$ave Some $ This Holiday $eason

Season's Greetings. Yikes, I can't believe I just said that. This year went by way too fast.

Anyway, 'tis the season . . . to save as much as possible. Heck, some of us have kids in college.

Here are a few savings I thought I'd pass along to you.

Ho Ho Ho,
Rick

Save big bucks on selected Westcott lighting gear - for 12 weeks no less.

Canon USA is holding a Holiday Shopping Spree. Cameras, camcorders, ink, paper, printers, projectors and scanner.

Nations Photo Lab is offering 30% off its latest cool product, Gallery Blocks.



Nik Software is offering discount pricing on many of its plug-ins. Save more $ by using this code upon check out: RSAMMON.

You save 20% on a Smugmug account if you use this code: RickSmug20.

If you print out the above screen grab and send it in with your application for my Croton workshop, you can save $100.00.

All of my books are discounted, some up to 34%, on amazon.com. My top-selling book are listed at the bottom of my Meet Rick page.

Save 15% on Photomatix, a cool HDR plug-in, by using this code upon checkout: ricksammon.

Happy Holidays,
Rick

More on Getting Your Soft Pictures In Focus

Hey, it's not often I do two posts in one day on a new product, but I think InFocus from Topaz Labs is just too cool.

Here is another before and after example. The opening image, taken from atop the World Trade Center in NYC, is the after InFocus image. Below is the before InFocus image. You can't see it here (due to the low res photos), but the cables in the bridge are now tack sharp. I took the original photo with a 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 files camera.

Below is a look at the adjustment windows - one for Sharpen and one for DeBlur.


Check it out. You can get a free trail download here.

Explore the light,
Rick

Cool New InFocus Software

Ya gotta love this: new InFocus software to sharpen your soft images from Topaz Labs.

Before InFocus image on the left, InFocus image on the right. (By the way, I did intentionally use a slow shutter speed to blur the movement of my son's hands.)

Topaz Labs announced today the release of Topaz InFocus a Photoshop plug-in used for image sharpening and blur reduction. It is the first commercial software that offers auto-blur estimation and uses advanced deconvolution technology to help reverse the effects of image blur. This new sharpening approach completely changes the way detail refinement is done, by recovering true details, restoring image clarity and offering natural sharp-looking enhancements. The range of achievable sharpening possibilities have been dramatically improved and simplified with this new tool, allowing users to easily go beyond the lens to increase the sharpness and definition of any image.

“Recovering clear and sharp details from a blurry image is a very challenging problem that has been under intense research; and only in the last couple of years have there been some impressive breakthroughs in this area,” said Dr. Feng (Albert) Yang, developer and president of Topaz Labs. “We are pleased to have achieved the necessary technology required to provide a practical and useful tool to the hands of photographers everywhere.”

“Topaz InFocus actually recovers blurred detail and finds edges, as opposed to other common sharpening methods which simply boost edge contrast to create a perceived sharpness,” said Ashley Robinson, product manager of Topaz Labs. “By mathematically reversing image blur caused by lens imperfections, atmospheric haze, camera sensor abilities, focus issues and camera shake, we are able to help photographers achieve detailed and naturally sharp images.”

Topaz InFocus can be used prior to image enhancements to help reverse the effects of blurry and out-of-focus images or as a post-enhancement solution that can help refine image clarity and vividness – making it a versatile sharpening solution designed for professionals and photo enthusiasts. The program also includes a micro-contrast tool for adding additional finesse to image detail and structure.

InFocus is a plug-in that works with a variety of host programs including Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Aperture, iPhoto and Lightroom. It is compatible with Windows and Intel-based Macs. Topaz InFocus retails for $69.99, but is being offered at a one-time introductory price of $29.99 until December 3, 2010. InFocus is also joining Topaz Photoshop Bundle, which offers photographers a complete image enhancement toolbox for all of their post processing needs. The bundle, including InFocus, retails at $199.99.

