Free Saturday Focus Sessions January – February 2014

Focus sessions are free and take place in the Westwood store from 9:30 am – 10 am. All sessions will allow for questions and answers. Please bring your camera and any images along that you have questions about. Feel free to use the comment option to make suggestions for future focus sessions.

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Hit the “Like Button” to let your friends know. Have suggestions for future focus sessions? Feel free to leave a comment. (Comments actually work now!)

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Here’s our upcoming Focus Sessions:

January 4 – Manual Settings

January 11 – Macro Photography

January 18 – Shooting Indoor Basketball

January 25 – Consumer Electronics Show Roundup

February 1 – Depth of Field

February 8 – Metering / Focus Marks – Which to Use

February 15 – Photoshop vs. Lightroom

February 22 – Mat Your Photos

These are free events – bring a friend along if you’d like. Share with your friends on Facebook – Click the Like button below. Hope you can join us!

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Adobe Camera Raw 6.7RC

Adobe Labs has released Adobe Camera Raw version 6.7 RC on March 5th (release candidate – the final step before production and one step past beta) to accommodate several newer digital cameras and lens profiles. This is an Adobe Labs beta product so there can be some issues but for someone who’s just purchased a new camera without current Adobe Camera Raw support, you may want to give it a try. Rest assured though a full tested version will be released soon. If you’d like to try the beta software visit the Adobe Labs Camera Raw page for this download. Please feel free to offer you feedback on this beta product by using the link from the Adobe Labs Camera Raw page listed above. ACR 6.7 RC was recently released and will expire when the official version in released.

*Note – Lightroom 4 ships with a brand new Camera Raw version 7 so there is no need to update Lightroom 4. ACR 7 will be available later in the year.

Here’s the list of newly supported cameras.

  • Canon EOS 1D X
  • Canon EOS 5D Mk III
  • Canon PowerShot G1 X
  • Canon PowerShot S100V
  • Fuji FinePix F505EXR
  • Fuji FinePix F605EXR
  • Fuji FinePix HS30EXR
  • Fuji FinePix HS33EXR
  • Fuji FinePix X-S1
  • Nikon D4
  • Nikon D800
  • Nikon D800E

Additional Lens Profiles added

Lens Mount Lens Name
Canon Tokina AT-X 124 AF PRO DX 12-24mm f/4 (IF)
Canon Tokina AT-X 124 AF PRO DX II 12-24mm f/4 (IF)
Canon Tokina AT-X 165 PRO DX 16-50mm f/2.8 (IF) ASPHERICAL
Canon Tokina AT-X 535 PRO DX  50-135mm f/2.8 (IF)
Canon Tokina AT-X M35 PRO DX 35mm f/2.8 Macro
Canon Tokina AT-X M100 AF PRO D 100mm f/2.8 Macro
Canon Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX 11-16mm f/2.8
Nikon Tokina AT-X 124 AF PRO DX 12-24mm f/4 (IF)
Nikon Tokina AT-X 124 AF PRO DX II 12-24mm f/4 (IF)
Nikon Tokina AT-X 165 PRO DX 16-50mm f/2.8 (IF) ASPHERICAL
Nikon Tokina AT-X 535 PRO DX  50-135mm f/2.8 (IF)
Nikon Tokina AT-X M35 PRO DX 35mm f/2.8 Macro
Nikon Tokina AT-X M100 AF PRO D 100mm f/2.8 Macro
Nikon Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX 11-16mm f/2.8
Nikon Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G
Nikon Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM
Leica LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M 75 mm f/2 ASPH.
Leica LEICA APO-SUMMICRON-M 90 mm f/2 ASPH.
Leica LEICA APO-TELYT-M 135 mm f/3.4 ASPH.
Leica LEICA ELMAR-M 24 mm f/3.8 ASPH.
Leica LEICA ELMARIT-M 28 mm f/2.8 ASPH.
Leica LEICA ELMARIT-M 90 mm f/2.8
Leica LEICA MACRO-ELMAR-M 90 mm f/4
Leica LEICA NOCTILUX-M 50 mm f/0.95 ASPH.
Leica LEICA SUMMARIT-M 35 mm f/2.5
Leica LEICA SUMMARIT-M 50 mm f/2.5
Leica LEICA SUMMARIT-M 75 mm f/2.5
Leica LEICA SUMMARIT-M 90 mm f/2.5
Leica LEICA SUMMICRON-M 28 mm f/2 ASPH.
Leica LEICA SUMMICRON-M 35 mm f/2 ASPH.
Leica LEICA SUMMICRON-M 50 mm f/2
Leica LEICA SUMMILUX-M 21 mm f/1.4 ASPH.
Leica LEICA SUMMILUX-M 24 mm f/1.4 ASPH.
Leica LEICA SUMMILUX-M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH.
Leica LEICA SUMMILUX-M 50 mm f/1.4 ASPH.
Leica LEICA SUPER-ELMAR-M 18 mm f/3.8 ASPH.
Leica LEICA SUPER-ELMAR-M 21 mm f/3.4 ASPH.
Pentax Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC HSM
Pentax Sigma 50-200mm F4-5.6 DC HSM
Sony Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX 11-16mm f/2.8
Sony Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III VC B011
Sony Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC HSM
Sony Sigma 50-200mm F4-5.6 DC HSM
Sigma Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 II DC OS HSM

