Tim Grey’s introduction could easily be longer than the interview that follows: he’s an author of more than a dozen books on digital imaging; he’s a member of the Photoshop World Dream Team of instructors; he’s a great photographer; and to many he’s known for the DDQ, “Digital Darkroom Questions,” where he offers detailed and extremely knowledgeable digital imaging answers to his readers’ questions – for free! Tim Grey has no fear of any question anyone may have on the subject of digital imaging. I wanted to know a little more about Tim, and he was kind enough to answer my questions.
CP: If you could teach a new users only one thing about using Photoshop what would it be?
TG: Using layers for everything! I’m a huge advocate of using adjustment layers or image layers for every adjustment applied to an image. Doing so helps ensure maximum flexibility and ultimately the best image quality. I consider the use of layers in Photoshop to be critically important, and would love it if everyone who get started with Photoshop learned to use layers right from the start.
CP: Is there anything that you are surprised a Photoshop expert doesn’t know about Photoshop?
TG: No, I’m never surprised when an expert doesn’t know something about Photoshop. It is such a complex application with so many different ways to apply any given effect to your image, I don’t think it is possible for any one expert to know everything there is to know about Photoshop. I know I still learn new things about Photoshop on a regular basis.
Having said that, I am a little surprised that a fair number of experts don’t seem to have a solid grasp on some of the underlying mechanics in Photoshop around blend modes, selections, and layer masks.
CP: If you remember, what was your first camera?
TG: My very first camera was a Kodak instamatic that used 126 cartridge film. I believe it was the S-10 model, but I’m not entirely sure of that. I was pretty young when I got that camera, and was somewhat devastated when I lost it during a school trip to Disneyland one year. My first “real” camera was a Pentax SLR I got when I took a photography class in high school.
CP: Canon or Nikon? Not trying to cause trouble or force you to pick sides, I just think this is an interesting question.
TG: Canon. I got hooked on Canon cameras and lenses when I was working for nature photographer George Lepp years ago. I came to appreciate how they always seemed to be ahead of the curve on technological advancements. While things have leveled out since then, I still find I prefer Canon gear.
CP: What do you spend the most time doing writing, teaching or photography?
TG: In terms of sheer hours spent in a given year, I think more of my time is spent writing. Having written over a dozen books, hundreds of magazine articles, daily emails, occasional blog posts, and much more, writing consumes quite a bit of my time. Next would be teaching, which I also do quite a bit of in a variety of ways (workshops, seminars, lectures, and more). So photography is last on the list of these three, but I am doing more and more photography these days, which I am very happy about.
CP: Is there anything new or coming up you’d like to mention?
TG: I recently released a DVD of video tutorials called Photoshop Hands-On: Selections. As the name implies, it provides extensive information on creating selections in Photoshop using all the tools and commands as well as some special techniques. I’m now working on a follow-up DVD on layer masking and targeted adjustments that will be out soon.
CP: Anything you’d like to plug that would be of interest to my readers?
TG: For more info about all the projects I’m working on, readers can visit my website at www.timgrey.com. On the home page they can sign up for my free Digital Darkroom Questions email newsletter, so that just about every weekday they’ll receive an email with a question (and answer!) related to digital photography and imaging.
My thanks again to Tim. Make sure to subscribe to his free DDQ emails. If you like what you get there you might enjoy subscribing to Tim’s Digital Darkroom Quarterly print newsletter too.
- CampPhotoshop's blog
- Login or register to post comments
- 1667 reads
Rss
Comments
Although I've never met Tim
Although I've never met Tim grey I feel I know him so well.
I have most of his major publications and was among the first to sign up for his free DDQ email.
When does that guy get time to sleep??
John, that's a good
John, that's a good question. I know I have lots of things I'm trying to accomplish and I don't get enough sleep. Tim makes me look like a slacker.
One of the best things that
One of the best things that you can do for yourself is to take a several-day workshop with Tim. I did this when Tim was working with George Lepp. While I feel comfortable with computers and learning new software, I just couldn't get my head around Photoshop... This was after reading all of Real World PS and PS Artistry. While in Tim's 5-day workshop, lightbulb after lightbulb just kept lighting up. He really helped pull it all together and then some with his solid understanding of the program and workflow. With every question by our group, he was able provide an in-depth answer. I know it may be a lot of money.
I'm just like you, wanting to make the most of mine. Tim's workshop is a fantastic bang for the buck. The fee is well worth what Tim offers. If you're a beginning or intermediate user of PS, you WILL walk away with knowledge that you can't pick up from a book, your friend or camera club, especially since Tim's classes tend to be small.