Monday, May 31, 2010

Macro Abstract Contest Winners

Wahoo! Way to go Pat!

Mike Moats - Tiny landscapes -- Macro Abstract Contest Winners


Patricia Brundage

See the other winners. Click Here

Backlighting Your Macro Images Click Here

Diversify Your Macro Portfolio -- Pick up a copy of the June issue of "Outdoor Photographer" magazine and read Mike's latest article with macro tips.

Fall Macro Boot Camp...almost sold out Info Here

Books
Tiny Landscapes
Macro Workshop e-book
Guide To Macro Composition e-book
Selling Through Art Galleries e-book
Running A Successful Nature Photography Business e-book
http://www.mikemoatsbooks.com/

Photoshop CS5 for Photographers

Photoshop CS5 for Photographers

with: Chris Orwig

Watch trailer

Photoshop CS5 for Photographers provides comprehensive Photoshop training targeting the needs of photographers. In this course, author Chris Orwig demonstrates the fundamental skills used to enhance digital photos, including managing and correcting color, sharpening, making selections and adjustments, retouching, and printing from Photoshop. In addition to teaching the techniques that enable photographers to refine and publish their photos, the course includes live-action segments that encourage thinking photographically and shooting with Photoshop’s capabilities in mind.

Running Time: 12:17

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Free Webinar June 3rd - Beyond Monitor Calibration

Free Webinar June 3rd - Beyond Monitor Calibration

Two sessions are available: Thursday, June 3rd

Session One - 1PM Eastern Time (12PM Central, 11AM Mountain, 10AM Pacific)

Click here to register for the 1PM session:https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/587203995

Session Two - 3PM Eastern Time (2PM Central, 1PM Mountain, 12PM Pacific)

Click here to register for the 3PM session:https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/962629923

You are invited to a FREE Webinar to see for yourself how to easily have your printed images match your display – every time! For anyone serious about their images, one of the most important considerations is accurate and consistent color. You don’t have to be a color scientist to get the results you want – it really is easy!

This webinar, featuring the new X-Rite ColorMunki Photo, will show you how to put a color managed workflow in place from image capture through printer output. Creating custom profiles is a snap. Learn how to use them correctly and you’ll be producing prints that match your display in no time. Save Time. Save Money. Save Frustration.

Who should watch this webinar?Wedding, portrait and landscape photographers Photo Lab Professionals Photographic enthusiasts doing their own printing Anyone passionate about photography

Topics CoveredMonitor to print matching (calibration and profiling) Obtaining consistent color in camera One click accurate color edits Benefits of creating and using custom printer profiles Soft-proofing in Adobe® Photoshop® Applying printer profiles in Photoshop® Digital projector profiling.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Mastering Photoshop with Tim Grey

Mastering Photoshop
with Tim Grey
June 7-11
In this workshop, Photoshop guru and popular teacher Tim Grey will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to become a true master of Photoshop.All too often photographers are self-taught and don't develop the deep knowledge and confidence that are necessary to fully execute on your photographic vision.

Spend a week with this Photoshop Guru learning the tools for a more effective and efficient workflow, then spend a long weekend with Guru Stephen Burns to take your creativity to the next step...

Friday, May 28, 2010

Borrowlenses.com

I have rented from Borrowlenses.com and they are very good. They make it simple to rent. Also, their customer service and communication were excellent!
If you have never used our service before, we would like to welcome you to the BorrowLenses.com experience. Take 10% off your first order by using coupon code "First10"

Alaskan Brown Bears and Puffins, July, 2011

Below is all from David Cardinal...

Alaskan Brown Bears and Puffins, July, 2011

It seems like just yesterday, but 2011 will be my 12th year returning to the Cook Inlet in Alaska to photograph America's most spectacular animals.

Spending a week with Alaskan Coastal Brown Bears, often called Grizzlies, is truly a life-changing experience. Unlike the bears at Brooks Lodge in Katmai, which are stressed out and offer very limited viewing, we'll be able to see bears in their native and un-stressed environment.

David Cardinal is a long-time wildlife photographer who specializes in North American mammals and birds. His images of creatures in the wild help communicate the importance of our natural heritage and our responsibility to preserve it. David's clients include non-profit and socially responsible institutions such as the BBC, California State Parks Foundation, the City of Palo Alto, San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory, Bay Trails, Point Reyes Bird Observatory, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Bay Nature and Western Birding magazines. David's work is part of the permanent exhibit at the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Center and has been featured in exhibitions at the Palo Alto Civic Center, the Seipp, Works and Allegro galleries, the Watsonville Wetlands Nature Center, on calparks.org, and on portolavalley.net. David is co-author with Moose Peterson of The D1 Generation, and has had his articles and images appear in publications including Outdoor Photographer, Studio Photography & Design, Photoshop User, PC Magazine and Dr Dobbs Journal.

David leads a limited number of wildlife and nature photo safaris, through cardinalphoto.com
David is the founder of Pro Shooters, which produces the award winning DigitalPro for Windows--software for organizing and managing your digital images--and nikondigital.org, the leading information website for serious digital shooters-with over 100,000 unique visitors each month-as well as DigitalPro Shooter, a leading bi-monthly newsletter for digital photographers with over 15,000 readers. David's background also includes many years of technical consulting on topics ranging from digital image management to color digital imaging for both Fortune 500 companies and the US Government.

You can learn more about David and his photography at http://www.cardinalphoto.com, and about DigitalPro at http://www.proshooters.com.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Give metadata a chance.

Give metadata a chance.
by Scott Bourne

"You have incredible power in your hands if you use any of the relatively new, DSLR cameras. All these cameras, even the inexpensive ones, record metadata. The post-processing software you use, whether it be Lightroom, Aperture, Photoshop, iPhoto, etc., will allow you to to store all the data about your data (yeah I know that sounds weird) that you will ever need. If you don't think metadata is important, you could be missing out. Here are three reasons why."
http://photofocus.com/2010/05/14/three-reasons-why-every-photographer-should-care-about-metadata-and-three-metadata-tips/

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Review: Adobe Photoshop CS5

From CreativePro.com "The site devoted to information for creative people"

Review: Adobe Photoshop CS5

The twenty-year-old Photoshop was created in another era of computing, and that's beginning to show. However, reviewer Ben Long says that just about every Photoshop user will find something to love in the new CS5.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

how photography connects us

If you have a spare 15 minutes today – watch this presentation by David Griffin, photo director for National Geographic – talking about how photography connects us. It contains some great images and hopefully a little inspiration for those of us looking for a little meaning in our photography.

Read more: http://digital-photography-school.com/how-photography-connects-us-david-griffin-from-national-geographic#ixzz0nsoM5QBg

Monday, May 24, 2010

Art Yost placed second place in the Bridges 10th Annual Photo Contest

Art Yost placed second place in the Bridges 10th Annual Photo Contest for his photograph "Church Bell Ringer". Images were displayed at the Milford branch of New Alliance Bank (New Haven Savings Bank). Congratulations Art!

