How to Photograph Christmas Lights

Eiffel Tower
Originally uploaded by Rick Blythe.

Here's a good tutorial on how to get the best results in your photos of Christmas Lights.  It's all about the balance, light balance that is-

When we talk about balancing light around here, it usually means balancing ambient with flash. But getting a good photo of holiday lights involves a different kind of light balancing: Continuous ambient with fading ambient.

You don't need a high-end camera for great results. You can use a very inexpensive digital camera and do just fine. You don't even need flash. It all comes down to what time of the day you shoot. And a couple of other little tricks.

The problem with 98% of the photos of Christmas lights is that most people wait until way too late to start shooting. After it gets completely dark, you can either have the lights or the surroundings properly exposed. But not both.

Conversely, if you were to shoot the lights in the middle of the day, they would not show up at all. The trick is find the sweet spot (actually there is a whole range of sweet spots) where the ambient light and the Christmas lights balance.

Understanding this will ensure that your photos are way better than those of your neighbors. After all, isn't that what Christmas lights are really about?

How to Do It:

1. Arrive early. The best time to shoot is before it gets totally dark. More specifically, get there before what looks like mix light to your eyes, too. Arriving around sunset will give you time to plan your shot before the good light happens. You may have to ask your subject to turn the lights on early - most people don't flip them on until the good light is already gone.

2. Compose your photo in such a way as to include as much sky as possible in the background. Shooting from a low position can help. Even better: If you have your choice of shooting direction, shoot into the afterglow of the evening sky.

3. Once you get your picture framed, set your camera's white balance for "tungsten," as if you were shooting indoors without flash. All of those little lights are tungsten balanced. As a bonus, the tungsten setting will turn your afterglow sky royal blue once your light balances out. The sky will look great - even if it is a cloudy evening. And your lights will gleam crystal white -- or whatever color they are supposed to be.

4. A light (or reflective) foreground, like snow, or a puddle (or the roof of a car) can give nice foreground interest. See what you can find.

5. Use a tripod or a beanbag to steady your camera. You'll be shooting in the range of a quarter second to a full second at twilight. If shooting with a phone or PDA, use both hands to brace the phone against something solid.

6. Now, wait for the light to happen.

Shoot a test shot every minute or so. At first, you'll be exposing for the sky and the lights will appear unimpressive. Check the back of your camera after each shot to watch the Christmas lights appear to "come up" as the ambient light level goes down. Your eye is constantly adjusting to compensate for the dropping light levels, but the changes will be happening nonetheless. Your camera will record them differently from the way that you eye sees them (you can see a much greater contrast range) so shoot and chimp.

Somewhere in between sunset and full dark, the Christmas lights and the ambient light will start to mix beautifully. You'll have about a 10-minute window which will give you a nice series of subtly different lighting variations. Remembering to keep your camera as still as possible, shooting lots of frames through the mix light. Ones and zeros are free, so don't be stingy. You do not have much time. You can delete the duds (or blurred photos) later.

Incidentally, this time of day is when the architectural photographers make the big bucks. And they are smart enough to tell everyone in their subject building to leave the lights on that night, too.

Your light will fade very quickly. You will know it is gone when your photos start looking like the "bad light" photos you used to take.

Now, put your camera away. You still have a few minutes to enjoy the scene with your eyes. The human eye has the remarkable ability to compress a large dynamic range into a scene your brain can process. Just relax, soak it in and think about all of the shopping you have left to do.

Hope enjoyed this tutorial on how to get the best results in your photos of Christmas Lights.

Nikon DSLRs and Canon Compacts Sell Over Black Friday Weekend

by Karen M. Cheung
November 28, 2006 – Notoriously known as the busiest shopping days of the year between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, brick-and-mortar and online retailers alike cut prices and eliminated shipping charges sending consumers to the malls and to their computers in droves.  Among some of the best sellers this weekend were Nikon DSLRs and Canon point-and-shoots, according to retailers. 

With over 140 million shoppers hitting the stores on the Black Friday weekend and another 61 million customers shopping online on Monday, according to the National Retail Federation, consumers spent on average $360.15 this past weekend. 

Digital SLRs showed strong sales this holiday shopping weekend, said Ritz Camera Centers Inc. chairman David Ritz to Photo Marketing Association.  According to the company website, DSLRs made up three of the top ten best sellers at Ritz, including the Nikon D200, Nikon D40, and Sony A100.  The Nikon Coolpix S9 point-and-shoot was also popular.  “The biggest things are the new 10-megapixel models, at affordable price points,” said Ritz.

more...

Digital Cameras Gift Guide 2006

If you are looking for the gift that lasts a lifetime in memories, Photoxels has a digital camera gift guide up, just in time for Christmas.  They have divided their list into three categories.

Point and Shoot (P&S)

As their name implies, these digital cameras are Point-and-Shoot simple to use. They have AUTO mode for general shooting, plus many Scene Modes to tackle special shooting situations.

Serious

When you are ready to go past point-and-shoot and want to learn more about how to use your digital camera to take great pictures, you need a digital camera that provides exposure flexibility and allows you to experiment.

Digital SLRs

For the best image quality and fast response times, nothing beats a digital SLR. Choose carefully and you can find one that will suit your specialized photographic needs -- especially with the addition of interchangeable lenses, filters, external flash units and other accessories you may never see offered for a non-DSLR camera.

You'll find the guide here.

ACDSee 9 photo Editing Software

ACD Systems is taking aim at the consumer market with a suite of offerings perfect for the hobbyist or novice photographer. They are currently highlighting two software programs directed at the everyday photographer, including ACDSee 9 Photo Manager, the company's updated digital photo management system for enthusiasts. ACDSee 9 photo editing software offers new, simplified resources for taking control of growing photo collections. The company also is introducing ACDSee Photo Editor, a new photo-editing tool that provides intuitive editing capabilities.

ACDSee photo editor software
"We've taken some of the best features that we've created for the professional photographer and have made them more accessible for anyone who needs better solutions to manage, organize and enhance their photo collections," said James Latham, vice president of marketing for ACDSee Systems. "With the popularity of digital photography, people are really starting to discover the creative possibilities and want more features and functionality than ever, but not that long learning curve." ACDSee Photo Editor has unique advantages for photographers of any skill level to not only correct and enhance, but also to get creative with their photos. Simple step-by-step instructions for basic to more advanced photo editing projects. Repair blemishes, spots and scratches quickly and easily. One-click auto adjustments include color balance and levels, sharpen and contrast.

ACDSee photo editor - Photo layouts
Single image repair and refinement along with multi-image composition capabilities typically found in more technical photo editing software systems. Helpful on-screen instructions and creative hints walk the user through the tasks and projects that they want to accomplish. Includes tools for scrapbooking and collage creation, along with the ability to make personalized cards, frames, stationary and even customized wine labels. Photo layouts with multiple photos, text, lines, shapes and special effects are also possible. ACDSee Photo Editor is the only software system that offers a vignette feature - perfect for creating portrait-style shots.

