This firmware update (Version 1.0.6) incorporates the following enhancement.
1. Firmware Version 1.0.6 enhances the AF tracking performance.*
*AF performance has been enhances for receding subjects and for subjects that are approaching at a low speed.

Firmware Version 1.0.6 is for cameras with firmware up to version 1.0.4. If the camera's firmware is already version 1.0.6, it is [...]

Full story at http://www.digitalpixels.net/2010/01/photo-gear/canon-eos-1d-mark-iv-firmware-1-0-6-update/

In response to the global demand from photographers, scuba divers, surfers and snorkelers around the world, leading underwater photography website DivePhotoGuide.com has launched a highly anticipated free series of comprehensive underwater photography tutorials and guides to help the world learn underwater photography. Never before has there been such a growing interest in underwater photography. Affordable [...]

Full story at http://www.digitalpixels.net/2010/01/photography/underwater-photography-tutorials/

click the thumbnails below for an enlarged photo view

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Andrew and Thao's Diamond Heights Dwelling

Jenny and Cristina's Rustic Modern Apartment

Evan's Old-Timey Apartment & Studio Space

Modern Tree Houses by Baumraum

Which Pop Icon Lives Here?

Inspiration: Apartment FH

More Top Posts from past weeks below...

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Here are some camera flash accessories you can consider trying out. PocketWizard is offering photographers a ?nothing to lose? deal with their 30-day Satisfaction Guarantee deal.

Their new FlexTT5 and MiniTT1 can be initially purchased and if the buyer is not happy with them, they can simply return them and get a full refund within the 30-day period. No questions asked! This deal is only applicable to U.S. residents and is valid from February 1 to April 30, 2010.

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Tags: camera flash, flash accessories, photographers, satisfaction guarantee

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Full story at http://www.image-acquire.com/try-out-the-flextt5-and-minitt1-30-day-satisfaction-guarantee-deal/

Animals are the last creatures on earth that one would even think about when it comes to using advanced gadgets like a camcorder. But leave it to producer John Carpenter to think of something crazy. It is called the ?Chimpcam? project where 11 of Edinburgh?s chimpanzees were handed camcorders for 18 months to see what they can do with it.

Of course the idea is crazy. What would a chimp know about operating a camcorder complete with monitor and video touchscreens? For the record, the camcorder (and the project) did not go to waste. In fact, the chimps did produce something. Check it out below:

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Tags: animals, Camcorder, chimp, chimpanzees, chimps, creatures, Earth, edinburgh, Gadgets, john carpenter, touchscreens

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Full story at http://www.image-acquire.com/the-chimpcam-project/

You may have noticed that we’ve shifted things around over in the forum this week. We’ve split up the Share Your Shots section into categories, much like those in Critique. So if you haven’t had a chance, come check out the new sections and share some of your shots.

Weekly Assignment

This week’s assignment was Streets. For the assignment we wanted you to show us a street. Whether it was rural or urban, busy or desolate. Something that shows us a road or street we would want to travel. Our winner this week was mseigafuse’s “Where the rubber meets the sky”. We really liked the overall shot. From the dramatic clouds to the pleasing colours, the shot was just really nicely done. It’s a road I think many of us would like to be driving down with our cameras. Our first runner up was another open road shot, Steph’s “Figueroa Mountains”. Again, the colours were very pleasing in this shot and it was nicely composed. The mountains are just gorgeous. You can imagine taking a road trip up to them. And last, but not least was a more urban street shot, Arabic Collaboration’s “Walking Home”. The shot was nicely composed, the reflections were wonderful, and the black and white treatment really gives it a sense of loneliness. Well done everyone!

This week also marked the start of our assignment on Centered Composition. Often you’re told not to put the subject in the center of the frame, but sometimes putting the subject there can create a very arresting and interesting shot. The assignment this week is to show us a shot where the subject is used in the center with a dramatic effect. Make sure that you’re using this compositional technique to the greatest effect. As usual, a quick overview of the assignment rules. First, your photo needs to be taken between 20 January – 3 February 2010. Second, your post must include the words “Assignment: Centered Composition” and the date the photo was taken. And last, your EXIF should be intact and it’s useful if you can include some of the main points (e.g. shutter speed, aperture, camera, lens, ISO, etc). In February we’re starting a month of themed shots on Food Photography. So the first assignment is Desserts. Make sure you check out magazines and cookbooks for ideas.

Hot Threads

• DPS Forum Competition: Over the next 4 weeks, you can have a chance to win part of $2900 USD in prizes thanks to DigitalRev. The theme of the competition is Life. Life can have many different meanings, so it’s open to interpretation. For all the rules for the competition, see this thread. To submit your images for Week 1 head over to this thread.


