Quote of the day

Become aware of how you shift your focus during the day, literally. Just like a camera lens. See how your focus determines your perspective?
-Andrea Beaulieu
Your Authentic Voice

Andrea Beaulieu is a professional speaker, workshop leader and life coach located in Phoenix, Arizona.

Nidaa Aboulhosn exhibit at Phoenix Central Library

The first friday of the month is always an exciting time for the Phoenix art community. This Friday May 2nd will be even more eventful. The Artlink First Friday art walk of the downtown Phoenix galleries will feature one of our favorite people, Nidda Aboulhosn. We are honored that Nidaa chose Mighty Imaging to print her exhibit at the Burton Barr Central Library gallery. Her show is entitled "Conatus. Every day.". Conatus (a latin word) refers to an innate inclination of a thing to continue to exist and enhance itself. This "thing" may be mind, matter or a combination of both. That is what Nidaa's work illustrates; the basic human need to not only survive, but to thrive and enrich our world.

There is an artist reception this Friday from 7-9 PM. If you use the shuttle to visit the other downtown galleries it leaves from the library, so be sure to stop in. If you miss coming by this Friday, the exhibit will be up through the end of the month.

Burton Barr Central Library will host an exhibit of photographs by Nidaa Aboulhosn titled “Conatus. Every day.”
May 2 - 29 at the library’s @Central Gallery, 1221 N. Central Ave.

A free artist reception will be from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, May 2.
The reception is part of Artlink First Friday, a free self-guided tour of downtown Phoenix galleries and art spaces.
Refreshments will be served.

Aboulhosn’s body of work explores the continuity of life and the will to live regardless of the circumstances.
The photographs were taken during her recent trips to Lebanon.

Phoenix Public Library is a system of 14 branch libraries and the Burton Barr Central Library.
For more information, call 602-262-4636 or visit:
http://www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org/

Light streaks in Photoshop

Spoon Graphics is a blog dedicated to all things graphic. They have some great tutorials and resources posted for photographers, graphic artists, or anyone who enjoys creating in a digital environment. This tutorial shows you how to create light streaks in Photoshop. They also have large resolution light streak files available for download if you want to take a short cut. Effects like this look amazing when printed on the FujiFlex or Metallic papers.

How to Create Intense Light Streaks in Photoshop:

A couple of Subscribers left their comment on a previous post that collated a range of inspiring graphic artwork from digital artists across the world. The commentors asked how the light stream effect on some of the pieces was created. I did a little research and picked up a couple of tips from similar tutorials to present a walkthrough on how to create intense light streaks flowing around an object or person.

More Than Surviving the Market

Our local ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers) chapter will be hosting a new series of lectures entitled "More Than Surviving the Market". The program is designed so that photographers can share their experiences to help manage a changing marketplace.

The first installment will be about "Producing the Shoot". Rick Gayle along with stylist Kim Krejca will demonstrate how a creative team can collaborate successfully. It can make the difference between an average shot and an award winning image.

The event will be held at Markow Southwest - Rick Gayle Studio, Inc. from 5:30 to 8:30 on April 29th. Admission is free for members or $5 for non-members. For more information, or to RSVP that you wish to attend please visit the ASMP website.

"Producing the Shoot" -- April 29th

Featuring veteran photographer and Phoenix Chapter member Rick Gayle and Phoenix stylist Kim Krejca.

"Producing a Shoot" -- (or 'why can't I do it all myself... but if I have to, what do I do now?')

What makes a good photo shoot?

What makes it better?

How do abstract concepts become well executed photographs? How do you evaluate the layout and bring a concept to life? What do you do when there isn't one?

Why shouldn't you do everything yourself? If you have to, what should you pay attention to?

How does a stylist work?

What can a stylist bring to a photo shoot? What should a photographer expect from a stylist? What does a stylist want to know from a photographer? If you're shooting food, why can't the chef do the photo styling? What the heck should you do when the client says "I can't afford a stylist"...?

