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May 2010
Richard Harrington Blog | Jun 2010 | Mar 2010

Camera Raw — Understanding Adobe Photoshop

Monday, May 31 ,2010 Filed in: Adobe | Resources


I've posted a brand new Photoshop tutorial over at TipSquirrel.com. Learn how to get the most out of Camera Raw in Photoshop CS5 or CS4.

Check it out here for free.



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Get the free Photoshop CS5 Knowledge Panel

Monday, May 31 ,2010 Filed in: Adobe | Resources


Get the free Photoshop CS5 Knowledge Panel for a bunch of cool free tutorials built right into Photoshop CS5. Choose Window > Extensions > Knowledge to open it.

Here's why you need it.
  • It's totally free
  • It's interactive with cool controls
  • A bunch of my tutorials are in there on video and animation.
"Sometime in the last 48 hours, your copy of Photoshop CS5 quietly sprouted some new functionality. We hope you like it, and we'd love to get your feedback.
Adobe is now delivering the Knowledge panel for Photoshop. This tool delivers interactive step-by-step guidance, walking you through some 70 tutorials written by expert authors. Unlike other tutorials, these can drive Photoshop: clicking links executes commands in PS (e.g. clicking "File->New" brings up the New Document dialog box)."

Learn more here – http://blogs.adobe.com/jnack/2010/05/the_knowledge_panel_arrives_in_photoshop.html

Thanks to Victor Gavenda at Peachpit and John Nack at Adobe for doing this.

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35% Off and Free Shipping on my Two New Photoshop Books

Sunday, May 30 ,2010 Filed in: Adobe | Training Products



Peachpit has a great resource center for learning Photoshop CS5. They have a bunch of book excerpts and free podcasts.

You can also check out four of the seventy-two videos that ship with my new edition of Understanding Adobe Photoshop.

Puppet Warp • Refine Edges Command • Merge to HDR Pro • Content-Aware Tools
Plus they've got a great deal on my new Photoshop books.

  • 35% Off
  • Free shipping

Check out Peachpit.com and enter code KPPSV

Photoshop for Video and Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS5 are both off to print and shipping soon.

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White Balancing in Final Cut Pro

Saturday, May 29 ,2010 Filed in: Apple | Resources | Video



Richard Harrington, a trainer for FMC, shows how to use white balancing in FCP to make up for improper white balancing on the camera.


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Motion Control 3D Samples

Friday, May 28 ,2010 Filed in: Adobe | Video | Motion Graphics


Sample motion graphic created for The Johnson Group's documentary, Bedford: The Town They Left Behind. The film went into limited release in theatres across the country.

I am working up some new tutorials on the techniques... leave comments about what you want to see.

You can see it in HD here.

Here's a short free tutorial here.



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Free Final Cut Pro/Motion/AE Plug-ins

Thursday, May 27 ,2010 Filed in: Apple | Video | Adobe | Motion Graphics


I always like free stuff... especially good free stuff.

Here's the link – http://www.idustrialrevolution.com/idrplugins/freebiepack1/index.html

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Free Adobe Seminar Today

Wednesday, May 26 ,2010 Filed in: DSLR Video
Just a quick reminder. Today (Wednesday) is my free online class sponsored by Adobe.

Check out Working with DSLR Video with Adobe CS5 Production Premium ›
Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM US/Pacific

Only a few spaces left!
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New Canon 5D Firmware

Tuesday, May 25 ,2010 Filed in: DSLR Video | Photography
Canon has released a new firmware update for the 5D Mark II

This firmware update (Version 2.0.7) incorporates the following improvements and fixes.
  • Fixes a phenomenon in which the aperture exhibits abnormal movement when shooting movies in manual exposure mode and Aperture Priority AE (Av mode) using some Canon lenses (such as macro lenses).
  • Fixes a phenomenon in which the exposure level shown in the LCD panel differs from what is shown in the viewfinder when shooting still images in manual exposure mode.
  • Fixes a phenomenon in which the Wireless File Transmitter (WFT-E4 or WFT-E4 II) may not automatically power off when used for FTP transfers.

