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1 Year Membership — $99 USD
Product Review by Eric Martin
The National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP) is a worldwide trade association with more than 40,000 members in over 100 countries. I'd heard many good things about the NAPP over the years and finally became a member in October, 2004.
In a nutshell, joining this group is hugely rewarding if you are serious about improving your Photoshop skills.
The one year individual membership costs $99 USD and includes a one year subscription to Photoshop User Magazine. But there's a lot more. The NAPP membership package features so many resources (see summary below) that you'll be in Photoshop heaven for months. And the special discounts and member benefits that come with the package make the subscription fee feel negligible.
A World Of Experts & Gurus
When you join the NAPP you become part of a community of worldwide Photoshop users, and what's really impressive is the list of people involved with NAPP and its in-house publication — Photoshop User Magazine. Contributors include renowned Photoshop teachers Deke McClelland, Jack Davis, Ben Willmore, Russell Brown, Dave Cross, Julieanne Kost, and Bert Monroy.
Another major player here is the ever-prolific Scott Kelby — the top selling computer book author of 2004 — who is rapidly becoming the Isaac Asimov of Photoshop publications. I envision him with 16 arms and 8 Powerbooks, typing like a wild man while smoke comes pouring out of his ears. As president of the NAPP he infuses the community with his enthusiasm and his experience.
NAPP Members-Only Website
On the members-only website — PhotoshopOnline — members form discussion groups to help each other out, and in the members-only tutorial section you'll find some excellent tutorials that cover a variety of techniques. This area also has some great video tutorials, which I find the best way to grasp new concepts or techniques.
The more you explore the website, the more you'll discover, like the Tips & Tricks Section, which is divided into separate collections for Layers, Brushes, Type, Tools, Keyboard Shortcuts and Web Tips.
The website also features a Help Desk where you can get answers to Photoshop-related technical questions, and an Online Gallery. Any member can create their own custom gallery, and although the posting of images is for NAPP members only, the galleries themselves are open to the public — which means that you could use this as a portfolio space as well.
Photoshop User "How To" Magazine
Included in the membership is a one-year subscription to Photoshop User Magazine.
Photoshop User features articles for all skill levels, from beginner to intermediate to advanced. When you look at the contributing writers page you'll see a collection of the finest Photoshop writers, with most of them the authors of well-known Photoshop books.
This is the real thing — a magazine with the very best tips and tutorials by the very best teachers in the industry.
The magazine also features a "Down & Dirty Tricks" section by Scott Kelby. This is the column where the Down & Dirty Tricks book series originated from, and each issue has some new entries. Did I mention that Scott Kelby is prolific?
Photoshop User also covers the latest Photoshop news, and features reviews of the latest Photoshop and digital imaging products.
You can preview some of the magazine and view past issues at the NAPP website.
Summary
This is a fantastic package deal for anyone who is serious about Photoshop, and a good way for beginners to take it to the next level on their way to becoming Photoshop Professionals. The only thing missing here is a memory enhancement pill to help you retain all the tips and tricks you'll encounter!
Without a doubt membership in the NAPP is of enormous value, opening the door to a huge world of Photoshop resources and professional support.
NAPP Membership Benefits
The following is a summary of the benefits. For a more comprehensive list visit the NAPP website.
Access To NAPP's Members-only Website
The site features free weekly Photoshop video tutorials, tutorial columns, reviews, various forums, the latest Photoshop news, tips, actions, plug-ins, and a job bank. There's also access to free Photoshop tech support, and an online Gallery that helps members showcase their creative work and, as a bonus, that can be used as a Portfolio site.
Subscription To Photoshop User Magazine
This is an exclusive subscription that is not offered to the public. Photoshop User features tutorials and articles from Photoshop experts including Deke McClelland, Ben Willmore, Scott Kelby, Jack Davis, Russell Brown, Dave Cross, Jim DiVitale, and Kevin Ames.
Special Discounts From Retailers
Receive discounts on hardware, software, and accessories from some of the leading computer retailers. This includes digital cameras, printers, scanners, software upgrades (including special members-only deals direct from Adobe), Photoshop plug-ins, even full Mac and PC systems (including special members-only deals direct from Dell).
Save On Hotels, Rental Cars, And Health Insurance
Receive special group discounts with some of the nations largest hotels chains, rental agencies, and discounts at Kinkos Copy Centers, priority overnight shipping, Web hosting, stock photos, graphics and photography magazine subscriptions. There are even group life and health insurance programs available exclusively for NAPP members.
Discounts On Photoshop World, DVD Training, and Photoshop Seminars
Members save $100 on tickets to Photoshop World Conference and Expo, receive discounts on Photoshop training DVDs from PhotoshopVideos.com., and save $20.00 off the $99 registration fee to the Adobe Photoshop Seminar Tour.
Earn Continuing Education Units
NAPP is the only vocational organization that is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET). NAPP provides members Continuing Education Units (CEUs) each time you attend NAPP sponsored seminars.
NAPP Radio & NAPP Newswire
Each week NAPP members hear the latest Photoshop news from Scott Kelby and the NAPP education team by tuning into NAPP Radio available through the NAPP website.
The monthly electronic newsletter, NAPP Newswire, features the latest Photoshop info, tips, new member discounts, deals, new product info, and important member news.
NAPP Start-up Kit
The start-up kit includes a membership card, a window sticker, the latest issue of Photoshop User magazine, a new member guide, and more. As a NAPP member you are also entitled to incorporate the NAPP logo and the affiliation "Member: National Association of Photoshop Professionals" on your printed and electronic-based materials.
For more information visit visit the NAPP website.
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