Olympus Mju 1040 Crystal
Posted on October 31, 2008 - Filed Under Digital | Leave a Comment
Olympus Mju 1040 Crystal Bring more glamour into your life with the Olympus Mju 1040 Crystal. This special limited edition model includes distinctive Crystallized – Swarovski Elements that can be easily adhered to the camera’s sliding lens barrier. The ultra-slim Olympus Mju 1040 Crystal camera represents a perfect fusion of cutting-edge technology and sophisticated design. With the Olympus 1040 Crystal, Olympus sets a new benchmark for elegance among digital cameras. A glittering arrangement of 98 Crystallized – Swarovski Elements is included to adorn the protective sliding lens barrier. The camera’s Midnight Black colour provides a dramatic backdrop that makes the dazzling adhesive elements even more eye-catching.
Olympus 1040 Crystal offers glamour and design
But the Olympus Mju 1040 Crystal is not only a treat to look at. The 3x zoom camera delivers both style and substance. It’s just as much at home capturing the glamour at a fashion show as it is taking pictures of friends and family while on a weekend getaway. Stunning 10 Megapixel results are a cinch to attain. In addition to various scene modes, the innovative Intelligent Auto mode automatically distinguishes five of the most commonly used scenes and adjusts settings accordingly.
Portrait photography with Olympus Mju 1040 Crystal
Meanwhile, Face Detection Technology enables up to 16 people to be recognized by the camera to ensure human subjects are always perfectly depicted. The ensuing shots can then be viewed on high-contrast 6.9cm/2.7” HyperCrystal LCD. And providing flexibility for image storage, the Olympus 1040 Crystal is compatible with xD-Picture Card as well as – thanks to a bundled attachment – microSD flash memory card. The special edition Olympus Mju 1040 Crystal will be available from the end of October 2008 in limited quantities.
Olympus µ 1040 Crystal main features
• 3x optical zoom (38-114mm) in super slim metal body (just 16.5mm at its thin end)
• Capture everything from great scenes to exciting close-ups
• 10 Megapixels to make poster-size prints
• Intelligent Auto mode detects the five most commonly used scenes
• Adjusts settings, focus and exposure automatically
• Advanced Face Detection, up to 16 persons for perfectly focused and exposed face
• Correct exposure of other image areas
• 2.7″ HyperCrystal LCD for excellent previews even in brilliant sunlight
• Digital Image Stabilisation for less blur even in low light
• TruePic III image processor for faster image handling and higher image quality
• Liven up your memories with movie recording with sound (up to VGA at 30 fps)
• xD-Picture Card and microSD Card compatible
Adobe announces Lightroom 2.1 and Camera Raw 5.1
Posted on October 30, 2008 - Filed Under News, Photo | Leave a Comment
Adobe has released updates to both Lightroom and Camera Raw adding raw support for 15 additional cameras such as the Canon EOS 50D, Canon EOS 100D, Nikon D90, Nikon D700 and several Leaf backs. Updates are free for Lightroom 2 and Photoshop CS4 users but Photoshop CS3 users have access to raw support for the same cameras in recently released Camera Raw 4.6.
In addition to the expanded raw support, the Lightroom 2.1 update addresses improvements in areas such as Photoshop integration, 64-bit utilization for both Vista and Mac OS X 10.5, and keyword migration.
Additionally, Adobe has posted a new set of camera profiles on Adobe Labs: http://labs.adobe.com
The Lightroom 2.1 update is available at: www.adobe.com/downloads/updates/.Photoshop
For Camera Raw plug-ins, go to: www.adobe.com/downloads/updates/
DOWNLOADS WILL BE AVAILABLE AS OF MIDNIGHT, OCTOBER 22
Tripping the Light Fantastic
Posted on October 29, 2008 - Filed Under Photo | Leave a Comment
“Waiting…”. Sri Lanka. Taken by Saranga
Book Review: Food Styling For Photographers by Linda Bellingham And Jean Ann Bybee
Posted on October 28, 2008 - Filed Under Culture, Photo | Leave a Comment
It is said that you eat with your eyes first. That can be derived by the fact that so many menus and restaurant advertisements have professional food stylists setting up photographic shoots to wow you with their images. But while these images really want to make you desire that dish, you would probably get ill if you tried to eat it as it was shot. In fact at the start of Food Styling For Photographers, there is a disclaimer that these methods of food preparation are not meant for human consumption.
