Photo.net Newsletter: November 17, 2009

Hi %%First Name%%,

Thank you. No really, thank you for being a part of Photo.net. We have such a great community of inquisitive, informed, dynamic, interesting members on this site. It’s awesome to watch people growing their photography and image-editing skills, to view the interactions of members dialoguing on the site and bouncing information and ideas off of each other. Some of you have been around since the very beginning, others have joined more recently—and we thank you all for your contributions.

So, we’re curious, what are you thankful for? Share your thoughts here (your post doesn’t necessarily have to be photography-related, although those types of “thankful” thoughts certainly are welcome).

This month’s editorial newsletter highlights this year’s Holiday Gift Guide full of recommendations on photography gifts arranged by price (many suggestions contributed by our members), multimedia photography applications, image editing software, basic photography knowledge, creative photography tips and advice, and equipment previews and reviews. We also feature products from Adorama, community discussions, the POW, and a new Editors’ Picks: Astrophotography. And we announce the winners of the 2nd Bogen Giveaway Contest on Photo.net.

To continue the conversation, visit our Forums, Photo.net Blog, Facebook Page, and Twitter Feed.

As always, if you have any questions or suggestions, please send them to us directly at contact@photo.net. Enjoy the newsletter!

Sincerely,

Hannah Thiem

Photo.net Managing Editor

Editorial Highlights

This month, we’re showcasing the Photo.net Holiday Gift Guide, the second article in the multimedia series by Jay Kinghorn; the final creativity column by Harold Davis; a continuation of the Missing Pages column by Jon Sienkiewicz; a brief overview of Lightroom including a sample workflow by Theano Nikitas, a preview of the new Olympus E-P2 by Hannah Thiem, and a review of the Canon EOS 7D by Bob Atkins.

Photo.net Holiday Gift Guide 2009

The Holidays are a time for indulging your nieces and nephews in some new pursuit [perhaps photography, what else is there?] that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives, a time for helping dad reach his ultimate dream of getting a coveted pro DSLR or rangefinder camera, perhaps a season for stuffing your own stocking with a gift certificate to your favorite photography store [might we suggest Adorama] and then pretending it was from grandma.

On that note, let Photo.net show you what’s hot this season, organized in price categories so you don’t go overboard, or underboard, for those on your holiday list. Thanks to everyone who contributed ideas for favorite products to be included in the Gift Guide.

Read this year’s Holiday Gift Guide.

Multimedia Photography Series: Creating Audio Slideshows

This is the second article in a series on the multimedia applications for photography. In the this article, Creating Audio Slideshows, Jay Kinghorn walks us through the steps necessary to capture, edit, create and publish an audio slideshow. He demonstrates slideshow creation using Adobe Soundbooth for audio editing, Adobe Lightroom for image editing and organizing and Soundslides for the assembly and publication of the audio slideshow, as well as instructions on how to publish the slideshow on the web.

Read about Creating Audio Slideshows.

Becoming a More Creative Photographer Column: A Spiral Model of Creativity

Harold Davis’ seventh and final Becoming a More Creative Photographer column, is all about adopting a spiral model of creativity. for creating a workflow allowing for a relationship with our subjects and our art. Most likely, you move away from your subject once you’ve thoroughly explored it. At a later time you can circle back, perhaps not at exactly the same place, and come to know your subjects—and your photos—in a different and larger way. [Harold will be writing a new series on photo.net—a series on Creativity in the Photoshop Darkroom, coming next month.]

Take a look at Installment VII: A Spiral Model of Creativity.

Missing Pages Column: Flash Modes

Jon Sienkiewicz contributes the 8th installment of his Missing Pages: Tips for using your camera creatively column. Learn what flash modes are all about, and how you can apply different modes to your photography to better control lighting. This installment offers an assignment to explore turning your flash OFF indoors and ON outside. That’s right—the opposite of what you’ve thought (or been taught) all these years.

Check out Installment VIII: Flash Modes.

