Digital Photography – What do you want to see?

Written by Siotha on March 1, 2008 – 4:13 pm -

So what’s on the list to come?Well… it’s growing but here’s a start….

Digital Photography:

  • More of Dr. Brown’s Photoshop Laboratory
  • Mom’s Guide
  • Photoshop for Photographers
  • Wedding Photography
  • Action Sports Photography
  • Family Photography
  • Photograph Retouching
  • Commercial Photography
  • Small Business Photography
  • Glamour Photography
  • Boudoir Photography
  • Masking A-Z for complex images
  • Marketing your Photography
  • Running your own freelance business

These are all Ideas – but what do you really really want to see? Please share them with us at services@xtrain.com – ATTN siotha


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Posted in Adobe, Adobe CS3, Camera Ham, Classes, DSLR, Digital Photography, Digital Photography Geek, Digital Photography Training, Easy Digital Photography, Easy Photos, Free Online Training, Painter X Illustration, Photo shop layers, Photoshop CS3 extended, Photoshop Laboratory, Photoshop Model Retouching, Photoshop Playboy, Portfolios, Professional Learning Community, Toddler Photography, Tutuorials, adobe cs3 classes, digital photography classes, experts, free online classes, free online photoshop, free photoshop, free training, free video training, highest paying careers without MBA, iPhone camera, painter x, photo editing, photography production, photoshop, photoshop CS3, photoshop cs3 crack, photoshop guru, photoshop layers, photoshop layers free, photoshop lessons, photoshop teacher, photoshop techniques, photoshop testimonial, photoshop tips, photoshop trainer, photoshop training, photoshop tutorials free, photoshop tv, portrait retouching, tutorials, xPert Training, xtrain photoshop | 1 Comment »

Online Training Simplified, Organized and Easy Online Videos to Watch!

Written by Siotha on February 29, 2008 – 11:39 am -

Have you noticed how unorganized training sites feel when they have hundreds and thousands of videos. It could take 3 or 4 minutes to get through them. So, Jeremy, my team, and I have been feverishly working on making xTrain better… Just take a look at this quick intro to the site…. (Note: Please login to xTrain before trying the following! It’s free and won’t cost you anything just to sign in and easy to watch the free classes). We’ve worked really hard to make our site logical for the different types of artists – photographer courses are in photography – designer courses are listed in graphic design – internet marketing courses are only in internet marketing sections. How cool is that – we’ve designed the site – so that you choose your training by passion – then by subject – then by topic!


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Posted in Adobe, Adobe CS3, Adobe CS3 InDesign Training, Cintiq illustrtations, Classes, Computer, DSLR, Digital Arts, Digital Photography, Digital Photography Geek, Digital Photography Training, Easy Digital Photography, Easy Photos, Free Online Training, Geeks are Sexy, Graphic Design, Graphic Design Training, Illustration, InDesign, InDesign ACE, InDesign tutorials, LightRoom Training, Lightwave, Live motion graphics, Media Marketing, Online Advertising Training, Online Marketing, Online Marketing Expert, Online Marketing Training, Online Sales Training, Online Training, Orc illustration, Painter X Illustration, Pay Per Click, Photo shop layers, Photoshop CS3 extended, Photoshop Laboratory, Photoshop Model Retouching, Photoshop Playboy, Podcasts, Portfolios, Professional Learning Community, RPG Concept Illusrtation, RPG concept, RPG video games, Rick Sammon, Rob Sheppard, Ron Lemen, Russell Brown, SEO marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Skateboard Deck Design Photoshop, Social Media, Tutuorials, Video Podcasts, Web Design, adobe cs3 classes, catalog design, character drawing, comic book illustration, computer art production, creative training, cute geek, digital arts classes, digital photography classes, exercises, experts, free online classes, free online photoshop, free photoshop, free training, free video training, graphic design classes, hot geek, illustrator, indesign for dummies, indesign for quark users, internet marketing classes, internet skateboard, internet surfers, keywords, learn Adobe CS3, learn indesign, magazine ad design, newsletters, newspaper ad design, organic searches, page production, painter x, photo editing, photography production, photoshop, photoshop CS3, photoshop art, photoshop cs3 crack, photoshop guru, photoshop layers, photoshop layers free, photoshop lessons, photoshop teacher, photoshop techniques, photoshop testimonial, photoshop tips, photoshop trainer, photoshop training, photoshop tutorials free, photoshop tv, portrait retouching, retouching, roll playing game concept art, roll playing game illustration, shellie hall, siotha vest, student pricing, teacher pricing, tutorials, video skateboarding, video training, virginia brodie, vlogging, vlogging training, web design classes, why choose xtrain?, why xTrain?, xPert, xPert Training, xTrain News, xTrain Spokeswoman, xtrain, xtrain geek, xtrain photoshop, xtrain testimonial, yahoo, yahoo answers, you know the type..., youtube | 1 Comment »

