Touchscreen and wide-angle zoom: the new AgfaPhoto OPTIMA 104
The AgfaPhoto OPTIMA 104 features many technical highlights: the wide-angle lens with 29mm focal distance (equivalent to 35mm cameras) ensures wide shots of spring landscapes present no problem. The 3-inch touchscreen makes operation easy and comfortable. Settings can be selected at the touch of your fingertip using the intuitive menu navigation and the built-in help screen. And the multiple superb pictures captured can then be displayed in a spontaneous slideshow directly on the large touchscreen. Smart scene-mode technology makes it seem as if the camera takes the photos by itself! The camera calculates brightness, contrast, distance and colour hue and selects the best capture mode for the subject. The new AgfaPhoto OPTIMA 104 is available in an elegant metal housing in black, silver and rosé and measures 90 x 56.8 x 18mm. The package includes a USB cable, rechargeable Li-ion battery, battery charger, wrist strap, printed Quick Start Guide and software CD – and all for 189 euros (RRP including VAT).
This article does not deal with camera settings, but rather with the general principles to getting the perfect shot and making sure the scene looks good. Some general camera tips, however, include shooting above f/6.3 to allow good depth of field and shooting at a low ISO to avoid noise. Other than that, it all depends on the situation you’re in.
Light painting is the process of photographing at night and illuminating the scene by moving the camera, or a handheld light/torch. The actual source of the light doesn’t need to appear in the photo, but the technique gives you the flexibility to cast light on only certain aspects of a scene.
Using Camera Raw and Alpha channels for masking in photoshop.Much can be said of masking: Masking is the art of using the image to select itself. Masking lets you apply the entire weight of Photoshop to the task of editing a selection. And masking, thy name is alpha channel.
PhotographyBB announced today, the release of the 25th edition of the PhotographyBB Online Magazine. This edition marks the two year anniversary milestone for PhotographyBB, who continue to educate beginner and intermediate level photographers in digital photography. PhotographyBB Online Magazine has become a leading resource in the future of free information distribution, offering readers: Digital Photography tips and techniques, DSLR camera function training, and image post processing tutorials in Adobe® Photoshop™, and RAW processing in Photoshop Lightroom™.
The Two-Year Anniversary edition examines the role of amateur photographers looking to break into the professional realm, along with the impact on the photography industry. Additionally, portraiture and flash lighting techniques are featured, along with a guide on what to look for when purchasing a new lens.
Canon adds 24 and 25fps HD Movie recording to the EOS 5D Mark II with Firmware 2.0.3
United Kingdom / Republic of Ireland, 2nd March 2010 – Canon today pre-announces the release of a firmware update for the multiple award-winning EOS 5D Mark II. Originally announced in late 2009, the update adds 24 and 25 frames per second (fps) recording to the camera’s EOS MOVIE video function, and will be available as a free download from the middle of March.
Developed following feedback from photographers and cinematographers, Firmware 2.0.3 further enhances the EOS 5D Mark II’s excellent video performance. The addition of new frame rates expands the camera’s video potential, providing filmmakers with the ability to shoot 1080p Full HD footage at 24fps (actual 23.976fps) – the optimum frame rate for cinematic video. 25fps support at both 1920x1080 and 640x480 resolutions will allow users to film at the frame rate required for the PAL broadcast standard, while the new firmware will also change the 30fps option to the NTSC video standard of 29.97fps.
Epson America, Inc. is introducing a new line of Epson Stylus® Pro printers that will further expand the company’s industry-leading printing technology to a new and broader range of professional imaging markets. The Epson Stylus Pro 7700 and 9700 printers are specially engineered to exceed the expectations of CAD, GIS mapping, and corporate graphics professionals for applications such as high-resolution architectural plans, highly-precise engineering drawings, extremely detailed photographic GIS mapping, brilliant indoor signage, and more.
Epson America is also announcing it has joined forces with Ricoh Americas Corporation to sell these printers exclusively in North America. The combination of Epson’s latest advancements in commercial printing technology with Ricoh’s outstanding reputation and expertise in these markets will enable both companies to elevate the overall quality and range of product offerings in these markets that will be beneficial to customers in more ways than ever before. READ MORE »
" Let's just say it: Nobody has changed the way we interact with technology like Apple has over the last 10 years. Even if the iPad turns out to be the disaster that many are anticipating, Steve Jobs will still be seen as the hero who turns top-end technology into friendly little gadgets even your grandma can use. READ MORE »
Topaz Labs announces a major upgrade of the Topaz Adjust Photoshop plug-in, which features new presets, a completely redesigned user interface, and upgraded image processing algorithms. With these improvements, Adjust 4 offers a new way for photographers to improve their photos quickly.
“Topaz Adjust 4 uses unique technology that automatically adapts to different image conditions like light, detail, and color,” said Albert Yang, president of Topaz Labs and original designer of Topaz Adjust. “This has important implications. Other tools make the same standard adjustments to every single photo they’re applied to. In contrast, Topaz Adjust 4 tailors the adjustments specifically to the photo in question. This gives it the flexibility to ditch the cookie cutter enhancements and create some truly fantastic and unique photo effects.”
Mamiya today announced the addition of the new Mamiya DM40 to its lineup of professional large-sensor DSLRs. Featuring a resolution of 40 megapixels with a peak capture rate of .8 seconds per frame and a sustained capture rate of 60 frames per minute, the Mamiya DM40 is the industry’s fastest large-sensor DSLR.
The heart of the DM40 system is the new "DF" camera-core technology, developed by Mamiya, featuring two user-selectable shutter systems: leaf or focal plane. In demanding daylight situations, photographers can use predictable high speed flash synchronization to fill-in or overpower even the brightest ambient light on one of three new leaf-shuttered lenses designed by Schneider-Kreuznach and manufactured by Mamiya. The lenses - available in focal lengths of 55mm, 80mm, and 110mm - deliver an effective maximum flash sync speed of up to 1/1600th of a second. For more conventional situations, photographers can choose any one of 15 other world-class Mamiya optics, from 28mm to 300mm APO, designed for use with the cameras’ focal plane shutter system.
With a maximum aperture of F0.95, the Noktor Hyperprime is the fastest lens designed for Micro Four Thirds cameras.
At open aperture, the lens renders pictures and video with extreme shallow depth of field for a dreamy and unique aesthetic.
Extreme Low-light Shooting READ MORE »
Since one of the most important aspects of photography is how to control your lighting, today I'll be explaining how to perfectly light a scene for a warm, dramatic effect. We'll be using grids - hard lights that are more controllable - and the subject to be used will be food, because it is usually shot with hard lighting. The emphasis will be on controlling each light to create a subtle and warm effect. READ MORE »
Tips for Taking Interior Shots Like a Pro
Masking With Alpha Channels In Photoshop
PhotographyBB Magazine Issue #25
Canon EOS 5D Mark II Firmware 2.0.3 update adds 24 and 25 frames per second recording to the camera’s video function
Epson Stylus Pro 7700 + 9700 printers
Topaz Adjust 4
Mamiya 40 Megapixels , 1/1600th Flash Sync Speed DM40 Camera
