Adobe updates Lightroom to 1.1

Adobe have updated, Photoshop Lightroom to version 1.1. Lightroom 1.1 now including support for multiple computer workflows, assisting photographers with more than one workstation. Adobe have also improved the Noise Reduction and Sharpening algorithms adding new capabilites. Windows Vista compatibility has also arrived with certification for 32-bit editions and there is support for digital cameras, such as the Canon EOS-1D Mark III; Fuji FinePix S5 Pro; Nikon D40x; Olympus E-410 and SP-550 UZ; Ricoh Caplio GX 100; Sigma SD 14 and the Phase One H 20, H 25, P 20, P 21, P 25, P 30, and P 45. I've just downloaded my update soI'll get back to you with my review of the complete product now I've had the chance to play with the old version and the update...

Bibble Pro 4.9.8 Released

Bibble have released version 4.9.8 of their Professional Workflow and RAW Conversion software for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux. Bibble is designed to quickly and easily let you maximize the results from most major cameras and RAW formats. Version 4.9.8 now includes support for the EOS 1D MkIII, sRAW and the Fuji S5 Pro, As well as a now healing and clone tool. Visit Bibble Labs for more info.

Breeze Systems

Breeze Systems have released Downloader Pro 2.0, which is a major upgrade to their powerful yet simple tool for transferring digital photos from camera to PC. New features in Downloader Pro 2.0, include automatic geo-tagging, the creation of track log files for GPS data, the ability to view thumbnails on a memory card and IPTC XMP data support. Visit Breeze Systems for more info...

Canon Updates Digital Camera Software

Rob Galbraith has posted an announcement that Canon have posted updates for almost all of the applications they bundle with their line of digital SLR models. He indicates that they have also released the Canon RAW Codec Version 1.0 for Windows Vista which helps address support issues for Raw files on the New windows OS.

Updaters are available for Digital Photo Professional 3.0, EOS Utility 2.0 and ImageBrowser 5.8b/ZoomBrowser EX 5.8b, as well as a full installer for RAW Codec 1.0, which can be downloaded from any of the recent-model Canon digital SLR pages on Canon's Web Self-Service System website. For the updaters to run, you must have earlier versions of Canon digital SLR software installed.

New Releases From Lightroom and Photomatix

Lightcrafts have released Lightzone Version 2.3, which centres on integration with Lightroom, Aperture and iPhoto. One of the best new features is the new black and white tool which has a number of enhancements over the old tool and also retains luminosity values independant of any filters used. I'm not certain how this works but I'll look into it for more clarification. For more info visit lightcrafts.com

Photomatix have released Version 2.4 of their HDRI Pro tool. Form more info visit http://www.hdrsoft.com/ ... The update includes a numbers of improvements and bug fixes.

Nikon Cancels The Release Of Their Recently Announced View Pro Software

Nikon decided to cancel the release of their high-speed image management and browsing software, Nikon View Pro.

Despite our preparations to release the software on schedule, the environment
surrounding image handling is undergoing major changes. We decided to suspend
the release based on our judgment that the new software’s performance would not
be optimal for the new environment. We are currently developing a new generation
of image management and browsing software for download from our website, and
plan to begin offering this before the end of 2007.

I look forward to seeing what Nikon Come up with...

LightZone 2.2.1 released

Light Crafts have released Version 2.2.1 of their LightZone image editing and RAW conversion software for Mac and Windows. This latest version fixes a bug that prevents the saving or exporting of images to disks other than the system/boot disk.

Camera Raw 3.7 for Photoshop CS2 now available

Adobe have released Camera Raw 3.7, a free update of their RAW plug-in for Photoshop CS2. Support has been added for RAW files from the Nikon D40 and Pentax K10D, and includes informal support for several Phase One backs and the Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro. Version 3.7 also supports cross-application compatibility between Lightroom 1.0 and Photoshop CS2 RAW processing settings. For more information visit Camera RAW, to download Adobe Camera Raw 3.7, together with an updated DNG Converter, visit the following links for Windows and Mac versions.

