IDimager V4 Released
Posted on December 13, 2007 - Filed Under Digital, Photo | Leave a Comment
IDimager Systems released version 4 of the popular digital image management tool IDimager, the latest main release to its organization and sharing software. Unique features combine to make IDimager the most powerful and affordable tool available today to manage thousands of photos and integrate them in imaging workflows. Advanced version management and uploading features to photo sharing sites such as SmugMug and Zenfolio are among new features. Additional features include cataloging, image ingestion, batch processing, viewing and editing of multiple image files, even in large albums and photo collections.
“With IDimager digital image management becomes a pleasure. All the tools needed by amateur, semi-professional, and professional photographers are available in a single intuitive environment. The program handles the complex, technical aspects of imaging workflows. Our primary goal with IDimager V4 is to help photographers get the most out of their digital images by providing them with a centralized image control tool from where they are able to step out to other photo services like image editing, online photo sharing, mailing, or other services. IDimager V4 is designed to make it simple to manage and control large image collections.”
Integration with External Devices and Photo Sharing Platforms
Once images are indexed by IDimager V4, the new, online Transfer tool is optimized to share them quickly and easily through E-mail, SmugMug, Zenfolio, Google Earth, and other popular photo sharing methods.
Pricing and Availability
IDimager V4 is available for a free 30-day trial and comes with an English, Dutch, and German user interface. The program is available in two different flavors: “Personal Edition” and “Professional Edition”. Personal Edition is available for $69 (USD) and Professional is available for $129 (USD). Both editions are available for purchase at www.idimager.com
IDimager V4 screenshot
Highlights of the new IDimager V4 release
The program is designed to enable you to manage many thousands of images without a very noticeable performance decrease.. With version 4 this is even more true. This version introduces many new areas that are unique in the world of digital image management.
Revolutionary search system
With the new revolutionary search system our customers can build search queries just by clicking a few boxes. By combining many different types of search items it becomes easy to build powerful queries like “all nature images, taken in 2007, rated 3 or 4 stars, showing birds and trees, taken with ISO 400″. Such a query is built just by selecting these items in the Catalog Explorer and then clicking the run button. How simple can it be?
Fast image collecting
Anywhere within the program it becomes possible to collect images that are needed in either Virtual Collections, Fast Collections, or an Image Basket. This way it is easy to select images for further handling in IDimager or in third party applications.
Versioning and Stacking
Managing different copies of the same image introduces troubles to keep an overview of these copies. IDimager V4 will keep them together with either the versioning or the stacking features. IDimager was the first DAM to implement versions, and with V4 this feature is further enhanced. Now it is possible to define as many version place holders as needed, and access to versioned images is provided throughout the application. The Catalog Explorer integrates Version Placeholders, which makes it easy to browse through different sets of versions or to use the placeholders as conditions for search operations.
Area tagging
Apart from tagging images, it is now possible to tag areas of images. It is the ideal way to define parts of the image that relates to tags, or just to describe a part of the image that needs additional information.
Relational labels
In V4 is a unique new dimension called relational labels. With relational labels it is possible to define how catalog labels relate to each other. For instance; if John is married to Jane, then a relationship can be defined between these two labels that describe their inter-relational role; e.g. John relates to Jane as Husband to Wife.
Easy metadata management
Manage metadata in a transparent manner. When describing images in IDimager, the program will write metadata as XMP, IPTC, and Exif. All without hassles. IDimager is completely XMP driven and when writing metadata, IDimager will also map the XMP data to IPTC.
Archiving
In IDimager V4 images can be archived to a different location such as an external hard drive, a CD, a DVD, a memory card, etc. When images are archived, IDimager will update all database references to the new location.
Open architecture
From the base up, IDimager is designed with an open cataloging architecture in mind. This means that our customers are able to extract their information at any time, even without IDimager. Cataloging images is a time consuming job, and we will offer the means to make sure our customers won’t have to repeat that work when they decide to switch applications. Important catalog information can be stored inside the images as either XMP and/or IPTC. IDimager also uses industry standard databases to store its data and allow access the database outside of IDimager with all benefits that this will bring.
