Visa pour l’Image at 20
Posted on September 27, 2008 - Filed Under News, Photo | Leave a Comment
I returned from Perpignan, France, recently, where I spent a week covering the 20th anniversary of the Visa pour l’Image festival with American Photo editor at large Jean-Jacques Naudet. While there we saw every exhibition, attended every press conference, and talked with as many photojournalism professionals as we could. Of course we wanted to bring our readers comprehensive coverage on our State of the Art blog, but also, once I was reminded of all the amazing documentary images we never see, I felt a compulsive need to see as many as I could. I don’t have to tell anyone it’s a rough time for photojournalism: newspapers and magazines have slashed staff photographer positions and cut budgets and pages for freelancers; the value of each image has dropped significantly as competition for coverage has exploded; and online publishing, although full of potential, is currently paying small dividends and making it easier than ever to use images without payment or even attribution. Some of the most visible casualties of the industry’s un-glory days have been the big photo agencies, which have closed their doors or gotten rolled into bigger conglomerations at an alarming rate. In Perpignan I spoke with two agency heads: JP Pappis, a long-time Sigma guy who launched his own agency, Polaris, in 2002; and Christian Caujolle, the legendary semi-retired (he calls it “reorganized”) founder of Agence VU. Both of them lamented the state of photojournalism: Pappis saying he is working twice as hard today for the same results as yesterday, and Caujolle nostalgic for a time when the art of the images was appreciated as much as their monetary value. In such a climate, a gathering like Visa becomes even more important, they both said. “It’s extremely important because it’s the only place where you have all the ingredients of the photojournalism world: photographers, agencies, magazines, exhibitions, slide shows,” said Pappis. “It keeps hope alive.” Indeed, I heard several people characterize Visa as facilitating more deals in one week than happen the rest of the year. But Visa is about refilling emotional coffers as much as financial ones. You can call it flocking together or licking wounds if you want, but I really didn’t hear too many people feeling sorry for themselves. More people were reminding each other (and themselves) that despite the hard times, photojournalists and the people that love them still think they have the greatest jobs in the world. “They can’t stop something that we love so much we’ll do it for free,” as multimedia guru Brian Storm put it so well. My favorite question of the week was, “What has gotten better in photojournalism over the past two decades?” After the initial groans and pouting “nothing” responses, here’s what I heard: 1) Visa, like the rest of the industry, continues to get more international and better connected every year; 2) the quality of the work continues to climb; 3) tons of new students are studying photojournalism, which creates its own crisis, but at least means the next generation sees the importance of the art. Now if the current generation can manage to heed pleas like Friday’s (read it, seriously, you’ll be glad you did) from Stanley Greene to respect the art, the photographers, and the people in the frame, we might be looking at a future that is not so grim after all. (Another good reason to read the comments from Greene and other top conflict photographers: With the September 11 anniversary in our minds, it’s a great way to remember the photographers who brought us the images that defined the conflicts it precipitated, and many more before.) When I interviewed Visa’s grand master, Jean-Francois Leroy, the last day I asked him that same question: What has improved in 20 years of photojournalism? He skirted sweeping observations and instead focused on what he’s most proud of this year at Visa: He convinced 15 magazines to give 15 legendary working photojournalists interesting, long-term photo assignments. The number of images shown at Perpignan that have or ever will be published publicly seems to dwindle year-to-year, so getting 15 projects published, not just exhibited, was indeed a triumph. Considering the passion and resilience evident everywhere in Perpignan, I have hope that in another 20 years every image at Visa will be (and will have been) widely viewed by the public.
