Video Training Review: Beyond Skin: Going Deeper With Photoshop CS3 With Lee Varis From Lynda.com.
Posted on September 10, 2008 - Filed Under Culture, Photo | Leave a Comment
Doing photographic portraits, while rewarding, can also be a challenging skill to master. To do it professionally can take years to perfect and having the right post-processing skills and enhancement techniques are a must. In Beyond Skin: Going Deeper With Photoshop CS3, Lee Varis uses Photoshop CS3 to bring out the best in photos of people, faces, and bodies. He examines tone and contrast, color correction, retouching, and much, much more.
Your trainer for this library is Lee Varis. Lee Varis is the owner of Varis PhotoMedia, and has worked with photography and computer imaging for the last few decades. He combines digital and conventional photography with computer graphics to create images for use in advertising, commercial graphics, and multimedia. Lee's work has been featured in movie posters, on video box covers, CD covers, and in numerous brochures and catalogs.
Lee has developed a unique approach to photography that takes advantage of certain idiosyncrasies of digital capture technology to create impossible lighting effects. Lee has written several books, including Skin: The Complete Guide to Digitally Lighting, Photographing, and Retouching Faces and Bodies (Sybex) This library is divided into 29 lessons in two volumes and runs four and a half hours. I will break this review down by functional areas. You can see the full lesson listing at the bottom of this review.
Volume 1: The Basics
"The workspace" begins the lessons by showing you around the Photoshop CS3 environment, how to arrange and make custom palette arrangements, customized menus, and other tips to make your use of Photoshop much more comfortable.
"Curves" is sometimes considered one of the least understood tools in Photoshop, yet it is one of the more important image adjustment tools. In this section the instructor begins with a grayscale image so you only focus on tone and contrast and not with color. Next you add color to mix. Here you work with threshold adjustment layer to set black and white points to make your balance adjustments. You then move on to using the same techniques for working with skin tones. Once you get the contrasts, then you work for the most important color in the image; the color of skin. Finally, he finishes up with some speed techniques for streamlining your work.
"The Hue/Saturation command" takes a look at a different problem — getting the red out. This is helpful when trying to get the red tones out of the skin tones. This is done by using the hue/saturation adjustment layer. Varis then ties the curve techniques to the hue/saturation adjustments to complete this section.
"Basic retouching" takes you through the process of retouching images and the tools that are needed to fix images. These include the Healing Brush, the Patch Tool, the Clone Tool, and working with the Dodge and Burn Tools.
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Santa Barbara Harbour. August 2008.
Posted on September 8, 2008 - Filed Under Photo | Leave a Comment
Another view from the City College campus.
Nokia N79
Posted on September 8, 2008 - Filed Under Digital | Leave a Comment
Nokia N79 multimedia phone : Nokia unveiled the Nokia N79 cell phone, the latest addition to the Nokia Nseries range that combines intelligent and customizable design with a fully-loaded multimedia computer. Behind its sleek exterior, the Nokia N79 mobile phone is a technology powerhouse. It offers a full range of multimedia experiences including integrated navigation, music with FM transmitter, high-speed connectivity, superior web browsing, at least 10 pre-loaded NGage games and an advanced 5 megapixel digital camera with Carl Zeiss optics.
Nokia N79 camera phone
The 5 megapixel digital camera with Carl Zeiss optics, dual LED flash and video light captures sharp, clear photos and video that can be edited immediately, without the need for a Personal computer. Photos can also be geotagged to specific locations. What’s more, the Nokia N79 cell phone comes packaged with a 4 GB microSD flash memory card that makes it possible to store around 3,000 songs, approximately 2,500 photos and up to four hours of DVD-quality video clips that can be organized by user albums or tags and uploaded directly to Share on Nokia Ovi or third party services. The addition of a sliding lens cover helps protect
the top-quality Carl Zeiss camera lens when not in use.
