Aperture 2.1 released by Apple

Less than two months after releasing version 2.0, Apple unveiled on Friday Aperture 2.1, the newest version of the company’s professional photography workflow application. The new version includes an open plug-in architecture that will allow photographers to use third-party imaging software in Aperture.
Aperture 2.1 includes the Apple-developed plug-in, Dodge & Burn, which adds brush-based tools for dodge (lighten), burn (darken), contrast, saturation, sharpen and blur.
“Aperture 2.0 has proven to be a phenomenal success and today we are continuing that momentum,” said Kirk Paulsen, Apple’s senior director, application Product Marketing.
When clicking on an image in Aperture 2.1, you will get a menu where you can choose from your installed plug-ins.
Joe Schorr, Apple’s senior product manager for Aperture, explained the API allows developers to take control of the image and build their own interface. This means that if users are familiar with a certain plug-in’s interface, they will get the same experience within Aperture.
Apple said that over the coming months, third party software developers will deliver image editing plug-ins for localized editing, filters and effects, noise analysis and reduction, fisheye lens correction and more.
Companies that plan plug-ins include Nik Software’s Viveza plug-in; PictureCode’s Noise Ninja plug-in; Digital Film Tools’ Power Stroke plug-in; The Tiffen Company’s Dfx plug-in; dvGarage’s dpMatte plug-in; and Image Trends’ plug-ins that include Fisheye-Hemi.
While the plug-in architecture is the highlight of the new release, it’s not the only change in Aperture 2.1. With the update you now have the ability to flip images horizontally or vertically and the ability to customize your own set of adjustments. The update also improved other functions including import, Quick Preview, All Projects view, image adjustments, books, printing and export.
Aperture 2.1 is a free software update available from Apple’s Web site.

credits: Jim Dalrymple at macworld.com

Picture of the day:

Scenery and Sights

Sunset in Monument, Valley, Utah

Photography lovers who liked this also liked:
phenomenon art
phenomenon canvas prints
phenomenon framed prints
phenomenon prints
phenomenon posters
phenomenon greeting cards
phenomenon photos

cancer art
cancer canvas prints
cancer framed prints
cancer prints
cancer posters
cancer greeting cards
cancer photos

abstract art
abstract photos
abstract canvas prints
abstract framed prints
abstract prints
abstract greeting cards
abstract posters

mayan metal prints
maya metal prints
astronomical metal prints
astrological metal prints
astro metal prints

Image could be of historic importance in world of photography

A New York auction house is selling a primitive photograph that could be a much earlier work than originally believed. If so, it says, it would be one of the most important discoveries in the history of photography.

The work, "Leaf," to be sold at Sotheby's on April 7, is a photogenic drawing _ a cameraless process in which an object is placed on silver nitrate-coated paper or leather to form a negative image.

It had previously been attributed to William Henry Fox Talbot, considered the father of photography along with Louis-Jacques-Mande Daguerre. It was thought to have been made in 1839 at what is widely accepted as the dawn of photography.

But Sotheby's says research by a leading photo expert suggests otherwise _ that several early photo experimenters could be the authors, including Thomas Wedgwood, James Watt and Humphry Davy, who worked in the medium decades earlier. If that theory is true, it means the photo could have been made as early as 1790.

What it will fetch at auction is anyone's guess, said Denise Bethel, Sotheby's director of photography.

"The range is pretty wide," she said. "When we thought it was Talbot, we gave it a $100,000 to $150,000 estimate. Now with this other possibility ... it's certainly far more valuable."

Sotheby's catalog lists "Leaf" as "Photographer Unknown." But the auctioneer says an inscription of the initial "W" on the corner of the photo could point to Wedgwood or Watt as possible authors. Wedgwood died in 1805; Watt in 1819.

"Leaf" was among six similar anonymous works that were sold individually at Sotheby's London in 1984. It was purchased by a dealer for $776, and only later attributed to Talbot.

Two of the other six works are now in the J. Paul Getty Museum and one is at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

All six photogenic drawings were contained in an album belonging to Henry Bright of England whose family had a close social connection to the Wedgwoods, Watt and Davy, adding further support to the theory that "Leaf" could be by one of them, Sotheby's said.

Bethel said Sotheby's, in reevaluating the photo, was relying on the expertise of Larry J. Schaaf, a leading photo historian and Talbot expert.

She said Schaaf based his hypothesis on the "W" inscription; the photo's connection to the Bright family; and the fact that it doesn't resemble a Talbot.

The work of Wedgwood, of Wedgwood china fame, Watt and Davy was documented in their day and cited in standard histories of photography, but no examples have ever been identified, Sotheby's said.