Creative Training FREE, Free Photoshop Classes

Written by Siotha on February 25, 2008 – 8:08 pm -

training the creative people free


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Posted in 3-D Animation, 3-D set, 3-D studio, Adobe, Adobe CS3, Adobe CS3 InDesign Training, Digital Arts, Digital Photography, Digital Photography Geek, Digital Photography Training, computer art production, creative training | No Comments »

why choose xTrain for digital photography, graphic design, online marketing training?

Written by Siotha on January 15, 2008 – 3:54 am -

Look! My first Video!!!

I explain why to choose xTrain!!! Clips of Ron Lemen, Rick Sammon, Rob Sheppard are all included!!!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/I0H-tuJo-Js]

xTrain is Simply Better – What do you think?


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Posted in Digital Photography, Graphic Design Training, Online Marketing Training, siotha vest, why choose xtrain?, why xTrain? | 1 Comment »

Free Training & Tutorials: Graphic Design, Online Marketing, Photography, Concept Art, Adobe CS3 & more!

Written by Siotha on November 26, 2007 – 10:16 pm -

It’s time for some more free classes isn’t it? Well… Start with these… then… get ready for a new round of free classes for the holidays!

What is Graphic Design?

Have you ever considered a career in Graphic Design? Let the experience of award-winning agency owner and design author Bryan Peterson explain what Graphic Design is.

Course: Design Process Trac: Graphic Design

Attend Preview Instructor: Bryan Peterson

Drawing Fundamentals

In this informative and fun class, tools needed for drawing are introduced. xTrain expert, Ron Lemen, demonstrates everything you need to know, from how to sharpen pencils and use a sanding pad to the differ… More

Course: Drawing Fundamentals Trac: Digital Arts

Attend Preview Instructor: Ron Lemen
Other classes include: Photoshop Drawing, RPG Concept Drawing

Brushes

 

This class compares and contrasts the look of real media on paper to its digital counterparts in the program. Reviewed are soft media (pastels, oil pastels, charcoal – vine and compressed), and wet media… More

Course: Painter X Trac: Digital Arts

Attend Preview Instructor: Ron Lemen Learners: 1083

What is SEO

Did you know that Search Engine Optimization could increase your site traffic by 200%? Watch world renowned expert,Tony Wright, explain what SEO is!

Course: Search Engine Optimization Trac: Online Marketing

Attend Preview Instructor: Tony Wright

Exposure Modes

 

The exposure modes on your camera could be the difference between a good picture and a GREAT picture. Photography expert,Rick Sammon, shares his techniques in this interesting and informative class. Explore … More

Course: Digital Photography Hot Shots Trac: Digital Photography

Attend Preview Instructor: Rick Sammon

The Silhouette

Silhouettes can be as dramatic as the people in them. Attend Rick’s free class on how to make great silhouettes.

Course: Digital Photography Hot Shots Trac: Digital Photography

Attend Preview Instructor: Rick Sammon

3-D Whales Experiment

Join Dr. Brown in his Adobe Photoshop Laboratory and supercharge your 3-D skills! Discover how to import 3 dimensional vector art then adjust size, tinker with lighting effects, and manipulate tiny, unsuspec… More

Course: Photoshop Laboratory Trac: Adobe CS3

Attend Preview Instructor: Russell Brown

Animation Experiment

Discover how to quickly edit movie frames in Photoshop CS3 Extended Edition and control timelines with a wave of your hand. To complete your animated masterpiece, investigate* motion blur techniques and even… More

Course: Photoshop Laboratory Trac: Adobe CS3
Attend Preview Instructor: Russell Brown

Black and White Experiments

Don’t touch that vial! To transform your images into black and white, belly up to the workbench in Dr. Brown’s Adobe Photoshop Laboratory! Explore more than a dozen ways to convert images into handsome* blac… More

