Edwards FreeLance Photography

Adobe Lightroom 3 Features

New in Lightroom 3 Beta

Lightroom 3 beta has been completely redesigned with under-the-hood efficiencies to better handle growing image libraries and improve responsiveness with a higher-quality processing engine. In the Library module, a rebuilt import system makes bringing photos into the software more intuitive. Users can easily specify the source and destinat

ion of their images, and save common processing, metadata or destination settings as easy-to-reuse presets.

The Library module also includes new capabilities to publish collections on popular photo-sharing sites. Flickr users now have direct access to their accounts from within Lightroom and can drag and drop images directly into their Photostreams. Flickr Pro account users can automatically synch their images and even view comments made on Flickr directly within the Library. This functionality can be extended to additional sites by adding them as new plug-ins once they become available.

In the Develop module, an overhauled processing engine allows users to create the highest quality images. Improved Capture Sharpening and Color Noise Reduction tools provide superior results while still preserving an image’s edge detail and contrast. A new Grain tool adds a film-style grain to images, and two new Vignette modes help photographers get a more natural look.

Lightroom 3 beta also offers advanced output options, including the ability to export slideshows as videos with audio and title screens that can be posted to video-sharing sites or optimized for mobile media. New watermarking capabilities enable photographers to embed text or graphic information directly on an image and then adjust the size, position and opacity. In addition, photographers can customize print layouts and save settings for future use, giving them refined control over their images.

For information on Adobe's Lightroom 3 Beta

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• Get Adobe Lightroom 3 for free! (kinda) (downloadsquad.com)
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Sigma adds anti-shake lens

Sigma Corporation adds unique, anti-shake technology to award-winning 17-70mm lens

‘Ultimate standard lens’ now available in Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony and Sigma mounts

Sigma Corporation, a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world’s most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, is pleased to announce its newly upgraded 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM lens.

This large aperture, standard zoom lens contains state-of-the-art enhancements, including the company’s own Optical Stabilization (OS), anti-shake technology that offers the use of shutter speeds approximately four stops slower than would otherwise be possible. Once again, only Sigma has made it possible for Pentax and Sony shooters to utilize an anti-shake system in either the lens or the camera body.

This lens’ predecessor, the 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC Macro HSM, was deemed a “Best Buy” recommendation for photographers wishing to purchase a standard zoom lens as part of the Canadian Association for Photographic Art’s (CAPA) “Best Lens of the Year” awards.

“Aside from the OS technology, which is key when shooting with mid-range and high-end class DSLRs, this lens stands apart from the crowd because of its impressive zoom range,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, general manager of Sigma Corporation of America. “It has a 4x zoom range that is equivalent to 24-105mm lenses in full-frame formats. That, coupled with the OS technology and a macro function, makes it the ultimate standard lens for serious photographers who want top-notch image quality and functionality at an affordable price.”

With a large aperture of F2.8 on the wide end and F4 at the tele end, as well as a macro function with a minimum focusing distance of 8.7 inches and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.7, this lens is ideal for a wide range of photography. The lens’ Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) also ensures a quiet and high speed auto focus, while its rounded, seven-blade diaphragm creates an attractive blur to the out-of-focus areas to provide the optimal Bokeh effect. The inner focusing system eliminates front lens rotation, making the lens particularly suitable for using the supplied petal-type lens hood and circular polarizing filters.

Three aspherical lenses and one Extraordinary Low Dispersion (ELD) glass element provide excellent correction for all types of aberrations when shooting with this lens. Additionally, the Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting to produce high-contrast images.

The 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM lens is currently available in Sigma, Canon, Nikon (D), Sony (D) and Pentax mounts for $680 MSRP in stores nationwide.

via www.sigmaphoto.com

Adobe Photoshop.com Mobile for iPhone Now Available Globally

Adobe Photoshop.com Mobile for iPhone, recently released on Oct. 9, 2009, is now available worldwide in all countries with iPhone App Stores, providing users with a quick and easy way to edit, upload, view and share photos directly on their iPhones. Holding the No. 1 position for all “Top Free” applications for nearly three weeks and remaining the “Top Free” spot in the Apple App Store Photography category, Photoshop.com Mobile for iPhone has been downloaded over 3 million times in the U.S. and Canada. Essential editing tools, such as crop and rotate along with creative one-touch effects and filters, are now available in supported countries. In addition, the application gives users access to their entire online collection of photos from Photoshop.com and allows them to share them directly within the application.

