Photoshop Lightroom Adventure Will Cover Version 1.1

Another Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 1.1 “how-to” book on the way is “Photoshop Lightroom Adventure” from Mikkel Aaland. Here is a recent blog post from Colleen Wheeler the book’s editor.

New York State Post-Mortem Publicity Bill On Hold

New York State is becoming a hotbed for photography-based controversies. Here’s an interesting article by Daryl Lang from pdnonline regarding a proposed post-mortem publicity photo bill.

With the legislation session on summer recess in New York, a bill that would grant more publicity rights to the heirs of dead celebrities is off the table for now.

The bill – introduced as Senate bill 6005 and Assembly bill 8836 – was opposed by the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) and others, especially the owners of photo archives of Marilyn Monroe.

The bill would make it illegal to use a dead person's likeness for a commercial purpose without permission of the person's heirs. Of key concern was language in the bill that would retroactively transfer publicity rights to the successors of all people who have died since Jan. 1, 1938. Other states have similar laws, but none with language as broad as the one proposed in New York, according to opponents of the bill.

The bill was introduced in late May and never made it out of committee, but sponsors are considering whether to revise it and reintroduce it in the fall.

"We are reassessing the bill and addressing the concerns raised by those in the industry," says Walter Pacholczak, director of operations for Sen. Marty Golden, one of the bill's sponsors.

Pacholczak says the senator's office heard from a range of people who would be affected by the bill. "We feel a lot of those concerns are valid," he said. The other sponsor of the bill is Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein.

Among the bill's opponents are members of the Shaw family, who control the work of Monroe photographer Sam Shaw. A lawyer for the family says they will continue to fight the bill to prevent it from becoming law.

"We intend to oppose it and so do a lot of other photographers and people in the media," says Christopher Serbagi, a lawyer who represents the Shaw Family Archives and its agent, Bradford Licensing Associates.

The Shaw Family Archives recently prevailed in a lawsuit in New York State brought by Monroe's estate, MMLLC, and its licensing agency CMG Worldwide. The Monroe estate also lost a similar case in California against the Milton H. Greene Archives. Both cases concerned royalties from commercial uses of Monroe photographs.

The ASMP wrote a memorandum of opposition to the bill, saying the bill's broad language would violate the First Amendment and severely disrupt existing business relationships. Among its arguments, the ASMP wrote that, "The retroactive language would create havoc in the marketplace, chaos in the courts, and spawn litigation for decades."

NYC May Require Permits To Take Snap Shots

Not to wade too deeply into political waters, but isn’t the repeated line from our current administration “we are fighting over there, to ensure freedom over here”? Tell that to NYC photographers, as this talking point doesn’t seem to apply to them. According to an article on nytimes.com today new rules being considered by the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting would require any group of two or more people who want to use a camera in a single public location for more than a half hour to get a city permit and insurance. The same requirements would apply to any group of five or more people who plan to use a tripod in a public location for more than 10 minutes, including the time it takes to set up the equipment.

Julianne Cho, assistant commissioner of the film office, said the rules were not intended to apply to families on vacation or amateur filmmakers or photographers. Yeah, sure. Beyond wondering just how these new regulations would be enforced since, in my opinion police (especially NYPD) have better things to do then cite someone in a group of two or more for snapping a photo, the language in these proposed rules is apparently so vague giving police broad discretion in their interpretation, that harassment of tourists or other amateur photographers could occur.

This is just more Homeland Security hysteria gone unchecked. Hopefully The Mayor’s office in NYC will come to their senses and worry more about real urban issues and not if Uncle Louie and Aunt May want to take photos of City Hall.

Actually let’s be honest, Uncle Louie and Aunt May probably won’t be bothered, but the Indian or middle-eastern family visiting New York may be questioned or detained while taking photos or video in line at the Empire State Building. Just ask Rakesh Sharma who is sited in the New York Times article. Welcome to America, the land of the free…

Iridient Digital Releases RAW Developer 1.7.0

Iridient Digital has released RAW Developer 1.7.0, a major update to its critically acclaimed Raw image conversion software for Mac OS X. This update brings new features including automatic highlight recovery processing, an improved pattern noise filter, full screen image preview support and a new option for use of DNG style camera color rendering in addition to the existing support for ICC camera profiles. It also adds support for 15 new camera models including the Canon 1D Mark III, the Nikon D40X, the Fuji S5 Pro, the Olympus E-410 and E-510, recent digital backs from Phase One, Leaf, Mamiya and more.

Release Notes
New features include:
• Automatic highlight recovery processing applied when using negative exposure compensation adjustment. Greatly reduces the appearance of tinted highlights in many cases.
• Support for DNG metadata (2 color matrix) style camera color rendering in additional to existing support for ICC camera profiles.
• "Scale to Fit" mode now automatically resizes the preview image to fit the window size.
• White balance dropper tool now supports variable sample size from 1 pixel to 7x7 pixels.
• Can now hide the status bar in the image preview window.
• Image preview window now supports full screen mode.
• Support added for processing both types (high and low sensitivity) of pixels from the Fuji SuperCCD SR II (Pro) sensor used in the Fuji S3 Pro and S5 Pro models in wide dynamic range mode (the original SR sensor used in S700, S710 and S20 Pro models was already fully supported in previous RAW Developer releases).
• Support added for automatic use of embedded Leaf develop curves from MOS format files. Camera defaults for all Leaf models are now setup to automatically load these embedded camera tone curves if available.
• Support added for Canon 1D Mark III (sRAW format is not supported yet).
• Support added for Nikon D40X.
• Support added for Olympus E-410, E-510, SP-510 UZ and SP-550 UZ.
• Support added for Fuji S5 Pro.
• Support added for Panasonic DMC-FZ8.
• Support added for Leaf Aptus 75S.
• Support added for Phase One P21 and P45+.
• Support added for Mamiya ZD Digital Back.
• Support added for Sigma SD14.
• Support added for Samsung Pro 815.
• Support added for Ricoh Caplio GX100.

Improvements include:
• Processing speed improvements for Intel processor and dual core processor based Macs.
• Improved precision of curve parsing when loading Leaf develop curve format files into camera tone curve pane.
• Improved pattern noise filter with better pattern detection algorithm and faster processing speed.
• Improved white balance presets and color rendering for most Olympus models.
• Improved parsing of manufacturer maker notes stored in DNG format files.

Bugs fixed in this release:
• Fixes issue with high ISO files from the Olympus E-1.
• Sigma SD9 and SD10 models are now supported on Intel processor based Macs.
• Aperture value was sometimes incorrectly rounded for display in preview and info windows (actual EXIF metadata in files was not affected).
• Leaf embedded ICC camera profiles from MOS format files are now correctly used for exported images when selected in Input Profile menu.

Downloads
RAW Developer 1.7.0 is a free update for all currently registered users, new licenses are $125.00 US. RAW Developer requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later and is a universal binary application which natively supports PowerPC G4, G5 and Intel processors.

The main RAW Developer information page can be found here:http://www.iridientdigital.com/products/rawdeveloper.html

Full release notes for all RAW Developer releases are available here:http://www.iridientdigital.com/products/rawdeveloper_history.html

The RAW Developer direct download page is available here:http://www.iridientdigital.com/products/rawdeveloper_download.html

Scott Kelby Releases 1.1 PDF Update To His Popular Photoshop Lightroom Book

With the release of v1.1 update to Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, ‘Adobe Guru’ Scott Kelby has provided a “Lightroom 1.1 Update Kit” to those of us who have purchased his instructional book “The Lightroom Book for Digital Photographers.” The update is a .pdf document that can be downloaded from peachpit.com. You will be required to register with Peachpit Press. Once registered, you must enter the 10-digit ISBN number found on the back of the book, and then will be prompted to answer a simple question regarding the content of the book. So it is advisable to actually have the book on hand when attempting to download this 1.1 update document.

