Photoshop and Lightroom Custom Training

Latest Photoshop CS5 Courses

2012-02-14T08:51:00.000-05:00

Adobe Photoshop In-Depth (Mac or PC)
Learn how to use the most powerful image editing software available,
Adobe Photoshop. Improve your photographs through the use of
Photoshop’s tone, color, and retouching capabilities. Topics will include
layers; using color and transparency; adjusting images to improve
quality/suitability for intended publication; advanced image editing; and
design, web and print skills with compositing, color management, type
controls, drawing and web prep techniques. Through demonstration and
hands-on exercises taught by an Adobe certified expert and professional
photographer, learn to create exciting and amazing images using some
of this program’s limitless capabilities. Required text: Adobe Photoshop
CS5 Classroom in a Book, Adobe Press (ISBN 9780321701763),
available at MCC Bookstore for approximately $55. Prerequisite: Basic
Windows, keyboard and mouse skills.

(Mac) CRN #12026 2 Saturdays, 4/14-4/21, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
MCC Bldg. AST D211
Fee: $195
MCC Online Course Link

(PC) CRN #12069 2 Wednesdays, 4/18-4/25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
MCC Bldg. LRC B141
Fee: $195

MCC Online Course Link

Adobe Photoshop Advanced (PC)
We will move beyond the basics and take a closer look at how
digital images work, including understanding image size and resolution,
web-safe colors, web and video resolution, video-safe colors, and how
pixel aspect ratios can affect your image. We will also explore layers,
slices, actions, vector graphics, video and animation. In addition, you
will be introduced to 3D images with lessons to get you started, create
a 3D shape from a layer, adjust lighting and surface texture, merge
two-dimensional layers onto 3D layers, and more. Instructor provides
handouts. Prerequisite: Adobe Photoshop In-Depth course or permission
of computer coordinator.

CRN #12038 2 Wednesdays, 5/2-5/9, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
MCC Bldg. LRC B141 (limited seating) Fee: $195

MCC Online Course Link

Practical uses of Puppet Warp in Photoshop CS5, 5.5

2011-09-21T12:56:00.000-04:00

Many users of Photoshop CS5 and 5.5 have seen the Puppet Warp feature in the menu, but aren't really sure how to use it in a truly practical, rather than in a comic or cartoony way.
This video from Adobe unveils one of their "hidden gems" and lets it shine in the real world.

Puppet Warp Hidden Gems

Photoshop Disasters for July

2011-08-19T14:18:00.000-04:00

Notice anything strange here?

Here's a link to a blog featuring Photoshop Disasters. Enjoy!

Web design with Photoshop

2011-08-18T17:32:00.000-04:00

http://zoomzum.com/photoshop-web-design-layout-tutorials/

Basic Photoshop CS5 class -FMC/NYC

2011-08-18T12:16:00.000-04:00

Teaching Basic Photoshop class at Future Media Concepts in NYC next Monday and Tuesday, August 22-23. Still time to sign up! http://lnkd.in/ydNZeF

Photoshop for Web and Video

2011-08-16T09:29:00.000-04:00

Just completed teaching another Photoshop for Web and Video class at http://www.fmctraining.com/ in NYC. My students were journalists from
http://www.channelone.com/, an online news website for high school kids. A great group!

Photoshop 3D Coins

2011-06-17T13:45:00.001-04:00

This video by Photoshop wizard Bert Monroy shows how to make a 3D coin in Photoshop Extended. It's the method I used to create the animated coins in the Small Change video.

Bert's a source of inspiration in that he uses Photoshop in a very innovative and unusual way, creating huge panoramic illustrations as large a 30 ft. across, and more than 6 gigabytes in size!

Here's a link to his site: http://www.bertmonroy.com/

So once the 3D object is created, I imported it as a Photoshop file into After Effects CS5. The image can be imported with a camera and 3D controller attached, which has some pluses and minuses.

For example, you have to apply all lighting in Photoshop-it own't work with this type of file in After Effects, as it does with normal 3D files. Also, if there is more than one 3D object in the Photoshop file, saving and exporting the file takes an eternity compared to After Effects.

Forget about multiple 3D Photoshop objects imported as a single file into After Effects-it bogs down and slows the app to a crawl. With those caveats taken into account, though, animating the coin was fairly straighforward, changing X, Y and Z coordinates and keyframing.

I rendered the file first with keyframing and ease-in/out in AE. I then applied some faux motion blur in AE and rendered that fairly quickly. From concept to completed video-2 days.

