Editors Retreat Returns

Monday, July 14, 2008

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.

Create a new layer and name it Flat. (It will be created by default right above selected layer.)
Press Option+[ (Alt+[) to select the layer below to be flattened.
Link to the layer named Flat.
Choose merge linked from the palette’s submenu.
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.

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

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.
Hold down the Option (Alt) key, choose Merge Visible. A composite layer is now created.
Turn this layer off by clicking on the Eye icon.
Hold down the Cmd (Ctrl) key and click on the layer name in the layer’s palette. The marching ants should encircle the layer.
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.
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

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Making Your Photos Look Great On DVD & More!

Monday, July 07, 2008

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I was interviewed by MacEditionRadio.com about Photoshop and creating a portfolio. Here it is.. enjoy.

“At the 2007 Photoshop World in Las Vegas, I sat down with Peachpit Press and Focal Press author Richard Harrington, and we discussed the issues involved in creating DVDs that make your photographs look their best. If you have ever been confused about the proper resolution to prepare files for DVD, television, or video projection, then Richard’s Tips and Tricks will fill in the blanks! Rich is the author of “Photoshop for Video”, and “Understanding Adobe Photoshop: Digital Image Concepts and Techniques.” and if you are working with digital photography, Photoshop, or Lightroom, and need to show others your photos then listen in to this interview! Recorded at the National Association of Photoshop Professionals Photoshop World Conference, in Las Vegas, in September 2007 by Harris Fogel. Posted 6/28/08 (24:09)”

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100 UAP - Vanishing Point - Understanding Adobe Photoshop

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Instructor Richard Harrington explains how to use vanishing point to repair an image with perspective in mind in the 100th episode of Understanding Adobe Photoshop.

Like the podcast? Subscribe for FREE.
Want more training? Check out our Books.

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21 Years of Apple Evolution

Saturday, March 15, 2008

When I look at what Apple has accomplished its been an interesting journey. The company has released a ton of great products (and also a few clunkers). I have found a great image that lets you see much of the product line laid out chronologically. After all, you can't get to the great Mighty Mouse without first passing the "hockey puck."

It really is pretty interesting to see the "big" picture. Be sure to click on the graphic so you can zoom in and view.

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Aperture 2 – What's in it for You?

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Forgive the short blog posts... I'm a little busy for the next two weeks finishing this:

“Fully updated for Aperture 2, this comprehensive book-DVD training combo starts with the basics of image management and takes you step by step all the way through Aperture's powerful photo-editing, image-retouching, proofing, publishing, and archiving features. Aperture 2's new features are completely covered, including a new RAW-image processing engine, a streamlined interface, powerful new adjustment tools, and added integration with Mac OS X and other Apple products for instant web publishing and one-click portfolio syncing. Apple Pro Training Series: Aperture 2 delivers comprehensive training - the equivalent of a two-day course - in one project-based book. You'll learn time-saving techniques for sorting, ranking, and organizing images, effective methods for correcting and enhancing images, plus efficient ways to display images for client review, apply metadata, update your online portfolio automatically, and much more. Real-world exercises feature professional photography from a variety of genres, including photo-journalism, sports, wedding, commercial, and portraiture. All the files you need to complete the exercises are included on the DVD.”

And by fully-updated... its a completely new book with all-new photos and a ton of cool new things.

In the meantime... check out these free online videos and my review: Top 10 Reasons To Upgrade to Aperture 2.

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Adobe Photoshop CS3 ACE Exam Available

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Think you know Photoshop? Want to prove it? Then pass the Adobe Certified Expert Exam. The Adobe Certified Expert exams are now available for much of the Creative Suite 3 product line including the Photoshop CS3 re-certification and ACE exams. You'll find additional information including Preparation Guides on the Adobe site. Prices are $50 for re-certification and $150 for the ACE exams.

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Educators Scholarships to Photoshop World

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Photoshop World Conference & Expo – April 2-4, 2008 – Orlando, Fl
The National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP), today announced a call for nominations for its third annual Dean Collins Educational Scholarship for 2008. The Dean Collins Educational Scholarship is awarded annually to one high school or college educator nominated by his/her student(s) to provide the recipient an opportunity to attend NAPP’s annual convention – Photoshop World Conference & Expo. The scholarship also includes round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, a one-year NAPP membership, and subscription to Photoshop User magazine.

The deadline to submit nominations for the Dean Collins Educational Scholarship is Friday, February 29, 2008.

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Useful Article on Photoshop Automation

Friday, November 16, 2007

I just gave a useful class (at least people there thought it was) on Automating Photoshop. We touched on Actions, Scripts, Droplets, and Automation commands. I have a few notes pulled together on the topic and wanted to share them here.

• Photoshop Automation Techniques

If you want a lot more on using Photoshop for Video, be sure to check out the book Photoshop for Video from Focal Press.

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European Radio Conference

Friday, November 09, 2007

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

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Want to Win Some Free Photo Gear? Then Check Out the $1,000 Question.

Saturday, November 03, 2007

Peachpit Press is running a new contest featuring the $1,000 question. It's a simple question "What equipment and software would you recommend to a budding digital photographer if they had a $1000 budget to get started?" Peachpit gathered six experts (somehow I was one, you'll find me doing my best Las Vegas lounge singer impression).

