Here is an image that shows the great fall colors of the Mid-West that we just don’t get to enjoy in California. Image was processed using the various filters of Nik Software Color Efex Pro 4. If you do not own this, do not hesitate to purchase at www.niksoftware.com You can use the discount code SCVPHOTOCENTER to receive 15% off your purchase of any Nik product.
Very cool to announce that our image “Into the Center” image won 1st place in the Macro division of the SCVPA Print Competition. The image was captured at the Frederik Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, Michigan during this past year.
SpyderGallery: Color Calibration Now a Reality for Your iPad, and Free
By David Saffir, Instructor at the SCV Center for Photography
Almost any photographer who owns an iPad enjoys its form factor, usability, and overall coolness. But color on the iPad is something of a mystery that raises a few questions—does it use the sRGB color space? (no) Something else? (yes) Can it be calibrated? (finally: yes, it can!).
A new product from Datacolor, SpyderGallery, makes it dead easy to calibrate your iPad—versions 1 or 2—and the results are noticeably better: image quality, color accuracy, saturation, shadow detail, and detail in highly saturated areas are improved, within the constraints of the iPad color range of course. It uses an existing screen calibration instrument from Datacolor, the Spyder3, and some new, and unique, software applications.
It’s an elegant setup. Download the free SpyderGallery app to your iPad, and download the corresponding software to your desktop machine. Connect your Spyder3 to the host computer. Enable your wireless network, and connect the iPad and the host computer to the same wireless network.
SpyderGallery will show you a pop-up screen that asks which wireless network you want to use. Specify the network that includes the host/desktop.
From the SpyderGallery opening screen, choose Calibrate Viewer. Make sure you’ve plugged your Spyder3 into the USB port on the host computer, and place the device in the outline on the iPad screen.
When you start the application, the host computer and the iPad communicate wirelessly. The instrument and the host computer communicate via the USB cable.
The next screen, System Setup, makes sure you’ve installed the desktop/host application, and that you’ve connected the Spyder colorimeter to the host via a USB port.
When you press OK, the app loaded on the iPad communicates wirelessly with the host application, and USB for the Spyder.
The next screens will prompt you to place the colorimeter on the iPad screen, and press OK.
A Reading In Progress status will pop up and the app goes through a series of color patches, read by the colorimeter. Voila! Your iPad is calibrated!
The application does not generate an ICC profile. Instead, it creates its color corrections pixel by pixel. The results are remarkably effective. I could easily see the difference even though it’s working within the constraints of the iPad color range.
When calibration is completed, you can view your images through the included Viewer, which includes an on/off slider that lets you see the image with calibration enabled, and disabled.
Note that Datacolor provides an on/off slider (lower right in each screen shot) so you can compare before and after.
I see improvements in my own images in shadow detail, neutrality, color accuracy, and detail in highly saturated areas. This doesn’t turn your iPad into the equal of your desktop display—that’s not possible given the limits built into the iPad—but I’m much more comfortable showing my images to a client when the screen is calibrated. In fact, I had a chance to try this out just last week, and the results were satisfying, to say the least. Better images build credibility with clients, after all. This is a unique tool, effective and easy to use. Well worth the download and minimal effort.
To learn more about this hot new product, join David for his workshop, “Mastering Creative Color” on Saturday, June 11th from 1pm to 4:30pm at the SCV Center for Photography. Cost of the workshop is $79, and if you have an iPad, bring it and David will color calibrate for you.
David Saffir is a photographer, fine art printmaker, and author. He lives in Santa Clarita, just outside Los Angeles, California. His blog address is davidsaffir.wordpress.com.
With scores of factories and corporate headquarters around the country, the Japanese photo industry has been severely disrupted by Friday’s earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis.
As of this writing, it looks like there were no serious injuries or fatalities among employees of Japanese camera and consumer electronics companies. We will continue to monitor the situation and update this report as needed.
While most companies report that they are still assessing the damage caused by the most powerful quake in Japanese history, it seems that there have been no deaths, and injuries to camera company employees. Structural damage to company facilities vary. Most companies are subject to rolling blackouts that are being imposed by the Japanese power authorities due to the evolving crisis at the nuclear power plants.
