News
Fred Miranda is about to release a new Photoshop plug-in for converting colour images to black and white. No word on price or availability yet.
“The BW Workflow Pro Plugin - Taking black and white conversion to the next level.
This workflow is not like any other plugin available. There are tons of options, features, and endless possibilities for creating your masterpiece. In addition to manual modes, and custom tweak options, I have packed this plugin full of carefully designed preset options to help you get the best image quality out of your files. You have 8 preset filter selections, 32 duotone presets, 18 tritone presets, 6 quadtone presets, 3 film grain presets and 4 dynamic range presets. Everything you do, can be easily previewed as you work on your image. High quality B&W has never been easier to achieve.”
Fred Miranda is about to release a new Photoshop plug-in for converting colour images to black and white. No word on price or availability yet. “The BW Workflow Pro Plugin - Taking black and white conversion to the next level. This workflow is not like any other plugin available. There…
The Czech website Digineff have today reviewed the new 8-megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 digital camera.
The Czech website Digineff have today reviewed the new 8-megapixel Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 digital camera. Website: Digineff - Konica Minolta DiMAGE A2 Review
A few photos from in and around the Plaza de Espana in Santa Cruz, Tenerife.
A few photos from in and around the Plaza de Espana in Santa Cruz, Tenerife.
Steves Digicams have published their review of the recently announced DSLR from Kodak, the 14 megapixel DCS Pro SLR/n.
“There’s no question that the SLR/n captures an amazing amount of image detail. Viewing one of its 4500 x 3000 pixel images on my 1024x768 screen took a long while to scroll from side to side and from top to bottom. The new sensor definitely produces better looking images than what we were able to coax out of the Pro 14n last year. There’s still a fair amount of noise reduction “smoothing” noticeable in the SLR/n’s images but nowhere near as much as the Pro 14n.”
Steves Digicams have published their review of the recently announced DSLR from Kodak, the 14 megapixel DCS Pro SLR/n. “There’s no question that the SLR/n captures an amazing amount of image detail. Viewing one of its 4500 x 3000 pixel images on my 1024x768 screen took a long while to…
There’s no Sunday Morning Photographer column this week; instead Michael Reichmann urges us to get out there and practice:
“Every musician knows that the only road to proficiency, both technical and artistic, is through practice. The world famous violinist Jascha Heifetz is reputed to have practiced at least 3 hours a day, even into his 80’s. Many famous writers sit down to write at a fixed time each day, whether they feel like it or not, because writing is what they do. Writers write. Painters paint.
And what do photographers do? Whatever it is, if they are truly passionate about their art and their craft they should be out photographing. Often.”
There’s no Sunday Morning Photographer column this week; instead Michael Reichmann urges us to get out there and practice: “Every musician knows that the only road to proficiency, both technical and artistic, is through practice. The world famous violinist Jascha Heifetz is reputed to have practiced at least 3 hours…
The Plaza de Espana is the principal square in the city of Santa Cruz, Tenerife. During the Carnival it was also the centre of the celebrations that took place every night, until the not-so-early hours of the morning (we often saw revellers returning home at 8am in the morning). These photos were all taken round and about the square.
The Plaza de Espana is the principal square in the city of Santa Cruz, Tenerife. During the Carnival it was also the centre of the celebrations that took place every night, until the not-so-early hours of the morning (we often saw revellers returning home at 8am in the morning). These…
I very rarely link to the websites of other photographers (maybe I should do this more often?), but this morning rion.nu’s shots of London caught my eye. It’s always interesting to see what someone from a different part of the world makes of the place that you live, especially when they ignore the usual tourist landmarks and focus on the things that you take for granted. As with these photos of what I consider to be pretty boring street signs, but which rion.nu turns into excellent photographs.