ACDSee 9 photo editing software - Photo viewing
ACDSee 9 minimizes the time it takes to load and view photo collections. Even large photo files can be displayed instantaneously. This makes opening digital photo files faster and easier than ever. Photo collections can now be showcased right on your desktop. Photos no longer have to stay buried away in the recesses of hard drives. This feature automatically plays a file of selected photo collections in a sleek slide show format. This option automatically organizes photos based on the dates they were taken. Protects personal photos in a password-secured area so that only the user can view them. Takes the work out of photo organization by automatically storing photos by convenient categories including personal photo favorites (based on a one-to- five rating system), file properties, etc.

ACDSee editing software - Photo collections
For ACDSee, the expansion from the professional to the mainstream photography market makes sense as the digital photography industry nears maturation. Research shows that nearly 80 percent of U.S. camera owners have gone digital, and more than 40 percent are now on their second or third digital camera. According to Latham, that means today's typical photographer has become much more savvy and needs greater capabilities when it comes to organizing, managing and editing personal photo collections.

Acdsee 9 Photo Manager Mini Box

About ACD Systems
Headquartered in British Columbia since 1993, ACD Systems International Inc. is one of the world's leading developers and marketers of digital imaging software, including the renowned ACDSee image management tool and Canvas, an advanced cross-platform technical illustration and graphics program. ACD has delivered value to a global marketplace through Internet distribution and partnerships with manufacturers and developers. ACD has millions of consumer and business users, and over 33,000 corporate customers and many Fortune 500 companies.

Portable Camera Companion

The new Creative ZEN Vision W portable video, photo and MP3 player features a high resolution, 4.3-inch, 16:9 format, colour widescreen TFT display for viewing up to 240 hours of video, tens of thousands of photos, and it can carry up to 15,000 songs.

According to Creative , the ZEN Vision W is the ideal as a portable camera companion. Featuring a built-in Compact Flash slot, users can now easily import photos directly from a digital camera without a PC.

“The Creative Zen Vision W is the ultimate travel accessory. It has been designed for versatility with both 30GB and 60GB models available, and support for a large selection of video and image formats,” said Vaiju Deb Senior Product and Marketing Executive Creative Labs Australia.

Digital Video

The Creative ZEN Vision W supports a wide selection of video formats, including MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4-SP, MJPEG and XviD, for playback of video clips and movies downloaded from the Internet. The Creative ZEN Vision W also supports digitised home movies transferred from the PC. The removable rechargeable battery provides up to 4.5 hours of video playback.

Digital Photos

The Creative ZEN Vision W can carry tens of thousands of photos, making it the perfect destination for offloading photos to free up space on your digital camera’s storage card.

The convenient Plug&View™ slot on the side of the player supports both Compact Flash Type I and Type II media. An optional Compact Flash Adapter plugs directly into the Compact Flash slot to accept other popular memory card types including SmartMedia, MultiMedia Card and Secure Digital.

For sharing photos with family and friends, a convenient composite AV-out connection enables stunning full colour, 720 x 480 image output on any size NTSC TV screen, or 720 x 576 image output on any size PAL TV screen. Users can watch slide shows set to favourite music, which can be played through headphones, the built-in speaker on the face of the player, or by connecting speakers such as a Creative I-Trigue® 2.1 system.

Additional Features

The 4.3-inch colour widescreen on the Creative ZEN Vision W displays the patented ZEN user interface to access music, photos and video.

It also includes:

• Built-in microphone - Volume levels displayed on screen for optimum recording quality



• Organizer - Provides calendar, tasks and contact lists, and synchronises with Microsoft Outlook



• Extras - Enables setting of Date & Time, plus allocation of Removable Disk space for dedicated storage clock - A clock with wake-to-any-music alarm, colour themes and different languages for further customisation



• The Creative ZEN Vision W connects to the PC via USB 2.0 for fast, easy transfer of content. Other optional accessories, include a Compact Flash Adapter, screen protector, standing case, travel charger, wired remote and IR remote.

Creative Zen Vision W 30 GB Widescreen Multimedia Player

Halloween Photo Tips

October is a great month to take pictures. The humid hazy days of summer have given way to crisp cool days with clear air and bright blue skies. The perfect combination for sparkling photographs! The sun is lower in the sky, providing wonderful long shadows in early morning and late afternoon. So conditions are perfect for photographers — amateur or professional — to get out there and take great pictures.

Photojojo has a piece up currently titled Our Ghoulish Guide to Scary Snaps, a guide to help you get great photos on our favorite holiday.

How to Take a Photo a Day and See Your Life in a Whole New Way

Over on Photojojo website they remind us about Photo-a-day projects, or Project365.  Starting a project wherein you take at least one photo a day for a full year is a great way to improve your photography skills.  I did it once for a year solid and it really helped me force myself to look at the world in a more creative and analytical way.  Don't get discouraged if every photo you take isn't a prize winner.  It's about you and your growth

My PAD (photo-a-day) galleries are here.  I host my galleries on PBase who has a special place for photographers doing photo-a-day projects and people from all over the world share and compare their works. 

I highly recommend this type of project if you are a budding photographer!

Zingfu - Photo Fun for Everyone

Ever wanted to see yourself up on a giant screen in Times Square? On the cover of Rolling Stone? Ever wondered what you’d look like in a plane full of snakes, or as George Costanza in his infamous semi-nude portrait?

Introducing Zingfu.

A simple site, with a simple goal: to let you make campy compositions with your photos. There’s nearly 100 different templates (anti-motivational posters, celebrities, magazines, embarrassing situations of all kinds) and they don’t charge a nickel.

Photoshop Tutorial-Cool pop art effect

This has got to be one of the coolest photoshop tutorials I have seen in a while.  It is also currently the number spot on Digg.com, a site which lists currently popular webpages.

A very cool way of making a picture of anyone look like a lichenstein-esque drawing. Roy Lichtenstein became one of the leading pop artists of the sixties with his comic-strip paintings. His work also often included boxed captions and words such as "WHAAM!", commonly found in comic books.

Photoshop plugin for Black and White Conversion

LetsGoDigital found this Photoshop plugin from The Plugin Site which claims to recreate the look of film, lens filters, lab effects and photo papers that are popular in traditional B/W photography, but even goes beyond that.

"The Plugin Site released B/W Styler for Windows, which is another product in the PhotoWiz series. B/W Styler is a Photoshop plugin for B/W conversion, creating traditional B/W effects and styling B/W photos. B/W Styler works in dozens of graphics applications including Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, Photoshop Elements, Photo-Paint, Photo Plus, IrfanView and PhotoImpact. It supports 8bit and 16bit RGB images. B/W Styler simulates the whole work flow of B/W photography from shooting a photo to processing it in the lab and framing the end result. It recreates the look of films, lens filters, lab effects and photo papers that are popular in traditional B/W photography, but even goes beyond that."

Halloween Photo Contest

Recognizing that Halloween is one of the most popular days of the year for taking pictures, Fujifilm, U.S.A., Inc. and Sprint, are adding to the fun by sponsoring the Picture Perfect Halloween Photo Contest.

To enter, Halloween lovers can go to www.HalloweenPhotoContest.com to register and submit photos and vote on other entries. The website is full of information for creating a spook-tacular Halloween, including great recipes, decorating ideas, collectible famous monster portraits, photo-taking tips from the New York Institute of Photography, scary stories and a map of haunted places across the United States.