-Jeff Shaffer

Advanced Photoshop CS5/Future Media Concepts

2011-05-09T11:15:00.003-04:00

Upcoming class at Future Media Concepts, New York City. Saturday, May 14 and Sunday May 15, 10-6PM. Visit website for more information.

Lightroom 3 Workshop just completed

2011-05-09T11:02:00.001-04:00

Just completed a Lightroom 3 workshop with ASMP/CT chapter@Yale University's Linsley-Chittenden Hall Thanks to all the board members for their help in organizing this event. There were many good tips, suggestions, and ideas for new features to include in Adobe's next Lightroom update.

Student Work video

2011-05-09T10:56:00.000-04:00

Here's a video featuring work from some of my photo students at Napa Valley(CA) and Tunxis CC (CT)

KeyPadPro for iPad with Photoshop shortcuts

2011-03-24T15:31:00.004-04:00

Video featuring KeyPad Pro for iPad. Preset, one-touch control of multi-key keyboard shortcuts, menu items, and more. Available shortcut sets: Photoshop, Illustrator, Aperture, Final Cut Pro, and Sketchup. Create your own keyboard shortcut sets for any application quickly and easily.

Shooting Tethered in Lightroom 3

2011-03-10T08:31:00.014-05:00

Latest instructional video on shooting tethered to your computer in Lightroom 3.
This is a new feature in Lightroom 3.
To see other instructional videos on both software and photo techniques, visit my
LearnFoto channel on Vimeo or on Youtube

Upcoming Photoshop CS5 Classes

2011-02-10T18:04:00.007-05:00

Photoshop CS5 In Depth

An intensive class for beginners to get you up to speed and working well with Adobe Photoshop CS5. Course uses Adobe Classroom in a Book. Courses in both PC and Mac platforms available.

Photoshop CS5 In Depth Mac

Manchester Community College
Manchester, CT D-211

4 Saturdays, 9:00 am-12:00 PM
March 05-26, 2011

Photoshop CS5 In Depth PC

Manchester Community College
Manchester, CT D-211

2 Fridays, 9:00 am-4:00 PM
May 06-13, 2011

For more information, and to register online, contact Manchester Community College

Latest instructional video

2010-11-12T09:12:00.005-05:00

Lighting Glassware from Jeff Shaffer on Vimeo.

Lighting Glassware in the photo studio.

Recent training classes

2010-11-12T09:05:00.002-05:00

Just completed two full days teaching Adobe Photoshop In-Depth with State of CT employees at Manchester CC in Manchester, CT. We'll run it again in Spring-05/06 and 05/13/2011 from 9-4 PM. (PC only) There will also be a class on the Mac four Saturdays: 03/05-03/26/2011.
For more information visit: http://www.mcc.commnet.edu

Recent Clients-and a new trend?

2010-07-16T09:33:00.006-04:00

I recently completed several customized, one-on-one training sessions with marketing executives.
It seems a general trend is emerging-a strong need for fast, web-ready graphics to update the company website. It's been fun and interesting to help clients who may not have any graphics training, but need to learn principles and techniques quickly. Thankfully I can draw on many years of experience working with designers and doing some web design work myself on occasion.
Let me know your needs and I can provide the same kind of training for you or your firm.

Those clients include: Arri, Inc. (high-end motion picture equipment), Corbin Russwin (door and window hardware), and BTRGroup (PeopleSoft, IT solutions.)

Here's a quote from Stephanie Lines, Marketing Coordinator for BTRGroup:

"Before going through an Adobe Photoshop training session I had limited
knowledge of the software. Jeff was very flexible with his curriculum and
designed a syllabus that was catered to my needs and the skills I was
looking to acquire through our session. As an instructor, Jeff was
extremely knowledgeable of Adobe Photoshop. His teaching style made me
feel very comfortable, making it easy to work with him. Whether you are a
beginner or advanced, I would definitely recommend Jeff for anyone who is
looking for Adobe Photoshop training. "

Upcoming Photoshop CS4 Classes

2010-05-21T14:09:00.005-04:00

I'm teaching two new classes on-site at ATCS, Inc.

52 Park Ave., Suite B4
Park Ridge, NJ 07656
(p) 201.663.9159
email ATCS

Photoshop CS4: Level 1

is for beginners who need an essential understanding of photo editing. This is a level 1 Photoshop course- no previous experience with the program is required. All students should be familiar with using a mouse, file management and general operations of a Macintosh or Windows operating system.

05/25/2010 and

8 hours

In-Class

$499.00

More Info & Register

Photoshop CS4 - Advanced

This class is for the students who want to learn more advanced skills with Basic Photoshop knowledge.

