Photoshop-Users-Group

Next Meeting Wednesday September 9th 6:30 to 8:30pm

2009-09-06T20:47:00.000-07:00

Next Meeting August 12th 6:30 to 8:30pm

2009-08-08T14:00:00.000-07:00

Next Meeting May 13th 6:30 to 8:30 pm

2009-05-10T12:56:00.000-07:00

Next Meeting April 8th 6:30 to 8:30 pm

2009-03-29T19:37:00.000-07:00

Next Meeting February 11th 6:30 to 8:30

2009-02-07T13:55:00.001-08:00

Next Meeting January 14th 6:30 to 8:30

2008-12-28T21:39:00.000-08:00

Next Meeting November 12th 6:30 to 8:30

2008-10-26T18:46:00.000-07:00

Next Meeting September 10th 6:30 to 8:30

2008-09-08T10:11:00.000-07:00

Next Meeting August 13th 6:30 to 8:30 pm

2008-08-10T20:50:00.000-07:00

After taking July off we are back on for our monthly Photoshop Users Group Meetings. All level of experience are welcome. So, come and enjoy Photoshop, bring some sample of your work and make some new friends.

Next Meeting June 11th 6:30 to 8:30

2008-06-01T20:06:00.000-07:00

This month’s Artiest in Showcase is Gene Newell

Gene is currently working as a contractor but his main passion is Photography and Photoshop. In the past, he owned restaurants in small towns and would display his photos on the tables for people to enjoy. This continues today. Gene normally comes to our Photoshop-Users-Group with several 17 x 22 prints and is generous about sharing his knowledge of Photography and Photoshop.
I’ll let Gene tell us about his current project.

From Gene Newell

One of my photos has been selected for the 2008 Artful Nude Photography Exhibition at The Center for Fine Art Photography which publishes the Artists Show Case section in Camera Arts magazine.

The juror was Kim Weston - the grandson of Edward Weston.

They said there were 1650 entries and 54 were selected for various awards and the show. They didn't say which award I received or whether it will be in the Artists' Show Case section of Camera Arts. It may be honorable mention or nothing, but my print will be in the exhibition, both on line, and at their gallery in Colorado. The exhibit will run from July 11 thru August 9th in Fort Collins, CO.

Unfortunately, it wasn't one of my recent photos, but I'll take it any way I can get it. It is an image I took at the D. H. Lawrence ranch near Taos, New Mexico in '99.

The web site should be on everybody's list. Just to see what other photographers are doing. http://www.c4fap.org/

One of the things I got from the users group meeting and the 1st Fridays at Lee Meier's studio is the confidence to enter this contest. I enjoy showing my work. It is the comments from the people there that matter. I enjoy seeing Lee's work and would encourage everybody to bring a lot of their work.

Gene Newell
genenewell@earthlink.net

Next Meeting May 14th 6:30 to 8:30

2008-04-13T20:32:00.001-07:00

This month's Artiest in Showcase is Bart Hickman

Bart is an electrical engineer and uses Photoshop as a hobby and learning tool for his children. He spends much of his free time with camera in hand taking prictues that he can enhance with Photoshop and take his skills to the next level. The following is a tutorial that he shared with us last month. Thanks Bart!

De - Grunge Tutorial
By Bart Hickman
2008 - April - 15

This technique is based on a tutorial at retouchpro.com called the "degrunge" technique by "byRO". In that tutorial, he used highpass filter whereas I'm using Apply Image - they are methematically identical.

In this tutorial, we'll start with portrate and apply the degrunge method to remove slight imperfection in the skin and leave the desirable textures intact. Here's the starting image. Image 1

Make a duplicate of the layer and apply Gaussian blur as shown. Choose just the right amount of blur to remove the skin texture we don't want without over-doing it without overly smootingin out contours like the cheeks and noise. Image 2

In this example, a blue radius of about 25 pixels seems about right. So now we have the original on the layer called "Background", and the bllurred on the layer called "Layer 1". With layer 1 active, choose apply image: and then set the Apply Image poramerts as shown. Image 3

The source layer should be "Background" and the blending mode will be subtract. Set the scale and offset to 1 and 128 respectively. This gives the opposite of the blur which is the highpass of the image. Except in this case it's the negative or inverse of the high pass. Image 4

Set the blend mode of Layer 1 to "Linear Light" and set the fill value to 50%. Adding the inverse of the highpass back at 50% fill back to the original image is equivalent to the original gaussian blur. Image 5

