News

Nik Software has announced the new Silver Efex Pro photographic plug-in for use
with Adobe Photoshop and Apple Aperture. It is said to be the most advanced, complete,
and straightforward black-and-white solution. Silver Efex Pro uses a range of
advanced imaging algorithms that protect against unwanted artifacts, a comprehensive
collection of 18 emulated black-and-white film types, and a state-of-the-art grain
engine that truly mimics the silver halide process and creates the highest quality
black-and-white images possible from scanned or digital color photographs.



With Nik Software's patented U Point technology, Silver Efex Pro provides easy-to-use
tools for direct on-image control of tonality, contrast, and structure. Precisely
controlling specific areas of a photo can be achieved easily using just a few
mouse clicks without the need to create complicated selections and layer masks.
Silver Efex Pro combined with U Point technology offers users unprecedented control
over selective tonal and contrast adjustment in black-and-white images.



Working seamlessly within Photoshop and Aperture, Silver Efex Pro begins by presenting
photographers with a basic "neutral" conversion of their color image
to black-and-white. One-click adjustments can be made from a choice of over 20
preset styles from nostalgic processes like the ambrotype and tin type to classic
artistic renderings, trendy high contrast, soft focus or grainy images that emulate
the most popular film types and shooting styles.



This initial set of creative options can be used as is or as a starting point
for photographers who wish to create and even share their own customized black-and-white
styles. In addition, color filters, variable toning controls (includes sepia,
selenium, split-toning and user-defined colors for maximum flexibility), vignettes,
and more only add to the number of advanced stylistic effects photographers will
enjoy with Silver Efex Pro.



Additional sliders for global brightness, contrast, and structure, as well as
Smart Filter compatibility within Photoshop and multi-image support in Aperture
provide the ultimate level of control. With U Point powered Control Points photographers
have the flexibility to specifically fine tune tonality, contrast, and structure
and create stunning black-and-white images.



Pricing, Availability, & Promotion with Gekko-brand Fine Art Papers

Silver Efex Pro is available now for electronic delivery directly from Nik Software
(www.niksoftware.com).
Boxed versions will be available from Nik Software and through specialty camera
retailers in August 2008. A complete list of resellers may be found at www.niksoftware.com/resellers.
...

Phase One has confirmed that the Phase One 645 Camera system -- providing professional
photographers freedom of choice -- is now in volume production and shipping to
customers world-wide. The Phase One 645 Camera body is lightweight, with a user-friendly
ergonomic design. It is an open platform, designed to support pro photographers'
choice of lenses and digital backs or film operation to achieve superior image
quality. The camera system comes with a warranty covering 3 years or 300,000 shutter
actuations, and is backed by full support and service of a global team of Phase
One dealers.
...

Hasselblad has announced the launch of a new generation of raw processor, workflow
and camera control software, Phocus version 1.0 for Mac. Providing the ultimate
processing tool for Hasselblad digital images, the new Phocus RAW processor
is said to deliver perfect colors through the Hasselblad Natural Color Solution,
and includes digital lens corrections for color aberration, distortion and vignetting
(DAC I, II and III). Another key advantage and designed to save hours of post-production
work, Phocus's leading edge moiré removal technology allows image
detail to be preserved, even on extremely high resolution images. By automatically
removing moiré directly from the raw data, image quality remains intact,
while any need for special masking selections or other manual procedures is
eliminated.

...

OmegaSatter of Hampstead, Maryland announced that effective June 1, 2008 it
had acquired the assets of Novatron Electronics Corporation of Dallas, Texas,
manufacturer of Novatron brand professional photographic lighting equipment.


Said Cindy Wesolowski, President of OmegaSatter, "Novatron has perfect
synergy with OmegaSatter. We are a manufacturer and we market and sell our products
to the same customers as Novatron. OmegaSatter has coveted a strong, high quality
brand and presence in the professional photographic lighting market and Novatron
is the perfect fit."

...

Nikon, Inc. has introduced the SB-900 Speedlight to provide Nikon digital SLR
photographers with a flash capable of a wide zoom range, increased versatility,
faster recycling time, and a wealth of intelligent features to enhance the already
vast functionality of the Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS). Building on
the success of the popular SB-800 Speedlight, the SB-900 provides users with
extensive creative lighting possibilities with a simplified interface and the
ability to stay up to date with future technologies through user-applied firmware
updates.

...

Interfit is pleased to announce the arrival of the Stellar Xtreme, the almost
go anywhere battery pack enabled system. The Stellar Xtreme Flash is a new breed
of flash aimed at all levels of photographers including social, event or wedding
photographers. The Stellar Xtreme will provide excellent flash capabilities
for outdoor scenes or provide ample lighting in indoor shoots.

...

Nikon Inc. has introduced the latest generation of its image processing and editing
software, Capture NX 2. Capture NX 2 utilizes U Point technology to give photographers
access to Control Points that enhance color, exposure, and other image quality
settings quickly and easily. New technologies abound in Capture NX 2, including
the new Selection Control Point that places a commanding suite of image editing
tools at the user's fingertips.



In addition, Capture NX 2 adds an advanced Auto Retouch Brush for seamless retouching,
an improved yet simple user interface, updated menus. It also offers advanced
RAW (NEF) processing capabilities, simplified image-browsing, selection and labeling
as well as improved batch-processing capabilities, superior color management and
comprehensive system compatibility with Nikon's EXPEED image processing
concept.



Capture NX 2 also enables simplified editing and processing for most JPEG and
TIFF files regardless of camera manufacturer or model. Its broad range of editing
tools makes image retouching, enhancing and editing simple and intuitive, allowing
users to immediately see the effects as they are applied.



New Additions to Capture NX 2

· Selection Control Points: Now users can selectively edit
photographs without the need to manually outline or mask the area for editing.
Simply place a Selection Control Point anywhere on the photograph then choose
from almost any adjustment such as D-Lighting, Unsharp Mask or noise reduction,
while limiting the "reach" of that adjustment to just the selected
area.



· Auto Retouch Brush: Capture NX 2 adds an automatic retouch
tool to its image editing toolbox, allowing users to seamlessly remove blemishes,
dust, and other distracting elements from photographs while maintaining the integrity
of the image.



· Shadow/Highlight Adjustment: With just a simple slider
adjustment, users can easily open up shadows or recover blown out highlights.



· Redesigned GUI with Customizable Workspaces: As part
of an interface redesign, the new Capture NX 2 includes a Workspace feature that
maximizes the tool and palette layout for the task at hand. Users can create unique
custom workspaces ideal for working with single or multiple monitors. All palettes
and windows within can be docked or undocked or hidden as needed. Predefined workspaces
include: Browser, Metadata, Edit, or an optimized combination of each. In addition,
users can access their most used folders with the new "Favorite Folder"
feature.



· Improved Edit List: Nikon's Capture NX 2 also incorporates
an improved edit list that allows users to apply common enhancements to images
with ease. Common tools like tone curves, exposure compensation, contrast, and
highlight and shadow protection are just a click away via the Quick Fix menu.
The improved edit list allows for camera and lens corrections like color moiré
reduction, dust off, auto color aberration, auto red-eye correction, vignette
control and fisheye lens correction.



Simultaneous Use of Tools: Users can now complete image editing faster than ever
before with the use of simultaneous tools. For example, users can adjust the brightness
and contrast of an image while boosting the color of the image at the same time.



· Filters, Ratings and Sorting Toolbar: Capture NX 2 offers
an advanced filtering system in its tool bar, affording users an efficient way
to filter through hundreds of images by user-defined labels, ratings, file types
and file attributes. What's more, these new filters, ratings and sorting
tools are integrated into the metadata palette, allowing users the ability to
easily edit and view XMP/IPTC information.



Capture NX 2 will be available for purchase throughout the United States in late
June 2008 with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $179.95 (full
version) or $109.95 (upgrade). A 60-day free trial version will be available today
for users who wish to experience all that Capture NX 2 offers. For more information,
and to download the 60-day trial version please visit www.nikonusa.com.