Photo News Today

[REVIEW:] Software Review: Athentech Perfectly Clear – The Joy of Image Editing – Dennis Hays

DennisHays — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:06:45 +0000

I have been using Adobe Photoshop ever since Adobe released version 2.51 on November 1992 and, for the most part, I have kept current. Photoshop is a daunting program with hundreds of commands, some buried so deep you’ll need an archeologist to unearth them.

If you are a professional or fine art photographer, you may need to have all of this power at your disposal; but what if you could find some way to edit your images visually and with few commands?

Over the years many individuals and companies have made a business out of supplying plug-ins to extend Photoshop’s abilities, but most all of them require you to know exactly what you want to do with your image prior to using them.

Athentech’s Perfectly Clear promises automatic photo correction with instant Real Color perfection. Available for Microsoft Windows, Perfectly Clear could not be easier to use. Open the plug-in after loading your image and Perfectly Clear immediately corrects your photo. Athentech says their product will provide one-click adjustments to images that nine out of ten times exceed either the camera’s own rendition or normal manual adjustments.

Figure 1: Perfectly Clear Before and After

The before and after picture above clearly shows what Perfectly Clear did without any manual adjustments. Note specifically the color of the water and the clarity of the subjects.

What about the times Perfectly Clear doesn’t get it just right the first time? Look at the second picture where you can see, on the right side, controls for you to manually adjust the settings for your image. There are but a few and clearly labeled: Exposure, Contrast, Sharpening, Skin Tone as so forth.

Figure 2: Athentech Perfectly Clear Interface

All of them can be enabled or disabled with the check box to the left and you can save your manual adjustments as a "preset." This allows you to re-use your settings at any time by selecting them in the drop-down box at the upper right. As an example, I took many pictures at this beach while on vacation and, instead of moving the controls to duplicate my setting on each image, I saved my settings for the first image and then picked it from the drop-down for each image thereafter.

Many corporations and image laboratories have been using Athentech’s Perfectly Clear technology for some time (in over 55,000 kiosks in 30-plus countries, thousands of mini-labs, countless online solutions, labs, and over 13 million software copies), but now it’s packaged as a Photoshop plug-in for the general public. You can download a 30-day, fully functional trial with zero limitations of Perfectly Clear at Athentech’s web site.

Requirements:

Microsoft Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7
Apple iPhone, Macintosh OS currently in development.
Windows Version – $199.00
iPhone Version – $2.99

Technorati Tags: Athentech,Perfectly Clear

[REVIEW:] Epson WorkForce 610 All-In-One – M. David Stone (PCMag)

DennisHays — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:21:42 +0000

Epson’s first-generation WorkForce printers proved that the company knew how to design multi-function printers (MFPs) aimed at office use. The second generation—and specifically the Epson WorkForce 610 All-In-One Printer ($199.99 direct)—shows that it also knows how to improve on an already attractive design. Like the WorkForce 600 ($199.99 direct, ) that it replaces, the 610 is aimed at micro offices and home offices, and can also fit in the dual role of home and home office MFP. — M. David Stone

Source and Read More: pcmag.com

Technorati Tags: Epson,Workforce 610,All-In-One,Review

Ciudad Oculta, the Hidden City – Steve McCurry

DennisHays — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:17:52 +0000

I was recently in Buenos Aires for the opening of my exhibition in the Centro Cultural Borges. I met and worked with some amazing students who are taking part in a unique photography program called ph15. Fifteen is the number which identifies the slum on the edge of Buenos Aires where they live. Here are some of their pictures. — Steve McCurry

Source and Read More: stevemccurry.wordpress.com

Technorati Tags: Ciudad Oculta,Hidden City

On that “Mother Highway” Route 66 for Italian Grazia – Stephanie Pfriender

DennisHays — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:12:24 +0000

Michela, the fashion editor from Milano is smiling sitting in front of our location van out in the desert on Route 66 taking a break and looking forward to a fun day of shooting. All the prep is going on in the van and I am beginning to stroll around getting a feel for where we may be starting today. — Stephanie Pfriender

Source and Read More: drinkfromtheriver.blogspot.com

Technorati Tags: Grazia,Italian,Route 66

John Todd’s Sports Photography Tips and Techniques – Soccer Photos – Jeffracheff (Marc Silber Show)

DennisHays — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:10:15 +0000

In the latest episode of “Advancing Your Photography,” Marc Silber sits down with acclaimed sports photographer John Todd to talk about what it takes to capture great action images in sports. — Jeffracheff

Source and Read More: silberstudios.tv

Technorati Tags: Sports Photography

The Two Main Ingredients for Successful Portraits – Gordon Lewis (Shutterfinger)

DennisHays — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:08:13 +0000

Over the years I’ve read or scanned dozens of books about portraiture. With few exceptions, they go into great detail about how to light your subject, how to light the background, what types of poses look best for various types of faces and bodies, what lens to use, the virtues of color versus black and white… In short, they’re fixated on equipment and technique. It’s as if they believe that portraiture is essentially an exercise in posing and lighting. — Gordon Lewis

Source and Read More: shutterfinger.typepad.com

Technorati Tags: Portraits,Shutterfinger

Benevity.org hooks up with iStockphoto.com – Sean Locke

DennisHays — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:06:04 +0000

Benevity Social Ventures Inc., a for-profit company, sent out a press release today that they are linking up with iStockphoto to allow members to contribute to charity in various ways. — Sean Locke

Source and Read More: seanlockedigitalimagery.wordpress.com

Technorati Tags: Benevity.org,iStockphoto

Focus on Imaging 2010 – Ricoh GR-Diary News

DennisHays — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:03:26 +0000

This years ‘Focus on Imaging’ exhibition was a bit of a letdown. Other than the announcement of the Panasonic G2 and G10 cameras and the first chance for me to try the Samsung NX10 there was not really much to see.

The usual models on stage were also very rare and aside from a few places most did not even have models. — Ricoh GR-Diary News

Source and Read More: ricohdiary.wordpress.com

Technorati Tags: Focus on Imaging

[REVIEW:] Comparison of Sensor Specs – 645D Against Others – RiceHigh

DennisHays — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:56:56 +0000

Since the 645D was announced, people, in particular Pentaxians, have been arguing about the advantages against the shortcomings of the new 645D when it is compared against other DSLRs of different sensor sizes, pixel counts and form factors. I think it would be of no harm for me to list out the factual data of some of the sensors used by some of the current popular DSLRs that could be compared, for an overview on the basic physical and specification differences, before heat debates and more discussions are to be carried on.. — RiceHigh

Source and Read More: ricehigh.blogspot.com

Technorati Tags: sensor,645D

RCP-Technik Buys Rollei Brand – Zoltan Arva-Toth (Photography BLOG)

DennisHays — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:39:13 +0000

RCP-Technik GmbH has bought the Rollei brand, which it had been using under licence for almost three years. Photoscala is reporting that the transaction has been completed with retrospective effect from 1 January 2010. — Zoltan Arva-Toth

Source and Read More: photographyblog.com

Technorati Tags: Rollei,RCP-Technik

Robbie Augspurger, Portland – Alison Zavos (feature shoot)

DennisHays — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:04:58 +0000

Robbie Augspurger was born in Peoria, IL in 1977, and currently lives in Portland, OR. He got his first camera for his twelfth birthday, held at Showbiz Pizza Place, where there were animatronic animals wearing suits and playing in a band. — Alison Zavos

Source and Read More: featureshoot.com

Technorati Tags: Robbie Augspurger

A Photo Kit for All Seasons – Andrew Boyd (The Discerning Photographer)

DennisHays — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:56:39 +0000

Are you in the process of assembling your first ‘serious’ set of photo equipment, and wondering what it should contain? Are you wanting to minimize mistakes while putting together this investment? Or maybe you’re a veteran shooter with your own version of the ‘all weather’ kit. What follows are my suggestions for an all-season, all-purpose photo kit, one that I would never want to be without: in essence, this is my list of ‘essentials’ for the serious photographer. I’ll explain why I picked the items I did for this kit and why I think they’re the right items. — Andrew Boyd

Source and Read More: thediscerningphotographer.com

Technorati Tags: Photo Kit,Seasons

Think Tank Photo’s Logistics Manager(tm) Lighting and Photographic Gear Rolling Case

DennisHays — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 01:28:34 +0000

Santa Rosa, Calif. – Think Tank Photo announces the release of the Logistics Manager™, its first rolling equipment case for lighting and photographic gear. The rolling case’s endless interior layout options adapt to numerous equipment combinations and help manage all of the logistics of transporting and using a lot of gear while on location.

Its roomy internal dimensions of 13.75”W x 27.5”H x 8.25-10”D (35 x 70 x 21-25.5 cm) allow it to hold multiple combinations of cameras and lenses, lighting gear such as strobes and reflectors, and accessories of all kinds. As there are many instances when photographers shooting on location must leave behind some or all of their gear, Logistics Manager offers a three-tier security system:

A TSA combination lock to secure the main zipper.
A rear security cable and combination lock allow the roller to be locked to immovable objects.
A Security ID Plate with online plate registration allows lost gear to be identified and returned to the owner.

Its additional key features include:

Extendable handle for easy transport and maneuverability and replaceable wheels within protective housings for greater longevity.
Attachment points on both sides for tripods or light stands
A stretchable lower pocket in front that expands for cords, reflectors, and other grip items.
Upper front pocket with built-in organizer and key loop.
An organizer side pocket for secondary storage.
Clear interior pockets for accessories.
"No Rhetoric" lifetime warranty

“The Logistics Manager provides the answer to a question often asked by working photographers, which is, how can I transport all of my gear into the field, have quick access to it, and secure it from loss or theft,” said Doug Murdoch, Think Tank Photo president and lead designer. “We took the design and engineering principles we pioneered in our line-up of award-winning rolling camera bags and applied them to this very roomy pro photographer logistics solution.”

