New article: Makeup basics for fashion photography
Have you ever wondered how to get your face "picture perfect" for photos? Whether for professional sessions or group gatherings, here are a few tips to get your face ready for your closeup!
Read this Connected Photographer article.
Greg Gorman workshop series
Photographer Greg Gorman has announced a series of weeklong exclusive digital photographic workshops at his studio adjacent to his oceanfront home in Mendocino, Calif. The picturesque coast, redwood forests, vineyards and locale offer amazing photographic backdrops.
This workshop series is ideal for any serious photographer looking to enhance his/her camera, lighting, color management, image editing and fine art printing skills in a relaxing intimate setting that combines Greg's passions for photography, food and wine. The weeklong workshops are offered from June 8 to 13, Aug. 3 to 8 and Sept. 21 to 26 and are limited to nine attendees each.
Photoshop Express adds Flickr support
Adobe Systems announced the pending release of an update to its Photoshop Express Web-based service for image editing. Photoshop Express leverages Web 2.0 technologies like Adobe's own Flash software to provide users with an online service for store, sort, edit and show off digital photos. It's compatible with Safari, Firefox and other Web browsers. Adobe notes that more than 60,000 Web albums have been created using Photoshop Express during the first month of public operation. Users receive 2GB of online storage for free.
The enhancements to Photoshop Express include the ability to access to photos through the popular Flickr service. You can upload or download photos into Photoshop Express, edit and add effects then send them back to Flickr.
Viveza Plug-in for Aperture
Nik Software has released the Viveza plug-in for Aperture 2.1, Apple's photo editing and management software. The Viveza plug-in allows Aperture users to selectively control light and color in photographic images without ever having to leave Aperture.
Parrot digital photo frame
The new Parrot Digital Photo Frame has been created by the leading lady of French design, Andree Putman. "I would like to pay tribute to Parrot for daring to think that this wonder of technology could be coiled up inside a beautiful wrapping," explains Putman. "Storage fans will be the most vulnerable to the charms of this object, which will overcome any problems of arranging photo souvenirs," she adds. The Parrot digital photo frame by Andree Putman will be available in exclusive concept stores across Europe and Asia in June 2008 for 299 Euros.
Hama Omega carbon tripods
The new Hama Omega Carbon tripod range is aimed at semi-professional photographers. The height of the Omega Carbon III tripod adjusts from 71 to 202 cms, and it weighs under 3kgs including a 3D precision ballhead. The smaller Omega Carbon II model has an extension length of 68 to 174 cms and weighs 2.5kgs including the tripod head. A tripod case is included with both models. The Hama Omega Carbon III costs 329 Euros, and the Omega Carbon II 269 Euros.
David's cure for insomnia
For those of you who happen to be awake at 4am Rocky Mountain time, David will be broadcasting on the 50,000 watt radio station KOA-850AM, doing the after-midnight show with Rick Barber and talking about White House email and the Mexican theft of White House BlackBerrys. Just so you know, in order to do this at 4am Rocky Mountain time, David's got to be conscious and lucid at 6am Florida time.
If you know our fearless leader, you know he's definitely not a 6am kinda guy, so the only way this is going to fly is stay up and do the show before going to bed. In any case, if you happen to be up at 4am and located pretty much anywhere on the western side of the US (50,000 watts reaches a long distance at night), you can tune in. You can also listen via their Web feed, should you be in a different part of the world. David promises to do his best to keep you awake throughout the full hour.
And, if you're mature and sleeping, like all good people should be at that hour, we'll post the download link sometime in the next day or so when it makes it online.
B*Gallery is freeware
Cerebrosoft has announced that B*Gallery, their Java-based image publishing application, is now available free of charge with "no strings attached." B*Gallery was originally launched as shareware in 2003.
B*Gallery is a Linux, Mac OS X and Windows application that makes it easy to create HTML image galleries that can be updated, extended and shared. Unlike most Web gallery applications that create simple, static galleries, B*Gallery makes it simple to add, update, customize and connect content into meaningful photo albums.
