Eastman Kodak Company has introduced new versions of KODAK PROSHOTS Studio Software
Suite v6.3, KODAK PROSHOTS Basics Software v2.0 and KODAK PROSHOTS Online Services
v7.0 that, via labs, will provide photographers with a broader range of templates
for their print ordering process. Photographers will also have improved tools
for previewing and selling their images to customers in-person or over the Internet.
The KODAK PROSHOTS System, a powerful set of image-management, design and ordering
tools, serves professional wedding, social and portrait photographers whether
they work with film or digital cameras. PROSHOTS System Participating Labs use
hybrid and complete digital lab workflows to offer a broad range of products and
services to photographers through the PROSHOTS System. The KODAK PROSHOTS System
is the industry's most-used service of its kind, with more than 40 labs,
11 album and frame companies and two studio management software companies integrating
it seamlessly with existing lab products.
PROSHOTS Studio Software Suite v6.3
Available as a free download to photographers with a current version of PROSHOTS
Studio Software Suite, or US$249 for new users, version 6.3 includes enhanced
proof book options with a variety of selectable background colors and definable
cover pages. Additional improvements include enriched digital product ordering
and presentation features:
· Lab templates now can be organized into categories, e.g., "Weddings,"
"Sports," etc., for easier navigation.
· More sophisticated lab products, e.g., templates with images displayed
on an angle or customizable text, can now be displayed and cropped as "what
you see is what you get" for better previewing and ordering.
· Enhanced slide-show options to play music through a PC, and a slide show
that can now easily be saved to be burned later to CD or DVD.
The album and frame interface definitions are streamlined, further enhancing Kodak's
full-featured software product for both photographers and labs.
PROSHOTS Basics Software v2
PROSHOTS Basics Software now includes additional features to simplify the image-ordering
process. As with the PROSHOTS Studio Software Suite, PROSHOTS Basics Software
now allows the organization of lab templates into categories, and enhanced proof
book options are now available. The features are all available in the intuitive,
easy-to-use interface for which PROSHOTS Basics Software is known.
In addition, key selling features have been added to PROSHOTS Basics Software.
With version 2, users can for the first time:
· Preview and order a broad range of lab digital products in a "what
you see is what you get" manner.
· Access the capabilities of PROSHOTS Online Services to create product
and price lists, post images and take orders over the Internet.
· Use a new built-in slide show capability for reviewing images with customers.
For PROSHOTS System Participating Labs, PROSHOTS Basics Software expands the potential
printing volume by providing a solution for the estimated one-third of professional
photographers who are MACINTOSH OS users.
PROSHOTS Basics software is free, runs on both MACINTOSH OS X and WINDOWS 2000
or XP platforms, and is available as a download at www.kodak.com/proshots/basicsinfo.
KODAK PROSHOTS Online Services v7
The award-winning PROSHOTS Online Services have been redesigned to enhance the
image viewing and ordering experience for the increasing number of consumers using
the Internet. Redesign features include:
· A modern, sophisticated look and feel with a cleaner shopping cart and
checkout process.
· Improved slide show with faster refresh and improved navigation and speed
controls.
· Increased image-zoom capability to better view image details.
Access to PROSHOTS Online Services is integrated within PROSHOTS Studio and PROSHOTS
Basics Software so photographers only need one piece of software for lab print
ordering, in-studio presentations and online selling. A new rewards program provides
benefits to photographers the more they make use of PROSHOTS Online Services.
The PROSHOTS System software updates will be available in March. For more information
on the KODAK PROSHOTS System and membership benefits for photographers ¾
including Web site and other training resources ¾ please visit www.kodak.com/proshots/membershipinfo. ...
Konica Minolta Photo Imaging U.S.A., Inc. has introduced the new compact DiMAGE
Z5 -- a digital camera that offers a built-in 12x optical Mega Zoom lens,
Konica Minolta's proprietary Anti-Shake System, 5.0-megapixel CCD, fast
overall response including Rapid autofocusing (AF), and a large 2.0-inch LCD
screen.
Epson America Inc. has begun offering its Online Experience digital photography
and printing program via authorized photo dealers, making it even easier for
photo enthusiasts and advanced amateurs to participate in the valuable on-demand
program. This unique program offers participants expert techniques, valuable
tips and insider secrets the pros use to create spectacular digital prints.
Featuring a unique, self-paced video-streaming program hosted by award-winning
photographer and musician Graham Nash, the Epson Online Experience provides
participants with access to over 60 video segments and tutorials on digital
photography techniques from capture to print including such topics as color
management, choosing the right papers and inks, understanding printer drivers,
and using the latest Adobe Photoshop CS techniques. These tutorials are designed
to show photographers how to get maximum quality prints from a broad range of
digital cameras and scanners. In addition, subscribers get a true behind-the-scenes
perspective on how each photographer works both in studio and on location.
LightScribe and LaCie have announced that they are partnering to offer the first
direct disc labeling drive for Macintosh computers. For the first time, Macintosh
customers can burn the data side of a disc, then flip the disc over and burn a
precise, iridescent label with their desired text and graphics using the same
laser that burns the data. No printer, permanent marker or adhesive labeling is
required to develop and burn creative designs onto the CD or DVD.
