Beginning in March, Apple takes Aperture 2 on tour around the world. With its simplified user interface, Aperture 2 is easy enough for any photographer to pick up and use. Presenters will demonstrate how Aperture integrates with the rest of the Mac platform, showing you how you can publish photos to a .Mac Web Gallery, use third-party plug-ins to export photos to service bureaus, photo-sharing sites, and commercial sites, access projects, albums, and Smart Albums from iLife, iWork, and Leopard Mail and sync photos to iPhone, iPod, and Apple TV.

Space in the Aperture Tour fills quickly, so you’ll want to sign up right away and reserve your seat.

Click here to read more "Aperture World Tour"

Eugene Berman's plug-in lets Lightroom users export photos directly to iStockphoto. Other Lightroom plug-ins also exist that permit uploads to Flickr, Picasa, Zenfolio, and SmugMug.

Exporting to iStockphoto is a different matter, though. Photographers might be more inclined to take their shots on a trip through Photoshop for more careful noise reduction, edge sharpening, or selective editing not possible in Lightroom.

The plug-in provides the ability to enter keywords, upload multiple photos, and include model releases, Berman said.

Click here to read more "Lightroom Plug-In exports Photos Straight to iStockphoto"

Apple today introduced Aperture 2, the next major release of its professional photo editing and management software with over 100 new features that make it faster, easier to use and more powerful. With a streamlined user interface and entirely new image processing engine, Aperture 2 also introduces new imaging tools for highlight recovery, color vibrancy, local contrast definition, soft-edged retouching, vignetting and RAW fine-tuning, and lets users directly post their portfolios on the .Mac Web Gallery for viewing on the web, iPhone, iPod touch and Apple TV. At a new low price of US$199, anyone can easily organize, edit and publish photos like a pro. Owners of previous versions of Aperture can upgrade to Aperture 2 for US$99.

Click here to read more "Apple Releases Aperture 2 Major Upgrade"

Pangea Software announced the release of their latest utility, Bracketeer (US$19.95), a utility for photographers who take multiple “bracketed” exposures of a scene in order to capture a more complete range of shading in the image. Bracketeer was originally designed for use with bracketed panoramas, so it has built-in support for previewing 360º VR Panoramas, however, it works perfectly with standard photographs as well.

Click here to read more "Pangea announces Bracketeer Utility for Photographers"

Now that your shiny new ultracompact digicam can capture HD video that 1GB card is going to fill up after about only 15 minutes of recording. Lucky for you, SanDisk just announced their new 32GB SDHC chip at PMA08. The 32GB SDHC chip supports read/write speads of 15 megabytes per second.

The 32GB SanDisk Ultra II SDHC card will retail at a suggested $349 including the reader.

Click here to read more "32GB Sandisk SDHC Chip"

From TechON

Casio will release a digital camera "EX-F1" in March 2008. It enables to release a shutter at the right moment with a continuous shooting speed of 60 fps (frames per second) (each frame is 6 Mpixels) and to shoot full HD (1080/60i) H.264 movies.

Click here to read more "Casio: There Is No need for a Camera Shutter"

From Wired

Almost every big manufacturer has released new digital single-lens-reflex (DSLR) cameras at PMA this week. If you're looking to upgrade your photo quality and you want a camera with interchangeable lenses you now have a few more choices. Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax and Samsung must have gotten together and had a strategy meeting, because they've all released new entry-level SLRs that are packed full of professional level features.

Click here to read more "PMA 2008: Entry-Level Digital SLRs Get Better and Better"

From Macworld
I’m in Las Vegas this week for the annual PMA conference and trade show. I’ve been here for a few days already, and there’s one topic that has come up in almost every discussion I’ve had with photographers: Aperture.

More specifically, the topic is: “Where’s Version 2.0 of Apple’s image management and editing app?” With the the show starting this morning, it seems pretty clear that we won’t see anything announced this week, and the disappointment I’m hearing is pervasive.

