Rangefinder Magazine
May 2005

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Insight/On the Cover by Bill Hurter

It is a matter of good timing that the release date of Adobe Photoshop CS2 coincides with this, our “blockbuster” digital issue. Since you are undoubtedly curious about the new features of Photoshop CS2, check out Jack and Sue Drafahl’s “First Exposure” on page 30. CS2 is Photoshop on steroids. The program’s new features, of which there are many, are nothing short of fantastic.

One of the elite Photoshop practitioners is featured in this issue: Rich Nortnik Jr., winner of six NAPP Guru awards, takes us on a how-to adventure, entitled “To School and Back” (page 8). Australian digital artist Nick Melidonis details each step in producing one of his award-winning surreal landscapes (page 20). Well known author Bob Coates shows how to easily create reusable inkjet greeting-card templates that will enhance your business and expand your profits (page 26). We also have our monthly NAPP/Photoshop User articles by Dave Cross: “A Beginner’s Guide to the Pen Tool and Paths,” and “Classic Photoshop Effects” (pages 90 and 92).

Another major software program used in digital imaging today is Corel Painter. We have two Painter experts in this issue, Karen Sperling (page 66) and Fay Sirkis (page 58), explaining how Painter works for them.

As far as digital hardware goes, there has long been a question of whether digital cameras will ever be able to match non-digital SLRs. Ron Rich takes a detailed look at just how far the evolution has come (page 72). All the latest DSLRs are featured. And for keeping your digital colors natural and true, Wendell Benedetti reviews ColorVision’s Spyder2PRO monitor-calibration system (page 110).

This month we also have a new special feature. We asked five leading digital experts what online sites and services they use, and then we compiled their answers into our “Digital Resource Guide” (page 95). Another new feature this month is Ira Gostin’s “Business Savvy” (page 62), which reveals a sound marketing strategy for the digital era. This month also features a wrap-up article from the wildly successful WPPI Convention and Trade Show (page 48) by “Chicken Soup” specialist CharMaine Beleele.

Bill Hurter, Editor

ON THE COVER

PHOTOGRAPHER: Ira Gostin
Art Director: Greg Mason of Greg Mason
Advertising Arts
First Assistant: Cody Crawford
Title: Drive-in
Camera: Fujifilm GX680
Lens: Fujifilm 60mm
Exposure: Multiple exposures.
film: Fujichrome Provia
Lighting: A whole lot of DynaLites with Chimera light modifiers on Avenger stands, a Manfrotto tripod and three generators
COMMENTS: “This photograph was designed by Greg Mason and myself for ‘Hot August Nights’ as a poster and advertising piece. Greg handled the art direction and digital manipulation. ‘Hot August Nights’ is the premier 1950s–’60s-themed rock ’n’ roll/classic car event in the country in Reno and Sparks, Nevada. We spent the entire day shooting in an abandoned drive-in, 60 miles east of Reno, near Fallon, Nevada.”

You can read Peter Skinner’s profile of Ira in the November 2004 issue of Rangefinder. You can read Ira’s new monthly column, “Business Savvy,” full of tips for running your business, on page 62 of this issue.