Opinion

10 Reasons The Haters Are Mad About Adobe Creative Cloud

Posted by scottbourne on May 8, 2013
Posted in: Opinion. Tagged: .

Adobe-Creative-Cloud-Logo

Adobe started moving everyone to the cloud months ago and we’ve covered it extensively on Photofocus. From the very beginning, there’s been weeping and gnashing of teeth that has bordered on hysteria. In fact, in some cases, it’s mostly faux outrage based on greed, silliness, stupidity, disinformation, mob mentality, entitlement issues and misinformation.

Let’s set some ground rules. Adobe is in business to make money. How they choose to do it is up to them. If you don’t like their business model, move on. Nobody is holding a shotgun to your head making you buy their products. There are lots of alternatives. If you’re unhappy switch. But don’t cry like a 13-year old girl claiming you’ve been wronged. You haven’t. You have free choice. But for people like me, the switch to the Creative Cloud has been a Godsend. I personally couldn’t be happier about the plan. I get more frequent updates. Switching computer platforms is now easier than ever because Adobe’s license doesn’t say I have to use a certain computer. I can authorize or reauthorize as I need to. I can get updates automatically, etc.

And just to get some of the stupid stuff out of the way – Adobe has never been and is not now my sponsor. I happen to like their products. They’ve made me a lot of money. Do I wish they were cheaper? Absolutely. I also wish a Ferrari 458 was cheaper than a Kia Soul but you get what you pay for. So with that all out of the way, here are the 10 reasons I think the haters are mad about Creative Cloud.

1. The haters simply don’t understand it. The mob is mad – well so they are mad. The comments I’m seeing on the Internet are full of misinformation, disinformation and outright lies. My Grandfather Bourne used to say, “Any fool can get a mob to tear down a barn. But it takes talent and skill to get folks to help build one.” This is a predictable reaction from the mob to which I reply “Yawn.”

2. The haters think that their boxed software is now somehow worthless. Nothing could be further from the truth. Adobe promised to do bug fixes on CS6 and has even added some new features. Nobody was owed those new features. Adobe just gave them away. So if you have purchased CS6 then you have a working piece of software that will run as long as you have a computer. And you can still buy CS6 today. Nobody is stopping you. Also, if you buy Lightroom in a box, you’re entitled to ACR updates for LR4 which will work in CS6.

3. The haters say Adobe is greedy. Apparently they didn’t see that Adobe just made CS2 free of charge (edit). How greedy of them. Here’s the link — http://www.adobe.com/downloads/cs2_downloads/.

4. The haters think that the only subscription Adobe is offering is $50 a month. As I stated above (and I state below) that’s not true. But for $50 a month you get EVERYTHING and it ends up being a better deal than ever before in my opinion.

5. The haters think that there is no upgrade path from CS6 to the Creative Cloud. Bullpucky. Adobe offers upgrades all the way back to CS3 at a discounted rate. Adobe didn’t have to do that but they did and I think it was generous of them.

6. The haters think Adobe shouldn’t ever raise prices. At the same time, the haters all expect their bosses to give THEM raises. They buy cars, food, clothes, gasoline and all sorts of things that cost more than they used to without claiming an international conspiracy – yet when/if Adobe raises prices the sky is falling.

7. The haters think that if they create PSD files and then stop subscribing they will never be able to open those files again. This is just plain stupid and just plain wrong. I know of about 10 different software programs that not only open but manipulate PSD files. You also always have the option of saving TIFF files, etc.

8. The haters think that Adobe will somehow slow down improvements once they have people on the subscription model. Nothing could be further from the truth. Do you think that once you’re married you never have to brush your teeth again? They have more incentive than ever to improve the program. If they don’t keep it current, then you cancel your subscription and switch to something else. They will also have more development money since they won’t spend so much time fighting piracy. (See #10 below.)