Emerging Photographer of the Year Award

Emerging Photographer of the Year Award - over the next year, we're going to identify 24 photographers who have outstanding work and offer them the exposure that they can get through our Photofocus website. Then, we're going to select one to give a special award to. (You can still enter the contest. Read the rules linked to above.) LOTS of prizes!!!
The 19th finalist is Chris Martin, a travel photographer from Alberta, Canada. His gallery"our world: people of myanmar" is very well thought out and the images are publication-quality. His use of lines and iteration in his composition is what caught my attention. Add to that a definite sense of style, great use of color and images with lots of pop and you have what it takes to be a finalist in our EPY competition.

Take a look at Chris' work here and congratulations to Chris. We're going to announce the next finalist in two weeks.

Here's a complete list of the finalists so far:
1. Ara Roselani
2. Ana Adams
3. Bryan Holliday
4. Amar Rameshbabu
5. Joseph Linaschke
6.Tia M. Bailey
7. Chitra Aiyer
8. Christian Del Rosario
9. Daniel Winters
10. Bryan Rowland
11. Haroon Sheikh
12. Jessica Lark
13. Konrad Blum
14. Russ Robinson
15. Daniel Finley
16. Andrew Geddes
17. Ryan Gibson
18. Bart Wierzbicki
19. Chris Martin

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Ask Tim Grey - 5/14/10 - Repeated JPEG Saves

Ask Tim GreyeNewsletter
May 14, 2010
Learn more at www.timgrey.com

Today's Question:
My understanding is that if you have a JPEG open in Photoshop, continuously make image changes, and repeatedly save (Command-S) it while it still is open, that no JPEG saving degradation happens until you leave Photoshop. In other words, there are no multiple saves, and therefore image degradation from changes, while you are still in Photoshop. Is this true?

Tim's Answer:
Nope, sorry, it isn't true.
My guess is that your information is based on a slight misunderstanding. If you repeatedly re-save a JPEG image (in other words, press Ctrl+S or Command+S repeatedly without applying any changes to the image), the file won't actually be saved repeatedly. In fact, the Save option on the File menu in Photoshop is disabled (dimmed) if the image hasn't been changed since the last time it was saved. That also means the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+S or Command+S) doesn't actually do anything if there haven't been changes to the JPEG image. You'll note, for example, that no matter how many times you try to re-save the JPEG file without making any changes to the image, the timestamp for the file remains unchanged.
Any time a JPEG file is written, the information is re-encoded, which means compression is applied and some loss of quality occurs. While at a high Quality setting (in the JPEG Options dialog) the loss is minimal, and really not obvious to the unaided eye, there is still a change to the image data. This is naturally difficult to demonstrate when the actual pixel values have changed, since you can't compare the "before" and "after" from the perspective of the effects of JPEG compression. But the re-encoding of the data is always lossy with JPEG images.
In short, if a JPEG file is actually written, then JPEG compression was applied and some loss of image data occured. About the only "exception" to this, which is sort of an issue of semantics in any event, is lossless JPEG compression. But in that case, what's actually happening is that the small indicator (think of this as a metadata value) that indicates the rotation of the image (in 90-degree increments only) is being updated without actually re-writing the image information within the file. Other than a case like that, where again the actual image data isn't being changed, there's no way to save a JPEG image that has been modified without causing a loss of information due to JPEG compression.

Become a Member
The Ask Tim Grey eNewsletter is free to receive, but paid Ask Tim Grey Members receive special benefits, including:
Discounts on all purchases made through the Tim Grey online store
Opportunity to submit questions to be considered for inclusion in the Ask Tim Grey eNewsletter.
Discounts and special offers available only to Members.
Access to the full archive of previous emails (going back over eight years) with search capability.
The knowledge you are supporting this valuable service.
Much more!
Details on becoming a member can be found here:www.timgrey.com/asktimgrey/

Saturday, May 22, 2010

What's New in Photoshop CS5 Free Seminar

You are Invited to.....
LustreColor's Digital Link 2010 Seminar
What's New in Photoshop CS5
Digital Link 2010 is a Free Seminar
Sponsored by:

Have you heard what's new with Adobe's Photoshop CS5 yet? It's amazing and at this year's Digital Link Seminar we promise to show you why! Our speaker - Steve Sedman will be demonstrating all the new image features CS5 has to offer. Steve will also show you some invaluable tips & techniques that will help save you countless hours of computer time retouching your wedding & portrait images. You will also see how CS5 can transform your images with "Content Aware Fill & Puppet Warp" and raise your creative powers to unbelievable new heights! (Seriously!) If you work with Photoshop or are interested in learning what CS5 has to offer, then this is a must see program for you!

Also at our Digital Link 2010 seminar we will be displaying all of our latest products & services including what's new in Lab Link Plus, WeddingPrints.com Album Design & Live Archive Services, new Neuvision & Sedona Books options, and our new Press Printed Impact Cards!
Plus if you come to the seminar you'll get to see EP Levine's fabulous New Store and Rental Studios in their new location at 219 Bear Hill Road in Waltham, Massachusetts. Believe me it's worth the trip!

So please join us by clicking on the link below. We are looking forward to seeing you on Monday June the 7th!

Click Here to Register!
New Seminar Date: Monday June 7, 2010

Schedule:
5:00-6:20 PM: Pizza & Coke and a tour of EP Levine's Fabulous New Store & their Magnificent New Rental Studios!!
6:30-9:30 PM:

The Digital Link 2010 Seminar is being held at: Note New Location!
219 Bear Hill Road, Waltham, MA 02451
(Just off Rte 95/128 - Click Here for Directions)

Featured Speaker:
Steve Sedman
New Technology Manager, LustreColor
and Owner of Sedman Photography, Braintree, MA
Digital Link 2010 Seminar is Free
Space is Limited. Register Now!
To Register Online Click Here
800-827-7101
www.LustreColor.com

Friday, May 21, 2010

Grand Teton Mountains workshop

It's short notice for you, but here is a great bargain for an extraordinary photographic workshop experience in one of the most beautiful places on earth: the Grand Teton Mountains in Wyoming: $559 for five days and four nights, May 25-29, 2010, including tuition, lodging and meals (except 2 lunches)

You won't find a better bargain. Your host and instructor is Cynthia Norcross Willson, former client of Washington Photo Safari, Wyoming resident and the first Photographer-in-Resdence at the Murie Historic Landmark Ranch, near Jackson, WY.

For more information, see below, and to register, write to jon.mobeck@muriecenter.org

Waterfall Intensive

Announcing a new Meetup for Photography Workshops!

What: Waterfall Intensive - Full day In New Hampshire

When: Sunday, May 23, 2010 7:00 PMPrice: $150.00 per person

Where: (A location has not been chosen yet.)

