Topaz Fusion Express is changing the way that photographers process their images. Fusion Express brings the simplicity and vibrancy of Topaz plug-ins and fuses them with Aperture, giving photographers total control over their workflow. “Previously, Aperture users have not been able to use Topaz plug-ins, or have had to go through the process of exporting images into Photoshop to edit them, then import them back into Aperture,” says Eric Yang, Marketing Manager of Topaz Labs. “With Fusion Express, Aperture users can now run their Topaz plug-ins in Aperture without interrupting their workflow.”

Topaz Fusion Express provides users with direct access to the Photoshop bundle plug-ins: Adjust, DeNoise, Simplify, Clean 2 and DeJPEG, in a convenient and efficient form. Fusion Express is available free of charge to all Topaz users. For more information visit the Topaz Fusion webpage at www.topazlabs.com/fusion.

Over the past ten years, the BenVista PhotoZoom series has competed at the highest level of image enlarging, thanks to its patentend S-Spline technology. With PhotoZoom Pro 3, BenVista introduces the latest generation of their technology, called S-Spline Max. BenVista’s statements are promising.

Says D.S. Schoolwerth, CEO at BenVista: “Just compare the enlargement results with those of any other solution on the market, and you will find that PhotoZoom Pro 3 gives the highest quality”.

Besides the new S-Spline Max technology, PhotoZoom Pro 3 offers various other substantial improvements. Multi-processor support is added to increase speed, and PhotoZoom Pro 3 can be used not only as a standalone application, but also as an Adobe Photoshop compatible Automation plug-in and Export plug-in. Schoolwerth: “By offering choice, we ensure that PhotoZoom Pro 3 fits into anybody’s workflow efficiently”.

BenVista PhotoZoom Pro 3 offers batch processing, cropping, and convenient presets. A very wide range of image file formats, various types of metadata, and Raw as well as HDR images are supported. Similar to BenVista’s existing S-Spline technologies, S-Spline Max can be fine-tuned. The new Film Grain feature adds a refined kind of grain that was specifically designed to complement the S-Spline Max technology. All customized settings can be saved to be used again later.

Free demo versions of PhotoZoom Pro 3, for both Mac and Windows platforms, can be downloaded directly from the BenVista website: www.benvista.com. An inviting upgrade offer is available for registered users of PhotoZoom Pro and PhotoZoom Pro 2.

The website allows users across the UK to create personalised albums which they design themselves.

By downloading the exclusive state-of-the-art photobook design software from The Photobook Company website completely free of charge, users can design their own album or choose from various pre-designate page templates which they can customise. The software enables users to upload their high-quality digital photographs from their computer into the album.

The software has an impressive array of tools to make it easier than ever for users to design their own wedding albums, by editing the background colours, images or captions with stunning scrapbook effects. Additionally, users can change the transparency of photographs (for faded backgrounds or blending photographs), resize photographs, layer images and easily alter the colours of the photographs (by adding classic sepia or black & white effects). The software is easy to use, meaning anybody can design their own photobook album in minutes.

There are tutorials and videos on The Photobook Company’s website to guide users through the process from basic editing such as simply resizing a photo to more advanced editing processes such as adding effects to photographs.

The user is given the choice between having a landscape or portrait option with the photobook and two different cover options; leather embossed or photographic picture. The leather embossed cover option looks timeless and classy, and the photographic cover makes the custom album look contemporary and luxurious.

Once the user is happy with their album or photobook they can then order it online via The Photobook Company’s website. The Photobook Company then handmake and professionally print the photobook album based on the custom design. The albums are printed on matt photographic paper which covers the entire double page spread (known as flush mounted) for a better quality and also enabling customers to have full panoramic images from edge to edge of the album.

All books / albums produced by the Photobook Company are handmade by their skilled and experienced bookbinders. The quality of the books and printing is manually checked and approved before they are sent out to ensure that customers receive a superior quality album that they will cherish forever. This includes colour correction and sharpening our customers images individually so that the image quality is optimised throughout the photobook. Many of The Photobook Company’s competitors simply do not show this level of dedication to quality.

The website also makes it incredibly easy to order duplicate albums for relatives, friends and family including smaller versions of the main photobook album, as well as offering the opportunity to order ‘thank you’ cards based on the photobook design for guests.

To find out more about The Photobook Company and to test the unique photobook designing software for free please visit http://www.thephotobookcompany.co.uk. Also on the website watch preview videos to learn more about the many exciting features available in the photobook software.

