www.Light-Test.Com  is a new site for all those lighting test images that accumlulate at the start of every shoot.

You gotta love hate the fact that this video is sooo like what we deal with every day.

After 74 years Kodak will be taking Kodachrome away. Kodaks press release here.

KODACHROME became the world’s first commercially successful color film after it's introduction in 1935. Sales have declined in recent years as photographers turned to newer KODAK Films or to other digital imaging technologies.  KODACHROME now accounts for just a fraction of one percent of Kodak’s total sales of still-picture films.

Kodachrome 25 which has been gone a long time is still one of favorite films. Back in teh day when I worked at a photo lab in Boston we did a mural print from a 35mm Kodachrome slide that was nearly grainles at 6 Feet x 9 feet. It was seriously 1 of the best films Kodak ever made.

My other personal favorite film that is also gone, was Tech Pan; a B&W orthochromatic film rated at 25 ASA that I shot and processed for 100 ASA that resulted in grainless 24" X 36"  prints with nearly a 20 stop tonal range.

more info on Kodachrome here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodachrome

Phocus 1.2 for Windows has been released and features a number of major enhancements!

Version 1.2 for Windows features the same functionality as the Mac version, meaning that Phocus is now a truly cross-platform, high performance product. We're confident that you will like all the new features – and that you will take advantage of the opportunities presented.

Phocus 1.2 Windows Highlights

Tools

Selina Maitreya is exclusively launching her new program, Survive?? Think THRIVE! on Thursday, June 18, 6:30-9 p.m. at Eagles Nest Daylight Studio. (Selina will also do a small Assistants Group Consultation and Invididual consulations, scroll down for further information.) Maitreya is the owner and founder of Port Authority and author of Portfolios That Sell and How To Succeed In Commercial Photography: Insights from a Leading Consultant (Allworth Press September 2007).

The video below is a rather large file.Please consider allowing it to download to your browser completely in order to diminish any lag time between the video and audio. Enjoy.

Interview with Selina Maitreya of 1portauthority.com - part 1 of 5 from 1ProPhotoCom on Vimeo.

To make multiple light set-ups easy to adjust when using the ControlTL™ system, PocketWizard introduces the ZoneController. The ZoneController gives the photographer control over three independent zones of light whether working in E-TTL or manual mode. The PocketWizard ZoneController will be available late summer.

A very cool iPhone App that allows for remote opperation of your DSLR.

DSLR Camera Remote Control for iPhone

Leaf is pleased to announce the release of an update to its highly acclaimed Leaf Capture software. Leaf Capture 11.2.7 delivers improvements for Leaf’s latest digital back and camera models, the AFi-II 10 and Aptus-II 10, offering an extended ISO range and improved shooting burst speeds.

Of special note, is Leaf’s new ‘Lens Calibration’ feature, which allows Leaf AFi-II 10 and Aptus-II 10 users to create their own custom lens calibration files for any lens they have.  These calibration files ‘describe’ certain characteristics of the lens so that photographers can obtain the absolute best image quality available. 

For Leaf AFi-II 10 and Aptus-II 10 customers who do not wish to go to the extent of making their own custom lens calibration files, Leaf provides a separate CD, which contains factory defined lens calibration files for some of the most commonly used lenses.  These files are customized and tested individually for each sensor.

Leaf Capture 11.2.7 can be downloaded here: http://www.LeafAmerica.com

Release of Phocus 1.2 for Mac

Phocus 1.2 for Mac has been released and features a number of major enhancements!

Version 1.2 has been improved dramatically with regards to speed and performance, plus been endowed with several new features and workflow enhancements.

The much atticipated firmware up date for our "new beloved" Canon 5D MKII was released today includes the folowing updates:

1. Includes a function to enable the manual exposure setting when shooting movies. *For details on how to use this function, please download the PDF files from the bottom of this page.


2. Disables the function of the depth-of-field preview button when images are played back or when the menu screen is displayed on the LCD panel.