Basic knowledge of Photoshop
Looking for advanced Photoshop skills

05/27/2010

8 hours

In-Class

$499.00

More Info & Register

RECOMMENDED TEXT: Adobe Photoshop CS4 Classroom-in-a-Book
Adobe Press ISBN -13 978-0-321-57379-7
$54.99

Video Series: Making Slideshows in Lightroom 2

2010-05-08T07:44:00.006-04:00

Part 1 of 3: Making Slideshows in Lightroom 2

Part 2 of 3: Making Slideshows in Lightroom 2

Part 3 of 3: Making Slideshows in Lightroom 2

Upcoming Photoshop CS4 classes at Manchester Community College

2010-03-28T09:22:00.013-04:00

Adobe Photoshop CS4 Levels 1(Basic) and 2(Intermediate) Classes

Learn Photoshop from an Adobe Certified Instructor in 2 3-hr. sessions.
Level 1 runs from May 1 to 8, 9:00 Am -12:00 PM at Manchester Community College, Room ASTD211, the Mac Lab.

Level 2 immediately follows on May 15 to 22, 9:00 Am -12:00 PM in Room ASTD211.
PC welcome-the interface in Photoshop is virtually the same!

Recommended(but not required) text for both:
Adobe Photoshop CS4 Classroom-in-a-Book
ISBN 13: 978-0-321-57379-7 ISBN 10: 0-321-57379-X

Contact MCC Continuing Education for fees and signup. Both are non-credit courses.

Studio Lighting Workshop

2010-03-28T09:17:00.002-04:00

I've got a workshop class coming up at:
Photosynthesis
136½ Pine Street, Manchester, CT 06040
P: 860-783-5443 • F: 860-783-5445 • E: info@photosynthesisct.com

There's also a couple of videos below to give you a taste of what you can learn.

Studio Lighting

Saturdays: April 3 & 10
1:00pm - 5:00pm

This two day class is intended for both amateur and professional photographers who would like to acquire skills in using artificial lighting in a studio environment.

Class participants will learn to understand and utilize different lighting qualities to create a mood, how to control and modify both incandescent and electronic flash sources, and how to choose proper lighting equipment for a given assignment. You will be taught lighting ratios through proper metering and how to apply basic portrait and product lighting strategies.

Non-members: $175 Members: $150
Course Enrollment: 4-8
Instructor: Jeff Shaffer (shaffersmith.com).
Click here to register.

Lighting Metal from Jeff Shaffer on Vimeo.

Photographic Light Sources from Jeff Shaffer on Vimeo.

My Blog

New Classes at CT Media Institute/March & April

2010-03-05T14:04:00.014-05:00

Beginner Photoshop (Windows)

Dates:
Mar 19-20 Register
Apr 16-17 Register

Course Cost: $375
Fees: $35

At the heart of digital photo manipulation software, is Adobe Photoshop. This remarkable software is capable of repairing and correcting a multitude of photographic image problems at your computer. With a good understanding of the "tools" of Photoshop one can retouch, repair, enhance, correct exposure, change color temperature, straightening and cropping, soften an image, burn, dodge, silhouette an object, overlay, make transparent, and more, and more, and more. Without a solid understanding and basic control of this software, (or one similar to it) I dare to say that what you photograph with your digital camera is only 50-75% of what you could create.

Basic Photo Corrections will introduce you the Photoshop Workspace (in MAC or Windows) where you will be become familiar, through hands-on-experience, with many of the tools used in digital photo manipulation. You will learn to use such tools as the Clone Stamp, Spot Healing, Patch and Healing Brush, sharpening and image using Unsharp Mask, and many others. You'll move on to Working with Selections, Layers Basics, and Correcting and Enhancing Digital Photos Using Camera RAW.

By the end of the two-day intensive course you will have learned much, feel totally exhausted and overwhelmed, but know that you posses the basic Photoshop skills to take advantage of today's digital image manipulation possibilities.

Friday & Saturday – 8:30a - 5:00p.

Intermediate Photoshop (Windows)

Dates:
Mar 26-27 Register
Apr 23-24 Register

Course Cost: $375
Fees: $35

At this level, your training will kick into high gear where you will move through a series of intensive, hands-on exercises in areas of Mask and Channels, Correcting and Enhancing Digital Photos, Advanced Compositing, Using Bridge, and Producing and Printing Consistent Color. This advanced training is designed specifically for the needs of passionate photographers whose creative control over his/her artistic vision demands more control over the digital photo manipulation of their images.

