Photomatix Basic 1.2 by HDRsoft – Free program that will allow you to take two photos of different exposures of the same subject and combine them into a High Dynamic Range image which will show detail in the high lights and shadows.  The file can be found at the Photomatix Basic 1.2 download block at

At this month’s Photoshop SIG, we will be looking at how to make your own Christmas card.

Welcome to the PC User’s Group of South Jersey Photoshop Special Interest Group (SIG) web page. As our title states, our SIG is everything Photoshop and MORE. We cover and study the most powerful and popular photo enhancement and graphic programs in the world, Adobe System’s Photoshop CS3, Photoshop Lightroom 1.1, and Photoshop Elements 5. We throw in a generous helping of plug-ins from different manufactures, and some other programs like Paintshop Pro. We even dabble in photography and are planning some photo shoots in and out of the SIG.

The Photoshop SIG is run and taught by a Adobe Certified Expert in Photoshop CS2, a full time Photoshop and photography instructor, and a Photoshop enthusiast. We meet in one of the classrooms just off the main hall directly after the monthly meeting of the PC User’s Group of South Jersey. Below you will find a few examples of just some of the lessons we get into during our Photoshop SIG.

Your instructors are as follows:

Scott F. Lopert, Adobe Certified Expert, Photoshop CS2, Photoshop SIG Leader. Scott has been using Photoshop (PS for short) ever since version 5 starting back in 1998. He got the PS bug when he and Tony Moscicki saw a demonstration by PS and astrophotography master Jerry Lodriguss (www.astropix.com) where he adjusted a photo he took of the nebulae Barnard’s Loop (Sh2-276). Scott was hooked from that moment on and never looked back. He keeps current on the latest Photoshop, Photoshop Lightroom, and Photoshop Elements. Scott received his certification from Adobe Corporation in August of 2005. Scott is also a PS consultant, and does PS and photography seminars along with training videos with George Zitzler (see below).

George Zitzler, Photoshop, Photography and Multi-media Instructor, Photoshop SIG Co-Leader. George is a full time PS, photography and multi-media instructor in the East Windsor School District with over 32 years of teaching experience. George has been teaching PS ever since version 3, which was released in 1994. George has taught hundreds of students and adults in the art of photography and photo manipulation, along with other multi-media programs. He stays current with all the latest software releases, along with all the latest photographic equipment. George has years of experience in photo touchup and portrait work. George also participates in PS and photography seminars and training videos with Scott Lopert.

Tony Moscicki, Photoshop, Photography and Astronomy Enthusiast, Photoshop SIG Founder. Tony is the founder of the Photoshop SIG for our computer club. Tony got the bug for PS the same time Scott did by watching his friend, sports and astrophotography great Jerry Lodriguss, give a PS demonstration at the Willingboro Astronomical Society (www.wasociety.net). Tony started using PS 5.5 shortly thereafter. He convinced the PC club president to allow him to setup the SIG. Tony persuaded Scott to help out, and the SIG was born. Tony hasn’t let retirement slow him down, as he keeps abreast of the latest versions of PS, and tries to split his free time between the golf course, continuing astronomy college courses, and his own, personal astronomy observatory. Tony keeps the SIG and it’s leaders on track with his keen insight, contagious humor and always, big, bright smile. Tony also keeps very active with Jerry in the Willingboro Astronomical Society.

You get all this talent monthly to consult on items and ideas, along with some great training, all for the cost of a yearly membership to the PC User’s Group of South Jersey. At $35 a year, it just doesn’t come any better.

Photoshop Class Examples: