The 15th PhotographyBLOG Portfolio has been submitted by Erica Mabry.

”“These photos were taken in Dooly County, Georgia, specifically Byromville, Lilly, Cordele, and Vienna, in December 2003. The photos reflect my fascination with small rural towns, and my disappointment at the Walmartization of America ? all of these beautiful buildings are in downtown areas that have been all but abandoned.”

Biography
Girl. 26. Currently living in South Carolina. Primarily interested in shooting abandoned places ? especially small rural towns and old mills. Also really like old signs - basically anything rusty!

http://ericablu.my-expressions.com”

Website: Portfolios: Erica Mabry

Pocket-lint.co.uk have posted their review of the Pentax Optio43WR. This digital camera features 4.0 effective megapixels, a 2.8X zoom lens, and a JIS Class 7 waterproof rating that keeps the Optio43WR watertight even when the camera is rinsed, splashed or submersed in water.

“Speed of use is also surprising good. Power-on to shot-ready is as fast as the camera can pull focus and you can get a frame off in a little over a second in optimum conditions. The shutter response is extremely snappy and the accompanying literatures claim of 0.05 of a second sees reasonable. That said, rapid multiple-frame exposure is not fantastic, nor is the image-buffer, but compact digital cameras are not really designed for this and the behaviour of the 43WR is well above average.”

Website: Pocket-lint.co.uk - Pentax Optio43WR Review

Fred Miranda has just released a new Photoshop plug-in for sharpening Canon EOS 1D Mark II SLR files.

“The Canon 1D Mark II CSpro Plugin is a new sharpening technology specific designed to accommodate Canon 1D Mark II SLR files. This plugin is compatible with JPEG files straight from the camera or TIFF/JPEG files converted from RAW files.

Here is how the interface looks:
http://www.fredmiranda.com/Buzz/Inteface2.html

Although the Canon 1D Mark II CSpro’s interface appears simple and intuitive, complexity makes this plugin very smart: It provides everything from haloless sharpening, edge-sharpening, luminance sharpening, mode sharpening, and more with just the press of a button. With this plugin you can also choose from low or high ISO settings.

Other options allow you to sharpen fine detail. There are pre-designed intensity levels, and options to reduce color noise from high ISO files. You can even create your own sharpening settings, preview settings and tweak intensity results.”

Is a 10x optical zoom still not enough for you? Then you may be interested in the Kowa Prominar TD-1, a Japanese 3-megapixel digital camera that has a 10X-30X zoom lens. Yes, that’s right - a 30x optical zoom. Just the thing for spying on your neighbours. Expect to see the papparazzi using the TD-1 soon…

Website: Engadet - 30X zoom digital camera

The elegant Design by Fire website has posted a guide to converting colour images to black and white, using a technique created by the photographer Greg Gorman (found via Still Journal):

“Gorman has gone digital in the past few years. Recently, he has been sharing his knowledge with many in the photography world. In this case, as you probably know, digital cameras capture light with red, green and blue sensors. It is impossible to shoot digital in black and white, like it is in film. Gorman had been lamenting this fact over dinner almost a year and a half ago, as most of his favorite work is in black and white. Rather than do nothing about it though, Gorman developed this conversion technique, which in all of my time working on Photoshop is easily the best I?ve seen for creating black and white photos.”

Website: Design by Fire - Santorini in black & white

As usual, Steves Digicams is the first website in the world to review the brand new Sony DSC-P73, a 4-megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom.

“The P73’s small size is achieved in part because it uses only two AA batteries for power. But their small size doesn’t mean short life; I was able to capture nearly 250 images before the capacity of the supplied 2100mAh NiMH rechargeables was consumed, and that included extensive use of the LCD as a viewfinder, to test the camera’s menu system, and to field check the test shots. Sony also includes a small NiMH charger that can handle two AA or two AAA size batteries.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Sony DSC-P73 Review

The Canadian digital photography website Photoxels have published an excellent tutorial about the RAW file format.

