Computational Photography Technology

Welcome

DXO Optics has added 80 new modules.  Most noteworthy for me is the Canon 5d Mark II with the Sigma 12-24.  I really need this combination for some of my HDR Architectural Interiors.
DXO has a unique way of processing raw file and to make it really work correctly you need to download and install their modules, which are scientific characterization (Profiles) of a camera and lens combination.
DXO makes it pretty easy to fix undesirable lens characteristics, like Chromatic Aberrations, Fall off, edge sharpness, etc.
I use it to output corrected tiff flies, which I then merge to hdr images.
DXO is a pretty darn good RAW processor, but I find the workflow a bit tedious for large quantities of images, so I generally only go to DXO when I need some good lens correction for a derivative file.
DXO is a french company and I use to talk with one of their engineers over Skype. Good guys, try the demo if you haven’t.

” I’ve loved more cameras than women, but I love women more than cameras.”

I’ve been working out some theories on the most practical way to upgrade technology. Cameras, computer hardware, and software technology move at an alarming rate. The question is: when does it make financial and practical sense to upgrade? There are considerations of implementation and cost involved. Here I will outline these considerations and my theories and strategies.
Moore’s Law describes a long-term trend in computer hardware where capacity of circuitry doubles every 24 months. These same principles can be applied to almost all technologies, though the timing is different for every technology and situation. Technology upgrade theory is all about cost, implementation, and gain. Developing a good strategy is dependent on the nature of the technology and that must be studied carefully.

Know the Technology and know the habits and schedules of the manufacturers of that technology.
Example #1 Adobe is on an 18Month upgrade cycle: they allow you to skip versions and still get upgrade pricing: and their upgrades are usually major.
Example #2 Nikon usually upgrades the flagship models six-nine months before the top prosumer models. The top of the line prosumer cameras usually have many of the desirable features of the Flagship model at 40% of the price. Nikon is notoriously slow in getting their announced cameras to market. Read more…

Version 4.0 of the Universal Photographic Digital Imaging Guidelines was recently released. I serve as the Tech Editor of UPDIG, and also worked on branding and design aspects of Version 4.0.

A QUOTE FROM THE SITE:
The UPDIG guidelines aim to clarify issues affecting accurate reproduction and management of digital images. These guidelines were created to establish photographic standards and practices for photographers, designers, printers, and image distributors. The guidelines cover Digital Asset Management, Color Profiling, Metadata, and Photography Workflow.

Version 4.0 of the guidelines represents the industry consensus as of Sept 22, 2008. The guidelines were prepared by the UPDIG Coalition, with the help of many digital imaging professionals, software vendors, and hardware manufacturers. The UPDIG Coalition is dedicated to promoting standards for photographic digital imaging.
END QUOTE

UPDIG 4.0 had many many contributors. I would like to thank the Coalition Member Groups who came together to support this set of best practices for photographic digital imaging. I would also like to personally thank and recognize the great people I worked with directly. Many others contributed, but I worked directly with those listed below:
Richard Anderson- He served UPDIG very well for years. Richard stepped down as managing editor, but continues to collaborate and support UPDIG coalition efforts.
Greg Smith- The Copy Editor who actually knows grammar, spelling, AND photography.
Jon Heal- The web designer who gave the website and guidelines some style.
Michael Voigt- The Flash designer who put the 21 Coalition member groups into a Flash banner that will actually fit on a web page.
Peter Dyson- ASMP’s technology “Jack of All Trades” who got this thing to the web.
Rick McCleary- and the CMYK Working Group (A.K.A. the CMYK Mafia) a group of dedicated prepress guys and printers, who will take your head off if you’re not EXACTLY correct.
Peter Krogh- This DAM guy has offered his expertise to UPDIG from the beginning.
There are way too many dedicated contributors to list who work tirelessly for UPDIG and I know I’m leaving many of you out: Eugene Mopsik, Susan Carr, Judy Herrmann, Jeff Sedlik, Betsy Reid, David Riecks,….. the list goes on and on….GOOD JOB EVERYONE! Read more…

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Adobe will announce the CS4 release date and a show a preview of CS4 on the 23 of Sept, 2008. You can register for the braoadcast by following the link below.

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________http://adobe.istreamplanet.com/

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