Course: Photoshop Laboratory Trac: Adobe CS3

Attend Preview Instructor: Russell Brown Learners: 1065

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: Portrait Retouching Experiments

Learn the Good, the Bad and yes, even the Ugly of photo retouching in Photoshop CS3. This Photoshop Laboratory will show you the professional techniques to make your facial retouching amazing and realistic… More


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Posted in 3-D studio, Adobe, Adobe CS3, Animation, Art, Black and White, Classes, Computer, DSLR, Digital Photography, Digital Photography Geek, Digital Photography Training, Easy Digital Photography, Easy Photos, Graphic Design, Graphic Design Training, Illustration, LightRoom Training, Media Marketing, Online Advertising Expert, Online Advertising Training, Online Marketing, Online Marketing Expert, Online Sales Training, Online Training, Orc illustration, Painter X Illustration, Photoshop CS3 extended, Photoshop Laboratory, Photoshop Model Retouching, Professional Learning Community, RPG concept, Rick Sammon, Rob Sheppard, Ron Lemen, Russell Brown, SEO marketing, Search Engine Optimization, Skateboard Deck Design Photoshop, Social Media, Tutuorials, ben willmore, creative training, exercises, experts, free online classes, free photoshop, free training, graphic artists, online PR, painter x, photoshop, photoshop CS3, portrait retouching, skateboard, xPert, xPert Training, xTrain News, xtrain, xtrain geek | No Comments »

Photo Shop, Photography, Digital Photography, Digital Dark Room, Photo editing

Written by Siotha on November 20, 2007 – 11:24 pm -

Do you have a passion for Photography? How about Photoshop?

xTrain.com is now offering world class training for Digital Photography, Photoshop, Digital SLRs, and all the other tools that a photographer needs to know in order to enhance their craft!

Courses in this trac include:

Photoshop Laboratory Free Classes by Russell Brown

Secrets of the newest version of Photoshop are revealed by scientist, Photoshop enthusiast, Guru, Senior Creative Director of Adobe – I mean – Russell Brown! Each of these courses specialize in new features of Adobe Photoshop CS3, or Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended. Topics such as: 3-D, Black and White, Animation, and Portrait Retouching are all entertaining and valuable lessons offered for free!

Digital Photography & Photoshop for Baby Boomers by Rob Sheppard

Are you new to all things techy? Are you trying to remember what those buttons and gagdets are that your family has said – sure I’ll help you learn to use them… but then it didn’t quite make since what they were talking about? This course is geared for those non-techy who want to improve their digital photography experience including using Adobe’s Photoshop Cs3.

Classes in this course include:

Streamlining Your Photograph Handling and Processing using Adobe Photoshop Lightroom by Rob Sheppard

Do you organize your digital photos as well as you did your traditional films? Well, in this class Rob will show you how to easily and cost effectively streamline your organization. Metafiles, Collections, Non-Destructive multi-image editing are all covered in this indepth course on Adobe Photoshop Lightroom.

Classes in this course include:

Digital Photography Hot Shots by Rick Sammon

A comprehensive A-Z digital photography and work flow course about how to select your equipment, accessories how to plan and prep for a shoot. Along the way featured techniques and tips about how to shoot animals, people and nature are all included in this highly inspirational course. There are 6 classes in this course:

Photoshop CS3: Simplified and Easy by Ben Willmore

Have you mastered Photoshop CS3 yet? Why not? This course is for new and experienced Photoshop CS3 users. Ben’s indepth knowledge and comprehensive explanations of the features new to Photoshop will enhance your Photoshop game!

High Dynamic Range (HDR) Mastery by Ben Willmore

High Dynamic Range Similates what the eye really sees. In this course, Ben will show you how to shoot, process and artistically enhance photo – sur- realistic images. Each of these four classes will enhance your artistic photography skills..

Photoshop for Photographers: Outdoor & Nature Photography by Rob Sheppard

If you only take nature photographs, then you really need to participate in this course. Photoshop can be very intimidating and has many features a nature photographer might not otherwise use. But Rob will guide you through the steps that every digital photographer who specializes in Outdoor or Nature photography need to know in Adobe’s Photoshop software. (Presented on the PC version of Photoshop!)

