Hi. I’m Hero, and this is my website.
I’m a surfer, photographer and graphic designer currently splitting my time between the waves in Southern California and the deep powder snow in Park City, Utah. When I’m not surfing, snowboarding or behind the lens of my camera I write Photoshop tutorials for you to enjoy.
In a former life I was a young and ambitious designer, climbing the corporate ladder two rungs at a time while simultaneously selling my creative soul for pennies on the dollar. Don’t get me wrong, I loved every minute of those 80 hour work weeks. But after years of pandering to pot smoking executives and grabbing my ankles for a long and distinguished list of demanding clients I woke up to discover that it wasn’t making me happy anymore. So I got out, moved on. Took some time to travel, surf, and re-discover.
These days I design when a project inspires me, I write tutorials when I feel creative, and I do other things when I don’t. So if a week goes by without a new tutorial, just know that I’m not trying to neglect you or deny your insatiable thirst for all things Photoshop… I just wasn’t feelin’ it. But one day soon I’m sure I’ll be feelin’ it again and on that day I’ll shower you with Photoshop lovin’ all day long.
127 Responses to About Me
özgü tan
February 15th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
hi ? am visual communication designer student in Turkey. this web site is so good.this stuffes are so good for me ..thanks for your sharing..
L.C. Armstrong
February 17th, 2010 at 10:27 am
Hero,
I saw that Steamboat Springs just got 12″ of new champagne powder. You’re probably already there (or in another equally-fine place in Utah), but not writing tutorials. But then again, I’ve heard about folks taking breaks in the lodge with their laptop…
Annabelle
February 20th, 2010 at 8:44 am
Just to say THANKYOU for the tutorials and stuff! I would stuck in photoshop for decades not making any progress without you!
Brandi
February 27th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
I just stumbled across your site yesterday (happened to be my b-day) and I have been through almost all of your tutorials since. I want to thank you for being so generous. your authenticity oozes in the way you write. I am officially a fan. Keep up the good stuff.
Brandi
Santa Barbara
Diphax
March 6th, 2010 at 5:05 am
Nice website. I’ve been following the tutorials on this website for a while now and I love it, but I never read your about page, really interesting background.
I quit working with photoshop for a few months but I missed it so I came back with my own photoshop tutorials website. I was so damn sick of people with their own submission rules that I decided I wanna have my own rules too.
Great website, keep up the good work
Princess Robin
March 10th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Hey Mr Hero! I owe you my Masters degree. Started a total newbie and now getting the hang of the crazy world of Photoshop (even starting to quite like it thanks to you) Anyway just want to say thanks so much dude, you are awesome, especially since i manage to achieve so much due to your easy steps that I can justify the odd break on the slopes.
Peace.
p.s. My boyfriend also says thanks, previous to this I was starting to freak him out due to photoshop related meltdowns
Debi Sementelli
March 10th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Hero,
I can’t tell you how much your tutuorials are helping me. I’m 53 and returning to
art and calligraphy after 2o years away, dedicated to raising my two wonderful sons who have now left the nest. So many things have changed in those 20 years and it’s hard to catch up, especially with the technology. I’ve taken classes in Photoshop and Illustrator but it takes time to learn how to actually apply everything. These tutorials are so easy to follow and help me to see even more possibilities. So thanks to you, I am able to get back to my dream of being a creative artist and actually making money at the same time. Since I work for myself, I can do great projects and work with cool clients who really appreciate and value my talent.
Thanks for helping me with my dream. I’m glad you are getting to live yours!!
In light and love,
Debi Sementelli
FotoArteUruguay
March 18th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
GREAT tutuorials. You seem to inspire lots of people to keep their creative juices flowing!!
What a gift!!
And on top that off… everyone wants to marry or something you. Hahahaha.
I started learning P.S a few years ago and found it so daunting (learning on my own)Wish I’d bumped into your site sooner. Better late than never huh?
Keep up the good work and maybe change your pic… it’s very distracting!
?
Antony
March 19th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
Your tutorials are so good they are almost illegal! Many thanks.
HERO
March 19th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
FotoArteUruguay, I’ll see what I can do about that. :)
So sorry to have distracted you.
Uriah
March 23rd, 2010 at 3:50 am
Hey hero,
You’re probably one of the best resources for tuts on the web.
BTW, I like the white on black site design…is this a less is more thing or just a temporary front-end for another design?
