Source Technologies ST9620 MICR printer
Posted on January 29, 2009 - Filed Under Digital | Leave a Comment
Source Technologies MICR printer : Source Technologies, a provider of MICR printing solutions, announced the introduction of its new ST9620 MICR and secure document printer. The ST9620 is a robust printer for organizations requiring sophisticated security and functionality in a lower volume, budget-friendly printer. This segment of the market has been underserved in the past, with previous printer offerings limited to low volume and low-security, or high volume and high-security. The new MICR printer boasts print speeds up to 40 pages per minute, an instant on fuser that allows for a rapid time to first page print of approximately 6.5 seconds and its small form-factor ensures it can fit into just about any office environment.
Source Technologies MICR printer
“The new Source Technologies ST9620 MICR printer addresses a segment of the check-printing market that has been notoriously underserved,” advised Sarah Burkhart, Director of Product Marketing, Source Technologies. “The dynamic security features of this printer have been out of reach for most organizations that print checks or other secure documents. We are excited to begin serving this market with a truly robust offering at an attractive price point, and are confident that users will see the value of the ST9620 as an important element in their data security and productivity arsenal.”
Source Technologies ST9620
With remote management tools, a 10-digit keypad for security features, and the powerful Source Technologies security functionality, the ST9620 provides users with a powerful tool to combat fraud and ensure the protection of their data. The Source Technologies ST9620 combines impressive security features with a cost conscious printing solution ideal for branch offices, staffing agencies, insurance agencies, pharmacies, or any organization that prints volumes of 1,500 to 10,000 pages per month. The ST9620 MICR printer offers users an environmentally friendly solution for their secure MICR printing needs with standard duplex and eco-friendly operating modes.
Walking the Streets
Posted on January 25, 2009 - Filed Under Photo | Leave a Comment
“Tom and Danny walking through Calgary“. Canada. Taken by Zimmerman2
Source: planetearthdailyphoto.blogspot.com
Canon updates firmware for 5D Mark II
Posted on January 23, 2009 - Filed Under Digital, Photo, Reviews | Leave a Comment
Canon has released updated firmware for the EOS 5D Mk II. Firmware v1.0.7 addresses the ‘black dot’ and vertical banding issues experienced by users of firmware 1.0.6. The latest version can be downloaded from Canon’s website. The company also asks users to update their DPP and Picture Style Editor software.
Canon announcement:
Important information for EOS 5D Mark II users.
We have learned that some users of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II digital SLR camera (with firmware version 1.0.6) have identified two types of image quality phenomena that appear under certain shooting conditions.
- “Black dot” phenomenon (the right side of point light sources becomes black)
- Vertical banding noise
Details of the phenomena and shooting conditions under which they are likely to occur (if the firmware is version 1.0.6) are as follows:
- “Black dot” phenomenon (the right side of point light sources becomes black)
When shooting night scenes, the right side of point light sources (such as lights from building windows) may become black. The phenomenon may become visible if the images are enlarged to 100% or above on a monitor or if extremely large prints of the images are made. - Vertical banding noise
If the recording format is set to sRAW1, vertical banding noise may become visible depending on the camera settings, subject, and background.
▪ Vertical banding noise is not noticeable if the recording format is set to sRAW2.
▪ Vertical banding noise does not occur if the recording format is set to RAW or JPEG.
▪ Noise can be reduced if C.Fn II-3: Highlight tone priority is set to 0: Disable.
Firmware version 1.0.7. that addresses these phenomena is now available for downloading from the following Web site:
http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosd/firm-e/eos5dmk2/firmware.html
When updating to firmware version 1.0.7, please also update the Digital Photo Professional and Picture Style Editor software. For details, please read the Firmware Q&A section on the firmware download page.
The Glowing Hour
Posted on January 18, 2009 - Filed Under Photo | Leave a Comment
“Old tide mill at sunset…”. Seixal, Portugal. Taken by Rosa Gamboias
Source: planetearthdailyphoto.blogspot.com
Taking Better Pictures Without Spending More Money
Posted on January 17, 2009 - Filed Under Culture, Photo | Leave a Comment
If you have years of schooling and experience in photography, thousand-dollar lenses, and a half-million dollar studio, that’s great. But most of us have to make do with what we have. Many people make up for this by digitally altering the photographs they’ve taken — not as enhancement, but as repair. Wouldn’t it be nice to take a photograph that doesn’t need anything but a frame?
Here are six tips (and one piece of unsolicited advice) you can put into practice right now no matter what kind of camera you have. You’ll instantly improve your photographs and you might not have to spend as much time in your photo program fixing pictures. Most of these tips can be applied to landscapes and wildlife, but the primary focus (no pun intended) of this article is how to take better pictures of friends and family.
As proof that the photographer matters more than the camera, and in hopes of encouraging those who are short on money and long on desire, all the photos I’ve used as examples were taken with available light (no flash), expired film (because it was cheap when I had little money), and a low-end point-and-shoot camera.
Flash is the Devil
The flash that’s built into disposable cameras and less expensive digital cameras is intense and not adjustable. Red-eye is the result of direct flash. If you simply must use flash, take the picture when your subject is looking away from the camera.
In addition to the red-eye plague, flash often washes out most skin tones, and can distort makeup just enough to make a person look clown-like. It makes darker people look even darker (hiding facial features and emotion) and makes lighter people look sick.
Use the light you have for indoor shots. This includes daylight — direct or by window — candlelight, and lamps. Overhead lighting is not recommended because the shadow it casts on faces is unbecoming.
