Whaaatttt? Yes, even though we usually work in MAC, for the sake of this review we moved over to the Windows side of town. The XP side to be precise.

Enough of that.

We have used Photoshop Elements for a long time, whether is came as part of a software bundle, or out of curiosity, or as the first stepping stone to the entire world of Photoshop.

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This latest version is so intuitive, with easy to learn outstanding features, you PC folks who comprise about 93% of the world, will have to get this.

With an interface very similar to Lightroom, our image management software of choice, this gives you more. Much more.

Let’s walk down some of the cooler features:

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How the heck will you know where you pictures are after they get the same number sequence every time you use the media card? Easy fix now. The organizer system is an easy to use, GUIDED TOUR system, that helps you rename and rate your images. So when you search for pix of Sam’s Birthday, you’ll find em fast instead of looking for dsc102.jpeg. Plus you’ll be handheld through suggested fixes to the images. No Muss. No Fuss. (hmmm…what is muss, anyway?)

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Whatever, you can make the changes or not, because in this software, you can look at the suggested changes, compare with the original, and decide to keep them or go back to the original. You can experiment before committing. Very Lightroom of Adobe.

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Love black and white? The improved palette, gives you a near perfect way to satisfy your longing for the days when silver halide film ruled the earth. Ahhh Tri-X and Diafine. But I digress.

Lets keep playing and perhaps improving the image. Did you shoot a group of folks and, as usual, only one person was looking the right way?

Well, if you shot the photos in the same location, with the edit feature, you can use the lasso or magnetic lasso and photomerge the images to alter reality. Heck, this software has become so good, you’ll never know the difference, and you’ll be applauded for capturing the perfect moment. check this out:

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Shot #1 (two out of three)

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Shot #2 (one out of three)

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Photomerged shot – ahhh, that saved some time with the kids.

Yes, there are all of the share options with online galleries, photobooks, greeting cards, CD’s ad DVD’s, etc.

And you stay in the same environment for everything.

The intuitive nature of Photoshop Elements 6 is the perfect next step for your photography, once you need more than a simple upload. You can effect globally or in detail any part of your image. And this software walks you through evry step of the way.
You get online tutorials, step-by-step walk throughs in the program, a dedicated imaging company behind it, and if you’re not sure…there is a 30 day free trial download.

Look, if you shoot a bunch of photos and you are looking to get into a system that will grow with you, you owe it to yourself to do a trial. Take one group of photos, and see how it feels as you go through all of the paces.

Always works the best for us. Date before you get married.
Remember, this was using the software in a foreign operating system, that is not our daily OS (to us). And it was very easy to navigate and use.

OK, bring on the other PC software. We’re ready for ya.

So how many of you are on PC? I think quite a few. Let us know so we can properly look at appropriate software versions.

small note: In short order, March is the projection, the MAC version will become available.

Actually the title of one of my favorite George Harrison songs. A light tune with a serious message.

But there is a slightly more serious anthropological bent here in this weeks choice of giveaway. As we have, perhaps, sufficiently distanced ourselves from the indulgences of the holiday season, and the world economy helps give us pause , this book gives us all a chance to look at a global sense of material goods.
Material World: A Global Family Portrait

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A beautiful volume shot by 16 photographers, of families around the world and their possessions. Or lack thereof.

Some of the details: Continue Reading »

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Colin Farell
©2008 Jeff Vespa/WireImage

For the past 10 days you have been inundated with paparazzi shots of all of the celebrities at the biggest, most important, independent film festival ever. SUNDANCE. (click here for the winners)
They all go, but not everyone is in a film. And not everyone sees films. Some go just for the party. And the press coverage. World class at that.

But there is a portrait studio in Park City that gets an exclusive with the actors and filmmakers who actually appear in the films being screened.

Jeff Vespa of WireImage has been the official photographer of Sundance Film Festival since 2003, although he has been the main photographer since 1999.
Now this assignment has to be one of the most exhilarating and exhausting.

With approx 30-50 sittings a day, Jeff gets to spend about 5-20 minutes with each group or subject. Not a ton of time to build a rapport, but there is an unspoken smoother in the mix: if you’re here and the chosen photog, you MUST be all right, so the subjects have an immediate comfort level.

It’s Jeff’s talents though, that bring it all to life. With a limited range of backgrounds and lighting setups, he has created some incredible portraits with a depth you may not expect for the short time he has with his famous subjects. Witness the portrait above of Colin Farrell, one of our favorites. There is a moment of calm and a flow that is brilliant. Slightly pensive brow, he seems to be contemplating his next leap. Jeff captured the perfect moment.

True, even though through the years he has photographed many of the actors before, there is always the new crop. And sometimes he shoots them repeatedly if the actor has more than one film in the festival. New film, new cast photo.

