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Microsoft has publicly released Photosynth, a way of combining conventional images to create 3D scenes. After you upload a set of images, the software analyzes each for similarities to the others, and then it uses this data to build a model of where the photos were taken. A viewer can then browse through the final photograph, navigating smoothly and zooming in tiny details.
What’s the idea?
Humans are able to perceive depth by instinctively calculating the effect on perspective of the offset between their eyes. Conventional digital cameras, with a single viewpoint on the world, cannot do this. Photosynth identifies common features in multiple photographs and uses them to work out how the images relate to one another. It then uses this information to build up a 3D map of how the features in the image, and the positions of the cameras that took them, relate to one another.
The software can combine images shot with the creation of ‘Synths’ in mind or by mixing images taken at different times, dates and resolutions.
It is the first use of Microsoft’s much-hyped and rather astonishingly-named ‘Seadragon’ technology. The accompanying Photosynth blog provides some of the background. The team has provided video and pdf instructions for creating your own ‘Synths,’ including a guide to subjects and photographs that will be considered ‘Synthy’ and those considered ‘Not Synthy.’ (It turns out that Venice is considered distinctive and feature-full enough to be Synthy, while the Seattle Public Library remains stubbornly resistant to Synthing).
By: www.dpreview.com
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Tuesday, August 26th, 2008
 The RAW development software Bibble Pro has just been updated to support the new Nikon D700 DSLR camera. Version 4.10.1 additionally supports new lenses and addresses a compatibility issue with upgraded firmware on the Pentax K20D. Bibble 4.10.1 is available now in both “Pro” ($129.95) and “Lite” ($69.95) versions for Windows, Macintosh (PPC/Intel as a Universal Binary) and Linux. Bibble Labs have also released further details about Bibble 5, which will be released later this year.
Bibble Labs Press Release
Bibble Pro Version 4.10.1 Adds Nikon D700 Support, And Bibble 5 First Look
Updated versions of Bibble 4 have been posted on the download section of our website (http://bibblelabs.com). This update includes support for the new Nikon D700, new lenses and addresses a compatibility issue with upgraded firmware on the Pentax K20D. Several other minor issues were resolved in this version, so we recommend upgrading (for free, of course) at your earliest convenience.
Bibble 5 continues to approach completion, and we’ve begun to expose more information about it. Please visit the Bibble 5 information page to see our new First Look video that shows a glimpse of the new interface in action. The video shows just a tiny fraction of the great new features and power we’re building into Bibble 5, but should give you an idea of the workflow benefits we have in store for you.
Bibble 5 was also recently shown at the Microsoft Pro Photo Summit as part of Eric Hyman’s “Five minutes to WOW” presentation on multi-core performance. Video from the event isn’t yet available, but on the Bibble 5 page you can see a video recreation of the level of performance he demonstrated live on a 16 Core AMD System. While Bibble 5 will run fast on any system, this video demonstrates the unmatched speed that is possible by combining Bibble 5 with the latest hardware.
Availability
Bibble 4.10.1 is available now in both “Pro” ($129.95) and “Lite” ($69.95) versions for Windows, Macintosh (PPC/Intel as a Universal Binary) and Linux. Visit http://bibblelabs.com for further details and to download a fully functional 14 day trial version. New licensees of Bibble will also receive a free upgrade to Bibble 5, once available later this year.
Bibble 5 will be released later this year.
About Bibble Labs
Located in Austin, Texas, Bibble Labs Inc was founded in 2000 to develop technologies and software for high quality processing of raw files from a wide variety of digital cameras. Bibble Labs’ stand-alone products are used by thousands of photographers all over the world to quickly and accurately process their raw photos. Bibble Labs’ technologies and expertise are increasingly becoming the standard other companies turn to when they wish to embed raw image processing technology in their products. For more information, please visit our web site at http://bibblelabs.com . Licensing, distribution, and retail inquiries may be addressed to .