In Food Styling For Photographers you will learn the tricks of what it takes to create that look that will have people wanting to taste the delectables. The premise of this book is that not all shoots can afford to hire a professional food stylist, or there is not the time to find one to make a deadline. As a professional photographer, there may be times in which you have to take the bull by the horns and do it yourself. Food Styling For Photographers is 272 pages and is divided into 12 chapters.
Chapter 1, "Introduction to Food Styling," begins by giving an overview of what food styling is, and to set up some rules and guidelines for the styling of food. You will see how to shop like a stylist, as well as assembling your own food styling kit. Chapter 2, "Sets and Setting," now gets in to the basics of what to consider when planning food photography; "What is the point of the shot?" In this chapter you will learn about how to properly set up the shot so as to make it pop in the image.
Chapter 3, "Chilling Facts About Cold Beverages," explains that you really have only a short window of opportunity to get the right shot when dealing with cold beverages, but with the right techniques, you can fake the effects which will let you better control the appearance and give you more latitude with that time window. Chapter 4, "Making a Salad for the Camera," begins by showing you the proper selection of ingredients so that you can build a feast for the eyes. Here you will see how to put together the proper ingredients to create a salad that has the all of the colors and textures to temp the viewer.
Chapter 5, "Pasta and Sauces," to a stylist is like a blank canvas to artist. There are a wide variety of colors and textures that can be added to the various shapes of pasta to make the viewer's mouth water. Chapter 6, "Burgers, Sandwiches and Beyond," explains that even though it may appear simple, working with burgers and hot dogs is extremely difficult to do correctly. In this chapter you will see how to locate the perfect bun, prep the patties and prepare everything just right.
Polaroid names camera competition winner
Posted on October 26, 2008 - Filed Under Digital, Photo | Leave a Comment
Polaroid has named the winner of a competition it launched to help shape its new digital camera, due out in 2009 with a 4x3in format built-in printer.
The competition was part of a global survey of consumers intended to help Polaroid determine which features should be included on the new camera.
Polaroid teamed up with to launch the project, which came 61 years after Edwin Land (pictured) unveiled his ‘one-step process’ for producing finished photos in 60 seconds.
The winner is Seamus Magennis from Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland who has bagged a trip to New York for best answering the question: ‘why is instant printing important?’, as judged by Polaroid.
Seamus answered: ‘Because we want instant results and when we wait the moment passes, we lose interest and, especially with digital, we lose the images.’
Polaroid has also chosen 150 runners up, from all over the world, to receive a Polaroid PoGo printer or Polaroid Digital Frame.
Polaroid’s 4x3in format camera will be the first digital camera to produce such prints larger than the 2x3in prints delivered by the PoGo printer that debuted earlier this year.
The 4x3in print size could be significant because it is the same format Polaroid used on its famous consumer instant film cameras before it discontinued traditional film.
The firm hopes the new camera will appeal to consumers lamenting the death of Polaroid’s instant film models.
It will use the firm’s ZINK digital printing technology.
Apple Store Announces Free Photo Events
Posted on October 24, 2008 - Filed Under News, Photo | Leave a Comment
The Apple Store on Fifth at 59th is hosting a number of free programs during the week of October 20th, 2008.
If you’re in New York City during the week of October 20 for PhotoPlus, you might consider heading over to the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue to catch some exciting photography presentations. Best of all: All of these events are free and open to the public.
The week kicks off on Monday, October 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with “Filmmaking for Photographers” presented by Pulitzer-prize winning photographer Vincent Laforet to discuss the creation of his film, The Reverie, shot with the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and produced in less than 72 hours with Apple hardware and Final Cut Pro.
From 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on October 20th, the New York chapter of ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers) presents “The Business of Fine Art Photography” with Thomas Werner. Werner, the owner of the Thomas Werner Gallery and the director of the B.F.A. photography program at Parsons, will discuss developing relationships with gallery owners and other topics relevant to the business of fine art photography.
Learn about “Effective Web Design and Promotion for Photographers” from liveBooks’ J. Sandifer and photographer Lou Manna on Tuesday, October 21 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Manna will discuss how he developed and utilizes his liveBooks site.
Rodney Smith covers “Developing Artistic Vision and Distinctive Style” in his presentation on Wednesday, October 22 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Printer Patricia Barrett joins Smith on the topic of shooting film in the “digital age” and creating mural-size digital fine art prints.
Datacolor’s Joshua Fine will walk you through the basics of color management for still and video on Wednesday, October 22 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. His “Color Management with Datacolor” presentation will also include a demonstration and a Q&A session.
“Multimedia Photojournalism” is Brian Storm’s focus on Thursday, October 23 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Storm, the president of MediaStorm, will cover multimedia photographic storytelling and how to get that work distributed to multiple markets.
