Tell us What You Want to Win This Year….and Win!
OK, so you saw the B&H Photo contest winner above from last year, but what are we going to give away as the grand prize for our Photoshop User TV photography contest this year? That up to you!
Come up with a really cool, inventive idea for a contest, post it here on the blog, and if we pick your idea, I’ll get you an autographed copy of Joe McNally’s blockbuster “The Moment it Clicks.”
But don’t just put “Give me a D3, or a Mark III;” come up with something really creative and fun, that would make a great contest. Think “Dream assignment” or some amazing package of gear (but not one that’s going to bankrupt the show). Whatever it is; come up with something that makes you say, “Now that would be really cool!” Hey, ya never know! (Ask Rachael Cardella). 
1. Photo trip with the Photoshop TV crew to Zion National Park.
2. Spend a week as an assistant to David Ziser, Joe McNally, Moose Peterson or Scott Kelby during a photo assignment or training event.
3. Scott, you’ve got to have at least 8 more books in various stages of development. Take the winner along with you to one or more photo shoots as an assistant. Have the winner shoot along with you and use their photos in a chapter of one of these upcoming books.
4. Lifetime NAPP membership w/access to Kelby Training material.
Dave Wilkinson
Hi Scott,
I may (or certainly) not posting this to correct thread, sorry about that… but I am desperately try to find out answer for this:
While I watched your CS2 Down and Dirty tricks and tried your seamless sky trick for one of my photos.
Unfortunately, there is not a house under the not-so-good sky instead, there are few pine trees at background, which directly under the white-grey sky.
After follow the instructions of you trick, I turned the white-grey sky into a perfect blue sky, but there a lots of “small white spots” between the twigs and leaves on the tree remained as the while-grey color, as the original sky. I used the select->similar menu to try to select similar areas, it does selected some, but not all of them.
so you can imagine, now I get a perfect blue sky, but under the blue sky, there are some pine trees seems has some snow on their twigs ïŠ
is there any way to efficiently get rid of all the small white spots between the twigs?
Thank you
James
Scott,
First of all, I need to first say that you are truly one of the most inspirational people I have never met!!! I recently re-signed with NAPP after a 3-4 year hiatus and my-oh-my…the things I have been missing out on. And Kelby Training??!! I can’t believe the quality of classes you guys are putting up there. This is definitely not a budgeted expense for us but KT is practically a must for every photographer. What a value. Thank you for doing what you do.
Now to the post at hand. What a great idea for a contest! Here is what I would love to win: A 1-2 light portable flash setup. I recently attended a lighting seminar out in CA that has completely rocked my world on lighting techniques. I was soooo stoked to go home and figure out how we can afford to get at least one light head and one 600w or 1200w generator. My excitement dwindled a bit when reality set in as I saw what they go for. Part of my disappointment is tied into the fact that my beautiful wife is almost 2 months pregnant (check out my blog by clicking on my name for the full story on why this is truly a miracle!) and after seeing some of the images that can be created with a good lighting setup, the thing I want most is to be able to take my bride and create the images that are in my mind’s eye. Even if I can only afford to do it with a 580 flash, I am going to try and create what I am imagining. I can’t wait for the 6-7 month stage!!
I hesitated at first to participate in this contest as I knew that if by chance you saw fit to select my prize, I would have to come back with the images as evidence!! Showing my work to Mr. Kelby?!?!
Anyhow, whoever wins, this is a great contest. I am so privileged and blessed to be alive during a time that so many are furthering the industry I love.
The rest of your library that I don’t already own, a year’s subscription to Kelby Training and the opportunity to shoot with you, Matt, Dave, Moose and Joe McNally for a day.
Hi,
I propose a Photography Makeover Contest/Prize Package.
How far can someone’s skills improve in just one year?
To be evaluated with before & after captured digital images and Photoshop work.
During the year, the winner will have at their disposal:
Free access to Kelby training
Free membership to NAPP
Access pass to Photoshop World
Pass to amazing photography conferences scheduled throughout the year(eg- Ziser’s Master Class) or location shoot conferences with pros
$ for travel budget
Coupons/gift certificates from photography retailers or manufacturers.
Everyone loves a makeover, but just how far can one lucky photographer go?
Get the most from the least
Alright a theme in the requests seems to be asking for high end gear. So my idea is set a dollar value for payout say 6000. Then subtract from that total the doller value of gear used to get the shot.
HI, how about sending the winer to an assuagement with some one like Joe Mcnally, i always wondering how can these pro photographers handel an assuagement from client like National Geographic, starting frome discussion the concept and the idea tell the final shoots that been delivered to the client.
