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 destination 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.

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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.
Posted at 09:52 AM in Articles, Comments, Opinion, Photography, Stock Photography | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Technorati Tags: Photographer, Photography, PhotoShelter, Rights Managed, Royalty Free, Stock photography
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