Luminous Landscape and Glenn E. Mitchell have teamed up again to publish a new Photoshop tutorial on using tone-based masks:

“Ever take a photograph on a rainy, dreary day? Something like Figure 1 is typical. You end up with lots of contrast but not much information in the middle tones. The result is a flat, boring image.

One solution in this case is to use a tripod and bracket the shots. Take one photograph to hold the sky detail and another to emphasize the shadow detail. Then you can composite the shots later in Adobe Photoshop. That solution takes care of images with wide dynamic range, but there are other instances where we might want to adjust just the middle tones or just the quarter tones. What then?

Figure 2 shows the results of careful adjustments using a set of tone masks for the shadows, three-quarter tones, and middle tones. The image has a lot more ?pop? than the raw image in Figure 1. It is a much more pleasing image.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Masking by the Numbers

Olympus have released a Macromedia Flash-based teaser advert on their e-System website which hints VERY STRONGLY at a new e-System camera, to be launched at Photokina at the end of September. Billed as “The next generation of digital SLR cameras”, I would guess that Olympus have a more affordable e-System SLR body than the current professional E-1 up their corporate sleeves.

Website: Olympus e-System - Photokina Teaser

This feels very weird, linking to an article that is essentially about me and this website, but I’ll run with it anyway :-) e-FotoGrafija have published a good, great, fantastic interview with none other than yours truly. If you’ve ever wondered how PhotographyBLOG first started, what the future holds for the site and what I looked like just a couple of days ago, then head over to e-FotoGrafija and read the interview.

Website: e-FotoGrafija - PhotographyBLOG and Mark Goldstein

The latest workflow article over on Digital Outback Photo explains how to create a custom brush in Photoshop and use it to sign your photo prints.

“It used to be I’d matte, mount and frame a print for sale and then authenticate the print by signing the matte in pencil. If I was selling the print unframed, I would simply sign the lower right-hand border with a Sharpie permanent marker. Now in the digital age, we have a few more creative options…

My current preferred method is to add my signature digitally in Photoshop. To do this is relatively simple and I can control the size, color and effect tailoring the result specifically to the print I am placing it on and from the responses I’ve received, my clients like it too!”

Website: Digital Outback Photo - Making a “Signature” brush for use in Photoshop

Addonics Technologies Press Release 02/09/04

Addonics 4-Slot UDD Reads/Writes to 4 PCMCIA Hard Drives, 4 ATA Flash or 4 of any type of Flash Media with USB 2.0 or SATA Connection

SAN JOSE, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Sept. 2, 2004—Addonics Technologies has combined 4 full size PCMCIA slots into a mini, stylish and high performance 4-slot external reader/writer that allows users to simultaneously transfer data between any combination of the PCMCIA hard drive, ATA Flash or flash media supported. Instead of having many card readers, graphics professionals and digital media enthusiasts can now have all their readers and PC Card hard drives consolidated in one small device with its new Addonics 4-Slot UDD.

The 4-Slot UDD adds further versatility to common flash reader/writers because it uses four independent USB connections. Users can simultaneously read/write or transfer data to as many as four PC Card hard drives or four ATA Flash, or any combination of four flash media. The transfer rate for each slot is at full USB 2.0 speeds or the latest Serial ATA (SATA) for a maximum data transfer up to 150Mbytes/sec. Users can select either a USB 2.0 or Serial ATA interface cable for the 4-slot UDD.

DigitalCameraInfo have reviewed the brand new Sony DSC-P93, a 5-megapixel digital camera with a 3x optical zoom.

“The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P93 is one of the few digital cameras we’ve tested that has a mean saturation score lower than 100%. Most digital cameras on the market today (point-and-shoot and dSLR) tend to over saturate tones to produce more vibrant colors. The Sony DSC-P93 has a mean saturation score of 97.34%, and as you can see from the graph there are quite a few colors that are under saturated particularly in the blues and into the greens. Colors 9 and 15 are consistently over saturated in all the digital cameras we have tested, which is purposefully done to create rich skin tones.”