"In the end, what is certain is perhaps the only factor that really matters in a work of art," Schaaf writes in an essay in the sale's catalog. "This image of a leaf is extraordinary. It arrests our attention as much today as it had done for at least a century and a half, and just possibly more than two centuries."

credits: amny.com
and ULA ILNYTZKY Associated Press Writer

Photograph of the day:

Seasons

Soft Rime covered fence on a cold December Day

Photography lovers who liked this also liked:
rustic art
rustic canvas prints
rustic framed prints
rustic prints
rustic posters
rustic greeting cards
rustic photos

enchanting art
enchanting canvas prints
enchanting framed prints
enchanting prints
enchanting posters
enchanting greeting cards
enchanting photos

tree trunks art
tree trunks photos
tree trunks canvas prints
tree trunks framed prints
tree trunks prints
tree trunks greeting cards
tree trunks posters

civilization metal prints
catastrophe metal prints
outer space metal prints
new year metal prints
needle metal prints

Significant Savings on NIK Color Efex Pro 3.0 and Fluid Mask 3

San Diego, CA & London, England – March 26, 2008 – Nik Software, Inc. and Vertus announced, today, a new software bundle which offers photographers and creative professionals superior solutions for image extractions and creative enhancements. By combining the features and capabilities of Color Efex Pro 3.0 Complete Edition from Nik Software and Vertus’ Fluid Mask 3, the leading tools in their respective categories, photographers, graphic designers, and image editors receive increased creative flexibility at a significant cost savings.

Available on both companies’ websites as electronic download files, the products are being offered together at $429.95, representing a savings of $110, or 20%. The bundle offer is good through June 1, 2008. In addition, current Color Efex Pro 3.0 owners can get Fluid Mask 3 directly from Nik Software at a 15% discount. For download and discount information please visit www.niksoftware.com/vertus or www.vertustech.com/bundles/nik.htm

Nik Software, Inc. is a privately held company that develops software solutions for the growing digital imaging and photography markets. Established in 1995, Nik Software has become the recognized leader in digital photographic filter development and produces award-winning technology and software products for digital photography and imaging professionals including U Point® technology, Dfine®, Viveza™, Color Efex Pro™, and Nik Sharpener Pro™ software. For more information, visit http://www.niksoftware.com/.

“We are extremely enthusiastic about joining with Nik Software to offer this valuable image editing package,” said James Carr-Jones, president & CEO of Vertus. “Using the unmatched masking capabilities of Fluid Mask 3 and the unique image enhancements and effects available with Nik’s Color Efex Pro, image editing will not only be fast and accurate, but more creative. Users who take advantage of this limited time offer will truly be acquiring some of the best image editing products on the market.”

About Color Efex Pro 3.0 - Photoshop Plug-In
Color Efex Pro 3.0 from Nik Software are the leading photographic filters for digital photography, widely used by many of today's professional photographers around the world to save time and get professional level results. The Complete Edition contains fifty-two filters and over 250 effects enabling photographers to quickly perform high quality retouching, color correction, traditional filtering, and endless creative enhancements to their photographs.
Using Nik Software’s patented U Point® technology found within Color Efex Pro 3.0, users are provided the ultimate control to selectively apply enhancements without the need for any complicated selections or layer masks. Using Control Points, users can determine where to apply any filter within Color Efex Pro selectively to their image, further enhancing their creativity.
“The new digital darkroom that creative professionals live in needs powerful software to take full advantage of technology and help them push the limits,” said Michael J. Slater, president and CEO of Nik Software. “Fluid Mask and Color Efex Pro work great together and will help professionals create stunning results with a photographic style all their own,” he concluded.

About Vertus
Vertus is the graphics and imaging software division of Heligon, a technology business specializing in image data interpretation. Heligon's groundbreaking technology uses complex algorithms to mimic the way the eye and brain perform visual processing so that complex shapes and colors can be recognized within images. Heligon licenses its technology to market leaders in industries including design and graphics, printing and video. More information on Vertus can be found at: http://www.vertustech.com/.

