Finish the Sentence...with Lesa Snider

"It's time once again to ask a well-known photographer, instructor or otherwise interesting person the same 10 questions and ask them to Finish the Sentence! This week the sentences are finished by.... Lesa Snider.

Lesa, please Finish the Sentence..."

My favorite photography accessory (lights, modifier, bag, tripod) is
Photoshop! Oh, besides that? I love my LowePro SlingShot 100AW bag. The small size prevents me from over-stuffing it and making it so heavy that it causes me to topple over in an elevator when the load gets unbalanced. (True story, though with a Brenthaven bag at a Macworld years ago. It was both embarrassing and hilarious.) There are also nooks and crannies where I can store all kinds of things, eliminating the need for a purse (crucial when traveling by plane).

I’ve learned the most from..
Being naturally curious about how things are done. Whether it's graphic design, Photoshop, or motorcycle riding, I've sought books, classes, or videos that teach me what I want to know. Learning new skills is a great way to engage your brain and meet new folks, plus it keeps boredom at bay for those who have the attention span of a gnat (me!). I've also heard that creating new neural pathways makes you live longer. Whee!

If I could go anywhere in the world it would be_____ because….
Barcelona, Spain because not only could I nibble on delicious tapas and sip amazing Malbec, I could shoot *real* Flamenco dancers every night (not to mention learn how to Flamenco myself!). There are also some great motorcycling roads over yonder.

My most-used Photoshop add-on, plugin, action set (etc) is


I love the fact that Photoshop
...CS4 lets you delete layers by pressing the Delete key.

I hate the fact that Photoshop
...CS4 won't let you delete channels by pressing the Delete key. Super arg.

If I could turn back the clock 10 years
I would have learned to race motorcycles earlier in life. I'd also worn more sunblock like Mama told me to, though at the time I was certain my freckles would grow together into the Best. Tan. Ever. :sigh:

In 10 years
I'll still be updating 'Photoshop CS4: The Missing Manual' (or would that be CS11?), though I'll also be basking in the royalties of a wildly successful self-help book on the secret of happiness (no title hints here, lest it be snatched!). I'll also have a prize-winning career in fiction, writing torrid tales drawn from my own experiences, along with those I've observed or conjured. It'll drive a few folks crazy trying to figure out upon whom the characters are based ;)

If I could give one piece of advice it would be
To smile brightly and compliment others every chance you get; it makes the world a more pleasant place!

Your readers can find out more about me
By trotting on over to http://graphicreporter.com/

Ladies & Gentlemen, let's hear it for Lesa Snider!!
Lesa is on a mission to teach the world to create--and use!--better graphics. She’s a stock photographer and chief evangelist for iStockphoto, and founder of the creative tutorial site GraphicReporter.com. Lesa is the author of Photoshop CS4: The Missing Manual (Pogue Press/O'Reilly) along with many video training titles including From Photo to Graphic Art and Practical Photoshop Elements (KelbyTraining.com), and Graphic Secrets for Business Professionals (Lynda.com). She writes a regular column for Photoshop User and Elements Techniques magazines, and contributes frequently to CreativePro.com, Layers, and Macworld. Lesa is also a corporate trainer and teaches at many conferences including Photoshop World, Macworld Expo, the UCDA Design Conference, Graphics of the Americas, and the esteemed Santa Fe Workshops.

During free time, you'll find her carving the twisties on her sportbike or hanging with fellow Apple Mac enthusiasts. Lesa is a proud member of the BMWMOA, F800 Riders Club, DACS, NCMUG, Washington Appe Pi, and LiMac.