One Project Four Great Resources

First let me explain my inspiration for this post. I will be attending a special NAPP Safari with two great Photoshop World instructors, Moose Peterson and Joe McNally. I can’t tell you where we will be shooting, but I can say it falls in the line with street photography. So the project is STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

With that being said, here was my thought process. Street photography made me think of Sandy Foster, who’s street photography images are stunning. Which made me think she needs to get signed model release forms which reminded me of a class Jack Reznicki and Ed Greenberg taught on model release forms. That made me download Jack and Ed’s simple model release form which made me think of a post Larry Becker did on “Invite Models to Your Pad”. The pad being your model release forms made into a pad from an office supply company. While editing the form in Adobe Indesign, I thought of a class Terry White did at Photoshop World that taught us how to use conditional text so the forms can be changed on the fly. Now you have a glimpse of what’s inside Vanelli’s  head when he prepares for a project!

So to recap before I explain what I did… Street photographers (Sandy Foster) need model release forms (Jack Reznicki and Ed Greenberg), and it would be convenient to have the forms on a pad (Larry Becker) that can be designed (Terry White) so other photographers could use them too! Whew that was a lot of thought to prepare for one photography class (Joe McNally and Moose Peterson).

The Model Release form

Jack and Ed drilled into our heads the importance of  having a signed release form. Even if you don’t think you are going to use the images in the future, it’s a great safety net that can protect you if you change your mind. I am not a lawyer, so the best advice I can give you is to take their class or watch it on Kelby Training.com. This way you are getting first hand information. I asked Jack if I could share the Limited Model Release form and he was more than happy to let me share it with you.  Keep in mind, this is a generic form. Each state has their own laws.

Limited Model Release

I give Robert Louis Vanelli (“Photographer”) and designees and those acting with Photographer’s authority permission to use the photographs created or made on _____________ for the sole purpose of fine art gallery shows and exhibits, photography books and video tutorials, and for use in photographer’s portfolio, self-promotion, lectures, and books.

I waive any right to inspect or approve the finished images, or other printed matter that may be used in connection therewith. Except as stated above, I do not give permission for the use of my name or said photographs for the purpose of advertising or endorsing any goods or services.

Model acknowledges that he/she has read this release and has received a copy of this release.

_______________________________________         _______________________________________
Model’s Name                                                                                    Model’s Signature

_______________________________________         _______________________________________
Address                                                                                                Date

_______________________________________         _______________________________________
Witness Signature                                                                            Witness Address

If you plan to use this form, please send Jack and Ed a simple thank you email.

Designing the form

I wanted to keep the form small enough to carry in my bag yet big enough for the model to fill out. I chose to use legal size; 8.5 x 14, paper and print 4 to a sheet. The final form size is 6.5 x 3.75. Using concepts from Terry White’s conditional text tutorial, I made the Photographer’s name, address and phone number conditional text. Now I can print the form for other photographers without changing my design.

Creating the Pad

Larry Becker’s post, “Invite Models to your Pad” gives great advice about creating a pad for your model release forms. After reading it, I went to Staples to have them make a pad for me. The only problem, Staples has a 3 day turn around. I called Office Depot and they have a one day turn around. My last call was to Kinkos. They have a 4hr turnaround! I went there and the staff was great. I explained what I needed and they suggested an alternative option. For 30 cents a sheet they can print the form on a carbon paper. At first this sounded expensive but then I realized I’m printing 4 forms to a sheet. The cost would be $5.00 for a total of 80 forms or 6 cents a form. The downside, the forms would be individual not a pad. I decided to stick with my original plan  and have them make a pad for me. The cost is about $9.00.

Street Photography

I can’t wait to go on the NAPP Photo Safari with Moose and Joe. I really can’t post anything on the actual shoot until we go. Look for my review later in the week.

Moral of the Post

Integrate lessons you are taught by different instructors!

Preparing files for Metal Mural

Metal Mural reproduce high quality images on metal in a modular design, perfect for reproducing art, portraits, wedding photos and more on a durable, scratch resistant metal. I have created a simple video helping you prepare your files for print. I have also included a few templates you can download to help you see how the tiles will be printed.

A few quick notes.

• set your image size to 100 ppi.
• use Adobe RGB 1998 as your color space.
• save your image to jpg at the highest setting.
• be creative!
• template download

Read more

Create a Before and After Preview

A quick way to show two images side by side for a before and after view. As an added bonus, a simple way to create an animated GIF inside Photoshop.

Skills taught:

• increase canvas size
• drag an image in place using Shift key as you click with the mouse and drag
• use of Photoshop’s animated window
• saving the file as a GIF

(OK I said a little mistake, the Shift key is the same on a PC as it is on a MAC )

Read more

Vignette to Transparent

A non destructive way to create a transparent vignette using a layer mask.

Read more

Google Android

After the last Photoshop World 2009 in Las Vegas, I felt left out. Everyone was walking around the after hours party using a cool application on their iPhone called BUMP. I think Terry Reinert mention it to me a few months back, but I didn’t grasp it because I had a Blackberry.It’s a cool application that let’s you transfer your contact information or photos to another person using BUMP.