Availability
The Adobe Photoshop.com Mobile for iPhone application is now available as a free download in all countries with iPhone App Stores. The application is initially available in English only. For more information, visit: http://mobile.photoshop.com/iphone. Users can also connect with Adobe via Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photoshopdotcom) or Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/photoshopdotcom). To join the conversation, follow @photoshopdotcom on Twitter.

via www.digitalpixels.net

A very special wedding

For the most part, I do very few weddings these days – one or two a year at best. Mainly when a close friend or relative gives me a call and ask if I would please take the time to do their son or daughter's wedding. That's pretty much it; I've done my time photographing weddings. It, in my honest opinion, is the hardest work that any photographer will ever perform, the stress of getting everything just right, trying to calm a nervous bride, and dealing with what can be very difficult mothers has come and gone for me, I've passed the baton on to the new generation.

However, a few weeks back, my son – a pastor of a small rural church – gave me call and asked if I had time to do a wedding for a member of his congregation. Of course, the first words from my mouth, was "son you know that I don't do weddings any longer". His only comment, "how about giving the bride to be a call"? My next comment "I've got a very business schedule coming up, I'm not sure I'll have the time". He simply repeated "Just give her a call".

Since as normal, I was on the road, I wrote down the number and promised I'd call once I got back home.

After playing phone tag a few days, the future bride and I connected and I asked how I could assist. We discussed the details of her upcoming wedding; it's going to be a night-time outside wedding, small family affair, a few little twists here and there. Not too complicated, other than the challenges of an outside night-time wedding with very little lighting, a rather basic wedding. We spent about 45 minutes on the phone discussing the rest of the details and I agreed to change some things around to be able to cover her wedding.

Last week, she a blonde, with twinkle in her eyes, her future husband and I sat down for lunch to wrap up the final details and to be sure that we were all on the same page. The wedding is going to be performed at a converted bed and breakfast that now specializes in wedding ceremonies. She wasn't feeling too well and became a little dizzy when she stood to leave. Along with the future groom, I grabbed an arm to assist her to the car and said I'd see them for the rehearsal.

Friday night as everyone in the wedding party began to appear for the rehearsal – a now brunette with reddish hints smiling bride and I, along with the coordinator discussed the layout and since rain was now in the forecast made alternative plans to move everything outside, to the inside. We discussed the flow of the wedding, poses, things you normally discuss to be sure you as a photographer capture the moments without disturbing the ceremony. One of her main concerns – would I be able to cover up a couple of spots she had that would not be covered up by her gown – not a problem, I indicated.

It's the wedding day, the rain is about to begin and I'm sure that there are butterflies in both the bride and groom. This is their special day, especially for the bride – I wonder what color her hair will be today?

More to follow….

NIK Software Free Webinars

Nik Software Fall 2009 Webinar schedule. These seven hour-long educational webinars, which continue through mid-December, cover a range of photography topics including portrait, sports/action, wildlife, landscapes, weddings, commercial and Capture NX2 while offering basic information, insights and tips on using all Nik Software’s award-winning image enhancing plug-in products. Additionally, the webinars enable attendees to pose questions to the live educators.

“These free online webinars are designed to show how each Nik Software plug-in product can be used to enhance any photographer’s work within all types of photography while dramatically reducing editing time and complexity,” said Tony Corbell, Nik Software’s senior manager for product education and planning. “Education is so important to today’s busy digital photographer and Nik Software is committed to empowering everyone to get the most out of their photographs with our products.”

To register for any of the webinars, please visit: http://www.niksoftware.com/webinar

November 12, 2009 — 10:00am PST
Critters and Creatures
Nik Software’s own Laurie Shupp, an accomplished wildlife and nature photographer, teaches techniques specific to photographing wildlife. Attendees will see her beautiful wildlife work as she leads them through a series of enhancements including optimizing skies and backgrounds, highlighting animal fur, and minimizing distractions while maximizing primary subjects.

November 19, 2009 — 10:00am PST
Enhancing the Landscape Image
Photographers can follow along during the webinar as techniques designed to improve outdoor landscape images are illustrated in detail using numerous Nik Software products. Though particular styles and techniques differ from photographer to photographer, Nik Software products work together to capably handle all corrections and enhancements that combine to improve the overall photograph.

December 1, 2009 — 10:00am PST
Wedding Photography Techniques featuring Lightroom
Working specifically inside the host application of Adobe Lightroom®, this webinar focuses on how Nik Software products can enhance wedding photography by optimizing colors, creatively converting images to black-and-white and more. Attendees will learn tricks for batch processing and editing hundreds or even thousands of images.

December 10, 2009 — 10:00am PST
The Power of Capture NX2
Working primarily with RAW Nikon NEF files, the Nik Software team will again showcase the incredible power and ease of use of Capture NX2. This software features innovative U Point® technology for precise selective editing along with numerous other editing capabilities simply not found in other software. The intuitive nature of Capture NX2 helps photographers of all levels master editing techniques in days, not weeks, months or even years.

December 15, 2009 — 10:00am PST
Editing the Commercial Image
This webinar is devoted to commercial photography and the special needs this style of photography requires to satisfy demanding clients. Color correction, retouching and other techniques will be showcased on beautiful photography examples from some of the industry’s leading photographers.

