December 1, 2008

1

Gavin Seim, news, ProPhotoShow, Review

Adobe Photoshop CS4: Straight Dope Review


Adobe Photoshop CS4 & Bridge CS4 Pro Photo Show rating, 7.5/10
Links throughout the review will take you to video’s that show features in action.

The Hot:

  • The new adjustment panel puts you in control and makes adjustment layers a whole new animal. You can add an adjustment layer then edit it in real time from the adjustments panel (think Lightroom or Aperture panels) I’ve added screenshots below.
  • Content Aware Scale allows you to change the aspect ratio of an image. It’s amazing, and I find myself using it all the time (far more than I expected). For example, I can convert an image from and 8×12 to and 8×10 format without cropping off the edges. While it’s not perfect, it does work well on most images
  • The interface still looks similar, but new integration and panel styling makes things a bit tidier.
  • New 3d manipulation features. I can’t offer much personal experience in the world of 3D, but the 3D engine has been totally revamped.

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November 28, 2008

5

Gavin Seim, news, Nikon, ProPhotoShow

Nikon D3X Announced (Updated)

UPDATE: This was rumor, but It’s now official. You can see the Nikon press release here. I’ve updated details in the post to reflect released stats.

The D3X (ultra high resolution version of the Nikon D3) has been in the chatter for awhile. Here’s some rumor details over on Nikon watch. These come from the pages of a Nikon Pro magazine. Looks like the D3X is mainly a D3, but with a few changes. Still no video capability, though that should not bother most photographers… Should it?

Details: (Updated)

  • Full frame 24.5 megapixel FX sensor
  • 5fps full res, or 7fps at 10 megapixels
  • Expanded ISO 50-6400 (No super high ISO shooting like the D3)
  • A new Active-D lighting mode
  • Cost will be about $8000 USD
  • Available in December 2008

Most of you readers know I’m a Canon shooter, but I have nothing against Nikon at all. My observation is that this does not offer much advantage over the current Nikon D3 other than megapixels, and will cost more. It also has less ISO range. Are any of you readers planning on picking one up? Do most of us need more pixels? Your thoughts?

Gavin Seim

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November 25, 2008

3

Gavin Seim, news, ProPhotoShow

Adobe Camera Raw 5.2 Now Available

For Adobe users (that would be most of us) Camera RAW 5.2 is now available. I don’t always post about releases like this, but this has some significance due it’s it’s RAW support for certain newer cameras including.

  • Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Canon PowerShot G10
  • Panasonic DMC-LX3

There’s others as well, but a lot of folks will be glad to see that these models are now supported. I expect my LX3 tomorrow, and a 5D MK II… well as soon as it comes (hopefully soon)

There’s are a few more minor updates. John Knack posted some details on his blog. I just wanted to spread the word. Download it for Windows here and Macintosh here.

Gavin Seim

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November 20, 2008

0

Gavin Seim, HDR Photography, news, ProPhotoShow

Talking HDR on the Camera Dojo Photography Podcast

I was a guest on this weeks Camera Dojo podcast with Kerry Garrison talking about all things HDR.

We chatted about the various techniques and tools, and I shared my techniques for HDR portraits. I just listened to myself this afternoon. It felt different being on the guest end, but it was relaxing. This won’t be in the PPS podcast feed, but If you’re interested head over the Camera Dojo and give a listen. While your at it you can drop by iTunes and subscribe to their show… Gavin

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November 19, 2008

0

Gavin Seim, news, ProPhotoShow

Adobe Configurator Is Here:

Adobe what? Adobe Configurator. It’s a brand new program Adobe just released that’s going to change the way we interact with Photoshop. You can download it here on Adobe Labs, and learn more about it (including a video) on John Knacks blog.

There’s a lot under the hood, but in basic terms it allows you to make your own palette windows in Photoshop CS4, that can contain pretty much whatever you want. Tools, menu items, actions, even training videos embedded right in to your own little (or big) panel. They look exactly like the built in pallets. They even dock with them.

The best part is you don’t have to be a programmer to make custom panels. You open the Configurator, then drag, drop and export. I really think this is a breakthrough. This level of customization is going to change the way we work.

Our official Photshop CS4 review is coming soon, but Configurator looks so cool that I felt you should know now.

Gavin Seim

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