Well, OK, a couple days belated, but nonetheless, a blogworthy event. There is a wonderful writeup about the history of Photoshop by Jeff Schewe over at Photoshop News, with all sorts of great links and backstory. Photoshop just celebrated its 18th birthday, Camera Raw its 5th, and Lightroom its very 1st. It is quite remarkable that the birthdays of Photoshop, Camera Raw, and Lightroom all coincide at the same time, without any forethought about planning them that way. The Digital Cosmos must come into alignment on February 19.
It is also a coincidence that Feb 19 also happened to be the day I downloaded and installed Photoshop CS3 (ie. v10) for Mac on my new MacPro. The user license I originally obtained for 3.5″ floppy disks will finally be changed over.
Reading the articles about the history, I learned that Photoshop has local ties I never knew about. It started in an Ann Arbor, Michigan apartment – where Thomas Knoll started developing it. From there it has grown into a huge industry of seminars, training, books, magazines, plug-ins, and tutorials on doing the same task ten different ways. Who would have thought? Aside from the massive industry it spawned, the generic phrase “Photoshopped” emerged. The program has played a major role in our feelings, interpretations, debates and attitudes towards the photograph and what it represents.
The link above has a lot of fun and interesting information, check it out (Oh – and why the rock photo? Besides just generally being on a rock kick lately, it reminded me of the Big Daddy Photoshop and all the siblings it has spawned 🙂 ).
Photoshop has certainly made its mark. The fact that it started in an Ann Arbor, MI apartment was really interesting. I love reading about businesses that have had small beginnings and are now achieving monumental things.
I agree with Paul, it is hard to believe Photoshop is 18 years old.
I love the photo, it really shows your vision.
The interesting thing that I hear now when someone sees a really nice picture: That must be Photoshopped! Interesting. People find it hard to believe, sometimes, that a picture is genuine (not an artistic rendering).
It’s hard to believe that PS has been around for 18 years!
Con I agree. People seem less preoccupied with that question.
Beautiful subtle colors and all those shades of grey in this image.
I notice the “big daddy” question, “do you photoshop?” coming up less than a few years ago.
Fabulous textures, colors, shapes. Calm and pleasing.
Mark, Very Cool image and well crafted.