If you use Adobe Photoshop Lightroom I can’t recommend Scott Kelby’s book enough. It’s insightful, easy to follow, and entertaining. The new 1.1 update includes some great new features, so acquiring the update to the application and the update to Kelby's book is highly recommended. To register and download the new Lightroom 1.1 Update Kit from Scott Kelby, go to peachpit.com/register.

Early Digital Camera Pioneer Steven Sasson

John Larish has posted an interesting historical article on photoreporter.com about Steven Sasson, an early inventor of digital camera technology. Here is an excerpt.

…Steven Sasson joined Kodak in 1973. He graduated from Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute in 1972 with a BS and earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering in 1973. About that time, Kodak was hiring electrical engineers, which wasn’t typical as they usually hired physics majors and mechanical engineers. But because more and more camera and photofinishing equipment required electronic knowledge, they were looking for electrical engineers.

I’d never built a regular camera; what made me think I could build anything with this CCD device? I decided to take a shot at building an all-electronic camera, and I took a digital approach because my background was digital and I could avoid the mechanical complexities I didn’t know how to deal with…

Read the entire article on photoreporter.com.

More Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 1.1 Update Information

If you just can’t get enough information regarding the new features within the recent Adobe Photoshop Lightroom v1.1 update, Lightroom-News.com has even more. In addition to being a great resource for Lightroom information, this blog provides valuable links, tutorials and podcasts.

Read the “Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 1.1 Update” post on Lightroom-News.com.

Terry White Podcast Covering New Lightroom 1.1 Features

With the recent release of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 1.1 Terry White has posted a podcast covering some of the new features of this excellent application. His Adobe Creative Suite Video Podcast site also provides insightful casts covering other Adobe products such as Photoshop CS3, Illustrator CS3, and many of the Creative Suite 3 components.

“Photoshop Lightroom 1.1 New Features Overview” podcast is available now on the Adobe Creative Suite Video Podcast website.

Breast Cancer Survivor Turns To Photographing Surgery As A Way Of Inspiring Cancer Survivors

An incredible Fine Art Surgical Photography Exhibition is being held at the Art Museums of Los Gatos through July 28, 2007. This breath-taking fine art exhibition called "Behind Closed Doors" will take you into the mysterious world of the operating room where silence screams and a second in time can mean life or death.

Shelley D. Spray is one of the few professional photographers in the world who specialize in fine art surgical photography. While her images are exhibited worldwide, Spray had never imagined she would photograph anything but family photos with an inexpensive disposable camera. Then, in October 2000 her life took a dramatic turn when she was diagnosed with stage-1 breast cancer at the age of 36. Because she found the lump early, she survived with a small, 1/2 inch scar which she fondly refers to as her "scar of life."

"Knowing I am a breast cancer survivor seems important when I share how I began photographing," explains Spray. "It was through this experience that I found the courage to try something new as I resigned from my job and moved to Paris, France to study photography. I know people dream about doing something crazy like this, but after the diagnosis, I had a fresh look on life and realized I'd better start living it. Before I knew it, my belongings were in storage and I was sitting in a Parisian cafe waiting for my first class to start," states Spray.

The school specialized in fashion photography but with 15+ years in the surgical industry Spray wanted to take her camera into the operating room. "As I clicked away, I realized surgical photography was a way for me to describe the pain I had experienced and the strength I had found. It also became a way of bringing awareness to unique individuals on the medical team focused on saving a patient's life," explains Spray. "Now I share my work and my experiences as a way of helping women and their families who are experiencing similar life changing events."

Last exhibited in Geneva, Switzerland and Lyon, France, visitors to the Art Museum of Los Gatos will see haunting images that capture a surprising beauty. If you think surgery is "bloody", don't worry -- you'll be amazed as you cast your eyes on photographs that look like paintings including robotic, brain, open heart to name a few. International critics comparing Spray's work to the 17th Century French painter, Georges La Tour known for his paintings of figures caught in the shadow of a flickering candle flame. Now, 400 years later, the same haunting light emulates within her startling photographic images.

If you live in Los Gatos you shouldn't miss this incredible representation of the medical teams who are dedicated to saving lives. And if you don't live in Los Gatos, it's worth the drive.

There is a special Lecture and Champagne Reception on Thursday, June 28, 2007 from 6-8pm, where Spray will describe her images and disclose many of the techniques she uses when photographing during surgery. On Saturday, July 14, 2007, you can "Meet the Artist" at The Art Museums of Los Gatos from 1-3pm. The Behind Closed Doors exhibition will be on display until July 28, 2007.

Today, Shelley Spray lives in Los Gatos, CA where she works as Chief Marketing Officer in a leading Medical Company. She also donates her time to the American Cancer Society, works with Roche in a global cancer awareness program called Image of Hope(TM) and lectures nationally on her experiences, helping other women who are battling breast cancer.

To contact Shelley D. Spray or schedule a lecture -- shelley_spray@yahoo.com. You can also see an assortment of her images at www.corbis.com/, search words: shelley spray
For more information please contact The Art Museums of Los Gatos at 408-395-7375 or visit our website http://www.museumsoflosgatos.org/. The museum is located at 4 Tait Avenue at West Main Street, Los Gatos, CA 95030. Open Wednesday - Sunday, Noon - 4pm. The admission is free.

Contact Elke Groves, Publicists, 408.857-5498 or 408.499.2378 Art Museums of Los Gatos. CONTACT: publicist, Elke Groves, +1-408-857-5498 or +1-408-499-2378, forArt Museums of Los Gatos

Article provided by PRNewswire

Details On New Pentax AF200FG Auto Flash

Pentax has released details on its new AF200FG Auto Flash, first announced back in February 2007. The compact 6.8-ounce unit has a range of 2.3-11.8 feet at ISO 100 and f/5.6. It offers TTL and manual functions, but does not provide bounce-flash capabilities due to its design. The unit flashes with a discharge angle of 70 degrees horizontally and 53 degrees vertically. Its flip-down diffuser widens the angles to 78 and 60 degrees, respectively.

Features available via the AF200FG's simple control dial include flash exposure compensation and front-curtain sync. Its P-TTL system works with the camera's multi-pattern metering system to set flash intensity. Pentax rates the AF200FG's recycle time between flashes at approximately 4 seconds.

The AF200FG Auto Flash will be available in August 2007 for $149.95.

Popphoto.com Reviews Sony Zeiss 16-80mm Lens

Popphoto.com takes a closure look at the new Sony Zeiss 16-80mm lens for the Sony Alpha 100 digital SLR. This is the first of the new Zeiss lens line to be reviewed by the Popular Photography and Imaging testing labs. Here is an expert.

… The Zeiss is an ounce or two heavier than average. Zoom and distance scales are well marked. The zoom action is somewhat uneven, growing slightly stiffer as the lens is racked out; the MF ring is among the roughest-turning we've used recently. Autofocusing on the Alpha is slightly noisy and more sluggish than average.

Is the Zeiss upgrade worth the extra $470? For many, yes. It's marginally faster, with a significantly wider zoom range, and the construction is all-metal instead of plastic. More importantly, while both lenses tested in the Excellent range, the Zeiss's numbers were an order of magnitude better, especially at higher magnifications, due to better control of chromatic aberration…

Read the entire review on popphoto.com.

