November 3, 2007

logojpeg.jpgWell the original Jpeg is getting a bit long in the tooth and by the looks of things an adoption of a new improved format may be taking it’s place over the next few years.

Among other things, the Microsoft HD Photo format is capable of higher dynamic ranges, & better compression, and has been opened up for royalty free use by Microsoft. The JPEG Committee has decided it’s a go, and to move ahead with HD Photo as a new standard under the name Jpeg XR.

Now you may be asking yourself why on earth didn’t this JPEG Committee give it a fresh name instead of taking jpeg and adding some letters. Well we’d guess it’s cuz their the “JPEG Committee” Ya a new fresh name for a new flashy format would have been better marketing, but thats what happens when you name your group after a file format before considering the ramifications of the fact that it will eventually go out of style. At this rate we figure 100 years from now we’ll

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October 30, 2007

seinior portrait 2007. Gavin SeimToday I want to analyze the future of the photo world. Things have changed a LOT in the past ten years. Will they change just as much in the next ten? Probably so. This is the digital age and things change nearly everyday, placing more interest on this ever evolving imaging world, and more pressure on our pocket books as we attempt to stay up to date.

Just ten years ago the scene was entirely different. High end computers were running under the 300mgz range, LCD displays were starting shape the scene, and a 1 megapixel camera would probably cost you over $1000.00. In another ten years we might have an industry of holographic images taking off, and defining a new generation of imaging, but chances are still good that a good old fashion photo hanging on the wall will still be in style. It may however be dealt with in a different way.

I remember not long ago when it was simply not accepted for a pro to shoot digital. It just wasn’t “good enough” There’s some who might say it still isn’t, but their a dying breed.

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October 25, 2007

frontview-001.jpgDP review has done an extensive review of the Canon 40D, along with a side by side comparison against the 30D.

From where we sit it’s looking like another win for Canon, and for Advanced shooters/ pro’s who want great gear that doesn’t break the bank.

Along with a 10 mega pixel digic 3 sensor the 40D sports integrated sensor cleaning, faster shooting and lots of other neato stuff.

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October 14, 2007

There’s a feature on Canon’s latest high end linup, even including the new 40D called highlight tome priority.

This is not yet the in camera HDR that we’ve supposed would come in the future, but it is a step in the right direction and shows that Canon is on top of up an coming technologies. It seems that Highlight Tone Priority uses 14bit technology to help preserve highlights from being blown out.

Here’s an article over at kenrockwell.com where he gives an example and talks about how useful it is, and another article over at digital pro talk gives us more samples of what it can do. We’ve also checked out various comments from camera owners, and it seems like this actually does a good job to help keep those highlights from blowing out of the scene. Looks like yet another Kudos fro Canon, and that maybe in camera HDR could be in the pipes sooner than we thought.

Gavin Seim

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October 7, 2007

Click Button To Listen, PPS #38 Image Enhancement Software Tools
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Show Notes… Welcome to the wild episode
Aside from goofing off and having fun on todays show we review Corel Painter X (time index 17:23) DXO Optics Pro (time index 29:33) And compare noise reduction tools Dfine2, Noise Ninja, and Neat Image (time index 40:31)

We also discussed my new Hollywood Effects Actions, and where you can download a free photoshop  action, as well as the PPS article about Adobe Customer Support. The Canon ES2 portable printer was launched, and you can check out a really cool video of a trash the dress shoot.

Pick of the week was PanosFX Photoshop actions. You can enter the contest to win a full version of PainterX (Win or Mac) my sending one entry email to prophotoshow at(@) gmail.com

Lastly you can save 15% on Hollywood Effects actions by using promo code 11504416

Lastly heres a sample of an image made user the Painter X auto paint. Just a quickie, but it shows one example of what you can do.

painter x auto paint

Have a great week, and don’t forget to join the photography forum… Gav

[tags]photography, photoshop, noise, reduction, software, workflow, weddings, sports, portraits, actions[/tags]

 

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