Specifications:

Internal Dimensions: 13.75”W x 27.5”H x 8.25-10”D (35 x 70 x 21-25.5 cm)

External Dimensions: 15.75”W x 30”H x 11.5”D (40 x 76x 29 cm)

Weight: 16 – 24.5 lbs (7.3 – 11.1 kg) depending on accessories used

List Price: $599.00

Technorati Tags: Think Tank Photo,Logistics Manager,Rolling Case

Photographing Fabienne: Part Five – Interview with Edward Linsmier – Prison Photography

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:38:44 +0000

Fabienne was shot at approximately 4pm. What had you photographed earlier that day?
Michael Mullady, Nathan Weber and I were all traveling around together while in Haiti. Earlier that day we had made our way to the airport, hired a fixer and driver, been to the mass graves, fired our fixer and driver, met up with our old fixer and made our way downtown. — Prison Photography

Source and Read More: prisonphotography.wordpress.com

Technorati Tags: Fabienne

Notes from the VisCom Classroom: Can Creativity Be Taught? – David Weintraub (Black Star)

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:13:37 +0000

Where does creativity come from? How do entrepreneurs use creativity? Why is innovation often a collaborative effort?

These three intriguing questions are posed by Julia Hanna in her article “Getting Down to the Business of Creativity,” published by the Harvard Business School. Hanna, who is associate editor of Harvard’s Alumni Bulletin, draws on the work of three Harvard Business School professors — Teresa Amabile, Mary Tripsas, and Mukti Khaire — to examine how the workplace environment affects creativity. — David Weintraub

Source and Read More: blackstar.com

Technorati Tags: Creativity

From Confession To Photographic Penance – David duChemin (pixelatedimage)

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:07:04 +0000

I have to tell you the response to Monday’s post absolutely blew me away. It clearly hit a nerve and that tells me there are a lot of photographers out there that have been told one thing in the face of a very different reality. And the truth is that the bulk of the pros I know routinely do some very dumb things, make mistakes, and in general take the messy way around to getting their images. Thankfully they are also as humble as they are talented, they learn from their mistakes and they move on. And also, they make absolutely beautiful photographs. — David duChemin

Source and Read More: pixelatedimage.com

Technorati Tags: Confession,Penance

Confessions of a So-Called PRO – David duChemin (pixelatedimage)

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:55:07 +0000

A while back I wrote a piece about the “I’m only an amateur” mentality. In brief it was an unashamed rally call to photographers everywhere to stop seeing themselves as merely an enthusiast, not yet in the hallowed halls of the professional, and therefore not “really” a photographer. Rubbish. But this is not that pep talk. This is the reverse, the one that, I hope will remind you that this status to which so many aspire, this notion of a higher echelon occupied by the Professional, is equally rubbish. — David duChemin

Source and Read More: pixelatedimage.com

Technorati Tags: PRO,Professional,Confession

Business 1 of 2: register your Copyright – Stephen Alvarez

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:53:00 +0000

I’ve shied away from talking about the business of photography on this blog. There are plenty of people around the web who talk about the business of photography with more authority than me. But I spent Wednesday at Kilpatrick Stockton’s office in Atlanta. They are one of the Intellectual Property powerhouses in the legal world. — Stephen Alvarez

Source and Read More: picturestoryblog.com

Technorati Tags: Copyright

A Tale of 3 HDR Processes – Jeff Revell (PhotoWalkPro)

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:49:51 +0000

It’s amazing how a little processing can change the look of an image. This is especially true when the image process is HDR in nature. There are so many looks to HDR and it seems that most folks really like that hyper-realistic look that comes from pushing the sliders to their max. If you aren’t sure what I’m talking about, check out this image from inside the St. Salvator’s Cathedral. I shot a 3-shot series of images for this picture and then used Photomatix Pro to create the HDR and tone map for the final look. — Jeff Revell

Source and Read More: revellphotography.com

Technorati Tags: HDR

An Introduction to Mastering Slow Shutter Speeds – Cameron Knight (photo tuts+)

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:48:24 +0000

For many photographers, darkness is their worst enemy. After getting a basic understanding of how cameras work, the next things photographers must understand is how to operate in low light. Most new cameras have advanced dedicated flashes (sometime built into them), which can make dark situations easier to shoot in. But almost all modern cameras also have slow shutter speed settings that extend to eight seconds or beyond. — Cameron Knight

Source and Read More: tutsplus.com

Technorati Tags: Slow Shutter Speeds

10 Important Tips to Improve Composition in Your Photos – Denny Tang (Photoshop Tutorials)

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:46:10 +0000

Here are 10 tips to help you improve the composition in your photos. Whenever you’re stuck figuring out how to compose a photo, you can use any one of these tips to get you started. — Denny Tang

Source and Read More: photoshoptutorials.ws

Technorati Tags: Composition Tips

The Surprising Places Where Photography Meets Business – Photopreneur

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:47:25 +0000

One of the things that makes photography special is that it’s an activity that many people pay to do and some people are paid to do. It’s a business and an industry, as well as a passion, a hobby and a pastime. Usually, those two elements don’t mix. Photographers who shoot stock might enjoy their shoots but they’re rarely taking the kinds of pictures that they’d create for fun. They’re taking pictures that sell. — Photopreneur

Source and Read More: photopreneur.com

Technorati Tags: Places,Where,Photography,Photopreneur,industry,passion,hobby,pastime,Photographers,pictures

Windows Live Tags: Places,Where,Photography,Photopreneur,industry,passion,hobby,pastime,Photographers,pictures

Choosing a Entry Level Camera For Real Estate Photography – Larry Lohrman (Photography for Real Estate)

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:42:07 +0000

I’ve promised several readers that I would update my popular two year old post that talks about what the important considerations are for choosing best entry level camera for real estate photography. Here are what I think are the most important considerations:… — Larry Lohrman

Source and Read More: photographyforrealestate.net

Technorati Tags: Entry Level Camera,Real Estate

Playfully Picturesque Photography – Jessica Marcel (TrendHunter)

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:39:36 +0000

Photographer Hayley Murphy stages scenes that are bigger than life—yet still somehow mundane—in her vibrant photography. The talented photographer creates entire scenes that don’t leave even one detail unplanned. — Jessica Marcel

Source and Read More: trendhunter.com

Technorati Tags: Hayley Murphey

Lightroom’s Adjustment Brush Essentials – Rob Sylvan (Photofocus)

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:14:30 +0000

Lightroom’s Adjustment Brush is a powerful tool intended for making local adjustments to your photos with any combination exposure, brightness, contrast, saturation, clarity, sharpness, and color settings. Here are 10 tips to make your experience with the tool more efficient and effective. — Rob Sylvan

Source and Read More: photofocus.com

Technorati Tags: Lightroom,Adjustment Brush

[REVIEW:] Photo Book Review – No Plastic Sleeves: The Complete Portfolio Guide for Photographers and Designers – Conrad J. Obregon (Photofocus)

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:11:44 +0000

Visual professionals usually introduce themselves to prospective clients and employers by presenting a portfolio. No Plastic Sleeves: The Complete Portfolio Guide for Photographers and Designers calls itself a complete guide to portfolio preparation. The authors claim it is aimed at both photographers and designers.Conrad J. Obregon

Source and Read More: photofocus.com

Technorati Tags: Photo Book,No Plastic Sleeves,Review

Visualising studio lighting – Haje Jan Kamps (Photocritic)

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:01:13 +0000

Once you feel you’ve started to get the knack of pointing your camera at things and clicking the button, it’s time to start taking control of all the lighting in the scene. But, as it turns out, that’s bloody tricky. — Haje Jan Kamps

Source and Read More: photocritic.org

Technorati Tags: Studio Lighting

ASMP To Hold Major Copyright Symposium

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:58:46 +0000

PHILADELPHIA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) will present an important symposium “Copyright and the New Economy: Issues & Trends Facing Visual Artists” on Wednesday April 21, 2010 at The TimesCenter in New York. The event is part of ASMP’s Registration Counts copyright initiative to encourage all photographers to register their work and to provide registration tools and information. Thought leaders representing different industries and points of view on copyright will explore significant issues, challenges and trends in the day-long program. The symposium is free of charge to all interested parties, and participants can register now at www.asmp.org/copyright.

Source and Read More: photoclique.com

Technorati Tags: Copyright,asmp

Tamron Announces the Development of Its 60th Anniversary Model… 70-300mm f/4-5.6…

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:56:32 +0000

Tamron Announces the Development of Its 60th Anniversary Model — the Superior Performance Sp 70-300mm F/4-5.6 Di VC USD Full-Size Premium Tele Zoom

March 9, 2010, Commack, NY— President and CEO Morio Ono of optical equipment manufacturer Tamron Co., Ltd., announced another advance in Tamron’s pursuit of high resolution images in the telephoto lens category with the development of a 70-300mm F/4-5.6 telephoto zoom lens featuring image stabilization––VC (Vibration Compensation) and an ultrasonic auto-focus drive –– USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive). The SP AF70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD (Model A005) high-resolution DSLR telephoto zoom lens has been produced first for the Nikon mount, with the development of compatible mounts for Canon and Sony[1] to follow.

This new telephoto zoom lens is designed for digital SLR cameras and can be used with both full-frame sensor as well as AF 35mm film cameras with a zoom range of 70-300mm; and with APS-C sensor cameras where the angle of view will change the zoom range equal to 109-465mm[2].

With superior optical performance, Tamron’s own USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) and VC (Vibration Compensation), the SP 70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD (Model A005) provides the performance of a high-end premium telephoto zoom that is appealing to a broad spectrum of photography enthusiasts.

