LightScribe Press Release

Macworld 2005 announcement points to the growing support base for the technology

Macworld San Francisco, Jan. 10, 2005 - LightScribe today announced the immediate release of Mac OS X 10.3 support for its Direct Disc Labelling technology through a software development kit that allows application developers to integrate LightScribe support into their products. Macintosh users, known for their creativity and insistence on simple and elegant technologies, will now be able to complement digital information written to disc with the professional, iridescent Labelling results of LightScribe.

LightScribe and LaCie Press Release

Creative and Easy-to-Use Technology on Display at Macworld 2005

Macworld San Francisco, Jan. 10, 2005 - LightScribe and LaCie announced today at Macworld 2005 that they are partnering to offer the first direct disc labelling drive for Macintosh computers. For the first time, Macintosh customers can burn the data side of a disc, then flip the disc over and burn a precise, iridescent label with their desired text and graphics using the same laser that burns the data. No printer, permanent marker or adhesive labelling is required to develop and burn creative designs onto the CD or DVD.

The winners of the December 2004 PhotographyBLOG Competition have now been decided. The theme for December was “Peace” - you can view all of the entries in this gallery. Here are the 3 winners:

1st Place
“Peaceful Slumber” by skmdc
View this entry

Prize: 1 copy of Powerretouche Full Pro Pack
Kindly donated by Powerretouche.
http://powerretouche.com

2nd Place
“On Golden Pond” by cdm36
View this entry

Prize: 1 copy of Digital Photography Hacks by Derrick Story.
Kindly donated by O’Reilly.
http://www.oreilly.com

3rd Place
“Remembering the Cost of ... Peace” by kevlar
View this entry

Prize: Photobird.com one-year subscription with 100 megabytes of storage space
Kindly donated by Photobird.com.
http://www.photobird.com

Congratulations to the 3 winners and thanks to everyone who took part!

The January 2005 Competition is now open for entries. This is a monthly photography competition with a specific theme and prizes for the top 3 photos. The winning entries will be decided by a panel of judges. You just have to submit one photograph to the Competition Gallery that best interprets January’s theme, which is simply “Red”.

Engadget have posted their initial impressions and a photo from CES of the Olympus m:robe MR-500i photo viewer/MP3 player.

“It’s very pretty, its touch screen interface is hugely appealing, but the MR-500i’s photo-slideshow-set-to-music tilt (they call it “remixing music and photos”) only answers a question that hasn’t been asked (and doesn’t manage to answer the ones that have, like portable video or PDA functionality).”

Website: Engadget - Olympus m:robe MR-500i Hands-On

Steves Digicams has published the first online review of the 5 megapixel Epson L-500V digital camera.

“Overall the image quality when using 2560x1920 Fine mode is good. Our outdoor samples were sharp with good color balance. I did notice that many of our outdoor shots were a bit over exposed, but nothing that a little exposure compensation can’t fix. There was very little noise in high/low contrast areas when using its ISO 100 equivalent as well as slight traces of chromatic aberration (purple fringing) around extreme highlights.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Epson L-500V Review

Warning: technical colour management article coming up! Digital Outback Photo explain the reasons why they have switched from using the Adobe RGB colour space to ProPhoto RGB…

“We followed the discussion about ProPhoto RGB for quite some time. Yesterday we had a conversation with a friend who understands color management and this made it pretty clear to us. We would never claim to be experts and do not even intend to get any expert status. But the arguments we heard were just too convincing.

All what we write here matters if your main goal is the fine art output (most likely prints).”

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Why Use the ProPhoto RGB Color Space?

Lacie Press Release

January 10, 2005

  * Flexible and affordable network storage via Ethernet
  * Direct-attached personal hard drive via Hi-Speed USB 2.0
  * Simple to use: just plug and play
  * Designed for Windows®, Mac

LaCie introduces an affordable network hard drive for use in homes or small offices: LaCie Ethernet Disk mini with up to 500GB shared storage space. Anyone plugged into the dual-purpose Ethernet Disk mini can instantly share files via the Ethernet connection without having to install drivers, or the drive can be attached via USB 2.0 to any individual computer for faster throughput and a private connection.