Wi-Fi & 3.5G HSDPA connectivity
Perfect for the style conscious, the Nokia N79 mobile phone comes with Nokia Xpress-on smart covers that are available in five cool colors: Light Sea Blue, Espresso Brown, Olive Green, White and Coral Red. A combination of three of these comes with each Nokia N79 cell phone. The convergence of photos, video, music and navigation in the Nokia N79 combines with high-speed 3.5G HSDPA and Wi-Fi to make it quick and easy to share experiences on websites, blogs or online communities.
Nokia N79 GPS navigation
Nokia Maps mobile application makes it easy to explore and navigate new surroundings by accessing more than 15 million points of interest. In-built A-GPS providing turn-by-turn navigation – for walking or driving – comes with a three month integrated license on the Nokia N79 navigation phone. A Friendster widget will also be made available for the Nokia N79 cellular phone via the WidSets service. This will allow people to browse Friendster friends’ profiles, view and post shoutouts, upload photos taken with their handset, and browse their own and friends’ photo albums. All this enables more effective communication with friends while away from a computer using the Nokia N79 mobile phone.
Nokia N79 price & availability
To ensure each device is as distinctive as its user, customizable features are available at the Nokia Download! store, a one stop personalization shop, already embedded in Nokia Nseries devices. It lets consumers create a unique experience for themselves by offering easy access to a multitude of popular ringtones, branded entertainment content, the latest in mobile gaming and dynamic applications for personalizing mobile devices to the user’s own preferences. The Nokia N79 mobile phone is expected to begin shipping in October 2008, with anestimated retail price of EUR 350, before taxes and subsidies.
• Price information & availability : Nokia N79.
Olympus unveils FE-20
Posted on September 7, 2008 - Filed Under Digital, Photo, Reviews | Leave a Comment
Pre-Photokina 2008: Last but by no means least comes another entry-level digital compact camera, the Olympus FE-20, which joins the two FE- series cameras (the FE-360 and FE-370) announced last week. The 8MP FE-20 sports a 2.5” LCD and 3x zoom lens (36-108mm equiv) and includes features features digital (high ISO ) ‘Image stabilization’ and Face Detection.
Press Material:
Latest Olympus FE series models: Compact size, powerful optics
London, 25 August 2008 –The latest Olympus FE series cameras continue to impress for their user-friendliness, attractive pricing, and great image results. Like all Olympus cameras, they pack superior optical performance into compact dimensions. Boasting up to 5x optical zoom, these FE cameras allow users to get up close and personal with their subjects.
The high-grade optics matched with 8 Megapixels ensure premium image quality and precise picture details. In addition to internal memory, photos can be stored to xD-Picture Card or – thanks to a bundled attachment – on microSD Card. Find the newest Olympus FE cameras at a store near you this September for an approximate value of £119.99 for the FE-20, £129.99 for the FE-360, and £179.99 for the FE-370. Each model is also available in a choice of colours
The Olympus FE-20 unites strength and simplicity. The power of its 3x optical zoom and 8 Megapixels is always at your fingertips with this sleek and compact camera measuring just 21.5mm in depth. But don’t let its looks and features fool you – the FE-20 is fun and easy to use. Face Detection Technology makes it simple to capture your friends and family with optimal focus and exposure settings. And with Digital Image Stabilisation, ISO values of up to 1000 help prevent blur, so you can always be sure that your pictures will come out crisp and clear.
This stylish, powerful camera comes in silver or black, and its large 6.4cm/2.5” LCD makes framing and reviewing your shots a cinch. All of the latest FE series cameras follow a “one button, one function” design principle. Also on board are a help function and a multilingual menu for easy navigation and operation. The included Olympus Master Software also makes for easy photo handling on the computer. Internal memory is just one option for storing photos. Results can also be saved to xD-Picture Card or – thanks to the bundled attachment – on microSD Card too.
The newest additions to Olympus’ FE series – the FE-370, FE-360 and FE-20 – will hit the shelves in September 2008.
