The Blog of Colin Smith (aka kiwicolin)

#Ireland : The Immortal

Originally uploaded by Frederic Poirot

Found this on Flickr. really interesting

Throughout the ages

Originally uploaded by kiwicolin

From a Photoshoot I did last week. It took about 4 hours! But worth it. I got about 600 photos.
Same Girl and 5 different looks.

The largest hot-air balloon gathering in the world, Chambley, France

Originally uploaded by gbatistini

I love it!

More hot air than a group of politicians

*Gridiron Software is offering PhotoshopCAFE members a $50 discount off the store price of $299. But for those of you who want to take advantage of another $50 off you only need to purchase before midnight tonight (6/29) to get it for $199! Use Photoshop Cafe promo code: PSCAFE09 to get your discount today!
http://www.gridironsoftware.com/store

Gridiron Flow
Be totally organized without organizing anything
Flow is a Visual Workflow Manager that keeps creative professionals and workgroups streamlined and informed.

Continue Reading »

Thanks to one of our members (elemento) for this new tutorial. Raul (Elemento) has shown quite a flair for this type of art, so I was happy when he agreed to write a tutorial for us. http://www.photoshopcafe.com/tutorials/planet/planet.htm

Build stunning websites with Photoshop CS4 and Flash CS4!

http://www.photoshopcafe.com/video/products/Photoshop_Flash_Integration.htm
Even if you have no prior experience, this video will teach you what you need to know to create web sites that will blow the competition out of the water. This 6 1/2 hour DVD ROM shows you how to plan, design and launch your website. Combining popular web design tools, Adobe Photoshop and Flash, you’ll learn the workflow that the pros use. In a simple step-by-step, plain English approach, Colin will show you exactly what you need to know. This one-of-a-kind guide will show you how to create visually appealing and technically effective professional web sites. You’ll add an image gallery, formated text, feedback form, video and animation.

This fast loading DVD ROM contains 6.5 hours of sharp wide-screen video. The advanced interface allows the user to instantly jump to any of the 47 lessons with complete control over the playback. All the lesson files are included, so you can follow along at your own pace!

If you’ve ever dreamed of creating a website that looks great, is functional and is easily updated, this is the video for you!
Continue Reading »

As you know, nothing has an on/off switch these days. Because of this, everything is draining power. I found that my office would get really hot because of the heat footprint of all these little devices running, really hot! To the point I would have to run a/c even in winter. I went to electronics stores looking for a power switch. All I could find were the typical surge protectors etc.

I finally went to Guitar Center and found these little DJ lighting switches for about $30 a piece. I got 3 of them and a half space clamshell rack. I got a 4 unit rack and left space between the units to allow room for the power adapters. Total cost, around $200

I now have the ability to individually turn the power on and off for every device in my office. When you turn the switch off, the device is off, it’s not making a slow draw on standby mode. The result is I use a lot less power now because I only turn things on when I need them. It also cuts down noise and heat. I don’t need to run a/c now. Also I have been able to clean up the huge birds nest of wires and cables.

The top 2 units are going through a UPS backup battery and the bottom unit is going through a power conditioner/surge protector so I have cleaner power too.
Just thought I would share.

Colin

Hey all. I’m excited that Jeff has finally finished his new DVD. Photoshop CS4 Video and Animation. I’m thrilled to be publishing this title because there is nothing else out there like it! I can see why it took him so long to record it, amazing stuff

http://www.photoshopcafe.com/video/products/photoshop_video.htm

Jeff will also be speaking at the NAB show next week I’m flying on for a couple of days, always love NAB. It’s the place to see all the latest in video and broadcast. I think there’s something like 100,000 people there. I do enjoy the large trade shows, so much to see!

Here is Jeff’s Schedule at the Post Production conference:
4/20 Mon 3:30-4:45pm [N254] – Character Animation from Photoshop Layers with After Effects

4/20 Mon 5:00-6:15pm [N254] – 3D Stereoscopic Motion Graphics in After Effects CS4

4/21 Tues 2:00-3:15pm [N254] – Motion tracking & Stabilization with After Effects CS4

4/21 Tues 3:30-4:45pm [N264] – Green Screen Keying and Mattes in After Effects CS4

4/22 Wed 10am-1:00pm [N260] – Boot Camp: Photoshop for Video & Animation

4/22 Wed 3:30-4:45pm [N264] – Creative Titles with CS4 Production Premium

Wacom Intuos 4 first look and review at PhotoshopCAFE
Review by Colin Smith

Today Wacom announced a new line of pressure sensitive tablets. It’s been a while since the Intuos 3 was released and there have been a few murmurings that a version 4 release must be around the corner.
Meet the Intuos 4 line of Pressure sensitive tablets. These new tablets, are sexy! Dressed in satin black, they are very sleek, they have a slimmer footprint than the Intuos 3 and you will notice the OLED display proudly showing the assigned shortcuts.
Continue Reading »

WPPI was a huge success for us. The booth was packed and people gobbled up our innovative and original training. (Sadly: Not so much original stuff around these days).

Both my sessions were also packed. I can’t wait for WPPI 2010 in MGM Grand Vegas. I’ve said it before. WPPI is my fav trade show period! It’s head and shoulders above any other Photographers shows.

See more pix at the PhotoshopCAFE Facebook group. (Oh yeah, don’t forget to join!)