Pentax Announces New K100D Super DSLR

PENTAX Imaging Company announced the PENTAX K100D Super digital SLR with innovative features usually found on more advanced, higher-priced cameras. The newest member of the K Series of digital SLRs combines the PENTAX Shake Reduction (SR) system, an innovative Dust Removal (DR) system, and full compatibility with PENTAX SDM lenses.

The K100D Super builds on the popular PENTAX K100D digital SLR camera that first shipped in July 2006. Incorporating the PENTAX-original Dust Removal (DR) system previously available only in more advanced models, PENTAX takes entry-level SLR users to the next level with the new K100D Super Digital SLR. A PENTAX-original design, the Dust Removal system helps keep the CCD surface dust-free to ensure spotless images. The new PENTAX digital SLR also offers full compatibility with PENTAX SDM lenses. Together, these features upgrade the K100D Super to a technologically advanced SLR at a very affordable price.

Compatible with any PENTAX SLR lens ever produced,* PENTAX K100D Super offers a large 2.5 inch LCD monitor with 210,000 pixel resolution and a friendly Mode Dial featuring Auto Picture and Picture modes as well as new Scene modes for even simpler photography. The 6.1 megapixel APS-C size CCD, 11-point autofocus mechanism, and sophisticated 16 segment multi-pattern metering delivers outstanding image reproduction, while the bright, high-precision Penta mirror viewfinder features a 96% field of view and 0.85X magnification. With this array of advanced features and an easy-to-hold, easy-to-use design, the K100D Super delivers high-quality digital SLR photography to users of all levels including SLR beginners. *With adapter for screw mount and 645/67 lenses

Along with the SLR, PENTAX has announced a new compact, easy-to-use AF200FG Auto Flash. The hot-shoe mount flash features a compact, lightweight body, a guide number of 20 (at ISO 100/m) and simple dial operation to assure effortless flash photography for everyone. The P-TTL auto flash system assures proper exposure level by measuring the flash’s pre-discharge with the camera’s multi-pattern metering system. The AF200FG uniformly covers the wide discharge angle of a 28mm lens (in the 35mm format) and includes a flip-down diffuser that can cover the angle of a 24mm lens (in the 35mm format).

Alongside the new camera model, Pentax has also unveiled a new P-TTL compatible flash strobe - the Pentax AF-200FG. With a guide number of 20 at ISO100/m, and a focal range of 28mm equivalent (24mm equiv. with wide angle panel), this daylight-balanced strobe takes four AA batteries, and weighs just under seven ounces without these installed.

Pricing and availability have not been announced at this time.

Sharpcast v1.1 Update Released

Sharpcast, Inc. recently released an update to its data-syncing application Sharpcast. The update includes a slideshow feature for blogs and mobile phone support. Users who sign up for either the free or subscription-based accounts will also receive free prints. “We’ve spiced things up with cool new slideshows for your blog, added shared and group albums viewing to the mobile edition, and made the whole thing even faster than before!” states the company website.

With Sharpcast 1.1, users now have a personalized account (i.e. yourname.sharpcast.com) to display Web albums. Users can also turn gallery albums into interactive blog slideshows, allowing viewers to comment on the photos. Users can now directly import their contacts into Sharpcast from Microsoft Outlook and Web-based e-mail clients such as Yahoo! and Gmail. Sharpcast 1.1 adds support for Windows mobile phones and will add more phones later this year. Additionally, users can order prints and gift merchandise directly from Sharpcast.

New users will receive 10 free 4x6-inch prints when they sign up for the free account and can earn more free prints by referring a friend. Premium account holders will receive 25 4x6-inch prints for the monthly plan or 100 free prints for the annual plan. Sharpcast is available for download at sharpcast.com. Premium editions cost $5.99 per month or $64.99 for per year.

OWC Announces New High-Capacity Portable Drives

Now that Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 1.1 supports catalog exporting so the library can be moved between multiple computers, having your photo files on a portable drive could add to the convenience of this new functionality. In that vein, Other World Computing (OWC) has announced the Mercury On-The-Go 200 GB portable hard drive. The device has a higher capacity and works up to 50 percent faster than its competitors, according to the company.

The Mercury On-The-Go comes with FireWire 800/400, USB2 and eSATA interfaces and is built on the Hitachi 7K200 and Oxford 924 bridge interface. It is compatible with almost all devices with a FireWire or USB port, including digital cameras, and includes ProSoft DataBackup III for OS X and NovaStor NovaBackup for Windows with purchase.

Along with the 200GB model, OWC is also releasing a 250GB model that runs on 5400RPM. The high-capacity 5400RPM drive is also compatible with FireWire, USB and eSATA.

The Mercury On-The-Go 200GB 7200RPM drive is priced at $359.99, while the 250GB 5400RPM drive is $319.99. Both are now available, include a one-year warranty, and come with a carrying case.

Olympus Announces Zuiko Digital ED 70-300mm Lens

Official company press release:

Olympus, a worldwide leader in lens technology, today announces its new super-telephoto Zuiko Digital™ ED 70-300mm (f4.0-f5.6) lens with a compact, lightweight design that is ideal for travel – a perfect complement to the two new portable D-SLR (digital single lens reflex) cameras, the EVOLT E-410 and E-510.

The lens’ impressive 140-600mm equivalent focal length (in 35mm photography) is excellent for capturing beautiful images in situations where getting close to a subject is not practical, such as photographing distant scenes, wildlife, sports and children at play. Additionally, due to its unique optical design and impressive minimum focusing distance, this telephoto lens enables consumers to get up-close (38 inches / 0.96 meters) to subjects when taking macro shots – essential for capturing the intricate detail of a flower or jewelry. The lens will be compatible with all E-System and Four-Thirds system cameras, and it will be available at an attractive price for consumers.

“Today’s active lifestyles demand compact lenses that can be taken to the action,” said John Knaur, senior marketing manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “Previously, consumers avoided carrying large, cumbersome lenses, ultimately missing photographs. Consumers can now get close to subjects while carrying a smaller lens that won’t weigh them down.”

Affordably Priced Super-Telephoto for Astounding Reach
When shooting wildlife or sports, the ability to zoom in and bring the action close can make or break the picture. Whether photographing a tiger in the wild or a young softball player at third base, the Zuiko Digital ED 70-300mm lens puts long-range capabilities in the hands of consumers at an affordable price. The lightweight, portable size makes it an ideal lens for travel, and paired with an image stabilized digital SLR like the EVOLT E-510 the photos are sharp and clear at any focal length, even at times when a tripod may not be available.

100 Percent Designed for Digital Lenses
Looking to the future and technology, Olympus lenses are designed to be 100 percent digital, enabling lenses to be seamlessly matched to the image sensor so that light strikes the sensor directly with even coverage for accurate color and sharp photographs edge to edge. Zuiko Digital Specific Lenses each house their own CPU and offer the user the ability to upgrade the firmware as new technology becomes available. The ability to upgrade firmware also establishes optimal communication between the lens and the camera body, enabling better compensation for common distortions such as “shading” (darkening of the edges of an image that may sometimes occur in photographs) or “barrel distortion” (the bowing of vertical lines).

Durable Construction
Designed to meet the needs of the enthusiast photographer, the Zuiko Digital 70-300mm lens uses advanced optical designs and the highest quality optical glass, including 3 ED glass elements, to provide rich color and crisp, clear photographs. All Zuiko lenses are lead-free, utilizing titanium within the optical design. The lightweight comfort and durability of this lens will give the user years of use no matter where in the world they may travel.

