Shutterbug Staff

Adobe Systems Incorporated today announced an update to the public beta of Adobe
Photoshop Lightroom software at the Photokina tradeshow in Cologne, Germany. Available
immediately for download from Adobe Labs (http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom),
this update unites the product feature set for Windows and Macintosh platforms,
giving professional photographers a new way to import, manage and showcase large
volumes of digital photographs. More than 325,000 people have opted to try Lightroom
during the beta period and feedback has been fueled by over 3,400 of them sharing
input in Adobe online forums. The final version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is
expected to ship in early 2007.



The final branding of the software, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, confirms its place
within the Photoshop family, a line of products that meet the needs of novice
snapshooters, photo hobbyists and a diverse set of professional customers.



Adobe Photoshop Lightroom beta 4.0 offers improved digital photography workflow
tools, including a precision white balance selection option and a more streamlined
and elegant user interface experience with customizable controls. An intuitive
new tone curve adjustment feature provides powerful image correction capabilities,
allowing users to visually obtain excellent midtone, shadow and highlight adjustments.




New enhancements in the Develop and Library modules include time-saving tools
such as the ability to re-name and convert files to Adobe Digital Negative Format
(DNG) after importing into the Lightroom library. New filters, search presets
and organizing options allow for quick retrieval of images and greater flexibility.




Lightroom supports over 125 native raw file formats, in addition to JPEG and TIFF,
and brings raw conversion into a single workflow experience. The latest camera
models supported by this beta are the Nikon D2Xs, Sony A100, as well as preliminary
support for the Canon Digital Rebel XTi (400D) and Nikon D80. This support means
that photographers can use Lightroom with even the newest cameras on the market,
knowing that the image files will be recognized today and into the future.



Adobe hosts an online community site for Adobe Photoshop Lightroom beta which
features artists in the Lightroom Showcase Gallery (http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom/gallery)
and provides an arena for photographers to share their portfolios using Lightroom
slideshow functionality. Photographers will find inspiration in the documentaries
of well-known photographers posted in the community and gallery.



Pricing and Availability

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom beta is available for free download from the Adobe Labs
Web site at http://labs.adobe.com/technologies/lightroom.
Recommended system requirements are Macintosh OSX 10.4.3, 1 GHz PowerPC G4 processor
or Windows XP SP2, Intel Pentium 4 Processor, and 768 MB RAM and a 1024x768 resolution
screen. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom beta is a universal binary application that
will run natively on PowerPC and new Intel-based Macintosh systems. The final
version of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is expected to ship in early 2007. Further
details around pricing, system requirements and availability have yet to be determined.
...

Adobe has released an updated beta version (v3.3, 11/10/05) of their Adobe
Camera Raw plug-in for raw file conversion with a few enhancements. (Compatible
only with Photoshop CS 2 as well as Elements 3.0 and 4.0.) Support for additional
cameras has also been added, including the Canon EOS 5D, EOS 1D Mark II N, Pentax
*ist DL and *ist DS2. A minor fix has also been made to the Adobe DNG converter,
"improved decoding for some camera models". Do note that this is a
beta version, although it appeared to work perfectly in my preliminary tests.
When installing the Camera Raw plug-in, be sure to follow the instructions exactly
as described on the Adobe web site. The download for Mac and Windows is available
at http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/new.jsp.

...

Adobe Systems has collaborated with MEDIUM Design Group of Santa Barbara, CA
to create the ultimate messenger bag for digital photographers and other creative
professionals. This stylish limited-edition bag will be sold exclusively at
Barneys New York and online at adobe.mediumdesigngroup.com.
It features a secure laptop compartment, as well as multiple pockets for memory
cards, cables, PDAs, cell phones and other accessories. There's also a
unique MP3 pocket which includes specially designed buttonholes and hooks, allowing
users to run headphone cables outside the bag.

...

Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) has announced Adobe Photoshop CS3 and
Photoshop CS3. Extended, two new editions of the professional industry standard
for digital imaging. Photoshop CS3 software is a major upgrade, offering new innovations
in editing power and productivity for designers and photographers. The addition
of an entirely new version of Photoshop, Photoshop CS3 Extended, means creative
professionals can now discover new dimensions in digital imaging, harnessing everything
in Photoshop CS3 plus groundbreaking tools for 3-D, motion graphics, image measurement
and analysis. Photoshop CS3 Extended expands the boundaries of digital imaging,
simplifying the workflows for professionals in architecture, engineering, medicine,
and science.
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