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Here it is again - the highly requested “DAD” storyboard template.

I released this template last year and have had dozens of people asking for a re-release.

I have two versions available.

- Version 1 has clipping masks - if you are familiar with using clipping masks, it is amazing.  If you are not, version 2 is for you.

- Version 2 has easy openings.  Use the move tool to move photos in.  Then use the transform tool and selection tools to get the images where you want them.

Download version 1 | Download version 2

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Color Inc Pro Lab is who I use for my printing. I love the way my prints look true to life. And I have received amazing customer service. I contacted them to see if they would be a guest on my blog. They have agreed to do periodic articles teaching you more about printing.

Today’s article will educate you on some basics of Color Management and Color Profiles.

Also read at the bottom for an exclusive code for new customers.

Color Management Basics by Color Inc Pro Lab

Color Management is one of these headache-inducing struggles that early photographers face. How do you ensure that color in a print, will match color on a monitor? Luckily, with the proper tools and a little bit of effort, you can get pretty accurate colors between your images and prints.

The most important part of color management deals with your computer monitor. Invest in a monitor calibration kit, such as an eye-one display 2 (X-Rite) or Spyder 2 (ColorVision). For instance, Color Incorporated sells the eye-one display 2 for just $240.00 These devices hang from your monitor and measure its output, in order to suggest proper monitor settings and color values. They usually create monitor color profiles you can use as well.

Additionally, you can use tools such as Adobe Photoshop to enforce color management. Simply select “Edit-> Color Settings” (see attached screenshot). This will instruct photoshop to display images in sRGB (Working Space), and alert you if you open a non-RGB profiled image.

Getting color managed takes some time and effort. If your busy, or just want someone else to handle the color for you, you can opt for additional service, such as ColorInc’s color correction and artwork services. ColorInc’s Color Corrected Proofs are only 39 cents each.

These tools are important, because color space (such as sRGB) offer different colors. For instance, most cameras take photos in color spaces larger than sRGB (such as Adobe RGB). However, because printers do not print all of the colors that Adobe RGB contains, you can run into color management issues where a photo you have, contains a color that can’t be printed.

Sticking to calibrated equipment and profiles helps alleviate this issue, by only allowing specific colors that are within print range. This should keep your colors matched, and photos looking great!

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Now for the code. If you are new to Color Inc Pro Labs, you can get 50% off your 1st order.

The Promo Code is 058first.

Our website is http://www.colorincprolab.com/

and new customers can sign up at https://secure.colorincprolab.com/account.cfm?newaccount=defined

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My parents visited over Memorial Day weekend. And I took some photos of my mom and dad together.  And a few of them with my daughter Ellie.  My other daughter did not feel like being in pictures.  But after the fact said, “I am sad that I did not get in any…” Next time maybe she will remember this.

Here they are.  Let me know what you think.  My biggest obstacle was color as my dad is very tan, my mom lightly tan, and Ellie pale.

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OnOne Software has offered to do a unique e-seminar for MCP Blog readers.

Brian Kraft, Vice President of Sales for OnOne Software, has offered to do an e-seminar for us. As long as I get enough commitments for attendees, this will take place on:

*** Wednesday June 4th at 6-7pm eastern - 3-4pm pacific ***

OnOne will host the webinar using remote desktop software and cover their entire product line. They will discuss all of their products in depth and allow you to get a first hand look on how the products are used. You will see which products can best help your photography and see how to use them.

The best part is any attendees of the online demo will receive 20% off of their products for a short period of time. I negotiated an ongoing 10% code - MCPACTN.

20% is even better - but you will need to attend to get this phenomenal discount.

I need to get them a list of people who will attend so that they can get you a confirmation number - and information on how to attend. So if you can attend, please write in the comment section that you will attend and your email address where you wish to be contacted.

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I get a lot of questions from customers about how to do things in Photoshop. I am going to be posting some frequent asked questions from MCP Actions customers and blog visitors. If you have a quick question about Photoshop you want answered, please email me and I may use it in a future blog entry. If you have lots of questions on lengthier topics, please contact me for details on my MCP one on one training.

Question: “I have some brushes in my brush palette that are just taking up space.  I do not like them and want to delete them.  What is the quickest way?”

Answer: You have a few options on deleting brushes.  The most common way is to right click on the brush you no longer want.  A drop down will appear which allows you to rename the brush or delete it.  Click which you want to do.

If you are wanting a faster way, rather than having to right click on each and every brush, here is another method Hold down your ALT key (PC) or OPTION Key (Mac), while in that same dialog box.  You will see a scissors appear.  Keep the key held down and click on any you want to get rid of.  I wanted to do a screen shot, but my software will not allow me to until I let go of the ALT key.  When I do that, you cannot see the scissors anymore, so just follow the steps and you are good to go.