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A new Photoshop podcast you should check out

Monday, May 24 ,2010 Filed in: Adobe | Resources
A friend of mine just launched a new Photoshop podcast – and you should check it out.

New on Peachpit TV: Photoshop in 5 with RC Concepcion


Check out the latest show on Peachpit TV: Photoshop in 5 with RC Concepcion. NAPP instructor & Adobe Certified Expert in Photoshop Rafael "RC" Concepcion gives 5-minute tutorials in Photoshop on topics including the Type panel, Soft-proofing, Brush-based tools, Channels, Adjustment and Mask layers.

 
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Keep up on the latest RHED Pixel news

Sunday, May 23 ,2010 Filed in: Business | Social Media
My company often gets the chance to work on some pretty cool things.

If you'd like a new way to keep in touch, we have a Facebook page.

Head on over and check it out.

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Content Aware Fill / Scale / Heal in Photoshop CS5

Saturday, May 22 ,2010 Filed in: Adobe | Resources


Learn about all three content aware tools in Photoshop CS5. Easily remove objects and blemishes with just a few clicks. From the new book Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS5 by Richard Harrington.
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Get Your Facebook Privacy Settings right

Friday, May 21 ,2010 Filed in: Social Media
You've likely heard the recent complaints about Facebook sharing too much information. Turns out fixing your settings can be a little overwhelming with buried options and more than two dozen pages. It's getting pretty tough to get your Facebook privacy right. Fortunately there's ReclaimPrivacy.org.

This site will analyze your current settings, make recommendations, and then point you to the right tab in Facebook to fix it.

This site is highly recommended, free, and easy to use.



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Creating Prints from Video Frames

Thursday, May 20 ,2010 Filed in: DSLR Video | Photography | Video
How do you take a great still photo with your video-enabled DSLR camera? That's easy, shoot in photo mode. You'll get the best quality and even the option of using a raw format. But what happens if you've got the perfect shot, except you're in the middle of recording a video clip? The good news is that you can export stills directly from a piece of video. There's just a few limitations.

Resolution limitations of video

You might be thinking to yourself “Isn't video really low resolution?” Yes, when compared to the native size of photos taken with your DSLR, video pales in comparison. But for many uses, such as web or newspaper, you can get enough pixels out.
Currently the highest resolution you’ll get exporting a still from a piece of video that originated on a DSLR is 1920 x 1080 or approx 2.1 megapixels. While you aren’t going to make any panoramic prints of those frames you can still find a lot of great uses for them. If printing at 300 ppi, you can extract a frame that is about 6.5 X3.5 inches – in fact a lot of the figures that you’ve see in this book are from video clips.
Read More...
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Working with DSLR Video with Adobe CS5 Production Premium

Wednesday, May 19 ,2010 Filed in: Adobe | DSLR Video | Resources
I invite you to take my free online class about DSLR video workflow and Adobe CS5.

You can sign up here – http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/event/index.cfm?event=detail&id=1613414&loc=en_us

Working with DSLR Video with Adobe CS5 Production Premium
Wednesday, May 26, 2010 — 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM US/Pacific
Thanks to their exceptional image quality, low-light capabilities, and the fact that you can shoot using standard 35mm DSLR lenses that give your footage the look of expensive film-based cameras, DSLRs are finding their way into video productions at all levels.

Join Richard Harrington, co-author of From Still to Motion: A photographer's guide to creating video with your DSLR.  He'll explore the options for creating and working with DSLR video in CS5 Production Premium which includes Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Adobe After Effects. You’ll learn everything from practical shooting techniques and essential lighting to easy editing strategies and online sharing.
You’ll also be introduced to the latest Dell Precision workstation and NVIDIA Quadro graphic solutions to help you make the best decision to outfit your editing needs – including taking advantage of the latest performance improving updates in CS5.

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Google announces Google TV

Tuesday, May 18 ,2010 Filed in: Business | Web Video
I'm all for more paths into the living room for content creators. But I can't help feel that we've already tried this a few times.



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A great book on green screen

Monday, May 17 ,2010 Filed in: Video | Resources | Motion Graphics
If you've been looking for a comprehensive guide on greenscreen this is it. Jeff covers everything from preproduction through shooting and post. Jeff's a great teacher who's passionate about his subject.