You vote for the best answer (pick me) and a chance to win the prizes.

The contest:
Go to peachpit.com/1000dollarquestion and vote for your favorite digital photography package—compiled by our author experts. You’ll be automatically entered for a chance to win the package that you vote for. We’ll choose one winner out of all entries.

Contest ends December 31, 2007.

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Free Online Seminar at Adobe.com – Sign Up for Your Spot

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Adobe is offering a free class that you can take on using Photoshop with their video products. It's a live online seminar and I highly encourage you to sign up in advance.

EVENT DESCRIPTION: Working with Photoshop Extended to use with Premiere Pro and After Effects
Join Richard Harrington, author of Photoshop for Video and Understanding Adobe Photoshop, contributing author for After Effects On the Spot, After Effects at Work, and Broadcast Graphics on the Spot, to learn how to prepare your digital images for video. Using the best professional techniques, bring your still images to life using Adobe Premiere Pro CS3 and Adobe After Effects CS3. Richard is also the host of the weekly show, Photoshop for Video and runs a blog with the same name at www.PhotoshopforVideo.com.
When: Thursday, November 15, 2007 10:30 AM-12:00 PM (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada).
Where: online & telephone
Sign Up: www.adobe.com/go/dveseminars

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Great Tutorial on Putting AE to a DVD

Thursday, February 15, 2007

Do you need to get your After Effects project onto a DVD for others to view? Bob Donlon (a video evangelist at Adobe) offers a great tutorial on his blog. Bob shows you in detailed steps how to take an AE composition and create an auto-play DVD (one without menus that just works). This is a great timesaver and I strongly encourage you to check it out (as well as the other great stuff on his blog).

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Conference Notes from Editors Retreat

Monday, January 29, 2007

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

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CES Handouts are Now Online

Monday, January 15, 2007

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!

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Free Online Class on Designing HD Graphics

Sunday, January 07, 2007

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!

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Photoshop for Video Forum Launches

Saturday, January 06, 2007

Well after a few weeks off, I have re-enterred the role of online forum host. I have partnered with the great folks over at DV Magazine and DV.com to bring you a new interactive forum. This is a great place to share ideas, ask questions, and meet up with others who share a passion for all things pixels. The forum is totally free, you can access it by clicking the forum button in the menu bar above or through this direct link.

I hope you enjoy this new service and feel free to drop me a line with comments or suggestions.

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New Photoshop CS3 Online Learning Center

Saturday, December 16, 2006

The great folks over at Photoshop User Magazine have launched an online learning center for the new Photoshop CS3 beta. You'll find great articles, interviews, and video tutorials on the latest technology development. I particularly liked Scott Kelby's Top 10 list and interview with John Nack, the Photoshop product manager.

These guys have good stuff and can be commended for making the bulk of it free to new users. Be sure to check it out and explore new options. You may also want to Join NAPP for access to a wealth of other online materials and training.

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Photoshop CS3 Public Beta Available on Friday – New Podcast Today

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Long-rumored, but finally true. Adobe has announced a public beta program for Photoshop CS3. While the finished program is not yet ready for release until the Spring, it is almost ready for 'prime-time.' You can read more about the release on Adobe's website for the full details.

If you are looking for some training, here's two places to start:
Photoshop CS3 Sneak Peek – On the Web – On iTunes
Photoshop CS3 Learning Center – On the Web

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GV Expo Class Notes Are Live

Saturday, December 09, 2006

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.

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I Have a Present for You... UPDATE

Friday, December 08, 2006

For most of you, it's holiday time... a time for giving of gifts and catching up with friends. Well I'm brining that same joy into the blogosphere. Exactly what am I giving away? It's a secret and I can't reveal it to December 15th... but check back then.

I promise some really cool free downloads that you'll want to get. A certain legal document prevents me from leaking any details, but you will NOT want to miss what I have in store. Trust me... GRIN.

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Adobe Releases New Articles on Digital Photography

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

If you are in need of some new ideas or inspiration, be sure to check out the new articles from Adobe experts. There's a full list posted over at PhotoshopNews.com and there's some truly great stuff in there. While the articles skew towards digital photographers (like most of Adobe these days), I found these two very useful.

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Podcasting Field Production – New Slides Posted from DV Expo

Thursday, November 16, 2006

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.

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A Truly Amazing Comic (On Copyright)

Thursday, November 16, 2006

I’m still reading this comic, but it is absolutely amazing. Bound by Law is absolutely amazing, it analyzes the murky world of copyright law in a clear way. It is an excellent source on information for film and video pros as well as other creative professions. Published by the Duke University Center for the Study of the Public Domain, this comic covers the essential information in the most creative and entertaining way possible. It’s totally free and should not be missed.

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The Director’s Cut – Now Available

Sunday, November 12, 2006

I've just posted an old article of mine that I really like. It’s called “The Director’s Cut – Digital Video and the Power of the Macintosh.” It’s a fun article that shares a bunch of ideas on pre-production, production, and post. It was originally published in MacDesign Magazine (now called Layers). The article is totally free and showcases a lot of products and techniques that we use to save time and money over at RHED Pixel. I hope you enjoy.