Couture Book’s Dave Luebke will show you how to create layouts in Aperture and export them for final production on Friday, October 24 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. During “Bookmaking in Aperture with Couture Book,” Luebke will also show some of the company’s coffee-table books and discuss book and album design.
“Fashion Photography with Jon Moe” wraps up the week’s events on Saturday, October 25th from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Moe will discuss a variety of fashion photography topics including how to get clients, what equipment you’ll need and how to create a “winning” portfolio.
The store is located at 767 Fifth Avenue at 59th Street. Phone: 212-336-1440.
Book Review: Real Moments – Bob Dylan by Barry Feinstein
Posted on October 23, 2008 - Filed Under Culture, Photo | Leave a Comment
Photographer Barry Feinstein has had a successful career as a photographer. His website lists his work as having appeared in Life, Look, Time, Esquire, Newsweek and many others. He has also shot the album covers for Janis Joplin’s Pearl, George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass, Barbra Streisand’s Stoney End, and of particular significance, Bob Dylan’s The Times They Are A Changin’.
Dylan and Feinstein were friends, which led to Feinstein being hired on as the exclusive photographer during Dylan’s tour of Europe in 1966, his first since going electric, and he was backed by The Band minus Levon Helm. The vast majority of the book’s photos are from this time.
The hardcover book is 12.8” x 10.1”, allowing the photos to be a nice size on the pages. They are all in black and white and being in Europe bring to mind D.A. Pennebaker’s documentary of the 1965 European tour, Don't Look Back. With his style of dress, shaggy hair, and dark sunglasses Dylan stands out as a unique figure wherever he goes, whether working as a musician or just passing time. Most of the shots are taken of Dylan offstage because, as Feinstein explains, “I didn’t really enjoy taking performance pictures… If you want to see a performance, but a ticket.”
While Feinstein gets many good, interesting shots, the images aren’t so compelling that they will transcend and be of any interest to anyone outside of Dylan fans. Outside the album cover, the most familiar shot is likely to be Dylan in Bristol at the Aught Ferry terminal, which was used in 2005 as the cover for both the CD and DVD of Martin Scorsese’s No Direction Home.
A few print sheets grace the book, revealing Feinstein in action and his creative process. He provides brief commentary for each shot to give some insight behind it. Elsewhere, he reveals his thoughts about these tours in the documentary Bob Dylan World Tours 1966-1974: Through the Camera of Barry Feinstein.
The last 20 of the 157 pages are of the 1974 American tour with The Band, 40 shows over six weeks. The music was documented on After The Flood. Dylan looks more like the common man in these photos. His clothes aren’t so unique, he has a small beard, and his eyes aren’t hidden behind sunglasses as often. One photo is of Dylan meeting Jimmy Carter. It states it is in Washington, but Feinstein’s notes mention the meeting took place at the governor’s mansion, which should have been Georgia unless Carter had another mansion.
It was the last tour Feinstein ever went on because he believed “it would never be as great as this.” Hard to imagine that if you could get paid to do be a tour photographer, you wouldn’t jump at the chance. If any of Mr. Dylan’s representatives are reading this and have an opening, please drop me a line.
Images from the book can be found at Feinstein’s website.
Olympus E-420 Komachi kit
Posted on October 22, 2008 - Filed Under Digital | Leave a Comment
Olympus E-420 Komachi kit : Named after famous Japanese poet Ono no Komachi, who was renowned for her beauty, the Olympus E-420 Komachi Kit certainly lives up to its namesake. Olympus brings together the E-420 body with the ZUIKO DIGITAL 25mm 1:2.8 pancake lens to present a combination that cuts a decidedly elegant figure. The size and weight advantages inherent with the Four Thirds System are clearly demonstrated in this kit. The camera body and lens pairing measures in at a total length of just 76.5mm – which makes it the most compact D-SLR set-up in the world, and together they weigh merely 475g. As such, high quality miniaturised optics that deliver maximum D-SLR brilliance can be taken along and enjoyed anywhere with ease.
Olympus E420 Komachi DSLR kit
The included hand-made leather case and strap, featuring a fashionable retro design completes the ensemble magnificently. The Komachi kit is available in limited quantities and also includes a 1GB CompactFlash memory card, LCD lens protector and a lens cloth. It will hit stores in October 2008. The Komachi Kit utilises the advantages of the Four Thirds Standard perfectly. Photographers get D-SLR quality in a never-before-offered compact and lightweight form.
