Adobe In Bloem

Book Review, Studio Photography - Essential Skills

2008-11-10T12:47:00.000+02:00

Book Review:
Studio Photography: Essential Skills – by John Child
Publisher: Elsevier, Focal Press
Introduction:
As readers, we are often unaware of the specific aims that publishers have. One thing that I have learnt as a teacher/trainer, is that Elsevier/Focal Press’ Essential Skills books are essentially aimed at the classroom situation, and both students and teachers will benefit from the layout/structure of these books. Shortly after purchasing some studio equipment, I was really keen on working through Studio Photography: Essential Skills.
In short:
The book touches on the history of studio photography and advances in technology before diving into the different genres. The author does not waste time and each description is accompanied by full color photographs, illustrating what is being said.
In terms of communication and design, the basics of photography are communicated and practical exercises are included for discussion. However, it’s no use understanding the basics of photography but not quite understanding the requirements of the design, so before hopping along to playing around in a studio, the author expects one to learn by keeping a visual diary.
A studio is mostly about light and the author goes on to teach the reader how to look at light (e.g. visiting the same place at different times of the day), logically building up to exposure, and light metering. It’s on p114 where the book really starts to get very practical with the concepts of using light, which is then turned into practical exercises for taking pictures of people and still life as well as lighting on location.
With this short, punchy power tour, the photographer is introduced to what really matters in a studio, yes, the essential skills of studio photography.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about studio photography in a practical, colorful and punchy way. It’s written in a no nonsense, straightforward and very practical way. Working through the exercises is a sure way to becoming a successful studio photographer.
Reviewed by:
Igno van Niekerk
Manager: Adobe User Group, Bloemfontein, South Africa
(ACE, ACI, Photoshop, Lightroom)

Book Review - The Creative Digital Darkroom

2008-11-10T10:29:00.001+02:00

Book Review:

The Creative Digital Darkroom by Katrin Eismann and Seán Duggan.

Publisher: O’ Reilly, see link in the sidebar

Essence:

The book really touches on the nuts and bolts of Photoshop and attempts to cover a wide spectrum by including Lightroom as well. The authors really try to maintain the balance between the creative personal touch and the realities of the digital darkroom.

Opening chapters – it’s not really creative – but a necessary foundation:

The first chapter sets the tone and explains the structure of the book – firstly, there is a reference to the way a photographer is always “taking” pictures, even without a camera. Then the authors set out the workflow process, Acquire,-File Preparation,-Global Enhancement,-Selective Enhancement,-Output.

In order to work in a digital darkroom, one has to look at what a digital darkroom should consist of, and this is addressed shortly in the second chapter, berfore the authors rush through Photoshop’s preferences menu and color settings. This may seem very technical to a newcomer, but is addressed in a straightforward, no nonsense way – (no drowning in the details, rather short explanations with the authors recommendations -)

In the third chapter, the authors take one tremendous bite at complex issues like scanning, developing and organizing photographs. One travels the fast route here – there’s Camera RAW, DNG conversions and even printer information

The quick, straightforward way in which the authors cover concepts (whole books have been written on aspects like Camera Raw) shows that their intent is to get through the workflow to the creative part, and when one gets to page 90, you have a firm “shorthand coverage” of the environment and basics of the Digital Darkroom, but, at this stage I was really looking forward to see more of Eismann’s creative hand in the book (her other books shows a tremendous creativity). Lo and behold, this does not happen in chapter 4! And with good reason.

Before one can start playing around in the Digital Darkroom, there are certain things which have to happen. Ask any photographer who has had their work rejected by stock photography sites. Sharpening, spotting and cleanup needs to be done before one can really start “making it personal”. Again, the authors waste no time in getting through the grad-grind, hardcore realities of what needs to be done.

Middle chapters – more interpretation:

Chapter 5 is where creativity comes into play – when the authors talk about the photographer “listening to the image,” it becomes clear that this is where the “smoke and mirrors” should happen. Again, the authors stick to the basics, - curves, adjustment layers and toning – and it really makes sense! Because, as they conclude this chapter, they refer to the fact that most tonal corrections are “variations on (those) simple themes.” It’s at this time that I realize that this was not a “how to – effects book,” this is a book that teaches the fundamentals of being creative in the digital darkroom (exactly as stated in the title :-) ). And that’s no easy task in the world of “itchy mouse-buttons”. The next chapter addresses “Dodging, Burning and Exposure control,” and if one takes into account that photography is about Painting with Light, it’s a really crucial chapter --- this is where clutter is often confused with creativity – and again, the authors succeed in steering clear of “playing around,” but rather make sure the reader realizes the importance of understanding the “delicate interplay” between light and shadow.

