The Digital Photography Show #8 – An Interview with Photoshop Expert Scott Kelby!
The Digital Photography Show #8 – An Interview with Photoshop Expert Scott Kelby! (MP3 – 22 MB – 61mins. )
May 19, 2006: Thanks for joining us for the excellent eighth episode of the Digital Photography Show!
And what a show it is! Today we have a long interview with Scott Kelby, one of the world’s preeminent Photoshop experts. Not only is Scott a prolific author and instructor, but he’s also a super-nice guy, and I have a great time talking with him. By the end of the chat, we somehow segue into a conversation about Lost. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it’s another episode of When Nerds Collide.
Scott tells us about his latest work, The Photoshop Channels Book. As Scott explains it, channels are a vastly underused tool. In this podcast, he explains some of their untapped potential, and he gives step-by-step instructions on how to sharpen using channels – a trick that will allow you to sharpen a picture without introducing more noise.
(BTW, I say on the show that I’ll summarize the steps here on the blog, but listening to it again, I think it’s easy enough that you can get it by listening to the podcast.)
And did I say that Scott is super-nice? As proof, he is giving a copy of his Channels book to a lucky listener of this show who can answer the trivia question he posits within. (Hello! I just used the word “posit!” Woo-hoo!) Send your answer to TheDigitalPhotographyShow@Gmail.com.
Before Scott comes on, Michael and I discuss my new camera, the Canon S3. So far, I like everything about the camera except the incredibly bad electronic viewfinder. Holy cow is it craptastic! However, the LCD screen is nice, and if you rely on that, you’re not too bad off.
The camera has some neat features like the Color Accent setting illustrated below. As I explain on the show, you select one color before taking the picture by aiming the center of your viewfinder at the desired shade. When the color you want fills the center circle, you select it using the camera’s controls. Thereafter, all colors except that one go to grayscale. You actually see the effect on the camera’s LCD, which is pretty cool.
Here are two shots that illustrate Color Accent. (I know they’re not great pictures, I was just trying to shoot something colorful).
Regular Shot:
Using Color Accent
As always, thanks for listening. Please let us know what you think of the show by leaving a comment below. And we’d be especially grateful if you’d leave a positive review on iTunes or Yahoo Podcasts. We’re very needy.
Scott
May 22nd, 2006 at 4:22 am
I loved the Kelby interview. I’ve been a big fan of Scott Kelby for quite some time and I’ve read many of his books. His writing style is very refreshing … most computer/technology related books are best used as sleep aids, but Scott’s books are not like that.
I can’t wait for your next interview, Rick Sammon … another one of my photo heros.
Keep up the good work guys.
Allen Rockwell
http://www.allenrockwellphoto.com
May 23rd, 2006 at 9:06 am
Hi First of all thank you and congratulations for this show!
i’ve been listening all your shows what i like the most is the interesting interviews.
But i have a critique today i listen the latest show (scott kelby) and Scott (the host) made a comentary about he will give an advice to Mr.Bush about inmigration , i don’t want to create a discussion around this subject but as an inmigrant i would like to know if you ever figure out how many inmigrants came here ( To US) and leave their legacy to the following photographers generation ?
How many inmigrants buy their equipment here in US ? So please be aware than when you guys want that somebody listen your podcast that person could be an inmigrant too.
As a suggestion i would propose an interview with FRED MIRANDA (must be an inmigrant) who host a terrific photogray website http://www.fredmiranda.com and please don’t make any anti-inmigrants comments with him.
Best ,
keep up your great work !
Ruben
May 24th, 2006 at 10:05 am
Thanks for the nice words Allen and Ruben.
Allen, I agree, most technology books are snoozefests. That’s what makes Scott so totally cool.
And Ruben, my comment was just about the fact that there was a debate about immigration. It wasn’t meant to be anti-immigrant! My grandparents were immigrants and I wouldn’t be here today if not for them! Actually, if not for them I wouldn’t be anywhere, but you get the point. Sorry if I offended you, though, man.
May 24th, 2006 at 11:58 am
Thanks for getting back to me Scott , no problem just was an advice i know you people are not like journalist or media professional but that is what makes the show fresh and genuine.
Are you thinking in a The Digital Photography Show Forum yet ?
Michael : come on man get the D200 it just about money ! you won’t regret it .
By the way do you know that you have the same zoom lenses that Bryan Peterson have in his bag (me too) now we want to shoot like him :)
Like Jack Dyking says : “Cameras and lenses are simply tools to place our unique vision on film. Concentrate on equipment and you’ll take technically good photographs. Concentrate on seeing the light’s magic colors and your images will stir the soul.”
by the way (another lens lust for Michael ) have you ever tried the nikkor 85mm F1.4 i just received it today : Amazing !
Keep up your great work guys !
Another good interview suggestion: The people from MPIX.com or WHCC.com these websites offer high quality print (online) and best of all HIGH quality of Customer Service.
Also i would suggest and interview with Kerry Drager one of the best photography teacher out there.
May 24th, 2006 at 2:04 pm
Hi Ruben,
I am getting ever closer to aquiring the D200. It is not a matter of it, just a matter of when. My latest lens in my bag is the 85mm f/1.4. I do love it. I wish it they made it AFS for the focus speed, quiet, and manual override which would make a huge difference to me. Although very sharp, I have found that this lens can be a bit of a challenge to use. Although it performs in low light, it shines in well lit situations.