Adobe Lightroom 2.0: A Tool for Your Workflow

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, now in version 2.5 (with a just-released Beta 3) is one of a relatively new breed of imaging software designed specifically for photographers. Lightroom is a complementary application that provides a streamlined and focused workflow solution for photographers who want—or need—a single, cohesive application tool to organize, correct, and output their images. Theano discusses the newer features in version 2, as well as provides a general workflow outline to get you started.

Check out Adobe Lightroom 2.0: A Tool for Your Workflow.

Olympus E-P2 Preview

Presenting…the Olympus E-P2. Less than six months after the digital version of the Olympus PEN, the Olympus E-P1 camera was unveiled, Olympus announces a sequel micro four thirds super compact camera, the Olympus E-P2 DSLR. The new E-P2 has many of the same features as the E-P1 ( interchangeable lenses and multimedia capabilities, art filters, all in a small size similar to a point-and-shoot), with some additional enhancements. I had experienced a hands-on preview model of the camera at PhotoPlus NYC and I share some of my feedback.

Read the Olympus E-P2 Preview.

Canon EOS 7D Review

Taking a look at the new hybrid APS-C body DSLR/video camera, we were quite impressed. Clearly Canon has put some thought into this camera and made a number of changes that make the EOS 7D the closest thing to a “professional grade” APS-C body that we’ve seen to date. With the advanced autofocus and metering, very high speed continuous shooting rate, large image buffer, wireless flash control, extensive set of custom functions and broadcast quality HD video, the EOS 7D would be ideal for sports shooters and photojournalists, as well as advanced amateur photographers who want a “state of the art” crop sensor camera.

Read the Canon EOS 7D Review.

Winners of the 2nd Bogen Giveway Contest on Photo.net

Congrats to the winners who were selected in the 2nd Bogen Giveaway Contest on Photo.net!

• Tony Hunter [Manfrotto 190XPROB Black Aluminum Tripod with 804RC2 Head (190XPROB, 804RC2)]
• Ligiong Chen [Manfrotto 190XPROB Black Aluminum Tripod with 804RC2 Head (190XPROB, 804RC2)]
• Crystal Roy [Elinchrom Skyport Universal Trigger Set with Trigger & Receiver (EL 19360)]
• Timlan Jackson [Gitzo Series 3 Aluminum 4 Section Monopod with G-Lock (GM3340L)]
• Carlos Acuna [Manfrotto M-Y Compact Tripod With Aluminum 3-Way Head and New Leg Angle Selectors (7301YB)]
• Tammy Barnhill [Manfrotto M-Y Compact Tripod With Aluminum 3-Way Head and New Leg Angle Selectors (7301YB)]
• Elizabeth Brown [Kata Bags 3N1-20; 3 in 1 Sling Backpack (KT D-3N1-20)]
• Vanessa Andrews [Kata Bags 3N1-20; 3 in 1 Sling Backpack (KT D-3N1-20)]
• Tom Steenhuysen [Metz 28 Cs-2 Digital Slave Flash With Easy Mode (MZ 52822D)]
• Maria Freeman [Kata Bags DR-465; Digital Rucksack – Black (KT DR-465)]
• Mariah Pelky [Kata Bags DR-465; Digital Rucksack – Black (KT DR-465)]
• Joe Edwards [National Geographic Tundra Tripod With Ball Head With Quick Release Plate 785PL (NGTT1)]
• Alan Dopp [Manfrotto Modo Pocket (797)]
• Rebecca Dix [Manfrotto Modo Pocket (797)]
• Debbie Donald [Manfrotto Modo Pocket (797)]
• Michael Crewz [Lastolite Ezybalance Grey/White Card 12" (LL LR1250)]
• Matt Campbell [Lastolite Ezybalance Grey/White Card 12" (LL LR1250)]
• Mike Gerzema [Lastolite 18" Mini Trigrip – Silver/White (LL LR3531)]
• Beth Penigar [Lastolite 18" Mini Trigrip – Silver/White (LL LR3531)]
• Wolfgang Hildmann [National Geographic Walkabout Small Holster (NG W2021)]

If your name is on the list, you should have already received an email from Bogen confirming your prize. If not, please email webmaster@bogenimaging.com with your name, address and phone number to confirm your prize by the 23rd of November.

