news
The iPad just became a must have for me
I just saw the video review of the iPad Camera Connection Kit adaptor by Terry White and basically the iPad is now #1 in my gadget wish list. Terry confirmed all the things I wished the iPad would do when you connect the Camera Connector.
- Reads RAW files out of the camera
- Previews the RAW images without a problem
- Apps can read the RAW files inside the iPad
One of the great things Terry shows is that you can connect a card reader to the iPad and download from your Compact Flash cards (the card format most professional cameras still use). This is huge since the Camera Connector only has 2 options, SD connector or USB connector.
I’ve always lusted after an Epson P6000 for it’s ability to preview files and work as a photo backup on location or a trip, but it’s ridiculously overpriced so I never considered purchasing one.
Now for the same money I can buy an iPad and trust me, it’s WAY more advanced and useful. I wouldn’t be surprised if Epson started to discount the P6000 any day now.
Check out the video at Terry’s site while I go put a few more dollars in my piggy bank.
The online training space just got a little more crowded
Yesterday Chase Jarvis, the Seattle photographer that has taken over the photography world, announced a partnership with the folks from the CreativeTechs webinars called CreativeLive. They have announced a live workshop series that will be taught by some of the most respected photographers out there.
I’ve checked out the webinars from CreativeTechs before and they are really good. As in any other workshop the teacher is the key to a good learning experience. They have some great teachers and some not so great but when they are good they are worth your time (check out the John Greengo, Fundamentals of Digital Photography).
So now we as photography enthusiasts have many options to learn online. There’s Lynda.com who’s the original online training site. They have every imaginable course you can imagine on software plus a few interesting profiles from famous creatives.
Then there’s Kelbytraining.com. With Scott Kelby as the driving force behind this site there’s an amazing selection of photography and digital retouching courses. Both these sites have a monthly plan with no strings attached so you can try them for a month and see if you like them.
I’m excited to check out the new CreativeLive webinars announced by Chase Jarvis and see what they are like. Online learning is a great way to learn from home but of course for learning in person with a teacher I recommend you check out my own workshops. Having a teacher right there showing you how to use your camera or computer and being able to ask questions is one of the many advantages, check them out.
Aperture 3 is out
Apple has released Aperture 3. Even though I’m a Lightroom user I’ll be checking it out to see what’s new although I see a lot of new features that already exist in Lightroom (colour labels, image presets, printing presets) but we all benefit from Adobe and Apple competing in this field.
Good start to the year!
The first post of the year and January is almost over! It was a busy start to say the least. I’ve been living inside Photoshop this past month and I’ve actually had a blast. I recieved a new Wacom tablet that has made me a speed demon. I’m now using an Intuos4 medium and the difference from my old Graphire is just unbelievable. I should have invested in the new one a long time ago.
One of the major speed boosts comes from the new Radial menu. Program any button on the pen or on the tablet to show this menu and when you activate it you get a circular overlay where your pen is positioned. This menu can show any command that you need to access frequently. And it gets better. You can have a submenu of commands so the total number of items available is huge.
Wacom Radial Menu
I have arranged this menu so that I have my most used actions there. I just need to click the back button on my pen and in that instant and wherever I am on my screen I can create layers, change brushes and add masks to name a few.
I’ll add more of my Wacom tricks in the next post but since I have to run and actually work on some shots I’ll leave you with a cool link to some cool images.
Mathew Albanese has created some amazing landscape photos but the cool thing about them is not that he was at the right place at the right time to get them. He actually created the landscapes himself as miniatures. Everything is “fake” but it looks real. Great creativity to figure out how to mimic what we see in nature with things like paprika and parsley! Go check it out at the following link:
Happy Holidays!
The year is almost over and I’ve been working on a variety of projects up until yesterday. It seems things will be a little slower in the next two weeks and I look forward to spending time with family and enjoying the Christmas season.
Best wishes and I’ll see you in the new year.
Happy Holidays!
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