Lacie Press Release

January 10, 2005

  * Up to 80GB multimedia hard drive for movies, photos or music
  * Plug directly into a TV for instant viewing, no computer needed
  * Store and view up to 14 MPEG-2 or 80 MPEG-4 videos on 80GB drive

Today LaCie premieres the LaCie silverscreen, a portable USB hard drive with the ability to plug directly into multi-standard television sets for instant playback of stored movies, music or photos. LaCie silverscreen is ideal for travelers wanting to enjoy digital entertainment or professionals wanting to show clients corporate videos on larger TV screens without the need for a computer. The ultra slim and quiet drive comes in 40GB or 80GB capacities.

Kodak Press Release

Groundbreaking KODAK EASYSHARE-ONE Digital Camera Wins Two Prestigious Best-of-Show Awards at 2005 CES; Awarded CNET’s ‘Next Big Thing,’ G4techTV ‘Best of CES’ Honors for Digital Imaging

ROCHESTER, N.Y.—(Business Wire)—Jan. 10, 2005—Eastman Kodak Company’s continued innovation in the digital imaging industry secured best-of-show honors at the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show, where the company won the event’s two highest-profile awards for digital imaging products.

The first-of-its-kind KODAK EASYSHARE-ONE digital camera, created as much for sharing pictures as taking them, secured both the CNET Next Big Thing and the G4techTV Best of CES Awards. These are considered the ultimate honors at the world’s largest consumer electronics exhibition, where more than 1,500 companies launch and display tens of thousands of cutting-edge products and services.

Creative Press Release

Zen Micro Photo - MP3 Player/Photo Viewer Steals the Show to Win Creative’s Third Consecutive ‘Best of CES’ Award

MILPITAS, Calif., Jan. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/—Creative (NASDAQ:CREAF) , a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products, today announced that its MP3 player/photo viewer—the Zen Micro Photo, won the “Best of CES” 2005 award in the “Audio to Go” category. This is the third consecutive year that Creative has won a “Best of CES” award.

Featuring a stunning, high-intensity 262,144-color 1.5” OLED screen, the Creative Zen Micro Photo can hold up to 7,500 JPEG images or 3,000 songs on a 6GB model. Users can watch slide shows of their favorite digital images while they listen to MP3 or WMA music. The Zen Micro Photo also includes all the features of the award-winning Zen Micro MP3 player.

Cardmedia Ltd. Press Release

VOSONIC MULTIMEDIA X’S-DRIVE RAW FORMAT SUPPORT FIRMWARE

XS Drive Super VP6210 / MMV VP6300

Date: 5th January 2005

Cardmedia (Europe) Ltd, the official UK distributor for the manufacturer Vosonic, has announced the availability of a new firmware allowing the XS Drive Super VP6210 and MMV VP6300 to display Nikon RAW files directly on the screen.
The next firmware is under development and will allow to support Canon Raw files.

The XS Drive Super VP6210 and MMV VP6300 allow to copy from any memory card to the internal HD any type of files and display on their 2” LCD screen JPEG photos, MPEG-1 videos or MP3 – WMA music.

The Czech website FotoAparat.cz have just posted their review of the long-delayed DSLR, the Fuji FinePix S3 Pro.

Website: FotoAparat.cz - FujiFilm FinePix S3 Pro First Look

Check the Latest Prices for the FujiFilm FinePix S3 Pro

Shuttertalk have published a review of the Kata R-102 Photo Rucksack.

“So what’s a guy to do? You start innocently enough, buying a camera and lens. As time goes by, you buy more and more… along the way you accumulate camera bags to put all the stuff in. Eventually you end up carrying a double armful of camera bags, lens cases, tripods, and other assorted junk. At the airport, the security guards glare at you and your pile of “must-carry-on” and “oh-so-fragile” photo necessities.

Enough is enough - time for a new bag that meets my needs for organization, storage, transportation, security, and protection. After about 6 weeks of research, I decided on the Kata R-102 photo rucksack. I also looked seriously at cases from Lowepro, Tenba, Tamrac, Dakine, Crumpler, and Bogen, but for my needs, I chose the Kata.”

Website: Shuttertalk - Kata R-102 Photo Rucksack Review

DPReview have posted their review of the new, competitively priced Olympus E-300/Evolt DSLR.

“Although not a direct competitor to the Canon EOS 20D the E-300 does become the second only eight megapixel digital SLR and so comparisons will be made (and can be interesting). At ISO 100 the two are virtually indistinguishable, from ISO 200 to 400 the 20D looks cleaner although it’s a moderate difference. At ISO 800 the 20D begins to look much cleaner, and at ISO 1600 there’s almost no comparison, a large jump in noise is apparent in the E-300 sample. Visually the EOS 20D at ISO 3200 doesn’t look that much noisier than the E-300 at ISO 800.”