Photoshop converts a Photo to a Pencil Sketch

I get regularly asked for any help using Photoshop to convert a photo into a sketch -- pencil, charcoal, conte, or other mediums. This is by far the very best tutorial I've seen to date -- bar none! When I saw this technique in the Photoshop Photo Effects Cookbook I knew at once I had to share it with you!

Tim Shelbourne writes...

"Ask any artist and they'll tell you that all the tubes of paint in the world cannot replace the simple pencil when it comes to artistic potential. Through the centuries, the litmus test of an artist's ability was demonstrated best through the medium of drawing. In days of yore, student painters spent years drawing with graphite to hone their skills.

The so-called "Sketch Filters" in Photoshop consistently yield very disappointing results; re-creating the quintessential sketch demands a little more inventiveness and an approach that mimics traditional techniques. Pencil sketches work especially well when very soft leaded pencils are used on a tinted paper, with a few touches of white chalk here and there to heighten the tones. This is what we'll produce here, digitally.

Don't worry if your drawing abilities aren't up to snuff, all that's required here is the ability to scribble."

Read Photo to Pencil Sketch

Does Pixel Size Matter

Digital Cameras: Does Pixel Size Matter?  Factors in Choosing a Digital Camera

Roger Clark has a technical write-up on digital camera pixels and pixel pitch, and why we should care.

"In today's Digital Camera market there is a bewildering array of models to choose from. I recently faced such a decision when I wanted to buy a small point and shoot digital camera. I wanted a small size, high megapixel count, fast response time (low shutter lag), and low noise camera. I did not get what I wanted because it did not exist at the time of my purchase. After a little research, I find I never will get what I wanted, unless someone comes up with a way to break the laws of physics.
...
The sensor in today's digital cameras uses a charge-coupled device, CMOS sensor or other similar device that is an array of pixels. Each pixel, is a semiconductor material that converts a photon into an electron. The electron is gathered and held in what is called a potential well, or voltage well that prevents the electron from drifting away."

Obviously, this artcile gets a little heavy on the physics and math side which is ok for some of us, but it's not for everyone.  Happy reading!

Fine Art Workflow Four Part Article

Ron Bigelow of ronbigelow.com has just posted the last article in his excellent fine art workflow series.

"Many books and articles have been written on various aspects of photography and Photoshop. Each of the topics covered in those books and articles has its place and is part of the whole process of making an image. However, understanding each of the components of photography does not guarantee that we understand how to put together the best combination of those components for a specific image. Sometimes, we need to look at the entire process from start to finish to understand how the various components fit together to produce a high quality image."

Other articles of Ron's can be found can be found at:
http://ronbigelow.com/articles/articles.htm

Olympus, Panasonic and Sigma launch FourThirds lens catalogue

Along with the launch of the latest Olympus Four Thirds Standard camera, the E-400, the catalogue showcases how cross-manufacturer compatibility of the standard enhances versatility for photographers.

Press Release: Olympus Corporation, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (Panasonic) and Sigma Corporation announce the publication of a joint product catalogue that features the full range of interchangeable lenses suitable for use by all Four Thirds Standard-based digital SLR cameras.

The joint lens catalogue is the first of its type in the industry. Based on the Four Thirds Standard, all featured lenses are expressly designed for the special demands of digital SLR photography. Because Four Thirds is an open standard which, among other things, regulates lens and body mount information, users are not bound to a single provider for their lens requirements. This means photographers have the freedom and flexibility to mix and match Four Thirds camera bodies and lenses supplied by the participating manufacturers – completely according to their needs.

A total of 24 interchangeable lenses are highlighted in the 40-page, full-colour catalogue. Each lens is presented in a clear manner, with a detailed analysis of all features together with numerous examples of photos.

Distribution of the catalogue will commence in time for photokina 2006, being held in Cologne, Germany, from 26 September to 1 October. The Olympus stand will be located in 2.2, booth B 030/040, where visitors can pick up a copy the new joint catalogue.

The official Four Thirds website has also been updated to coincide with the launch of the catalogue.

Consumers who would like this catalogue should call our brochure hotline on 0800 072 0070

Of Cameras and Art

Alain Briot of Luminous Landscape has a thoughtful post up about photography and art and assumptions people make about this craft.

"I hear it regularly at art shows: “Your photographs are beautiful.  You must have a very good camera.”  I also hear, “Your colors are beautiful, you must use filters.” And finally I also hear, “Your images are fantastic, you must use Photoshop.”  This statement comes in different variations, but the message is essentially the same: for a certain audience, the reason why my work is beautiful is not due to my artistic skills but to the equipment I use. 

At first I was dumfounded.  Later on I was insulted.  After talking to other photographers and learning that they received the same comments, I started wondering why people thought this.  I now believe I have an answer."

Read Reflections on Photography & Art - 4

Photo sharing and the future of photography

An interesting read over at photodoto.com

"It’s an exciting time for photography. Traditional, professional photographers have seen their share of the photography market erode to legions of digital camera wielding amateurs. At the same time, many people who might never have considered calling themselves a photographer are doing just that. The entire photographic landscape is shifting—for the better, I think, despite the fact that, in the short term, some pros are feeling the pinch. As in other markets, increased competition and supply lead to lower prices. Of course, sites like Flickr, the rise of micro-stock, and the availability of low-cost, high-quality digital cameras aren’t going to destroy the traditional photography industry. But those pressures are creating a new kind of photographer and a new kind of market for photography."

Very true. I am an amateur yet I now sell to Stock Agencies online, and make good recurring money doing it.

Panasonic Amateur Photo of the Year Contest

It's Panasonic Amateur Photo of the Year contest time!  Get your digital cameras ready.

Are you passionate about photography? Taking pictures of family, friends and places you've been? Maybe you've captured a magic moment, an unusual situation or some humorous, crazy slice of life? Whatever it is, if you have a photo you're really proud of, you should enter the Panasonic Amateur Photo of the Year contest.

First prize - A trip for two to New York
‘Sheer discovery’ is the central theme of the New York trip. The winner gets to stay at the magnificent, renowned Waldorf Astoria hotel.

To experience NY from different sides, Panasonic Batteries will offer the winner a city tour through the famous New York districts such as Chinatown, Rockefeller Center, Battery Park… but also a Big Apple Helicopter Sightseeing Tour. A night out to a Broadway show will add to the excitement.

The icing on the cake is a top-notch professional photo workshop with Mr. Luis Castañeda, in which the winner will participate. Luis Castañeda won in 1994 the award for being the best Latin American photographer.

Second prize
The runner-up will receive a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ30 8-Megapixel digital camera with the renowned Leica
lens, 12X optical & 4X digital zoom and Optimal Image Stabilizer for pin-sharp pictures every time.

Third Prize
The third prize consists of a powerful pocket-sized Lumix DMC-LZ3 5-Megapixel digital camera, with 6X optical and 4X digital zoom and Optical Image Stabilizer.

You can enter your photos until October 31st 2006.

For more details, please visit http://www.photo-award.com/

Tags: photography, contest

Beating Shutter Lag

Shutter lag is a digital phenomenon, and refers to the time between the moment that you hit the button to take the picture with your digital camera and the moment that the camera actually captures the image. Lag time used to be much worse in older models but improves with each generation of the new digitals. Still, lag can sometimes feel like an eternity when trying to capture a moment. I've seen children go from laughing to crying in that amount of time!