What’s most interesting to me is the shift in attitudes and usage. People aren’t actually excited about an Aperture update; it’s more of a “will it be significantly better” type of vibe. And photographers aren’t saying that the Adobe competitor, Photoshop Lightroom, is a better product. No, what I’m hearing is that neither Aperture nor Lightroom has taken hold with this crowd.

Click here to read more "Whither Aperture?"

While we were *extremely* nervous (and not just a little tired at times), our first "dry run" of our CameraCon Classes have gone amazingly well!

At this past Macworld Expo, Lesa and I taught the (sold out!) Beginner Digital Photography Day and also taught a shorter version on Cape Cod at Orleans Camera last weekend.

Both classes went *incredibly* well - better than we could have hoped for, as a matter of fact.

"I was at your presentation at Mac Expo in San Francisco I wanted to thank you both for an interesting and educational program. I walked out knowing more about photography than I knew before. For me, this is the essence of a good class."

"Thank you so much for the best course/workshop that I have been to in the 15+ years that I have been going to MacWorld Expo!"

"Shawn, You delightfully and captivatingly presented basic concepts that have piqued and stoked an interest in the visual. Lesa, your presentation of the beta Photoshop Elements makes me want to give up my Photoshop CS2."

"I had a really great time and have taken everything you taught in class to heart. I now take my camera everywhere and try to take at least one photo per day."

Those are just some of the comments we've received from people who have attended our classes. We look forward teaching more people about photography in May in Chicago!

From Macworld

Tamron, one of the larger third-party SLR (single-lens reflex) lens makers, on Monday detailed four new lenses and March launch plans, the week that the Photo Marketing Association trade show begins here.

Click here to read more "Tamron details 4 New Lenses"

From Macworld

Casual photographers looking for simple-to-operate point-and-shoot models now have six new Nikon Coolpix cameras to choose from, ranging from the $139.95 L18 to the $299.95 S600. The company has introduced the new cameras in advance of this week's PMA trade show. All the new cameras will be introduced in March.

Click here to read more "Nikon adds 6 New Coolpix Cameras"

From Digital Photography Review

Nikon has announced its latest consumer-level DSLR, the D60. It's a 10.2MP digital camera that will look and feel remarkably familiar to users of the D40X. It includes an anti-dust system that incorporates a self-cleaning sensor unit that shakes off dust, coupled with an airflow system designed to channel dust away from the sensor. The model also adds active d-lighting, a stop-motion recording mode and Expeed branding.

(Shawn's Comment: For a lot of you, this will be the best DSLR you'll buy)

Click here to read more "Nikon announces D60"

From Macworld

Pentax has introduced three new models of its Optio line of point-and-shoot digital cameras. The company is rolling out the M50, S12 and E50 models between now and April, at prices ranging from $149.95 to $279.95.

Click here to read more "Pentax offers New Point-&-Shoot Cameras"

From Macworld

Canon USA this evening has announced that the EF 200mm f/2L IS USM is scheduled for release in April at an estimated street price of US$5999, while the EF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM is slated for delivery in May at an estimated street price of US$11,999.

Pentax announced three new Optio cameras, as well as setting a ship date for its previously announced Optio A40 digital camera. The 12-megapixel Optio A40 ($300) was originally announced last fall and is slated for availability in February. The brand-new announcements are the ultracompact 12-megapixel Optio S12, the 8.1-megapixel Optio E50, and the 8-megapixel Option M50.
Click here to read more "Pre-PMA: New Pentax Point-and-Shoots"

Canon unveiled a quartet of new point-and-shoot PowerShot cameras for 2008. The new cameras include updates to Canon's fashion-minded Digital Elph line, as well as three new additions to the solid and popular PowerShot A line.

The new Elph is the PowerShot SD1100 IS, an ultracompact 8-megapixel camera available in five colors: brown, pink, blue, gold, and silver. The SD1100 is the successor to last year's SD1000 Digital Elph, adding optical image stabilization to its 3x optical zoom lens.
Click here to read more "Canon Announces Four New PowerShots"

(Shawn's Comment: Expect announcements from Nikon regarding their new cameras very soon)

From Macworld

Canon has introduced a new "entry-level" digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera to its popular line -- the Rebel XSi. It sports a 12.2-megapixel sensor and costs $799.99 for a body-only kit, $899.99 bundled with an EF-S18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens. Both will arrive in April, 2008.