Website: DigitalCameraInfo - Sony DSC-P93 Review

NikonNet Press Release 01/09/04

NikonNet and ‘Legends Behind The Lens’ Honor The Work Of Award-Winning Photographer Reed Hoffmann

MELVILLE, N.Y., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/—Whether he’s shooting extreme athletes in Borneo or teaching the many facets of digital photography, Reed Hoffmann is a photographer of impact.  Known for his dynamic abilities in journalistic and commercial photography, Hoffmann is also widely considered a pioneer in bringing the digital revolution to newspapers by becoming the
leading American digital consultant in analog-to-digital transition.

This September, NikonNet’s inspiring monthly, “Legends Behind the Lens,” honors the work of esteemed photographer Reed Hoffmann.  For almost 30 years, Hoffmann, whose work has appeared in a variety of publications such as The New York Times, USA Today, Sports Illustrated, and Outside Magazine, has combined vast newspaper experience with a thirst for world travel and adventure.  For more than 20 years, Hoffmann worked for newspapers in Indiana, Alabama and New York, twice winning NPPA Photographer of the Year honors for Region 2 (Northeast).

Stamps.com Press Release 02/09/04

PhotoStamps Are Hot! Customers Order 800,000 PhotoStamps in First Three Weeks

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire - FirstCall/ - Stamps.com (NASDAQ:STMP) today announced that customer response to its new PhotoStamps(TM) product has been overwhelmingly positive—with 40,000 sheets, or 800,000 individual PhotoStamps, ordered since the August 10th public launch.

“We’re very pleased with how well the product has been received already,” said Stamps.com president and CEO Ken McBride. “Customer feedback has been extremely positive with over 90% of surveyed customers telling us they are likely to order PhotoStamps again.”

Paraglyph Press - Press Release 01/09/04

Paraglyph Press Announces First Book on the Culture of Camera Phones: “Camera Phone Obsession”

Scottsdale AZ - September 1, 2004 - Paraglyph Press is pleased to announce the first book on the phenomenon of camera phones, “Camera Phone Obsession” (U.S. $19.99, 272 pages, ISBN 1-932111-96-4).  Today, virtually every new cell phone sold has a camera feature.  These wildly successful devices can only be described as a cultural phenomenon, and the way people
think about their camera phones can only be described as an obsession.

“Camera Phone Obsession” discusses the key aspects of why camera phones are such a phenomenon:
-Creating an image that can be instantly shared changes the way we think of our day-to-day experiences.
-Technological limitations force the camera phone user to think about the artistic aspects of the medium in new ways.
-Users are obsessed with the technology features of their phone and love to share their experiences and thoughts with other users - creating another cultural phenomenon, the moblog.

This is the amazing and downright scary story of one photography student’s attempts to take some pictures for his evening class. Let’s hope that this kind of harassment doesn’t become even more widespread than it seems to be at the moment (although I won’t hold my breath about that…).

“Within about thirty minutes of my setting up my tripod I noticed a lone security officer coming down the hill to ask me a few questions. Well, no… that’s not exactly accurate. He wasn’t politely asking me questions. He’d accessorized his ensemble with a ninety-pound German Shepherd, and was talking at me in authoritative and degrading tones. He wanted me to know that he was an authority.”

Thanks to Sanj for sending me the link :-)

Website: Ian Spiers - Humiliated, Angry, Ashamed, Brown

Jenoptik aren’t exactly one of the better-known digital camera manufacturers, so you would think that they would make a lot of noise about their new 6 megapixel models. Instead, they chose to just add them to their Products page and not bother telling anyone. Only DCViews were eagle-eyed enough to spot them.