Film cameras really don't have any lag, but on many digital models (though not the more expensive SLRs), the lag is considerable; enough to mean the difference of capturing the moment and not.

The truth is, as much experimenting as you want to do and as much as you want to spend on equipment, taking pictures is all about capturing a moment. Miss the moment and it doesn't matter what kind of camera you have.

I once went to a friend's to see his wedding pictures. He showed me the pictures shot by a professional using the best camera, flash, lighting system and other equipment. Then he showed me pictures taken by friends and family with disposal cameras and average digital cameras. Though the professional took better quality pictures, the friends caught much better moments.

I'll take a captured moment over quality any time. I recently went to a birthday party with my children. My youngest daughter was having a blast, smile painted on her face. I kept trying to take pictures of her, but when I looked at the screen, all I that was left was an arm or wisp of hair as she had moved away by the time the camera captured (or missed) the moment.

I believe without a doubt the #1 Rule in photography is Get the Shot.

So what to do about this pesky shutter lag problem? Digital cameras work by first pressing the shutter button half way to focus and then fully depressing to take the picture. What you can do is if you know you are getting ready to take a picture is:

1. Turn off all automatic features like red-eye reduction

2. Focus on your subject a couple of seconds before you know you want to take the picture, track the subject, wait for your moment, and then...snap...take the picture and capture the moment forever!

Get 20% off prints and collages at the Kodak Gallery!

Now for a commercial break-

For a limited time, customers will receive 20% off all prints and collages at the Kodak EasyShare Gallery!

Photo collages are great for scrapbooking, party posters and framed mementos. Collages feature as few as four and as many as 100 photos on one print and accommodate both landscape and portrait shots. All collages feature Kodak Perfect Touch processing for richer detail and more vibrant color and are high-quality Kodak paper, all at no extra charge.

Plus, prints are one of the most popular items purchased at the Gallery.

To receive 20% off, the coupon code SHOEBOX20 should be used at check out. This offer is valid only until September 13th.
Get 20% off prints and collages at the Kodak Gallery

Looking for other Gallery specials? Here are other great promotions going on right now:

Buy a calendar, get 12 free prints. Use coupon code SKOOLCAL. Expires 9/30
Create a custom photo calendar at Kodak EasyShare Gallery

New customers receive 10 free prints after sign up. On going sale with no coupon code required.
New Customers Get 10 Free Kodak Prints!

Frame Sale! Select frames marked up to 45% off. While supplies last.
Special Offers from KodakGallery.com

Making Great Portraits

Website Photodoto has a nice article I just found about the how and why of making great portrait photos.  One of the passages read-

"I find that the best place to start is with the eyes. It’s natural to meet someone’s gaze even when reproduced on a 2-dimensional medium like a computer screen or film. The eyes can draw the viewer in, acting as a focal point for the entire image. This is why it is usually critical that the eyes are in focus. I can’t recall seeing a portrait that I really liked where the eyes were not in focus. And this applies whether you are taking photos of people, pets, or animals in the wild—focus on the eyes."

(of course, the shower curtain in the background is optional)

Read Making Portraits

Sigma posts teaser ad for new digital SLR

Sigma has posted a teaser advertisement for an upcoming digital SLR to be called the Sigma SD14. To be announced on September 26, few details about the camera's features are given, though the teaser makes several references to the fact it will utilize a "full-color-capture" sensor.  This is presumably produced by Foveon.

A Short Course in the Canon Powershot S3 IS

To get more effective, interesting, and creative photographs, you only need to understand how and when to use a few simple features on your camera such as focus, exposure controls, and flash. If you’ve previously avoided understanding these features and the profound impact they can have on your images, you’ll be pleased to know that you can learn them on a weekend. You can then spend the rest of your life marveling at how the infinite variety of combinations make it possible to convey your own personal view of the world.

Short Courses has a brand new digital photography book for people who want to get better pictures with their Canon Powershot S3 IS digital camera. You’ll be ready to keep everything in a scene sharp for maximum detail or to blur it all for an impressionistic portrayal. You’ll be able to get dramatic close-ups, freeze fast action, create wonderful panoramas, and capture the beauty and wonder of rainbows, sunsets, fireworks, and nighttime scenes.

The book is designed to work with the www.shortcourses.com site. The book explains how to get better pictures but you'll find more on that subject on the site. In addition, there is lots of information on the site about what you can do with your pictures after you've taken them.

Canon PowerShot S3 IS Pro

One Fuji S4 Pro Please

I came across a blog posting by Derrel who longs for the next top of the line model from Fujifilm, speculated to be called the S4 Pro (following the S2 and S3 Pro). With Fuji DSLRs Derrel writes, it's all about the quality of the photos their cameras capture. The S3 wasn't very fast, compared to the rest of the field. Although these cameras are out of my league, I still like to read about them, and I think it's time Fuji hinted as to when we might see the S4. (maybe Photokina?)

"Price-wise, I expect Fuji's S4 will enter the USA market priced at $2400 or so. Why that price? Well,they did it with the S2 at $2400,and they did it with the S3 at $2500. Nikon premiered the D100 at $1699, and Nikon premiered the D200 at $1699. Sounds reasonable to me. An S4 will likely hit the market priced at $2400--or more."

Read Let's Hope There's a Fuji S4 Pro In The Works

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

Top 10 Cameras Used On Flickr

Ever wondered what cameras take all those pictures on the popular website Flickr?

The Yahoo! Shopping Blog just released an article that gives you a list of the top 10 used cameras on Flickr.  Here they are-

1. Nikon D50



2. Nikon D70



3. Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT



4. Canon EOS 20D



5. Canon EOS 350D Digital



6. Nikon D70s



7. Cybershot



8. Canon Powershot S2 IS



9. Canon EOS Digital Rebel



10. Nikon D200

Pretty nice gear if you ask me.  Better than I expected certainly.

If you want to see a list of the top 100 cameras on Flickr that is updated weekly just visit this site.

via CyberNet, who comment-

"Looking through the list it almost makes you sick to see how many times Canon appears (I counted 46 out of the top 100)."

Studio Photos with the Kids Tips

DigitalCameraInfo.com has just posted an article about the punishing task of getting your kids photographed in a studio setting.

"We all remember having formal studio portraits taken as children. Mom would dress us up in bowties or toile skirts. Dad would throw us in the minivan and drive us to the portrait studio. Before we even left the car, there was food in hair, fingers in noses, and siblings in tears. To make the day more manageable for you and the photographer, we have a few tips."

The tips are broken down by age-group, a great idea.
Read Surviving Studio Photos with the Kids

Digital Photography Tutorial Sites

Today we compile a list for you of websites which offer tutorials for those wishing to improve their photography skills. The list isn't comprehensive by any stretch but a good start for your bookmark list.

