Photoshop Workshop

[Mr Darcy]

MattK was talking about this a month or three ago. I was interested then and still am now but as all the other potential venues seem to have fizzled, I will throw my hat into the ring.
I have checked that I can borrow a projector & can supply a laptop. Coffee I am less sure about, but I am sure I can find an old bottle of Pablo or Maxwell House under the house. It might have strychnine in it now, but I'm sure you'll never notice the difference. Not for long anyway

Date:Sunday 2nd September
Time: 10:00 to ??? MattK says about 15:00, but a pizza break in the middle may muck the timing up. Maybe we can do pizza at the end.

Venue: My place in sunny (?) Wentworth Falls. It was today which is more than could be said for most of Sydney from what I hear. I will PM address to attendees.

Catering: I might be convinced to fire up the Pizza Oven. This now looks like a goer

Purpose: Basic Photoshop tutorial run by Matt K.

Numbers: Max 8. Not worried about minimum, though Matt may be. And I won't fire up the oven for less than five.
Attendees:
bigGerry
MJ
Suren
Colin_12


Two spots still to fill If there are more I will create a wait list.

Philo will also be in attendance but I bet she already knows all she needs to about Photoshop (Hey Matt...! )


Please add your expressions of interest below.

[Mj]

I'm up for this... also I've mentioned that I can host here... I commented such in an early email... but at the end it doesn't really matter where we end up.
I would suggest that rather than do a 'basic' photoshop tutorial, it focus on getting outcomes from a few different images (e.g. a landscape, a portrait, a macro maybe).
That way it can span simple through to maybe a little tricky but be all about getting a good image out the other end.

I'm also looking at setting up a model shoot over here... checked out a venue that we could use at $0 cost... possible costs would be model and definely MUA (Make-up Artist).

At any rate... more than happy for you to fire up the pizza-oven

[biggerry]

Keen for either, happy to run to the mountains, would be cool do go do a shoot then come back for processing/workshop, even just happy to brainstorm ideas on processing.

[Mj]

Ok so I have two concerns with doing the photo shoot and following up with processing...
Firstly it will make it harder to structure a processing workshop as you cannot determine what the shots are to be dealt with.
Secondly it will make for quite a bit of time taken with shooting which IMHO is not the main aim of the exercise.
There is A LOT to consider in PS so it takes time go through (and there are often multiple ways to skin the cat so that will add to the conversation).

That's my thoughts at least... we could perhaps submit a shot each for consideration and out of the submissions a set are selected for the workshop... that way we are dealing with real world processing challenges.

Don't take these points as wholly negative... just trying to put some thoughts down.

[Mr Darcy]

Firstly it will make it harder to structure a processing workshop as you cannot determine what the shots are to be dealt with

This is a fair enough concern. As I said it was just an idea I had & I haven't run it past Matt yet. My thought behind it is that we are not complete beginners at photoshop, but in my case, and I suspect others, I have puzzled out a few things but am probably not doing them in the best way and am probably missing the obvious. For example, When I do a stack in PS, I do the preliminary and final adjustments of tone, contrast, noise reduction and sharpening etc in Lightroom. I am sure they are probably easily and better done in PS but as I have no idea how, I stick to what I know which probably results in a slower workflow and a poorer end result. The "Censored" photo of Gerry I did the other day pushed my abilities in PS to new heights, but I am sure it quite a basic thing to do. And I would have liked to tilt the writing but had no idea how to achieve that.

Secondly it will make for quite a bit of time taken with shooting which IMHO is not the main aim of the exercise.

My thought here was that IF we went down this path it would run over two days. Saturday would be a walk in the park as a shooting meet. Sunday would be the processing meet, so I don't see that shooting time would impact on the tutorial. The assumption here is that participants would bring along one or two images to the tutorial that were taken the day before so it is effectively

we could perhaps submit a shot each for consideration and out of the submissions a set are selected for the workshop... that way we are dealing with real world processing challenges.

But I see no reason why people couldn't go on the walk and skip the tutorial or vice versa.

[Remorhaz]

Sounds good and I'm sure I can be convinced in any direction

I think I'm basically like Greg - I can use PS in a limited way but since I know LR a lot better I tend to do as much as I can there through familiarity. e.g. if I have to use PS for any reason - e.g. a pano stitch or stacking or whatever I'll do that single thing and then bring the file back into LR to actually PP.

[Mj]

Sounds good and I'm sure I can be convinced in any direction

Careful, there are likely a few sharp drops around Greg's way...lol.

I'm up for this.

[bigsarg7]

Sheesh I wish I lived closer by!! Sounds like it will be a great workshop.