Website: rion.nu - London Typography 1
Website: rion.nu - London Typography 2
I very rarely link to the websites of other photographers (maybe I should do this more often?), but this morning rion.nu’s shots of London caught my eye. It’s always interesting to see what someone from a different part of the world makes of the place that you live, especially when…
A sudden rise in traffic yesterday made me root around in my web traffic statistics to try and find out where all the extra visitors were coming from. It turns out that PhotographyBLOG has been nominated as Site of the Week by PC Magazine! They had these kind words to say amongst others:
“While the site offers reviews, photos, polls, contests, and forums, the most fascinating content for many photography buffs is likely to be the industry news, rumors, and announcements. On the day this review was written, PhotographyBlog’s new postings included announcements about one new camera, four new lenses, two new flashes, an increase in production for a popular camera, and links to new online reviews of three current cameras.”
Website: PC Magazine - Site of the Week
A sudden rise in traffic yesterday made me root around in my web traffic statistics to try and find out where all the extra visitors were coming from. It turns out that PhotographyBLOG has been nominated as Site of the Week by PC Magazine! They had these kind words to…
The German website Photoworld.de have just reviewed the 3-megapixel Nikon Coolpix 3200 compact digital camera.
The German website Photoworld.de have just reviewed the 3-megapixel Nikon Coolpix 3200 compact digital camera. Website: Photoworld.de - Nikon Coolpix 3200 Review
LetsGoDigital are reporting that Sanyo have unveiled the Xacti VPC-J4 EX digital camera at the CeBIT show in Hannover, Germany. This is a 4-megapixel ultra-compact camera with a brushed aluminium body, 1.8-inch TFT LCD and zoom lens with a 35mm-equivalent focal length of 37-104mm. The Xacti VPC-J4 EX will be available in 3 different colors.
LetsGoDigital are reporting that Sanyo have unveiled the Xacti VPC-J4 EX digital camera at the CeBIT show in Hannover, Germany. This is a 4-megapixel ultra-compact camera with a brushed aluminium body, 1.8-inch TFT LCD and zoom lens with a 35mm-equivalent focal length of 37-104mm. The Xacti VPC-J4 EX will be…
DPReview have posted their usual detailed review of the recently announced Sigma SD10 digital SLR.
“Anyone with experience of the SD9 will see a noticeable improvement from the SD10. Both Sigma and Foveon have clearly spent quite a lot of time fixing some of the SD9’s shortcomings and adding other improvements which advance the overall package noticeably. This has come about by a combination of changes to the camera and also the image processing in the new Photo Pro 2.0. The nice thing for SD9 owners (and probably SD10 owners in the future) is that with every update of the Photo Pro software they can also achieve better results by simply re-running their RAW images through the software.”
Website: DPReview - Sigma SD10 Review
DPReview have posted their usual detailed review of the recently announced Sigma SD10 digital SLR. “Anyone with experience of the SD9 will see a noticeable improvement from the SD10. Both Sigma and Foveon have clearly spent quite a lot of time fixing some of the SD9’s shortcomings and adding other…
Alain Briot has published an 11-page review of the A4 Epson Stylus Photo R800 printer.
“Glossy print quality is most likely the biggest improvement brought by the R800. Glossy prints made on the R800 are beautiful and show no bronzing whatsoever. To the naked eye Glossy R800 prints look just like glossy chemical prints. There are no digital artifacts visible to the naked eye and one needs to take an 8x magnifier to the prints to see the dot pattern, a pattern which is very smooth and uniform.”
The R800 printer costs around ?299 and is available now. Cartridges cost ?11.90 each and ?6.35 for the Gloss Optimizer cartridge (inc. VAT).
Alain Briot has published an 11-page review of the A4 Epson Stylus Photo R800 printer. “Glossy print quality is most likely the biggest improvement brought by the R800. Glossy prints made on the R800 are beautiful and show no bronzing whatsoever. To the naked eye Glossy R800 prints look just…
Agfa Press Release 19/03/04
Cologne/Hannover, March 2004 (Hall 1, Stand 4C)
Well Positioned for Photos from all Media
“Digital” prints are growing twice as fast as digital cameras
Digital photography is booming. The sales of digital cameras in Germany, around 4.8 million units in 2003, have doubled in one year. And there is no doubt that the success story of digital photography will continue. Camera-phones will bring a new impetus to the market: an estimated 30% of mobile phones in Germany are equipped with a camera, while the figure for Japan has already reached 90%.