Unicode support
IDimager fully supports international characters, like Chinese, Russian, Japanese, etc. This can appear in file names, label names, and in other metadata description fields. This makes IDimager easier to use for international users.
Episode 6 on ‘The Shot’
Posted on December 13, 2007 - Filed Under News, Photo | Leave a Comment
In case you missed any of the earlier episodes of the VH1′s The Shot, check out our recaps of episode one, two, three, four and five.
The Break Yo’self Assignment
The episode started out with a post-elimination gang-up on John, who was awarded the best shot from last week. Robin, still smarting from Russell James’s “flat and uninspiring” remark, started a scowling campaign against the 20-something wedding photographer, informing him she would “try not to vomit” while walking past him.
After getting feisty, the five remaining photographers pulled up to a breakdancing competition pulsing with thousands of b-boys and b-girls. The assignment was to create portraits of three dancers, finding “beauty in alternative places,” in James’s words. The photographers had five minutes to elbow through the swarm of b-boys and b-girls, searching for their inspirational three, and 15 minutes to create a trinity of portraits. Robin managed to pick three non-dancers with zero confidence and zero moves (Jason: “Robin had the magical ability to find three people out of thousands that didn’t dance. That’s like finding three virgins in a brothel in Nevada.”). Meanwhile, Dean mastered the one-hand shoulder bump handshake introduction to pick up three vivacious headspinners.
The contestants then edited their shots and printed huge copies out on an HP LaserJet 3100 printer (name-dropped about 3100 times). But to the photographers’ surprise, the public, not Aussie James, was the judge of their blown-up shots posted in a gallery. Viewers told the cameras that Robin was their least favorite photographer (Maria: “I didn’t think her work is that bad but America did”) and loved the fashion shots by Maria, who cried like Ms. Teen America at the tempered praise. Maria and John won the challenge, becoming team leaders for the next assignment.
The Skin and Bones Assignment
Dave Navarro made a surprise, and slightly inexplicable, rock star appearance to help the budding talents shoot a campaign for Vaseline, with the mission to show “what is amazing about skin.” Jason, predictably “amped” for the assignment, came up with an abstract concept centered around Vaseline’s three product purposes — protection, healing, and hydration. John wanted to abandon the concept halfway through the shoot but Jason pushed through his overwrought thesis, even showing the brand manager a folded-up storyboard with scribbles that might as well have been Homer in hieroglyphics. Jason even managed to uncenter Dave Navarro (“And I’ll tell you this, to freak me out is saying something”) with a pose that James described as reminiscent of Guantanamo Bay and that Italo Gregorio thought looked fit to grace the cover of The Diary of Anne Frank. The other team, Dean and Maria, kept it simple and skinful, winning the exemption for the round. After the shoot, Jason and John fought it out, with Jason spouting delusions to a John in disbelief. John’s only response was two words, one of which was the f-bomb, and Jason stomped off.
The Final Shot
James praised John’s maturity when he apologized to the judges for failing to act as a team leader, instead caving to Jason’s hydration manifesto. Robin and Jason were left on the chopping block and James sent Robin packing, but with a suitcase still full of over-confidence. (“I’m disappointed people don’t see what I see in my work.”) Next week, the photographers will get starry-eyed, photographing Joss Stone and working the red carpet. Look forward to Jason waxing philosophical on the lowly-status of paparazzi and Dean calling Jason a little girl.
Olympus E-510 Architecture photography Pro Kit
Posted on December 11, 2007 - Filed Under Digital | Leave a Comment
Olympus E-510 Architecture Pro Kit : Olympus is pleased to announce the release of six kits tailored to the requirements of photographers working in professional fields. Each features the superior technology and latest imaging innovations of the Olympus E-System. Based on either an E-410 or E-510 D-SLR body, all kits boast Live View for ease of framing and incorporate a new generation 10 Megapixel Live MOS sensor so that image quality, speed and sensitivity are all second to none. Thanks to adherence to the Four Thirds Standard, the six new pro kits offer cross-manufacturer compatibility to safeguard the investment for the future. The following kit is now available – E-510 Architecture Pro Kit.