Toshiba announces new CMOS

TOKYO, Japan., October 27, 2009 - Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502) today announced the launch of a new CMOS image sensor that will bring 14.6 million pixels to digital still cameras and to mobile phones supporting video imaging. The sensor, the latest addition to Toshiba’s “Dynastron™” line-up, is also the company’s first to integrate the enhanced sensitivity offered by back-side illumination technology (BSI). Sampling of the new sensor will begin in December and mass production will follow from the third quarter of 2010 (July--September). BSI brings new levels of responsiveness to CMOS imaging. Lenses are deployed on the rear of the sensor on the silicon substrate, not on the front, where wiring limits light absorption. This positioning boosts light sensitivity and absorption by 40% compared to existing Toshiba products, and allows formation of finer image pixels. Toshiba has made full use of the advantages of BSI to realize image pixels with a pitch of 1.4 microns, and to pack 14.6 million of them into a 1/2.3-inch sensor that meets the high level imaging and processing requirement, and that will also bring a new level of image quality to mobile phones. Toshiba will use the new sensor to promote its full-scale entry to digital camera market, and will continue to develop BSI products as a mainstream technology. The new sensor will be mass produced at Toshiba’s Oita Operations, on industry leading 300mm wafer lines deploying 65nm process technology. Initial production will be at a volume of 500,000 sensors a month. CMOS image sensors are a focus product of Toshiba’s System LSI business. Until now, their main application has been in mobile phones, where Toshiba could leverage its high density integration and low power consumption technologies. With the introduction of BSI CMOS sensors, Toshiba will reinforce the sensor business by expanding application to include digital cameras.

Key features Optical format: 1/ 2.3 inch Number of pixels: 14.6 mega pixels Size of pixels: 1.4 micro meter Frame rate: 60 frame per sec. (Supports 1080p, 720p) Note: Dynastron is a trademark of Toshiba Corporation

*About TAEC and Toshiba Corp. Through proven commitment, lasting relationships and advanced, reliable electronic components, Toshiba enables its customers to create market-leading designs. Toshiba is the heartbeat within product breakthroughs from OEMs, ODMs, CMs, distributions and fabless chip companies worldwide. A committed electronic components leader, Toshiba designs and manufactures high-quality flash memory-based storage solutions, discrete devices, displays, advanced materials, medical tubes, custom SoCs/ASICs, digital multimedia and imaging products, microcontrollers and wireless components that make possible today's leading cell phones, MP3 players, cameras, medical devices, automotive electronics and more. Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, Japan's largest semiconductor manufacturer and the world's third largest semiconductor manufacturer (Gartner, 2008 WW Semiconductor Market Share Report, April 2009). For additional company and product information, please visit http://www.toshiba.com/taec/.

Information in this press release, including product pricing and specifications, content of services and contact information, is current and believed to be accurate on the date of the announcement, but is subject to change without prior notice. Technical and application information contained here is subject to the most recent applicable Toshiba product specifications. In developing designs, please ensure that Toshiba products are used within specified operating ranges as set forth in the most recent Toshiba product specifications and the information set forth in Toshiba's "Handling Guide for Semiconductor Devices," or "Toshiba Semiconductor Reliability Handbook." This information is available at http://www.chips.toshiba.com, or from your TAEC representative.

ASSP 09 582

The Smoky Mountain Pilgrimage

Every year around this time, people from around the region flock to the Smoky Mountains. Here are just a few images of the seasonal changes occurring this year in the Smoky Mountains.

Smoky Mountains - Images by Murray Edwards

Covering These Troubled Times

The following event came together rather late to promote attendance so I'm asking for your help to get the word out.

Please help spread the word about the November 4 program, Covering These Troubled Times: What Journalists Should Know about Trauma. The details are below.  Students and members are free, but friends of the panelists and the Dart Center will have free admission by sending an RSVP to Elaine Hudson at info@atlpressclub.org and mention my name.

If you have a distribution list to other journalists, students, or journalism organizations, please forward this along to your contacts.

Thanks!
Dorie Griggs

From:
http://www.atlantapressclub.org/events/event.php?id=209

Covering These Troubled Times: What Journalists Should Know about Trauma

Mike Walter spent his career chasing big stories, but on one September morning, the biggest story of his career was about to chase him down. He watched as a jet came raining down from the sky. It pierced the Pentagon, and for a time, shattered his emotional well-being. The award winning documentary Breaking News, Breaking Down, is a revealing look at how journalists continually go after breaking news, from 9-11 to Katrina, never imagining how it can break them down. In this landmark film, for the first time ever, a journalist turns the camera on himself and his profession, to candidly talk about how trauma impacted his life and the lives of others. It's a long overdue look at a problem that has been largely ignored for years, until now. In the end you'll watch journalists turn tragedy and trauma into triumph.