“Some photographers have mistakenly thought that RAW allowed them to correct exposure errors. Well, to a limited extent, that is true.

However, a picture has to be correctly exposed, whether you are using RAW or not. You cannot take a grossly underexposed or overexposed picture in RAW, and expect to be able to “correct your mistakes.”“

Website: Photoxels - Understanding RAW File Format Tutorial

The Hungarian website Index Digicam have posted their review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC1, a rangefinder-like digital camera which is exactly the same as the more expensive Leica Digilux 2 in terms of camera design.

Website: Index Digicam - Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC1 Review

CNET has reviewed the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LC33, a compact and robust 3-megapixel camera that features a Leica 3x zoom lens.

“With excellent image quality and close-up capabilities, easy operation, and a burst mode capable of squeezing off eight shots in less than two seconds, the 3-megapixel Lumix DMC-L33 looks like a great deal for snapshot photographers who want versatility at a sub-$250 price. Unfortunately, its poky performance when not in burst mode limits its appeal for snapshooters who need speed.”

Website: CNET - Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-LC33 Review

Sandisk Press Release 24/06/04

DISTRIBUTION OF SANDISK SHOOT & STORE FLASH MEMORY CARDS GROWS TO MORE THAN 10,000 RETAIL OUTLETS IN THE U.S.

Rite Aid, Kmart And Other Stores Now Carry the Inexpensive Cards in Their Photo Departments

Sunnyvale, CA, June 24, 2004 - SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) today announced that it has passed the 10,000-store threshold in its rapidly expanding efforts to offer inexpensive Shoot & Store flash memory cards to consumers in places where they shop frequently. Rite Aid and Kmart are among the latest retailers to begin selling the line, joining hundreds of other drug and grocery storefronts.

Rite Aid Category Manager Steve Lund said that sales of Shoot & Store cards have been “very encouraging. They are part of our strategy to build consumer awareness of Rite Aid as a one-stop center for digital cameras, flash memory cards and print processing.” At Kmart, the line expands the retailer’s ongoing commitment to digital photography products. Also adding the cards are several major supermarket chains.

The East Finchley Open (EFO) is a new voluntary group of visual artists and craftspeople who work independently in East Finchley, North London.

Our first event is a series of exhibitions showing and selling our members’ work at local venues, homes & studios.

If you want to know more about us, get our catalogue or come to our stand in Cherry Tree Woods at the East Finchley Community Festival on the afternoon of Sunday 27th June.

My interest in this event is entirely selfish, as I’m one of the artists who is exhibiting their work :-)

Website: East Finchley Open

Fujifilm Press Release 24/06/04

Fujifilm announces underwater housing for widescreen digital camera

Fujifilm today announced a secure underwater case to house the FinePix F710 Zoom, the UK’s first widescreen digital camera.  This robust sub-aqua unit allows the underwater photographer greater shooting versatility at depths of up to 40 metres, and has been ergonomically designed to withstand challenging conditions.

Based on Fujifilm’s acclaimed Super CCD SR technology, the FinePix F710 Zoom is well equipped to handle the extreme light and shadow contrast of an aquatic landscape.  The polycarbonate housing shields this impressive camera from the elements, allowing detailed images of underwater scenes to be taken with pin-sharp clarity.

LetsGoDigital have just posted their review of the Ricoh Caplio GX, a slim 5-megapixel 28mm wide-angle zoom digital camera.

“The Ricoh Caplio GX is an interesting digital camera which brings Ricoh in the spotlight again. The camera is equipped with high quality optics and a functional zoom range. The wide angle is getting more and more attractive to more manufacturers and it is good to see Ricoh taking the lead. The way Ricoh lets his camera focus is magnificent! The speed and precise way in which the camera focuses, but also the speed of the shutter release are features in which the Ricoh Caplio GX distinguishes itself.”

