Tablet poster by file404

Podcasts have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years — nearly every industry or interest has its own set of internet radio luminaries. Some podcasts are lighter and looser in concept, more banter-based, while others take on bigger ideas and aim to be informative and educational, with tight scripting and high production values. So no matter what you’re looking for, there’s likely a podcast targeted directly at your interests. There are so many out there, though, that it can sometimes be hard to find a signal in all the noise.

For help finding these gems, we asked a handful of up-and-coming podcasters what their favorite episode of their own shows has been, and why. As a bonus, we asked some Shutterstock team members to sound off on some episodes of their favorite podcasts that really struck a chord. Check them all out, then share your own favorites in the comments!

Continue reading ‘5 Podcasters Reveal Their Favorite Episodes Ever (and So Do We)’ »



Whether or not you’re a Photoshop master, there are things you can do to bring your still images to life you may not be aware of — because these techniques are performed in After Effects. With this tutorial, you’ll learn how to animate certain types of still photos, plus a few different ways to pull it off.

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We’ve partnered with our friends at HDVideoPro to bring you some features and reviews on the best HD Video tools available. This is the first installment in this new series.

For the Canon DSLR shooter, one of the best third-party applications out there has been Technicolor’s CineStyle profile, which enables you to capture a flat Log-like look, offering considerably more latitude during color grading.

Now Technicolor also has a software application, Technicolor Color Assist, that makes color grading easier and more efficient, and works hand-in-hand with the CineStyle color profile. The technology is based on Technicolor’s DP Lights, a professional on-set color-grading tool.

When first opening Color Assist, the interface is very easy to navigate if you’ve done any amount of color correction before. In the Main Viewer window, you’ll see your video clip preview, as well as your video control tools; when applying a look or adjustment, you can preview it in real time.

Continue reading ‘HDVideoPro Review: Technicolor CineStyle Color Assist’ »

Design is a labor of love, but for those of us who do it professionally, it can sometimes become plain-old “labor.” Read on for six ways to stay in love with your calling.

Vintage Flowers by Andreka
Continue reading ‘Stay in Love with Design: Six Inspiring Tricks’ »

The following is a guest post from the former managing editor of Facebook, Dan Fletcher:

The toughest part for me in putting my photography on social media was hitting share the first time.

I’m a journalist, so I’ve long had no problem blasting my friends and subscribers with any little piece I published. But photography was different — something that comes from personal passion is usually a bit more sensitive, feedback-wise, than a professional pursuit. With writing, if something was wrong in a piece or I got a negative comment back, it was easy enough to blame the editor or the assignment. But photos, for better or worse, were all mine, the product of tooling around with lenses and Lightroom in the little bit of spare time I had after work.

Once I became comfortable with the idea of sharing some of the photos that were stashed away on my hard drive, I found I got a great deal out of sharing. It’s helped me connect to photographers in the industry, gather feedback on my work and, weirdly enough, reconnect with friends I had lost touch with, many of whom have an interest in photography that I had previously never discovered.

There’s a right way to share, however. I’ve managed social media feeds at TIME, Bloomberg and eventually at Facebook itself, so I’ve developed a strong sense of social media etiquette. If you’re wanting to share more of your own photography online, here are three tips to keep in mind. And while they’re written for Facebook specifically, the spirit of them applies wherever you might share.

Continue reading ‘A Facebook Insider’s Guide to Posting Perfectly Shareable Images’ »

Whether you’re fresh from art school or a master designer, working with a new client offers some exciting challenges. Here are six ways you can make your design experience an absolute delight!

Colored Pencils by clearimages

Continue reading ‘Client Connection: Six Tips for Successful Creative Collaboration’ »

Using illustrative prints to create your own wall gallery is a great way to add interesting artwork to any space. I’ve had the sea on my mind lately, so I opted for some vintage oceanic illustrations to complete this project.

To make your own wall gallery, you’ll need an assortment of frames and canvasses, gel medium, a brush, and a collection of printed-out images.

Continue reading ‘Craft Project: Create Your Own Custom-Print Wall Gallery’ »

If you’re working with video, you’ve probably noticed clips with cool 3D text that look like they required Maya or Cinema 4D to create. With After Effects CS6′s new Ray-Traced 3D Compositions, though, you now have the ability to extrude and bevel text and objects just like full 3D programs — or at least close enough.

This tutorial will show you how to do it. You’ll need a basic knowledge of lighting and 3D Camera Tracking before you start, so if you need a refresher on those check out our previous tutorial on adding 3D elements to your videos.

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Whether we’re in the office or on the go, modern life dictates that pretty much every one of us has more to do than we can keep track of. Multitasking is essential for getting things done these days, but doing it efficiently is easier said than done.

With these 7 apps, not only will you be able to manage your work and life better, but you’ll also become a master at staying organized and on top of things. Use them to help you get more things done in less time, to prioritize, and most importantly, to free up some space in your head for what really matters most.

Continue reading ‘7 Mobile Apps to Make Yourself a Master Multitasker’ »

Have you ever wanted to put text into your video and make it look like it really lives in the scene? No, this isn’t another 3D Camera Tracking Tutorial — this time, you’ll learn how to add shadows to your text, making it appear as if it’s really in the shot. We’ll also touch on another powerful effect called Shatter. As with our previous video tutorials, all of the tools and effects used here come standard with After Effects.

Continue reading ‘After Effects Tutorial: Adding 3D Text Shadows and Shatter Effects’ »