In these exercises you will go deeper into learning how to control multiple areas of an image and refining the use of quick mask and selection saving as a channel mask. In the same way a traditional photographer might dodge or burn various areas in a print, mask control will give you the tools to highly refine specific image corrections, apply the use of filters to the area, add special effects, and add blending modes to the masks. You'll be introduced to noise reduction, shadow/highlight control, perspective adjustments, transform to correct distortions, apply optical lens corrections, align and blend two images, prepare PDF image galleries and much more. The Advanced Compositing exercises will touch upon the use of Smart Filters; automate task using Actions, stitch panoramic images together and the basics of High Dynamic Range (HDR) image control. Finally, you will be introduced to the principles of color management, soft-proofing in the view menu and producing and printing consistent color.

There is a lot to practice and learn in a small amount of time to prepared to feel total exhausted and spent at the end of the course. The reward for all the hard work will come when in about a week after you have recuperated and you work on your own images you say to yourself …wow!

Friday & Saturday – 8:30a - 5:00p.

http://www.shaffersmithphoto.blogspot.com

http://www.shaffersmith.wordpress.com

New Instructional Videos for Photoshop

2010-02-19T13:24:00.006-05:00

Cropping and straightening an image

Using the High Pass filter for sharpening

Using Bridge CS4 to import photos

The Blog

2010-02-19T13:16:00.004-05:00

Three Courses: Photoshop 1, 2 and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

I've recently become associated with My Adobe Trainer.com, an Adobe Authorized Training Center, based in Northern New Jersey. I'm teaching three courses for them, and they are offered onsite at their facility, or online. We'll be offering them on monthly basis.

Here's some details:

Photoshop CS4 Basics

Basics is for beginners who need an essential understanding of photo editing. This is a Level 1 Photoshop course-no previous experience with the program is required. All students should be familiar with using a mouse, file management and general operations of a Macintosh or Windows operating system

Start Date: 02/27/2010
End Date: 02/27/2010
Duration: 8 hours, 9AM-5PM
Type: In-Class
Cost: $449.00 Register

Online Classes available too!

Start Date: 02/23/2010
End Date: 02/25/2010
Duration: 4 hrs. per session, 5:30-9:30 PM, 8 hours total
Type:Virtual/Online
Cost: $449.00 Register

Photoshop CS4 Advanced

In this course you will build over what has been taught in Basic classes. I will provide countless tips and techniques to help you become more productive and start working on Photoshop.

Start Date: 02/27/2010
End Date: 02/27/2010
Duration: 8 hours, 9AM-5PM
Type: In-Class
Cost: $449.00 Register

Online Classes available too!

Start Date: 02/23/2010
End Date: 02/25/2010
Duration: 4 hrs. per session, 5:30-9:30 PM, 8 hours total
Type:Virtual/Online
Cost: $449.00 Register

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

Students will learn to process images and manage a digital photo library more efficiently utilizing the powerful Camera Raw workflow in Lightroom. They will also learn to customize, export and output files in several different formats. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: edit, catalog and organize a digital image library, use Camera Raw for processing images, export to Photoshop or other editing software, and create custom websites, slideshows, and prints.

Start Date: 02/27/2010
End Date: 02/27/2010
Duration: 8 hours, 9AM-5PM
Type: In-Class
Cost: $449.00 Register

Online Classes available too!

Start Date: 02/23/2010
End Date: 02/25/2010
Duration: 4 hrs. per session, 5:30-9:30 PM, 8 hours total
Type:Virtual/Online
Cost: $449.00 Register

My Blog

Upcoming Classes In Lightroom and Studio Lighting

2010-02-19T12:35:00.027-05:00

I've got a couple of new mini-workshop classes coming up at:
Photosynthesis
136½ Pine Street, Manchester, CT 06040
P: 860-783-5443 • F: 860-783-5445 • E: info@photosynthesisct.com

Adobe Lightroom Introduction
Thursday, February 25
6:00pm - 9:00pm

Lightroom has become the software of choice for photography workflow and management. This seminar will introduce you to the Lightroom interface and setup and will cover the Library and Development modules.

Though not required, you are asked to bring a laptop with a charged battery. If you are not a Lightroom owner, you will be directed to download a free trial version.

Non-members: $60 Members: $50
Course Enrollment: 5 - 15
Instructor: Jeff Shaffer (shaffersmith.com).
Click here to register.

Adobe Lightroom: The Export Modules

Thursday, March 4
6:00pm - 9:00pm

This seminar will take you beyond the basics of organizing and editing images, as taught in our Introduction to Lightroom, and will introduce you to the Slideshow, Web, and Print modules.

