Shutterbug Staff

DxO Labs has made available a public beta version of its soon-to-be released
DxO Optics Pro version 3.0 software. DxO Optics Pro V3.0 automatically enhances
images produced by Digital Single-Lens Reflex (Digital-SLR) cameras and their
lenses with revolutionary optics, noise and lighting corrections packed in an
all-new, easy-to-use feature rich application.



Serious photographers worldwide are invited to download and test-drive DxO Optics
Pro V3.0 from the DxO Labs Web site (http://www.dxo.com) and provide feedback
on all aspects of this landmark application.



DxO Labs' unique, automatic optical corrections are a core part of DxO
Optics Pro V3.0. Based on sophisticated models of camera and lens performance,
DxO Optics Engine together with the associated lens correction modules automatically
removes lens distortion, vignetting, lens softness and lateral chromatic aberration.
Corrections can be accomplished automatically with no user interaction required
even though the corrections required can differ greatly from one image to the
next.



Based on a set of unique algorithms developed by DxO Labs and on precise camera
sensor modelization, the all-new DxO Noise Engine automatically achieves a reduction
of up to two stops in image noise while preserving maximum detail. For example,
an image shot at 1600 ISO and processed by DxO Noise Engine will present a noise
level equivalent to an image shot at 400 ISO.



A brand new DxO technology included in this release, DxO Lighting is a unique
local exposure and dynamic range optimizer. Automatically replicating analog
film techniques known as "dodging and burning", DxO Lighting Engine
brings out shadow detail of digital image files while preserving highlights,
textures, colors and a natural look.

...

Adobe Systems Incorporated has announced Adobe Photoshop CS2. Available as a stand-alone
software application or as a key component of Adobe Creative Suite2, Photoshop
CS2 integrates a new set of intuitive tools, including an enhanced Spot Healing
Brush, for handling common photographic problems such as blemishes, red-eye, noise,
blurring and lens distortion. Smart Objects allow users to scale and transform
images and vector illustrations without losing image quality -- as well as
create linked duplicates of embedded graphics -- so that a single edit updates
across multiple iterations. Other new tools include Vanishing Point and Image
Warping. Vanishing Point cuts tedious graphic and photo retouching tasks by allowing
users to clone, paint and transform image objects while retaining visual perspective.
Reinventing workflows such as product packaging development, Image Warping makes
it easy to fold, stretch, pull, twist and wrap an image into shape by selecting
an on-demand preset or dragging custom control points.
...

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.
...

To better meet event photographers' on-demand printing needs, KODAK PROFESSIONAL
will be introducing an upgrade kit and media to enable 5x7- inch borderless
prints on the new KODAK 6850 Photo Printer. The KODAK Photo Printer 6850 5R
Borderless Upgrade Kit includes two plastic flanges for the media roll endcaps,
a metal guide for 5-inch paper and a CD with drivers and easy instructions for
self installation. The 5- inch borderless upgrade kit is to be used with the
new KODAK PROFESSIONAL EKTATHERM 6850 5R Print Kit which provides enough media
and donor to make 375 5x7 inch (13x18 cm) prints. Available worldwide in September,
2005, the KODAK Photo Printer 6850 5R Borderless Upgrade Kit and the KODAK PROFESSIONAL
EKTATHERM 6850 5R Print Kit will retail for US$35 (MSRP) and US$280 (MSRP),
respectively.

...