Russell Brown: From Star Wars to Photoshop, and What Comes Next

Russell Brown, pioneer in digital creativity and one of the key figures behind the rise of Photoshop, joins hosts Lukas Riedl & Carl van den Boom for a deep dive into the tools that have shaped modern creative workflows, and what comes next.From the early days of Industrial Light & Magic to the moment Photoshop first appeared on a Macintosh, Russell shares the inside story of how one of the most important creative tools ever made came to life. What started as a solution for visual effects in films like The Abyss quickly evolved into something much bigger. Putting creative control directly into the hands of photographers and artists.We explore that defining “holy sh*t moment” of taking full control over your images, moving from operator-driven systems to direct, hands-on creativity. Russell reflects on the evolution from darkrooms to desktops, and now into a new era shaped by AI.Rather than resisting change, Russell embraces it. For him, AI is not a replacement for creativity, but a powerful tool for exploration — from pre-visualizing ideas to accelerating workflows and unlocking entirely new ways of thinking.This episode is a reminder that tools will always evolve, but the core remains the same: curiosity, experimentation, and the drive to create.Key TakeawaysThe connection between Star Wars, ILM, and the creation of PhotoshopThe “holy sh*t moment” of gaining full control over your imagesHow creative tools evolved from darkrooms to desktops to AIWhy curiosity and experimentation drive long-term creativityUsing AI as a tool in photography and design, not a replacementPre-visualization with AI for location scouting and lighting ideasThe balance between experience, craft, and new technologyWhy becoming the best at what you love still mattersChapters00:00 Cold Open — AI, Creativity & The Big Question00:50 Welcome to Creative Outsiders01:09 Introducing Russell Brown (“Doc”)02:00 Photoshop Origins: ILM, Star Wars & The Abyss06:55 The “Holy Sh*t Moment” — Taking Control of Images11:10 From Rub-Down Type to Digital Creativity12:05 Where Creativity Comes From16:00 Becoming the Best at What You Love18:15 Enter AI — Tool or Threat?24:00 The Future of Photography & AI Workflows30:15 Creating Films with AI & Storyboarding34:00 The Ethics of AI in Photography37:00 AI for Pre-Visualization (Not Replacement)43:00 From Photoshop Fear to AI Fear44:30 Why Russell Shoots on iPhone48:00 Simplicity, Constraints & CreativityFollow Russell BrownWebsite: https://russellbrown.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_brown/X: https://twitter.com/russellbrownX (Alt): https://twitter.com/rbrownResources & MentionsLight & Magic (ILM Documentary Trailer): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM_XwzOK_98Photoshop: https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.htmlAdobe Firefly: https://www.adobe.com/products/firefly.htmlAdobe Creative Cloud: https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud.htmlJohn Knoll: https://twitter.com/johnknollVallerret | Gloves & Apparel for Creators Behind the LensWebsite: https://www.photographygloves.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/vallerretFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/vallerretYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@vallerretTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vallerretX: https://twitter.com/vallerretPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/vallerretNewsletter: https://www.photographygloves.comCelebrating the creatives who stay curious, embrace new tools, and continue exploring what’s possible. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with someone pushing their creative boundaries.Stay sharp. Stay curious. Stay out longer. 🧤🔥