Classes include:


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Posted in Adobe, Adobe CS3, Camera Ham, DSLR, Digital Photography, Digital Photography Geek, Digital Photography Training, Easy Photos, Painter X Illustration, Photoshop CS3 extended, Photoshop Laboratory, Photoshop Model Retouching, Rick Sammon, Rob Sheppard, Ron Lemen, Russell Brown, Toddler Photography, ben willmore, free online classes, free photoshop, free training, painter x, photoshop, photoshop CS3, portrait retouching, xPert, xPert Training | 6 Comments »

Online Training: Digital Photography, Photoshop CS3, Adobe LightRoom

Written by Siotha on November 19, 2007 – 6:07 pm -

Do you have a passion for Photography? How about Photoshop?

xTrain.com is now offering world class training for Digital Photography, Photoshop, Digital SLRs, and all the other tools that a photographer needs to know in order to enhance their craft!

Courses in this trac include:

Digital Photography Hot Shots by Rick Sammon

A comprehensive A-Z digital photography and work flow course about how to select your equipment, accessories how to plan and prep for a shoot. Along the way featured techniques and tips about how to shoot animals, people and nature are all included in this highly inspirational course. There are 6 classes in this course:

Streamlining Your Photograph Handling and Processing using Adobe Photoshop Lightroom by Rob Sheppard

Do you organize your digital photos as well as you did your traditional films? Well, in this class Rob will show you how to easily and cost effectively streamline your organization. Metafiles, Collections, Non-Destructive multi-image editing are all covered in this indepth course on Adobe Photoshop Lightroom.

Classes in this course include:

Photoshop CS3: Simplified and Easy by Ben Willmore

Have you mastered Photoshop CS3 yet? Why not? This course is for new and experienced Photoshop CS3 users. Ben’s indepth knowledge and comprehensive explanations of the features new to Photoshop will enhance your Photoshop game!

High Dynamic Range (HDR) Mastery by Ben Willmore

High Dynamic Range Similates what the eye really sees. In this course, Ben will show you how to shoot, process and artistically enhance photo – sur- realistic images. Each of these four classes will enhance your artistic photography skills..

Photoshop for Photographers: Outdoor & Nature Photography by Rob Sheppard

If you only take nature photographs, then you really need to participate in this course. Photoshop can be very intimidating and has many features a nature photographer might not otherwise use. But Rob will guide you through the steps that every digital photographer who specializes in Outdoor or Nature photography need to know in Adobe’s Photoshop software. (Presented on the PC version of Photoshop!)

Classes include:

Digital Photography & Photoshop for Baby Boomers by Rob Sheppard

Are you new to all things techy? Are you trying to remember what those buttons and gagdets are that your family has said – sure I’ll help you learn to use them… but then it didn’t quite make since what they were talking about? This course is geared for those non-techy who want to improve their digital photography experience including using Adobe’s Photoshop Cs3.

Classes in this course include:

Photoshop Laboratory Free Classes by Russell Brown

Secrets of the newest version of Photoshop are revealed by scientist, Photoshop enthusiast, Guru, Senior Creative Director of Adobe – I mean – Russell Brown! Each of these courses specialize in new features of Adobe Photoshop CS3, or Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended. Topics such as: 3-D, Black and White, Animation, and Portrait Retouching are all entertaining and valuable lessons offered for free!


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Posted in Adobe, Adobe CS3, Animation, Art, Black and White, Classes, DSLR, Digital Photography, Digital Photography Geek, Digital Photography Training, Easy Digital Photography, Easy Photos, Graphic Design Training, LightRoom Training, Online Training, Painter X Illustration, Photoshop CS3 extended, Photoshop Laboratory, Photoshop Model Retouching, Portfolios, Professional Learning Community, Rick Sammon, Rob Sheppard, Russell Brown, Tutuorials, ben willmore, creative training, exercises, experts, free online classes, free photoshop, free training, painter x, photoshop, photoshop CS3, portrait retouching, retouching, xPert Training, xTrain News, xtrain | 4 Comments »

Free Photoshop Training Online: Portrait Retouching by Dr. Brown in the Photoshop Laboratory

Written by Siotha on November 16, 2007 – 8:04 pm -

Are you looking for Photoshop Retouching Training?

The latest addition to Russell Brown’s classes on xTrain provides our students with solid instruction enabling them to master Photoshop CS3 without the boredom of typical online video training.