The following is an updated run-down of how the quake has effected manufacturers of photographic and other related products.
Epson announced that the Color Imaging Exhibition trade show, which was planned for March 19-21 in Tokyo, has been cancelled due to the crisis. Epson reports that while no casualties were reported at its facilities, one of its factories was hit by a one-meter tsunami, while three other facilities have been temporarily shut due to rolling blackouts as a result of the quake. Two buildings that are within 16km from the Fukushima nuclear plant have sustained some damage and are being shut for now.
Sony was hardest hit. Japan’s biggest exporter of consumer electronics, and a growing player in the still photography world, was forced to stop operations at ten factories and two research centers due to quake-related damage and power outages caused by emergencies at nuclear power plants. 1,000 Sony employees reportedly took shelter on the second floor of a nearby chemical products factory.
Nikon has confirmed light injuries to some of its employees but no serious or fatal injuries. Nikon’s Sendai factory, which manufactures the D3S, D3X, D700 and F6, has been forced to close due to damage to equipment and buildings. Work at at least three other facilities has been temporarily suspended so the company can assess damage.
Canon has suspended operations at eight factories located in Northern Japan, and reports at least 15 employees were injured. The company said it may move some production to other factories that weren’t damaged.
Olympus‘s photographic division was not affected by the quake, but some emplyees at other locations sustained minor injuries, possibly in the company’s endoscopy-related business. Japanese-language press releases indicate that a repair facility is expected to resume operations in 2-4 weeks.
A Sigma employee tweeted that there has been some damage to machinery and the building at Sigma’s Aizu factory, but no injuries. Due to the rolling blackouts, Sigma has decided to suspend operations in two of its facilities.
Ricoh reports no injuries. Five of its facilities have stopped operations and four have no set plan to reopen.
Fujifilm reports that its Taiwa-Cho factory, which is located 20 miles from Sendai, was damaged by the quake, but fortunately none of the workers were reported injured. Production of the FinePix X100, which was being done at that factory, has been temporarily stopped and delays can be expected for this highly-anticipated camera. The company says the rest of its operation is not affected.
Hoya Corporation, which owns Pentax, reports that several employees were slightly injured but none seriously. Some production facilities were damaged, although the company is still trying to assess. It isn’t known how the camera and lens facilities have been effeccted but due to traffic problems and blackouts, production has been disrupted.
Casio reports no major injuries, and the company is currently trying to ascertain the condition of its facilities. In the meantime, business activities are expected to be disrupted due to rolling blackouts.
In a statement, Tamron reports no structural damage or injuries, but the rolling blackouts and severely curtailed train service have caused the company to close its facilities for at least the next few days.
Panasonic reports minor injuries in one of its northern Japan factories, in Fukushima, where production of Lumix digital cameras has been suspended. The company is evaluating damage and says the long-term effect is still being determined.
Sandisk, whose facilities are 500 miles from the epicenter, appears to have escaped unharmed. The factories were shut immediately after the quake, but resumed opearations by Friday morning.
However, due to possible meltdowns at several of Japan’s nuclear reactors, the Japanese government has instituted rolling blackouts, which are disrupting companies even if they were not otherwise affected by the quake or tzunami.
The tsunami has also destroyed many freighter ships, some of which may have been preparing to ship photographic equipment to destinations around the world. This situation is currently being assessed by the companies, but it is likely there will be shortages of some gear as a result.
Epson, Canon, Panasonic, Sony, Ricoh and Nikon have all reported that they have donated hundreds of millions of Yen to the relief effort and are contributing in other tactical ways to help survivors.
This report was based on information published by TIPA, Amateur Photographer, Reuters, and statements from several manufacturers.
The Rebel T3 is a replacement for the 2.5 year old Rebel XS model, and incorporates quite a range of updates to bring the camera up to date in the company’s line. the new Rebel T3 has increased the sensor resolution to twelve megapixels. Also new in the Rebel T3 is a nine-point AF system. The Rebel T3 also now supports the latest generation SDXC cards, including the very cool Eye-Fi cards, and includes a greater selection of reduced resolution shooting options.
