I am really looking forward to Photoshop World. I have a ton of new classes that I am giving, so if you’re coming (or thinking of coming) I can promise you some great stuff.

Building an Electronic Portfolio (Using DVD, Slide Software, and Web Galleries)
w/ Richard Harrington
Looking to expand your portfolio? This in-depth class will teach you how to create dynamic electronic portfolios. Learn how to prepare your images for the screen, then take them to new places with the web, DVD, and presentation software. This session will help you show your portfolio to more people with less expense.

Creative Animation with the Puppet Tool
with Richard Harrington
Looking to create animation from photos? Learn how to combine layered Photoshop files with After Effects Puppet Tool to quickly add natural motion. You can bend, warp, and animate both raster images and vector graphics, including still images, shapes, and text characters. In this session, you'll learn creative possibilities for creating animated elements for use in video and multimedia projects.

Advanced Motion Control 3D
with Richard Harrington
Clients, Producers, and After Effects Artists alike have fallen in love with bringing pictures to life. Want to learn how to create movement "within" a photo? This popular class has been fully updated to show you even more techniques for using Photoshop files for creative story telling. Learn how to use 3D cameras, lights, particles, and the Vanishing Point feature to create exciting animations that capture the imagine and engage your audience.

Creative Chroma Keying
with Richard Harrington
The use of green-screen and blue-screen is a popular technique for both video and film special effects. In this informative session you'll learn how to create virtual environments from photos, then key your video using Photoshop or After Effects. A special emphasis will be placed upon using After Effects' powerful keying technology like Keylight as well as strategies to help with the production of the chromakey shoot.

To help you plan your trip, try this interactive planner.

This is part 3 in a series on making great-looking lower thirds with Photoshop.

#6 – Layer Styles are your friend

While everyone knows about filters, many miss layer styles (or effects in older versions). These real-time effects combine good looks with speed and flexibility. When building titles, they are the way to go. You can use styles for shadows, glows, bevels, textures and more. Best of all they are stored within the document and can be easily modified.

Check out the following sites for more on Actions
http://www.actionfx.com
http://www.deepspaceweb.com
http://www.toolsfortelevision.com
http://www.webteknique.com

If your edit system supports layered files, you’ll have to flatten your layer styles if you want to import the PSD document. I usually do this on a copy of the project, so I can go back to the original and make changes. The following steps can be saved as an action. Highlight the styled layer; then record the following action.

1. Create a new layer and name it Flat. (It will be created by default right above selected layer.)
2. Press Option+[ (Alt+[) to select the layer below to be flattened.
3. Link to the layer named Flat.
4. Choose merge linked from the palette’s submenu.
5. Press STOP. (You can choose Option (Alt)+Merge Linked instead for targeted flattening).

#7 – Make it Readable

Video type needs to be big. When you are sitting less than two-feet away from your computer screen, 20 –point type looks great. When you are sitting 20+ feet away from the television, it’s worthless. Use bigger type. Here’s a simple test.

1. Choose View> Actual Pixels.
2. Press the F key twice to go to Full-Screen mode.
3. Press Tab to hide your palettes.
4. Stand up from your computer and look at it from the far corner of the room. How’s it look?
5. Press the F key and tab to return to normal.

#8 – Make it See Through

Okay, you’re almost done. You just need to save the graphic for your edit system. Te best way to make sure everything comes in properly is to use a single layer graphic with an alpha channel. Depending on your edit system, you may need a PICT file or a TARGA file (check your owner’s manual).

There are several methods for creating alpha channels. In my opinion, this is the fastest and easiest.

1. Turn off all layers you don’t want in the final graphic (including the background or placement image). Create a new (empty layer) and highlight it.
2. Hold down the Option (Alt) key, choose Merge Visible. A composite layer is now created.
3. Turn this layer off by clicking on the Eye icon.
4. Hold down the Cmd (Ctrl) key and click on the layer name in the layer’s palette. The marching ants should encircle the layer.
5. Switch to the Channels palette and click on the Save Selection as Channel button. Only have 1 alpha channel per document or your NLE will get confused.
6. Choose File>Save As to Save A Copy as a PICT or TARGA with an alpha channel included. Photoshop 7 users who need TARGA files should download the free update to fix a bug with transparency

In case you’ve neverr had a chance to go, here’s a quick look at all things Photoshop World. The event is a ton of fun and a chance to get some of the best instruction available.