iLovePhotos Public Beta
Posted on September 25, 2008 - Filed Under Art, News, Photo | Leave a Comment
iLovePhotos has announced the official release of its public beta. iLovePhotos is free desktop software for Macs that uses facial detection, visual tagging, automated sharing, and intelligent slide show technology to manage your digital photos. Alongside the launch of its public beta, iLovePhotos has also introduced a new Flash-based version of its Mac application. Users can access the online software from any Mac or PC without downloading any software. iLovePhotos Press Release iLovePhotos Moves into Public Beta; Adds Web-based Version Free Mac software and Flash-based web app rescues billions of photos from the ‘digital shoebox’ with automated photo sharing and visual tagging Honolulu, Hawaii, Sept. 22, 2008 – iLovePhotos announced the official release of its public beta. The free Mac software takes a fresh approach to addressing the billions of photos that are left unorganized and forgotten on people’s hard drives each year – leveraging face detection, visual tagging, automated sharing, and intelligent slide show technology to let people effortlessly organize, share, and enjoy their photos – and all the memories attached to them. iLovePhotos first unveiled this innovative photo sharing platform in private beta at DEMOfall2008 and is launching its public beta with an enhanced user experience now that the crowds are home from DEMOfall and TechCrunch. With the public beta, people can organize and enjoy their photos with the following capabilities: · Automated sharing: With automatic sharing feeds, iLovePhotos takes all the work out of keeping family and friends connected with your photos. For example, share pictures of your baby’s first smile, bath, trip to the park, and baseball game with close friends and relatives. Every time you tag a photo of your baby, it’s automatically uploaded to the iLovePhotos.com website and all recipients receive an email with a link to the new shots. · Intelligent slide shows: Like a great radio station for your photos, iLovePhotos can bring back long-lost photos and favorite memories. It intelligently creates slideshows based on the people in your photos, how frequently they appear in your collection, and who they’re with most often. And these portable slide shows can be embedded on Web sites, blogs, and social network profiles and also be distributed and played across multiple platforms, including iTunes for syncing directly with iPods, iPhones, and Apple TVs. · Face detection and visual tagging: iLovePhotos makes it easy to tag and organize photos. Instead of photo albums and folders, iLovePhotos organizes photos based on the people in them. Simply click on a friend’s photo to show every photo they’re in. Alongside the launch of its public beta, iLovePhotos introduced a new Flash-based version of its Mac application. Users can access the online software from any Mac or PC without downloading any software. And people can even bring their photos straight in from Flickr. About Blue Lava Technologies Blue Lava Technologies was founded in December 2005 by Lorenz Sell and Henk Rogers with the goal getting your photos back into your life. The company is headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii and has received $3.2m in funding led by Henk Rogers and Kolohala Ventures. For more information, visit BlueLavaTech.com or iLovePhotos.com.
Corel launches upgrades to Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 Ultimate and VideoStudio Pro X2.
Posted on September 21, 2008 - Filed Under News, Photo | Leave a Comment
The latest version of Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 Ultimate offers expanded creative and practical solutions for photo editing including150 new photo frames, patterns and Picture Tubes, a background remover plug-in, as well as photo recovery and painter tools. This edition of Corel’s photo-editing software also offers support for more than 250 RAW camera formats. VideoStudio Pro X2 reflects the changes in video technology and is one of the first editing programs to support Blu-ray Disc Movie Video (BDMV) input and output. HD formats such as AVCHD (Advanced Video Codec High Definition) are also supported and thanks to its use of Smart Proxy Editing, users no longer need a high performance computer to edit HD video. Video can also be imported and output to the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch and uploading to YouTube has been streamlined. Other updates include enhanced performance and ease of use along with the ability to paint, draw or write on videos with a new painting tool, new creative content, and new film effects. Both programs are available individually for a suggested price of $99.99 each or in a $149.99 bundle. Upgrades and trial versions are also available. www.corel.com
The Life of a Photograph
Posted on September 13, 2008 - Filed Under Art, News, Photo | Leave a Comment