The most important facial editing features are covered by Dr. Brown…

  • Teeth Whitening
  • Wrinkle Removal
  • Skin Tone Touch-ups
  • Spot Healing
  • Stubble Removal
  • Face Blending

This fun and exciting class features all of the professional techniques that anyone using Adobe Photoshop needs to know to make their portraits better than real life!

And – Here are a few pics of my favorite parts…

Ask… the Intern…. (xTrain’s intern!)

And… From Adobe Enterprise……


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Posted in Adobe, Adobe CS3, Art, Digital Photography, Digital Photography Geek, Digital Photography Training, Graphic Design, Graphic Design Training, Photoshop CS3 extended, Photoshop Laboratory, Photoshop Model Retouching, Professional Learning Community, Tutuorials, free online classes, free photoshop, free training, photoshop, photoshop CS3, portrait retouching, retouching, xPert, xPert Training, xTrain News, xtrain | 2 Comments »

You know you’re a digital photography geek when…

Written by Siotha on October 25, 2007 – 11:04 am -

Last week we were at a conference in NYC. It was fun, it was great, there were a LOT of people. But I’ll have to say of all the people to receive Dr. Brown’s Photoshop Laboratory – There were a few things that stuck out in my mind when we met them… here’s a re-cap…

We were officially with digital photographer geeks
when I found the following to be true @ the conference:

  1. Most people were “camera hams” if there was a flash going off, they wanted to be in front of it too!
  2. Camera Phone pictures had their own category for prizes
  3. Photoshop Elements was a Buzz word
  4. Dr. Brown’s Photoshop Laboratory was so popular 12 people used their cell phones to call someone else at the conference to tell them to meet em at the xTrain booth for their free DVD. Additionally, I took 3 different pictures of people receiving their Dr. Brown’s disk in front of his display signs.
  5. More people took camera phone pictures of the un-paid pigeon roaming the floor than with their D-SLR
    (See my pic of taking a pic of someone taking a pic of the bird)

Bird Photography


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Posted in Camera Ham, Cell Phones, DSLR, Digital Photography, Digital Photography Geek, Digital Photography Training, Easy Digital Photography, Online Training, Photoshop Laboratory, Rick Sammon, iPhone camera, xPert Training, xTrain News | 1 Comment »

Online Training: Online Learning Community Active!

Written by Siotha on October 19, 2007 – 2:46 am -

Hi Guys,

So recently we’ve been promoting the Active learners with the Online Community. Some folks have been puzzled by the automated emails for friendship requests. So I just wanted to take a second and explain what the friendship requests are.

When you get the email from friends@xTain.com, stating that someone has requested to be your friend, ADD them! They want to be your learning buddy! They want to review and comment and share their learning experiences through the community.

This is not spam, it’s really someone who is becoming active in the community and making friends by adding you. Think of it as a MySpace feature – you’re networking with creative professionals, newbies, and hey maybe potential clients. Allow them to be your friend. Allow them to experience xTrain with you. Add them now before they get too cool for you.

In the mean time, add me as a learning buddy! I can’t wait to meet you!

You know – I recently saw iJustine adding friends to her list… Are you one of her buddies?
If not – add her to your list. Enjoy!


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Posted in Digital Photography, Graphic Design, Online Training, Professional Learning Community, Web Design, creative training, experts, iJustine, work, xPert, xTrain News, xTrain Spokeswoman, xtrain | No Comments »

Digital Photography Tourist: NYC – Online Training Useful

Written by Siotha on October 18, 2007 – 1:40 am -

So today we had an awesome visit in the city. We walked around Times Square, went to the Empire State Building, watched the Bryant Park area get shut down due to a major construction accident, and went to B&H Audio, Camera, Etc Warehouse, etc.

One of the things that entrigued me most about Times Square was the number of people who peddling Photographs of Tourist taken in on the sidewalks. These people were outfitted with your typical pro-sumer digital SLRs and small format printers. Each of them selling to tourist: I’ll take you picture and give you a great print right now!

At first we (my husband & I) thought, wow… that’s an interesting way to do it.  Then, as we keep walking there was at least one person every block of Times Square selling prints and frames.

I told Jeremy – I need to brush up on my Digital Photography skills… There’s some great money here!

