe team seem pretty excited about all of this, as our team is here at Photoshop Talk. I reckon there is going to be a lot of CS5 upgrades as well as new purchases of this incredicble image enhancement system. Whether you are a graphic artist, digital photographer, scrap booker, professional or hobbyist thiese developments are going to be great fun.

For my part, I am first in line!

Shameless Photographers Will Survive
Many of the traditional promotional methods that photographers have used over the years are now killing them off! These techniques have become unbearably expensive & painfully ineffective. The net result has been the death nell of many quality High street businesses.
Through a lack of knowledge and resources many Pro Photographers were unable to respond in any meaningful way. Others have been absorbed into costly franchises, which in turn are having to evolve or disappear themselves. A few others though have prospered. Just one of the methods used is ’shameless ‘ self promotion. It is much easier than you think.
So what does this mean to you? If you want, you can avoid this ongoing flood of business demises and actually ride the rising tide of newer highly effective marketing methods. Become the recognized leader in your market place. Here is the HOW TO plus the Resources that you will need.

For more Go Here

Lies. LIes & More Damned Lies
What baloney! I remember the early 1990’s and all the wonderful expectations that the anticipated digital photographic revolution held in store. A very exciting time. Most of those expectations were surpassed years ago.
However, instead of more free time, I seem to have less. To counter this I have a real ‘must have’ treat for you. Adobe Photoshop is an amazing and vast tool. Along with its many and tempting pleasures comes the price of having to learn to use it!
I have decided to give you a treasure of mine. If used, you will save time and make more money; plus, you will have very happy customers singing your praises…in that order! Called the ‘60 Second EZ retouch’, it is a sophisticated & powerful Photoshop Action that is easy to use & comes complete with tutorials. Download it here

The Shape Of Things To Come

Have you ever wondered just what the ‘Next Big Thing’ might be? When it comes, are you going to let it sweep over you for you to suffer the consequences? Or have you already decided that you would rather be at the forefront? The challenge with this of course, is that who really knows where that forefront is? Or at least the bit of it that is going to make you money! Well the good news is that there are a few companies right now that are developing the products, services and fulfillment packages of the future. These are exciting times. This is just what you need…Find out more here.

The Best Posers Always Get The Cream
Its true! The best posers get the best sales – year on year. Portrait styles have changed across the years. Exciting, casual, fun, informal, contemporary and natural. These are the words that have replaced ‘traditional, formal & posed’. A good thing I hear you say. I could’nt agree more.
But…Also missing from so much portrait work that I see today is structure, balance, expression & artistic merit. The old ways are dead & long live the new. To take your portrait & wedding business forward you need the best of the posing basics. Outshine and outperform your competitors. Your customers will notice. Having tested many alternatives, you should go here for the the best posing guide I could come up with.

Image Styles That Consumers Want. Customers paid a $1,000 or more for each of these images

Easier said than done though, isn’t it? There are two main problems facing all photographers today.
The first is the global economy. As consumers tighten their belts, professional photography, often considered a luxury at such times in many of its niche markets, can be hard hit. This forces all Professionals to become leaner, meaner & far more competitive. It also forces ‘aspiring’ newbie pro’s to either become ever more innovative or to hang up their newly accquired equipment before they have really started.
The Risks
The second problem is that with so much information out their, which way do you go? How do you find the best techniques and styles that the end users, your customers, actually want? Which courses are actually going to give you the advantage you need? What if you make a huge investment in time and money, using up your valuable resources and then find that what you are doing is really a dead duck! Many of us have been there already!
The Solution
As a photographer myself, I knew that a fresh approach was needed. Also it was clear that for photographers to aim for their old goals of ‘making a living’ just wasn’t going to cut it anymore. Let’s face it, any ‘Joe’ with a digital camera can turn out pictures that are often good enough to satisfy family and friends. This means that the poor old pro has to work harder than ever at creating a real difference in service, customer care and finished results.
The Professional Photogrpahers difference.
But most importantly, it does not matter how great the photographers work is, if the customer can not see a tangible and worthwhile difference between what you are offering and what they can produce themselves, they won’t be back. Will they? This ‘digital’ thing really is a two edged sword.

On the other hand, if you are innovative; if you are genuinely excited at having them as customers; if you do for them what others can’t and if its stuff that they can get excited about too, then they will spend. They will refer others. They will come back for more! In no time at all  you could dominate your market place! That is the kind of target that is essential today. This kind of ‘outrageous & aspirational’ thinking is not for everyone. That’s fine, isn’t it? However, bear in mind that your nearest and dearest competitor is on his(or her)own way to dominate your market place right now.

Before you switch off your thinking, declaring that dominating your photogrpahic niche market is beyond you, realise this: It is easier than you think. It can be quicker than you think & the rewards will be better than you think!

For more go here

So you want to be a press photographer

If you fancy a ringside seat at newsworthy events from party conferences to chimpanzees tea parties, then the life of a press snapper might be for you

Words Roger Payne & Pictures by Paul Nicholls

Variety is the spice of life, so we’re told, and if it’s variety you seek in your photographic career then shooting for the press could well be your dream come true. In any given day you could be asked to illustrate stories as diverse as ‘Motorway crash carnage’ and ‘Beer drinking budgie baffles boffins’, applying the same level of photographic skill and professionalism to both jobs. It’s challenging, rewarding and stressful in equal measure and, as if that wasn’t enough, it’s also a very competitive industry to make your mark in.

Building a portfolio

Press photography is one of very few photographic disciplines where technical perfection is of secondary importance. Most picture editors would rather have a slightly blurred image of a famous celebrity in a compromising position or the aftermath of some freak weather conditions than no picture at all. For this reason, equipment doesn’t need to be cutting edge. Certainly, as you become established, there will be a need to upgrade equipment but don’t feel this is the be-all and end-all when you’re starting out.

What’s more important is you build up a strong portfolio that you can take along to picture editors. It goes without saying that this portfolio doesn’t want to be full of chocolate-box portraits and landscapes; such shots may prove your technical ability, but they won’t give any indication of how you react as a newsworthy scene unravels itself in front of you.

As you build said portfolio, you’re almost certainly going to take some shots that will be newsworthy and you can always approach newspapers with these images. The key here is to react quickly and get your shots to the picture desk as soon as possible. Make sure that you have all the relevant details (email address or phone number) of the picture desk with you at all times so you can submit shots almost as soon as you’ve taken them. The time it takes you to get back home to submit a photograph could give someone else enough time to send in his or her own picture.

Novice photography tips, hints and advice

Ever dreamed of working as a professional photographer, but don’t know where to start? Or perhaps you need some confidence and hand-holding while you make the leap and change career direction. In either case – read on!

Starting out as a pro isn’t easy, no matter how talented you are with a camera. In some areas of the job, aspects like access are important. With others it’s direct marketing or relationships with picture editors. Then there are the business aspects that all self-employed photographers must be aware of – tax, VAT, accounting, etc.

Sounds daunting? Well, don’t be put off. The advice you’ll find in this section will help, and if what you are looking for isn’t here, then you’ll most likely find the starting point for where to look. And don’t forget that you can always seek advice in our forums too buy asking established professional photographers for their experiences. The most important thing to realise is that you are not alone!