Photo.net Newsletter: September 17, 2009

Hi %%First Name%%,

September appears to be the month for new photography equipment announcements. Well, I’m sure you already knew that judging by the amount of previews we published in the last newsletter (Canon 7D, Panasonic GF1, Sony A850), and this month’s previews (Leica M9, Pentax K-x). Seriously though, while new camera gear is great and all, especially the first full frame digital rangefinder Leica M9, it’s also important to pay attention to your post-processing workstation. What’s on your wishlist for your workstation? Add your long or short list here, as well as notes about what you’re currently using. Perhaps you may want to consider this product for your list: X-rite just came out with the Color Checker Passport to aid with color management—pro photographer Seth Resnick demonstrates how it works in this video from our newsletter sponsor.

This month’s editorial newsletter highlights articles on Photoshop skills, basic photography knowledge, creative photography tips and advice, and equipment previews and reviews. We also feature products from Adorama, community dialogues, the POW, and a new Editors’ Picks: Fashion Photography, in honor of NYC’s Fashion Week. Share your thoughts about editorial, community, photography, and anything in between on the Photo.net Blog, Facebook Page, and Twitter Feed.

Enjoy the editorial newsletter!

Sincerely,

Hannah Thiem

Photo.net Managing Editor

Editorial Highlights

This month, we’re showcasing an Advanced Photoshop Tutorial by Harold Davis; a continuation of the Missing Pages column by Jon Sienkiewicz; the next column in Harold Davis’ Creativity series; the full length review of the Nikon D3000, a preview of the Leica M9 along with the Leica press conference meeting notes; and additional equipment reviews/previews.

Advanced Photoshop Tutorial Series: Multi-RAW Processing

Harold Davis embarks on the first of many future creative Advanced Photoshop Tutorials. If you’ve seen his portfolio, you may wonder how he gets such rich vibrant colors and almost a surreal feel to his images without a heavily processed feel. Harold breaks down the steps involved for using multi-RAW processing in your workflow—his secret sauce for creatively post-processing images. Download the example image and follow along.

Read the Multi-RAW Processing Tutorial.

Missing Pages Column: Bracketing

Jon Sienkiewicz contributes the 6th installment of his Missing Pages: Tips for using your camera creatively column. Learn how to use the Bracketing feature of your camera to ensure you are getting the right settings for the image. Autobracketing can be applied to Exposure, Flash Exposure, White Balance, Focus and other parameters. This installment offers tips on using bracketing more creatively, as well as suggestions for trying this on your own.

Check out Installment VI: Bracketing.

Becoming a More Creative Photographer Column: Knowing When to Quit

Harold Davis’ fifth Becoming a More Creative Photographer column, to help inspire us with tips and ideas on exploring the creative side of photography. This installment is on Knowing When to Quit—and stresses the importance of working an image, or a potential photo opportunity, just to the point of completion. He even covers the Five Signs it is Time to Move On.

Take a look at Installment V: Knowing When to Quit.

Nikon D3000 Review

Nikon keeps “upping” the game for their entry-level models. The new D3000 outshines the previous entry-level models with 11 AF points and more robust features. The previously highlighted First Look Review has been updated to a full-length review and includes more sample images and specs, as Shun explores the camera’s features and functions at length.

Read the Nikon D3000 Complete Review.

Sigma DP2 Review

The Sigma DP2—a prosumer size camera with a DSLR-sized sensor and a sharp prime lens, manual controls and manual focus. Sounds good on paper—just from reading the specs we were very excited to try out the camera. How does it hold up in real-life shooting scenarios? Josh Root puts this little but powerful camera through its paces.

Read the full Sigma DP2 Review.

Leica M9 Preview

The news of the M9 had already leaked to the public before the launch date so we knew more or less what to expect. Leica officially revealed the first digital full frame rangefinder, the M9, on 9.09.09. Sounds like lucky numbers to me. I attended the Leica Press Conference in NYC—the preview includes notes from the conference, notes on the camera, as well as the official press release.

Read the full Leica M9 Preview.

Pentax K-x Preview

Remember the white Pentax K2000 released earlier this year? Sales from that camera were the inspiration for their next big launch of a small, lightweight, compact, HD-video feature DSLR, the K-x. We’re not quite sure what to make of the colors (available in white, red, and navy, along with black), but we’ll be interested in putting the K-x through its paces.

Read the full Pentax K-x Preview.