E-510 Architecture Pro Kit Specifications
• Olympus E-510 body
• Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm 1:4.0 (14-28mm)
• Zuiko Digital 14-54mm 1:2.8-3.5 (28-108mm)
• FL-50 external flash (GN 50)
• SBC-1 E-System Bag Compact
About Olympus Four Thirds System
This is the first and currently only open standard for digital SLRs. As the name suggests, Four Thirds systems use a 4/3-type image sensor, the size of which allows the development of tailor-made interchangeable lenses. These are not only smaller and lighter, but also offer a greater light-gathering power than lenses based on the 35mm film format. Besides Olympus, current members of the Four Thirds consortium include Kodak, Fuji, Sanyo, Sigma, Panasonic and Leica.
Olympus E-510 Architecture Pro Kit
No facade is too high and no cloister too wide with this professional choice for architectural photography. The special demands of this photographic genre present a particularly tough challenge. The Architecture Pro Kit is designed to maintain the highest professional standards while meeting these needs. The kit includes the E-510 body, the splashproof Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm 1:4.0 and Zuiko Digital 14-54mm 1:2.8-3.5 lenses, FL-50 external flash and SBC-1 E-System Bag Compact. With an angle of view of 114° and a minimum working distance of only 10cm, the Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm is an incredibly versatile tool. Ideal for indoor shooting, its bright 1:4.0 fixed aperture offers architects unparalleled freedom to capture broad perspectives of building models and other subjects. The E-510’s Live View capabilities and multi-angle HyperCrystal LCD allow compositions to be framed easily from low on the ground or above the head – without forcing users to contort their bodies to look through the viewfinder. The Zuiko Digital 14-54mm zoom lens assures greater flexibility in the shooting range. The FL-50 external flash provides pro-level power with a maximum Guide Number of 50. This kit comes with a handy E-System Bag to enhance comfort for photographers on the move and to protect the equipment.
Olympus µ 790 SW Lime Green Digital Camera
Posted on December 10, 2007 - Filed Under Art, News, Photo | Leave a Comment
Olympus brings more vitality to the European digital camera market with the release of the striking new µ 790 SW Lime Green edition. Limited to just 5,000 models in Europe, this distinctive camera is the perfect exclusive accessory for active, colourful lifestyles. In addition to its attention-grabbing appearance, the 7.1 Megapixel µ 790 SW Lime Green is bursting with powerful features. Shockproof*, waterproof** and freezeproof, it never loses its shine no matter what life throws at it. Make a personal statement with this season’s most invigorating stand-out model.
Boasting a body built for action, the 7.1 Megapixel µ 790 SW Lime Green can go where other cameras can’t. Whether at the beach, doing a round of snowboarding or navigating the hazards of a kids’ party, this camera withstands it all.
The µ 790 SW Lime Green matches elegance with power and performance. For versatility in locating and framing subjects, it features a 3x optical zoom (equiv. to 38-114mm). The ability to recognise human faces as the main subject of a composition through implementation of Face Detection Technology ensures optimal focus and exposure in the areas you want. What’s more, the µ 790 SW Lime Green applies innovative technology to deliver stunningly realistic results through the lightening of shadowy areas such as shade under a tree or backlit subjects. And ensuring photographic settings are tailored for most shooting situations, multiple scene modes are available, including four specifically made for underwater use.
The limited edition Olympus µ 790 SW Lime Green is destined to turn heads wherever it is taken and arrives October 2007.
The Olympus µ 790 SW Lime Green – main features:
* Stylish lime green coloured metal exterior
* Take it anywhere, anytime since it’s shockproof* up to 1.5m
* Exciting shots in and by the water since it’s waterproof** to 3m
* Face Detection Technology for perfectly focused and exposed faces plus correct exposure for other image areas
* 6.4cm/2.5” HyperCrystal LCD (230,000 pixel resolution) with a bright display even in brilliant sunlight
* High ISO settings for less blur
* 7.1 Megapixels to make poster-sized prints
* 3x optical zoom (equiv. to 38-114mm on a 35mm camera) 1:3.5-5.0 for stunning portraits, with optical folded light path and water-repellent lens coating
* Better low-light shooting thanks to BrightCapture Technology
* 23 scene modes for the best results in different situations
* Liven up your memories with movie recording plus sound
* TruePic III image processor for faster image handling and higher image quality
* Underwater shooting up to water pressure equivalent of 40m possible in combination with optional underwater case PT-041
* Shadow Adjustment Technology to brighten shadowy areas in a composition
* Perfect Fix function for correction e.g. backlight and red-eye
* One-touch light and LED Macro Illuminator
* Internal memory plus xD-Picture Card slot
* 25 languages on board
* Supplied with Olympus Master software 2.03 and Muvee Pack trial version, LI-42B battery and charger
* According to Olympus test conditions
** According to IEC publication 529 IPX8
Canon PowerShot G9 Review at Imaging Resource!