More colorful as we go along:

By chapter 7, the authors are still sticking to the important basics, showing the interplay of the color-wheel with the interpretation of colors. And yes, they even show the working of the LAB color mode. (Again, this is encyclopedic in nature – as books have been written on LAB color as well –and here the basics are covered in 8 pages – yet, they make sure it makes sense as they stick to the basics, and they keep their recommendations straightforward).

Now that we know the rules:

By the time the reader gets to chapter 8, the authors seem to feel that you know enough about the basics not to mess up the process – it’s also the first chapter with the word “creative” in the chapter heading. And yes, now that you understand what really matters, you can play around with cross-processing and mode blending – it’s indeed a colorful world and yes, the smoke and mirrors are coming – chapter 9 touches on adding textures, edges and special effects. By now you realize that you’ve been on a journey, guided by the authors to make sure you really understand the nature of the darkroom, so as not to mess it up when you get there, but to know where you go when you create your visual stories.

Conclusion:

A great book if one realizes that creativity is not necessarily the result of merely “messing about” with the tools in the digital darkroom, it’s about understanding the tools first, and then “messing about” in a responsible manner. This book is about the fundamentals of the digital darkroom as much as about creativity – I would gladly recommend it to anyone who wants to have a broad understanding of the digital workflow process, as well as the basics of the digital environment.

A big bite into a big elephant!

Reviewed by: Igno van Niekerk

Manager, Adobe User Group, Bloemfontein, South Africa

(ACE, ACI, Photoshop, Lightroom)

CS4 in Bloem on 11/11

2008-10-24T15:13:00.002+02:00

Looking forward to the CS4 launch on 11 November?

It's at Jakkalsdraai, just outside Bloemfontein, from 10:00 to 16:00 -

Remember to register!!! E-mail me at igno@intekom.co.za if you need more information!

Things happen fast!

2008-09-26T12:25:00.006+02:00

And now CS4 has been announced! With regards to Photoshop, I think the best summary is given by Scott Kelby, when he says that the great stuff in photoshop has been improved. Especially the Layer masks and some of the new "non destructive" tools that have "moved" from Ligthroom to Camera Raw.
A great website to visit is Colin Smith's Phot oshopcafe where he discusses the improvements and tweaks to Photoshop!
Also have a look at what John Nack has to say about the "small improvements" that are actually great!
Go ahead, visit!
The Photowalk during the Sandstone Festival went well, and I share 2 of the shots I took that morning.

Book Review - Photoshop CS3 Essential Skills

2008-09-09T20:06:00.001+02:00

Book Review: Photoshop CS3 Essential Skills: - By Mark Galer and Philip Andrews, available from www.focalpress.com –

Reviewed by Igno van Niekerk (Adobe Certified Expert and Instructor on Photoshop CS3 and Lightroom, Co-ordinator of Bloemfontein Adobe User Group).

Short summary:

If you would like to learn Photoshop in a no-nonsense, structured and meaningful way, this book is one of those jewels that succeeds in finding the balance between theory and practice. The approach to writing is, essentially, to build a foundation with theoretical knowledge, and then making sure the knowledge becomes part of the reader’s/student’s practical skill-set. This book is written for “Student” readers, and the authors are following sound educational practices in terms of the layout and structure. The book’s use of graphics and the additional DVD makes it a great handbook for classes or individual learners, as one has the choice of reading the theory, (with graphical step by step illustrations of practice sessions), following the instructions, or even watching the straightforward and informative video’s on the DVD. This allows for a variety of teaching methods and interesting classes if one is an instructor. And if one is not in a classroom-situation, (reading the book at home) it still breaks through the boredom of mere theory or practice -

Approach to the content:

There are a huge number of Photoshop books out there, and each has a different approach, claiming to be unique. When reading this one, I put myself into the shoes of the student preparing for an ACE exam, as well as someone who wants to come to terms with the program. The great thing is that the authors are not going into all sorts of explanations, they touch on the basics and teaches one the right principles. But they still succeed in finding the balance with regards to sharing necessary information about aspects like printing, web output and photography without getting sidetracked from the main goal of the book which is to train the essentials of Photoshop. If I am asked what the basics of Photoshop are, the contents of this book would be my answer. There is enough information to create a firm foundation.