But alas, he reminded me, that’s why we have Rick Sammon and Rob Sheppard on board with xTrain… Cus people like me need a little more help working the camera and tweaking the pictures.  I will say this, I’ve attended every class with xTrain, and my photo skills are getting better… just gotta work on getting the Great Shot first and not sweating the shoot ‘n go pics.

How are you doing with your xTraining?


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Posted in Art, Digital Photography, Digital Photography Training, Easy Digital Photography, Easy Photos, Online Training, Rick Sammon, Rob Sheppard, xPert Training | No Comments »

xTrain.com Learner’s Submissions

Written by Siotha on October 12, 2007 – 6:48 pm -

Today we want to showcase some really cool works by our learners at xTrain.com.

Just so you know – Anyone (with an account at xTrain) is able to submit an exercise (a hands on activity with our classes) or their portfolio pieces for review and commenting by peers and gurus!

Here are some of my fav’s today:

HDR Exercise by William Palank
Exercise File by William Palank for the Enhancement class of HDR Mastery by Ben Willmore

—–

Exercise File by Laurie - Identity System
Exercise File by Laurie Gardner for the Identity Systems class by Chuck Groth

—-

portfolio submission © by Scott Slattery

Portfolio submission by: Scott Slattery @2007 Scott


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Posted in Art, Classes, Digital Photography, Digital Photography Training, Graphic Design, Graphic Design Training, Online Training, Portfolios, Professional Learning Community, Web Design, creative training, creative writing professionals, exercises, experts, work, xPert, xPert Training, xTrain News, xtrain | No Comments »

Snap Shots to Great Shots with Rick Sammon

Written by Siotha on October 8, 2007 – 3:12 pm -

Hey! Look the Digital Photography Podcast show features Rick Sammon and his Digital Photography Hot Shots course with xTrain!

As a bonus we also get to hear from my esteemed husband about his baby: xTrain!
Check it out here! 

Want to see some of Rick’s Classes in his
Digital Photography Hot Shots course?

Check out his free Silhouette class or his exposure modes class @ www.xTrain.com.

Classes by Rick Sammon include:
  • Digital SLR Basics
  • Wildlife and Travel Photography and Workflow
  • Photographing People with a Digital Camera
  • Snapshots to Great Shots

Rick Sammon


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Posted in Digital Photography, Digital Photography Training, Easy Digital Photography, Easy Photos, Online Training, Rick Sammon, Rob Sheppard, xPert, xPert Training, xTrain News, xtrain | 2 Comments »

Meet Me in NYC: PhotoPlus, Digital Photography Conference

Written by Siotha on October 3, 2007 – 11:33 am -

Ok. So We’re going to The Photoplus Conference for Digital Photographers. Wanna meet someone cooler than me? How about our spokeswoman and some of our Creative Gurus?! Yes, I’ll be there, but please forgive me as I will be up to my eyeballs in giving out our famous Dr. Brown’s Photoshop Laboratory. And I’m not nearly as much fun to meet at iJustine!

Dr. Brown's Photoshop Laboratory xTrain

Our booth, once again will be packed full of Trainings, Digital Photographers, Photoshop Enthusuasts, iJustine Fans and xTrain staff answering everything you could ever want to know about xTrain, Digital Photography, Graphic Design, Digital Arts and Online Marketing…

Psst.. and you know what my favorite part of this is? I get to meet all of our fans!!! Ok – so here’s the thing – I want to hear your comments, your feedback and what you want to learn. My favorite part of going to conferences is coming home and going – wow – we’re going to do more classes on XYZ because that’s what everyone is asking about. So as you see our team giving out the Dr. Brown DVDs and free classes for xTrain don’t hesitate to let us know what you want to see from xTrain and let us know what your favorite courses are!


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Posted in Adobe, Adobe CS3, Art, Classes, Digital Photography, Digital Photography Training, Easy Digital Photography, Easy Photos, Online Training, Photoshop CS3 extended, Photoshop Laboratory, Photoshop Model Retouching, creative training, iJustine, photoshop CS3, xPert, xPert Training, xTrain News, xTrain Spokeswoman, xtrain | 1 Comment »

Photoshop CS3: Simplified & Easy by Ben Willmore – FREE Class today!

Written by Siotha on October 1, 2007 – 10:35 pm -

Hi guys!