Regards
Scott,
I have an idea called the “Monumental photo contest.” Everyone would submit photos of their local landmark. It could be a town landmark, or a monument such as a veteran’s landmark. Contestants would have to be creative (shooting in different lighting and such) and the winner would get to visit the landmark or city of their choosing in North or South America.
How about a few days in New York shooting with McNally. A little one on one with the main man in his home town. I’m not changing any light bulbs though.
A great contest should challenge the participant to express their personal style, yet capture the objective. The object for this “contest” could be anything, it’s just gotta be within 10 miles of your house! I know this is where the majority of my “clicks” occur as an amature without a travel budget.
As a prize, it could be a photographic expedition with one of the greats mentioned in the previous posts and on this website. I read the blogs by Scott, Moose, Laurie and Joe everyday (just to mention a few). The expedition could be 1 day in a NAPP class followed by a day of shooting with Scott or one of the killer DLWS events I get to read about and drool over!
What about shooting our homes or our studio… we spend a ton of time there, eating, sleeping and living, call it: “Your Eye on Your Castle – A Glimpse of Youâ€
This assignment would/should reveal to all of you at NAPP – a glimpse of who we are!
We have a ton of glimpses of you guys!
In my photo you’d see I want to learn: I want to be “betterâ€.
So – how about taking a look?
Now – This doesn’t need to be a self portrait, in the traditional way. Think communication, technique and individually – I think that would be insightful and fun!!
Prize: AH! We all need better equipment: for me I need lights and a better tripod. One like yours Scott!! And almost every one who has submitted here has asked for training both video and personal.
And I totally agree – but I say, come to My Town. Come help me where I am – where I live and work. I won’t be distracted by anything but learning. And I’d really like the comfort of hospitality and new friendship. And Scott please bring your lighting package!!!
So Scott, Matt, Dave or even Joe, please come on over to my town. Let’s shoot! And thanks for all you do!
Patty – Tucson, AZ
Hi Scott!
After careful consideration, I believe I’ve got it, the best prize idea that is. So many people have posted suggestions about trips or safaris to various locations. Those are good. But there are not what we need. A prize that would actually help me would be for one of you guys to come to me. I’m so grateful for all that you do and I’ve learned so much from your books. But I still have questions, like how to get my gear to perform better since I can’t exactly afford all the dream gear that’s out there. I need someone to come to my studio and show me how to do things better. And if they came with a softbox and Adobe gear that would be great too. Just thought I’d throw this out there.
Thank You Scott, for everything.
Shannon – Eunice, La
My idea of a dream prize would be one-on-one lessons with some of the “greats”: McNally, Peterson, Excel, Kelby, et al. To have the opportunity to learn the disciplines — from shooting through to printing — with everything tailored to the recipient, would be incredible.
If equipment was part of the prize then each “great” could pick something that complements the lesson(s), such as: a lens or tripod from a field photographer; a computer or bundle of computer programs; a printer or scanner, etc.
Personally, the time with the “greats” would be the best prize of all. Although cost is always an issue when buying equipment or attending workshops, the one-on-one time with the experts is priceless.
Thanks for all the information and advice you share on your blog.
Susan
Hello Skinny Scott,
How about the winner of the contest being awarded a grand prize of shadowing you for a week, a month or a lamo day. someone could learn tons of new photo ideas and techniques, as well as the cross publishing and editorial gigs you do. Hey, someone could learn some down and dirty secrets about you and photomail you for lots of free gear. Heck, the possibilities are endless. Think about it.
A job at NAPP! Seriously, your organization looks like a great, positive work environment full of creative and practical thinking (and thinkers).
BUT just in case that’s not a possibility (grin), training materials and Photoshop World attendance passes are great giveaways.
By the way, the podcasts make my train commute informative, entertaining and enjoyable. Thanks for all you–and your staff–do. You are truly top notch.
I think a great prize would be a week long (or 5 days, 10 days, whatever) shooting and post processing with a photographer of our choice out of a selection based on genre of interest. This would give the winner great insight into the life of a pro and I personally think would be much, much more valuable than say a shopping spree at B&H. You know how it goes:
Adobe Photoshop CS3 – $649
Macbook Pro- $2,499
D3 – $4,999
Week with Scott Kelby (or Moose, Joe, etc): Priceless!
Or, if you could somehow hook the winner up with an internship/job as an assistant to an established photographer in his/her area. That would also be pretty cool.
