Nikon make D3000 and D300s a reality

After months of rumor and speculation, Nikon has today officially released the entry-level D3000 and D300s. Announced alongside are two lenses, both updates to existing models; the long-rumored AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G VRII, and the AF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II.

Despite a ground swell calling for the company to release new primes, no fixed focal length lenses were announced at this time.

Nikon UK press release:

NIKON GUIDES THE WAY WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE D3000
The DSLR made simple

RRP
D3000 body only: £429.99 /€522.00
D3000 + 18-55mm VR: £499.99 / €607.00
Sales start date: 28th August 2009

Nikon UK is pleased to announce its simplest, most accessible DSLR to date, the D3000. The new model is packed with user friendly, intuitive features which have been designed to guide DSLR first timers towards capturing professional looking images at the click of a button.

Jordi Brinkman, Product Manager for Nikon Europe says: “The D3000 dispels the view that DSLR cameras are complicated and makes taking great pictures simpler than ever before. You can really concentrate on having fun with photography and the Guide mode helps you to get the best results with the minimum of fuss.”

DSLR, pure and simple
The D3000 is designed for anyone who wants to take pictures without worrying about settings. You can select the type of subject or scene and the camera will do the rest, ensuring the correct parameters are set for the perfect shot, and the instant response time means you never miss a moment. The 11-point autofocus system ensures everyone is in focus, and the bright viewfinder means you get what you want, when you want it.

Great pictures, automatically
The 10.2 megapixel sensor, powerful EXPEED processing system and brilliant NIKKOR lenses ensure excellent pictures wherever you are, whatever you or your subject is doing. The comprehensive exposure metering system, ISO 1600 sensitivity and built-in pop up flash make light work of dark places.

Guide the way
The new intelligent Guide mode demystifies the often complex world of digital SLR photography by helping DSLR first timers to get the most from their images by recommending the appropriate settings for their subject or scene. The visual demonstrations help you to pre-visualise the end result and teach you how to improve your photography skills by clearly identifying the settings used to achieve the image. Once you have mastered the basic skills you can take your photography to the next level by testing out the more creative options within the guide mode.

3-inch LCD screen
The 3-inch LCD screen means you can share your efforts with family and friends and makes retouching your pictures in-camera great fun. Beyond the Guide mode, the GUI menus are larger and simpler to use thanks to extensive use of visuals instead of text. The wide variety of exciting in-camera processing effects means you can get really creative with your pictures and share them with friends and family.

Anytime and anywhere
Whatever you do, wherever you go, the D3000 is a must have for any family event or day out. The camera’s comprehensive technologies and tough exterior are ready to handle whatever your free time can throw at it. The exclusive dust reduction system with Airflow control minimises the impact of dust on the image sensor and its compact size and weight – and tough housing – on both body and lens make the D3000 impossible to leave behind.

Key features
10.2megapixel CCD sensor: Even in low light the image resolution makes easy work of big prints and sharp enlargements.
11-point autofocus system: Keeps even the fastest moving subjects in focus, often the biggest challenge for compact cameras
Fast response: The start up time and shutter lag means you can capture the shot almost instantly, without the delayed response time common of compact cameras
Guide mode: Simply the easiest way to get great pictures, without having to read the manual
3-inch TFT: With pictures this good, you will need a great screen to share them with friends and family
EXPEED image processing: Exclusive system to deliver rich, bright results close to what you saw with your own eyes
Picture Controls: Lets you set the look and mood of your images before you shoot
3 fps continuous shooting allows you to capture fast-moving action at 3 frames per second
Intuitive ergonomics: We challenge anyone to pick up a D3000 and it not to feel part of your hand
Stylish discrete appearance: The D3000 does not become a barrier between you and your subject, resulting in natural looking expressions
Compact, light and durable: It won’t fit in your pocket, but with pictures this good you will find a shoulder to hang it on

Leica announce S-system availability and pricing

Leica Camera has today announced pricing and availability of the eagerly-awaited medium-format Leica S2 system. Originally slated for a September release, the first shipment is expected in October, with the S2 camera body retailing at £15,966 inc VAT (at 15-percent)/€18,624 /$22,759. Announced Sept 2008, the 37.5 megapixel Leica S2 DSLR has a 30x45mm sensor (1.5x the size of a 35mm FF sensor) in a highly portable 35mm-sized body.

Leica Camera also announced the S2 will be fully supported by a professional users servicing scheme, the details of which have to still to be confirmed. Jon Sareen, UK commercial manager, Leica S-System, added, "The eagerly-anticipated Leica S-System is a very new and different challenge for Leica Camera Ltd, in comparison to other products in our range. We have engaged new experts, and arrangements regarding leasing and rental facilities are well under way. Service and support will be very hot topics for Leica S-System users, and we can confirm that we are planning a rapid [turnaround] third party UK solution, to work in conjunction with our head office in Germany."

Leica S-System: 2009 range pricing details

LEICA S2 Black £15,996.00 / €18.624 /$22,759
LEICA S2-P Black* £19,092.00 / €22.270 / $27,214
SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/70 ASPH £3,096.00 / €3.611 / $4,413
SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/70 ASPH CS £4,025.00 / €4.695/ $5,737
APO-TELE-ELMAR-S 1:3.5/180 £4,541.00 / €5.297 / $ 6,471
APO-TELE-ELMAR-S 1:3.5/180 CS £5,160.00 / €6.019 / $7,355
APO-MACRO-SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/120 £4,541.00 / €5.297/ $ 6,471
APO-MACRO-SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/120 CS £5,160.00 / €6.019 / $7,355
SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/35 ASPH £3,612.00 / €4.213 / $5,148
SUMMARIT-S 1:2.5/35 ASPH CS £4,231.00 / €4,935/ $6,030
Multifunction handgrip S £851.00 / €992 / $1,213
Professional battery charger S £258.00 / €310 / $368

* includes Sapphire Glass monitor screen and S-Body Platinum Service (more details to be announced)
CS = Central Shutter Lens
Prices include VAT at 15%, 30 July 2009
Euro prices - straight GBP conversion (with VAT at 15%)
USD prices - GBP conversion net of tax (ex VAT). Please note, several US sites are quoting substantially higher prices in USD.

Canon announce new Hybrid IS system

Canon has today announced the development of a new Hybrid IS (Image Stabilization) system that compensates for both rotational movement (tipping or pitching) as well as linear movement (caused by shaking, or vibration). Existing anti-shake systems reduce blur caused by horizontal and vertical (linear) movement only. Canon say the new Hybrid IS system will be introduced in a DSLR lens sometime before the end of this year.

Canon EF lens range, 2008

My own thoughts are that we'll see this implemented in a new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L first. Alongside the 16-35mm f/2.8, this lens type is by far the most important and widely used among professional photographers and is often showcased by manufacturers. Shortages and rumors of an update have been circulating on this lens for sometime (as have that of the Nikon equivalent, who won't want to be seen to lag too far behind again).

We will then most likely see the systematic updating of every current IS lens, and after starting with the 70-200mm f/2.8 swiftly moving on to the super telephotos: 300mm f/2.8, 400mm f/2.8, 500mm f/4 and 600mm f/4. Most of these lenses are several years old and are due for updating (improved optical formulae, Sub-wavelength Super Spectra Coatings, lighter weight magnesium alloy barrels and possibly improved USMs), the 300mm f/2.8L especially (it's a 10-year old design). I wouldn't expect to see the 200mm f/2 or 800mm f/5.6 updated for the time being.

We may even see the long rumored EF 180mm f/3.5L IS macro and EF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS, if only to stop the banter about Sony's IS system being available with the Carl Zeiss 24-70mm f/2.8 and 16-35mm f/2.8 (it's built-into the A900 and A700 camera bodies). Who knows, the Hybrid system could find its way in a new EF14-35mm f/2.8L and maybe even the way overdue EF 150-600mm f/5.6L or smaller EF 200-400mm f/4L. I doubt it somehow but would certainly like to think so.

Source (Canon)

Induro C414 tripod review

Serious competition, the Induro C414

Induro C414 $669 / £460 (inc VAT), head extra

SPEC (exc ball-head)

Max Height (column down): 66.8 in (170cm)
Max Height (column up): 77.2 in (196cm)
Min Height: 23.1 in (58cm)
Leg Sections: 4
Closed Length: 25.2 in (64cm)
Weight: 6.2 lbs (2.8kg)
Load capacity: 26.5 lbs (12kg)


Quality 5/5
Features & Design 4/5
Value for Money 5/5
Overall 4.5/5

The Induro C414 is the top-of-the-range model with 4-section legs and column made of carbon fiber while the body casting is magnesium alloy for low weight. Both the tubing and twist lock leg design resemble that of Gitzo, as does the build quality generally. In terms of tubing diameter the legs fall somewhere between the 3 and 5-series carbon fiber Gitzo in size (series 4 is aluminium). It’s very impressive.

Like the pricey rival, the C414 uses the usual three-position lock for adjusting the leg spread, up to a full 80 degrees from closed to nearly horizontal. This allows a good deal of versatility while maintaining excellent rigidity. Also similar is the anti-rotation legs and rubber faced twist-locks for the leg-sections. They’re dust and moisture sealed, but more importantly, they lock off positively and very firmly. There were no accidental slips at any time during the test period. Non-slip rubber feet can be replaced with the supplied steel spikes.

Induro C414 + Markins M20 Q-ball

The C414 has a reversible rapid column with a solid ballast hook, but I had to (almost) over-tighten the clamp to prevent higher than expected rotational play on the column. Due to the inclusion of a rapid (not geared) column the C414 uses a 70mm head plate so it's not really suitable for a head such as the RRS BH-55 (although it fits it looks enormous and out of proportion), but was a fine fit for a mid-sized Markins M20.

You could use a gimble head like the Wimberley Version II, but you would want to make sure the column was retracted and locked off firmly. If I can, I will try posting some sample shots with these heads.

The small pack-down size and reasonable weight make it more suitable for location and landscape work than you might expect. But price is the most likely limiting factor. All the same, if you're looking for a solid tripod, capable of supporting a decent load, then the Induro C414 really should be on your shortlist.

Links:

Induro, RRS (Really Right Stuff), Markins (USA), Markins Europe, Wimberley.

Induro has kindly featured an excerpt of this concise review on their very informative blog.

UPDATE: Please note the C414 has been replaced by the CT414, with modified leg column locks, and a reduced price of $665.

Olympus Pen advert

While we wait for the Pen to arrive, I thought I would post an advert for it. According to several sites, the original idea can be attributed elsewhere (look for 'Stop motion with wolf and pig'), but it's still neat all the same. Must admit my attention wanes after a minute twenty, but you've got to like it up to there. Catchy tune too, don't you think?

Olympus E-P1 review coming shortly

Just had an email from Olympus this morning (yes it's Sunday morning here in the UK) to say an E-P1 is coming my way. Another camera to add to the long list of reviews, but the Pen will be with us shortly and we hope to post some comparisons with a Leica M8.2. Check back later in the week.

Induro tripod reviews coming soon

Induro CX213 + Markins M10

I've been testing some Induro tripods and I'm mightily impressed. The above is the Carbonflex CX213 complete with a Markins M10 Q-ball, RRS plate and Pentax K-7 with 35mm f/2.8 Macro Limited. I hope to post a short review later today, or tomorrow. Also to be reviewed is the top-of-the-range C414.

Update August 01, 2009: The C414 review can be found here.

Pentax K-7 HDR examples

Pentax K-7 + 35mm f/2.8 Macro Limited, HDR capture 'Strong'

With all its exposure mode options, many unique to Pentax (such as Sv, TAv and Hyper Program choices including options for the program lines), the new K-7 is a sweet camera for sure. I was also intrigued by the HDR (High Dynamic Range) option.

