I’m excited that Mark Monciardini has included some PhotoshopIsland.com product covers in his 22 Inspiring Product Covers showcase. Specifically you’ll see our Leaves: Photoshop User’s Design Kit product featured. If you follow this blog then you are most likely aware that I’m a big fan of Mark and his Cover Action Pro Photoshop actions. You’ll find these actions used all over PhotoshopIsland.com. I also use these cool action in my regular design work for Ridpath Creative Partners. I’m constantly finding new ways to put them in action (pun intended).

If you want to check out Cover Action Pro take a look at Mark’s site and his blog. On his blog you’ll find several very useful FREE sample actions. Once you have played with these actions you will want them.

Happy spring! Are thinking green grass and bright colored flowers? Kick off your spring with some FREE spring themed Photoshop brushes.

This set contains flowers, grass and flower and stem elements seprated out so you can customize as you like.

There are two brush set options available. Pick up the 5 spring themed basic set of Photoshop brushes with no obligation or questions. OR get all 15 spring themed Photoshop brushes by signing up to a FREE PhotoshopIsland.com membership. Either way you’ll be soaking up some sunshine and enjoying some fresh air in no time.

If you made it to PhotoshopIsland.com then you have an interest in working with images for fun or profit. Anyone that has had experience with digital photography or graphic design can tell you just how important it is to have great image editing software. Adobe's Photoshop family has been a top choice for professionals and amateurs alike since the company introduced the software twenty years ago. Over time, the software evolved and has divided into two collections, Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. So how do you know which one is right for you? This guide will aid you in your decision by outlining the key features of each collection.

Currently Photoshop includes all of the necessary tools for professional photographers and web designers. Features include image auto-blending, high quality printing options, color correction and 3D design and animation. Since Photoshop includes so many advanced features, it may take a considerable amount of time to master the software if you are not already familiar with it. This may be a drawback for some, however, there are plenty of tutorials on the web regarding Photoshop. The price tag on Photoshop is considerably more than that of Elements, but the investment is worth it if you are a professional who will utilize many of its features.

Photoshop Elements is just what the name implies. This software includes the core elements of Photoshop and simplified versions of supplementary elements. Photoshop Elements is geared toward the casual user and does not include many of the advanced features that Photoshop does. If you would happen to require a feature exclusive to Photoshop, there is likely a plug-in available to achieve the task. For most casual users, Photoshop Elements will fit their needs well. The product boasts a simple, clean interface as Photoshop does, but is much easier to learn to use. Perhaps the most attractive characteristic of Photoshop Elements, however, is its price. It retails at approximately 1/6 of the cost of Photoshop.

In conclusion, Photoshop is a must-have for design professionals who work in a production environment and require high-end, advanced features. Elements may suit you if you edit photos casually for non-commercial use. Only you can decide which product is best for you, therefore, if you are still unsure of which product you should choose, feel free to download trial versions of each from the Adobe website. This will allow you to try each product before buying and decide if you really need all of the advanced features that Photoshop has to offer.

If you are looking at PhotoshopIsland.com Photoshop products you’ll notice we have noted compatibility with both Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. Look closely to make sure your chose the product that works with your chose image editing software.

Spring is in full bloom! Goodbye cold and snow, hello sun and fun! PhotoshopIsland.com helps you get in the spring in bloom mood with out new April 2010 desktop calendar. This calendar would replace your current desktop background.

Have an idea for your own cool April 2010 desktop calendar? You're in luck, PhotoshopIsland.com makes thecalendar creation process easier with our 120 Monthly 2010 Calendar Brushes & EPS Files Vol. 2. These Photoshop brushes come in several styles including grunge, modern and vintage. You can place calendars in your photos and designs quickly. With a simple click of your brush you can make a useful desktop calendar, product or gift.

To be informed when more freebies and products are available make sure to sign up to the PhotoshopIsland.com newsletter here.

One thing Photoshop does really well is let us turn our imaginations and ideas into reality. At least Photoshop reality. This FREE PSD download is full of iPhone elements that will make it easy for your to create your own iPhone application interface or just pull an April fools joke.

The file is full of elements including:

• Map and map elements including curl
• Copy and paste elements
• Timeline bar editor
• Horizontal iPhone
• Horizontal Panels bars and keyboards

Many thanks to teehanlax.com for providing this cool file. Learn more and download here.

I’m very excited to see that Lynda.com is finally offering an iPhone app. I contacted Lynda.com about a year ago asking when or if this would be available. I was told they were working on it. I imagine it was a big task given their large training library.

So why am I excited? First, I think lynda.com offers hands the most comprehensive graphic software training library available. Second, now I can learn when I have down time. Down time like running on a treadmill. If I’m going to have to exercise why not do something I enjoy like learn Photoshop.

If you are interested in learning more I’ve embedded a couple of helpful videos below.

Speaking of watching training on the iPhone, don't forget if you have an iPod, iPhone, Apple TV or iPad you can watch PhotoshopIsland.com tutorials videos directly on those devices in HD 720p.

I’m always on the lookout for helpful Photoshop resources. I get very excited when I find one that is good and FREE. Yep FREE. It’s called .psdPhotoshop. .psdPhotoshop is a leading source of PSD Photoshop knowledge. Each issue contains articles, tutorials, tips & tricks and promo offers.

You can view the magazine right on your computer as a PDF. All you have to do is signup with your email address. As of this blog post there are about 18 issues of the publication...so there’s lots to see. Check it out.

Angie Lou is here! We’re excited to add a new font to the variety of graphic tools available at PhotoshopIsland.com.

PhotoshopIsland.com’s Angie Lou is a contemporary clean informal face. More formal than handwritten faces it energizes the eye with its letter-width rhythm. It give a marker on paper or dry erase board look. But the thin nature of Angie Lou sets it apart from most marker style fonts.

• Mac & Win TrueType (.ttf)
• Classification - informal/handwritten
• Letters A-Z and a-z
• Numerals 0-9
• Complete punctuation
• Careful spacing and kerning

Get out the bagpipes and get your St Patricks Day celebration started with some FREE clover Photoshop brushes. There are two brush set options available. Pick up the 4 clover basic set of Photoshop brushes with no obligation or questions. OR get all 12 clover Photoshop brushes by signing up to a FREE PhotoshopIsland.com membership. Either way you’ll be enjoying the luck of the Irish in no time.

If you have an iPod, iPhone, Apple TV or the soon to be released iPad you can now watch PhotoshopIsland.com tutorials videos directly on those devices in HD 720p. Of course if you don't have one of those devices, you can easily watch our tutorial videos on our Youtube channel of blip.tv. There just no excuse...make sure and watch these videos so that you can get the most value from your PhotoshopIsland.com purchases.

To be informed when more video tutorials and products are available from PhotoshopIsland.com make sure to sign up to the PhotoshopIsland.com newsletter here.