I’m packing for a week-long motorcycle ride into the wilds of Idaho, Montana and Eastern Oregon with my good buddy Ben, but, before I took off, I wanted to get Matt’s latest video up on to the site.

Getting a Bronzed Skin Effect shows you some different methods for adding that special toned look to your portraits, and it’s another great tutorial to help you get comfortable with layers. Even if you don’t like the look, you’ll want to watch, just to see Matt’s awesome tip for adjusting the opacity of a layer mask — it’s near the end of the video, and it’s pretty cool! (There’s also a cheatsheet for the video, check the “Related Links” section of the page.)

While you’re on the site, don’t forget to check out Matt’s previous video, Using Lens Flare as an Artistic Effect. Lens flare is one of those things we’ve been conditioned to think of as a ‘mistake,’ but there are definite times when it works. I know I try to get it in some of my shots, but Matt’s tutorial is yet another great technique for the digital darkroom.

Most subscribers should have received Kelly’s latest Letter from the Editor in their email yesterday. This latest edition is full of fun links and photos; if you’re not a subscriber, or if your profile settings are set so you don’t want to receive emails from us, you can view the newsletter online. (If you think you should have gotten it, check to make sure it didn’t get caught in your spam filter.)

This is our fifth email newsletter for 2010; click to view the online editions for May, April, March, or January.

Well, I’m off to finish packing and get the bike full of gas. Have a great Labor Day weekend, and I’ll see you in a week or so!

Rick