You can get a few samples of the book here for free, but be sure to check out the whole thing.

  • See how to plan, set up, and execute your shots to reduce fixes in post
  • Choose the right keying process for your project
  • Master basic shooting setups and live broadcast keying
  • Understand proper lighting and how to match subjects to the background
  • Create a working storyboard and learn how to select and direct talent
  • Composite your footage and fix problem shots
  • Work creatively with virtual sets, motion tracking, and match moving
  • Master techniques that apply to all compositing software and plug-ins


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Creating Timelapse Movies in After Effects

Sunday, May 16 ,2010 Filed in: Adobe | Resources | DSLR Video
Richard Harrington, a trainer for Future Media Concepts, shows how to use time-lapse photography to create video clips.



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Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS5 is 100% Done

Saturday, May 15 ,2010 Filed in: Adobe | Training Products
My new Photoshop CS5 book (okay I actually have 2) is about to go to press. It's 100% written and laid out. This is a great book if you’re self-taught in Photoshop or for classroom use. Instead of getting bogged down in every feature, I strip the application to the core skills you'll need to work professionally.

The book is ready to order and will ship soon. As a bonus, it also includes 6.5 hours of training videos.

Photoshop is the foundation of every digital career. Many users think they know it, but in truth they have gaping holes in their training. This book covers what a professional truly needs to know about Photoshop. For students this book offers a chance to explore the program interactively. For professionals it provides a chance to add to your skill base. The book cuts though the clutter and is unique, focusing not just on digital photography, but also the Web, graphic design, multimedia, and video.

Readers will learn the basics in correcting, editing, sharpening, retouching, and presenting photos as well as work on specific projects/exercises. Coverage of exciting new C5 features includes: Puppet Warp, Refining Edges, Eyedropper tools, Merge to HDR, Content Aware Fill/Scale/Heal, 3D Text, and Lens Profile.

The full-color book includes a DVD with hand-on exercises and practice images as well as 72 new video training tutorials that expand the on the lessons in the book.



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The Share Menu in Final Cut Pro

Friday, May 14 ,2010 Filed in: Apple | Video | Resources
FMC trainer Richard Harrington demonstrates how to share and publish projects in a variety of formats.


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Using Blending Modes in Final Cut Pro

Thursday, May 13 ,2010 Filed in: Apple | Video


FMC trainer Richard Harrington discusses how the Blending Modes feature can be used to lighten a dark shot, or impart various stylistic changes.

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After Effects Plugins 64 Bit

Wednesday, May 12 ,2010 Filed in: Motion Graphics | Adobe
With the move to CS5, many Adobe apps require a 64-bit operating system. What this means is more speed and a greater ceiling for memory. It also means you'll need to update your plugins.

Here's a definitive list on the state of After Effects plugins right from Adobe.

After Effects CS5 requires 64-bit plug-ins as well as a 64-bit operating system. As plug-in developers release 64-bit versions of their plug-ins, we will list them here. Most plug-in developers are working on 64-bit versions of their tools, and many have announced that their plug-ins will be available at or near the time that After Effects CS5 is available. Check this page often for updates.

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A Little Music to Remind You About Being Human

Tuesday, May 11 ,2010 Filed in: Personal
Just a little Iowa music to brighten your day... even though this is a sad song, it still makes me feel good.



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Adjusting Vibrancy in Photoshop - HD

Monday, May 10 ,2010 Filed in: Adobe | Resources
Richard Harrington, a trainer for Future Media Concepts, explains a new adjustment in Photoshop CS4 called Vibrancy. He discusses how to use this tool to boost color without making it look flat.

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Want Free Fonts?

Sunday, May 09 ,2010 Filed in: Resources
Looking for some free fonts? Here are a few of my favorite Web sites that offer free and affordable
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Missing Plug-Ins in Photoshop CS5

Saturday, May 08 ,2010 Filed in: Adobe
Is Photoshop CS5 driving you nuts with missing or broken system plug-ins. Here's straight answers of what Adobe took away.

