dekeOnline Newsletter

Hello friends of dekeOnline,

I have much to announce in this issue! I take you on a deep-sea diving excursion with dekePod, I unveil the longest video series ever released on lynda.com, and finally, my sidekick Colleen and I have a rousing chat with Russell Brown and John Nack on Martini Hour. In short, I offer you a feast for your mind and your senses.

dekePod Takes the Ultimate Plunge

Have you ever taken a camera underwater? I've used a few disposable underwater cameras and they don't include a flash. Which is crazy, because if there was ever a place where you need a strobe, it's underwater. Water and the distance filters away light and colors, starting with red, then orange, then yellow, leaving a world of greens and blues. How do you bring those colors back? I explain in dekePod 015: "Photoshop and the Lost Undersea Channel." Read more » 

Hello Dear Friends,

A lot has happened since the last time I wrote. I won't enumerate, I'm just sayin', a lot. But one thing hasn't happened. There haven't been any dekePods.

And the consequences have been (coincidentally) dire. In the 14 weeks since the last dekePod, the global markets (in no way, shape, or form as a result of the absence of dekePod) have taken a beating. Fortunately, help is on the way. In the form of a sensitive, caring, emotionally responsible stimulus package I call "The Droplet Song." Think of it as the (essentially meaningless) big hug that this scared little world needs.

Read more » 

Hello, my funny dekeIntines. Welcome to the February edition of the dekeOnline newsletter, a personal missive to you, treasured 1/6819th of our special community. Yes, I'm talking to You. Can't you feel me behind the sunglasses staring beams of love and appreciation straight into your soul?

Speaking of cocktails (see the title), this month brought the launch of our new audio-only podcast, Martini Hour, in which Deke and I sip beverages and discuss important issues in digital imaging and anything else that strikes our fancy. Joining us in the dekeLounge is our bandleader Buddy "budz" Saleman and the Pimm's Quartet, who provide the cool-groove accompaniment to our lively conversation. We've even got a hotline you can call with your questions: 1-888-dekepod. If you sound groovy, you ask an intriguing question, and Deke knows the answer, we'll play you on the air in an upcoming episode. Read more » 

Whether that phrase conjures up a recent Target commercial, Dr. Horrible's decision to commit Hammer-cide, or (as it does for me) a song someone on the Web aptly referred to as part of "Catholic Folk Mass" in the 70s, it is in fact a brand new day. Here on Earth we've turned our calendars to 2009, here in the States we have inagurated a new president, and here in the United Territories of Deke we are celebrating the arrival of a newest One-on-One book, Photoshop CS4 Channels & Masks One-on-One. The following is my artist's rendition of the book being sworn in:

Damn, that's a sweet graphic. Read more » 

Hello fellow intreped colonists of dekeTown. Colleen here, filling in on newsletter duties while Deke finishes up the latest book.

It's that time of year when the weather changes, the days grow short, and life turns inward. The time of year when the cold and rain bring actual marching ants into the kitchen to make their very own "selection" around a grease spot on the counter. The time to put away the ice cubes and devise ways to drink bourbon that involve coffee mugs and aromatic spices. The time when it's nice to just stay inside by the glow of the monitor and write books about the classic theme of Photoshop Channels and Masks. And it's also the time when we in the States take a day (well, really it turns into a four-day weekend) to reflect on what we are thankful for:  Read more »