About Fluid Mask 3 - Photoshop Plug-In
Fluid Mask 3 offers the most powerful and accurate image extraction on the market. The product offers a “Smart Blending” capability unique to the software, an effective edge detection system, and intuitive workflow resources. The award winning Fluid Mask 3 is currently available for both Windows and Mac based operating systems, and will continue to function as a plug-in for Adobe Photoshop CS2, CS3 & Elements, while also working in stand alone mode. The program has been deployed by image editors at the National Magazine Company, producers of such titles as Elle, Men’s Health, Glamour and Bazaar, and recently became the first image editing program added to the Getty Images Preferred Supplier Program. The newest version of Fluid Mask is available for download through the Vertus website at: http://www.vertustech.com/.

credits: cameratown.com

Photograph of the day:

Wildflowers

Dandelion Parachute Leaving Home

Photography lovers who liked this also liked:
ball art
ball canvas prints
ball framed prints
ball prints
ball posters
ball greeting cards
ball photos

knot art
knot canvas prints
knot framed prints
knot prints
knot posters
knot greeting cards
knot photos

cancer survivors art
cancer survivors photos
cancer survivors canvas prints
cancer survivors framed prints
cancer survivors prints
cancer survivors greeting cards
cancer survivors posters

winery metal prints
back metal prints
challenge metal prints
rebellion metal prints
rebel metal prints

Kodak Announces Two New Cameras

Kodak Announces the V1073 with a Touch-Screen
The Kodak Easyshare V1073 is a 10-megapixel digital camera with a 3x Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon lens. It is designed to be a high resolution point-and-shoot camera that is compact with useful features. The V1073 features a large 3.0" touch-screen LCD, a multimedia slideshow, face detection, and HD photo viewing options. It is available now for $249.
Initial Review

Kodak also Announces the Z1012 IS with 12x Zoom
The Kodak Easyshare Z1012 IS is a 10-megapixel camera with an impressive 12x Schneider-Kreuznach Variogon optical zoom lens. It is designed to be a smart camera that makes taking family photos an easy process. The Z1012 IS features optical image stabilization, 0.23-second click-to-capture speed, face detection, and smart capture technology. The Kodak Easyshare Z1012 is available for $299.
Initial Review

See images and read more reviews at picturecorrect.com/

Photograph of the day:

Scenery and Sights

Shadow Play on what once was the prison wall of Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

Photography lovers who liked this also liked:

panorama art
panorama canvas prints
panorama framed prints
panorama prints
panorama posters
panorama greeting cards
panorama photos

rock art
rock canvas prints
rock framed prints
rock prints
rock posters
rock greeting cards
rock photos

cliffs art
cliffs canvas prints
cliffs framed prints
cliffs prints
cliffs posters
cliffs greeting cards
cliffs photos

canine metal prints
purebred metal prints
pets metal prints
pet metal prints
k9 metal prints

Adobe ships Mac version of Photoshop Elements 6

Do you want to edit photos and push pixels but don't have the scratch for Photoshop's hefty price tag? Maybe Photoshop Elements 6 is right for you.
Adobe announced today that Photoshop Elements 6 is now shipping. Photoshop Elements 6 software helps photography enthusiasts achieve desired results quickly and easily. New Photomerge technology lets users create the perfect group shot by simply choosing and combining the best facial expressions and body language from a series of shots. By simply clicking and dragging over a specific area, the new Quick Selection tool snaps to the edges in seconds for the perfect selection.
Three edits modes (Guided, Quick and Full) meet the needs of beginner to expert photographers. The new Guided Edit mode offers step-by-step assistance to help users improve their photos. Photoshop Elements 6 software streamlines editing with clean, uncluttered spaces that draw focus to the photos, with new tabs providing easy access to the many capabilities of the program. Additional enhancements include an improved conversion tool that dramatically converts color images into elegant, nuanced black-and-whites.
Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 runs on Leopard, (Mac OS X v 10.5.2), as well as previous versions of Mac OS X starting with 10.4.8. The software is a Universal Binary application that will run natively on PowerPC and new Intel-based Macintosh systems. Photoshop Elements 6 is immediately available in the United States and Canada for an estimated street price of USD$89.99. Owners of previous versions of Photoshop Elements can upgrade to Photoshop Elements 6 for USD$69.99 with an in-box, mail-in rebate or through Adobe.com.

Credits: macmerc.com
Photo of the day:

Seasons:

Frosted Bicycle during a period of Hoar Frost

Photography lovers who liked this also liked:

light art
light canvas prints
light framed prints
light prints
light posters
light greeting cards
light photos

lighthouse art
lighthouse canvas prints
lighthouse framed prints
lighthouse prints
lighthouse posters
lighthouse greeting cards
lighthouse photos

light station art
light station canvas prints
light station framed prints
light station prints
light station posters
light station greeting cards
light station photos
wild animals metal prints
wild animal metal prints
stare metal prints
countryside metal prints
canines metal prints