I just got back from a weekend at Hilton Head, SC. I was limited in lenses I could take. I brought the 17-55mm f/2.8, 85mm f/1.4, and my very old trusty 70-210mm. The 70-210mm was much smaller and lighter than the 70-200VR. It has nice optics, but is a slow lens; very well built. It can be tough to pick the right lenses for a trip.
Thanks for the suggestions, and as always, thanks for listening.
Michael
May 26th, 2006 at 3:40 am
I listened to my first podcast of your show, #8 with Scott Kelby and just want to say I really enjoyed it. I’m going to delve into my Photoshop that I know entirely too little about.
I’m a Nikon Shooter, so please no disparaging words about Nikon. Please continue to put a positive swing on the two major options. I have the Nikon D70 digital SLR and just got a new Nikkor macro lens the 60mm prime. I would have liked to get the 105mm macro but my budget didn’t allow for it, ahhhh to be Paris Hilton for a day, but only a day.
I really liked how you presented yourself as enthusiasts. I feel the same way. Have you found Flickr yet? It is a major international community of photographers many of them professional. They allow you to create a photo stream that is so much fun with a top 500 photos of the day and comments from people worldwide on your photos. It might even warrant a bit of interest on your show. Once you are hooked it’s hard to go back. We call it Flickritis.
I’m in the process of downloading all of your shows and look forward to listening to them all. Keep up the great work. I’ll be able to say I knew you when, because I believe this subject could really grab a large audience. I see how Flickr has done just that. People gather all over the world to meet other Flickr members. I never realized how enthusiatic the hobbiest could be when it comes to photography. I just had to send my camera in for repair and I felt like I had lost my best friend for 2 weeks. There are other people out there like me and your show just tops the bill. I can’t wait to listen to them all. I enjoy your repartee…Have a great day.
Denise : ) (The obligatory smiley face)
May 27th, 2006 at 2:26 pm
Hi Denise,
You are not alone as a Nikon shooter. Nikon produces a huge quantity of D70 cameras every month. There are lots of us out there. I’m the token Nikon/Mac/Linux guy on the show. Scott and I joke about a Canon/Nikon rivalry, but we are both fans of both brands. They both make great cameras and lenses.
One year ago, my D70 unfortunately needed repair for BGLOD (Blinking Green Light of Death) Syndrome. It was a tough few weeks going back to using my old Nikon 5700. I understand your pain.
Funny that you brought up Flickr since I just started an account with plans to share my photos for the show. So far I’ve only had time to download three photos, two of which are already on this blog. I’ll eventually build up the galleries and share.
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed the show. Thanks for your comments. Stay tuned…
Michael GW Stein
May 30th, 2006 at 11:17 am
Hi Guys,
I have been listening to your show for a while and have been enjoying it. I just wanted to let you know people are listening :) even if we don’t always let you know… so keep it up fella’s
TonyW.
June 2nd, 2006 at 12:44 am
Hello,
I just found your show, and I thought the interview was great. I’m looking into buying some used equipment, so I was interested in hearing about Lourie Excel, but I can’t seem to find her site, even using all my google-foo. Would you guys happen to have a link?
June 3rd, 2006 at 12:16 am
Recently came across your podcast via an obscure route and decided to download an episode before subscribing. Well worth the initial download - your style and tone of the podcast is engaging and easy to listen to.
Bye the way I’m listening to your podcast from london, England.
Continue the good work
Regards,
William.
June 5th, 2006 at 4:42 am
Thanks for the nice comments to all the people who made nice comments!
William, lovely to know you’re listening across the ocean.
Matt, the website for Laurie is http://www.equipmentlady.com/.
June 6th, 2006 at 6:39 pm
It’s my first visit to your website. After just a quick browse, I’m really impressed!
July 1st, 2006 at 3:42 am
A great show! Great tips from all of you!
September 6th, 2006 at 3:27 am
I never expected that you would talk about the Canon S3 IS that I’ve byed recently. I love Canon cameras and this is a fine example of a wonderful camera. It is most of all a practical and easy to use camera that also allows to take some “almost pro” shots. In this case the problem is not the camera… :)
I would like if you talk more about your experience with the Canon S3 IS.
Wonderful podcast!
December 19th, 2006 at 11:06 pm
Just wanted to point out that I’ve been using something like channels in Photoshop Elements 2.0 thanks to Richard Lynch and his ‘Hidden Power of Elements’ books. Channels can be created via a number of steps, so he walks through them in his book, and then provides scripts (most of the features of Photoshop are in Elements, they’re just not available directly through the UI).
I haven’t been keeping up with Richard’s advances in hidden power, but just popped over to his site. He has a new version out for Elements 4.0. I found the book technical but not too hard to read, and very interesting.
I’ve stuck with 2.0 since I’ve had no compelling reason to upgrade. Via the hidden power tools, I’ve got everything I need. I also use a different organizer, namely iMatch.
Note. I have no affiliations to either of these other than being a happy customer.
Keep up the great work on the show!
December 19th, 2006 at 11:08 pm
Dang! I screwed up the html on my previous post.
Here are correct links:
Hidden Elements
iMatch