Main features: FE-20
- Miniature 3x optical zoom (36-108mm*) in slim body to capture everything from great scenes to stunning portraits
- Digital Image Stabilisation (up to ISO 1000) for less blur
- See and share images more easily on the 6.4cm/2.5" LCD
(154,000 dots) - Perfectly focused and exposed faces even in tricky situations thanks to Face Detection Technology
- 16 scene modes (e.g. Night Scene with Portrait and Candle) ensure the camera has the right settings for different situations
- Liven up your memories with movie recording with sound
(up to VGA resolution at 30fps)
* Equivalent to a 35mm camera
microSD is a trademark of SD Card Association.
• 8.5 million total pixels
• 8 million effective pixels
• Primary colour filter (RGB)
• 5M 2560 x 1920
• 3M 2048 x 1536
• 2M 1600 x 1200
• 1M 1280 x 960
• VGA 640 x 480
• 16:9 1920 x 1080
• 320 x 240 / 15 fps Recording time: 29 min
• AVI Motion JPEG
• WAV audio
• 4 Aspherical glass elements
• Focal length 6.3 – 18.9mm
• Focal length (equiv. 35mm) 36 – 108mm
• 6 lenses/5 groups
• Aperture 3.1 – 5.9
• 4 Aspherical glass elements
• Focal length 6.3 – 18.9mm
• Focal length (equiv. 35mm) 36 – 108mm
• 6 lenses/5 groups
• Aperture 3.1 – 5.9
• 4 Aspherical glass elements
• Focal length6.3 – 31.5mm
• Focal length (equiv. 35mm) 36 – 180mm
• 8 lenses/6 groups
• Aperture 3.5 – 5.6
• TTL iESP auto focus with contrast detection
• Face Detection AF
• Spot
• Standard
• Macro
• Super-Macro
• Macro mode 0.1m – (wide) / 0.6m (tele)
• Super Macro mode Closest focusing distance: 5 cm
• Standard mode 0.6m (wide) / 1.0m (tele)
• Macro mode 0.1m – (wide) / 0.6m (tele)
• Super Macro mode Closest focusing distance: 5 cm
• Macro mode 0.1m – (wide) / 0.6m (tele)
• Super Macro mode Closest focusing distance: 3 cm
• ESP light metering
• Manual ISO 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000
• Manual ISO 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1000
• Manual ISO 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200*
* In reduced pixel mode
• 1/3 EV steps
• Auto
• Programme Automatic
• Image Stabalisation
• Portrait
• Landscape
• Night Scene with portrait
• Sports
• Indoor
• Candle
• Self-portrait
• Sunset
• Fireworks
• Cuisine
• Behind Glass
• Documents
• Auction
• Programme Automatic
• Image Stabalisation
• Portrait
• Landscape
• Night Scene with portrait
• Sports
• Indoor
• Candle
• Self-portrait
• Sunset
• Fireworks
• Cuisine
• Behind Glass
• Documents
• Auction
• Underwater Wide 1
• Underwater Wide 1
• Underwater Macro
• Landscape
• Landscape with Portrait
• Night Scene
• Night Scene with portrait
• Sports
• Indoor
• Candle
• Self-portrait
• Available Light Portrait
• Sunset
• Fireworks
• Museum
• Cuisine
• Behind Glass
• Documents
• Auction
• Shoot & Select 1
• Shoot & Select 2
• Beach and Snow
• Pre-Capturing Movie
• Underwater Snapshot
• Snow
• Smile Shot
• Intelligent Auto Mode
• Sunlight
• Tungsten
• Overcast
• Flourescent 1
• Flourescent 2
• Flourescent 3
• Red-eye reduction
• Fill-in
• Off
• 154,000 dots
• 154,000 dots
• 230,000
• Combined A/V & USB output
• USB 2.0 compatible
• EXIF 2.2
• PIM III
• PictBridge
• DPOF
• D-7 AC AC Adapter (optional)
Software Review: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2
Posted on September 1, 2008 - Filed Under Culture, Photo | Leave a Comment
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 is the much anticipated second version of Adobe’s highly praised photo management and editing system. Photoshop Lightroom 2 adds new editing tools as well as enhances the existing environment, while at the same time reduces the dependence on Adobe’s Photoshop.