3. Fixes a phenomenon where the peripheral illumination of images cannot be properly corrected, even if the images were captured with the lens peripheral illumination correction function set to Enable. *Digital Photo Professional software version 3.6.1 or later (for Windows and Macintosh) can be used to automatically correct the peripheral illumination of RAW and JPEG images that were captured in the Peripheral illumination correction setting with cameras that have Firmware Version 1.0.7 or earlier.


4. Fixes the algorithms of the Auto Lighting Optimizer function when Custom Function C.Fn II-3 Highlight tone priority is enabled.


5. Fixes incorrect indications on the Arabic, Romanian, Spanish, and Ukrainian menu screens.


6. Changes the battery information displayed on the camera when using the optional Battery Grip BG-E6.

Download the firmware update and teh release notes here: http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&tabact=SupportDetailTabAct&fcategoryid=215&modelid=17662#DownloadDetailAct

I strongly suggest reading the release notess and update guide compltly before trying to upgrade and possibly 'Bricking' your 5D.

This is why the first word a photographer needs to learn is to say "NO!!

Photo Assistant Boot Camp - June 21-22 2009

It would appear that Phase One is well on its way to presenting a new release every 2 weeks.

Today they released C1P V.4.8.1 Get it here.

Perhaps this may resolve issues that older backs had with not being able to capture as we heard about in the forums.

And don't get to comfortable with 4.8.1, at this rate it won't be long before V.5.0 is released which promises to have even more features.

This weekends Photo Assistant Boot Camp was really great. In fact this weekend was atteded by all photographers, no photo students or new assistants.

I want to thank George and Jacob at CSI Rentals and "KB" over at Adorama Rentals for helping this weekend when my back was against the wall. 

Check out this HD-Video series on Photographers that did a profile on me!  It's a pretty great clip that sums up what my photography is all about!!!  ROCK ON.  - Jackie

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SUBJECT: JACKIE ROMAN: shots and stories featured on "Viewfinders"

BODY:

Brooklyn-based rock and roll photographer JACKIE ROMAN takes her turn in front of the lens as the latest subject of Zoom In Online's "Viewfinders" series.  The clip can be seen at: http://www.zoom-in.com/photography/viewfinders/viewfinders-music-photography-with-jackie-roman

Just 2 and a half weeks after releasing Capture One Pro V.4.7 Phase One is releasing  Capture One Pro V.4.8.  This to accompany the release of the new Phae One P40+ digital back.

As previously mentioned Phase One has been cranking out the software updates to Capture One Pro with the lateset being V.4.7.0

You can read the release notes here and download here

Once upon a time photography and videography rarely crossed paths. In virtually all markets for visual communication (commercial, editorial, corporate, documentary, events) photography and videography were provided by completely separate individuals or crews, the fees came from different budgets and the client base rarely overlapped.

But that era is rapidly fading. Until recently, the primary venue for still photography was print material of some sort such as magazines, books, brochures and albums. Video was primarily experienced over broadcast or cable channels or distributed to consumers and corporate customers on tape or DVD.

Just a week after releaseing a new version of Capture 1 Pro Phase has released yet another update. A short time ago Phase One released Capture1 Pro V.4.6.3.

And don't be surprised to see afew more updates prior to teh next major release that being V.4.7.0 which is expected to come out in teh next 30-45 days.

Get your copy and the full release notes here

Leaf Capture v.11.2.4 is now available for download. This new version of Leaf Capture has interesting, new features: 

New Features

Supports all released versions of Leaf AFi-II/AFi and Aptus-II/Aptus

Batch process multiple files that were taken using different imaging modules.

New Features in the Leaf AFi/AFi-II Camera Firmware v2.13

- Changes to the Flash Indicators

- New Controls Lock

- Improved Shots Counter

Leaf Capture v.11.2.4 is compatible with:

Leaf AFi-II 10, 7, 6, AFi 7, 6, 5 camera systems

Leaf Aptus-II 7, 6, Aptus 75S, 65S, 54S, 75, 65, 22, 17 digital camera backs



Please note: Leaf Capture version 11.2.4 does not support Leaf Valeo digital camera backs.

There have been a few discussions in other photo groups and forums concerning the archiving of film and the possible degradation over time.