9. The haters say you can’t get Lightroom unless you subscribe. That’s an outright lie. Are you people listening? Lightroom is available IN A BOX for about $100. It gives you ACR and that ACR works in several Adobe products including your boxed copy of CS6. You can ALSO get Lightroom as part of Creative Cloud but it’s not required.

10. (This is the REAL reason for 90% of the noise!) The haters are mad because they realize they can no longer pirate copies of Photoshop.

Several people have written me email saying they will “Never do business with Adobe again.” I kept those and I’m betting a good portion will give up their faux outrage and return to the fold soon. And when I catch them I’m going to out them :)

On a serious note. I know change is hard. This post was written tongue-in-cheek but there’s truth to every line. Some very small portion of you legitimately can’t afford the few extra dollars this will cost. I do feel that pain, but I also know there are lots of other low-cost or even free options. If you truly can’t afford Creative Cloud then you should avail yourself of those options. But if you can find the money for constant camera/lens upgrades, for photo books, workshops, conferences and photo magazine subscriptions and then you want to cry poverty, you’re only fooling yourself.

Change is hard. Prices go up. The planet still spins on its proper axis. Give it time. I’m sure there will be something else in the photo world to get all worked up about soon enough.

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The Topaz Labs Image Enhancement bundle. Open up a world of creative possibilities with a seamless, integrated workflow. You don’t need to be a Photoshop wizard to look like one. Click here and use the code photofocus to get a 15% discount.

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What Camera Should I Buy? UPDATED VERSION – May 2013

Posted by scottbourne on May 4, 2013
Posted in: Opinion. Tagged: , , , , . 8 comments

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This post is an updated compilation of several shorter posts I wrote in the past trying to answer the question, “What camera should I buy?” It includes some new cameras in the recommendation section. But please note: The newest camera is NOT always the best camera.

It’s still the most popular question I am asked. “What camera should I buy?” Lately there’s a new twist to the question…”Is this brand camera better than that brand camera?”

No matter how hard I try to tell people that there’s no perfect answer, they keep asking. So since I can’t convince anyone otherwise, at least know the answers to THESE questions before you ask me YOUR question.

1 ) What subject(s) will you photograph most often? Weddings, portraits, wildlife, sports, landscapes, still lifes, food, fashion, etc.
2 ) What gear (if any) do you now own?
3 ) If you had to choose between ease of use and power, which would you select?
4 ) Do you want a compact pocket-sized camera (point and shoot) or a DSLR?
5 ) On a scale of 1-10 (10 being a working pro and 1 being someone who usually shoots with a disposable camera) how would you rate your skill?
6 ) What is the MOST money you’d be willing to spend on a camera?
7 ) How long do you think you might keep the camera?
8 ) What do your friends use?
9 ) Do you have a local camera store that can offer you support?

If you have thought carefully about these questions and have the answers – you should then be closer to knowing what the perfect camera for you might be.

Hopefully, your interest in photography is strong enough that you’ll read this entire article. That will give you the best chance of making the right decision. If you’re just not that interested, scroll all the way to the bottom to see some of the popular cameras that I recommend.

For those who stuck with me:

I know that beginners especially want this question answered. They are more likely to think that it’s the camera that takes the picture, not the photographer. Unfortunately for them, that’s not the case. And there’s no secret, magic or special camera that will make you into Ansel Adams.

Let’s start with goals. What goals do you have with your photography? Photographing the kids is much easier and less expensive than photographing wildlife. Making studio portraits will require a different kind of camera than that used by sports photographers. Do you want to turn pro or just make pictures you’ll share with your immediate family? Understand this simple truth: There is no perfect camera. And not all cameras are designed for all types of photography. Many photographers have more than one camera, depending on how many photographic pursuits they are engaged in at one time.

You’ll need to take into account a wide variety of factors when selecting a camera, and the first is budget.

This post continues below….

