ATTEND A PRE-CON

Pre-cons are a great way to get PSW off to a great start. NAPP works hard to offer a wide range of Pre-Cons for everyone. The only problem; there isn’t room for everyone. Signing up in advance is the only way to ensure you can attend a Pre-Con. If you miss out, you can try to attend a few NON OFFICIAL photo walks that members set up. Terry Reinert has always provided great walks.

PLAN AHEAD AND USE A FRIEND

Scott Kelby and his group has developed a genius plan to organize the classes. The classes are coordinate into “TRACKS”. These tracks let participants select what they want to learn. One pitfall; sometimes you are conflicted on choosing which class to take! This is where friends come in. Plan ahead which classes you both want to take. If there is a conflict, split up and later that day review your notes with each other. If you don’t bring a friend with you, make a friend and do the same. If you have a problem making a friend, come see me and I will loan you one of my friends. (Sorry Terry, you are first on the loaning out list).

TRAVEL LITE

You will receive a Photoshop World conference book. The Alumina affectionately call it “The Phone Book“. The book has notes to ALL the classes. It’s heavy, leave it in your hotel room! Bring a note pad instead. Laptop computers? Nope don’t need them. It’s best just to sit and listen to the instructors. You don’t need to write everything down, that’s what the book is for. Just write brief notes to remind yourself where to look in the book. Sometimes the instructor has something that isn’t in the book and they will tell you to write it down.

SNACKS and WATER BOTTLE

Each room will have water available. Staying  hydrated will keep you focus on the class. Bring a small water bottle and fill it up before the class starts. Healthy snacks will also keep your mind off hunger pains!

BUSINESS CARDS

Business cards are great. One main problem, you will hand out and receive lots of them. Organize them as people give them to you. Write a little note on the card that will help you remember the person who gave it to you. When you return to your  hotel room, add them to your contact list on your phone or computer. Also add any notes you have on them. Organize the new contacts as members of Photoshop World. When you get back home, you can send them a thank you email. Keep in mind most people took a week off to attend Photoshop World. They may be slow to respond. DON’T give your contact information to anyone you don’t want to contact you.

COMFORTABLE SHOES and OUTFIT

I’ve logged over six miles walking back and forth from my hotel room to the convention center and to the classes. Wear shoes that will make your feet love you. It tends to get cold in the seminar rooms. Wear something that will make you feel comfortable while sitting in the classroom.

LOAD PHOTOS ON YOUR iPOD OR PHONE

Load up your iPOD or phone with your best work art. Show them to people who ASK for them or if you need ADVICE on a project. Over showing your photos can turn people off. Judge the people you are with and if they want to see your work, they will ask. Don’t be afraid to ask others if you can see their work. If you see something you like, ask them how they did it.

EAT WITH NEW FRIENDS

During the breaks, have lunch or dinner with new friends that you have met. Share conversation with them.

ATTEND PORTFOLIO REVIEW

As a Photoshop World conference attendee, you’ll have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get one-on-one instructive feedback as your portfolio is reviewed by some of the most highly acclaimed professional photographers in the industry today. Helene Glassman and the gang donate their time and skills reviewing participants portfolios. The only catch, you have to sign up at least two weeks in advance.

CHECK OUT HELP DESK LIVE!

This is where you go to get your Photoshop questions answered, one-on-one, directly from the Photoshop World instructors themselves. Led by Photoshop author and NAPP’s resident Help Desk guru Peter Bauer, Help Desk Live is open all three days during Expo hall hours of the conference, and located close to the classrooms so you can just walk up and have your Photoshop questions answered in a fun, informal setting. Bring questions you would like answered.

THANK THE STAFF MEMBERS

Most people don’t realize the staff members you see at Photoshop World are actual staff members from Kelby Media. They take turns attending Photoshop World each year. They are there to help make your experience an enjoyable and memorable one. Take time to give them a simple “thank you“. They work long hard days while they are at the convention.

LASTLY, ENJOY YOURSELF

I’m not advocating you become a member of “Ross Bushong’s Classic Class Dodgers”. But after you attend classes and do your homework, take in a few shows, relax by the pool. You deserve it!