• Cambridge Colour



• Canon Digital Learning



• Digital photography tips



• Digital Photography tutorials



• HowStuffWorks



• Photo Learning Forums



• Short Courses



• Taking Great Pictures



• Thinctanc Tutorials



• Web photo school



• Windows How-To-Center

Creating close-up pictures

Whether you are capturing the beauty of a flower or documenting the value of a crystal vase, you'll find many opportunities to take close-up pictures. Close-ups are easy as long as you hold the camera at its specified close-up distance. If you don't watch the distance carefully or get too close, the picture will be blurryCameras vary greatly in their close-up capabilities. Some digital cameras allow you to focus inches away, while some point-and-shoot cameras go no closer than several feet. Some cameras have a close-up mode or accept accessory close-up lenses.

Close-Ups with close-up mode

Some film snapshot cameras and most digital cameras have a close-up mode. Not sure if your camera has a close-up mode? Check the camera manual. Or look for a small icon of a flower on your camera or its display screen. The flower usually indicates a close-up mode.Once in the close-up mode, your camera will take sharp pictures only within a specific distance range, such as 1 to 2 feet. Subjects outside this range will be blurry.

Close-Ups without close-up mode

This procedure is fairly simple because you can get only as close as your camera's minimum focusing distance. For most snapshot cameras, that's about 30 inches. Check your camera manual. At this distance, you can get close enough to fill the picture area with an object about the size of a soccer ball.

Close-Ups with close-up lens

Some cameras can accept accessory close-up lenses that attach to the front of the camera, allowing you to take pictures of small flowers, stamps, coins, jewelry, and other very small subjects. This allows you to get extra close to your subject—only a few inches away. Sometimes you can screw two lenses together for extra magnification.

Because you are working so close to the subject, you need to handle the camera with more precision—holding the camera extra steady and at a precise distance from the subject. Check your camera manual to determine if your camera will accept accessory close-up lenses.

Note: If you're serious about doing a lot of high-quality close-up photography, you may want to invest in a single-lens-reflex (SLR) camera with a macro lens.

Close-Ups by cropping

By cropping your pictures, you can make the subject look bigger in the final picture. This is a great way to "get closer" even if your camera doesn't have close focusing capability.

If you're using a digital camera, start with the highest resolution because cropping will reduce the resolution.If you're shooting film, your processing lab should be able to crop the pictures for you if you give them special instructions. You can also do it yourself at a Kodak picture maker. Digital pictures can easily be cropped in picture-editing software on your home computer.

Editing Photos in Three Minutes

John Watson of Photodoto walks us through a typical workflow of his photo editing techniques-

"I really enjoy the process of editing a photo. Each one is different. And it can be a lot of fun playing with ideas, colors, highlighting this area, downplaying another. A single photo really does have a lot of possibilities depending on what you do with it. But I’ll often make a photograph knowing in advance the edits I’ll need to make to “develop” it. Ready in 3 minutes was such a photo."

Read Anatomy of a photo edit: Ready in 3 minutes

How to Take Spectacular Nighttime Photos

Night photographs express a special something that cannot be seen in normal daytime photography. Whether it is a photograph of a moon and starlit sky over a windy deserted beach, the excitement of a downtown cityscape when the lights go on, or just a picture of you and some friends in front of a favorite hangout, nighttime photos, when done right, are sure to attract attention.

However, even for experienced photographers, nighttime photography can be a tricky situation. Photos often look unfocused, blurry, or lacking crucial details, and many may not come out at all. There are some tricks, though, to taking spectacular nighttime photos with your digital camera, tricks that can be explained yet only completely learned through practice.

Night photographs express a special something that cannot be seen in normal daytime photography. Whether it is a photograph of a moon and starlit sky over a windy deserted beach, the excitement of a downtown cityscape when the lights go on, or just a picture of you and some friends in front of a favorite hangout, nighttime photos, when done right, are sure to attract attention.

However, even for experienced photographers, nighttime photography can be a tricky situation. Photos often look unfocused, blurry, or lacking crucial details, and many may not come out at all. There are some tricks, though, to taking spectacular nighttime photos with your digital camera, tricks that can be explained yet only completely learned through practice.

This first part of a three-part series on nighttime photography will cover tricks not necessarily related to digital camera settings, but tricks nonetheless that can result in better photographs or a more pleasing photo-taking experience.

* Although more expensive digital cameras do not necessarily result in better photos, realize that the cheapest cameras may not be capable of taking great photographs at night. It requires more work, both on your's and the camera's part, to take spectacular shots in very low-light situations. Though you don't have to spend over a thousand dollars for night photography, don't expect too much out of a sub-two hundred-dollar camera, either.
How to take outstanding photographs at night with a digital camera

* Especially if you are not completely familiar with your camera's settings to enhance nighttime photography, consider first taking some photographs around dusk, when the sun has not yet completely left the sky. Dusk photos can sometimes be even more dramatic than those taken in the pitch-black sky, as the added light helps illuminate details easily missed in a completely dark environment Check your local newspaper where you are shooting photographs or a website such as http://www.weather.com for sunrise/sunset times, and be ready to shoot around a 20-30 minute window for best results.

* Plan your photos before you shoot! While it is always a good idea to study an area first, this is crucial if you are planning on snapping photographs around dusk! You will not have much time to plan, and if you spend five or ten minutes just getting a perfect angle or framing the perfect shot, the overall lighting will change as the sun slowly sets. And of course, remember when composing your photos that the sun sets in the west.

* Be prepared for the environment. If you're heading out by yourself, especially in a semi-deserted wilderness area, always carry a map so you remember how to get to your home, camp, or hotel. Check the weather before you go and wear a poncho or coat if necessary. Carry a flashlight, or, in the most extreme environments, a flare, to help others find you if you become lost. Also, bring along a WELL-CHARGED cell phone in case of emergency! You're taking photos at night to have fun and create spectacular results. Be prepared for unexpected situations so they don't ruin your experience.

While the results can be outstanding, night photography presents its own unique benefits and hazards. Not just any digital camera will do; lower-end models may not have the capability of taking spectacular shots. Timing is crucial, especially when taking pictures in the brief time between dusk and total darkness. And, the environment and weather can play havoc with your plans. By purchasing the correct equipment, studying the subject area before nighttime falls, and dealing with unexpected situations with the correct nighttime gear, you can be better prepared to take amazing nighttime photos.

Night photos can take on a somewhat magical quality you may find lacking in normal daytime photography. Amazing night pictures certainly can attract attention. As the sun goes down, however, it becomes harder to capture images without the proper equipment and techniques. Thus, as was mentioned in Part I of this series, taking incredible nighttime photographs requires a lot of planning.

When your digital camera receives less light, it cannot absorb the surroundings as well in the resulting photographs. Some pictures may turn out too dark. Others can be too blurry. Your camera requires more time to absorb enough light to create an effective picture, so any shaking of the device will result in photographs lacking sharpness.

To compensate for the lack of lighting, here are several things you can do with most middle and high-end digital cameras to get the results you need. Part III of this series will continue with even more expert ideas.

* You may think that professional photographers take a large amount of time to set up a shot, perform complex calculations, talk about all sorts of topics such as f-stops, shoot one photograph that accurately represents their interpretation of a particular scene, and then leave.

While most of this may be true, the last part - only taking one photo - is far from it. Many, if not most, professional photographers commonly take a multitude of shots for every subject! Traditional photographers can go through rolls and rolls of film on a single shoot, and digital photographers may use gigabytes of memory.

