Lab

Don't Fear the Lab Mode

Submitted by deke on 10 August 2008 - 12:25pm.

To help you make sense of the most recent episode of dekePod, I've written up a discussion of how I modified the colors of my backyard in the Lab mode. Although it flies by in the video, the technique is not particularly difficult. I don't use Curves or masking or anything terribly complicated. Just Levels and -- brace yourself -- Brightness/Contrast. In Photoshop CS3, Brightness/Contrast has not only turned into a respectable command, but it has been elevated to pro status when combined with Lab. And it remains as easy as ever to use.

Lab + Brightness/Contrast

Some portions of this article have been excerpted from my upcoming article, "Don't Fear the Lab Mode," which will run in the September, 2008 issue of Photoshop User magazine. So as not to diminish the impact of that article (as well as the two that will follow it), I have purposely made the steps here brief, illustrated with thumbnail-resolution imagery. You should still be able to follow along, but you'll have lots more to look forward to in Photoshop User. Read more » 

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Still happyfying, hope you are too

Submitted by deke on 6 August 2008 - 1:48am.

Hey gang,

As usual, this newsletter goes out to you, the few, the proud, the registered users at dekeOnline. In case you're curious, there are now 1995 of us. I was hoping we'd hit 2000 before I fired this off. But alas, five people who should have registered didn't. You'll be glad to know, I have sent all five formal complaints, along with stern warnings if this sort of behavior continues.

Get registering!

But enough about them, let's talk about you. By which I mean, me. Read more » 

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Don't Fear the Lab Mode

Submitted by deke on 5 August 2008 - 10:33pm.
My pastoral backyard

Episode 003: dekePod has been known to get a little crass at times. And, of course, I'm very proud of that. But this episode, I lift my mind from the gutter and send it merrily floating down a stream, a very real stream filled with imaginary colors that cuts through the backyard of a little world called Lab. Sound enchanting? Damn straight, it's enchanting! Here's the official marketing description: Read more » 

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Stealth 'Shop, The Virgin Histogram

Submitted by deke on 23 July 2008 - 3:22am.
Robot nuts & bolts

Episode 002: In this second regular episode of dekePod, I pass along a technique of such magnitude, it will blow your mind. Because inasmuch as I every so often allude to another anatomical detail, the brain is what this video is all about. Not the "shorty" brain, but the "tally" brain. All the way upstairs, with the rotating bar and the fine dining. Here's the official marketing description: Read more » 

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Welcome to dekeOnline

Submitted by deke on 22 July 2008 - 4:03am.

Hi, this is note from me, Deke. Forgive the potentially rough appearance of this newsletter (which is going out as an email to all registered users). But we didn't want to get all slick with our messaging.

I know you have lots of busy stuff going on today. (And from here, it looks like you're doing a great job juggling the, you know, the things that you juggle with the stuff in the air and the things. So kudos for that.) But I wanted to take just a moment of your time to thank you for joining dekeOnline. I am sincerely glad that you've opted into our madcap imaging + graphics + design tea party.

So, yoiks, quite to my surprise, the site has gone through the roof. Over the Bastille Day weekend (July 13th and 14th), Alexa.com claims we entered the ethereal realm of the Top 50,000 sites. (Where's Kasey Kaisim to read it?) Google Analytics shows us trouncing the typical site our size (me blue, them gray, below). And when I say "trounce," I mean it in a kind, Care Bear, loving way.

Read more » 

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