Look and Feel:

The book is beautifully laid out with some eye-candy (artworks) in between to ensure it does not feel like a “school text book”, again, it’s almost giving the feeling of having a great teacher who makes a subject seem interesting, rather than having the “Hard Times” approach of viewing the readers as “little receptacles of fact”. If ever we want to have less boring textbooks, this is the approach.

Unlike many other DVD’s and CD’s that are put into books, the DVD accompanying the book is well laid out, and clutter free. (There are a few stock images, actions etc, but not the myriad of advertising materials and demo-software which are often irritatingly added as so-called bonuses, the DVD actually supports the content of the book, rather than being a marketing tool for sideshows). The tutorials are relevant to the chapters and the explanations are thorough, simplistic and sensible (unlike those of my grade 9 maths teacher ;-) )

Comparison to other books:

This book was clearly written with the classroom in mind. One almost feels like a student when the authors promise you a break after having done the exercises with the pen tool. When I state classroom, it can also be for the sole student who wants to know the essentials of Photoshop. The explanations of crucial areas like layers, channels and colour profiles are done with excellent graphics.

Unlike the Classroom in a Book series, The Essentials of Photoshop CS3 does not have a practical “follow the steps, do the exercise” feel to it. It achieves a fine balance between teaching theory for different learning styles, as well as making the learning experience practical. The explanations of concepts like curves are well done, but not as clear as is done in the Photoshop Studio Techniques series. If one compares this book to Martin Evening’s Photoshop CS3 for Photographers, it’s clear that the authors have done well in covering the essentials of what needs to be covered with regards to Photoshop’s relationship to photography. And that’s no easy task!

Recommendations:

If you would like to learn the essentials of Photoshop, this book’s title does not tell lies – it cuts to the chase in a way that shows the authors have great educational as well as Photoshop skills. A great read for any prospective student of Photoshop; combined with the DVD it really deserves to be rated as not only a textbook but a training experience.

Adobe Creative Suite to be announced on September 23

2008-09-04T19:46:00.001+02:00

Information taken from Adobe blogspots - Newsbreak:

Adobe Creative Suite 4 (CS4) to be announced September 23

Those of you who have checked the Adobe.com website today will have noted that the CS4 announce date has been set. Now, you could be asking yourselves, why is it necessary to announce the announce date... well, here's your answer: the event will be broadcast, and you need to register to view it. Cool! So make sure to be there and get the scoop on what's in store.
From the Adobe website: "Are you ready for something brilliant? Be one of the first to see Adobe® Creative Suite® 4 in a special web broadcast on 23rd of September, 2008".

Lightroom and Sandstone festival

2008-09-04T07:16:00.002+02:00

Thanks to the 17 people who made it to our Lightroom training session last week! It was really great to see so much interest in the program. This month we are heading out for a photographic experience!
The little (very little but beautiful) town, Paul Roux, is having its Sandstone Festival - And as a User Group, we will be there! It all happens on the weekend of 12 and 13 September. We will be having a photowalk from 08:00 to 09:30 in the morning and anyone is welcome - (there is no cost, but walkers will have to pay the entrance fee to the festival).
You will also notice that there is a photo competition with the theme "sandstone" (sandsteen). Any picture with the theme can be entered (visit the homepage at http://www.sandsteenfees.co.za)
At the end of the month, we will be running a digital scrapbooking session, so keep watching this space.

Lightroom Tonight

2008-08-26T07:11:00.002+02:00

The Bloem Adobe User Group will be convening tonight (26/8/2008) at the Centre for E-Learning on the campus of the CUT to discuss Adobe Lightroom2.0 enhancements - we will be working from 18:00 to 19:30 - where we will share some of the new aspects that makes Lightroom probably the greatest tool photographers have ever had!

Remember to look at the GREAT shots we took during Scott Kelby's Photowalk at:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/scott-kelbys-worldwide-photowalk-bloemfontein/

Scott Kelby Photowalk

2008-08-23T21:39:00.006+02:00

What a privilege it was to participate in Scott Kelby's world wide photowalk!
Hosted by the BloemAdobe User Group, we had 29 photographers who really had a fun day taking pictures and socializing!
I share some of the pictures of the group in action!
To share in the fun visit...

http://www.flickr.com/groups/scott-kelbys-worldwide-photowalk-bloemfontein/

Also remember that our next meeting will be 18:00 to 20:00 on Tuesday 26 August -
- it's all about Lightroom 2!! Don't miss it!