For the second year in a row, I'll be coming back to Europe to offer training. I'll be speaking at the NAB European Post-Production Conference on a variety of topics.

Sunday 26 October 2008

• Producing Video Podcasts: Key Lessons Learned

Monday 27 October 2008

• Creating a Graphic Identity for Your New Media Projects
• Compressing Audio and Video for Web Delivery
• Getting it Live: Multicam Techniques

Tuesday 28 October 2008

• A Sense of Perspective with Vanishing Point
• Seeing a New Light: Final Cut Pro Color Correction

Wednesday 29 October 2008

• Creating Graphics for Avid Editing Systems
• Get the Most from After Effects CS3

If you're based in Europe, I hope you can come by.

The schedule for the new Photoshop World has been announced and I am very excited.. I'll be teaching four brand new classes that I hop you all will enjoy.

Building an Electronic Portfolio (Using DVD, Presentation Software, and Web Galleries)
Looking to expand your photography or design portfolio? This in-depth class will teach you how to create dynamic electronic portfolios to showcase your work. Learn how to prepare your images for the screen, then take them to new places such as the Internet, DVD, and Presentation software.  This session will help you show your portfolio to more people with less expense.  If your looking for easy and innovative ways to showcase your work, don't miss this important pre-conference session.

Creative Animation with the Puppet Tool
Looking to create animation from photos?  Learn how to combine layered Photoshop files with After Effects Puppet Tool to  quickly add natural motion.  You can bend, warp, and animate both raster images and vector graphics, including still images, shapes, and text characters.  In this session, you'll learn creative possibilities for creating animated elements for use in video and multimedia projects.  

Advanced Motion Control 3D
Clients, Producers, and After Effects Artists alike have fallen in love with bringing pictures to life. Want to learn how to create movement "within" a photo?  This popular class has been fully updated to show you even more techniques for using Photoshop files for creative story telling.  Learn how to use 3D cameras, lights, particles, and the Vanishing Point feature to create exciting animations that capture the imagine and engage your audience.

Creative Chromakeying
The use of green-screen and blue-screen is a popular technique for both video and film special effects.  In this informative session you'll learn how to create virtual environments from photos, then key your video using Photoshop or After Effects.  A special emphasis will be placed upon using After Effects' powerful keying technology like Keylight as well as strategies to help with the production of the chromakey shoot.

The conference is September 3-6 in Las Vegas... be sure to check it out!

Thanks to all the great people who attended my classes at NAB this year. It was a ton of work to prep (and I must admit I needed some rest when I got back home). As promised, the class notes and resources have been posted to the Handouts section (be sure to browse for other resources as well).

Here's the list of what's available.

01 Fast Start with Adobe Photoshop for Video Pros – Slides | Book Sample
02 Video Podcasting Essentials – Slides
03 Selling Podcasting to Your Clients – Slides
04 A Sense of Perspective with Vanishing Point – Slides | Practice Files
05 Creating Movement within Photos with After Effects CS3 – Slides | Practice Files 1 | Practice Files 2
06 Directing Video Podcasts – Slides
07 Project Management for Video Pros – Slides
08 In-Depth: Video Production for the Web – Slides
09 Creating a Graphic Identity for Your Web Video – Slides
10 Render Faster: Wait Less and Play More in Adobe After Effects – Slides
11 Storyboard Techniques with Adobe Photoshop – Slides
12 Creative and Animated DVD menus using Photoshop – Handouts
13 Automating Broadcast Design with Photoshop – Slides
14 Seeing a New Light: FCP Color Correction – Slides | DVD

Going to Photoshop World next week? If so I hope to catch up.

Here’s my teaching schedule.

