Diary of a Network Geek

Incredible, free photo management and editing software.

Although, lately, I seem too busy to take many photos, I do love it. The problem is, I like the photography and the end result, but not all the software steps in between. I work on computers all day long and I get a little tired of it. And, I try to do all my work in the camera, not in post, so, I’m not a big Photoshop user, like a lot of photographers are. I generally use the much more focused and lighter weight Lightroom software from Adobe. It’s specifically designed for photographers and editing and managing photos. I feel like it’s a lighter touch.
But, even though I feel it’s a good bargain, not everyone can afford the monthly charges from Adobe to use their software. So, what to do? Well, as I’ve mentioned on my blog before, there’s a great alternative that’s free and open source called Darktable. The interface is very similar to Lightroom and mostly the functions are all the same. Best of all, though, it is free. If you’re not sure about it, though, because, like me, you distrust anyone giving anything away, spend a little time today to look at PetaPixel’s Comprehensive Intro to Darktable. It shows you everything you need to know from downloading to a pretty good and detailed walk through of the whole software and its capabilities.
If you’re a photographer, of any level, it’s worth it to at least take a look.
Besides, if you’re reading my blog on a Friday, you can’t possibly be doing anything more important!

This post originally appeared on Use Your Words.

Yeah, I’m lazy.

So, I’m not going to tell you how to create a seamless background in Photoshop, I’m going to let the fine folks over at TestFreaks teach you how to create a seamless background in Photoshop CS4.

Seriously, this is a very good tutorial for something that a lot of us would like to do, so go check it out.

You all know I love me some photography, but I love me some creative Photoshopping even more!

So, now, for the few of you who haven’t seen this, there’s a website, Worth1000.com, that has regular contests, some of which are pretty cool.  I particularly like the Celebrity Vampires contest and the Final Photo contest series.  But, there are plenty of others to fill your Friday afternoon.

Oh, and if that’s not enough?  Take a look at the brilliant work of Ian Pool on IO9.com.  He’s done a whole series of super-heroes in their non-hero lives.  But, what’s cool about that is that he’s used a lot of action figures in super creative ways and, of course, Photoshopped them.

In any case, these are two sites that should dull the pain of having to work a full week at your boring jobs where no one appreciates you.
Happy Friday!

I love strange, quirky design elements.

I don’t know, maybe it’s because I used to schtupp a web designer or maybe it’s just that Marketing degree. Whatever it is, I just really enjoy funky design in the real world. But, I am still a hardcore geek at heart, so when something combines the two, I just love it. Naturally, when I saw the Photoshop Magnets and Magnetic Board, I instantly loved it.

Basically, these are just magnets that look like menus and dialog boxes from Photoshop. You can use them on the magnetic board, or buy them separately for your own magnetic surfaces, to hold up your pictures or art. Again, there’s just something cool, and yes, geeky, about having magnets that make your fridge look like Photoshop that just appeals to me.
They’re not cheap, but they do look fun.

No, not actual ruin, but, rather, a bit of artistic fantasy.

Thanks to a chance discovery of Pink Tentacle, I have a quickie for you. Just a link, really, to their blog entry about an artist who’s Photoshoped pictures of Tokyo into fantasies of life after mankind has suddenly departed. I love the images and imagination behind this exhibit. I remember when everyone evacuated Houston for RIta, even though it was totally unwarranted. The whole city seemed empty and surreal. That’s what these pictures reminded me of.

Anyway, it seemed the perfect thing for leading up to Halloween. Enjoy!