Show me yours and I'll show you mine!

Brand's creative bunch

Photowalk in Bloemfontein

2008-08-05T22:06:00.000+02:00

As part of the launch of Scott Kelby's Lightroom 2 Book for Digital Photographers, he has arranged a "world wide Photowalk".

The Bloemfontein Adobe User Group will be participating in Bloemfontein - and it's going to be fun!

We will be starting at 08:00 in front of the main building at Grey College, and we will finish at Traumerai on the UFS campus! (10:00 ish)

Bring your camera and feel free to join!!

Several prizes to be won!

For more information, visit -

http://www.photoshopuser.com/photowalk/city/bloemfontein.html

June Makeover

2008-07-01T22:03:00.000+02:00

Due to several requests for more information on Photoshop, I have updated this blog with some links which I think you may find valuable.

On a more personal note, I have also updated my site at http://www.pixelpostcards.com, so feel free to pay a visit!

Lightroom 2.0 and Express

2008-05-12T12:58:00.000+02:00

During our last meeting we spoke about Lightroom 2.0 and Photoshop Express.

It is clear that Lightroom is becoming an essential part of the photographer's toolkit and Igno mentioned that one of the better sites to visit for Lightroom training was Julianne Kost's website.

To demonstrate the power of Photoshop Express, Igno showed how the pictures he had taken of steamtrains a few weeks before could be uploaded to Express.

For those of you who still care about steam engines, please join http://www.steam-in-action.com
Show that you care!

The example of the steamtrains can be viewed at :
http://igno.photoshop.com/?trackingid=BTAGC&wf=share&galleryid=5bcf94f63b68429dabdd2411bb61d5ff

Photosafari feedback and some links

2008-03-05T22:31:00.000+02:00

e
The Photosafari was wonderful and I have asked some of the guys for their pics. Here is one of Charles'. One of these shots won him a gold award at the camera club last night.

I have found some great links. Have a look at:

http://www.daveblackphotography.com/

Well, chat later!

Photosafari in the Eastern Free State

2008-02-10T14:10:00.000+02:00

Hi There

During the weekend of 15-17 February the BloemAdobe User Group and Dreamagineers will team up with our sponsors APPLE and ADOBE to bring you an incredible Photography/Photoshop/Lightroom workshop.

We will start on the Friday night and cover some elements of Photography as well as LIGHTROOM... If you have a laptop, feel free to bring it along...

This workshop is ideal for anyone with a photography/design interest and will be beneficial to anybody who wants to design better visuals whether it be with a camera or with Adobe Photoshop.

It is aimed at assisting designers, photographers and storytellers to tell a better story with photos and Photoshop! We will look at the power of batch processing in LIGHTROOM as well as PHOTOSHOP - in HOW TO WORK FAST - LIKE A PRO!

The presenter will be Igno van Niekerk who is an Adobe Certified Instructor, an APPLE Distinguished educator, as well as an Adobe Certified Expert on Photoshop.If you know of anyone who might be interested, it would be appreciated if you could forward this e-mail to them.

The preliminary programme includes the following:

Friday evening:

18:00 - 21:00

Getting into the right "Frame of Mind" to create great pictures

ADOBE Lightroom and the process from the moment-through the memory stick to the backup -

Saturday Morning:

06:00 - 10:00 Photo Safari (Taking Pictures)

Return for Brunch

Saturday late morning and noon: Photoshop skills

Saturday late afternoon:

Another Photo safari.

Saturday Night: Photoshopping the day's work - learning to create the final picture that really matters Creating actions, batch processes etc...

(Dinner included)

The Ultimate Photoshop evening

Finishing around 22:00

Sunday Morning:

Early Safari

Pulling it all together -the ultimate HOW TO WOW with PHOTOSHOP, LIGHTROOM and DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY.

Finishing around 13:00.

Anyone who is interested can call Igno van Niekerk on 083 376 1330 or register at www.dreamagineers.com

Kind Regards

Igno van Niekerk

On behalf of http://www.dreamagineers.com

Cost: R950.00 per person - This includes the meals as indicated but NOT ACCOMMODATION AND TRANSPORT . (Please note that each person is responsible for arranging their own accommodation and transport.)