Unless you’re going for a silhouette effect, make sure the light source is behind you, not your subject. At the same time, don’t expect a person or animal to look directly into the sun. Sometimes a photo comes out fine with nothing more than a car’s dome light (see darker photo above).
Background Noise
Most people don’t think to do a quick scan of the area before taking a picture, because they are focused on their subject rather than the area around their subject. This is why a picture of a cute baby on a park swing also showcases a man scratching his crotch not 30 feet on the other side of the swingset.
The park isn’t the only place you’ll find visual debris. Set your cute baby on the couch and then look through the camera at her. Now check the entire frame for other people, trash, toys, dishes, and laundry – and stains on the couch that you’re so used to you don’t see them anymore unless you’re looking for them. Cover those stains with a baby blanket.
Canon Powershot A480, Sony Cybershot DSC-G3, Olympus SP-590UZ: New Cameras
Posted on January 15, 2009 - Filed Under Digital, Ratings, Reviews, Tips | Leave a Comment
Over the last few weeks we’ve started to see a range of new cameras released. We’re updating many of those that capture our interest at the Digital Camera and Gear blog at Digital Photography School.
Here are a few new ones to hit the market:
- Canon Powershot A480 – 10MP, 3.3x Optical Zoom
- Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-G3 – 10.1MP, 4x Optical Zoom and with WiFi
- Olympus SP-590UZ – 12MP and with a 26x Optical Zoom
- Pentax Optio E70 and P70 – two compact digital cameras
I Can See for Miles and Miles…
Posted on January 12, 2009 - Filed Under Photo | Leave a Comment
“From the top of the Sears Tower in Chicago, you can really get a feel for quite how flat the American Mid-West is, how straight the roads are and how the city seems to stretch out forever”. Taken by Caroline
Source: planetearthdailyphoto.blogspot.com
Software Review: Kubota Pro Pak – Part 1 From Kubota Image Tools
Posted on January 12, 2009 - Filed Under Culture, Photo | Leave a Comment
The Kubota Pro Pak is a bundled package of products that contains six of the most popular tools from Kevin Kubota’s professional image enhancing tools for Adobe Photoshop. This package includes the four Artistic Series of actions, his Production Tools, as well as his Formula Book which contains 42 separate recipes to get just the look you want.
Who is Kevin Kubota and what makes his actions so special? Well first off he was named one of the top ten wedding photographers of 2007 by Popular Photography Magazine for giving his customers more than they expect by capturing fresh, expressive images. He has now taken that philosophy to Photoshop processing by providing the same techniques to you via his image tools.
Today 
I will look at the four actions sets known as the Artistic Tools. In case you are not familiar, a Photoshop action is an automated series of steps that have been recorded to provide an effect or series of effects. Some of these actions are totally automated, while others have stopping points that request you to perform some action, usually to paint in where you want some sharpening to occur. In all cases there is a pop-up window that tells you what you need to do.
Artistic Tools Vol. One: The “Classic Film Effects” Pak
In this pak you will find a variety of Black & White Actions, organic film grain, cross-processing effects, sepia effects, and monochrome toning. This set contains over 40 Actions and it includes Skin Cream, Fuji Snappit, Vignette, as well as Eye and Teeth Enhancer.
The black and white effects include conversions that give nice film grain effects without introducing digital noise. In this way they look much more organic and have a better feel. There is not a loss of sharpness and in fact many times the sharpness appears enhanced. There are actions that smooth skin, add glow to the image, add a Hollywood effect, as well as other creative effects for a vignette, giving a romantic feel, and adding vibrancy to the image.
There are color actions that can add a bright sunny effect, a cross processed look, and a contrasty Fugi Velvia film look. There are also image correction actions that raise the shadow values, lower contrasts and saturations, adding warming gel filters to add mood to an image, as well as a mid-tone brightener. There are even actions that will attempt to fix images shot with the wrong white balance. There are examples of “Classic Film Effects” Pak on the Kubota Image Site.
Frozen Echoes
Posted on January 8, 2009 - Filed Under Photo | Leave a Comment
“Farmhouse in the snow. Winter, Holland“. Taken by Dick Verton
Source: planetearthdailyphoto.blogspot.com
Challenges Beta – now available
Posted on January 7, 2009 - Filed Under Digital, Photo, Reviews | Leave a Comment
Labs beta: As revealed last Thursday (our tenth anniversary) today we are flicking the switch on our latest (and potentially biggest) new site feature. Our Challenges system provides a mechanism by which photographic challenges can be both created and entered by any member of our community. The initial beta has a few limitations (see inside for details). That said we’re excited to make this new feature available today and hope you will enjoy testing it, we would actively encourage feedback using the special link available at the bottom of all challenges pages.
Phil: We’re excited (and naturally a little nervous) but hope you’ll enjoy trying out this new site feature (remember it’s in beta), please remember that this is a taster of what will be available in the final version.
Challenges beta limitations
- Challenges can only be entered, not created (first challenges available have been created by us) *
- Only voting system available is stars (out of five), only one voting phase
- Phase periods are currently fixed at a week (one week for submissions, one week for votes)
A taste of some future Challenges features
- User created challenges
- User challenge profiles (images submitted, challenges won, etc.)
- Support for series of challenges
- Forums integration with forum specific challenges
- Commenting
- Multiple voting types (including various points systems, short listing)
- "Pass the baton" style Challenge creation (winner creates the next Challenge)
- Additional display modes for challenge page
- Challenges widget on front page of the site
* Volunteers to become Series / Challenge hosts please contact us via this link, please note we will only consider you for this position if you can demonstrate some experience of challenge creation / series management
(to get going to just click on a Challenge that interests you and then the button)