Click here for more info.

Explore the light,
Rick

Be My Guest Monday 11/22/10: David H. Wells

It's "Be My Guest Monday," the day of the week that's turned over to a talented guest blogger for a quick tip (or sometimes several tips).

Today's guest: David H. Wells

The very best way to improve as a photographer does not require any new gear or expensive course of study. The best way to grow, as a photographer, is to take many photographs and then to critique them, to learn what worked and what did not.

As you might guess, for most photographers the hardest part of this process is critiquing their own images That problem is understandable, since each photographer has an obvious emotional investment in the images they make.

In my workshops, we try to break down that barrier by considering:

How do you “Critique” photographs?

Saying “wow,” “neat” or “cool” is not critiquing photographs.

Using a common language for critiquing photographs.

We need to be able to discuss the photographic tools, elements and techniques the photographer used, successfully, or unsuccessfully, to make the image that communicates their idea. This is regardless of photographic style, media, genre, format, etc.

The criteria that I teach in my workshops and I use when I critique photographs include:
How is light used? Is it harsh, soft, and from what direction

How is time used? Is a high shutter speed or slow shutter speed used?

What is the photographer’s position/angle?

What lens is used? Wide Angle? Telephoto? Normal?

Is the white in the image “managed?” (As viewers our eyes go to white first so the best photographers manage how they use white in their images.)

Is pattern, line, or texture used?

How is focus used and what is the point of focus?

What compositional elements are used such as negative space? What, if any framing is used to direct the viewer’s attention in (or out?)

Is the orientation, horizontal or vertical working?


Are each of the elements listed above used appropriately/effectively to improve the message of the image or are they misused and hinder the photographer’s communication?

These are my starting points, but they are not absolutes nor are they “rules.” Many photographers find that using these helps them to objectively analyze their images. The irony is that most photographers are good at looking at the work of other photographers, but lose that “unbiased” perspective looking at their own work. How each photographer gets around this challenge is the key to serious growth as a photographer. Some people do this by having their work critiqued by other photographers, whether peers or pros.

Despite the explosive growth in technology that dominates photography today, I keep hearing over and over how hard it is to get honest, useful feedback on your photographs. That’s why we founded Photo Synesi. This new site and service can help you improve your photography work through personalized feedback from master photographers, who are both wonderful teachers and experts in a wide range of disciplines.

It’s a premium service that allows you to:
• Submit your images
• Specify what you’re looking to accomplish
• Select a pro photographer with relevant experience
• Get vetted, expert advice to make your work better

The feedback comes in both written form and in the voice of the photographer critiquing your work. Unlike other sources of feedback, the reviewers do not just review the work done for assignments they’ve given you. Instead, our reviewers evaluate the specific work that you ask them to look at.

For a quick summary of what the service includes, click here.

• • •

Thank you, David!

I met David H. Wells, who is a photographer and educator based in Rhode Island, and a dude who also like sushi, at the California Photo Fest. His latest project is called Foreclosed Dreams: The empty homes and foreclosed dreams littering the American landscape in the wake of the foreclosure crisis. For more info, visit his web site.

Explore the light,
Rick

As Promised - 20 Free Redeem Codes for Two of My iPhone Apps. US Only.

As promised, here are the 20 free redeem codes for two of my popular apps. There codes are for the iPhone.

Please read this important note first: To redeem a code, go to the home screen of the App Store and click "Redeem" in the upper right hand corner. Enter your redemption code and sync your iPhone. Make sure to do so immediately as promo codes do expire and cannot be replaced if this occurs. Sorry friends around the globe, but the codes only work in the US App Store - Apple's policy. Also note that the process for redeeming a code is Apple's standard process, not ours.

Rick Sammon's 24/7 Photo Buffet - iPhone version 1.3
This is my flagship app - packed with general digital photography info.

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Light It Light! - iPhone version
This app is totally about lighting - indoors and out.

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Explore the light - and all my apps,
Rick