I just bought three 8 GB Sandisk Extreme III CF cards for $90 from B&H (no shipping because I am a NAPP member) and it comes with a $70 rebate so 24 GB for $20!
The following cards are on sale at Adorama and Amazon. Not only are these prices phenomenal, the shipping is free too! Prices are good only until November 30th).
8 GB Cards:
Adorama SanDisk 8 GB Extreme III Compact Flash Memory Card $29.95
4 GB Cards SanDisk 4 GB Extreme III Compact Flash Memory Card $19.95
From http://bcphotoadventures.blogspot.com/
If you are scouting, take along a few highlighters in different colors. In my DeLorme road atlas, I mark my route in yellow, so I'll know in the future I've traveled that road. I mark a good location with orange (for a fall scene), blue (for winter), pink (for spring), or green (for summer). If a scene is good for more than one season, I mark it in purple. When I look at a page later, I can instantly see what the options are for a particular season.
This is a Camera RAW Brush tool that allows you to selectively apply limited color and fairly decent tone and density corrections. What an awesome tool!!
http://www.photoshopuser.com/?page=cs4/videos&video=scott_cradjustment
One of the coolest new features in Photoshop CS4 is Content Aware Scaling (CAS). Adobe licensed an algorithm that senses "dead" areas in photos, and resizes the image to avoid squashing or stretching every object.
Use the new and revolutionary Content-Aware Scaling feature to automatically recompose an image as you resize it, smartly preserving vital areas as the image adapts to the new dimensions. Get the perfect image in one step without time-intensive cropping and retouching. 
http://www.photoshopuser.com/?page=cs4/videos&video=dave_contentscaling
http://cameradojo.com/2008/10/25/content-aware-scaling-in-photoshop-cs4/
Calumet's committed search for high-quality, mobile solutions for portrait and event photographers strikes gold with the On-Site Portable Background System. With its unique X-frame construction, On-Site is a lightweight system that's incredibly easy to assemble. Its ingenious design allows for a single person to set up (or pack up) a professional background in minutes. And in kits with an On-Site support and muslin background of your choice for under $200, it's light on the wallet too.
At the center of On-Site's structure is a patented hub that sits atop a standard light stand. From the hub, four rods extend diagonally with an 8-foot by 8-foot muslin backdrop connecting taut to the corners. Think of its assembly as a flat soft box. Since every element extends from the single hub, assembly and adjustments can be made without coordination with a second person. And the whole thing collapses into an included 8 x 8 x 36" carrying case, letting photographers move easily to and from a job location.
With 10 different muslin background styles, the On-Site Portable Background System covers any situation from executive headshots to chroma key video work.
Take an On-Site Wherever You Go »
Like The Boston Globe's The Big Picture, The Sacramento Bee now tells some of its stories with large powerful images in The Frame. http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/photos/
Scenic images from around the world
Here is a collection of pictorial images from around the country and the world made by photographers from newspapers and the Associated Press during the last month. They capture sunsets and moonrises, mountains and streams, snow and rain, and a few cows. (18 images)
Adobe® Photoshop® Camera Raw 5.2
Camera Raw 5.2 for Mac
Camera Raw 5.2 for Windows
New in Camera Raw 5.2
Camera Raw 5.2 includes several new enhancements.
Targeted Adjustment Tool for on image adjustments
Output sharpening for print or screen output
Snapshots for saving all settings in a single reference
Camera Profiles for enhanced raw file interpretation now available in the Calibration panel
Installation
This new version of the Camera Raw plug-in replaces the original Camera Raw plug-in that was installed with Photoshop CS4, Photoshop Elements 7.0 and Premiere Elements 7.0.
Compatibility
The Camera Raw 5.2 plug-in is not compatible with versions of Photoshop earlier than Photoshop CS4 or versions of Photoshop Elements earlier than Photoshop Elements 6.0 for Windows and Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac.
The latest version of the Camera Raw plug-in available for Photoshop Elements 3.0 customers is Camera Raw 3.6.
The latest version of the Camera Raw plug-in available for Photoshop Elements 4.0 (Windows) is Camera Raw 3.7.
The latest version of the Camera Raw plug-in available for Photoshop Elements 5.0 (Windows) is Camera Raw 4.5.
