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

Related articles by Zemanta

• Get Adobe Lightroom 3 for free! (kinda) (downloadsquad.com)
• Lightroom 3 Beta Help posted (blogs.adobe.com)

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

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.

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.

Roadside Memorials – Honoring a Lost Loved One

This might be a rather unusual topic to discuss, however, for some reason I've found myself a little fascinated by these memorials to a lost loved one. While traveling back from a recent road trip, I passed by, what might be considered a shrine of sorts. Along with the standard cross, marking the spot of this tragic accident, were bouquets of flowers, tee-shirts hanging from limbs of trees and a couple gallons of water. Not real sure what the water was for, if anyone that reads this post knows the significance of this, please leave a comment. 

After paying my respects to this person I've never met, I headed back to my truck to continue my ride home. During the remainder of my 3 hour trip, I started to wonder, do these places of remembrance bring some form of closure to family members and friends? What if you lived near where this unfortunate event occurred, wouldn't passing this reminder on a continuous basis just re-hash already painful memories?

My guess was a little of both until I got a chance to speak with a couple of folks who had lost a family member and were kind enough to discuss the matter. About once a month, this son and daughter stop by and pick up trash and trim the weeds away from their father's accident site. Why? According to both, it makes them feel closer to their dad. In their words "This is where his spirit left". What about the grave site? They said that they visited there also, mainly on his birthday or father's day, but by passing this memorial nearly every day they can say "Hi dad, we miss you". So, in their own way, as many I suspect, are trying to say to the rest of us passersby, slow down and pay a little respect.

Unfortunately, it seems as though not everyone feels the same way, there have been several occasions where this site along as many others, I discovered, have been vandalized. This is shameful, you might not agree with placing markers or think that they are a distraction, but destroying a place of homage just isn't right and anyone doing so should be completely ashamed of themselves.

On a secondary note, 22 states across the country have some type of law that regulates roadside memorials from how long the memorial can remain in place to what type of memorial is allowed, example being, Montana and California allow memorials but only if alcohol was involved to being completely prohibited by Maryland and Utah. Presently, the Federal Government has no regulations in place.

 

 

Will Crocket Training Class

If you reside in the Tampa area, this should be a good class to attend.

Light, Camera, Profits with WILL CROCKETT

Join us on our special summer "mini tour" for a brand new seminar - LIGHT, CAMERA, PROFITS.   It's our absolute latest info on how to shoot smarter instead of harder with photographer, author, ShootSmarter.com chief tech writer, and photo consultant to the US Military: Will Crockett.

"This years special summer seminar is designed to show you the power of the technology available to you in the photo tools you already have as well as the best of the new tools available to create files that need the least amount of post-production to make GORGEOUS prints. We'll also cover the "smart picks" in on-camera as well as off-camera flash, our new list of recommended studio lighting, and a boatload of techniques to grow as a photographer and business-owner instead of sweating over a hot computer screen fixing files." - Will Crockett

Those of you who have seen Will's programs before know he pulls no punches, is great at separating his opinion from fact, and can easily shoot a client assignment in JPEG or RAW that needs zero adjustments to make a smokin' print! Will travels to 4 cities this summer with his own personal lighting, shooting, computer and even wide format printing gear to show you exactly how to become a more efficient, confident, and profitable photographer.  Using both studio lighting and on-the-go lighting, Will is the leading expert in solving the mysteries of making better on-camera and off-camera flash photos and has plenty of new tips never presented before (wait until you see his new fill-flash techniques!)
This new program moves you up a pay grade to reveal as many answers and shortcuts as possible to increase your profits while decreasing your time and frustration. Will's style of premium quality imaging with unusual ease in producing the final file or print in the least amount of time is why he has been chosen over all others as the "trainer" for the staff of photographers inside the Pentagon. 

Here's what you can expect at this Sunday afternoon program
• In-camera tools and tips for setting the best capture possible.
• NEW fill-flash techniques that ROCK.
• Will's TOP FIVE money makers - tools that work for you everyday.
• Event coverage with one flash and two.
• Your best wireless triggering options for TTL and non-TTL lighting.
• File storage, painless backup solutions both offline and online.
• Will's latest picks for best on-camera and off-camera flash.
• Premium studio strobes... worth the bux?  Why or why not?
• Our new ShootSmarter "Top THREE" monobloc / compact strobes.
• B&W quality simplified and "profitized"
• A "real time" photo session using some amazing time-savers.

For more information go to : Where's Will Crocket

Surviving the Economic Downturn

I’ve gotten hundreds of emails of late wanting a little advice on how to survive the economic downturn as a photographer. Like any other business, things are tough and you’ve got to be able to bob and weave with the best of them. Budgets for images are being cut by all forms publications, newspapers are shutting down and the number of magazines closing up shop are at levels not ever seen.