Source and Read More: photoclique.com

Technorati Tags: Tamron,70-300mm,Zoom Lens

Stop Accepting $200 Assignments! – APhotoEditor

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:53:58 +0000

I pulled the names off this post because I feared that these up-and-coming photographers might get some backlash for openly discussing their struggle with $200 assignments. Most of the veteran photographers I’ve talked with had the same problems starting out, so I know it’s not anything new to the industry. — APhotoEditor

Source and Read More: aphotoeditor.com

Technorati Tags: Assignment

First Amendment – Highly Overrated? – John Harrington (Photo Business News)

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:51:44 +0000

Below is a video clip that’s 22 minutes in length, but don’t bother watching it all. Advance to 15:37 and watch 5 seconds of it, where White House Chief of Staff tells a reporter for Washington Life Magazine "The First Amendment is highly over-rated" while he arrived at The White House Correspondents Association Dinner in 2009. — John Harrington

Source and Read More: photobusinessforum.blogspot.com

Technorati Tags: First Amendment

Invite Models to Your Pad – Larry Becker (Phaim)

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:49:28 +0000

I’ve always known that having a model release was necessary if I planned to sell a photo to a magazine, but lots of people just have a verbal agreement with their models for all kinds of things like company pictures (where the company plans to use the images for publicity), stock photography, or even pictures of clients you plan on using in your portfolio to illustrate the quality of your work to potential clients. I knew that wasn’t the best approach, but I also thought on numerous occasions, ‘what the heck. Nothing bad will happen.’ Not only is a lack of a model release a bad idea for general business purposes, having the right model release is the mark of a professional and it helps you be more credible. — Larry Becker

Source and Read More: lbecker.com

Technorati Tags: Model Release

My Samsung / Verizon Cell Phone camera IQ is getting closer to my Pentax DSLR. I want a Pentax in my Cell Phone. – Yvon Bourque (Pentax DSLRS)

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:40:47 +0000

About a month ago, I purchase and posted about my new iPod Touch . I liked it except that it was only useful around my own home network or at places like Starbuck where Wi-Fi is available. I already have the second generation of iPod and the songs and images capabilities are about the same. Neither has a camera. I purchased it at Costco and was able to return it for a full refund. I cannot afford an Apple iPhone and don’t really like AT&T for cellular phone services. — Yvon Bopurque

Source and Read More: pentaxdslrs.blogspot.com

Technorati Tags: Samsung,Cell Phone Camera

iStockphoto Launches Charitable Giving Program that Involves Its Community

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:13:23 +0000

iStockphoto has partnered with fellow Calgary-based company, Benevity Social Ventures, Inc., on a phased program to enable iStock clients, contributors and employees to easily make microdonations to the charities of their choice from within the iStockphoto.com site.

Source and Read More: creativepro.com

Technorati Tags: iStockphoto,Charity

Fix Skin Tones & Color Casts in Photoshop – Deke McClelland (CreativePro)

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:58:55 +0000

It’s difficult (verging on impossible) to exaggerate the importance of color adjustments in Photoshop. In the 19+ years I’ve been using the program, I don’t think I’ve come across a single image that I haven’t adjusted to some degree or other. And while there’s no single best command for adjusting colors (Hue/Saturation may work for one image, whereas Curves may be better for another), there is a best method: adjustment layers. — Deke McClelland

Source and Read More: creativepro.com

Technorati Tags: Skin Tones,Color Casts

Samsung TL350 10MP compact camera sports analog capacity gauges – Paul Ridden (gizmag)

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:56:12 +0000

With Samsung’s TL350 compact digital camera, users can enjoy the benefits of full high definition video recording, a 10.2 megapixel sensor, five times optical zoom on a wide-angle lens and a bright AMOLED display for preview and review. Would-be action movie makers might also be interested in the super slow motion possibilities offered by a 1,000 frames per second video recording mode, but what first caught our eye was the nifty analog capacity gauges on top which indicate remaining battery and memory. — Paul Ridden

Source and Read More: gizmag.com

Technorati Tags: Samsung TL350,Compact Camera

Gitzo’s Athena: the cameraman that can go anywhere – Rick Martin (gizmag)

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:54:37 +0000

I suppose ‘camerawomen’ would be more appropriate, given that Athena is a woman’s name. But what’s in a name? Regardless of what you call it Gitzo’s fully electronic, remote-controlled head was one of the sweetest gadgets on display at CP+ 2010 Focus on Imaging exhibition in Yohohama this past weekend. — Rick Martin

Source and Read More: gizmag.com

Technorati Tags: Gitzo,Athena

Unlock the Power of Shutter Speed in Your Photos – Andrew Boyd (The Discerning Photographer)

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:11:00 +0000

Learning how to truly control and use shutter speed is one of most important lessons we all must master as photographers. The reason? Your camera’s shutter speed function is the most powerful image-making element in your arsenal of aperture, shutter speed and ISO. It’s the one factor that, more than any other, can make or break your image. So getting really, really good at using this feature to its full advantage will go a long way towards improving your photography. That’s what we’ll start to do here. — Andrew Boyd

Source and Read More: thediscerningphotographer.com

Technorati Tags: Shutter Speed,Power

The Mystery of Composition – Andrew Boyd (The Discerning Photographer)

DennisHays — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:08:38 +0000

I’ve been struggling for the last couple of weeks to find a way to photograph the Japanese Magnolia trees(Magnolia soulangiana) on our property—they’ve been blossoming since late February and have been particularly beautiful this year. But approaching them on more than one occasion to ‘look’ for a photograph, I’ve come up empty. Nothing I could figure out seemed to capture the delicate beauty and fragility of their blossoms. It’s not that the beauty wasn’t there, I’ve just found the composition of compelling images was beyond me. Or so it’s felt. — Andrew Boyd

Source and Read More: thediscerningphotographer.com

Technorati Tags: Composition,Mystery

[REVIEW:] Leica X1 – PJ Jacobowitz (PCMag)

DennisHays — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:36:48 +0000

Most photographers would balk at spending $2K for a fixed-lens digital camera, but Leica has a large following, and the Leica X1 ($1,995 list) will find a happy home with many of the company’s devotees. Like the Leica M8 ($5,995 list), the X1 features an APS-C image sensor—the same size sensor found in much larger digital SLR cameras, such as the Editors’ Choice Canon EOS Rebel T1i ($899.99, )—capable of producing D-SLR-quality images. — PJ Jacobowitz

Source and Read More: pcmag.com

Technorati Tags: Leica,X1,Review

Canon Zoom Lens Thermos – Now Available For Pre-order! (In Canada) – Andrew Liszewski (Oh Gizmo!)

DennisHays — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:31:11 +0000

Remember the Canon zoom lens thermos we brought you last week that was exclusively given out to members of the press at the Olympic Press Center in Vancouver? Well it turns out in the very near future they’re not going to be so exclusive. — Andrew Liszewski

Source and Read More: ohgizmo.com

Technorati Tags: Canon

645D Announced! – OK1000 Pentax Blog

DennisHays — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:29:03 +0000

HOYA CORPORATION PENTAX Imaging Systems Division is pleased to announce the launch of the PENTAX 645D lens-interchangeable, medium-format digital SLR camera. Thanks to the incorporation of a large image sensor, equal in performance to professional-standard digital camera backs, this high-performance model delivers super-high-resolution images with approximately 40 effective megapixels. It also offers outstanding dependability and superb operability and maneuverability to make outdoor shooting effortless and comfortable for demanding photographers.

The PENTAX 645D has been developed to provide super-high-resolution images produced by large image sensors — something previously available only on professional models — to serious landscape and outdoor photographers. It combines exceptional image quality with excellent maneuverability and outstanding reliability to simplify professional-level outdoor shooting. Thanks to the incorporation of a large, high-performance image sensor (measuring 44mm by 33mm) and PENTAXoriginal image-processing technology, it produces extra-sharp, super-high-resolution images with approximately 40 effective megapixels. It features remarkable durability and dependability, thanks to its lightweight but solidly built body featuring a magnesium-steel-alloy frame, reinforced glass LCD panel protectors and a reliable dustproof, weather-resistant construction. In addition, it is designed to be compatible with the majority of the existing PENTAX 645 system, so that current PENTAX 645-series camera users can take advantage of their valuable assets, including high-performance smc PENTAX 645 interchangeable lenses.

Source and Read More: ok1000pentax.com

Technorati Tags: Pentax,645D

Lightroom Gets The Red Out! – Gene McCullagh (O’Reilly)

DennisHays — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:26:25 +0000

Aside from Halloween shots those glowing red eyes in images don’t belong. Of course, the best way to deal with red-eye is to avoid it altogether. So how does it happen? When the light from your flash enters your subject’s eyes it bounces back from the retina. The retina is rich with blood vessels and colors the returning light red. If your flash is close to the lens (as are many on camera flashes) that light bounces right back into the lens and the eyes appear red. — Gene McCullagh

Source and Read More: oreilly.com

Technorati Tags: Lightroom

Lumix DMC-G2, World’s First* Interchangeable Lens System Camera With Touch-Control Movable LCD

DennisHays — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:24:30 +0000

Panasonic LUMIX G2 Features a 3-Inch Touch-Screen, Allowing for Quick and Intuitive Setting Changes, such as Focus, with a Single Touch

Secaucus, NJ (March 7, 2010) – Panasonic today announces the LUMIX DMC-G2, the world’s first* digital interchangeable lens system camera with a movable LCD that allows for touch-control, and the successor to the award-winning and revolutionary LUMIX G1, which was the world’s first Micro Four Thirds digital camera. The intuitive touch-control shooting elevates the camera’s operability, letting the user adjust auto focus (AF) simply by touching the subject on the large 3.0-inch 460,000-dot high- resolution LCD. The LUMIX G2, also shoots 720p High Definition video using the AVCHD Lite format, and joins the LUMIX G10, also introduced today, as the latest models in the LUMIX G Micro System.

With the touch-screen operation, users can even snap a photo by touching the LUMIX G2’s screen. Additionally, the touch-screen operation excels not only for shooting but also during playback. Users can touch one thumbnail viewed among many to quickly and easily see the full size of the desired photo. Also, to view images one-by-one, photos can be dragged across the screen to browse as though flipping the pages of a book.

“With the LUMIX G2, Panasonic is pleased to continue to lead the evolution of the Micro Four Thirds platform and also be the first in the industry to offer a touch-screen interchangeable lens system camera,” said David Briganti, Senior Product Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. “Touch-operation is a user interface with which many consumers are both familiar and expect, and we think the LUMIX G2’s touch-operation makes it easier and quicker to take photos and videos that have professional-like effects.”

