Every 12 months a new camera body or high end compact camera are introduced to the trusting photo community. Small Sensor Compact System Cameras has become the fastest changing segment with new bodies launched in less that 12 month cycles and in most cases using the same 12MP sensor. Not only the cameras are changing every 12 to 18 months, software companies also learned just how lucrative these updates are. Many of us have been caught up in the past, always ready to try that improved new sensor, better processor and all that are continuously presented as new and improved to the photo community.

Popular forums are fighting to announce new arrivals first, preview them or even test these new cameras, software and lenses first. Many people go buy new equipment just so they can be the first to report their findings on forums. While all the testing, talking and reviewing are happening the camera companies are writing higher profits and the software companies are growing like never before. Contrary to the enormous growth discussed, the 2nd hand camera market collapsed virtually completely. Never before has new cameras lost their value as fast as what is happening in this current over saturated digital camera market, we live in…..

I used several unique portrait techniques to edit these images. I plan to add these techniques to the Expert Page during those two weeks over year end, look out for them as they are really powerful.

The best Photoshop training source I have found to date is that of the web service called, Kelbytraining. Scott Kelby and people like Matt Lloskowski have been closely linked with Adobe Photoshop for as long as I know. I bought a few of their books over the years plus I have been a keen supporter of a few excellent magazines over the years.

Today I only subscribe to Kelbytraining and am 100% satisfied with the level of training I get, the huge database with training material and the regular updates and new material produced. One of the trainers, Calvyn Hollywood, a German guy is one of my favorite trainers at the moment. He introduced a great technique for getting the detailed type look seen in the image with the blue background. Calvyn uses a technique he calls FAD, search for it and try it…….



I started my article talking about the rate with which new equipment are presented to us. I will be telling a lie if I say I do not enjoy the technical side of digital photography or if I said I did not get completely excited with holding that new toy in my hand. Does the new camera or the new software produce better images? Personally I continue to get the best results with those bodies and editing software I know best…….

Siegfried

Summer is nearing its end, we literally have only a few days left in Europe. Many of you who will see this post will already think, what are you talking about Siegfried, because next week I saw the weather forecast predict cold coming our way. Why making mention of the weather here? Well, I do not know about you, I enjoyed summer, took many images and tried many new things. Sometimes I really wished I had time to write about that but there was just not enough time in the day….. We can talk about all we saw and learned over the next few cold months, welcome.

Several new products and software packages were launched recently.

Siegfried

Olympus created a totally new web service which enables Olympus users to save images on the web. This service includes on-line editing plus adding image effects to the images, the service has a private plus a public area and it completely synchronize with the latest ib software Olympus from Olympus.

Currently the ib software is only Windows supported. Hopefully we will see the Mac version soon plus new iPhone plus iPad Apps. I think it is a great idea because it offers great ways of showing friends images especially if you do not like to use Facebook. You can find the ib homepage here: http://www.ibonthenet.com

Siegfried

I believe there are millions of people out there that do want great image quality from their digital cameras. People which likes to enjoy hobby photography and people intensely interested in the technology associated with digital photography. I often get people asking my advice and their questions are almost always the same. "I am investing in a new digital camera and I like something with good image quality at a good price" Then on the other side you have the guy that says, "I am investing in a new camera, I like photography as a hobby and I like to get a DSLR." This is normally the difference between the person who just wants a digital camera and the person buying a digital camera for hobby purposes.

This is when the information search start and this is when people get programmed on large Photographic related forums into becoming digital photographers. These young photographers are often characterized by the level they have been programmed. Those that were exposed by a large degree often find it difficult or even impossible to enjoy photography. They get so involved with all the problems the digital sensor presents, DR, photo editing, RAW files, this camera or that lens, that these poor guys often just disappear as fast as they came.

Then there are the small group of artists or hobby photographers that really enjoy their new investments. They are characterized by almost always having their camera (not camera bag) with them. Anything that moves get clicked and they often just can't stop talking about their new hobby. Are they photographers? Certainly yes, often in this group of young digital photographers huge talent are discovered. It is this group I like to support with this website and the Facebook page I started. Please come and visit these pages, show us your pictures on Facebook and if you like we will talk about photo editing or camera techniques.

