Shutterbug Staff

PhotoKit Color 2.0 replaces PhotoKit Color 1.0, an Adobe Photoshop Automate Plug-in
that applies precise color corrections, automatic color balancing and creative
coloring effects. With a retail price of $99.95, PhotoKit Color 2.0 offers a comprehensive
set of coloring tools for Photoshop CS and Photoshop CS2 for both Macintosh and
Windows. PhotoKit Color 1.0 users can upgrade for $29.98. The upgrade will be
free to users who purchased PhotoKit Color 1.x after the public announcement date
of October 20th, 2005.



PhotoKit Color 2.0 features a preview display, so you can quickly preview the
effects before you apply them and combine effects in a single batch operation.
Included in the new effects are the Dodge and the Burn filter sets, which were
in the original PhotoKit plug-in. The Special Effects series contains many new
filters including color infrared, sunshine filters, color transfer effects and
more. The Film Effects series offers accurate simulation filters of several generic
chrome film emulsions, simulating both color and contrast. Like its predecessor,
PhotoKit Color 2.0 provides a comprehensive suite of effects that let you recreate
creative effects like black and white split toning and cross processing. All these
effects are applied as separate layers so you can make further variations, adapting
each effect to suit your own taste. With PhotoKit Color 2.0, you can enhance specific
colors in your photographs. You can make skin tones less red or lighter. With
the Blue Enhance effect you can darken a blue sky and enhance the cloud contrast.
And with the RSA Gray Balance set, you can automatically remove color casts from
almost any type of image.
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Those seeking secure memory cards will be interested in Lexar's LockTight
cards and reader. The system encrypts login access to the LockTight card, but
not the file data. This means that the full 80X speed of the card is available.
Lexar says that the card cannot be accessed on any camera other than an authorized
LockTight camera or any computer that lacks the LockTight access and a correct
username and password. The system is comprised of four components: the LockTight
CompactFlash card (512MB or 2GB); a Lexar Professional CompcatFlash reader;
a LockTight enable camera; and the LockTight Admin and Access software. The
system has been designed to have what the company calls "zero impact"
on production workflow and requires only one-screen access.

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Having logged more airline miles recently than I'd care to admit, with
cameras and lenses and laptop to boot, I welcome any products that can make
the trip, and transition between connections easier. The "post-9/11 world",
as it sadly has come to be known, has not made it easier on photographers to
get where they need to go with the gear they must trudge along with them. With
that in mind, we recently had a close look at the Airport Security Roller/Backpack
from ThinkTank Photo, which combines carry-on capability with security and gear
--protecting features.

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