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.
...

WaterField Designs, a leading maker of custom-fitted cases for digital gear,
has announced a new line of protective cases for compact and ultra-compact cameras.
The Pic Pocket camera cases incorporate the company's signature trademarks
of stylish simplicity and premium craftsmanship, and are small enough to fit
into a pocket, purse or portfolio.

...

Kingston Technology Company, Inc.announces that award-winning photojournalist
Harry Benson shares new tips and techniques for the Kingston Icons of Photography
website. Benson describes how he's captured riveting photographs for major
newspapers, plus Life, People and Vanity Fair magazines.



Kingston's "Icons of Photography" website profiles some of
the world's most respected photographers. Each month, the company spotlights
a different Icon plus their tips, techniques and an online gallery of images.
Icons share anecdotes and advice for taking better pictures, and cover topics
ranging from lighting and backgrounds to color profiling and making the most
of equipment. Through "try it yourself" suggestions, Icons explain
how they tackle their own photography challenges.

...

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named
below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product.
Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
(To access color photos of the following recalled products, see CPSC's
Web site at www.cpsc.gov.)

...