Professionals know that no matter how well everything has been factored in when setting up a shot, 'stuff happens'. It is better to take time shooting a particular subject ten times and get one outstanding photograph than to take one or two photos that turn out blurry or dull.

Most photographers perform a trick called bracketing, where they intentionally adjust their camera settings in small increments in case their calculations were not precisely correct.
How to take outstanding photographs at night with a digital camera

Heed this advice when taking photographs at night. If you have a particular subject you want to reproduce in digital form, don't rely on taking 'the one perfect shot', but take several photographs in case problems occur with the lighting, or lack thereof.

Remember, you're shooting digitally, which means you can later throw out all the bad photos in your camera's virtual 'trash can', and no one ever needs to know! I can't tell you how many times I've done this, especially when taking late-night shots of the Chicago cityscape in places I couldn't bring a tripod. I may shoot hundreds of shots and only keep a few dozen.

* If your digital camera has a special nighttime mode, study your manual and learn how to enable this feature. Perhaps your camera has a button or dial next to a graphic of a half-moon to signify this setting. This works well for some late-night situations.

* Use a tripod. If you don't have one with you, brace your camera against some sturdy object like a parking meter or lamp-post. This will make all the difference.

* Forget about using the flash unless you purchase a high-quality accessory flash unit. Flash shoots a burst of light out of your camera and works most effectively when your subject is within a few feet. If your subject is a long way away, your small flash unit will never reach it effectively.

Nighttime photography requires a little extra work out of you and your digital camera. To prevent against mistakes and increase the chance of a spectacular shot, it may be necessary to take the same picture multiple times, adjusting your camera settings slightly to help ensure at least one picture will come out well. The digital camera manual must be studied, as many high-end cameras contain automatic features to help take better photos. And, a natural tendency most people have to use flash must be avoided. By heeding this advice, you can learn to take spectacular nighttime photos.

The Secret of Image Sharpening

It's a sad but undeniable fact of life: Whether you scan, shoot, or capture, the process of digitizing images introduces softness, and as a result, just about every digital image requires sharpening..

Bruce Fraser, co-author of the Real World Adobe Photoshop and Real World Color Management book series, has just written Real World Image Sharpening with Adobe Photoshop CS2 which devotes 304 pages to the topic of sharpening in Adobe's flagship image editing application.

Real World Image Sharpening with Adobe Photoshop CS2

Nikon DSLR Night Vision Adapter

LetsGoDigital has details on the AstroScope 9350NIKS-3PRO, a adapter that sits in-between your Nikon Digital SLR and any of your lenses; automatically making them night-vision capable. Very neat!

"In wide use with military organizations around the world, AstroScope’s battle field-proven design utilizes a state-of-the-art third generation image intensifier tube, with built-in technology designed to reduce halos and blooming effects. The image intensifier draws minimal power directly from the host-camera because it is only energized when the shutter button is depressed, protecting the unit from bright light sources. Measuring 5.0” (128 mm) in length, with a maximum diameter of 2.7” (68 mm) and weighing 22.8 oz (646 g) the AstroScope is the premier choice for professional photographers and enthusiasts who want to explore the world of nighttime photography."

AstroScope 9350NIKS-3PRO - Night vision camera Adapter
- Use High Performance Nikon Lenses and Retain Lens Functions
- No Back Focus Adjustment Required
- No Vignetting on Most Platforms
- User-Friendly, Rugged Design-Installs in Under 10 Seconds
- Powered Directly by Camera
- Cost Saving Interchangeable Gen 3 PRO Central Intensifier Unit

Improving the Details in Your Photos

Did you know your eyes are able to see a much wider range of light and dark values than your camera can record?

When faced with wildly differing light and dark values in a single frame, your camera can't record everything, so it has to make a choice. Usually, it does its best to meter for the average light in the scene. That means the bright stuff ends up being too bright or the dark stuff too dark... or a little of both. Those dark areas aren't lost, however. Often, they're hiding detail that the camera just barely saw. Make a few subtle adjustments in Photoshop, and you're on your way to an improved image!

Website Photojojo.com has a good article and short video that teaches us how to-

Find Detail in Your Photos That You Thought Was Lost… in Five minutes or Less!

If you're looking to improve your photos, this topic is 'need to know' stuff.

Photo Editing in Three Minutes

Photography website Photodoto has posted an article which shows how a few small adjustments can make a photo really stand out. It also shows that you have to start with a photo that’s already pretty close to your final vision. You’re probably not going to succeed if you have to make numerous, huge adjustments in an attempt to “salvage” a photo. As the saying goes: garbage in, garbage out.

"I really enjoy the process of editing a photo. Each one is different. And it can be a lot of fun playing with ideas, colors, highlighting this area, downplaying another. A single photo really does have a lot of possibilities depending on what you do with it. But I’ll often make a photograph knowing in advance the edits I’ll need to make to “develop” it."

Read Anatomy of a photo edit: Ready in 3 minutes

Complete Digital Photography, Third Edition

The Complete Canon EOS System Explained

Phillip Greenspun gives us another fine article in which he covers the Canon EOS system of digital single-lens reflex (SLR) bodies and lenses. Every component manufactured by Canon is covered, plus a few exceptionally good third-party components. Phillip goes through every section of the Canon EOS system and concludes with some starter system recommendations.

• Canon EOS Bodies
  
• Nomenclature
  
• Lenses
  
• Flashes
  
• Accessories
  

The article even discusses some recommended starter systems.

Canon EOS 5D

Read the Canon EOS System

Kodak Easyshare online Photo Book service

Looking for an easy online photo-sharing solution?  We're not talking about the likes of Flickr, who only let you share tiny, unorganized photos.

Now you can publish your photos with friends and family members with the new Kodak Easyshare Gallery Legacy Photo Book (see sidebar for link). Available today at the Kodak website, the Legacy Photo Book is the latest addition to the Kodak Easyshare Gallery Photo Book portfolio that also includes the popular Classic and Mini Photo Books. "Kodak Easyshare Gallery is committed to providing people with a variety of ways to share pictures and stories with friends and family," said Madhav Mehra, Vice President of Product Management, Kodak Imaging Network Inc.

"This new addition to the existing photo book portfolio makes it possible for everyone to publish the story of their lives in a big, bold way with this high quality book." The Kodak Easyshare Gallery Legacy Photo Book joins the immensely popular Mini and Classic Photo Books currently available at the kodak website. The newest addition to Kodak Easyshare Gallery's photo book portfolio provides consumers with a larger alternative to the 10"x9" Classic Photo Book and 7"x5" Mini Photo book. With the new Legacy Photo Book, Kodak Easyshare Gallery ensures you'll have the perfect size photo book to show off and share memories from any occasion.

- Starts at $69.99 for 20 pages. Each additional page is $1.49
- Printed on high quality, thick, professional premium photo paper
- Hardbound linen or leather cover measures 12"x14"
- Brand new page layouts include full bleed and nine picture collage among other popular layouts.