An idea for the contest:
Due to the soaring increase of human injustice throughout the world, I think it’ll be cool and informing if the contest was based on human rights. The Best Photograph with any photoshop rendering, either major or minor, that exposes the harsh realities of the world we live either voted by commitee or subscribers should win. And the best part of the contest is that it’ll provide and education to all who are able to view the works submitted.
And now for the prize:
Of course it’ll be cool to win free gear and meet everyone, but that’ll be selfish and out of the ordinary. Instead, lets make the photograph worth more by linking it to the prize. If its in budget, PSUTV can put together a support package that’ll include whatever it is thats needed to the subjects of the photographs, whether food, books, etc. It doesnt have to be too big because sometimes what we think is small may mean the world to another. Most of the times you wont even need to travel to a different country to experience the life of the underprivileged because it lies in our own backyards.
Contest Idea.
Three Day shoot @ three different locations with three Different Famous photographers as guides/instructors for contestant. Spend fourth day putting together 3 separate magazine size spreads from the different photos shoots with access to a decked out Mac and a print out of final 3 comps on an Epson Large Format Printer. The Three Guys from Photoshop TV (Dave, Matt & Scott) vote on the Best spread and then feature it on the Next Photoshop TV Episode, Printed version to run in Photoshop User and/or Layers Magazine. Locations could be Hawaii, Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, New York, Colorado, Oregon and subjects can be fashion shoot, nature/landscape or famous people not in the lime light right now that have made an impact in our world. Showcase them in action. Maybe have someone tag along the way to video tape the progress.
Awesome… assignment.
My Dream Prize:
I just read the day two blog entry about lighting and how B&H has a lighting product called the Scott Kelby Location Kit, and then I clicked on the link to Scott’s gear and thought, how much does all of this cost?
My idea of the “ultimate” gear package is just that. Maybe not 100% of it because I’m sure the cost is astronomically impossible for the show to meet, but imagine if you got to pick one of every type of accessory from Scott’s gear list based on your personal camera preferences? Everything from lighting to the photo backup gear to the bags, etc.
That would be so huge I think I’d begin to focus on just winning that prize. I’m sure its thinking a little bit too big, but if the right vendors were schmoozed into the contest who knows? With all those referrals B&H does owe you something by now.
First, I recently went over to Kelby training for the first time recently – wow – that’s a fantastic amount of training material. I started amassing a list quickly but will have to pick and choose over time.
But I digress.
Okay, so back on February 6th I posted the dream contest… but apparently I’ve had some time to think about it, because I thought it would be even better if it had a little more of the “choose your own adventure” (do they still publish those) element to it.
So here it is: Still two components – tools and training. Each category has a Nikon or Canon option and the there is a third “adventure” choice which rather than being camera-focused, is centered on an editing work station, and a fourth adventure centered on a full set of studio lights.
For the wedding / landscape / Portrait photographer choice:
A Canon 1D Mk III, and a 16-35 f2.8L II and a 70-200 f2.8L IS and three 580 EX II flashes.
Or a Nikon D3 and a 14-24 f2.8 and a 70-200 f2.8 VR and three SB 800s.
For the wildlife, birding, sports photographer choice:
A Canon 1D Mk III, and a 500mm lens, a compatible TC, a Gitzo carbon tripod and RRS ball head.
Or a Nikon D3 and a 500mm lens, a compatible TC, a Gitzo carbon tripod and a RRS ball head.
For the editing workstation option:
An Apple MacPro 8-Core 2.88 workstation with 8 GB of RAM, Some Editing Software, an X-Rite calibration system, and an Apple 30″ Cinema Display.
For the studio lighting set-up: I like Scott’s choices of strobes and constant lights in his gear list – so some combination of those elements, including reflectors, stands, and a bells and whistle light meter.
For the training component:
For the first category, fees paid to a Dennis Reggie, Cliff Mauntner, etc. for the wedding folks, or a workshop with Art Wolfe (Plug for Art – Travels to the Edge on Public Television or from OPB is excellent and fun to watch), or with Moose, etc.
For the second – similar appropriate to category.
For the third – a seminar with post production instruction included, e.g. DLWS.
For the fourth – a seminar with lighting instruction included.
Well – thanks Scott for this outlet for the day dreams.
I expect not to be the first person who wants to win just a few days taking pictures with you. learn directly from the professional. Go through the whole proces, taking the picture edit it with photoshop and more.
A one-on-one phototour of (my) neighbourhood with a professional photo, showing me their equipment and how they use it. Plus a gift certficate at BH to buy a few things post phototour. Learn to see!
Scott..
I’m excited to hear that Adobe are starting to head further east of GMT.. There are lots of us Expats out here that would love to see a Photoshop Singapore, KL, Jakarta, Bangkok etc..
Have fun in the middle east its a great place.. if you like SAND…
Keep up the great Podcasts.. they keep me inspired… and Hi to the Dave and The Matt..
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Oh PS.. could you cover some underwater fixes for us Dive photographers?
I want to win a house. I am a single mother and will probably never be able to buy one. I would like to have one near my mother because she is getting older and needs help. Please Lord.
wagh i didnt read the lot but did anyone suggest getting together with Senor Reichmann on Luminous Landscape, or david Meunch on digitalgrin (SmugMug) and arranging for a place on one of their gigs?
waaay haaay! Now were talking!
aaagh forgot about the actual contest oops-
So ideas:
1 – find the best concept for your next book. has to include chapter titles and detailed info i.e. has to be e.g.1000 words or so – no one liners
2 – Show 7 examples of a cool use for the same technique with exceptional examples. Why? most techniques I try to learn are great on the day but unless I practice them over and over they are soon forgotten. I have all your books (I think ) = Information overload. Applying the single techniques to many different scenarios helps get it in the brain box for keeps. So e.g. take an exmple from one of each of your books and pull into one book that repeats the technique in lots of different ways
3 – hey did I just answer #1?
Hi Scott
I would love to be able to buy a tee-shirt that Matt wore a couple of Photoshop TV’s ago. It said ‘Eat, Sleep Photography’
I live in the UK and would love to be able to get a shirt like that. I am a total admirer of ALL your books which I have purchased over the past three years, they are brilliant, I have learned so much from them and also belong to your Kelby Training. Thank you. Trish
Trish
Shadow a day in the life of Scott Kelby on a shoot, and a day in the life of Joe McNally.
Joe
A standalone version of Imageready CS2
If I could win something special I would love to win a complete setup like (http://www.scottkelby.com/blog/scotts-gear/) Along with a trip to New York (for 5 days), one to the fashion district, to spend a day learning from the best fashion photographer. Next spend a day with the best production photographer. Next with the best portrait man in the business. The forth day walking the streets of New York with a guide taking photographs of the people of the city, and lastly with the best architect photographer shooting the city by day and night. Then go to the west cost for a few more days with the best photographers there shooting the coast line, and other great land marks. And the on last couple of days with Scott so he could go over all my photos polishing my skills on Photoshop cs3, then we could take the best photos and put them up for auction and give the money to a needy group.
I’m thinking- an homage to Ansel Adams tour. Follow in the footsteps of some of his most famous photos. Learn how to get the most of your landscape photography and nailing your B/W post production. Add in a package of gear- like the D300 with essential accessories. i/e- 3-4 fast lenses; external flash; lg capacity memory cards; battery grip and backup batteries. Yeah, that would do it for me!
I would love to win a Canon 40D with a great zoom lens with Image Stabilization and a great tripod if they could throw that in
My idea for a contest would be a faux landscape – the culinary edition
where you would make a landscape with things found only in your kitchen either food/and or utensils etc., All manner of photoshopping would be allowed with the exception of using anyone else’s photography..must all be done by you.
The contest itself should be something that blends photography with Photoshop — someone already mentioned it, but the submissions should include a PSD with either a history or a step-by-step available, to show how they got from point A to point B.
Winners should get added to the Alpha/early-beta lists for future Photoshop releases (CS4 and CS5 at the very least), and spend a week in San Jose, splitting their time between Adobe HQ (getting to work with the developers), and doing location work with pro coaches (like yourself, Joe, Moose, others) at some of the fantastic parks that can be found not too far from there. Winners and runners up should also be highlighted on Photoshop User TV and in Photoshop User.
Just a thought.
Jeff Russell is a smart man
shoot something (nature) that should relay a feeling of there is something out there greater than you.
A two piece package
the winner has his photo in the recipe section of scott’s #3 Digital photography book. its coming! Or you appear on napp tv for an interview.
part two would be standard
a nikon D300 or Canon 5D kit with Qflash setup and a sekonic l-358
free membership to Kelby training.
Scott thank for the last acknowledgement
I need to my rent paid for just one year. This would turn my life around. It seems that after the rent is paid along with my other bills …theres never enough for anything else ….that’s the misfortune..
I love to help people am a pastor.send me an email at[dunmart@yahoo.com]or call me 4435976789