Photo World

Apple added a new level of flexibility to its photo-management and editing software to on Friday with the release of Aperture 2.1, a free patch that allows third-party developers to write plug-ins. The company hopes the new features that can be added will allow photographers to make Aperture their only software need. “The image quality in Aperture 2 has won over the most demanding photographers,” said Rob Schoeben, Apple’s vice president of Applications Product Marketing, in a statement.
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Adobe has announced the launch of an online photo storage and manipulation tool. The public beta of Photoshop Express marks the arrival on the internet of the probably the world’s most recognizable image processing brand name. Photoshop Express allows users to non-destructively edit and enhance their images, which can be pulled and pushed to and from popular websites such as Facebook. Updated: Adobe has issued a statement about some of the application’s fine print that was causing consternation.
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A picture of troops returning from Iraq has helped Ian Rutherford win the First ScotRail Press Photography awards for a record fourth time. Captured in May last year, the ’striking image’ shows troops from the 51st Highland, 7th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland being reunited with their families in Stirling. Rutherford В– who works for newspaper В– also scooped Picture Essay of the Year and was Highly Commended in the Sports Photographer of the Year category.
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We’ve just been handed a production version of the new Canon EOS 450D / Rebel XSi and have done our best to bring you some sample images. The London weather has done us no favors but we thought you’d be eager to find out how its 12.2 megapixel images look so we persevered. A mixture of lenses and ISO settings were used to try to give an all-round impression of the camera’s behavior and, as always, you can download the original files to scrutinize.
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Nikon UK is offering ВЈ60/€80 on the new Nikon D60 DSLR twin lens kit until June 30th. The Nikon D60 cashback promotion will run from the 20th March 2008 until the 30th June 2008. All claims must arrive by 31st July 2008 in order to qualify.  Nikon UK Press Release Nikon UK is pleased to announce that its spring cashback promotion has been extended to include up to ВЈ60/€80 cashback for purchases on any new D60 kit, until June 30th 2008.
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Layers are one of the one of the most essential features of Photoshop and to be successful in working with Photoshop, you must understand Layers. On a basic level, Layers are like separate transparent sheets that can be stacked one top of another with each one having varying degrees of effect on the others.

Site contributor Vincent Bockaert has today announced a totally new version of his excellent ‘The 123 of digital imaging Interactive Learning Suite’. A favorite piece of reference material I never hesitate to recommend this excellent interactive electronic book which will provide you with both pathways for learning as well as reference. No matter what your knowledge level there will be plenty to learn from the 123 of digital imaging.
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Mamiya has announced two new Sekor D series lenses for its 645AFD II and newly announced 645AFD III medium-format cameras. The optics are optimized for use with digital backs, and each lens contains a 16-bit CPU to allow firmware upgrades, fine lens characteristic correction, and fast communication between the lens and camera body.

Canon have released a new firmware version, 1.0.6, for the 8 megapixel EOS 30D digital SLR. The following fixes and improvements have been incorporated. 1. It allows the latest lens names to be recorded in the Exif information of images taken. The lens IDs of lenses released after the EOS30D are not in the camera; so these lens names could not be recorded in the Exif information of images. The Lens IDs for the following new lenses are now included, so that the correct lens names will be recorded in the Exif information of images.
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Surprisingly, this $1,700 (street) lens is Nikon’s first constant-aperture optic in the very popular, all-purpose, standard zoom category. Both of the company’s previous pro and amateur 24-85mm lenses had variable apertures. If the gold ornamentation on its barrel doesn’t tip you off, the price should confirm that this is a professional-caliber lens. Outfitted with Nikon’s latest generation of optical artillery, including extra-low-dispersion and precision-molded aspheric elements, it promises better control of chromatic aberration and linear distortion, especially at wider apertures and focal lengths.
(More in ‘Lens Test: Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S’…)