US Pricing & Availability
The Zuiko Digital ED 70-300mm Super-telephoto Lens will be available in September 2007. Estimated street price: $399.99

Adobe Releases Photoshop Lightroom v1.1

If you’ve launched Adobe Photoshop Lightroom recently, assuming the ‘update automatically’ option is set, you already know that Adobe has released the awaited v1.1 of its photo editing application. The main improvements are Improved Noise Reduction and Sharpening Technology; Vista Compatibility; and Additional camera support for the Canon 1D Mark II, Nikon D40x and other recent devices. After the upgrade is installed, expect the application to take several minutes to update the Lightroom Catalog.

Official Adobe Press Release
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 1.1 is now available as a free upgrade for existing users, with added functionality and support for Windows Vista. Lightroom 1.1 adds a flexible image management system for multi-computer workflows, improved noise reduction and sharpening and raw file support for 13 additional digital cameras from leading manufacturers including Canon, Nikon, Olympus and Phase One.

"Although the beta period has ended, we are happy to say that Photoshop Lightroom continues to incorporate user feedback with this latest update," says Tom Hogarty, product manager for Photoshop Lightroom. "We are committed to continuing this partnership with our customer base by working together to make a program that best suits their digital imaging workflow needs."

Lightroom enables professional photographers to import, manage and present large volumes of digital photographs helping them spend more time behind the lens and less time at the computer. Improvements in Lightroom 1.1 include a new image management system that allows flexible multi-computer workflows. A catalog-based system means photographers now can move images and information quickly between their computers. Lightroom 1.1 further streamlines the digital photography workflow with the addition of a convenient way to synchronize folders in the program with new or changed photos. Other changes include improved noise reduction and sharpening functionality, utilizing customer feedback and technology from industry-standard Photoshop.

High-Quality Raw Processing
Lightroom leverages Adobe Photoshop Camera Raw technology and also supports JPEG and TIFF file formats, bringing raw conversion into a single workflow experience. Lightroom 1.1 adds support for 13 additional digital cameras including the Canon EOS-1D Mark III, Fuji FinePix S5 Pro; Nikon D40x; Olympus E-410 and Olympus SP-550 UZ; Ricoh Caplio GX 100; Sigma SD 14; Phase One H 20, Phase One H 25, Phase One P 20, Phase One P 21, Phase One P 25, Phase One P 30 and Phase One P 45. This support means that photographers can use Lightroom with even the newest cameras on the market, knowing that the image files will be recognized today and in the future.

Upon import, files can be converted to the Digital Negative specification or renamed and segmented by folder or date. DNG is an industry-wide initiative to create a universal file format for solving workflow and archiving issues. It aims to eliminate barriers to new camera adoption while giving professional photographers the confidence that their digital body of work is securely archived and will remain accessible as digital imaging technology evolves.

Pricing and Availability
The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 1.1 update is available as a free download for existing customers on adobe.com. Photoshop Lightroom can be purchased in the United States and Canada through the Adobe Store and at major photo and software retailers for a price of U.S. $299. Minimum system requirements are Macintosh OSX 10.4, 1 GHz PowerPC G4 or Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or Windows Vista Home Premium, Business, Ultimate or Enterprise, Intel Pentium 4 processor, 768-MB RAM and a 1024x768 resolution screen. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is a Universal Binary application that will run natively on PowerPC and new Intel-based Macintosh systems.

New Printers From HP Available This Summer

From Aimee Baldridge of popphoto.com.

HP has introduced two new desktop inkjet printers and an all-in-one device. The Photosmart D7260 and D7460 are designed for both text and photo printing, and use six individual cartridges of dye-based Vivera inks to produce 4800x1200dpi color prints. The Photosmart C5280 All-in-One uses black and tri-color cartridges -- and optional Photo Inkjet and Gray Photo cartridges -- to output 4800x1200dpi prints on paper and discs. It also copies and scans.

The 17.6-pound D7260 and D7460 provide controls through both buttons and a 3.5-inch interactive touchscreen LCD. They output borderless photos at sizes as large as 8.5x24 inches. A dedicated 4x6 photo paper tray is included, to reduce the need for switching paper types in the main tray. The printers also incorporate HP's Auto Sense feature, which automatically detects the paper type being used. Both printers are compatible with the optional HP Inkjet Automatic Two-sided Printing Accessory. Automatic photo enhancement features include redeye removal and HP's Adaptive Lighting tool for brightening dark shadow areas.

The printers can receive images via their built-in memory card slots, a USB port for connecting PictBridge-compatible cameras, and USB-connected computers. While both models offer Ethernet connections and can receive images via Bluetooth with an optional adapter, the D7460 also provides a built-in 802.11g WiFi connection.

The 15.7-pound C5280 All-in-One provides a 2.4-inch LCD and control buttons. It offers most of the same printing capabilities and features as the new D-series printers, but is limited to an 8x10 photo print size. The device can receive images from a USB-connected computer or its built-in memory card slots. Its flatbed scanner captures 4800x4800 dpi, 48-bit files.

The $149 D7260 and $179 D7460 will be available in August 2007, while the $149 C5280 will be available in June.

Epson Releases Affordable 4800dpi Photo Scanner

From Nick Mokey of Digital Trends News.

If you have bigger plans for scanned images than putting them up on the Web or printing passable duplicates, Epson’s newest photo scanner may catch your interest. Unlike many of the scanners built into printers and faxes now, Epson’s latest V200 will pick up 4,800 dots per inch in resolution, targeting photo enthusiasts and people who want to archive their non-digital memories in archival quality.

Considering that a standard image on the web has 72 dpi, and that 600 dpi is usually considered high-resolution, 4800 dpi in a scanner may seem downright excessive, but the point is to create a master image that will never have to be rescanned to capture more detail. And if you intend to create an enlargement from a tiny original, the extra resolution will pay off quickly.

Besides the level of detail you can capture with it, the V200 also has a 180-degree lid that rises up to scan bulky items, and a built-in transparency unit to scan 35mm slides and negatives. If you can fit it on the bed, you can scan it.

The V200 also offers a package of software to help restore aging photos once they’ve been scanned, with features like dust removal, grain reduction, and color restoration. On the other hand, if you just need to scan a document for an e-mail, a one-touch interface lets you do that quickly, too.

The Epson V200 is available immediately for $99 through Epson’s Web site and other retailers.

New Microstock Photo Site SnapVillage Goes Live

New microstock photography Web site SnapVillage went live yesterday. Owned by stock photo agency Corbis, the site invites amateur photographers to sell their photographs online. SnapVillage and similar sites, such as Getty Images's iStockPhoto, offer stock photos for cheaper than traditional stock agencies.

“Everyone with a digital camera has the potential to show off their creativity to the world,” said a post on the company’s blog. “And everyone with a computer has the tools to make something great from another person’s image.” SnapVillage allows customers to set prices between $1 and $50 for their photos. The images are royalty free. SnapVillage will act as a "farm club" for Corbis. Editors will invite the best photographers on SnapVillage to sell their work on Corbis, according to the press release.

Images can be purchased individually or with SnapVillage's subscription plan. The subscription allows users to download 25 images a day (up to 750 images) for $199.

New 18-200mm Digital Lens From Sigma

Sigma has introduced an optically stabilized f/3.5-6.3, 18mm-200mm autofocus zoom lens. Its optics are optimized for digital capture with an APS-C or smaller sensor. (Sigma warns that using the lens with larger sensors and film-based 35mm cameras will cause vignetting.)

