The global travel and tourism industry has witnessed unprecedented growth and innovation in recent years, and the 2024 World Travel Awards (WTA) proved to be a milestone in recognizing the sector’s best. Garnering a record-breaking number of votes and entries, the awards showcased not only the resilience of the industry but also its adaptability and creativity in delivering exceptional experiences.
With 2025 on the horizon, the travel industry is abuzz with anticipation as companies across the globe prepare for what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive awards seasons yet.
The Hatta Winter Festival has provided added incentive for members of the creative community to converge in the picturesque region, presenting ample opportunities for them to engage with their peers and discerning audiences far and wide.
Organised by Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office, the Festival is a key highlight of the Hatta Winter initiative launched under the directives and patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, inviting residents and visitors to explore the unique experiences the highland region has to offer amid the cooler months.
Inexperienced Photoshop users tend to take a global approach to editing their images by relying upon adjustments that affect the photo as a whole. Today’s tutorial from the PHLEARN YouTube channel provides yet another reason for using a local approach instead by making selective adjustments to different elements within the frame.
We’ll give you the takeaway up front: This technique is far easier than you may think and it enables you to create spectacular imagery that stands out from the crowd. Today you’ll learn how easy it is to to use Photoshop’s Gradient tool for special effects and other important adjustments that simply can’t be achieved with global enhancements.
Aaron Nace is an acclaimed photographer and post-processing expert whose quick tutorials are designed to inspire shooters of all skill levels and improve their skills. In this 12-minute episode he explains the concept behind Photoshop’s new Gradient tool, demonstrates how it works, and provides three eye-catching examples of what it can do.
So open an image, hit “F” for a full-full-screen view, and follow along as Nace pulls up an environmental portrait of two women with a dull and uninteresting sky in the background. The subjects look great, and the goal for this photo is to add interest to the plain blue sky. The first step is making a simple selection of the top portion of the shot.
Nace then chooses the Select Sky option, which does a pretty good but imperfect job. Not to fear, because there’s a better way that delivers far more precision. This trick relies upon turning to Photoshop’s Color Range tool. Then you simply click on the sky for a better selection for the straightforward adjustments that follow.
The other two practical examples identify different potential problems and Nace walks you through the simple solutions made possible by the Gradient tool. We bet that once the video concludes you’ll add this game-changing method to your Photoshop bag of tricks.
On a related note, be sure to watch a recent tutorial we featured with another image-editing expert who lays out a beginners guide to Photoshop’s Layer Mask tool and demonstrates why you “can’t live without it” if ultimate results are your goal.
We also recommend a visit to the popular PHLEAN YouTube channel where there are many more post-processing videos to be found.
Do the landscape photos you capture seem to lack that “little something extra” that separates good images from great ones? If so, today’s tutorial from the Adorama TV YouTube channel reveals a great way to up your game by composing outdoor scenes with textures, shapes and patterns in mind.
Instructor Prince McClinton is a skilled outdoor photographer who specializes in quick tutorials that are designed to help other shooters become better visual storytellers. He promises that the techniques you’ll learn today “will elevate your landscape photography into stunning abstract art.”
McClinton is on location in New Mexico’s stunning City of Rocks State Park where jagged rock formations meet flowing surfaces to create intricate designs that ignite the imagination. You’ll watch him explore interesting natural elements in rugged terrain and experiment with camera angles, vantage points, different perspectives, and more.
These game-changing techniques require you to set aside a search for expansive vistas and focus your attention on tighter details that would otherwise be overlooked. McClinton shares practical tips and techniques that will help you transform these elements into captivating compositions. You’ll have to be willing to temporarily change your mindset and the manner in which you view the outdoor world.
McClinton illustrates how it’s done in less than three minutes, so we won’t bother summarizing his methods here. In this case, watching him work his magic is the best way to learn. Then the next time you’re out in the field you’ll have a whole new approach for expanding your style.
