Adobe Creative Suite 5 Launch Streaming Live 4/12/2010 at 11am EST

I thought I’d send out a quick announcement that the Adobe CS5 Product Family launches today, Monday 4/12/2010. A streaming webcast launch begins at 8am PST (11am EST), and requires a free registration, which you can find a link to here. When you register, you’ll see some “sneak peek” videos of what’s inside (screen shot below). These and other sneak peek videos are also available here.

I’m looking forward to trying out Content-Aware Fill in Photoshop CS5, primarily for quickly extending backgrounds. It’s very common for me to have to extend a background to create a more panoramic look, or just to add some background to achieve a 4×6 ratio for a client who wants pictures in that very popular size.

Below are direct links to the ten Creative Suite 5 press releases with the headlines of each one linked to the release on Adobe.com (I think that reading the releases is one of the best ways to see some of the highlights of what’s inside each Creative Suite bundle).

1. Adobe Unveils Creative Suite 5 Product Family
2. Adobe Delivers Creative Suite 5 Design Premium
3. Adobe Announces Creative Suite 5 Web Premium
4. Adobe Debuts Creative Suite 5 Production Premium
5. Adobe Launches Photoshop CS5 and Photoshop CS5 Extended
6. InDesign CS5 Powers the Transition to Digital Publishing
7. Adobe Releases Illustrator CS5
8. Adobe Introduces Flash Catalyst CS5
9. Adobe Premiere Pro CS5 Redefines Nonlinear Editing
10. Adobe Helps Prepare the 21st Century Workforce with Creative Suite 5

For a great 45 minute overview of Photoshop by Terry White of Adobe, including a look at the new “mini Bridge,” which is an embedded version of Bridge available as a panel inside Photoshop CS5 and CS5 Extended), and a new Edge Detection tool for selecting challenging images (it looks especially good for hair), click here.

And for a directory of videos covering CS5 applications, visit this page on AdobeTV.com.

Hands-on Review: Epson PowerLite 1735W Multimedia Projector

As a photographer and educator, I’ve been using multimedia projectors for more than 15 years. They are, in my opinion, magical devices that can essentially turn a small laptop into a huge “slide projector.” But in many cases, you never quite know what the results will be until you connect to a projector at a company or educational institution. And not too long ago, any projector in the $1,000-1,500 range was either too heavy to carry around, or was just not worth using for projecting images.

All of the Epson 1700 Series Projectors, including the 1730W and 1735W look like this from the front. A sliding lens protector is hidden when the projector lens is exposed (control for it is located just above the lens). Photo courtesy Epson Inc.

Enter the Epson PowerLite 1735W Multimedia Projector. In this review, I’ll give an overview of the 1735W as well as a similar widescreen projector in the line (the PowerLite 1730W), and I’ll cover the topics I believe are most important to photographers and video professionals/aficionados. I’ll end with some overall Pros and Cons and give my thoughts on the product as a whole.

WHY USE A WIDESCREEN PROJECTOR?

Continue reading

Upcoming Printing and Color Management Workshops in NJ and a Special Offer

Andrew Darlow (right) with participants at a recent printing workshop. SoLux lamps and bulbs with a range of color temperatures are shown in the photo, and will be used during all of the workshops listed below to illuminate prints and to show the visual differences one may encounter when displaying art in galleries, homes and other locations.

I have three upcoming workshops covering Photoshop, Fine-art printing, Lightroom and Color Management. I enjoy these workshops immensely primarily because each group who joins me brings new ideas, questions, and new images and prints to share with me and the other participants.

Below are descriptions for three upcoming workshops that I’ll be conducting. For the first one listed, I would like to offer a $50 discount for those who register by 3/31/2010 (see below for more information)

Upcoming full day Photoshop/printing workshop in Berkeley Heights, NJ

Fine Art Inkjet Printing with Photoshop
with Andrew Darlow

Dates: April 17th or 18th, 2010 – 10AM-5PM (choose either day)

This full day lecture and printing workshop with photographer, author and consultant Andrew Darlow will include:

-Suggested inkjet printers for quality color and black-and-white
printing (emphasis will be on Canon, Epson and HP printers and their
standard pigmented multi-gray inksets);
-Suggested color management hardware and software for inkjet
printing, and how to produce, install and use custom printer profiles;
-Tips for selecting inkjet papers for color and black-and-white
printing;
-Demonstration of a step-by-step printing workflow using Camera RAW
and Photoshop CS4 (Mac OSX will be used, but Windows-specific
information will also be covered for those who use Windows);
-Specific Photoshop tips for converting from color to black and
white, sharpening, sizing and what to do and not to do before and
after you convert your files,
-Links to and demonstrations of free actions to help optimize print
quality.

Sample prints will be displayed and discussed, and each attendee who supplies a file will have one print of one image printed on either an Epson or HP pigment-ink-based printer. Paper options will include acid-free, high quality semi-gloss, fiber-gloss/semi-gloss and watercolor/matte papers. Each participant will also receive a binder with course materials and a list of resources and materials, as well as a minimum of 50 sheets of letter-size fine-art sample papers and canvases.

Enrollment is limited to only seven participants.

Requirements: Some experience using inkjet printers is required. A working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop is highly recommended.

Tuition for either workshop (April 17th or 18th) is $199 (plus $20 materials fee). Registrations are on a first come first served basis. SPECIAL OFFER: When you mention that you are a reader of ImagingBuffet.com and register by 3/31/2010, you will receive either a $50 discount on the course fee, or a free 30 minute phone consultation with Andrew, a $100 value.

INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION: call 908-790-8820 or email Nancy Ori at nancyori@comcast.net. Directions will be sent upon registration.

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Upcoming Color Management Workshop at Unique Photo in Fairfield, NJ

I’ll be conducting an all day workshop at Unique Photo in Fairfield, NJ on Saturday, April 10, 2010 entitled:
Color Management 101 and Inkjet Printing with Lightroom: Workflow Tips
& Techniques

The direct link for this workshop (and a full description) can be found here.

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Upcoming Printing Workshop at Peter’s Valley in Layton, NJ

Two-day Fine Art Inkjet Printing w/ Photoshop Workshop
with Andrew Darlow at Peters Valley Craft Center in Layton, NJ
May 15-16th, 2010

Level: Beginner to intermediate
Tuition: $280
Material & Studio Fee: $25

For more information or to register, call 973-948-5200 or view and download the 2010 catalog here:
https://www.petersvalley.org/workshops/index.htm