Somewhat clumsily selected from the main menu, this feature allows the K-7 to take three successive shots (JPEG only) using either Standard or Strong options and processes them in-camera to deliver a single HDR image.

I've posted some examples and comparisons above and below, and while the results are mixed (the softness is due to some movement in the trees - it was a little windy), the feature is an interesting addition; I've just got to find the right subject for it.

Pentax K-7+ 35mm f/2.8 Macro Limited, HDR capture 'Standard'

Pentax K-7 + 35mm f/2.8 Macro Limited, HDR 'Off' , additional D-range settings off.

Unfortunately, there are a couple of shortcomings using HDR capture. Firstly, as previously mentioned it's only available in JPEG mode (so all the image parameters, including WB are baked in), and you can't use the built-in self-timer, meaning you'll need a remote control.

There's also no built-in eyepiece blind either, so care has to be taken during metering. I haven't timed the in-camera processing, but it's in the region of 30 seconds or so. Oh, and you'll need a tripod too. I can easily recommend the Induro C414.

K-7 HDR 'Strong', converted using Nik Silver Efex Pro plug-in

I got to thinking one of the problems with my examples above was the excessive green (a real problem with our landscape), so I converted the first HDR capture (using the Strong setting) to B&W using Aperture and Nik Silver Efex Pro.

The result is much more worthwhile, I would say.

UPDATED August 01, 2009

Just for sheer devilment, I decided to do some quick HDR processing using a JPEG from the series I took that day. I rather like this one also, and I have a far greater control over the whole creative process.

Julius Shulman passes away, aged 98

Julius Shulman, one of the most influential architectural photographers of the modernist era, has died at the age of 98.

(Taschen) - A resident of Los Angeles since 1920, Julius Shulman documented modernist architecture in Southern California and across the globe for nearly eight decades. His images of Pierre Koenig's Case Study House No. 22 (1960) in Los Angeles and Richard J. Neutra's Kaufmann House (1947) in Palm Springs are among the most recognizable and iconic architectural photographs of the 20th century. Shulman's interest in photography developed into a career when he photographed Neutra's Kun Residence in Los Angeles with his Kodak Vestpocket camera in 1936. Neutra admired young Shulman's images and continued to commission his work. Other leading architects of the time followed suit, as did hundreds of magazines, newspapers, and book publishers. Shulman's numerous awards include the Architectural Photography Medal from the American Institute of Architects (1969), a lifetime achievement award from the International Center of Photography in New York (1998), and honorary doctorates from various academic institutions. He died on July 15 and is survived by his daughter, Judy McKee, and grandson, Timothy, both of Santa Barbara.

"Julius Shulman was one of the greatest photographers and image makers of the the 20th century. Even in a biblical age he was an inspiration for generations of admirers, fans and friends. His house was open for everyone and thousands of pilgrims from all over the world came to see him, the man who created the visual memory of Modernism. He was a generous, kind and caring human being with a memory sharp as the latest generation of computers, recalling every trip he made and every photograph he took. I loved this man and I was blessed to have him as my friend and as a TASCHEN artist."
—Benedikt Taschen

Link (Taschen)

Olympus outs Stylus Tough 6010

Olympus has added a new 12mp Mju model to the range that's claimed to be waterproof (to 10M), freeze-proof and shock-proof. Known as the Mju Tough 6010 in Europe, it's also known as the Stylus Tough 6010 in the USA. This model appears to replace the 10-megapixel Mju/Stylus Tough 6000.

Press release:

The µ TOUGH with Magic Filters

The Olympus µ TOUGH-6010: an action hero

London, 17 July 2009 – From adrenaline packed days to activities with the family, the Olympus µ TOUGH-6010 is ready for action. Whether enjoying a day at the beach or out carving on the slopes, this 12 Megapixel powerhouse is the ultimate companion. Shockproof, waterproof, and freezeproof just like the rest of the µ TOUGH series, it ensures extreme fun. Aspiring artists can even find their fill with a new set of Magic Filters. Featuring a 3.6x wide optical zoom, the µ TOUGH-6010 is of course also packed with the latest in Olympus opto-digital technology. Boasting everything from Dual Image Stabilisation to Tap Control, it was created to ensure photographic peace of mind while enjoying life’s many adventures. Available in a striking choice of colours, the latest µ TOUGH will be available from July 2009 for a retail price of £299.99

Interestingly, none of the Olympus sites appear to be carrying information on the new camera.

Hasselblad ships HCD 35-90mm f/4-5.6 zoom

Hasselblad has announced the new HCD 35-90mm f/4-5.6 zoom, introduced at Photokina, is now shipping. For more info, including stockists, please follow the link.

New Nikon D300S to be announced shortly?

Source, Nikon Rumors

I don't normally report on scuttlebut*, but the Nikon Rumors site is showing photos of the long-wished for HD video equipped D300s. Guess it won't be long before we'll find out if this and the D3000 are real or vapour-ware.

What I really would prefer to see are some new fixed focal length primes. The thing is that Nikon has positioned their pro-level bodies as 35mm full-frame (FX format) cameras and are unlikely (or able) to split resources introducing DX (APS-C) format primes.

Sure, we've seen the 35mm f/1.8 DX (50mm equivalent) introduced recently, but it's a damage limitation exercise. New primes, of interest to pros and enthusiasts, will likely be FX format.

That's the problem when you run two formats, and why makers like Pentax are able to channel their efforts into lenses like the DA (APS-C) format Limited lens range.

Makes it difficult for people to choose, doesn't it?

* Navy slang for hearsay.

Along the Water's Edge: The photographs of Tim Wolcott

Big Bear Lake Gallery owner and fine art photographer, Tim Wolcott, has today announced the availability of his new book, Along the Water's Edge. With essays by Michael Reichmann publisher of the Luminous Landscape website and writer Matthew Jaffe, formerly senior writer at Sunset Magazine, Along the Water's Edge features striking photographs taken over the last 20 years of some of America's most beguiling lakes, rivers, waterfalls and oceans.


Big Bear Lake, CA (PRWEB) July 15, 2009 -- Along the Water's Edge, published by the Gallery of the American Landscape, is a volume of exceptional photographs made over the past twenty years. Timothy Wolcott, a fine art landscape photographer and pioneer in pigment photography, has captured images of rivers, streams, waterfalls and oceans like you have never seen them. Shooting with medium and large format camera systems, Wolcott's talents for composition and timing evoke the elusive spirit of a place.

Tim is considered one of the world's most eco-friendly photographers. He was a co-inventor of Evercolor, the first environmentally sound and virtually non-fading photo printing process. He also pioneered inkjet printing and has served as head consultant for the Smithsonian and the Library of Congress where his photographs have been exhibited. They are also on display at his own gallery, Big Bear Lake Gallery, which was designed in 1996 -- the world's first gallery utilizing exclusively eco-friendly processes including all archival and eco-friendly framing and matting.

Along the Water's Edge, is an eco-friendly book using only FSC certified paper. Each carefully selected image has been printed to match tonal range of the shadows, brilliant highlights, and luminous color of Wolcott's hand-crafted exhibition prints. A hexachrome printing process was used to render each image's richly saturated color and subtle detail.

The images in this book were captured during the past 20 years and represent hundreds of thousands of miles traveled and hours of patient searching for the perfect location, the perfect moment, the perfect light. The book includes a complete list of equipment and technical information.

Many of the original photographs comprising the book's 79 images have been exhibited in museums, private corporations and fine art galleries worldwide. Wolcott's work is represented in exhibits at Smithsonian, Library of Congress, Photography West and other Association of International Photography Art Dealers (AIPAD) galleries worldwide.

Copyright, Tim Wolcott

Along the Water's Edge is available now in three versions via the web site at:

http://www.galleryoftheamericanlandscape.com/book.html

Museum Edition with Exhibition Print -- First edition of 500 signed and numbered hardbound books in a handcrafted slipcase with a hand made exhibition print signed and numbered by the artist $250

Collector's Book Edition -- First edition of 500 signed and numbered hardbound books $150

Trade Edition -- First edition hardbound book $50

About Tim Wolcott

Tim Wolcott is a master landscape photographer and eco-friendly artist. Owner of Big Bear Lake Gallery (www.GalleryoftheAmericanLandscape.com), Wolcott belongs to a tradition of American innovation. His ancestor Alexander Wolcott received the first patent for a camera in America and created the first photography exhibition in 1840 and owned the as the first studio.

Although as Wolcott describes it, photography is less about technology than about the light that creates the image, Wolcott credits Copenhagen-based Phase One (www.phaseone.com) with technical innovations that have permitted him to capture a much wider range of light with beautiful shadow detail and rich white highlights that renders extremely rich colors previously not possible with other camera systems. It's this combination of shooting styles - mixing the old and the new - that allows him to produce such superior imagery. In the end, he declares, "There are no short cuts. Great photography requires understanding light and composition, vision and patience - simple discipline - simple but never easy."

As an inventor working with the Evercolor group in 1991, he helped design the world's first eco-friendly process - using no chemicals or heavy metals -- for color photographic prints. To this day no other process has beaten its longevity (250 years with 10% fade). Tim started working with inkjet technology in 1996, trying to make the first pigment inkjet photographs. And in 1995, he helped make the first paper for the process. Since then he continues to help design the right pigments, papers or coatings for what fine art photographers are using today and in the future.

NAPP announce World Wide Photo Walk

15th July 2009, London:

This Saturday, NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Pros) –co-sponsored by Adobe - has organised a worldwide event – over 900 photo walks (33 across UK and Ireland), an expected 17,000 photographers will attend with over 1 million photos taken all on the same day.

What: Photo Walk - social event, photographers walk the streets, shoot photos, interact with other photographers

NAPP –co-sponsor Adobe- is hosting its second-annual day

Post-walks, photographers will process photos in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and post to NAPP site for a chance to win a grand prize.

Last year, more than 1,017,125 photos were taken on walks that day

Where: Taking place across the world, 900 walks worldwide, 411 outside US, 33 locations across UK & Ireland

When: SATURDAY – 18 July 2009 - same day worldwide, different times - each Photo Walk lasts 2 hours

How much: FREE!

For further details please visit here.

James Ravilious: An English Eye exhibition at National Theatre

The National Theatre on the south bank has a rather timely exhibition of James Ravilious' English Eye. It's open from 13th July through to 13th September.

For more details visit the NT here.

Buy a Hasselblad H3DII and meet Buzz

Hasselblad are celebrating the 40 year anniversary of the lunar landing (and the launch of the new H3DII-60) by inviting a limited number of photographers to meet Buzz Aldrin and the Hasselblad design team at the Kennedy Space Centre. For more details including qualification (you'll need to buy a H3DII 50 / 60; no trifling matter in itself, before the 21 August) follow this link.

Portrait Professional Studio 8 review

Anthropics’ Portrait Professional enhancement software sounds promising but is there a place for another retouching utility?



Price
Professional Standard £39.95 (£34.74 plus VAT @ 15 percent)
Professional Studio £59.95 (£52.13 plus VAT @ 15 percent)
Contact
Anthropics Technology 0870 2247990, www.portraitprofessional.com
System Requirements
Intel Mac & OS X 10.4 or later, Windows Vista, XP, or 2000

Summary

Handling 4/5
Spec 4/5
Performance 4/5
Value for Money 5/5
Overall 4/5


With the release of version 8.0, Anthropics’ Portrait Professional image enhancement utility adds overdue support for the Mac OS, and a host of new and improved benefits over previous versions. If you’re not familiar with the software, the simple to use retouching utility analyses an image and applies correction and enhancement filters based on a number of criteria within a database of facial features.