Using the touch-screen operation, once a user locks onto a subject, the LUMIX G2 enables AF Tracking and will track the subject as it moves within the frame. Then, with a touch on the screen, users can select the part and the size of AF area with the 1-area AF. The Multi-area AF sets a group of AF points according to the composition. While using the manual focus, users can enlarge a subject by touching it and then choosing to enlarge it by 1x, 5x or 10x and then smoothly moving the part by dragging it on the screen. With this touch operation, menu settings can be changed quickly; cutting the time it takes to navigate using standard cursors. However, all setting changes can still be done using the control pad, if preferred.

The LUMIX G2 records 1280 x 720 HD videos in the AVCHD Lite format, which increases recording capacity and is highly compatible with audio-visual equipment. With a dedicated video record button, users can easily start recording a video. To complement its high-quality video capabilities, the LUMIX G2 features advanced audio options, as sound is recorded with Dolby Digital Creator and an optional accessory stereo microphone can be attached. A Wind Cut function further enhances the sound as it helps reduce noise caused from background wind.

The 3.0-inch touch-operation LCD has a wide-viewing angle and rotates 180° from side to side and tilts 270° up and down, providing approximately 100% of field of view. This free-angle LCD with a touch-screen operation makes it possible to both view and touch the screen from any angle. The double Live-View function offered by the high-resolution, 460,000-dot free-angle Intelligent LCD and 1,440,000-dot 1.4x (0.7x) Live View Finder allows users to see the settings’ results before pressing the shutter.

The 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor featured in the LUMIX G2 offers the best of both worlds – the outstanding image quality of a CCD sensor, and the lower power consumption of a CMOS sensor. Advanced technology enables it to read four channels of data simultaneously, helping the LUMIX G2 to deliver 60 frames-per-second Full-time Live View images, while faithfully reproducing high-resolution images with fine detail and rich gradation. Plus, with the high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine HD II, which has been re-engineered to further improve image quality.

The new high-speed, high-performance Venus Engine HD II supports the new image processing technology Intelligent Resolution, which enables the recording of beautiful photo and HD video with high quality signal processing. With Intelligent Resolution technology, three areas – outlines, detailed texture areas and soft gradation – are automatically detected. The outline parts are enhanced effectively to give edges increased clarity, while simultaneously giving a moderate accentuation to the textured areas so they look finely detailed. For the soft gradation areas, the improved noise reduction system of the Venus Engine HD II is applied to achieve a smoother effect. Apart from the uniform enhancement of sharpness, the innovative technology Intelligent Resolution precisely performs signal processing pixel by pixel in the most effective way, resulting in images that are naturally clear.

For users looking for additional creative options for both photos and videos, the LUMIX G2 delivers. While shooting HD video, users can set the camera in “P” mode – to change the aperture for professional-like movie effects where the images blur into focus. For still photos, the LUMIX G2 features the My Color mode with a total of seven preset effects – Expressive, Retro, Pure, Elegant, Monochrome, Dynamic Art, and Silhouette while also keeping the Custom mode, which lets users manually set the color, brightness and saturation levels and save their favorite settings into memory.

On the other hand, for beginner users not yet ready for manual modes – the LUMIX G2 features iA (Intelligent Auto), a popular setting in the LUMIX point-and-shoots that automatically engages features and settings for optimal image quality by detecting the shooting environment. Panasonic iA is available in both still photo and video recording settings and a new dedicated iA button, which illuminates in blue when engaged, makes it even easier to use this handy feature.

Other features of the LUMIX G2 include:

Dust Reduction System: If dust or other foreign matter gets inside the camera when you’re changing lenses, it could cling to the image sensor and show up as a spot in your photos. The Dust Reduction System in the G2 helps eliminate this possibility by placing a supersonic wave filter in front of the Live MOS sensor. Vibrating vertically around 50,000 times per second, the filter repels dust and other particles effectively.
Included Software: PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition makes it possible to sort and organize photos. Videos can be uploaded directly to YouTube using the built-in YouTube uploader – even in HD quality. It also lets you create a 360-degree rotation panorama file in .MOV files. The software is compatible with the Windows 7.

The Panasonic LUMIX G2 will come equipped as part of its kit, with the newly announced LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S. lens. The new lens offers a versatile zoom range of 14-42mm (35mm camera equivalent: 28-84mm), making it suitable for a wide variety of scenes, everything from dynamic landscape to portrait. Additionally, the LUMIX G2 is compatible with all Micro Four Thirds System lenses, allowing users even higher levels of performance in a digital interchangeable lens camera.

The LUMIX DMC-G2 and other LUMIX G Micro System digital cameras can use any interchangeable lens that complies with the Four Thirds standard via an optional mount adaptor DMW-MA1 and with the prestigious Leica M/R Lenses via DMW-MA2M or MA3R. Other accessories include external flashes, filters, a remote shutter, HDMI mini cables and a variety of stylish straps and bags. To learn about the Panasonic LUMIX Micro Four Thirds System and all the available accessories, visit www.panasonic.com/lumix. The Panasonic LUMIX G2 will be available in red, blue and black models and pricing and availability will be announced 30 days prior to shipping date.

*As of March 7, 2010.

· Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

· Some functions may not be available depending on the lens that is mounted.

· Use a card with SD Speed Class with "Class 4" or higher when recording motion pictures in [AVCHD Lite]. Also, use a card with SD Speed Class with "Class 6" or higher when recording motion pictures in [MOTION JPEG].

· The "AVCHD Lite" and the "AVCHD Lite" logo are trademarks of Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation.

· Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.

· YouTube is a trademark of Google Inc.

· Windows and the Windows logo are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

Technorati Tags: Lumix,DMC-G2,LCD

Panasonic Announces Compact And Lightweight Standard Zoom Lens For Lumix G Series Digital Cameras

DennisHays — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 17:22:27 +0000

SECAUCUS, NJ (March 7, 2010) – Panasonic today introduces a new interchangeable lens for its LUMIX G Micro System, the ultra-compact and lightweight LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S. lens offers versatile zoom range of 14-42mm (35mm camera equivalent: 28-84mm), making it suitable for a wide variety of scenes, everything from dynamic landscape to portrait. The LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S. lens will be part of the kit lens for the latest additions to the LUMIX G Series of digital cameras: the LUMIX DMC-G10 and LUMIX DMC-G2, also introduced today.

The new LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S. lens incorporates Panasonic’s MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer), which makes it easy to shoot clear photographs, even in low-lit situations, by suppressing the blur caused by a shaky hand. Adopting an inner-focus system driven by a stepping motor, the superior optical design realizes outstanding smoothness to support the high-speed AF (Auto Focus) system of LUMIX G cameras. When mounted on any of these cameras, this new lens allows users to maximize all of the AF system’s functions.

With its minimum focus distance of 30cm even at full zoom, this lens provides a maximum photographic magnification of 0.32x (35mm equivalent). Seven aperture blades make up a circular aperture diaphragm to produce an attractive smoothness in out-of-focus areas even when shooting at a large aperture. The LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S. lens system uses multi-coated lens elements that reduce blur, helping to deliver superior performance. This new lens system also features excellent contrast even at its highest zoom level. The inclusion of an aspherical lens improves optical performance by minimizing distortion, even at the 28mm wide end. For more information on the Panasonic LUMIX G Series digital cameras, lenses and accessories, please visit www.panasonic.com/lumix.

Technorati Tags: Panasonic,Lumix

Invite the Viewer In! – Moose Peterson

DennisHays — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:26:00 +0000

It’s the big day, you’ve been planning it for what seems like months. You’ve got the house all spruced up so the first impressions are as good as they can be. You’ve laid in plenty of drinks of all flavors and types. You’ve labored over the menu for months and then went out and bought only the best ingredients. Then you slaved in the kitchen for days to assemble all those ingredients to what has to be the best tasting goodies imaginable. — Moose Peterson

Source and Read More: moosepeterson.com

Technorati Tags: Invite

Eye Retouching and Enhancing in Photoshop – Graphic Tutorials [Video]

DennisHays — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:15:23 +0000

Retouching eyes with photoshop — Graphic Tutorials

Source and Read More: graphictutorials.net

Technorati Tags: Retouching,Enhancing

Using The Gaussian Blur Filter In Photoshop – Graphic Tutorials [Video]

DennisHays — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:11:01 +0000

Gaussian Blur is a filter that blurs an image. But it’s also the math behind the Feather command, drop shadows, and everything that is soft in Photoshop. Watch this video and learn why Gaussian Blur is so important. — Graphic Tutorials

Source and Read More: graphictutorials.net

Technorati Tags: Gaussian Blur

Myth and Reality in the Iraqi Election – Hariman (No Caption Needed)

DennisHays — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 14:08:53 +0000

What is it about photo editors’ obsession with inked fingers? After seeing dozens of the purple digits being offered to the camera, I want to scream “out, damned spot” and do a post on something sane–like fashion week. It is just when the media are caught up in a new craze, however, that older habits can be revealed. — Hariman

Source and Read More: nocaptionneeded.com

Technorati Tags: Myth,Reality,Iraqi Election

[Software:] Universal Viewer 5.2.1 – Windows

DennisHays — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:43:25 +0000

Universal Viewer is an advanced file viewer with wide range of formats supported. Implemented view modes and corresponding file formats are:

Text, Binary, Hex, Unicode: any files, of unlimited size (even 4Gb+ sizes are allowed)
RTF, UTF-8: RTF and UTF-8 encoded texts
Image: all general graphics formats: BMP JPG GIF PNG TGA TIFF… plus all formats supported by IrfanView/XnView external viewers
Multimedia: all formats supported by MS Windows Media Player: AVI MPG WMV MP3…
Internet: all formats supported by MS Internet Explorer: HTML PDF XML MHT…
Plugins: all formats supported by Total Commander Lister plugins
MS Office: all file types of MS Office (if installed): DOC DOCX XLS PPT…
Converters: some types can be viewed as plain text: DOC DOCX PDF PPT ODT…

License: Shareware – $23.00 Personal License

Source and Read More: atorg.net.ru

Technorati Tags: Universal Viewer

[Software:] Geotagalog 1.5.5 – Macintosh

DennisHays — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:34:50 +0000

Let Geotagalog and a GPS logger do the hard work of assigning Places metadata to your photos. Why import ungeotagged pictures into iPhoto, when it’s so straightforward to GPS-enable your favorite camera?