Following on from the success of last weeks New Hapshire waterfall workshop, here is another chance for a very small group to accompany professional photographer, Ian Murray, on a full day in the White Mountains photographing waterfalls.The group is limited to Ian and three participants. We will start the day at 7am and travel to the Kancamagus Trail where we will stop at Sabaday Falls for an intensive morning of shooting this three tier waterfall in it's wooded valley.We will then move on to North COnway for lunch and then travel to Crawford Notch where we will stop to photograph the much larger Silver Cascade Falls. From there we will move to a small unmarked but no less stunnign waterfall near to the Bretoon Woods Ski complex, where if we are fortunate we will stumble upon the very obliging fox who may pose for photographs (he has appeared on the last two visits - see photographs from the last workshop).In addition to a full day of tuition, the cost of $150 includes transport (with several pick-up points) and lunch in North Conway.Here is what a participant on the last waterfall workshop had to say:"Ian Murray gave a terrific workshop on photographing waterfalls. My goal for the workshop was to learn how to best photograph moving water. Not only did I learn a lot about doing this, but through his professional guidance, I learned how to better use my camera using manual settings--and how much patience I need in order to use my tripod usefully."Learn more here:http://www.meetup.com/Photoworks/calendar/13511710/

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Photoshop World Las Vegas

t's hard to believe we're exactly 111 days away from Photoshop World Las Vegas... isn't that some sort of sign that you should register now?
If you haven't heard yet, this year's conference will be the ultimate jam session — a rock-themed Photoshop World that will help you amp up your skills!
Like any great concert, we've assembled the best "crew" to make the conference truly spectacular. The "NAPP Nation" is hard at work preparing for what's sure to be another can't-miss conference, especially since we'll be offering the FIRST complete LIVE CS5 training available anywhere!
As the clock winds down, look out for more official Photoshop World newsletters. Arriving the second week of every month, they will feature exclusive updates, links to important information and much more!
Photoshop World Las Vegas is shaping up to take the title of "Best Conference Ever!" and we hope you'll join us to help make that happen!

The Genius of Color Photography: From the Autochrome to the Digital Age

CreativePro.com's Book of the Week The Genius of Color Photography: From the Autochrome to the Digital AgeBy Pamela Roberts

more on CT State Parks

Hi Lisa...
With regard to passes to CT State Parks, folks might be interested to know there is a lifetime pass for people 65 or older:
Charter Oak Pass (Life Use)
The Charter Oak Pass provides access to the State Parks and Forests and is available free to Connecticut residents, 65 years of age or older.
The pass is accepted at all day use areas where a parking fee applies. Presenting it allows free access for the entering vehicle and passengers. The pass holder does not have to be the vehicle driver.
Free admittance is also provided for the Charter Oak pass holder when visiting Gillette Castle, Dinosaur or Fort Trumbull State Parks, or fishing at the Quinebaug Valley Hatchery. All other visitors, however, will be required to pay the appropriate fee.
Please note that each pass is issued to a specific person and can only be used when presented by that individual. The passes are non-transferable. They are not valid for camping or special events having separate admission charges and may not be used for commercial purposes.More info here: http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2716&q=325090&depNav_GID=1650 (scroll down the page)Joan

pre-visualization and “intentional manipulation”

on YouTube -- 1983 “Master Photographers” 4 part interview with Ansel Adams where he so eloquently and clearly states how important pre-visualization and “intentional manipulation” is to his work.

Pay special attention to Part II of this series containing the following quotes:

At 50 sec:“None of my images are realistic in terms of values… it’s intentional manipulation”

At 4 min:“The negative is the composer’s score, all the information is there. The print is the performance, so you interpret the score at various aesthetic emotional levels, but never far enough away dividing the original concept.”

Regarding the digital revolution that he recognized as being on the horizon…

At 7 min:“The thing that excites me is that in not too many years we’re going to have a entirely new medium of expression with the electronic image. I’ve seen what can happen to a print reproduced by the laser scanner and how that is enhanced and that is just the beginning. … and I know the potential is there and I know its going to be wonderful. Well in that sense the negatives for these photographs as an example will take the place of a fresh kabal they are….personal or some early composer will then be reinterpreted through a fresh medium and I think that is marvelous.”

part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZND3eczqoIA

part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWhQGU2RYuM&feature=related

part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7b6bH1gmmk&feature=related

part 4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGPsLx8aL8k&feature=related

This was all taken from

Is Digital Post-Production Killing Photography? Debunking the Purist MythRead more: http://www.jmg-galleries.com/blog/2010/05/06/is-digital-post-production-killing-photography-debunking-the-purist-myth/#ixzz0nsfopfz5

which you can read here...

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Kite festival update

Thanks Pat!

Hi, Lisa:

Fyi, the State has reduced the fees for Park Season's Passes by a third: Resident Season Passes are now $67.00 and the non-Resident passes are $112.00. Not a bad deal even with the increased amount (last year it was $50.00), and they're good for all CT Parks entrance fees.

- Pat (Maturo)

Planning to visit Maine?

Maine

Planning to visit Maine?

Use this Google map to help you make your plans. John Paul Caponigro has marked his favorite spots with images, descriptions, and tips. View it here.

“The Essential Spirit of Man, Woman & Nature - A Journey into the Soul of Humanity”

Georgette DeWan is a Visionary Photographer who will be having a Lecture Photography show revealing “The Essential Spirit of Man, Woman & Nature - A Journey into the Soul of Humanity” at Kindred Spirits 35 Danbury Road, Wilton CT 06897 on May 22 & 23, 2010 from 1 to 4 pm. Please reserve your ticket $20 by calling Kindred Spirits Center ask for June or Tracy @ 203.563.9781 or go to www.KindredSpiritsCenter.com or email at Assist@KindredSpiritsCenter.com.

The show is dedicated to Georgette’s Grandmother Sadie who spent her final days in a nursing home, and a portion from the print sales will be donated to Visiting Nurse & Hospice of SW CT. “Sharing the experience of my journey through my photographic art form is at the deepest level of humanity” says Georgette. “Georgette’s works are colorful relevant & timely, reflecting the spiritual life of Humanity” says artist Johana. Georgette’s photographic works of India have been incorporated in painting form Artist Megan Eckert and showed at the Chateau Elan Gallery in GA.

Georgette’s photography has shown @ The Northern Exposure Gallery in Kent, CT and the Brookfield Arts & Craft Center. Georgettes has had several not for profits for clients and her work has gone on New Age CDs.

Georgette’s Studio is in West Redding, CT. You can visit her website www.GeorgetteDeWan.com or email her at Georgette@GeorgetteDeWan.com.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Hammonasset Kite Festival 2010 this weekend!

Hammonasset Kite Festival 2010

Hammonasset Kite Festival May 22 & 23, 2010
Time: 11 AM to 4 PM

Next year, Hammonasset Kite Festival 2011 will be May 21 & 22, 2011 Note: Hammonasset Kite Festival is always the weekend before Memorial Day Weekend.

If the weather forecast doesn't look good:Come anyway! No rain date! The weather Fearcasters have been wrong the last two years anyway!
Hammonasset Beach State Park, Madison, CT Exit 62 off of I-95 in Connecticut. For detailed directions: Click here. This is a kite festival for the whole family. Bring a picnic and spend the day.

There is no admission to the Kite Festival, but the Park charges an entrance fee. Connecticut State Park Fees have been raised effective October 1, 2009. Entrance Fees for the Kite Festival Weekend will be the new Weekday Rates: $14.00 for CT Residents, $20.00 for non-residents. Season passes, good for all CT State Parks: $100 in state, $150 out of state.
Pictures of Hammonasset 2007 are here:Photos by Ray Gruzas, Photos by Maggie Engvall, Photos by Cheryl Lucas

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Two Shots of Photoshop CS5 Tour

Two Shots of Photoshop CS5 Tour

This solution-packed seminar from two of the industry's most dynamic inspirers will show you just how Fast, Flexible and Creative your Workflow can be - from capture to print!
Adobe will be giving away a full version of CS5 at every city! Don't miss this!

