LATEST ADDITIONS

Adobe has released an updated beta version (v3.3, 11/10/05) of their Adobe
Camera Raw plug-in for raw file conversion with a few enhancements. (Compatible
only with Photoshop CS 2 as well as Elements 3.0 and 4.0.) Support for additional
cameras has also been added, including the Canon EOS 5D, EOS 1D Mark II N, Pentax
*ist DL and *ist DS2. A minor fix has also been made to the Adobe DNG converter,
"improved decoding for some camera models". Do note that this is a
beta version, although it appeared to work perfectly in my preliminary tests.
When installing the Camera Raw plug-in, be sure to follow the instructions exactly
as described on the Adobe web site. The download for Mac and Windows is available
at http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/new.jsp.

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Sigma's new 120--300mm f/2.8 APO EX DG HSM is a digitally optimized
telephoto zoom lens featuring a fast f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout it zoom
range. The lens features a new coating and optical construction designed to
minimize flare and ghosting, and utilizes four Special Low Dispersion (SLD)
glass elements for optimum image quality. A Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) provides
silent, precise, high-speed auto-focusing, with full time manual focus override
(for Sigma, Canon and Nikon mounts).

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Today's cameras are microprocessors with lenses. Most of us know how
to change color, sharpness and contrast, and even ISO settings, for every frame
we shoot, but did you know that you can also change how your camera's
dials and buttons work? By using Custom Function settings you can alter the
function of all those dials and buttons and personalize them to the way you
work, or to each unique shooting situation. When the camera comes out of the
box it has certain "default" settings, those chosen by the camera
manufacturer. While there is a certain wisdom in the defaults, they are not
necessarily the best way for your style or shooting needs.

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Sometimes all it takes to lift your photo from the ordinary to the extraordinary
is a striking edge or border. Would a soft-edged vignette or a unique pattern
border take your image to the next level of dramatic impact? While there are
myriad software programs and plug-ins designed to add special effect edges,
borders and frames, you probably already have quite an array of possibilities
built into your current image-editing software. To get you started, here are
some effects that I created with Adobe Photoshop. You can use Elements for these,
as well. Earlier versions of these as well as other image-editing programs offer
many of the same effects. Now let's give some photos a new leading edge...

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