My son is a pro photographer. Pro meaning he makes a living from photography. He uses several camera bodies, including the 5D, 7D's, 550D and a PEN. He told me it is interesting how well people are informed and how much face value the 5D adds to the photographer's image. It creates confidence by the customer when the photographer use the 5D. Then there are other customers who just go ahead and specify the format they want plus in many cases the camera that should be used. Doing photography for a living is something totally different to what we think it is. I am happy if real photographers also visit these pages because from them we can learn and that is fun....

Best

Siegfried

The Terrible Events happening in Japan

I think there are nobody today that does not say or ask, look at what is happening and why? There are many different opinions on the "why" and while people are thinking of reasons people are also scared. In Germany the question, should we have Nuclear Power Stations or not, filled the News Paper front pages in a matter of days. Elsewhere in Europe a mother and child returned from Japan and left the loved one behind because he believe he should stay to help other, that is a Japanese culture.

One of our readers lives in Japan. Mark and his family has been less than 40Km away from one of the aftershocks. Mark wrote that he grew older 5 years in just a few seconds. Guys I am deeply touched and my heart goes out to our friend in Japan. Mark is sending me regular reports and I will keep you guys updated of what is happening to our friend.

Mark you in my prayers and I trust that He who created all will hold you and you family in His hand if you believe.

Your Friend

Siegfried

I made a complete switch to Mac in the last 18 months. It took a long time to make the switch because step by step one needs to update all your software from one system to the new. Will I do it again? Yes, I am confident that the Apple, Mac concept is good plus it is a great system for photographers. I also had to learn to work with new software to develop the site. With my Windows system I had to develop the themes myself and now with the Rapid Weaver software I use I can go and shop for great looking themes.

I have tried two or three themes from NCD Themes to date and the one you see now is called N-Spire. What I really like it is that it is 100% iPhone and iPad ready. As you can see from the image above the Photography is Fun website should display just beautiful on these units. I cannot wait to get my iPad to see what it will look like. I plan to get one in May. If you know of a new model that will be released please let me know, I really do not want to be caught having the older model. I will be happy to receive feedback guys....

Please go have a look at the "Expert Page" because I have placed a short new article over there.....

Siegfried

I was over at the other side when I saw an entry that was showing images taken with the new XZ-1 from Olympus. In our forum I recall we were exchanging views, saying how difficult it will be to replace or find a compact that will have what is needed to replace the PowerShot G7. I do think the new XZ from Olympus could be the one.

I can just picture the colorful and well balanced images from this unique compact when I think of my experience with other Olympus cameras. That said, this was not my original reason for posting this story.

I was looking at results from the XZ and it was interesting how the user selected different art filters to build the display for his pictures. You can see these images by clicking on the camera. Having said that, I will say something that could result in heavy debate. I believe the popularity of the Art Filter in the future has not been fully understood yet. People laugh at Olympus and the purist continue to selectively allow technology to help him produce his images, but they forget they are not the trend setters. You will notice I did not include female photographers into that purist group. I believe our lady friends are much more open to what technology can offer when it comes to expressing their artistic capability. I can clearly see how Olympus started an exciting and new trend that will hopefully change the monotone discussions on noise when cameras are reviewed in the distance future.

Siegfried

I was passing by a camera shop in Zurich on my way to the train station. I stopped for a moment to look at older camera equipment in the Sale window when my eye caught six A2 sized images hanging inside the display area. I stepped a little closer to have a better look at the images. They were all images from a horse polo event and each were taken with a different camera plus lens combination. I spend nearly 20 minutes enjoying the excellent images, the detail in each of the images, the wonderful moment each photographer managed to capture and the absolute quality of the prints. Keep in mind that they all pictures of a sport event, fast moving subjects, split second moments, images that in my mind push any camera to the limit.

The bodies and the lenses were the "best" in each brand, Canon, Nikon and Olympus. With Olympus there were two images, one taken with the E30 and the other with the E3. I do not know the Canon and Nikon bodies that well, I recall it was the 1D and the D3S. I could not see any sign in the image style's that would indicate it was the same photographer that took these images, when walking away I decided these were taken by different photographers. What really made me stop and stand still was the quality of these prints. I started looking a little deeper and could not find any obvious reason that would make me prefer the one camera system over the other by just looking at the images. The images were all outstanding. I think most readers agree that we often too focussed on equipment, today I saw that being confirmed in full A2 size, I could not help walking away with a smile.....