In just one evening you'll learn invaluable tips & techniques for everything from Portrait Retouching to Passionate Painting to Expressive Enhancing - using all versions of Photoshop (and Lightroom!) - but especially with the incredible life-savers available throughout the NEW Photoshop CS5! From the retouching miracles of Content-Aware Fill and Puppet Warp, to the life-changing photo optimizing and enhancing speed of the new Adobe Camera Raw (and Lightroom 3!), to the profitable painting possibilities of the new Mixer Brush - this double-shot, topic-packed seminar by Jack & Jane will have you up to speed, slashing deadlines and adding to your bottom line in no time!

This four-hour+ intensive evening is focused on both the principles and practices of making your photographic images visually and technically more beautiful, more memorable and more motivating - from capture to print. Jack and Jane will walk you step by step through incredible new technologies made possible with Adobe's brand new CS5. Attendees will get the best of both worlds, from Jack's streamlined Quality, Flexibility and Speed workflow automation techniques to Jane's fine art photography theory and practical processes for making incredible images that go way beyond pixel deep.

Attendees will see how great photography happens using the best equipment, products and processes in the industry. From capture to print, exposure to color management and all of the magic in between, you can make art happen whenever and wherever you desire.
The goal is to leave inspired with the tools necessary to compete in tomorrow's photography market and the ability to quickly make images that are unmistakably crafted by a professional photographer and digital artist. This seminar is designed for you to make money easier with images that start selling themselves from first glance - with the understanding that you need a streamlined work-flow of real-world, studio-tested image optimizing, enhancing, retouching and processing techniques, distilled down to their most potent and practical essentials. So name your poison (tequila, espresso, or wheatgrass!) - this intense and insightful "Two Shots of Photoshop Tour" with two of the world's leading experts will have you equipped, amped and ready to dramatically improve your work!

$59 Advance Registration

$79 at the door

May 10 San Diego
May 11 Los Angeles
May 13 Denver
May 17 Seattle
May 18 Portland
May 19 San Francisco
May 24 Chicago
May 25 Grand Rapids
May 26 Detroit
June 14 Philadelphia
June 15 Newark
June 16 New York

June 28 Atlanta
June 29 Birmingham

Jack
Jack Davis is one of the world's leading experts on Photoshop, as well as himself being an award-winning photographer. Jack is coauthor of the bestselling (a million copies+ in 12 languages) guide to Photoshop, The Photoshop Wow! Book, (Benjamin Franklin Award for Best Computer Book, Computer Press Assoc: Best How-To Book, International Digital Imaging Assoc: Most Useful Book). His latest book, How to Wow: Photoshop for Photography, showcases the process of going beyond what was shot, to crafting what was experienced. For over 20 years Jack has been an internationally renowned spokesperson on digital imagery, and routinely teaching at conferences and workshops around the world. Davis is part of the "Dream Team" at the Photoshop World Conferences and was one of the first inductees into the Photoshop Hall of Fame for his lifetime contributions to the industry. http://tinyurl.com/ydy2vrc). Jack has an MA and MFA in Digital Imagery, and when he's not in his studio in San Diego, he's usually somewhere in Polynesia, camera in hand, capturing the local color.

Jane
Jane is a photographer, digital artist, premier educator and independent consultant. With over 25 years of experience, 19 of them in digital imaging and evolving technologies, the techniques Jane developed for facial retouching and enhancement and portrait painting are widely emulated by photographers and digital artists worldwide through her classes and educational products. She was named as one of Canon's Explorers of Light in their PrintMaster program, is an Adobe Photoshop Expert, a Corel PainterMaster and a Craftsman Photographer of the Professional Photographers of America. In addition, she is past co-chair for the Digital and Advanced Imaging Committee for the Professional Photographers of America. Considered to be one of the most versatile artists in the industry, Jane's engaging style, impressive knowledge of her field and her easy and entertaining way of presenting challenging material make her one of the most significant educators in the industry today.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

I Can Remove Your Watermark with No Problem…

I Can Remove Your Watermark with No Problem…

scott Kelby recently had an interesting post about watermarks, he talks about watermakrs, how people can remove them (especially with CS5), about using Metadata all the time to protect yourself, discusses Digimarc as another option for invisible watermarks, and Tineye "It’s kinda like Google.. but for images. You upload an image, and it will scour the web and see if it can find websites where they are being used."

"You’d be surprised how many people troll Flickr for images for their next paid project that WANT to give you their money. They want to do it, but you wont let them when you don’t place your contact information inside of the Metadata of the images. Take a moment and create a Metadata template for yourself that has the most basic of information for all of your images: Your Name, Your Website, and Your Email. I never include an address to my images because.. imagine how creepy that would be?!?"

Friday, May 14, 2010

Creating Dynamic Slideshows

Creating Dynamic Slideshows

Slideshows, montages, photo DVDs. Taking still images and turning them into a dynamic presentation. It is a great way to present edited photos to clients. There are a few things to consider before getting creative with your slideshow. The most important thing to keep in mind? Don’t get carried away with the graphics and transitions. The purpose of the photo slideshow is to showcase your images, not the capabilities of your editing software.

read the rest here...Creating Dynamic Slideshows

CS5 videos

Please join me for the next ten days as we explore Photoshop CS5's most interesting and useful new features at www.msjphotography.com .

Each day, we'll examine one of CS5's remarkable additions. If you're too excited to wait ten days (or if you'd like to support my site), click here to download the entire ten tutorial series for $9.95.

For the next two Thursdays, these CS5 videos will replace the Photoshop Workbench, but don't worry, the Workbench will return to its regular spot on Thursday, May 27.

Here's a schedule of upcoming tutorials:

  • Thursday, May 13 - Content-Aware Fill and HealLearn secrets for retouching with Content-Aware Fill and Content-Aware Spot Healing.
  • Friday, May 14 - Refine Edge RefinementsDiscover how to use the Refine Edge (Refine Mask) dialog in a compositing workflow, while exploring the dialog's new Edge Detection, Smart Radius, Refine Radius, Erase Refinements, Decontaminate Colors, and Output To features.
  • Saturday, May 15 - Tools EnhancementsTake a journey into CS5's tools enhancements, including a Crop tool Rule of Thirds overlay, a straightforward Straighten button, a scrubby Zoom tool, a Neutral Density Gradient preset, and several others.
  • Sunday, May 16 - Camera Raw ImprovementsTake a look at Adobe Camera Raw 6.0's new features, including 2010 Processing, vastly improved Noise Reduction, Add Grain, and two significantly improved styles of Post Crop Vignetting.
  • Monday, May 17 - Automated Lens CorrectionLearn how to use the Lens Correction Auto Correction panel to search by lens criteria and automatically remove geometric distortion, chromatic aberration, and vignetting.
  • Tuesday, May 18 - Layers EnhancementsTake a peek at several new and improved layers features, including Paste in Place, drag-and-drop smart object layering, Layer Styles defaults, and many others. Wednesday, May 19 - Puppet WarpDiscover secrets for realistically warping parts of a subject using Puppet Warp's remarkable (almost sci-fi) features.
  • Thursday, May 20 - A Giant Leap for HDRTake a look at the revamped Merge to HDR Pro feature and the new single image HDR Toning dialog, including HDR presets, ghost removal, and a powerful new slider-based interface.
  • Friday, May 21 - Bridge EnhancementsExplore improvements to the Batch Rename dialog and learn how to watermark in the Output module.
  • Saturday, May 22 - Painting on a Photograph with the Mixer Brush Learn secrets for using CS5's Mixer and Bristle brushes to realistically blend paints with colors in a photograph.

