Photoshop Insider

Post Christmas “Lite” News Update

By Scott on Wednesday, December 26th, 2007 at 10:20 am | updates.

I’m back, baby! I had a wonderful, relaxing, fun-filled Christmas, and although I’m still somewhat in Holiday mode, I’ve got a “lite” post-Christmas update for you.

First, I had a wonderful Christmas Eve surprise; I took a look at Amazon.com’s top selling titles for the entire Computers & Internet category, and saw that I had four of the top five bestselling books (see above), which really made me grateful to all my faithful readers who are kind enough to give my books as Holiday gifts. That’s about the best present you can give a writer like me, so my humble thanks go out to all who passed on my books to family and friends. You guys rock!
Adobe’s own in-house Photoshop genius, Russell Preston Brown, has announced the location and theme for his 11th annual “ADIM Conference” (Art Directors Invitational Masterclass), held each year in a different location. This coming year it’s being held in sunny San Jose, California on April 30th - May 3rd, and its has a clever “Classic Movie Monsters” theme. It’s really an amazing event (ask anyone who’s been), which includes creative opportunities, events, and classes you simply can’t find anywhere else. Here’s the link to the site (the site design itself is very cool), for all the details.

Designorati did an in-depth review of my “Photoshop 7-point-system” book and while I did flinch a bit while reading it (the reviewer Jeremy Schultz was very clear about what he didn’t like about my previous books), it’s still one of the most complete and fair reviews out there (in the end, he said “I almost never give a perfect ten, but Scott Kelby’s 7-Point System for Adobe Photoshop CS3 deserves it.” Click here to feel my pain (or joy, depending on how you look at things).
OK, to wrap up this truncated version of the news, how about a little photographic and Photoshop inspiration: check out Motor Image Works site. They specialize in car photography, and putting CGI generated cars into photographic scenes, and they have a section on their site where they show a breakdown of how the images where compositing (showing just the car, just the background, added CGI elements, and the final image. Definitely worth checking out (here’s the link).
Santa (in the form of my wife and friends), got me lots of cool photo gear for Christmas, and although I haven’t had a chance to take any of it out for a spin yet, I’m heading out with some of it later today, so hopefully I’ll have some field reviews for you by next week.

That’s it for this “Lite” version of the news. See you all tomorrow!

Comment form for this post

^#1

It’s the Oprah comment that bugs you, isn’t it?

Look at this way, it was an honest review, he didn’t feel the need to pad any egos and overall it was not only a positive review but he gave you a ten. Man, if all he did was comment on the consistency of your books’ layouts, you got it made in the shade. At least he didn’t attack your sense of humour like some of us have done, eh?

Hope you’re still revelling in the aftermath of a great holiday, Scott.

David duChemin on December 26th, 2007 at 10:47 am

^#2

Scott, you should not feel slighted. The review is actually a fair assessment of most books within the computer/technology realm. His review of the 7-Point System is dead on and if you didn’t get it for Christmas, go out and buy a copy.

Steve W on December 26th, 2007 at 11:06 am

^#3

Hi Gang:
Hey, I hope you weren’t thinking I thought Jeremy’s review was harsh or mean. I actually thought he was very fair, and very thorough. Also, he was right in saying that my books have a similar theme, layout and concept (which they do—it’s kind of my trademark writing style).

I definitely tried something different in the System Point System, and I think as a writer, you have to, to keep growing, so I didn’t take any of that the wrong way. So, I hope you didn’t think I felt slighted or that I’m upset with his review (after all, he did say some very nice things as well).

I felt it was important to highlight Jeremy’s review because he made some really good points, and I thought it was a sincere and honest review (flinching and all. Also, I really took his Oprah comment as a compliment).

Happy Holidays!

-Scott

Scott on December 26th, 2007 at 11:25 am

^#4

Looking forward to 2008 - Howver, my New Year’s resolution is to not purchase anymore books and software until I have purchased a proper tripod! Laurie Excell gave me a awesome recommendation but it’s going to cost about $1,100 - so please don’t publish anything more until after February…Merry Christmas Scott and Happy New Year!

Laurel on December 26th, 2007 at 12:20 pm

^#5

Scott: When ever I visit your blog and click on “go here” to a site recommended by you, nothing happens. I do not have this problem at other websites, including Dave Cross’. I sent an e-mail to NAPP customer service asking for help or at least trying to find out if I was the only one having this problem. Their response: total silence. I use Netscape as my browser.
William T. Barrett NAPP member

william barrett on December 26th, 2007 at 12:39 pm

^#6

To be honest I don’t like the design of ADIM Conference Website. It is a bit funny, I agree. But it loads ages and I fell developing it in Flash is a massive overkill

That being said, I cannot wait to meet Dr. Brown - I think he is the craziest person in the whole design/software industry. Scott, your are my number two

R2rek on December 26th, 2007 at 2:23 pm

^#7

Thought the review was good. How can you beat a perfect 10? I am currently working my way through your Seven Point System and am now on lesson 16. I am learning tons and have already applied some of this to my own work. I do agree that a list of keyboard shortcuts as a second cheat sheet would have been helpful. Otherwise I love the book. Thanks so much.

mgmason on December 26th, 2007 at 2:27 pm

^#8

Scott, I’m just one of many who purchased your Photoshop 7-Point System for myself as an early Christmas present. I enjoy the lessons thoroughly, and have learned quite a bit - and I still have 14 lessons to go! Just wanted to let you know - I think it’s a wonderful book, and valuable to anyone who wants real down to earth training from an expert.