More exciting news and ways to win! I have been asked to donate a prize for The Simply Splash monthly contest. It is my Eye Doctor and Dentist (eye pop and teeth whitening) Action Set. Her other prizes are a Tracy Joy Joey Bag and a gift certificate to J.Lee Albums. So be sure to enter. Details are on the Simply Splash site. Good luck everyone!

Details:

This month is all about babies and kids! Do you like to show off what your baby or child can do that no other baby or child can do? Well show it off here!!

Simply Splash is now accepting entries showing off your baby! A funny face? Silly walk? Hand stands?

This contest will run until May 31st at midnight EST. Make sure to go to her blog HERE to enter.

1st Place will receive the JOEY BAG by TRACY JOY!!

2nd Place will receive a $40 Gift Certificate to JLEE Albums!!!

3rd Place will receive the Eye Doctor & Dentist Action Set by MCP ACTIONS!!!

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 I used Random.org’s number genorator to pick the 3 winners of the Camera Strap contest.

 I will be emailing Tracy the winner’s email addresses so that she can communicate with you about your fabric choices.

Congratulations to the Winners.  And keep reading my blog for more exciting contests to come.

 Winners are:

38 - Tori

65 - Kayla

95 - Gail

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***FLAG IN A FLASH***

This is a very special free photoshop action called “Flag in a Flash.” It creates a 20×20 Patriotic Flag Storyboard in seconds. You can resize the storyboard to any smaller size square (such as 8×8, 10×10, 12×12, 16×16, etc). Perfect for framing, printing on canvas, or for use in scrapbooking.

Just download, unzip, and install the action into photoshop (tested in photoshop 7, CS, CS2 and CS3 - but not elements). Then click play. Once it runs, you will want to crop 4 photos to insert. The openings are:

6.5×4.75
(2) 4×4
6×4

When cropping add .25 to width and height. So crop the 6×4 photo to 6.25×4.25 for example. Then use Move Tool to move the photos into the Storyboard. Make sure that they are under the “Photos Go Below Here” layer. Then save (or re-size and save if you want a smaller version). Color of the background can be changed by clicking on the blue square in the layers palette and selecting a new color. You also may add a photo to take the place of the white stripes, though usually that ends up a little bit busy.

Enjoy the action. Click on one of the examples to download the action. I am going to try and remember to re-post this for Independence Day, Labor Day, and Veteran’s Day too. So you may see this one a few times coming up.

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Are you lost when it comes to layers?  Are you confused as to when to use an adjustment layer, a new blank layer, a duplicate layer, and other types of layers?  Well if so, today I am a guest on the Digital Photography School Blog.  I did a beginner level tutorial that explains when and how to create each kind of layer.

So go check the MCP Actions tutorial on DPS.  Here is a link to the UNDERSTANDING LAYERS in Photoshop post.

*******PLUS TOMORROW - CHECK BACK FOR A FUN, FREE ACTION - PERFECT TO SHOW YOUR PATRIOTISM THIS MEMORIAL DAY *********

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Here is a very quick for beginners in Photoshop on how to crop photos.

There is a surprise tip that some intermediate and advanced users may want to see as well.

Click my logo to be load the video. Enjoy watching.

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For the longest time people have complained about Canon’s Rebates - that they take too long or even that they turned the correct paperwork but did not “qualify” for odd reasons. Well this time around you get an instant rebate. YAY! Details are below. So far I can only find one place that has the rebates up - B&H Photo. But I am sure more stores will follow this afternoon.

The most notable savings are the Canon 5D - $300 off, the 40D - $200 off ad for lenses $125 off the 70-200 2.8 IS and the 85 1.2 (both amazing lenses). They also have $100 off a number of top lenses. So check these rebates out by clicking or doing your search below.

With summer approaching in North America, photographers head back outside. One of my favorite, fun things to do in the Spring and Summer is shadow pictures.  Plus kids LOVE doing them, so it gets them actively involved.  These are not usually the shots that make good wall portraits, but they are ART.

So feel free to join in if you like.  The assignment, go take a shadow picture.  Try to find interesting shapes that make for unique photos.  They can have a subject in them.  Or they can just be the shadow.

If you get a really amazing one that you want MCP Blog readers to see, please email it to me at jodi@mcpactions.com, with a note that I have permission to use it on my blog. If I get enough of them, I will make another post in a week or two and share some of the shadows.

Here are a few examples from me.  The 1st is a bike shadow.

The second photo is a combination.  What I did was combined a shadow photo taken on white foam core with a photo I took of the sky. Then I enhanced the blues of the sky and deepened the shadow.

I hope you enjoy playing with the shadows.