Explore Arizona

With out a doubt, we are lucky to be in Arizona. There are so many picturesque spots in our state, even if you live here, it is hard to find time to see them all. People from all over the world are drawn to the iconic imagery that Arizona has to offer. Arizona Highways just released a new book; Arizona Highways Photography Guide: How & Where to Make Great Photographs, that not only gives you illustrated tips on the mechanics of capturing a good image, but also gives you detailed information on location scooting some of Arizona's most popular photo destinations. Available for purchase at the Arizona Highways website.

• Proven methods for making better photographs with digital or film.
• Specific information on digital cameras, photo gear, and photographic techniques.
• Types of photography — landscapes, close-ups, people, wildlife, and activities.
• Outstanding places for photography — Grand Canyon, Sedona, the Sonoran Desert, and more.
• Directions to scenic locations that make Arizona world-renowned.
• Tips for photographing in Arizona’s unique conditions.

LightJet is the secret to Macy's marketing success

Macy's has done an excellent job over the years of developing and defining their brand. The word Macy's immediately invokes a higher level of style and class. Part of the reason for that is their focus on quality marketing material. They seek out only the best imagery and equipment to produce their point of purchase and in store displays. That is why in 2007 they acquired a LightJet 500XL as one of the machines they use for their in house graphics department.

Read what Hal Deane from Macy's had to say about the LighJet in the Feb 2008 edition of Wide-Format magazine:

Deane has been very happy with the work they are getting off their LightJet. "By using the LightJet, I can get more work produced on it in one day than utilizing three inkjet printers; and the quality is better."

The Lightjet is used to produce signage for uniframe fixtures that sit on counter tops or on floor displays with the mannequins. "We also use it to produce wall murals and various other point-of-purchase graphics. We run Fujifilm Super Type C Matte media and well as their trans materials. We are getting very good results with Fujifilm media."

Deane is blown away by the quality of the LightJet. "We utilize a lot of photographic images of the merchandise we are featuring in the jobs we produce, so details are important. The photographic quality is excellent, you can't beat the quality…it's a solid machine. If our workload continues to increase like this, I might need to add an additional LightJet in the future," he concluded.

It goes without saying, that not every company has the resources to bring that kind of operation in house. If you are looking to get the same kind of quality for your in store displays and build your brand like Macy's, let Mighty Imaging be your 'in house' LightJet imaging source.

Tutorial: Easy color match in Photoshop

This video shows a simple step by step way to match color when cutting and pasting an object in to a new background and make it look like it originated in that environment. Found [Via]



Photoshop Match Color (simple And Amazing Results) - video powered by Metacafe

Tom Martinell at the Tilt Gallery

The Tilt Gallery is holding their third annual Exponential Love: The Gift of Life organ donation awareness exhibition and benefit auction April 3rd & 4th. Tom Martinell, an artist we have had the pleasure of working with, will have his piece entitled Father of the Bride available at the auction.

Tom's approach to photography is unique. In his own words: "All of the images have been produced in 2008 by digitally photographing 35mm slide projections under various conditions. Combining photographic elements has allowed me to produce images that I hope become more significant than the original picture."

Here is some information if you wish to attend the event.

Tilt Gallery in collaboration with Donor Network of Arizona will be hosting an exhibit and silent auction dedicated to Organ/Tissue Donor Awareness and Education.

Please come by to show your support and purchase some great art work for a very special cause. Proceeds from this event are donated to Donor Network of Arizona.

Exponential Love: The Gift of Life 3rd Annual Organ Donation Awareness Exhibit & Benefit Auction

April 3 & 4, 2008

Preview Night: April 3, 6pm to 9pm (A "Buy it Now" option will be available Thursday night ) Benefit Auction Reception: April 4, 6 to 9pm

For more information and directions visit our website

http://tiltgallery.com/exhibitions.htm

Our best wishes to Tom and the Tilt Gallery for sponsoring such a worthy cause.