Jim on December 26th, 2007 at 3:04 pm

^#9

I own this book. I got it at the Creative Photoshop conference in Dallas in early December. I have read 3 chapters and decided I would like to play along like he suggests.

Unfortunately, I can find no reference where to get the pictures he uses so that I can do them myself. I have sent email to the publisher/seller at kelbytraining but have not heard an answer.

Can someone point me to where these pictures are located?
Thanks
John Prichard

John Prichard on December 26th, 2007 at 3:06 pm

^#10

Ya gotta love the Oprah reference…after all there are a lot of similarities.
For instance, beyond the obvious physical resemblance, you are probably both going to be billioniares! BTW, I own at least 6 books you have written and they are all money well spent. My only question: When are you going to finally change the name to “Kelby World Photoshop Conference”?

Jon Schroeder on December 26th, 2007 at 3:22 pm

^#11

I’m glad to see my review was considered fair and thorough by all who commented and Scott as well, blunt though it may have been at times. I always try to offer some constructive criticism when I write reviews, because I think it helps the author as well as the readers, but I do voice my opinions too strongly sometimes so I hope no one was offended!

Commenting on Steve W.’s comment, I agree that tech books tend to stick with proven formats and conventions. It’s a hard industry to find continued success in, and when a formula hits paydirt it’s important to stick with it. It’s perfect business sense but the books themselves can become almost too consistent, showing the same tips and techniques sometimes. IMHO the books that stand out to me are the ones that put a whole new light on the way we work (Dan Margulis’ Canyon Conundrum book is a prime example). Truly groundbreaking books are hard to find in the field—but Scott’s 7-Point book is one of them.

Regarding the Oprah comment, it’s definitely a compliment! Oprah is one of those people who has legions of adoring fans and much influence on her industry—and Scott has the same things in the Photoshop industry. Like I said in the review, it’s a great position to be in.

PS—One correction, I don’t write for Technorati but Designorati. The site is http://www.designorati.com.

Thanks everyone!

Jeremy

Jeremy Schultz on December 26th, 2007 at 3:32 pm

^#12

Look at the second question on page xxi for the URL to download the photos used in the book.

-Jeff

Jeff on December 26th, 2007 at 3:35 pm

^#13

Hi John:
It’s listed in the introduction (I know, nobody reads the introduction. I’m working on that).

-Scott

Scott on December 26th, 2007 at 4:23 pm

^#14

Scott,

Congrats again, I cannot wait to read the Digital Photography Book Vol. 2! Maybe it’s just me, but I have always read your books cover to cover (literally).

Happy Holidays!

Stephen

Stephen J. Zeller on December 26th, 2007 at 4:34 pm

^#15

Scott,
I am going through your 7-point system book again as it is great fun and I learn something new in each lesson. This book has made photography even more exciting for me now.
I am also working through some of Katrin Eismann’s books and thank goodness I read yours first. She is a great writer but I really needed the info you provided before diving into her fabulous works.
Thanks again.

Martin Howard on December 26th, 2007 at 4:44 pm

^#16

This reviewer didn’t mention it (although others have), but the lack of support for Lightroom users with your 7 point system is becoming a chronic problem for many of us. I have been unable to complete 3 of the first 9 lessons because they require opening the photo as a Smart Object in Photoshop and then reopening the duplicate layer in Camera Raw - neither of which can be handled in the same way with Lightroom. I hope you are going to write an article soon to address this issue and help us Lightroom users out. Thanks, Scott. It’s an otherwise great book.

Rod on December 26th, 2007 at 6:16 pm

^#17

Scott, I read the introduction in full and thought I read the URL. Then I read the next chapter the next day and the next example on the following day. Then after time had passed, I went looking for the URL I had thought I had read in the into and must have skimmed right over it several times. Now I feel silly. However, you probably should have bolded so that I could find it again on just a skim.

Thanks, I will get re-started tomorrow. I have already taken what I have learned on the first 3 lessons and used it on some of my own pictures.

John

John Prichard on December 26th, 2007 at 7:22 pm

^#18

Rod,

You can do the same thing with Lightroom. Just save your METADATA to a file and then drag the lightroom image to photoshop. It opens in Camera raw and you can then follow the same directions.

If you don’t see the metadata, it will still open in Camera raw, but you will lose your changes made in Lightroom.

Adam

Adam Kaiser on December 26th, 2007 at 8:25 pm

^#19

Hey Scott,

Well as they say .. “You reap what you sow” !!! HUGE Congratulations for the recognition from Amazon … I guess that speaks volumes about what you do.

Here’s looking forward to an awesome 2008!

Best wishes,
Glyn

Glyn Dewis on December 27th, 2007 at 4:01 am

^#20

I’m not sure I follow you, Adam. Can you walk me through the steps with a little more detail? I’m new to both LR and PS. What do you mean by save the Metadata to a file and why is that important? When you say drag the LR image to PS is this different than using the file menu option to edit the photo in PS? Also, it sounds like you’re talking about working in CR when I would rather work in LR. Thanks for the help.

Rod on December 27th, 2007 at 2:59 pm

^#21