Just wanted to drop you a personal note and let you know Ben Willmore’s Free class has been uploaded to xTrain.com.

Ben Willmore Quick Selection Tool

It is new and all about the Quick Selection Tool in CS3. I personally don’t know how we ever lived without this tool. No more magic wand guessing what areas or color shades, or color values, simply click and drag over the area you want to select and it “thinks” for you! I love it! So now you need to check out what makes this tool so great, by attending a free xTrain class by Ben Willmore!

Do you think we should put this class on youtube?


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Posted in Adobe, Adobe CS3, Classes, Digital Photography, Digital Photography Training, Easy Digital Photography, Easy Photos, Photoshop CS3 extended, Photoshop Model Retouching, Tutuorials, ben willmore, creative training, exercises, photoshop, photoshop CS3, xPert, xPert Training, xTrain News, xtrain | 2 Comments »

Playboy Evolutions Photoshop: Video on youtube

Written by Siotha on October 1, 2007 – 1:50 pm -

Ok. well. Nice headline right? For me, it’s got 2 of the big keywords. Playboy & Photoshop. And that’s what makes it a nice headline. Playing off of everyone’s dream model retouching…

In my world those are HOT HOT HOT Topics!

Sure we do Photoshop Training, and one day Playboy artists, digital photographers might find us. Until then, we’ll just have to stick the the fun of marketing “x” train…(no we’re not a xxx training company!)

Now for any of you who know anyone that works in a beautiful photoshoping job where you have the burden of touching up almost nude models day in and day out… I wanna hear from you! What’s your Boring day like? Cus quiet frankly – myself and plenty of other people would happily enjoy that job!

In the mean time – I suggest we all check out this vid on youtube.
It’s tastefully done, and mommy approved.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/UkdXoGEUVRk]


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Posted in Adobe, Adobe CS3, Art, Digital Photography, Online Marketing, Photoshop CS3 extended, Photoshop Laboratory, Photoshop Model Retouching, photoshop, photoshop CS3, playboy, retouching, xPert Training, xTrain Spokeswoman, xtrain, youtube | 3 Comments »

HDR Mastery Course – AMAZING Photographs

Written by Siotha on September 25, 2007 – 10:14 pm -

Have you seen Ben Willmore’s HDR Mastery course yet?

I found 2 awesome exercises that our learners submitted through xTrain. I am very excited to show them off, I hope they don’t mind. They’re Beautiful!

HDR exercise submitted by xTrain Learner
Copyright Brent Williams, member online community of xTrain.com

xTrain exercise submitted by xTrain learner
Copyright April Andrews, xTrain.com community member

I just want to add, that Ben Willmore did a great job with the High Dynamic Range (HDR) Mastery course. We look forward to his upcoming courses, hint hint…

- PS – These are real photographs processed with HDR techniques! If you want to learn this technique from one of the world’s foremost photographers please check out: www.xTrain.com


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Posted in Adobe, Adobe CS3, Art, Classes, Digital Photography, Digital Photography Training, Easy Digital Photography, Easy Photos, Portfolios, Professional Learning Community, Tutuorials, ben willmore, creative training, exercises, experts, xPert, xPert Training, xTrain News, xtrain | 2 Comments »

Digital Photography: So Easy my Toddler Can Do It!

Written by Siotha on September 24, 2007 – 1:20 am -

My 3-Year old has officially mastered the iPhone.

She can do more than most people who are just taking it for a test drive. Here’s the list:

  • She can unlock the phone, including 4 digit code
  • She can play “numbers” with the calculator
  • She can change the ring tone. (No help from mommy or daddy!)
  • She can navigate, enlarge and view pictures in the camera rolls on the iPhone
  • And.. She can take better pictures than me with the digital camera!

So. After all the training we have at xTrain I found myself oohing and ahhing over the composition, focus and how did my daughter take that picture. You see, she was trying to take a picture of her Gerber daisies she received from Mommy & Daddy for being such a big girl at Pee-Wee Cheer leading.

So here ya go.. Enjoy… My daughter’s picture

iPhone pic by toddler

Daddy says we need to Photoshop this to make it even better. But my thing is – my daughter composed and took this picture without any help from us. I was on the computer and dad was in another room. Why Photoshop something when it’s preciousness is that she was able to work the camera on the iPhone so easily she can take good pics!