The EOS Rebel XSi features improved autofocus, enhanced 14-bit analog/digital conversion, enhanced "Live View" that enables you to see what the sensor sees through the LCD panel on the back, and Canon's DIGIC III image processor. The camera has a 3-inch LCD monitor on its back, up from 2.5 inches on the Digital Rebel XTi model. The larger screen uses larger fonts to make it easier to read menus and it also has a broadened color gamut and seven brightness settings.

The 12.2-megapixel sensor is APS-C sized, so it sports a 1.6x focal length conversion factor. The camera works with Canon EF and EF-S lenses. The camera also has a self-cleaning sensor unit that shakes dust particles off the low-pass filter in front of the sensor. Rather than using Compact Flash memory cards, the XSi supports SD and SDHC cards. It also works with Canon's new LP-E5 lithium battery, which the company claims can provide 50 percent more exposures per charge than earlier models.

Click here to read more "Canon intros EOS Rebel XSi DSLR"

From Macworld
Pentax Imaging has introduced its new K20D and K200D digital SLR cameras, with 14.6 and 10.2 megapixels respectively. The K20D will be available (body only) in April for $1299.95, while the K200D will ship in March for $799.95, bundled with an 18-55mm lens.

The K20D is based on Pentax's K10D. It features a "Live View" that lets you use the 2.7-inch LCD display to see what's visible through the viewfinder. An improved dust reduction system has been incorporated, and the body is more weather and dust-resistant than past models. The camera also features a newly developed CMOS image sensor and custom image functions.

The K200D is aimed at users who may be first-time DSLR users. It features a compact body but doesn't skimp on features -- it has a 2.7-inch wide LCD, auto picture and scene modes, Expanded Dynamic Range function that helps photographers gain more contrast and brightness in their images, improved dust reduction and a Pentax-made shake reduction system.

Pentax also introduced five new lenses for its DSLR line.

Click here to read more "Pentax K20D DSLR sports 14.6 Megapixels"

From PopPhoto.com

Upgrades aren't enough. A new feature here, a firmware tweak there doesn't cut it in today's DSLR battleground. Every finalist for the 2007 Camera of the Year Award can attest to that. But none of the eight contenders for this Oscar of the Photo Industry has proven the point as forcefully as the Nikon D300. The camera that best refines or redefines photography? The D300 triumphs on both counts, and raises the benchmark for every camera maker.

Click here to read more "Camera of the Year 2007: Nikon D300"

From Macworld

Adobe unveiled the next generation Photoshop Elements for Mac. With a price of $89, Photoshop Elements 6 will ship in the second quarter, but Adobe will be showing it at Macworld next week in San Francisco.

“Photoshop Elements is not just about editing photos, it’s about helping users make more with their photos,” said Mark Dahm Senior Product Manager Photoshop Elements. “It’s about helping people tell their stories.”

For instance, using the new Photomerge technology users can now combine the best facial expressions and body language from up to 10 photos. This will help users that shoot a photo of a group of people that keep moving around or are not looking in the right direction. Other new features, like the Guided Edit mode, are aimed specifically at the new user. This mode gives you an explanation of what the problem is you are about to fix and walks you through the process by simply clicking a button.

Photoshop Elements will run on Mac OS X 10.4.8 or higher, including Leopard. The full price version will cost $89; upgrades are $69. Adobe is taking pre-orders beginning today.

Click here to read more "Adobe Unveils Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac"

From Macworld
Casio will put on sale in March a digital still camera capable of shooting up to 60 full-resolution images in one second, and video at more than 1,000 per second to realize a super slow-motion effect, it is expected to announce at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

Among the top features of the Exilim Pro EX-F1 is the fast-shooting mode that will snap up to 60 images at the camera’s full 6-megapixel resolution. The length of time over which they are shot is set by the user, and can be between one second and one minute. After the images are shot, the user can browse through them to find, for example, the exact moment at which a baseball player’s bat hits the ball, or a baby gives a perfect smile.