Features:

Geotags photos while importing them into iPhoto from a connected camera or card reader. It’s also easy to geotag and import files/folders already on your hard drive.
Shows live photo location preview, with mouseover thumbnails, as you make adjustments.
Sets geolocation metadata to JPEG and several popular RAW formats without image quality loss.

Geotagalog’s sophisticated automatic geotagging technology combines locations from a tracklog file with the pictures on your camera.

License: Shareware – $25.00 (Limits Amount of Photos Imported Into iPhoto)

Source and Read More: calftrail.com

Technorati Tags: Geotagalog

Briony Ridley, Melbourne, Australia – Alison Zavos (feature shoot)

DennisHays — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:51:38 +0000

Briony Ridley is a Melbourne-based photographer. She describes her work as an adventure or a fairytale, and says that her lack of organization on set helps lends her work an element of chance. Her series ‘Somewhere In Between’ has recently appeared in Antler Magazine. — Alison Zavos

Source and Read More: featureshoot.com

Technorati Tags: Briony Ridley

Design 6 – Gramercy – Rob Haggart (APhotoFolio)

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:37:24 +0000

Gramercy was designed to give clients a fast thumbnail overview of your galleries alongside the large dynamic images we’re known for. We LOVE Thumbs!

All of our designs feature unlimited pages, galleries and images; a customizable contact page; iPhone and mobile sites; custom logo and font support; a blog and up to 50 email addresses with 7GB of storage each; all on your domain.

All of our designs have integrated video.

All of our designs are SEO optimized and include HTML mirror sites. — Rob Haggart

Source and Read More: aphotofolio.com

Technorati Tags: Gramercy

[REVIEW:] Canon EOS Rebel T2i (550D) In Depth Review – Patrick Dean (Neutralday)

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:33:21 +0000

The latest in the Rebel lineup, and its new flagship, the Canon EOS Rebel T2i offers entry level shooters some degree of professional level camera features in a compact, and more importantly, affordable camera body. The gap it bridges is that mysterious realm between the Rebel lineup and the more professional/prosumer-ish EOS 7D. — Patrick Day

Source and Read More: neutralday.com

Technorati Tags: Canon,EOS Rebel T2i,Review

[REVIEW:] Digital Asset Management – Bibble Pro 5 – Bibble Labs – Neocamera

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:31:04 +0000

Bibble Pro is an asset management and image processing software. It has a relatively small feature set and most of what is there is quite well implemented. The interface is very intuitive with a sleek and uncluttered look. The retail price for Bibble Pro 5 is $199 USD and it available for Windows, Max OS X and Linux.

Bibble 5 Pro makes the DAM part of the software completely optional which leaves some good image processing capabilities including noise-reduction by Noise Ninja and lens correction. The full power of Noise Ninja requires an additional license though. — Neocamera

Source and Read More: neocamera.com

Technorati Tags: Bibble Pro

RARE: Behind the Scenes – Joel Sartore

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:26:41 +0000

In two decades on assignment for National Geographic Joel has learned that the only thing you can count on is a little chaos. Watch Joel as he photographs everything from armadillos to bald eagles — it’s all part of his quest to document Earth’s vanishing biodiversity before it’s too late. — Joel Sartore

Source and Read More: joelsarore.com

Technorati Tags: Behind the Scenes

Latest Installment of “Behind the Lens” – Ian Plant (Dreamscapes)

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:22:16 +0000

I have just posted on my website the latest installment of Behind the Lens, which describes in detail my pre-capture and post-processing strategies for a number of my favorite images. This week looks at “Sand Star,” taken in Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado during a raging sandstorm. Check it out! — Ian Plant

Source and Read More: mountaintrailphoto.com

Technorati Tags: Behind The Lens

ISAP – Nellis AFB – Moose Peterson

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:09:46 +0000

For the last few days, I’ve been having the time of my life with all the folks at ISAP. On Friday, we had a field trip to Nellis AFB for an amazing day of photography. Now I realize that aviation photography isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but if you are a photographer, then you are a worshiper of light and in that pursuit, you can make a click anywhere! — Moose Peterson

Source and Read More: moosepeterson.com

Technorati Tags: Nellis AFB,Moose Peterson

Introducing Microstock Charts – Earnings Tracking with Benefits – Lee Torrens (MicrostockDiaries)

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:00:58 +0000

In my November earnings report last year I wrote that it would be my last. I said I’d be “taking it to a whole new level” the following month. Finally, now in March, I’m ready to fulfill on that promise. Together with Amos Struck, my business partner on various other projects, we are very pleased to finally introduce Microstock Charts. — Lee Torrens

Source and Read More: microstockdiaries.com

Technorati Tags: Microstock Charts

Snapixel – Lee Torrens (Microstock Diaries)

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:58:58 +0000

Self-described as a marriage between Flickr and iStockphoto, Snapixel is not your standard microstock agency. The Snapixel mission is ‘Openstock’™ – opening a licensing opportunity for photos that don’t look like typical stock photos. — Lee Torrens

Source and Read More: microstockdiaries.com

Technorati Tags: Snapixel

Rachel Hulin’s Many Photography Hats – Mamiya

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:56:59 +0000

Rachel Hulin has lived in New York since 2000. A native of Windham, Connecticut, Hulin didn’t have far to go to relocate, but the city opened up a world of creative opportunities for her. “I was extremely into photography in high school,” she says, quickly adding, “kind of the teenage girl cliche. I spent a lot of time in the darkroom.” While attending Brown University, she was the photo editor of the school newspaper, and took photography classes at the Rhode Island School of Design. — Mamiya

Source and Read More: mamiya.com

Technorati Tags: Rachel Hulin

How to Clean Your Camera Properly – Mike Panic (Light Stalking)

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:55:34 +0000

Your camera is a tool, tools should be kept clean to operate properly, but because they are also sensitive electronic devices, some special care needs to be taken. This guide will give you a great overview to keep your gear working properly and for a long time, all the while performing the day you pulled it out of the box. — Mike Panic

Source and Read More: ligtstalking.com

Technorati Tags: Clean Your Camera

[Software:] Model Release Forms Go Mobile with New iPhone App

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:36:24 +0000

Easy Release by ApplicationGap replaces inconvenient paper release forms with a slick, streamlined application designed by professional photographers for professional photographers. Easy Release lets you collect all the data and signatures you need right on your iPhone, then mails a PDF and JPEG of the release right to you.

Source and Read More: creativepro.com

Technorati Tags: Model Release,iPhone App

Epson’s New High-Volume Color Inkjets

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:35:07 +0000

Epson America announced a pair of powerful, compact business color ink jet printers – the Epson B-310N and B-510DN. Designed for workgroups and small to medium size businesses, the B-310N and B-510DN provide high-volume color network printing with exceptional performance, reliability and productivity. Easy to own and operate, the B-310N and B-510DN printers offer high-yield ink cartridges, a high-capacity front loading paper cassette and an affordable ink cost per color page.

Source and Read More: creativepro.com

Technorati Tags: Epson

Huang Qingjun & Ma Hongjie, Beijing – Alison Zavos (feature shoot)

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:47:17 +0000

Huang Qingjun and Ma Hongjie decided to collaborate on this project, ‘Family Stuff’ in 2005. They have visited a number of areas in China for this project looking for typical Chinese homes to photograph by bringing the domestic objects used in everyday life outside. ‘Huang and Ma work as independent partners, Huang covering the North, Ma the South of the country. — Alison Zavos

Source and Read More: featureshoot.com

Technorati Tags: Huang Qingjun,Ma Hongjie

31 Stunning Black and White Subject Study Photos on Imagekind – Nate Jelovich (Digital Photography Studio)

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:55:14 +0000

Black and White photography is among one of the most striking forms. Photos sans color require an enhanced use of lighting, shadows, and subject focus. Black and white photography brings out details usually overlooked in standard color photos. Subject studies is the discipline of concentration on one particular subject. Not quite still-lifes, though they share some similar qualities, subject studies focus on one particular object in view. — Nate Jelovich

Source and Read More: digital-photography-school.com

Technorati Tags: Black and White

6 Reasons To Shoot Video As A Photographer – Virtual Photography Studio

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:52:48 +0000

With many of the top SLR cameras coming out today having video capabilities built in, it’s easy to see where the industry is heading. In the very near future, digital, video, and presentations will all be created and displayed via the Internet and other output devices for viewing on a personal level.

So how can you incorporate video into your business? Take a look at these 6 ways to get you started. — Virtual Photography Studio

Source and Read More: virtualphotographystudio.com

Technorati Tags: Video

CeWe Challenge 2010: Automatic Theme Identification of Photo Sets for Digital Print Products – Sabine (ACM Multimedia)

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:50:02 +0000

With the advent of digital photography, the number of photos taken has increased tremendously. While only recently, in the analogue days, a small number of films documented a 2-weeks holiday, we are nowadays taking and storing hundreds or even thousands of digital photos. As in the analogue days a common way of preserving memories or making them available to others are individual photo products like posters, calendars or photo books. — Sabine

Source and Read More: rutgers.edu

Technorati Tags: CeWe Challenge,Automatic Theme Identification

Wildlife Photographer of the Year Disses Cameras With Less Than 10MP – Photoxels

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:39:37 +0000

The prestigious Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year photo competition seems to court controversies. After disqualifing the 2009 winning entry of the photographer José Luis Rodríguez, The Storybook Wolf, it is now explaining itself on another controversy. A new rule states that it will not allow pictures taken on digital cameras with less than 10MP. — Photoxels

Source and Read More: photoxels.com

Technorati Tags: Wildlife Photographer

Kubota’s Spring 2010 Digital Photography Bootcamp Workshop

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:37:45 +0000

Las Vegas, NV – Kubota Image Tools is pleased to announce its 19th Digital Photography Bootcamp workshop May 16-21, 2010. Bootcamp, taught by renowned photographer Kevin Kubota, is a 5-day workshop for professional photographers designed to supply all of the technical know-how to run a successful digital portrait/wedding studio; at the same time, it encourages continued development of a photographer’s unique style and creativity.

