Nikon Announces the P7000 Full Feature Compact Digital Camera
New COOLPIX P7000 Camera Gives Enthusiasts Full Manual Controls and Superior NIKKOR Optics in Addition to Advanced Photo and Video Features in a Package That Evokes SLR Familiarity
We couldn’t announce the Canon PowerShot G12 without mentioning Nikon’s latest flagship all-in-one compact digital camera, the Coolpix P7000. Sucessessor to the P6000 from last year, the P7000 improves upon an already impressive competitor to the G11/G12. What I like about the Coolpix P7000 isn’t the good glass that Nikon uses (its great) at a 28-200mm 35mm equivalent, advanced manual controls for the DSLR advanced user. Its the fact that it has a jack for an external stereo Mic that compliments its 720P 24fps HD video. It drives me crazy that Canon didn’t include that feature in the G12, which was on my own personal target list. Other than that, the two cameras are comparable. The P7000 is perfect as a second camera for Nikon shooters, where the G12 is a perfect compliment for Canon shooters. Thank goodness for completion amongst the industry leaders! Retail U.S. price is $499, same for the Canon PowerShot G12. Street price should be about $450 after its release.
Canon Announces the PowerShot G12 Compact Digital Camera
Canon’s Latest High End Compact Digital Camera: The PowerShot G12
Canon has announced its latest compact digital camera, the Powershot G12. The sucessor to the G series G11,the PowerShot G12 high end compactis very similar to the G11. New are the EOS-style control dial, IS for macro/close us and 720p HD stereo sound video. Additionally the G12 now has support for SDXC cards. Remaining are the excellent 28-140mm equivealent lens, 2.8″ tilt swivel LCD and the ability to shoot in RAW format. Additionally, the G12 packs a new High Dynamic Range (HDR) shooting mode which is becoming a highly desired capability on higher end cameras.
Online Nature Photography Workshops Start Wednesday, October 6
Take an Online Workshop with Kevin Moss: Elements for Nature Photographers or Photoshop for Nature Photographers
Hello everyone, hope you had a wonderful September!
I have 2 workshops starting Wednesday, October 6, 2010. Both are on the subject of nature photography with one workshop concentrating on Photoshop Elements, and the other workshop for Photoshop users. The workshops are taught online at BetterPhoto. I’ve been an instructor there for over 3 years and have been teaching these two web-based workshops for some time. I’ve had students from 60 countries and at all ages and levels of expertise, doing a lot of one-on-one during the month-long online course.
Canon Announces the EOS 60D Digital SLR
Canon’s New Workhorse Digital SLR Camera
Canon has announced its latest APS-C sensor workhorse digital camera, the EOS 60D. The Canon EOS 60D replaces the 50D and provides enhancements not found in the recent EOS 7D. Rest assured, this camera will probably prove to be another workhorse worthy of professional use by photographers and even amateur and professional videographers. The biggest difference in this camera from its predecessors though is its plastic body as opposed to the heavier and more sturdy magnesium alloy. For many of us that really beat the living daylights out our equipment, that can be a “small” issue.
Roxio Releases Creator 11 Multimedia Software
New Version of Roxio’s Creator Add’s 3D To Photo’s and Video
We’re photographers, but we’re also computer users. Many of us have collections of photo’s and video’s. With the advent of HD video in many of our digital cameras, we’re also video editors and producers. We have digital post-processing nailed with Photoshop and Photoshop Elements, but what do we use for our digital video? Personally, I’ve been using Roxio for a few years, just for burning DVD’s and for some quick video editing. Roxio’s lastest version of Roxio Creator now adds 3D capabilities to our video’s and our photos.
Nik Software Announces HDR Efex Pro
A New Entry Into The HDR Post-Processing Offerings
Nik Software is pleased to announce HDR Efex Pro, the first high dynamic range imaging tool that delivers the full gamut of photographic possibilities, from artistic to realistic HDR images. Complete all-in-one HDR imaging toolkit. U Point based selective tools for fast, precise localized enhancements of contrast, shadow, structure and saturation adjustments and fine-tuning for a completely finished look. Standard and custom presets organized into categories for one-button HDR imaging; scores of looks with one tool.
The Humid Photographic Fog Effect
Letting Nature Add Special Effects To Your Images
It wasn’t on purpose. Out a few mornings ago, the light was just right. I wanted to add some images to my extensive “Amy’s Garden” portfolio, the portfolio I’ve been building for years of Amy’s garden. Flowers, plants, wildlife. The garden Amy has dedicated herself to cultivating for 13 years. I’ve been photographing it for 5 years now with plans on publishing a book of her nature efforts. The sun had risen just an hour before, I had the indirect light, and I grabbed my Nikon DSLR with Tamron AF 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II VC LD Aspherical IF Macro Zoom Lens (click here for the Canon version of the lens) attached. To my surprise, the protective UV filter on my lens had fogged up immediately, the humidity that morning was in the mid-90’s!
4 New Nikon Lenses Announced For 2010
Nikon Adds to its 2010 AF-S Nikkor Lineup
Nikon has announced 4 new lenses targeted at its full frame DSLR users, with a new prime mixed in. Trying to serve the needs of its full frame D700, D3X users, Nikon is quickly filling voids for enthusiasts and pro’s that want the convenience of the zoom ranges available to the popular APS-C sensor crowd. Announced are the < AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED V, AF-S NIKKOR , the 24-120mm f/4 G ED VR and the AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G ED . Each of these are considered “high end”, badged with Nikons “ED” designation. You can be assured of “good glass” with these new offerings, the quality needed to take advantage of full frame sensor Nikon DSLRs.