[biggerry]

I was thinking more of a shoot before hand not related to the photochop session, whichever pictures are used is (for me) inconsequential, but i ain't going all teh way to the mountains and not taking advantage of doing a sunrise or star trails or something.

even out at breakie point, that old building out on the point would be a good photosession i reckon.

[Steffen]

I reckon Photoshop is a hideous monster and I will likely never own a copy, but would it be fair to assume that many of the techniques are applicable in similar tools (like The GIMP or Pixelmator)?

Cheers
Steffen.

[surenj]

Sign me up.

[Mr Darcy]

Sheesh I wish I lived closer by!! Sounds like it will be a great workshop.

I got to your meet, so you ought to be able to get to mine

[Mj]

...even out at breakie point, that old building out on the point would be a good photosession i reckon.

Only prob with the Powerhouse is that it's surrounded in chainwire fencing... there are few other views and options that might be worth a look. though.
I'm planning to organise a model photoshoot in the old admin building... it's basically empty unused space right now.
If Greg's place is too difficult for people I could host the PS workshop at my place... probably hook up a puter to the tv... no pizza oven mind.
But gIven Greg has a clear plan in motion and the mountains are nice place to visit this time of year, we should bowl ahead with that... Greg... do you have a website for taking pizza orders???

[Matt. K]

OK folks
Looks like we can make this a winner. I'll let you nut out the desired location...I'm prepared to go to either venue. Keep in mind that the aim is to cover the basics...of which there are many. And I have no experiance of focus stacking or HDR. These are not in my repotoire. My preference is to start around 10:30 and finish around 3pm. The demo will give you a very good understanding of the scope of Photoshop and from there you gain new ways to fine tune your imagery.

[Mr Darcy]

do you have a website for taking pizza orders???

It will be roll your own. (literally!) I will supply the rolling pin though.

Keep in mind that the aim is to cover the basics...of which there are many.

In which case my idea of the two day meet is a non starter.

Maybe an intermediate tutorial down the track...

[Matt. K]

Greg
In demonstrating the basics I use a number of images for the demo. The effect can be seen and noted for use on your own images. I will be repairing/improving imagery and I guess the value of that is the power of the software is revealed. On the other hand...when I think basic, as a long time user, perhaps they are not so basic to casual users???

[Mr Darcy]

OK. We have a goer. So far 6 attending. See the first post to ensure your name is there.
I will firm up the date to Sunday the 2nd of September unless there are strenuous objections.
Be aware that the traffic off the hill on Sunday afternoon can be a real bitch.
So far there is no trackwork scheduled up this way. Only North Shore and the Northern line is mentioned in the advance notice.

[gstark]

Also be aware that the date is Fathers' Day.

Which takes me out of this; three other things happening on that date, so far.

[Mr Darcy]

Also be aware that the date is Fathers' Day.

[colin_12]

That would make a day out our fathers day present.

[Mr Darcy]

Bump
Any ore takers?

[bigsarg7]

Sheesh I wish I lived closer by!! Sounds like it will be a great workshop.

I got to your meet, so you ought to be able to get to mine

Yes I agree, as does my husband! but unfortunately (well not so in my opinion) we're off on the family holiday on the 1st -11th. Plus I may have been in trouble if I wasn't there for fathers day! It is a day of celebration about being a Dad but leaving him with 4 kids and going interestate for a day or two would be quite mean!!

I hope you get a good turnout. Would have loved a slice from your pizza oven!!

[biggerry]

lookign good Greg, please advise what us plebs can bring to make said pizzas, the very least we can do is bring the materials.

I plan to get up there pretty early, prolly a sunny rise and and some waterfall action as pre-shop entertainment.

[Mr Darcy]

Only one spot left

please advise what us plebs can bring to make said pizzas,

Same requirements as Gary's do. i.e. BYO self only. Oh and toys.

[Mr Darcy]

We have had a piker, so we are back to two spots to fill

[Mr Darcy]

Last call boys and girls.

Matt, will Philo be coming?

[Remorhaz]

Sorry fella's - it's looking reasonably likely I won't be able to make it on Sunday (lots of home reno work Louise is scheduling for me)

[Matt. K]

Greg
Yes. She is the barrier between me and 16 year old girls.

[colin_12]

Cool,
Philo is fun.

I am still a goer for this Greg
Weather is supposed to be a cool 1 deg start with a nice sunny 15 deg day.

Computer shat itself last week just before I needed to hand in an assignment no less.
Just glad I have several machines and the know how to tear the guts out of the dead one to get at my work as it had bee an hour os so since the last backup.
Turns out motherboard is dead so a new machine is in order.
Boy am I going to enjoy the hours of ;oading software.

[biggerry]

Colin et al, any recommendations for sweet fungi and waterfalls on the sydney side of wennie falls?