Though not required, you are asked to bring a laptop with a charged battery. If you are not a Lightroom owner, you will be directed to download a free
trial version.

Non-members: $60 Members: $50
Course Enrollment: 5 - 15
Instructor: Jeff Shaffer (shaffersmith.com).

Click here to register.

Register for both Adobe Lightroom Seminars and receive a $10 Discount:

Non-members: $110 Members: $90
Click here to register..

Studio Lighting

Saturdays: April 3 & 10
1:00pm - 5:00pm

This two day class is intended for both amateur and professional photographers who would like to acquire skills in using artificial lighting in a studio environment.

Non-members: $175 Members: $150
Course Enrollment: 4-8
Instructor: Jeff Shaffer (shaffersmith.com).
Click here to register.

Lighting Metal from Jeff Shaffer on Vimeo.

Photographic Light Sources from Jeff Shaffer on Vimeo.

My Blog

2010-01-06T12:58:00.009-05:00

Three New Courses: Photoshop 1, 2 and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

I've recently become associated with My Adobe Trainer.com, an Adobe Authorized Training Center, based in Northern New Jersey. I'm teaching three new courses for them, and they are offered onsite at their facility, or online. We'll be offering them on monthly basis.

Here's some details:

Photoshop CS4 Basics

Basics is for beginners who need an essential understanding of photo editing. This is a Level 1 Photoshop course- no previous experience with the program is required. All students should be familiar with using a mouse, file management and general operations of a Macintosh or Windows operating system

Start Date: 01/23/2010
End Date: 01/23/2010
Duration: 8 hours, 9AM-5PM
Type: In-Class
Cost: $399.00 Register

Online Classes available too!

Start Date: 01/19/2010
End Date: 01/21/2010
Duration: 4 hrs. per session, 5:30-9:30 PM, 8 hours total
Type:Virtual/Online
Cost: $399.00 Register

Photoshop CS4 Advanced

In this course you will build over what has been taught in Basic classes. I will provide countless tips and techniques to help you become more productive and start working on Photoshop.

Start Date: 01/30/2010
End Date: 01/30/2010
Duration: 8 hours, 9AM-5PM
Type: In-Class
Cost: $399.00 Register

Online Classes available too!

Start Date: 01/26/2010
End Date: 01/28/2010
Duration: 4 hrs. per session, 5:30-9:30 PM, 8 hours total
Type:Virtual/Online
Cost: $399.00 Register

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

Students will learn to process images and manage a digital photo library more efficiently utilizing the powerful Camera Raw workflow in Lightroom. They will also learn to customize, export and output files in several different formats. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: edit, catalog and organize a digital image library, use Camera Raw for processing images, export to Photoshop or other editing software, and create custom websites, slideshows, and prints.

Start Date: 02/06/2010
End Date: 02/06/2010
Duration: 8 hours, 9AM-5PM
Type: In-Class
Cost: $399.00 Register

Online Classes available too!

Start Date: 02/02/2010
End Date: 02/04/2010
Duration: 4 hrs. per session, 5:30-9:30 PM, 8 hours total
Type:Virtual/Online
Cost: $399.00 Register

Photoshop and Lightroom Custom Training

Latest Photoshop CS5 Courses

Practical uses of Puppet Warp in Photoshop CS5, 5.5

Photoshop Disasters for July

Web design with Photoshop

Basic Photoshop CS5 class -FMC/NYC

Photoshop for Web and Video

Just completed teaching another Photoshop for Web and Video class at http://www.fmctraining.com/ in NYC. My students were journalists from http://www.channelone.com/, an online news website for high school kids. A great group!

Photoshop 3D Coins

Advanced Photoshop CS5/Future Media Concepts

Lightroom 3 Workshop just completed

Student Work video

KeyPadPro for iPad with Photoshop shortcuts

Shooting Tethered in Lightroom 3

Upcoming Photoshop CS5 Classes

Latest instructional video

Recent training classes

Recent Clients-and a new trend?

Upcoming Photoshop CS4 Classes

Video Series: Making Slideshows in Lightroom 2

Upcoming Photoshop CS4 classes at Manchester Community College

Studio Lighting Workshop

New Classes at CT Media Institute/March & April

Intermediate Photoshop (Windows)

New Instructional Videos for Photoshop

Upcoming Classes In Lightroom and Studio Lighting

Just completed teaching another Photoshop for Web and Video class at http://www.fmctraining.com/ in NYC. My students were journalists from
http://www.channelone.com/, an online news website for high school kids. A great group!