A Photo Retoucher's Predictions for 2014

Credit: Art Explosion

Truly, the test of any decent photo retoucher is their ability to predict color reproduction on screen and in print. Usually we get it at least partially correct. There are many things we are good at when it comes to photos. Yet one may wonder: Are we good at anything else?

Certainly in 2014—if we are not good at anything else—we had better start getting handy at things other than retouching. 2013 was certainly a controversial and dreadful year for me. I'm glad it's over. So I'm looking forward to 2014. In fact, I have ten predictions about what may happen. So here's my attempt at some soothsaying (I'm available for hire!):

1. Adobe Incorporated will decide to sell Photoshop licenses again. If you didn't know by now, the latest version of Adobe Photoshop is only available through a slick rental scheme.
2. I still won't buy an iPhone.
3. More United States-based photo retouchers will continue to leave the industry through layoffs and retouchers in Asia—and possibly Africa—will become  more and more competitive.
4. The so-called Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) and the inevitable changes it will make to health care in the United States will turn public discontentment away from President Obama and toward the health insurance agency. A single-payer or "Medicare for All" road will a finally get widespread attention.
5. Syrian President Asaad will leave power the same way taken by Libya's President Ghadafi.
6. Printing on-demand in the United States will continue to grow. Printing in Asia will trend downwards, never to be as popular as it was ten years ago. 
7. Storms unlike 2013 will ravage coastlines worldwide. Records will be broken in unprecedented numbers. 
8. The first United States brick and mortar chain store will only accept payment through credit/debit card or mobile telephone. No cash.
9. The first United States university will offer an undergraduate degree in genealogical research.
10. I will finally beat Dragon's Lair in one sitting, without saving the game. But my son will probably do it first.