If ever you’ve searched for Photoshop or photography tutorials online then it’s more than likely you’ll have come across Phlearn and Aaron Nace. Close to 700,000 people are subscribed to Phlearn’s YouTube channel, as much we’re sure, for a dose of Aaron’s infectious chatter and personality as the tutorials themselves, which cover basic tips and tricks for those getting started, to more advanced technical guides.
We are truly honored to be a partner of Phlearn, supplying Aaron with all the stock images he needs to demonstrate his Photoshop wizardry. We caught up with him to learn more about him, turning the tables from inspiring others, to explaining what inspires him!
Firstly can you please give us a little bit of an introduction about yourself, how you got started in the industry and give those who don’t know a little background to Phlearn?
Hey, my name is Aaron Nace. I started teaching Photoshop 5 years ago and it has evolved into being the largest Photoshop channel on Youtube. We sell Pro Photoshop tutorials on our website and release free episodes every single week. Other than Phlearn, I also own several other fledgling companies that are doing well. I’m recently engaged! And every day I get to go to work with all of my best friends. I’m a pretty lucky guy.
I learned Photoshop in college. Afterwards, I spent many hours in Photoshop working on my own photography and I realized that there was really no one out there teaching this stuff. So, I set up a webcam on my computer and started making Photoshop tutorials for the internet. I never thought it would take me here.
I wanted to create Phlearn because really, nothing like that existed. No one was teaching so much Photoshop for free, and I felt like I had a great opportunity in my hands. And not only did I enjoy Photoshop – I also really enjoyed teaching.
I knew that if I was going to create videos, I would have to make them up to my own standards. From the beginning I wanted to make videos that I would actually want to watch.
I grew up watching Star Wars and shit – I’ve seen some pretty amazing movies and videos. So I wanted my own videos to be good enough; sound, delivery, camera angles…it had to be well thought out. We shot on a Canon 5D Mark II from the very beginning, and had microphones and everything. But we had no idea what we were doing, and looking back I realize that we’ve come such a long way. I was trying my hardest then too, but now it’s just on a different level.
What do you think it is that sets Phlearn aside from other tutorial websites? Has the success of the site surprised you?
Well, most of what we do we give away for free. Over half of the things we make…like 60 percent of the things that we do as a company, we give away completely for free. We value education, and access, and support to the creative community. The majority of our content is available online for free at any time to anyone in the world. An aspiring graphic designer in Egypt with a computer can now learn how to use Photoshop on a professional level and get a job as a designer. The impact is real.
No, the success of Phlearn does not surprise me. I’ve been there since day one, and success is not something that happens overnight. We have grown a tiny bit every day for the last 5 years and will continue to do so for the next 5 years. It’s just been a constant journey.
When it comes to your personal preferences, what is your favorite subject to photograph?
My favorite subjects to shoot are the people that I love, at very special times. Like birthdays, hellos, goodbyes, friends who haven’t seen each other in a long time, laughing and crying, living real life. Not posing for the camera. I like to just capture life as it happens. I love making up new worlds too, but candid moments are my favorite.
Have you any people or places that you would love to photograph?
Oh yeah! People I would to photograph: Lil’ Wayne. For sure. David lynch. Rick Rubin. Adam Sandler. Drew Barrymore. Jack Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Justin Bieber. Vladimir Putin. Morgan Freeman. Jennifer Lawrence. And Prince (I wanna taste the purple rain. And I wouldn’t need to stand on an apple box to photograph him).
Places….hm. Dream places…I’d like to be on the moon and photograph! I wanna be the first person to have a legit photoshoot and take beautiful photos up there. A moonscape photographer!
Who, if any, within the design or photography world have inspired or continue to inspire you and for what reason?
David LaChapelle is at the top of my list. He just trusted his gut and pushed really really hard to get his voice out there, and never compromised. And in the process, he shaped an entire aesthetic in photography.
You currently use Fotolia stock images in your tutorials? How have you found using the site and how does it fit your requirements?
Using Fotolia is super easy! I just search for what I want and scroll through the thousands of results. And when I find an image that I know is going to make a great tutorial, I’m able to download it within seconds.
There is criticism from some in the photography industry that stock photography lacks and is killing creativity– what is your opinion on this?
I think stock photography has its place. I don’t think stock photography will replace commercial photography, but I don’t think that’s why it exists… I think its great for people who need a nice clean image to help them convey a message in their business or personal life. For that, stock photography does a great job!
And I don’t think it’s possible to kill creativity. I think creativity lives inside of you.
Do you ever experience creative blocks? What do you do in the instances to find your inspiration?
I find that my creativity flows when I am the happiest. Often times if I have a creative block, I find that it’s because there is other stuff being blocked up. I think, you know, creativity is a side effect of a well lived life. My art has always been an expression of my own emotions and it serves as a barometer for my own happiness. In times of creative lack, I turn to myself and figure out what needs to be changed.
What photographic or design gear/equipment/software would you recommend for budding amateurs?
I’d start with an entry level DSLR and a 50mm 1.4 lens. Also, a couple of 5-in-1 reflectors! They are cheap and incredibly useful for bouncing light.
For programs, at minimum start with Lightroom and Photoshop. The Creative Cloud has made it incredibly easy to get both of those at once.
If you’re serious about Photoshopping and especially retouching, you’ll want to get a Wacom Tablet. And, of course, a couple of Phlearn tutorials will help get you on your way!
Here are some links to get you started:
Adobe Creative Cloud (with Phlearn Discount) ($8/mo)
5-in-1 Reflector ($40)
Wacom Intuos Pro Tablet ($250)
Canon 50mm 1.4 Lens ($350)
Canon EOS Rebel SL1 ($400)
Nikon D5300 ($650)
Canon EOS 70D ($1000)
Nikon D7200 ($1200)
What music is currently on your work playlist?
Arcade Fire, John Mayer, M83, The Shins, War on Drugs, Father John Misty, Kanye West, Maroon 5, Adele, Sam Smith, and Aloe Blacc. And…I just saw Sir Paul McCartney perform a few weeks back at Lollapalooza. Seeing one of the Beatles live was like watching a superhero! I admire him big time. He and the lead singer of Metallica, actually. The lead singer of Metallica is an amazing guy. He’s smart and cool as shit, and he’s a nice kind guy with a really good heart. I admire that.
What more can we expect to see from you and Phlearn in 2015?
Oh man, we’ve got our hands in so many different projects right now. This is a time of expansion for Phlearn. We’re branching out in new products in new markets, and really pushing the boundaries of what we’re capable of as a small company. It seems like our culture is changing by the day as we adapt and grow into new environments.
That was totally vague!! And I realize that. We have a lot of cool stuff coming up and I can’t tell you all the details, but you’ll see in a couple of months.
Huge thanks to Aaron and the team at Phlearn! If you haven’t already then check out the latest pro-Photoshop guide on sale here as well as their Facebook, Twitter, G+ and YouTube channels!