Just as innovative as the camera’s burst-shooting mode is the high-speed video mode. It can shoot video at between 300 frames per second and 1,200 fps, which when played back at the normal 30 fps realizes a super slow-motion effect. In this mode it’s possible to view, for example, the wings of a dragonfly flap as it takes to flight.

Click here to read more "Casio Unveils Super High Speed Digital Camera"

It's official! Lesa and I have scored two more photography workshops in the Northeast.

We'll be doing a 4-hour version of our Digital Photography Workshop: Shoot & Edit Like A Pro at Orleans Camera in Cape Cod, MA. Those dates are Friday afternoon, January 25 from 4:00-8:00 pm, and Saturday, January 26 from 9:00-1:00 pm.

From Orleans Camera: "Fee for this 4 hour class is $69 and includes all class materials and refreshments. The classes will be held at the newly expanded Orleans Camera & Video store in the Skaket Corners Shopping Center (just off Exit 12) in Orleans. Space is limited. If interested, you can reserve a spot by calling 508-240-1300."

Then we'll be presenting a 3-hour version of the same class at the Gloucester County College in Sewell, NJ on Saturday, March 29. More details as they become available!

From Macworld
Among camera pros, the “Canon vs. Nikon” debate is as eternal and as heated any Mac vs. PC smackdown. And, with Nikon’s release of the D3 and D300 D-SLRs, the war of words has picked up with renewed frenzy.

Click here to read more "Nikon vs. Canon Debate: a Reasoned Defense"

From Digital Photography School

When searching for a digital camera there are a few factors to keep in mind when they buy a digital camera.

Click here to read more "How to Buy a Digital Camera"

10 Reasons to Buy a DSLR Camera

10 Reasons not to Buy a DSLR Camera

From the New York Times

Last year was a big year for S.L.R.’s. New players like Sony and Panasonic entered the market. Prices dropped to new lows — you can get an excellent starter model for under $475. And as the year ended, four new semipro models had their debuts, defining a new midrange category ($1,300 to $1,800) almost overnight: the Nikon D300, Canon 40D, Sony A700 and Olympus E3. Thanks to the technology trickle-down effect, they offer many features of $5,000 professional S.L.R. models at a fraction of the price.

Click here to read more "4 Cameras Middling Only in Price"

From CNET

I recently came across the Loreo 3D Lens in a Cap, a stereo lens that works on most film or digital SLRs. It's a 38mm lens with an f/11 of f/22 aperture that takes two images of the same scene from slightly different perspectives.

Loreo also sells a basic $24 3D viewer into which you can put 4x6 printouts of your stereo photos. The lenses cost between $48 and $117, depending on what model you buy.

Click here to read more "Stereoscopy for Your DSLR"

From Andre Gunther

Here is a quick rundown of the most common mistakes people (like me) make that mess up a good photo or prevent us from taking a good photo. It is a big leap for me to start talking about taking photos, since it is so much more subjective than writing Photoshop Tutorials. I am on a journey and often times I look at older pictures on this site and wonder why I even took the photo (at least I have some negative examples to show you). I am taking the easy way out, starting with things that can go wrong, to kick off this series on photography techniques.

Click here to read more "10 Most Common Photographic Mistakes"

From JMG-Galleries

It’s been a great year for photography and as the year closes out I thought it would be fun to select my favorite photos from the year. I had a tough time narrowing things down so here they are…

Click here to read more "My 10 Favorite Photos From 2007"

From goldengod
Do you ever watch celebrities arrive on the red carpet at the Oscars? You know that constant insane clicking you hear when Jessica Alba’s top falls of? That’s dozens of paparazzi taking photos in burst mode… very frantically.

Burst mode, also known as continuous shooting mode, is where you take multiple photos in quick succession with the same settings. You line up your camera as if you were going to take a single photo, but by being in burst mode and holding down the shutter button, you can take multiple shots.

Click here to read more "Using Your Digital Camera in Burst Mode"