Software Google Bails on Nik Collection Photo Editing Software
July 31, 2017 Donald Scarinci

Google’s Nik Collection photo editing software has sadly gone the way of Picasa. Google recently announced that it will no longer update the software.  Thus ends one of the best photo editing programs ever made. The Nik Collection includes seven desktop image editing plug-ins that are popular with both professional and amateur photographers. The software suite includes color-correcting, image sharpening, and retouching tools. Silver Efex Pro is a great app for creating stunning black and white images, while Analog Efex Pro allows users to add a vintage look to photographs without the need for old-school equipment. Google acquired Nik Software…

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Tripods & Ball Heads Gitzo Tripod is Expensive but Good
June 19, 2017 Donald Scarinci

For some reason people never believe they should spend a lot of money on a tripod.  They buy one and then after a few uses they become frustrated and usually upgrade.  Or, sometimes the tripod they select is just too heavy to carry around so they never use it. What is the best tripod?  As the saying goes, “the best tripod is the tripod that you always take with you.” The criteria for selecting a good tripod is that it is light enough to carry, will fit in your luggage without taking up too much space or weight so your…

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Exhibitions Whitney Biennial Reflects Tumultuous Times
June 5, 2017 Donald Scarinci

The Whitney Museum of American Art’s Biennial is open until June 11 and it includes a rich display of fine art photography. The 2017 celebration of contemporary art uses the theme of the “formation of the self and the individual’s place in a turbulent society.” The curators collected a sampling of the work produced over the last two years by contemporary artists that provide a snapshot into the current state of American fine art. Overall, the exhibits show a world in shock.  It is as if everyone was asleep to the pain and suffering of the general population of America…

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Lenses Sigma Releases Three New Art Lenses
May 22, 2017 Donald Scarinci

Sigma continues to add lenses to its highly-rated Art line. The new additions are the 14mm F1.8 DG HSM, 135mm F1.8 DG HSM, and 24-70mm F2.8 DG OS HSM. Since launching two year ago, Sigma’s Art lenses have been making waves. The high-speed f/1.4 models have shown that they can compete with the high-grade lenses produced by Canon, Nikon and even Zeiss. As an added bonus, the Sigma lenses are generally more affordable. Most recently, DxO Mark named the Sigma 85mm F1.4 Art the best in its class. Sigma’s latest Art lenses are also expected to impress. Sigma touts the…

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Software Editing Photos with Perfectly Clear 3.0
May 8, 2017 Donald Scarinci

Manually editing images can be a tedious time-consuming task. One of the best new tools to speed up the process is Perfectly Clear 3.0. According to Athentech Imaging, Inc., the company devoted more than a decade of research and development to creating its patented image correction technology, which uses more than a dozen unique algorithms to create flawless images. As its website touts, Perfectly Clear “cracked the code on correcting every pixel independently.” Perfectly Clear 3.0 offers plug-ins for Photo Shop, Lightroom, Elements, and Corel PaintShop Pro. It features presets for common applications, such as Landscapes, Portrait, Noise Removal, Fix…

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Tripods & Ball Heads Really Right Stuff Tripods Sell Out
April 25, 2017 Donald Scarinci

When a small company happens to make the best ball heads and tripods on the market, sometimes they run out of supply.  That is exactly what happened to Really Right Stuff in December, 2016.  As of March, 2017, supply has still not returned for the company’s most popular tripods. Really Right Stuff is currently sold out of its most popular tripods. They are unavailable at most retailers as well with no date projected for restocking.  According to the company, its holiday sales far exceeded expectations. “Actually, we had so many tripod sales in November that our inventory was decimated (despite…

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Camera & Lenses Leica M10 Combines Art and Function
March 27, 2017 Donald Scarinci

Leica cameras don’t typically come with a lot of bells and whistles but that does not stop the admiration of their high quality line of cameras. The M10 is Leica’s latest addition to its popular rangefinder line; and, based on the early reviews, it appears to be another success. Like all of Leica’s cameras, the M10 is visually stunning. It is the slimmest of the M series, roughly the same size as Leica’s analogue M-Cameras. There are only three buttons on the back of the camera: Review, Live-View and Menu. Leica’s latest camera is also a rugged machine, artfully constructed…

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General Accessories Kodak Ektachrome Film is Back
March 13, 2017 Donald Scarinci

Everything old is trendy again, including “slide” film. At the Consumer Electronic Show, Eastman Kodak Company and Kodak Alaris announced plans to resurrect the iconic Ektachrome Film. Kodak first introduced Ektachrome in 1946. It rose to popularity in large part due the extensive use of slide film by the National Geographic Magazine over several decades. The film is unique because it creates a positive image that can be viewed or projected once it is exposed and processed. The film is popular with cinematographers and works well for high-resolution projection or presentations. As Kodak notes, it can also be scanned and…

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Lenses New Sigma 85mm Art Lens Is Now Available for Nikon
February 27, 2017 Donald Scarinci

The much-anticipated Sigma 85mm 1.4 DG HSM Art lens is now available for the Nikon mount.  Sigma announced the new art lens at Photokina this fall.  Most photographers consider the 85mm as a go to lens for portrait photography. Early reviews have been fabulous.  So far, everyone who has tested the new 85mm 1.4 DG HSM Art lens has been impressed, particularly with the quality optics and performance.  Some reviewers consider it as an upgrade alternative to the Nikkor 85 mm 1.4 lens. Sigma’s new lens is designed for high quality portraiture. It features a totally revamped optical design that incorporates 14…

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