Image editing expert, author/trainer
Areas of Expertise:
- Photoshop
- Photoshop Elements
- digital photography
- presentations
- graphic design
- speaking
- training
- writing
Biography
Books
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(Blog
http://www.graphicreporter.com
Fun with Smart Filters: Smart and Easy Background Blur
September 14 2009
I've had a few friends send me beautiful floral shots over the past several weeks with the question, "What should I do with this picture?" In response, I suggested that they blur the background using Smart Filters (Photoshop CS2 and later). To my surprise, they said they'd never thought of… read moreFun with Blend Modes: Quick Metal Reflection in Photoshop and Elements
August 07 2009
Chances are good that you’ve spotted the little pop-up menu at the top of your Layers panel in either Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. It’s called the blend mode menu and it controls how color on one layer interacts with color on other layers in your document. In some instances —… read moreFun with Adjustment Layers: How to instantly reverse color
July 29 2009
Graphic designers, this one's for you! If you need to reverse the colors in your image--turn orange to blue, yellow to purple, and so on--you can use an Invert adjustment layer to make it so. There's no need to select an item and use any other kind of color-changing voodoo… read moreEasy Embellishments: How to add vector art to photos
June 18 2009
A simple way to spice up a photo is to add a touch of clip-art. Now, I’m not talking about the cheese-ball stuff that comes with Microsoft Office, oh heck no. I’m talking about the amazing, yet affordable stuff that you can get from folks like iStockphoto.com (click the link… read moreLearning to Love Levels: How to color correct your photos like a pro using Levels
June 11 2009
When you think of all variables that come into play when you're capturing images, it's a wonder any of ‘em turn out halfway decent at all. Just think about it: Unless you're hauling around your own light kit, you're dependent on ambient light sources—which are less than perfect on a… read moreQuick Color Change: How to repaint an object using the Hue mode
May 28 2009
When it comes to changing the color of an object, there’s an easy way and a hard way to get it done. The hard way involves creating a selection, as discussed in in the Selection Tool Fun: Repainting Cabinets” tutorial. An easier way is to use a blend mode instead.… read moreRemembering to Relax: Tips for handling life's challenges
May 28 2009
I've had some personal challenges over the last couple of months and as you may have noticed, I gave myself permission to take a break from updating this site. I won't share the details of the challenges, as they're not important, but what I would like to share are some… read moreLesa does Photoshop World and Washington Apple Pi
March 23 2009
Come see me this Wednesday, March 25, at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, MA at Photoshop World! I'll be debuting a new, FREE class on combining photos and vectors in the NAPP Expo Theatre, on the expo show floor, from 5:00-6:00 pm. Even if you haven't registered for the… read moreShadow Dancing: How to change the color of drop shadows
March 18 2009
As the Great Kelby once taught me, anytime you can add a drop shadow, you should. Heck, if you’re a freelancer, adding a drop shadow means you can tack on an extra $50 to the job! Though when it comes to creating the aforementioned shadows, it’s important to remember that… read moreGet Smart! How to use Smart Objects to make photo templates
February 18 2009
Each day it seems more important to work faster and smarter so you can be more productive. If you’re processing photos, one of the ways you can do that is by setting up Smart Object document templates. They let you apply the same effect to several images either immediately or… read moreGoin' Borderless! The trick to printing borderless photos in both Photoshop and Elements
February 04 2009
Photoshop Elements is such a wonderfully friendly program to use, though with all the little flippy triangles, buttons, and so on, it can be a challenge to find some of the built-in effects. Today we'll do a little digging and take a peek at how you can easily turn a… read moreFun with Elements Effects: How to create a sepia with a darkened edge vignette
January 28 2009
Photoshop Elements is such a wonderfully friendly program to use, though with all the little flippy triangles, buttons, and so on, it can be a challenge to find some of the built-in effects. Today we'll do a little digging and take a peek at how you can easily turn a… read morePhoto Favorites: Five Fast Photo Effects
January 22 2009
Fixing your photos, or giving them a shot of creativity, doesn't have to take hours. Below you'll find five of my favorite photo effects that take mere minutes... more read moreFilters To the Rescue! How to fix an out-of-focus photo
January 14 2009
Alas, it’s true that there’s no magic fixer-upper that can take an out-of-focus image and make it look like it’s really in focus. That is, except for the Emboss filter. Technically it’s not really fixing the image and making it sharp, it’s merely bringing out the edges that are already… read moreManaging Photos with Bridge CS4, Part 2: Rating and rejecting in Review Mode
December 10 2008
Welcome to part 2 of the "Managing Photos with Bridge" series. Last week you learned how to import and rename your images. The next step is to take a look at them, tossing the ones you don't want and rating the ones you want to keep. It may sound like… read moreAlso find Lesa on:
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