Source and Read More: photographyblog.com

Technorati Tags: Kubota

PNI Digital Media Announces Results of Annual General Meeting

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:36:21 +0000

PNI Digital Media (TSX VENTURE: PN)(OTCBB: PNDMF), ("PNI" or the "Company"), the leading innovator in digital photography and media solutions for retailers, announces the results of the Company’s Fiscal 2009 Annual General Meeting ("AGM") which was held March 10th, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada.

The following matters were approved by Shareholders as set out in the Information Circular that accompanied the Notice of Annual General Meeting dated February 9th, 2010:

--  The election of Messrs. Peter Fitzgerald, Peter Scarth, Cory Kent,
    Thomas Neilson, Scott Brownstein, Kyle Hall, Aaron Rallo and Robert
    Chisholm as Directors,
--  The appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Accountants, as
    the Company's auditor until the close of the next Annual General
    Meeting,
--  The continuation of the Company's Share Option Plan, which must be
    approved annually according to TSX Venture Exchange regulations,
--  The Deferred Share Unit Incentive Plan (the "DSU Plan"), the
    cancellation of options to purchase 920,000 common shares currently held
    by Directors, officers and certain senior employees of the Company, and
    the subsequent grant to Insiders of the Company of options to purchase
    up to 380,000 common shares and DSUs for 130,000 common shares at market
    price at the time of the grant. After the AGM, the Board of Directors
    resolved to implement the DSU Plan and option cancellations, subject to
    the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Appointment of Lawrence I. Lerner as Director

The Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Lawrence I. Lerner as Director, effective March 10th, 2010. Mr. Lerner is the change leader currently responsible for growing service lines at UST Global, a leading provider of end-to-end IT services and solutions for Global 1000 companies. His practice areas include Management Consulting, Interactive and Media Design, Business Intelligence and Data Warehousing and Business Analytics. Mr. Lerner has spent the last twenty years creating, growing and leading cutting edge Services and Strategy business units. He has successfully built profitable, multi-million dollar business units for the world’s top brands. With over ten years of international business experience, Mr. Lerner is a sought after and recognized expert in the Outsourcing and Offshoring industry.

"Continuing from our solid results in Fiscal 2009, I’m excited to have Lawrence join our Board," said Kyle Hall, Chief Executive Officer of PNI Digital Media. "His proven ability to effectively manage the demands of growing companies and his direct experience working with large retailers further diversifies the strengths of our Board."

Technorati Tags: PNI digital Media

Boeing launches compact, energy-efficient 3D imaging camera – Darren Quick (gizmag)

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:07:02 +0000

Just as consumer cameras continue the shrink, so too are cameras designed for military and other commercial applications. The latest is a compact 3D imaging camera launched by Boeing that is designed to be deployed on a wide range of platforms, including unmanned aerial and ground vehicles. The cube-shaped camera is one-third the size and uses one-tenth the power of most comparable cameras. — Darren Quick

Source and Read More: gizmag.com

Technorati Tags: 3D Imaging,Boeing

Mini Digi takes compact cameras to a new level – Rick Martin (gizmag)

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:05:44 +0000

Japanese manufacturer Green House has just released one of the most compact cameras you’re ever likely to see. But you’ll have to get in really close because the Mini Digi is so tiny that you might just miss it! Amazingly, it measures 2.5 x 1.8 x 1.2 inches, and weighs just under an ounce. — Rick Martin

Source and Read More: gizmag.com

Technorati Tags: Mini Digi,Compact Camera

Create Wonderful Sliced Fruit Images – Udi Tirosh (DIYPhotography)

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:38:04 +0000

The following sliced fruits shots tutorial is by photographer and artist William van der Steen.

The tutorial will take you step by step toward creating an image similar to that wonderful sliced up banana. — Udi Tirosh

Source and Read More: diyphotography.net

Technorati Tags: Sliced fruit

[REVIEW:] Sony Cyber-shot TX5 Hands-On Review – Eric Reagan (Photography Bay)

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:35:37 +0000

The Sony Cyber-shot TX5 is a rugged, point and shoot camera that is touted as dustproof, waterproof, freezeproof and shockproof. The TX5 features a 10.2MP Exmor R CMOS sensor for improved low light performance and noise control. Additionally, the TX5 features a 4x optical zoom lens with image stabilization and can capture 720p HD video. — Eric Reagan

Source and Read More: photographybay.com

Technorati Tags: Sony,Cyber-shot TX5,Review

[REVIEW:] Olympus SP-800UZ Hands-On Review – Eric Reagan (Photography Bay)

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:31:14 +0000

The Olympus SP-800UZ is a 14MP superzoom camera that features a 30x optical zoom lens. The lens zoom range works out to a 28-840mm equivalent on a full frame camera. To help out with keeping the camera steady, the SP-800UZ offers Olympus’ Dual Image Stabilization, which combines sensor-shift stabilization with high ISO and faster shutter speeds to reduce blur. — Eric Reagan

Source and Read More: photographybay.com

Technorati Tags: Olympus,SP-800UZ,Review

[REVIEW:] Fuji Instax Mini 25 and Mini 7S Hands-On – Eric Reagan (Photography Bay)

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:27:30 +0000

The Fuji Instax Mini 25 and Instax Mini 7S are a pair of instant film cameras using Fuji’s credit card sized instant film. In the above photo, you see the Mini 25 on the left and the Mini 7S on the right.

Simple enough. Load film. Push button. Admire print. — Eric Reagan

Source and Read More: photographybay.com

Technorati Tags: Fuji,Instax Mini 25,Mini 75,Review

PocketWizard Nikon Version First Prototype Test – Eric Reagan (Photography Bay)

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:20:16 +0000

The PocketWizard MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 wireless TTL system has been available for Canon DSLRs for quite awhile now, with Nikon compatible units on the calendar for some point in the future. The future just got a little closer for Nikon shooters. — Eric Reagan

Source and Read More: photographybay.com

Technorati Tags: PocketWizard,Nikon

[Software:] GraphicConverter X 6.7 – Macintosh

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:06:49 +0000

Open and save almost any picture file format.
Edit and organize your pictures. Start a slide show.
Automate your processing. And, and, and:
GraphicConverter UB | X | Classic is your universal tool for
all tasks related to digital photography.

GraphicConverter is able to open and import approx. 200 different picture formats, i.e. almost every form of picture file, regardless of the operating system or computer platform on which the file was made. In order to enable you to exhange pictures with other users GraphicConverter currently allows you to save your pictures in approx. 80 different formats.

Depending on the format used, GraphicConverter offers a variety of settings for the import and export of files.

License: Shareware – $34.95

Source and Read More: lemkesoft.com

Technorati Tags: GraphicConverter X

[Software:] PTGui 8.3.7 – Macintosh / Windows

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:03:54 +0000

PTGui is panoramic stitching software for Windows and Mac OSX. Originally developed as a Graphical User Interface for Panorama Tools (hence the name), PTGui now is a full featured photo stitching application.

Just released: PTGui and PTGui Pro 8.3.7: speed improvements…
(see version history)
Use PTGui to stitch any number of photos into a panoramic image. Some benefits of PTGui, when compared to other stitching software:

PTGui can stitch multiple rows of images
Create 360 degree cylindrical panoramas, ‘flat’ partial panoramas and even spherical 360×180 degree panoramas
No need to keep the camera level: PTGui can stitch rotated and tilted images
Virtually unlimited output size: create Gigapixel panoramas from hundreds of images!
Layered output allows full control over the final stitched result
PTGui stitches most panoramas fully automatically, but at the same time provides full manual control over every single parameter. This enables stitching of ‘difficult’ scenes, where other programs fail.
Full 16 bit workflow for best image quality

License: Shareware – € 79/$112 Personal License / € 180/$254 Company License

Source and Read More: ptgui.com

Technorati Tags: PTGui

[Software:] RAW Developer 1.8.9 – Macintosh

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:00:18 +0000

RAW Developer is a powerful RAW image conversion application designed and optimized specifically for Mac OS X. RAW Developer gives advanced photographers total control over every aspect of their digital camera’s output, yet still provides easy drag and drop batch conversion and access to basic adjustments for the casual user. Thanks in large part to Dave Coffin’s work on the open source RAW decoding program dcraw, RAW developer is able to support files from over 150 digital camera models. Note that although we do use portions of dcraw for decoding RAW image files, essentially the entire image processing pipeline is completely unique to RAW Developer this includes the demosaicing algorithms used for all cameras based on RGB color filters (which is nearly all of them), all color management operations, all other processing adjustments, sharpening, noise reduction and final file format conversion.

Reviews of RAW Developer have appeared in magazines including the October, 2006 issue of MACup, the July, 2006 issue of Professional Photographer and the February/March 2006 issue of Leica Fotographie International.

RAW Developer 1.4 was given a "Highly Recommended" rating from Digital Outback Photo. Read the full review here.

A three part online review of RAW Developer 1.4 by Colin Jago of auspiciousdragon.net can be found here:
Part One – Introduction and Workflow
Part Two – Monochrome Conversions
Part Three – Output Quality

RAW Developer 1.4 was also reviewed by photographer Alain Briot who concludes, "Raw Developer is a Raw converter with several unique features not found in other raw converters, an affordable price point, and the ability to deliver high quality raw conversions." Read the full review here.

RAW Developer has also received much praise for the high quality of its RAW image conversions on many internet forums, here are just a couple examples:

License: Demo – $125.00

Source and Read More: iridientdigital.com

Technorati Tags: RAW Developer

[Software:] SimpleImage 5.3.2 – Macintosh

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:57:26 +0000

iew all the most popular kinds of image and movie files in a single, sleek application, and display them in slideshows. You can even expand the kinds of files SimpleImage can open with free plug-ins like Perian and WMV.