Wednesday, April 2
04:45p-05:45p Building Your Portfolio Online

Thursday, April 3
Motion Graphics Track
08:15a-09:15a Put Your Portfolio on DVD
10:45a-11:45a Typography in Motion
06:00p-07:00p Motion Control 3D, an Introduction

Looking for some great training on post production, podcasting, or new media? I'll be speaking at several conferences located at this year's NAB conference.


Choose the training you need at NAB Show 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada:

Podcasting Summit    April 11 - 13
This is a can’t miss conference for podcasting professionals and anyone interested in diving into this evolving content delivery method.

New Media 2.0 - Creating and Delivering New Media to New Audiences    April 14 - 15
This new conference is designed for content creators looking to harness the power of the Internet for increased distribution and new audiences.

Post|Production World Conference    April 11 - 16
The largest event of its kind anywhere, this conference delivers high-level training on the latest production and post-production techniques and software.

Producer | Director Workshop    April 11 - 13
This new conference is designed for those content creators who are charged with managing and developing content. Learn new techniques for planning and managing successful video and new media projects.

The World's Best Instructors Coming To Orlando
Get instruction and inspiration from more than 40 of the most recognized and respected names in the industry.With more than 100 class sessions, and learning tracks dedicated to everything from photography and graphic art, to motion graphics and Web design, Photoshop World has something for you.
For a complete list of instructors, learning tracks, and class sessions, visit www.photoshopworld.com.

I'll be going to all of Macworld conference this year. I have several classes on iWork, iLife, Photoshop, and Podcasting. I also have a lot of free time to network and mingle. Here's my Macworld page for those of you coming who'd like a chance to socialize or trade tips.

http://macworldexpo.ning.com/profile/RichardHarrington

The new schedule for Photoshop World Conference & Expo is posted. Visit the updated website to see the offerings. The conference is to be held in Orlando, FL on April 2-4, 2008. Here’s the link. I'll be teaching a few classes on the show floor (which are free) as well as these great classes on using Photoshop for video and multimedia.

Motion Graphics Track:

• Put Your Portfolio on DVD
• Motion Control 3D
• Typography in Motion

I wanted to let you all know about a great training conference coming up, the Editors Retreat. I've been to this event five times now and it is fantastic. It's a chance to network and learn from the bet editors in the business. It is truly an amazing event and I encourage you to have a look.

Here are some sessions I look forward to attending.

• Scene it: Color Correction as a Storytelling Tool – Steve Hullfish
• Keynote Presentation – Oscar-nominated Editor, Sally Menke
• Everything You Need to Know About Audio – Coll Anderson
• Your Professional Future: What To Do in The Next Year to Stay Ahead –Bob Donlon
• Keynote Presentation – Emmy-nominated Editor, David Helfand

I recently had the pleasure of speaking at the 2007 European Radio Conference presented by the National Association of Broadcasters. The event was held in Barcelona, Spain and was a lot of fun. I presented two sessions and a panel along with the talented David Lawrence. For those who intended (and other interested parties) you can download the notes here.

Podcast Compression Techniques

Beyond Audio – Using Enhanced Audio and Video in your Podcast Feed

I just had a great time at the New York Post|Production conference. For three days media pros gathered in New York movie house for the latest in digital media tools. I had the opportunity to teach a lot of new classes as well as show some of my favorite techniques. Here's the notes and a few demo files to play with.

01 Photoshop CS3 for Motion Graphics and Video | Book | DVD Available
02 Apple and Adobe – A Great Toolbox | Project X | Resizer Template
03 Beat the AE Render Queue
04 Media Management in Final Cut Pro | DVD Available
05 How to Sell Podcasting Services to Your Clients
06 Things You Might Not Know About After Effects CS3 | Puppet Tool Files | Vanishing Point Files
07 Multicam Editing Strategies in Final Cut Pro
08 Field Production Strategies for Video Podcasting
09 Creating a Graphical Identity for Your Video Podcasts (enhanced PDF)
10 Motion Control 3D | Demo Files | VPE Demo
11 Advanced Color Correction in Final Cut Pro | DVD Available

I just got back from the wonderful Editors Retreat in South Beach, Florida. There was a lot to learn and it was a great chance to see old friends and make new ones. As promised, here are additional notes from my classes.
 