Anway, first up is the JD 6.0 z3, with a 6.37 million pixel sensor, 3x 39 - 117mm optical zoom lens and 1.5” LCD screen. Visit the following webpage for the full specification:

Website: Jendigital JD 6.0 z3 Specifications

The second new Jenoptik model is the JD 6.0 z3 MPEG4. Despite the product name suggesting that it is simply the JD 6.0 z3 with added MPEG4 capabilities, this camera is subtly different. It has a 6.16 million pixel sensor, 3x 37 - 117mm optical zoom lens and and 1.6” LCD screen. Oh, and MPEG4 video of course :-) Visit the following webpage for the full specification:

Website: Jendigital JD 6.0 z3 MPEG4 Specifications

Alphamosaic Press Release 02/09/04

A new chip for a new generation of handheld devices

Cambridge September 2004:  Having scored a world-first with VideoCore, Alphamosaic has launched VC02, the world’s most advanced Mobile Multimedia Processor. It can display video on 3.5” colour LCDs and capture 8 Megapixel images, making it ideal for watching TV, making videos or taking studio-quality photos on handheld products such as mobile phones. The power-efficiency of VC02 will allow many hours of continuous operation on a single battery charge, a unique feature for such a high-performance multimedia chip.

Canon UK Press Release 02/09/04

Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, has been announced as the winning choice for photojournalists during the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.  With hundreds of the world’s best photographers in Athens for the games,  Canon has proven to be the preferred choice for photographic equipment.  According to figures quoted by major Olympic sponsor Kodak, approximately 70% of photographers covering the event are using Canon’s EOS SLR cameras and EF lens system.

By far the most popular camera body amongst the professional sports photographers at the games is Canon’s latest digital SLR - the EOS-1D Mark II.  Released earlier this year,  the camera delivers 40 frame bursts at approx.  8.5 frames per second at high-quality 8.2 Megapixel resolution. This integrates seamlessly with the predictive tracking of Canon’s EF lens
auto focus system, making the camera ideal for capturing fast moving action sequences.  A large number of international news agencies have already specified the EOS-1D Mark II for their photographers, citing the camera’s resolution,  speed,  image quality,  reliability and advanced CMOS sensor technology as key reasons for their choice.

Steves Digicams have posted a preview of the new 7 megapixel Sony DSC-P150 digital compact camera.

“The P150 employs a high-quality F2.8-5.2 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 7.9-23.7mm optical zoom lens with 38 to 114mm coverage (as compared to a 35mm camera.)  This is an all-glass lens consisting of 7 elements in 5 groups with 3 aspheric elements. The lens retracts into the body when powered down and is protected by a built in lens barrier.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Sony DSC-P150 Preview

Steves Digicams has posted a First Look at the 5 megapixel Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T3.

“The Cyber-shot T3 is Sony’s thinnest digital camera to date (as of August 2004), measuring less than three-quarters of an inch. It incorporates an internal Carl Zeiss 3x optical zoom lens that opens instantly when the camera is activated. The camera features a large 2.5-inch LCD viewfinder, occupying roughly two-thirds of the back of the camera.”

Website: Steves Digicams - Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T3 First Look

First announced back in February (and now already superceded by the Optio S50) the Spanish website quesabesde.com have posted their review of the Pentax Optio S40, a 4 megapixel, 3X zoom digital camera sporting a sleek aluminum design.

Website: quesabesde.com - Pentax Optio S40 Review

It was only announced on Monday, but Photo-i have already published some sample prints made with Canon’s new top-of-the-line A4 inkjet printer, the Canon PIXMA iP8500. Vincent Oliver comments “The Canon i9950 printer impressed me and the i990 didn’t, the iP8500 is everything the i990 should have been - unfortunately I couldn’t say anything about this printer at the time of my i990 interactive review. I will give this printer a full in-depth interactive review as soon as it becomes available.”

Website: Photo-i - Canon PIXMA iP8500 Sample Prints

Photoxels have today reviewed the Epson Stylus C86 printer:

“For the best photo prints, nothing replaces a good dedicated photo printer. However, if you print photos only occasionally, the Epson Stylus C-86 Inkjet Printer is quite a good all-purpose printer and will print 4x6 in. photo prints (and even the occasional 8x10 in. photograph). If you are looking for a printer to use for both text and photo printing, check out the Stylus C-86 for a very affordable alternative.”

Website: Photoxels - Epson Stylus C86 Printer Review

LetsGoDigital have launched their coverage of the Photokina 2004 photography trade show, which takes place from Tuesday September 28 to Sunday October 3 in Cologne, Germany. Asu usual, the LetsGoDigital team have pulled out all the stops and produced an easy-on-the-eye website that is available in four different languages.

Website: LetsGoDigital - Photokina 2004