Author: John Tworsky

Adobe updates Camera Raw to 6.3 and Lightroom to 3.3

John Tworsky

Adobe Labs has completed beta testing of Adobe Camera Raw version 6.3  (adds support for several newer digital cameras). 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. The Adobe Labs Camera Raw page is the place to visit for the latest ACR release and beta test versions when available.

Newly supported camera models include: 

Canon PowerShot G12
Canon PowerShot S95
Nikon D7000
Nikon Coolpix P7000
Nikon D3100
Olympus E-5
Panasonic DMC-GF2
             Panasonic DMC-GH2
             Pentax K-5
Pentax K-r
Ricoh GXR, GR LENS A12 28mm F2.5
Samsung NX100
Samsung TL350 (WB2000)
Sony A560
Sony A580

Lightroom 3.3 has just been relased after completion of beta testing. You can get this update by checking for updates inside Lightroom.

Learn More – Digital Camera Color Accuracy – Gamut

John Tworsky

gamut_purp_correct.
The Purple Iris the way I saw it and my Minolta Dimage captured it.

gamut_purp_incorrect
The Purple Iris as captured by my Canon G2.

Although this story was originally posted in 2002 it still applies today. Not all colors can be captured by a digital camera sensor.

Most of us have taken hundreds of pictures with our digital cameras without giving a thought to the crisp brilliant color images that we’ve captured. With few exceptions digital cameras produce very accurate renditions of what we see. There are times when digital cameras may cause some problems with color. This is especially important for people photographing flowers, artwork and dyed fabrics. Read on to find out more.

Have you ever taken a picture with your digital camera and the color looks nothing like what you saw? Digital cameras use a light sensitive chip to capture color & light. The sensitivity of these chips varies from camera to camera but as a general rule they have difficulty dealing with rich saturated tones.

Why does this happen? First, most of us work with RGB images, which means our images are made up of Red, Green and Blue components. Your camera is sensitive to a range of colors called the gamut. Let’s say your digital camera can capture the colors inside the triangle below. If the object your taking a picture of has a color that lies outside the GAMUT of your camera, your camera automatically chooses a color that is close which lies inside the triangle. In the case of our deep purple Iris flowers the closest color happens to be a shade of blue.

colorspace1

colorspace2

The diagram on the bottom shows the deep purple Iris flower we saw and how the camera chose the closest available color which is actually more of a blue color.

Adobe Labs – Adobe Camera Raw & Lightroom Beta

John Tworsky

Adobe Labs is currently beta testing Adobe Camera Raw Release Candidate version 6.3 to accommodate several newer digital cameras. 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.

Newly supported camera models include:

  • Nikon D7000
  • Nikon Coolpix P7000
  • Nikon D3100
  • Canon PowerShot S95
  • Canon PowerShot G12
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
  • Samsung NX100
  • Samsung TL350 (WB2000)

Lightroom 3.3 is in beta and is also available from Adobe Labs.

Fall Foliage Photography – State Hotlines & Tips

John Tworsky

Acadia National Park Fall Foliage

Acadia National Park – Maine

Foliage Photography Tips for great pictures

Filters

For digital there is really only one “must have” filter to bring along for great fall foliage pictures – a polarizer. A polarizer creates dramatic fall foliage pictures by darkening the sky, increasing contrast and deepening colors and removing the sheen from the leaves. Most other filter effects such as, enhancing reds and oranges, sepia and graduated effects can be easily created in Photoshop. Your standard protective UV filter should be removed before putting your polarizer on – never stack filters. Also, don’t forget to remove your polarizer when you move back inside as it reduces light by one to two f-stops.

A second type of filter is an enhancing filter which does just what the name implies – enhances – especially the bright primary colors of autumn (reds, oranges and browns).  A third filter is a Color / Neutral Graduated filter which utilizes a color (or gray) that gradually diminishes from dark to light across the filter. These filters are often used to deepen the sky or to balance the exposure between foreground and background, which helps you keep the sky blue rather than blown out.

Tips

  • Nothing takes away from foliage more than a bright white overcast sky. In these situations, try to reduce the amount of sky in your images.
  • Dramatic storm clouds of autumn thunderstorms interspersed with blue sky make a stunning backdrop for the brilliant colors of fall especially when the vivid colors are brought out with a polarizer.
  • Use a tripod for the sharpest possible image to allow an ISO of 100 or 200 and use a remote release or self timer to prevent motion when pressing the shutter.
  • Colors are warmer and can be more dramatic closer to sunrise and sunset. The 1 hour before and after both sunrise and sunset are considered by many to be the “magic hours” where you get an amazing quality of light.
  • Experiment, take lots of pictures and above all have fun!
  • Since your shooting more with your digital camera, be sure to edit down before showing off your work to family and friends
Once you’ve assembled your camera and a few filters, all you’ll need is foliage at the peak of color. We’ve assembled a list of state hotlines below to help schedule your trip. Need some ideas for places to shoot, be sure to visit Bergen County Camera’s Where to take great Pictures page. Have some suggestions of your own please send us an email and we’ll include your suggestions.