Now apply gaussian blur to the high-pass layer (Layer 1). This time use a smaller radius blur. Notice how the finer skin texture comes back. I've found that choosing this radius to be around 1/3rd of the first blur is about right for skin . What we have creted is a band-stop filter that is removing textures with radii between about 8 pixels and 25 pixels - this is the size of the undesired skin textures. Image 6

We don't want this filtering applied everywhere, just to the skin. So, add a blick mask to Layer 1 (alt-click the crete mask button) and paint white in the places where you want the degrunge effect. You can be prettly quick-n-sloppy here. Image 7

It's as simple as that. Continue with other processing.

Bart
bart-hickman@comcast.net

http://home.comcast.net/~zumbari/Tutorials/Degrunge/index.html

Next Meeting 2nd Wed April 9th 6:30 to 8:30

2008-03-23T22:50:00.000-07:00

Next Meeting 2nd Wed March 12th 6:30 to 8:30

2008-02-17T18:30:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

This month's Artiest in Showcase is Lee Meier.

Lee has been using Photoshop for 12 years and considers himself more of a student in training than an expert in Photoshop. He is passionate, curious and constantly learning. The second Wednesday of each month Lee opens up his studio for our Photoshop Users Group, answers technical questions, and explains the process from taking digital pictures to Photoshop enhanced pictures ready for display. First and foremost, Lee is a professional photographer and has a keen sense for composition, light source, color, hue, value and saturation. Below, Lee describes one of his latest projects.

North Interstate Neon Sign Images

The photos shown here are several taken for a recent project on the old neon signs along Portland's N. Interstate Avenue. The motels and garish signs are from another era which reflect the tenor of the times when this was the major north/south route through Portland. This was a time before the interstate highway system was built and speaks of a vanishing moment in the area's history. I thought it would be interesting to document some of the remaining advertising before it succumbs to old age and changing times. As can be seen in the pictures, these are some colorful and large examples of neon art in advertisement.
There are 13 photos in this collection and they are being submitted for inclusion in an up-coming show in a local area gallery. More about that later.
For further information, call or write:

Lee Meier@ MonoGraphicsStudio.com
cell: 503-341-4905
http://www.monographicsstudio.com/

Next Meeting 2nd Wed February 13th 6:30 to 8:30

2008-01-14T18:50:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

This next meeting, you gotta be there! A couple people will share their experience of go through Barry Haynes book “Photoshop Artistry”. Not everyone, but a couple.

We will have some feedback on John Paul Capanigro’s training CD’s “Drawing with Light”. Gene tells me that he has lived in small towns most of his life where maybe 10 people in the county every heard of Photoshop and this CD set helped him through the Photoshop learning curve. See more at www.johnpaulcaponigro.com/

Sandee email me and said she found this great site with Photoshop how to’s and a free monthly magazine subscription. We’ll be checking that out. www.AfterCapture.com

Who will be there? People using Photoshop. Professional, armature, marketing, people like me who know nothing and everyone in between. Come, it is always a good time.

Next Meeting January 9th 6:30 to 8:30

2008-01-07T12:56:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone!

After Taking December off our users group meetings we’ll start again beginning this Wednesday January 9th from 6:30 to 8:30 at Mono:Graphics. I hope everyone one had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

A suggestion has come up that I’d like your input. That being, as a group to go through Barry Haynes book “Photoshop Artistry” (the one with the fire on the front cover). Charles speaks very highly of the book and has attended a 5 day seminar with Barry Haynes. This book is geared for photographers. It this sounds like something you’re interested in give me a hey or nay. Or, respond with a suggestion of a different author and book.

This would one be a small part of our monthly meetings and we would still have the freedom to talk about anything on your mind. Something like this might help you get a handle on Photoshop and learning from others is always fun.

So, come to Wednesdays night meeting and enjoy the Photoshop experience. All levels of Photoshop are welcome and I’m scheduled to bring a bottle of wine and some cheese.

Next Meeting Wednesday November 14th

2007-10-14T21:28:00.000-07:00

I was buzzed.

Last Photoshop Users Group meeting was Excellent! I can say there was something for everyone. Topics from, best books, cameras and file format, printers and business just to name a few.

Charles gave a step-by-step photo editing session that was easy to understand simple, methodical, sequence of steps to get desired results. I’m for that. None of this “Try this and see what happens”. Thank you Charles!