On the outside, Photoshop Lightroom 2 retains much of the look and feel of its predecessor, while providing many workflow improvements that will have current users singing its praises. As well as the expected improvements to existing functionality that one would anticipate in a version two product, there are also a lot more features to improve your importing, processing, managing, and the showcasing of your images.
Before we look at the improvements and enhancements, what do you need to run Lightroom 2? You will need Windows XP SP2 or Vista on an Intel Pentium 4 – 1.4 GHz or higher, or Mac OS X 10.4 or 10.5 on PowerPC G4 or G5, or Intel Based Processor, 1GB RAM 1 GB hard drive space, 1024×768 display, and CD-ROM Drive.
For those who are new to Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, I find that there is still some confusion between Lightroom and Photoshop. The basic difference it that Photoshop is an image editing program. It has the big guns to do just about anything you want to an image. What it doesn’t have is true image management, organization, and workflow processing that a photographer might want and need. Sure, it has Adobe Bridge, and that works great to a point, but for someone who is a photographer; whether professional or hobbyist, it really is not enough.
That is where Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 comes in. It has all of the things that Adobe Bridge was missing; these include things like advanced file management, enhanced printing capabilities, and easy web output. Lightroom then adds much of those image processing capabilities that Photoshop contains and are used by photographers. It puts it all into a single package.
Does that mean that you no longer need Photoshop? For some that answer would be yes. In fact Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 is the better choice, especially for those who do not do a lot of advanced processing. For others, Lightroom is a better way to get to that point where they send their file to Photoshop for additional enhancements.
So what is new with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2?
Local Adjustment Brush – gives you a more flexible method to apply more accurate enhancements by targeting a specific area of a photo for dodging, burning, as well as other local adjustments. Make exposure, brightness, clarity, or other enhancements exactly where you want them.
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Nikon Unveils D90
Posted on September 1, 2008 - Filed Under News, Photo | Leave a Comment
Nikon has announced a new 12.3 megapixel digital SLR, the D90. The camera uses Nikon’s DX format, with a self-cleaning APS-C-size sensor; incorporates a 920,000-dot, 3-inch live-view LCD with a wide 170-degree viewing angle; and supports the Nikon GP-1 GPS accessory for on-camera geotagging. It is also the first digital SLR to be able to capture video clips, with a D-Movie mode that shoots high-definition Motion JPEG videos with sound, in 1280×720 resolution at 24fps.
Other notable features of the D90 include Nikon’s Active D-Lighting for bringing out shadow and highlight detail, spot metering, a drive mode that Nikon clocks at 4.5fps, and an 11-point autofocus system with a face-priority option. The D90 implements Nikon’s Matrix Metering II with Scene Recognition, which evaluates scenes and matches them against an in-camera database of more than 30,000 scenes to optimize exposure for the subject type. The camera’s light sensitivity range runs from ISO 100 to ISO 6400, and its shutter speeds top out at 1/4000 second. Flash sync up to 1/4000 second is available. In-camera image editing options include a tool for correcting lens distortion.
The D90 will be available in September 2008 for $999.95 (body only) or $1,299.95 in a kit with Nikon’s new 18-105mm VR lens.
Canon reveals 18-200mm IS lens
Posted on September 1, 2008 - Filed Under Digital, Photo | Leave a Comment
Canon will next month launch a new telephoto zoom in the shape of the EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS.
The lens delivers the 35mm equivalent of a 29-320mm lens, according to Canon (using a conversion factor of 1.6x).
The image stabiliser (IS) function
is designed to enable the photographer to use shutter speeds four stops slower than would be otherwise possible.
The 16-element-in-12 lens includes Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) and aspherical lens elements to help minimise chromatic aberration.
Canon has told AP that the lens will not be launched in a kit with the EOS 50D but available separately priced £549.99.
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