Via: feeds.feedburner.com
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Saturday, August 23rd, 2008
Phase One has released an update to its Capture One workflow software. Version 4.1.2 of the program extends its Lens + and Focus+ correction tools to support numerous lenses with Hasselblad H, Hasselblad V, and Contax mounts. The correction tools remove optical flaws in images captured by specific lenses. A full list of lenses and RAW formats supported by Capture One 4.1.2 is available on the Phase One Web site.
Capture One owners can upgrade to the new version for free. New customers can purchase the program for $129.
Souce: feeds.feedburner.com
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Friday, August 22nd, 2008
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 Canon has announced the shipment of its 100 millionth digital compact camera. It plans to launch a special color variation compact camera to mark the occasion. Beginning with the PowerShot 600 in 1996, Canon claims to have delivered a total of 106 models around the world.
According to Canon, the key digital compact camera models have been:
- IXUS Digital (2000)
- PowerShot A70 (2003)
- Digital IXUS i (2003)
- PowerShot G7 (2007)
- PowerShot S5 IS (2007)
Canon has given no details of the specially colored camera it says it will release.
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By: www.dpreview.com
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Friday, August 22nd, 2008
“This is the dog of my friend Ana. His name is Kaj. Every evening, he enjoys watching the panorama of the small Slovenian city, Velenje, from their mountain house. Is he meditating maybe, I don’t know, but I know that no-one can get his attention in these minutes, he even didn’t notice my camera”. Taken by Biljana
Source: planetearthdailyphoto.blogspot.com
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Wednesday, August 20th, 2008
In an historic move, (AP) readers have been given license to help design a new Polaroid digital camera that will include an on-board printer focused on ‘professional and business users’.
The camera will be the first Polaroid consumer digital camera to print photographs targeted at this market, producing larger (4×3in) prints than that of the newly introduced PoGo printer, which delivers 2×3in pictures.
The 4×3in print size could be significant because it is the same format Polaroid used on its famous consumer instant film cameras before it discontinued traditional film.
Polaroid tells us the target market may include, for example, police forces and the construction industry.
Polaroid has launched a survey В– exclusively for AP readers В– to help determine which other features should be included on the new camera.
Polaroid wants readers’ opinions on potential features such as pixel count, print quality and the battery’s print capacity.
The best suggestion, as judged by Polaroid, will win a trip to New York and VIP tickets to the Museum of Modern Art.
The firm hopes the new camera, which is due out in 2009, will appeal to consumers lamenting the death of Polaroid’s instant film models.
It will use the firm’s built-in ZINK digital printing technology, first used on Polaroid’s pocket-sized PoGo, a standalone printer delivering 2×3in prints, launched in July.
We expect Polaroid to launch a lower-end ZINK-enabled camera, also producing 2×3in prints, this winter (though Polaroid has yet to announce this officially).
In an exclusive interview with AP, Polaroid bosses said they want readers to ‘define the next generation Polaroid PoGo ProSeries’ cameras.
All those taking part will be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win one of 100 Polaroid PoGo printers or one of 50 Polaroid Digital Frames (black gloss 8in models).
Answers can be entered via the AP website at www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/competitions/4778 from 9 August.
Polaroid will also accept answers by letter. These should be sent to Polaroid Survey, Amateur Photographer magazine, Room 8-56, Blue Fin Building, 110 Southwark Street, London SE1 0SU.
The closing date is 31 August 2008 and the winners will be announced on the AP website.
For full details visit www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/competitions/4778
Pictures:
Souce: www.amateurphotographer.co.uk
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Monday, August 18th, 2008
Considered by American Photo magazine to be one of the ten most influential women photographers in the history of photography, Joyce Tenneson has had her work published in LIFE, Esquire, Newsweek, and The New York Times Magazine. She is the author of over 12 prior books, including the best seller “Wise Women,” and she is the recipient of numerous awards.
In A Life In Photography 1968 - 2008, Tenneson provides a retrospective of a career that spans four decades. Beginning with her first black-and-white studies in self-portraiture, through her transformations period, through her work with light, color and into the exploration of maturing women, as well as trying to look to what is ahead.
