News

Will
Crockett, founder of ShootSmarter.com, ShootSmarter University and producer of
educational DVDs, has just released a 3rd level in a series of Digital Portrait
Lighting DVDs entitled Digital Portrait Lighting 3.



This 62-minute DVD features author, speaker, hands-on instructor and photographer
Christopher Grey. His friendly and easy-to-follow teaching style along with his
passion for photography are just what's needed to provide the "nuts-n-bolts"
necessary for photographers to jump-start their digital studio.
...

For a limited time only, Cerious Software is offering competitive upgrades
from ACDsee, ACDsee Pro, CompuPIC, Cumulus, ImageAXS and Portfolio. For single-user
licenses, you can purchase ThumbsPlus Pro for $59.95or ThumbsPlus Standard for
$29.95. For single-user licenses, they don't even require proof, saying that
would be too much trouble for you and too much work for them. Order here: https://phlipper.cerious.com/compupg7.shtml

...

X-Rite, Incorporated (Nasdaq: XRIT) has introduced MonacoQCcolor version 1.5.
This update provides significant improvements to the performance of X-Rite's
software suite for verifying and analyzing color proofs in both local and remote
proofing environments.



Among other enhancements, the new version 1.5 incorporates a custom
label designer that allows users to customize the verification label
content for extended reporting capability. The redesigned server and
database structure improve stability and speed of data transmission over
the MonacoQCcolor network.



MonacoQCcolor software allows printers to define target printing
conditions, set the tolerances they wish to operate within, and quickly
measure print results for pass/fail analysis. The software has
applications across the imaging marketplace, in printing, graphic
design, fine art reproduction, and professional photography.



Available in both desktop and network versions, MonacoQCcolor 1.5 is
ideal for internal proof validation by printers who need to maintain a
high level of color consistency, as well as for remote proofing by
customers who need to ensure that their proofs meet specifications
before forwarding them to their printing vendor.



The desktop edition provides an easy to use pass/fail client and
includes industry-standard target and tolerance values for SWOP and
GRACoL printing. Users can buy X-Rite's ColorShop X software separately
to build custom workflow references.



Enhancements incorporated within MonacoQCcolor 1.5 include:

New label designer. In response to user requests, MonacoQCcolor 1.5
includes a built-in label designer to customize proof verification
stickers. Users can customize label size, as well as choose what target
attributes, graphics and text to include.



Upgraded server and database structure. The entire server and database
structures have been redesigned to deliver greater connection stability
and faster data retrieval.



Improved interface. The application interface has a cleaner look, yet remains
functionally similar to its predecessor. Consequently, users of MonacoQCcolor
1.4 will experience an easy transition to 1.5.



New administration tools. The administration tools have been segregated
from the server so users can now administer user privileges either on
the server or from a remote location without the need for additional
software. Built-in migration tools allow version 1.4 users to transfer
data easily into 1.5.



New sample database. For desktop edition users, the system comes with
updated GRACoL and SWOP references, as well as FOGRA target references,
to provide more industry standards to verify workflow against right out
of the box. Network users may load these sample targets into their
databases using the administration tools.



MonacoQCcolor 1.5 is also included within the Pulse QC Ensemble from
X-Rite, which bundles software with the Pulse Spectrophotometer --
X-Rite`s latest technology for measuring output. The Pulse QC Ensemble
provides all the necessary tools to ensure color consistency from job to
job.



MonacoQCcolor 1.5 is a free upgrade for current users. For more information visit:
http://www.xrite.com.

A joint venture between Rolleiflex and Horseman has announced one of the widest
angle cameras on the market, the Horseman SW-D Pro, which also accepts digital
camera backs. The Horseman's new design allows users to shoot with a 24mm lens
unit with any digital back equipped with a Hasselblad V mount.

...

