Tips & Tutorials

In designing, developing and producing my 360˚ panoramas, tablet apps and other project files I often come across issues, bugs or just confusing workflow that I don't understand or sometimes a feature that I think is worth presenting. I find the best method to resolve these issues is to systematically work through them, documenting the process as I go. This page has a collection of the tips and tutorials that I hope you find interesting and helpful. If you have any comments please don't hesitate to contact me. 

Artificial Intelligence - Tips & Tutorials

I’ve just started a new Tips & Tutorials section on Artificial Intelligence. It will primarily be focused on imaging applications such as Midjourney, Photoshop AI and other related applications involving AI.

Places

I have had the good fortune and opportunity to travel to some truly amazing locations in this world and I'd like to share my experiences in each of the "places" below. Each Place contains stories, images and 360˚ panoramas. Tap on a place to see and read more.

About

After working in the field of Computer Graphics and Digital Imaging for the past 35 years I am what could be classified as an industry veteran.

I've been involved in the evolution and acceptance of computer imaging from both a hardware and software perspective since joining U.K. digital pioneer Quantel in 1984.

During my time with Quantel, I was responsible for introducing digital technology to the arts and media industries in the U.S. from our base in Silicon Valley. I also travelled regularly to the U.K. to work with the Quantel development team on the User Interface and functionality of what would become the industry standard of it’s time: the Quantel Paintbox. 

In 1987, after the release of the Graphic Paintbox, I left Quantel and started my own company Electric Paint . Based in Hollywood, Electric Paint was the first to use this new digital technology to produce key art for films, video artwork, and album covers. The list of artwork includes Total Recall, Terminator II, Judgement Day, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Die Hard I & II, and key art award winners Silence of the Lambs, JFK & Born on the Fourth of July and one of my all time favourites the original Tremors. Album covers included Michael Hutchence’s MaxQ, Nirvana’s Nevermind, Elvis Costello’s Spike, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers The Uplift Mofo Party Plan and The Beastie Boys’ Paul’s Boutique.

During this time, I brought the first 24-bit colour Macintosh systems on board and I was the first to integrate digital file transfers between the Macintosh and the Graphic Paintbox, allowing the Mac’s new imaging capabilities to be applied to high resolution images transferred from the Paintbox.

I started consulting in 1992 beginning with the development of an in-house digital studio for advertising agency Leo Burnett-Kyodo. I introduced Mac-based retouching, compositing and hi-res ink-jet printing in-house; the first in Tokyo. 

This period also witnessed a growth in the number of graphic software applications developed for the Macintosh and I participated in the design and development of the revolutionary imaging software Live Picture and worked with a number of software companies in the United States including Macromedia and Fractal Software.  

Returning to Australia in 1994, I established Red Square Productions, one of the country’s first Internet agencies. Red Square went on to develop long lasting business relationships with companies such Qantas, Telstra, YHA, Panasonic Australia, Maersk Line Shipping and the oneworld Alliance of Airlines. 

Red Square Productions was known for its innovative approach to web development, pioneering a number of technologies in Australia including Allaire’s Cold Fusion and TrueSpectra’s dynamic imaging system. Red Square also popularized VRML immersive imagery, creating unique virtual tours of sporting locations such as Olympic Park, Australian Youth Hostels and promotional events for Panasonic Australia.

The diversity and innovative nature of the company was recognized by a number of high profile industry awards including multiple Telstra/Financial Review awards for the Qantas Airways and Youth Hostels of Australia websites and an AIMIA award for Excellence in a Lifestyle site for Backpacker Essentials.

In 2008 Red Square’s business merged with local digital agency Webqem, allowing me more time to pursue my interest in photography, and all things digital.

In 2011 I joined the fledgling Adobe Digital Publishing Suite beta program, and recognizing the opportunities afforded by the technology to combine my passion for digital imaging, photography and design, I quickly moved into development of my first tablet application.

During this time I came across an Australian start-up company, Oomph, and its tablet publishing solution. After an initial presentation of the software I quickly embraced the Oomph development platform and successfully delivered my first tablet applications: ‘Orion Cruises’ for Orion Expedition Cruises now ‘National Geographic Orion’ and ‘Experience the Highs’ for New England (NSW) tourism.

I went on to become the Creative Technologist for the group, and was active in getting the Oomph platform accepted by a number of leading Australian companies and organisations such as AFL, NRMA, University of Adelaide and Reader's Digest.

My work was recognised in the Australian Mobile Awards for the award winning ‘Sky-OneCentral Park’ and ‘Experience the Highs’ apps and his photographic contribution to the MCA ‘Anish Kapoor’ app.

Returning to my home city of Adelaide in 2014, I continue to provide still and 360˚ Photographic services for a number of clients including Ponant Cruises, University of Tasmania, Fuji Xerox, Fairfax, Heritage South Australia.

My passion for 360˚ photography has continued unabated and I’ve been grateful for the the opportunities to travel to some of the remote locations of this world and document my travels in my Places section and I love to share my knowledge on the workflows that I use in my Tips & Tutorials section.