:)
Uriah
texasspangler
March 31st, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Hero,
I just want to let you know that I have enjoyed your site and the many tutorials that it includes. This site has allowed me to stregthen my classroom powerpoints with your hints and tips as well with my own personal collection of pics. My Korean students just love all the effects that I have been able to create. I just wonder if you take requests.
Jake
Jessica
April 5th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Just wanted to let you know I have you listed on my blog here, cuz I think you do great work and help us out here do great work! Thank you for all that you put out there for us!
http://wp.me/PNMjg-1O is the link!
Thanks Hero
mutuma
April 15th, 2010 at 6:46 am
you are a true hero even here in Nairobi-kenya.
why not fly to Africa one day for nature inspiration.
Good to know your site
cheers
green hermit
April 15th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Your site is my favorite photoshop tutorial site. I’ve learnt a lot from you and am very grateful. I personally love your current work attitude that you design when inspired and write when creative, I try to follow it. I have just finished my own site and decided to work as a web designer. I still have a lot to learn but am very enthusiastic.
Thank you for everything Hero!
green hermit
April 17th, 2010 at 4:02 am
Your site is my favorite photoshop tutorial site. I’ve learnt a lot from you and am very grateful. I personally love your current work attitude that you design when inspired and write when creative, I try to follow it. I have just finished my own site and decided to work as a web designer. I still have a lot to learn but am very enthusiastic.
Thank you for everything Hero!
mad
April 20th, 2010 at 3:09 am
woooh! this is great! In two days I’ve learnt so much!
You’ve been bookmarked :)
I really appreciated the things you wrote about you. That’s what everyone should do, just act as our feelings tell us.
Thank you again!
Mad
wanya
May 13th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
two words: you. rock.
Sarah
June 25th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Hi. I’m Sarah. and I love you too!
You are rocking my face off right now! Just came across your site and I am in awe of just how perfectly you explain things!
THANK YOU for taking time out of your days to go through these things step by step. You’ve been bookmarked as “best tutorials ever”
Mariah
August 19th, 2010 at 7:11 am
Thank you so much for the tutorials. I used to be afraid of Photoshop—but am no longer! You’re teaching me so many great tips/techniques/cool ish that I feel newly emboldened.
Merci beaucoup!
Lauren
September 29th, 2010 at 9:07 am
Hiya!
Been a while since I stopped by, your re-design is fantastic! ♥
And of course, your tutorials are the very toppest-notch; no “hacks,” just the technique. Mad props.
What really makes me like ♥ Hero, is the further assistance and clarification I see you provide in the comments, Without belitting the “newbies,” or the slightest air of pretension… ♥
Holla.
Alison Leon
October 28th, 2010 at 9:50 am
LOVE YOUR STUFF! Thank you soooooooooooooooo much for all your tutorials and inspiration. You should bring out a book!
Cosmicgurl
February 5th, 2011 at 2:11 pm
Thanks for sharing this wealth of inspiring tutorials. I love to shoot but find Photoshop sometimes a huge creative barrier – it’s an entirely other field of expertise I just don’t have the patience to understand. One of my goals this year is to master my fear of Photoshop – Hero you’re part of that process.
Thanks again – C
Ahmed
February 9th, 2011 at 7:42 pm
Hey Hero, I just stumbled across your site. Great Job and thanks for the insight! Your tutorials are well written and COMPLETE unlike the $20 England art mags that look great on the cover, but don’t really deliver.
As I read your “about me” profile I was like…. WOW…a dude that probably went through everything that I am currently going through. I’m done busting my arse for people that don’t appreciate.
After leaving corporate several months ago, I am launching my new site in maybe a week. I just hope to use my talent to make people smile and put some organic food on the table…lol Maybe soon I can generate enough revenue to afford advertising space on your site, which is a very fair price.
ps… if you ever want to hit up the east coast hurricane swells in the Fall, send a holla!
Juergen
August 10th, 2011 at 2:23 am
Really inspiring and practical tutorials.
Thanks a lot!
Regards,
Juergen
Alicia
September 7th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
Hey, just wanted to say thanks for the great tutorials. Your’s are the best out there, believe me. Cheers!
Alicia
rendhy
October 5th, 2011 at 7:53 am
wow…,i wanted to say thanks for your great tutorial….,your tutorial really help me eventough i’m a newbie in photoshop…,
great work bro…,
rendhy