 

Adobe Camera Raw 6.6 RC

Adobe Labs has just released Adobe Camera Raw version 6.6 RC (release candidate – the final step before production and one step past beta) to accommodate several newer digital cameras and lens profiles. This is an Adobe Labs beta product so there can be some issues but for someone who’s just purchased a new camera without current Adobe Camera Raw support, you may want to give it a try. Rest assured though a full tested version will be released soon. If you’d like to try the beta software visit the Adobe Labs Camera Raw page for this download. Please feel free to offer you feedback on this beta product by using the link from the Adobe Labs Camera Raw page listed above. ACR 6.6 RC was recently released and will expire in January 2012 when the official version in released.

  • Canon PowerShot S100
  • Nikon 1 J1
  • Nikon 1 V1
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1
  • Samsung NX5

Additional Lens Profiles added

Lens Mount Lens Name
Canon Sigma 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 DG HSM II
Canon Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM II
Canon Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro
Canon Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO Macro
Nikon Nikon 1 NIKKOR 10mm f/2.8
Nikon Nikon 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6
Nikon Nikon AF-S DX Micro-NIKKOR 40mm f/2.8G
Nikon Sigma 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 DG HSM II
Nikon Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro
Nikon Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO Macro
Phase One Mamiya AF 35mm f/3.5
Phase One Mamiya AF 45mm f/2.8
Phase One Mamiya Sekor AF 28mm f/4.5 D Aspherical
Phase One Mamiya Sekor AF 55mm f/2.8 LS D
Phase One Mamiya Sekor AF 80mm f/2.8 D
Phase One Mamiya Sekor AF 80mm f/2.8 LS D
Phase One Mamiya Sekor AF 110mm f/2.8 LS D
Phase One Mamiya Sekor AF 150mm f/3.5 LS
Phase One Phase One 28 mm Digital AF f/4.5 Aspherical
Phase One Phase One 35 mm Digital AF f/3.5
Phase One Phase One 45 mm Digital AF f/2.8
Phase One Phase One 80 mm Digital AF f/2.8
Phase One Schneider-Kreuznach 55 mm LS f/2.8
Phase One Schneider-Kreuznach 110 mm LS f/2.8
Phase One Schneider-Kreuznach 150 mm LS f/3.5
Sigma Sigma 12-24mm F4.5-5.6 DG HSM II
Sigma Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG OS APO HSM
Sigma Sigma 105mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro
Sigma Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM APO Macro
Sigma Sigma DP2x
Sony Sigma 50-200mm F4-5.6 DC OS HSM

Adobe updates Adobe Camera Raw and Lightroom to 3.4.1

Adobe Labs has released minor update that fixes some minor issues uncovered after 3.4 / 6.4 was released. You can get this update by using the check for updates option in your Adobe software or by visiting the Adobe Labs Camera Raw page for this download. This page is the place to visit for the latest ACR release and beta test versions when available.