In other noteworthy news, I've decided not to write a Photographer's Photoshop CS5 Companion eBook. Instead, I'm pouring my energy into two other exciting projects. In addition to releasing the "What's New in CS5" videos, I'm making wonderful progress on an eBook about the spectacular world of HDR. It will feature both Photomatix and Photoshop tutorials, as well as useful workflow information that is absent in many other HDR books. The eBook will also include an image showcase packed with evocative images designed to inspire ideas for your own work. I'm hoping to release the HDR eBook this summer.

My other project is a complete departure from anything I've ever done. If you have children (or a child inside), they'll be intrigued by my upcoming children's book about a boy who dreams of flying. I'm co-writing and co-illustrating the book which features camera-based illustrations that employ HDR and several other creative techniques never seen before in children's books.Thanks for all of your support and encouragement! Mark

Thursday, May 13, 2010

EOS 7D and T2i Instant Rebates

EOS 7D and T2i Instant Rebate

Save up to $200 when you purchase an EOS Rebel T2i EF-S 18-55 IS lens kit or up to $250 when you purchase an EOS 7D (body or select kit combination) between April 29, 2010 - June 5, 2010. Download .pdf for complete details.
Rebate Valid Dates:04-29-2010 -- 06-05-2010 Download Coupon PDF
Qualifying Products:EOS 7DEOS Rebel T2i EF-S18-55mm IS Kit

EOS 50D Instant Rebate

EOS 50D Instant Rebate
Save up to $250 when you purchase an EOS 50D (body or kit) between April 4, 2010 - June 5, 2010. Download .pdf for complete details.

Rebate Valid Dates:04-04-2010 -- 06-05-2010 Download Coupon PDF
Qualifying Products:EOS

EOS 5D Mark II Instant Rebate

EOS 5D Mark II Instant Rebate

Instantly save $100 on the EOS 5D Mark II Body Kit or the EOS 5D Mark II EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens Kit when purchased between May 9, 2010 - July 10, 2010. Download .pdf for complete details. Rebate Valid Dates:05-09-2010 -- 07-10-2010 Download Coupon PDF

Instant Rebate Canone lenses

Instant Rebate
Save up to $130 when you purchase a select EF or EF-S Lens, or up to $50 when you purchase a select Flash unit. Purchases must be made between May 9, 2010 - July 10, 2010. Download .pdf for complete details. Rebate Valid Dates:05-09-2010 -- 07-10-2010 Download Coupon PDF

Qualifying Products:
  • EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM
  • EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
  • EF 180mm f/3.5L Macro USM
  • EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM
  • EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM
  • EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
  • EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
  • TS-E 90mm f/2.8
  • EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
  • EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
  • EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
  • EF 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye
  • EF 70-200mm f/4L USM
  • EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM
  • EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Join us for an artist's reception Friday


Please join us at the Funky Monkey (130 Elm St.) for an artist's reception Friday May 14th at 7pm.

There will be complimentary wine and food.

Our work (~35 pieces) will be on display at the Funky Monkey (130 Elm St Cheshire) from May 2nd until June 1st.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Scott Kelby -- free Webinar

Scott Kelby -- free Webinar on the new features of Photoshop CS5, sponsored by nvidia, Dell, and Adobe Systems.

You can register for the free event right here

They will also have the crew from nvidia, Dell and Adobe on hand answering your posted questions live as well, (plus at the end of the show, we’ll be sharing some recommend hardware configurations, and where to get more info.

FREE link

Bosque del Apache, December 4-8, 2010

Bosque del Apache, December 4-8, 2010
Nate will be leading a workshop to Bosque del Apache NWR in New Mexico. Bosque is one of the top bird photography locations in North American and a major wintering ground for Sandhill Cranes, Snow Geese and Ross's Geese. Last year's trip was very successful - we had some beautiful sunrises and sunsets to work with and plenty of cooperative Sandhill Cranes. On this year's trip the excellent Slovenian photographer Gorazd Golob will be co-leading and bringing a group from Europe. Gorazd has been on one of my Ecuador tours and he's a very knowledable photographer. There are currently 5 spots reserved and 3 spots open. To see the details of the trip, please view www.trogontours.net/bosque .

CanoScan 9000F Scanner -- the highest-resolution to date for a Canon scanner product

Press Release

Canon U.S.A. Inc., a leader in digital imaging, today announced the launch of the CanoScan 9000F Color Image Scanner featuring the highest-resolution to date for a Canon scanner product. This high-speed CCD scanner with built-in professional film scanning is ideal for consumers interested in preserving their work or family memories in a safe and easy way without sacrificing overall image quality.

"When making the decision to purchase a color image scanner, the customer wants to ensure the images or documents being scanned can be accomplished easily while also not having to worry about whether the quality will be up-to-par," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A. "The addition of the new CanoScan 9000F color image scanner further solidifies Canon's commitment to providing high-quality, affordable products which satisfy the needs and wants of consumers."

The new Canon CanoScan 9000F Color Image Scanner provides users with the ultimate photo archiving solution with a maximum color resolution of 9600 x 9600 dpi (Film) and Auto Scan Mode which automatically adjusts settings by detecting what is being scanned. Further aiding accuracy and high-quality color reproduction is FARE Level 3 technology which delivers automatic dust and scratch removal in addition to providing fading, grain and backlight correction. Auto Document Fix has been added to help maintain readability of important documents by sharpening and blackening the text. The CanoScan 9000F is also capable of scanning up to four 35mm slides or 12 35mm filmstrips at one time further adding to its archival capabilities.

To increase overall ease-of-use, there are seven "EZ Buttons" allowing consumers to quickly Auto Scan, copy, e-mail or create a PDF file with just one push of a button. Additionally, the color image scanner utilizes a white LED which eliminates warm-up time2 while decreasing power consumption.

The estimated selling price for the CanoScan 9000F Color Image Scanner is $249.99.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Save 15% on any PictoColor Software

Mother's Day Special Offer
Save 15% on any PictoColor Software order placed through Mother's Day, May 9th.
PictoColor Software and Bundles
Coupon Code: MOM
Exclusive Offer to PictoColor Registered Clients-Now through Sunday
Enter Coupon Code at Check Out and a 15% discount will be applied to your order.
Discount applies to all iCorrect and CorrectPhoto Software, Upgrades and Bundles.

http://www.pictocolor.com/products.htm
Discount applies to new orders only. Discount offers cannot be combined.