Olympus Komachi E-420 limited availability
The package combines the powerful E-420 body with the slim ZUIKO DIGITAL 25mm 1:2.8 pancake lens. Together, this combination represents the most portable D-SLR kit available. And with the stylish hand-made leather case and strap, which come in classic brown, it’s always ready to pick up and go. The ergonomic Olympus E-420 D-SLR, which packs 10 Megapixels into its compact body, boasts full manual control to satisfy just about every creative impulse. But it also enables incredible ease of use with 28 different shooting modes including full auto. Thanks to integration of the Olympus-exclusive Supersonic Wave Filter, protection against dust is guaranteed and ensures perfect photos. Meanwhile, the Live View function allows users to preview images in real time on the bright 2.7”/6.9cm HyperCrystal II LCD.
Olympus ZUIKO Digital 25mm pancake offers high image quality
The ZUIKO DIGITAL 25mm 1:2.8 pancake lens, which measures in at an overall length of just 23.5mm and weighs merely 95g, is the pinnacle of miniaturised optics delivering maximum brilliance. It offers users D-SLR image quality in the most miniscule of packages. This highly portable lens is perfectly suited for everyday use, as it provides an angle of view equivalent to 50mm (on a 35mm camera) – which is near to that of the human eye. In addition, due to adherence to the Four Thirds Standard, it is extremely versatile – and fully compatible not only with the whole Olympus E-System range of camera bodies but with all Four Thirds-based cameras.
Olympus E-420 Komachi kit is ultra-compact and lightweight
The ultra-compact and lightweight Komachi Kit is the perfect companion for the D-SLR photographer on the go. It includes a fashionable leather case and strap for simple and stylish transportation. Furthermore, with the 1GB CompactFlash card, you’ll have enough storage space for photos on the road. And to ensure that the lens stays spotless and images clear and speckle-free, a high-quality lens cloth is also provided. Only available as a limited edition, the Olympus E-420 Komachi Kit will become available from October 2008.
Komachi DSLR kit contents
• Olympus E-420 camera body
• Olympus ZUIKO DIGITAL 25mm 1:2.8 pancake lens
• Hand-made brown leather case with strap
• 1GB CompactFlash card
• Lens cloth and LCD protector
Olympus E-420 main features
• Extremely easy operation – use it straight out of the box
• One of the world’s smallest and lightest D-SLRs providing the ultimate in portability
• 10 Megapixel Live MOS sensor and • Live View for easier compositions
• Perfect Shot Preview for improved depiction of camera adjustments directly on Live View LCD
• Improved Live View with contrast AF and Face Detection
• Shadow Adjustment Technology & phase detection AF system
• TruePic III image processor
• High-contrast 2.7”/6.9cm HyperCrystal II LCD with 176° viewing angles
• The original Supersonic Wave Filter for dust protection
• 28 automatic, semi-automatic and manual shooting options
• Including 5 exposure, 5 creative & 18 scene select modes
• Built-in pop-up flash (GN 10)
• Wireless flash control in up to 3 groups
• 3.5fps with up to eight images in RAW buffer
• One-touch white balance and AE/AF-lock functionality
• ISO 100 to 1600 and depth of field preview function
• 49-segment digital ESP and Bracketing function (Exposure, White Balance, Focus)
• Beginner and Advanced information screens
• Detailed info screen with histogram and based on Four Thirds System
• Dual memory card slots (for xD-Picture Card and CompactFlash memory card)
Olympus ZUIKO DIGITAL 25mm 1:2.8 lens details
• Ultra-compact pancake-type lens
• Fixed focal length of 25mm (equivalent to 50mm on a 35mm camera)
• Bright 1:2.8 aperture
• Merely 23.5mm thin and 95g light
• Minimum focusing distance of only 20cm
• Comes with screw-on aluminium lens cap
On the Buses
Posted on October 21, 2008 - Filed Under Photo | Leave a Comment
“For the most part the buses in Hyderabad are really crowded. Sometimes you can go someplace and the bus might have a place to sit or stand. In this photo my friend, Chandu, is looking for the place were we need to get off and I thought that with the people in the background and Chandu waiting in the middle gave the mood of the bus ride”. India. Taken by Ron Harmon
Just Posted! Our Nikon D90 review
Posted on October 17, 2008 - Filed Under Digital, Photo, Reviews | Leave a Comment
Just Posted: Nikon D90 in-depth review. The D90 has some large shoes to step into, given that it replaces one of the most popular enthusiast-level cameras of recent times. We saw in our preview that it’s had a feature boost and specification upgrade, but do those tweaks and changes result in a better camera (and images)? Has a fine camera been over-burdened with fripperies and video recording? We find out in our full, in depth review.