Archive for April, 2007

Christopher Burkett, born in 1951, surrenders his talent to the world of nature depicting colors and patterns (that his photographic eye sees in woods and landscapes). He joined a Christian religious brotherhood in the early 1970s and, 5 years later, first became interested in photography as a form of spiritual expression. Over the next 20 years, he gradually perfected his photography be the means through which he could express his innermost feelings and inspiration.

The purpose of my photography is to provide a brief, if somewhat veiled, glimpse into that clear and brilliant world of light and power. To the extent that these photographs help show that way, is the extent to which these images succeed.

Christopher Burkett Photography
Christopher Burkett
Christopher Burkett Photography
He uses large format photographic films (most common large formats are 4×5 and 8×10 inches) and prints his work by hand onto conventional photographic materials.

I believe there is room in the photographic world for both digital and optical printing. Both have their own strengths and weaknesses. But to me, the integrity of the photographic image, (and it‘s direct connection to the original scene), is best preserved using conventional optical printing methods. The very piece of film that was at the original scene is put into the enlarger, projected onto a piece of paper, creating the print which you see before you.

Christopher Burkett Photography
Christopher Burkett
Christopher Burkett Photography
The 2 most well-known books written by Christopher are: “Resplendent Ligh” - 156 pages and “Intimations of Paradis”- after a travel within America with his wife Ruth. This second book was awarded by The North American Book Dealers Exchange. Burkett is a recognized national expert in printing Cibachrome (Ilfochrome), by virtue of his use of sophisticated and unique masking techniques; therefore, he also has taught several workshops sponsored by the Friends of Photography and Anderson Ranch Arts Center.
Christopher Burkett Photography
Christopher Burkett
Christopher Burkett Photography

Tags: Christopher Burkett, nature photographer, nature photography, nature patterns, nature colors

Do you feel like needing huge prints? Here’s the most compact 12 megapixels camera in the industry that features Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar Lens, Super Steady Shot Image Stabilization and Face Detection Technology, as well as D-arrange Optimizer. Sony’s Dynamic Range Optimizer can analyse captured image data and instantly determine the best exposure and tonality of each picture before JPEG compression. An interesting improvement from Sony is the multi-point auto focus (AF) feature that can automatically determine the right focus of up to nine points in the camera frame, rather than focusing on what is in the middle of the frame. Sony Cybershot W200 is compatible with the Sony VMC-MHC1 high-definition component cable for simple connection to an HDTV set; with the new Sony CSS-HD1 high-definition Cyber-shot Station, which comes with the component cable, and at has a built-in slide show function with MP3. Last but not the last, the Bionz processing engine gives the advantage of fast shooting.
Sony Cybershot DSC-W200 Specifications
Sony Cybershot DSC-W200
Sony Cybershot DSC-W200
Sony Cybershot DSC-W200
Sony Cybershot DSC-W200
Sony Cybershot DSC-W200

Tags: sony digital camera, compact digital camera, digital camera, sony cybershot dsc-w200, cybershot dsc-w200, 12MP, 3x optical zoom, sony dsc-w80

Unlike most of the point-an-shoot digital cameras, Sony Cybershot W90 comes with an optical viewfinder (it’s especially useful when you want to spare some battery life). In less than 2 seconds, the camera is ready to take pictures and will focus very quickly thanks to the Bionz processor. This camera has Face Detection and Optical Image Stabilization, both working well, but aperture- and shutter-priority modes are not considered even it is an 8MP camera. In Program mode, you can adjust white balance, type of focus and metering, exposure compensation and ISO sensitivity. You can take three shots (bracket) at three different compensation options which, combined later with a HDR program, will give stunning results. On the LCD you’ll se grid lines that help keep the horizons straight and compose. Except the lack of manual controls, this camera totally pleases me: the speed, the image quality and the easy of use at a reasonable price for a 8MP compact deserve an award.
Sony Cybershot DSC-W90 Specifications
Sony Cybershot DSC-W90
Sony Cybershot DSC-W90
Sony Cybershot DSC-W90
Sony Cybershot DSC-W90
Sony Cybershot DSC-W90

Tags: sony digital camera, compact digital camera, digital camera, sony cybershot dsc-w90, cybershot dsc-w90, 8MP, 3x optical zoom, sony dsc-w90