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Posted in Cell Phones, Classes, Digital Photography, Digital Photography Training, exercises, photoshop, photoshop CS3, retouching | No Comments »

Silhouette Class by Rick Sammon

Written by Siotha on September 22, 2007 – 2:56 am -

Today we posted a new free class at xTrain.com. It is one of my favorites. Wait.. Most everything on xTrain is a favorite. Anyway!

I just wanted to share with you access to Rick Sammons quick and easy Silhouettes class.

It really captures the magic of the production we have at xTrain.com. There are 4 main reasons this class is an exemplary class for xTrain.

1. Talent.

Who else has top photographers, trainers, gurus, masters, and rising start trainers?

2. Easy Learning.

Who else can take a topic with such elegance as ART and make the topic,  an awesome quality video, and create a learning atmosphere for people across the world?

3. Top Production Value.

Let’s face it. Training is and can be expensive. Time to Learn, and Time to Participate and not to mention all the development and delivery of a course at any level (college, after market, high school, online) cost time and money. With xTrain we’ve got the best technology combined with a seasoned staff to create and deploy effective, productive and comprehensive training. Price? For you, it’s cheap. Trust me – This is the best of the best training. Even College instructors are xTrain learners. (hint hint)

4. Passion.

Our training is designed by creative experts exclusively for creatives.

Was that a glorified ad you just read? Yes. and No. My background is in Media Marketing and Managment, Graphic Design, Advertising, and Pre-Press. I really am this passionate about xTrain and online learning.


Posted in Art, Classes, Digital Photography, Digital Photography Training, Online Training, Professional Learning Community, Rick Sammon, Tutuorials, creative training, experts, xPert, xPert Training, xTrain News, xtrain | No Comments »

What is Edutainment?

Written by Siotha on September 19, 2007 – 4:50 pm -

Edutainment (Ed-u-tain-ment)

Looks funny doesn’t it?

Well. Today we declared 3 of our shows… Edutainment….

Dr. Brown’s Photoshop Laboratory! Starring, Dr. Brown of Course!

What defines this show as Educational?

Well – Dr. Brown teaches us many Photoshop CS3 & Photoshop CS3 Extended techniques by experimenting with many popular photo enhancing techniques.

How is it Entertainment?

Well, we have interaction with Elvis, and an intermission within our show as well. Did I mention the fun Laboratory?

What do you think?

I’d love to hear from you – is Dr. Brown’s show entertainment or education?
Watch Dr. Brown’s Photoshop Laboratory at xTrain.com for free.


Posted in Adobe, Animation, Black and White, Digital Photography, Photoshop CS3 extended, Photoshop Laboratory, Russell Brown, creative training, photoshop CS3, retouching, work, xPert Training, xTrain News | No Comments »

Another day… another Course….

Written by Siotha on September 19, 2007 – 12:26 am -

Wow. Just wanted to make a journal entry here.

SV notes: September 18, 2007; 7:18
Dear Blog. We booked 5 Courses with some AWESOME folks today.
We also released a really cool Ben Willmore 60 second guru… Wanna see?

[youtube=http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxCVcLrIZUE]


Posted in Digital Photography, ben willmore, xPert Training, xtrain | No Comments »

WoW! iJustine did a great behind the scenes video!

Written by Siotha on September 18, 2007 – 3:06 am -

Hiya! You gotta check out Justine’s video about being behind the scenes with xTrain! This was done months ago, and I didn’t even know it! It’s great for faculty and newbies who want to know more about our FABULOUS studio…

(when i figure out embedding this will have to do)
XTRAIN

Did I mention the following people have paid a nice visit to our studio?

  • Rick Sammon
  • Ron Lemen
  • Rob Sheppard
  • Wendy Willard
  • Ben Willmore
  • Jack Davis
  • Chuck Groth
  • Jason Cranford Teague
  • Corel
  • Russell Brown, of Adobe Systems
  • Dozens More!

and… of course my rising superstar friends.. you know who you are:

  • Tabitha
  • Alyssa
  • Virginia
  • Jennifer
  • Tina
  • Kathy


Posted in 3-D studio, Digital Photography, Jack Davis, Online Training, Rick Sammon, Rob Sheppard, State of the Art Control Room, ben willmore, creative training, xPert, xPert Training, xTrain News, xtrain | No Comments »