Website: LetsGoDigital - Ricoh Caplio GX Review

Bert P. Krages author of the “Legal Handbook for Photographers”, has published a 1-page PDF guide to what you can and cannot legally do as a photographer - well, at least in the USA anyway. Print a few copies out and carry them with you, just in case…

Now, does anyone know of a UK-specific version?

“The general rule in the United States is that anyone may take photographs of whatever they want when they are in a public place or places where they have permission to take photographs. Absent a specific legal prohibition such as a statute or ordinance, you are legally entitled to take photographs. Examples of places that are traditionally considered public are streets, sidewalks, and public parks.”

Thanks to Tom Longson for the link :-)

Website: The Photographer’s Right - A Downloadable Flyer

Website: Bert P. Krages - The Photographers Right (PDF file)

Website: infogargoyle - ACLU Bust Card for Photographers

According to a report by the NEAsia Online website, sales of digital cameras by the six major Japanese digital camera manufacturers are predicted to reach 61.5 million units by the end of fiscal year 2004. This is a 52% year-on-year increase on the 40.45 million units that were sold for 2003. Canon seems to be doing particularly well:

“When looking at the numbers by manufacturer, Canon Inc stands out with its excellent results. The company had originally announced forecasts for the calendar year 2004 in its financial results published in January 2004, but in April revised that upward by 0.2 million units to the forecast to total 15.2 million units. For 2003, Canon’s year-on-year growth rate was 100%, and for 2004 it expects a growth of 76.7%. For both years, it has had the highest growth rate among the major six companies.”

Website: NEAsia Online

Pocket-lint.co.uk have exclusively reported that Olympus UK are launching an Ocean Blue version of their popular Mju 410 compact digital camera, specifically for its chain of UK PIX dealers. The Mju 410: Ocean Blue edition will be retailing at ?279.99.

Website: Pocket-lint.co.uk - Olympus launch Ocean Blue Mju410

Website: PIX Dealers

Website: Read my review of the Olympus Mju 410 Digital

As usual, Steves Digicams is the first website in the world to review the brand new Sony DSC-P93, a 5-megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom.

“The Cyber-shot DSC-P93 is the 2004 upgrade to Sony’s popular DSC-P92 we reviewed last year. It incorporates the same high quality Sony 3x optical zoom lens and 5-megapixel resolution, and adds an improved 5-point AF system, enhanced shooting performance, and the ability to attach conversion lenses. Importantly, it offers something else that we’ve come to expect from annual product refresh cycles, better value; the DSC-P93’s MSRP is $50 less than DSC-P92 at the time of its introduction. “

Website: Steves Digicams - Sony DSC-P93 Review

The German website PhotoWorld.de have just reviewed the new 3.2 megapixel Canon PowerShot A75.

Website: PhotoWorld.de - Canon PowerShot A75 Review

Luminous Landscape have published a First Look at the 22-megapixel Phase One P25 medium format digital back.

“The Phase One H25 has become something of a benchmark for studio-based professional photographers during the nine months or so since introduction. There is something about Phase One’s ability to extract shadow detail and produce extremely clean raw files that seems to me to be just a step ahead of what is seen from other backs. When you add to this their world-class Capture One software, you have a first rate package.

Now along comes the P25, providing all of the above but in a self-contained package that can fit in the palm of ones hand and that functions on location as simply and transparently as a film magazine. Given this combination of characteristics it’s hard not to wax poetic.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Phase One P25 First Look

Pocket-lint.co.uk have published a review of the 4-megapixel Olympus C-770 Ultra Zoom digital camera.

“For a mid-range camera, with the added MPEG feature, it’s well priced and extremely well made. For beginners, it’s easy to use and the layout will be familiar to anyone who has laid their hands on the Olympus range before. For the semi-professional or those looking for that second digital camera, there is the option to experiment a little more with shots but not enough to warrant the extra spend.”

Website: Pocket-lint.co.uk - Olympus C-770 Ultra Zoom Review