Free Subscription to Printing Impressions

Free Subscription to Printing Impressions

Printing Impressions magazine provides authoritative coverage on industry trends, emerging technologies and the news behind the news in the Graphic Arts industry. http://creativepro.tradepub.com/free/pti/

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Join Lisa and Tom for an artist's reception

Please join us at the Funky Monkey (130 Elm St.) for an artist's reception Friday May 14th at 7pm. There will be complimentary wine and food.

Please join us...



Our work (~35 pieces) will be on display at the Funky Monkey (130 Elm St Cheshire) from May 2nd until June 1st.

You can view some of the pieces in this gallery on our website: http://tlc.smugmug.com/Exhibitions/Funky-Monkey-May-2010

Friday, May 7, 2010

D300s / D300 Class / D700 Users Welcome

D300s / D300 Class / D700 Users Welcome

May 18th, Tuesday, 6:30-8:30pm in SyossetLearn your camera's functions inside and out. Learn the functionality of the camera from top to bottom, including all on camera settings and be instructed through all menu options to become better acquainted with your camera's potential.- $50 (free with purchase of D300s, D700) Instructor: Nikon Tech Rep, Chris Knapp Register Online

Canon Speedlite Class

Canon Speedlite Class

May 22nd, Saturday, 10:00-12:00pm in Syosset
Come and learn from our expert CANON shooter, Dan Neri, how to get the most out of your CANON 430 or 580 Speedlight. Learn EttL, manual settings, off camera and Flash syncing multiple flash capabilities. Instructor: Dan Neri - $50 ($25- with purchase of a flash from Berger Bros.) Register Online

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Hunt's Photo and Video annual digital sale May 7th & 8th



To our Customers, Hunt's Photo and Video is running our annual digital sale May 7th & 8th. We have two big sales each year, our digital sale and our annual Hunts show in October. These events offer the best prices of the year and I am passing on these offers exclusively to you, our phone customers. Here are just some of the hotline features; Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 7D, Canon Rebel T2I,Canon G11,Canon 800mm and the new Canon 70-200 2.8IS lens, Nikon 70-200VR lens, Nikon D3S, Nikon 500VR and 600VR lenses. Also there will be a special price on the Epson 3880 printer with a $100 mail in rebate. Don’t forget to inquire about show pricing on the Epson 7900 and 9900 printers. We also will be offering PhotoShop CS 5 at 5% off our the regular price for this event only .For amazing deals on Sigma lenses, Think Tank bags, Lenmar Batteries and other great offers, go to the link below for details.

Click Link For Full Page Flyer

During the event we expect an extremely high volume of calls. My new assistant – Antonietta Bozzella will handle incoming calls at a special number specifically established for this event only, 1-800-336-3841. To expedite your order, all calls will be transferred to either me, John Duggan or Keith Patankar. We will do our best to help you; if we’re not available please leave a voice mail and we will return your call as soon as possible.
Also, feel free to email me at digitalguygary@wbhunt.com for pricing. For a faster response to your emails please be sure to leave a contact number.
We are offering free shipping on all orders placed on May 7th, 8th & 9th only!

We will extend event pricing until 3:00 pm on May 9th

Best, Gary
Gary FarberVice President of Hunt’s Photo and Video

Meade Telescope Class - Intermediate

Meade Telescope Class - Intermediate

May 15th, Saturday, 1:00-3:00pm in Syosset
This presentation is for novice astronomers who want to look at more detail in the night sky. Perhaps you have a small telescope that just can't see what you're looking for. If so, this presentation is for you.

Subjects covered include: Aperture and high performance optics, what can I see visually, what can I see photographically, Meade advanced optics, atmospheric conditions, imaging with software and more...

At the completion of this two-hour seminar, the astronomer will be prepared to invest in more advanced equipment without making costly mistakes. This is not an intensive training but rather a simplified presentation designed to familiarize the astronomer with viable options for enjoying the Next Level of astronomy.

We suggest attending the free "How to Purchase a Telescope" class being offered earlier at 10am to 12 noon before attending this seminar. Astronomers who already own and use a small telescope would benefit from this presentation. Instructor: Mike Dzurny, Meade representative - $50 (free with purchase of a Meade telescope)

Register Online

How to Purchase a Telescope - FREE!

How to Purchase a Telescope - FREE!

May 15th, Saturday, 10:00-12:00pm in Syosset
Instructed by Mike Dzurny, Meade Representative

This presentation is designed for anyone who always wanted to discover the sky but didn't know exactly how to get started. Telescopes are really simple but each one does some things better than others. In this presentation, we'll help you select the best scope for your needs without making costly mistakes.

Subjects covered: How the Earth turns (and why you care), tracking objects as they move, types of telescope mounts, types of telescope optics, light gathering and performance, magnification requirements, what can I see? And computer control (automatic astronomy)
At the completion of this two-hour seminar, the aspiring astronomer will be prepared to purchase the right equipment considering their expectations, location, and budget.

Register Online

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Photographing Great Falls National Park

This was taken from Naturescapes. I used to live near here -- a great area to visit and photograph! Lisa

Photographing Great Falls National Park by Alex ModyJust ten miles from Washington, D.C., Great Falls National Park is an often overlooked gem of our National Parks system. Here the mighty Potomac River, which acts as a watershed basin for a 11,000+ square mile area encompassing sections of Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, drops 77 feet in just a half-mile, separating Maryland and Virginia in quite a fierce manner. The great volume of water is funneled into the 60-100 foot wide Mather Gorge, thus creating the fast-flowing, intense, and incredibly photogenic section of rapids we now call the Great Falls of the Potomac. Read full article >

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Burrowing Owl article

Burrowing Owl article: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=1771

Zion Narrows Workshop

Zion Narrows Workshop 2010

June 28th - June 30th, $1050

Summer is a powerful season in Zion National Park and its world famous Narrows is its prime attraction. The Virgin River is normally a pristine, aquamarine blue as it weaves and carves its way through canyon walls glowing with color. Brilliant shades of gold, red, orange, pink, and green hues mysteriously decorate its sides. This is landscape photography and adventure at is finest. As a veteran photographer of the Narrows, I’ll lead you on two full days of examining one of the most dynamic landscapes in the country. Each year massive floods during the winter and spring run off periods rearrange the flow of the landscape. The scenery, including rocks, logs, and pools, is constantly changing. This is also a time when light is at its best. I’ll have you in the right place at the right time to take home some stunning images of the area. We will visit Wall Street and Orderville Canyon and journey as far as Big Springs deep within the heart of the canyon. We’ll examine compositions both up and down river. From waterfalls to springs and rapids and pools, I’ll show you techniques on how to capture water flow in its most aesthetic state. This workshop is designed to help you take your photography to the next level and for you to bring home images stunning enough to hang on your wall. It will be a journey you will never forget! Price includes: Personalized field instruction in a small group setting 3 nights hotel accommodations All permits and entrance fees 2 image critiques (1 during and 1 post trip) Snacks and Lunches Farewell Dinner

Michael Greene Fine Art Wilderness Photography "Classically Capturing the American Landscape" www.wildmoments.net

Blog: Hot Traveling Tips for Visiting National Parks http://wildmoments.wordpress.com/

Free Webinar X-Rite ColorChecker Passport - RAW COLOR POWER

Free Webinar

Two sessions are available: Wednesday, May 6th

Session One - 1PM Eastern Time (12PM Central, 11AM Mountain, 10AM Pacific)

Click here to register for the 1PM session:https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/155873858

Session Two - 3PM Eastern Time (2PM Central, 1PM Mountain, 12PM Pacific)

Click here to register for the 3PM session:https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/553383355

ColorChecker Passport is a powerful ‘capture to edit’ color solution for any photographer looking for more accurate, consistent color and creative flexibility. When you combine ColorChecker Passport with Adobe® Imaging solutions you’ll gain even greater benefits. Join us in this webinar and we’ll show you how to bring your digital photography color to a new level! You’ll learn how to quickly and easily capture accurate color, instantly enhance portraits and landscapes, create your own color look with one click and maintain color control and consistency.