Joyce Tenneson - A Life In Photography 1968 - 2008 is divided into several sections which encompass these periods. While not everything is covered, it does seem to take into account each decade.
“Early Work” examines the early personal journey that is played out by someone who is trying to find themselves in photography. Her photographic career started while she was modeling, when someone gave her a camera. These are very autobiographical images that are a record of the first steps in a long career. They include the self portraits as well as the images of her son Alex. These cover the late ’60s and ’70s.
“Transformation” is based on the first Tenneson book to feature her color work. Published in 1993, it was timed to coincide with a traveling exhibition. These images present the full range of her personal color work since she began to work in color in the mid ’80s.
“Light Warriors” is a selection of images from her 2000 book that paints women as a mystic and timeless vision of the female psyche by using a bold departure into the colors of luminous dark browns and blacks. It is the universal quest for the spiritual warrior trying to find their own uniqueness.
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From: feeds.blogcritics.org
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Monday, August 18th, 2008
 Your photo could feature on the cover of Lonely Planet’s �Encounter’ guides, the main prize in a new competition. Run by Lonely Planet, the world-leading travel guide publisher, and Pikeo.com, a new photo-sharing website, you could also win a free trip to India, Russia, Morocco or Kenya courtesy of Intrepid Travel. You need to tsubmit unique and inspiring pictures of London, Paris, Barcelona and Istanbul to enter. The competition is open to those in the UK, France, Spain, USA and Canada and entries close on September 8, 2008.
Pikeo.com Press Release
LONELY PLANET AND PIKEO SEARCH FOR TRAVELLERS’ COVER SHOTS
Have you ever dreamed of seeing your travel photos published on the cover of Lonely Planet? Well now’s your chance…
Lonely Planet, the world-leading travel guide publisher and Pikeo.com, the new photo-sharing website, are inviting photographers to submit their most unique and inspiring pictures of London, Paris, Barcelona and Istanbul.
Four winning shots will be chosen for the cover of Lonely Planet’s �Encounter’ guides to each city. The panel of judges consists of travel photography experts including representatives from the Association of British Photographers and Lonely Planet Images.
The winners of each cover will also receive a free trip to India, Russia, Morocco or Kenya courtesy of Intrepid Travel. In addition, twelve runners-up will receive prizes, as will a small selection of highly commended entries.
The winning images, plus Lonely Planet and Pikeo’s favourite shots, will be launched and showcased at a gallery exhibition in London when the guides go on sale next year.
To enter, simply visit the competition page on Pikeo at http://lonelyplanet.pikeo.com and follow the instructions. Photographers can also take advantage of Pikeo’s many presentation features, including the ability to organise photos into albums and create a professional online gallery.
The competition is open to those in the UK, France, Spain, USA and Canada and entries close on September 8, 2008.
Lonely Planet and Pikeo tips for a winning image:
- Images must be taken from a street perspective
- Use a reportage/documentary style
- Make the viewer feel they are actually there
- Have a central focal point
- Ensure composition is bold and colours are rich
- Avoid things looking staged by showing locals going about their everyday life
- Use iconic sights or architecture in an everyday context
- Always include people within your shots
Pikeo (http://www.pikeo.com) is a groundbreaking new photo-sharing website, launched in 2007. It incorporates the latest mapping and mobile technology, allowing users to upload photos via internet or mobile from anywhere in the world, share them with friends or publish them to the whole world.
Via: feeds.feedburner.com
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As I said there are more than 200 cities taking part, the final tally of cities will be released on Monday on Scott Kelby's blog. You can check out the list of cities to see if there is one near you. Each walk is hosted by a professional in the area, and the areas walked are diverse. Each walk will be approximately two hours long and will end up at a restaurant, café, bar, or other establishment for additional socializing, and chimpping; if you don't know what chimpping is, I guess you will have to watch the video in the link at the bottom. Keep in mind that each walk will be limited to 50 people, so if you want to attend, sign up early.