Elements 6 for Mac: The Missing Manual
After more than two years, Adobe has finally released a new version of Photoshop Elements for the Mac. With Version 6, Mac users get a lot more editing firepower. And fortunately, O'Reilly's latest release--Photoshop Elements 6: The Missing Manual for the Mac by bestselling author Barbara Brundage--puts every new feature in Elements into a clear, easy-to-understand context. Something no other book on Elements does.
Microsoft snags Photoshop guru
The competition between Microsoft and Adobe heated up some more recently when Microsoft scored a key hire from its competitor.
Mark Hamburg, who had been chief architect of Adobe Photoshop and who launched the Adobe effort that became Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, resigned from Adobe after 17 years and is joining Microsoft.
Flash made easy
Slip an accessory flash into your SLR's hot-shoe, crank all your settings to auto, and you'll immediately get better pictures than you would with your camera's built-in flash alone. But exert just a bit more control, and you'll take your pictures to a whole new level--no lightmeters, flash triggers, or stands required.
Without taking that extra control, you end up with those typical flash snapshots: Sure, your subjects in the foreground are properly exposed, but more than likely the background fades to black. That's never good. Whether you lose a dramatic sky or the interior of a room totally disappears, your subjects look like they're hanging out in a cave.
The trick to overcoming this problem is to set your camera so you know the background will look the way you want it, then let your flash fill in the foreground--without overexposing your subject. Sound hard? It isn't, because of a little miracle setting on your flash called TTL. TTL stands for "through-the-lens," and it means that the flash fires a pre-flash and uses that, along with information from the camera's meter, to figure out how much light to put out.
Secrets of Elements
Although Adobe Photoshop Elements 6 is much simpler than Photoshop CS3, it still gives you a bunch of different ways to fix a few everyday problems. And even though the software is easy to use, some of the most useful tools aren't always the most obvious.
Here are the best (and occasionally hidden) ways to adjust brightness and contrast, make colors pop, and sharpen your files.
Win a Guide to model releases
Up for grabs DoubleExposure this month is a copy of A Digital Photographer's Guide to Model Releases, a Wiley publication, written by professional photographer and industry analyst, Dan Heller.
It's quick and easy to enter the random drawing, and all DoubleExposure readers are eligible. Just fill out the short online entry form before May 23, 2008.
Win a Canon EOS 40D
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Akvis Sketch 7
Akvis Sketch 7 converts photos to realistic pencil and watercolor drawings. Version 7 offers special effects that make the final photo more impressive, including creating a blend of the final drawing and the original image. Akvis Sketch 7 is available as a stand-alone application, as well as a plugin to a photo editor.
SeaLife underwater digital
SeaLife brings all the true colors of the water and the world to your photographs. Sleek, modern design meets high-tech functionality in SeaLife's new DC800 8-megapixel camera, producing ultra-clear images down to 200 feet underwater.
The camera's ergonomic design, large shutter button and well-spaced buttons make it easy to handle and user-friendly. Versatility is key, as users can take striking photographs just about anywhere. You can take your DC800 scuba diving or snorkeling with no fear that water will damage the camera. No matter where you travel, the DC800 can handle the environment.
Photographer defends Miley Cyrus photo
Annie Leibovitz defended her provocative photograph for Vanity Fair magazine of teen heartthrob Miley Cyrus--aka Hannah Montana--who has expressed embarrassment about the pose.
"I'm sorry that my portrait of Miley has been misinterpreted," the celebrity photographer said in a written statement. "Miley and I looked at fashion photographs together and we discussed the picture in that context before we shot it. The photograph is a simple, classic portrait, shot with very little makeup, and I think it is very beautiful."
The statement came a day after the 15-year-old apologized to her fans for her participation in the photo shoot, which took place February 9 in Calabasas, California. Vanity Fair spokeswoman Beth Kseniak also defended the pictures, which are posted on the magazine's Web site and are being published in the June issue.
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