Continue Reading

Why the iPhone is the Most Popular Camera in the World (And What Camera Manufacturers Should Learn From it)

Posted by Richard Harrington on April 30, 2013
Posted in: Opinion. Tagged: , , , , . 10 comments

In case you tend to ignore these things, the iPhone camera is the most used camera in the world.  The new commercial from Apple shows many ways that taking photos has become an everyday experience for most people.

Sure that’s like saying that a Quarter Pounder with cheese is the best burger on the planet… it’s not (I’m more a Five Guys or In&Out fan).  But domination of a category does mean you set the standard that most use to compare. How dominant?  Here’s the Flickr chart showing the most popular cameras on their site.

Screen Shot 2013-04-26 at 12.50.58 AM

So I offer two lists for your consideration

What Traditional Camera Manufacturers Should Mimic About the iPhone

  1. Touch-screen Live View panels (yes, some cameras have this, but not enough).
  2. Downloadable apps that enhance the shooting experience.
  3. A data connection that doesn’t take an optional adapter and an engineering degree to setup.
  4. Direct posting to social networks.
  5. Automated backup of your images while shooting to a tethered device or to the Cloud.
  6. In Camera Panorama shooting using Photosynth or Occipital technology.
  7. Geo-tagging that is easy to use
  8. That megapixels are a lot less important to the end customer.

What the iPhone Should Mimic About the Traditional Cameras

  1. A Micro SD slot to backup or target when shooting.
  2. Less compressed options when shooting (in the meantime check out PureShot).
  3. Image stabilization that actually works well.
  4. USB3 connection speeds to transfer files.
  5. An official way to attach lens modifiers (yes I know there are lots of third party ones, but I find them clunky).

Okay…  what would you add to the iPhone?  What do you want in a next generation DSLR?  Fire away.

 

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The HDR Learning Center Check out new ways to use High Dynamic Range photography to make compelling images.  Free tutorials and posts to get results. Produced in partnership with HDR Soft.

The Topaz Labs Image Enhancement bundle. Open up a world of creative possibilities with a seamless, integrated workflow. You don’t need to be a Photoshop wizard to look like one. Click here and use the code photofocus to get a 15% discount.

Gigapan.com. The revolutionary GigaPan EPIC robotic camera mount lets you capture and combine thousands of images into one incredible, interactive panorama. Save 10% with the code PHOTOFOCUS.

Drobo - Not only is Drobo 5D fast, but it’s easy-to-use, expandable, flexible, and protected.

Walk the Road To Freedom – Taking Risks With Your Photography Business

Posted by Richard Harrington on April 28, 2013
Posted in: Opinion. Tagged: , . 4 comments

Guest Post & Photos by Levi Sim - Circle Levi on Google+

 Photo by Levi Sim

I know it’s a cheesy image for the title, but it’s an image with a story so bear with me.

I made this picture a few months ago and it happened to be at a pivotal time for my family. We were visiting Oregon from Utah and were suddenly considering moving to Oregon, and life was feeling a lot like this image: we had a clear road in front of us, but we couldn’t see where it ended.

Moving my family and my photography business to a new state where we had no contacts has been the scariest venture I’ve ever undertaken because I don’t have anything established: no clients I can call and remind to do new pictures, no group of students I can expect to take my next class at the community college, and no studio I can invite my club members to join me in for a quick project. At the same time, I’m not worried because I’ve learned from so many terrific resources how to establish myself as a photographer, and it’s the same stuff I did when I quit my day job a couple of years ago to go at this full time.

For instance, Scott Bourne has not only been sharing terrific photography tips and techniques, but he’s also been giving out sage business sense right here for years. He teamed up with Skip Cohen and penned the wonderful  book Going Pro that is chock full of specific methods for creating a photography business. Skip Cohen University has been teaching me how to make better pictures and lasting client relationships. There are countless publications and resources I turn to regularly for instruction and advice, and they always come through.

So, while I’m anxious about not knowing where this road leads, thanks to all these resources I know I can handle whatever comes. And that’s real freedom. It’s freedom to live passionately and chase my dreams.

