A.J. Wood - The Adobe Wan» Tutorials http://ajwood.com Instructor • Photographer • Life Enthusiast Mon, 21 May 2012 20:23:02 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Use Photoshop’s Eyedropper Tool Anywhere – I Create Content #54 http://ajwood.com/video/use-photoshops-eyedropper-tool-anywhere-i-create-content-54/ http://ajwood.com/video/use-photoshops-eyedropper-tool-anywhere-i-create-content-54/#comments Thu, 15 Mar 2012 14:37:55 +0000 A.J. Wood http://ajwood.com/?p=2556 Today’s tutorial is a cool trick I picked up from Justin Seeley. It turns out you can use the Eyedropper tool in Photoshop to choose colors from anywhere on your computer. You can also do this in other Adobe apps as well. Simply choose the Eyedropper, and while holding the mouse button drag the cursor outside of the Photoshop app workspace. You can use this to pickup colors from your favorite website or other applications, even your desktop icons. A great tip–thanks Justin!

]]> http://ajwood.com/video/use-photoshops-eyedropper-tool-anywhere-i-create-content-54/feed/ 0 Lightroom 4 Beta Available for Download – I Create Content #53 http://ajwood.com/video/lightroom-4-beta-available-for-download/ http://ajwood.com/video/lightroom-4-beta-available-for-download/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 17:51:53 +0000 A.J. Wood http://ajwood.com/?p=2438

Early this morning Adobe posted the Lightroom 4 public beta on Adobe Labs. If you’ve caught the buzz, this is a significant update not only adding new features, but once again improving a tremendous product. The HOT TOPIC is soft proofing, and there’s plenty to see with Maps, Books, base level video editing, and improvements to Develop module processing. I will be posting videos on Lightroom 4 starting tomorrow, in the meantime here are some resources to get you up to speed:

Download Lightroom 4 Beta:

http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom4/

A breakdown of features by community experts:

http://lightroomsecrets.com/2012/01/lightroom-4-public-beta-is-here/

http://www.lightroomqueen.com/2012/01/09/whats-new-in-lightroom-4-0-beta/

http://www.pixiq.com/article/lightroom-4-beta

NAPP has some quick video overviews of what’s new:
http://www.photoshopuser.com/lightroom4 – remember loyal readers get a signup discount for NAPP using “ajwood” for new membership or renewals.

]]> http://ajwood.com/video/lightroom-4-beta-available-for-download/feed/ 0 How To Create Type on a Path in Photoshop – I Create Content #52 http://ajwood.com/video/how-to-create-type-on-a-path-in-photoshop-i-create-content-52/ http://ajwood.com/video/how-to-create-type-on-a-path-in-photoshop-i-create-content-52/#comments Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:21:14 +0000 A.J. Wood http://ajwood.com/?p=2404 If you’re an Illustrator user it can be confusing when you jump into Photoshop and go to create type on a path. First off, there isn’t a clear “Type on Path” tool. In today’s video, we walk through the steps to create type on a path, and even put type on a circle. Enjoy!

]]> http://ajwood.com/video/how-to-create-type-on-a-path-in-photoshop-i-create-content-52/feed/ 3 To Maximize Your Talents You Have To Recognize & Acknowledge Where You Suck http://ajwood.com/2011/11/to-maximize-your-talents-you-have-to-recognize-acknowledge-where-you-suck/ http://ajwood.com/2011/11/to-maximize-your-talents-you-have-to-recognize-acknowledge-where-you-suck/#comments Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:25:57 +0000 A.J. Wood http://ajwood.com/?p=2390 Last week I mentioned that I had recorded new video tutorials for Layers Magazine & Psdtuts+. I have been creating videos for Layers Magazine for a while, and I was excited to have met Grant Friedman at Photoshop World. Our conversation at PSW Vegas led to the opportunity to create videos for Psdtuts+. My first tutorial Use Curves Adjustment to Turn Day to Night was posted last Friday and sent shockwaves throughout the community. Never before in the history of Psdtuts+ had such a horrendous-putrid-God-awful-stink of a tutorial ever been posted. At least, not until Saturday when my second tutorial Create a Planet Using Photoshop’s 3D Capabilities went live on the site…

*sigh*

I would be lying if I said that I wasn’t disappointed with the outcome. No one wants to hear that their work isn’t acceptable. How could this happen you ask? Simple. I clearly didn’t know my audience before creating the tutorials. I have never claimed to be an artist, anyone who follows my work knows I’m more artisan & engineer. My talent lies not in what I create, but my ability to communicate & teach. I could argue the merits of both tutorials, but that would be like telling an Apple fanboy why they should by a PC. Bottom line, I missed the mark. I failed. I laid a big fat goose egg. Twice.

To Maximize Your Talents You Have To Recognize & Acknowledge Where You Suck

A colleague recently suggested I was living in a bubble of positive feedback where everyone kissed my ass and told me how wonderful I am. I can assure you, THAT is not the case. It would be easy to pass on creating future tutorials for Psdtuts+, but I’m not one to shy away from a challenge. The shortcomings in the videos I created were the final images. Can I create better images? ABSOLUTELY. Will all the readers on Psdtuts+ love my work? Probably not, but I’m willing to bet the positives results outweigh any negative reviews.

]]> http://ajwood.com/2011/11/to-maximize-your-talents-you-have-to-recognize-acknowledge-where-you-suck/feed/ 1 New Video Tutorials on Layers Magazine & PSD Tuts+ http://ajwood.com/2011/10/new-video-tutorials-on-layers-magazine-psd-tuts/ http://ajwood.com/2011/10/new-video-tutorials-on-layers-magazine-psd-tuts/#comments Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:51:40 +0000 A.J. Wood http://ajwood.com/?p=2380 Good morning everyone!

