Past Issues June 2008
June 2008
June 2008
Cameras
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9 New D-SLRs
Hot 2008 models add high-tech features for less money
If the first few months of 2008 are any indication, this will be another big year for D-SLRs. Nine D-SLR models have been introduced so far, adding many new choices in the entry-level and midrange categories. All offer 10 megapixels or more, and seven of them sell for $800 or less, including a 14-megapixel model. There's also a new 10-megapixel D-SLR with live-view capability for under $500. Interested? Let's check them out.
Gear
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Geared For Travel
Trip essentials for the photographer on the go
Whether you're jetting off on a family vacation, backpacking solo in the wild or going away on business, mobility is key when traveling with your photo gear. It's true that today's D-SLR bodies and lenses continue to set new standards for what's considered lightweight (the new Olympus E-420 weighs just 13.4 ounces). But throw in more extras than needed, and you'll be too exhausted from lugging your equipment around to take good shots. Consider these essentials to stay light on your feet.
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June 2008
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Toolbox: Tripods
Give your camera the support it needs for the sharpest shots possible
Many photographers think a tripod is a tripod, a necessary evil if you want to get sharp pictures when using long lenses or long exposure times. But a tripod is more than a camera-steadier, and tripods vary greatly in design, features and versatility. In addition to preventing camera movement from blurring your photos, a tripod locks in your composition so you can study it, and so you won't accidentally change it as you squeeze off the shot. Here's a look at some of the top models on the market today.
How-To
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Color Saturation: Getting It Right
For the best color in your images, learn to use these techniques and don’t overdo it
While black-and-white photography has enjoyed a rebirth of interest, color is still how the world appears and is mostly photographed. Yet colors you see and experience often don't quite translate to the picture you compose. We also sometimes want to interpret the world's colors in ways that better express how we felt about a subject. -
June 2008 HelpLine
Get The (Focal) Point?
Capturing talent
Q) I want to start shooting photos of local bands and some other bigger acts that come through my area on a regular basis. I'm new to the D-SLR game and still learning all the things I can do with my camera. So I'm looking for some advice on what settings to use while in this type of situation. Of course, it's low-light and fast-moving action, along with light changing all the time. I'm in the market to buy a new lens specifically for this task, but would love to also use it in the field for the nature photography I'm starting to enjoy. I'll have access to the sides of the stage and the front of the stage on the calm side of the barrier, so I'd think that my shooting distances could range from about six to 25 feet.
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Make Your Subject Stand Out
Focus the point of interest in your photos with these easy techniques
Often, one of the main goals when composing a picture is to make the subject stand out from the background and surroundings. This is especially true in sports photography, where the photographer wants to isolate the subject from a distracting background, such as when a football player is running in front of a cheering crowd.
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Making A Connection
One well-traveled photographer shares her insights on approaching, composing and lighting memorable portraits, and on learning from the pros
New York-based Dutch photographer Mirjam Evers has traveled and photographed in more than 50 countries, focusing her camera and her eyes on creating environmental portraits and travel, documentary and adventure photographs. She's able to transcend cultural and language barriers with an intangible spirit that comes through in every portrait. -
Ultimate Portraits
10 essential tips to work like a pro when photographing people
No matter what you like to photograph, chances are, at some point you'll find yourself shooting a portrait. Imagine being in the middle of composing that stunning Patagonia landscape image, when a weathered gaucho on his horse gallops up, providing a rare shot of those rugged cowboys. Or maybe you're walking in the French Quarter of New Orleans and a jazz musician on the street gives you a stoic pose. And who hasn't taken a few shots of their family and friends? Knowing the basic principles of creating a strong portrait is a valuable skill for all photographers.
Software
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First Look: Aperture 2
The first major revision of apple’s image workflow app makes excellent refinements and extends support for third-party plug-ins
If you're a Mac user, there's a lot to like about Aperture, and its version 2 includes new features that greatly improve the efficiency and capabilities of this powerful imaging application—all at a new, lower price of $199. There are more than 100 new features, but we've focused on some of the more important changes that make this new version worth the upgrade.
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First Look: Nik Viveza
Speed through color and tonal adjustments with the ease and control of U-Point technology
Fans of Nik Software's intuitive U-Point technology (which is everybody who has used it in applications like Color Efex Pro or Capture NX) are in for a big, happy surprise with Nik Software's newest application, Viveza. If you're not familiar with U-Point powered Control Points, they allow you to apply adjustments selectively to particular areas of an image without the need for complicated masking.
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Short Report: ACDSee Pro 2
Simplify image management, raw processing and common adjustments with this all-in-one solution
ACDSee Pro 2 is the latest upgrade to ACD Systems' popular workflow-management software. Besides making it easy to download, organize, archive and locate images, ACDSee Pro 2 provides powerful editing and RAW-processing capabilities. One-click Visual Tagging and extensive batch-processing capabilities greatly speed up and simplify workflow.
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Short Report: The Perfect Cut
Fluid Mask 3 makes precise selections easy and quick
The technique of masking usually involves neck-straining precision and a tedious amount of time refining your edges to get the perfect outline. This requires a variety of brushes or selection tools and loads of time to get right. That's where software like Vertus Fluid Mask 3 can drastically cut down on the time you spend masking.
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Trade Tricks: In The Dark
Rescue your low-light photos from image noise with this powerful software
Digital noise is perhaps the Achilles heel of digital photography, but it doesn't have to be. Noise happens when not enough light reaches the image sensor. The less light that falls on the sensor, the more noise will be found in your photos; higher ISO settings may exacerbate the problem.