Whether you’ve recently realized your passion for photography or you’ve been shooting for decades, you know what the next step down your road is. Just take that step, and know that the people of this wonderful photography community will help you get ready for the next one.

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This Post Sponsored by:

lynda.com Learn photography anytime, anywhere, and at your own pace—from bite-sized tutorials to comprehensive courses. Try lynda.com free for 10 days by visiting lynda.com/ Photofocus.

The HDR Learning Center Check out new ways to use High Dynamic Range photography to make compelling images.  Free tutorials and posts to get results. Produced in partnership with HDR Soft.

The Topaz Labs Image Enhancement bundle. Open up a world of creative possibilities with a seamless, integrated workflow. You don’t need to be a Photoshop wizard to look like one. Click here and use the code photofocus to get a 15% discount.

Gigapan.com. The revolutionary GigaPan EPIC robotic camera mount lets you capture and combine thousands of images into one incredible, interactive panorama. Save 10% with the code PHOTOFOCUS.

Drobo - Not only is Drobo 5D fast, but it’s easy-to-use, expandable, flexible, and protected.

The Irony Of The Role Photography Played In Solving The Boston Bombing

Posted by scottbourne on April 23, 2013
Posted in: Opinion. Tagged: . 7 comments

Screen Shot 2013-04-19 at 5.37.27 PM

As I cruise down a Las Vegas street, I see a large billboard sponsored by Homeland Security that says “See something – say something.” I hear the same garbage on the radio and see it on TV. The implication is that terrorists abound. What is the illustration used by HLS for this billboard? You got it. A photographer. Obviously you equate photographers with terrorism right?

The war on photography has just about any photographer being considered “suspicious” because he/she is engaged in the number one hobby in the country. Despite the fact that there is not one shred of proof that photography played any part in any terrorist incident in the United States, people continue to treat photographers as terrorists, simply because they have a camera. Perhaps this is a feel good solution that makes some people feel safer. If they have an “enemy” to watch out for, they feel less powerless. The truth is – we are ALL powerless. Terrorists can strike anywhere, any time and reporting photographers for taking pictures at Disneyland isn’t going to make anyone safer. To the contrary, it will waste valuable bandwidth on pure BS!

It takes someone with an IQ about the size of his shoes to assume that terrorists need to resort to taking their own photographs of potential targets. Between Flickr, Facebook, and other social sharing sites, and Google, as well as Google Maps, Google Earth, etc., you can get everything from a birds-eye view of any place in the nation to full-blown schematics without leaving your rocking chair. The plans for most public structures are searchable in databases linked through a variety of computer systems. Detailed aerial views of every home in every major city are available through Zillow. Why would a terrorist want to expose themselves to scrutiny when everything they need to plan an attack is online???

Now here comes the irony. With all those shutterbugs out there shooting video, stills, etc., and with CCTV, and other automated cameras nearly on every street, it’s people like us – photographers, videographers, that the police called upon for help in identifying the horrible people who placed the Boston Marathon bombs.

So next time someone you know treats you like a terrorist just because you have a camera around your neck, remind them that it was photography and video that caught the Boston suspects and maybe – just maybe, photography can be a good thing in the never ending “War on terror.”

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This Post Sponsored by:

lynda.com Learn photography anytime, anywhere, and at your own pace—from bite-sized tutorials to comprehensive courses. Try lynda.com free for 10 days by visiting lynda.com/ Photofocus.

The HDR Learning Center Check out new ways to use High Dynamic Range photography to make compelling images. Free tutorials and posts to get results. Produced in partnership with HDR Soft.

The Topaz Labs Image Enhancement bundle. Open up a world of creative possibilities with a seamless, integrated workflow. You don’t need to be a Photoshop wizard to look like one. Click here and use the code photofocus to get a 15% discount.