The lens offers a minimum focus distance of 17.7 inches throughout its focal-length range and a maximum magnification of 1:3.9. A magnification scale is displayed on the lens barrel, which also incorporates a zoom lock switch. The optics include a Special Low Dispersion element and three aspherical elements, as well as multi-layer coatings, to minimize optical flaws. The lens has a 72mm filter diameter.

The 21.5-ounce lens is available now with a Canon mount for a retail price of $820. It will be available with Nikon and Sigma mounts later this Summer.

Popphoto.com Reviews The New Sigma SD14 DSLR

Michael J. McNamara of popphoto.com provides a camera test of the new Sigma SD14 Digital SLR that boasts a 14MP equivalent sensor. Here is an expert.

… Clearly, a truly unique camera takes time. And the SD14 is unique. It’s the first and only DSLR to use a second-generation Foveon X3 sensor, which has a 1.7X lens factor, boasts 14.1 megapixels, and is promoted as a color-accurate, detail-obsessed, low-noise alternative to the CMOS and CCD sensors used in other DSLRs.

The SD14 also packs a totally redesigned pentaprism viewfinder that no longer shows a dotted-line frame around the field of view (a holdover from Sigma’s full-frame 35mm SLR days). Since all Sigma DSLRs sport a much smaller image sensor and a 1.7X 35mm lens factor, the new viewfinder is a welcome improvement and projects a bright, clear image with 98% accuracy and 0.90X magnification -- earning it Excellent ratings in both categories…

Read the entire review on popphoto.com.

Sigma Announces Flash Compatibility Problems With Nikon D40x DSLR

Sigma has notified its customers that the NA-iTTL version of its EF-500 DG SUPER, EF-500 DG-ST and EM-140 DG flashguns will not work with the Nikon D40x.

Sigma will provide free upgrades, and has apologized for any inconvenience customers may have experienced. All three flashguns will require an upgrade for use with the D40x. Customers are advised to contact the nearest authorized Sigma Service Station.

AF Issues With The New Canon EOS 1D Mark III

Back in April, Rob Galbraith, editor of RobGalbraith.com, reported the preproduction Canon EOS 1D Mark III they were evaluating had trouble autofocusing on static objects and tracking moving subjects. Two months later, Galbraith and his team have experienced the same issue with production models. Two days after the article detailing the possibly semi-defunct autofocus was posted, Galbraith said he received e-mails from more than 200 Mark III owners who had experienced similar issues.

Galbraith identified four issues with the autofocus: a lag in initial focus, inability to track moving subjects well, focus shifts while focusing on stationary objects, and when a subject is moving quickly, the camera’s focus shifts too quickly. Galbraith said that the Mark III's autofocus performance is especially poor under bright light and warm temperatures. He urged camera owners to contact Canon with their complaints.

Read Galbraith’s assessment of the preproduction model on robgalbraith.com and the production model .

Canon Photography in the Parks Photo Contest

Canon USA Photography in the Parks News Release

From the beaches of the eastern seaboard to the Great Plains, and from the wetlands of the south, to the towering sequoias of the west, America and its pristine parks have always been hailed as top destination sites for photography enthusiasts and their families. Canon U.S.A., Inc. and the American Park Network continue to help define the relationship between photography and the great outdoors with the introduction of a free photography workshop program on select dates throughout the summer in Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Parks. These programs will be artfully hosted and instructed by a select few of the world renowned Canon Explorer of Light photographers including Adam Jones and Lewis Kemper, along with other Canon-selected photographers such as Rob and Ann Simpson. What’s more, the Canon Photography in the Parks Photo Contest* returns this year to offer photographers the chance to display their work and win prizes in the categories of landscape and wildlife photography in the parks.

“Photography affords an entirely new perspective of the natural world that surrounds us every day, both in our national parks, and in our own backyards,” stated Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager of the Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. “As a global organization, Canon understands its responsibility for the impact it makes on society and the environment. Canon is guided by the philosophy of Kyosei – ‘all people regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living together and working into the future.’ Through our involvement in the parks, we hope to strengthen Canon’s commitment to conservation.”

The Canon Photography in the Parks Photo ContestFrom June 1st to September 29th, photographic enthusiasts are encouraged to submit their favorite photographs from an American park to the Canon Digital Learning Center. Winning photographs in the categories of landscape and wildlife will win a trip to the participating parks of their choice, along with a full suite of Canon photographic equipment. By logging onto the Canon Digital Learning Center at http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc, potential winners will not only have the opportunity to submit their photos, but can also peruse the Web site to explore the various educational resources that Canon has to offer for novices and advanced photographers alike.

Photography in the Parks WorkshopsWith the help of the Canon Explorer of Light program, Canon’s elite roster of the most influential photographers in the world, park visitors will have the opportunity to participate in free daily guided visual photographic journeys. Additionally, Canon will loan participants top-tier digital camera equipment to capture those awe-inspiring sights at no additional cost. Aspiring photographers will learn the tips and tricks to taking great outdoor photos and experience hands-on training using some of the same equipment that professional photographers use. Evening programs are also offered, providing visitors the rare opportunity to spend time with the Explorers of Light, view stunning imagery, ask questions, and receive prints and a CD of their own photos.

“It’s rare that we get the chance to share our passion for photography with people that are so eager to learn,” stated Adam Jones, professional photographer and Canon Explorer of Light. “As far as wildlife and landscape photography goes, these three parks are among the best locations the Earth has to offer. I look forward to teaching the tips and tricks I’ve used that will help to create photographs that can compete in the Canon in the Parks Photo Contest.”

For more information visit the Canon website.

Fantasea Releases FP-5000 Underwater Housing For Nikon Coolpix P5000

Underwater product manufacturer Fantasea has released an underwater housing for the Nikon Coolpix P5000. The FP-5000 housing provides photographers will full access to essential camera functions in extreme conditions.

The FP-5000 has a depth rating of 200 feet and also protects the camera from sand and dust, allowing photographers to utilize all functions of their Coolpix P5000 underwater or while capturing outdoor action without worrying about water damage.

According to a company press release, the housing also has a double-O ring seal on controls, anti-glare hood for the LCD screen, built-in diffuser, and 46mm port ring thread for accessory attachment.

“The FP-5000, like all Fantasea Housings, comes with an Accessory System which will enable photographers to further enhance their imaging capability,” stated a company press release. The Accessory System allows the attachment of advanced lighting systems, additional lenses, flash strobes, and other camera accessories.

All Fantasea products also come with full flood insurance. The company will replace the camera if it's damaged by water.

The FP-5000, which will be available in July, has a suggested retail price of $245. The Nikon Coolpix P5000 retails for around $400. Fantasea plans to release underwater housings for up to five other Coolpix cameras in the near future.

iStockPhoto Contributer Sells 500,000 Photos

Crediting the power of crowdsourcing a recent iStockphoto press release describes how freelancer Lise Gagne has sold 500,000 of her photos on the stock footage website.

iStockphoto pioneered the concept of micropayment stock imagery and was one of the first social networks in the world to actually pay contributors for the sale of their work. It remains the world leader in micropayment stock and is now the global volume leader in all stock photography sales, whether user-generated or traditional. iStock has more than 1.8 million members and an image or video is downloaded from the site every 2.5 seconds.

