1. Rebecca Adams (aka "Becky) says:

   July 1, 2007 at 5:46 pm

   Dear Scott,

   My Intro that isn’t…
   This is actually a postscript that should have been written first… I think you’ll understand. This is much more than a comment but I hope you’ll have time to read it or pass it on… I don’t know if I saw a mailing address and I didn’t want to loose what I’d already written…

   On June 10 – 16 (almost a month ago), I attended the “Beginning Photography with Digital Cameras” taught by Sarah Meghan Lee. I also heard and saw your presentation to all the Workshop attendees and was very excited to learn about all the ways I can grow in my new “hobby”. I was very impressed with Karen Keuhn’s presentation as most likely everyone was and one of my classmates arranged to have family photographs done by her following our class. The presentation to my class by Eddie Soloway helped me, finally, to define my ultimate goal – to photograph the world around me. I’ve been doing this with a variety of cameras from point and shoot film to beginner digital for probably 30+ years (I’m just over 50…)

   I’ve often been asked why I take pictures of trees, flowers, birds, animals and landscapes with no people in them… Duh… Actually, my late husband, a geologist, appreciated my “no people” photographs. He spent a semester at Ghost Ranch in the mid 60’s and fell in love with the 4 Corners area. Years later and before he died 8 years ago, our family made many visits to the area. Since then, I’ve really not spent any time in the area till I attended my class. The experience at the Workshops has really ignited my desire to shoot and produce quality images, especially since I now have the opportunity to travel and focus on my interest without distraction. So much for my background and interest.

   Getting to the point, I’d like to ask you a few questions to help me move forward. I know how busy you must be so, if you need to pass my questions on to someone else who is knowledgeable of your techniques, please do so.

   1. Should I attend a class on Lightroom to better learn it?
   2. Do I need to be familiar with and specific Photoshop program before
   learning Lightroom?
   3. If so, what is the most up to date Photoshop version I should begin
   with?
   4. With my current level of experience, would your upcoming class with
   Bill Fortney in September be “over my head”?
   5. I purchased “the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom book” in the bookstore at
   the Workshops. I presume it’s the 1.0 version. Should I purchase the
   new 1.1 version?
   6. In your “first chapter that really isn’t”, you said that “photos … are
   probably coming from either you camera… or they’re already on your
   computer…” In your presentation, I think I remember you saying
   that “Lightroom” still had some kinks (my interpretation) and therefore,
   another Photoshop program was still needed… Which program will I
   need?
   7. Do you think a novice, such as myself, could become truly competent
   learning any of these programs on their own?

   I truly was priviledged to hear you talk and there is no doubt you are a pioneer in photography. Thank-you so much for enlightening me. I hope that sooner or later, I’ll be able to attend one of your classes.

   Thank you so much for your time,

   Becky Adams
   bsadams2@gmail.com
   120 Ridge Park Drive
   Birmingham, AL 35216

   Reply

Scott is the editor-in-chief for Layers Magazine, Photoshop User magazine and the president of NAPP the National Association of Photoshop Professionals.