Panasonic Corporation of North America (NYSE: MC) has announced the availability
of its first digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera with an interchangeable
lens, the DMC-L1. The camera will be available beginning early September for
a suggested retail price of $1,999. The camera comes equipped with a LEICA D
VARIO-ELMARIT lens featuring the industry's first optical image stabilization
system -- MEGA O.I.S -- designed specifically for the Leica lens.

...

Professional and avid photographers looking to travel to Cologne, Germany will
notice some changes when they prepare for their trip to photokina 2006, Sept.
26 -- Oct. 1, 2006 in Cologne, Germany. Photokina veterans should quickly
forget about the previous hall number system. As a result of an altered fairground
all hall numbers have changed. Halls are no longer defined by consumer or professional
interest. The newly renovated and renumbered fairground has now the shape of
a shopping mall. Connected by one Main Corridor "Messeboulevard"
navigation is now easier than in the past. Forgot to see someone in Hall 6?
Don't worry, cut through the main corridor and you will be there in no
time. Traffic into the halls will be fed from four entrance points at the South,
East, North and West of the fairground.

...

Samsung Camera has announced the NV3, one of three new camera models in their
new NV series of digital still cameras. The NV3 is a 7-megapixel digital still
camera that features Samsung's exclusive Digimax Converter software to play
movies and MP3 files. Samsung's new NV Series of digital still cameras all
have bodies in brushed black, stainless steel and a trademark Samsung blue ring
located around the lens.



At the heart of the NV3 is a 7-megapixel digital still camera measuring 3.7"
x 2.2" x 0.7" with a 2.5-inch, high resolution LCD display. The NV3
integrates a 3x optical zoom (equivalent to 38-114 mm in 35 mm format) capability
with Samsung's exclusive SHD lens technology. The NV3 is equipped with Samsung's
state-of-the-art Advanced Shake Reduction (ASR) technology to combat hand shake.
The ASR function provides enhanced image clarity by electronically compensating
for excess hand shake and improving color in environments lacking sufficient lighting
where the use of the flash is not desirable. The unique technology uses proprietary
algorithms to interpret sharpness and color information to deliver an image that
looks like it has been taken with the flash. As the flash is disabled, side effects,
such as red eye, are prevented.



For entertainment on-the-go, users simply use the included Digimax Converter software
to easily convert their favorite MP3 files or watch their favorite video content
on the large, 2.5-inch color display. The user-friendly software can convert MPEG,
AVI, MOV, WMV and ASF files for viewing on the NV3. For music on-the-go, the software
can also convert MP3 and WAV audio files in several simple steps. The innovative
software also allows users to view subtitles, adjust the screen size and crop
and stretch the image to fit the screen as desired. Users can listen to their
entertainment using the included ear buds or on the dual stereo speakers discreetly
located on the camera, and even listen to their music while taking photos.



In addition to playing video, the NV3 can also make movies using MPEG-4, the high-compression,
high-quality video format. The NV3 can record in VGA (640x480) at 30fps, for smoother
video and a bigger view of the movie on LCD and TV screens. For steady videos,
the NV3 includes a movie stabilizer function that automatically detects and corrects
minor lateral and vertical camera movement. For additional control the continuous
video recording function allows the user to pause and resume video recording at
any time, while the built-in movie editing function allows users to edit video
in-camera. The NV3 features several special effects functions for creative control
in-camera, such as Color Effect, Highlight, Photo Frame, Negative and Composite
Shot. Color effects include B/W, sepia, blue, green and red.



The NV3 features 11 scene modes including Night, Portrait, Children, Landscape,
Close-up, Sunset, Backlight, Fireworks, Beach & Snow and Text Recognition.
Text Recognition, a feature unique to Samsung digital still cameras, allows users
to shoot documents such as books, papers and magazines and then extract text from
the image taken using the bundled "Digimax Reader" text recognition
software.



The NV3 features 16 MB of internal memory and comes bundled with ear buds and
a powerful lithium ion battery.



The Samsung NV3 has an MSRP of $349.99 and will be available in Fall of 2006.