Windows Vista and RAW Metadata

There is apparently a problem with editing RAW metadata using Microsofts tagging tools in Vista. The problem being that it purportedly destroys Metadata in any RAW files edited. This problem is causing some users and News sites to take an I told you so stance, however I like any other user out there who relys on their data being kept intact are waiting for the lowdown from industry pundits before upgrading.

The reality of this situation is that this problem isn't one of Microsofts making, but one caused by all the unique versions of file formats out there from every Camera manufacturer. Look into RAW files and the lack of a standard for the cause of this problem.

To be perfectly frank, if you are using the tools found in an OS to do this rather than professional tools, then you're a big fool. If you are feeling like you want to live on the edge by being an early adopter, then you just might bleed a little more than you need to. Before jumping on the anti-Microsoft bandwagon take some time to learn about real workflows rather than assume that users are stupid enough to use stock tools for professional purposes. This is an issue for more than just Microsoft, please, please, if you're going to post a bug notice like this get your facts straight and put it in context rather than just come off sounding like a fanboy taking a poke.

Bottom line is ... If you have to edit the Metadata in your RAW files do it using a professional App. Preferably one created by the manufacturer of your digital camera. Likewise, if you want to upgrade to a new OS, please, please make sure the apps you use on a day to day basis are fully supported in that OS. Do your research...

This post was prompted by posts at several sites describing a bug in Vista which may destroy the Metadata in Camera RAW files. If you want to see the articles which prompted this post visit Gizmodo and News.com. This Microsoft Knowledgebase article has further and more relevant info...

DOP feature Preview of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom

Digital Outback Photo have posted a preview of Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Version 1.0. It's well worth a look as it helps to clarify a number of issues some users had with Beta 4. The preview is a good read, as it lists some of the features users had wished for. It also lists some of the shortcomings, and there are a few, mainly in the area of correcting optical distortion, advanced dual monitor support and image enhancement for noise and sharpness, amongst other capabilities. Ready the preview here, it's well worth your time.

Raw Workflow from Capture to Archives

Review by Mario Georgiou, February 2007
Authors: Philip Andrews, Yvonne Butler and Joe Farace
Publisher: Focal Press/Elsevier
304 pages
ISBN: 0-240-80752-9
US$39.95 - £24.99 GBP


Raw Workflow deals with one of the most important issues affecting Digital Photographers today. Most digital cameras today are capable of recording images in Jpg, however being a lossy format it is far from desirable for use by imageers and professional photographers. Some cameras even support recording to TIF, however the format of choice is actually the cameras native format - RAW. RAW data of course varies from camera to camera and as a result there are many flavours to choose from. Nikons NEF, Canons CRW and so on... there has even been an attempt to standardize the data by Adobe, DNG.

As a result of this, the photographer is spoilt for choice, especially when it comes to selecting a preferred format. RAW is ideal because it is somewhat equivalent to the film negative. There is however one distinction, and that is, that you can effectively reprocess the original data over and over again.

This book from Focal press attempts to clarify the issues photographers have to deal with on a day to day basis. As with many of the books from this imprint, it is well laid out, and easy to follow and has a nice combination of technical content, easy to follow illustrations and excellent writing.

It starts with the basics and builds from there. The first three chapters deal with describing what RAW is, as well as covering the technical issues of shooting in RAW and handling the resulting files.

Subsequent chapters take an extremely brief look at the different flavours of RAW converters and tools. The book then focuses on native converters and then moves on to Photoshop Elements, Adobe Camera Raw and its use with Photoshop and Bridge. Adobes Lightroom and Apples Exposure are then featured with an in-depth look at their relative merits.

RAW Workflow is completed by then covering the concepts of asset management, file storage and archiving. The Glossary at the end of this book is excellent and ads to an already excellent volume. Overall, I enjoyed the read. It is one of the best books on this subject and has something for readers of all experience levels.

Cons: No coverage of Linux based solutions. Some of the third party applications are touched upon too briefly.
Pros: Nicely laid out. Easy to read. Excellent coverage of the issues.

Raw Workflow is an excellent publication which is well laid out, richly illustrated and easy to read. It has something for users of all levels and is a solid book for the user who wants an introduction to the issues surrounding RAW based image handling and processing. Highly Recommended.