The DSC-W80 has a newer interface and look compared to other W series cameras from Sony (it comes in attractive colors of the sleek metal body as well). Also, W80 uses Sony’s new Bionz image processor, which is much faster. The photos have sharp details and accurate colors, noticeable noise only from ISO 800 and above. Important features that improve your shots are: optical image stabilization, face-detecting auto focus and auto exposure (there is also ISO 3200 maximum sensitivity but in my opinion not very useful). High-definition slide shows with MP3 music support and in-camera image retouching worth mentions especially for those of you who don’t want to spend too much time with image adjustments at the PC. It can be used with the new Sony CSS-HD1 high-definition Cyber-shot Station, which comes with the component cable (also works as a charger for the camera); and the DSC-W80HDPR kit, which bundles a DSC-W80 camera and Sony’s DPP-FPHD1 printer package.
Sony Cybershot DSC-W80 Specifications
Sony Cybershot DSC-W80
Sony Cybershot DSC-W80
Sony Cybershot DSC-W80
Sony Cybershot DSC-W80
Sony Cybershot DSC-W80
Sony Cybershot DSC-W80
Sony Cybershot DSC-W80

Tags: sony digital camera, compact digital camera, digital camera, sony cybershot dsc-w80, cybershot dsc-w80, 7MP, 3x optical zoom, sony dsc-w80

Tip 1 – Foggy Day
Tip1
Tip 2 Sun rays
Tip10
Tip 3 – Focus on contrast areas
Tip8
Tip 4 – The “lonely tree” subject
Tip5
Tip 5 – Try monochrome or duotone
Tip4Tip4
Tip 6 – Try radial blur and soft spot
Tip6
Tip 7 – Close up on the leaves
Tip7Tip7
Tip 8 – Details of the roots
Tip3
Tip 9 – Details of the tree stamp
Tip2
Tip 10 – A forest path (road)
RoadRoad

Tags: photo tips, photography tips, forest, tree photos, forest photos

Adobe Camera Raw for digital photographers only by Rob Sheppard is extremely informative on a limited aspect of Adobe Photoshop Software: working with RAW file format. Anyone above the level of rank amateur will find this book helpful and it is also is a great book those who are moving from film to digital photography.
The first thing you should know is that Adobe came on the market with Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) which helps digital photographers to gain more control over the image parameters. The author of this book relates the technique to the artistic purpose, after a discussion of the Raw format itself, he tells you how to use the in-camera histogram to obtain the best possible image. He explains how digital camera captures the image and what limitations of the digital camera can be encountered. Step by step images sustain the explanation, and there is also a chapter discussing other Raw converters that are available on the market, covering advantages and disadvantages.
Adobe Camera Raw for Digital Photographers OnlyExamples of some titles covered:
“The Histogram, Key to RAW and Camera RAW”
“Challenges of the Small Sensor”
“The Noise Problem No One Talks About”
“Post Camera RAW Processing”

Tags: Adobe Camera Raw for digital photographers only, Adobe Camera Raw, raw

Functions:
• Shooting Modes: Auto, Program Auto, Manual, Scene
• Scene Modes: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Beach, Snow, Fireworks, High Sensitivity, Extra High Sensitivity, Soft Snap
• Movie Mode: 640 x 480 MPEG with sound
• Effects: Natural, Vivid, Sepia, B&W
• Flash Modes: Auto, On, Slow synch, Off, Red-eye reduction
• Focus Modes: 9-point Auto, Macro, Single, Monitoring
• White Balance: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent (1, 2, 3), Incandescent, Flash WB
• Metering: Multi-pattern, Center-weighted, Spot
Sony Cybershot DSC-W200Technical Data:
• 2.5 inch LCD
• 12.1megapixels
• 3x optical zoom + 2x digital zoom (TTL 6x)
• Focal Length: 35-105mm (35mm equiv)
• Aperture: F2.8-5.6 (w) F5.5-8 (t)
• ISO Range: 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
• Flash Range: 0.2-3.3m (wide) 0.4-1.8m (tele)
• Focus Range: 34cm to infinity, Macro: 5cm (wide) 34cm (tele)
• Exposure Compensation: +/-2EV in 1/3EV stop increments
• Sharpness setting: +/-1EV in 1 step increment
• Contrast Setting: +/-1EV in 1 step increment
• Exposure bracketing: 3 frames, +/-0.3/0.7/1.0EV
• Shutter Speed: 1-1/1600 sec
• Self Timer: 2 or 10sec
• File Format: JPEG
• Memory Stick / Pro Duo Memory + 31 MB internal memory
• NP-BG1 Lithium-ion battery