Gigapan.com. The revolutionary GigaPan EPIC robotic camera mount lets you capture and combine thousands of images into one incredible, interactive panorama. Save 10% with the code PHOTOFOCUS.

Drobo – Not only is Drobo 5D fast, but it’s easy-to-use, expandable, flexible, and protected.

Which Adobe App Should a Photographer Use to Edit Video?

Posted by Richard Harrington on April 20, 2013
Posted in: Opinion, Reviews. Tagged: , , , , , , . 7 comments

Editing Overview

We continue our look at editing video from a photographer’s point of view. Be sure to check out these earlier articles (Why edit in Photoshop and The editing process).

If you have Adobe Creative Cloud, you have three different choices when it comes to editing video. Additionally, the many suite configurations often put many software packages into the hands of Adobe’s customers. Many users often wonder which tool is right for their workflow. With so many choices, which is the right one?  The answer… it depends.

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe-Photoshop-IconWhen it comes to editing video, the toolset in Photoshop CS6 can best be described as a streamlined approach.  If you’re working on a properly configured system (covered in depth in Chapter 2) you’ll likely find editing an enjoyable experience.  Photoshop is well-designed for editing videos that are often considered short-form (typically less than 10-minutes in length).

Photoshop offers an intuitive timeline and easy to use tools for color correction.  It however lacks media management tools to organize your source files and a relatively limited control over adjusting and fixing audio. Still told, I firmly think Photoshop is the perfect tool for most photographers and designers as it gives enough control and performance that editing is fun and professional outcomes are easier to achieve.

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

Adobe-Lightroom-IconIf you’re looking for the ability to mix videos into slideshows or create a simple assembly of clips, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom works well. You can use the Quick Develop panel to fix issues with exposure, contrast, vibrance, white balance, and more.  You can also adjust the In and Out points of a clip to trim unwanted portions of a clip.  While you won’t find a true timeline, you can still add multiple clips to a slideshow or combine them with photos. The important thing to remember is that while Adobe documentation refers to it as editing video, you’re really only trimming clips and color grading.  While this functionality is great, it pales in comparison to Adobe Photoshop CS6.

Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe-Premiere-Pro-IconAdobe’s professional editing solution is Adobe Premiere Pro. This application is very robust but can often be intimidating to newer users who lack experience in working with video. My recommendation for most photographers and designers is to start with Photoshop and master its features.  Once you have that as a base, you can branch out to Adobe Premiere Pro if Photoshop starts to feel limiting. If you’re a Creative Cloud or Creative Suite customer, you may have access to Adobe Premiere Pro.

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This Post Sponsored by:

lynda.com Learn photography anytime, anywhere, and at your own pace—from bite-sized tutorials to comprehensive courses. Try lynda.com free for 10 days by visiting lynda.com/ Photofocus.

The HDR Learning Center Check out new ways to use High Dynamic Range photography to make compelling images.  Free tutorials and posts to get results. Produced in partnership with HDR Soft.

The Topaz Labs Image Enhancement bundle. Open up a world of creative possibilities with a seamless, integrated workflow. You don’t need to be a Photoshop wizard to look like one. Click here and use the code photofocus to get a 15% discount.

Gigapan.com. The revolutionary GigaPan EPIC robotic camera mount lets you capture and combine thousands of images into one incredible, interactive panorama. Save 10% with the code PHOTOFOCUS.

Drobo - Not only is Drobo 5D fast, but it’s easy-to-use, expandable, flexible, and protected.

Day One of Eagles in Alaska — A Newbie’s First Day with Birds

Posted by Richard Harrington on March 19, 2013
Posted in: Opinion. Tagged: , , , . 4 comments

A collection of photos and video clips from Day One of my Eagle photo safari. My first time making images of these birds, but I wanted to share these magnificent creatures with you.

Music: Sticky Bumps (featuring Debbizo) by spinningmerkaba

Mentorship: Scott Bourne & Robert O’Toole

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