Okay guys, hope you enjoyed the first part. Now, here are more exciting reasons why you should attend Photoshop World!
#5 Portfolio Reviews
Believe me, I knew this was important but I never knew how big of a deal this is after I had done this. I read the description of portfolio reviews in the PSW site and I was kinda intimidated to sign-up. Finally, Ekky (my avid fan, supporter, fiancee) made me sign-up and said that I should take it.
Well, I did. So, to all you first-timers out there who plan to do this, here’s a glimpse of what happens in a portfolio review.
- the porfolio review happens during the Expo Time
- there’s an area at the back of the expo where this takes place
- the review takes probably around 10-15 minutes (I think mine was around 15 minutes), depending on the amount of photographs you have
- you can either bring your printed work or an electronic portfolio
- you basically go through your images and then you get a critique of your photos — your composition, your shooting style, clarity, colors, etc.
Since I wasn’t able to print my photos (and I didn’t want to carry around large photographs from the Philippines), I opted for the electronic one. It was a pretty simple setup:
- I made sure all my photos were placed in 1 folder (aptly named Portfolio Reviews)
- I selected around 15 of my best images. They were full-sized JPGs but at 72dpi
- I then opened them up in Bridge.
- I setup a workspace that just highlighted the photo (without the rest of the tabs). Don’t ask me why I didn’t do the slideshow view. I usually don’t use Bridge so I’m not an expert
Oh, before I forget, when you sign-up for this, you actually have to fill out a short questionnaire. This is for the PSW team to identify the field of photography you are into so that they can also find a match to the reviewer.
Rick Sammon was the one who did my Portfolio Reviews. It was a match because he is into traveling! He actually was able to visit the Philippines but it was quite some time ago. Told him to go back again soon!
A couple of things that I learned from Rick are:
- Make sure your photos are really sharp. There are times that photos might be blurry because you denote motion, but make sure the subject is in focus.
- Composition is important: Crop your photo to communicate the vision you have. It doesn’t matter if it doesn’t conform to the traditional sizes – 4×6, 8×10….
- Photoshop is your friend. There are times that there are unwanted objects in your image. Make sure that you clean them to remove any distractions. I usually don’t do this because I usually just use Photoshop to fix the colors/saturation and to apply sharpening. But this is a good tip to me.
- Pay attention to all the small details. Rick pointed out some minor things that I could clean up in my images. I never noticed them myself but with him there, it was a welcome feedback.
I can’t begin to stress how important this review was. It’s really a great opportunity to have great photographers look at your work and give you straight-up feedback on what you need to improve on.
Btw, Scott actually had his portfolio reviewed by Joe McNally. Read his blog post about the review to find out more.
If you’re interested in this year’s Portfolio Reviews, check out this link.
#4 Midnight Madness
Let me tell you this, you go to Photoshop World, don’t expect to sleep. Why? Here’s why:
1st day: You wake up early either to (a) register and get your materials and (b) to make sure you’re in front of the line for the Expo. I’ll talk more about the expo in my next point.
2nd day: Again, you wake up Earlier because you want to line up for the tickets to Midnight Madness! I was there at around 6am and there were already around 5 people in front of me. It’s fun though because this is one of the opportunities you get to mingle with fellow attendees.
2nd Day Midnight: You attend midnight madness and you end up staying late again! The good thing though is that the classes on the last day start at a later time.
What exactly is Midnight Madness?
Well, it’s right there, it’s Madness! It’s a night of fun, games, laughter with all the folks of NAPP and your fellow attendees. In last year’s Midnight Madness, there were games, lots of prizes (Adobe bags, caps, etc) and of course, a free Midnight Madness T-shirt, and of course, Krispy Kremes (with matching hats)!
Midnight Madness Hosts:
Midnight Madness Shirt along with the PSW Training Manual and the Pre-Con Training Manual (purchased at the bookstore):
I tell you, if you just want to laugh and enjoy the night, go to this event. Last year, because I attended this, I was able to see some of the behind-the-scenes videos that the video team created. They don’t show these videos to everyone else, so you’re special!
One of the funny videos there was Corey Barker Rick-Rolling! Note: the link here takes you to the You Tube video posted by ‘The Scriv’.
Also, the game last year was 1 vs 200. The questions were about Photoshop (filters, history, etc). The thing that surprised me though was that the ENTIRE game was done via Photoshop. Scott showed us the PSD file and it was all done in layers! Unbelievable! It just shows that there are people who really are Photoshop Addicts (or Geeks)!
