DxO Optics Pro v5 review and tutorial.
March 31, 2008
Filed under SOFTWARE
“Since version 1.0, DxO has been known as a RAW converter whose goal was delivering the finest image quality. DxO reaches this goal by providing profile-based lens correction and by using proprietary algorithms to convert the raw file, remove noise and create smooth and finely detailed conversions.
In version 5, which was released in December 2007, DxO continues to offer this approach through refinements in three main aspects of this exceptional raw converter: new built-in lens and camera profiles, a new approach to noise removal and an improved user interface.DxO 5 also offers a spotting tool.”
continue at Luminous Landscape
Canon 580ex speedlite flash through portable softbox
March 31, 2008
Filed under FLASH, LIGHTING, PHOTO GEAR, PHOTOGRAPHY, SPEEDLITES
I shot some new photos with the speedlites and the softbox :
click continue for more photos and flash set-up images.
Flash is set on ETTL , compensated between 1/3 and 2/3, ambient is underexposed by one stop on the portrait below the set-up shots :
Flash over sun photos. Shooting with a studio strobe outdoors.
click continue for set-up and additional photos.
We moved the flash from frontal position to a position of 45 degrees from the model, direct light.
Nikon D40 firmware update 1.11
March 30, 2008
Filed under PHOTO GEAR
“This download provides software for upgrading D40 A firmware to v1.11 and B firmware to v1.11. When performing this Firmware Upgrade, be sure to upgrade both A and B firmware. Be aware that operation of your D40 is not guaranteed if either A or B firmware is upgraded to v1.11 while the other firmware is not upgraded.”
Light position and distance.
“The thing that should strike you from this exercise is just how different a three-dimensional form can look when lit from different angles.
Ray Flash Ring Flash Adapter review.
The Ray Flash is the first commercially produced ring flash adapter designed to turn a speedlight into a ringflash. While ringlight is nothing new around here, up until now you have had to either go the DIY route, or lug around a much bigger piece of gear.
continue for more resources
“The Ray Ring Flash creates a unique ring flash lighting effect: a three-dimensional shadow-wrapped look around the subject. Because ring flash light originates from a circle around the lens, it produces a virtually shadowless look on the front of your subject, while producing a soft even shadow around the edges. ”
Ray Ring Flash Adapter for Canon and Nikon at Expoimaging.
Full press release :
WATSONVILLE, CA, April 7, 2008—ExpoImaging Inc., developer of innovative camera accessories, including the ExpoDisc Digital White Balance Filter and the ExpoAperture2 Depth-of-Field Guide, today announced the U.S. availability of Ray Flash: The Ring Flash Adapter. Designed as a portable and lightweight adapter for a hot-shoe flash unit, the Ray Flash replicates the unique lighting effect produced by heavy, tethered, powered studio ring flash units.
“The Ray Flash: Ring Flash Adapter is truly unique because it creates ring light lighting effects simply by attaching it to your existing hot shoe flash,” said Erik Sowder, president of ExpoImaging, Inc. “Lightweight and portable, the Ray Flash is the only product of its kind. It’s a great accessory tool for your strobe because it enables the photographer to easily achieve a high fashion, studio portrait look while on location.”
Because the ring flash light originates from a circle around the camera lens, the Ray Flash creates a distinctive lighting effect, producing a virtually shadowless look on the front of the subject, while leaving a soft, even shadow around the edges. The versatile adapter is ideally suited for fashion, wedding, portrait, journalist and macro photography, as either a main or fill-in light.
“The Ray Flash is one very cool piece of gear,” said lighting expert David Hobby in his review of Ray Flash on Strobist.com. “It’s small, lightweight, maintains all of the flash’s TTL functions. Best yet, [the latest Ray Flash design] loses only one stop of light as compared to direct flash. That last bit alone puts it head and shoulders above any [Do It Yourself] versions I have seen or tried. With that kind of output, it is even usable outside during the daylight at modest portrait distances.”
The Ray Flash relies on the hot-shoe flash to generate its light and automatically takes advantage of a camera’s TTL metering capabilities. The adapter easily slides over the front of a camera’s flash unit and locks into place for easy, secure use. Weighing only 16 oz., the Ray Flash contains no electronics, batteries or flash tubes and does not require any cumbersome cables.
Current models of the Ray Flash are designed to fit the Canon 580EX (MKI & MKII) and Nikon SB800 flash units. With a 4 1/8” internal diameter, the adapter is large enough to accept almost all professional lenses from both Canon and Nikon. The Ray Flash will retail for $299 and is distributed exclusively by ExpoImaging, Inc. in the U.S.. The Ray Flash will be available through photo dealers nationwide as well as at www.expoimaging.net.
About ExpoImaging, Inc.
ExpoImaging Inc. develops and markets innovative camera accessories and is the pioneer in digital white balance filters. Ray Flash: The Ring Flash Adapter, ExpoAperture2 Depth-of-Field Guide and ExpoDisc Digital White Balance Filter are available at select photography dealers worldwide, or online at www.expoimaging.net.
Beauty dish sample photo and video fragments.
March 27, 2008
Filed under FLASH, PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEO
Shot with a beauty dish lately, here’s a sample photo :
click continue for video fragments of beauty dish and softbox shoot.
The PhotoShop Cs3 Bible by Laurie Ulrich Fuller and Robert C. Fuller.
March 27, 2008
Filed under PHOTOSHOP, PRINT BOOKS
“Get the book you need to succeed in any Photoshop endeavor — Photoshop CS3 Bible. In this totally updated edition to the international bestseller, the authors show you how to master every aspect of Photoshop — from image-editing basics to new techniques for working with camera raw images. You’ll learn how to retouch, color correct, manipulate, and combine images using Photoshop. You’ll discover how to create cutting-edge special effects for digital or film-based images, and use them on the Web or in print. And you’ll find out how to use the File Browser, histogram palette, Lens Blur, Match Color, the color replacement tool, customizable keyboard shortcuts, and more. The authors’ easy and approachable writing style demystifies even the most complex Photoshop tasks. Order today and master Photoshop CS3.”
Magnum Photos in Motion.
March 26, 2008
Filed under THE WEB
“Founded in New York, in 2004, Magnum In Motion is the multimedia digital studio of Magnum Photos. In Motion assembles visual narratives for online and offline platforms, including screenings in museums, festivals, and workshops.”
Canon 1ds mark III camera review at Photo.net.
March 26, 2008
Filed under PHOTO GEAR
Canon 1ds mark III camera review at Photo.net