Not exactly photo related, but I like the Peabody and this is my Blog, so....
The Yale Peabody Museum Store is pleased to offer our annual 10% discount coupon!
Make The Peabody Museum Store your one stop shopping destination this holiday season. You will find an exceptional assortment of merchandise, gifts for all ages and a pleasant shopping experience.
The Peabody Museum Store has been recognized as "one of the best museum shops in the state." - The New York Times
To retrieve the discount coupon:Visit the Museum Store website at http://www.peabodystore.com/ and click on the link in the announcements area to print your coupon.
The coupon must be presented in The Museum Store to receive 10% off your total purchase.
The coupon is valid through December 23, 2008.
Please note that The Museum Store will be closed on December 24 & 25.
Your purchase helps support the public programs of the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History. The Museum's mission is to advance our understanding of the earth's history through geological, biological, and anthropological research, and to communicate the results through publications, exhibitions and educational programs.
Great Colors from Screen to Print with Nik Software & the Datacolor Spyder3Elite™
The holidays are here and if you're like us, photography will play a big part of the season! Matching the colors you shot to what you see on your display is critical when delivering your best work, whether you're producing commercial images, or creating special memories for families or private clients.
We've teamed up with Datacolor, makers of the award-winning Spyder3Elite for display calibration, to offer you the best deal possible for this important tool. Save 30% off your purchase of the Spyder3Elite. Purchase today for yourself, a friend or family member for the holidays. It's a perfect first step when working with Viveza and Color Efex Pro 3.0 software.
Add Spyder3Elite to your shopping cart and use the coupon code:VIVID when checking out.
Learn more about color calibration and purchase at the Datacolor website today! Offer ends December 15, 2008!
A new look for the JPG homepage.
New theme viewer: Right up top, we're showing off bigger JPG photos and highlighting more of the themes on the site. The theme viewer also lets you see how many photos have been submitted to each theme.
Activity feed: If you're logged in, you can see your new activity (new favorites and comments on your photos and new contacts) right up top
Hot photos tab: Below the theme browser, you can tab between hot JPG photos and the newest photos from your contacts.
Member, photo, and story of the week: For the past few months, we've been highlighting an awesome photo, story, and JPG member each week in the JPG newsletter. Now, we've also got them right on the homepage!
Issue viewer: Scroll down to flip through the sneak peek of our current or upcoming issue right from the homepage. If you click right on the pages, you'll get a full-screen viewer.
Finally, and most importantly, when you're logged out and click on the How It Works link at the right, you will see the image of a elusive sasquatch. Woohoo! Lots of new stuff to explore. Please, please, please feel free to let us know what you think!
I have wondered about this for years, this article makes it sound like this is something new to the "digital" era, but it is inherant in all 35 mm photography. You cannot make a full frame 8x10 from a 35 mm photo (film or digital). This frustrates me in both my nature photography and our portrait/wedding photography. And try explaining this to a client, sorry we have to cut off your legs in order to print an 8x10. We were at PhotoExpo and there is a company that will etch a grid (8x10 ratio) onto your camera so that you can compose for 8x10's -- very tempting. This article is very intersting and the author has found a FEW places that print 8x12. The real question is the 4x5 market was always a small part of the market, and today it is even smaller, so WHY is 8x10 the standard and not 8x12.
This also begs for the question -- WHY in the world does Epson sell a 17" x 22" paper and not a 16x20. Printing 16x20 would mean that the photograph would directly fit into a standard sie mat/frame, but no, we have to waste inches on each side...
read the full article here...Why no 8″x12″ photo paper?
http://www.lensbaby.com/educators-lessons.php#
Lensbaby 101
Lensbaby SLR lenses are wonderful creative tools to introduce into your photography curriculum. More and more instructors are utilizing Lensbaby SLR lenses to teach photography basics and push their students’ imaginations. Below, you will find sample Lensbabies lessons.
For more information about Lensbabies Education program or to share lesson ideas, contact shawn[at]lensbabies.com.
We offer students and educators with proof of ID a 25% discount. Download form.
Up to $300 Instant Savings with New Nikon DSLRs
Anyone with their eye on a new D90, D300 or D700 will be excited to learn that you can save up to $300 instantly on this crop of cameras. It's now a lot easier to get one in your hand.