You’ll be able to achieve superior color results in a fraction of the time!

Who should watch this webinar?

Professional photographers

Photographic enthusiasts

Anyone passionate about accurate color

Topics Covered

  • Creating and Using Camera Profiles
  • Custom White Balance with the Passport
  • Once click accurate color edits
  • Matching color response of two or more cameras
  • Matching color response under different lighting conditions
  • Color editing in Adobe® Lightroom®
  • Color editing in Adobe® Photoshop®

Mike Moats Fall Macro Boot Camp

Presented by Mike Moats, an award-winning, published nature photographer specializing in macro photography.

Sponsored by Tamron – Lensbaby – Epson - Fuji – Hunt’s Photo – Helicon Focus – PhotoFlex – Outdoor Photo Gear – Outdoor Photographer Magazine

This will be an in-depth unique three days of learning, fun, and entertainment. It is for the beginner to the intermediate photographer wanting to learn more about the macro world in nature.

Where; ConCorde Inn, Rochester Hills, Michigan (M59 & Crooks)

Special room rates at $59.00

Dates and Times :

September 24th 5:00pm – 8:00pm
September 25th 9:00am – 5:00pm
September 26th 9:00am – 2:00pm

Mike will cover cameras, macro lenses, Lensbabies, the best tripods and heads for macro, special macro accessories, stacking images with Helicon Focus, composing, and learning how to see the artwork in nature. Learn how to control depth of field. See how to build a collapsible enclosed plexiglas wind shield for shooting flowers. Camera positioning for that perfect background. When and how to use reflectors, diffusers, plamps, focusing rails, and more. Mike shows his image processing using Photoshop and Nik Software. Epson rep from New Dimension will give a presentation and answer questions on printing. Bring your camera and lens because Mike will have subjects set up for you to shoot. Lensbaby will be providing lens for you to try out. You will have a chance to win door prizes from our sponsors. Sales for many of the products you see at the workshop will be offered in a Hunt’s Photo sale flyer. Limited availability, so don’t wait to register or you may miss out. Spring boot camp sold out 2 month prior to workshop.

If you register and pay before July 1st, you will receive a free PDF of Mike’s e-book, “Running A Successful Nature Photography Business” ($39.00 value).

Cost $149.00

For more information, call Mike at (586)770-3992 (586)770-3992. Register online here, Mike Moats Books

Sandy Hook: Half Day Shorebirds Workshops.

Sandy Hook: Half Day Shorebirds Workshops.

August 21st with a rain date of August 22nd Morning Session 6:30 am - 9:30am
Cost - $175.00

We will meet at 6:00am (sharp) which will enable us to get to the beach and set-up. Join me with Roman Kurywzcak and Susan Candelario for a fun yet informative morning photographing beautiful shorebirds such as Black-bellied Plovers, Sanderlings, Ruddy Turnstones, Oystercatchers,Semipalmated Plovers, Osprey and an assortment of Gulls. Sandy Hook is a breeding ground for many shorebirds. We will be going over composition and camera settings as well as flash and exposure. Contact me via e-mail. Limited spots available. Click on the link below for more info. Sandy Hook 1/2 Day Workshop

Monday, May 3, 2010

Data Color Calibration and Digital Workflow - Free Seminar

Data Color Calibration and Digital Workflow - Free Seminar

May 8th, Saturday, 10:30-12:30pm in Syosset This FREE seminar will cover the basics of color calibration. We will talk about color management in programs such as Photoshop, Lightroom, and Aperture. We will also go over the specifics of our Spyder 3 color management steps including Spyder 3 Print and how they can improve your end product while saving you time and money. A demonstration of the product will follow and a thorough question and answer session for anything not covered in the class. Instructor: Data Color Rep, Joshua Fischer - Seminar is free to all customers!

Register Online - Sign up early, seating limited

Canon Discovery Day Intermediate - DSLR's

Canon Discovery Day Intermediate - DSLR's
May 5th, Wednesday, 6:30-8:30pm at the Huntington Hilton

If you're a more experienced SLR user, this three-hour session is your ticket to learning about the more sophisticated features of your EOS digital SLR camera. We'll take you to the next step in crafting great photographs, with details about the advanced controls in your camera and how to use them in real-life situations.

Many examples of great images bring the camera's features, functions and menus to life in this event. We'll demystify your camera's histogram, give details about lighting and exposure control, and show the power that the right lenses and EOS Speedlites can bring to your photography. During this course you will: Discover many of the advanced features on your camera, and how they can be used for great pictures Learn creative techniques in composition, camera control, and flash with EOS Speedlites Explore the possibilities of the EOS system, and gain insight into selecting and using the right accessories for your photography FREE WITH PURCHASE OF CANON DSLR (cost $50) Instr: Canon Tech Rep, Rick Berk Register online

Places to go for Artistic Inspiration

Places to go for Artistic Inspiration

http://www.creativebeacon.com/this-weeks-places-to-go-for-artistic-inspiration/

Constructive Criticism

Constructive Criticism: How To Guide
The goal in constructive criticism is to critique an individual so they will benefit or improve.

http://www.steeldolphin-forums.com/showthread.php?t=3787

April 28-May 2 Cape May Masters Photography Workshop

April 28-May 2 Cape May Masters Photography Workshop with Chip Forelli.

Intermediate/advanced with lots of one-on-one time. Day shoots in town & along shoreline, discussions, critiques. By popular demand: Night shooting demo and session. Bring laptops for critique session of digital images created during the workshop, including demos of PhotoShop® techniques and workflow on your images. Exciting, standing-room-only evening sessions with Ori & Forelli. Begins April 28th at 2pm with wine and cheese reception and ends May 2nd at noon. $450.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

A Moment in Time

A Moment in Time (or, F.A.Q. on U.T.C.)
By DAVID W. DUNLAP

Attention: everyone with a camera, amateur or pro. Please join us on Sunday, May 2, at 15:00 (U.T.C./G.M.T.), as thousands of photographers simultaneously record “A Moment in Time.” The idea is to create an international mosaic, an astonishingly varied gallery of images that are cemented together by the common element of time.