“Creative Light accessories are produced with an exceptionally high standard of quality, yet offered for sale at very reasonable prices,” says Mark Rezzonico, Product Group VP for MAC Group. “All gear is proven ergonomically, enabling photographers to execute their lighting designs quickly and easily. From large and small soft boxes to reflectors of all shapes, sizes and materials to the tiniest support brackets, Creative Light equipment is designed to provide simple hardware solutions to creative lighting ideas.”

The company is also providing knowledge by posting how-to videos on all of their light-shaping tools. Real-life photographers will share proven and easy-to-implement styles and techniques, helping understand how each accessory works and how to put it to use most efficiently.

“We firmly believe that sharing information and technique leads to more successful application of Creative Light’s broad line of light shaping tools,” continued Rezzonico. “These videos are dramatic proof that education is as important as products.”

Equipment currently being shipped to dealers include: recessed and flat-front soft boxes, softgrids, speedrings, umbrellas in white, silver, translucent and “softbox” styles, reflectors, both deluxe and regular in a variety of gold and silver surfaces, reflector holders, light stands, light sheds and light stands.

Catapult automates the process of exporting RAW files for editing and importing converted JPEG or TIFF files, while stacking the versions together to keep projects organized. To support non-destructive editing, when importing Catapult can archive the associated XMP sidecar file produced by Adobe Camera Raw, or a settings file exported from Nikon Capture. When users edit an imported JPEG/TIFF with Catapult, Catapult will locate and export the original RAW file with the archived settings so users can continue editing where they left off.

Batch Workflows
Catapult’s support for batch workflows streamlines processing gigabytes of images after a photo shoot. Users can export several RAW files at once and batch convert them using their RAW converter. With a single button press, users can import the converted images, automatically stack them with the RAW versions in their Aperture library, and archive the corresponding sidecar settings files for later use.

Pricing and Availability
Catapult is now available for $49 CAD, and a trial version can be downloaded from Brushed Pixel’s web site. Visit brushedpixel.com to download or make a purchase.

Savides created this short film, which reflects his life on the road away from his family, using the Nikon D5000 along with two NIKKOR telephoto lenses, the AF 80-200mm f/2.8D and the AF 28-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IF.

“Aside from the size, what I like about working with the D5000 is the quality of the image,” said Savides. “I found that this camera creates a special film-like texture unlike a regular movie camera. The image has a finish that has a still photo quality, which for me felt right for this short film – a series of moving stills.”

Savides, a director of photography for more than 25 years, began his career as a photographer in the fashion industry but made the natural transition from still photography to cinematography. In addition to Milk and American Gangster, for which received a BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) nomination, Savides has worked with some of the top names in film and entertainment, such as David Fincher and Noah Baumbach.

“As demonstrated by Harris Savides’ short film, the Nikon D-Movie mode can enable anyone from a top cinematographer to a D-SLR photographer to create films that move and inspire,” Lisa Baxt, senior manager, Communications, Nikon Inc. “The Nikon D-Movie Screening Room showcases those who have used the D90 and D5000’s stunning HD-movie capability resulting in exceptional videos whether they are personal moments or artistic visions.”

Additional movies at the Nikon D-Movie Screening Room from both professional film makers as well as D90 and D5000 users will be posted in the coming weeks at www.nikondmovie.com.

In association with local dive operators Looe Divers, the weekend will include shore diving, photographic tuition and seminars from industry experts such as Mat Trim of Fujifilm and Maria Munn of Ocean Visions, photo competitions, with some fabulous prizes to be won, and a dinner dive and BBQ in the evening.

ScubaSnap Weekend 2009 is open to divers of all levels, but if diving doesn’t appeal then snorkellers can take part, too. The only rule is that all photos taken and entered in the competitions must be taken on a compact camera. As well as photography education, goers will have the opportunity to critique their images with industry experts over the course of the two days.

On the Saturday, divers will be able to do their best hunter-gatherer impression and take part in a dinner dive to hand-pick scallops for the evening beach BBQ, where they will be able to unwind after a hard day below the waves and regale buddies with diving stories.

Other sponsors and exhibitors present at ScubaSnap will be Aqua Lung, Suunto, Scuba Travel Worldwide Holidays and PADI.