The Life of a Photograph is a new National Geographic book by photographer Sam Abell. Drawing on 40 years of Abell’s fieldwork, the book takes readers on assignment and inside the heart of this master photographer to witness the making of nearly 200 images. Many photographs are complemented by text from Abell, providing background on the photograph and how he crafted the image. The Life of a Photograph will be available at the end of October for $40. THE LIFE OF A PHOTOGRAPH Sam Abell Offers Master Class in Photography with Powerful Images In THE LIFE OF A PHOTOGRAPH (National Geographic Books; ISBN 978-1-4262-0329-9; Oct. 21, 2008; $40), Sam Abell, one of the foremost photographers of our time, shares some of his most powerful and unforgettable images and answers the question, “What gives life to a photograph?” Drawing on 40 years of Abell’s fieldwork, the book takes readers on assignment and inside the heart of this master photographer to witness the making of nearly 200 truly great images. Abell has selected photographs that speak most powerfully to him. They include notable images that he has made for National Geographic magazine and books, as well as photographs from his personal body of work that are published here for the first time. THE LIFE OF A PHOTOGRAPH is organized around Abell’s perspectives on landscape, still life, street scenes and the photography of daily life. Selections cover geography and wildlife from the Arctic to the Amazon, and cultures from Australia to the American West. In an original concept for a photography book, images are displayed in a unique, highly involving way that allows the viewer to be engaged in the photographic process. By showing similar images side by side, or sequences of photographs of the same event, the viewer is placed in the field and in the editor’s chair. Displaying images in this way allows the viewer to see how a setting appears before the subject enters, like an actor on a stage, and how subtle differences in point of view, framing, timing and perspective can lead to strikingly different photographs. By presenting alternative images and clear, compelling text, Abell describes that act of seeking the picture — “a process with no absolute ending, as time and thought continue to shape the life of a photograph.” With each image Abell presents a master class in photographic thinking. Through his lens, even the most mundane sights — a puddle of water, a bathroom faucet, a circle of laundry drying on the line, a plate of baked beans and toast — are transformed into artful, meaningful creations. Many photographs are complemented by text from Abell, providing background on the photograph and how he crafted the image. “As a photographer my intent is to bring the world under my aesthetic control,” he writes. “Making a picture just right takes time even when the thing you’re photographing isn’t moving. Instead you do the moving — closer, not so close, change lenses, commit to a tripod, micro compose some detail, step back, reconsider, recompose, step back. And when it looks right, it also feels right — just so. Therefore it’s not only things that have made their way into my photography, but also the poetics of them in their setting.” THE LIFE OF A PHOTOGRAPH is part of National Geographic Books’ new Focal Point imprint, which draws on National Geographic’s legendary photographic archive of more than 10 million images and the work of distinguished photographers around the world. The imprint will present the finest in documentary photography past and present, and monographs will celebrate individual photographers’ unique style, vision and skill. Abell, who learned his craft from his father Thad S. Abell, has photographed for National Geographic magazine for almost 40 years. He is the author of the National Geographic book “Seeing Gardens” as well as “Stay this Moment,” a mid-career retrospective accompanied by an exhibition at the International Center of Photography, New York. His retrospective “Sam Abell: The Photographic Life” was accompanied by a traveling exhibition that opened at the University of Virginia Art Museum. Abell also collaborated with Stephen Ambrose on two best-selling National Geographic books, “Lewis and Clark: Voyage of Discovery” and “The Mississippi River.”
Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery Review
Posted on September 10, 2008 - Filed Under Art, News, Photo | Leave a Comment
Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery is a Windows/Mac compatible software program that recovers lost, deleted and formatted digital pictures from removable media. Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery works with any type of digital card reader or storage media that can mount as a volume. It supports the recovery of 33 different file types, including RAW files from all the major camera manufacturers and some video and music formats too. With a price tag of $39 / €31 + VAT, we find out if Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery is the answer in the event of a photo disaster… Website: Stellar Phoenix Photo Recovery Review
Alien Skin Releases Blow Up 2
Posted on September 10, 2008 - Filed Under News, Photo | Leave a Comment
Alien Skin has announced a new version of its image-resizing software plug-in. Blow Up 2 offers a simplified interface, easy batch processing, and improved performance with support for multi-processor and multi-core systems. The plug-in can be used with Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements software, and can handle CMYK images, 32-bit-per-channel HDR images, and output up to 300,000 pixels on a side. Alien Skin has also added a Smart Cropping feature designed to center the crop area over the most interesting part of the photo, sharpening that is automatically optimized for the degree of enlargement and paper type selected, and greater control over simulated textures and film grain to retain a natural look. Blow Up 2 also offers new controls for cleaning up JPEG compression artifacts in images from low-quality sources. Blow Up 2 is available in Windows and Mac versions on the Alien Skin Web site for $249 or as a $99 upgrade for current owners of Blow Up 1. Those who purchased Blow Up 1 who after July 26, 2008 can upgrade for free.
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.