With the Vibration Reduction lenses included in many of these kits, you'll get sharper images in lower light without the use of a tripod or monopod. And with the cameras themselves, you'll get some of the most exciting technologies on the market including the D700's full-frame FX sensor, the D300's blazing 6 frames-per-second continuous shooting and the D90's paradigm-shifting HD video capture.
Nikon D90 with 70-300mm VR lens – Save $100Nikon D300 with 18-200mm VR lens – Save $300Nikon D300 with 16-85mm VR lens – Save $300Nikon D700 (body only or with any lens) – Save $300
These offers are good through November 22.
Save on Nikon DSLRS Instantly »
Learn About Travel Photography from National Geographic Pros
Join National Geographic Traveler photographers Jim Richardson and Catherine Karnow for an in-depth session on how they make the winning travel images that fill the pages of NG Traveler magazine. Using examples of their best photos and stories about their assignments these two pros will teach you how to improve your travel photos by training your eye to look for images that reveal the culture of a place.This one-day seminar will be offered in Boston on Sunday, December 7, 2008.
For more information and to register, go to NGTravelerSeminars.com
To view a video clip from the seminar, click on the link below:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKToDYX2A3c
Think you can tell the difference?
The Metropolitan Museum of Art asks viewers to decipher what is real and what is illusion with its photo exhibition, "Reality Check"
New tools in Lightroom 2 make it easy to mimic graduated filters; brush in broad and fine adjustments; customize picture packages; create Collections; and even give a photo a watercolor look.
Take Advantage of Our Best Prices of the Season
We’re celebrating 69 years of serving photographers by offering a low price guarantee through the end of the year*. Plus, apply for a Calumet Credit Card and enjoy no payments, no interest for 90 days on any purchase.
Shop and save online, in our stores or by calling toll-free 1.800.CALUMET (225.8638).
Camera and Camcorder Specials
Incredible financing offer on all Nikon products: No payments, no interest for 12 months with the Calumet Credit Card!
FREE memory card with all Nikon cameras.
Save up to $500 on select camcorders; perfect for the holidays! (After sale and rebates.)
Stock up on Daily Essentials
Incredible low price: SanDisk Ultra II 2GB SD memory card, now only $10.99.
Save 10% on all Epson inkjet paper and individual inks.
Take 15% off all Brilliant Museum Inkjet Paper. We’ve also cut prices on our popular Brilliant Supreme Glossy and Lustre Papers while supplies last.
Our Lowest Prices on Bags and Support
Save 10% on every camera bag in stock from Tenba, Kata, Tamrac, Jill-e, Domke, National Geographic, Lowepro and Calumet.
Save 10% on all Gitzo tripods, monopods, heads and accessories.
Unbeatable Value
Save up to 20% off all our gently used equipment.
Thanks Jim for passing this along!
The 2009 Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Glastonbury Photography Contest, Exhibit and Sale.
Hard copy Entry forms are available at the Connecticut Audubon Society Center at Glastonbury
1361 Main Street, Glastonbury CT • Phone: (860) 633-8402
I hope you will make this information available to your membership.
Duffy Schade, Chairman, Photo Contest Committee
Final Call for Entries - Idea of Self
Deadline Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Theme: How do you see yourself? How do you think of yourself? How do you think other people see you? Are you the fly on the wall or the center of attention? The Idea of Self stretches further than the self portrait, and into the recesses of the mind, spirit and our subconscious. The Idea of Self takes us on a journey of self enlightenment and discovery allowing the photographer to truly bare their soul or to hide it away. This investigation of who we are, or who we think we are, is uniquely represented through the art of photography.
Eligibility: The exhibition is open to all domestic and international, professional and amateur, photographers working with digital or traditional photography or combinations of both. The Center for Fine Art Photography invites photographers working in all mediums, styles and schools of thought to participate in its exhibitions. Traditional, contemporary, avant-garde, creative and experimental and mixed techniques are welcome.
Juror: Susan A. Zadeh is the founder, publisher, editor in chief and artistic director of EYEMAZING, an international magazine on contemporary photography based in Amsterdam. EYEMAZING won the Lucie Award for the 2008 Photography Magazine of the Year. To view EYEMAZING Magazine, visit http://www.eyemazing.com. Also in 2008, Susan was chosen to be a juror for the International Photography Awards.