If you’d like to find out more or are interested in coming along to ScubaSnap Weekend 2009 then email photocomp [at] looedivers.com.

Mystical Tint Tone and Color 2.0 includes unique Portrait Filters that improve skin color, eliminate wrinkles and skin blemishes, enhance eyes, lips and hair and reshape facial features to accentuate natural attributes. New lens filters simulate graduated filters and polarizers. New sharpening filters provide amazing detail and clarity in images unachievable using traditional filters available in Photoshop. New HDR filters enrich the colors, saturation and tonal depth of photos in unique and eye-appealing ways.

Mystical Tint Tone and Color 2.0 uses an intuitive brush-on / brush-off methodology to give the user precise control over the results. Dynamic rendering allows the user to combine an unlimited number of filter combinations to enhance their images in a non-destructive environment that fosters creative exploration and experimentation without the need for all the layers, masking and techniques necessary in Photoshop.

Mystical Tint Tone and Color 2.0 also includes over 300 instant effect presets that give the user a rapid start to perfecting the look of their images. The workflow for adding enhancements to images is made easier by the intuitive onscreen previewing system and robust selection of tools and brushes that apply the effect with precise results. New effects like Afternoon Sun, Moon Glow, Color Tone, Soft Sepia and High Key Blast give the photographer a powerful repertoire of choices.

Mystical Tint Tone and Color 2.0 includes 60 new effects:

Antique Photo
Afternoon Sun
Black and White
Color Bleach
Color Contrast
Cool Colors
Color Mixer
Color Tone
Green Foliage
HSB Adjust
Moon Glow
RGB Adjust
Saturate Colors
Sepia
Warm Colors
Vitality
Blue Sky
Hand Tinting
Gradient Tinting
Under Color
Cool Gray
Warm Gray
Dark Contrast
Darken Colors
Deepen Tones
Enriched Black
High Key Blast
Level Adjustments
Multiply Darks
Over Exposed
Darken and Sharpen
Under Exposed
Washed Out
Polarizer Filter
Graduated Filters
Sharp Posterize
Lighten and Sharpen
Sharp Contrast
Sharpen Details
Image Brush
Soft Sepia
Soft Black and White
Soft Contrast
Hard Posterize
Soft Posterize
Soften Details
Smooth Depth
Smooth Range
Smooth Skin
Skin Color
Flesh Tone
Enhance Eyes
Enhance Hair
Enhance Lips
Reshape
Enlarge / Reduce
HDR Color Pop
HDR Contrast
HDR Darken
HDR Black and White

Grand Prize Winner
Lisa Norman-Hudson, a photography student at Pellissippi State Technical Community College in Knoxville, Tennessee, was selected by a panel of three Olympus Visionary judges. Her creative image titled, “The Dawn of Technology” looks like a city at sunrise, and after a closer look, that cityscape is actually a computer’s circuit board. As the grand prize winner, Lisa will receive a $5,000 scholarship and an Olympus E-3 camera, ED 12-60mm f2.8/4.0 SWD Zoom lens, ED 50-200mm f2.8/3.5 SWD Zoom lens and gadget bag. Lisa’s professor, Wade Payne, will also receive an E-3 camera.

Public Vote Winner
For the first time, the Photographers of Tomorrow contest posted the 20 finalist images online and opened voting to the public. Erica Smith of the Art Institute of Colorado in Denver, Colorado was selected for her image titled, “Foggy Day on the Lake.” The serene image features a man in a boat among the mist. Erica will receive an Olympus E-520 kit. Both winning images can be seen at www.olympusamerica.com/yourworld.

“The participating schools are known for producing some of North America’s top photographic talent, and the entries we received reflected that,” said John Knaur, senior marketing manager – DSLR, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “We congratulate Lisa and Erica on their accomplishment, and encourage all students to continue to expand their artistic horizons.”

The Olympus E-System is designed with revolutionary features that expand the frontiers of digital photography. Based on the Four Thirds Standard, Olympus offers 100 percent digital lenses for edge-to-edge sharpness in a durable, yet portable design. Olympus pioneered Full-Time Live View, Dust Reduction and other technologies for DSLRs, leading where others have followed.

New E-System cameras provide easy-to-use Art Filters, Multiple Exposures and Multi-Aspect Shooting (built right into the camera) for capturing creative images on the go – without being tethered to a computer and editing software. Proof that Olympus technology combines innovative features with intuitive product design to enhance what you see and what you can do.