But fear not my friends, there are ways to survive and thrive when times get tough, you’ve just got to be willing to dig in your heals, do a little research and you may find opportunities that you never thought would occur.

Let’s take a look at what we can do to curb expenses and drive business.

Equipment - If you’ve been looking at buying that new camera or studio equipment, ask yourself, will this help me make more money? If not, then don’t buy it, hold off, there may be a better spot to use those funds.

Self-Assignments - Many freelancers do what is called a self-assignment. What is this? Simply put, if you’re not being paid to cover an event or working on a project for someone then you’re doing a self-assignment. Many stock photographers, myself included, do self-assignments. The images that are shot are purely speculative (spec) - you are hoping that the subject matter you plan to cover will be of interest to a publication. Honestly, most stock photography is based on spec. Unless you are known for a specific subject matter that must be constantly refreshed, again like myself, keep these assignments and trips to a minimum. After all, these expenses are coming out of your back pocket. Be sure you have a marketplace for those images.

Marketing - The tendency is to cut back on spending money marketing when times are tough. Far be it, you must continue to get your name and the services you provide in front of the people who need or have a requirement. If you don’t, your competition will. Use those dollars you didn’t spend on that new camera to do some marketing. Be prudent and extremely targeted with your efforts. Know your potential market, go to your local book store and peruse the magazine stand. Are the type of images you are producing being used? If not then maybe you should re-think your efforts.

Here are a few ways to reach your potential clients:

Websites and Blogs - If you do not have either of these, get one or both. Unless you have a internet presence you are loosing out in a major way. Get your own domain. It’s cheap, there a numerous services available for use like Yahoo or Go Daddy. Setting up a site does take some and effort, and some quick advice, do not use any flash. In a recent survey of what photo buyers look for in a website - keep it simple, nothing fancy, just give me what I want, a quick easy way to review your images. If it takes more than 10 seconds for your site to load, you’ve got problems. To them, time is money.

Blogs are much simpler to setup and free using Blogspot or Wordpress. If you want a little more flexibility or a few more features, spend a few dollars and use a company like Typepad, the additional support and services are worth the money. Blogs are great ways to inform clients and friends alike on what you are doing. Make it informative, talk about your current or upcoming projects and post on a regular basis. You can also do a little advertising on a blog for an additional revenue stream, something you should not do on your website.

Direct Mail - postcards and brochures are good ways to ping your clients.

Emails - This is turning out to be one of the most cost effective methods of reaching out to your clients. But be careful, there are many potential pitfalls in email marketing, first and foremost, it must not considered SPAM. The emails  you send out must come from an “opt-in” request, by “opting in” they are giving you permission to send them emails and you must have an “opt-out” option, so that they can removed from any unwanted emails, should they desire. If you have a valid “opt-in” mailing list you could use a emailing company like Constant Contact or Vertical Response. They provide everything you need to get started at a very reasonable price.

If you do not have a mailing list or if you really want to use a complete direct mail company, you might check into ADBASE. This is not a cheap service, the information they provide is specifically tailored for the photographic and graphic art industry.

I suggest that you take some time and read “The Truth about Email Marketing” before you start to develop and deploy any email campaign. Make sure you understand the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003. You do not want to put yourself in a position that could cause a problem.

Social Media - By far one of the fastest growing methods of reaching potential new customers is by using one of the many social media networks. Nearly everyone has a presence on Facebook or Myspace.

Professional networks such as LinkedIn are good for meeting and networking with like minded professionals. For a more international flair, check into Ecademy. The biggest difference between these two are that at LinkedIn, it is suggested that you know the person with whom wish to connect and anything that even begins to resemble SPAM is greatly frowned upon. Ecademy, on the other hand allows you to review potential connections, send an invite and join clubs where you can activity promote yourself and the services you provide.

I would be remiss if I didn’t discuss the Twitter phenomenon. This 140 character “what are you doing” mini blogging service has captivated the world. When I first started using Twitter I was amazed at the number of my clients that were also using and “Twittering” their goings on. It has become a quick and easy way for us to maintain contact. It’s almost completely done away with the need for emails. If they about to start working on project or have a photographic requirement, they send a quick direct message (DM) and in a flash you can respond back. Along with keeping or making contact with your clients, I’m sure that you’ll make numerous friends along the way, I know I have. On a personal note, use the service as intended. It’s one thing to let folks know what you are doing or what you are working on. Just don’t send out blast after blast after blast, as you can already tell, I’m not real big on SPAMMING folks.

So there you have it, these are just a few ways to get yourself some exposure, I use them all.  Use what tools and services that are out there for you, many of which are free or at least affordable. You can survive and thrive during these trying times. Keep in mind that as companies, regrettably, cut headcount - the use of freelancers will pick up. I seem to staying rather busy of late due to this one issue, why pay someone to remain on staff, when you can pay on a per use basis?

“Have a plan, work your plan and plan for the unexpected”  Paul “Bear” Bryant

Murray