How do I submit my picture?
Call up this form, submit.nytimes.com/moment, which should be self explanatory. That’s all there is to it. (If you’re looking at the submission form before Sunday, May 2, or after Friday, May 7, you’ll find that you can read it but can’t actually use it. )

How long do I have to submit my picture?
Five days, until 15:00 (U.T.C.) on Friday. We recognize that not every photographer will be near a computer on Sunday. Some of you may not be able to get to a computer for days. This extended deadline is for you.

How many pictures may I send in?
One. If you’ve shot several over the space of a moment or two, send the single best.
Do I have to take my picture at exactly 15:00?

No. We don’t expect atomic-clock precision. And we’d rather you send a good picture taken one minute after the hour than a mediocre picture taken exactly on the hour.
We ask only that you come as close to 15:00 as is reasonably possible. Keep in mind that the purpose of this exercise is to create a marvelously simultaneous portrait of our world and its people.

What if I cheat?
Come on. Why would you?

Look, we trust you. Besides, there aren’t enough cups of coffee in New York to keep our tiny staff awake for the time it would take to peruse the metadata in every single JPEG we receive. So we’re relying on you to understand that any significant departure from the benchmark hour only subverts the communal enterprise.

Of course, if we’re presented with evidence that your entry wasn’t taken close to 15:00, we’ll remove it from the gallery.

How much may I alter the image?
Not much.

You may certainly crop the edges. You may also perform minor adjustments, like color balancing, that are intended to increase the photo’s verisimilitude; in other words, to make the image on your screen resemble the scene that was before your eyes as closely as possible.
But please don’t even think of cloning any element into or out of it. Don’t do anything you couldn’t have done simply and easily in a darkroom. (If you know what a darkroom is.)

What about adding or subtracting or combining elements?
Again, don’t.

Here is The Times’s news policy, which we’re applying to this project, too: “Images in our pages, in the paper or on the Web, that purport to depict reality must be genuine in every way. No people or objects may be added, rearranged, reversed, distorted or removed from a scene (except for the recognized practice of cropping to omit extraneous outer portions).”

And if I do so anyway?

Really, why would you? We’re not going to pore over submissions looking for fakery and fraud. But we will remove any photographs that are demonstrably manipulated. Please, just spare us.

Color or black and white? Horizontal or vertical or square?
Your choice.

May I use my cellphone camera?
By all means. We’re suckers for the medium. See “Reader’s Photos: Call Forwarding.”

May I shoot my picture on old-fashioned film?
Absolutely, though you’ll have to convert your negative, print or slide into a JPEG file in order to submit it. Given the five-day deadline, that ought to be possible, even going through a commercial photo-finisher. (If you know what that is.)

Who’ll own my picture?
You will. You own the picture. You own the copyright.

What you’re doing is granting a limited license to The Times to reproduce your picture. Here’s the deal in its entirety: “By submitting to The New York Times, you are promising that the content is original, doesn’t plagiarize from anyone or infringe a copyright or trademark, doesn’t violate anybody’s rights and isn’t libelous or otherwise unlawful or misleading. You are agreeing that we can use your submission on Lens, the photojournalism blog of The New York Times, and in the online and print version of the New York Times promoting or referring to the Lens post.”

Do I keep the copyright on the picture?
Yes, you do. See the answer above.

Do I have to make my full name public?
It’s certainly our preference that you do. And we think it adds a personal dimension to your submission. But, no, it’s not a requirement.

What about the caption?
Keep it concise, please. Just a sentence or two. The form will actually prevent you from writing much longer than that.

And specifying my location?
On the submission form, you’ll find a Google map that will help you pinpoint your location. If you’re not in a settled place, you might also want to note in your caption that the picture was taken on the Zambezi River, atop Mount Agamenticus, or the like.

Anything else I need to know?
The submission form will ask you to choose a topic under which you think your photo best fits. They are: arts and entertainment, community, family, money and the economy, nature and the environment, play, religion, social issues and work. You can also select “other.”

When will I start seeing results on the Web?
By Sunday evening, we hope to have posted a small sampler of images; not really the “best of,” but a brief overview of the many places and people and situations our contributors managed to capture. Early in the following week, we plan to post a much fuller gallery, with thousands of images. Frankly, the timing depends somewhat on the number of submissions we receive and how much editing is needed. There’ll be no way to know for certain until it actually happens.
How can I find out if you’ve used my picture?

Our plan — emphasis, “plan” — is to post almost every picture we receive. So your work will almost certainly be included, unless it fails any of the tests mentioned above or is more graphic than news photographs we would customarily publish.

The interactive gallery that will appear next week takes the form of a globe on which you can find your location, or those of other photographers. It was designed by Zach Wise of The Times and is, to use highly technical professional vernacular, too cool for school.

Will I get paid?
Not by us. But the photo is yours, after all. Make of it, or out of it, what you will.

What is Coordinated Universal Time (U.T.C.) anyhow?
It’s an accepted worldwide benchmark against which all local time zones can be expressed, plus or minus. Informally speaking, it’s the equivalent of what you may know as Greenwich Mean Time (G.M.T.).

Here’s a helpful converter.

Why is Coordinated Universal Time abbreviated U.T.C.?
Don’t ask.

National Wildlife’s 40th Annual Photo Contest

Have you seen this rare and imperiled creature—the “wild” or outdoor child? Then grab your camera and send us your best shots. You could win up to $5,000 in National Wildlife’s 40th Annual Photo Contest—and your photograph could be published in National Wildlife® magazine! Today’s kids are largely an indoor species, spending on average 7.5 hours a day tethered to electronic media. NWF’s “Be Out There” campaign urges you to change this by getting your kids to spend more time outdoors in a more natural habitat. Help us turn this rarely seen species into a more common sighting. Get your kids outdoors and photograph them in the yard, on the beach, at the lake—anywhere under the sun (or moon)—and enter now.

Your $20 photo contest entry fee lets you submit up to 25 photos (with or without kids). You also will receive a one-year membership to the National Wildlife Federation, including six issues of National Wildlife* and a 10% discount on all NWF catalog merchandise. Sign up today!

Enter the Pro, Amateur or Youth division in any of these seven categories:
Birds
Backyard Habitats
Mammals
Other Wildlife
Connecting People and Nature (perfect for your “Wild” Child photos)
Landscapes and Plant Life

Global WarmingVisit our 2010 contest page for details. Then grab your kids and head outdoors to expose and capture their “wild” side.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Make a DIY Fisheye Lens from a Peephole and Soda Can

Make a DIY Fisheye Lens from a Peephole and Soda Can
http://content.photojojo.com/diy/sodacan-peephole-fisheye-lens/

Take a Workshop on a Scholarship

Santa Fe Photographic Workshops 505 . 983 . 1400
info@santafeworkshops.com
www.santafeworkshops.com

Take a Workshop on a Scholarship

Don't miss the May 10th deadline to be considered for one of our six $1,000 scholarships. Whether you want to learn about lighting portraits, black-and-white digital printing, or refining your creative vision—we have a workshop waiting for you. Check out the details »

Adventure Photography » with Michael ClarkJune 20-26, 2010Create unique images of rock climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, and trail running, and photograph on a working ranch.