Retouching Images in Photoshop® is My Life

A professional photographer I am not, but a tech savvy whiz kid, that I most definitely am. I thrive on learning new computer programs and understanding the symbiotic relationships between technology and the programs we create. While yes, some programs are a bit unnecessary, in general, understanding the technology you have is one thing, but being able to understand the programs that go along with said technology, bring you to a whole new level.

Along with the general population in America today, I have a digital camera. It has changed my life. Suddenly, the world is my canvas, and no picture is too insignificant. Needless to say, I am retouching images in Photoshop on my down time. I find something therapeutic in isolating and manipulating pixels or changing lighting and generally editing images. Retouching images in Photoshop is my second life. And because I have learned so much about the program itself, my friends pay me to help them with their pictures. I can look at a picture and instantly know what needs editing. When it comes to retouching images in Photoshop, I am a master.

Now, I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but sometimes if you are good at something, you should acknowledge it! I mean, why not? Lots of people struggle with Photoshop, it is a difficult program! So what if I want to declare that retouching images in Photoshop is a walk in the park for me? I feel confident to call it from the highest peak, and hey, it might even get me some more business!

A lot of people ask me what my secret is, how do I know so much about the program and how did I learn it so quickly? The answer is, I don’t know. For the same reason a person can listen to a song and play it on an instrument, I learn computer programs without blinking or breaking a sweat. I haven’t really used this skill to my advantage truthfully speaking, I don’t work with computers, I only write with them.

This weekend I am going on a road trip. We are driving down to New Mexico for the weekend. My good friend is a photographer who is creating a portfolio of desert cacti. We convinced him to go to New Mexico because they have some amazing hot springs down there, and the sunsets are unreal. Upon our return, I have already signed a contract with him to help him with retouching his images in Photoshop. Once we finish retouching his images in Photoshop, he is submitting them to his publicist who is helping him with a book deal. And you know what, it still tickles my fancy knowing that this one skill I have acquired over the years and actually taking me somewhere! Technology, thank you for opening up my horizons, and what’s more, I can now identify 15 different types of flowering cacti. Guess I killed two birds with one stone.