Garnered from extensive scientific study at various respected universities in the UK, this criteria of facial features - essentially what’s attractive and what isn’t, forms the basis of the definition of human beauty. Through a four-step process, you start off by providing information about the sitter in your chosen image. The gender, the location of the eyes, mouth, nose and outlines of the face are mapped on screen and then sliders are used to enhance your portrait.



Portrait Professional has come a long way from when it required an internet connection to compare selections with their database and run algorithms housed securely on their server. From version 6 it became a standalone application and a Max version, intended for professional users, added support for 16-bit Tiff’s as well as Raw conversion for a number of file types. That now has become the Studio edition, reviewed here.

Studio has essentially the same step-by-step image enhancement features that require little or no previous retouching skill of the Standard edition but allows a choice of working colour spaces including selection of monitor ICC profiles and version 8.0 adds improved support for Raw files – but we’re not told what exactly. Presumably, they’ve added compatibility with some of the newer DSLRs.

I tried some files from the Sony A900, but it failed to decode them properly. Raw files from the EOS 1Ds Mk III were handled without issue, as were 16-bit Tiff’s from the same camera processed originally by Aperture. And that was using a MacBook Pro with just 2GB of Ram.

Although the interface looks like it has been ported from the Windows version the Mac implementation is generally very good but the two-fingered scrolling feature of the track-pad on a MacBook Pro fails to alter brush sizes – best then to use a mouse, or better still a tablet.

Be that as it may, you won’t find it necessary to hone your painting skills, as, like previous versions, Portrait Professional’s main control panel contains a plethora (around 80 or so in total) of expandable slider-based controls. This sits to the left of two before/after previews in a pane that occupies the rest of the screen. The panel can be detached and left floating – that’s handy if working from a couple of monitors but doesn’t present too much of an issue for typical Mac 16:10 ratio screens. It can be a bit tight for squarer Windows monitors, but the panel and preview panes are adjustable.

After following the initial three steps, mentioned previously, the software delivers a default enhancement from algorithms now contained within the software. From those few simple steps the result is usually surprisingly good - prominent lines and blemishes are smoothed, eyes are brightened and sharpened, noses straightened and faces slimmed. However if it’s not quite to your liking the fourth and final step allows you to fine-tune the look.


Although there’s not one effect that can’t be replicated in Photoshop, all this is achieved in no longer than five minutes, and usually less. However, it’s worth noting at this stage that the software still works well with faces that are three-quarters on but can’t be used on people in profile. Neither does it work that well if the face, or eyes particularly, are somewhat obscured by hair – it’s good, but not that good.

Portrait Professional also works with individuals in a group, but you can’t lift and stamp the key facial settings and adjustments from one similar image to another, which is a drawback. In terms of workflow then, I find it’s simpler to convert chosen Raw files in an external editor, such as Aperture or Lightroom, and export the best images as 16-bit Tiff’s into Portrait Professional.

From the default enhancement you can either tweak certain settings or apply a global (master) adjustment of facial features and effects, depending on your time constraints. A pull-down menu of 18 presets is also handy. These consist of the default male and female settings, as well effects for increasing the drama (contrast), glamour (colour), sculpting, removing wrinkles and others. It’s an easy quick-fix but if you want precise control you’ll want to head for the manual sliders.

These are split into two main groups and the first are subdivided again into face-sculpting adjustments and removing skin imperfections. You can use the sculpting tools to straighten a nose or elongate a face, enlarge eyes or change the shape of the forehead. You need some experience with retouching here and of the sitter or sitters.

I found that it’s easy to make adjustments with people you don’t know, but with those you do, even slight adjustments make for an unconvincing result. The lesson here is subtlety.

Most prominent skin imperfections can be lessened easily enough but the utility leaves some texture for reality’s sake. This may result in stubborn spots or blemishes having to be removed by the touch-up brush. Again no real skill is required, in operation it’s not unlike Photoshop’s Spot-healing brush.

The remaining controls, the second group, concentrate on facial features in depth. You can change the iris colour, whiten eyes and teeth, darken the lips, sharpen the mouth and so on. There’s another group of controls for adding shine and lightening and reddening hair. But a subset for tidying has no options for removing stray hair or for retouching grey-roots from coloured hair, two surprisingly common requests.