Plug-ins available via web download
Some plug-ins that were available for previous versions of Photoshop are no longer available for CS5. Others are available as a web download.
• For Mac OS: http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=4687
• For Windows: http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=4688

Plug-ins supported in 32- and 64-bit Windows, and only 32-bit Mac OS:
  • Lighting Effects
  • Extract (Use Refine Mask under the Selection menu)
  • Variations
  • Web Contact Sheet II (Web Photo Gallery)
  • Layer Comps to WPG
  • PatternMaker
  • PhotoMergerUI
  • Picture Package
  • Embed / Read Digimarc Watermark
  • Firewire
  • Firewire DLL

Plug-ins no longer supported in Photoshop CS5:
  • Filmstrip format. Previous versions will not work in Photoshop CS5
  • Texture Fill

Plug-ins supported only in 32-bit Windows and Mac OS:
  • Send Video Preview to Device
  • Video Preview

For more information – see this article

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Free Training on DSLR Video

Friday, May 07 ,2010 Filed in: DSLR Video | Video
Did you miss the Peachpit Photo Club Webcast? We tackled the topic – Creating Video with your DSLR. If so, here's 90 minutes of free training https://pearsonevent.webex.com/pearsonevent/lsr.php?AT=pb&SP=EC&rID=56125797&rKey=0d4828c7a9b746e3

Be sure to check out other training on their site.

Scott Kelby has an archived lesson

Trey Ratcliff has a session June 15


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Google Chrome Speed Tests

Thursday, May 06 ,2010 Filed in: Social Media | Business | Video
Google did some pretty cool speed tests with High Speed photography.



Check out the "making of video" to see how they did it.

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How to run Photoshop CS5 in 32-bit mode

Wednesday, May 05 ,2010 Filed in: Adobe
Normally, you'll want to run Photoshop CS5 as a 64-bit application to get the best performance. Unless you have a plug-in that doesn't work in 64-bit. Then you can relaunch and "dumb it down" a bit.

To run Photoshop CS5 on Mac OS as a 32-bit application:
  • Select the Adobe Photoshop CS5 application file, installed by default in the Applications/Adobe Photoshop CS5 folder.
  • Choose File > Get Info, and select Open in 32 Bit Mode.
  • Deselect this option to run Photoshop CS5 in 64-bit mode.

To run Photoshop CS5 in Windows as a 32-bit application:
  • Close Photoshop CS5.
  • Navigate to the Program Files (x86) > Adobe > Adobe Photoshop CS5 folder..
  • Double-click the Adobe Photoshop CS5.exe file.

To run Photoshop CS5 in Windows as a 64-bit application:
  • Close Photoshop CS5.
  • Navigate to the Program Files > Adobe > Adobe Photoshop CS5 folder..
  • Double-click the Adobe Photoshop CS5.exe file.

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Luke Brindley: We Go Together

Tuesday, May 04 ,2010 Filed in: DSLR Video
Music video from the book "From Still to Motion"

Featuring Luke Brindley



Hope you enjoy and check out both the book and Luke's music.


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Check out Digital Photo Expereience

Monday, May 03 ,2010 Filed in: DSLR Video | Photography | Business


  • I was a recent guest on Digital Photo Experience Episode 11. Be sure to check out the show.
This is Episode number 11 of the Digital Photo Experience Podcast with Rick Sammon & Juan Pons.
We hope you enjoy the episode, and if you do, we would greatly appreciate it if you could give us a positive rating on iTunes. Hey, it only takes a minute!
To get the enhanced version of the podcast with images and chapter markers, subscribe to the podcast via iTunes here: DPExperience Podcast on iTunes

Or listen directly here – http://dpexperience.com/2010/05/01/photoshop-world-part-ii-dpe-podcast-episode-11-may-1-2010/

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Photoshop World Las Vegas

Sunday, May 02 ,2010 Filed in: Adobe | Conferences


The schedule for Photoshop World Las Vegas has been released.

Be sure to head on over (as well as take advantage of the Early Bird offer).

Plus... see my picture ;)


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If Video Games Were Real

Saturday, May 01 ,2010 Filed in: Humor | Video
A little morning pixels for your enjoyment... this is awesome work.

Pixels – by Patrick Jean




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