• Photoshop Automation Techniques
• Boutique Owners Business Track

Thanks for being patient (its been a whirlwind of CES, Macworld, and family time).
I finally have the majority of my CES Handouts online. You can access them here or in the Conference Handouts section.

01 Creating Dynamic Presentations with PowerPoint 2007
02 Planning your Digital Video Project
03 Using Rich Media to Attract Customers
04 Blogging and Podcasting PDF | Audio
05 Photos and Video on the Web | Video Notes

Enjoy!

Looking for some free training? The folks from DV Expo have put up one of my classes on Designing HD Graphics. The class is streaming video and it also has the slides synchronized and shots of the HD Graphics I design for the crowd. The class was taught at DV Expo West back in November, but you can take it for free. You'll need to register, but that only take 45 seconds and again... it's free. Be sure to set some time aside (this is a 2.5 hour class). Fortunately there are chapter points and you can digest it in pieces. Plus there are many other great classes there including legal issues facing creatives, Flash video, and video camera tips.

Enjoy!

Looking for some training in the latest digital media tools and trends? Then stop by the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. There are classes from January 8-10 with lots of great topics to catch up on. I've got classes on making great presentations using both PowerPoint and Keynote, as well as harnessing the power of online media with podcasting and rich media. Plus there’s that whole world's biggest trade show thing to attend. Hope to see some of you there.

Date Time Session Title
1/8/2007 9:00 AM Creating Dynamic Presentations with PowerPoint 2007
1/8/2007 2:30 PM Planning your Digital Video Project
1/9/2007 9:00 AM Creating Dynamic Presentations with Apple Keynote
1/9/2007 4:00 PM Using Rich Media to Attract Customers
1/10/2007 10:30 AM Blogging and Podcasting: What it Means to You (and Your Customers)
1/10/2007 2:30 PM Photos and Video on the Web: Putting your Digital Media Online
1/10/2007 4:00 PM Web Technology Demystified: Harnessing the Power of Flash Video, PDF

To those who attended, sorry for the short delay in getting my final notes up. Friday turned into a day of recovery, but you'll now find all of the notes posted. While you are in the handout section, feel free to poke around and look at other resources. You'll find lots of ideas that will help you out with projects.

If you wanted to take advantage of our DVD discount (10% off at VASST.com) be sure to enter the code GVEXPO at check out.

If you attended our classes at DV Expo in LA, you'll want to check out the PhotoshopforVideo.com Conference Handouts section. We had four great classes including the hot topic of podcasting. We shared our experiences of creating video podcasts with the crowd and tried to educate and inspire the audience to try it for themselves. Check out the handouts for yourself.

I've posted conference notes from my sessions at NAB New York. If you attended any of my classes, be sure to have a look. Even if you didn't attend, you might find the resources useful. The two most popular classes were Color Correction for Final Cut Pro and Motion Control 3D. If you couldn't attend (or want to go deeper) both of these have DVDs available from VASST.com.

If you'll be in New York City this week, be sure to say hi. I'll be speaking at the NAB New York conference this week on a variety of topics. Classes aren't free (but the tradeshow is for advanced registration). You can also get a one-session free pass by stopping by the Future Media Concepts booth.

Here's my class schedule if you're coming to the conference.


Monday - October 23rd
10:00 - 1:00 Fast Start with Adobe Photoshop CS2
2:00 - 5:00 Fast Start with Adobe Photoshop CS2 for Video

Tuesday - October 24th
9:00 - 10:15 Automating Photoshop CS2 for a Video Workflow
12:30 - 1:30 When Multicam Shoots Go Right (and Wrong)

Wednesday - October 25th
1:45 - 3:00 HD Loops: Creative Looping Backgrounds
4:45 - 6:00 Interfaces in Motion – Bringing Web Pages to Life

Thursday - October 26th
9:00 - 10:15 Essential Color Correction Concepts
12:45 - 2:00 Motion Control 3D: How to Create Movement within a Photo
2:15 - 3:30 Word Play: Title Design Workshop

The Editor's Retreat has announced even more speakers and sessions.