VANELLI’S ITINERARY

Tuesday, September 29^th

11:25a-01:25p Arrive in Las Vegas

03:00p-02:00a Free to shoot

Wednesday, September 30^th

06:00a-07:00a Work out

12:00p-09:00p NAPP Photo Safari with Moose Peterson & Joe McNally

09:30p-02:00a Free to shoot

Thursday, October 1^st

06:00a-07:00a Work out

09:00a-10:15a Opening Keynote

10:45a-11:45a Graphic Secrets: Totally Text Lesa Snider

12:00p-01:00p Mastering the New Adjustments & Masks Panels Ben Willmore

01:15p-02:15p Digital Photographer’s Notebook Kevin Ames

02:30p-03:30p Top 20 Shortcuts for Photoshop and Lightroom Julieanne Kost

06:15p-07:15p The Designer’s Lifesavers Jack Davis

08:00p-11:00p Photoshop World After-Hours Party – House of Blues

Friday, October 2^nd

01:00p-05:00p Expo Open

06:00a-07:00a Work out

08:15a-09:15a Lightroom for Wedding Photographers  David Ziser

09:30a-10:30a Real World Camera Raw Jeff Schewe

10:45a-11:45a Concert Photography From Capture To Client Alan Hess

12:00p-01:00p Seeing the Light Jack Reznicki

04:45p-05:45p The Lone Ranger Joe McNally

06:00p-07:00p Lightroom for Landscape & Travel Photography Jack Davis

10:00p-12:00a Midnight Madness hosted by Scott Kelby

Saturday, October 3^rd

06:00a-07:00a Work out

09:00a-01:00p Expo Open

11:00a-12:00p Practical B&W Conversion for the Common User Vincent Versace

01:00p-02:00p Printing From Lightroom Jeff Schewe

02:15p-03:15p Create Print Layouts in Lightroom Scott Kelby

03:45p-04:45p Conference Wrap-up & Giveaways

Sunday, October 4^th

Anytime – 11:00a Free to shoot

01:00p – 08:30p Arrive in Orlando

Congrats to Scott for a job well done! Best of luck in the finals!

Bike Path - By Scott Larson

Prizes:  Oh man is there a grand prize!!!! Check out this mega prize package (awarded by Scott to the single best overall photo taken that day, from all the Photo Walk locations around the world.

They are:

• The Adobe CS3 Creative Suite Premium Package
• The New Adobe Lightroom 2
• Two full conference passes to the Photoshop World Conference & Expo
• The new Wacom 6×11 Widescreen Tablet
• A $500 Gift Card for Purchases Online or in Store at B&H
• From Mpix – Two 20″x30″ Color Prints/Kodak Professional Portra Endura Paper
• From Peachpit – A $250 book bundle

As always, if you have any questions or just want to shoot an email to say hi, please feel free to do so.

Vanelli

The “Scott Kelby Photowalk” just around the corner! These are a few last minute tips I want to share.

• 1. Make sure your mirror or senor is clean: Take several photos of the sky or something solid. Inspect your photos closely on your computer for “dust bunnies”. Check your manual on how to safely clean your camera.
• 2. Pack your camera bag the night before or sooner: Have a game plan for the type of shots you want to take. Be flexibly, plans can always change. If you take too much equipment, it will weigh you down and you will feel uncomfortable. Not taking the right equipment can make you frustrated. (I’ve included what I’m bringing at the end of this post.)
• 3. Lens cloth: Dust happens! You can pick up an inexpensive lens cloth from a camera shop or even Wal-Mart. Keep it in your bag and when you need it, it’s there.
• 4. Format extra memory cards: Just in case you start to get shutter happy, bring along a few formatted memory cards. Keep them in your case with the label facing you. When you swap them out, turn the card around so you know the card has photos on it. Don’t delete in camera. Wait until you get home!
• 5. A comfortable outfit and shoes: Our photos seem to take on “our” feeling. If we feel relaxed, it will show in the final image!
• 6. Charge your batteries: Make sure you charge your camera and take along extra batteries if you are using a flash. Very important…. make sure you actually put the battery back in your camera before you leave!
• 7. Breath mints or gum: OK, now I know this sounds funny, but bad breath can make you feel self conscious when talking to others. It may stop you from asking questions or teaming up with fellow shooters. Plus, if somebody happens to forget their mints, you can offer them yours and save your eyebrows from melting off!
• 8. Make a connection with others shooters: A big part of a Photowalk is to have fun and to network with other photographers. Talk to your group leader and ask them to post your email for others to contact you.
• 9. Create your Flicker account now: Log onto your city’s home page and find your Photowalk Flicker group. Create your account ahead of time. When you are done with the walk, you can post them quicker.
• 10. An open mind: If I give you a dollar and you give me a dollar, we are left with what we started with, a dollar. But, if I give you an idea and you give me an idea, we both walk away with two ideas. We all have something to bring to the table.