Agfa-Gevaert, the leading European photographic company, is confident of its strong position in the world of digital imaging - even though Agfa sells neither digital cameras nor camera-phones.
The reason why? Agfa is a leading supplier of professional systems for printing images onto photographic paper. And the number of digital images captured on photographic paper is currently growing more than twice as fast as the sales of the digital cameras themselves.
Agfa Press Release 19/03/04 Cologne/Hannover, March 2004 (Hall 1, Stand 4C) Well Positioned for Photos from all Media “Digital” prints are growing twice as fast as digital cameras Digital photography is booming. The sales of digital cameras in Germany, around 4.8 million units in 2003, have doubled in one year…
Konica Minolta Press Release 19/03/04
Konica Minolta to Cut Back on Digital-Camera Business Despite Growth
[Kyodo News International, Tokyo. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.]
Kyodo News International via NewsEdge Corporation : Mar. 18—TOKYO—Konica Minolta Holdings Inc. said Thursday it will cut back on its digital camera business despite continuing growth of the market in order to avoid the adverse effects of intensifying competition.
“While digital cameras are in a period of growth, price reduction and competition are accelerating,” Konica Minolta President Fumio Iwai said when he released his company’s medium-term business plan at a press conference.
Demand for digital cameras is expected to “peak next year,” Iwai added.
Konica Minolta has captured 8 percent to 9 percent of the global market for digital cameras.
The company’s market share will become “very small in single-digit figures” due to unexpectedly tough competition, Iwai said.
According to the business plan, Konica Minolta expects sales of 120 billion yen in the camera business in fiscal 2006, down about 18 percent from 146.2 billion yen projected for fiscal 2003 to March 31.
Digital camera shipments are forecast to level off in fiscal 2004 from the 3.1 million units forecast for fiscal 2003.
Konica Minolta Press Release 19/03/04 Konica Minolta to Cut Back on Digital-Camera Business Despite Growth [Kyodo News International, Tokyo. Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.] Kyodo News International via NewsEdge Corporation : Mar. 18—TOKYO—Konica Minolta Holdings Inc. said Thursday it will cut back on its digital camera business despite continuing…
The Lastolite Micro Apollo is a hot-shoe flash soft box, which fits all makes of flashguns via velcro fasteners and folds flat into a camera bag. It is designed to combat the harsh lighting of flash photography that can be a problem for most photographers. Does the Micro Apollo fulfill its promise of delivering more natural looking photographs? Find out in my review.
Website: Lastolite Micro Apollo Review
The Lastolite Micro Apollo is a hot-shoe flash soft box, which fits all makes of flashguns via velcro fasteners and folds flat into a camera bag. It is designed to combat the harsh lighting of flash photography that can be a problem for most photographers. Does the Micro Apollo fulfill…
DIWA Press Release 19/03/04
The Digital Imaging Websites Association (DIWA) was able to complete some unfinished business with Olympus on the opening day of the CeBIT Fair, Hannover, Germany, this week. Awarded DIWA gold medals for the Olympus E-1 and E-System innovation last month, CeBIT was the perfect venue to present Olympus its two prestigious gold medal award trophies.
Made from a unique polished black rock only found in Larvik, Norway, each trophy weighs approximately 3kg. On behalf of Olympus, the president of Olympus Imaging Systems Europe, Graeme Chapman and from Olympus? Tokyo HQ, general manager marketing planning, Hirohide ?Harry? Matsushita, received DIWA trophies from DIWA technical manager, Kai Thon and DIWA general manager, Ian Burley.
