Adobe has released raw converter updates for both Photoshop CS3 and Lightroom to incorporate more bodies and their algorithms, the 40D being one of the most noticeable (for me) among them. For anyone using these software programs, the downloads are available at the Adobe website:
Photoshop:
Lightroom:
Helpful note: Owners of CS2 and earlier PS versions should not attempt to update with this raw converter – it’s meant for CS3 users only…
What with all the work I’ve been putting in to my new dedicated photography site, and keeping up with web activities, I’ve not had a chance to look into the issue of embedding flash in the blog yet, so links to the videos will have to suffice for the time being. As I get more vids put together, I may generate a static page where all of them can be viewed in a myriad flash/html format, depending on how much feedback I get. For the time being here is my first video attempt, attached as a flash file:
Clearly, this week I was re-visiting the horizon leveling subject, but in a more intermediate role. Last week, this subject was one of a few tips were touched on in a light fashion, so this week, largely in response to feedback from fellow photogs, I am re-visiting this one to address some questions that arose. Primarily, how should you level on multiple axes? It was something of a learning experience for me, as my initial thought would have been the warp tool under Free Transform. As it turns out, in the image supplied, perspective transform worked a lot better. I suppose there are multiple ways to skin a cat, but here I look at both the ruler and the transform tools for leveling purposes, depending on the number of axes, and effects you are going for. Check it out in the link at the end of the post.
I also wanted to take a moment to give shout outs to Scott Sherman and Michael Stein of The Digital Photography Show. Scott had a series of snafu’s last weekend that reminded me of some useful advice I learned a year or so ago in similar fashion. Basically, he reminded me that if you are serious about photography and your pictures, the planning begins long before tripping the shutter. After my episode, I devised a checklist of “to dos” both in packing for a shoot, and in wrapping up. This ensures you have all the gear you need going in, it all works, and you leave with all your gear as well. The post came from the photo clubs’ blog, last year, so forgive the outdated link, but it still has use and is relevant today. Anyway, the story can be seen at the link at the end of this post.
Thanks all for tuning in again, and I see the poll count has jumped another couple notches so keep the votes coming – I don’t want to say the goal for fear of jinxing it, but the more the merrier in voting for content! 🙂
Oh, and I almost forgot, shout outs to Dave from Fred Miranda for supplying the image for this weeks tutorial!
Leveling multiple axes (horizons) in Photoshop
ETA: As I eventually figured out the flash problems, I have been able to go back to previous posts and incorporate the embedded flash videos. As this was the first video podcast (I wasn’t keeping count until I realized that I’d better, just to keep track of content and quality), so backdated shout outs for the first video podcast. I am also attaching a Quicktime version of the movie for downloading and iTunes purposes so, check for that at the top of this post.
The last few days I’ve been kind of busy putting together some shots for a family trip I went on last weekend, mentioned down-thread a little in the blog here. After almost filling up a 2 gig flash card, it was time to post the shots so family members could view/download the ones they liked. With that motivation, I dedicated the last few days to really getting my photography site (not just a blog, a dedicated photo site!) up and running. A grand total of two galleries are in place now, my landscapes and one event gallery. More will come periodically, and I’ll announce those here too. Please keep in mind that the website (as well as my photography efforts) are always works in progress. I’ll try to keep announcements current in here too, but can’t make any promises (to all 7 of my readers! *grin*).
To whet, the appetite, here’s just a few shots from the gallery:
For the whole schmear, check out the site, over at:
Having recently been through the ringer on some rather questionable customer service policies, I felt compelled to also give a glowing review of a recent experience I had with another company – Western Digital.
Let’s set the stage: About a week ago, my antiquated desktop computer started exhibiting its age with the recognizable whirring of a hard drive about to fail….it still whirs consistently throughout the day. Since I knew it was past the return policy for Best Buy (30 days), I started backing everything up to my secondary slave drive. With all that copied, I started the search for a replacement…then it dawned on me – this should still be under manufacturer warranty!