Late in the evening Lee did a Photomerge of the front and rear of a late 1930’s Chevrolet or Pontiac? It was surprising simple.
1) Open the photos in Photoshop.
2) File/Automate/Photomerge.
3) A window opens up and asks to choose two or more files to create a panoramic composition, or click the open composition button to view an existing composition. Sounds complicated, just click ok. A second later the photos (car halves) are merged. But, they don’t line up exactly.
4) Change the setting to perspective and click ok. Save the file and you’re done.

This technique opened up a new dimension in Photoshop that is really exciting. Thank you Lee!

It was a high energy meeting with 2 new people from Craig’s List and the normal 2 or 3 conversations going on at the same time. Life is good and we went home happy.

Next Meeting Wednesday October 10th

2007-09-30T19:02:00.001-07:00

Just what I’ve Noticed.

Friendly, passionate people just like you and me sharing techniques in digital photography and Photoshop. Sometimes the topic of conversation wanders, but the subject changes to the interests of the people that show up.

We have some very talented photographers willing to share their skills. Is marketing a stumbling block? Normally, at each meeting there’s someone who can help talk to you about how to get your product to market.

New people. Last month Richard L. responded to the ad on Craig’s List. He is interested in using Photoshop with video animation. Do you have similar interests?

Next Meetings Subject
Merging or stitching photos together. We will go through the process of taking the pictures on the right (the late 30’s Chevy or Pontiac) and putting them together as one. We will also discuss how to take better pictures what to do and what not to do.

Time and Place
Presently we are meeting on the second Wednesday of the month from 6:30 to 8:30pm at Mono: Graphics Studio, Ltd. (address on the right). There is NO need to R.S.V.P. Just show up and network. If you want to be on the email reminder list, contact me through the email on the right.

See you there!

Next Meeting Wednesday September 12, 6:30 to 8:30pm

2007-09-09T21:56:00.000-07:00

That’s this coming Wednesday! You know, when I started this Blog I thought I would be writing articles every month. It just doesn’t seem to work that way. The meetings are diverse in nature, sometimes intense and hard to keep track of the different topics; therefore, if you want to learn Photoshop, come to the meetings and network with other users. These meetings are informal and welcome for all to attend.

Time and Place.
Presently we are meeting on the second Wednesday of the month from 6:30 to 8:30pm at Mono: Graphics Studio, Ltd. (address on the right). There is NO need to R.S.V.P. Just show up and network. If you want to be on the email reminder list, contact me through the email on the right.

See you there!

June 6th Meeting

2007-06-21T14:00:00.001-07:00

Hello again! Our last meeting was rather small in attendance (5 members) but rich in content. We felt it necessary to provide an introductory meeting on layers to jump-start the beginner level Photoshop user. Jim edited a photograph for an article in a local magazine. He demonstrated a couple of different ways to use layers and worked with channels to present the best image for the magazine. Members were interactive and able to ask questions on and off the subject as the subject of channels and color management came up. It is encouraging to me to know that the person sitting right next to me can answer my questions without the awkwardness of asking a stupid question. I also noticed that the people who get the most out of these meeting ask the most questions.

For me, that is only half of the story. The best part is coming early and getting a personal guided tour through the studio. Seeing what local artists are bringing to his shop is simply inspiring. Marla Schroeder-Swade is a local artist that combines old school painting on canvas with digital art in her “Neon Collection”. This is not a simple cut and paste Photoshop techniques, but a process of painting, scanning, combine with digital photographs, printing, editing, and repeat as necessary to get the desired results. To see her work on canvas is captivating.
Marla’s web site is: http://www.artbymarla.com/.
A big “Thank You Jim” for letting us see what happens in your world.

Next Meeting: Lee Meier will be hosting the next meeting. The topic will be on bitmap to vector conversion. Lee has been working with logo designs lately and combines the use of Illustrator and Photoshop for logo designs. The walls of Lee’s studio are filled with photographs (mostly digitally enhanced) of people, places and things. There is no lack for inspiration here. Space is limited to 10 members so RSVP to get a seat.

Date and Time: July 11 at 6:30 to 8:30pm.
Place: Mono:Graphics Studio, Ltd
7731 SW Capitol Hwy
Portland, OR 97219
Just two doors down from Starbucks in the Multnomah Village.