Alabama Town's Photography Permit Draws Fire

MOORESVILLE, Ala. The city of Mooresville is charging commercial photographers $500 for a permit to take pictures of its historic buildings, a practice some are questioning as discriminatory and unlawful.Huntsville photographer Don Broome sent a letter to the editor of The Huntsville Times after he was served with a violation notice two weeks ago and told to leave town because he didn’t buy the permit before taking pictures.Since Mooresville also charges $30 for a business privilege license, it costs commercial photographers $530 a year to take pictures in the north Alabama town, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and has about 60 residents.“To me if I’m on a public street, whatever view I have is mine to photograph,” Broome said. “If I go on somebody’s private property to take pictures, then I’d be stealing it.”Mayor Jerri McLain said March 19 the person who served Broome with the violation must have been confused about the new policy and fee, which began in January.She said only commercial photographers who regularly book multiple clients and actually step onto the property to take pictures are required to buy the permit.Commercial photographers like Broome would be exempt because they don’t have a subject in the photo and aren’t in Mooresville on a regular basis.The Huntsville Times published a story on the matter in its March 19 editions, and the issue also drew attention from area television stations.“I think this has been helpful. When some new policy comes on board, you learn and you get better at it,” McLain said.She said the policy needs to have a description of who the town considers to be a commercial photographer. “We’ll define that in more narrative,” she said.Huntsville attorney Charles Younger helped Mooresville draft the policy and said tourists won’t be affected because it only applies to commercial photographers.A call to Younger’s cell phone was abruptly disconnected and messages left there and at his office were not returned.McLain said the $500 fee was needed to cut down on the tide of photographers who would flood the town at springtime and fight over space at the historic church, post office and tavern.She said a $25 business permit was previously all that was needed and the price was raised to $30 when the photography permit was implemented. The additional money from fees are being used to help preserve the buildings, McLain said.Younger told the Times that Mooresville’s policy was no different from any other town in the United States, but Alabama Press Association attorney Dennis Bailey said this was the first such policy he’d ever heard about.The photography permit “has constitutional issues,” he said. “It’s part of freedom of expression and assembly and to be allowed to photograph what you want and publish it.”Bailey said that commercial photographers need to have a business license with the city where they are selling their pictures, but not a license with every city they visit to take pictures.He said the permit also has a problem by not charging amateur photographers for doing the exact same thing the commercial photographers are doing.“Cities have always been able to charge a permit for doing business in a city,” he said. “But the idea of charging a photographer to come take a picture of a building ... that has First Amendment implications. That’s why I don’t think cities do it.”

credits: http://www.mediainfo.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003729465

Photo of the day:

Scenery and Sights:

This Hoodoo in Bryce Canyon
looks like a dog from Hell to me

Photography lovers who liked this also liked:

picturesque art
picturesque canvas prints
picturesque framed prints
picturesque prints
picturesque posters
picturesque greeting cards
picturesque photos

towers art
towers canvas prints
towers framed prints
towers prints
towers posters
towers greeting cards
towers photos

history art
history canvas prints
history framed prints
history prints
history posters
history greeting cards
history photos

work acrylic prints
work metal prints
group metal prints
group acrylic prints
domestic animals metal prints

Horror With A Wide Angle Lens!

One third of the people believe in ghosts, and many of those claim they've seen one.

A recent poll conducted by CNN revealed that one third of the people believed in ghosts, and that many of those claim they've seen one. At the same time, interest in spirit photography - events in which images of the dead are caught on film - has never been higher.
The phenomenon is as old as photography itself, dating back to the 1860s. Spirit photography has been riddled with controversy and fraud, yet many believe it to be one of the few methods of capturing ghostly phenomenon that approaches scientific methodology. Magazines devoted to spirit photography proliferate throughout Asia, and new internet sites devoted to the subject spring up every day. New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art recently hosted an exhibit devoted to spirit photography, called "The Perfect Medium: Photography and the Occult."
This intriguing and foreboding subject is a key element of the psychological thriller "Shutter," from executive producers of "The Grudge" and "The Ring." In "Shutter," a newly married couple discovers disturbing, ghostly images in photographs they develop after a tragic accident. Fearing the manifestations may be connected, they investigate, only to learn that some mysteries are better left unsolved - and that a past mistake can lead to an eternity of vengeance.

Read more about this thriller and photographer Ben (Joshua Jackson) and his new wife Jane (Rachael Taylor), at mixmeansvariety.com/

and Click Here to see the Shutter Movie Trailer

Picture of the day:

Flowers and Plants:

Prince's Plume - a great but poisenous Show

Photography lovers who liked this also liked:

historic art
historic canvas prints
historic framed prints
historic prints
historic posters
historic greeting cards
historic photos

columbia river art
columbia river canvas prints
columbia river framed prints
columbia river prints
columbia river posters
columbia river greeting cards
columbia river photos

heritage art
heritage canvas prints
heritage framed prints
heritage prints
heritage posters
heritage greeting cards
heritage photos

shepherds metal prints
shepherd metal prints
border collie metal prints
pure bred metal prints
domestic animal metal prints