While we have been away, the consumer level cameras have just gotten better and better. Now you really only have to point and shoot.
Cameras have auto-exposure. And auto-focus. The flash can be set to fire only when needed. Flick another switch, and the camera automatically compensates for subjects that are lighted from behind.
Newer models even boast “face recognition” software, so the person’s face is properly exposed - and “red eyes” eliminated.
These features are imbedded into the cameras. And more features are in the imbedding process as the holiday buying season moves in. via TheLedger.com.
I was doing a little random surfing this morning and found a very cool video. The video shows water turning into ice when thrown into the air. You need two things for this to work. First, boiling water as boiling water is so close to vaporizing into a gas that it breaks into small droplets fast enough to freeze (via WGN). Second, Very cold air.
Now for the cool video of this occurring:
Hat Tip Will at Clicked
Olympus has announced the SP-700 camera today. It has a huge 3 inch LCD, 3X optical zoom, and a 6 megapixel sensor. This compact model has many of the features that a recreational photographer is looking for.
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See the bigger picture with the latest Olympus camera
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London, 4 October 2005 – The SP-700 boasts Olympus’s largest LCD to date with its 3 inch (7.6cm) HyperCrystal Sunshine LCD. Combined with 6.0 million pixels and a precision 3x zoom lens (1:3.3-4.0, equivalent to 38-114mm in 35mm format), the SP-700 ensures that users are able to easily capture, view and share their high quality images with friends.
Whether at the pub, on holiday or on a day out, a streamlined metal body makes this lightweight, design-led camera the latest gadget to be seen with. The Olympus SP-700 will be available in time for Christmas 2005. |
Small Business Computing has a great article on why a small business would be smart to look at Nikon’s D50 D-SLR camera. This 6 megapixel camera allows one to use different lens to capture what you need, and the quality of the images is beyond compare.
From Small Business Computing:
Sharper Images Choosing the D50 over competing D-SLRs comes down ultimately to personal preference and business need. However, D50 is very slightly bigger and heavier than is its main rival, Canon’s hugely popular Digital Rebel XT, but it’s easier to hold and feels better balanced and more solidly built. Although the Rebel has a higher-resolution, 8 megapixel sensor, the D50’s sensor is bigger and, to our eyes, produces cleaner, clearer images.
Shutterfly had in the past demanded a sign in to preview their store. That has all changes as of this week. Now viewers will be able to view their products without having an account. Looks like someone in the Shutterfly organization has learned a lesson.
Press Release:
Press Release:
BURLINGAME, Calif. (September 28, 2005) Today from the InfoTrends/CAP Ventures’ Digital Imaging Conference, Shutterfly announced the relaunch of the company’s online Store (www.shutterfly.com/store). Consumers now can browse the company’s expanded selection of premium photo products and create photo gifts without registering with the Shutterfly service. Additionally, Shutterfly products are arranged and displayed intuitively, so that shoppers can quickly find and purchase a thoughtful gift or treasured keepsake.
“Shutterfly is consistently improving its service to offer both the highest quality and most intuitive user experience for its customers,” said Jill Aldort, Senior Consultant, Internet Imaging Trends for InfoTrends/CAP Ventures. “By adding hundreds of new photo-related products to the Shutterfly Store and eliminating the need to sign in before viewing the product selection and designing the product, Shutterfly invites all shoppers to visualize their personalized product before they buy, which is a great differentiator.”
The new Store includes Shutterfly’s award-winning design-it-yourself products such as Photo Books, Greeting Cards, Calendars and PhotoShow DVDs along with new photo-related products and gift items that reflect the many ways photos enrich our lives. New albums, frames and pre-made scrapbooks in a variety of colors and styles will fulfill every shopper’s desire for the perfect way to display and share their photos. Just in time for the holidays, Shutterfly gives visitors options to shop according to gift-giving occasion, product category or “top sellers” enabling them to easily locate their favorite items along with product details, suggested uses and customer testimonials.
“At Shutterfly we put a premium on quality, whether it’s our products or the customer experience, and we’ve redesigned the Shutterfly Store to reflect this principle,” said Jeffrey Housenbold, CEO of Shutterfly. “Through a complete update of our site architecture, a new look and professional merchandising, we have created an online store that combines the convenience of one-stop shopping with the highest quality Shutterfly customers have come to expect.”
New Albums, Frames and More
- Each product offered in the new Shutterfly Store had been hand selected for its tremendous attention to detail and suitability for displaying photos and preserving memories. Items include:
- Kolo albums, which help Shutterfly customers transform the way photos are presented, stored and enjoyed. From brag-books to elegant leather albums, Kolo presents modern yet timeless designs. Shutterfly will offer more than 30 Kolo albums ranging from $18.00 to $180.00, as well as Kolo photo storage boxes for $28.00.
- Molly West hand-bound photo albums, which are made by expert book binders and crafted with fine materials such as silk and suede into heirloom-quality pieces. Shutterfly will offer more than 20 Molly West albums in baby, wedding and all-occasion themes from $42.50 to $162.50.
- Award-winning baby board books from Playhouse Publishing, which let parents insert child’s photos into each page to create a custom story. Just add pictures and “wow” even the toughest little story-time critic. Shutterfly will offer such titles as My Grandma and Me, Peek-A-Boo Farm, and Picture Me One starting at $10.00.
- Burnes of Boston, which has set the standard for classic picture frames. Shutterfly will offer more than 40 Burnes of Boston designs, from large wall frames to smaller, more novel styles, ranging in price from $5.99 to $49.99.
For more information, please visit www.shutterfly.com/store
Hat tip Digital Camera News
The war for the development of the digital photograph is heating up as Fugi and Walmart are teaming up to provide a kiosk that will allow dropping of traditional film canisters and uploading of digital card so that photos can be developed in the 3,400 WalMart stores in the USA. The prints will be ready in 2 days.
This is an interesting combination of the traditional and new technologies merging to provide a cost effective solution for the customers.
The Washington Post reports that the pricing pressure on the market will be intense. “Using the machines, customers can copy thousands of digital images from a portable memory card or compact disc, and pick up the 4-inch-by-6-inch pictures two days later for 15 cents a print at Wal-Mart, and 13 cents a print at Sam’s Club shops.”
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Fuji Photo Co. Ltd.’s U.S. unit on Tuesday unveiled a low-cost film development kiosk in hopes of spurring consumers to print digital snapshots stored on memory cards and home computers.
The newest version of Adobe Photoshop Elements has been released. This is the consumer version of the Photoshop program the professionals use. Typically priced under $150 dollars, this program is the best of class for consumer photo editing. Some of the new editing features are an improved Red eye filter, a new Magic Brush selector, and great new tools for organizing your photographs.