Before I close, let me offer an invitation for you to write an article for this Blog. Photoshop related, something that you think would benefit others. Email to me and I'll post it.
Your commets are welcome.

Dexter

May 2nd Meeting

2007-05-17T15:59:00.000-07:00

Hello all! The May Photoshop Users Group meeting was a huge success! I sometimes can’t believe the talent and experience of our group members, and we are growing. Big Time. The first meeting we had 10 hard-core Photoshop users. The meeting in May had 15 members more diverse experience in Photoshop. I could have stayed there for hours just to see what topic would come up next. But with the more diverse group, some members were not able to participate in the conversation. The topic was on layers and we jumped around a bit. Rich in content but Jim and I noticed some members frustration. Sorry about that.

Jim and I thought about having a meeting for people less experienced in Photoshop. That way, they can come online and jump-start their knowledge of Photoshop. So, comma, the next meeting will be on June 6th and geared for beginner level in Photoshop and the topic will be layers. Jim has asked that we limit the attendance to 6 members to keep focused on the topic. Be sure to contact me through this Blog with a R.S.V.P to get a seat. This will be an excellent time for the beginner to get one-on-one training from a pro!

What I’d like to see is members introduce themselves and tell something about their project (keeping it short to no more than a minute each). Jim takes the stage and explains the fundamentals and the ins and outs of layers. Have time of question and answer. We share our projects with other members (networking/socializing). Trade business cards and phone numbers and go home happy.

So, the people who know about layers and how to use them what do you do? Let me say this about that. We are just starting a long journey of monthly users group meetings in Photoshop. We are growing slowly mostly from Meetup and word of mouth. Slow growth is good. Can you imagine the chaos if we advertise? At this time we have packed into studio’s that have hosted the meetings. As we grow other members will want to host their own meetings. That is good because it gives the members another place to go to enhance their Photoshop experience. Michael Davis has created a web page in Google and posted his thoughts in this Blog under “What do you Think”? Just click on the time (10:35 AM) and read his comments. Tatiana Sullivan is taking on the role as organizer in Meetup and in the process of creating a web page for Photoshop users. Within a year I can see that we might have 3 or 4 different meetings with different organizers, hosts, web sites and blogs. You will have the choice of which group fits your needs or go to all of them. But you know, going to a users group meeting and listening to the presentation is only half of the learning experience. The other half is bringing your work and sharing it with others. If you are frustrated with the way things are going, have patience, we are just getting started.

Back to the question for the people who know all about layers. Out of courtesy to the beginner and the host, can you sit this one out? Ok, if you show up you are welcome. Just know that this is a topic on layers for the beginner and Jim is the host.

Your comments are welcome.

Question and Answer

2007-04-09T21:39:00.000-07:00

Q1.
Where does a person find images that inspire the Photoshop user of things possible?

Q2.
Where does the Photoshop user get training (your personal experience)?

Q3.
What are your suggestions on books and reference material and why?

Your comments are welcome. Dexter
I just found out that if you want to view others comments you have to click on the time, then the comments open up.

What do you Think?

2007-04-08T10:35:00.000-07:00

As it stands right now this Blog is very limiting. It is good for information purposes, but not really interactive. A couple of weeks ago I thought it would be great and also being free you can’t go too far wrong. If we are going to be a users group where we actually have to do something for the group it is stifling. Presently, you have to send articles, questions, and pictures to me and I will copy and paste them on the Blog. Who wants to do that? I don’t want to be the controlling factor.
As a screen printer, I belong to a forum, http://www.screenprinters.net/, which is totally interactive for the user and hands off for the moderator. In the forums page, there are about 18 different forums (topics for discussion). Click on one that you are interested in and see all of the conversations that help screen printers. Registered users can post topics of discussion, comment, post pictures and answer question with other users.
I think this kind of set up would be great for the question and answer section. I don’t know the cost, who would be willing to put it together, or if it is worth doing.
What do you Think? Comments welcome.

Meetup’s first and last meeting was a Hit!

2007-04-05T16:27:00.000-07:00

They came early and stayed late.
We were talking before the meeting that this is a start of something really big. There is not a Photoshop Meetup Group or a Photoshop Users Group in the Portland area. The need is great to provide service to the community. Ten members filled up Mono: Graphics Studio, Ltd last night, which had some sitting on the floor.

The need
To be connected with like-minded people and share learning experiences. An uplifting experience of learning and socializing that enhances people’s life.