"Lise is a great friend, a true artist, and has really set the bar high for the members of our community," said Bruce Livingstone, CEO of iStockphoto. "We work very hard to promote our artists, providing training, business cards, partnerships, and advertising that give all our exclusive contributors maximum worldwide exposure. I believe Lise is the first of many who will achieve this milestone, as we have just barely scratched the surface of the worldwide appetite for imagery. What may be her most astounding accomplishment is that by our calculations, she just may be the most prolific stock photographer on the planet."

iStock artists are paid instantly every time one of their images is downloaded. Exclusive photographers can make 40 percent royalties on each image sold, and 50 percent on extended license agreements. iStock promotes its collection and photographers through aggressive marketing and advertising campaigns worldwide, and has many partnerships internationally that increase channel sales potential for its artists.

In recognition of her achievement, iStock is creating an iStock Wall of Fame, with Lise the first member inducted. She'll be joined by many more of the artists she has inspired during her meteoric rise. It is interesting that iStockphoto is calling itself a social network in the release. They also offers blogs, profiles and friend features in addition to selling photos. Lisa Gagne says she likes the community aspects of iStockphoto.

"I love the community aspects of iStock so much and have learned a great deal from all my friends there since 2003," said Lise Gagne. "I fell in love with iStock right away, but never would have dreamt that someday it would be my career. But things have a way of working out: I got fired from my old design agency for spending too much time on iStock, and suddenly found myself with all the time in the world to give to photography. Now I hope to hit a million downloads in half the time it took to reach 500,000."

We don't know how much money Lisa made from the micropayments on the 500,000 photos she sold but selling 500,000 photos is very impressive. It probably helps that many of her photographs are business oriented. You can see her photos and her iStockphoto profile on iStockPhoto. Lisa Gagne's blog and website can be found at www.lisegagne.com.

FujiFilm Announces New Low Price For FinePix F40fd Digicam

FujiFilm Press Release:

Just in time for the summer, Fujifilm will offer the FinePix F40fd at the new low price of $249.95, effective June 17, 2007. The perfect companion for the family vacation, the F40fd is a powerhouse that boasts a large selection of easy-to-use functions and performance enhancements including new Face Detection! Combined with other features like Picture Stabilization, i-flash intelligent flash and high ISO, you can enjoy taking exceptional photos in all kinds of lighting, indoors and outdoors, day or night, and in any scene with point-and-shoot ease with this stylish digital compact. Powered by a rechargeable Li-ion battery for extended shot life, the 8.3 megapixel, 3x optical zoom FinePix F40fd makes it easy to be a great photographer, and the wide angle view 2.5” LCD makes it easy to share your photos. For more information on the F40fd.

Yahoo Photos Members Now Switching To Flickr

Yahoo! Photos members will now have the option to begin transferring their photos to Flickr, according to an announcement posted on the Yahoo! company blog yesterday. The company is asking its members to move their photos to Flickr or another photo-sharing site by Sept. 20, when the site will shut down.

Last month, Yahoo! announced it is closing Yahoo! Photos in lieu of the more profitable Flickr. The company has added links to the site to allow users to easily transfer their photos to Flickr or other sites such as Shutterfly, Kodak EasyShare Gallery, Snapfish, or Photobucket.

“We’re doing our best to make this transition as smooth and convenient as possible, and beginning today you will be able to move your albums and photos to Flickr,” said Yahoo! Photos and Flickr Senior Product Manager Tim Anderson in a blog post. “The next time you log in to Yahoo! Photos, you’ll see your options for moving your entire collection with just one click.”

Yahoo also announced that members of the Yahoo! Photos staff will be moving over to Flickr.

Adobe Announces Record Revenues

Adobe Systems Inc. has announced it achieved record revenue of $745.6 million in the second quarter, beating out initial estimates. Adobe’s revenue is driven by what the company calls “record performance” of the recently shipped Creative Suite 3 product line, including Photoshop CS3.

The March launch of Creative Suite 3 was the largest in company history with a total of 13 updated stand-alone applications and six product bundles of photo editing and design programs.

Adobe’s second quarter revenue of $745.6 million rose from $635.5 million this time last year, representing 17 percent growth year-over-year, according to a company press release. Adobe's target revenue for the second quarter was $700 to $740 million.

“Keep in mind, we have only been shipping Creative Suite for six weeks,” said Chief Executive Bruce Chizen in a Reuters report. “We are ecstatic…We do expect to exceed the full year forecast,” he added.

In the third quarter, Adobe is aiming for a revenue of $760 to $800 million.

Leica Releases Digilux 3 Firmware Upgrade

Leica Camera AG has announced that it will provide a free firmware update for the LEICA DIGILUX 3 on its website http://www.leica-camera.com/. The new firmware, Version 2.0, offers extensive improvements in the performance of effective digital SLR camera.

The new firmware for the LEICA DIGILUX 3 optimizes the functionality of the camera across many applications. This will include additional exposure functions and will, for the first time, offer a "Mode 3" for optical stabilization. Mode 3 will further compensate and correct longitudinal camera movement. This mode is ideal for panning, a method of taking photographs where the camera follows a moving object.

Version 2.0 will also include a new mode that facilitates the reading of the LCD monitor during use of the LiveView. This setting will assist the photographer when the camera is held in a position close to ground level. Further improvements include the "Auto Review" setting, a Replay Zoom, easier accessibility to the ISO setting in Auto Exposure (AE) mode, as well as further improvements to camera operation and user interface.

Detailed information on the firmware update for the LEICA DIGILUX 3 will be available at http://www.leica-camera.com/ in the Photography/D-System/Digilux 3 section beginning in mid June 2007.

Popphoto.com Reviews Waterproof Pentax Optio W30 Digicam

Paul LeFevre of popphoto.com takes a closer look at the waterproof Optio W30 digicam from Pentax. Here is an excerpt.

…Where the Pentax Optio W20 was rated to 1.5 meters (approx. 5 ft.) for 30 minutes underwater, the W30 can go down to 3 meters (approx. 10 ft.) for up to 2 hours. The extended underwater time and depth greatly improve the camera's usefulness for snorkeling and diving. Another improvement over the W20 is that all of the camera's watertight access covers lock automatically on closing, so there's less to check and forget before heading into the water.

Movies shot with the camera were smooth and sharp, and the camera's zoom can be used in movie mode. Just as with still shots, underwater movies looked better in normal movie mode than in the special underwater movie mode, which gave the same too-blue result…

Read the entire review on popphoto.com.
Image © Paul LeFevre

Popphoto.com Reviews Casio Exilim EX-Z1050 Digicam

Zach Honig of popphoto.com puts the recent Casio Exilim EX-Z1050 digicam to the test. How did it fare? Here is an excerpt.

…The EX-Z1050 scored class-competitive in resolution. At ISO 80, the EX-Z1050 achieved an Excellent resolution score of 2000, At ISO 400, the EX-Z1050 also scored Excellent (1900). User-selectable ISO goes a full stop further than the EX-Z1000 to ISO 800, and the EX-Z1050 expands the ISO range to a truly usable ISO 800. Resolution takes a dive at ISO 800 due to aggressive blur filtering to contain noise, but the EX-Z1050 still keeps resolution at the Extremely High Rating (1600) and manages noise well at this highest selectable ISO.

Noise levels at all tested ISO bested the EX-Z1000's scores. At ISO 80 and 100, the EX-Z1050 earned a Very Low rating (1.2, 1.2). ISO 200 (1.6) and ISO 400 (1.9) scored Low. Noise levels at the camera's highest ISO setting of 800 earned a score of Moderate (2.2)…

Read the entire review at popphoto.com.

Kodak Develops Filter Technology To Improve Low Light Shooting

From Ben Dobbin of Associated Press:

A year from now, capturing a crisp, clear image of a candlelit birthday party could be a piece of cake — even with a camera phone. Eastman Kodak Co. said Thursday it has developed a color-filter technology that at least doubles the sensitivity to light of the image sensor in every digital camera, enabling shutterbugs to take better pictures in poor light.

