Training Products

Punching in on LiveView: DSLR Video Tips

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On this week’s episode of DSLR Video Tips, we look at a key aspect of getting great-looking shots: critical focus. Join us as we head back out on a real-world music video shoot for musician Jason Masi, and discuss time-saving techniques for achieving critical focus:

  • “Punch in” on a shot in LiveView mode to achieve sharp focus.
  • Use a loupe or viewfinder to magnify the image on your camera’s LCD screen, making it much easier to achieve critical focus.
  • Use autofocus to quickly lock in focus prior to recording.
  • Take a look at the benefits of using a field monitor, as well as an electronic viewfinder, to aid in focus. A bigger or higher resolution screen can be a huge help in getting sharp focus.
  • Adjust aperture to help locking focus.



Achieving critical focus is essential to creating beautiful shots. Check out this episode so you’ll be ready for your next production.

Remember, each week’s episode is free for seven days–so tell all your video and photography friends to check it out.

Interested in more?

I Just Wrapped a New Class on Photography

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I just sat down on the couch after two intense days. My good friend Abba Shapiro and I finished shooting a new class for Lynda.com called "Up and Running with Studio Strobes" to help photographers. It's an introductory course to help beginner and intermediate photographers select and setup a strobe lighting setup for use in a studio or a remote location.

Here's the Table of Contents.

1.0 Why Shoot with Strobes?
2.0 Why Shoot with Continuous Lights (Instead of Strobes)
3.0 Buying a Lighting Set-up
4.0 The Components of a Studio Strobe Kit
5.0 Getting to know your lights
6.0 Triggering a Light
7.0 Setting and Testing Your Strobes
8.0 Modifying Strobe Lights
9.0 Setting up your Lights Effectively
10.0 Postproduction (Bonus Lessons)

While you're waiting for new things to come out… check out some of my other classes.

Lynda.com Gets Bigger

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As many of you know, I distribute several online classes through Lynda.com. This news just broke and I wanted to share it with you. It means that the Lynda library gets even bigger (with no price change to you). It also opens a bunch of additional languages of learning to more folks (which makes the teacher in me happy).

Here's the edited down press release.

lynda.com announced its acquisition of video2brain, a European-based online video training company that specializes in German-, French-, Spanish- and English-language courses. Now a branded division of lynda.com with a team of more than 60 people, video2brain provides an extensive multi-lingual library of 1,700 video courses covering many of the same categories as lynda.com. Based in Graz, Austria, the video2brain brand has over 400,000 subscribers who purchase access to the library either through individual and multi-user subscriptions, or through DVD and single-course downloads.

“Having video2brain become part of lynda.com creates a powerful fulfillment of some of our company’s most strategic goals,” said Lynda Weinman, co-founder and Executive Chair of lynda.com. “We welcome the video2brain staff into our family and I am confident in our ability to create an impact on education–and on people’s lives–with more reach, momentum and relevance than ever before.”

Founded in 1995, lynda.com provides software, technology, creative and business skills training to more than two million people worldwide through its comprehensive library of over 87,000 high-quality instructional videos taught by 250 recognized industry experts. In 2012, the company earned more than $100 million in revenue. video2brain, founded in 2002, has also successfully delivered outstanding instructional content created by industry experts in multi language online course libraries and on DVD.

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Get 7 days of free unlimited access to lynda.com.

Almost 100 Free Photoshop Videos

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How'd you like almost 100 free Photoshop videos? Thanks for Peachpit and Adobe for brining my videos live to you for free.

Visit the Understanding Adobe Photoshop CS6 on Adobe TV.

Learn essential imaging skills from Photoshop Expert Richard Harrington. This video series is based on Richard’s book Understanding Photoshop CS6. These videos provide a strong foundation of any Photoshop user. Learn more about the book at peachpit.com

Here's a sample.

Try All My Lynda.com Training for Free

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You probably know I have a ton of classes over at Lynda.com on photography, video, and business. What you may not realize is that you can try them all for free (or even watch them all if you want to give up bad network TV for a week or so). Over at my photo blog (Photofocus) we have a unique offer. Get TEN free days of Lynda.com with a membership trial. That deal is available know where else. Here's a direct link.

The fine print:
You’ll get 10 days of free unlimited access to lynda.com. We’ll ask for your billing information, but you won’t be charged unless you continue with a paid membership after the trial. Your membership will include access to all 1,601 lynda.com courses. Choose a premium membership for downloadable exercise files that let you work along with the instructors.

Almost Free Workshop on Video and Photoshop CS6 in NYC

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I've got a "free workshop" at Adorama on January 27, 2013. Sign up HERE.
It costs $25 to hold your spot (seating limited) but you get a full refund by way of a $25 gift card for the store (which you can sip at before or after the class).

Get Started Editing Video with Adobe Photoshop CS6

Sunday, January 27, 2013 | 12:30PM - 4:30PM
Event location: The Adorama Building, 42 West 18th Street 5th Floor

Event Description:

With the release of Photoshop CS6, Adobe introduced the ability to edit video footage. Come along with AdoramaTV's Richard Harrington as he guides you through this brand-new workflow, from building a sequence to working with audio and exporting your video in a variety of high-quality formats.

Learn how Photoshop’s strongest feature, its image enhancement toolset, translates over to video, from fixing under or overexposed footage, performing color balancing, and adding vibrance and contrast to special effects, such as converting to black and white, and using Smart Filters to soften skin.

Topics to be discussed include:
  • Understanding the video file formats supported in Photoshop
  • Controlling playback in the Timeline
  • Building a sequence
  • Organizing and editing A-roll and B-roll footage
  • Adding transitions, adjusting volume, adding music
  • Color balancing a shot, adjusting contrast
  • Adding a lower-third graphic and animating text
  • Exporting to H.264 or QuickTime

Requirements:

Skill level: Intermediate

You should be comfortable with and have a working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop (no beginners please), but a novice with video is okay.
Bring your own laptop (can be Mac or PC) if you want to follow along, and make sure it is fully charged as there won't be enough wall outlets for charging.
Please make sure to bring headphones to listen to audio through your computer if you intend to edit along with Richard—this is a must. Install Photoshop CS6 or load the 30-day demo prior to class.
Practice footage that will be used during the class will be provided to registered attendees through an email with a download link—this will be sent to the email you register with a few days before the event, please make sure and check for it and download it before the event.