Special Deals from Adorama

Pentax K-x Kit—Pentax K-x Digital SLR Black Camera /Lens Kit, with Black 18-55mm DA Lens. 8GB SD Memory Card, 4 AA Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) 2900 mAH Rechargeable Batteries with 4-Hour AA & AAA Quick Charger, 110/220 volt. Camera Bag, Digital Camera & Lens Cleaner.

• High resolution 12.4 megapixel CMOS image sensor features sensor-shift Shake Reduction for stabilized image and video capture up to 4 stops max.
• Large 2.7 inch LCD features Live View with contrast, phase difference, and Face Detection autofocus (up to 16 faces).
• Capture widescreen HD video in full 720p resolution (1280×720) at 24 FPS cinematic framerate, using any PENTAX 35mm lens.
• Highly compact DSLR body design allows for 1 handed operation and comfort when travelling.
• Powerful automatic modes, including PENTAX Auto Picture and scene modes, ensure the perfect shot in any situation, while helping new photographers learn DSLR photography.
• Creative processing and filter modes produce high quality finished images, whileoffering the ability to explore artistic freedom through unique special effects.
• True HDR image capture blends 3 bracketed images into a single picture with outstanding shadow, highlight, and midrange detail.
• Fast 4.7 FPS capture speed and 1/6000 second maximum shutter speeds are possiblewith the PENTAX PRIME II image processing engine.
• Responsive 11 point wide angle SAFOX VIII autofocus system focuses quickly and accurately, and can easily track moving subjects.
• Capture up to 1900 shots with universally available, easy-to-find AA lithium batteries (also compatible with AA NiMH rechargeable and alkaline batteries).
• Expanded ISO range covers sensitivities from 100-12800 for extreme low light photography.

Buy now from Adorama: Pentax K-x Kit [$649.95 + free shipping, regular price $758.70]

Other deals from Adorama:

• SanDisk 8GB CF Cards, pack of 3 [sale price: $69.95 (after $80 mail-in rebate), regular price: $199.95]
• Canon Pixma iP4700 Photo Inkjet 5 Color, 8.5in Wide Printer, with USB Interface, for Mac & Windows [sale price: $49.95, $50 mail-in rebate available]

Find great deals on thousands of other products at the Photo.net Adorama Store.

What’s Happening In Our Forums

• Wedding and social event photography (6 Responses) PS (Photoshop) the POW (Wedding Photo of the Week) Upload 11/16/09

This is the second Photoshop Wedding Photo of the Week exercise. Again, I am asking for photo submissions from which one will be chosen to be ‘photoshopped’ by others. As such, please submit images that have not had a lot of processing, actions or edits already. If you’ve ever wanted to find out what others would do with your image, here’s your chance. This is also an opportunity to learn a new processing technique or style, and look at your image from a different perspective.

As always, this is not a contest. If your image is chosen, you agree to allow others to modify or edit your image, and if there is any critique of the image, remember that there is often no right or wrong—people will be expressing their opinions. Make sure the image is 700 pixels or less in width and add a caption. You may add technical details as well as a description of the circumstances surrounding your capture. Images that show as a link will be deleted and you will be asked to re-post… View images

• Video (19 Responses) Video Editing Software
• Nature (32 Responses) Flowing water: Soft Blur vrs Sharp defenition.
• Pentax (23 Responses) A quick review of the Pentax DA Limited lens case and a contest for you to win!
• Canon EOS (85 Responses) Canon EOS 7D tested, retested and reretested

Go To Photo.net Forums. »

Editors’ Picks

Take a look at a new selection of Editors’ Picks: Astrophotography.

Samples:

Also, take a look at what the Editors found worthy of selecting in previous months:

Birds-in-Flight Photography

Creative Light Photography

Documentary Photography

HDR Photography