So, I broke open the box (not broke, but you get the idea), pulled out the affected drive and started making notations of P/N’s S/N’s and all that gobbledygook. Then at Western Digitals website I entered the S/N as requested to find it was purchased less than a year ago and is still covered. Yay! I can get a replacement! Now, here’s the best part – they will send me the replacement in advance. Meaning? I can install the replacement, copy files over and stay up and running without any downtime to speak of. Yes, a credit card is needed to ensure I return the defective drive, but that’s to be expected in todays day and age.
Anyway, kudos to Western Digital for a great RMA policy – others could learn from you! 😉
Well , I was going to post a cool flash tutorial I put together on leveling horizons, but some temperamental coding issues have put that on hold. Suffice to say, if anyone can explain to me the difference between FLV and SWF players/readers, how to implement them and write posts embedding them, please post here or email me direct, because the documentation on WordPress and horribly written documentation thus far just really bites hard. Even with my fairly solid grasp of HTML, XHTML, CSS, XML, and JS understanding, the world of flash is leaving me just a little bit clueless…
So, for the time being, here’s a link to the video: Horizon Leveling Tutorial
ETA: Many thanks go out to Ryan Thomas from FredMiranda for letting me use his image in the tutorial…
As photogs both amateur and pro await the start of the Photoshop Conference out in Las Vegas, (the “pre-conference” starts tomorrow, the rest of the photo world plugs along. Not much really “news-worthy” or personally revealing today, so here’s just a recap of some of the top stories I happened to catch in my blog feeder.
Olympus announced it’s latest Pro series camera, the successor to the E-1, to be unveiled Oct. 17th. While the announcement may seem kind of a yawner (reviewed at dpreview here: Olympus Review), the fact that it only took them 4 years, 4 months to announce a new body was of comical note to Michael over at TOP.
Scott Kelby does his daily post on the Photoshop World conference, and gives a few props to other photogs and their sites around the net. Always worth at least a glance. You know it’s quiet though when Scott doesn’t have much to post other than a few helpful link referrals pimping sites of his friends (just kidding Scott)….
The Strobist is always a great place to stop in for a detailed read if you’re in the need of knowledge (remember, I like alliteration).
Adobe finished the rollout of its own software in house.
Not much else other than the usual spate of forum posts that struck a chord for me. I’d share them here, but in most cases you need to register to view, so not worth the time since most won’t click thru.
I did notice a significant drop-off in readership, and still not many participating in polls. I’d really like to get at least 20 people to participate, so if you’ve read the blog at all and not voted on the content you like, please do so at your leisure (over here on the right—–>) .
In the meantime, with photos being the dominant choice, I will leave today with a random shot from my own library, a recent effort at a stock shot (sorry if the IQ is a little low-res, but always gotta be taking efforts to reduce piracy)…
This past weekend I spent the entire time away from the computer, camera in hand. On a trip to Dayton, OH for a family get-together where my Aunt and Uncle (in-law) were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary! On returning, I realized I had left the blog on a decidedly negative note. So, in the interests of sharing some positive experiences, the trip was just a resounding reminder of what it’s really all about. It’s not about the latest gear, it’s not about corporate greed, and it most certainly is not about “getting what you deserve…”
The ultimate “high” is enjoying quality time with family. What a great weekend it was. Re-kindling connections with people I’ve not seen in a long time reminded me that life is about spending your quality time where it most counts – with loved ones. In doing so, I also had a realization about my thoughts on Apple as a company. Need I judge them so harshly on the basis of one mis-step? I certainly do not judge my family and loved ones so harshly, so Apple deserves another chance too.
I have since rescinded the canceled Macbook Pro order, and am working on getting the iPod fixed (I think I got it after a rather interesting combination of restoring/powercycles. The only Windows equivalent I can think of would be flashing the BIOS. It seems to be working now, albeit a little more slowly than I would have thought…but that could be the putting USB connection since the iPod is used to firewire!
In any case, technology tantrums aside, I hope all had an enjoyable holiday weekend with their family and loved ones, and another post tomorrow will hopefully have a few photos to share! 🙂