"Low light can mean trying to get a good image indoors of your kid blowing out the birthday candles. It can mean you want to take a photograph on a street corner in Paris at midnight," said Chris McNiffe, general manager of the photography company's image sensor business. "We're talking about a 2-to-4-times improvement in (light) sensitivity."

Analyst Chris Chute doesn't doubt that the new filter system, intended to supplant an industry-standard filter pattern designed by Kodak scientist Bryce Bayer in 1976, represents a breakthrough in boosting photo quality — especially when light conditions are not ideal.

"It's often the most simple concepts that can have the most profound impact," said Chute of IDC, a market research firm near Boston. "This could be revolutionary in terms of just changing that very simple filter on top of the sensor and basically allowing companies to use it in all different kinds of cameras."

Kodak expects to provide samples of its new technology to a variety of camera manufacturers in the first quarter of 2008. The technology is likely to be incorporated first in mass-market point-and-shoot cameras and camera-equipped mobile phones beginning sometime next year.

"Typically new features like this would be more likely to show up in high-end products and then trickle down," said analyst Steve Hoffenberg of Lyra Research Inc. "But I think the biggest potential benefit of this may come in the camera phone environment. Camera phones are using smaller sensors to begin with and smaller sensors generally mean smaller pixels, which means lower sensitivity."

When the shutter opens on a digital camera, an image is projected onto the sensor, which converts light into an electric charge. Most sensors use the Bayer mask: Half of the millions of cells on a checkerboard grid are filtered to collect green light and a quarter each are filtered to let through red and blue light. A computer chip then reconstructs a full color signal for each pixel in the final image.

The new method, which has been under development for more than five years, adds "panchromatic" cells that are sensitive to all wavelengths of visible light and collect a larger amount of light striking the sensor. Tailoring software algorithms to this unique new pattern enables faster shutter speeds, which reduces blurring when capturing a moving subject, McNiffe said.

Locating Missing Files And Folders Within Adobe Lightroom

Question - My thumbnails have a ? symbol on the top right corner – what does this mean and how do I remove it?

Short Answer -
The ? symbol is used to identify a file that Adobe Lightroom can no longer access; probably because it has been moved using one of the Operating System tools such as drag/drop or possibly the Move command. Unfortunately, Adobe Lightroom currently has no way of tracking such changes, so the ? symbol is displayed to warn the user that the file or folder containing the file can no longer be accessed.

Long Answer - Locating Missing Files and Folders
Even though Lightroom now uses the Folder paradigm rather than Shoots (as was the case during the public beta), it doesn't display the full disk/folder hierarchy in the tree form that most users would be familiar with. This means that moving folders from disk to disk or even to a section of the hard disk not shown on the Lightroom Folders panel very often needs to be done using OS level tools such as Drag/Drop or even the Move command. The problem with this approach is that Lightroom can easily lose track of your files, and this results in the ? symbol being displayed.

Computer-Darkroom.com provides a detailed solution to this issue with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom.

International Photography Competition For Young People

The community development organization Plan International and Shoot Experience, a creative events company, have launched an international photography competition for young people. Shoot Nations 2007 will accept submissions that address the theme of governance between June 15 and July 20, 2007. Entrants must be between 11 and 24 years of age. Winners will be chosen in two age categories, 11 to 16 and 17 to 24.

Young people taking photographs to submit can choose one of two "briefs" on governance to address with three photos. The first asks that the photos address the questions, "What upsets you?" "What could you do about it?" and "Who listens to you?" The second brief proposes the questions, "Who do you look up to?" "Who rules?" and "Where are they?"

In several cities around the world, including London, Berlin, Madrid, Dakar, and Delhi, workshops on photography and governance will be held in conjunction with the competition. Submitted photographs will also be exhibited in the selected cities, with the London exhibition taking place at the Tate Modern gallery. Forty-eight top images selected by a panel of photographers will be presented at the United Nations headquarters in New York for International Youth Day in August 2007, and submitted photos will also be displayed online. Numerous prizes will be awarded for the winning images, including a grand prize of an Olympus digital SLR.

Further information is available on the Shoot Nations Web site.

Image Trends Launches Portrait Enhancement Software

Image Trends has launched a series of software plug-ins designed to enhance portraits. The first two programs available, ShineOff and PearlyWhites, are Photoshop-compatible filters that automatically remove shine from skin and whiten and brighten teeth.

Read more information about this new product from Aimee Baldridge on Popphoto.com.

Ricoh Releases Caplio R6 Firmware Update

Ricoh has released a fimware update for the Caplio R6 digital camera. This update fixes the skew correction feature as well as preventing the step zoom function from being deactivated when the camera is powered off. The final change is to display a 'settings have been changed' message if the camera is switched to landscape scene mode.

Download the Capilo R6 firmware update directly from the Ricoh website.

Kodak Announces New Line Of M-Series Digicams

Eastman Kodak Company has announced the global launch of a new sleek line of zoom digital cameras for the style-savvy consumer. The KODAK EASYSHARE M-Series consists of four fashionable cameras, the M753, M853, M873 and M883, all of which are capable of capturing exceptional pictures at an attractive price.

“The style/value segment has become an increasingly important category in the digital imaging market,” said Phil Scott, Director of Marketing, KODAK Digital Capture and Devices. “Our M-Series line brings consumers the opportunity to expand their picture-taking experience by converging stylish, compact designs and quality digital imaging technology, with affordable pricing.”

M753 and M853
The KODAK EASYSHARE M753 and M853 Zoom Digital Cameras are equipped with 3x optical zoom lenses and 7- and 8-megapixel resolution respectively, which allows consumers to print clear, crisp images up to 30” x 40” in size. Memories captured with the KODAK EASYSHARE M-Series Cameras are displayed on a vibrant 2.5-inch LCD screen, perfect for instantly sharing clear, bright pictures and videos whether inside or outdoors.

The pocketable design of the KODAK EASYSHARE M753 and M853 is further enhanced through a variety of colors. The M753 is available in black, silver, purple, copper, pink and blue, while the M853 is produced in white, red, graphite, silver and espresso. The brilliant colored cameras are complemented by a full range of fun camera accessories designed for the fashion-conscious person.

M873 and M883
Two additional zoom digital cameras in the KODAK EasyShare M-Series line are the M873 and M883, both offering 8-megapixel resolution and high ISO settings. While maintaining its sleek design, the M883, with built-in face detection technology, allows consumers to view their pictures and videos on a huge 3-inch LCD screen. The all-metal bodies of the M873 and M883 come in silver and black with the M883 also produced in red.

M-Series Features
The KODAK EASYSHARE M-Series Cameras are loaded with a vast array of features that make great picture-taking incredibly simple. From high ISO settings that produce clearer pictures in low-light situations, to Digital Image Stabilization and KODAK PERFECT TOUCH Technology, the features onboard the KODAK EASYSHARE M-Series Cameras help consumers take consistently better shots.

M-Series Pricing
The KODAK EASYSHARE M753 Camera will retail for US $149 (MSRP) beginning in June 2007, the M853 and M873 will follow in August, retailing for US $179 (MSRP) and US $199 (MSRP) respectively. The M883 will be available in September and will retail for US $229 (MSRP). View this new line of M-Series cameras from the Kodak M-Series page.