#3 The Tech Expo
The Tech Expo is probably where you’ll spend a lot of your time and $$$. The is the busiest place in the event when there are no classes. If you often wish that you are able to try a photography product — be it software, plug-ins, actual prints, tripods, lenses, cameras but you just don’t see everything in your mall or you only rely on online reviews, then this IS the event for you!
It’s in this place where you will see everything, and at the same time, try them out. Some of the things I remember from the expo:
- MPIX and WHCC prints: I was able to check out how well their prints are and the different materials they have. They also give out samples of their prints so you know exactly what to expect if you order prints from them.
- Kelby Training: They setup workstations where you can see the online classes. Plus, they have some great deals and promos if you sign-up during the PSW event.
- PeachPit Press: Books galore! During last year’s expo, Scott’s new Lightroom 2 Book was just hot off the press and I was fortunate enough to get a copy here! The best thing is, Scott was there to autograph my copy of the book! Sweet!!!
- I was able to get a copy of the Pre-Con workbook at the bookstore. They give this away to people who attend the pre-con and the supplies are limited.
- Adobe: as one of the sponsors, they usually have a booth where they hold tutorials and demos of the Creative Suite products and Lightroom.
- Photoshop Plug-ins like: OnOne Software, Nik and Kubota — you get to see demos of their products and also, they usually have some discounts if you purchase their product there. Btw, you might just get to see the Kubota Man!!! See him here with Stephanie Cross:
- B&H Photo is there: free shipping for NAPP folks and certain products have a special expo price. I know I was able to get my ‘Justin Clamps’ for a good deal!
- Safari Books Online: I signed-up for their Safari Online Bookstore and with it came free books — The Photoshop Lightroom 2 Book by Martin Evening and Presentation Zen by Garr Reynolds! It’s like I got the 2 books for $30 (I don’t exactly remember the amount )…
- Canon and Nikon was also there. At that time, they were still quiet about the 5D Mark 2… but I was able to try out the 50D and the 135mm f2 lens (which I own now).
- Camera accessories like Really Right Stuff ballheads, bags, and tipods were also there.
- Drobo had a booth too. I actually tried removing a hard drive from it to see if it really works… of course it worked fine! Unfortunately, I didn’t get one. Too pricey for me at that time.
- Lighting Equipments were also there. I remember Westcott was in the middle and Scott gave a demo of their new lights.
Before I forget, if you sign-up early, you can actually request for a free pass for a companion of yours to the Expo. That way, you’re not alone. If you have friends who are in the area, they can avail of these special discounts just by attending the Expo.
Oh, don’t forget to check out the classes and demos during the expo. Folks at NAPP and other instructors like Terry White, Joe McNally, Julieanne Kost usually do demos too. Free classes! Take advantage of it.
#2 Keynote
One of the reasons why you wake up early on the first day and line up — to get good seats for the keynote. Three things to watch out for here:
- Second: Scott’s surprise. Scott usually has something up his sleeves. Adobe’s Johnny L and Scott have been doing some jokes to each other. Let’s see what happens this year…
- Finally, Adobe’s announcement. Photoshop World is usually the venue where Adobe announces new products or major updates. Last year, it was the ‘CS Next‘ which eventually led to the announcement of CS4. This year, I’m thinking that it’s gonna be an updated Lightroom (maybe…)… See, there’s a Lightroom Track in Photoshop World this year, so maybe (just maybe), a newer version of Lightroom will come out. Let’s wait and see…
#1 The Photoshop Guys
I am a fan. ‘Nuff said.
Hah, it’s been a pretty long post so I’ll be short and sweet in my last point. To be able to meet ‘The Photoshop Guys’ — Scott, Matt and Dave in person, talk to them, see them teach and watch them tape an episode is… priceless! That alone is worth the trip and the attendance to the event!
Watching them being taped is fun in itself. You’d see how they make fun of each other (just like what you see in Photoshop User TV). And of course, it’s always a treat to see how ‘The Scriv’ just shakes his head when Scott does something crazy.
Don’t forget to check out my photos with the Photoshop Guys!
Hope to see you there next time!
Hope you enjoyed my lengthy post.
! It’s worth $180 at amazon.com. That’s almost half of what I paid for for Photoshop World! 
Photos courtesy of JHG Photography.
, one of the things that I liked about it is that it could shoot in Raw. The bad thing — at that time, Adobe doesn’t have support for the LX3 Raw format.
(they have a little bit of discount and no shipping/taxes!).
(to be released in 2009)… Man, Scott is one hard working person! He has a new book out again! 