Fall Foliage Websites

The Foliage Network

Fall Foliage Hotlines – click on a state below

New Jersey 
mid to late October 
Connecticut
 
 Late Sep - mid October 
Maine 
Early Sep - mid October
 
Massachusetts
 
October 
New Hampshire 
Late Sep - mid October
 
New York
 
Late Sep - late Oct
 
Pennsylvania 
Early October
 
Vermont 
Early Sep-Late October
 
Virginia 
Sep - Late Nov
 
Delaware 
Late October
 
Maryland 
Late Sep Late October
 
Rhode Island 
Late Sep - mid October

NJ Photo Expo 2010 – Focus Sessions Announced

John Tworsky

NJ Photo Expo signup button

This years expo takes place on September 25, 2011 – Bergen County Camera’s NJ Photo Expo

The NJ Photo Expo October 3, 2010 at the Park Ridge Marriott features more than 20 Focus Sessions on topics ranging from Apertures to Zooms. These include:

  • “Nikon Lens Technology” – Join Nikon’s Technical Sales Representative, Christopher Knapp, as he demonstrates the benefits and technology of the Nikon Lens systems available to both DX and FX lines.
  • “Nikon Flash Technology” – Join Nikon’s Technical Sales Representative, Christopher Knapp, as he demonstrates and discusses the Nikon flash system.
  • “Editing with the Nikon System” – Join Nikon’s Technical Sales Representative, Christopher Knapp, as he demonstrates the new Nikon ViewNX2 and CaptureNX 2 software, showing you how to efficiently manage your editing workflow.
  • “Quality of Light in Your Photography” – presented by Expo Imaging, Lumiquest & Quantum
  • “The Canon Wireless Speedlight Studio – Start to Finish in 20 Minutes or Less!” – presented by Canon Cameras
  • “Choosing the Right Camcorder” – presented by Canon Video
  • “Landscape Photography Techniques with Canon TC-80N3” – presented by Canon Cameras
  • “Stepping Up to Larger Size Printing with Canon” – presented by Canon Printers
  • “Nikon Lens Technology” – Join Nikon’s Technical Sales Representative, Christopher Knapp, as he demonstrates the benefits and technology of the Nikon Lens systems available to both DX and FX lines.
  • “Nikon Flash Technology” – Join Nikon’s Technical Sales Representative, Christopher Knapp, as he demonstrates and discusses the Nikon flash system.
  • “Editing with the Nikon System” – Join Nikon’s Technical Sales Representative, Christopher Knapp, as he demonstrates the new Nikon ViewNX2 and CaptureNX 2 software, showing you how to efficiently manage your editing workflow.
  • “The Leica S2 System” – presented by Leica
  • “The Leica M9 System” – presented by Leica
  • “Giottos & baLens Products” – presented by HP Marketing
  • “Casio: A Unique Brand in Cameras Today” – presented by Casio
  • “Nature & Wildlife Photography with John Isaac” – presented by Olympus
  • “What Will You Create with Your Olympus PEN?”  – presented by Olympus
  • “The Diamond Warranty: Why it’s a Good Choice” – presented by Mack Warranty
  • “Travel: Getting Your Gear Safely to Your Destination” – presented by Think Tank
  • “Lowepro Bags – No Excuses” – presented by Lowepro
  • “The Sony A33 System” – presented by Sony
  • “The Sony A55 System” – presented by Sony
  • “Photographic Techniques” – presented by Sony
  • “Capture Your Memories in Stunning 3D” – Presented by Panasonic
  • “Sports Shooting with a Long Zoom” – Presented by Panasonic
  • “It’s a Small World – Intro to Micro 4/3 & Touch Shooting” – Presented by Panasonic
  • “Creative Foliage Photography with a Point & Shoot” – presented by Panasonic

Scheduling will be provide at the event signup and are first come first served and limited to about 35 people each.

