Amazing how such a languid creature can produce such intense energy!

Here in Argentina we know “Paul the Octopus” as “Pulpo Paul” because, um, we speak Spanish. For a couple of days there he seemed to be Enemy #1, having predicted that the Germans would beat Argentina in the quarter-finals. Damn! The country was in a major depression for days — no joke — and so it was hard to find anyone who didn’t want to turn Mr. Pulpo Paul into calamari.

My girlfriend is an exception, saying, “¡Pulpo Paul es el mejor parte del Mundial! — He’s the best part of the World Cup! (Don’t get me wrong: she was as depressed as the rest of us by Argentina’s loss. But for her safety, after publishing a quote like that, I will keep her identity anonymous.)

It was my girlfriend who shared this video with me and as you sing along  — “He picks the winners, he eats his dinners!” — note that this video features Pulpo Paul — the bastard — sliding away from the Argentine flag and heading over towards the German one.

Yes, for all of you who love to hear about my life in Buenos Aires, take note that the light blue and white flag with the happy, little yellow sun in the middle is the banner of my new, adopted home. Dale Argentina!

On “Dale!”

It doesn’t sound like “Dale,” as in the name in English, but is pronounced “Dahl-AY” and here in Argentina it means “Go!” and “Yes!” and “You Bet!” and all kinds of things, kind of like “vale” in Spain’s Spanish, from a mellow “OK” to an emphatic “!Dale Pulpo Paul!”

I hope you can see this because it’s beyond funny. Nothing like a crazed Hitler delivering witty commentary on copyright issues, faults of the Google/YouTube empire (”Aren’t they supposed to be all, ‘Don’t be Evil’?”) and pointing out that what might look like copyright infringement might not be or, maybe more to the point, might — when done respectfully — be the best form of promotion benefiting the infringed entity in question. (As Hitler points out, “The movie got international attention because of YouTube users’ hard work.”)

Thanks to Zacqary Adam Green (a.k.a. Plankhead) for his hard work on this one, and for making Hitler, in this scene from “Downfall”, come across as both hilarious and insightful. (Not easy.)

For more info of the viral video parodies made from “Downfall,” see this Wiki entry. (”The film’s director, Oliver Hirschbiegel, spoke positively about these parodies,” but the production company, Constantin Film, “has asked video sites to remove many of them.”)

In case YouTube/Google has zapped the above video (”I mean, they pulled out of China for shit like this.”), keep reading this post to see some key screen shots.

This is good stuff.

Chart Porn’s “About this Blog” information states plainly : “A collection of interesting charts, tables, maps, and interactive data toys — with a focus on economics and graphic design.”

With usually more than one chart posted per day — covering  the likes of “Culture,” “Maps,” “Politics” and “News Media” — Chart Porn is definitely worth checking out.

Now let’s look at the chart that turned my onto the Chart Porn: “Stages of a Photographer.”

Categorized under “Humor” and “Science,” “Stages of a Photographer” could also be filed under “The Funny and Not-So-Funny Reality of Living Life as a Photographer.”

Like any good, insightful piece of humor, “Stages of a Photographer” is not meant to be deconstructed. So click on the chart below to see a bigger blow-up, and take a few minutes to  to digest and enjoy. I think you’ll appreciate the sentiments charted in RGB lines.

Click to enlarge.

I myself really like the blue line, “How good you think you are.” It starts out at a whopping level of 90%, quickly crashes to nearly zero, then make some manic spikes and depressive dips before leveling out at about 43%, then holding steady until “Death.”

Aint it so, aint it so.

I also like that, regardless of how we think we are doing, “Time” results in a steady, consistent increase in the green line, which represents “Quality of photos” — except, that is, for a major early crash represented by “The HDR hole.”

Presumably this “HDR” stands for “high dynamic range” and represents the missteps that newer digital photographers suffer in thinking that using this technology is better than searching out (or creating) the lower contrast lighting situations that make this technology unnecessary.

But then, what do I know. Like all good porn, “Stages of a Photographer” is a gift to be enjoyed, not over-analyzed.

Photoshop master Scott Kelby took action (Photoshop action, that is) by writing the White House via his blog, “Scott Kelby’s Photoshop Insider.” Check out his April 30th post here.

Although intended to be humorous, the post actually proves two serious points. One is that the white house REALLY didn’t need to do that. Kelby proves it by saying that “in literally less than two minutes I hacked together” the composite image he posted (see below) stock images. Nice going, Scott! (Imagine what he could do with a day and a budget.)

Drawn in by Air Force One, I poked around Kelby’s blog, which I haven’t checked out for a while. As always I was blown, blown, blown away by how much output—from images to books to magazines to training DVDs—that this one man creates, all while serving as the president of National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP).
I admit that I often frustrated by the tone (the unnecessary, cheesy jokes that don’t make me smile) of some of Kelby’s books. However, I never get frustrated by the man. The tone of other books he pens is just right, and the nature of his information is always right on.

Regarding “Photoshop Insider,” I love the gallery of images at the top of his blog, which is a functionality I’ve just got to figure out. Click, click, click. Very nice. I also liked his gear list (always curious about that) and I was amused to read his favorite movies, some of which are all-time favorites of mine (Stripes), while others top my list for all-time stinkers (Pretty Women). Go figure.

Before I go on about MY thoughts on Kelby, why don’t YOU chime in and share any Kelby Moments you might have – love or hate, inspired or frustrated. I’m curious what you think about the King of Photoshop writing, and how he has helped you master Photoshop, or not.

Louis CK always makes me laugh with his dead-on witty observations about the absurdities of society. As you will see in this piece, he points out how technology is giving us incredible wonders – WiFi in planes!!! – but everyone is bitching – the damn WiFi went out!!!

How does this relate to photography? I’m not exactly sure, but I’m thinking you might be able to chime in. After three photographers forwarded me this same video (for no clear reason), it got me to thinking about the fact that maybe, just maybe, photographers are getting happier and happier with everything related to digital, which is clearly getting more and more amazing.

I’m not sure, but it seems like there is a very, very different atmosphere in the industry than there was even two or three years ago – and certainly five – when every digital discussion seemed to have some negative aspect. These days many photographers are is understandably concerned with the financial health of the industry. But from my perspective, photographers are happier than ever with digital.

What do you think? “Yes” or “No” would be fine, but if you have some more subtle ideas about this aspect of the continuing evolution into digital  — how amazing things are and how happy we might be – definitely share your thoughts.

If there’s one thing that’s better than quality online Photoshop video training, it’s FREE quality online Photoshop video training. And if there’s one thing better than that, it’s when it’s FUN!

If you don’t know about TUTCAST Video Training, check out “CS4: Virtual Weight Loss,” which is posted on YouTube—and which will like suck you into the world of TUTCAST-produced gems.

In six minutes you’ll see the magical power of the Liquify tool in action, and get some tips for using the Patch tool, all while appreciating Howard’s fun and powerfully enlightening tutorial.

Of course, you can also go directly to TUTCAST to filter out the YouTube noise, if you prefer. As you can see, TUTCAST covers a LOT more about PS besides just ass-shrinking.

Although light and fun, TUTCAST videos offer perfectly serious content, and they are perfectly geared for busy, PS-familiar pros, as content goes by wicked rapid. No, droning step after step after slow steps.

Both on YouTube on TUTCAST, there are a number of ways you can subscribe for content.