Additional Cameras Introduced - Z1275 and ZD710
Also announced today, are the new KODAK EASYSHARE Z1275 and ZD710 Zoom Digital Cameras. The Z1275 is a small sized high-zoom digital camera, offering 12-megapixel imaging and 5x optical zoom with photographically-advanced features. The 7-megapixel ZD710 is a versatile, fully-automatic zoom digital camera with 10x optical zoom and high ISO. And like the M series cameras, both the Z1275 and ZD710 are equipped with features that help consumers take consistently better shots, like Digital Image Stabilization and KODAK PERFECT TOUCH Technology. The Z1275 and ZD710 are both available from August 2007 and will retail for US $249 (MSRP).

Light Crafts Releases v3.0.2 LightZone Upgrade

Light Crafts has released version 3.0.2 of their image editing software titled LightZone, which is based on the Zone System that features non-destructive editing.

New Features:
• Added new Styles Batch processing button, and application

• New version-size, and edit-size metadata, LightZone always edits in full size but maintains a version size as preview, or direct processing in other applications

• New Fuji S5 Raw support

• New convert to default preview (JPEG, or TIFF) with embedded LZN data, from stand-alone LZN

• New Select All, and Unselect all in pull down menu

• Added help screen at first start

• New sort by file-type

Improvements:
• Improved re-light tool

• Improved color balance

• Improved highlight recovery in Raw

• Improved Canon 5D Raw support

Bugs Fixes:
• Fixed metadata population (from camera), and editing

• Fixed rotation issues

• Fixed some drag & drop issues

• Fixed TIFF & JPEG preference behavior

• Fixed rating latency

• Fixed rating issues on Windows

• Fixed some Styles export, and import issues

• Fixed size of color calibration, and proofing selections

Downloads are available from LightZone download page.

China Blocks Popular Flickr Photo Site

Yahoo Inc.’s popular Internet photo site Flickr.com was blocked in China, the company said Wednesday, amid reports that authorities restricted access due to photos of the 1989 Tiananmen massacre.

Pauline Wong, a spokeswoman for Yahoo Hong Kong, said the company was aware that some pictures on the popular site could not be accessed from inside China although the website itself could be surfed.

"Yahoo recently did some testing on different versions including accessibility, then we found out some of the images cannot be surfed (on the Chinese site)," Wong said. "We are investigating the issue. We know that it's not a technical issue. There appears to be some kind of restrictions on access." Yahoo Hong Kong has contacted authorities in China but have not heard back from them, she said.

Internet postings and news reports said access to the site was blocked soon after photos of the bloody crackdown on the 1989 June 4 Tiananmen democracy protests began appearing there in recent weeks. Hundreds, if not thousands of unarmed protesters and citizens were gunned down in Beijing ending six weeks of unprecedented democracy protests. The massacre remains taboo in China.

Flickr is a site that allows users to post, store and exchange photographs online.
In the past, Yahoo has been accused of bowing to China's Internet censorship rules in an effort to access the nation's huge and growing web population.

A spokesman at Yahoo China in Beijing refused to comment, saying only that Flickr.com was not a part of Yahoo China and was being run and managed outside of the country.

Western Digital Announces 1.5 Terabyte My Book

Western Digital has announced an improvement to their popular My Book drives with new 750GB and 1.5 terabyte (TB) models. My Book is line of a Mac and PC-compatible external hard disk drives. Prices range from $279 to $699 depending on capacity and features.

The My Book is available in a variety of different versions with different features including triple-interface devices that feature FireWire 400, FireWire 800 and USB 2.0. Networkable storage device that feature Ethernet ports and remote access capabilities over the Internet are also available.

The newest models feature WD’s own 750GB hard disk drive mechanism. The 1.5 terabyte models are RAID systems that use two of the 750GB drives together. The MyBook comes bundled with EMC Retrospect Express backup software, intelligent drive management features and three-year limited warranties.

Where Do The Pros Shoot In NYC?

Seth Kugel of The New York Times provides some preferred locations where some pros like shooting in the ‘Big Apple’. Here is an excerpt.

… New York has more things to point your lens at per square block than some cities have, total. So, Weekend in New York asked nine prominent New York City-based photographers to recommend where to shoot the ultimate in vacation photos; you know, ones that people will actually want to look at.

TRIBECA AT NIGHT
“Its very moody, very like Paris. I'm always wandering around at the wrong hours of the night or day. People who are a little bit reclusive and live in their own fantasy world like to come to TriBeCa because it's like the land of the invisibles. It's more sexy, more secretive here.”

DONNA FERRATO has documented domestic violence with three books, including her 1991 “Living With the Enemy” (reprinted by Aperture, 2000)…

Read the entire online article on The New York Times website.

New Photo Book Aims To Expose And Save Darfur

Lori Fredrickson of PopPhoto.com provides insight into a new photo book covering the crisis in Darfur titled “Darfur: Twenty Years of War and Genocide in Sudan.” What has been occurring unchecked in Darfur is disturbing enough, but to see some of these images brings to the forefront the realization that the “free world” has not done enough to quell this crisis. Here is an excerpt from the article.

…While Darfur: Twenty Years of War and Genocide in Sudan isn't the first photobook to be published on the crisis, it takes perhaps the most direct approach. The photos (from such renowned war photographers as Colin Finlay, Pep Bonet, and Lynsey Addario, among others) capture each of the core elements: the military, the refugee camps, and the medical facilities. Many of the photos are hard to look at, as are many of the testimonies that accompany them.

The photos are accompanied by concise essays that offer facts and historical perspective on the region and its people. Contributors include Larry Cox, executive director of Amnesty International, movie star activists Mia Farrow and Ryan Gosling, and New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof, one of most outspoken proponents of intervention. Kristof's essay, titled "If Not Now, When?," offers a detailed plan for ending the crisis…

Read the entire article and review the image gallery on the PopPhoto website.

Macworld.com Reviews FotoMagico v2.0 Pro

Lesa Nider King on Macworld.com reviews the latest FotoMagico 2.0 Pro slideshow application. Here is an excerpt:

…Pros: Integrates with both iPhoto and Aperture libraries; supports Raw file format; intuitive interface; has a variety of export presets; works with iTunes.

Cons: Stiff hardware requirements; jerky playback on high-resolution images.

When it comes to showing off photos, FotoMagico 2.0.1 Pro is a photographer’s dream come true; and it’s packed with enough functionality to impress most presenters. I was disappointed with its poor performance with high-resolution images, however, and I look forward to seeing that resolved in the next version. If you create a lot of slideshows and need the ability to add text and audio, you’d be hard pressed to find a more elegant and easy-to-use program…

Read the entire review on Macworld.com.

Photojournalist Joe McNally Article On Gulfnews.com

Shiva Kumar Thekkepat of Gulfnews.com has posted an insightful Lens Talk article about photojournalist Joe McNally. Here is a brief excerpt.

… Over the course of his three-decade career versatile photojournalist Joe McNally has shot assignments for various media organisations and won several awards. But the images closest to his heart are Faces of Ground Zero.

There is no doubt that Joe McNally loves what he does. He worked his way up from being a copy boy at the New York Daily News to becoming a staff photographer at Life magazine and a regular contributor to National Geographic. His work is marked not only by an uncanny ability to capture forever those once-in-a-lifetime moments but also by a willingness to take chances and find solutions where none seem obvious. While on assignment for National Geographic covering US Senator John Glenn's space shuttle training, for example, McNally (an experienced diver) insisted on being dive-certified by Nasa so that he could shoot underwater images in their massive training pool. He also had 30,000 watt seconds of strobe and a professional motion-picture lighting crew brought in to light the shoot…

Read the entire Joe McNally article on gulfnews.com.
Image provided by Devadasan/Gulf News