Having worked in photo processing labs for more than 10 years back in the 80's   and 90's I came to find that there is/was a huge difference in the manor that a customer’s film was handled or processed.

Regardless of whether you took your film to a 1 hour mini lab, a professional photo lab using a dip and dunk system or one of the many bulk film developing companies around the country that would run miles of film through a continues film line; it all comes down to the quality control that each lab implemented.

As some of you may recall back in 1989', Kodak tried to implement a Kodak Certified Processing certification associated with a number of labs.

This entailed mixing the chemistry to exacting standards and even checking the specific gravity of each batch for process such as Ciba-Chrome and E-6 or color reversal film. In addition each film processing machine would have film test strip run every 4 hours.

That lasted for all of 12 months before the photo labs decided that the extra expense of following such a stringent model was not cost effective.

Capture 1Pro V.4.6.2 has just been released.

V.4.6.2 Release Notes can be found here.

download it here.  http://www.phaseone.com/Content/Downloads/CO4.aspx

Capture One 4.6.2 release notes

Newly architected Capture One 4 allows photographers to enhance and develop RAW digital files with

excellent color and detail reproduction. Providing best possible image quality is a cornerstone in

Capture One. Tools for this and excellent “out-of-the-box” results are part of the new Capture One 4.

Capture One 4 is designed with an easy workflow in mind, and the simplified new user interface

leaves more of the screen area to your images.

Highlighted new features

This new release of Capture One comes in three versions: 4.6.2 , 4.6.2 PRO and 4.6.2 DB.

Capture One 4.6.2 is a free service release to existing Capture One 4.x owners.

Existing customers with Capture One 3.x can upgrade to a similar version of Capture One 4.6.2 at no

extra cost.

Capture One 4.6.2 includes:

- Support for P 65+ Sensor+ images

- Better stability when using 4 and 8 core Mac Pro

- Improved support for P 65+ images

- Tethered support for Nikon D90

- Chromatic Aberration correction enabled for Nikon D3X

- A number of minor bug fixes

You can learn more about the new release at: http://www.phaseone.com/4

Last week we advised you not to use 32 GB CF cards in your Hasselblad camera.

We are very pleased to announce that a solution to this issue is now available.

We have verified that the issue is related specifically to H3DII-50, so further actions are only necessary if you own this camera model.

Our engineering team has verified and corrected the issue via some changes in the H3DII-50 firmware. Therefore we strongly recommend all H3DII-50 users and owners to download the new firmware version R332 from our homepage and install it to the capture unit via Phocus 1.1.3.

We have taken the opportunity to also add some further enhancements to the firmware.

Click here to go directly to the Hasselblad USA download area.

Once again, we apologize for any inconveniences caused.

Best Regards,

Hasselblad USA

Hasselblad hereby advices you NOT to use 32 GB CF Cards in our products, until further notice.At the present time we have verified that images shot on such cards with the H3DII-50 will be corrupted. We have not had this issue reported using any other type of Hasselblad camera, but as a precaution we temporarily recommend all our customers NOT to use 32 GB CF cards.

The issue is not related to certain makes of 32 GB CF cards, but is universal.

We will provide further information as soon as we know a time frame for the solution to this issue.

Please accept our apologies for any inconveniences caused.

Best regards

Hasselblad USA

Viewing a portfolio that contains too many images and lacks a theme is like listening to someone talk endlessly without a point. Don't be that person.

One of the hardest things for a photographer to do is edit for their portfolio. Getting down to 50 or so images can be a relatively painless process. It's whittling down to the final selection that can be difficult, stressful, even paralyzing.

Photography is a service, but it's also an art form. It's a job but also a reflection of who you are and what you have to offer. This dual nature can make the editing decisions for your portfolio especially difficult. From a marketing perspective, you want to show a clearly identifiable style so the client will know what to expect if they hire you. As an artist, showing work in only a single style can feel limiting and artificial. But the bottom line is that if you're an independent professional photographer, then you're also a business. This means you need a clearly identifiable brand in the eyes of photo buyers so they can distinguish you from everyone else.