Important Dates
Entries due: November 12, 2008 Notice of acceptance: November 21, 2008
Exhibition dates: February 13, 2009 – March 14, 2009
Public and Artists’ Reception during the Fort Collins Gallery Walk: March 6, 2009
Exhibition and Awards:With selection for this exhibition, artists and their work will be seen by an international audience of collectors, curators, art consultants and others who appreciate the fine art of photography.
Juror’s Selection award: $500
EYEMAZING Magazine Award: One artist will be selected to be published in EYEMAZING Magazine
Director's Selection award: $300
Gallery Visitor’s Choice Award: $100
Two one-year subscriptions, valued at $120 for the Artists’ ShowCase Online– the Center’s online image marketing website (preview at www.artists-showcase.org)
All exhibitors are included in the Center's online gallery
Inclusion in the Center's 2008 Exhibition Collection CD which is distributed to selected galleries, collectors, design houses and corporations world wide
Make Better Images with the Power of Light
"What [photographers] are struggling with is spending too much time at night fixing what they shot all day. So what I'm trying to make people understand with light quality and quantity, is trying to make sure that they capture the image it's supposed to be captured, the way they want it captured, the way they see it, and get it right the first time."
That's Tony Corbell—host of Calumet's newest Imagemakers DVD, acclaimed photographer and renowned educator—on helping photographers reassess the importance of commanding light. The Power of Light with Tony Corbell is a comprehensive study on using light to heighten the effect of your photos, while saving yourself from tedious post-process work. Corbell brings you inside his studio and takes you on location to demonstrate a number of different setups, from a traditional headshot to a dramatically lit shoot of an airplane. Throughout, he discusses theories of light quality that will help you conceive your own lighting schemes with ease.
For new photographers, this DVD establishes a foundation for lighting; for veterans, it can fill the foundation soundly.
Winners announced for The 2008 Professional Photographer Cover Photo Contest
The winners of the 2008 Professional Photographer Cover Photo Contest have been announced.
First prize was awarded to Heather Smith of Smith Photo Design in Cumming, Ga. Smith’s image will be featured on the cover of the November issue, and in a story inside the issue.
“The image is pure simplicity. And simplicity works on a cover,” said contest guest judge Helen Yancy, M.Photog.M.Artist.MEI.Cr.Hon.M.Photog., CPP, API, F-ASP.
The contest drew more than 50,000 entries from photographers around the world. Those who placed or received honorable mention did so against high odds.
The Second Place award went to Heather Leed; Third Place: Marie Labbancz; Fourth Place: Jennifer Fields, and Fifth Place: Laura Wootan.
Honorable Mentions were awarded to Ritz Blanco Rivera, Carrie Sandoval, Rebecca Worple, Kristen Beinke, Andrew Nock, Matt Nicolosi, Dena Strban, David Sacks, Paul Van Hoy II, Carla Nelms, Lindsay Docherty, Bryan Cox, Julie Klaasmeyer, Tania Quintanilla, Desiree Elting, Laura Siebert, Michelle Moore and Ross Bothwell.
The image entries created by this year’s winners and honorable mentions can be viewed at this online gallery on our Web site: http://ppmagonline.com/portal/wts/cemcesudu96baVqFchohqhzyr-Dc. Also, look for the contest article featured in the November issue of Professional Photographer.
The submission period for the 2009 Professional Photographer Cover Contest will open March 1, 2009 and close March 31. For details about next year’s competition, please visit http://ppmagonline.com/portal/wts/cemcesudu96baVqFchohuhzyr-Dc in 2009.
To view the 2008 winners’ gallery online, go to www.ppmag.com/cover-contest/winners.php.
Center for Photography at Woodstock
Take advantage of CPW's exciting fall offerings and expand your digital image making knowledge!
Introduction to Photoshop Wednesdays, beginning 11.05
Intro to Fine-Art Digital Printing Thursdays, beginning 11.06
Web Design for Artists Tuesdays, beginning 11.11
Upcoming Mini-Bytes
at the Digital Kitchen include;
Digital Workflow Monday November 17, 6-8pm
Color Management Monday December 1, 6-8pm
*Advanced registration is required. For more information on these and our other exciting fall 2008/winter 2009 offerings at the digital kitchen, click here
New Canon RebatesSave on the EOS 40D & 50DAnd the Pixma Pro9000 & Pro9500
Canon has extended the Instant Rebate Programto include the EOS 40D & 50D...