LightScribe uses the LaCie d2 DVD±RW Double Layer drive's existing
laser to deliver precisely controlled light energy to the disc through an innovative
circular writing system. The light energy causes a visible chemical change in
the dye coating. The result is a high-resolution label image of art, text or photos.
Because the labels are laser etched in a coating applied during disc manufacture,
no ink or adhesive labels are required.
The LaCie d2 DVD±RW Double Layer supports burning a full 4.7GB DVD in about
five minutes, as well as burning to double layer discs that offer twice the capacity.
Easy-to-use DVD creation software allows people to create movies in a matter of
minutes complete with menus, thumbnails and backgrounds. With the LightScribe
technology, customers can also burn a label that is a high-resolution reproduction
of their artwork, text or photos.
LaCie d2 DVD±RW Double Layer drives with LightScribe will be available
in early 2005.
There are times when you want your color to exactly match what's in the
scene, but for the most part color is a fairly subjective matter that can be
tweaked with ease in just about any image-editing program. Color has a hue--like
yellow, green or blue--as well as a vividness, which in photography is
often called its saturation. In addition, color can have a cast, which is influenced
by the prevailing lighting conditions when we make the photograph. That cast
can be influenced by the light source itself, such as photographing under direct
sun versus what we'd get when photographing under tungsten lights, and
by the position of the subject in relation to that light source, such as the
difference between photographing in the shade or open light. In addition, color
can also be influenced by the recording medium itself, be it film or digital,
and how the film is made or the digital image processor is programmed to change
the color during the recording processing.
Every Friday high profile photographers come to the microphones of wsRadio.com
the world wide leader in Internet talk, the best, brightest and high profile
photographers in the world for your listening pleasure.
We are approaching three years of Internet Radio broadcasting. What makes this
show different from other radio shows is that it originates and is stored on
the web at www.shutterbugradio.com
or www.wsradio.com/shutterbug.
The content of the show is all photography talk, all the time. If you missed
hearing something important, you can go back and replay it again and again.
If you're a photo enthusiast you'll love to here high profile photographers
share their exciting experiences while giving hints and tips on how they get
the job done. Find out what kind of equipment they use and what they recommend.
You will also hear industry leaders make important major announcements that
will affect your photography. You will find out about major trade shows in the
industry.
What does it feel like flying in the chase plane of space Ship One, photographing
one of the historical events of your lifetime. How do you hold your breath when
the horses of the Kentucky Derby are coming around the final turn and you alone
are responsible to record this spectacular moment? Do you know what kind of
camera Oscar nominated Jeff Bridges prefers? Do you know how many photographers
cover the Indy 500? What is it like being a photographer in the NFL? You just
have to listen to this outstanding broadcast each week and hear the voices of
these very talented photographers.
Freestyle Photographic Supplies and The Holga Manufacturing Company of China have
announced the continuation of Freestyle as the exclusive United States distributor
of Holga brand cameras and photographic equipment. The Holga camera line, which
now consists of nine models and numerous accessories, has achieved near cult status.
The Holga continues to increase in popularity with photographers in virtually
every area of the creative process - from students & educators to fine-art
professionals.
Freestyle introduced Holga¹s new line of filters and lens attachments in
December 2004, along with the new Holga N, FN and CFN model cameras using 120-size
film. These cameras feature important enhancements to the original Holga, including
a "bulb" time exposure switch, brass tripod mount, film-handling improvements
and a color flash wheel on the CFN model. Additionally, Freestyle will now market
& distribute the new Holga 35mm camera both manual and auto focus models.
The new 35mm will be available in April, 2005.
Casio, Inc. has introduced the EXILIM PRO EX-P700, with a 7.2 million megapixel
CCD and 4X optical zoom. The EX-P700 will be available for a MSRP $599.99. The
EX-P700 features a 4X optical zoom (coupled with 4X digital zoom), combined
with a large 2.0-inch LCD screen. The camera has a claimed start-up time of
approximately 2.0 seconds and a 0.01 second release time lag. The EX-P700 also
features a high speed continuous shooting function that can take 3 photos per
second up to 5 photos. New features include Flash Assist, which operates during
flash photography to compensate for underexposure in areas which are not reached
by flash and Auto Macro, which automatically switches between Macro mode and
AF mode. One of the most interesting features is what Casio calls Business Shot,
which compensates for photos taken at an angle and records them as though taken
from straight ahead. While exposure, white balance and focus position are quickly
set with a single press of the shutter, the multi-bracketing feature enables
a variety of shots with different color effects to be taken in combination with
the rapid shooting function.
Datacolor has announced the latest updated V1.0.3 software for ColorVision ColorPlus,
part of the PANTONE COLORVISION product line. Now available in 8- languages
-- English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese and Chinese (Traditional
and simplified) with an all new easy to use wizard and interface. ColorPlus
is an affordable monitor calibration tool for consumers and photo hobbyists.