The following was emailed to me this afternoon.

Hey James.

I have a question for you concerning the rights of a photo assistant.  Over the past few years I have worked with a lot of photographers in  New York and I have noticed quite a lot of physical, verbal and mental  abuse towards assistants. It seems that assistant have NO rights  whatsoever. If someone complains that they were harassed, they get  fired. I guess my question is why isn't there a union yet? Is this the  only industry where people have no rights? I  am also well aware that  there are many photographers out there who simply bill an assistant  for one price to a client and don't give the assistant that amount.  Instead the photographer pockets the money. A know a lot of assistants  in the city and every single one has some horror story about a  photographer abusing them or not paying and the photographer gets away  with it and continues to do so. It seems the film industry and even  the broadway have figured out without a union you get abused. This  industry needs to change someday! A NYC photo assistant

Lets hear thoughts on this.

Post your responces in the forums here:

http://www.1prophoto.com/forums/forum_posts.asp?TID=138

Can you differentiate between the White Cyc image shot using ProFoto studio strobes and the White Cyc image shot with DynaLite Studio strobes?

This new release of Capture One comes in three versions: 4.6, 4.6 PRO and 4.6 DB.Capture One 4.6 is a free service release to existing Capture One 4.x owners.

Existing customers with Capture One 3.x can upgrade to a similar version of Capture One 4.6 at no extra  cost.

Some of the highlighted new features in Capture One 4.6 are:

- Improved performance: Notably in: Processing, Browsing, Folder viewing and Color Editor selected images/variants. With Capture One 4.6 we will introduce an option “Edit Primary Only”, which can be toggled on or off. When this option is off, changes made will affect all selected variants, otherwise it will only affect the primary variant. You can toggle the “Edit Primary Only” mode in the menu (Edit), the toolbar (icon) and via a new keyboard shortcut

It's no surprise to anyone that 2008 was absolutely abominable.

This year has brought changes to our industry and economic difficulties that most have never seen and others were content to leave behind 20 or more years ago.



Advertisers have cut or killed their Ad budgets for 2008 and 2009.

Magazines are dropping from site even faster than photographers day rates have over the last 8 years.

You don't need any further proof than to look at Conde Nast and other publishers whom have folded several of their magazines and limited issues for others.



Smart rental studios have repositioned themselves as full service production studios/companies.

The coming year is shaping up to be a challenging one for most photographers. The economic downturn accelerated the decline of print advertising, which directly or indirectly, provides much of the economic base for professional photography. Ad dollars that have migrated to online advertising don't support photography nearly as well as print. Add to this the continued growth of microstock, and the downward price pressure it brings to many areas of photography, and you have the recipe for a very difficult year.

But it's not all doom and gloom. While it will be more difficult to prosper, or even survive as a photographer in 2009, the profession will not simply go away. But it will contract and become even more competitive, so what can a photographer do to increase the odds that they will buck the trend and succeed in a difficult environment?

Looking ahead to 2009, photographers would do well to make the following resolutions for the new year:

Apple released an update, Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update 2.4, for digital camera RAW file compatibility. Digital camera RAW files are supported by Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard or later.  The update extends RAW file compatibility for Aperture 2, iPhoto 08, and Finder.

The update brings RAW support for the latest Leaf digital cameras and backs: Leaf AFi-II 6, Leaf AFi-II 7, Leaf Aptus-II 6, Leaf Aptus-II 7, as well as Leaf´s popular camera backs:  Leaf Aptus 75S, Leaf Aptus 65S, Leaf Aptus 54S, Leaf Aptus 75, Leaf Aptus 65, Leaf Aptus 22, Leaf Aptus 17, Leaf Valeo 22, Leaf Valeo 17, Leaf Valeo 11, Leaf Valeo 6.

Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update 2.4 is a free update that can be downloaded from Apple’s Web site.

Now Available: Leaf Capture 11.2.0.2

Leaf Capture v. 11.2.0.2 resolves the issue of occasional appearance of colored dots in some Leaf Capture v11.2 images taken with Leaf AFi and AFi-II camera systems, and Leaf Aptus-II camera backs.



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