DIWA testers, using DIWA?s unique and detailed product test scoring procedures, collectively concluded that the Olympus E-1 digital SLR system camera merited a gold medal award. The groundbreaking and innovative Olympus E-System was also awarded a gold medal by DIWA.
DIWA Press Release 19/03/04 The Digital Imaging Websites Association (DIWA) was able to complete some unfinished business with Olympus on the opening day of the CeBIT Fair, Hannover, Germany, this week. Awarded DIWA gold medals for the Olympus E-1 and E-System innovation last month, CeBIT was the perfect venue to…
DIWA Press Release 19/03/04
Last month Casio was awarded a Digital Imaging Websites Awards (DIWA) silver medal award for its QV-R40 compact digital camera. A presentation of the award certificate was made to senior Casio representatives at the recent PMA show in Las Vegas, but manufacturing of the special DIWA medal trophies wasn?t completed until after PMA. The trophies are made from a unique polished black rock unique to Larvik, Norway.
With the recent arrival of completed DIWA Awards trophies, a presentation of Casio?s silver medal trophy was arranged on the Casio booth at the CeBIT Fair in Hannover during the show?s opening day.
Pictured during the presentation on the Casio booth are DIWA general manager, Ian Burley handing the 3kg trophy to Ricky Stewart, Casio Europe senior sales manager and Harald Schr?der, Casio Europe marketing manager.
The Casio QV-R40, tested by DIWA member test sites using the association?s unique and detailed scoring system, reached a total score that merited a silver award, with image quality and ease of use making a significant contribution to the camera?s success.
DIWA Press Release 19/03/04 Last month Casio was awarded a Digital Imaging Websites Awards (DIWA) silver medal award for its QV-R40 compact digital camera. A presentation of the award certificate was made to senior Casio representatives at the recent PMA show in Las Vegas, but manufacturing of the special DIWA…
Michael Reichmann has published a mini-review of the recently announced DSLR from Kodak, the 14 megapixel DCS Pro SLR/n.
“I would say that for Nikon lens owners who are able to work at ISO 160, and who require a full-frame DSLR, the Pro SLR/n is a very compelling choice, particularly with its new aggressive pricing. Wedding and fine art landscape photographers ? anyone who won’t miss high ISO shooting or very high frame rates, will find this camera to be an attractive proposition. You should visit your local dealer and try one out. Until Nikon gets it’s full-frame digital act together this is the only game in town for Nikon lens owners, and it looks like a good one.”
Website: Luminous Landscape - Kodak DCS Pro SLR/n Mini-Review
Michael Reichmann has published a mini-review of the recently announced DSLR from Kodak, the 14 megapixel DCS Pro SLR/n. “I would say that for Nikon lens owners who are able to work at ISO 160, and who require a full-frame DSLR, the Pro SLR/n is a very compelling choice, particularly…
The Slovenian website e-Fotografija have published their review of one of the more popular consumer digicams, the 4-megapixel Canon PowerShot A80, which sells for around $399.
The Slovenian website e-Fotografija have published their review of one of the more popular consumer digicams, the 4-megapixel Canon PowerShot A80, which sells for around $399. Website: e-Fotografija - Canon Powershot A80 Review
Digital Outback Photo have just received the new Epson Stylus Photo R800 printer and have started a review in the form of a regularly updated diary. Here’s a summary of their initial impressions:
“R800 works very silent
R800 prints much faster than a 2200
Image quality was spot on in terms of colors using the Epson profiles
First B&W test also looks good (we did not find metamerism)”
The R800 printer costs around ?299 and is available now. Cartridges cost ?11.90 each and ?6.35 for the Gloss Optimizer cartridge (inc. VAT).
Website: Digital Outback Photo - Epson Stylus Photo R800 Diary
Digital Outback Photo have just received the new Epson Stylus Photo R800 printer and have started a review in the form of a regularly updated diary. Here’s a summary of their initial impressions: “R800 works very silent R800 prints much faster than a 2200 Image quality was spot on in…