Website: DPReview - Olympus E-300/Evolt Review

Check the Latest Prices for the Olympus E-300 / Evolt

Write a Review of the Olympus E-300 / Evolt

Press Release

The Just Show Me How Professional seminar series helps photographers improve their digital workflow

Industry-leading imaging companies share professional digital workflow secrets to photographers in 10 cities nationwide

NEW YORK, January 10, 2005 – How do digital photographers handle thousands of pictures, maintain quality and efficiency in their work, and stay competitive? Several leading digital photography companies - including Extensis, GretagMacbeth, Lexar, Mirra, Nik Multimedia, Wacom, Microsoft, Adobe, and Blue Pixel - have partnered together to address these questions. While most professional seminars focus on the camera, editing, or printing, the Just Show Me How seminar gives photographers the tools and knowledge they need to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the complete digital process - after they’ve taken the picture. The Just Show Me How Tour for professional photographers begins in February 2005 and will visit 10 cities through April 2005.

KW Media Group Press Release

Photoshop for Wedding Photographers and How to Show Your Photos Like a Pro DVDs Released by Scott Kelby and KW Media Group

TAMPA, Fla.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Jan. 10, 2005—KW Media Group, the premier training resource for the Photoshop community, announced today the release of 2 new DVDs - Photoshop for Wedding Photographers and How To Show Your Photos Like a Pro. These must-have DVDs feature Scott Kelby, author of the best-selling book The Photoshop CS Book for Digital Photographers, as he reveals the secrets to creating amazing wedding images and how easy it can be to transform photos into gallery-quality pieces. Packed with real world examples and presented in an easy to follow format, these DVDs are essential for photographers looking to take their skills and business to the next level. For the ultimate lessons on photography visit the website and order your copies today.

The New York Times have published a thought-provoking look at their reasons for choosing their front-page photo from the Indian Ocean catastrophe.

“Two Mondays ago, the scale of the Indian Ocean catastrophe was just emerging from the incomplete earlier reports (from a Times article the day before: a tidal wave had “killed more than 150 people in Sri Lanka”). By the 4:30 Page 1 meeting, picture editors had examined more than 900 images of devastation to find the one that would stretch across five columns and nearly half the depth of Tuesday’s front page. Into a million homes came a grieving mother crouched beside the lifeless bodies of tiny children [photo], and perhaps more horrifying, three pairs of feet extending from beneath a white sheet in an upper corner, suggesting the presence beyond the frame of row upon awful row of the tsunami’s pitiless toll.”

Website: The New York Times - No Picture Tells the Truth. The Best Do Better Than That.

Engadget have posted a few, slightly blurry shots from CES of the new, head-turning Kodak EasyShare One camera

“As if you couldn’t tell enough before, we’re really stoked on the Kodak Easyshare One Wireless Camera. We already told you everything you need to know about it, except what it’s like to hold. It’s a bit large, sure. But you know what? It’s pretty light, and it feels amazingly sturdy—way more so than our jaded hearts expected. Check it:”

Website: Engadget - Kodak @ CES - Hands on with the Easyshare One

Steves Digicams have posted a first look at the new 7 megapixel Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom, which was announced at the CES show last week.

“The C-7070 Wide Zoom features a number of professional SLR-type features to satisfy the artistic needs of advanced users, including two autofocus systems. A Predictive AF mode enables users to shoot subjects moving towards them via an external AF sensor that detects the distance the subject has moved and predicts its location at the moment of shutter release. And an AF Target Selection function enables users to choose from 143 AF target zones to focus on virtually any area of their composition without reframing the shot.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom Preview

Photo-i have published a short review of the book “Perfect Digital Photos in a Snap” from ILEX.

“ILEX publishes many outstanding books which are visually stimulating. Unfortunately, the photographs that have been selected for perfect digital photos in a snap really let this book down badly. If you’re talking about exciting and creative opportunities you’ve got to show it and pictures of roads, railways tracks, beer glasses, camels’ bottoms, and people looking awkward (p59 The flash), just don’t do it for me. Sorry.”

Website: Photo-i - Perfect Digital Photos in a Snap Review