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New Video Screen Capture Tool – iShowU

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Looking for a great screen capture tool? I’ve got a new favorite for grabbing video on a Mac. Be sure to check out iShowU from shinywhitebox. This tool is much more stable then others I've tried and it is a true universal application that runs great on both Intel and PowerPC Macs. What’s truly unique is that the video files are captured and encoded in real time. This means as soon as the capture is stopped, the file is ready to use. You can create screen captures for web tutorials, DVDs, or even HD. What will all this power set you back? A whopping $20. Be sure to check it out.

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Check Out our New Final Cut Help Podcast

Saturday, October 28, 2006

Well, if you're looking for a new resource to learn Apple’s Final Cut Studio, then check out the Final Cut Help podcast over at iTunes. Each week we'll have a new tutorial on all aspect of Final Cut Studio including Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, Motion, and Compressor. The high-quality video training features Apple Certified instructors including Abba Shapiro, Gary Adcock, Chris Phrommayon, Mason Dixon, and Richard Harrington.

The podcast is a great way to sample our new DVD training titles which are available from VASST.

Here’s the iTunes URL
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=202902941

Here’s the Show Page
http://www.podango.com/podcast/1204/Final_Cut_Help__Absolute_Training_for_Final_Cut_Studio

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Conference Notes from NAB New York

Friday, October 27, 2006

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.

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Video Preview out of Photoshop CS2

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

This one came up today when a client asked me about previewing Photoshop graphics on a TV monitor. There's a great product called EchoFire, which lets you preview out of Photoshop using virtually any video hardware. But if DV is good enough for you, then Photoshop CS2 has you covered.

1. Hook up a FireWire device that uses the DV protocol like a deck or Analog/Digital converter (I like ones from Canopus).
2. Make sure the hardwire is powered up and connected to a monitor, then launch Photoshop.
3. Work with your current document and design as needed.
4. Choose File > Export Video Preview...
5. Specify your Output Mode and Aspect Ratio and click OK.

Preview away

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Just Can't Get Enough Photoshop? We've Got Two Free Podcasts for You.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

If you're a Photoshop fan, then we've got you covered. We've got two Photoshop podcasts you should check out.

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Understanding Adobe Photoshop – This is a weekly podcast targeting new and intermediate users of Photoshop in all industries. It's sponsored by Peachpit TV.
Photoshop for Video – This one also comes at you every week and focusses on those issues facing video and motion graphic designers. Other kinds of users may enjoy its emphasis on speed and flexibility as well.

By the way... we're not the only one's who like them. Apple has featured both on the front page of the Technology section in their New & Notable spotlight.

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New Conference Notes

Saturday, September 09, 2006

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.

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The Podcast is Live

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

It’s time for an experiment. We are going to take some of our tutorials that are ‘in the can’ and launch them as a Podcast. We’ll release a new one each week, and it will stay live for just the week. When the new episode goes up, the old one will go down.

If the podcast proves popular (and we get enough viewer mail) we’ll start to produce an original tip each week. The podcast launched today, and you can sign up here.

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Avid Goverment Training Symposium a Success

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Thanks to all the great folks we met at the Avid Government Training Symposium. It was wonderful to catch up with so many diverse users and see how those in the public sector are harnessing the power of video. RHED Pixel spoke about production issues as well as integrating Adobe Photoshop and After Effects into the editor's workflow.

Thanks to Future Media Concepts and Avid for putting on the event and to all who attended. If you need conference notes from our sessions, visit the Handouts page.

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Tutorial: Create Once, Distribute Anywhere

Friday, July 28, 2006

Friday, July 28,2006 Filed in: Adobe | Education

A brand new tutorial on building graphics for multiple video formats just went online. You'll find it on DV Magazines website in both online and print formats. Learn how to work in HD, but also create for multimedia, DVD, and Podcast distribution. This is useful in you need to generate multiple animations on a budget or deadline.

The tutorial uses Adobe After Effects, and is not version specific. If you'd like some extra resources, visit the Raster Vector site as well.

Tags: After Effects

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Spot the Fake

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

How good are your eyes? Sure in the good old days you could spot the fake dinosaurs and Spiderman was a stunt man in a suit for every shot, These days we are inundated with photorealistic CGI on TV and in cinema. Just how good are your senses? Head over to Autodesk (makers of 3D Studio Max and Maya) to take this quiz. I got 8 out of 10 on my first try... take a look and stretch your brain for two minutes. Thanks to Scott Simmons for the story.

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Richard Harrington on Photoshop TV

Monday, June 05, 2006

Looking for the latest on Adobe Photoshop? Then don't miss Photoshop TV with the “Photoshop Guys” Scott Kelby, Dave Cross, and Matt Kloskowski. While down visiting the National Association of Photoshop Professionals, I stopped in on a show taping. They had me on to show two tips.
• How to correct a series faded photographs with adjustment layers
• How to use video actions for creating DVD slide shows from your images
If you'd like to subscribe to the free podcast, click here.
To buy this episode, click here.

Tags: Photoshop

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