Adobe Camera Raw 6.4 RC

Adobe Labs has just released Adobe Camera Raw version 6.4 RC (release candidate – the final step before production and one step past beta) to accommodate several newer digital cameras and lens profiles. This is an Adobe Labs beta product so there can be some issues but for someone who’s just purchased a new camera without current Adobe Camera Raw support, you may want to give it a try. Rest assured though a full tested version will be released soon. If you’d like to try the beta software visit the Adobe Labs Camera Raw page for this download. Please feel free to offer you feedback on this beta product by using the link from the Adobe Labs Camera Raw page listed above. ACR 6.4 RC was released on 10 March 2011.

  • Canon EOS 600D (Rebel T3i / Kiss X5)
  • Canon EOS 1100D (Rebel T3 / Kiss X50)
  • Hasselblad H4D-40
  • Olympus E-PL1s
  • Olympus E-PL2
  • Olympus XZ-1
  • Samsung NX11

Additional Lens Profiles added

Canon Canon EF 28-70mm f/2.8 L USM
Canon Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 L IS USM
Canon SIGMA 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM**
Canon TAMRON 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3DiII VC PZD B008E
Leica Leica APO-MACRO-SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/120mm
Leica Leica SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/35mm ASPH
Leica Leica SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/70 mm ASPH
Nikon Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
Nikon Nikon AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED
Nikon Nikon AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED
Nikon Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR
Nikon SIGMA 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM
Nikon TAMRON 18-270mm F/3.5-6.3DiII VC PZD B008N

Nik Demo Day & Seminars – Sept 25 11am – 4pm

Nik software

Register for Nik Software Demo - Saturday September 25 - Westwood in Westwood, NJ  on Eventbrite

Nik Software Demo Day 11 – 4 pm, Sat, Sept 25

Two presentations – 11:00 am – 12:15 pm and 2:00 – 3:15 pm

Nik Software Tools, Techniques and Tips for creating your best digital images.

Join us as we explore the various uses and applications of Nik Software within a digital workflow. This seminar will discuss how editing and retouching images can be fun, easy and enjoyable, and result in greater creativity coming through in your photography.

The class will begin with a basic introduction to Nik Software’s collection of plug-ins for Photoshop and proceed through demonstrations of their specific uses. Attendees of this seminar will learn how to trouble shoot images and correctly solve them with the proper Nik Software product.

Nik Software, Inc. is a privately held company that develops software solutions for the growing digital imaging and photography markets. Established in 1995, Nik Software has become the recognized leader in digital photographic filter development and produces award-winning technology and software products for digital photography and imaging professionals including U Point® technology, Dfine®, Viveza®, Color Efex Pro, Silver Efex Pro, and Sharpener Pro software.

Presentations at 11am or 2pm choose one on your registration form

Exploring HDR Photography with Nik Software’s HDR Efex Pro

Join Victor Ha of Nik Software as he reveals the technology and creative possibilities behind Nik Software’s latest creation: software for high dynamic range (HDR) imaging!  Victor will explain the techniques of how to properly shoot HDR for the best results, and then demonstrate an exciting new software product for creating realistic to artistic HDR images.  The software is easy-to-use and has been designed for photographers of all levels, with one-click style presets as well as powerful and innovative controls for advanced editing and experimentation.  Join us as we explore the photographic possibilities of HDR!

Nik Software, Inc. is a privately held company that develops software solutions for the growing digital imaging and photography markets. Established in 1995, Nik Software has become the recognized leader in digital photographic filter development and produces award-winning technology and software products for digital photography and imaging professionals including U Point® technology, Dfine®, Viveza®, Color Efex Pro™, Silver Efex Pro™, and Sharpener Pro™ software.

About the Photographer

Victor Ha, Nik Software’s Channel Sales Assistant Manager, is a former professional photographer of 8 years. A transplanted Californian just recently relocated to New York, he has spent the past three years presenting Nik Software to photographers in the US, Canada and Australia. Well-versed in the demands of today’s working professional, Victor takes a very practical approach in applying Nik Software to his workflow and showing others how they can incorporate elements of his workflow within their own.

Please choose one session to attend ( presentations will be the same)

Register for Nik Software Demo - Saturday September 25 - Westwood in Westwood, NJ  on Eventbrite

Photoshop CS5 – Looks like an awesome upgrade!

