Edward Weston: Mexico

Edward Weston: Mexico
Phoenix Art Museum
Norton Photography Gallery
August 9, 2008 – November 15, 2008

Born in 1886, Edward Weston began his career practicing a popular photographic style called Pictorialism, creating portraits and nudes. The pieces with minimum contrast and soft-focus had a dream like quality. In 1923, an uninspiring and stagnate commercial portrait business prompted Weston to relocate to Mexico with Modotti. While there, he created innovative work exploring a modernist aesthetic characterized by sharp focused portraits, abstractions, and richly textured still lifes. Weston’s work was met with praise and recognition in the midst of the vibrant Mexican artistic culture.

This stunning collection of 60 photographs displays the local culture and scenery of Mexico in the 1920s – a rich period for the arts known as the Mexican Renaissance. Weston used a large camera to create technically accomplished black-and-white photos rich in detail and markedly abstract. Mexico allowed him to experiment with new subject matter, such as still lifes and landscapes, making this period one of the most pivotal of his career.

Current Exhibitions at the Phoenix Art Museum

Minimalist Lighting: Professional Techniques for Location Photography

Recent Photography Book:
Packed with incredible images and step-by-step techniques, this book is a must have for commercial, wedding, and portrait photographers working on location who want to maximize their time behind the camera and minimize their time spent hauling cumbersome lighting equipment. The tips show how to select easily portable and versatile equipment for location shoots, cutting down on the packing and porting of expensive equipment.

With techniques and information on the latest technology—including battery-powered flashes and accessories—this reference shows photographers how to work with smaller and lighter-weight lighting equipment without sacrificing quality. Whether shooting portraits, landscapes, or interiors, whether indoors or out, photographers will embrace the portable approach offered in this valuable resource. Find out more.

The New Low-Light Photography

Sharp, clean images lit by just a burning candle. Smooth, natural skin tones in dim, mixed lighting. Blur-free scenes shot handheld at 1/8 sec. Action frozen without a flash. Details in shadows without compromising color. Autofocus that locks on in the dark. Welcome to today's low-light photography.

Read the entire article on popphoto.com

Replace Your Filters With Tiffen DFX 2.0 Software

Tiffen, one of the leaders in the filter market has revised their software-based collection of filters and effects, and DFX 2.0 now includes more creative tools than ever before. There are more than 1000 new filters to tweak and adjust your images.

Available for either Photoshop or Aperture, Final Cut and more, the new software also includes masking and layering.

The original press release is below:

Hauppauge, New York, August 18, 2008 - Based on the success of its original award-winning Dfx Digital Filter software that revolutionized the digital filter market, Tiffen now introduces Dfx version 2.0.

Steven Tiffen, company CEO commented. "We are very excited about the release of Tiffen Dfx version 2.0. It affirms our on-going commitment to the software category, as we extend our reach into the digital imaging marketplace with innovative new products.”

The new version now features multiple masking and layering capabilities with its Photoshop and Aperture plug-ins, previously only offered with the Stand-alone edition, plus more than 1,000 new filters and effects including: Ambient Light, Close Up Lens, Dot, Eye Light, Flag, Gobo, HFX® Star, Haze, High Contrast, Ice Halos, Rainbows, Sepia, Sky, Soft Contrast, Soft Light, Warm Center Spot, Warm Polarizer, Water Droplets, Wide Angle Lens and 812® Warming.

Professionals and enthusiasts alike can now choose from a palette of more than 2,000 standard, exclusive and special effect filters that simulate Tiffen’s award-winning optical equivalents. These can all be quickly and easily customized, then saved to a filter library for later use.
Provided by PDNonline.com

Microsoft Web-based "Photosynth" 3D Image Panorama Software

Microsoft officially took the wraps off Photosynth with hopes it will become a sort of Flickr of the next dimension. And after playing around with it for a few days before the launch, PDN can see some definite potential. Read the entire article on PDNonline.com.

New Digital Camera Reviews

Seven new reviews have been added to the Recent Digital Camera Reviews section.

Canon EOS 1000D (Rebel XS) DSLR
Kodak EasyShare V1073
Nikon D700 DSLR
Olympus E-520 DSLR
Pentax Optio W60
Sony CyberShot DSC-H50
Sony CyberShot DSC-W300

Venice Beach with the Sony A100

My wife and I recently spent a few days at Venice Beach in California, without the kids. Now that is what I call a real vacation.

I took along my reliable Sony Alpha 100 with the Sony 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 AF kit lens. We were going to do a lot of walking and bike riding up and down the boardwalk, and I didn’t want to be lugging around a big telephoto lens or multiple lenses. Popphoto.com gave the Sony kit lens high marks and there is no reason not to use it in a situation such as this.

Venice Beach is quite the unique place to vacation. During the day the eclectic scenery, including the beachs (and Muscle Beach which really isn't a beach), buildings, shops and cavalcade of characters, can be quite entertaining. However, after nightfall the mood changes and indoors was our preferred location. I’ve put together a short gallery of images from the few days we were there. If you haven’t had the chance to experience this distinctive area of the American West Coast, I recommend it. The people watching alone is worth the trip.

Sigma 70mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro AF (SONY)

One of my most recent acquisitions is the wonderful Sigma 70mm f2.8 EX DG Macro AF lens for the Sony mount. Mounted onto the Sony Alpha 100 DSLR the lens becomes a 105mm, which is excellent for most portrait situations.

The lens handling is excellent with smooth focusing and easy to grip; although a bit heavy. It is a Macro lens and includes focus lock. I’ve created a short gallery of sample images and a detailed review of the lens can be read on PopPhoto.com.

NAPP Lightroom 2.0 Learning Center

Speaking of the Lightroom community that has developed over the last year, NAPP (Nation Association of Photoshop Professionals) has been one of the leading proponents of Adobe’s non-destructive photo editing and digital photography workflow application. Their new site includes a wealth of information including an overview of the application’s new features, FAQ, videos, on-line training, and links to several other Lightroom on-line sources.

Check out the NAPP Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.0 Learning Center website for yourself.

Adobe Releases Photoshop Lightroom 2.0

Adobe has finally released Photoshop Lightroom v2.0, the latest edition of it's excellent non-destructive photo editing and digital photography workflow application. Quickly import, adjust, process, manage and digitally display or print your images. New features include enhanced organizational tools, volume management, multiple monitor support, local adjustment brush, 64-bit support for Windows and Mac OS, and many more.

I’ve been using the first version of Lightroom for some time now and find it essential to my digital workflow process. A huge Lightroom community has developed over the last year and dozens of “how-to” books are available.

New users expect to pay $299, while the upgrade for those of us who already use and enjoy the product will only need to shell out 99 bucks. Check out the Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.0 website for more information and how to order.