A panel discussion on the challenges facing journalists who cover traumatic events moderated by Atlanta Press Club member and consultant Dorie Griggs will follow the screening.

Panelists:
Moni Basu, writer/editor at CNN Wire and Dart Center Fellow

Mark Biello, Senior photojournalist at CNN

John McCusker, photojournalist with the New Orleans Times-Picayne, is featured in Breaking News, Breaking Down

Mike Walter, former WUSA-TV news anchor and creator of Breaking News, Breaking Down

WHEN
Wednesday, November 4
6 - 6:30pm reception
6:30-7pm Screening: Breaking News, Breaking Down
7- 8:30pm Panel discussion

WHERE
The Commerce Club, 18th Floor
34 Broad Street Atlanta, GA 30303 Valet parking is available for $6 and is not included in the ticket prices. For directions, please visit www.thecommerceclub.org/location.html.

Because of limited parking at TCC, please consider using MARTA, whose Five Points station is across the street, or parking in nearby decks on Marietta Street.

R.S.V.P.
This program is open to the public. APC members and students receive complimentary admission to the event. Please R.S.V.P. so we know how many people to expect. Nonmembers may purchase tickets for $10. Tickets may be purchased by clicking the link below or by calling 404-57-PRESS. Payment must accompany reservations, and there is a 48-hour cancellation policy

The 2009 Trail of Tears Motorcycle Ride

They started rolling in on Friday morning. There are doctors, lawyers, business folk's, husbands and wives, people from every walk of life. Chattanooga is abuzz, since 1994 every 3^rd Saturday in September, thousands of avid motorcycle enthusiast have come together to make the ride from Chattanooga Tennessee tracing the path taken by the Cherokee Indians resulting from the 1830 Indian Removal Act.

Though the forecast for rain may have reduced the number of attendees at this year's event, spirits were high. During the early morning of the 19^th, diehard bikers from across the country began to line up two abreast at the corner of Broad and 20th and meandered nearly back to the riverfront park. On this day, it doesn't matter what you ride, be it a Harley or Honda. All that matters today is that everyone is here to honor the Native Americans that were forced from their homes and marched to Oklahoma.

At 8:00 AM, Mayor Ron Littlefield and candidate for Governor Zach Wamp gave the command, and in seconds the roar of engines began to echo throughout the downtown area and the caravan began to pull out. For the next twenty minutes, riders rolled by the waving spectators turned right on Broad and headed toward Monteagle Tennessee.

The ride headed north passing through neighborhoods and small communities, all along the way well-wishers also fighting the rain, stood with umbrellas in hand - waved, held signs and cheered the riders on their journey that would take them some 200 miles across the Tennessee Mountains to Florence Alabama.

The Trail of Tears Motorcycle Ride - Images by Murray Edwards

Approaching Fayetteville Tennessee the rain began to subside and the sun began to shine, the temperature started to rise and the rain gear came off. The hour long stop in Fayetteville provided a fuel stop for both riders and motorcycles. Around 1:00 PM the riders climbed back aboard the motorcycles, turned west onto to highway 64 and headed toward Florence Alabama.

All along the final leg, the Tennessee law enforcement officers cleared the way for the procession. As the motorcade crossed over the Alabama state line, the Alabama Highway patrol took the reins and escorted the columns into Florence.

After arrival into Florence, the final destination for the majority of these riders, they headed to McFarland Park where they dismounted, shook off the mud and joined in the celebration.

Not All Stock Photography is Created Equal

These days everyone seems to using micro-stock agencies for their image requirements. I can't say that I really blame them, you've got millions of images to choose and the cost is basically non-existent. If you are content reviewing image after image of people smiling, keyboards, signs and the untold selections of illustrations and graphics then I suppose you are looking in the right spot.

But let's not forget about the professional photographers that spend their time and effort to produce a different type of stock photography, images that a cover a specific subject matter or geographic region. Photographers, that have spent years, working to hone their skills and perfect their style. Those that are up at the crack of dawn to catch the light, those that take chances going places, covering situations that the average person cares not to tread. Not someone who at the spur of the moment decides, I'm going to go out and take some snapshots and call it stock photography.

For the most part, you won't find those types of stock images on these micro-stock sites. You've got to do a little research to find the professionals that spend their days, doing nothing but creating high quality stock photography. Ones that aren't just posed models smiling happily into the camera lens. And yes, you will pay a little more than a dollar or two – But you get what you pay for!

So before you head off to one of those many sites that are well known for stock images, visit a site like PhotoShelter. Here you'll find many independent professionals that also offer Royalty Free and Rights Managed images available for your use; many also offer specialty products that can't be found on micro-sites and for the most part at very affordable prices.