Agenda?
I had one. After the introductions I was moving through the agenda as quickly as possible. About half was through the meeting took on a life of its own. Open discussions on printers, digital cameras, monitor calibration, Mac vs. PC, color management, recommened books, Photoshop CS3, film photography, and more filled up the evening. I expected this to happed, after all, these people have not ever had a meeting and the energy level was contagious. Sometimes two or three conversations going on at the same time one could participate or just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Meetup
I think all members agree that Meetup is not the way to go. First: They charge dues ($19.00 a month) for services that are free. It goes against my grain to spend anything that is not benefiting the community. People (I’m smirking) have tried to teach me the math; if 10 people show up I charge $1.90 per person. Do you have change for a five? All I have is a twenty; can I pay you next time? Second: Due to the “double page” of members, I don’t know how many members there actually are. I mail out notices to the members and not all of them get the email. That makes me mad that members aren’t getting the message. I could go on but long story short: this Blog is free and provides more services than Meetup.

What was accomplished?
1) Use this Blog as our information site.
2) Users group meeting the first Wednesday of the month from 7:00 to 9:00pm.
3) All levels of experience are welcome.
4) Main purpose is for learning and networking
5) Limit to Photoshop software and related topics.
6) To become a member you have to show up to meetings or ask to be put on the email list.
7) Members bring samples of their work at meetings.
8) Members can submit articles that they think will benefit other members.
9) Question and Answer section on Blog.
10) Provide links to member's web sites.
11) Provide links to Photoshop related topics.
12) Start small.

In closing
We want you to come and share your Photoshop experience, leave excited about your part of this users group, think of how you can make it better and look forward in coming to the next meeting.
You comments are welcome and send me an email to be put on our weekly newsletter. See you next month!

Jim Dittmer Article 4-4-07

2007-04-04T23:21:00.000-07:00

Hi guys!
There is a HUGE pent-up desire for a Photoshop users group in Portland. It wouldn't surprise me if we quickly went to 1000 members with hundreds of attendees at each meeting. The logistics of this may be quite daunting. And, by the way, we can't expect the kind of assistance from Adobe that they give their InDesign group. In case you are skeptical about the size of the group growing that quickly, consider the following:
I've been a working printing prepress professional in Portland for 24 years, my first exposure to Photoshop was version 1, and I've been using PS for color correction etc. exclusively for about 13 years or so. I'm pretty well known in the design and printing community and am called upon by literally hundreds of people for PS help or advice. I'm not trying to brag here, just trying to establish my bona fides. That said…
- Of the 50+ names on the MeetUp list, I only knew 1, and I know a LOT of people!
- Local design schools (The Art Institute, Chemeketa, PSU, Mt Hood, PCC, as well as our 2 state universities and others) graduate over a hundred designers a year, with at least 5 times that number taking classes and interested in learning more.
- There are over 300 independent designers and agencies in Portland alone.
- There are hundreds of pro photographers moving to digital and learning PS. And perhaps a thousand amateurs and semi pro's doing the same.
- The art community is adopting digital quickly, especially for their publicity campaigns and ads.
- Their are dozens of PS pro's who are aching for a venue to network, show off, and pass along their skills.
Our challenge is not getting attendee's but rather, coping with the numbers that do come. We may actually have to limit the numbers at events! There are lots of ways to do this and we can discuss them at length later.
As for charging dues…
- As much as we might not want to, finances will be an issue. Halls capable of holding a hundred plus people are hard to find and expensive (Our group has paid as much as $300 for a place)
- Having some group funds allows us to bring in speakers from other places. Many will come and speak for free if you pay the transportation, hotel and food expenses, but that can add up fast. Speakers of the caliber of the late Bruce Fraiser charge $1500 + expenses and up.
- Even if it's just informal meetings, it's nice to have coffee and cookies, or pizza occasionally!
- If a formal dues structure is not wanted, how about an admission fee? Or perhaps a donation can at the door?
- Charging a fee will help to eliminate folks who aren't really serious about the topic.
I must confess to not being to familiar with the inner workings of MeetUp. Do they charge dues? Is it a group fee? How much are we talking about? Our experience at the Pacific NW Color Management Users Group (CMUG) has been as follows:
1) Having a central clearing spot for info is important. Whether it's the MeetUp site or our own (or both) is not of great importance.
2) MeetUp appears to be a great recruiting organization
3) It would be easy to steer folks to the organization website by including a URL "for more information" that lead to the website and/or blog
4) As I mentioned, I really don't think we have to worry about the BIC factor (Butts In Chairs), I think it will be more of a challenge to keep the meetings effective with a large group.
There's a lot more to discuss, but there's time to do it. Do you want to have lunch some time prior to the meeting for planning purposes? Also how large do you want the first event to be? Shall we try to grow this gradually to start?
Well, I must get to work. Talk soon!
Jim
..................................
Jim Dittmer
JDA Creative Color
239 SE 6th Avenue
Portland, OR 97214
503-525-0846 V 503-525-0943 F
jim@jdapdx.com http://www.jdapdx.com/
iChat http://us.f631.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=jdapdx@mac.com