About Kodak
Kodak is the world's foremost imaging innovator, providing leading products and services to the photographic, graphic communications and healthcare markets. With sales of $14.3 billion in 2005, the company is committed to a digitally oriented growth strategy focused on helping people better use meaningful images and information in their life and work. Consumers use Kodak's system of digital and traditional image capture products and services to take, print and share their pictures anytime, anywhere; businesses effectively communicate with customers worldwide using Kodak solutions for prepress, conventional and digital printing and document imaging; creative professionals rely on Kodak technology to uniquely tell their story through moving or still images; and leading healthcare organizations rely on Kodak's innovative products, services and customized workflow solutions to help improve patient care and maximize efficiency and information sharing within and across their enterprise.
Tags: easyshare, kodak

Building a Digital SLR Camera

If you are thinking of getting yourself a digital SLR, I have found this excellent piece (Building a Digital SLR Camera System) written by Phillip Greenspun.

The article explains the different kinds of digital SLR cameras available, how to choose the right one for you, and what to do once you get it home from the shop. A digital SLR camera system, complete with lenses and accessories, can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000. This article shows you how to choose and buy the basic items first and the more expensive and hard-to-use components later.

Phillip goes through a comprehensive overview of-

• What is a single-lens reflex (SLR)?



• Who makes digital SLR cameras?



• What kinds of digital SLRs are available?



• Which big lenses/small sensor digital SLR to buy?



• Accessories



• Where to Buy
  and even goes through some sample projects you can try to get a good understanding of what a DSLR is capable of.

I recommend this read to anyone with or contemplating purchasing a digital SLR.
Tags: DSLR, digital slr

How to get started in Astronomy Photography

They say necessity is the mother of all invention. Yes you can find a reasonably priced tripod for your Powershot. I have seen them at Wally Worlds and such places. To do real astro photography, or meaningful astro photography you would need more than just a tripod. You can make filters or a filter rig for just about any camera for photographing the sun and the cosmos. To photograph the constellations on the other hand is a little more tricky. To get a good shot, you would need a tracking tripod, or one that is motorized to move at the same speed as the night sky. Like what most telescopes now have. The other thing that I might point out is trigger jerk. When most people take photographs they have a tendency to get trigger happy and jerk the camera. Now for a normal photograph in the day time, the film/chip is faster than there jerk, so to speak, and it is not that noticeable. But at night when you have a black sky and little points of light, then it becomes more critical and noticable. As far as time lapse you would have to check your manual. Most digital cameras do, mine do. Most camera manufactures offer for an extra fee an Infrared Remote trigger. I bought one and hooked it up to a 4 foot section of fiber optic cable. I mounted it to my camera/filter rig so as not to fog the chip on extended exposures. (All ccd chips used in digital cameras are sensitive to infared). One other point I might address is the lens. With the stock lens, I believe which is about 140mm on your powershot, you might wish to try the Afocal technique. Afocal coupling means aiming a camera (with its lens in place) into the eyepiece of a telescope. You can do this with any camera and any telescope. Digital and video cameras make it easy to see what you're getting. You can do the same with binoculars. Again necessity is the mother of all inventions. Google the phrase "digital cameras + Astro photography" and you will be suprised on what comes up. With telescopes, remember that it is the eye piece that magnifies the image from the objective lens, not just the scope. Back in the day, I started with a pentax film camera coupled to a 300mm super fast F2.4 lens.
Tags: astronomy, photography, astrophotogrpahy

Try Backlight in your Photos

Contrary to popular belief stunning photographs can be taken when shooting into the light. Whilst this may contradict advice given to beginners to always shoot with the light coming from behind the camera the art of backlighting is a technique that can produce wonderful images. However, many nature photographers are intimidated by the idea of pointing the camera towards the light and shy away from many worthwhile opportunities.

Phil McDermott has a nice article on The Art Of Backlighting and gives us the goods on how he has mastered this technique.

How Much Money do Photographers Make

Interested in knowing the average salary of a photographer? Well the answer to such a questions is always a little more complex and therefore requires a little thought before a solid number is able to be given. First of all, it should be noted that there is a wide discrepancy between the earnings of photographers. Some make very little money, others spend more money than they make, while still others make decent livings, some of whom even make upwards of $100,000 a year. However, according to statistics the average photographer makes between $14,000 and $54,748 with the median falling somewhere in between those two numbers.

If you want to be a photographer who makes more money than average you?ll need to be very strategic with how you approach your career. Read these tips to ensure that you earn as much as possible during your tenure as a photographer.

Tags: money, photographer, paparazzi

Converting Digital Images to Black and White

How do you convert your colour images to black and white?  Or should I ask- Do you convert your images to black and white?

Photodoto reminds us of the drama and power only available in black and white photography and tells us how to go about getting the best results-

"By eliminating color, black and white forces us to concentrate on other aspects of the photo. Textures. Lines. Something as simple as a surface receding into shadow becomes positively sensuous when care is taken in the conversion process. There are many techniques for converting a color image to black and white. The only consensus seems to be that simply converting to grayscale is the wrong way to do it."

Read Converting color images to black and white

Tags: BW, black and white, greyscale, grayscale

Buying A Digital Camera That Matches Your Photography Skill

For many folks buying a digital camera can be a confusing and bewildering purchase since there are so many models to choose from and so many different types of digital cameras. Unless you are a photography hobbyist you probably won't be familiar with all of the acronyms and language used to describe the features of each camera.

Thad Pickering has written Your Guide To Buying A Digital Camera That Matches Your Photography Skill and provides general suggestions but hopefully they can help point you in the right direction so that you can more easily select and buy the digital camera that will most closely match your photographic skills.

Start Today to Sell Your Photos

"I have a great product, and I know exactly where it can be sold at this moment. But the only thing standing between me and seeing my product in national circulation is procrastination." Have you heard this before? By applying the same management techniques that are used by successful businesses, you can move your stock photography operation forward.

Read Rohn Engh's article-

Start Today to Sell Your Photos

You're probably not going to find a lot of information on forensic photography. The truth is, this is an area of photography that your typical photographer does not get into. You're dealing with taking photos of people who have been brutally murdered and an assortment of other crimes. Forensic photography is not for the weak stomach. But just what is involved in becoming a forensic photographer? The course outline may not rival going to medical school, but it's quite a handful.

Michael Russell has written a short article on the topic iff you're thinking that this is something you'd like to do, head over and read:

Forensic Photography

ACD Systems releases ACDSee Photo Editor

Today, ACD Systems announced the release of ACDSee Photo Editor (http://www.acdseephotoeditor.com/) - an innovative photo editing application that offers memory keepers and photo enthusiasts the tools and guidance needed to turn their digital photos into something truly special and unique.

ACD Systems Introduces ACDSee(tm) Photo Editor - the Groundbreaking Photo Editing Software that Redefines Digital Creativity

New software teaches users how to be creative with their digital photos with easy-to-use features and guided walk-throughs that produce amazing creative results.

VICTORIA, British Columbia -July 6, 2006 - ACD Systems International Inc. (TSX: ASA),makers of ACDSee(tm) photo management software and Canvas(tm) technical illustration software, announced today the release of ACDSee Photo Editor - an innovative photo editing application that offers memory keepers and photo enthusiasts� the tools and guidance needed to turn their digital photos into something truly special and unique.

