March Focus

March 18, 2013 —

Rangefinder presents a variety of exhibits; book releases; new products tools and software; special projects by photographers; and more.

Two New Photo Books from Rocky Nook

Rocky Nook publishing recently released Digital Capture After Dark, a 192-page book that reveals all the exciting possibilities of using long-exposure digital photography to capture nighttime images. Co-authored by Philipp Scholz Rittermann and Rangefinder magazine contributor Amanda Quintenz-Fiedler, Digital Capture After Dark explains the unexpected difficulties photographers encounter when they first try their hand at nighttime photography. It also includes tips on buying the appropriate camera gear, as well as techniques that meet the after-dark challenges, such as careful color balancing, expanding dynamic range, controlling flare, dealing with noise, and converting files to black and white. It features more than 200 images, including contributions from photographers Michael Penn and Kevin McCollister. Price: $39.95.

Rocky Nook is also releasing Mastering the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 by Rico Pfirstinger, a comprehensive look at Fujifilm’s first mirrorless camera with APS-C sensor. The 276-page book delves into a variety of topics, including the camera controls and menu system, the hybrid viewfinder and monitor, exposure controls, metering, focusing and flash photography. It also provides tips and tricks on how to maximize the camera’s potential as well as information about third-party lenses, flash units and other practical accessories. Price: $29.95.
www.rockynook.com

A Historical Look at Native America

The Saint Louis Art Museum is hosting “Visions of Native America,” an exhibition of the work of Edward S. Curtis, famed photographer and internationally known authority on the history of the North American Indian. Consisting of 11 images, the exhibit gives a brief overview of Curtis’ monumental endeavor to document early 20th century North American Indian tribes as they were forced to abandon their traditional ways of living and relocate onto reservations. Subject matter ranges from vivid portraits and landscapes to details of dress and the production of arts and crafts. “Edward Curtis: Visions of Native America” will be on view in Gallery 321 through June 16, 2013. Admission is free.
www.slam.org

Fundy Updates Software Suite

Fundy Software recently introduced a suite upgrade to its popular Photoshop-compatible, design and workflow imaging software. Included in the release are updated versions of Album Builder, Blog Collage, Image Brander and Batch Editor. Album Builder v5, for instance, has been given a complete, one-click auto album function that allows users to design a 40-page album in less than five minutes. Image Brander v3 now features ten unique branding looks as well as an infinite number of custom looks. Blog Collage v3 can build fully-branded collages in less than a minute, while the speedy Editor v2 is still being touted as the fastest method to edit in Photoshop. Fundy Software offers free trial downloads at the company’s website.
www.fundysoftware.com/free-trial

Lexar’s High-Performance Memory Products

Memory product manufacturer Lexar recently introduced high-performance memory cards that leverage the XQD specification for next-generation DSLR camera models backed by Nikon and Sony. Available in 32GB and 64GB sizes, the new Lexar Professional 1100x XQD cards offer a minimum guaranteed read transfer speed of 168MB/sec. Utilizing PCI Express and SuperSpeed USB 3.0 technologies, the new cards also support 1080p full-HD and 3D video, and sequences of up to 100 RAW format frames in the continuous shooting mode. High-speed data transfers from XQD cards to computers is made possible by Lexar’s new Professional XQD USB 3.0 Reader, which delivers transfer speeds up to five times faster than USB 2.0. Lexar’s Professional 1100x XQD cards have MSRPs of $299.99 (32GB) and $579.99 (64GB). Thhttp://www.courseptr.come Lexar XQD USB 3.0 Reader has an MSRP of $44.99.
www.lexar.com

Class of 2014
Designed to capture the attention of high school seniors, Marathon’s Senior 2014 campaigns give photographers a marketing message that will be noticed. Its three-prong marketing scheme is guaranteed to capture the attention of high school seniors with interactive marketing materials they can’t put down, including three colorful mailings that, the company says, “create awareness, shape comprehension, and build conviction.” For even more exposure, Marathon also offers a last-chance, customized post card that features the same compelling graphics of the other three mailers.
www.marathonpress.com

PaintShop Pro X5 Explained

Photo Restoration and Retouching Using Corel PaintShop Pro X5, a new Course Technology PTR book, is an exhaustive yet friendly guide to the latest edition of Corel’s popular image-editing program. Using a step-by-step visual approach, the book’s author, Robert Correll, covers a wide variety of general topics, including improving brightness and contrast, solving color problems, removing specks and dust, retouching, and repairing scratches, tears, creases and holes. The 384-page book also addresses specific problems, such as red eye, blemishes and poor lighting. Price: $44.99.
www.courseptr.com

Color Fantasies 2 for Lightroom

Seim Effects recently introduced Color Fantasies 2, a system of more than 100 software-based presets that dramatically refine color images in Adobe Lightroom. Rebuilt for better workflows and mixing of effects, Color Fantasies 2 includes five categories of powerful tools that define color schemes from classic color to cinema-inspired tones. Its improved tools allow photographers to leverage the subtleties of color in their own way, mixing, matching, and adjusting on their own terms. Color Fantasies 2 supports Mac and Windows systems, working independently of white balance and exposure settings. Download price: $49.
http://seimeffects.com/color