Pictures to be repaired or restored

2007-09-17T11:41:00.000+02:00

Here is one black and white picture - see what you can do to improve/restore it, and send the "after" shot to Igno before our next meeting (October 3 - 18:00 - 19:30)

You can also repair any other photo and send the before and after shots - I will then post them here for all the others to see!

See you then - it will be an open session of questions, answers, suggestions and fun - all with the aim of improving our skills in restoring old photographs!

Here are links to some free Photoshop stuff!

Free Brushes
http://getbrushes.com/

http://veredgf.fredfarm.com/vbrush/main.html

http://www.echoica.net/brushes.php

http://cloud-no9-downloads-brushes.blogspot.com/

http://browse.deviantart.com/resources/applications/psbrushes/

http://www.ancient-secret.de/brushmain.html

http://www.pixel2life.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=5418

http://www.photoshopsupport.com/tools/brushes.html#brushes-500ml

http://www.freephotoshop.com/html/free_brushes.html

http://www.adigitaldreamer.com/freephotoshopbrushes/

http://www.gamearena.com.au/messageboards/comps/thread.php/2964881

http://inobscuro.com/brushes/

http://www.alterform.com/content.php/Resources

http://www.yusuf-osman.com/tutorials/lightning/lightning.html(a cool lightning brush)
Free Plugins
http://www.freephotoshop.com/html/free_plugins2.html

http://thepluginsite.com/resources/freeps.htm

http://www.telegraphics.com.au/sw/

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1981062,00.asp?=ETRSS02129TX1K0000532

http://www.photoshoproadmap.com/Photoshop-downloads/Free-Photoshop-plugins/Most-popular/1/

http://www.freephotoshop.com/html/free_plugins.html

http://www.outbackphoto.com/filters/filters.html#upsizing(DOP Upsizing plugin)
Free PSD's
http://browse.deviantart.com/resources/applications/psd/

http://www.psdspy.com/http://www.psdprotocol.com/

http://www.freepsd.com/

http://www.alterform.com/content.php/Resources

http://www.aaronovadia.com/clients/photoshopit/freebies.htm

http://www.bindexed.com/tools/logos/

http://www.thefreelogomakers.com/personalLogos/default.asp

http://photoshopit.wordpress.com/2006/09/06/the-shiny-floor-effect-or-the-very-cool-reflection-effect/
Free Actions
http://browse.deviantart.com/resources/applications/psactions/?order=9&alltime=yes http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/photoshopactions/

http://www.liknes.no/photoshop

http://www.thelightsrightstudio.com/photoshop-tools.htm
Free Custom Shapes
http://browse.deviantart.com/resources/applications/customshape/?order=9&alltime=yes

http://www.freephotoshop.com/html/free_shapes.html
Free Patterns
http://browse.deviantart.com/resources/applications/patterns/?order=9&alltime=yes

http://www.freephotoshop.com/html/free_patterns.html

http://squidfingers.com/patterns/
Free textures:
http://www.freephotoshop.com/html/free_textures.html

http://www.spectralogue.com/textures/index.php

http://www.imageafter.com/textures.php

http://www.textureking.com/
Free Gradients
http://www.freephotoshop.com/html/free_gradients.html
Free Styles
http://www.freephotoshop.com/html/free_styles.html
Free Frames
http://www.freephotoshop.com/html/free_frames.html
Free Displacement Maps
http://www.freephotoshop.com/html/free_displacement.html

Free Templates
http://www.48hourprint.com/templates_ps.html
Free Scripts
http://www.taunt.com/video_tutorials/index.html
Free Fonts
http://www.alterform.com/content.php/Resources
Meta Lists of more Free downloads
http://www.tutorialtomb.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5438 http://www.coverdude.com/pslist.htm

Lightroom Night

2007-07-26T09:47:00.000+02:00

Hi All
First to all of those who attended the Lightroom evening - thanks so much! The neighbours thought their was a funeral at my house, as we had 22 attendees!
I hope that you are finding working with Ligthroom as inspiring as I am! It is really supercool.
With regards to the question we had on printing, (if you have created a really nice document in the print dialogue and you want to send it to someone who does not have Lightroom), I think the best option would be to go from the print dialogue, where you create your "output" file, and then, if possible print to a pdf file, which the person may be able to open. I will enquire some more as well!
I was also asked about photography courses on the web (Bianca). A very nice (AND FREE) one can be found at:
http://www.morguefile.com/archive/classroom.php
You will find 10 lessons, explaining some really timeless concepts!
Enjoy
Igno