Photo.net Community Discussions

Creative Visioning

Last month in the editorial newsletter, we discussed creativity. No matter what type of photography you do, we all need inspiration from time to time. What do you do to get yourself out of a rut and inspire a new fresh take on your visioning? The original forum thread is here. There were some really great responses. Feel free to add your creativity thoughts and tips to the thread if you haven’t done so already.

Some of my favorites:

Sandra Chow:

Autumn here on Vancouver Island is not always colorful, tho last fall was an exception. Fresh air is great for overcoming my fears of trying something new; plus very often for me, it has to be a conscious act of, “I’ve GOT to try something different here…” I went out, expecting to have glorious autumnal photos, but kept getting boring “calendar shots”. Late afternoon, I was turning to go back when I took the camera off the tripod and saw it needed a good 2 seconds for shutter speed. Great! Clicking the shutter (and tripod free), I got the most gorgeous mess of color and light. I didn’t stop for almost 2 hours, and came out of the hiking trail after dark, went back the next morning at dawn, and again the next evening. Now I have a ‘show’ of around 75 images which I’m putting together for a winter / spring exhibit.

Larry Pizzy:

I usually assign myself a project with some sort of constraints. This year I assigned myself to shoot for a week only within 10 feet of my suburban New Jersey house, only with my Canon 100-400, and only handheld. The results are here. I learned a lot but more importantly I got out of my sports photography rut and back into something a bit more creative and challenging.

Steve Davidson:

Three words…lighting, perspective, composition!

No matter where you go, no matter what you photograph; your source of inspiration is always the same… lighting, perspective and composition. Lighting is everything. With the right lighting all else is secondary. Light inspires the heart and soul. Perspective is the photo artist’s take on the subject; their view of it. With perspective you provide the viewer a new look on a subject that they may never have considered. Never be mundane. Composition is the glue that holds a vision together. Never include extranious elements that do not support your main subject. Simplicity provides elegance and grandure that rivets viewer attention.

Consider lighting, perspective and composition in every image you capture and you will always be inspired.

Want to join in the discussion? Add your creative tips to Where to find new inspiration with photography… forum thread.

Special Deals from Adorama

Canon Pixma MX330 All-in-One Inkjet Printer with USB 2.0 Interface, 4800×1200 dpi, with pack of 50 sheets 4” x 6” Canon Photo Paper Plus Glossy II Inkjet Paper—The Canon Pixma MX330 brings high performance and versatility right to your door step. Utilize 4800×1200 maximum color dpi firing at 2pl with the heralded PG-210 Black and CL-211 Color FINE Ink Cartridge System for great detail and a built-in, fully-integrated 30-sheet Auto Document Feeder for fast copying and scanning of your originals so you can multi-task while you’re in or out of the office.

The Super G3 High-speed Fax has a built-in memory to store up to 20 coded speed dials and 50 incoming pages for added efficiency. Scan, duplicate and distribute documents with professional quality thanks to Dual Color Gamut Processing Technology so your copies will maintain the integrity of the original. The MX330 has various security features like password-protected PDF’s so you can feel safe about the creation and dissemination of your most confidential files.

A 1.8” LCD allows for easy viewing and editing of images along with computer-less printing capabilities by way of PictBridge and optional Bluetooth. So, whether you’re on a PC or Mac, you get an advanced business machine and excellent photo lab all- in-one that can virtually fit anywhere.

Buy now from Adorama: Canon Pixma MX330 All-in-One Inkjet Printer [$79.95 + free paper and free shipping. Purchase a qualifying Canon PIXMA Printer with Any Canon Digital Camera and receive a $50 Mail-in Rebate.]

Other deals from Adorama:

• Datacolor Spyder 3 Print Gallery [sale price: $209.95, regular price: $249.95]
• SanDisk Ultra Backup USB Flash Drive – 16 GB [sale price: $38.00, regular price: $49.95]

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

What’s Happening In Our Forums

• Portraits and Fashion (23 Responses) How to shoot like Richard Avedon.

I am wondering if anyone knows how he fully illuminates his subjects while keeping any highlights out of their eyes. The following is my theory as to how many of his images were captured. Please let me know what you think as well as how you would improve or experiment. Read More...

• Lighting Equipment and Techniques (20 Responses) Tips for shooting a model in moonlight
• Street & Documentary (26 Responses) W/NW: REVIEW photo 'People at Work'
• Digital Darkroom (32 Responses) How Much Lightroom Sharpening?

Go To Photo.net Forums. »

Editors’ Picks

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

Samples:

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

• Insect Photography
• Night Photography
• Abstract Linear Photos