Marumi Lens Hoods for Canon
Posted on August 31, 2008 - Filed Under Art, News, Photo | Leave a Comment
A new range of Marumi lens hoods for Canon lenses is now available. Marumi lens hoods are an alternative to Canon’s own brand products, with a quality black plastic construction and bayonet fittings that can be reversed over the lens for storage when not in use. 11 different lenses are currently supported, and prices range from: £9.99 to £24.99 RRP Inc. VAT. Kenro Press Release Release Date: 28 August 2008 Alternative lens hoods available for Canon lenses Purchasers of Canon lenses have previously had little option other than to purchase the manufacturers own brand of lens hoods. However there is now an alternative cost-effective solution from Kenro in the form of Marumi Lens Hoods available in a range of Canon Bayonet Mounts. This is useful if you have damaged or miss-placed your original hood from Canon. These hoods are of quality black plastic construction and have bayonet fittings that can also be reversed over the lens for storage when not in use. The range covers: MA919029 ET-65111 Marumi Lens Hood Canon EF85/1.8, 100/2.0, 135/2.8 MA919036 ET-65B Marumi Lens Hood Canon EF70-300/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM MA919043 ET-67 Marumi Lens Hood Canon EF100/2.8 Macro USM MA919067 EW-63B Marumi Lens Hood Canon EF28-105/4-5.6 USM MA919074 EW-73B Marumi Lens Hood Canon EF-S17-85/4-5.6 IS USM MA919081 EW-78B11 Marumi Lens Hood Canon EF28-135/3.5-5.6 IS USM MA919098 EW-83E Marumi Lens Hood Canon EF16-35/2.8L, EF17-40/4L MA919104 ET-67B Marumi Lens Hood Canon EF-S60/2.8 Macro USM MA919111 EW-83J Marumi Lens Hood Canon EF-S17-55/2.8 IS USM MA919128 EW-7311 Marumi Lens Hood Canon EF 24-85/3.5-4.5 USM MA919135 EW-60CD Marumi Lens Hood Canon EF28-90/4-5.6 II USM EF-S Prices range from: £9.99 RRP Inc. VAT to £24.99 RRP Inc. VAT. See http://www.kenro.co.uk for details of your nearest stockist, or call Kenro on 01793 615836 for more details.
Get Your Photo Onto a Lonely Planet Cover
Posted on August 23, 2008 - Filed Under Art, News, Photo | Leave a Comment
Your photo could feature on the cover of Lonely Planet’s ‘Encounter’ guides, the main prize in a new competition. Run by Lonely Planet, the world-leading travel guide publisher, and Pikeo.com, a new photo-sharing website, you could also win a free trip to India, Russia, Morocco or Kenya courtesy of Intrepid Travel. You need to tsubmit unique and inspiring pictures of London, Paris, Barcelona and Istanbul to enter. The competition is open to those in the UK, France, Spain, USA and Canada and entries close on September 8, 2008. Pikeo.com Press Release LONELY PLANET AND PIKEO SEARCH FOR TRAVELLERS’ COVER SHOTS Have you ever dreamed of seeing your travel photos published on the cover of Lonely Planet? Well now’s your chance… Lonely Planet, the world-leading travel guide publisher and Pikeo.com, the new photo-sharing website, are inviting photographers to submit their most unique and inspiring pictures of London, Paris, Barcelona and Istanbul. Four winning shots will be chosen for the cover of Lonely Planet’s ‘Encounter’ guides to each city. The panel of judges consists of travel photography experts including representatives from the Association of British Photographers and Lonely Planet Images. The winners of each cover will also receive a free trip to India, Russia, Morocco or Kenya courtesy of Intrepid Travel. In addition, twelve runners-up will receive prizes, as will a small selection of highly commended entries. The winning images, plus Lonely Planet and Pikeo’s favourite shots, will be launched and showcased at a gallery exhibition in London when the guides go on sale next year. To enter, simply visit the competition page on Pikeo at http://lonelyplanet.pikeo.com and follow the instructions. Photographers can also take advantage of Pikeo’s many presentation features, including the ability to organise photos into albums and create a professional online gallery. The competition is open to those in the UK, France, Spain, USA and Canada and entries close on September 8, 2008. Lonely Planet and Pikeo tips for a winning image: - Images must be taken from a street perspective - Use a reportage/documentary style - Make the viewer feel they are actually there - Have a central focal point - Ensure composition is bold and colours are rich - Avoid things looking staged by showing locals going about their everyday life - Use iconic sights or architecture in an everyday context - Always include people within your shots Pikeo (http://www.pikeo.com) is a groundbreaking new photo-sharing website, launched in 2007. It incorporates the latest mapping and mobile technology, allowing users to upload photos via internet or mobile from anywhere in the world, share them with friends or publish them to the whole world.
Phase One Releases Capture One 4.1.2
Posted on August 21, 2008 - Filed Under News, Photo | Leave a Comment
Phase One has released an update to its Capture One workflow software. Version 4.1.2 of the program extends its Lens + and Focus+ correction tools to support numerous lenses with Hasselblad H, Hasselblad V, and Contax mounts. The correction tools remove optical flaws in images captured by specific lenses. A full list of lenses and RAW formats supported by Capture One 4.1.2 is available on the Phase One Web site. Capture One owners can upgrade to the new version for free. New customers can purchase the program for $129.
« go back — keep looking »