Here’s Which Classes I Would Take at Photoshop World

One of the things I like best about the free Photoshop World iPhone/iPad App, seen above (developed by Shawn Welch) is that you can build your own custom schedule right in the App (you just find the class you want to catch, then click the Plus Sign (+) in the upper right corner and it adds it to “My Schedule”). Here’s the link to download it free from the iTunes App Store

Anyway, yesterday I sat down with the App and picked which classes I would actually attend if I was there as a participant, and didn’t actually have to teach any classes. Here’s which classes I would take:

Tuesday, March 29th
Jim Schmelzer’s “Quality of Light In Depth” Workshop
This is “Pre-Conference” day, so the workshops are optional, and the one I want to take is sold out, but I’m going to pretend it’s not, so I would take Jim Schmelzer’s “Quality of Light In Depth.” Jim is an amazing lighting instructor, and I’ve already learned a lot of from him, and I know this class would rock. Since it is sold out, I’d take the Real World Concert Photography Workshop instead, which is an awesome workshop taught by two serious pros.

Wednesday, March 30th
10:45 – 11:45 am: Why Fake it When You Can Create It? (Frank Doorhof)
I love Frank, and you don’t see hardly anyone teaching the things Frank teaches. Brilliant instructor, and lots to learn from him, so I’d be in this one for sure.

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Extracing Hair in Photoshop CS5 (Ben Willmore)
I’m pretty decent at extracting hair, but I know Ben Willmore, and I know I would pick up a few things that would make me that much better. I’ve never been to one of Ben’s classes where I didn’t pick up something.

1:00 to 6:00 pm: Free classes on the show floor.
I’m not just talking about demos—there are a ton of free classes going on in multiple theaters, and I would just stroll around and see who’s teaching where. Then I’d check out vendors, watch a few demos, check my email, buy all my own books in the bookstore, and just meet people.

6:15 pm – 7:15 pm: The Art of the Perfect Print (Jeff Schewe)
When it comes to printing, Jeff really knows his stuff. Of course, if he starts spending a bunch of time on Soft Proofing, I can always sneak out and go to Kevin Ames “Digital Retoucher’s Guide to Photoshop.” I’ve learned a lot of from Kevin over the years, and I know there’s no way he’ll be doing any soft proofing. ;-)

7:00 pm: Party at B.B.Kings
I always go the party to meet people and network, so that’s a lot of fun. Plus, I love the live band. (wink).

Thursday, March 31st
8:15 – 9:15 am: Quality of Light (Jim Schmelzer)
I don’t want to sound like a Jim Schmelzer fan boy, but I’m a Jim Schmelzer fan boy. Now, if I did the pre-conference workshop, I would skip this class and catch Julieanne Kost’s “The Creative Composite.” She has direct access to the Adobe engineer’s and she always uncovers some feature or tip I had no idea even existed, or she shows a way to use something I’ve overlooked in a new way that makes it really cool. Either way, I can’t lose.

9:30 – 10:30 am: Hot Sun, Cool Images (Cliff Mautner)
Cliff is the master of shooting outdoors in natural light, and what he’s able to create, in light all of us generally avoid, is nothing short of stunning. This would be a can’t miss class for me.

10:45 – 11:45 am: One-Light Lighting (Jack Reznicki)
I caught part of this when he did it last year, and I have to say, what he gets out of just one single flash is just amazing. People were raving about this class last year, and I’m sure I would be one of them this year.

12:00 – 1:00 pm. Creative Interactive Portfolios with InDesign CS5
This is a class I would love to take, because I think this is where a lot of Web-based design is going, and the interactivity thing is going to be huge. It’s been coming for years, and I think now it’s about here.

1:00 – 4:00 pm: Expo time! More classes, lighting demos, and fun stuff. I want to see it all!!!!

4:45 pm to 5:45 pm: Light, Gesture & Color, Part I (Perception): (Jay Maisel)
It’s Jay Maisel. What else can I say—-I have to be there. He is a living legend. Period.

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm. Speaking of Sports: A Guide to Sport Action Photography
You know I have to be at this session, and Dave Black is a hero of mine. I saw Dave speak a few years back at a conference where we were both speaking, and he was just incredible. A must-see session for me.

7:15 – 9:15 pm: The Art of Digital Photography
This is a panel discussion where each photographer gets 15 minutes to show, and talk about their work. It’s Maisel, McNally, Moose, and some of the most amazing photographers anywhere. People walk away amazed. I’ll be too!

Friday, April 1st
8:15 – 9:15 am: Shooting Landscapes with ACR Finishing (Moose Peterson)
Where else would I be? OK, in bed, but besides that—-as the guy behind the Digital Landscape Workshop Series (DLWS) Moose is the master of finishing landscape photos, and I want to see what his current Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) workflow is, because whatever he’s doing—-it’s workin’.

9:30 – 10:30 am: How Did They Do That? (Joe Glyda)
Joe is one of the most engaging, fun, informative, and hilarious instructors out there today. He could teach a class on tax accounting and it will be a blast. I’d have to be in this one.

10:45 – 11:45 am: Get Inspired – And Get the Shot (Frank Doorhof)
Frank’s the man, and if he’s teaching a class on lighting—-I want to be there, especially since this class is about being creative using simple concepts.

2:15 – 3:15 pm. Actions & Intermediates (Ben Willmore)
OK, it doesn’t sound like the most exciting class title ever, but it’s Ben. Doing Actions and other stuff. Hard stuff. What’s not to like?

3:45 – 4:45 pm: Conference Wrap Up
This is a really fun way to end the conference. The video team puts together a look at each day of the conference via some really fun, short video clips and you relive an amazing expereience, and see things you might have missed. Plus, we have some of the stars of the show, give you a peek at what you might have missed, and it’s a huge hit that puts a smile on everybody’s face. Well, that and the tons of giveaways.

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Well gang, that’s what I’d do. Now, remember—-I took all of my classes out of this lineup, so please—don’t forget to stop by and catch at least one or two of my classes. ;-)  I’ve got a packed-full schedule this year, and I’ll post that tomorrow so you can see—I actually am there, teaching. A lot. A bunch.  :-)