• The Evolving Role of the Editor
• State of the Union by Avid, Apple, & Adobe
• Power Tools - Photoshop Automation, Small Format Tips: iPods and Beyond
• Color Grading Theory and Techniques
• Business Track: Freelancers, Boutique Owners, Facility Managers

 
Speakers who've been added that we know and work with:
 

• Steve Bayes
• David Bigelow
• Christopher Phrommayon
• Marcus Geduld
• Abba Shapiro
• Yan Shvalb

The Editors Retreat is an unparalleled industry event, exclusive to highly experienced editors of film, TV and video. To ensure that only the best of the best attend, participation is subject to an application and screening process by a committee of peers. Running for 5 days and 4 nights, the Retreat will only be open to approximately 75 qualified applicants.

The Retreat’s focus will be evenly split between high-end technical sessions and ‘the world behind the timeline’ – the creativity and the craft of the editor, and the business of creating a thriving editing career. Presenters include award-winning editors and icons from the editing world, alumni of previous FMC ‘Master Editor’ programs and known industry power users.

I'll be at the Podcast and Portable Media Expo next week in California. This two day event is all about podcasting and the such. If you plan to attend, I'd love to catch up. I'll be sure to bring back a report on all that I learn. I'll also be filing reports for Inside Media Networks and will add links as the stories go online. The event will be held September 29 & 30 in Ontario, California (not far from LA). Hope to see some of you there.

As Photoshop World winds down, its time for homework. Be sure to check out the conference handout section for extra notes and practice files. If you took a class with me, I hope you enjoyed. Have fun and keep learning.

One of the most influential events I've ever attended was Avid's Master Editor Workshop series. But it appears that the workshop has gone the way of Umatic tape machines. The replacement? A new event called the Editors Retreat. This is truly a retreat, in that editors come to live together and learn (did I mention the living part happens in South Beach in January). The event runs for 5 days and 4 nights, and is open to approximately 75 qualified applicants. The Retreat’s focus focusses on high-end technical sessions and ‘the world behind the timeline’ – the creativity and the craft of the editor. Other classes delve into the business side as well. Its a great learning opportunity and worth checking out.

If you couldn't make it to SIGGRAPH, be sure to check out these great video reports. Over at the Digital Production Buzz, you'll find several video podcasts with the newsmakers at SIGGRAPH. Additionally, you'll find additional podcasts from NAB and E3. You can subscribe to this occasional feed of video-of-interest here.

Hope to see some of you at Photoshop World in Las Vegas. If you plan to attend, I hope to see some of you there. Here's my teaching schedule for those who'd like to catch up.

Thursday – September 7
Do No Harm - Non-Destructive Color Correction
NAPP Expo Theatre – 03:30-04:30 pm

Help Desk Live
Various Times

Friday – September 8
Your Photoshop is in My After Effects
Motion Graphics Track – 09:30 -10:30 am

Podcasting for Educators
Peachpit Expo Theater – 12:00-12:40 pm

Photoshop in the Classroom
Peachpit Expo Theater – 2:00 - 2:40 pm

Typography in Motion
Motion Graphics Track – 4:00 - 5:00 pm

Motion Control 3D
Motion Graphics Track – 5:15 - 6:15 pm

Planning on coming to Photoshop World in Vegas? Even if you can't attend the whole conference, you should check out the trade show floor. The Photoshop World Expo floor will be open to the public on on September 7th. The event is held at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and is a great chance to catch up on the latest in digital photography and digital imaging.

You can come check out many different vendors as well as attend free educational sessions. You can get your free pass by signing up in advance or you'll have to pay $20.00 at the door.

For those of who work in Sports media (or if you live near Las Vegas), you should attend the C4-Sports conference. The event is billed as an explosive vision of sport. The conference is aimed towards those working for professional and collegiate sports teams, sports media experts in production, editing, content creation, and distribution, and IT and communication professionals from sporting arenas, stadiums, and facilities. They will explore state-of-the-art media technology solutions designed to improve performance, create revenue-generating opportunities, and increase profits

Richard Harrington will be teaching three conference sessions as well as two free classes on the trade show floor.