Tags: sony digital camera, compact digital camera, digital camera, sony cybershot dsc-w200, cybershot dsc-w200, 12MP, 3x optical zoom, sony dsc-w80

Functions:
• Shooting Modes: Auto, Program Auto, Manual, Scene
• Scene Modes: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Beach, Snow, High Sensitivity, Soft Snap
• Movie Mode: 640 x 480 MPEG with sound
• Effects: Natural, Vivid, Sepia, B&W
• Flash Modes: Auto, On, Slow synch, Off, Red-eye reduction
• Focus Modes: 9-point Auto, Macro, Single, Monitoring
• White Balance: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent (1, 2, 3), Incandescent, Flash WB
• Metering: Multi-pattern, Center-weighted, Spot
Sony Cybershot DSC-W90Technical Data:
• 2.5 inch LCD
• 8.1megapixels
• 3x optical zoom + 2x digital zoom (TTL 6x)
• Focal Length: 35-105mm (35mm equiv)
• Aperture: F2.8-8 (w) F5.2-14.8 (t)
• ISO Range: 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
• Flash Range: 0.2-3.3m (wide) 0.4-1.8m (tele)
• Focus Range: 50cm to infinity, Macro: 4cm (wide) 35cm (tele)
• Exposure Compensation: +/-2EV in 1/3EV stop increments
• Exposure bracketing: 3 frames, +/-0.3/0.7/1.0EV
• Continuos Shooting: 100 shots, 2.2fps, 8MP (max)
• Shutter Speed: 1-1/1600 sec
• Self Timer: 2 or 10sec
• File Format: JPEG
• Memory Stick / Pro Duo Memory + 31 MB internal memory
• NP-BG1 Lithium-ion battery


Tags: sony digital camera, compact digital camera, digital camera, sony cybershot dsc-w90, cybershot dsc-w90, 8MP, 3x optical zoom, sony dsc-w90

Functions:
• Shooting Modes: Auto, Program Auto, Manual, Scene
• Scene Modes: Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Landscape, Beach, Snow, High Sensitivity, Soft Snap
• Movie Mode: 640 x 480 MPEG with sound
• Effects: Natural, Vivid, Sepia, B&W
• Flash Modes: Auto, On, Slow synch, Off, Red-eye reduction
• Focus Modes: 9-point Auto, Macro, Single, Monitoring
• White Balance: Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Fluorescent (1, 2, 3), Incandescent, Flash WB
• Metering: Multi-pattern, Center-weighted, Spot
Sony Cybershot DSC-W80Technical Data:
• 2.5 inch LCD
• 7.2 megapixels
• 3x optical zoom + 2x digital zoom (TTL 6x)
• Focal Length: 35-105mm (35mm equiv)
• Aperture: F2.8-8 (w) F5.2-14.8 (t)
• ISO Range: 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200
• Flash Range: 0.2-3.3m (wide) 0.4-1.8m (tele)
• Focus Range: 50cm to infinity, Macro: 4cm (wide) 35cm (tele)
• Exposure Compensation: +/-2EV in 1/3EV stop increments
• Exposure bracketing: 3 frames, +/-0.3/0.7/1.0EV
• Continuos Shooting: 100 shots, 2.8fps, 7MP (max)
• Shutter Speed: 1-1/1600 sec
• Self Timer: 2 or 10sec
• File Format: JPEG
• Memory Stick / Pro Duo Memory + 31 MB internal memory
• NP-BG1 Lithium-ion battery

Tags: sony digital camera, compact digital camera, digital camera, sony cybershot dsc-w80, cybershot dsc-w80, 7MP, 3x optical zoom, sony dsc-w80

If you have a camera capable of shooting in RAW format, you are probably familiar with the Adobe Camera Raw and DNG Converter. 4 days ago, Adobe announced the updates for its DNG Converter and Camera Raw applications, supporting Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8 camera (one of my favorite compacts). The updated plug-in is available for the new Photoshop CS3, Elements 4.01 for Mac and Elements 5.0 for Windows systems.
Here’s the link for the update

Tags: Adobe Camera Raw, DNG, DNG Converter, RAW Converter, Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8