As of Monday, you can bet back $100 instantly on the EOS 50D. Starting November 9th, get back $50 instantly on the EOS 40D.
and added Mail-In Rebates for their popularPixma Pro9000 & Pro9500 printers!Digital Darkroom Questions (DDQ)October 29, 2008by Tim Greywww.timgrey.comtim@timgrey.com
Books: www.timgrey.com/books/index.htmBlog: www.timgrey.com/blog
I'm just getting started with Photoshop CS4, and was intrigued by the new Masks palette. What's your take on it?
In many respects the Masks palette is simply a collection of features and commands that were already available, packaged into a new palette (or "panel", as Adobe now calls them). However, the Feather setting in the Masks palette is very cool, and most certainly something I recommend putting to use.
I've often said that I never feather selections, and I often use hard-edged brushes when performing initial painting on a layer mask. The reason is that I prefer to start with a mask that has a hard edge, and then soften the transition by applying a Gaussian Blur directly to the mask. The primary benefit of this approach is that you can see the actual effect on the image as you apply the blur, as opposed to guessing at the best feathering setting and not being able to see the real impact on the image at the same time.
The Feather setting on the Masks palette replaces this approach, and offers the additional advantage of being editable. So, for example, if you would have otherwise applied a Gaussian Blur with a value of 3 pixels to a layer mask, you would simply set the Feather option to a value of 3 pixels on the Masks palette. The best part is that you could then refine the setting, increasing or decreasing the amount of feathering (blur) applied to the layer mask. This is yet another step toward having layers masks that can be modified with a nondestructive workflow.
The Density setting is also interesting, but not something I fine particularly useful in most cases. It was possible to apply the same effect previously by adjusting the black Output Levels control in a Levels adjustment applied directly to the mask, though the Density control is both simpler to apply and editable. So, if you find you need to effectively reduce the opacity of a layer mask, this is the tool to use.
Support the DDQ E-mail Service
Contributions from readers like you are the only compensation for the time and effort that goes into producing this email service. You can help support this effort by becoming a contributor. Besides helping to ensure this service remains viable, you'll gain access to a searchable archive of all prior questions and have the opportunity to have your own questions considered for inclusion in the DDQ email. Details can be found here:www.timgrey.com/ddq/
The Fine Print
Please feel free to forward this e-mail message to any friends that may be interested, and recommend that they subscribe to the free service. All I ask is that you forward the message in its entirety.
Details on adding or removing an e-mail address can be found here:www.timgrey.com/ddq/
Contents of this e-mail are copyright by Tim Grey. All Rights Reserved.
Michael Robichaud used to be in the NHCC. He recently has an article in Outdoor Photographer in YOUR favorite places (right here in CT). Way to go Michael!
Check out the photo -- here is the link
Name of Place: Indian Lake
Country: USA
State / Province: Connecticut
Nearest road or highway: I-95
Nearest town: Orange, CT
Brief directions: I-95 Exit 41, head towards Route 1 (Boston Post Road), left on to Boston Post Road, 1/2 mile left on Peck Lane, 1st left Mallard Drive
GPS coordinates:
Best season: Spring
Essential gear: Camera
Notes: Early morning around sunrise are the best times for photos, Spring and Fall are optimal due to fog and colors. This is my backyard, most of my pictures are taken on the way to work. Stop my truck in the middle of the road and grab my camera....
Photographer: Michael Robichaud
Joe McNally gets Geographic cover story this month
http://www.scottkelby.com/blog/2008/archives/2196
http://www.joemcnally.com/blog/2008/10/22/notes-thanks-and-in-the-beginning-there-was-greg/
A perfect gift for your friend into photography -- Scott Kelby's “The Digital Photography Book”
Barnes & Noble has put together a special “Boxed Set” of Scott Kelby's book, “The Digital Photography Book,” where you get both Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, along with a set of four 5×7 prints, for just $35.96 (even less if you’re a B&N member). You can get this specially boxed set at any Barnes & Noble store, or online at Barnes & Noble.com (link).
