Topaz offers a great money saving deal. . .

 There's only 2 days left to save 30% on the NEW Detail™ 3 and ALL other Topaz programs! Featuring the most comprehensive detail enhancement technology, a boost in processing speed, an edge-aware masking brush and an updated interface with new presets, it is easier than ever to create high-impact images with beautiful definition and clarity. Get it now for 30% off (only $27.99) and get incomparable detail control!

Just enter the code "MoreDetail" when purchasing (valid through 12/16/12). Interested in purchasing other Topaz programs? You can use this 30% discount code for the Bundle, Bundle upgrades and ALL individual programs!

Help-Portrait tomorrow. . .

Tomorrow, our Princeton chapter of Help-Portrait will take, print and frame 70 plus individual and group portraits for those who could not normally afford or have access to a professional portrait. The total number of people will be somewhere around 200 guests. It's going to be great.

Topaz Labs Announces a free upgrade to "Detail"

A few days ago Topaz Labs announced that they will be releasing a free upgrade to existing users of their Detail software.  They will be announcing purchase details in a few weeks.
If you have read this blog for a while, you know that I love the Topaz products. As soon as I test drive it, I'll let you know what I think. It looks exciting.

Here are some of the new features:
* Ultimate Detail Control. Selectively control small, medium and large detail throughout your entire image or specifically target details found in shadow and highlight areas.
* Improved Performance. An enhanced workflow with faster processing speeds and the ability to handle larger images.
* New Presets Explore a variety of new presets that offer detail enhancement styles for every type of photographer and any type of image.
* Preset Collections. All of the presets are broken down into collections allowing you to take control of your preset workflow and organization. It also features the new ability to create your own collections.
* Effect Mask. Selectively brush detail in or out using the tools in the Effect Mask tab.
* Opacity Slider. Control the overall strength of your applied detail enhancements using the Opacity slider (located in the Effect Mask tab).
* Improved Toning Control. Achieve more natural and consistent tone throughout your image with the integration of the Topaz IntelliColor™ technology.
* Interactive Sliders. With the improved image processing speed you can now see your results instantly as you move the adjustment sliders.
* Split Screen. Get the perfect look every time using the 2-screen split view for easy before and after comparison.

This Week In Photo meets Creative Live

This week Frederick Van Johnson (TWIP) interviewed Chase Jarvis, one of the founders of Creative Live. Creative live offers free on-line courses. These courses cover many different subjects including photography,  software ,design, business and filmmaking taught by exports in their field. You view the show live in real time. If after that, you would like to own the class video, there is a fee.

I think you should at least check it out.

An exciting few days coming up. . .

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Today's picture was taken in Germany last year. This in the entrance to some kind of way out gallery.  Weird.

Anyway, tomorrow I'm doing a HDR workshop at Unique Photo in New Jersey. Sunday I'm helping out at a Meet-Up Photo walk in Princeton and Tuesday I'm giving my "Introduction to HDR Photography" presentation at B&H in New York for the 3rd time . Cool.

Brian Matiash makes a good case. . .

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I remember the first time I introduced myself as a photographer. I was giving an HDR workshop and the words just came out.  I surprised myself.  I wasn't hit with a bolt of lightening so I guess it's OK.

Brian, of On One software fame and a photographer, makes a good case for just that today as a guest on Scott Kelby's blog. It's worth a read.

A great suggestion I hope to follow

I listen to "This Week In Photo" every week. By the way, you should also. Anyway, Frederick Van Johnson was interviewing Trey Ratcliff about social media. Frederick asked Trey something about posting an image a day on his blog stuckincustoms.com. Trey explained his filling system for organizing the images he felt are good enough to be posted. One of my biggest problems with writing this blog is not things to talk about but in organizing my photos to post. How stupid am I. With this new system, I hope to do a lot more posting.
You can listen to the interview HERE.

Thank you Calumet Photo

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Things are getting back to the new normal after the storm a few weeks ago, at least in my area.  I know there are lots of people still hurting, badly. Some members of our local photo meet-up group maned a truck in the snow last week collection food, bottle water etc. for those at the Jersey shore.  The photos of that area and New York are heart breaking.  I wish them all the best.

Anyway, on Saturday I taught a class at Calumet Photo in Philadelphia. It was a small group, but we had a good time. I want to thank Calumet and the people that came. Lets do it again soon.

The photo above is a street scene in Philadelphia.

Don't forget to vote

Today is the day. For those of you in the US, it's you're obligation to get out and vote.  I know there is going to be a lot of confusion in New Jersey and New York due to Sandy. Our polling place has been move several time as the electricity has come back on in town.  It's now on the Princeton University campus.
Find your polling place and VOTE

Just before the big storm hit...

Just before the big storm

It's been a rough few days here in New Jersey, USA. I guess you all at least heard about the hurricane that took out the electric for over 2,000,000 homes, including mine for 5 days. If you have seen any of the photos of the destruction, you'll see all the misery it caused to a lot of people. The prediction is for the possibility of another storm later this week. Oh my.

Well, I took this image in Philadelphia last week-end just before the storm hit.  It's a 3 image HDR processed using HDR Efex Pro 2 and finished with some of the other NIK plug-ins.

A friend asked if I had taken any picture of the damage.  I don't have the heart to do that.