Apply sophisticated adjustments and effects to images, save them in a variety of formats, and print them with the help of a flexible print preview feature and selection tools tailored to match common photo paper sizes.

Keep track of your images and movies with thumbnail browsers. SimpleImage can also remember the last 1,000 files you’ve viewed, as well as create snapshots — small files that can reopen groups of windows exactly the way you left them.

License: Shareware – $19.95

Source and Read More: simpleimage.com

Technorati Tags: SimpleImage

[Software:] AlbumWeb 4.5 – Windows

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:48:09 +0000

AlbumWeb is an authoring tool that allows you to create engaging, full-featured HTML albums or slideshows from images, video and voice-over narrations. With its simple interface and wizards, you can easily organize items into an album, edit photos, choose an album skin from a large library of built-in themes and share your digital memories with friends and relatives. The end result can be published online, sent by email, or saved to local folder.

The program can also be extended with plug-ins, letting you publish web albums to new formats and destinations. For example, you can save the photo album to Macromedia Flash or publish directly to Picasa and Flickr! With AlbumWeb, there is no need to know photo retouching tricks, CSS and HTML. Taking care of all the heavy lifting, the program lets you create engaging web albums right out of the box, regardless of creative ability or experience.

License: Shareware – $29.95

Source and Read More: photoactions.com

Technorati Tags: AlbumWeb

[Software:] VSO Image Resizer 3.0.1.76 – Windows

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:46:06 +0000

With this free resize image software, you can create e-mail friendly versions of your images, load them faster, move them easily from folder to folder, change their format, edit large numbers of image files/batch image resize and thus save space on your hard drive. Using high resolution 1600×1200 for creating wallpaper or file-sharing you can save your memory. VSO Image Resizer can also change file names using a template and you can add your own watermark with transparency support.

VSO Image resizer is integrated into the Windows explorer shell, right click on your pictures and start working on your pictures !

License: Freeware

Source and Read More: vso-software.fr

Technorati Tags: VSO Image Resizer

[Software:] Ashampoo Photo Commander 8 – Windows

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:43:09 +0000

The only tool you need for organizing, editing, presenting and sharing your digital photos, with support for video and audio files too.

Ashampoo Photo Commander is probably the only tool you need for organizing, editing, sharing and presenting your digital photos. In addition to this it can also be used for managing your audio and video files, with high-quality integrated players.

Finding photos is easy, no matter how big your collection is: You can sort and search for images and duplicate images by names, tags and other attributes, view your collection by folder or date, view thumbnail previews of all your images and more. Instant previews and full-screen mode are always just a click away, along with integrated viewers and players for video and audio files.

All the photo editing tools you need are included, you don’t need additional software: Enhance your images with the one-click optimizer. Remove the “red eyes” from flash photos, adjust colors, contrast, hue and many other parameters, resize, crop, rotate and add a wide range of special effects, including some brand-new effects in version 8.

License: Shareware – $49.99

Source and Read More: ashampoo.com

Technorati Tags: Asampoo,Photo Commander

[Software:] FotoMix 6.0.1 – Windows

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:40:35 +0000

The Free Photo Manipulator.
The easiest way to mix and manipulate your photos.

FotoMix is a versatile program that allows you to mix and manipulate different pictures, to create a wide variety of images.

Remove, add or alter backgrounds.
Add or remove your loved and not so loved ones from your pictures.
Design eye-catching photo collages, illustrations, wallpapers, CD and DVD covers, and miscellaneous Web graphics.
Create photo montages by combining multiple pictures into a unique heirloom depicting retrospectives of a birth, marriage, anniversary, etc. Anything is possible.

The result is so high in quality that it is almost impossible to tell if the photo has been manipulated.
Once your creations are finished, you can print them, email them to friends or transfer them to T-shirts, mugs, alendars, etc. Make the most out of your photo collection! Play with it. Explore the possibilities. You will love it.

License: Free (Adware)

Source and Read More: diphso.com

Technorati Tags: FotoMix

[Software:] onOne Software Announces Availability of Free Versions of Photoshop Plug-ins PhotoTools 2.5 and PhotoFrame 4.5

DennisHays — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:24:51 +0000

New free versions of award-winning software products PhotoTools 2.5 and PhotoFrame 4.5 round out free resources for photographers, including free presets for Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw, onOne Exchange and the new onOne University.

Portland, OR– March 11, 2010 – onOne Software, Inc., (www.ononesoftware.com) a leading developer of innovative, timesaving solutions for professional and advanced amateur photographers, today announced the immediate availability of two fully-functional Photoshop plug-ins: PhotoTools 2.5 Free and the new PhotoFrame 4.5 Free. The free plug-ins for Photoshop are based on the award winning versions of PhotoTools 2.5 Standard Edition and PhotoFrame 4.5 Standard Edition and are compatible with Photoshop CS2, CS3 and CS4.

PhotoTools 2.5 Free and PhotoFrame 4.5 Free provide photographers with select content from the Standard Editions of each product, while maintaining the full-functionality, unlike the traditional restrictions of 30 day timed trials or watermarked images. The free presets for Lightroom 2, Adobe Camera Raw and the onOne Exchange allow photographers to streamline their workflow and get the most out of the onOne products they already own. The new onOne University underscores onOne’s commitment to helping customers get the most out of their software investment by providing over 100 free training videos with even more training content planned.

"We are excited to offer these free versions of PhotoTools 2.5 and PhotoFrame 4.5 as a way for new users to experience onOne’s award winning products," said Craig Keudell, president of onOne Software. "These free products, along with the Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw Presets, onOne Exchange and onOne University are a way for onOne to give back to the photographic community and to continue to provide value to our onOne customers."

onOne Software Free Products and Resources include:

PhotoTools 2.5 Free Edition – Based on the same feature set as PhotoTools 2.5 Standard Edition, PhotoTools 2.5 Free includes 15 of the most popular effects found in PhotoTools 2.5 Standard Edition. PhotoTools offers powerful action based effects that can improve images dramatically, making it easy to find, experiment, combine, apply and fine tune effects in an easy to use interface. The 15 effects available in PhotoTools 2.5 Free range from reproducing classic photographic effects like Bleach Bypass and Cross Process, to reproducing film stock such as Kodachrome and Velvia, to modern effects including automatic skin smoothing.

PhotoFrame 4.5 Free Edition – Based on the same feature set as PhotoFrame 4.5 Standard Edition, PhotoFrame 4.5 Free makes it easy to add the perfect finishing touch to images, with 20 professional grade edges, backgrounds, textures and adornments. PhotoFrame 4.5 Free offers an extremely easy way to browse, preview and add effects like frames, backgrounds and adornments to images, with the ability to stack multiple elements and control opacity, size and color.

Presets for Lightroom 2 and Adobe Camera Raw – Users get over 140 time saving Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw presets designed by Photoshop Guru Jack Davis that help quickly correct color and tone and easily add creative effects.

onOne Exchange – The onOne Exchange is a free online resource that offers regularly updated content for PhotoTools and PhotoFrame and encourages users to upload their own actions and content. There are over 65 presets from onOne Software and customers to date.

onOne University – Features over 100 free video tutorials to help customers quickly learn and get the most out of onOne Software products. New video tutorials covering a wide range of subjects are currently in the works.

Availability

PhotoTools 2.5 Free, PhotoFrame 4.5 Free, Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw Presets are available immediately at no cost as downloads from onOne Software at http://www.ononesoftware.com/free. The onOne Exchange is available at http://www.ononeexchange.com/ and onOne University is available at http://www.ononesoftware.com/university/.

Technorati Tags: onOne Software,PhotoTools,PhotoFrame

True Picture of Motherhood Revealed for Mother’s Day 2010

DennisHays — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:21:48 +0000

Hallmark Cards photography competition unveils what motherhood means to the UK public
The true picture of motherhood in the UK today has been revealed by Hallmark Cards and a panel of expert judges for Mother’s Day 2010.

The striking photograph claimed first place in a nationwide search by Hallmark Cards to capture what motherhood means to people in the UK in 2010. The winner, Jenny Downing (59) will now have her image placed on a Hallmark card which will be sold through the company’s online personalised card service www.hallmark.co.uk.

The Picture of Motherhood photography competition was launched by Hallmark Cards with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen as part of its Cards for a Cure™ campaign for Mother’s Day 2010. Open to everyone, the UK public was urged to get creative and capture the perfect image which expressed what motherhood means to them.

Jenny Downing was named over 18s winner in the competition by celebrity judge, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, and an expert judging panel which included Greg Hobson, curator of photography at the National Media Museum, at a special event at Salts Mill gallery in Bradford on 8th March. Alice Curtis (14) was named under 18s winner in the competition. All 12 finalists will have their images exhibited at the gallery until 15th March 2010.

Jenny Downing commented: “I took this photo in India where I was working a few years ago, it depicts the natural instinct for a mother to protect her child.

“In the image she is putting a hat on her child to protect them from the sun. This encapsulates motherhood for me.”

Both winners will also receive £1,000 worth of photography equipment to help hone their photography skills further.

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, who formed part of the expert judging panel, said of the winners: “Both Jenny and Alice stood out as clear winners in their categories and we all agreed that their shots both captured and celebrated motherhood in its purest form, which is exactly what the competition was about.
“We were extremely impressed with the number and calibre of entries that we received and it was a tough job short listing the final 12. It certainly shows that there is a lot of creativity out there in the UK and that motherhood is a subject that people are very passionate about.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone to take part and encourage more people to get in touch with their creative side by looking at the world around them and being inspired.”

Due to the high quality of submissions, three additional shortlisted entries will also have their final images printed onto a Hallmark Card.

Hallmark Cards annually contributes £1/4 million to Breast Cancer Campaign and Action Breast Cancer, a programme of the Irish Cancer Society, as part of its Cards for a Cure™ campaign for Mothers Day. Now in its fourth year, Hallmark has donated £1 million since 2007. The money is contributed independent of card sales and is used to fund vital breast cancer research at centres across the UK and Ireland.