Despite the few drawbacks, the lack of applying adjustments to other images from a group, the limited hair-retouching options and patchy Raw camera support in the Studio version, Portrait Professional has much to commend it. Given the extraordinarily low price (of either edition), the shallow learning curve and the staggeringly good results, it really doesn’t make sense not to give it a go.

Jan, before and after

This review of mine first featured in Professional Photographer magazine, January 2009.

Please note Portrait Professional is now at version 9.  For more information, please follow the link.

Mikhael Subotzky wins Leica Oskar Barnack Award, 2009

copyright, Mikhael Subotzky

9 July 2009: Leica Camera has announced that this year’s prestigious ‘Leica Oskar Barnack Award’ has been awarded to photographer Mikhael Subotzky.

The 28-year-old’s prize-winning portfolio, entitled ‘Beaufort West’, impressed the panel of judges – which included the internationally known singer and Leica photographer Seal – for its scenes from the South African town of the same name.

Second place in this year’s competition was taken by Dominic Nahr. The Swiss-born photographer was awarded the new ‘Leica Oskar Barnack Newcomer Award’ for his photographic essay from the Congo, entitled ‘The Road to Nowhere’.

The images captured by Mikhael Subotzky amply document the main feature of Beaufort West: the main N1 national road, connecting Johannesburg and Cape Town. For many of the residents, the road is their only connection to the outside world, where, in the evening hours, many residents line the sides of the road to peddle their wares to travellers. Mikhael Subotzky shows various street scenarios and captures the essence of each.

The portfolio in second place – ‘The Road to Nowhere’ – documents the dramatic situation of refugees in the east of the Republic of Congo at the end of 2008. In his images, Dominic Nahr accompanies refugees and soldiers on their apparently hopeless search for safety.

In addition to singer/photographer Seal, the jury for this year’s Leica Oskar Barnack Award also included the following members: François Hébel (Arles Meetings Director), Hans-Peter Junker (Editor-in-Chief of VIEW, Gruner+Jahr publishing house), Karin Rehn-Kaufmann (Creative Director of the Leica Gallery in Salzburg) and Dr Andreas Kaufmann (Managing Director of the majority shareholder ACM).

The Leica Oskar Barnack Award ceremony takes place at the photographic festival in Arles from 7 to 12 July 2009. The winner receives 5,000 [€] or Leica camera equipment to the same value.

All portfolios submitted may be viewed in the online gallery at: www.leica-oskar-barnack preis.de

An English Eye: The Photographs of James Ravilious

James Ravilious was one England's greatest photographers, yet he and his work remains largely unknown. Coming late to photography in life, he devoted his last 17 years to documenting a small community in north Devon, contributing over 80,ooo photos to a project that later became known as the Beaford Archive.

The collection, one of the most extensive in the country, revealed a way of life that many, myself included, thought had long disappeared.

Back in print as a paperback, due largely to a recent and compelling BBC documentary, An English Eye: The Photographs of James Ravilious, promises to be a real treat, and I've got it on my list. Ravilious was no ordinary documentary photographer, he elevated his work to an art-form, that, to my mind, parallels Cartier-Bresson.

Amazon US: An English Eye: The Photographs of James Ravilious

Amazon UK: An English Eye: The Photographs of James Ravilious

Topaz Fusion Express brings Aperture compatibility to the Topaz Photoshop plug-ins free of charge

Topaz Labs has today announced the availability of Fusion Express, a free Apple Aperture plug-in that allows the use of Topaz image adjustment plug-ins normally intended to be used with Photoshop. If you use Aperture and Topaz plug-ins, you can download the free Fusion plug-in and start using it immediately.

For those not using the Topaz plug-ins yet, use the coupon code “NEWFUSION” for an instant 15% off of the Photoshop bundle. (Expires Aug 1 09.)

For more information including including the free Fusion download please see the link below.

Links: http://www.topazlabs.com/fusion