It seems like an eternity since I’ve posted on the blog. Thanks for keeping up-to-date with events through my YouTube channel, G+ & Facebook. We’re still ironing out tech issues here, but I think it’s safe to start posting again. *crosses fingers & toes*

As many of you know I’ve been keeping busy creating content for a number of folks. This week I’m excited to share that I have video tutorials delivered to Layers Magazine & PSD Tuts+. You can catch my Illustrator tutorial on Pen Tricks which was posted yesterday, and I’ll be sure to link the other tutorials as they’re posted online. If you’re antsy for my latest YouTube video, don’t fret Episode #50 is coming soon. It takes more than a computer meltdown, leaky roof & water damage to keep me away from recording.

Thanks to everyone that has been submitting suggestions for tutorials. You can always post here, or leave me comments on YouTube, G+ & Facebook.

]]> http://ajwood.com/2011/10/new-video-tutorials-on-layers-magazine-psd-tuts/feed/ 3 Create Dodge & Burn Layers in Photoshop – I Create Content #44 http://ajwood.com/video/create-dodge-burn-layers-in-photoshop-i-create-content-44/ http://ajwood.com/video/create-dodge-burn-layers-in-photoshop-i-create-content-44/#comments Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:35:22 +0000 A.J. Wood http://ajwood.com/?p=2346 Hey everyone! It’s amazing how a tried & true Photoshop technique can be used in different creative ways by people in the community. Today’s video is inspired by my good friend Glyn Dewis who “Calvinized” a technique that I myself picked up from Jack Davis years ago. In my tutorial I show you how to dodge & burn non-destructively in Photoshop, and you have to jump over to Glyn’s blog post to see how he used this technique. Enjoy!

]]> http://ajwood.com/video/create-dodge-burn-layers-in-photoshop-i-create-content-44/feed/ 4 Using Stacks in Lightroom Auto Stack by Capture Time – I Create Content #43 http://ajwood.com/video/using-stacks-in-lightroom-auto-stack-by-capture-time-i-create-content-43/ http://ajwood.com/video/using-stacks-in-lightroom-auto-stack-by-capture-time-i-create-content-43/#comments Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:32:47 +0000 A.J. Wood http://ajwood.com/?p=2342 Hey everybody! A quick hit Lightroom tutorial for you today. Learn how to organize groups of photos using the stacks feature in the Library module. It’s great for consolidating auto-bracketed images. Enjoy!

]]> http://ajwood.com/video/using-stacks-in-lightroom-auto-stack-by-capture-time-i-create-content-43/feed/ 0 Adding Contrast Working with Luminosity Masks in Photoshop Part 3 – I Create Content #42 http://ajwood.com/video/adding-contrast-working-with-luminosity-masks-in-photoshop-part-3-i-create-content-42/ http://ajwood.com/video/adding-contrast-working-with-luminosity-masks-in-photoshop-part-3-i-create-content-42/#comments Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:39:34 +0000 A.J. Wood http://ajwood.com/?p=2340 Good morning everyone!

Today we wrap up Part 3 in our series on Luminosity Selections & Masking. I take no credit for this technique as it was shared with me at Photoshop World. Before I shared it with you, it was important for me to better understand the steps used to create these Luminosity selections. Reading through Photoshop’s help, and various Adobe forums led me to an article written by Tony Kuyper. His article gives a great explanation as to what happens when you use the keyboard shortcuts I demonstrate in today’s lesson on Luminosity selections. After watching the video, checkout Tony’s article on Luminosity Masks for more info. Enjoy!

]]> http://ajwood.com/video/adding-contrast-working-with-luminosity-masks-in-photoshop-part-3-i-create-content-42/feed/ 0 Adding Contrast Working with Luminosity Masks in Photoshop Part 2 – I Create Content #41 http://ajwood.com/video/adding-contrast-working-with-luminosity-masks-in-photoshop-part-2-i-create-content-41/ http://ajwood.com/video/adding-contrast-working-with-luminosity-masks-in-photoshop-part-2-i-create-content-41/#comments Fri, 16 Sep 2011 22:23:39 +0000 A.J. Wood http://ajwood.com/?p=2338 Hey everyone. It’s the end of the day, but I wanted to make sure I got this episode out for you before the weekend. This is Part 2 in our series on Luminosity Selections & Masks. Enjoy!

]]> http://ajwood.com/video/adding-contrast-working-with-luminosity-masks-in-photoshop-part-2-i-create-content-41/feed/ 1 Adding Contrast Working with Luminosity Masks in Photoshop Part 1 – I Create Content #40 http://ajwood.com/video/adding-contrast-working-with-luminosity-masks-in-photoshop-part-1-i-create-content-40/ http://ajwood.com/video/adding-contrast-working-with-luminosity-masks-in-photoshop-part-1-i-create-content-40/#comments Wed, 14 Sep 2011 13:40:04 +0000 A.J. Wood http://ajwood.com/?p=2333 Happy Hump Day! Hope your week is going well. Before I jump into today’s lesson I wanted to announce a free webinar I’ll be giving next week, September 22nd on Social Media Marketing. This is an encore of the presentation I gave the KPPA at Photo Pro Summer School this past July. I’ve partnered with the legendary David Ziser, so if you wish to join us online visit his website to register.

Alrighty, today begins Part 1 of a series on Luminosity selections & masking. As always, videos are uploaded in HD so be sure to watch full screen to catch all the detail. Enjoy!

]]> http://ajwood.com/video/adding-contrast-working-with-luminosity-masks-in-photoshop-part-1-i-create-content-40/feed/ 1