ACDSee Photo Editor helps photo enthusiasts of all levels turn their creative inspiration into photo perfection. From performing quick fixes such as lighting and red-eye correction to creating fun projects like scrapbook pages, CD covers, invitations, and more, Photo Editor walks you through the creative process, step-by-step, using interactive How-To lessons easy enough for even beginners to quickly master, yet powerful enough to handle the most creative details.

For people just starting out with photo editing, Photo Editor offers unique tools designed to make usually complex tasks much easier to accomplish. It does so by providing users with a sense of confidence and direction right from the very first time they use the application, so they can learn while doing, guided by the program itself.

Some of the major features in the programs that make photo editing easy and enjoyable for users include:

  How-tos:Offer guided walk-throughs of projects that teach you how to be creative with your photos step-by-step, from start to finish. That way, users can easily create CD covers, albums, and other great creative projects from the very first time they open the application.

  Vignette Tool:Creates stunning portrait-style photos in one simple action - streamlining and facilitating a process for new users that would normally require more advanced techniques.

  Adjustment/Filter Variations:Simplifies the creative process by displaying up to eight different previews of your original photo, right on screen, each preview showing a different variation of the effect, adjustment, or filter you're applying.

  Text Support:Simplifies the process of adding clever, descriptive text to your creative projects and provides the option to wrap text into thought bubbles or curve your text with a�simple click.

  Batch Process:Saves time by allowing users to perform certain processes like applying an adjustment/filter, copying objects such as logos, clipart, or images, or creating vignettes to more than one photo at a time with just a couple of clicks.

  Cookie Cutter Tool:Crops your creation into fun shapes like letters, numbers, animals, or shapes, or add distinctive borders to your projects with a simple click.

Photo Editor also contains deeper features that meet the needs of more advanced users. Advanced users can create complex projects in Photo Editor's object-based environment using selection tools, gradients, masking techniques, blending modes, and in-depth vector object support.

"Photo Editor is the next step in our strategy of offering exceptional products at a reasonable price for specific audiences," said James Latham, vice president of marketing for ACD Systems. "The product is made for the population of creative individuals without the time or inclination to master such complex products as Photoshop, but who nevertheless have the desire to imbue their photos with creativity."

Pricing and Availability

The full version of ACDSee Photo Editor is available in English for $69.99 (USD), $49.99 for the upgrade from ACDSee Photo Editor 3.1, ACDSee PowerPack, or FotoCanvas. For more information, visit www.acdsee.com.

About ACD Systems

Headquartered in British Columbia since 1993, ACD Systems International Inc. (TSX: ASA) is one of the world's leading developers and marketers of digital imaging software, including the renowned ACDSee image management tool and Canvas, an advanced cross-platform technical illustration and graphics program. ACD has delivered value to a global marketplace through Internet distribution and partnerships with manufacturers and developers.� ACD has millions of consumer and business users, and over 33,000 corporate customers including many Fortune 500 companies.� For further details, please visit www.acdsee.com.

ACD, ACD Systems, ACDSee, and FotoSlate are trademarks or registered trademarks of ACD Systems Ltd. in Canada, the United States, or certain other jurisdictions. Trademarks of ACD Systems Ltd. are used under license by ACD Systems of America, Inc. Canvas is a trademark or registered trademark of ACD Systems of America, Inc. in Canada, the United States, or certain other jurisdictions. Trademarks of ACD Systems of America, Inc. are used under license by ACD Systems Ltd.

Contact for Media James Latham Vice President, Marketing ACD Systems International Inc. TEL: (250) 544-6700 FAX: (250) 544-0291 pr@acdsee.com

Contact for Investors Doug Vanderkerkhove Investor Relations ACD Systems International Inc. TEL: (250) 544-6700 FAX: (250) 544-0291 ir@acdsee.com

THIS NEWS RELEASE MAY CONTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS BASED ON THE ESTIMATES AND OPINIONS OF MANAGEMENT AT THE DATE THE STATEMENTS WERE MADE AND THE COMPANY UNDERTAKES NO OBLIGATION TO UPDATE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS IF CONDITIONS OR OPINIONS SHOULD CHANGE.

###

Cave Photography Basics

The Deming Headlight reports that Carslbad Caverns NP and Carlsbad Caverns-Guadaloupe Moutains Association are offering a one-day workshop on cave photography on July 22nd.

The course will feature "discuss photographer safety, protection of cave resources, lighting, accessories, and basic techniques." Opportunities to practice these techniques will then occur along several parts of the Caverns.

Advance Registration is required.

If you are interested in learning basic techniques to successfully take photographs in caves, the National Park Service and the Carlsbad Caverns�Guadalupe Mountains Association invite you to join photographer Peter Jones on July 22 for "Basics of Cave Photography."

For more information or to register, ontact the Carlsbad Caverns�Guadalupe Mountains Association at 505.785.2486 or via e-mail at hsingleton@ccgma.org or read Caverns gives basics of cave photography

How to Photograph Fireworks

For all of my American friends I thought I would post some tips for photographing fireworks before this rapidly approaching 4th of July. This is the time to dust off your trusty tripod and forget the flash. Also, Photodoto brings us this item about how to shoot fireworks displays. Read: How to shoot fireworks Lastly, Digital Photography School brings us How to Photograph Fireworks Make sure you're in a place where people will not constantly walk in front of you, and good luck and have fun!

Center for Fine Art Photography Contest

The Center for Fine Art Photography is holding a contest you can enter. I expect this is pretty high grade stuff their after. Press release below-

Fort Collins, CO (PRWEB) June 16, 2006—The Center for Fine Art Photography invites U.S. and international photographers working in all mediums of traditional and digital photography to submit their work to its call for entries. The Center also welcomes submissions by those working in the avant garde, in pursuit of experimental works and all schools of thought that include traditional and new processes, mixed techniques, challenging personal, emotional or political statements. All entries are submitted and juried online. Deadline is July 10, 2006.

Juror: Andrew Darlow – photographer and Editor of Imagingbuffet.com, which features interviews, reviews and photography-related streaming audio and pod casts. He was the former Editorial Director at Digital Imaging Techniques magazine.

Awards - The Center for Fine Art Photography’s mission is to promote the art of photography and to provide artists with new venues to exhibit their work. The awards for this exhibition offer numerous exhibition opportunities:

-Best of Show and category awards: People, Places, Things
-Best of Show and Category award winners interviewed by juror Andrew Darlow for publication along with winning images in the Imagingbuffet.com website and pod cast
-One-year portfolio subscription to the Center’s Artists’ ShowCase Online awarded per category
-Featured Artist presentation in Artists’ ShowCase, an eight-page insert in CameraArts magazine
-Director’s Selection award: Special Recognition in the published and online Artists’ ShowCase
-8 additional artists will be included in the print edition of Artists’ ShowCase
-All exhibitors included in the Center’s web gallery section for one year
-Selections for the post-exhibition traveling show to the Denver International Airport’s gallery
-Inclusion in the Center’s 2006 Exhibition Collection CD which is distributed to selected galleries, collectors, design houses and corporations world wide.

Artists whose work is selected for an exhibition have the option of shipping their unframed exhibition work to the Center for museum quality framing. The Center hopes that the substantial shipping-cost savings will encourage more artists to submit their work for exhibition consideration.