Technorati Tags: Mother’s Day

ImageSpan and BrandProtect Partner to Deliver Services that Protect and Extend Content Owners’ Global Brand, Reach and Revenues

DennisHays — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:19:12 +0000

BrandProtect Joins LicenseStream Ecosystem, Empowering Subscribers to Track, Protect and Monetize a Full Range of Digital Content

SAUSALITO, CA and TORONTO, ON – March 11, 2010 — ImageSpan Inc., creator of LicenseStream, the market-leading licensing and royalty payment automation platform for all media, and BrandProtect, the leader in protecting brands online, today announced that they have partnered to extend services that empower content owners to protect and expand their global brand, reach and revenues.

ImageSpan’s LicenseStream will be combined with BrandProtect’s LinkWalker™, which identifies where brands, company names, images, audio, video, and/or trademarks appear online. LicenseStream empowers all types of media companies to extend their reach into the fast-growing marketplace for digital content by letting them publish their digital assets safely, efficiently and directly to the Web and global search engines so that anyone, anywhere in the world can find their search-optimized content and pay for it with a mouse click. The addition of BrandProtect with LinkWalker – which visits about a billion Web pages per month – to the LicenseStream ecosystem extends the ability of users to track and respond to unauthorized uses of a full range of content.

“The more content owners leverage LicenseStream to publish their content to the Web in a way that helps them monetize it, the more they also need a way to keep the value of their brand from being diluted by unauthorized uses,” said Iain Scholnick, chief executive officer, ImageSpan. “The combination of LicenseStream and BrandProtect’s LinkWalker offers content owners a holistic approach that protects their brand at the same time as it maximizes the value of their digital assets.”

The ecosystem of companies already working with LicenseStream includes Digimarc, whose Digimarc for Images provides an online search service for watermarked images. Digimarc for Images lets content owners add an imperceptible digital watermark to communicate copyright ownership and information on how to contact the owner wherever the image is found online. This solution begins searching content from the moment it is watermarked and published to the Web.

BrandProtect extends this search capability to other types of media content using text and image-matching search capabilities, as well as digital fingerprinting. A digital fingerprint analyzes image content and then creates a unique image fingerprint. Very much as human fingerprints rely on the patterns of unique arches and swirls found on an individual’s thumb or forefinger, digital media fingerprints rely on a unique ID to track content across the Web.

One of the largest SQL databases in the world, LinkWalker contains information on more than 70 billion links associated with more than 350 million domains and 12 billion Web pages. New links are added daily from newly registered domains. LinkWalker constantly scours the Web to uncover and mitigate unauthorized uses wherever the content appears. For example, on average it finds more than 300 million images per month in its searches.

LicenseStream’s Content Tracker uses information provided by both Digimarc for Images and LinkWalker to provide regular reporting to LicenseStream users on where their content is found so they can respond appropriately. When unauthorized uses of content are discovered, LicenseStream empowers content owners to select from several automated remedies – e-mail offers to license the image, video or audio on the spot, request to provide attribution, a link back to the photographer’s gallery, initiate collections or take down the content.

LicenseStream also optimizes content for search engines before it is published to the Web. With a mouse click, buyers can then license that content with flexible pricing based on use. Since watermarks and fingerprints can be unique to various instances of the same content, media owners have the flexibility to set licensing terms depending on the specific usage and buyer. Tracking reports are automatically sent out each month. Alternatively, content owners can generate their own reports at any time.

In cases where a website owner opts to continue with unauthorized usage of a media owner’s content, BrandProtect can move to inhibit further usage through its relationships with more than 4,000 internet service providers worldwide.

“LicenseStream and LinkWalker give customers from a range of industries both an enhanced layer of protection and the ability to move beyond content protection into monetizing assets,” said Michael Kiefer, general manager, BrandProtect. “Together, we can extend visibility for media owners into how and where their images, video and audio are being used so they can mitigate the threats that put their rights, revenue streams and reputation at risk. With more intelligence about how and where their content is being used across the Web, media owners can uncover new markets and make more intelligent choices about how to protect and maximize the value of their content, including choices about which partnerships and customers to pursue.”

Technorati Tags: ImageSpan

New Zoom Lens for Panasonic Lumix G Digicams

DennisHays — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:17:54 +0000

Panasonic has introduced a new interchangeable lens for its Lumix G Micro System, the ultra-compact and lightweight Lumix G VARIO 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S. lens offers versatile zoom range of 14-42mm (35mm camera equivalent: 28-84mm), making it suitable for a wide variety of scenes, everything from dynamic landscape to portrait. The Lumix G VARIO 14-42mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S. lens will be part of the kit lens for the latest additions to the Lumix G Series of digital cameras: the Lumix DMC-G10 and Lumix DMC-G2, also introduced today.

Source and Read More: creativepro.com

Technorati Tags: Panasonic,Lumix,Zoom Lens

Do You Know Your Camera Well Enough to Master Your Craft? – Don Giannatti (Lighting Essentials)

DennisHays — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:29:07 +0000

A sorta Rant and sorta Rave:

Knowing your instrument in music means knowing it so well that you can pick it up and play whatever note you want to play. There isn’t a hesitation at all in the choice of keys, or fingering, or hand position. With a piece of music in front of the musician, he/she can play it perfectly the first time they see it. — Don Giannatti

Source and Read More: lighting-essentials.com

Technorati Tags: Master Your Craft

Do You Make These Mistakes in Candid Photography? – Light Stalking

DennisHays — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:24:33 +0000

Candid photography is one of the best ways to capture people in an environment that they feel comfortable in and these photos are generally the ones that will rehash old memories when looked back upon. There are a few mistakes though that could kill the image, this tutorial will help point out what not to do. — Light Stalking

Source and Read More: lightstalking.com

Technorati Tags: Candid Photography,Mistakes

[REVIEW:] Sigma 18-50 mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM – lens review – LensTip

DennisHays — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:21:50 +0000

In March 2009 Sigma released a new lens – Sigma 18-50 mm f/2.8-4.5 DC OS HSM. I must admit I was surprised about this novelty and the first thought that crossed my mind when I saw its parameters was: “what for?”. Sigma has two quite good lenses in its offer, which overlap the range and brightness of the new lens. I’m talking about Sigma 17-70 mm f/2.8-4.5 DC Macro and Sigma 18-50 mm f/2.8 EX DC Macro. At the first glance it looks like they utilize the range of possibilities. If someone cares about universality they’ll take the cheaper Sigma 17-70 mm with worse light, but good Macro function. If they want brightness, they’ll go for the 18-50 mm model with constant maximum aperture of f/2.8. — LensTip

Source and Read More: lenstips.com

Technorati Tags: Sigma,18-50mm f/1.4 USM,Review

Writing Your Photography Marketing Plan: Determining Target Margets – Matthew Kauffmann (Black Star)

DennisHays — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:11:24 +0000

Sixth in a series.

Many photography businesses fall into the trap of trying to be everything to everyone. You are so hungry for business that you will work for anyone and attempt anything. That’s certainly understandable, particularly in this economy. But it’s not a good marketing formula for long-term success. — Matthew Kauffmann

Source and Read More: blackstar.com

Technorati Tags: Photography Marketing Plan

Q&A: How to Use Your Nikon SB-900 in Optical Slave Mode – David Hobby (Strobist)

DennisHays — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:00:05 +0000

As most of you know, the discontinued Nikon SB-800 speedlight has an awesome — yet, oddly undocumented — built-in slave. But given the questions I have gotten recently, many people who own the newer SB-900s are not aware that their flash has the same capability. — David Hobby

Source and Read More: strobist.blogspot.com

Technorati Tags: SB-900,Optical Slave

Martin Klimas, Dusseldorf – Alison Zavos (feature shoot)

DennisHays — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:37:35 +0000

Martin Klimas was born in 1971 in Lake of Konstanz, Germany. He received his degree in Visual Communications from Fachhochschule Dusseldorf and has had many exhibitions in Germany and abroad. He is represented by Foley Gallery in New York and Bransch for commercial assignments. — Alison Zavos

Source and Read More: featureshoot.com

Technorati Tags: Martin Klimas

Digital Photography Notes – prestonpreston21

DennisHays — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:20:47 +0000

Sometimes we use the digital camera photos too dark or light, photographs, hair gray; or the overall results are poor, not meet their own request. So, how can illuminate an ideal photo? Should pay attention to these points:
First, note that the basic settings of digital cameras
Buy a digital camera, the first carefully read the instructions, figure out basic functions. Themselves to study and master figure out settings, than to take a camera to shoot muddleheaded good effect, is more solid than asking someone else, you can perform more efficiently. Now digital cameras, a number of important properties can be set to smart, or automatically detected. For example, aigo digital cameras do pretty well. — prestonpreston21

Source and Read More: prestonpreston21.blogs.nouvelobs.com

Technorati Tags: Digital Photography Notes

‘Endangered Spaces’ Photos by Judy Robinson-Cox On Exhibit at RAA – Cape Ann Beacon

DennisHays — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:18:12 +0000

Rockport —

Gloucester photographer Judy Robinson-Cox will exhibit a collection of photographic images and constructions called “Endangered Spaces” March 14-26 in the Marguerite Pearson Room at the Rockport Art Association, 12 Main St., Rockport.

The public is invited to attend an opening reception on Sunday, March 14, from 2-4 pm. — Cape Ann Beacon / Wicked Local

Source and Read More: wickedlocal.com

Technorati Tags: Endangered Spaces

Haunting ‘Strange Devices’ reveals photos can lie – Georgia Rowe (San Francisco Examiner)

DennisHays — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:14:07 +0000

SAN FRANCISCO — Now that nearly every person in America has a digital camera, it’s hard to imagine the impact photographs — especially those from different cultures — had on early viewers.

In “Concerning Strange Devices from the Distant West,” which made its world premiere last week at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, a picture of an American woman taken in 19th-century Japan sends ripples through time right up to the present day. — Georgia Rowe

Source and Read More: sfexaminer.com

Technorati Tags: Photos Can Lie,Strange Devices