Conrad writes, edits, and illustrates a wide range of books and training materials, with a focus on digital imaging. His holistic approach to projects draws from over a decade of experience providing technical writing, training, and support for digital imaging, graphic arts, video, and Web software products.
Conrad’s projects help users take full advantage of the powerful features in the Adobe Creative Suite. Examples of major recent projects include:
Real World Adobe Photoshop CS4 for Photographers and Real World Adobe Photoshop CS3 (Peachpit Press) The Real World Adobe Photoshop series is widely regarded as an essential Photoshop reference. Conrad began contributing to this book for Adobe Photoshop CS3, focusing the material more tightly on the use of Photoshop in digital photography workflows.
Adobe InDesign CS3 and Adobe InCopy CS3 Reviewer's Guides These PR documents showcase the new features of Adobe InDesign CS3 and Adobe InCopy CS3, including sample files and projects for reviewers. (Available only to members of the press.)
Working Smart in Adobe Photoshop CS2 (Peachpit Press) Focusing on Photoshop productivity, this book shows you how to accelerate your workflow through shortcuts, presets, automation, and configuring Photoshop for maximum efficiency.
Photoshop CS/CS2 Breakthroughs (Peachpit Press) Co-authored with David Blatner, this book presents over 200 workflow-oriented Photoshop tips in a casual, fun question-and-answer format.
Adobe Illustrator CS2 WOW! Book (Peachpit Press) Conrad is a contributing writer for Sharon Steuer's inspiring book of thoroughly illustrated step-by-step case studies. Conrad's content in the book was updated for the Adobe Illustrator CS3 WOW! Book as well as the Adobe Illustrator CS4 WOW! Book, which Conrad helped edit.
Real World Scanning and Halftones, 3rd Edition (Peachpit Press) Improve the quality of your scans for print, video, or the Web, while minimizing costly production mistakes. Co-authored with David Blatner, Glenn Fleishman, and Steve Roth.
During a long career at Aldus Corporation and Adobe Systems, Conrad made major contributions to the Adobe user guides and tutorials for software products such as Adobe InDesign, After Effects, Adobe Premiere, Aldus PageMaker, and Aldus/Macromedia FreeHand.
Conrad designed this site by using CSS and HTML to customize the photo hosting infrastructure provided by smugmug.com.
Creating Sharp Images: The Big Picture, an article for CreativePro.com that helps you create consistently sharp photos by paying attention to image contrast at every stage of your photographic workflow.
What's New in Adobe Camera Raw 5.2?, an article for Peachpit Press that covers the new features in Adobe Camera Raw 5.2, which appeared after Real World Adobe Photoshop CS4 for Photographers went to press.
Photoshop CS3 and Lightroom Reflect Digital Photography's New Workflows, an article for Adobe Press/Informit that helps Photoshop upgrade users decide between Adobe Photoshop CS3, Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended, and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom—three applications that share many features, but are intended for different purposes.
Adobe InDesign CS2 Printing Guide for Prepress Service Providers (PDF, 4MB) Highly targeted technical document that makes it easier for prepress service providers to switch to Adobe InDesign from its primary competitor, QuarkXPress. Includes detailed prepress information and workflow suggestions for InDesign CS2.
Adobe Illustrator CS2: Enhancing Video Production (PDF, 3.6MB) Describes how the vector graphics capabilities of Adobe Illustrator CS2 can both expand and simplify the design and production of motion graphics. Specifically describes integration opportunities with Adobe After Effects and the Adobe Production Studio suite.
Illustrator How-To: Create Collages with Blending Modes, a step-by-step article for CreativePro.com about creating Photoshop-like collages in Illustrator.
Illustrator How-To: Brand-New Tool in CS2, a step-by-step article for CreativePro.com about the new LiveTrace tool in Adobe Illustrator CS2.
Illustrator How-To: Drawing with Naturalistic Pen, Ink & Wash, a step-by-step article for CreativePro.com about brush techniques.
Photoshop Blend Modes Guide (PDF, 140K) Handy tip sheet commissioned by Peachpit Press as a promotional piece. Distributed at the Macworld conference and trade show.
Author page at Peachpit Press.
Conrad is available for training, consulting, and speaking engagements.
Click to e-mail Conrad.
Let's hope it gets good ones soon!
Conrad Chavez | Brightbox Studio LLC • photos@conradchavez.com • 1 425 298 6772
Adobe Creative Suite training • Photography
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