Posted on December 10, 2007 - Filed Under Digital, Ratings, Reviews, Tips | Leave a Comment
Imaging Resource reviews the Canon PowerShot G9 where they write – ‘Sure, I wish the Canon G9 were just a bit smaller to fit in a shirt pocket without strangling me. But at least the Canon G9′s large body contains a lot of good stuff. With above-average performance, a 6x optical zoom, image stabilization, and that gorgeous 3.0-inch LCD, the Canon G9 is the G-series reborn. Though it’s still lacking the swivel screen, I found the Canon G9′s big LCD useful enough that I didn’t miss it much. Though I’m one reviewer who will take the noise at ISO 1,600 and work with it later, I do wish ISO weren’t stranded out on that dial, retro-cool as it is.’
Photograph at centre of honeymoon death mystery; Police analyse image for clues over unexplained death
Posted on December 9, 2007 - Filed Under Digital, Photo | Leave a Comment
A photograph eerily reminiscent of the grainy picture developed in the darkroom during the classic 1966 film could hold vital clues to a suspicious death in Australia.
Detectives are analysing a holiday snap captured by a scuba-diving tourist off the Great Barrier Reef, which inadvertently reveals the motionless body of Christina Mae Watson, 26, in the background.
Christina, known as Tina, was pulled from the water unconscious but later died in the 2003 tragedy.
It is understood that the photographer, whose name has not been made public, only realised the importance of the picture years after it was taken.
The inquest in Townsville, Queensland is reportedly treating the image as a crucial piece of evidence in the unexplained death of the American who married just ten days earlier.
Tina and husband Gabe had decided to go diving as part of their honeymoon.
Mr Watson, a certified rescue diver, said his wife was an inexperienced diver who panicked and got into trouble during strong currents.
He said she knocked off his face mask and breathing regulator and was unable to bring Tina to the surface.
Mr Watson has not been charged in connection with his wife’s death.
The holiday picture shows a diving instructor swimming towards Tina Watson’s body and the photographer’s friend in the foreground.
Picture: Photo credit: Rex Features
Camera Test: FujiFilm FinePix F50fd
Posted on December 7, 2007 - Filed Under Cameras, Photo, Reviews | Leave a Comment
When the 6-megapixel FujiFilm FinePix F30 was released last year, its high ISO limit of 3200 was groundbreaking. And when we tested it in the Pop Photo Lab, it boasted full resolution capture with astounding noise and resolution results all the way up to ISO 3200. That legacy is both a curse and a blessing, however, when we tested Fuji’s follow-up to the F30, the 12-megapixel, 3x zoom (35-105mm f/2.8-5.1) FinePix F50fd (street: $250).
Were it not for the high ISO lab results of its ancestor, we’d simply report that FujiFilm was a little too ambitious with its ISO range on the F50fd. It’s a mistake that many other camera companies have made, and continue to make, with virtually unusable high ISO settings on their compact cameras.
Sadly, not even the F50fd’s great additions, of which there are many, can convince us to recommend it over its predecessor.
HP to outsource camera business, concentrate on Print 2.0
Posted on December 7, 2007 - Filed Under Digital, Photo, Reviews | Leave a Comment
In a move which will be of no surprise to many Hewlett Packard has outlined plans for the future of its digital camera business, announcing that it is to licence an OEM partner to design, source and distribute HP-branded cameras. This shift in strategy is intended to allow the technology giant to concentrate on developing its Print 2.0 initiatives, strengthening its position in the home and commercial printing markets. The current range of cameras is expected to remain on sale for the remainder of this year with the new partnership deal to follow in the early part of 2008.