• 365 and Breaking Patterns: As we come up on the end of January, many people are nearly a month into a 365 project. As part of a 365 project you may fall into certain patterns and habits with the types of photos you take. But how do you break out of these patterns? Or are you happy to simply stay in the pattern you establish? Come share your thoughts and advice on how to break out of these patterns when you’re involved in a photography project.


• Question About Old Barns / Houses: One of the questions that can come up as a photographer is whether or not you’re allowed to go certain places to take photographs. This week someone asked about old barns and houses. But it’s good to know what you can and can’t do, and what’s proper etiquette when you’re shooting away from home. Come read some advice in this thread.


• When was the Last Time You Hired a Photographer?: As photographers, we may know what other photographers’ prices are because we want to know our markets. But when was the last time you actually hired a photographer? Come join in the thread and share with us whether you’ve hired a photographer and maybe a little bit about why?


• How to get Listed on Google Image Search: Obviously getting your photographs out there is important. But how do you get your photos on Google Image Search, one of the places where people will come across them. What shows up on Google Image search? And how do you get your images found? Come share your hints, tips, tricks, and questions in this thread.


• What Would You Do: Every week we give you the opportunity to practice your post-processing skills on someone else’s photograph. Whether you’re just starting out or a pro, you’re welcome to show us what you would do with the photo.

Post from: Digital Photography School - Photography Tips.

This Week in the Digital Photography School Forums (24-30 Jan ‘10)

Full story at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DigitalPhotographySchool/~3/MPsZPX3-uwc/this-week-in-the-digital-photography-school-forums-24-30-jan-10

The ultimate battle ensues for the top drawer in my toolbox: presets versus actions. What’s the difference and what are the pros and cons according to Elizabeth?

First the basics: Presets are Lightroom’s way of applying many changes to a photo in one click. They can be made by you for a way in which you commonly treat a photo and would like to apply your own recipe in one click. Alternatively, they can be the recipes of other photographers which you purchase from them as .lrtemplate files to import into your lightroom catalogue of presets. Even better, some photographers give their presets away for free! Keep reading for those.

Photoshop’s one-click version are called actions and they work in the same way. Scroll through the effect names, choose one and click. You then see your photograph go through a makeover in a split-second. Again, you can record your own action sequences or buy them as .atn files from other photographers.

I prefer LR presets. I’m a control freak (big time) and I want to have complete, effortless control over every last pixel of my work. I appreciate the foundation that presets can lay in my editing process, but I never click once and move on. I always then play with the sliders to make every last element of my photo exactly what I want it to be. With actions, I feel that I lose control and unless the one click produces exactly what I had in mind (it never does), I don’t prefer to use them. The few times I’ve used actions, they always end up being from Florabella because she makes them work with a variety of layers which you can then tweak. But still, I don’t feel that I have enough control.

So what actions/presets do I love? My first love came from the ‘Lightroom Killer Tips’ website. Matt gives utterly amazing LR tutorials and gives his presets away for free. He even invented a preset extractor program which extracts LR setting from photos on Flickr and that is free as well. Genius! For actions, I use Florabella. She is the love of my textures life and also makes smashing actions. Another place for free actions and presets is CoffeeShop. For presets, my loves are Rebecca Lily and One Willow’s ‘Retro Candy’ presets with delicious names like ‘cotton candy’.

Keep in mind that most presets are created to work on RAW files, so if you’re not shooting in RAW yet, look into starting that before using presets. If you’re not sure about RAW vs JPEG, read this.

Which method do you prefer? Who are your favourites?

Post from: Digital Photography School - Photography Tips.

Lightroom Presets vs. Photoshop Actions

Full story at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DigitalPhotographySchool/~3/kSF2suoHetM/lr-presets-vs-ps-actions

PocketWizard’s US Distributor, MAC Group, is now offering a 30-day Satisfaction Guarantee on the new MiniTT1 and FlexTT5.

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Full story at http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/photographyblog/~3/LEzUMXF4DvQ/

STOIK today announced the availability of the final release of PanoramaMaker for Mac.

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For the first time ever, Panasonic will attend the Focus on Imaging show held at the NEC, Birmingham from 7th-10th March.

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Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) has announced two new educational programmes, entitled WPPI Business Institute and WPPI All About Schools.

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Nik Software today announced the Nik Summit, its first-ever multi-day educational event designed specifically to educate and empower photographers and users of the company?s award-winning software tools.

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As January winds down and we get ready for next month's theme, it's a great time to revisit some of our favorite bedrooms from Apartment Therapy readers. While the styles are all different, each is still peaceful, relaxing, uncluttered and cozy...things essential to any great bedroom. Here's a roundup of lovely bedrooms from the gracious people that welcomed Apartment Therapy into their homes this January.

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