This job has grown through the years. At this last festival there was a staff of about 90 taking care of the official photographic duties ,under the aegis of WireImage:
40 additional photographers covering events, parties, premieres.
25 editors – somebody has to download those media cards and deal with all of the images.
Plus a dedicated staff took care of all of the rest. Vespa alone has 2 editors at all times, plus his assistants.

To keep it all going, the photos are usually posted within an hour, with minor corrections.

I know, you want to know what the heck he is shooting and printing with?
A combo of a Canon Mark III and a Hasselblad H2, with a Phase One P49 digital back.
It was pretty obvious that the Hasselblad setup was a love fest for Jeff.
They were pulling 42×46 in. prints off of an HP printer, which were then displayed in the lunge/studio through the run of the fest.

Now, this tireless photographer has a thriving business in WireImage, and a full blown passion for his personal projects. Love that.

One in particular is his series on Burgers.

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Burger King Quad Stacker , Polaroid 20″ x 24″
© 2007 Jeff Vespa/ WireImage

For a few years he has been shooting fast food burgers with large format Polaroid.
There is a comedic beauty in these photographs as you view the true to life piles of meat, cheese, sauce and buns in all of its variations per restaurant. If you are a vegan I suppose they are either triumphant or hideous.
For those that may indulge now and again, you should get a huge laugh. There is great comedy in elevating the quad stacker to a studied piece of art.

There are a lot more of these personal projects in various stages of execution. I won’t reveal the specific subjects, but the excitement, passion and thinking behind them, will guarantee a strong place in the gallery world.

Yes, you should look at all of his work on his site. You’ll be amazed at the range.

Cheers!
Damon Webster

Every time we go to a photo trade show, it truly is a lot of fun checking out all of the new and in- progress products coming to you soon.
It does feel a bit like American Idol sometimes though, as you see all of the crazy inventions, that are fun to look at, but have no place in your camera bag in reality.

One of the best things to come out of PhotoPlus Expo last fall was the ShootSac. Looked great and demo’d like it should. Saw the need for it immediately.

However, until you put it to real work, it just looks good on paper.Or at the trade show booth.

Finally an assignment came up that made sense. Shoot an event with presenters on a stage, plus noted guests in the front rows. Lots of moving around a huge space, and fast.

For the most part it called for a 80-200mm,2.8, plus a 12-24mm, 2.8 lens for coverage of the whole room. And when possible, some flash coverage,between speakers.

Now the reason I knew this was a possible solution, was because on a previous gig I had the same gear set up, moving around a large ballroom. Without dragging all of my stuff around EVERYWHERE, I used a jacket with multi pockets .when I switched lenses, all I could do was put the telephoto on the ground or hold it between my legs. Not a good look. Plus the multi-pocket jacket, for the rest of the stuff, was hot and lumpy.

When I arrived, I put the whole kit/case with all of the goods (extra body,batts,lenses, Epson P5000,etc.) safely with the lighting techs. Plus a graphite monopod. Be prepared and backed up.
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Then loaded the ShootSac
Here is what I carried (left to right): The SB800 Nikon Flash,iPhone, CF Card case, small black notebook for the names I won’t remember spelled correctly, business card case, 12-24mm lens. (not shown-2 batts for Nikon and 5 for flash). Hooked onto the shoulder strap ring is a tiny flashlight and a small bottle of Purell, for everyones comfort. The DSLR with the 80-200mm, doesn’t travel in the bag, but the lens goes in when another comes out. True, sometimes I add a 18-70 mm for full coverage, but that usually stays with the main gear bag.

Surprisingly comfortable, even over a sportcoat. The thick, neoprene material and the well measured separated pockets ,curved to fit my body and evenly distribute the weight. You can tell this was designed from the ground up by a working pro. Form and function.

With the ShootSac, I also could have a place for the 80-200 lens when switching lenses (yes, it did stick out a bit with the lens shade) safely with me, allowing movement and coverage with all goods at hand. And honestly? It looked better with the sport coat than the lumpy jacket ,which means something when you’re at a more formal event.

The lenses slipped in and out fast, easy and were always secure. I was able to feel the vibration of the cell phone through the bag.The only thing I may consider adding is a padded shoulder strap for long days.

I do use my standard case to bring full gear to a gig. The ThinkTank Airport International. Wheels, room, compact AND has recessed dividers to hold the ShootSac in transport.

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Last word: high recommendation in the right situation. It could be the perfect choice for a main bag for you IF you don’t need too much gear with you. Possibly your personal shooting and perhaps vacation travel. Plus you can get a variety of patterns for the bag cover. Great for blending in, and we hear the covers choices will be expanding. For now, we’re very cool with black.

Lots more products to check out at the Photographic Marketing Association this week in Vegas. Another 5 days in a 2 day town. Ah well.

Have you seen or used a piece of gear you’d like to share?
Let us know and we’ll get you some space on the site to let it all out. Hey, how about right here?
Email us @ damonw@photoinduced.com with your ideas.