After watching the CS5 anouncement on Monday I have to say that I was quite impressed with what they’ve included in this update. In the past 10 years, more than one update to Photoshop initially left us wondering what’s this update all about and why did I just spend another $159! Every time after a month or two of using the new tools I’ve wound up impressed and was once again a strong supporter of Photoshop. CS5 looks amazing right out of the gate and that’s before I have even had a chance to use the program.  Abby from Bergen County Camera recently visited Photoshop World in Orlando and was among many industry experts and beta testers of Photoshop CS5 who as a group were impressed with CS5. (Abby’s Photoshop World Post)

Adobe Photoshop CS5 box image

Here’s a few things that I think will make this a super upgrade out of the box. These features are really a jump from CS4 and in the words of Adobe – “Eye bleeding cool”

  • Smart radius for edge detection when making a selection
  • Content aware fill – Remove a horse or any object from an image and CS will intuitively rebuild the background from available image information! Wow!
  • When using any kind of a stroke – CS5 will let you vary the width at any point you choose.
  • CS Review – a new add on feature that lets you share your work for comments online with other CS5 users
  • New improved natural and realistic painting tools
  • All new 64-bit Raw processing engine
  • All new merge to HDR Pro – with subtle controls to choose parts of the image and make adjustments within this powerful automatic workflow. You will even be able to automatically fix ghosting as in the case of trees in a breeze moving between your HGR shots. You will also be able to use these new HDR tools on a single image as well.
  • New improved sharpen and de-mosaic filters
  • Better noise reduction – remove luminance noise and add film like grain and more
  • Automation of Lens correction based on file EXIF information. For example you could fix all chromatic abberation with your lens at f2.8 and have every image automatically adjusted on import. The same would be true for vignetting or any other lens correction option in the program. For rare lenses not in the original release, Adobe will rely on online reporting and will post EXIF corrections for these lenses as well.

Photshop CS5 looks amazing and everyone at BCC is looking forward to its mid May arrival. We will stock upgrade versions for both PC and MAC (newer Intel based MAC’s only) If you have any questions or comments email or comment here – Thanks!

 

Photoshop World 2010

Two weeks ago I went to Photoshop World in Orlando.  With the nice weather we’ve been having lately you would think I’d be outside soaking it up.  But instead, I’ve been glued to my computer trying all the new techniques I learned.  I went down on Tuesday for a pre conference workshop with Richard Harrington on shooting video with a DSLR.  We filmed a Celtic rock band called Seven Nations.   The next three days were filled with Photoshop and Lightroom classes given by great instructors like Scott Kelby, Katrin Eisman and Rick Sammon (to name a few.)  My brain is full! 

Photoshop World - Seven Nations

During the opening keynote we got a sneak peak at CS5, the new version of Photoshop that comes out on April 12th.  Looks like they’ve packed this upgrade with a lot of exciting new features!  The content aware fill is going to save me so much time when retouching photos I might actually get to go enjoy some of this beautiful weather!

Also while I was in Orlando, Adobe released Lightroom 3 Beta 2.  Some exciting new features are the ability to shoot tethered, DSLR video management and noise reduction (that really works!)   I just started using Lightroom recently and now I can’t live without it!  Shooting and processing RAW files is so easy, it has really streamlined my workflow.

Adobe updates Camera Raw 5.1

Camera Raw was recently updated to accommodate several newer digital cameras. Many have Photoshop and Lightroom set to automatically check for updates if so, you probably noticed this update. On the other hand, if you’re trying to open a RAW image from your new digital camera and you get “invalid format” errors, you probably need to update to the latest Adobe camera raw. Visit the Adobe Camera Raw page for full instructions or go directly to the MAC download or Windows download page.

  • Canon 1000D (Digital Rebel XS/EOS Kiss F)
  • Canon 50D
  • Fuji FinePix IS Pro
  • Kodak EasyShare Kodak Z1015 IS
  • Leaf AFi II 6
  • Leaf AFi II 7
  • Leaf Aptus II 6
  • Leaf Aptus II 7
  • Nikon D700
  • Nikon D90
  • Nikon Coolpix P6000
  • Olympus SP-565 UZ
  • Pentax K2000 (K-m)
  • Sigma DP1
  • Sony A900