Public Photography Talk at Photoshop World Expo

Did two things to make a better day at my second book talk about Digital Art Photography for Dummies, two things that I believe anyone can follow when public speaking.

1. Talk about what you know.

Yeah, that may seem simple enough, but when you're with pros from every aspect of the tech industry, you can get sidetracked and begin an attempt to use a Photoshop technique that someone else has spoken about. This isn't a new idea of mine--it's the first thing I read upon receiving materials from the university where I teach.

2. Keep it simple.

For those of you who have heard this before, you know where it orginated. For those of you who don't, this is an AA slogan.

On the first day, I thought I was prepared to print out portraits on-the-spot of people at the expo. Bad idea, considering I brought a man-sized printer for a tiny booth where two people were already working. I also brought ink, my portfolio, my cameras and lenses, my laptop and connections, and myself--too much, indeed. I had carried these items the length of Mandalay Bay (that's the hotel where the expo took place). If you don't know Las Vegas, the casino hotels are as large a landing area of a large airport.

On the second day I ditched my large, bulky Epson 2200, and the idea of printing and talking at the same time. Wise decision it was as my preoccupation with that helped me gain composure so I could talk about what I was there for--digital art photography.

* Photo Credit: Kal of Pixelbug (Thanks, Kal, for reminding us that AOL has an active photography community, and thanks to Betty for asking him to come to participate in my photography discussion.)