In preparation for Photoshop World in Las Vegas, we knew we were going to be learning a lot about Photoshop, photo editing and photography in general, but we had no idea as to the extent it would be. We discovered new techniques, shortcuts we never knew existed, and photography styles that blew us away! We learned from our favorite photographers, and found new ones. We learned that there’s no right or wrong way to do something when it comes to photo editing and photography. The shortcuts and techniques each of us learn are tools to help us along the way. It doesn’t matter how you get from point A to point B. What matters is the outcome. Do you love it?

We were so impressed with our experience last week that when we had the opportunity to meet the man himself, Scott Kelby, we just had to stop and thank him for putting the entire event together. He laughed when we told him that our brains hurt from the overload of information, and was pleased that as first-time attendees we were enjoying our experience.

I’m a fan of HDR Photography, so it should come as no surprise to you that I was first in line for Matt Kloskowski’s class on the subject!

The heart behind Jeremy Cowart’s Help-Portrait is enough to bring tears to your eyes. We were super excited to learn from this extraordinary photographer.

And David Black, Olympic Photographer, Light Painter, and former athletic coach, was truly inspiring. He literally had the crowd doing the wave at the closing Wrap-up Rally.

Then there was the Expo. Wow! Have you ever wanted to see the latest products designed especially for photographers in one room…a room where it was okay to touch and play with all the cool new software, lights, and lenses! Imagine that, and more, and you have the Expo at Photoshop World.

Our favorite? The Westcott booth, loaded with photo ops. It’s every photographer’s dream to be able to shoot professional models, with professional lighting equipment, on professionally built sets. Here is a photo Michelle captured of one of the models. This was a great opportunity to shoot something new and see something in a completely different way. That’s how we push ourselves to become better photographers!

Speaking of models, while RC Concepcion was getting things set up for one of his classes on HDR Photography, he turned to the crowd and asked, “How many of you shoot HDR?” Several people in the audience raised their hands. Then he asked, “How many of you shoot models?” Again, several people raised their hands, and he replied, “How mean, they’re people, too!” lol I had to throw that one in there, it made me laugh.

We have a lot of fun new projects in store for you in the coming months, including workshops, tutorials, features, reviews and more! It is our goal to bring to you the massive amount of information we came away with from our first Photoshop World adventure. We want you to be as revved up about photography as we are. We want to inspire you like we were inspired. We want you to find the confidence to create the photography you want. We want to bring the passion back!