Now I have upgraded to the HTC Hero from Sprint. I have to say, I love it. I love it so much my son has the Google Moment and I talked Mike “Hollywood” Kubeisy into getting one too!  With thousands of applications to choose from, you know BUMP had to be one of them. So yes, I have installed it on my “droid”

This brings me to my post. I installed another app called aTrackDog. The app finds the newest version for apps that backed-up on the SD card. It tracks new version for backed-up apps, install, delete backed-up apps, export app list for sharing and let’s you browse the top 100 popular apps.

I use Androlib to find an app that I like, then I point my droid at the barcode on the screen and scan it. BAM, I have the app on my phone. Very cool stuff!  I’ve had the phone now since November 2009. I didn’t want to write a review until I got to know the phone better. I’ve included the apps that are on my droid, if you have a favorite let me know!

Top Reasons to have ANY smart phone

• all contacts, email and calendar information can be found in one place
• for photographers, you have your portfolio with you at all times
• read RSS feeds
• watch your favorite Photoshop TV episode
• update your web site
• listen to music
• oh yeah make phone calls

My Droid apps

Exported by aTrackDog at 04:41:26 2010/02/12

• Astrid,2.10.2
• Barcode Scanner,3.1
• Bible,1.1.4
• Facebook,1.1.2
• GOALS ToDo Free,1.4.0
• Movies,2.4
• Shazam,1.2
• To Do List,1.1.2
• Where’s My Droid,2.5.1
• 1-800-Flowers,2.6.0
• 10000 Things to Know Lite,1.1.5
• Advanced Task Killer Free,1.7.0
• AP Mobile,2.2
• ASTRO,2.2.4
• aTrackDog,3.11
• Bump,1.06
• Coin Flip,2.3
• Facebook Pro,1.0
• FlightStats Lite,1.0.1
• Google Sky Map,1.3
• IMDb Top 250,0.9.6
• Instant Lyrics Lite,2.5
• Mobile Banking,2.12
• My Lists,1.0.0
• OpenTable,1.1
• Pandora,1.1.2
• Photoshop.com Mobile,1.0.1
• PicSay,1.3.0.2
• PureRSS 1.3,1.3
• ShopSavvy,3.6.1
• SMS Backup,1.1.1
• TripIt,1.0.4
• Wertago,1.31
• yp.com,1.0.1

My only regret, I haven’t talked Larry Becker into getting one yet. Larry would do a full scale review and find hidden features in the phone, so I kinda have an alternative motive!

Vacation with Vanelli!

Barrier Island Station-Kitty Hawk
March 8-12, 2010
$595.00 NAPP Members (discount code NAPP)
$695.00 Non Members (price includes FREE membership into NAPP!)

Register

SPECIAL NEWS: First 5 paid attendees can stay for FREE in the 4 bedroom condo unit!

Five Day Vacation Workshop with Vanelli!

The vacation workshop is designed to be hands-on (Vanelli expects many hugs). All levels from beginners to advanced can attend. The fun starts at 5:00 pm on Monday, March 8th and drags on until sometime Friday, March 12th. If you need help deciding what to bring, visit the Survival Kit’s Packing List. Ritalin and earplugs are highly recommended.

The meeting room and living arrangements are one in the same. Yeah, it’s a lot of time to spend with Vanelli, so if you think you can’t handle it, contact us for other accommodation options.  The 4 bedroom condo has 1 king bed, 2 queen beds and 2 single beds. Sleeping arrangements are first come, first serve.  There is a grocery store and local shops within walking distance, and the condo features a full kitchen. Participants staying on-premises will have access to the resort amenities.

Although the workshop is structured, you will also have free time for vacation-type activities on your own if you wish. Vanelli will always be available (he never sleeps); Sandy will be available most of the time (she does sleep). Peer knowledge and advice will be plentiful with our group Breakfast Babble and Dinner Discussions.

Helpful links

2010 Outerbanks Guide

Barrier Island Station-Kitty Hawk

Getting There

The closest airport is Norfolk International Airport 64 miles away. It’s about a 90 minute drive (that’s an hour and a half for all you non-mathematical types). It’s not that Vanelli’s driving skills are bad; it’s his ability to stay off the Android while driving that makes it scary to be a passenger, therefore, carpooling is not arranged or provided by Vacation With Vanelli. If you wanna talk to other participants about carpooling, send a shout and we’ll hook you up.

Detailed directions and the condo address can be found in the Survival Kit. Only paid participants have access. No party crashers allowed.

Helpful Hint:

When you arrive in Kitty Hawk, get out of the vehicle and listen for the sound of Vanelli’s voice. Follow that sound to the condo. Shouldn’t be hard to do.

Refund Policy: If you chicken out, your dough is refundable up to 30 days before the workshop (minus a $25 restocking fee). If it’s less than 30 days we will transfer your registration to a future workshop, or to a different victim.

Adobe, the Adobe Logo, Photoshop and Lightroom are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated. NAPP and National Association of Photoshop Professionals are a registered trademark of Kelby Media.

Scott Kelby can…

Ok we have all heard the funny Chuck Norris jokes. Chuck Norris always knows the EXACT location of Carmen SanDiego or Some people wear Superman pajamas. Superman wears Chuck Norris pajamas. I thought it would be funny to start a Scott Kelby can… jokes. Like, Scott Kelby can see 48 stops of light or Scott Kelby does HDR, in the camera! Once we have them all, I will present them to him at Photoshop World in Orlando on March 24, 2010. Make them funny and leave your name to get credit for it!