Ok this may not be safe; considering we could be in traffic or walking down busy streets, but I like to my IPod with me. I set my music to the type of mood I’m shooting for. Now, we are going to be with a group of people and one benefit of the Photowalk is to network. There is time on the walk for you to explore on your own. That may be a good time to crank that music!

My gear:

• 17-55 vr
• 105 vr macro
• 70-200
• 50 1.8 (not sure why, but it always seems to tag along)
• (2) SB800 Flashes
• Nikon D200 camera
• Hoodman
• A sling bag that enables me to keep the bag on my shoulder and still get to my camera

We can only host 50 people, so sign up for this free event!!!! Photo Walk Sign Up

Frequently Asked QuestionsQ. What is a Photo Walk?
A. It’s a social photography event where photographers get together, usually in a downtown area or trendy section of town, to walk around, shoot photos, and generally have fun with other photographers.

Q. What day is this special Worldwide Photo Walk?
A. Saturday, August 23rd, 2008

Q. How long does it last?
A. Two hours, from start to finish.

Q. When does it start?
A. It starts at a different time in each city (the time is chosen by the Photo Walk leader in each city, and it posted on your “City Page” here on the site.

Q. Where do we go on this walk?
A. Your local walk leader chooses the starting place and the basic route you’ll be following. They also choose an ending place (usually a local restaurant, pub, cafe, etc.) where you can wind down after the shoot, look at your photos from the day, and make new photography friends. At least, that’s the plan.

Q. Is there a fee to be part of this worldwide photo walk?
A. Nope, it’s totally free (well, if you buy food or drinks at the restaurant, that’s on you, but there’s no charge to be a part of the photo walk itself).

Q. Is the number of people in each city limited?
A. Yup. It’s limited to just 50 people per city (If groups get much bigger, it gets really hard to manage; hard to find a restaurant to hold more people, it creates crowd control problems, etc.)

Q. Do I have to sign up in advance?
A. Yeah, you have to let us know you’re going to a part of a particular city’s event by using the registration form (found right here). Don’t forget to choose your city from the pop-up menu.

Q. Is there any training during the event?
A. Not really—this is a social event, just for fun, but since you’re working with a group of photographers you always wind up learning something from each other (at least, we do).

Q. Do we have to stick together as one big group?
A. Nope. Once the walk starts, you kind of move at your own pace, and we try to make the routes short enough so you have plenty of time for shooting and exploring along the way, and still get to the ending point on time.

Q. Are there any prizes involved?
A. You betcha! Since this Worldwide Photo Walk is to celebrate the release of the update of the world’s bestselling Lightroom book (Scott Kelby’s “Lightroom Book for Digital Photographers”), the best photo from the day (as chosen by your local walk leader) will win a copy of Scott’s new book.

Q. Where will these photos be posted for judging?
A. We’ve set up a special flickr group for each city, so you can see the best shots from the other photo walkers in your area (and around the world).

Q. Is there a Grand Prize?
A. Oh man is there a grand prize!!!! Check out this mega prize package (awarded by Scott to the single best overall photo taken that day, from all the Photo Walk locations around the world. They are:

The Adobe CS3 Creative Suite Premium Package
The New Lightroom 2
Two full conference passes to the Photoshop World Conference & Expo
The new Wacom 6×11 Widescreen Tablet
Q. How can I tell if there’s a Photo Walk near me?
A. Click on the Cities link above.

Q. What if there isn’t a Photo Walk planned for my city?
A. You can apply to be a Photo Walk leader (you just have to have the qualifications, which are listed on this “Leader Registration Page”

Q. How should I dress?
A. Casual, and wear comfortable shoes because you’ll be walking (Hey, it’s a photo “walk,” right?)

Q. Anything else?
A. Nope, just go and spend a great day, with some great people, who love making