The Rebel T3 also has a much wider ISO sensitivity range of 100 to 6,400 equivalents, an expanded +/-5 EV exposure compensation range, an adjustable Auto Lighting Optimization function, and the Highlight Tone Priority mode seen on many recent Canon DSLRs. It also adds high-def 720p movie shooting capability, HDMI video output, and a slightly larger 2.7-inch LCD display. Not all the changes are entirely positive, though. Burst shooting speed is barely changed at 3 frames per second, but burst depth falls to just 4-5 large/fine JPEG or two Raw frames.
The Rebel T3 ships with a new kit lens, the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II, in a bundle priced at around US$600. This lens’ image stabilization system is said to offer a four-stop improvement. the new Rebel T3 should be in stores around March 2011.
So once you purchase that new Rebel T3, head on over to the SCV Center for Photography and sign-up for our Basic DSLR Camera workshops and we will help you get started.
It has been reported that California is phasing out conventional 100 watt incandescent light bulbs almost a year earlier that what the Federal Government has mandated. Stores in California are allowed to sell out their remaining inventory, but once they are gone, they are gone for good. You if you really like the old-school 100-watt light bulbs, you better stock up as the current inventories are expected to be gone before summer, but note that as much as 90% of the energy of the old fashion incandescent bulb is wasted as heat and not light.
The new 100 watt light bulbs are actually more energy efficient using only 77 watts to generate 100 watts of light, thus reducing energy consumption, which of course is better for the planet and our wallets.
Also note that next year California starts phasing out the 75 watt bulb and the 60 watt bulb in 2013.
When you are out on location it is very easy to get caught up in the moment of taking photos and you forget to look at your composition and what is happening within the frame.
It is very easy to miss the unwanted items within your image, so you need to check you viewfinder and make sure there is nothing in your frame that will require you to remove it in Photoshop.
Make sure your horizon is straight, as it is very easy to tilt your image is you are not using a tripod, or if you are using a tripod, that it is level. If needed, you can get a bubble level that slips onto your hotshoe to assist you getting a straight horizon.
And lastly, consider your depth of field, and the control you want with you foreground and background. It is much easier to determine this in the field and select the aperture in the field, than it is to blur an image in Photoshop.
So just be aware of what is going in your image before you snap the shutter…..
If you need additional assistance, we offer Basic and Intermediate Camera workshops at the SCV Center for Photography. See our workshop schedules for more information.
I hear so many beginning photographers that come through our workshops talk about how you need to spend thousands of dollars in order to take great pictures. But in reality, the equipment is just the vehicle that helps you create the photograph. Yes, certain cameras have different functions, or handle things better or worse, but all of the current DSLR’s give you the basic functions to take that photograph. No question, having a wider range of lenses and accessories helps, but acquire those items over time as you find what interests you and while you are learning and growing as a photographer.
So take your time in buying equipment, so that you only buy an item once. As you grow as a photographer, let your creativity tell you what equipment is necessary in capturing the photographs that move you, thus not purchasing equipment that will just sit in a camera bag.
I have been experimenting with Nik Software’s new HDR Efex Pro. I am really liking the results and the ease of use in using this new software. Nik has also incorporated the U-Point technology that is in many of their other programs, so making local adjustments instead of global adjustments is very easy.
If you are interested in purchasing the software, then head over to www.niksoftware .com and during checkout, put in the discount code of SCVPHOTOCENTER and receive a 15% discount on ALL Nik products.
Here are a few examples using the new HDR Efex Pro software:
Show your camera some love. Always clean your camera after a shoot. You take it out in to the world and ask it to capture some amazing images for you. It gets exposed to the air and wind and dirt – maybe even some sea mist. Give it some TLC afterwards by using a clean, dry cloth to wipe away the dirt and grime. When necessary, take it in to your local camera shop for a thorough cleaning – including the sensor. You can, of course, clean the sensor yourself, but this can be tricky business and cause major harm to your camera. Unless you are 100% sure of what you are doing, do not attempt this at home! Take it to a professional. When you take care of your camera, it will take care of you! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at the SCV Center for Photography.