[Mr Darcy]

Sorry fella's - it's looking reasonably likely I won't be able to make it on Sunday (lots of home reno work Louise is scheduling for me)

Haven't you explained to her that this is your fathers day treat?

And if you really want to do some reno work, there is plenty here for you to do

[Mr Darcy]

Colin et al, any recommendations for sweet fungi and waterfalls on the sydney side of wennie falls?

Can't comment on the fungi, but there are lots of great falls east of here. BUT they are a bit of a hike from the nearest trailhead. Usually down (and back up!) a lot of steps.
I quite like Terrace Falls at Hazo, but there is also Empire Falls at Lawsie and some pools at Linden and...

[biggerry]

Colin et al, any recommendations for sweet fungi and waterfalls on the sydney side of wennie falls?

Can't comment on the fungi, but there are lots of great falls east of here. BUT they are a bit of a hike from the nearest trailhead. Usually down (and back up!) a lot of steps.
I quite like Terrace Falls at Hazo, but there is also Empire Falls at Lawsie and some pools at Linden and...

hows access to terrace falls? most internet stuff says its 4wd only, i am happy to walk or bike it down but I dunno where teh falls are exactly.

[Mr Darcy]

hows access to terrace falls? most internet stuff says its 4wd only, i am happy to walk or bike it down but I dunno where teh falls are exactly.

S 33° 44.584 E 150° 26.755 will get you pretty darn close to the base of the falls. Its more of a cascade than a waterfall. Check Cam and my posts there are bound to be piccies here somewhere.
The people who claim 4WD only probably think you need 4WD on the Strezlecki track too. Any old fashioned VW beetle (pre 1990) will do it easily. Not sure I would take a Ferrari down there though.
I have taken Cam down in the Peugeot, but will admit to being more comfortable in the Disco if its wet. There's a couple of steepish climbs on the way out & its a dirt road.

Follow Terrace Falls Rd (Duh!) down from Hazelbrook station.

[Mr Darcy]

There's still some space and apparently Matt is bringing some models too...

16 year old girls

[biggerry]

cheers Greg, has there been much rain up there in the last few months?

Also, I know I asked this before, but can we bring something to help out (food wise)

[gstark]

Greg
Yes. She is the barrier between me and 16 year old girls.

Be careful what you ask for, Matt.

[colin_12]

It has been dryish for a while Gerry.
Appart from a couple of small water holding depressions there should be no worris for you.
There is also horseshoe falls just around the corner from my place. Walk in from the park near camp fletcher.
End of Alexander Ave.
As for fungi I think it has been a little dry to pull up much new stuff but there may still be some lurking, I have not been out for a while.

[Mr Darcy]

We have had one day of rain in the last month and a half. 14mm that day.

That said, it is raining sporadically as I type this. I don't think there's much in it though.

There is also horseshoe falls just around the corner from my place.

I keep meaning to go have a look at them. One day...
Isn't there also supposed to be a natural amphitheatre in that patch of scrub too?

[colin_12]

looks like we will have to go for a walk Greg

[Mr Darcy]

It's shaping up to be a glorious Spring weekend.
A balmy -1 this morning

[biggerry]

It's shaping up to be a glorious Spring weekend.
A balmy -1 this morning

faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrkkkkkkkkkk..ball warmers required.

[Mj]

Is it too late to order some balmy weather for the mountains tomorrow???

[Mr Darcy]

Murray has sent his apologies.
Its a positively tropical 1 degree this morning. There's not even any ice formed on the buckets
Predicted top of 15 and sunny. Calm to light winds.

All's right with the world.

(Now if only the pizza dough will rise)

[Mj]

Righto...
Thermals on... check
Flask full... check
Now where did I leave that St Bernard???

[Mr Darcy]

Thank you Matt. I learned heaps. Now all I need to do is remember it. Sigh.

FYI. Here is my Pizza dough recipe. Makes 20 - 30 small pizzas.

[biggerry]

Thanks Matt, it was very helpful.

Thanks to Greg and Pam for being awesome hosts, thst pizza was da bomb.

[Matt. K]

Thanks Greg and Pam
Pizzas were senasational! Best I've ever tasted. Thanks for your hospitality,wine, coffee and cake. I now suspect that all of the attendees know less about Photoshop than yesterday.

[Mr Darcy]

I now suspect that all of the attendees know less about Photoshop than yesterday.

Just what are you saying about my pizzas Matt?

[Mj]

Pizza's were excellent
Photoshop tips and tricks enlightening as ever and the warm sunshine at interval most welcome !!!
Do please update us on how the sour dough bread goes.
Off now to check out where on my building rooftop I can install a pizza oven