Adobe Lightroom - The Experience

2007-07-17T12:15:00.000+02:00

Hi all
On Tuesday 24th of July we will be looking at Adobe's Photoshop Lightroom. This is a killer!!
Initially I thought it would be aaahh wellll...somewhat helpful....Now I cannot live without it!!!
Just to whet your appetite, have a look at the following sites before we get together:
http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshoplightroom/
Obviously - Adobe is the first place to start - there are some great ideas as to why, where and when you should be using Ligthroom.
Then, there is Matt Kloskowski's Ligthroom Killer Tips:
http://www.lightroomkillertips.com
On Matt's site, you find short video's on Lightroom - you can also subscribe to his free weekly podcast on Lightroom...
Matt is one of the NAPP guys - and, like always NAPP has some stunning tutorials!! Some of them are for free on the NAPP website (if you are a member, they are all for free!) Check out NAPP at
http://www.photoshopuser.com
Free Lightroom tutorials can also be found at:
www.photoshopsupport.com/lightroom/tutorials.html
As you can see - there is a host of great places to find the Light (room)!!! But next week - we'll be Lightrooming live in Bloem! See you there!!!

18 June: Phostoshop CS3

2007-07-05T15:13:00.000+02:00

On 18 June we had our first meeting. We discussed everything that was new in Photoshop CS3. We also decided that we want the meetings to be in workshop format. A friendly sandbox environment where everybody can ask, share and show things that they learnt. Many ideas were discussed and Charles Whitehead mentioned a technique he had seen where, with one drag of the mouse, a picture could be altered. Well, Charles has done his research and here is what it was all about...(Thanks, Charles)...
You can go to: Images>Adjust>Black and White
Then you click anywhere on the photo.
A scrubby slider will appear
If you drag to the right, exposure will increase and if you drag to the left, it will decrease.
Well, have some fun! I have not played with it yet.
We will be having our next meeting on 24 July and there we will be doing a live shoot with Lightroom! I will announce the venue in a follow up e-mail!
The next view months, I am looking at covering the following:
August: Restoring old Photographs - I will be getting some old photographs from the War Museum and we will play with that.
I am also planning a photo-safari in Rosendal for the first weekend in August and will keep you posted!
September: We will be looking at Scrapbooking Ideas with Photoshop. We hope to get a lot of scrapbookers involved...
October: We will be looking at Scott Kelby's book on Photoshop CS3 for Digital Photographers - most of the evening will be spent on finetuning workflowprocesses...
November: The evening will be spent creating, sharing and mindstorming templates for christmas cards and calenders, using Photoshop
December: Early in December we will be celebrating the end of the year with a session on "How to be creative without anyone knowing - fine tuning with Photoshop!", as well as "Getting your pictures on the web!
I will be sharing the specific dates once the venues are finalized - but the great news is that we might soon be using a venue with computers so we can actually practise what we're learning! Watch this space...
For now, if you have not bought Lightroom yet - DO IT NOW - It's one of the greatest investments in your photography!
And lastly, here are some nice places to visit:
http://www.photoshopuser.com
http://www.photoshoptv.com
http://www.photoshopcafe.com

http://www.roscripts.com/The_best_Photoshop_resources_of_the_month-135.html
Have fun!
Igno

A fantastic Start

2007-05-03T17:57:00.000+02:00

Dreamagineers is a company with the incredible mission of making whatever you present better! Whether you are a photographer, a lecturer, a salesperson...we all present most of the time!
This is the starting of the Dreamagineers Adobe User group in Bloem, and for the sake of history, Igno van Niekerk has written down his thoughts, this can be looked back on a year from now - and hopefully his dream will have outgrown its initial roots!

So, as I am sitting here, I have possibility to work with! Only the possibility! This is the beginning of Adobe in Bloem. I have a database of keen photographers and the incredible ADOBE brand. Today Ed Sullivan asked me to apply to create an ADOBE user group in Bloemfontein.
Shortly this blog will be the informal communication medium for a group of keen ADOBE users. We will be starting with ADOBE's support and our mission will be to have 50 users on a regular basis after the next calender year.
We will start with Photoshop and then gradually move to discussions on and sharing the excitement of ADOBE's other products. If anybody has any suggestions, please let me know. For now - I have nothing but excitement. And that is always the way to a fantastic start!