Press release:
HP to Seek New Business Model for HP-branded Cameras
PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 7, 2007 – HP today announced that it will seek an alternative business model for its HP-branded cameras and shift resources toward its Print 2.0 growth initiatives.
HP is currently working to identify an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partner that would be licensed to design, source and distribute digital cameras under the HP brand. HP will continue selling its own cameras through the holiday season and intends to have the partnership arrangement in place in the first half of 2008.
This shift in strategy is intended to enable HP to accelerate its investment in Print 2.0 initiatives. These include furthering HP’s leadership position in home photo printing and online photo services, while accelerating the company’s retail photo-finishing business.
Announced in May 2007, the company’s Print 2.0 strategy focuses on three areas: delivering a next-generation digital printing platform that increases print speeds and lowers the cost of printing for high-volume commercial markets; making it easier to print from the web; and, extending HP’s digital content creation and publishing platforms across all customer segments.
As a result of its new camera business strategy, HP will take a pre-tax charge of approximately $30 million in the fourth fiscal quarter ending Oct. 31, 2007.
Portraits from the Edge
Posted on December 6, 2007 - Filed Under News, Photo | Leave a Comment
Photographer Lynn Blodgett has a demanding day job: He’s president and chief executive officer of Affiliated Computer Services, Inc., a Dallas-based Fortune 500 company specializing in information-technology outsourcing that employs some 58,000 people worldwide. But he has been avidly pursuing his avocation of photography for several years, a passion that eventually led Blodgett to study the craft with renowned celebrity portraitist Andrew Eccles.
In his most recent project, with Eccles’s encouragement, Blodgett has focused his lens on people with whom he might appear to have little in common — homeless citizens in various cities throughout the nation. His series of black-and-white portraits resulted in a remarkable monograph, Finding Grace: The Face of America’s Homeless (Palace Press, $55), which American Photo included in its January/February portfolio of the Best Photo Books of the Year. (Proceeds from Blodgett’s volume will go to a charity called the Finding Grace Homeless Initiative.)
“I hope we can see beyond the myths that all homeless people are lazy, addicted, or crazy,” Blodgett says. “These are real people, and we can learn from them.” Many of Blodgett’s photographs were made in cities where he was conducting business; he often sought out people to photograph after a day of corporate meetings. When American Photo recently caught up with Blodgett, he had spent the previous days dealing with fallout from a big shakeup on the board of directors of his corporation — and also touring to promote his new book and campaign on behalf of the Finding Grace charity during Homeless Awareness Week. Here he talks about the genesis and evolution of his photographic work.
Epson Introduces LED-Powered Scanner
Posted on December 6, 2007 - Filed Under Photo | Leave a Comment
Between the tiny scanners that come with all-in-one printers and behemoth commercial scanners found only in labs, Epson introduced a new scanner on Wednesday that offers customers a middle ground. The Epson Perfection V500 high-efficiency LED illumination for amateurs in all graphic fields. delivers 6400 dpi resolution, 48-bit color depth and
The scanner’s resolution allows users to create film enlargements up to 17 x 22 inches while preserving detail and accuracy. A built-in transparency unit accomodates 35mm negatives, slides, and other film formats, with a moving carriage and lamp optimized for film. An optional automatic document feeder can attach for quickly scanning stacks of paper.
Using LEDs for light eliminates the warm-up time normally necessary for cold cathode fluorescent lamps found in traditional scanners. Epson’s ReadyScan LED units also compensate for the type of media being scanned: white light is used for positive film while blue light is used for negatives.
Although many amateur photographers will likely use existing photo editing software with the scanner, Epson includes their own proprietary touch-up software. Digital ICE allows users to remove the appearance of dust and scratches from film, while Easy Photo Fix can restore faded color photos with one click.
“This scanner has the superior performance of a high- end commercial lab scanner, yet is designed to accommodate varying skill levels, whether for in-house use, the professional studio or small office,” said Grace Huang, senior product manager at Epson America’s professional imaging division, in a statement.
Epson’s V500 will be available immediately for $249.99 through Epson dealers, while the optional automatic document feeder will be released soon for $199.99 via Epson’s Web site.
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