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

John Tworsky

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

NJ Photo Expo 2010 – Speakers announced

John Tworsky

NJ Photo Expo

Visit Bergen County Camera’s NJ Photo Expo Website

It’s the biggest photo expo in New Jersey!
Presented by Canon Camera & Video & Nikon USA

Spend an hour or spend the day. You’ll see and learn about digital photography, video and more, including:

• Be among the first to see the newest and coolest cameras
• Discover secrets to better pictures
• Learn from the experts
• Great video from your DSLR camera
• Listen and learn from world-famous photographers
• Shop early and save for the holidays

Come to the NJ Photo Expo for:

  • FREE seminars and demos
  • Learn how to shoot live models, fashion, close-ups, landscapes, sports, portraits, news and more
  • Gift ideas and expert shopping guidance
  • Representatives from all the major camera companies
  • Hundreds of cameras of all types
  • Collectible photographic art

A great lineup of speakers!

10:15 am Tom Franklin – Presented by North Jersey Media

Tom Franklin, photographer for The Bergen Record, best known for his photo of firefighters raising the American Flag at the World Trade Center site after the 9/11 attacks.

11:25 am Bob Krist – Presented by Nikon

Bob Krist, National Geographic photographer, won the title of “Travel Photographer of the Year” from the Society of American Travel Writers in 1994, 2007, and 2008 convention. In 2000 his work was honored at the Eisenstaedt Awards for Magazine Photography in NYC. Each event we’ve hosted with Bob in the past has been a sellout.

12:35 pm – John Isaac – Presented by Olympus

John Isaac, the distinguished former United Nations photographer, has been traveling to his native India for the past 20 years to photograph tigers and other indigenous wildlife. His images have helped raise awareness about the plight of India’s tigers and other endangered species.

1:45pm – Baron Wolman – Presented by Gallery 270

Rolling Stone’s first photographer, and one of the preeminent rock photographers from the 1960s to today.

2:55 pm – Bob Krist – Presented by Nikon

Bob Krist, National Geographic photographer, won the title of “Travel Photographer of the Year” from the Society of American Travel Writers in 1994, 2007, and 2008 convention. In 2000 his work was honored at the Eisenstaedt Awards for Magazine Photography in NYC. Each event we’ve hosted with Bob in the past has been a sellout.

4:05 pm – Harry Benson – Presented by Canon

Harry Benson the Beatles first photographer, and the man who documented the assassination of RFK in Los Angeles.5:15 pm – Ron Magill – Presented by Nikon

“A Walk on the Wild Side; The Joys of Wildlife Photography.” Ron Magill is an internationally recognized zoological authority who has appeared on a wide variety of TV programs including “National Geographic Explorer,” the “Today Show,” “Good Morning America,” “NBC Nightly News,” “The Late Show with David Letterman,” “CBS’ The Early Show,” “Live with Regis,” “Dateline,” and CNN.

It’s going to be a GREAT DAY! We’ll see you there.

Produced by Bergen County Camera
Presented by Canon Cameras & Digital Video, and Nikon Cameras

NJ Photo Expo 2010 – October 3, 2010

John Tworsky

NJ Photo Expo - October 3, 2010 at the Park Ridge Marriott

Visit – Bergen County Camera’s NJ Photo Expo website

NJ PHOTO EXPO SLATED FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3.
Highlighted by demos, seminars, world-class photographers.

The NJ Photo Expo is expected to draw large crowds to the Park Ridge Marriott on Sunday, October 3, 2010 as snapshooters, hobbyists and serious photographers gather to learn, listen and explore the latest and greatest in photography.

Attendance at the NJ Photo Expo is free with advance registration at www.NJPhotoExpo.com. The Expo is open from 10 am – 6 pm.  Seminar registration will be announced shortly to everyone registered for the Expo.

Demonstrations, exhibitions and seminars will give Expo visitors opportunities to:

  • Learn how to shoot live models, portraits, close-ups, landscapes and more.
  • Listen and learn from world-class photographers including Baron Wolman (Rolling Stone’s first staff photographer), Harry Benson (World famous photographer)  and Tom Franklin (whose 9/11 World Trade Center photo for The Record won accolades worldwide). More speakers will be announced shortly.
  • See and try the newest and coolest camera equipment
  • Learn how to shoot video with your camera
  • Shop early for the upcoming holidays, with expert guidance
  • Enjoy collectible photographic art from masters and up-and-coming photographers featured at galleries worldwide.

Launched by Bergen County Camera of Westwood and Englewood in celebration of the store’s 30th anniversary, the NJ Photo Expo is presented by Canon Cameras and Video, and Nikon Cameras.

More than 20 leading photo brands will be represented at the Expo.

Follow the NJ Photo Expo on Twitter