Photoshop Meetup April 4th

2007-03-26T14:09:00.000-07:00

Dexter Kincaid recently contacted my photography business, Mono:Graphics Studio, Ltd, through an original posting for a Photoshop MeetUp group which never got off the ground about two years back.

We talked about a getting the ball rolling again and I offered to host the first gathering here at the studio in Multnomah Village.

I have been working with Photoshop since 1996, when I took several classes online and began to play with digital photography and graphic art. Having projects, images, ideas and books are a good place to start. There are also many free online resources for learning tips and tricks and I also watch PhotoshopTV.com on a weekly basis.

Photoshop for me is an ongoing passion and something I work to learn new things about almost daily. It’s a process more than a specific goal. If one is interested in gaining some mastery of this dense and wonderful software with almost infinite graphic potential, it’s important to learn by digging in and getting lost in the magic of right-brained creativity. And of course it helps to have good books and magazines.

The magazine Photoshop User, put out by NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professionals) comes out eight times a year and can now be found at selective magazine stands, including Fred Meyer. The Visual Quickstart Guide books, put out by Peachpit Press are also excellent references, along with books which focus on specific aspects of the program, like channels and photo restoration. There’s a lot of help out there for the curious.

The studio here focuses on photography (weddings, seniors pics, portraits and modeling), graphic art (logos, business cards, signs, brochures), client art and photo reproduction and enlargement, giclee’ prints, photo restoration, and Photoshop project consultation. The gallery is open once a month on First Fridays, when the businesses in Multnomah Village stay open until 9:00pm, welcoming the community to share wine and hor d’ oeuvres.

I don’t pretend to be a Photoshop expert as much as a student…and as such, I thought for the first gathering I could demonstrate some basic photo processing techniques which are commonly used, and field questions from those present. If I don’t know an answer, I do Know how to figure most applications out.

I know the gathering will be of mutual benefit, as we can all learn from each other and have some fun doing so.

The first Wednesday in April, the 4th, from 7:00 to 9:00pm we will be meeting here at the following address: 7731 SW Capitol Hwy / Portland 97219. The place is a white house next door to Starbucks, in the downtown section of Multnomah Village. If you get lost, the phone number here is 503-244-1375.

See you then,
Lee Meier/

for reference to my work, see http://www.monographicsstudio.com/, www.flickr.com/photos/monographics , and http://www.modelmayhem.com/ site #307595.

Cheers,
Lee/

Mono:Graphics Studio, Ltd
Lee Meier
7731 SW Capitol Hwy
Portland, OR 97219
503-244-1375 / cell: 503-341-4905

First Article

2007-03-21T22:51:00.000-07:00

This is the direction that I see this users group going. This is open to change and I’m not here to micro manage this group, in fact, just the opposite. It is my hope that we get a great number of people using Photoshop and digital art software from different fields that the users group will become rich in content and have a life of it’s own. Am I in dreamy dreamland or what?

One week before the users group meeting the host will be asked to submit an article that they think will benefit the group. Does that sound cool or what? Have a professional share their expertise with you! And then, comma, if that isn't enough, be able to meet them in person and discuss your project. Way cool!

The remaining weeks are open for you to submit an article that you think will benefit the group. What process did you learn the software? What books are worth reading? How do you use Photoshop? Do you have any tips, tricks or short cuts that make your project easer? You can see this is wide open to share your expertise with others.

Readers can comment on articles and meet you in person the next meeting. This is good for learning Photoshop, making friends, and getting away from that computer that is sucking the life out of you. Or, is it just me? See you at the first meeting!

Your comments are welcome.