› ›photoshop user› february 2016006
We have an amazing issue for you here, but before we get to that, I want to take just a sec to tell you about some pretty exciting
things we’re adding to the KelbyOne site for our members.
The current workflow for our members is to log in and search for the topic they’re interested in (retouching, compositing,
lighting, etc.), and they get a bunch of full-length classes and quick-tip videos to choose from. In essence, it works like a search
engine for online classes, right? But when that list of results comes up, which classes should you watch first, which are the best,
which best suit your needs, and so on? In 2016, we’re working to help you along, and we’ll soon be releasing the first step in
that journey by sharing our own picks for classes that we think will start you off on the right foot.
You’ll see this new Staff Favorites section appear in the left-side navigation on the member site, but this is just a small step lead-
ing to even bigger things that we’re working on (but just right down the road timewise), which are instructor-led curriculums. This
is where our KelbyOne instructors break things down into categories, and give you a list of classes, in the order you should watch
them, to get you where you want to be. For example, if you want to learn sports photography, portrait retouching, or compositing,
instructors who are absolute experts in those fields will give you a complete curriculum of classes, in the proper context and order,
so you can learn the techniques and concepts you need to be a success. We’re going to take things even further than that, but
these are some solid first steps to help guide you through the learning process and make learning even easier.
Beyond all the Photoshop and Lightroom online classes that we have, we also want to make sure that if you buy a new
camera, you can count on us having an online class ready and waiting for you on how to use that camera, so you can get up
to speed really fast. Also, keep an eye on the little “bell” icon at the top of your member dashboard—up there, we share new
classes that have been released recently, along with any new member discounts we’ve negotiated and other stuff we hope will
make your membership more valuable. There will be lots of other great stuff coming in 2016, but I wanted to share a little of
our roadmap with you here (but again, this is just the beginning).
Okay, onto other fun stuff: Mobile apps are just exploding into the digital imaging space, and Adobe has really hit their stride
in the past year in that area with some really incredible technology (including some stuff I wish we could do on the desktop).
That’s just one of the reasons we’re honored to have Adobe’s own Bryan O’Neil Hughes here in the mag with a feature on
Adobe’s latest mobile apps, along with a look at what’s coming very soon. It’s really incredible what they’re bringing to mobile,
so it’s worth checking out right now (it starts on page 52).
Also in this issue, our good friend Mike Olivella gives a wonderful introduction to astrophotography, including discussing
the equipment and techniques you’ll need to know to make amazing out-of-this-world images. If you’re a Photoshop beginner
(or even a seasoned user), Scott Valentine, with part one of a two-part series on layers in Photoshop, takes us in-depth into how
layers work together, including layer and Fill Opacity, Blend If, Masking, and Clipping Masks. In our Lightroom “mag within a
mag,” Sean McCormack talks about the benefits of tethering, how to set it up in Lightroom, and some equipment that will
make tethering easier (and safer). But that’s just a tiny bit of what’s in this awesome info-packed issue—our first since we’ve
gone all digital (you’ll be seeing some cool new stuff coming to our digital editions as well!).
There’s a lot going on, and it’s going to be a busy year of learning—we’re glad to have you here.All my best,Scott Kelby
KelbyOne President & CEO
Editor & Publisher, Photoshop UserFrom the Editor
staff favorites and
instructor-led curriculumsA FEW WORDS FROM › › SCOTT KELBY