Nikon Announces the D3100 DSLR
Enhanced Guide Mode and the Ability to Shoot 1080p High Definition (HD) Video with Full Time Auto Focus Allow Users to Capture with Confidence
They are getting better and better. Entry DSLRs have surpassed high end DSLRs we were buying just a few years. If you’re in the market for a second body, you’ll want to look into one of these entry DSLRs. The Nikon D3100 looks intriguing. Packing Nikon’s new 14.2Megapixel CMOS Image Sensor, full HD Video recording (now becoming standard fare for DSLR owners), a 3-inch monitor with one-touch Live View shooting and movie capture and a new easy to use intuitive interface, experienced DSLR owners may want to take note when it comes to adding gadgets, inexpensively to their camera bag. Click Here to hear the Nikon Pod Cast!
Photographing Rare Clouds
Rare Occurrence of Undulus Asperatus at Sunset
Long time nut for photographing storms and clouds here. I do admit it. Been working on my “Sky” portfolio for years. On the night of June 23, 2010 we had some powerful storms roll through Michigan. Passing through early evening, we were presented with an extremely rare occurence of what is a newly designated cloud type; Undulus Asperatus clouds. I’ve only seen them just a few times in the past 20 years, but last night was the first opportunity for me to capture the images of these rare clouds.
Father and Son Landscape Photographers
Todd and Brad Reed are a Rare Breed in Lake Town Ludington, Michigan
Once and a while you come across photographers that are inspiring. So is the case with yours truly. While on a photography vacation a few years ago in my native Michigan, I came across the work of Todd and Brad Reed in the boating town on Lake Michigan called Ludington. Long time professional nature and landscape photographers and workshop leaders, Todd and Brad have established themselves as the top Michigan shore photographers. If you want to become inspired as all photographers need from our peers, you’ll find this article rewarding.
Photography Above the Clouds
Ever Try Taking Photo’s In An Airplane?
Millions of flights a year. Billions of fliers. Out of that many that travel the friendly skies, how many do you see taking photos through the window? If you haven’t tried it, you might be pleasantly surprised at the results. If you’re patient, lucky with light and sitting in a window seat away from the wing, there is nothing stopping you from passing the time working on your “sky” photography.
Photoshop CS5 Is Here
Just When You Thought You Had Your Current Version Of Photoshop Understood…
Adobe has been pretty regular with their updates to their Creative Suite of software. In our case as photographers, Photoshop. Photoshop CS5 announced last month is shipping. We thought it to be a good idea to hit the highlights with you. After all, we’ve been testing this for quite a while, and am really enjoying some of the new features the photographer may be interested in.
New York Road Trip Camera Or Not
Not In Town for Photography? Do It Anyway
Traveling, whether on business or pleasure is something a photographer should always look forward too. Always throw your favorite camera gear in you carry on bag, and you’re all set. On a recent business trip to New York City, I did just that. I threw my walk around camera in my bag, just in case I had a chance to venture out and get some urban shots of the city. It turned out to be a good plan.
Atlanta Architectural Photography Competition
Call for Entries: The Young Architects Forum (YAF) Atlanta Chapter First Annual Photography Completion
Digital Photography Daily participant Shelly-Anne Tulia Scott , YAF Photography Competition Chair informed me of a wonderful photography competition. Many of us are interested in architectural photography, and this competition is aimed at the student and professional photographer.
Spring Flower Photography
Some Tips, Some Lenses
In my part of the country, spring usually comes late April. This year it sprung early, At this time in the year, and its only for about a week, the tree’s begin to bud, grass begins to grow again and turn green, and the marigolds begin to flower. For the nature photographer, it’s time to get back to work!
The tree’s at this time of year begin to bud, and within a week, boom! They’re full of leaves. If you can catch the tree’s as they are blooming, you can get some very interesting images. The emergence of spring also means color for many photographers. The greys, blacks and whites are gone from winter, and the great outdoors starts to look good again. Bring out your macro lenses, it’s time to start shooting!
Blur as an Element of Composition
A large part of my personal portfolio, the use of blur in my personal photographic work is ever expanding. I’m not condoning sloppy technique that result in a soft image, I’m talking about introducing blur into certain images in order to elicit a desired effect; an abstract study of color and blur. I’ve been working on a portfolio of such images for about 5 years now (hmm, another book idea!).
Home Studio Lighting on the Cheap
If you don’t have studio lighting equipment, or a set of 2 or three speedlights for your digital camera (either way, you’re looking at a few thousand dollars worth of gear), but you want to do some cool indoor still life or portrait photography, here is a good way to approach it.
dpreview.com Review of Canon EOS Rebel T2i/550d
dpreview.com has posted an extensive hands-on review of the Canon EOS T2i/550d. dpreview.com is the best site on the web for in-depth digital camera reviews. I’ve been reading them for years and appreciate their hard work and consistency they’ve shown. Click here to go to their review. We’re not a camera review site as you may be able to tell, but more of an eZine for digital photographers with a broader scope and interests. If you’re an equipment geek, you’ll like dpreview’s articles.
The T2i isn’t in stock at a lot of the resellers yet. I actually had a hands-on with the T2i at my local reseller last month. Click here to go to that article.
Improve Your Photography Available in Print
Improve Your Photography – 50 Essential Tips and Techniques Available In Print
We have had a lot of requests for a printed version of our eBook, Improve Your Photography – 50 Essential Digital Photography Tips & Techniques. It is now available for order from my publisher (and soon to be on Amazon) at https://www.createspace.com/3435093. I received my final proof earlier this week, and the book is looking great in print. If you don’t want to waste a set of inkjet cartridges and want a printed copy, it’s ready for purchase. By many copies and send them to your friends!
